Water vapor isolation method for a coffee maker

Abstract

The application discloses a water-vapor isolation method of a coffee machine, and belongs to the technical field of coffee beverage production. Residual powder in a powder channel and a coffee bean grinding chamber is prone to damp and mildew due to the open state of the powder channel after powder grinding of an existing coffee bean grinder. The application is characterized in that a sliding plug is arranged in the powder falling channel, the back side of the sliding plug is connected with a water pump through a second water channel, and the sliding plug is moved to open the powder falling channel by the elastic force of an elastic element during powder receiving of a powder receiving position of a brewing chamber. During brewing of the brewing chamber, the water pump supplies water to the brewing chamber through a first water channel and supplies water to the back side of the sliding plug through the second water channel, the water pressure on the back side of the sliding plug overcomes the elastic force of the elastic element to move the sliding plug to close the powder falling channel, thereby cutting off the communication between the coffee bean grinding chamber and the outside through the powder falling channel. The application does not need to increase additional power components, has simple structure, flexible action, easy control and controlled manufacturing cost.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of coffee beverage making, and particularly relates to a water vapor isolation method of a coffee machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] The powder channel of the existing full-automatic coffee machine grinder is in an open state after grinding, and the grinding chamber of the grinder is communicated with the internal space of the machine through the powder channel, which will cause the residual powder in the powder channel and the grinding chamber to be easily damp and mildew, resulting in the loss of aroma of the coffee beverage. Especially, after brewing a cup of coffee, the brewing chamber has a higher temperature and humidity than the surrounding environment, so the humidity in the coffee machine will increase, which will further increase the damp and mildew of the residual powder. When the brewing chamber is displaced to the powder receiving position, the steam generated by the brewing chamber will directly flow upward through the powder channel to the grinding chamber, further increasing the damp and mildew of the residual powder. SUMMARY

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present application and the technical task proposed are to overcome the defects of the existing grinder that the powder channel is in an open state after grinding, causing the residual powder in the powder channel and the grinding chamber to be easily damp and mildew, and to provide a water vapor isolation method of a coffee machine.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the water vapor isolation method of the coffee machine of the present application is characterized in that:

[0005] The grinding chamber of the coffee machine extends outwardly to form a powder falling channel, and a sliding plug is arranged in the powder falling channel, and the back side of the sliding plug is connected to a water pump through a second water path;

[0006] During the powder receiving period of the brewing chamber at the powder receiving position, the elastic element is used to promote the movement of the sliding plug to open the powder falling channel;

[0007] During the brewing period of the brewing chamber at the brewing position, the water pump supplies water to the back side of the sliding plug through the second water path while supplying water to the brewing chamber through the first water path, and the water pressure on the back side of the sliding plug overcomes the elastic force of the elastic element to promote the movement of the sliding plug to close the powder falling channel.

[0008] The method of the present application controls the sliding of the sliding plug in time, opens the powder falling channel during the powder receiving process of the brewing chamber, and closes the powder falling channel during the brewing period of the brewing chamber at the brewing position, thereby reducing the time of communication between the grinding chamber and the outside through the powder falling channel, and preventing the moisture in the coffee machine and the steam generated by the brewing chamber from entering the grinding chamber through the powder falling channel.

[0009] During the grinding process of the grinder and the powder receiving process of the brewing chamber, although the powder falling channel is opened, the falling coffee powder has the function of preventing the moisture and steam from flowing upward into the grinding chamber. Therefore, the grinder of the present application has the function of isolating water vapor.

[0010] The method of the present application provides water pressure to the back side of the sliding plug by connecting a water pump to the back side of the sliding plug through a pipeline, and drives the sliding plug to move to close the powder falling channel by the pressure of the water flow delivered by the water pump of the coffee machine, without increasing additional power components, and has simple structure, flexible operation, easy control and controlled manufacturing cost.

[0011] In order to control the water flow direction and control the water flow at a suitable pressure, a first one-way valve is arranged in the first water path to control the water flow in the first water path from the water pump to the brewing chamber, and a pressure relief valve and a second one-way valve are arranged in the second water path to control the water flow in the second water path from the water pump to the back side of the sliding plug. When the pressure relief valve is closed and the water pump is working, the water pressure on the back side of the sliding plug is maintained, and the sliding plug is kept in the position of closing the powder falling channel. When the pressure relief valve is opened and the water pump is stopped, the water pressure on the back side of the sliding plug is reduced, and the sliding plug opens the powder falling channel.

[0012] In order to make the sliding plug close the powder falling channel earlier than brewing, the opening pressure of the second one-way valve is less than that of the first one-way valve. Therefore, as the water pressure gradually increases, the second one-way valve opens earlier than the first one-way valve, and the sliding plug closes the powder falling channel earlier than brewing.

