Automatic coffee machine with pump and improved damping device
By introducing a damping device with flexible support components separated from the pump in an automatic coffee machine, vibration and noise problems were solved, resulting in a compact and economical design.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SEB SA
- Filing Date
- 2022-09-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
The pump systems in existing automatic coffee machines suffer from severe vibration and noise interference, and the rigid duct protrusions result in a non-compact design.
Flexible supports are used to separate the damping device from the pump's drive system, and vibration is damped by flexible diaphragms and supports. The flexible supports are made of silicone resin, rubber, or thermoplastic elastomer materials, and the flexible part extends and is fixed to the frame.
It effectively reduces noise interference, achieves a compact design, and lowers manufacturing costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN115944210B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the general technical field of automatic coffee machines, and more specifically to automatic coffee machines including a fluid delivery pump that generates vibrations. Background Technology
[0002] An automatic coffee machine including a pump is known from document EP2542128. The pump includes an inlet orifice, an outlet orifice, a liquid drive system for pressurizing a liquid (particularly water) and flowing the liquid from the inlet orifice to the outlet orifice, and a downstream conduit fluidly connected to the drive system at the pump's outlet orifice. The downstream conduit includes a damping device for damping vibrations generated in the pressurized liquid flowing towards the outlet orifice by the drive system. The downstream conduit is formed by a rigid, integral portion extending from the drive system to the pump's outlet orifice.
[0003] However, the damping device also generates vibrations, which are transmitted back to the pump and frame through the rigid parts. These vibrations mainly cause noise interference.
[0004] In addition, the rigid downstream conduit with damping device forms a significant protrusion on the pump, which may cause problems when placing the pump inside an automatic coffee machine. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present invention aims to overcome these shortcomings.
[0006] The technical problem of this invention is to provide an automatic coffee machine including a pump, which reduces interference with the operation of the automatic coffee machine, especially noise and / or vibration interference.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic coffee machine that has a compact design and is simple and economical to implement.
[0008] Therefore, the subject of this invention is an automatic coffee machine including a pump comprising an inlet orifice, an outlet orifice, a liquid drive system for pressurizing a liquid and causing the liquid to flow from the inlet orifice to the outlet orifice, and a downstream conduit fluidly connected to the drive system to the outlet orifice of the pump, the downstream conduit including a damping device for damping vibrations generated by the drive system in the pressurized liquid flowing toward the outlet orifice, characterized in that the downstream conduit includes a flexible portion disposed between the drive system and the damping device, and the damping device is disposed in a flexible support.
[0009] The damping device is arranged in the flexible support, which means that the flexible support is separated from the pump.
[0010] Therefore, the flexible section of the downstream conduit separates the damping device from the pump's drive system. Vibrations introduced by the damping device are damped by the flexible support. This reduces interference, particularly in terms of noise.
[0011] Furthermore, the flexible support with damping device can be located in the available space in the automatic coffee machine and can be easily connected to the pump drive system via a flexible conduit.
[0012] Advantageously, the flexible portion extends over a length of more than two centimeters.
[0013] This setup allows for effective separation of the damping device from the pump's drive system.
[0014] Preferably, the flexible portion extends in a straight line.
[0015] Advantageously, the damping device includes an upper body, a lower body, and a flexible diaphragm, with the flexible diaphragm arranged between the upper body and the lower body.
[0016] Advantageously, the upper body and the flexible diaphragm define a damping cavity with an inlet channel and an outlet channel, and the lower body and the flexible diaphragm define an air-filled closed cavity.
[0017] Preferably, the flexible support is made of a material selected from silicone resin, rubber or thermoplastic elastomer.
[0018] This material allows for effective retention of the damping device while filtering vibrations.
[0019] Advantageously, the automatic coffee machine includes a frame, to which flexible supports are fixed.
[0020] Therefore, the flexible support with damping device is not directly fixed to the pump in order to improve the separation of the damping device from the pump's drive system.
[0021] Preferably, the flexible support includes a receiving housing for receiving the damping device and at least two legs arranged laterally on the receiving housing, and the frame includes a base including at least two receiving elements, with at least two legs engaging in the at least two receiving elements.
[0022] This arrangement allows the support components to be accommodated in a reduced space.
[0023] Advantageously, the frame includes a lateral housing, which includes a lower wall that covers a flexible support to hold it to the frame.
[0024] This design allows for a compact structure in automatic coffee machines.
[0025] Preferably, the receiving housing includes an upper opening for introducing the damping device.
