Anti-false triggering water inlet interface structure

Abstract

The present invention discloses an anti-mis-triggering water inlet interface structure, comprising a water inlet seat and a water tank plate. The water tank plate is mounted on the open surface of the water tank of the beverage machine. A first limit groove penetrating the surface of the water tank plate is provided on the water tank plate; a first connecting portion is arranged at one end of the first limit groove; a second connecting portion is arranged on the side or bottom surface of the water inlet seat; and a switch for controlling the start and stop of the water supply system is arranged in the water inlet seat. The protruding probe cavity on the bottom surface of the water inlet seat is inserted into the first limit groove, and a water outlet opening is arranged at the convex top of the probe cavity. The water inlet channel hole on the side or upper surface of the water inlet seat cooperates with the external pipe. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected by a quick-detachable locking structure, and preferably the two are connected by a snap-on structure. Only when the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected in place, the trigger end of the switch will be triggered. This water inlet interface structure is easy to disassemble and assemble and can effectively prevent the water supply system from being mistriggered.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of components of beverage preparation devices, and in particular to an external liquid input end interface structure of a beverage preparation machine with a false triggering prevention function. Background Art

[0002] Beverage machines are becoming more and more popular in preparing beverages such as milk tea, coffee or soy milk. They are not only a must-have in business offices and beverage shops, but have also gradually become a common household appliance. Most beverage machines need to use water from the machine's own water tank or other liquids used to make specific beverages to make beverages. There are many types of beverage machines on the market with different functions and application scenarios. For example, coffee machines include capsule coffee machines, semi-automatic coffee machines and fully automatic coffee machines.

[0003] However, no matter what kind of beverage machine, it is necessary to add liquids such as drinking water in time for preparing beverages in daily use. As we all know, taking a coffee machine as an example, if the water tank of the coffee machine is not filled with water in time, dangerous situations such as dry boiling may occur. It is a common operation for preparing beverage machines to remove the water tank of the beverage machine and then go to an external liquid source, such as a drinking water tap, to collect water. This operation is very inefficient when preparing beverages frequently or when a large number of beverages need to be prepared at one time.

[0004] In the prior art, one technical solution is to connect an external liquid source to the machine water tank of the beverage machine, and replenish the liquid in the machine water tank from the external liquid source when needed. This requires a water inlet interface structure to achieve the connection between the external liquid flow path and the machine water tank. For example, in a specific technical solution, a coffee machine water tank water supply system is provided, and its connection structure is shown as follows: Figure 6 The water inlet interface structure is composed of a water guide seat 5 and a base 6. The water guide seat 5 is installed on the base 6, and a connection hole 7 is provided at the bottom of the coffee machine water tank 9, which is installed on the water guide seat 5 and connected to the water outlet end of the water guide seat 5; the water inlet end of the water guide seat 5 is connected to the external pipe 8 in the opening of the base.

[0005] No matter which water inlet interface structure is used in the prior art, there is a common problem that the plug-in method or water tank interface layout is not flexible enough, the connection stability is not good enough or the disassembly and assembly are inconvenient. Another prominent problem is that the existing water inlet interface structure cannot avoid the water inlet system still maintaining the working state triggered when connected to the water tank when the connection part is not properly connected or loosened due to misoperation or improper use, which wastes energy at the least and continues to supply water at the water outlet, causing water leakage or circuit short circuit.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a water inlet interface structure that can prevent mis-triggering. The structure should be simple, flexible to assemble with the machine water tank, easy to assemble and disassemble, and have sufficient connection stability, so as to prevent the working state of the water supply system from being mis-triggered when the connection part of the water inlet interface structure is not properly engaged or loose. Summary of the invention

[0007] For the sake of simplicity and intuitiveness, the word "water" is used in this article to represent liquids of various possible temperatures and properties required for preparing various beverages, and is not limited to "drinking water", "tap water", "hot water", "cold water" or "water" containers.

[0008] The present invention provides a water inlet interface structure to prevent false triggering, comprising a water inlet seat and a water tank plate, wherein the water tank plate matches the open surface of the beverage machine water tank; the water tank plate is provided with a first limiting groove running through the surface thereof; a first connecting portion is arranged at one end of the first limiting groove; a second connecting portion is provided on the side or bottom surface of the water inlet seat; the water inlet seat is provided with a switch to start and stop the operation of the water supply system; an outwardly convex exploration cavity is provided on the bottom surface of the water inlet seat, the exploration cavity is inserted into the first limiting groove, and a water outlet opening is provided at the convex top end of the exploration cavity; a water inlet channel hole is provided on the side or upper surface of the water inlet seat.

