Milk Frothing Nozzle Layout for Safer Coffee Machine Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coffee machines for domestic use face challenges in effectively and safely connecting milk containers to steam supply nozzles, leading to inefficient milk emulsification and potential user safety hazards due to misalignment of steam jets.

Innovation Solution

A coffee machine design featuring a steam supply nozzle oriented towards the support surface with a connection seat for the milk container, allowing for ergonomic and safe connection of the container, which includes an emulsifying module with a Venturi tube for efficient milk emulsification and a separate nozzle for washing, ensuring user safety and improved functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the steam supply nozzle is oriented horizontally or at an angle away from the support surface, then the connection between the nozzle and the milk container may be more accessible, but the steam jet may not be properly aligned with the container opening, creating safety hazards and reducing emulsification efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidconnection accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The steam supply nozzle is inverted to face downward toward the support surface, with the steam jet directed into the milk container opening from below. This inverted orientation ensures proper alignment of the steam jet with the container while maintaining user safety by directing the steam jet away from the user's face and hands during connection operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection seat acts as an intermediary structure that receives the steam supply nozzle and guides its orientation. The connection seat ensures the nozzle is positioned at the correct angle and location, mediating between the need for user-accessible connection and the requirement for proper steam jet alignment into the container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a simple connection structure is used between the steam nozzle and milk container, then the device complexity is reduced, but the alignment precision and emulsification efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection structureVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the connection seat on the machine body, the steam supply nozzle as a separate insertable element, and the container connection interface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the connection seat provides structural support and positioning, while the nozzle focuses on delivering precise steam alignment, achieving high alignment precision without excessive overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the steam nozzle is positioned close to the milk container connection point, then the emulsification efficiency is improved, but the risk of steam jet misalignment and user injury increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsification efficiencyVSAvoiduser safety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the nozzle orientation to face downward, the steam jet is directed into the container opening from below, achieving close proximity for efficient emulsification while naturally directing the steam flow away from the user's face and hands, thereby reducing safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The potential harm of high-velocity steam jets near the user is converted into a benefit by inverting the nozzle direction. The same high-velocity jet that could injure the user is now directed into the container, providing efficient emulsification while the user is positioned safely away from the steam path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 design enhances the safety and functionality of coffee machines by ensuring proper alignment of steam jets, preventing accidents, and improving the efficiency of milk emulsification, allowing for easy cleaning and user-friendly operation.

Implementation Method 1

an emulsifying module having a connection seat in which said first steam supply nozzle is inserted when the container is connected to said first steam supply nozzle, said emulsifying module comprising a pipe for sucking up milk from said container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2503926B1Coffee machine

Publication Date: 2013.04.17 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 2A

AI summary

The coffee machine (1) comprises: at least a coffee supply module (7); a support surface (9) for cups, arranged beneath said coffee supply module (7); at least a first steam supply nozzle (13), to which a milk container (15) can be connected, equipped with an emulsifying module (12) having a connection seat in which the first steam supply nozzle is inserted when the container is connected to the steam supply nozzle. The emulsifying module comprises a pipe for sucking up milk from the container and a nozzle for supplying hot or emulsified milk (67). The steam supply nozzle (13) is oriented toward the support surface (9) and the connection seat of the container (15) is oriented upwardly when the container is placed on the support surface (9) with the first steam supply nozzle (13) inserted in the connection seat.