CN217852446U

CN217852446U - Milk foam machine

Info

Publication number: CN217852446U
Application number: CN202221761177.XU
Authority: CN
Inventors: 孙健
Original assignee: Beijing Yiyang Technology Co ltd
Current assignee: Beijing Yiyang Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2022-07-08
Filing date: 2022-07-08
Publication date: 2022-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 2032-07-08
Also published as: WO2024007421A1

Abstract

The utility model provides a milk foam machine. Comprises a shell, a milk container, a distance detection device, a steam supply port, a driving component and a steam insertion pipe. A milk container for containing milk is removably arranged to the housing, a distance detection device for detecting a liquid level in the milk container, a steam supply port for supplying steam, and a steam insertion tube in fluid communication with the steam supply port for releasing steam. The steam cannula is connected to the drive assembly and is movable in a vertical direction relative to the housing between a first position and a second position under the drive of the drive assembly. When the steam cannula is in a first position relative to the housing, the tip of the steam cannula is located below the surface of the milk. Steam can be output through the end of the steam cannula to brew the milk. When the steam cannula is in the second position relative to the housing, the steam cannula is completely lifted off the surface of the milk. The utility model discloses a milk foam machine can beat the operation of sending out automatically to the milk in the milk jar, and it is higher to beat the efficiency of sending out.

Description

Milk foam machine

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a food processing technical field, concretely relates to milk foam machine.

Background

In the process of making coffee drinks, milk is often required to be added into the prepared coffee, and the milk needs to be steamed and frothed, so that the milk is changed into more dense milk foam, and the mouthfeel is improved. Existing frothing devices require a coffee maker to manually adjust and control the position of the frothing device in the milk. Likewise, the individual experience of the coffee maker is relied upon to adjust the steam level to ensure the quality of the milk foam that is delivered.

This manual operation makes the quality of the milk froth dependent on the ability of the coffee maker, and manual frothing cannot guarantee efficiency.

Therefore, there is a need to provide a milk frother to at least partially solve the above mentioned problems.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In the summary section a series of concepts in a simplified form is introduced, which will be described in further detail in the detailed description section. The inventive content does not imply any attempt to define the essential features and essential features of the claimed solution, nor is it implied to be intended to define the scope of the claimed solution.

The utility model provides a milk foam machine, include:

a housing;

a milk container for holding milk, the milk container being removably mounted to the housing;

the distance detection device is arranged on the shell and used for detecting the liquid level of the milk;

a steam supply port for supplying steam;

a drive assembly provided to the housing, the drive assembly configured to be movable relative to the housing; and

a steam insertion pipe connected to the driving assembly and movable in a vertical direction relative to the housing between a first position and a second position under the driving of the driving assembly, an upstream port of the steam insertion pipe communicating with the steam supply port for releasing the steam,

wherein the milk frother is configured such that when the steam cannula is in the first position relative to the housing, the downstream port of the steam cannula is below the level of the milk, and when the steam cannula is in the second position relative to the housing, the steam cannula is fully lifted from the level of the milk.

According to the utility model discloses a milk foam machine, steam supply opening can export steam and give the steam intubate, and drive assembly drive steam intubate removes between primary importance and second position, and in primary importance department, the low reaches port of steam intubate, also steam output port can release steam in order to beat the milk in the milk jar. In the second position, the steam cannula is lifted off the surface of the milk and the milk frothing operation is stopped. Wherein the first position and the second position are determinable by the distance detection means.

Optionally, a solenoid valve is provided between the steam supply port and the downstream port of the steam cannula.

According to this scheme, milk foam machine can realize supplying with steam for the steam intubate through opening of control solenoid valve, stops output steam to the steam intubate through closing of control solenoid valve.

Alternatively,

the shell comprises a placing platform, the placing platform comprises a placing surface for placing the milk container, and the placing surface comprises a through hole or a gap for water leakage;

the milk foam machine further comprises a waste water box, wherein the waste water box is arranged on the placing platform and is positioned below the placing surface.

According to the scheme, the placing position of the milk foam machine in the using process is determined. The milk container can be placed on the placing surface smoothly, and waste liquid generated in the using process of the milk foam machine can be recycled to the waste water box below through the placing surface.

Alternatively,

the waste water box is detachably connected to the placing platform; and/or

The milk foam machine also comprises a drainage component used for discharging waste water, and the waste water box is provided with a drainage port communicated with the drainage component.

According to this scheme, can be through pulling down the waste water box and pouring out the waste liquid, perhaps discharge the waste liquid of storing in with the waste water box through water discharging component.

Optionally, the milk frother further comprises a temperature sensor provided to the housing for detecting the temperature of the milk container.

According to this scheme, milk foam machine can acquire the temperature of milk in-process of beating to send out through temperature sensor, is convenient for monitor milk foam beat the state of sending out.

