Emulsifying device and beverage machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage machines with Venturi apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent milk temperatures and quality due to limitations in temperature control and inconvenient cleaning processes, especially when using milks at different temperatures.

Innovation Solution

An emulsifying device connected to a steam source with a detachable temperature sensor probe integrated into the liquid flow path, allowing for real-time temperature detection and control, and easy cleaning, is used in conjunction with a controller to manage steam and milk flow for optimal milk froth production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a Venturi apparatus is used to heat milk or make milk froth, then milk and steam can be mixed efficiently, but the temperature control becomes inconsistent when using milks with different temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemilk processing efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor detects the temperature of milk before it enters the mixing chamber, allowing the system to pre-adjust steam parameters based on the actual milk temperature. This preliminary detection and adjustment ensures consistent output temperature regardless of variations in input milk temperature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature sensor provides real-time feedback on milk temperature to the control system, which then adjusts steam flow and mixing parameters dynamically. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains reliable temperature control even when milk inlet temperature varies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If a temperature sensor is integrated into the milk tank for temperature detection, then temperature monitoring is enabled, but the cleaning process becomes inconvenient and requires manual removal of the sensor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemilk temperature detectionVSAvoidcleaning convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor is segmented from the main tank body and positioned in the liquid flow path where it can be easily accessed. This segmentation allows the sensor to be independently removed or cleaned without disassembling the entire tank structure, significantly improving cleaning convenience while maintaining continuous temperature monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Ensures consistent milk temperatures and improved cleaning convenience by allowing real-time temperature detection and control, enhancing the quality and reliability of milk coffee production regardless of milk inlet temperature.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor, detecting a temperature of the source liquid to be delivered to the mixing chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The emulsifying device is used to fully mix three substances of air, steam and milk through their respective pipelines in a mixing chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4427644A1Emulsifying device and beverage machine
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 KALERM TECH (SUZHOU) CO LTD
  • EP4427644A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4427644A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4427644A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an emulsifying device and a beverage machine. The emulsifying device is connected to a steam source so as to generate target liquid. The emulsifying device includes a main body, a delivering assembly, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The delivering assembly includes a first connector, and the first connector is detachably connected to the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor includes a detection probe, and the detection probe is located on at least portion of a liquid flow path for delivering source liquid from a container to a mixing chamber defined by the main body. The detection probe is detachably connected through the first connector, such that disassembly is convenient. The detection probe can be exposed when the first connector is detached, so that cleaning the detection probe is very easy, and milk temperature can be detected in real time.