[0009] The first connection part is connected to the second connection part via a quick-detachable locking structure; when the water inlet seat is connected to the water tank plate, the switch is triggered to a closed state; when the water inlet seat is disengaged from the water tank plate, the switch is disconnected.

[0010] The switch in the water inlet seat is connected to the control component of the water supply system. When the switch is closed, the water supply system is triggered to enter the working state. Once the switch is disconnected, the entire water supply system will not work. The water tank plate can be installed on the surface where the water tank of the beverage machine is exposed, and the external water source supplies water to the water tank of the beverage machine through the water outlet opening of the probe cavity. When the water inlet seat is not connected to the water tank plate or the water inlet seat is lifted, the switch is not triggered and remains in the disconnected state to prevent the water supply system from being accidentally triggered and working.

[0011] In a more advantageous embodiment, a mechanical switch or a photoelectric switch is used. A switch hole is arranged on the surface of the water inlet seat, and the button of the mechanical switch or the photosensitive part of the photoelectric switch is arranged in the switch hole on the bottom surface of the water inlet seat. When the water tank plate is connected to the water inlet seat, the button of the mechanical switch is pressed and the switch is closed; when the water tank plate is disconnected from the water inlet seat, the button pops up and the switch is disconnected. When a photoelectric switch is used, when the water tank plate is connected to the water inlet seat, the photosensitive part is blocked; when the water tank plate is disconnected from the water inlet seat, the photosensitive part is not blocked; the photosensitive part controls the switch to be closed or disconnected according to the change in the detected light intensity.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment, an electromagnetic switch is used to start and stop the water supply system. A magnetic object is arranged on the water tank plate, and the sensing element of the electromagnetic switch is arranged in the water inlet seat. Only when the water tank plate is connected to the water inlet seat, the sensing element is triggered to connect the internal circuit and start the water supply system; once the water tank plate is disconnected from the water inlet seat, the sensing element disconnects the internal circuit and the water supply system stops working.

[0013] In a specific embodiment, the first connection part is an elastic hook, and the second connection part is a matching lock, and the two are connected by a buckle structure. Preferably, the buckle structure is a cantilever buckle structure; and the buckle material is elastic plastic.

[0014] In an embodiment with better effect, a first limiting portion is provided on the side wall of the probe cavity; the first limiting portion cooperates with the first limiting through groove to limit the up and down displacement of the water inlet seat, thereby enhancing the connection stability between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

[0015] Preferably, the first limiting portion is an outwardly protruding wing portion respectively arranged on the two opposite side walls of the exploration cavity, the wing portion has a certain length along the side wall of the exploration cavity and is parallel to the bottom surface of the water inlet seat; the first limiting groove on the water tank plate includes a first entry portion and a first termination portion, the first entry portion and the first termination portion are horizontally connected to form the first limiting groove together; the second connecting portion is arranged on the end face of the first termination portion; the opening size of the first entry portion is sufficient to allow the entire exploration cavity and the wing portion to enter; the opening width of the first termination portion matches the distance between the two side walls of the exploration cavity; the exploration cavity and its wing portion are placed in the first entry portion and then slid toward the first termination portion, at which time the second connecting portion is connected to the first connecting portion in place; the vertical spacing from the wing portion to the bottom surface of the water inlet seat limits the gap between the surface of the water tank plate and the bottom surface of the water inlet seat, maintaining a stable connection between the water tank plate and the water inlet seat.

[0016] In another feasible implementation, the switch hole on the surface of the water inlet seat is arranged on the bottom surface of the water inlet seat, a second limiting portion is arranged near it, and a second limiting slot is also arranged on the water tank plate; the second limiting portion cooperates with the second limiting slot to limit the surface of the water tank plate to remain at a position that can trigger the switch in the switch hole on the bottom surface of the water inlet seat without moving, further ensuring the stability of the trigger state.

[0017] Specifically, the second limiting part is a "T"-shaped slider; the second limiting slot includes a second entry part and a second termination part, and the second entry part and the second termination part are horizontally connected to form the second limiting slot together; the horizontal width of the "T"-shaped transverse part of the second limiting part is smaller than the opening width of the second entry part, and larger than the opening width of the second termination part. The second limiting part is placed in the second limiting slot, and slides from the second entry part to the second termination part. The vertical distance from the "T"-shaped transverse part of the second limiting part to the bottom surface of the water inlet seat limits the up and down displacement of the water inlet seat, so that the switch trigger end in the switch hole is always kept in the triggered state, and the working state of the water inlet system is more stable.

