Emulsifying device for emulsifying milk and coffee machine comprising said emulsifying device for emulsifying milk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milk emulsifying devices in coffee machines require user skill to adjust milk froth levels, are costly due to motor-driven air flow adjustments, and lack precision in froth control.
Innovation Solution
An emulsifying device with a Venturi mixing chamber, multiple air inlet lines equipped with solenoid valves of different cross-sectional areas, and a steam circuit, allowing for precise control of air and steam flow to adjust milk froth levels without user expertise, using a programmable controller to manage solenoid valve statuses for various dispensing programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a motor-driven valve is used to control air flow for precise milk froth adjustment, then milk froth control precision is improved, but device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is segmented into multiple independent air inlet lines (first, second, third lines) with different minimum cross-sectional areas, each controlled by its own solenoid valve. This segmentation allows precise control of air flow to the Venturi mixing chamber without requiring a single complex motor-driven valve, thereby reducing device cost while maintaining froth control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the motor-driven mechanical valve system with an electromagnetic solenoid valve system. The solenoid valves are actuated by electrical signals from the controller based on selected dispensing programs, substituting complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with simpler electromagnetic control, thus reducing device complexity and cost while achieving precise milk froth control.
2Device complexity
If manual adjustment knobs are provided for air suction line to adjust milk froth, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to dependence on user skill
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service through pre-programmed dispensing programs stored in the controller. When a user selects a program, the controller automatically actuates the appropriate solenoid valves to achieve the desired milk froth level without requiring the user to manually adjust air flow. This eliminates dependence on user skill while maintaining simple device construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing programs are prepared in advance with predetermined valve actuation sequences and timing. This preliminary configuration of control parameters allows the system to automatically achieve optimal milk froth results without requiring real-time manual adjustment by the user, thereby improving ease of operation without increasing device complexity.
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
Enables accurate and user-independent adjustment of milk froth levels with a simple, cost-effective system, eliminating the need for motor-driven adjustments and ensuring precise control over the frothing process.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing chamber where a flow of steam generates, by Venturi effect, a drop in pressure, which draws the air needed to emulsify the milk from a specific air supply line
Data Source
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AI summary
The emulsifying device (1) for emulsifying milk comprises a Venturi mixing chamber (2), a circuit (3) for supplying air and having an air outlet (22) connected to the mixing chamber (2), and a circuit (4) for supplying steam and having a steam outlet (23) connected to the mixing chamber, the circuit for supplying air (3) comprising a first air inlet line (5) equipped with a first shut-off solenoid valve (8), and at least a second air inlet line (6) equipped with a second shut-off solenoid valve (9), the first and second air inlet lines (5, 6) having a different minimum cross-sectional area (11, 12).