Foaming Stirrer Structure That Protects Ice Cubes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional beverage foam-making devices are bulky, costly to manufacture, and fail to produce desired foams due to the presence of a separation member, while manual methods can cause user injury from repetitive shaking.

Innovation Solution

A beverage foam-making device with a base and a rotatable shaft connected to a stirring member with multiple holes and a protrusion, which is driven by a motor to create fine foams without damaging ice cubes, and allows for even blending of additives like honey or syrups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separation member is added to protect ice cubes, then ice cubes are protected from being hit by the stirring blade, but the device becomes bulky and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveice cube protectionVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the stirring blade and separation member into a single integrated component. The stirring blade itself forms the separation member, eliminating the need for a separate protective structure. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining the function of protecting ice cubes during the foaming process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a separation member is added to prevent blade from hitting ice, then ice cubes are protected, but the foams are affected and cannot obtain desired quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveice cube protectionVSAvoidfoam quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stirring blade is designed with an integrated separation member structure where the blade edges naturally separate liquid from ice cubes. This merged design allows the blade to perform both stirring and separation functions simultaneously without interfering with foam quality, as the separation is achieved through the blade's own geometry rather than a separate obstructive component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If manual shaking is used to make foams, then no additional device is needed, but user arms and wrists can be damaged from repetitive shaking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoiduser injury
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical shaking action with an automated motor-driven stirring system. The motor rotates the stirring blade at controlled speeds to generate foams, eliminating the need for users to perform repetitive manual shaking that can cause arm and wrist injuries, while maintaining effective foam production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If multiple holes are added to stirring member to create fine foams, then foam quality improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam finenessVSAvoidstirring member fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple holes are integrated directly into the stirring blade structure, combining the stirring function with the foam-generation function. This merging allows the holes to be formed as part of the blade manufacturing process itself, reducing the need for separate fabrication steps and lowering manufacturing complexity while achieving fine foam production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 produces fine foams efficiently, maintains ice cubes intact, and reduces user fatigue, while being cost-effective and easy to operate, suitable for various beverages like tea, milk, juice, or coffee.

Implementation Method 1

The beverage is stirred by the stirring member and the holes of the stirring member make fine foams in the beverage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical agitation: Stirring

Implementation Method 2

a driving member is connected to the second end of the shaft. The driving member is cooperated with a driving device which drives the shaft to rotate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotational motion:

Data Source

PatentEP2918206B1Beverage foams making device
Publication Date: 2016.05.18 WANG HSIEN MING
  • EP2918206B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2918206B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2918206B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A beverage foams making device includes a base having a shaft rotatably extending therethrough. A stirring member and a driving member are respectively connected to two ends of the shaft. The stirring member has multiple holes and at least one protrusion extends from the stirring member. The driving member is cooperated with a driving device which drives the shaft to rotate. A cup has a connection portion connected to the base and the stirring member is located in the cup. The stirring member generates foams when the beverage in the cup is stirred by the stirring member. Ice cubes are not broken when making the beverage. The device is mainly suitable for making beverages such as green tea and black tea, alternative, milk, coffee and/or juice is also available.