Alternatively, the first and second liquid crystal display panels may be,

the driving assembly comprises a lead screw and a lead screw nut which are matched, the lead screw is arranged on the shell, the lead screw extends along the vertical direction, and the lead screw nut is connected to the steam insertion pipe; or

The driving assembly comprises a gear and a rack which are matched, the gear is arranged on the shell, the rack extends along the vertical direction, and the rack is connected to the steam insertion pipe; or alternatively

The drive assembly includes assorted hold-in range and synchronous pulley, synchronous pulley sets up extremely the casing, the hold-in range is connected to steam insertion pipe is used for driving steam insertion pipe follows vertical direction removes.

According to the present solution, the driving assembly providing the driving force for moving the steam insertion tube between the first position and the second position can be flexibly arranged.

Optionally, the milk frother further comprises:

a drain part for discharging waste water;

the upstream of the steam outlet pipeline is communicated with the steam supply port, the downstream of the steam outlet pipeline is communicated with the steam insertion pipe and is used for guiding the steam into the steam insertion pipe, and an electromagnetic valve is arranged between the steam outlet pipeline and the steam supply port;

and the upstream of the water outlet pipeline is communicated with the steam supply port, the downstream of the water outlet pipeline is communicated with the drainage component and is used for draining condensed water, and an electromagnetic valve is arranged between the water outlet pipeline and the steam supply port.

According to this scheme, through the hydrops in the outlet conduit discharge steam pipeline, reduce the water content of the steam of steam intubate output, guarantee the aridity of the steam of steam intubate output.

Optionally, the milk frother further comprises a boiler assembly disposed in the housing for generating steam, the boiler assembly comprising:

an inner cavity for containing water and steam;

the heating device is arranged in the inner cavity and used for heating the water in the inner cavity and generating the steam; and

a steam outlet which is communicated with the inner cavity and is used for leading out the steam,

wherein the steam supply port is communicated with the steam outlet.

According to the scheme, the milk foam machine comprises a boiler assembly for generating steam, and the steam supply port is communicated with the boiler assembly.

Optionally, the milk frother further comprises a water pump disposed in the housing, the water pump in fluid communication with the inner chamber for supplying water to the inner chamber.

Furthermore, an electromagnetic valve or a one-way valve is arranged between the water pump and the inner cavity;

and/or the water inlet pipeline of the water pump is provided with an electromagnetic valve.

According to the scheme, the milk foam machine comprises a water supply pump, and water is automatically supplied to the boiler assembly by controlling the water pump. And the boiler assembly is supplied with water by controlling the opening of the electromagnetic valve, and the boiler assembly is stopped supplying water by controlling the closing of the electromagnetic valve.

Optionally, the boiler assembly comprises at least one of a water level detection device, a pressure detection device, a temperature detection device, a pressure break valve and a temperature protector.

According to the scheme, at least one detection device is required to be arranged to acquire the state of the boiler component in the working process of the milk foaming machine in consideration of the safety of the boiler component in the using process. This detection means can be flexibly arranged.

Optionally, the milk frother further comprises:

a heat dissipation fan provided to the case or the boiler assembly, for dissipating heat from the boiler assembly; and/or

The pressure gauge is arranged on the shell and exposed from the shell, and the pressure gauge is communicated with the boiler assembly and used for displaying the air pressure of the boiler assembly.

According to this scheme, radiator fan can give boiler subassembly cooling heat dissipation, and manometer convenience of customers directly perceivedly acquires the atmospheric pressure state in the boiler subassembly.

Optionally, the boiler assembly further comprises a water outlet, the water outlet is communicated with the inner cavity and used for leading out hot water.

According to the scheme, hot water generated in the boiler assembly can be discharged through the water outlet.

Optionally, the milk foam machine further comprises a cleaning component, the cleaning component is arranged to the shell and surrounds the periphery of the steam insertion tube, so that the steam insertion tube extends out of the cleaning component, and the cleaning component comprises a cleaning water inlet which is communicated with the water outlet, so that the hot water can enter the cleaning component.

Further, an electromagnetic valve is arranged between the washing water inlet and the water outlet.

According to this scheme, milk foam machine can use hot water to realize through the cleaning part can the self-cleaning steam intubate. Through opening of the control electromagnetic valve, hot water is discharged from the water outlet to the cleaning water inlet, the operation of cleaning the outer wall of the steam insertion pipe is achieved, and the operation of stopping cleaning the steam insertion pipe is achieved through closing of the control electromagnetic valve.

Optionally, the washing part further comprises an atomizing nozzle disposed at the washing water inlet.

According to this scheme, the cleaning component can be with carrying out the atomizing back to the outer wall of steam cannula from the hot water that washs water inlet entering, and the cleaning performance is better.

Optionally, the distance detection device is configured as a laser probe or an ultrasound probe.

According to the scheme, the distance detection device for detecting the height of the liquid level in the milk tank can be flexibly arranged.

Optionally, a plurality of passages are connected downstream of the steam supply port, wherein a main valve is provided at the steam supply port, and each of the plurality of passages is provided with a respective shunt valve, and the main valve is located upstream of all the shunt valves.

