Frothing Channel Seal Structure for Cleanable Mixing Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic frothing systems for beverages are complex and difficult to disassemble and clean, with inadequate sealing in high-pressure areas, leading to potential leakage during the frothing process.
Innovation Solution
A mixing apparatus with a seal system that allows for easy disassembly and cleaning, featuring a channel defined by a seal between two containers, with adjustable dimensions and sealing force to ensure proper sealing across different portions, using a span seal configuration that operates with pull forces to maintain sealing without deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the channel is split to allow disassembly for cleaning, then ease of cleaning is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to insufficient seal indentation in high-pressure portions
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed with varying indentation depths at different locations to match the local pressure conditions. Specifically, the seal has a first indentation portion with greater indentation depth for high-pressure steam channels, and a second indentation portion with lesser indentation depth for low-pressure milk channels. This local differentiation ensures adequate sealing force where needed while maintaining overall sealing reliability across the entire channel system.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal indentation is designed to dynamically adapt to pressure variations during operation. The varying indentation depths allow the seal to maintain optimal contact pressure with the channel surfaces under different operating conditions, ensuring reliable sealing during both low-pressure milk filling and high-pressure steam frothing cycles.
2Reliability
If high sealing force is applied to ensure sealing in high-pressure portions, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying uniform high sealing force throughout the entire seal, the invention applies localized sealing force only where needed. The seal features deeper indentation portions specifically at high-pressure steam channel interfaces, while maintaining shallower indentation at low-pressure milk channel interfaces. This localized approach achieves reliable sealing in critical areas without requiring excessive overall sealing force, simplifying both the seal design and assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal indentation depth parameter is varied across different portions of the seal to optimize sealing performance. By changing the indentation depth parameter from shallow in milk channels to deep in steam channels, the seal achieves appropriate sealing force distribution without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or excessive overall compression force.
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 solution enables simple and effective cleaning of the frothing channel while maintaining adequate sealing, reducing the risk of leakage and deformation, ensuring stable performance across varying conditions during the frothing process.
Implementation Method 1
the raised container portion causes an indentation in the seal of greater than 0.2 mm, for example 0.6 mm. In order to create a sealing force between the seal and the first container, an indentation is required.
Data Source
AI summary
The mixing apparatus includes a first container, wherein the first container comprises: a first port; and a mixing chamber. The mixing apparatus further includes a second container where the second container is adapted to receive the first container, and a seal disposed between the first container and the second container. In addition, the mixing apparatus includes a channel between the first port and the mixing chamber, where the channel is defined by the seal and the first container. In some examples, the seal includes: a first seal portion; and a transition seal portion, the transition portion includes a seal split; and an air intake channel.