Milk Frothing Nozzle With External Air Supply Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milk froth production devices face challenges in controlling air supply, leading to inconsistent quality and temperature control, with complex structures and hygiene issues, particularly in the nozzle design.
Innovation Solution
A device with a steam supply line connected to a nozzle with a tapered channel section for milk suction, where the air inlet is external, allowing for adjustable air supply via an air pump, simplifying the nozzle design and improving hygiene, and enabling precise control of the steam-air mixture for efficient froth production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the air inlet is integrated into the nozzle, then the structure is compact, but the control of air supply becomes expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a stationary part (housing with air pump and control elements) and a mobile nozzle component. The air inlet is separated from the nozzle and integrated into the housing, allowing independent control of air supply while keeping the nozzle simple and easy to clean.
Solution Approach 2:
An air pump is introduced as an intermediary component between the air inlet and the steam-milk mixture. This allows controlled introduction of air into the steam supply line, enabling precise regulation of air supply for consistent milk froth quality without complex nozzle design.
2Ease of operation
If the nozzle has a multi-part design for controlled air supply, then the air supply can be regulated, but the structure becomes complicated and hygiene is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is designed as a separate, simple component that can be easily removed and cleaned, while the air supply regulation mechanisms are located in the stationary housing. This segmentation allows for simple nozzle construction without compromising air supply control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The air inlet function is extracted from the nozzle and relocated to the housing. This removes the complexity of integrating air control mechanisms into the nozzle while maintaining the ability to regulate air supply through the air pump and control elements in the housing.
3Manufacturing precision
If the air supply is controlled through complex nozzle design, then the milk froth quality can be improved, but the temperature control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The air pump acts as an intermediary that introduces controlled amounts of air into the steam supply line, enabling precise control of the steam-air mixture. This provides consistent milk froth quality and temperature without requiring complex nozzle design, as the air-steam mixing occurs in the supply line before reaching the nozzle.
4Productivity
If the nozzle is designed for precise air-steam mixing, then the froth production efficiency is improved, but the nozzle becomes unsuitable as a disposable item
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a reusable housing containing all control mechanisms and a simple, easily manufacturable nozzle. The nozzle itself requires no complex internal structures for air mixing, as this function is performed by the air pump introducing air into the steam supply line upstream of the nozzle.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and disposed of if needed, while the valuable control mechanisms remain in the reusable housing. This enables the nozzle to be produced as a disposable item without sacrificing froth production efficiency.
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 solution allows for easy variation of air supply, improved hygiene, and user-friendly operation, enabling high-quality milk froth production with precise temperature control, making it suitable for various coffee-milk drinks.
Implementation Method 1
The milk can be sucked out of the milk container into the nozzle using the suction effect generated by the accelerated flow in the narrowed channel section
Implementation Method 2
The device has an air pump which is connected or can be connected to the air inlet opening via an air supply means in order to introduce air into the steam supply line
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (11) for producing milk froth using steam and air, comprising a convergent-divergent nozzle (2) for achieving a suction effect. A milk feed line (4) is connected to the nozzle in such a way that milk can be drawn from a milk container (5) into the nozzle (2) under the suction effect. The nozzle (2) is designed as a one-piece component created in an injection-molding process and contains a nozzle inlet opening (14), a nozzle outlet opening (17), and a milk feed line connection in the form of a milk intake fitting (20). The air inlet is located before a nozzle inlet opening (14) of the nozzle (2) with regard to the flow direction. A controllable air pump (6) is provided to introduce air into the steam feed line (3).