Parallel Milk Frothing With Upstream Steam Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee machines face challenges in achieving a compact design while maintaining cleanability and ensuring equal amounts of froth in two streams, as existing froth splitting methods either complicate cleaning or sacrifice compactness.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves shifting the split from the froth outlet to the steam inlet, using two separate frothing units with a single steam generator and splitter, allowing for a compact design and improved cleanability by utilizing a steam splitter that is self-cleaning and self-sterilizing, and optionally including a liquid splitter for equal liquid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a piping split is used to split froth into two streams, then a compact design is enabled, but cleaning of the piping split becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the splitting function from the froth stream to the steam stream. By placing the steam splitter upstream in the steam generation unit, the splitting action occurs before the steam contacts the milk, eliminating the need for complex froth-splitting piping that is difficult to clean. The steam splitter itself is easily cleanable as it handles only steam, not milk residue.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of splitting the froth stream after it is created (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by splitting the steam stream before it contacts the milk. This reversal moves the splitting operation to a location (steam generation unit) that is inherently easier to clean and maintain, while still achieving the desired two-stream froth output.
2Ease of operation
If an atmospheric gutter split is used to split froth, then cleaning is much easier, but the device requires extra height in vertical direction and compact design is not allowed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the splitting function from the froth outlet area to the steam generation unit. By implementing the steam splitter upstream, the need for a physical gutter structure in the froth path is eliminated entirely. This removes the vertical height requirement associated with gutter splits while maintaining easy cleanability, as the steam splitter is integrated into the compact steam generation unit.
3Ease of operation
If an atmospheric gutter split is used, then cleaning is easier, but splitting accuracy is limited and equal amounts of froth in two streams are difficult to provide
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical gutter-based splitting system with a steam-flow-based splitting mechanism. The steam splitter uses controlled steam flow distribution to achieve precise splitting ratios, eliminating the reliance on gravity and manual positioning that limit gutter split accuracy. This allows for more precise and consistent division of froth into two equal streams.
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 enables a compact and easily cleanable device that produces equal amounts of froth, maintaining the quality of frothed liquids and preventing bacterial growth, while allowing for the preparation of different types of milk-based coffee drinks simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator (10) for generating a stream of steam
Implementation Method 2
a first mixing unit (61A), which is connected to a first liquid inlet (14A) and a first steam inlet (16A) for providing a combination of liquid and steam
Implementation Method 3
a first frothing chamber (62A) for receiving and frothing the combination of liquid and steam
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A device (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) for frothing a liquid (15) is presented, in particular for providing two or more streams of froth in parallel. The device comprises: a steam generator (10) for generating a stream of steam (13), a steam splitter (30) for splitting the stream of steam (13) into a first sub-stream of steam (33A) and a second sub-stream of steam (33B), wherein the first sub-stream of steam (33A) is provided at a first steam outlet (32A) and the second sub-stream of steam (33B) is provided at a second steam outlet (32B), a first frothing unit (11A) having a first liquid inlet (14A) and a first steam inlet (16A), a second frothing unit (11B) having a second liquid inlet (14B) and a second steam inlet (16B), wherein the first steam outlet (32A) of the steam splitter (30) is connected to the first steam inlet (16A) of the first frothing unit (11A) and the second steam outlet (32B) of the steam splitter (30) is connected to the second steam inlet (16B) of the second frothing unit (11B). In a further aspect a coffee machine (50) comprising a coffee brewing unit (51) and the device for frothing a liquid is presented.