Brewer with external rinsing function, coffee maker and coffee maker rinsing method

Abstract

The application discloses a brewing device with an external washing function, a coffee machine and a coffee machine washing method, and belongs to the technical field of coffee beverage extraction. In the prior art, the coffee powder adheres to the open edge area of the brewing chamber and cannot be cleaned, which affects the quality of the coffee beverage, accelerates the failure of the sealing element and causes the coffee powder particles to accumulate and agglomerate. The application is characterized in that a washing water outlet corresponding to the open edge of the brewing chamber is arranged on the brewing plug. The brewing plug or the open edge of the brewing chamber can be washed through the washing water outlet, the adhered coffee powder is washed clean, the quality of the coffee beverage and the health and safety of the coffee beverage are avoided from being affected, the failure of the sealing element is avoided from being accelerated, and the abnormal failure of the driving mechanism caused by the agglomeration and peeling is avoided. Moreover, the water supply of the washing water outlet is washed when the coffee machine is started and / or turned off, so that the above functions are realized, the brewing device is sterilized and deodorized by using hot water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention pertains to coffee beverage extraction technology, specifically relating to a brewer with an external rinsing function, a coffee machine, and a coffee machine rinsing method. Background Technology

[0002] The brewing unit is the core component for making espresso. It includes the brewing base, which has an open brewing chamber facing upwards. During brewing, the brewing base moves between the receiving position and the brewing position: the brewing chamber receives ground coffee in the receiving position, then moves to the brewing position to brew the coffee. After brewing, the brewing chamber returns to the receiving position. When the brewing chamber receives falling coffee grounds in the receiving position, the falling coffee grounds will... Figure 11 As shown, coffee powder drifts out of the brewing chamber, especially due to static electricity generated during the grinding process. This static electricity exacerbates the drift, causing the coffee powder to adhere to the open edge of the brewing chamber and resulting in the following defects:

[0003] (1) When coffee powder is added to the brewing chamber, the coffee powder adhering to the edge of the open area of ​​the brewing chamber may enter the brewing chamber with the fresh coffee powder and be brewed with hot water, thus affecting the quality of the coffee beverage. Moreover, if the coffee powder adhering to the area of ​​the powder receiving chamber is not cleaned, it will deteriorate and mold, which will not only affect the quality of the coffee beverage, but may even affect the hygiene and safety of the coffee beverage.

[0004] (2) After the brewing plug is inserted into the brewing chamber, it is sealed to the inner wall of the brewing chamber by the sealing element. The sealing element is usually made of rubber or silicone. The coffee powder is irregular in shape and has sharp structures such as sharp corners and ridges. When the brewing plug is inserted downward into the brewing chamber, the coffee powder adhering to the edge area of ​​the open brewing chamber will be squeezed and scraped by the sealing element. This squeezing and scraping will damage the sealing element and accelerate the failure of the sealing element.

[0005] (3) When coffee powder accumulates to a certain extent, it will clump together. After the clumps break off, they are likely to fall into the area of ​​the drive mechanism, causing abnormal failure of the drive mechanism.

[0006] While users can remove the brewer from the coffee machine for cleaning, this increases the burden on them. Furthermore, users typically don't remove the brewer from the coffee machine for cleaning frequently, making it difficult to effectively overcome this drawback. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved and the technical task proposed by the present invention is to overcome the defects of the prior art, which are that the quality of coffee beverage is affected by the adhering of drifting coffee powder to the edge area of ​​the brewing chamber without cleaning, the failure of the seal is accelerated, and the coffee powder particles are accumulating and clumping. The present invention provides a brewer, coffee machine and coffee machine rinsing method with external rinsing function.

[0008] To achieve the above object, the brewing device with external rinsing function comprises a brewing seat and a brewing plug, the brewing seat has a brewing cavity with an open top, the brewing plug is arranged above the brewing seat and is configured to move up and down to extend into the brewing cavity or move out of the brewing cavity, the brewing plug closes the brewing cavity when extending into the brewing cavity, the brewing seat and the brewing plug are separately provided with a brewing water inlet and a brewing liquid outlet, and the brewing plug is characterized in that a rinsing water outlet is arranged on the brewing plug and corresponds to the open edge of the brewing cavity.

[0009] Accordingly, the brewing plug or the open edge of the brewing cavity can be rinsed through the rinsing water outlet, so that the adhered coffee powder is rinsed clean, the quality of the coffee beverage and the health and safety of the coffee beverage are avoided from being affected, the failure of the sealing element is avoided from being accelerated, and the abnormal failure of the driving mechanism caused by the clumping and peeling is avoided.

