Steam-Injected Milk Frothing Pump for Heating and Self-Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frothing devices for liquids like milk require separate heating surfaces and cleaning of conduction surfaces, and mechanical pumps necessitate cleaning of internal components, making them complex and inefficient for switching between hot and cold froth production.
Innovation Solution
A frothing device using a mechanical pump that integrates steam supply at the fluid outlet side for heating and cleaning, eliminating the need for additional heating chambers and simplifying the design by combining pumping, frothing, and heating functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a continuous-flow heater is used for heating milk froth, then heating function is achieved, but cleaning complexity increases due to additional heating surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating function with the existing frothing chamber by introducing steam directly into the pumping means where milk and air are already mixed. This eliminates the need for a separate continuous-flow heater and its associated cleaning surfaces, resolving the contradiction between achieving heating capability and maintaining simple cleaning procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The frothing chamber is given multiple functions: it serves both as the mixing chamber for creating froth and as the heating chamber by receiving steam. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional heating components and their associated cleaning surfaces
2Productivity
If a mechanical pump is used for frothing liquid, then frothing function is achieved, but cleaning complexity increases due to internal pump components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the pump to clean itself by introducing steam directly into the pumping means. The steam serves dual purposes: heating the frothed liquid and cleaning the internal pump components, thereby eliminating the need for separate cleaning procedures and reducing overall cleaning complexity while maintaining frothing capability
3Temperature
If separate heating chamber is added for heating frothed liquid, then heating function is improved, but device compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating chamber with the existing frothing chamber by introducing steam directly into the pumping means. This integration eliminates the need for a separate heating chamber, maintaining device compactness while achieving the heating function
Solution Approach 2:
The frothing chamber is made multi-functional by adding steam injection capability, allowing it to serve both as a mixing chamber and a heating chamber, thereby eliminating the need for additional space-consuming heating components
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
Enables efficient switching between hot and cold froth production without residual heat effects, reduces cleaning complexity, and results in a compact, simple device design.
Implementation Method 1
means for supplying steam to the pumping means, at the fluid outlet side of the pumping means
Implementation Method 2
steam is fed directly into the pumping means... where a liquid and a gas for frothing the liquid are mixed and where, consequently, a frothing process takes place
Implementation Method 3
means which are adapted to perform a pumping function, particularly to displace a fluid from a fluid inlet side to a fluid outlet side while increasing a pressure in the fluid
Implementation Method 4
displace a fluid from a fluid inlet side to a fluid outlet side while increasing a pressure in the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A device for producing froth includes means (1) which are adapted to perform a pumping function and to perform a mixing process of at least one liquid and a gas at the same time. Furthermore, the device includes suitable means (2) for supplying the liquid and the gas to the pumping means (1), and suitable means (3) for discharging froth from the pumping means (1). In order for the device to be capable of producing hot froth, means (4) for supplying steam are provided, and arranged such as to supply the steam directly to the pumping means (1), in particular to an outlet side of the pumping means (1). This way of attributing a heating functionality to the pumping means (1) has many advantages, including the option of a most compact design. Furthermore, the steam may be used for cleaning the pumping means (1).