Automatic cleaning system and method for milk tea machine

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of milk tea machine cleaning, and particularly relates to an automatic cleaning system and method for a milk tea machine. The cleaning system of the present invention includes a cleaning tank, a return water pipeline is detachably connected between the cleaning tank and the feeding pipeline of the milk tea machine, the outlet of the feeding pipeline of the milk tea machine is located above the cleaning tank or is detachably connected to the cleaning tank, and a feeding pump is installed on the feeding pipeline of the milk tea machine; the cleaning tank is respectively connected to a clean water pipeline, a cleaning liquid pipeline and a sewage pipeline, a cleaning liquid pump is installed on the cleaning liquid pipeline, a clean water valve is connected to the clean water pipeline, a sewage valve is connected to the sewage pipeline, and an electric heating component is also installed on the cleaning tank; it also includes a control device, and the feeding pump, cleaning liquid pump, clean water valve, sewage valve and electric heating component are electrically connected to the control device respectively. The present invention provides an automatic cleaning system and method for a milk tea machine that is combined with the functional components of the milk tea machine and can realize multiple cleaning modes such as clean water, hot water, and water with cleaning liquid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of milk tea machine cleaning, and in particular relates to an automatic cleaning system and method for a milk tea machine. Background Art

[0002] As automatic milk tea machines become increasingly popular, cleaning the internal pipes of milk tea machines becomes very important.

[0003] At present, manual cleaning is usually adopted to clean the inside of the milk tea machine, which not only increases the workload of employees, but also makes it impossible to effectively clean the internal pipes of the milk tea machine.

[0004] If a cleaning system independent of the milk tea machine is set up, the equipment will become extremely large and complicated. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic cleaning system and method for a milk tea machine that is combined with the functional components of the milk tea machine and can realize multiple cleaning modes such as clean water, hot water, and water with cleaning liquid.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in the present invention is:

[0007] An automatic cleaning system for a milk tea machine comprises a cleaning tank, a return water pipeline detachably connected between the cleaning tank and a feeding pipeline of the milk tea machine, an outlet of the feeding pipeline of the milk tea machine is located above the cleaning tank or is detachably connected to the cleaning tank, a feeding pump is installed on the feeding pipeline of the milk tea machine; a clean water pipeline, a cleaning liquid pipeline and a sewage discharge pipeline are respectively connected to the cleaning tank, a cleaning liquid pump is installed on the cleaning liquid pipeline, a clean water valve is connected to the clean water pipeline, a sewage discharge valve is connected to the sewage discharge pipeline, and an electric heating component is also installed on the cleaning tank; and a control device is also included, and the feeding pump, cleaning liquid pump, clean water valve, sewage discharge valve and electric heating component are respectively electrically connected to the control device.

[0008] The return water pipeline of the present invention is connected to the feeding pipeline of the milk tea machine, and after the feeding pipeline is placed above the cleaning tank or connected to the cleaning tank, the cleaning tank, the return water pipeline and the feeding pipeline form a closed loop, and the feeding pipeline of the milk tea machine can be circulated and flushed through the closed loop, avoiding the trouble of manual cleaning, and the cleaning medium is directly circulated to flush the feeding pipeline, avoiding the situation where the feeding pipeline is not cleaned thoroughly.

[0009] The return water pipeline is directly and detachably connected to the inlet of the feeding pipeline of the milk tea machine, so that the present invention is combined with the functional components of the milk tea machine, the cleaning system and the milk tea machine can be effectively integrated, and the structure can be simplified.

[0010] The present invention can perform multiple cycles of cleaning on the feeding pipeline, and during cleaning, cleaning liquid can be added through the cleaning liquid pipeline, or water can be heated by an electric heating component. Therefore, the present invention can achieve multiple cleaning modes such as clean water, hot water, and water with cleaning liquid, and the number and order of each mode can be arbitrarily set to ensure that each feeding pipeline of the milk tea machine is fully cleaned.