[0018] In summary, compared with the prior art, the beneficial effect of the present invention is to provide a water inlet interface structure with a simple structure, and use this water inlet interface structure to connect the external water supply system with the water tank of the beverage machine, without the need for tools, convenient disassembly and assembly, and good connection stability; at the same time, it can also effectively prevent the water supply system from being accidentally triggered and entering the working state when it is not needed. It is easy to implement and low in cost, and has a wide range of applications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The specific features and advantages of the present invention can be understood by reading the following detailed description and referring to the accompanying drawings, which are as follows:

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the water inlet interface, the beverage machine water tank and the external pipe of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a water tank plate of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the water inlet seat of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 It is an overall schematic diagram of the water inlet interface structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5a is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of the buckle connection structure of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5b is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of the buckle connection structure of the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of a water inlet interface structure in the prior art.

[0027] The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings indicate the same or similar components or parts. Those skilled in the art should understand that the main function of these drawings is to illustrate, so they may not be drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings: 1-water tank plate; 11-first limit slot; 111-first entry portion; 112-first termination portion; 12-first connection portion; 121-hook; 122-magnet plate; 13-second limit slot; 131-second entry portion; 132-second termination portion; 2-water inlet seat; 20-probe cavity; 21-second connection portion; 211 lock; 22-switch hole; 23-second limit portion; 24-first limit portion; 25-water inlet channel hole; 26-water outlet; 3-beverage machine water tank; 4-water inlet pipe; D-sliding direction; 5-water guide seat; 6-base; 7-connection hole; 8-external pipeline; 9-coffee machine water tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described more fully below with reference to the relevant drawings. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are given in the drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing the embodiments is to make the understanding of the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and comprehensive.

[0029] Please refer to Figure 1 The first embodiment of the present invention discloses a water inlet interface structure for preventing false triggering, comprising: a water tank plate 1 and a water inlet seat 2, wherein the water tank plate 1 is connected to the beverage machine water tank 3 and covers the open part of the beverage machine water tank 3; the shape and size of the covering surface of the water tank plate 1 and the connection and matching method with the beverage machine water tank 3 can be designed according to the actual installation needs and are not limited. The water tank plate 1 has a certain thickness. In this embodiment, the vertical distance from the upper surface to the lower surface of the water tank plate is 3 mm. The external pipe 4 is connected to the side of the water inlet seat 2.

[0030] Combination Figure 2A first limiting groove 11 is provided on the water tank plate 1 and passes through the surface thereof, and a first connecting portion 12 is provided at the terminal end of the first limiting groove 11; in this embodiment, the first connecting portion 12 is a hook 121 in a cantilever elastic buckle structure. The opening width of the first entry portion 111 of the first limiting groove 11 is greater than the first terminal portion 112. In this embodiment, the maximum width of the opening of the first entry portion 111 is 26.7 mm, and the maximum width of the opening of the first terminal portion is 20.5 mm. A second limiting groove 13 is also provided on the water tank plate 1 near the first limiting groove 11 and passes through the surface of the water tank plate 1. The second limiting groove 13 is also narrowed from its second entry portion 131 to the second terminal portion 132. In this embodiment, the maximum opening width of the second entry portion 131 of the second limiting groove 13 is 9 mm, and the maximum opening width of the second terminal portion 132 is 4.8 mm. The direction from the second entry portion 131 to the second end portion 132 of the second limiting through slot 13 is consistent with the direction from the first entry portion 111 to the first end portion 112 of the first limiting through slot 11 , ie, the sliding direction D.

