Magnetic-Driven Stirrer for Foam Preparation Without Hub Protrusions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foam preparation apparatuses for food liquids, such as milk, face issues with complex designs that complicate cleaning and require protrusions in the container, leading to inefficient washing and increased costs due to the need for conventional motors and magnetic driving components.

Innovation Solution

A foam preparation apparatus with a stirrer driven by a rotating magnetic field generated by a stator, positioned inside the support base, which interacts with permanent magnets on the stirrer, eliminating the need for a hub and simplifying the design to allow for easy cleaning and reduced complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional electric motor with hub and shaft is used to drive the stirrer, then the stirrer can be driven in rotation, but the container requires protrusions and positioning recesses that complicate cleaning and increase device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cleaningVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical motor system (with shaft, hub, and protrusions) with a magnetic field-based driving system. The stator generates a rotating magnetic field that interacts with permanent magnets on the stirrer, eliminating the need for mechanical connections through the container bottom. This substitution removes protrusions and positioning recesses, making the container smooth and easy to clean while reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the driving mechanism and the stirrer. The stator generates a rotating magnetic field that acts as the mediator to transmit rotational motion to the stirrer without physical contact through the container bottom. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for mechanical hubs and shafts that would otherwise protrude from the container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a stator is mounted around the container to generate a rotating magnetic field, then the stirrer can be driven without mechanical connections, but the stator positioning and container shape requirements increase device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the stator with the support base structure, integrating the magnetic field generation system into the existing container support. This combination eliminates the need for separate stator positioning mechanisms and specialized container shapes, as the support base naturally provides the mounting structure. The merged design simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of separate components and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support base is designed to serve multiple functions: it supports the container and simultaneously houses the stator for generating the rotating magnetic field. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate stator mounting structures and specialized container features, simplifying both manufacturing and overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 apparatus achieves efficient foam preparation with a simplified design that facilitates easy cleaning and reduces costs by eliminating the need for complex motor components and protrusions, enhancing usability and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

the stator is adapted to generate a rotating magnetic field about the axis of rotation for inducing a rotation of the stirrer about that axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotating magnetic field: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

electrically-operated driving means, positioned outside the container and adapted to be magnetically coupled with the stirrer to drive the latter in rotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3541255B1Apparatus for preparing a foam from a food liquid, in particular from milk or a milk-based liquid

Publication Date: 2021.06.16 LUIGI LAVAZZA SPA

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AI summary

The apparatus (1) comprises: a support base (2); a container (3) for containing an amount of food liquid, the container (3) being arrangeable in a working position on the support base (2); a stirrer (8) adapted to be removably positioned in the container (3) to rotate about an axis of rotation (Z-Z); and electrically-operated driving means (12), positioned outside the container (3) and arranged to be magnetically coupled with the stirrer (8) to drive it in rotation about the axis of rotation (Z-Z), so as to stir the liquid contained in the container (3) and form a foam. The stirrer (8) comprises a member (9) provided with permanent magnets (10) and stirring means (11) connected to that member (9). The driving means comprise a stator (12) which is disposed around the member (9) of the stirrer (8), at least when the container (3) is placed in the working position on the support base (2), and is adapted, when coupled with a power supply, to generate a rotating magnetic field about the axis of rotation (Z-Z) for inducing a rotation of the member (9), so that the member (9) operates as a rotor to drive the stirring means (11) in rotation.