[0013] In order to facilitate control, the pressure relief valve is opened when the brewing chamber is in the powder receiving position, and the pressure relief valve is closed when the brewing chamber is in the brewing position. Therefore, when the water pump is working, the opening and closing of the pressure relief valve are controlled to control the sliding plug to open or close the powder falling channel.

[0014] In order to close the powder falling channel for a longer time, the pressure relief valve is closed and the water pump is started when the brewing chamber moves from the powder receiving position to the brewing position. The pressure relief valve remains closed and the water pump is stopped when the brewing chamber moves from the brewing position to the powder receiving position.

[0015] In view of the fact that coffee powder will float when the brewing chamber receives the powder, the outlet of the pressure relief valve is connected to the brewing plug for timely flushing of the brewing plug and / or the brewing chamber, and a water return box is arranged below the brewing chamber to collect the flushed water flow.

[0016] Alternatively, the outlet of the pressure relief valve is directly connected to the water return box for collection.

[0017] In order to simplify the structure, the powder falling channel includes a vertical channel, the sliding plug is located above the upper port of the vertical channel, and the sliding plug is configured to slide downward to close the upper port of the vertical channel and slide upward to open the upper port of the vertical channel. The powder falling channel includes a horizontal channel connecting the upper port of the vertical channel and the bean grinding chamber.

[0018] In order to facilitate control of the pressure relief valve, the pressure relief valve is an electrically controlled valve, such as an electric shut-off valve or a two-position two-way electromagnetic valve.

[0019] To facilitate the brewing chamber to switch between the powder receiving position and the brewing position, to facilitate the receiving of coffee powder and brewing, the brewing chamber is located below the powder falling channel when it is at the powder receiving position, and is located below the brewing plug when it is at the brewing position. Therefore, the brewing chamber can receive coffee powder falling by gravity, and the brewing plug can facilitate the compaction of coffee powder in the brewing chamber.

[0020] The present application configures a sliding plug for the powder falling channel, connects the back side of the sliding plug to the water pump through a second water path, and uses the elastic force of an elastic element to promote the movement of the sliding plug to open the powder falling channel when the brewing chamber is at the powder receiving position during the receiving of coffee powder. When the brewing chamber is at the brewing position during brewing, the water pump supplies water to the brewing chamber through a first water path and to the back side of the sliding plug through a second water path, and the water pressure on the back side of the sliding plug overcomes the elastic force of the elastic element to promote the movement of the sliding plug to close the powder falling channel, thereby blocking the communication between the coffee bean grinder chamber and the outside through the powder falling channel.

[0021] Therefore, the sliding plug can be controlled to slide in time, open the powder falling channel during the receiving of coffee powder by the brewing chamber, and close the powder falling channel during brewing when the brewing chamber is at the brewing position, thereby reducing the time of communication between the coffee bean grinder chamber and the outside through the powder falling channel, and preventing the moisture in the coffee machine and the steam generated by the brewing chamber from entering the coffee bean grinder chamber through the powder falling channel. Therefore, the function of isolating water vapor for the coffee bean grinder is achieved, and water vapor is prevented from entering the coffee bean grinder chamber through the powder falling channel.

[0022] The method of the present application connects the water pump to the back side of the sliding plug through a pipeline to provide water pressure to the back side of the sliding plug, and uses the pressure of the water flow delivered by the water pump of the coffee machine to drive the movement of the sliding plug to close the powder falling channel, without the need to increase additional power components. The structure is simple, the action is flexible, the control is easy, and the manufacturing cost is controlled. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 The figure is a schematic diagram of the coffee machine of the present application;

[0024] Figure 2 The figure is a schematic diagram of the coffee bean grinder of the present application;

[0025] Figure 3 The figure is a schematic diagram of the brewing chamber of the present application at the powder receiving position, with the sliding plug opening the powder falling channel;

[0026] Figure 4 The figure is a schematic diagram of the brewing chamber of the present application at the brewing position, with the sliding plug closing the powder falling channel;

[0027] Figure 5 The figure is a schematic diagram of the water path flow direction of the coffee machine of the present application when the brewing chamber is at the powder receiving position;

[0028] Figure 6 The figure is a schematic diagram of the water path flow direction of the coffee machine of the present application when the brewing chamber is at the brewing position;

[0029] Explanation of figure numbers:

[0030] 100 water tank;

[0031] 200 water pump, 201 first check valve, 202 heater, 203 safety valve, 204 backwater box, 205 pressure relief valve, 206 second check valve, 207 flow meter, 208 first water path, 209 second water path;

