A quick and convenient dissolving device, a beverage brewing apparatus and a cleaning method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a dissolving device, a beverage brewing device and a cleaning method thereof. The dissolving device comprises a container and a sleeve. The container has a cavity and a second feeding port communicating with the cavity. The sleeve is slidably sleeved on the sleeve to have a first position opening the second feeding port and a second position closing the second feeding port. The sleeve is provided with a first inlet. When the dissolving device starts to work, the sleeve is in the first position, solid soluble substances enter the cavity from the second feeding port, the high-pressure water column is introduced into the first inlet to wash away the solid soluble substances in the cavity, and the sleeve slides from the first position to the second position to close the second feeding port. In the application, the dissolving device utilizes the high-pressure water column and high-pressure environment to accelerate the dissolving speed of the solid soluble substances, so that the solid soluble substances are quickly and conveniently dissolved. The sleeve is used to close the second feeding port, so that the moisture of the undissolved solid soluble substances is prevented from being deteriorated due to the backflow of water vapor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of beverage preparation technology, specifically to a fast and convenient dissolving device, beverage preparation equipment, and its cleaning method. Background Technology

[0002] Existing beverage preparation equipment typically has two needs for dissolving devices: first, to dissolve solid beverages, such as effervescent tablets or beverage capsules containing concentrated beverage ingredients; and second, to dissolve cleaning drugs for cleaning beverage pipelines.

[0003] In the brewing of solid beverages, the slow dissolution rate of solid beverages will result in low brewing efficiency, and incomplete dissolution will also affect the taste of the beverage.

[0004] After beverage preparation equipment such as coffee machines and soy milk makers have finished preparing drinks, residual beverage ingredients often remain in their liquid supply systems. Incomplete cleaning can easily lead to hygiene hazards, blockages, and corrosion of the liquid supply system, thus affecting the lifespan of the beverage preparation equipment. However, current cleaning methods are cumbersome and cannot guarantee cleaning effectiveness. Simply rinsing with water is unlikely to completely remove residual stains from the pipes. Therefore, cleaning agents need to be added to the cleaning water. For ease of transportation and storage, these agents are often stored in the form of solid soluble substances such as tablets, pills, or capsules. Dissolving these solid soluble substances in water takes a significant amount of time, thus affecting cleaning efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a fast and convenient dissolving device, beverage preparation equipment, and cleaning method for quickly and thoroughly dissolving solid soluble substances, thereby improving the efficiency of beverage preparation or cleaning equipment.

[0006] The aforementioned rapid and convenient dissolving device is used to dissolve solid soluble substances, and the dissolving device includes:

[0007] A container having a cavity inside, and a second inlet communicating with the cavity, allowing solid soluble substances to enter the cavity through the second inlet; and,

[0008] A sleeve is fitted over the container and is movably disposed relative to the container in a first direction. The sleeve is provided with a first inlet for introducing water flow into the cavity. During its movement, the sleeve has a first position away from the container to offset from the second feed inlet and a second position close to the container to close off the second feed inlet.

[0009] In one embodiment, the sleeve includes an end cap, a first inlet is formed in the end cap, the container has an opening that opens toward the end cap, and when the sleeve is in a second position, the end cap closes the opening of the container.

[0010] In one embodiment, the end cap is provided with a flow guide groove recessed towards the container, and the first inlet is located at the bottom of the flow guide groove.

[0011] In one embodiment, the guide channel is tapered in the direction close to the first inlet.

[0012] In one embodiment, a first sealing ring is provided at the first end of the container or on the inner side of the end cap. The first sealing ring surrounds the outer periphery of the opening, such that when the sleeve slides to the second position, the first sealing ring is sandwiched between the container and the end cap; and / or,

[0013] A second sealing ring is provided between the outer wall of the container and the inner wall of the sleeve, so that when the sleeve slides to the second position, the second sealing ring is sandwiched between the outer wall of the container and the inner wall of the sleeve.

[0014] In one embodiment, the system further includes a mechanism that, during the stroke of the sleeve moving closer to and further away from the container, enables the sleeve to reciprocate relative to the container, or enables the sleeve to move relative to the container in one direction, with an elastic element providing a reverse return.

[0015] In one embodiment, after water flows into the cavity from the first inlet, and before the sleeve is in the second position and the second inlet is closed, the water level in the cavity is always lower than the lowest edge of the second inlet.