According to the scheme, the steam supply port can output steam along a plurality of paths respectively, the milk foam machine can control the output/non-output of the steam by controlling the opening and closing of the main valve, and control the output/non-output of the steam of the corresponding path by controlling the opening and closing of each shunt valve. By setting the main valve and the branch valves, the pressure of each branch can be controlled.

Optionally, the milk frother further comprises an external steam port for introducing steam generated by an external device, wherein the external steam port is in fluid communication with the steam supply port upstream of the main valve.

According to this scheme, milk foam machine can be through supplying with steam mouth and external steam mouth intercommunication, realizes utilizing the steam that external equipment produced to beat the operation of sending out to milk.

Optionally, the milk frother further comprises a cleaning pipeline, wherein the upstream of the cleaning pipeline is communicated with the steam supply port, and the downstream of the cleaning pipeline is communicated with a cleaning component for cleaning the steam insertion pipe, and the cleaning component is used for guiding the steam into the cleaning component;

an electromagnetic valve is arranged between the cleaning pipeline and the cleaning component.

Further, the cleaning part is arranged on the shell and surrounds the periphery of the steam insertion pipe, so that the steam insertion pipe extends out of the cleaning part.

According to this scheme, milk foam machine can adopt steam cleaning steam intubation's outer wall. Through opening of the control electromagnetic valve, the steam is discharged into the cleaning component, the operation of cleaning the outer wall of the steam insertion pipe is achieved, and the operation of stopping cleaning the steam insertion pipe is achieved through closing of the control electromagnetic valve.

Drawings

The following drawings of the present invention are used herein as part of the present invention for understanding the present invention. There are shown in the drawings, embodiments and descriptions thereof, which are used to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a milk foam machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which a portion of a housing is omitted to show an internal structure;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the milk frother shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the milk frother shown in FIG. 1; and

fig. 4 is a piping structure diagram of the milk frother shown in fig. 1.

Description of the reference numerals:

100: milk foam machine

10: shell body

11: distance detection device

12: steam supply port

13: steam cannula

13a: upstream port

13b: downstream port

14: placing platform

14a: placing surface

14b: gap

15: waste water box

16: drainage component

17: temperature sensor

18: pressure gauge

18a: pressure gauge interface

19: external steam port

20: drive assembly

21: sliding block

22: driving motor

30: steam main valve

31: steam electromagnetic valve

32: condensate water electromagnetic valve

33: water replenishing electromagnetic valve

34: first cleaning electromagnetic valve

35: second cleaning electromagnetic valve

41: steam outlet pipeline

42: water outlet pipeline

43: hot water outlet pipe

44: cleaning pipeline

50: boiler assembly

51: inner cavity

51a: steam outlet

51b: water outlet

51c: water inlet

52: heating device

53: water level probe

54: pressure sensor

55: temperature probe

56: temperature protector

57: pressure-break valve

58: water pump

60: cleaning member

61: cleaning water inlet

D1: vertical direction

Detailed Description

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

In the following description, a detailed description will be given for a thorough understanding of the present invention. It is to be understood that these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of these exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art. It is apparent that the implementation of the embodiments of the present invention is not limited to the specific details familiar to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, however, the invention is capable of other embodiments in addition to those detailed.

It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments in accordance with the invention. As used herein, the singular is intended to include the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Ordinal words such as "first" and "second" are referred to in this application as labels only, and do not have any other meanings, such as a particular order, etc. Also, for example, the term "first component" does not itself imply the presence of "second component", and the term "second component" does not itself imply the presence of "first component".

It is to be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", and the like are used herein for purposes of illustration only and are not limiting.

Exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to fig. 1 to 4, a milk frother 100 according to the present invention includes a housing 10, a milk container (not shown), a distance detecting device 11, a steam supply port 12, a driving assembly 20, and a steam insertion pipe 13. Wherein a milk container for containing milk is removably mounted to the housing 10. A distance detection means 11 is provided to the housing 10 for detecting the level of milk.

The steam supply port 12 is used to supply steam. The upstream port 13a of the steam insertion tube 13 communicates with the steam supply port 12 for releasing steam. Steam cannula 13 is connected to drive assembly 20. The driving assembly 20 is provided to the housing 10, and the driving assembly 20 may move relative to the housing 10. Specifically, the steam cannula 13 is driven by the driving assembly 20 to move between the first position and the second position along the vertical direction D1 relative to the housing 10. When the steam cannula 13 is in the first position with respect to the housing 10, the downstream port 13b of the steam cannula 13 is located below the level of the milk, and when the steam cannula 13 is in the second position with respect to the housing 10, the steam cannula 13 is completely lifted off the level of the milk.