[0011] The cleaning modes mentioned above can be controlled by the control device, so that the present invention can realize automatic control and facilitate the setting of combinations of different cleaning modes, thereby reducing manual operations.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the milk tea machine is in use, the feed line is connected to the liquid tank; when the milk tea machine is being cleaned, the feed line is connected to the return line. The return line, feed line, and liquid tank are removably connected to each other, allowing the milk tea machine to be switched between use and cleaning. Furthermore, a three-way valve is not used in this configuration, preventing the end of the three-way valve connected to the liquid tank from being accessible for cleaning.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning tank is connected to a water inlet pipe, the other end of which is connected to a quick-connect joint. The outlet ends of the multiple feeding pipes of the milk tea machine are connected to a feeding head after being combined. The feeding head and the quick-connect joint are detachably connected. Before cleaning the milk tea machine, the quick-connect joint can be quickly connected to the feeding head of the milk tea machine, thereby quickly connecting the feeding pipe to the feeding circuit.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning tank is connected to a pressure relief line, which is connected to a pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve is electrically connected to a control device, and the sewage valve and the pressure relief valve are opened or closed synchronously. During the process of discharging sewage from the cleaning tank, the pressure relief valve needs to be opened to avoid negative pressure in the cleaning tank.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning tank is equipped with a low-level sensor and a high-level sensor, each electrically connected to a control device. During the wastewater discharge process, when the low-level sensor is triggered, it transmits a signal indicating the completion of wastewater discharge to the control device, thereby initiating the next cleaning cycle. During the addition of clean water to the cleaning tank, when the high-level sensor is triggered, the control device closes the clean water valve to prevent overfilling of the cleaning tank.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a temperature sensor is connected to the cleaning tank and is electrically connected to the control device. When the electric heating element heats the water in the cleaning tank, the temperature sensor monitors the water temperature in real time. When the water temperature reaches a preset temperature, the control device can control the electric heating element to disconnect.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a return valve is connected to the return pipe, and the return valve is electrically connected to the control device. When the return valve is provided on the return pipe, the control device controls the opening and closing of the return valve, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the cleaning circuit.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the feed lines correspond one to one with the return lines. The number of feed lines on the milk tea machine exceeds the number of liquid feed tanks. The feed lines not connected to the liquid feed tanks serve as backups. If the active feed pump becomes clogged, the corresponding liquid feed tank can be connected to the backup feed lines. The backup feed lines are also equipped with corresponding return lines, allowing them to be cleaned.

[0019] A method for automatically cleaning a milk tea machine comprises the following steps:

[0020] Connect the return water pipe to the inlet of the feeding pipe, and place the outlet of the feeding pipe above the cleaning tank or connect it to the cleaning tank through a pipe;

[0021] Repeat cleaning N times: control the clean water valve to open and start the feeding pump. After a period of cyclic cleaning, close the clean water valve and feeding pump, and open the sewage valve to drain sewage.

[0022] During the P repeated cleanings, when the clean water valve is opened and the feeding pump is started, the cleaning liquid pump is turned on at the same time;

[0023] During the K repeated cleanings, when the clean water valve is opened and the feeding pump is started, the electric heating component is started at the same time;

[0024] During the last re-cleaning cycle, the cleaning fluid pump is shut off.

[0025] The present invention can perform multiple cycles of cleaning on the feeding pipeline, and during cleaning, cleaning liquid can be added through the cleaning liquid pipeline, or water can be heated by an electric heating component. Therefore, the present invention can achieve multiple cleaning modes such as clean water, hot water, and water with cleaning liquid, and the number and order of each mode can be arbitrarily set to ensure that each feeding pipeline of the milk tea machine is fully cleaned.

[0026] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning tank is connected to the atmosphere during the sewage discharge process. During the sewage discharge process in the cleaning tank, it is necessary to open the pressure relief valve to avoid negative pressure in the cleaning tank.

