Two-Stage Milk Heating to Prevent Caking at High Flow Rates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milk dispensing devices face issues with milk residue caking in continuous-flow heaters, limiting temperature control and flow rate, and failing to meet hygiene standards, especially at temperatures above 70°C.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage heating process using a continuous-flow heater followed by steam addition for additional heating, with a control unit managing the temperature between 50°C to 85°C to prevent caking, and a steam generator for efficient cleaning and high flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If milk is heated to high temperatures (above 70°C) in a continuous-flow heater, then the desired high milk temperature is achieved, but milk caking occurs in the heater
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is divided into two separate stages: first heating in a continuous-flow heater to a controlled temperature (50-85°C), then additional heating with steam. This segmentation prevents milk caking in the continuous-flow heater by avoiding excessive temperatures while still achieving the desired high final temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
Steam is introduced as an intermediary heating medium in a second stage. The steam is injected into the heated milk downstream of the continuous-flow heater, providing additional heating without causing caking in the continuous-flow heater itself.
2Productivity
If electrical power is increased to achieve higher flow rates and temperatures, then the desired flow rate and temperature are achieved, but milk caking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is divided into two separate stages: first heating in a continuous-flow heater to a controlled temperature (50-85°C), then additional heating with steam. This segmentation prevents milk caking in the continuous-flow heater by avoiding excessive temperatures while still achieving the desired high final temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature parameter in the continuous-flow heater is strictly controlled to remain below 85°C, preventing caking. The final temperature is then adjusted by controlling the amount of steam injected in the second stage, allowing high flow rates without caking.
3Device complexity
If a continuous-flow heater is used for heating milk, then the device structure remains simple, but milk residues cake and complex cleaning is required
Solution Approach 1:
Steam is introduced as an intermediary heating medium in a second stage. The steam is injected into the heated milk downstream of the continuous-flow heater, providing additional heating without causing caking in the continuous-flow heater itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam generator serves dual purposes: it provides additional heating in the second stage and also performs cleaning of the continuous-flow heater by injecting steam to remove any milk residues, eliminating the need for separate complex cleaning procedures.
4Ease of manufacture
If milk is heated in a continuous-flow heater, then the heating process is simple, but milk cannot be heated to high temperatures at high flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is divided into two separate stages: first heating in a continuous-flow heater to a controlled temperature (50-85°C), then additional heating with steam. This segmentation prevents milk caking in the continuous-flow heater by avoiding excessive temperatures while still achieving the desired high final temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
Steam is introduced as an intermediary heating medium in a second stage. The steam is injected into the heated milk downstream of the continuous-flow heater, providing additional heating without causing caking in the continuous-flow heater itself.
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 approach prevents milk caking, allows higher flow rates, and meets hygiene standards by controlling temperature and using steam for additional heating, enabling efficient production of heated milk and froth.
Implementation Method 1
a continuous-flow heater (32) for heating the milk
Implementation Method 2
a steam generator (34) for generating steam
Implementation Method 3
a steam generator (34) for generating steam
Implementation Method 4
steam can be supplied to the milk for additional heating downstream of the continuous-flow heater
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The device has a pump (P1) to conveying milk from a container (31), a flow-heater (32), and an output (33) for discharge milk. The pump, flow-heater and output are cooperated with each other such that the milk conveyed by the pump and heated by the flow-heater is discharged from the output. A steam generator (34) is connected downstream in reference to the flow-heater and upstream in reference to the output to feed steam to the milk for an additional heating process. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a coffee maker with a brewing unit; (2) a method for heating milk; and (3) a method for selectively generating of warm milk or warm milk froth.