[0010] In an embodiment, the rinsing water outlet is downwardly directed to the open edge of the brewing cavity to directly rinse the open edge of the brewing cavity, so that a good rinsing effect is achieved.

[0011] In an embodiment, the rinsing water outlet is uniformly distributed relative to the circumference of the open edge of the brewing cavity to rinse the open edge of the brewing cavity from multiple positions, so that the rinsing is thorough and clean.

[0012] In an embodiment, the brewing plug is provided with an annular water cavity, the rinsing water outlet is distributed on the bottom surface of the annular water cavity, and the annular water cavity is configured with a rinsing water inlet. Therefore, the upstream water source is connected through the rinsing water inlet, the water flow from the rinsing water inlet is distributed to the multiple rinsing water outlets by the annular water cavity, and uniform water outlet and uniform rinsing are achieved.

[0013] In an embodiment, the annular water cavity is formed by covering a cover on an annular groove, the annular groove is arranged on the brewing plug, and the cover is sleeved on the brewing plug. This structure is convenient for manufacturing.

[0014] In an embodiment, the brewing water inlet is arranged on the brewing seat, the brewing liquid outlet is arranged on the brewing plug, and the brewing water inlet and the brewing liquid outlet limit the liquid flow direction in the brewing cavity to be upward from downward. In this way, when the coffee powder is pre-soaked, the water level in the brewing cavity rises from bottom to top, which is beneficial to fully pre-soak the coffee powder in the brewing cavity.

[0015] In an embodiment, a lifting support plate is arranged in the brewing cavity, a plurality of water permeable holes are arranged on the lifting support plate, a gap is maintained between the lower end of the water permeable hole and the brewing water inlet, and the lifting support plate has a lifting rod extending downward to the outside of the brewing seat. After the brewing is completed, the coffee powder cake can be lifted by the lifting of the lifting support plate, so as to be removed from the brewing cavity.

[0016] To achieve the above objectives, the coffee machine of the present invention includes a water supply circuit and an extraction circuit, characterized in that: the extraction circuit includes the brewer of the present invention, and the water supply circuit supplies water to the rinsing outlet via a rinsing circuit. Accordingly, the rinsing outlet can be used to rinse the brewing plug or the edge of the brewing chamber opening, cleaning away any adhering coffee powder and preventing it from affecting the quality and hygiene of the coffee beverage; preventing accelerated failure of the seals; and preventing clumping and peeling that could lead to abnormal failure of the drive mechanism.

[0017] In one embodiment, the flushing water path is equipped with an electrically controlled valve that controls the on / off state of the flushing water path. The electrically controlled valve can control the on / off state of the flushing water path, allowing for timely flushing as needed.

[0018] In one embodiment, a water return box is disposed below the brewing base to collect rinsing water.

[0019] To achieve the above objectives, the coffee machine rinsing method of the present invention is characterized by: rinsing the rinsing water inlet with water when the coffee machine is started and / or turned off. This is to remove adhering coffee powder, preventing it from affecting the quality and hygiene of the coffee beverage; preventing accelerated failure of seals; and preventing clumping and peeling that could lead to abnormal failure of the drive mechanism. Simultaneously, the hot water also has disinfecting and deodorizing effects.

[0020] This invention provides a rinsing nozzle on the brewing stopper corresponding to the edge of the brewing chamber opening. The rinsing nozzle can be used to rinse the brewing stopper or the edge of the brewing chamber opening, cleaning away any adhering coffee powder and preventing it from affecting the quality and hygiene of the coffee beverage. It also prevents accelerated failure of the seal and avoids the abnormal failure of the drive mechanism caused by clumping and peeling.

[0021] Furthermore, the water supply to the rinsing nozzle is flushed when the coffee machine is turned on and / or turned off, in order to achieve the above functions, while using hot water to disinfect and deodorize the brewer. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the water circuit of the coffee machine of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the coffee machine of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the brewing device of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the brewing stopper of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The diagram shows an exploded view of the brewing stopper.