[0027] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0028] 1. The return water pipeline of the present invention is connected to the feeding pipeline of the milk tea machine, and after the feeding pipeline is placed above the cleaning tank or connected to the cleaning tank, the cleaning tank, the return water pipeline, and the feeding pipeline form a closed loop, and the feeding pipeline of the milk tea machine can be circulated and flushed through the closed loop, avoiding the trouble of manual cleaning, and the cleaning medium directly circulates and flushes the feeding pipeline, avoiding the situation where the feeding pipeline is not cleaned thoroughly.

[0029] 2. The water return pipe of the present invention is directly and detachably connected to the inlet of the feeding pipe of the milk tea machine, so that the present invention is combined with the functional components of the milk tea machine, and the cleaning system and the milk tea machine can be effectively integrated, which can simplify the structure.

[0030] 3. The present invention can perform multiple cycles of cleaning on the feeding pipeline, and during cleaning, cleaning liquid can be added through the cleaning liquid pipeline, or water can be heated by an electric heating component. Therefore, the present invention can achieve multiple cleaning modes such as clean water, hot water, and water with cleaning liquid, and the number and order of each mode can be arbitrarily set to ensure that each feeding pipeline of the milk tea machine is fully cleaned.

[0031] 4. The present invention controls each cleaning mode through a control device, so that the present invention can realize automatic control and facilitate the setting of combinations of different cleaning modes, thereby reducing manual operations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0033] In the figure: 1-cleaning tank; 2-feeding pipeline; 3-return pipeline; 4-clean water pipeline; 5-cleaning liquid pipeline; 6-drain pipeline; 7-electric heating component; 8-water inlet pipeline; 9-pressure relief pipeline; 11-low liquid level sensor; 12-high liquid level sensor; 13-temperature sensor; 21-feeding pump; 22-feeding head; 23-pagoda connector; 31-extension hose; 41-clean water valve; 51-cleaning liquid pump; 52-cleaning liquid tank; 61-drain valve; 81-quick connect connector; 82-extension hose; 91-pressure relief valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings herein can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0035] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but rather merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments derived by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention and the features therein may be combined with each other unless there is a conflict.

[0036] like Figure 1As shown, the automatic cleaning system of the milk tea machine in this embodiment includes a cleaning tank 1, a return water pipe 3 is detachably connected between the cleaning tank 1 and the feeding pipe 2 of the milk tea machine, the outlet of the feeding pipe 2 of the milk tea machine is located above the cleaning tank 1 or is detachably connected to the cleaning tank 1, and a feeding pump 21 is installed on the feeding pipe 2 of the milk tea machine; the cleaning tank 1 is respectively connected to a clean water pipe 4, a cleaning liquid pipe 5 and a sewage pipe 6, a cleaning liquid pump 51 is installed on the cleaning liquid pipe 5, and the end of the cleaning liquid pipe 5 is connected to a cleaning liquid tank 52, a clean water valve 41 is connected to the clean water pipe 4, and a sewage valve 61 is connected to the sewage pipe 6. An electric heating component 7 is also installed on the cleaning tank 1; a control device is also included, and the feeding pump 21, the cleaning liquid pump 51, the clean water valve 41, the sewage valve 61 and the electric heating component 7 are electrically connected to the control device respectively.

[0037] The return water pipe 3 of the present invention is connected to the feeding pipe 2 of the milk tea machine, and after the feeding pipe 2 is placed above the cleaning tank 1 or connected to the cleaning tank 1, the cleaning tank 1, the return water pipe 3, and the feeding pipe 2 form a closed loop, and the feeding pipe 2 of the milk tea machine can be circulated and flushed through the closed loop, avoiding the trouble of manual cleaning, and the cleaning medium directly circulates and flushes the feeding pipe 2, avoiding the situation where the feeding pipe 2 is not cleaned thoroughly.

