Induction-Heated Milk Foamer Container for Easy Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic milk foamers are laborious to clean due to the presence of electric and electronic components, which prevents submersion in cleaning solutions or dishwasher use.
Innovation Solution
The milk foamer design separates electric components from the container, using a ferromagnetic and conductive base to induce heating in the container, allowing for dishwasher-safe construction and efficient milk heating without compromising cleaning ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electric and electronic components are integrated into the container, then heating function is achieved, but cleaning becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The milk foamer system is divided into two separate parts: a container without electric components that can be freely cleaned, and a base containing all electric and electronic components (heating unit, motor, control electronics). This segmentation allows the container to be submerged in cleaning solutions or placed in a dishwasher while the base remains stationary and easier to maintain.
Solution Approach 2:
All electric and electronic components are extracted from the container and relocated to the base. The container is designed to be component-free, allowing complete submersion for cleaning. The heating function is achieved through electromagnetic induction from the base, eliminating the need for heating elements inside the container.
2Temperature
If the container is made ferromagnetic for induction heating, then rapid heating is achieved, but the container cannot be submerged in cleaning solutions
Solution Approach 1:
Only specific parts of the container that require heating contact (bottom and potentially side walls) are made ferromagnetic and electrically conductive, while other parts can be made of non-magnetic materials suitable for cleaning. This localized application of ferromagnetic material enables induction heating while maintaining cleaning accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is constructed using composite materials where ferromagnetic and electrically conductive materials are used only in specific regions (bottom and/or wall sections) that need to be heated by induction, while other regions use materials that are easy to clean and do not interfere with the cleaning process.
3Volume of stationary object
If the alternating field generator is placed in the base parallel to the container wall, then construction volume is saved and even heating is achieved, but magnetic field interference with other components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alternating field generator is positioned in a different spatial arrangement (parallel to the container wall in the base) rather than directly underneath, utilizing the third dimension to achieve both compact volume and reduced interference with other base components like the motor and control electronics.
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 enables rapid and even milk heating while allowing for easy cleaning, as the container can be submerged in cleaning solutions or placed in a dishwasher, addressing the laborious cleaning issues of previous models.
Implementation Method 1
an alternating field generator (36) is provided in the base (12) which generates a magnetic alternating field in which the bottom (20) of the container (14) heats itself up due to the alternating field so that the milk present in the container (14) is heated inductively
Implementation Method 2
the bottom of the container is manufactured, at least in part, out of a ferromagnetic and/or electrically conductive material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an automatic milk foamer having a container for receiving milk and a base body on which or in which the container can be placed. The milk foamer also includes a stirring device that can be placed in the container for foaming the milk, a motor provided in the base body for driving the stirring device, and a heating device for warming the milk present in the container. The heating device includes an alternating magnetic field generator provided in the base body for generating an alternating magnetic field. The container is designed such that it heats up due to the alternating magnetic field.