Steam-Cleaning Rotary Stirrer for Milk Beverage Preparation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for preparing hot beverages, particularly milk-based beverages, face difficulties in cleaning the rotary stirring device due to its soiling with milk and other residues, and lack efficient rinsing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus integrated with a rotary stirring device that is movable between a rest and working position, utilizing a hot steam source to clean and sterilize the stirring elements by passing steam through a conduit in the shaft and into a cleaning container, facilitating the detachment of residues and sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotary stirring device is used for preparing milk-based beverages, then the beverage preparation function is improved, but the cleaning difficulty increases due to milk residue adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus enables self-cleaning by automatically introducing steam into the cleaning container and activating the stirring device to detach residues from the shaft and rotor surfaces, allowing the device to clean itself without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
Steam is introduced through a conduit into the cleaning container to facilitate the cleaning process, using thermal and fluid dynamic effects to detach and remove milk residues from the stirring device surfaces
2Productivity
If the rotary stirring device is designed with a shaft and rotor structure, then the stirring effectiveness is improved, but the cleaning accessibility worsens due to complex geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring device performs self-cleaning by rotating during the cleaning process, which mechanically detaches residues from the shaft and rotor surfaces through centrifugal and shear forces generated during rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process utilizes steam temperature and pressure parameters to facilitate residue detachment, combined with the mechanical action of the rotating shaft and rotor to effectively clean complex geometric surfaces
3Device complexity
If manual cleaning procedures are used for the stirring device, then the construction simplicity is maintained, but the cleaning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Steam is introduced through a conduit into the cleaning container to rapidly heat and detach residues from the stirring device surfaces, significantly reducing cleaning time compared to manual methods
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process exploits the phase transition of water to steam, utilizing the high temperature and energy of steam to rapidly break down and remove milk residues from the apparatus surfaces
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 apparatus efficiently cleans and sterilizes the stirring device in a few seconds, preventing residue adhesion and ensuring quick preparation and cleaning cycles, enhancing user convenience and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
passing steam through a conduit in the shaft and into a cleaning container, facilitating the detachment of residues
Implementation Method 2
hot steam source to clean and sterilize the stirring elements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus for preparing a hot beverage. The apparatus includes a hot steam source for supplying a flow of steam into a vessel, a rotary stirring device including a rotatable shaft which carries a stirring rotor; and a cleaning container. A control unit controls movement of the stirring device between its rest position and its working position; the activation of the steam source and of the stirring device while the shaft and the rotor of the latter extend inside a vessel; and the activation of the steam source and of the stirring device while the shaft and the rotor of the latter extend in the cleaning container.