[0038] The return water pipe 3 is directly and detachably connected to the inlet of the feeding pipe 2 of the milk tea machine, so that the present invention is combined with the functional components of the milk tea machine, the cleaning system and the milk tea machine can be effectively integrated, and the structure can be simplified.

[0039] The present invention can perform multiple repeated cycle cleaning on the feeding pipeline 2, and during cleaning, cleaning liquid can be added through the cleaning liquid pipeline 5, or water can be heated by the electric heating component 7. Therefore, the present invention can achieve multiple modes of cleaning such as clean water, hot water, and water with cleaning liquid, and the number and order of each mode can be arbitrarily set to ensure that each feeding pipeline 2 of the milk tea machine is fully cleaned.

[0040] The cleaning modes mentioned above can be controlled by the control device, so that the present invention can realize automatic control and facilitate the setting of combinations of different cleaning modes, thereby reducing manual operations.

[0041] When the milk tea machine is in use, the feeding line 2 is connected to the liquid material bin. After the feeding pump 21 is started, the material in the liquid material bin enters the feeding line 2 and is discharged from the feeding head 22. When the milk tea machine is cleaned, the feeding line 2 is connected to the return line 3, and the cleaning tank 1, the return line 3 and the feeding line 2 form a cleaning circuit, and the liquid material bin can be removed and cleaned separately. The connection mode between the return line 3, the feeding line 2 and the liquid material bin is switched in a detachable manner, which can realize the switching of the milk tea machine between the use state and the cleaning state. And the three do not use a three-way valve, which avoids the situation where one end of the three-way valve connected to the liquid material bin cannot be cleaned.

[0042] The section of the return line 3 connecting to the feeding line 2 can be a stretchable hose 31, the joint of the liquid tank can be a hose, and the inlet of the feeding line 2 can be connected to the pagoda joint 23, so that the stretchable hose 31 of the return line 3 and the hose of the liquid tank can both be connected to the pagoda joint 23 of the feeding line 2, making it easy to disassemble and assemble. The connection between the return line 3, the feeding line 2 and the liquid tank can be manually performed.

[0043] The outlet ends of the milk tea machine's several feeding lines 2 are connected to a feeding head 22. There are two ways to set up the feeding head 22 and the cleaning tank 1. First, the feeding head 22 can be placed directly above the cleaning tank 1, so that the sewage discharged from the feeding head 22 can directly enter the cleaning tank 1. Second, the cleaning tank 1 is connected to a water inlet line 8, at least one section of which is a telescopic hose 82. The other end of the water inlet pipe is connected to a quick-connect connector 81, and the feeding head 22 and the quick-connect connector 81 are detachably connected. Before cleaning the milk tea machine, the quick-connect connector 81 can be quickly connected to the feeding head 22 of the milk tea machine, thereby quickly connecting the feeding line 2 to the feeding circuit.

[0044] Furthermore, the cleaning tank 1 is connected to a pressure relief pipe 9, which is connected to a pressure relief valve 91. The pressure relief valve 91 is electrically connected to the control device, and the sewage valve 61 and the pressure relief valve 91 are opened or closed synchronously. When the sewage in the cleaning tank 1 is discharged, the pressure relief valve 91 needs to be opened to avoid negative pressure in the cleaning tank 1.

[0045] Furthermore, a low-level sensor 11 and a high-level sensor 12 are installed within the cleaning tank 1, each electrically connected to a control device. During the wastewater discharge process, when the low-level sensor 11 is triggered, it transmits a signal indicating the completion of wastewater discharge to the control device, thereby initiating the next cleaning cycle. During the addition of clean water to the cleaning tank 1, when the high-level sensor 12 is triggered, the control device closes the clean water valve 41 to prevent overfilling of the cleaning tank 1.

[0046] Furthermore, a temperature sensor 13 is connected to the cleaning tank 1 and is electrically connected to the control device. When the water in the cleaning tank 1 is heated by the electric heating element 7, the temperature sensor 13 monitors the water temperature in real time. When the water temperature reaches a preset temperature, the control device can control the electric heating element 7 to disconnect.

