A feeding structure and a hot beverage machine using the same.

Abstract

This invention discloses a feeding structure and a hot beverage machine using the same. The feeding structure includes a buffer platform, a mold, a pushing component, and a sliding component. The buffer platform has a notch; the mold is disposed within the notch; the output end of the pushing component abuts against the mold, used to push the mold to a designated position; the sliding component is located on the buffer platform and can move radially; the sliding component can fix the corresponding object at the opening of the mold, and can also release the object, causing it to fall into the mold. When the above feeding structure is applied to a hot beverage machine, the object corresponds to a capsule. As can be seen from the above structure, the feeding structure provided by this invention is compact and simple; furthermore, in traditional hot beverage machines, during extraction, the capsule is directly extracted after free fall, at which point the capsule is in a dynamic and chaotic state. In this embodiment, the buffer platform buffers the capsule, making it static and stable before extraction, resulting in better performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of intelligent vending equipment technology, and relates to a feeding structure and a hot beverage machine using the same. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasingly fast pace of life, more and more automated or semi-automatic catering equipment has been invented, such as coffee machines and milk tea machines. The process of making coffee or milk tea requires the delivery of corresponding capsules. Traditional delivery devices are complex in structure, and their application in hot beverage machines results in machines that are too large to meet current needs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides a feeding structure and a hot beverage machine using the same, aiming to solve the problem of the complex structure of existing feeding structures.

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, according to one aspect of this application, an embodiment of the present invention provides a feeding structure, the feeding structure comprising:

[0005] A buffer platform having a notch;

[0006] The mold is set within the notch;

[0007] A pushing component, the output end of which abuts against the mold, is used to push the mold to a designated position;

[0008] A sliding component, located on the buffer platform and capable of radial movement;

[0009] The sliding component can fix the corresponding object at the opening of the mold; and the sliding component can also release the object so that it falls into the mold; the radial direction is the radial direction of the mold.

[0010] In some embodiments, the feeding structure further includes:

[0011] A detection component, fixed on the buffer platform, is used to detect the position of the object within the mold.

[0012] In some embodiments, the light emitted by the through-beam sensor can pass through the mold.

[0013] In some embodiments, the push component includes:

[0014] Push bracket;

[0015] A lead screw stepper motor is fixed on the push bracket;

[0016] The lead screw nut is connected to the output end of the lead screw stepper motor, and the lead screw stepper motor drives the lead screw nut to move back and forth.

[0017] In some embodiments, the feeding structure further includes a throwing component located between the pushing component and the mold; when the pushing component is in operation, the throwing component pushes the mold to move through the entire pushing component.

[0018] In some embodiments, the throwing device includes:

[0019] Material throwing support;

[0020] The motor is fixed on the throwing bracket;

[0021] The drive gear is connected to the output shaft of the motor;

[0022] The driven gear meshes with the driving gear;

[0023] A connecting plate, one side of which is connected to the driven gear, and the other side of which is connected to the mold;

[0024] A recycling bin is available to receive the shells of objects that fall out of the mold.

[0025] The motor drives the connecting plate to rotate via the driving gear and the driven gear. The connecting plate then drives the mold to rotate, thereby throwing the shell of the object inside the mold into the recycling bin.

[0026] In some embodiments, the throwing assembly further includes:

[0027] The ejector is fixed on the ejector bracket, and when the mold is ejected and rotated into place, the ejector can be inserted into the mold through the hole at the bottom of the mold.

[0028] In some embodiments, the throwing assembly further includes:

[0029] A timer, located inside the housing, is used to maintain the mold in the throwing and flipping position for a fixed period of time.

[0030] In some embodiments, the sliding component includes:

[0031] Sliding plate;

[0032] An electromagnet is disposed at the end of the sliding plate away from the mold;

[0033] The electromagnet, once charged, can pull the sliding plate to move, thereby releasing the object.

[0034] According to one aspect of this application, an embodiment of the present invention provides a hot beverage machine, the hot beverage machine including the above-described feeding structure.

