PCB Stator Beverage Foamer for Compact High-Torque Agitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage and food foaming appliances are bulky due to the need for housing motors and permanent drive magnets, which restricts size and torque application.

Innovation Solution

A compact agitation system using a stator with electrically conductive portions on a circuit board to generate a rotating magnetic field, eliminating the need for bulky motors and enabling high torque transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a motor and permanent drive magnets are used to rotate the agitator, then the agitator can be driven, but the housing becomes bulky and space-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission capabilityVSAvoidhousing volume
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the permanent drive magnets from the housing and relocates them to the rotary agitator itself. The stator in the base unit generates a rotating magnetic field that directly interacts with the magnets on the agitator, eliminating the need for bulky housing-mounted drive magnets and reducing overall housing volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical motor-driven system with a magnetic field-based system. The stator generates a rotating magnetic field that directly couples with magnets on the rotary agitator, eliminating the need for a physical motor and its associated housing space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Power

If permanent drive magnets are arranged external to the container, then torque can be transmitted to the agitator, but the amount of torque is limited by the degree of magnetisation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque applicationVSAvoidmagnetisation limitations
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the magnetic drive system dynamic by generating a rotating magnetic field through the stator windings. This rotating field continuously interacts with the magnets on the rotary agitator, enabling dynamic torque transmission that overcomes the static limitations of fixed permanent magnet arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the magnetic field parameters by using an electrically excited stator that can vary the strength and rotation of the magnetic field. This allows the torque transmission capability to be adjusted and enhanced beyond the fixed limitations of permanent magnet degree of magnetisation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If a compact agitation system is designed, then space is saved, but manufacturing precision and cost-effectiveness must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveappliance compactnessVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The stator serves multiple functions: it generates the rotating magnetic field, provides structural support for the base unit, and acts as the housing for the magnetic drive system. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while maintaining compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution results in a more compact, cost-effective, and efficient appliance capable of applying high torque for foaming liquids, with enhanced heat dissipation and precise manufacturing.

Implementation Method 1

said stator configured to generate a rotating magnetic field for transmission of torque to rotate a rotary agitator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3324801B1Appliance for foaming beverage or foodstuff
Publication Date: 2019.04.17 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA
  • EP3324801B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3324801B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c
  • EP3324801B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

An appliance to foam a liquid for consumption, the appliance comprising: a container mounting portion to mount thereto a container to contain said liquid; an agitation system configured to foam said liquid, said system comprising a stator arranged external a mounted container, said stator configured to generate a rotating magnetic field for transmission of torque to rotate a rotary agitator arranged in a mounted container, wherein said stator comprises at a circuit board with electrically conductive portions formed thereon.