Foaming device with controlled outlet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foaming devices for milk lack precise control and repeatability in producing stable foam, with issues including inconsistent foam characteristics throughout the process and hygiene concerns due to thick foam remaining in the container.
Innovation Solution
A foaming device with a controlled outlet that can be actuated based on parameters such as preparation time, fluid temperature, torque, and rotational speed of the foaming tool, allowing for adjustable dispensing of fluid foam, and featuring a flexible outlet that can be partially or fully closed to manage foam consistency and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the outlet is kept open during foaming, then the foaming process can proceed continuously, but the foam characteristics become inconsistent and thick foam remains in the container causing hygiene issues
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is made dynamically controllable, transitioning from a static open state to a dynamically adjustable state that can be partially or fully closed based on foaming parameters. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain consistent foam characteristics while preventing excessive foam accumulation, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and foam consistency.
2Reliability
If the outlet is closed to maintain foam consistency, then hygiene is improved, but the foaming process cannot proceed continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet employs periodic opening and closing actions during the foaming process. By periodically adjusting the outlet state based on monitored foaming parameters, the system maintains foam consistency while allowing continuous foaming operation to proceed, preventing both excessive foam accumulation and interruption of the foaming process.
3Ease of manufacture
If a rotating whisk is used to foam milk, then foaming can be achieved, but precise control and repeatability of foam characteristics are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback control by monitoring foaming parameters (such as foam density, volume, or consistency) and using this information to adjust the outlet opening degree. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise control and repeatability of foam characteristics while maintaining the simple rotating whisk design for foaming.
4Ease of manufacture
If steam injection is used for foaming, then foaming can be achieved, but precise control and repeatability remain problematic
Solution Approach 1:
When steam injection is used for foaming, the feedback control system monitors the resulting foam characteristics and adjusts the outlet opening degree accordingly. This allows the system to compensate for variations in steam injection parameters, achieving precise control and repeatability of foam characteristics despite the inherent variability of steam-based foaming.
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 ensures consistent and stable foam production by controlling the outlet according to specific parameters, improving repeatability and hygiene by preventing thick foam buildup, allowing for precise control over the foaming process and easy cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
it generates a magnetic field in response to which the foaming tool is made to rotate inside the container
Implementation Method 2
the outlet is arranged in the container in such a location that allows dispensing of the fluid preparation from the container by gravity
Data Source
AI summary
Device (100) for producing fluid foam comprising: a container (10) where the fluid can be introduced; a foaming tool (20) being rotatable in the inner volume of the container (10), able to mix and foam the fluid; at least one outlet (23) to allow dispensing of the fluid preparation from the container (10); a base able to hold the container (10) and comprising a driving unit (30) providing the rotation of the foaming tool (20); the at least one outlet (23) being actuated to be open or to be partially or totally closed as a function of one or a plurality of parameters defining the foaming of the fluid inside the container (10), these parameters being: preparation time, fluid temperature, torque exerted by the foaming tool in the fluid, rotational speed of the foaming tool or sense of rotation of the foaming tool.