Milk Foaming Air Pulse Control for Consistent Cold Foam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for frothing liquid foodstuffs, such as milk, face challenges in producing cold foam with desired consistency due to varying parameters like temperature, fat content, and viscosity, and require complex control of air flow to achieve consistent foam quality.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pump, air supply line, and intermittent air valve controlled by a unit that switches between high and low air flow states, allowing precise control of air flow through pulse duty factor and switching frequency, enabling production of consistent foam across different starting materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual throttle valves are used to regulate air and milk flow, then the device construction remains simple, but it becomes difficult to produce consistent foam quality with varying starting materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a control unit to dynamically adjust the air valve's switching frequency and pulse duty factor, thereby controlling the average air flow rate. This allows precise adaptation to different starting materials (milk temperature, fat content, viscosity) and production of consistent foam quality across varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical throttle valves with an electronically controlled air valve system. The control unit electronically regulates the air flow by switching the air valve between open and closed states at controlled frequencies and duty cycles, substituting manual mechanical adjustment with automated electronic control for more precise and consistent results.
2Manufacturing precision
If continuous air flow is used through the liquid foodstuff, then the device construction is simple, but precise control of foam consistency and volume cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by switching the air valve between open and closed states in a controlled repeating cycle. The control unit specifies a switching frequency and pulse duty factor, creating a periodic air flow pattern that averages to a desired continuous flow rate. This periodic switching enables precise control of the average air flow and consequently the foam consistency and volume.
3Manufacturing precision
If the air valve switches frequently between high and low flow states, then precise average air flow control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using a control unit that monitors and adjusts the air valve switching parameters (frequency and pulse duty factor) to achieve the desired average air flow rate. The control unit processes the required air flow parameters and dynamically adjusts the switching characteristics to maintain precise control despite variations in operating conditions.
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 achieves precise control over foam consistency and volume, simplifying the production of cold foam with desired properties, even with varying liquid foodstuff parameters, and allows for automatic generation of different foam consistencies and layered foam systems.
Implementation Method 1
a pump (2) which has a delivery line (3) on the suction side which can be connected in a fluid-conducting manner to a storage container (1) for the liquid foodstuff
Implementation Method 2
An air supply line (3a) is arranged on the suction side of the pump (2) in the flow path of the liquid food, by means of which air can be supplied to the food
Implementation Method 3
the food-air mixture expands on the pressure side of the pump downstream of the throttle, so that cold foam is produced
Implementation Method 4
The control unit and the air valve are designed to work together in such a way that the average air flow rate of the air valve can be controlled by repeated switching between the at least two states of the air valve
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The device has a pump (2) with a conveyor line (3) connected with a supply container of fluid food at a suction side, and an air supply pipe (3a) arranged at the suction side in a flow path of the food for supplying air to the food. A controller (9) controls an intermittent air valve (3b) of the supply pipe, where increased air flows through the valve in a condition and reduced air flows through the valve in another condition. The controller and the valve cooperate with each other such that medium air flow of the valve is controlled by repeated switching of the valve between the conditions. An independent claim is also included for a method for foaming fluid food i.e. milk.