Drink Frothing Nozzle Control With Integrated Air Shut-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frothing systems for household beverage makers require manual operation of the shutter valve, making it difficult to automate the transition between steam and food liquid, or steam and air mixtures, which complicates the system and increases the number of components.
Innovation Solution
A foam production device with a drive member that cooperates with the shutter valve to automate the change between inactive, heating, and foaming states by moving the nozzle relative to the base, using a motor to control the position and thus the valve's operation, allowing for three states: inactive, heating (steam only), and foaming (steam, liquid, and air) without increasing system complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual operation of the shutter valve is used, then the system structure remains simple, but automation of the frothing process becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the shutter valve actuation mechanism with the nozzle movement mechanism. The drive member is integrated into the base and cooperates with the shutter valve, so that when the foam production device moves between positions, the drive member automatically actuates the shutter valve. This merging of functions allows automation without adding independent control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive member serves multiple functions: it acts as a mechanical stop for the shutter valve, provides a sealing surface, and transmits the movement of the foam production device to control the valve state. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, maintaining system simplicity while enabling automation.
2Ease of operation
If the shutter valve is actuated independently, then precise control of air intake is achieved, but the number of components and control mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter valve actuation is merged with the nozzle positioning mechanism. The drive member in the base cooperates with the shutter valve such that the vertical movement of the foam production device automatically opens or closes the valve. This eliminates the need for separate actuators, buttons, or control mechanisms for valve operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the movement of the foam production device itself to actuate the shutter valve. The drive member is positioned and dimensioned so that when the nozzle moves to its foaming position, it automatically engages the drive member to open the valve, and when retracted, the valve closes automatically. The system serves itself without external intervention.
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 simple automation of the frothing process by using a motor to control the nozzle's position, reducing manual intervention and maintaining system simplicity, while ensuring effective frothing and easy maintenance by preventing liquid introduction into the air circuit.
Implementation Method 1
the flow of steam circulating in the nozzle entrains the air and the food liquid which is contained in a container in which the nozzle is immersed so as to eject foam
Implementation Method 2
the base comprises a drive member cooperating with the shutter valve so that, when the foam production device is in its heating position in which the steam supply line is supplied with steam, the valve is in its closed position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The system has a foam producing device (3) including a shut-off valve (5) movably mounted with respect to a foam generating nozzle (4) between closed and open positions in which an air supply duct (7) is closed and opened, respectively. The device is movably mounted with respect to a base (2) between an inactivation position and a foaming position. The base includes a driving unit (22) cooperating with the valve such that the valve is in the closed position when the device is in a heating position in which a steam supply duct (6) is supplied with steam.