Milk Texturing Whisk and Steam Control for Consistent Froth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage brewing and fluid texturing devices are inadequate in producing a variety of milk froth types, often resulting in poor texture and temperature control, leading to suboptimal milk-based drink quality due to limited steam injection and whisking capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A fluid texturing device with a rotatable whisk and steam injection tube, controlled by a motorized driver, creates different vortex types within a container by altering whisk speed, allowing for precise integration of steam and air into the fluid, while a temperature sensor ensures accurate temperature management to prevent overheating or underheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If steam injection and whisking are used to texture milk, then milk heating and texturing is achieved, but proper texture consistency cannot be maintained due to lack of controlled variable parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the whisk speed variable rather than fixed. The motorized driver can adjust whisk rotation speed across different ranges (e.g., slow speed for microfoam, fast speed for thicker foam), allowing the system to adapt to different texturing requirements and achieve consistent results across various milk types and desired outcomes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters by controlling steam injection rate and whisk speed as independent variables. By adjusting these parameters (steam flow rate, whisk rotation speed, temperature), the system can precisely control the texturing process to achieve different foam densities and consistencies, resolving the inability to maintain proper texture consistency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If single-speed whisking is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but multiple milk froth types cannot be produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control by equipping the motorized driver with variable speed capability. The system can operate at multiple speed settings (e.g., first speed range for microfoam, second speed range for thicker foam), enabling production of different froth types without requiring multiple physical whisks or complex mechanical mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a single whisk assembly that can perform multiple texturing functions through variable speed control. The same whisk structure produces different froth types (microfoam, thick foam, etc.) by adjusting rotation speed, eliminating the need for multiple specialized components while expanding functionality.
3Temperature
If steam injection is used for heating milk, then milk temperature increases, but overheating or underheating occurs due to insufficient temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by incorporating a temperature sensor that continuously monitors milk temperature during the texturing process. The sensor data feeds back to the control system, which adjusts steam injection rate and/or whisk speed to maintain the target temperature range, preventing both overheating and underheating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by using the temperature sensor and control algorithm to automatically regulate the heating process. The device monitors its own temperature state and self-adjusts steam injection and whisking parameters without requiring external intervention, ensuring accurate temperature control throughout the process.
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 device achieves a high-quality milk texture by varying steam injection speed and whisk speed phases, ensuring proper integration of steam and air, and maintaining optimal fluid temperature, thus enhancing the taste and consistency of milk-based beverages.
Implementation Method 1
creates different vortex types within a container by altering whisk speed
Implementation Method 2
steam injection tube...position an outlet steam injection extend at the end of the steam injection tube adjacent to the whisk
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid texturing device is provided for use with a beverage brewing apparatus. In one embodiment, the fluid texturing device includes a housing having a driveshaft and a steam injection tube disposed therein. The driveshaft has a whisk at the end thereof that is configured to rotate with the driveshaft, and the steam injection tube is configured to couple to a steam source and has an outlet for ejecting steam. The housing can be configured to couple to a beverage brewing apparatus to allow a motorized driver to cause rotation of the driveshaft about a longitudinal axis thereof, and to allow steam to be injected through the steam injection tube.