[0016] In one embodiment, the second feed inlet is disposed on the side wall of the container, and the sleeve is provided with a cylindrical wall surrounding the outer periphery of the side wall of the container. The cylindrical wall closes the second feed inlet when the sleeve is in the second position.

[0017] In one embodiment, the dissolving device further includes a housing, the container and the housing are fixedly disposed together, the sleeve is disposed inside the housing and sandwiched between the housing and the container, and a cavity is formed inside the housing at the end of the sleeve facing away from the container, the volume of the cavity changing as the sleeve moves along the first direction.

[0018] In one embodiment, the housing has a second inlet communicating with the cavity, and the outflow rate of the first inlet is less than the inflow rate of the second inlet, so that the sleeve moves from the first position to the second position under the action of the pressure difference between the inner and outer sides.

[0019] In one embodiment, the dissolving device further includes an elastic element disposed between the sleeve and the container, or between the sleeve and the housing. After water begins to enter through the first inlet, the pressure difference on both sides of the end cap overcomes the elastic force of the elastic element to drive the sleeve to move from the first position to the second position. After water stops entering through the first inlet, the elastic element provides a restoring force to drive the sleeve back from the second position to the first position.

[0020] In one embodiment, the container has a first end relatively close to the sleeve, and the outer side of the container forms a stepped surface facing the first end. The stepped surface is located between the second feed port and the first end. The elastic element is a compression spring sleeved on the outer wall of the container, with one end of the compression spring abutting the sleeve and the other end abutting the stepped surface.

[0021] In one embodiment, a third sealing ring is provided between the outer wall of the sleeve and the inner wall of the housing.

[0022] In one embodiment, the container has a first end relatively close to the sleeve and a second end opposite to the first end, the second end having an outlet, the cavity including a first cavity relatively close to the first end and a second cavity relatively close to the second end, the first cavity being connected to the second inlet, the second cavity being connected to the outlet, and the cross-sectional dimension of the second cavity in a first direction being smaller than that of the first cavity.

[0023] In one embodiment, the container includes a first cylindrical body and a second cylindrical body that are sequentially adjacent to each other from the first end to the second end. The first cavity is located inside the first cylindrical body, and the second cavity is located inside the second cylindrical body. A connecting portion is provided between the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body. The connecting portion cooperates with a connecting fitting portion on the shell so that the shell is fixedly connected to the container. The cylindrical body includes an end cap and a cylindrical wall extending from one side of the end cap along a first direction. The cylindrical wall is inserted into the shell. A gap is formed between the outer wall of the first cylindrical body and the inner wall of the shell. The sleeve is inserted into the gap, and the second cylindrical body extends out of the shell.

[0024] In one embodiment, the housing has a first inlet that communicates with the gap, the first inlet and the second inlet are disposed opposite to each other, and when the sleeve is in the second position, the sleeve wall is inserted between the first inlet and the second inlet.

[0025] In one embodiment, the housing is provided with a guide cylinder protruding outward, and a feeding channel is formed inside the guide cylinder that connects to the first feed port. The feeding channel extends outward and upward from the first feed port.

[0026] In one embodiment, the inner wall of the cavity has a first limiting surface facing the sleeve, the first limiting surface being used to abut against the sleeve when the sleeve is in the first position, and the connecting portion having a second limiting surface opposite to the first limiting surface, the second limiting surface being used to abut against the end of the sleeve wall when the sleeve is in the second position.

[0027] In one embodiment, the cavity has a water outlet groove adjacent to the outlet, the water outlet groove having a cross-section in a first direction that tapers towards the outlet.

[0028] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention also provides a beverage preparation device, characterized in that it includes:

[0029] Liquid supply system; and,

[0030] The dissolving apparatus as described above, wherein the outlet is connected to the liquid supply system.

[0031] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention also provides a cleaning method for a beverage preparation equipment. The beverage preparation equipment includes a liquid supply system and a dissolving device. The dissolving device includes a container and a sleeve. The container forms a cavity for containing solid soluble substances and has a second inlet for adding solid soluble substances and an outlet connecting the cavity and the liquid supply system. The sleeve is sleeved outside the container and is movably disposed relative to the container. The sleeve is provided with a first inlet for introducing water flow into the cavity. During its movement, the sleeve has a first position away from the container and offset from the second inlet, and a second position close to the container and closed off the second inlet.