[0027] Figure 6 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the coffee maker of the present application; Figure 4 Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the brewing plug of the present application;

[0028] Figure 7 Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the brewing plug of the present application extending into the brewing chamber;

[0029] Figure 8 Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the brewing plug of the present application leaving the brewing chamber; Figure 7

[0030] Figure 9 Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the brewing chamber of the present application receiving coffee powder and the brewing plug extending into the brewing chamber for rinsing;

[0031] Figure 10 Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the brewing plug of the present application for rinsing;

[0032] Figure 11 Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the coffee powder falling into the brewing chamber;

[0033] Legend of the figures:

[0034] 100 brewer

[0035] 110 brewing seat: 111 brewing chamber, 112 brewing water inlet, 113 brewing chamber opening edge, 114 lifting plate, 115 water permeable hole, 116 gap, 117 lifting rod,

[0036] 120 brewing plug: 121 brewing liquid outlet, 122 annular water cavity, 123 rinsing water inlet, 124 annular groove, 125 cover, 126 rinsing water outlet, 127 sealing ring, 128 filter screen;

[0037] 130 bracket

[0038] 200 water supply waterway

[0039] 300 extraction waterway, 301 pressure accumulation check valve, 302 pressure maintaining valve

[0040] 400 rinsing waterway, 401 electric control valve

[0041] 500 backwater box

[0042] 600 coffee outlet

[0043] 700 coffee maker body

[0044] 800 coffee powder DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] ​In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the following will be a clear and complete description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. 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 scope of protection of the present application.

[0046] The terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of the present application are intended to cover the inclusion not an exclusive, for example, a method or product comprising a series of technical features, not necessarily limited to those clearly listed, but also including other technical features not clearly listed that can be included in the method or product.

[0047] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation or position relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower" and the like is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the indicated device or element must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0048] The present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments and drawings.

[0049] As Figure 1 shown, the water path of the coffee machine of the present application includes a water supply path 200 and an extraction water path 300.

[0050] The water supply path 200 includes a water tank 201, a flow meter 202, a water pump 203, a safety valve 204 and a heater 205. In operation, the water pump delivers the stored water in the water tank to the extraction water path, and the water flow is calculated by the flow meter. When the water flows through the heater, it is heated to become hot water. The water temperature can be controlled at about 92°C by the temperature controller, the power of the heater, etc. During this period, when the water path downstream of the water pump is blocked, the water flow output by the water pump will flow to the backwater box through the safety valve.

[0051] The extraction water path 300 includes a brewer 100, which, as Figures 7-9 shown, includes a brew seat 110 and a brew plug 120 as Figures 4-6 shown. The brew seat 110 has a brew chamber 111 with an open top. The brew plug 120 is located above the brew seat 110 and moves up and down to move down to extend into the brew chamber 111 as Figure 7 shown or move up as Figure 8The brewing chamber 111 is shown. The brewing plug 120 extends into the brewing chamber 111 to close the brewing chamber. The brewing seat 110 and the brewing plug 120 are provided with a brewing water inlet 112 and a brewing liquid outlet 121 respectively, through which water from the water supply flows into the brewing chamber and coffee liquid flows out of the brewing chamber. Figure 1 The coffee outlet 600 is shown. The pressure-accumulating check valve 301 is provided before the brewing water inlet 112, and the pressure-holding valve 302 is provided at the brewing liquid outlet 121, so that when the water pressure from the water supply reaches the pressure of the pressure-accumulating check valve, the pressure-accumulating check valve can be opened, and water can flow into the brewing chamber; when the pressure in the brewing chamber reaches the pressure of the pressure-holding valve, the pressure-holding valve can be opened, and coffee liquid can flow to the coffee outlet, and the pressure-accumulating check valve and the pressure-holding valve control the water flow to be unidirectional.

[0052] In the diagram, the brewing water inlet 112 is provided on the brewing seat 110, and the brewing liquid outlet 121 is provided on the brewing plug 120, so that the liquid flow in the brewing chamber is limited to be from bottom to top. Moreover, the lifting plate 114 is provided in the brewing chamber 111, the lifting plate 114 is provided with a plurality of water-permeable holes 115, the lower end of the water-permeable hole 115 and the brewing water inlet 112 are kept apart by a gap 116, and the lifting plate 114 has a lifting rod 117 extending downwardly out of the brewing seat. The water-permeable hole 115 is for water from the brewing water inlet to flow into the brewing chamber, and the coffee powder in the brewing chamber becomes a coffee powder cake after extraction and brewing. The coffee powder cake can be lifted out of the brewing chamber by lifting the lifting plate through the lifting rod, and the coffee powder cake is blocked from falling off the lifting plate when the brewing seat moves.

[0053] To avoid the coffee powder in the brewing chamber being washed away by the water flow, the lower end of the brewing plug is provided with a filter screen 128, so that the extracted coffee liquid flows to the coffee outlet through the filter screen 128 and the brewing liquid outlet 121.