[0032] 300 brewing chamber;

[0033] 400 brewing plug;

[0034] 500 grinder:

[0035] 501 grinding chamber, 502 first grinding wheel, 503 second grinding wheel, 504 powder falling channel, 505 vertical channel, 506 horizontal channel, 507 sliding plug, 508 elastic element, 509 barrel;

[0036] 600 brewer;

[0037] 700 machine body;

[0038] 800 coffee outlet;

[0039] 900 coffee cup. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0041] The terms “comprising” and “having” and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of the present application are intended to cover not exclusive containing, for example, a method or product containing a series of technical features, which is not limited to clearly listed technical features, and can also include other technical features not clearly listed which can be contained in the method or product.

[0042] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the positions or location relationships indicated by the terms “upper”, “lower” and the like are based on the positions or location relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular position, be constructed and operated in a particular position, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0043] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the technical features defined by the terms "first", "second", etc., which have sequential concepts, are only used to clearly describe the defined technical features so that the defined technical features can be clearly distinguished from other technical features, and do not represent such naming in actual implementation. Therefore, it cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0044] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0045] Figure 1 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 The coffee machine includes a water tank 100, a water pump 200, a brewing chamber 300, a brewing plug 400 and Figures 2-4 The bean grinder 500 shown in FIG. Among them, the brewing chamber 300 can be directly embodied as a brewer or assembled on a structural member such as a bracket to form a brewer, and the brewer 600 can be Figure 1 The brewing chamber 300 is configured to switch between the powder receiving position and the brewing position. Figure 3 、 Figure 5 When the brewing chamber 300 is in the powder receiving position, it is located below the powder dropping channel 504. Figure 6 When shown in the brewing position, it is located below the brewing plug 400.

[0046] Among them, the bean grinder 500 is as follows Figures 2-4 As shown, the grinding chamber 501 includes a first grinding wheel 502 and a second grinding wheel 503 located therein. A powder drop channel 504 extends outward from the grinding chamber 501. The powder drop channel 504 comprises a vertical channel 505 and a transverse channel 506. The transverse channel 506 connects the upper end of the vertical channel 505 with the grinding chamber 501. The transverse channel 506 is relatively short to allow coffee grounds in the grinding chamber to pass through and fall into the vertical channel as quickly as possible. A sliding plug 507 is provided for the powder drop channel 504. The sliding plug 507 is configured to withstand water pressure on its back side and slide toward the powder drop channel under the action of the water pressure, thereby closing the powder drop channel and blocking the connection between the grinding chamber and the outside world through the powder drop channel. An elastic element 508, such as a coil pressure spring, is provided on the sliding plug 507. When the water pressure acting on the back side of the sliding plug decreases, the elastic force of the elastic element causes the sliding plug to slide away from the powder drop channel, thereby opening the powder drop channel and reconnecting the grinding chamber to the outside world through the powder drop channel. Specifically, the sliding plug 507 is located above the upper port of the vertical channel 505 and is sealed in the cylinder 509. The elastic element 508 applies an upward elastic force to the sliding plug 5070. The sliding plug 507 is configured to slide downward to close the upper port of the vertical channel 505 and slide upward to open the upper port of the vertical channel.

[0047] The output of the water pump 200 is connected to the brewing chamber 300 via a first water path 208. The first water path 208 is provided with a first check valve 201 for controlling the water flow from the water pump to the brewing chamber, and the opening pressure of the first check valve 201 is set to 3 bar. The first water path 208 is also provided with a heater 202 for heating the water flow. In addition, the first water path 208 is connected to a safety valve 203 for discharging water back to the water tank 204 when the water pressure exceeds a predetermined value. In this embodiment, hot water flows into the brewing chamber 300, extracts coffee, flows out of the brewing chamber via the brewing plug 400, and finally flows into the coffee cup 900 from the coffee outlet 800. In other embodiments, the output of the water pump can be connected to the brewing plug via a first water path, and hot water flows into the brewing chamber via the brewing plug, extracts coffee, flows out of the brewing chamber, and finally flows into the coffee cup from the coffee outlet.

[0048] The output of the water pump 200 is connected to the back side of the sliding plug 507 via a second water path 209. The second water path 209 is provided with a pressure relief valve 205 and a second check valve 206 for controlling the water flow from the water pump to the back side of the sliding plug, and the opening pressure of the second check valve 206 is set to 1 bar. The second water path 209 is connected to the upper end of the cylinder 509. The outlet of the pressure relief valve 205 is connected to the brewing plug 400 for flushing the brewing plug and / or the brewing chamber, and the lower side of the brewing chamber 300 is provided with a water return tank 204. In other embodiments, the outlet of the pressure relief valve can be directly connected to the water return tank. The pressure relief valve 205 is an electrically controlled valve, which is shown as a two-position two-way electromagnetic valve, and in actual implementation it can be an electrically controlled stop valve.