[0032] Cleaning methods include:

[0033] When the cleaning mode is chemical cleaning mode, receive cleaning instructions;

[0034] After solid soluble matter falls into the cavity, the second inlet is opened and water is introduced into the second inlet within a preset first time period so that the cavity is filled with water. Under the action of water pressure, the sleeve slides from the first position to the second position. The water in the cavity rushes out from the first inlet to form a high-pressure water column to crush the solid soluble matter. The outlet is then closed so that the water remains in the cavity to dissolve the solid soluble matter and obtain cleaning solution.

[0035] Open the outlet to allow the cleaning fluid in the cavity to flow to the fluid supply system.

[0036] In one embodiment, after a solid soluble substance falls into the cavity, the second inlet is opened and water is introduced into the second inlet within a preset first time period to fill the cavity with water. Under water pressure, the sleeve slides from the first position to the second position, and the water in the cavity rushes out from the first inlet to form a high-pressure water column that dissolves the solid soluble substance. The outlet is then closed to allow water to remain in the cavity to dissolve the solid soluble substance and obtain a cleaning solution. The steps include:

[0037] After solid soluble matter falls into the cavity, the second inlet is opened and water is introduced into the second inlet within a preset first time period so that the cavity is filled with water. Under the action of water pressure, the sleeve slides from the first position to the second position. The water in the cavity rushes out from the first inlet to form a high-pressure water column to break up the solid soluble matter and the outlet is closed so that the water remains in the cavity and the liquid level in the cavity is not higher than the second feed inlet.

[0038] Gas is introduced into the second inlet during a preset second time period to maintain a high-pressure environment inside the cavity, and the solid soluble substances inside the cavity dissolve to obtain a cleaning solution.

[0039] In one embodiment, after the step of opening the outlet to allow the cleaning fluid in the cavity to flow to the fluid supply system, the method further includes:

[0040] High-pressure gas is introduced into the second inlet so that the gas flows from the outlet to the liquid supply system to dry the liquid supply system.

[0041] In one embodiment, the cleaning method further includes:

[0042] In response to a clean water cleaning command from the beverage preparation equipment, the outlet is opened.

[0043] The second inlet is opened and water is introduced into it so that the cavity is filled with water. Under the action of water pressure, the sleeve slides from the first position to the second position. The water in the cavity continuously enters the cavity from the first inlet and then flows from the outlet to the liquid supply system.

[0044] The technical solution provided by this invention has the following advantages:

[0045] This invention provides a dissolving device, a beverage preparation equipment, and a cleaning method thereof. The dissolving device, used to dissolve solid soluble substances, includes a container and a sleeve. The container has a cavity and a second inlet communicating with the cavity. The sleeve is slidably fitted over the container to have a first position with the second inlet open and a second position with the second inlet closed. The sleeve has a first inlet. When the dissolving device starts working, the sleeve is in the first position, and the solid soluble substance enters the cavity through the second inlet. A high-pressure water jet is introduced through the first inlet to flush away the solid soluble substance in the cavity. Simultaneously, the sleeve slides from the first position to the second position to close the second inlet. In the embodiment provided by this invention, the dissolving device uses a high-pressure water jet to flush away the solid soluble substance, thereby accelerating the dissolution rate and achieving rapid and convenient dissolution. Furthermore, the sleeve closes the second inlet to prevent water vapor backflow, which could cause the solid soluble substance that has not yet entered the cavity to become damp and deteriorate. Attached Figure Description

[0046] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0047] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the dissolving apparatus provided by the present invention;

[0048] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional structural diagram of the dissolving device, in which the sleeve is in the first position;

[0049] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the dissolving device, in which the sleeve is in the second position;

[0050] Figure 4 for Figure 3 3D exploded view of the dissolution device;

[0051] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the inlet and outlet pipeline structure of an embodiment of the dissolving apparatus provided by the present invention.

[0052] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the cleaning method provided by the present invention.