[0035] Compared with the prior art, the feeding structure of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0036] The feeding structure includes a buffer platform, a mold, a pushing component, and a sliding component. The buffer platform has a notch. The mold is disposed within the notch. The output end of the pushing component abuts against the mold, pushing it to a designated position. The sliding component is located on the buffer platform and is capable of radial movement. The sliding component can fix a corresponding object at the opening of the mold and can also release the object, allowing it to fall into the mold. The radial direction refers to the radial direction of the mold. When this feeding structure is applied to a hot beverage machine, the object corresponds to a capsule.

[0037] As can be seen from the above structure, the feeding structure provided by the present invention is compact and simple; furthermore, in traditional hot beverage machines, the capsules are directly extracted after free fall, at which time the capsules are in a dynamic and chaotic state, while in this embodiment, the capsules are buffered by a buffer platform, making them static and stable before extraction, which has a better effect.

[0038] The hot beverage machine provided by this invention is designed based on the above-mentioned feeding structure. Its beneficial effects are the same as those of the above-mentioned feeding structure, and will not be repeated here.

[0039] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0040] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0041] Figure 1 This is a first-view structural schematic diagram of a feeding structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 2 Figure 1 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0043] Figure 3 This is a second-view structural schematic diagram of a feeding structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle.

[0045] Among them: 100, buffer platform; 200, mold; 300, pushing component; 400, sliding component; 500, detection component; 600, throwing component; 401, sliding plate; 402, electromagnet; 601, throwing bracket; 602, motor; 603, driving gear; 604, driven gear; 605, connecting plate; 606, ejector. Detailed Implementation

[0046] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the intended purpose, the specific embodiments, structures, features, and effects according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. In the following description, different "an embodiment" or "an embodiment" do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, specific features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments can be combined in any suitable form.

[0047] In the description of this invention, it should be clearly stated that the terms "second," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence; the terms "vertical," "lateral," "longitudinal," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," "down," "horizontal," etc., indicate orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are merely for the convenience of describing this invention, and do not mean that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or position, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0048] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0049] Example 1

[0050] This embodiment provides a feeding structure, which includes a buffer platform 100, a mold 200, a pushing component 300, and a sliding component 400. The buffer platform 100 has a notch; the mold 200 is disposed within the notch; the output end of the pushing component 300 abuts against the mold 200 to push the mold 200 to a designated position; the sliding component 400 is located on the buffer platform 100 and can move radially; the sliding component 400 can fix a corresponding object at the opening of the mold 200; and the sliding component 400 can also release the object, causing it to fall into the mold 200; the radial direction is the radial direction of the mold 200.

[0051] Specifically, the shape of the mold 200 provided in this embodiment matches the shape of a coffee capsule, assuming that the object being transported is a capsule.

[0052] Furthermore, the buffer platform 100 includes a base with a notch, and a fixing plate is provided around the notch on the base; and one side of the base is an opening through which the pushing component 300 can directly abut against the mold 200.

[0053] With the above structure, when the capsule falls from the previous station onto the buffer platform 100, since the larger diameter end of the capsule is fixed on the storage device, it is positioned at the top during the fall. At this time, the sliding component 400 precisely holds the capsule in place, allowing it to undergo a buffering process. Compared to traditional hot beverage machines where the capsule is extracted directly after free fall, resulting in a dynamic and chaotic state, this embodiment uses a buffer platform to buffer the capsule, making it static and stable before extraction, thus achieving better results.

[0054] Furthermore, the feeding structure provided in this embodiment is compact and simple, and when applied to other devices, the size of the corresponding device can be reduced.

[0055] In a specific embodiment, the feeding structure further includes a detection component 500, which is fixed on the buffer platform 100 and used to detect the position of the object inside the mold 200.

[0056] Furthermore, the detection component 500 is a through-beam sensor, and the light emitted by the through-beam sensor can pass through the mold 200.