[0049] When the water pump 200 is working, the pressure relief valve 205 is closed, and the water flow from the water pump acts on the upper end surface of the sliding plug 507 with a certain pressure, which exerts a downward pressure on the sliding plug 507 that is greater than the elastic force of the elastic element 508, thereby promoting the sliding plug to slide downward and close the upper port of the vertical passage 505 with a certain contact force. Due to the presence of the second check valve 206, even if the water pump stops working, the water pressure in the cylinder 509 does not decrease, so the sliding plug can be maintained in this position.

[0050] If the pressure relief valve 205 is opened, the water flow from the water pump flows out through the pressure relief valve 205, and the water pressure is not sufficient to promote the sliding plug to slide downward and close the upper port of the vertical passage 505 with a certain contact force. The sliding plug 507 opens the upper port of the vertical passage 505 under the elastic force of the elastic element 508.

[0051] Therefore, by controlling the working of the water pump 200 and timely opening the pressure relief valve 205, the movement of the sliding plug 507 can be controlled, and the position of the sliding plug can be changed to open or close the vertical passage.

[0052] The coffee machine, when stopped, the water pump 200 does not work, the first waterway 208 and the second waterway 209 have no water flow, the sliding plug 507 is in the state shown in the figure under the elastic force of the elastic element 508, opening the upper port of the vertical channel 505. Figure 3

[0053] When the coffee machine works, the brewing chamber 300 changes position between the powder receiving position and the brewing position.

[0054] The brewing chamber 300 is located below the powder falling channel 504 when it is at the powder receiving position, used to receive the coffee powder falling from the powder falling channel, and the water pump 200 does not work. Figure 3 Figure 5 The brewing chamber 300 is located below the brewing plug 400 and maintains a working relationship with the brewing plug 400 when it is at the brewing position, and the water pump 200 works. The water flow at the outlet of the water pump 200 flows through the first waterway 208 in turn, then flows through the first one-way valve 201 and the heater 202, and then enters the brewing chamber 300. The heated water flow extracts the coffee powder to become coffee beverage, and finally flows into the coffee cup 900 through the coffee outlet 800. The water flow at the outlet of the water pump 200 also flows through the second waterway 209 to exert pressure on the sliding plug 507, so that the sliding plug 507 is in the state shown in the figure, closing the upper port of the vertical channel 505, and isolating the water vapor.

[0055] The brewing chamber 300 is located below the brewing plug 400 and maintains a working relationship with the brewing plug 400 when it is at the brewing position, and the water pump 200 works. The water flow at the outlet of the water pump 200 flows through the first waterway 208 in turn, then flows through the first one-way valve 201 and the heater 202, and then enters the brewing chamber 300. The heated water flow extracts the coffee powder to become coffee beverage, and finally flows into the coffee cup 900 through the coffee outlet 800. The water flow at the outlet of the water pump 200 also flows through the second waterway 209 to exert pressure on the sliding plug 507, so that the sliding plug 507 is in the state shown in the figure, closing the upper port of the vertical channel 505, and isolating the water vapor. Figure 6 Figure 4 Figure 6 When the brewing chamber 300 returns to the powder receiving position to receive coffee powder as shown in the figure, the pressure relief valve 205 is opened, the water pressure on the back side of the sliding plug 507 is reduced, and the sliding plug 507 slides upward to open the upper port of the vertical channel 505. Therefore, during the period from the stop of the water pump to the opening of the pressure relief valve, the sliding plug still closes the vertical channel due to the action of the water pressure on its back side. Figure 3 Figure 5 The coffee machine, the process of brewing a cup of coffee is:

[0056] (1) Receiving powder: the brewing chamber 300 is located at the powder receiving position as shown in the figure, during which the water pump does not supply water, and the elastic force of the elastic element 508 promotes the sliding plug 507 to move to open the powder falling channel 504;

[0057] (2) Position change: after the brewing chamber 300 receives powder, it moves from the powder receiving position to the brewing position; Figure 5

[0058] (3) Brewing: the brewing chamber 300 is at the brewing position, the water pump 200 works, and the water flow at the outlet of the water pump 200 flows through the first waterway 208 in turn, then flows through the first one-way valve 201 and the heater 202, and then enters the brewing chamber 300. The heated water flow extracts the coffee powder to become coffee beverage, and finally flows into the coffee cup 900 through the coffee outlet 800. The water flow at the outlet of the water pump 200 also flows through the second waterway 209 to exert pressure on the sliding plug 507, so that the sliding plug 507 is in the state shown in the figure, closing the upper port of the vertical channel 505, and isolating the water vapor.