[0054] In the diagram, the brewing plug 120 is provided with a flushing water outlet 126 corresponding to the open edge 113 of the brewing chamber, for flushing the adhered coffee powder through the flushing water outlet. As shown in the diagram, Figure 9 The diagram shows the flushing when the brewing chamber receives coffee powder and the brewing plug extends into the brewing chamber, Figure 10 The diagram shows the flushing of the brewing plug alone. Specifically, the brewing plug is provided with an annular water cavity 122, which is formed by covering a cover 125 on an annular groove 124. The annular groove is provided on the brewing plug, and the cover is sleeved on the brewing plug. In order to avoid water leakage, the cover and the upper edge of the annular groove are sealingly matched, such as being ultrasonically welded together. A plurality of flushing water outlets are distributed on the bottom surface of the annular water cavity, and the annular water cavity is provided with a flushing water inlet 123. The flushing water outlets are downwardly directed to the open edge of the brewing chamber. The flushing water outlets are uniformly distributed relative to the circumference of the open edge of the brewing chamber.

[0055] Figures 7-9The brewer 100 shown can be used as follows: Figure 3 As shown, it is mounted on bracket 130. Figure 3 The brewing device shown is mounted on the stand and can be used as follows: Figure 2 As shown, it is assembled onto the coffee machine body 700 along with the bracket. This allows the coffee machine to receive water from the water supply path through the rinsing path to the rinsing inlet, thus rinsing off any adhering coffee grounds.

[0056] like Figure 1 As shown, the rinsing water circuit is equipped with an electrically controlled valve 401 to control the on / off state of the rinsing water flow, thereby controlling the rinsing action. A return water box 500 is located below the brewing base to receive rinsing water. This return water box 500 is also located below the coffee outlet to receive dripping coffee or spilled coffee from the coffee cup. Given the aforementioned structural configuration, rinsing the water supply to the rinsing water outlet when the coffee machine is started and / or turned off can promptly wash away coffee grounds adhering to the edge of the brewing chamber opening, keeping this area relatively clean. Therefore, the seal on the brewing stopper is protected from being squeezed and scraped by coffee grounds.

Claims

1. A brewing device with an external rinsing function, comprising a brewing base (110) and a brewing plug (120), wherein the brewing base (110) has an open-ended brewing chamber (111), and the brewing plug (120) is located above the brewing base (110) and is configured to move downwards into the brewing chamber or upwards out of the brewing chamber, wherein the brewing plug closes the brewing chamber when it is inserted into it, and the brewing base and the brewing plug are respectively provided with a brewing inlet (112) and a brewing outlet (121) for the brewing chamber, characterized in that: The brewing plug (120) is provided with a rinsing water outlet (126) corresponding to the opening edge (113) of the brewing chamber. The brewing water inlet (112) is located on the brewing base (110), and the brewing liquid outlet (121) is located on the brewing plug (120). The brewing water inlet and the brewing liquid outlet restrict the flow of liquid in the brewing chamber to be from bottom to top. The brewing plug (120) is provided with an annular water cavity (122), the rinsing water inlet (126) is distributed on the bottom surface of the annular water cavity (122), and the annular water cavity (122) is provided with a rinsing water inlet (123).

2. The brewer with external rinsing function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rinsing inlet (126) faces downward toward the edge (113) of the brewing chamber opening.

3. The brewer with external rinsing function according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The rinsing inlets (126) are evenly distributed around the circumference of the opening edge (113) of the brewing chamber.

4. The brewer with external rinsing function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular water cavity (122) is formed by covering the annular groove (124) with a cover (125), the annular groove being located on the brewing plug, and the cover being fitted onto the brewing plug.

5. The brewer with external rinsing function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The brewing chamber (111) is equipped with a lifting plate (114), the lifting plate is provided with a number of water-permeable holes (115), the lower end of the water-permeable holes is kept at a gap (116) with the brewing water inlet, and the lifting plate has a lifting rod (117) extending downward to the outside of the brewing seat.

6. A coffee machine, including a water supply circuit (200) and an extraction water circuit (300), characterized in that: The extraction water path includes the brewer (100) according to any one of claims 1-5, and the water supply path supplies water to the rinsing water outlet (126) via the rinsing water path (400).

7. The coffee machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The flushing water path (400) is equipped with an electrically controlled valve (401) that controls the on / off state of the flushing water path.

8. The coffee machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: A water return box (500) is provided below the brewing base.

9. A coffee machine rinsing method, characterized by: Based on any one of the coffee machines according to claims 6-8, water is supplied to the rinsing inlet to rinse when the coffee machine is started and / or turned off.

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