[0053] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0054] 100-Dissolving device; 10-Shell; 11-Cavity; 12-Second inlet; 13-First feed inlet; 14-Connecting part; 20-Sleeve; 21-End cap; 22-Cylinder wall; 23-First inlet; 210-Guide groove; 30-Elastic element; 40-Container; 401-First end; 402-Second end; 41-First cylinder; 410-First cavity; 42-Second cylinder; 420-Second cavity; 43-Opening; 44-Outlet; 45-Cavity; 46-Second feed inlet 47 - Stepped surface; 48 - Water outlet groove; 49 - Connecting part; 400 - Connecting section; 51 - First sealing ring; 52 - Second sealing ring; 53 - Third sealing ring; 60 - Gap; 61 - First limiting surface; 62 - Second limiting surface; 70 - Guide cylinder; 71 - Feeding channel; 200 - Solid soluble substance; 300 - Liquid supply system; 301 - First control valve; 302 - Second control valve; 303 - Normal temperature water inlet pipe; 304 - Hot water inlet pipe; 305 - Air inlet pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0055] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0056] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0057] This invention provides a fast and convenient dissolving device 100, a beverage preparation device incorporating the dissolving device 100, and a cleaning method. This invention does not limit the specific type of beverage preparation device; it can be any product that extracts and brews food ingredients to ultimately obtain a beverage. Specifically, the beverage preparation device can be, but is not limited to, a coffee machine, a soy milk maker, etc. For ease of understanding, the following embodiments will use a coffee machine as an example for illustration.

[0058] The dissolving device 100 can be used for dissolving and brewing solid beverages, for the rapid dissolution and release of solid cleaning agents, and can also perform both functions. This invention only specifically describes the use of the dissolving device 100 in a cleaning mechanism for dissolving and releasing solid cleaning agents; the principle of using the dissolving device 100 for dissolving and brewing solid beverages is the same and will not be further elaborated.

[0059] To enable beverage preparation, beverage preparation equipment typically includes a liquid supply system 300. This system provides the brewing ingredients or directs the beverage from the brewing chamber to the beverage outlet, thus providing the user with a prepared beverage. The liquid supply system 300 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid storage chamber, a liquid supply line, and a pump. The liquid supply line connects to the beverage outlet, and the pump pumps liquid from the storage chamber into the liquid supply line and out of the beverage outlet. In a coffee machine, the liquid supply system 300 may include a first liquid supply line and a second liquid supply line. The first liquid supply line is used to brew and extract coffee powder to provide espresso, and the second liquid supply line connects to the milk container to provide milk or milk foam. Of course, in some embodiments, the coffee machine's liquid supply system may only include a first liquid supply line for brewing coffee, or a standalone milk frother may only include a second liquid supply line for making milk beverages. It is understandable that beverage ingredients may remain in the liquid supply system 300 of beverage preparation equipment. Incomplete cleaning can easily cause hygiene hazards, blockage and corrosion of the liquid supply system 300, and thus affect the service life of the beverage preparation equipment.

[0060] Therefore, this invention provides a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the liquid supply system 300 of a beverage preparation equipment. The cleaning mechanism can be integrated into the beverage preparation equipment or used independently as a separate product. The cleaning mechanism may include a dissolving device 100, which dissolves the solid soluble substances added therein. In this invention, the solid soluble substance is a substance containing solid components that can be dissolved. Its specific composition and structure are not limited, as long as it contains a cleaning agent with cleaning effects. For example, it could be a capsule containing concentrated cleaning agents, or a pill or tablet made of cleaning powder. Generally, when adding cleaning agents to the cleaning water, liquid cleaning agents or powdered solid drugs are preferred because liquids and powdered solids dissolve quickly. However, liquid cleaning agents are expensive, inconvenient to transport, and occupy a larger volume; powdered solids are difficult to store and are prone to moisture absorption and clumping over time, leading to functional loss and unusability. Commercial equipment, in particular, needs to store large quantities of cleaning agents at once to facilitate automated cleaning over a period of time, thus greatly restricting the choice of drug form. Therefore, it is preferable to use solid spherical pills and / or solid tablets, which are not only convenient for transportation and storage, but also have lower costs.

[0061] To meet the cleaning needs of different beverages, solid solubles can contain cleaning agent ingredients with different cleaning functions, especially solid solubles specifically designed for the types of liquids flowing through the liquid supply system 300. For example, when the liquid supply system 300 is used to supply espresso, the solid solubles can contain cleaning agents specifically for removing coffee residue, while when the liquid supply system 300 is used to supply milk, the solid solubles can contain cleaning agents specifically for removing milk residue.

[0062] Specifically, the dissolving device 100 has a dissolving chamber for containing solid soluble substances and is capable of injecting liquid into the dissolving chamber to dissolve the solid soluble substances. Preferably, high-temperature water is injected into the dissolving chamber so that the solid soluble substances are quickly dissolved in the dissolving chamber to obtain a dissolved cleaning solution. The cleaning solution is then introduced into the liquid supply system 300 to clean the pipes, pumps, outlets and other components in the liquid supply system 300.

