Milk Emulsifier Steam Connector for Safe Rotation and Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for emulsifying milk-based beverages in coffee machines lack safety features and are difficult to clean thoroughly, with issues related to user safety and efficient milk residue removal.
Innovation Solution
A device with a main steam connector featuring safety means for secure connection and limited rotation, along with a mixing body and stabilizing element, utilizing a Venturi effect for milk drawing and elastically deformable materials for adaptability and easy cleaning, ensuring safe operation and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing emulsifying devices are used, then milk-based beverages can be prepared, but user safety is compromised due to lack of safety features and difficulty in thorough cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable components including a removable mixing body, detachable intake tube, and separable steam connector parts. This segmentation allows each component to be easily removed and cleaned independently, resolving the contradiction between maintaining functional integrity and enabling thorough cleaning access.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing body is designed to be completely extractable from the main device body, and the intake tube can be removed from the mixing body. This extraction capability allows users to access all milk-contact surfaces for thorough cleaning, directly addressing the safety-cleaning contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If the device structure is simplified for easy cleaning, then cleaning ease improves, but safety features against pressure and impacts are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet connection system provides dynamic adaptability - during normal operation it maintains secure locked engagement to withstand pressure and impacts, while during cleaning it can be easily rotated and detached. This dynamic connection behavior resolves the contradiction between structural strength and cleaning ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The device maintains segmentation for easy cleaning while incorporating safety features in each segment - the bayonet connection in the connector, the removable mixing body, and the flexible intake tube all provide both safety and cleanability in their respective locations.
3Ease of operation
If the device accommodates user variability in connection and disconnection, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet connection utilizes rotational movement to transform a potentially complex multi-step connection process into a simple single-motion locking mechanism. Users simply rotate the connector 90 degrees to lock, or rotate to unlock, accommodating various user abilities without requiring fine motor skills or complex procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The bayonet connection is designed to be self-aligning and self-locking through its geometric design. The asymmetric profile guides the connector into the correct position automatically during insertion, and the locking features engage automatically upon rotation, eliminating the need for user judgment or complex alignment procedures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the main steam connector allows free rotation, then adaptability to different container sizes improves, but safety against accidental misdirection of emulsion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The head rotation capability is made dynamic - it can rotate freely within a controlled range to adapt to different container positions and sizes, but the rotation is limited by mechanical stops that prevent excessive rotation. This dynamic range of motion provides both adaptability and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The limited rotation mechanism acts as a preventive safety feature - by restricting the rotation range beforehand through mechanical stops, the system prevents accidental misdirection of the emulsion stream before it can occur, while still allowing sufficient rotation for container adaptation.
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 provides enhanced safety and ease of cleaning, accommodating user variability and preventing splashes during emulsion dispensing, ensuring high safety and hygiene standards.
Implementation Method 1
a main steam connector (2) for connecting to the coffee machine (3) in such a way that the dispensing of steam therefrom under pressure generates a vacuum, by virtue of the Venturi effect, capable of drawing a pre-established amount of milk
Data Source
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AI summary
The device for emulsifying a milk-based beverage for coffee machines comprising, operatively associated with one another, a main steam connector (2) for connecting to the coffee machine (3), an intake tube (5) for drawing milk from a milk container (4), a mixing body (6), a steam connector (7) with a reducing hole (8) placed between said mixing body (6) and said main connector (2), a mixing element (9) and a stabilizing element (10) associated with the mixing body (6), the main steam connector (2) comprising a first safety means (11) for the safe connection thereof to said coffee machine and second safety means (12) for the limited rotation of the head of the head (13) of the main connector (2) so as to direct the emulsified beverage into a container (14).