It will be appreciated that, according to the milk frother 100 of the present invention, the steam supply port 12 is capable of outputting steam to the steam insertion tube 13, and in the first position, the downstream port 13b (steam output port) of the steam insertion tube 13 is capable of releasing hot steam, which interacts with milk to form milk froth. In the second position, the steam cannula 13 is lifted off the surface of the milk and the milk frothing operation is stopped. The driving assembly 20 drives the steam cannula 13 to move between the first position and the second position, so that the milk is automatically dispensed. Wherein the first position and the second position are determinable by the distance detection means 11.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in order to automate the process of making milk froth, the milk frother 100 further comprises a control module (not shown) coupled to the drive assembly 20 and to the distance detection device 11. The utility model discloses an in the use of milk foam machine 100, control module can acquire the liquid level of milk in the milk jar according to apart from detection device 11, thereby confirms that the low reaches port 13b of steam insertion pipe 13 stretches into the distance below the milk liquid level and confirms first position. The control module controls the driving assembly 20 to move to the first position according to the first position, so that the steam insertion tube 13 moves to the first position, and the milk in the milk container can be whipped, thereby mechanically whipping the milk.

Specifically, the driving assembly 20 includes a matching lead screw provided to the housing 10 and extending in the vertical direction D1, and a lead screw nut (not shown) connected to the steam insertion tube 13. In the present embodiment, the driving assembly 20 further includes a driving motor 22 and a slider 21. A drive motor 22 is used to drive the lead screw for rotation, the drive motor 22 being coupled to the control module. The steam insertion tube 13 is connected to a lead screw nut matching the lead screw by means of a slide 21. The vertical direction D1 is a direction from the first position to the second position. The control module controls the driving motor 22 to rotate, so that the lead screw nut drives the sliding block 21 and the steam insertion tube 13 to move along the vertical direction D1, and thus the steam insertion tube 13 moves between the first position and the second position.

In an embodiment of the present invention, which is not disclosed, the driving assembly comprises a gear and a rack, the gear is disposed to the housing, the rack extends along the vertical direction D1, and the rack is connected to the steam insertion tube 13. It can be understood that the gear is driven to rotate by the motor, and the rack engaged with the gear carries the steam insertion pipe 13 to move along the vertical direction D1, so that the steam insertion pipe 13 moves along the vertical direction D1 and can move between the first position and the second position.

The utility model discloses an in another kind of embodiment not disclosed, drive assembly includes assorted hold-in range and synchronous pulley, and synchronous pulley sets up to the casing, and the hold-in range is connected to steam insertion pipe 13 and is used for driving steam insertion pipe and removes along vertical direction D1. In other words, the drive assembly may be a synchronous belt drive system consisting of a synchronous belt and a synchronous pulley. The synchronous belt is moved by driving the synchronous belt wheel to rotate, and the steam insertion tube 13 is driven to move between the first position and the second position.

It will be appreciated that the drive assembly functions to provide a driving force for moving the steam cannula between the first and second positions, and that a person skilled in the art may have flexibility in the arrangement of the drive assembly.

In order to facilitate the control of the release of steam and to improve the degree of automation of the milk frother 100, a solenoid valve is provided between the steam supply port 12 and the downstream port 13b of the steam insertion tube 13. The solenoid valve is coupled to the control module of the milk frother 100, and the milk frother 100 can supply steam to the steam insertion tube 13 by controlling the opening of the solenoid valve and stop outputting steam to the steam insertion tube 13 by controlling the closing of the solenoid valve.

As shown in fig. 1, the milk frother 100 further comprises a temperature sensor 17, the temperature sensor 17 being provided to the housing 10 for detecting the temperature of the milk container. It will be appreciated that the temperature of the milk container will rise as hot steam is subsequently introduced into the milk. The temperature sensor 17 is coupled to the control module, and the control module obtains the temperature of the milk cylinder in the milk frothing process according to the temperature sensor 17, so that the frothing state of the milk foam can be monitored conveniently. In the process of injecting steam into the milk, the temperature sensor 17 detects the temperature of the milk in the milk container in real time, when the milk in the milk container reaches a preset temperature value, the control module controls the corresponding electromagnetic valve to be closed, and the steam insertion pipe 13 stops injecting steam into the milk.

Referring to fig. 1 and 3, a placement platform 14 is configured on the housing 10 for placing the milk container. It will be appreciated that the placement platform 14 is positioned relative to the steam cannula 13 to facilitate the user's placement of the milk container in the proper position. Alternatively, the placement platform 14 may be configured to facilitate placement of the milk container by a robotic arm.

The placement platform 14 comprises a placement surface 14a for placing the teat cup. In the milk frother 100, the milk container can be smoothly placed on the placing surface 14a during use. Preferably, the placement surface 14a comprises through holes or slits 14b for leaking water. As shown in fig. 1, the milk frother 100 further includes a waste water box 15, and the waste water box 15 is provided to the placing platform 14 and located below the placing surface 14a and communicates with the through hole or slit 14b of the placing surface 14a. Waste liquid generated during use of the milk foamer 100 can be recovered to the waste water box 15 below through the placing surface 14a. And the milk frother 100 may collect and store the waste liquid through the waste water box 15.

Preferably, the waste water box 15 is detachably connected to the placing platform 14, so that waste liquid in the waste water box 15 can be cleaned in time by taking the waste water box 15 out of the placing platform 14.

