Venturi Milk Emulsifier Flow Control for Stable Milk Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milk emulsifier devices struggle with inconsistent temperature control of dispensed hot milk, requiring additional heat sources or costly and inefficient flow regulators, and lack precise control over milk temperature variations.
Innovation Solution
A Venturi milk emulsifier device with a deformable milk suctioning channel and a pinch valve system, featuring two calibrated holes for milk suction, allows for precise control of milk and steam flow ratios, using the Venturi effect to regulate temperature without additional heat sources, and includes a temperature probe for real-time adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pump is used to regulate milk flow for temperature control, then temperature precision is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pump from the system entirely and replaces it with a simplified flow regulation mechanism using a valve and calibrated holes. This extraction of the complex pumping mechanism while maintaining temperature control capability directly resolves the contradiction between precision and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from active pumping to passive flow regulation through calibrated hole dimensions and valve positioning. By adjusting the opening area of the calibrated holes, the system achieves precise milk flow control and temperature regulation without requiring a pump
2Measurement precision
If a pump is used for flow regulation, then temperature control is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the pump entirely and replacing it with a valve-based flow regulation system, the patent eliminates the high energy consumption associated with active pumping while maintaining precise temperature control through passive flow management
Solution Approach 2:
The calibrated holes and valve system enable the device to self-regulate milk flow based on the pressure differential created during the brewing cycle, eliminating the need for external energy input from a pump motor
3Temperature
If a pinch valve gradually constricts the milk channel, then temperature control is achieved, but flow control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single constricted channel into multiple calibrated holes with precise, fixed dimensions. This segmentation allows for more accurate flow control by selecting specific hole combinations rather than relying on gradual constriction, thereby maintaining both temperature control and flow precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes from continuous variable constriction (pinch valve) to discrete calibrated opening areas (multiple holes of different sizes). This parameter change enables more precise flow control by selecting from predetermined calibrated openings rather than relying on gradual compression
4Measurement precision
If additional heating sources are added for temperature control, then temperature precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes additional heating sources (such as electrical resistors) from the system and achieves temperature control solely through flow regulation. By extracting the supplementary heating elements and relying on the steam injection and calibrated flow control, the system maintains temperature precision while reducing device complexity
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
Ensures optimal temperature control of dispensed hot milk by precisely regulating the flow of milk and steam, maintaining consistent temperatures across different beverage types and initial milk temperatures, while being economical and simple in design.
Implementation Method 1
a channel for suctioning milk by Venturi effect, to a channel for suctioning air by Venturi effect
Implementation Method 2
a pinch valve operating on said deformable channel for regulating the flow of suctioned milk
Implementation Method 3
a channel for inflow of steam into the mixing chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The Venturi milk emulsifier device (1) comprising a hollow body (13) having a mixing chamber (14), a channel (15) for inflow of steam into the mixing chamber (14), a channel (18) for suctioning air into the mixing chamber (14) by Venturi effect, a deformable channel (17) for suctioning milk into the mixing chamber (14) by Venturi effect, a pinch valve (32) operating on the deformable channel (17) for regulating the flow of suctioned milk, and a channel (16) for outflow of milk from the mixing chamber (14), the milk suctioning channel (17) having a first calibrated hole (33) for connection to the mixing chamber (14), there also being provided at least one auxiliary channel (34) for suctioning milk into the mixing chamber (14) by Venturi effect, having a second calibrated hole (35) for connection to the mixing chamber (14), the pinch valve (32) being activatable in a flow enabling state, corresponding to the suctioning of milk into the mixing chamber (14) through the first and second calibrated holes (33, 35), and a flow interruption state, corresponding to the suctioning of milk into the mixing chamber (14) solely through the second calibrated hole (35).