[0047] It is important to note that good heat conduction is required between the electric heating element and the tank body. The electric heating element 7 can be a resistance wire. Preferably, the cleaning tank 1 is a cylindrical metal tank body. Good heat conduction is achieved between the metal tank body and the electric heating element 7. A cylindrical cleaning tank 1 facilitates the complete drainage of wastewater from the cleaning tank 1.

[0048] The return water pipe 3 can be connected to a return water valve, which is electrically connected to the control device. When the return water valve is provided on the return water pipe 3, the control device controls the on-off of the return water valve, thereby controlling the on-off of the cleaning circuit.

[0049] In the present invention, the feed lines and return lines 3 correspond one-to-one. The number of feed lines 2 on the milk tea machine is greater than the number of liquid feed tanks. The feed lines 2 not connected to the liquid feed tanks can be used as backup. If the active feed pump 21 becomes clogged, the corresponding liquid feed tank can be connected to the backup feed line 2. The backup feed line 2 is also equipped with a corresponding return line 3, allowing it to be cleaned.

[0050] The automatic cleaning method of the milk tea machine of this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0051] S1: Connect the return water pipe 3 to the inlet of the feeding pipe 2, and place the outlet of the feeding pipe 2 above the cleaning tank 1 or connect it to the cleaning tank 1 through a pipe.

[0052] S2: Repeat cleaning N times: control the clean water valve 41 to open and start the feeding pump 21. After a period of cyclic cleaning, close the clean water valve 41 and the feeding pump 21, and open the sewage valve 61 to discharge sewage.

[0053] During the P repeated cleanings, when the clean water valve 41 is opened and the feeding pump 21 is started, the cleaning liquid pump 51 is simultaneously turned on to add cleaning liquid to the clean water; P<N.

[0054] During the K times of repeated cleaning, when the clean water valve 41 is opened and the feeding pump 21 is started, the electric heating component 7 is started at the same time to heat the water; K≤N.

[0055] During the last repeated cleaning, the cleaning liquid pump 51 is turned off to prevent residual cleaning liquid in the feeding pipeline 2.

[0056] The electric heating component 7 and the cleaning liquid pump 51 can be turned on at the same time. The cleaning process in this state is hot water cleaning with cleaning liquid.

[0057] The present invention can perform multiple repeated cycle cleaning on the feeding pipeline 2, and during cleaning, cleaning liquid can be added through the cleaning liquid pipeline 5, or water can be heated by the electric heating component 7. Therefore, the present invention can achieve multiple modes of cleaning such as clean water, hot water, and water with cleaning liquid, and the number and order of each mode can be arbitrarily set to ensure that each feeding pipeline 2 of the milk tea machine is fully cleaned.

[0058] The N-times repeated cleaning process in step S2 is configured as a continuously running program instruction, and the control device automatically controls the cleaning process according to the program instruction. The program instruction can be any combination of various cleaning modes, such as clean water, hot water, and water with cleaning fluid. The present invention can be configured with multiple program instructions, and the program instruction call is triggered by manual selection.

[0059] During the sewage discharge process, the cleaning tank 1 is connected to the atmosphere. In the process of discharging the sewage in the cleaning tank 1, the pressure relief valve 91 needs to be opened to avoid negative pressure in the cleaning tank 1.

[0060] During the sewage discharge process, when the low liquid level sensor 11 is triggered, the low liquid level sensor 11 sends a sewage discharge completion signal to the control device, so that the control device can start the next cleaning program.

[0061] During the process of adding clean water into the cleaning tank 1 , when the high liquid level sensor 12 is triggered, the control device controls the clean water valve 41 to close, so as to prevent excessive addition of water into the cleaning tank 1 .