[0031] Combination Figure 3 As shown, on the water inlet seat 2, the water inlet channel hole 25 is arranged on the side of the water inlet seat 2 and connected to the water inlet pipe 4; the raised part on the bottom surface of the water inlet seat 2 is the probe cavity 20, and the water outlet 26 is the lower end opening of the probe cavity 20; the external water source enters the water inlet seat 2 from the water inlet channel hole 25 through the external pipe 4, and introduces liquid into the beverage machine water tank 3 from the water outlet 26 through the probe cavity 20. The second connecting part 21 is arranged on the side of the water inlet seat 2 close to the bottom surface of the water inlet seat 2. In this embodiment, the second connecting part 21 is arranged with a cantilever elastic buckle structure The lock 211 is made of elastic plastic. There is a switch hole 22 on the bottom surface of the water inlet seat 2, and the button of the push-button switch protrudes from the switch hole 22. In this embodiment, the left and right side walls of the probe cavity 20 are each provided with a convex wing portion, which is the first limiting portion 24. The vertical distance from the wing portion to the bottom surface of the water inlet seat 2 is 3.2 mm, which matches the thickness of the water tank plate 1. The maximum vertical distance between the convex top surfaces of the two side wings is less than the opening width of the first entry portion 111 of the first limiting slot 11. A second limiting portion 23 is arranged next to the switch hole 22. The second limiting portion 23 is a "T"-shaped slider protruding from the bottom surface of the water inlet seat 2. The vertical distance from the "T"-shaped cross portion to the bottom surface of the water inlet seat 2 is 3.2 mm in this embodiment, which also matches the thickness of the water tank plate 1; the horizontal width of the "T"-shaped cross portion is less than the width of the second entry portion 131 of the second limiting slot 13.

[0032] like Figure 4As shown, the probe cavity 20 of the water inlet seat 2 is placed into the first entry portion 111 of the first limiting groove 11 of the water tank plate 1, and the first limiting portion 24 also enters the lower side of the water tank plate 1; at the same time, the second limiting portion 23 also enters the lower side of the water tank plate 1 from the second entry portion 131 of the second limiting groove 13. At this time, due to the engagement of the upper surface of the water tank plate 1 and the lower surface of the water inlet seat 2, the button in the switch hole 22 is pressed down, the switch is closed, and the water supply system is in working state. Figure 5a , slide the water inlet seat 2 along D to the terminal end of the first termination part 111 of the first limiting slot 11, the front end inclined surface of the elastic hook 121 of the first connecting part 12 is inserted into the lock 211 of the second connecting part 21 and then bounces up, and the front end concave part of the hook 121 bites with the inner wall of the lock 211; the width of the first termination part 112 of the first limiting slot 11 matches the distance between the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls of the probe cavity 20, so that the side convex wing part of the first limiting part 24 limits the probe cavity 20 from moving up and down. Similarly, the second limiting part 23 also slides into the second termination part 132 of the second limiting slot 13, and the width of the second termination part 132 of the second limiting slot 13 matches the width of the "T"-shaped vertical part of the second limiting part, so that the pressed button is further limited in its state, and the button cannot be restored to bounce up.

[0033] Thus, the water tank plate 1 and the beverage machine water tank 2 are assembled in place, and the work of the external water source replenishing the liquid required for preparing beverages into the beverage machine water tank 2 through the water inlet 26 is in a triggered state.

[0034] When the beverage machine is not working or the water supply system is not needed to work, the water inlet seat 2 is slid in the opposite direction of D along the first limiting groove 11, so that the hook of the first connecting part 12 is disengaged from the lock of the second connecting part 21, and the first limiting part 24 also slides to the first entry part 111; at the same time, the second limiting part 23 also slides to the second entry part 131 of the second limiting groove 13. At this time, the water inlet seat 2 can be picked up, and the button switch pops up at the same time, and the switch is disconnected.

[0035] In this embodiment, a photoelectric switch can also be used. The photosensitive part of the photoelectric switch is arranged in the switch hole 22. Due to the engagement or separation of the upper surface of the water tank plate 1 and the lower surface of the water inlet seat 2, the photosensitive part is blocked or opened, and the change of light intensity can be detected to trigger, close or disconnect the internal circuit.

[0036] In another embodiment 2, the difference from the embodiment 1 mainly lies in the setting of the switch and the setting of the first connecting portion 12. This embodiment adopts an electromagnetic switch, specifically a Hall switch. Figure 5bAs shown, a magnet plate 122 is installed at the lower part of the hook 121; the Hall element is arranged at a position close to the second connection part 21 of the water inlet seat 2. When the magnet plate 122 enters the lock 211 together with the hook 121, the first connection part 12 is connected and locked with the second connection part 21, and the entire water inlet structure is installed in place. At this time, according to the Hall effect, the magnetic induction intensity of the magnet plate 122 acting on the Hall element in the water inlet seat 2 reaches a certain value, so that the Hall switch is triggered and the water supply system control circuit is turned on.

[0037] When the first connection part 12 and the second connection part 21 are released, the Hall switch disconnects the control circuit and the water supply system does not start working.

[0038] From the above implementation process, it can be understood that when the water inlet interface structure of the present invention is installed in place, the working state of replenishing liquid to the beverage machine will be triggered; once the water inlet interface is not connected, the water supply system will not be triggered to enter the working state due to unexpected situations such as misoperation. When it is not needed, the water inlet seat 2 can be removed for easy operation without the need for additional tools, and it is easy to use, efficient, simple in structure, and low in cost.