In order to facilitate the discharge of the waste liquid in the waste water box 15, the milk foam machine 100 of the present embodiment is further provided with a water discharge member 16. A drain member 16 is provided in the housing 10, and the drain member 16 communicates with a drain port (not shown) provided on the waste water box 15. It is achieved that the waste liquid stored in the waste water box 15 is directly discharged through the water discharging part 16 without taking out the waste water box 15. The drain member 16 can be flexibly provided, such as a drain pipe. One end of the drain pipe is connected to a drain port on the waste water box 15, and the other end of the drain pipe extends out of the housing 10.

Referring to fig. 3, the distance detection device 11 is located above the placement surface 14a in the vertical direction D1. The distance detecting device 11 may be a laser detector or an ultrasonic detector, and such a non-contact distance sensor is more convenient to use. It will be appreciated that the distance detection means 11 for detecting the level of the liquid in the teat cup may be flexibly arranged.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 4, the steam supply port 12 is a steam supply header, and a plurality of paths can be connected to the downstream of the steam supply port, that is, the steam can be discharged through different branches. Wherein, a main valve, namely a steam main valve 30 is arranged at the steam supply port 12. Each of the plurality of passages is provided with a respective shunt valve, and the main valve is located upstream of all the shunt valves so that the steam supply port 12 can output steam along the plurality of passages, respectively. The milk foam machine 100 can control the output/non-output of the steam by controlling the opening and closing of the main valve, and control the output/non-output of the steam of the corresponding passage by controlling the opening and closing of each shunt valve.

The first steam branch is for example used for supplying steam to steam insertion tube 13. Referring to the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the first steam branch of the milk frother 100 is a steam outlet pipe 41. The steam outlet pipe 41 is communicated with the steam supply port 12 at the upstream, and the steam outlet pipe 41 is communicated with the steam insertion pipe 13 at the downstream for guiding the steam into the steam insertion pipe 13. A steam solenoid valve 31 (i.e. a shunt solenoid valve on the first shunt) is disposed between the steam outlet pipe 41 and the steam supply port 12, the steam solenoid valve 31 is coupled to the control module, and the control module controls the steam solenoid valve 31 to open, and the steam output from the steam supply port 12 is delivered to the steam insertion pipe 13 through the steam outlet pipe 41.

The second steam branch is used, for example, for discharging condensate. The second steam branch of the milk frother 100 is the outlet conduit 42. The upstream side of the outlet pipe 42 communicates with the steam supply port 12, and the downstream side of the outlet pipe 42 communicates with the drain member 16 for draining the condensed water. As can be seen from fig. 4, the steam outlet conduit 41 and the water outlet conduit 42 are two branches downstream of the steam supply port 12. A condensate solenoid valve 32 (i.e., a shunt solenoid valve on the second branch) is disposed between the water outlet pipe 42 and the steam supply port 12, the condensate solenoid valve 32 is coupled to the control module, and the control module controls the condensate solenoid valve 32 to open, so that the condensate at the steam supply port 12 and the condensate in the pipe section before the steam outlet pipe 41 and the water outlet pipe 42 are separated are discharged through the water outlet pipe 42 and the water discharge part 16. Before the milk foam machine 100 is used, the condensed water solenoid valve 32 is controlled to be opened to drain condensed water in the pipeline, and then the condensed water solenoid valve 32 is controlled to be closed and the steam solenoid valve 31 is controlled to be opened to output steam to the steam insertion pipe 13. Therefore, the dryness of the steam output by the steam insertion pipe 13 can be ensured, the water content of the steam output by the steam insertion pipe 13 is reduced, and the quality of milk foam can be improved.

Preferably, the milk foam machine 100 of the present invention may further include a boiler assembly 50 disposed in the housing 10 of the milk foam machine 100, wherein the boiler assembly 50 is used for generating steam.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, in the present embodiment, the boiler assembly 50 includes an inner chamber 51, a heating device 52, a steam outlet 51a, and a water outlet 51b. The cavity 51 is used to contain water and steam, among other things. A heating device 52 is provided in the cavity 51 for heating the water in the cavity 51 and generating steam. The steam outlet 51a communicates the inner cavity 51 with the steam supply port 12 of the milk foam machine 100 (for example, the steam outlet 51a is connected to the steam main valve 30), and the steam generated by the boiler assembly 50 is output to the steam insertion pipe 13 through the steam supply port 12 and the steam outlet pipe 41.

The water outlet 51b communicates with the inner chamber 51, and hot water generated in the inner chamber 51 can be discharged through the water outlet 51b. Specifically, a hot water outlet pipe 43 is arranged at the water outlet 51b, the hot water outlet pipe 43 extends below the liquid level L of the hot water in the inner cavity 51, and the hot water flows out through the water outlet pipe 43 under the action of steam pressure (see fig. 4).

Further, in order to achieve automatic water supply to the inner cavity 51 of the boiler assembly 50, the milk frother 100 further comprises a water pump 58. A water pump 58 is disposed in the housing 10, the water pump 58 being in fluid communication with the interior chamber 51 to supply water to the interior chamber 51. The water pump 58 is coupled to the control module. The control module can control the water pump 58 to be turned on and off, so that water is automatically supplied to the boiler assembly 50 (the inner cavity 51). It will be appreciated that the water pump 58 is in fluid communication with the water supply to pump water within the water supply to the interior chamber 51.