[0062] When the water in the cleaning tank 1 is heated by the electric heating component 7, the temperature sensor 13 monitors the water temperature in real time. When the water temperature reaches a preset temperature, the control device can control the electric heating component 7 to be disconnected, thereby accurately controlling the water temperature.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned optional implementation modes. Anyone can derive other forms of products under the inspiration of the present invention. However, no matter what changes are made in the shape or structure, any technical solution that falls within the scope defined by the claims of the present invention falls within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic cleaning system for a milk tea machine, characterized by: The invention comprises a cleaning tank (1), a return water pipe (3) being detachably connected between the cleaning tank (1) and the feeding pipe (2) of the milk tea machine, an outlet of the feeding pipe (2) of the milk tea machine being located above the cleaning tank (1) or detachably connected to the cleaning tank (1), and a feeding pump (21) being installed on the feeding pipe (2) of the milk tea machine; the cleaning tank (1) being respectively connected to a clean water pipe (4), a cleaning liquid pipe (5) and a sewage pipe (6), a cleaning liquid pump (51) being installed on the cleaning liquid pipe (5), a clean water valve (41) being connected to the clean water pipe (4), a sewage valve (61) being connected to the sewage pipe (6), and an electric heating component (7) being installed on the cleaning tank (1); and a control device being further included, the feeding pump (21), the cleaning liquid pump (51), the clean water valve (41), the sewage valve (61) and the electric heating component (7) being respectively electrically connected to the control device; When the milk tea machine is in use, the feeding pipe (2) is connected to the liquid material bin; when the milk tea machine is cleaned, the feeding pipe (2) is connected to the return water pipe (3); The cleaning tank (1) is connected to a water inlet pipe (8), the other end of which is connected to a quick-connect joint (81). The outlet ends of the plurality of feeding pipes (2) of the milk tea machine are connected to a feeding head (22) after being gathered together. The feeding head (22) is detachably connected to the quick-connect joint (81).

2. The automatic cleaning system for a milk tea machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cleaning tank (1) is connected to a pressure relief pipeline (9), the pressure relief pipeline (9) is connected to a pressure relief valve (91), the pressure relief valve (91) is electrically connected to the control device, and the drain valve (61) and the pressure relief valve (91) are opened or closed synchronously.

3. The automatic cleaning system for a milk tea machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A low liquid level sensor (11) and a high liquid level sensor (12) are respectively installed in the cleaning tank (1), and the low liquid level sensor (11) and the high liquid level sensor (12) are respectively electrically connected to the control device.

4. The automatic cleaning system for a milk tea machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cleaning tank (1) is connected to a temperature sensor (13), and the temperature sensor (13) is electrically connected to a control device.

5. The automatic cleaning system for a milk tea machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The return water pipeline (3) is connected to a return water valve, which is electrically connected to the control device.

6. The automatic cleaning system for a milk tea machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding pipeline (2) corresponds to the return water pipeline (3) one by one, and the number of the feeding pipelines (2) on the milk tea machine is greater than the number of the liquid material bins.

7. A method for automatically cleaning a milk tea machine using the automatic cleaning system of claim 1, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Connect the return water pipe (3) to the inlet of the feeding pipe (2), and place the outlet of the feeding pipe (2) above the cleaning tank (1) or connect it to the cleaning tank (1) through a pipe; Repeat cleaning N times: control the clean water valve (41) to open and start the feeding pump (21), close the clean water valve (41) and the feeding pump (21) after a period of cyclic cleaning, and open the sewage valve (61) to discharge sewage; During the P repeated cleanings, when the clean water valve (41) is opened and the feed pump (21) is started, the cleaning liquid pump (51) is turned on at the same time; During the K times of repeated cleaning, when the clean water valve (41) is opened and the feeding pump (21) is started, the electric heating component (7) is started at the same time; During the last repeated cleaning, the cleaning liquid pump (51) is turned off.

8. The automatic cleaning method of a milk tea machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: During the sewage discharge process, the cleaning tank (1) is connected to the atmosphere.

Images