[0039] Thereby, the expected technical effect of the present invention can be achieved.

[0040] The present invention is not limited to the specific details in the above-mentioned embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present invention, the technical solution of the present invention can be subjected to a variety of simple modifications, and these simple modifications all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. The various specific technical features described in the above-mentioned specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present invention will not further explain various possible combinations.

Claims

1. A water inlet interface structure for preventing mis-triggering, comprising a water inlet seat and a water tank plate, wherein the water tank plate matches the surface opening of the water tank of the beverage machine; characterized in that: The water tank plate is provided with a first limit slot that runs through the surface thereof; a first connection portion is arranged at one end of the first limit slot; a second connection portion is provided on the side or bottom surface of the water inlet seat; a switch for starting and stopping the water supply system is provided at the bottom of the water inlet seat; an outwardly convex probe cavity is provided on the bottom surface of the water inlet seat, the probe cavity is inserted into the first limit slot, and a water outlet opening is provided at the convex top end of the probe cavity; a water inlet channel hole is provided on the side or top surface of the water inlet seat; the first connection portion is connected to the second connection portion by a quick-detachable locking structure; When the water inlet seat is connected to the water tank plate, the switch is triggered to a closed state; when the water inlet seat is disconnected from the water tank plate, the switch is disconnected.

2. The anti-mis-triggering water inlet interface structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The switch is a mechanical switch or a photoelectric switch; a switch hole is arranged on the surface of the water inlet seat, and the button of the mechanical switch or the photosensitive part of the photoelectric switch is arranged in the switch hole on the bottom surface of the water inlet seat.

3. The anti-mis-triggering water inlet interface structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The switch uses an electromagnetic switch to start and stop the water supply system; a magnetic object is arranged on the water tank plate, and the induction element of the electromagnetic switch is arranged in the water inlet seat.

4. The anti-mis-triggering water inlet interface structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first connecting portion is an elastic hook, and the second connecting portion is a matching lock, and the two are connected via a buckle structure.

5. The anti-mis-triggering water inlet interface structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected via a cantilevered snap-fit ​​structure.

6. The anti-mis-triggering water inlet interface structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first connecting part and the second connecting part are made of elastic plastic.

7. The anti-mis-triggering water inlet interface structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first limiting portion is arranged on the side wall of the probe cavity; the first limiting portion cooperates with the first limiting through groove to limit the up and down displacement of the water inlet seat.

8. The anti-mis-triggering water inlet interface structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first limiting portion is an outwardly protruding wing portion respectively arranged on two opposite side walls of the probe cavity, the wing portion has a certain length along the side wall of the probe cavity and is parallel to the bottom surface of the water inlet seat; the first limiting groove on the water tank plate includes a first entry portion and a first termination portion, the first entry portion and the first termination portion are horizontally connected to form the first limiting groove together; the second connecting portion is arranged on the end face of the first termination portion; the opening size of the first entry portion is sufficient to allow the entire probe cavity and the wing portion to enter; the opening width of the first termination portion matches the distance between the two side walls of the probe cavity; The probe cavity and its wing are placed into the first entry portion and then slid toward the first termination portion. The vertical distance from the wing to the bottom surface of the water inlet seat defines the gap between the water tank plate surface and the bottom surface of the water inlet seat.

9. The anti-mis-triggering water inlet interface structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The switch hole is arranged on the bottom surface of the water inlet seat, and a second limiting portion is provided near the switch hole; a second limiting groove is also provided on the water tank plate; the second limiting portion cooperates with the second limiting groove to limit the surface of the water tank plate to remain in a position capable of triggering the switch in the switch hole.

10. The anti-mis-triggering water inlet interface structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: The second limiting portion is a "T"-shaped slider; the second limiting slot includes a second entry portion and a second termination portion, and the second entry portion and the second termination portion are horizontally connected to form a second limiting slot; the horizontal width of the "T"-shaped transverse portion of the "T"-shaped slider is smaller than the opening width of the second entry portion, and larger than the opening width of the second termination portion; the "T"-shaped slider is placed in the second limiting slot, and slides from the second entry portion to the second termination portion, and the vertical spacing from the "T"-shaped transverse portion of the "T"-shaped slider to the bottom surface of the water inlet seat limits the displacement of the location of the water inlet seat switch hole.

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