[0026] Therefore, the lower wall of the lateral housing holds the damping device in the proper position within the receiving housing.
[0027] Preferably, the pump is an electromagnetic pump, and the liquid drive system includes a piston and a coil.
[0028] This type of pump is particularly economical. Attached Figure Description
[0029] The objects, aspects, and advantages of the invention can be better understood from the following description of specific embodiments of the invention, presented as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0030] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an automatic coffee machine including a pump according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The automatic coffee machine shown is a perspective view cut along direction II, with a portion of the frame removed.
[0032] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the frame, flexible support, and damping device of the automatic coffee machine shown along direction III.
[0033] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A sectional view of the damping device of an automatic coffee machine along line IV-IV, a vertical section. Detailed Implementation
[0034] Only elements necessary for understanding the invention are shown. For ease of reading, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements in different figures.
[0035] It should be noted that in this document, the terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “lower,” “upper,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “longitudinal,” and “lateral” used to describe automatic coffee machines refer to the machine when it is in use and placed on a work surface.
[0036] exist Figures 1 to 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the automatic coffee machine 1 includes a frame 2, the frame 2 having a base 3 for placement on a work surface. The automatic coffee machine 1 includes a water tank 5 for supplying cold water and an electromagnetic pump 10. Figure 2 The automatic coffee machine 1 includes a brewing unit (not shown) with a brewing chamber into which a coffee bean grinder supplies coffee grounds. The brewing unit includes a pressing piston that compresses the coffee grounds into the brewing chamber to form a coffee puck. The brewing unit also includes a discharge device for discharging the coffee puck into a coffee puck collection tray 6. Such a brewing unit is described in more detail in patent EP1827182. The automatic coffee machine 1 includes a water boiler (not shown) that allows the generation of hot water and / or steam.
[0037] Automatic coffee machine 1 includes coffee dispensing head 7 ( Figure 1 The automatic coffee machine 1 includes a coffee dispensing head 7 disposed on a frame 2 and includes a coffee outlet 9 connected to a brewing chamber. The dispensing head 7 is positioned above a cup holder 8, which extends within an extension of the base 3. The dispensing head 7 is mounted for vertical translational movement, allowing the user to adjust the position of the coffee outlet 9 to the height of the cup. The automatic coffee machine 1 includes a coffee bean tray 4 disposed above a grinder. The automatic coffee machine 1 includes control circuitry 60 for managing beverage preparation based on user-given instructions.
[0038] The electromagnetic pump 10 supplies water to a hydraulic distributor (not shown) controlled by the control circuit 60 to distribute water to the various components of the automatic coffee machine 1. The pump 10 is connected to the frame 2 via a damped mechanical connection (not shown). Figure 2 Pump 10 includes an inlet port 11 and an outlet port 12 for supplying water from water tank 5, and a liquid drive system 13 for pressurizing the water and causing it to flow from the inlet port 11 to the outlet port 12. Liquid drive system 13 includes a piston 14 and a coil 15 extending along an axis Δ. Power supply to coil 15 by control circuitry 60 causes piston 14 to reciprocate along axis Δ. Pump 10 includes a downstream conduit 20 connecting liquid drive system 13 to outlet port 12. Downstream conduit 20 includes a curved rigid portion 21, a flexible portion 22, and a damping device 30. Flexible portion 22 fluidly connects curved rigid portion 21 to damping device 30. Flexible portion 22 extends in a length equal to five centimeters. Rigid portion 21 includes an auxiliary conduit 23 for discharging overpressure generated in pump 10.
[0039] according to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The damping device 30 has an overall cylindrical shape. The damping device includes an upper body 31, a lower body 32, and a circular flexible diaphragm 33 with a peripheral boundary 34. The flexible diaphragm 33 is disposed between the upper body 31 and the lower body 32, which clamp the peripheral boundary 34. The upper body 31 and the flexible diaphragm 33 define a damping cavity 35. The lower body 32 and the flexible diaphragm 33 define an air-filled closed cavity 36. The upper body 31 includes an inlet channel 37 and an outlet channel 38. The inlet channel 37 fluidly connects the flexible portion 22 of the downstream conduit 20 to the damping cavity 35. The outlet channel 38 has a free end 39 including an outlet orifice 12. The outlet channel 38 fluidly connects the damping cavity 35 to the outlet orifice 12. The flexible diaphragm 33 is made of a material selected from silicone resin, rubber, or thermoplastic elastomers. The pulsations generated by the oscillating piston 14 in the liquid entering the damping chamber 35 are damped by the deformation of the flexible diaphragm 33 in the air-filled closed cavity 36.
