Beverage Foaming Nozzle Sealing for Consistent Reassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior foaming devices for beverages, such as milk frothing devices in coffee machines, require precise tightening torque for reassembly to maintain functionality, which is inconvenient and can lead to inconsistent foam quality due to potential leaks and misalignment.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of first and second sealing and positioning means, including lip seals and grooves, to allow for tolerance in the positioning of the steam distribution tube and nozzle, eliminating the need for precise torque tightening and ensuring a perfect seal and consistent foam production during reassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If precise tightening torque is required for reassembly, then sealing and flow control are improved, but ease of operation and reassembly convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable sealing elements (sealing rings or O-rings) that are replaced rather than reused. This allows the coupling between nozzle and steam distribution tube to be simple and tool-free, while the disposable seal ensures reliable sealing without requiring precise tightening torque. The seal is replaced after each cleaning cycle, maintaining sealing quality while simplifying reassembly operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise tightening torque is required for reassembly, then flow control precision is improved, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable sealing element compensates for positioning tolerances and simplifies the coupling mechanism. The seal ring or O-ring is designed to accommodate minor misalignments, allowing the nozzle to be reattached without precision tools while maintaining consistent flow control. This eliminates the need for torque-wrench assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sealing mechanism from a rigid metal-to-metal seal requiring precise torque to a flexible elastomeric seal that accommodates positioning variations. The sealing element's material properties (elasticity, compliance) allow it to deform and seal effectively even when the nozzle is not positioned with high precision, thereby maintaining flow control precision while reducing assembly complexity.
3Reliability
If precise tightening torque is required, then coupling seal tightness is improved, but time consumption and operational efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable sealing ring or O-ring enables rapid reassembly by eliminating the need for torque-wrench procedures. The seal is simply installed in its groove and provides immediate sealing, reducing reassembly time significantly. The seal is replaced after each cleaning cycle, maintaining tightness reliability while minimizing time loss.
4Reliability
If precise tightening torque is required for reassembly, then foam quality consistency is improved, but ease of manufacture and assembly simplicity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable sealing element ensures consistent foam quality by maintaining reliable sealing without requiring complex assembly procedures. The seal ring or O-ring is a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and installed, eliminating the need for specialized assembly tools or procedures while ensuring consistent flow control and foam quality across multiple reassembly cycles.
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
Facilitates easy reassembly of the foaming device without compromising the quality of foam production, ensuring consistent flow rates and homogeneous foam reproduction over time, even after dismantling and reassembly.
Implementation Method 1
the suction means draw in - under the venturi effect generated by the steam entering the diffusion chamber - the heated air which passes through the outer tube
Implementation Method 2
The air present in the outer tube is in contact with the steam distribution tube, which makes it possible to heat it when steam is injected into said distribution tube
Implementation Method 3
the steam distribution tube comprises a downstream part inserted at least partially into the upstream part of the outer tube
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a foaming device (1) of a machine for the preparation of beverages, the design of which facilitates its reassembly by reproducing the same quality of the foam after each reassembly. The device comprises an outer tube (2), a steam distribution tube (3) fitted with a downstream part (5), a nozzle (4) fitted with a tubular body (11) and a head (12 ) equipped with a diffusion chamber (23), screwing means (8, 21) arranged between the downstream part and the tubular body, and suction means (24, 25, 26) configured to suck in the chamber diffusion of the air coming from a chamber (27) arranged inside the outer tube (2) and a liquid during an injection of steam into the nozzle (4) and when the lower end (2a) of the outer tube is immersed in this liquid. The device comprises first sealing and positioning means (10) configured between the downstream part (5) and the tubular body (11).