[0059] ​​​​​​(3) Brewing: At the brewing position, the coffee powder in the brewing chamber 300 is compacted by the brewing plug 400, then the water pump 200 pumps water, the pressure relief valve 205 is closed, the water flow in the second water path 209 forces the sliding plug 507 to close the powder drop passage, the water flow in the first water path 208 is heated by the heater and then extracts the coffee powder in the brewing chamber, and the obtained coffee beverage flows into the coffee cup through the coffee outlet;

[0060] (4) Resetting: After brewing, the water pump stops pumping water, the pressure relief valve is opened, and the brewing chamber 300 moves from the brewing position to the powder receiving position (resetting), during which the extracted coffee powder cake is removed from the brewing chamber, and the sliding plug moves to open the powder drop passage 504.

[0061] In other embodiments, the pressure relief valve 205 can be closed and the water pump started during step (2) to close the powder drop passage earlier. The water pump can also be stopped and the pressure relief valve 205 kept closed during step (4) to close the powder drop passage during the resetting of the brewing chamber.

Claims

1. A water-vapor isolation method for a coffee maker, characterized in that: a bean grinder chamber (501) of the coffee maker extends outwardly to a powder drop channel (504), a slide plug (507) is configured to the powder drop channel (504), a back side of the slide plug (507) is connected to a water pump (200) via a second water path (209); a brewing chamber (300) is located at a powder receiving position to receive powder, an elastic element (508) is configured to move the slide plug (507) to open the powder drop channel (504) by an elastic force of the elastic element (508); the brewing chamber (300) is moved from the powder receiving position to a brewing position after the powder is received; the brewing chamber (300) is located at the brewing position to brew, coffee powder in the brewing chamber (300) is compacted, the water pump (200) supplies water to the brewing chamber (300) via a first water path (208) to extract and brew the coffee powder in the brewing chamber (300), and the water pump (200) supplies water to the back side of the slide plug (507) via the second water path (209), a water pressure on the back side of the slide plug (507) overcomes the elastic force of the elastic element (508) to move the slide plug (507) to close the powder drop channel (504); the brewing is completed, the water pump (200) stops supplying water, and the brewing chamber (300) is moved from the brewing position to the powder receiving position, during which the coffee powder cake after extraction and brewing is removed from the brewing chamber (300).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: The first water path (208) is provided with a first one-way valve (201) configured to control water flow in the first water path (208) from the water pump (200) to the brewing chamber (300), and the second water path (209) is provided with a pressure relief valve (205) and a second one-way valve (206) configured to control water flow in the second water path (209) from the water pump (200) to the back side of the slide plug (507).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein: An opening pressure of the second one-way valve (206) is less than an opening pressure of the first one-way valve (201).

4. A method of water vapour barrier for a coffee machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that: The pressure relief valve (205) is opened when the brewing chamber (300) is located at the powder receiving position, and the pressure relief valve (205) is closed when the brewing chamber (300) is located at the brewing position.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein: The pressure relief valve (205) is closed and the water pump is started when the brewing chamber (300) is moved from the powder receiving position to the brewing position.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein: The pressure relief valve (205) remains closed and the water pump is stopped when the brewing chamber (300) is moved from the brewing position to the powder receiving position.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein: An outlet of the pressure relief valve (205) is connected to a brewing plug (400) for timely flushing of the brewing plug (400) and / or the brewing chamber (300), and a water return box (204) is arranged below the brewing chamber (300).

8. The method of claim 2, wherein: The outlet of the pressure relief valve (205) is connected to the water return box (204).

9. The method of claim 1, wherein: The powder drop channel (504) includes a vertical channel (505), the slide plug (507) is located above an upper port of the vertical channel (505), and the slide plug (507) is configured to slide downward to close the upper port of the vertical channel (505) and slide upward to open the upper port of the vertical channel (505).

10. The method of claim 9, wherein: The powder drop channel (504) includes a horizontal channel (506) connecting the upper port of the vertical channel (505) and the bean grinder chamber (501).

11. The method of claim 2, wherein: The pressure relief valve (205) is an electrically controlled valve.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein: The brewing chamber (300) is located below the powder drop channel (504) when the brewing chamber (300) is located at the powder receiving position, and the brewing chamber (300) is located below the brewing plug (400) when the brewing chamber (300) is located at the brewing position.

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