In this embodiment, the water outlet pipe of the water pump 58 is connected to the water inlet 51c of the cavity 51. A water replenishing solenoid valve 33 (see fig. 3) is arranged on the water inlet pipeline of the water pump 58, the water replenishing solenoid valve 33 is coupled to the control module, and when water needs to be supplied to the inner cavity 51, the control module controls the water replenishing solenoid valve 33 and the water pump 58 to be opened, and when the water amount in the inner cavity 51 is enough, the control module controls the water replenishing solenoid valve 33 and the water pump 58 to be closed. The water path between the water pump 58 and the inner cavity 51 is conducted by controlling the opening of the water replenishing electromagnetic valve 33, and the water supply to the boiler assembly 50 is stopped by controlling the closing of the water replenishing electromagnetic valve 33.

A valve (not shown) is also provided in the conduit between the water pump 58 and the chamber 51. The valve may be a solenoid valve or a check valve. And the function of the valve is to realize the communication between the water pump 58 and the inner cavity 51.

Further, in order to facilitate the external connection of the milk frother 100 with other external devices (external devices for generating steam), in the present embodiment, the external connection steam port 19 is further provided on the milk frother 100. Wherein the external steam port 19 is in fluid communication with the steam supply port 12 upstream of the steam header valve 30 for introducing steam generated by an external device. In other words, according to the present embodiment, the milk frother 100 can also perform a whipping operation of milk using steam generated from an external device by communicating the steam supply port 12 with the external steam port 19. That is, the steam source of the steam supply port 12 may be the boiler assembly 50, or may be an external device for generating steam. All the steam supplied is re-supplied to each branch downstream through the steam header valve 30. Each downstream branch is provided with a respective branch electromagnetic valve, and only when the main valve and the branch valve are opened simultaneously, steam passes through the branch. Meanwhile, the main valve and the shunt valve are arranged to control the pressure in the shunt pipeline, so that the safety of the shunt pipeline is protected.

In order to ensure the safety of the boiler assembly 50 during use, at least one detection device is usually required to obtain the status of the boiler assembly 50 during the operation of the milk frother 100. Optionally, at least one of a water level detection device, a pressure detection device, a temperature detection device, a pressure-break valve and a temperature protector is provided in the boiler assembly 50. The skilled person can flexibly set these detection means.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, in the present embodiment, the water level detecting device is a water level probe 53, the water level probe 53 is disposed to the inner cavity 51 for detecting the water level in the inner cavity 51 to ensure that the water amount in the inner cavity 51 reaches a preset range, and the water level probe 53 is coupled to the control module. The temperature sensing device is a temperature probe 55, the temperature probe 55 is disposed at the bottom of the inner chamber 51 for sensing the temperature of the boiler assembly 50, and the temperature probe 55 is coupled to the control module. When the temperature sensed by the temperature probe 55 is too high, the control module controls the heating device 52 to stop operating. The temperature protector 56 is connected to the heating device 52 for disconnecting the heating device 52 and stopping heating the water in the inner chamber 51 when the temperature of the boiler assembly 50 exceeds a preset threshold of the temperature protector 56. Thus, the temperature probe 55 and the temperature protector 56 are combined into a double safety. The pressure sensing device is a pressure sensor 54, the pressure sensor 54 coupled to the control module, the pressure sensor 54 in communication with the interior chamber 51 for sensing the vapor pressure of the interior chamber 51. When the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 54 is too high, the control module controls the heating device 52 to stop operating. The pressure break valve 57 is provided between the inner chamber 51 and the drain member 16, and if the pressure in the inner chamber 51 exceeds the threshold value of the pressure break valve 57, the pressure break valve 57 opens and releases the pressure in the inner chamber 51 and is discharged through the drain member 16. Thus, the pressure sensor 54 is combined with the pressure break valve 57 as a double safety.

Preferably, in fig. 1 to 3, the milk frother 100 further comprises a pressure gauge 18, the pressure gauge 18 being provided to the housing 10 and exposed from the housing 10, the pressure gauge 18 being in communication with the boiler assembly 50. Specifically, the pressure gauge 18 disposed on the housing 10 is connected to the pressure sensor 54 through the pressure gauge interface 18a for displaying the pressure of the boiler assembly 50. The pressure gauge 18 facilitates intuitive access by a user to the pressure conditions within the boiler assembly 50.

Preferably, in the present embodiment, the milk frother 100 further comprises a heat radiating fan (not shown) provided to the housing 10 or the boiler assembly 50 for radiating heat to the boiler assembly 50.

