Milk foamer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milk foamers face issues with the weight and complexity of the cup lid due to the actuator and drive mechanism, leading to difficulties in opening and closing, as well as increased risk of contamination and corrosion at the power supply junction, and require a sealing mechanism to protect from steam, resulting in a complicated structure.
Innovation Solution
A milk foamer design with a magnetic drive mechanism integrated into the base body, eliminating the need for a power supply terminal between the cup lid and base, and using a head detection unit to ensure proper operation, featuring a stirring head with permanent magnets and a support member for the stirring blade, allowing for non-contact rotation and simplification of the cup lid structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuator and drive mechanism are mounted on the cup lid, then the stirring function is achieved, but the weight of the cup lid increases making it difficult to open/close
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism and actuator are extracted from the cup lid and relocated to the base body. This removes the heavy components from the movable cup lid, significantly reducing its weight and making it easy to open and close without the burden of motor weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical connection and direct drive system is replaced with a magnetic drive system. The magnetic drive mechanism uses magnetic fields to transmit rotational force to the stirring head without mechanical contact, eliminating the need for a mechanical transmission system in the cup lid and reducing its weight.
2Reliability
If a junction for power supply is provided between cup body and cup lid, then power can be supplied to the drive mechanism, but the possibility of malfunction due to contamination or corrosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply junction is extracted from the interface between cup body and cup lid. By relocating the drive mechanism to the base body, the power supply connection is made at the base body level, eliminating the exposed junction at the cup lid interface that would be susceptible to steam, contamination, and corrosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical-mechanical system with exposed junctions is replaced with a magnetic field-based drive system. The magnetic drive mechanism eliminates the need for electrical connections between the cup lid and drive mechanism, removing the vulnerability to contamination and corrosion at junction points.
3Reliability
If a sealing mechanism is provided to protect the drive mechanism from steam, then the drive mechanism is protected, but the structure of the cup lid becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is extracted from the cup lid and placed in the base body, which is naturally protected from steam exposure. This eliminates the need for complex sealing mechanisms in the cup lid, as the drive mechanism resides in a protected environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic drive system allows the stirring head to rotate without mechanical connection to the cup lid structure. The stirring head can be freely positioned and rotated by magnetic field action, eliminating the need for complex sealing and bearing structures that would be required for a mechanically connected drive system in the cup lid.
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
This design reduces the weight and complexity of the cup lid, minimizes contamination and corrosion risks, and enhances usability by enabling non-contact magnetic drive and efficient stirring, while maintaining effective heating and foaming capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic drive mechanism configured to magnetically drive the stirring head is provided to the base body
Implementation Method 2
The stirring head preferably includes a first permanent magnet group disposed at equal intervals along a circumferential direction of rotation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The present invention provides a milk foamer that implements simplification of a configuration of a cup lid, and reduces contamination and corrosion to a drive mechanism or a junction. A milk foamer includes a base body (1), a cup body (2) placed on the base body (1), a cup lid (3) placed on the cup body (2), and a stirring mechanism (5) configured to stir milk in the cup body (2), wherein the stirring mechanism (5) includes a stirring head (50) and a shaft (51) for supporting the stirring head (50), and a magnetic drive mechanism configured to magnetically drive the stirring head (50) is provided to the base body (1).