Device to produce milk-based drinks with a connection system and a coffee maker containing such a device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milk-based drink production devices with steam output nozzle tips for coffee makers lack a secure and easy-to-use connection system, often resulting in steam leaks or safety hazards due to improper installation, and require costly modifications for detection systems.
Innovation Solution
A milk-based drink production device with a connection system featuring a mobile jaw that shifts between connected and disconnected positions, ensuring a watertight seal, and a lever mechanism for easy manipulation, allowing for secure and ergonomic operation without modifying the coffee maker control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If friction-based connection is used between receptacle and steam output nozzle tip, then the device can be easily installed and removed, but steam leaks or safety hazards occur due to insufficient insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system employs a mobile jaw that can shift between connected and disconnected positions, transforming the static friction-based connection into a dynamic mechanical fastening system. This allows the user to easily activate the connection by moving the jaw laterally, while ensuring reliable watertight sealing when connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile jaw acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the receptacle and steam output nozzle tip. It provides a positive mechanical engagement that ensures proper insertion depth and maintains watertight connection, eliminating the uncertainty of friction-based connections.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If detection system is added to detect device presence, then safety hazards are reduced, but major and expensive modifications to the machine are required
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is designed to be self-verifying through its mechanical structure. The mobile jaw in the connected position inherently ensures proper attachment, providing built-in safety without requiring external detection systems. The mechanical design itself serves as the safety mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple mechanical components (mobile jaw, fixed jaw, lateral movement mechanism) that are inexpensive to manufacture compared to electronic detection systems. These mechanical elements provide reliable safety functionality without requiring complex electronics or control system modifications.
3Reliability
If mobile jaw lateral movement is enabled, then watertight connection is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into a fixed jaw and a mobile jaw with independent lateral movement capability. This segmentation allows the mobile jaw to independently adjust and maintain watertight sealing, while the fixed jaw provides stable structural support. The division of functions keeps each component simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile jaw's lateral position is changed as a parameter to maintain optimal sealing contact with the steam output nozzle tip. By allowing positional adjustment in the lateral direction, the system adapts to minor variations in insertion depth or alignment while maintaining watertight connection, without requiring complex control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a milk-based drink production device designed to work with a steam output nozzle tip of a coffee maker, where the device contains a steam input conduit. The device contains a connection system to the steam output nozzle tip which includes at least one mobile jaw that shifts between a connected position, in which a watertight connection is formed between the steam output nozzle tip and the steam input conduit and in which the device cannot be separated from the steam output nozzle tip, and a disconnected position in which the device may be separated from the steam output nozzle tip.