Conical Gap Foaming Unit for Stable Milk Foam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for foaming liquids, such as milk, fail to produce stable, high-quality foam due to limitations in controlling foam stability based on milk viscosity and temperature, as they rely solely on cylinder speed adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A device with a conical cavity and wheel design that allows for adjustable gap width and linear speed control between the elements, enabling better foam stability and customizable foaming levels by varying the gap width and rotation speed based on liquid characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If only the speed of the cylinders is changed, then the foaming process can be adjusted, but the good quality of the milk foam cannot be ensured across different milk characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting both the rotational speed of the inner cylinder and the gap width between the cylinders to optimize foaming for different milk characteristics. The control unit dynamically modifies these parameters based on detected milk properties, allowing the system to adapt to varying viscosities and temperatures while maintaining consistent foam quality across different milk types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the gap width is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the foaming quality cannot be optimized for different liquid characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the gap width adjustable rather than fixed. The inner cylinder is designed to be movable relative to the outer cylinder, allowing the gap width to be dynamically changed based on the liquid characteristics and desired foaming level. This dynamic adjustment capability enables optimization of foaming quality for different liquids while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
3Productivity
If the cylinder speed is increased, then the shear stress increases and foaming is enhanced, but the foam stability and texture quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by simultaneously adjusting both rotational speed and gap width to achieve optimal foaming. Rather than relying solely on increasing cylinder speed, the system modifies the gap width to control shear stress levels, enabling efficient foaming while maintaining foam stability and proper texture. The control unit coordinates both parameters to prevent the deterioration of foam quality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device achieves stable and high-quality foamed beverages by ensuring optimal shear stress and foam consistency across different liquid viscosities and temperatures, allowing for adjustable foaming levels and improved texture.
Implementation Method 1
the milk-air mixture passes, at least partially, through the device with Couette flow
Implementation Method 2
the cylinders rotate with respect to each other, so that the milk-air mixture in the gap experiences high shear stress
Data Source
AI summary
Device for foaming a liquid comprising a mixing unit (30). The mixing unit (30) comprises a first element (31) having an inner surface (33), a second element (34) having an outer surface (35), a gap (36) between the inner surface (33) of the first element (31) and the outer surface (35) of the second element (34), a first opening (37) and a second opening (38) connected through the gap (36). At least one of the first element (31) or the second element (34) is rotatable about an axis of rotation (AR) with respect to the other one. The inner surface (33) and the outer surface (35) are symmetric with respect to a common axis of symmetry (AH, AW), coincident with the axis of rotation (AR), and have circular sections, perpendicularly to the axis of symmetry, having diameters which increase going in a direction along the axis of symmetry (AH, AW).