[0040] according to Figure 3The automatic coffee machine 1 includes a flexible support 40, which includes a receiving housing 41 for receiving a damping device 30. The flexible support 40 is made of a material selected from silicone, rubber, or thermoplastic elastomers. The receiving housing 41 includes a bottom wall 42, upwardly extending side walls 43, and an upper opening 45. The side walls 43 have two recesses 44a and 44b for passage of an inlet channel 37 and an outlet channel 38 of the upper body 31. The flexible support 40 includes four pillars 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d that extend upward in the extensions of the side walls. The pillars 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d include upper surfaces 47a, 47b, 47c, and 47d located in a horizontal plane. Each support 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d includes material return sections 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d that extend radially inward from the receiving housing 41 to lock the damping device 30 in place. During installation, two notches 44a, 44b allow the bottom wall 42 to deform to unfold the material return sections 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d and allow the damping device 30 to enter the receiving housing 41. Thus, the damping device 30 is tightly installed in the receiving housing 41, particularly at the lateral wall 43.
[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, the flexible support 40 includes three legs 49a, 49b, and 49c equidistantly distributed around its periphery. Each leg 49a, 49b, and 49c includes vertically extending annular portions 50a, 50b, and 50c connected to the flexible support 40. The base 3 of the frame 2 includes three receiving elements 51a, 51b, and 51c for receiving the legs 49a, 49b, and 49c. Each receiving element 51a, 51b, and 51c includes upward-opening vertical cavities 52a, 52b, and 52c, the shape of which is complementary to the shape of each leg 49a, 49b, and 49c. The three legs 49a, 49b, and 49c are forcefully inserted into the three cavities 52a, 52b, and 52c to position and hold the flexible support 40 on the base 3 of the frame 2.
[0042] according to Figure 2 The frame 2 includes a lateral housing 55 for receiving a tray 6 for collecting coffee powder. The lateral housing 55 includes a lower wall 56 disposed above the flexible support 40. The lower wall 56 extends in a plane that is slightly offset in height from the plane containing the upper surfaces 47a, 47b, 47c, 47d of the supports 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d.
[0043] Of course, the present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described and illustrated above, which are given only as examples. In particular, some modifications may be made in the configuration of various elements or by substitution with equivalent techniques, which do not depart from the protection scope of the present invention.
[0044] Therefore, in an embodiment variant not shown, the pump is a paddle rotary pump whose drive system includes a rotor with a plurality of blades that slide radially and ensure the transfer of pumped fluid.
Claims
1. An automatic coffee machine (1) including a pump (10), the pump (10) including an inlet port (11), an outlet port (12), a liquid drive system (13) for pressurizing a liquid and causing the liquid to flow from the inlet port (11) to the outlet port (12), and a downstream conduit (20) fluidly connected to the outlet port (12) of the pump (10), the downstream conduit (20) including a damping device (30) for damping vibrations generated by the drive system (13) in the pressurized liquid flowing to the outlet port (12), characterized in that, The downstream conduit (20) includes a flexible portion (22) disposed between the drive system (13) and the damping device (30), and the damping device (30) is disposed in a flexible support (40).
2. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible portion (22) extends over a length greater than two centimeters.
3. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The flexible portion (22) extends in a straight line.
4. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The damping device (30) includes an upper body (31), a lower body (32) and a flexible diaphragm (33), the flexible diaphragm (33) being arranged between the upper body (31) and the lower body (32).
5. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The flexible support (40) is made of a material selected from silicone resin, rubber or thermoplastic elastomer.
6. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, It includes a frame (2), to which the flexible support (40) is fixed.
7. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The flexible support (40) includes a receiving housing (41) for receiving the damping device (30) and at least two legs (49a, 49b, 49c) arranged laterally on the receiving housing (41), and the frame (2) includes a base (3) including at least two receiving elements (51a, 51b, 51c), the at least two legs (49a, 49b, 49c) being engaged in the at least two receiving elements (51a, 51b, 51c).
8. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The frame (2) includes a lateral housing (55) which includes a lower wall (56) that covers the flexible support (40) to hold it to the frame (2).
9. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that, The receiving housing (41) includes an upper opening (45) for introducing the damping device (30).
10. The automatic coffee machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The pump (10) is an electromagnetic pump, and the liquid drive system (13) includes a piston (14) and a coil (15).