Modular Pump Head Assembly for Easy Cleaning of Milk Froth Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern drinks machines face challenges with expensive and difficult-to-clean displacement pumps, which are prone to clogging and require complex maintenance, especially when handling perishable liquids like milk for froth production.
Innovation Solution
A modular pump design with a receptacle, fixing device, and pump head consisting of easily disassembled components, allowing for simple cleaning and maintenance, featuring a non-contact drive and quick-release connections for reduced complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional closed displacement pumps are used, then pumping function is reliable, but cleaning difficulty increases and maintenance cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The pump head is divided into separate components including pump housing, drive unit, and displacement elements that can be easily disassembled and cleaned individually, resolving the contradiction between reliable pumping function and cleaning difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement elements are extracted as removable components from the pump housing, allowing them to be taken out for cleaning and maintenance without dismantling the entire pump structure, thus maintaining reliability while improving ease of cleaning
2Reliability
If high-quality displacement pumps are used, then pumping performance improves, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is segmented into modular components that can be manufactured separately using cost-effective methods like injection molding, then assembled to achieve reliable pumping performance at lower production cost
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement elements are designed as simple, replaceable components that can be manufactured inexpensively and replaced when worn, reducing overall production cost while maintaining pumping performance
3Ease of manufacture
If pump head is made as single piece, then manufacturing simplicity increases, but cleaning accessibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump head is segmented into multiple components including cover, housing, and displacement elements connected by simple fasteners, enabling easy disassembly for cleaning while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized parts
4Stress or pressure
If complex connecting elements are used, then pressure resistance improves, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device uses a dynamic quick-release mechanism that allows the pump head to be rapidly installed and removed without complex assembly procedures, achieving both pressure resistance and reduced installation time
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 modular design enables easy cleaning and maintenance by laypersons, reduces production costs, and improves hygiene when handling perishable liquids, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of milk froth production in drinks machines.
Implementation Method 1
there is a drive here by means of magnetic field forces, so that there is no direct contact between the drive and the medium to be conveyed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5d
AI summary
The module (1) has a retainer (2) provided with a terminal for foaming gas or cleaning medium, and a pump head (4) that is detachable from the pump module. The pump head is fixable in the retainer by a fixing unit (3) such that individual components of the pump head are closely blocked with one another and are rigidly connected with the terminal of the retainer. The pump head comprises two restrictor elements i.e. gear wheels, stored in a pump casing, and a lid (8) for closing the pump casing. A diaphragm element (13) is connectable at an outlet of the pump head.