Milk Steam Injection Layout for Higher Coffee Machine Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines are unable to heat milk to a sufficiently high temperature for certain coffee products like cappuccino or latte macchiato, as the energy supplied via steam only heats milk to around 40°C, which results in a low mixing temperature with coffee.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves providing water vapor for milk heating not only through the outlet opening of the propulsion nozzle but also at additional positions in the milk flow direction, using an additional steam line that can be arranged adjacent to the propulsion nozzle, allowing for higher milk temperatures to be achieved without requiring additional heating devices or significant milk flow rate increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If steam is supplied only through the outlet opening of the propulsion nozzle, then the milk flow rate is maintained, but the milk temperature only reaches around 40°C which is insufficient for certain coffee products
Solution Approach 1:
The steam supply is segmented into multiple injection positions: the outlet opening of the propulsion nozzle and at least one additional position in the milk flow path. This segmentation allows steam to be introduced at multiple locations, increasing the total heat transfer area and enabling higher milk temperatures while maintaining adequate flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam injection is extended from a single point (outlet opening) to multiple positions along the milk flow path (adding a spatial dimension). This dimensional expansion allows thermal energy to be distributed along the flow path, achieving higher temperatures without sacrificing flow rate.
2Temperature
If additional heating devices are provided to increase milk temperature, then the milk temperature can be raised, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing propulsion nozzle and steam generation system are made multi-functional. The propulsion nozzle not only generates the vacuum effect for milk suction but also serves as a steam injection point. The steam line is routed to provide steam at multiple positions, making the existing heating system capable of achieving higher temperatures without additional heating devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The milk heating process utilizes the kinetic energy and thermal energy already present in the steam-generating system. The steam introduced at multiple positions heats the milk passively during its flow through the heating chamber, without requiring external power input or additional active heating elements.
3Temperature
If the steam supply amount is increased to raise milk temperature, then the milk temperature increases, but the milk flow rate decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The steam supply is divided and distributed to multiple injection positions along the milk flow path. This segmentation allows the total steam quantity to be spread out over different locations, providing cumulative heating effect without concentrating excessive steam at one point that would overwhelm the milk flow and reduce its speed.
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 method significantly increases milk temperature to over 50°C, preferably between 58°C and 75°C, using a single heating device by dividing the steam supply to utilize thermal energy more efficiently, allowing for higher milk temperatures without compromising milk flow speed.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device for heating water to form steam
Implementation Method 2
heating device for heating water to form steam
Implementation Method 3
for generating negative pressure and thereby sucking in milk through a milk line
Implementation Method 4
for generating negative pressure and thereby sucking in milk through a milk line
Implementation Method 5
steam for heating the milk can be introduced into the sucked milk through an outlet opening of the driving nozzle
Implementation Method 6
water vapor that is used to generate the suction pressure, i.e. the vacuum, gets into the milk and heats it up
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a beverage preparation device, in particular a coffee machine with a brewing unit (1) for leaching out ground coffee, with means for heating milk with steam, comprising a heating device (5) for heating water to form steam, with a steam line ( 15) propulsion nozzle (24) that can be supplied with vaporous fluid or fluid intended for steam generation, for generating negative pressure and thereby sucking in milk through a milk line (17), with steam for heating the milk passing through an outlet opening (27) of the propulsion nozzle (24) into the sucked-in Milk can be introduced, at least one additional steam line (16) being provided, through which water vapor can be supplied to the milk at a position different from the outlet opening (27) of the driving nozzle (24). According to the invention, water vapor can be supplied to the milk through the additional steam line (16) at the same time as water vapor is introduced through the outlet opening (27) of the driving nozzle (24).