[0057] With the above structure, when the capsule falls from the previous process onto the buffer platform 100, the sliding component 400 catches the capsule. When the light receiver no longer receives light, it proves that the capsule is in place. Then the sliding component 400 moves away from the capsule, and the capsule falls into the mold 200. After that, the through-beam sensor detects again to determine whether the capsule has fallen into the mold 200. Then the pushing component 300 works to push the mold 200 containing the capsule to the next station.

[0058] In a specific embodiment, the pushing component package 300 includes a pushing bracket, a first lead screw stepper motor, and a first lead screw nut: wherein the lead screw stepper motor is fixed on the pushing bracket; the lead screw nut is connected to the output end of the lead screw stepper motor, and the lead screw stepper motor drives the lead screw nut to move back and forth.

[0059] A relatively stable component can be set between the lead screw nut and the mold 200. During the pushing process, this component is in direct contact with the mold 200. Of course, in order to make the feeding structure provided in this embodiment have a smaller volume and better compactness, the stable component is preferably a component required by the feeding structure itself. That is to say, in addition to realizing the transition function, the component also has other functions.

[0060] In a specific embodiment, the feeding structure further includes a throwing component 600, which is located between the pushing component 300 and the mold 200; when the pushing component 300 is working, the throwing component 600 pushes the mold 200 to move through the entire pushing component 300.

[0061] In other words, the feeding structure provided in this embodiment actually integrates the throwing component 600 on the pushing component 300. The advantage of this approach is that it makes the entire feeding structure more compact, meeting the requirement of small size for desktop hot beverage machines. Of course, the corresponding motors of the throwing component 600 and the pushing component 300 do not work at the same time, so there is no waste.

[0062] In a specific embodiment, the throwing assembly 600 includes: a throwing bracket 601, a motor 602, a driving gear 603, a driven gear 604, a connecting plate 605, and a recycling bin; wherein, the motor 602 is fixed on the throwing bracket 601; the driving gear 603 is connected to the output shaft of the motor 602; the driven gear 604 meshes with the driving gear 603; the connecting plate 605 has one side connected to the driven gear 604 and the other side connected to the mold 200; the recycling bin can receive capsule shells falling from the mold 200; and the motor 602 drives the connecting plate 605 to rotate through the driving gear 603 and the driven gear 604, and the connecting plate 605 drives the mold 200 to rotate, thereby throwing the capsule shells inside the mold 200 into the recycling bin.

[0063] Furthermore, the motor 602 is a DC motor, and the output end of the DC motor is connected to the driving gear 603. The driving gear 603 meshes with the driven gear 604. The connecting plate 605 is fixed on the driven gear 604, and the mold 200 is fixed on the connecting plate 605. In this way, after the motor 602 works, the driving gear 603 works, which in turn drives the driven gear 604 to rotate along the driving gear 603. As a result, the connecting plate 605 flips, so that the opening of the mold 200 faces downward, thereby throwing the capsule shell into the recycling bin.

[0064] Furthermore, the recycling bin is cleaned manually at regular intervals. The recycling bin can not only collect capsule shells, but when this feeding structure is applied to a hot beverage machine, the recycling bin can also collect the liquid generated during the hot beverage preparation process. If the entire feeding structure is set inside the housing, there is a notch on the front side of the housing, and a cover is set at the notch. The cover is movable, so when it is necessary to clean the recycling bin, the cover can be removed and the recycling bin can be taken out.

[0065] In a specific embodiment, the material throwing assembly 600 further includes:

[0066] The ejector 606 is fixed on the ejector bracket 601, and when the mold 200 ejects and flips into place, the ejector 606 can be inserted into the mold 200 through the hole at the bottom of the mold 200.

[0067] Due to the principle of thermal expansion and contraction, the volume of the capsule shell inside the mold 200 may increase, which may cause the capsule shell to stick tightly or get stuck inside the mold 200, making it difficult to eject. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the mold 200 is flipped into place for ejection, the ejector 606 can be inserted into the mold 200 to push out the capsule shell.