Considering that when the steam insertion tube 13 extends into the milk container and foams milk, both the inner wall and the outer wall of the steam insertion tube 13 are easily stained with the milk foam, the steam insertion tube 13 needs to be cleaned in time after being used. For this purpose, the milk frother 100 is further provided with a washing component 60. The milk frother 100 cleans the steam insertion tube 13 through the cleaning part 60.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the cleaning member 60 is disposed to the housing 10 and surrounds the outer periphery of the steam insertion tube 13, and the steam insertion tube 13 extends out from the cleaning member 60. The washing part 60 includes a washing water inlet 61 and an atomizing nozzle. The washing water inlet 61 communicates with the water outlet 51b. So that the hot water in the inner chamber 51 can enter the washing part 60 through the water outlet 51b and the washing water inlet 61. An atomizing nozzle is provided at the washing water inlet 61 for atomizing the hot water.

Cleaning of steam insertion tube 13 includes cleaning the inner and outer walls of steam insertion tube 13. Wherein the inner wall of the steam insertion tube 13 and the downstream port 13b of the steam insertion tube 13 are cleaned by steam, and the outer wall of the steam insertion tube 13 is cleaned by hot water.

Specifically, the control module controls the steam main valve 30 and the steam solenoid valve 31 to be opened, and milk or milk foam remained on the inner wall of the steam insertion pipe 13 and the downstream port 13b is cleaned through steam.

Preferably, a first washing solenoid valve 34 is provided between the washing water inlet 61 and the water outlet 51b. The first washing solenoid valve 34 is coupled to the control module, and the water outlet 51b discharges hot water to the washing water inlet 61 by controlling the opening of the first washing solenoid valve 34, so that the operation of washing the steam insertion tube 13 (outer wall) is performed, and the operation of stopping the washing of the steam insertion tube 13 is performed by controlling the closing of the first washing solenoid valve 34. For example, after the frothing operation is completed, the user takes the milk container away, the temperature sensor 17 can detect the temperature change, and the control module determines that the milk container has been taken away (i.e. the frothing operation is completed) according to the detection result of the temperature sensor 17, and at this time, the operation of cleaning the steam insertion tube 13 can be performed. Specifically, after the milk container is taken out according to the detection result of the temperature sensor 17, the control module controls the first cleaning solenoid valve 34 to be opened to clean the outer wall of the steam insertion tube 13.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the milk frother 100 does not have a boiler assembly on or in place, and its steam is provided by an external device through the external steam port 19. In this case, as shown in fig. 4, the downstream of the steam header valve 30 further includes a third steam bypass purge line 44, the upstream of the purge line 44 is communicated with the steam supply port 12, and the downstream of the purge line 44 is communicated with a purge water inlet 61 for introducing steam into the purge part 60. That is, in this case, the outer wall of the steam insertion tube 13 is cleaned with steam. A second washing solenoid valve 35 is provided between the washing pipe and the washing water inlet 61. The second washing solenoid valve 35 is coupled to the control module, and the steam outlet 51a discharges steam to the washing water inlet 61 by controlling the opening of the second washing solenoid valve 35 to perform an operation of washing the steam insertion tube 13 (outer wall), and the operation of stopping the washing of the steam insertion tube 13 is performed by controlling the closing of the second washing solenoid valve 35.

The operation flow of the milk frother 100 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to fig. 1 to 4:

in this embodiment, when the water level in the cavity 51 is separated from the water level probe 53, which indicates that the water in the boiler assembly 50 is insufficient, the control module controls to open the water replenishing solenoid valve 33 and the water pump 58 to replenish water into the cavity 51. And the control module controls the operation of the heating device 52 in the boiler assembly 50 to heat the water in the boiler assembly 50 to generate steam. And when the pressure value of the gas in the inner cavity 51 reaches a preset pressure value, the control module controls the heating device 52 to stop working. The pressure of the steam inside the inner chamber 51 can be visually displayed by the pressure gauge 18. The milk whipping operation can be performed using the steam generated from the boiler assembly 50 at this time. During milk dispensing, once the interior of the boiler assembly 50 is short of water, the control module controls to open the water replenishing solenoid valve 33 and the water pump 58 to supply water to the boiler assembly 50. Once the steam pressure within the boiler assembly 50 is insufficient, the control module controls the operation of the heating device 52 to generate sufficient steam.

The milk is poured into the milk container and the milk container with the milk is placed on the placing platform 14. In this embodiment, the control module determines the first position by calculating the position of the milk level in the milk container based on the detection data from the distance detection device 11. The control module then controls the driving assembly 20 to drive the steam insertion tube 13 to move to the first position. Meanwhile, the control module controls the steam main valve 30 and the condensed water electromagnetic valve 32 to be opened until the condensed water in the steam outlet pipeline 41 is discharged, and the control module controls the steam main valve 30 and the condensed water electromagnetic valve 32 to be closed.

After the condensed water is discharged, when the steam insert pipe 13 is located at the first position, the control module controls the steam main valve 30 and the steam solenoid valve 31 to be opened, and the steam insert pipe 13 continuously injects the steam into the milk. During the steam injection, the steam insertion pipe 13 is slowly moved upward by the driving assembly 20 without being separated from the milk level. When the temperature of the milk in the milk container reaches a set value (e.g. 55-60 c, preferably 58 c), the supply of steam to the steam hose is stopped. To this end, the milk frother 100 completes the entire milk frothing process and can be taken away from the milk tank.

After the temperature sensor 17 senses the temperature change of the milk container placement position, the control module judges that the milk container has been removed. Subsequently, the control module controls the driving assembly 20 to move the steam insertion tube 13 to the second position, and at this time, the steam insertion tube 13 is cleaned. Wherein, the control module controls the steam main valve 30 and the steam solenoid valve 31 to be opened, and the inner wall of the steam insertion pipe 13 and the residual milk or milk foam at the downstream port 13b are cleaned through steam. After the cleaning (cleaning of the inner wall and the downstream port 13 b) is completed, the control module controls the steam main valve 30 and the steam solenoid valve 31 to be closed.

It will be appreciated that different sources of steam are selected, corresponding to different cleaning solenoids, and also corresponding to different ways of cleaning the outer wall of the steam insertion tube 13. When steam is generated in the milk foamer 100 through the boiler assembly 50 for frothing milk, the control module controls the first washing solenoid valve 34 to be opened, and hot water in the inner chamber 51 can enter the washing part 60 through the water outlet 51b and the washing water inlet 61 and wash the outer wall of the steam insertion tube 13. When the cleaning of the outer wall of the steam insertion pipe 13 is completed, the control module controls to close the first cleaning solenoid valve 34.

When the milk frother 100 obtains steam through the external steam port 19, the control module controls the steam main valve 30 and the second cleaning solenoid valve 35 to be opened, and the steam generated by the external equipment can enter the cleaning part 60 through the cleaning water inlet 61, so that the outer wall of the steam insertion pipe 13 is cleaned through the steam. When the cleaning of the outer wall of the steam insertion pipe 13 is completed, the control module controls to close the steam main valve 30 and the second cleaning solenoid valve 35.

Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

The present invention has been described in terms of the above embodiments, but it is to be understood that the above embodiments are for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended to limit the invention to the described embodiments. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that many more modifications and variations can be made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, all of which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A milk frother, characterized by comprising:

a housing;

the distance detection device is arranged on the shell and is used for detecting the liquid level of the milk;

a steam supply port for supplying steam;

2. A milk frother as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a solenoid valve is provided between the steam supply and the downstream port of the steam insertion tube.

3. A milk frother as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that,

4. A milk frother as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that,

the waste water box is detachably connected to the placing platform; and/or

5. The milk frother of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor provided to the housing for detecting a temperature of the milk container.

6. A milk frother as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that,

The driving assembly comprises a gear and a rack which are matched, the gear is arranged on the shell, the rack extends along the vertical direction, and the rack is connected to the steam insertion pipe; or

7. The milk frother of claim 1, further comprising:

a drain part for discharging waste water;

8. The milk frother of claim 1, further comprising a boiler assembly disposed in the housing for generating steam, the boiler assembly comprising:

an inner chamber for containing water and steam;

a steam outlet communicated with the inner cavity and used for leading out the steam,

wherein the steam supply port is communicated with the steam outlet.

9. The milk frother of claim 8, further comprising a water pump disposed in the housing, the water pump in fluid communication with the internal cavity for supplying water to the internal cavity.

10. A milk frother as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that a solenoid valve or a non-return valve is provided between the water pump and the inner chamber;

11. A milk frother as claimed in claim 8, wherein the boiler assembly comprises at least one of a water level detection means, a pressure detection means, a temperature detection means, a pressure break valve and a temperature protector.

12. The milk frother of claim 8, further comprising:

The pressure gauge is arranged on the shell and exposed from the shell, and is communicated with the boiler assembly and used for displaying the air pressure of the boiler assembly.

13. The milk frother of claim 8, wherein the boiler assembly further comprises a water outlet in communication with the inner chamber for conducting hot water away.

14. The milk frother of claim 13, further comprising a wash component disposed to the housing and around a periphery of the steam cannula such that the steam cannula extends out of the wash component, the wash component including a wash water inlet in communication with the water outlet such that the hot water can enter the wash component.

15. The milk frother of claim 14, wherein a solenoid valve is disposed between the wash water inlet and the water outlet.

16. The milk frother of claim 14, wherein the wash component further comprises an atomizing nozzle disposed at the wash water inlet.

17. The milk frother of claim 1, wherein the distance detection device is configured as a laser probe or an ultrasonic probe.

18. A milk frother as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that a plurality of passages are connected downstream of the steam supply, wherein a main valve is provided at the steam supply, and wherein each of the plurality of passages is provided with a respective shunt valve, the main valve being located upstream of all the shunt valves.

19. The milk frother of claim 18, further comprising an external steam port for introducing steam generated by an external device, wherein the external steam port is in fluid communication with the steam supply port upstream of the main valve.

20. The milk frother of claim 18, further comprising a purge conduit, an upstream of the purge conduit communicating with the steam supply port and a downstream of the purge conduit communicating with a purge component for purging the steam insertion tube for introducing the steam into the purge component;

21. The milk frother of claim 20, wherein the cleaning element is disposed to the housing and around a periphery of the steam cannula such that the steam cannula extends out of the cleaning element.