[0068] In a specific embodiment, the material throwing assembly 600 further includes:

[0069] The timer, located inside the housing, is used to maintain the mold in the throwing and flipping position for a fixed period of time.

[0070] To ensure sufficient time for these tasks, the mold 200 must remain in this state for a fixed period of time, which can be 5-20 seconds, or shorter or longer, to ensure successful material ejection.

[0071] In a specific embodiment, the sliding assembly 400 includes a sliding plate 401 and an electromagnet 402; wherein, the electromagnet 402 is disposed at the end of the sliding plate 401 away from the mold 200; after the electromagnet 402 is charged, it can pull the sliding plate 401 to move, thereby releasing the capsule; conversely, under the action of the spring restoring force, the sliding plate 401 will hold the capsule.

[0072] Example 2

[0073] This embodiment provides a hot beverage machine, which includes the feeding structure of Embodiment 1.

[0074] The hot beverage machine has a shell, a feeding structure located inside the shell, and a sterilization device installed inside the shell.

[0075] In this embodiment, the sterilization device includes, but is not limited to, an ultraviolet lamp. The ultraviolet lamp is installed inside the housing and located above the recycling bin to sterilize the waste in the recycling bin, thereby ensuring the hygiene and safety of the hot beverage machine.

[0076] When the feeding structure provided in Example 1 is applied to a hot beverage machine, the hot beverage machine becomes compact and small in size.

[0077] In summary, it is readily understood by those skilled in the art that, without conflict, the aforementioned advantageous technical features can be freely combined and superimposed.

[0078] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A feed structure, characterized by, The feeding structure comprises: a buffer platform with a notch on it; a mold arranged in the notch; a pushing assembly with its output end abutting on the mold for pushing the mold to a designated position; a sliding assembly located on the buffer platform and capable of moving along a radial direction; wherein the sliding assembly can fix a corresponding object at the opening of the mold and release the object to drop into the mold, with the larger-diameter end on top during the dropping process, at which time the sliding assembly just holds the capsule to allow a buffering process; the radial direction is the radial direction of the mold; the feeding structure further comprises a throwing assembly located between the pushing assembly and the mold; when the pushing assembly is working, the throwing assembly pushes the mold to move through the whole pushing assembly.

2. The feed structure of claim 1, wherein, The feeding structure further comprises: a detection assembly fixed on the buffer platform for detecting the position of the object in the mold.

3. The feed structure of claim 2, wherein, The detection assembly is a pair of photoelectric sensors, and the light emitted by the photoelectric sensors can pass through the mold.

4. The feed structure according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that The pushing assembly comprises: a pushing bracket; a screw stepper motor fixed on the pushing bracket; a screw nut connected with the output end of the screw stepper motor, and the screw stepper motor drives the screw nut to move back and forth.

5. The feed structure of claim 1, wherein The throwing assembly comprises: a throwing bracket; a motor fixed on the throwing bracket; a driving gear connected with the output shaft of the motor; a driven gear meshing with the driving gear; a connecting plate, one side of the connecting plate being connected with the driven gear and the other side being connected with the mold; a recovery bucket capable of receiving the object shell dropped from the mold; wherein the motor drives the connecting plate to flip through the driving gear and the driven gear, the connecting plate drives the mold to flip, and then the object shell in the mold is thrown into the recovery bucket.

6. The feed structure of claim 5, wherein, The throwing assembly further comprises: a poking piece fixed on the throwing bracket, and when the mold is thrown and flipped to the right position, the poking piece can be inserted into the mold through the hole in the bottom of the mold.

7. The feed structure of claim 6, wherein, The throwing assembly further comprises: a timer located in the shell for keeping the mold thrown and flipped to the right position for a fixed time.

8. The feed structure of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The sliding assembly comprises: a sliding plate; an electromagnet arranged at one end of the sliding plate away from the mold; wherein the electromagnet can pull the sliding plate to move after being charged, thereby releasing the object.

9. A hot beverage machine, characterized in that The hot beverage machine comprises the feeding structure according to any one of claims 1-8.

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