[0063] Optionally, the cleaning mechanism also includes a dispensing device for adding solid solubles to the liquid supply system 300. This dispensing device can be connected to a storage silo. The solid solubles are specially designed to be stored in the storage silo for an extended period. The dispensing device adds a specific amount of the solid solubles from the storage silo to the dissolving chamber of the dissolving device 100 as needed. The dissolving device 100 then releases the cleaning solution obtained after dissolving the solid solubles directly or after further dilution into the liquid supply system 300. With the operation of the liquid supply system 300, automatic cleaning of the system is achieved. This method is convenient to operate, highly efficient, and effectively and thoroughly cleans the liquid supply system 300, ensuring user hygiene and safety while effectively extending the service life of the beverage preparation equipment. In other optional embodiments, the cleaning mechanism may not include a dispensing device; instead, the required solid solubles and / or liquid agents can be manually added to the dissolving chamber of the dissolving device 100. Furthermore, this invention is compatible with the use of both solid and liquid medications.

[0064] Based on the above embodiments, in order to achieve rapid dissolution of solid soluble substances, please refer to... Figures 1 to 5 This invention provides a dissolving device 100. It should be noted that in the embodiments provided by this invention, the description of directionality only applies to the orientation of the product when it is assembled and in normal use, and does not apply to its orientation during production, transportation, or assembly. The first direction is preferably parallel to the direction of gravity, but it may also intersect the direction of gravity, with the angle between the direction of gravity and the direction of gravity being less than 90 degrees.

[0065] In this embodiment, the dissolving device 100 includes a container 40 and a sleeve 20. The sleeve 20 is movably fitted around the container 40 along a first direction. The container 40 has a cavity 45 inside, which constitutes the dissolving chamber described above and is used to contain the solid soluble substance 200.

[0066] The cavity 45 should have an outlet 44 communicating with the liquid supply system, so that the solution obtained by dissolving the solid soluble material therein can flow to the liquid supply system 300 through the outlet 44. The cavity 45 should also have an opening 43 that allows water to flow in, preferably the opening 43 is open in the direction of the sleeve 20.

[0067] In one embodiment, the cavity 45 has a first end 401 and a second end 402 arranged opposite to each other in a first direction. The first end 401 has an opening 43, and the second end 402 has an outlet 44. The outlet 44 is used to connect to the liquid supply system 300 of the beverage preparation device. The opening 43 and the outlet 44 are respectively connected to the cavity 45. Generally, the outlet 44 is located below the opening 43, and preferably at the lowest point of the cavity 45, so that when the outlet 44 is opened, the liquid in the cavity 45 flows from the outlet 44 to the liquid supply system 300.

[0068] Please see Figure 5 A first control valve 301 can be provided between the outlet 44 and the liquid supply system 300. The first control valve 301 controls the opening and closing of the outlet 44 as needed. The outlet 44 can remain open during the dissolution of the solid soluble substance 200 in the cavity 45, so that the dissolved cleaning liquid continuously flows into the liquid supply system 300; it can also remain closed, and open the outlet 44 only after the solid soluble substance 200 in the cavity 45 has completely dissolved, so that the dissolved cleaning liquid flows into the liquid supply system 300; or the first control valve 301 can control the opening or closing of the outlet 44 as needed during the dissolution of the solid soluble substance 200 in the cavity 45.

[0069] The container 40 is also provided with a second inlet 46 located between the first end 401 and the second end 402. The second inlet 46 is used to allow the solid soluble substance 200 to enter the cavity 45. The specific method by which the solid soluble substance 200 is added to the cavity 45 is not limited; for example, it can be added manually or automatically using the dispensing device described above. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The figure shows the possible movement path of the solid soluble substance 200 when it is added. As shown in the figure, the opening 43, the second inlet 46 and the outlet 44 are preferably arranged from top to bottom so that the solid soluble substance 200 falls towards the outlet 44 after entering the cavity 45 from the second inlet 46.

[0070] The sleeve 20 is slidably fitted onto the outer periphery of the first end 401 of the container 40, and the sleeve 20 is slidably disposed relative to the container 40 along a first direction. The specific shape of the sleeve 20 is not limited, as long as it is cylindrical, such as a square or round cylinder, and the sleeve 20 has an opening so that the first end 401 of the container 40 is inserted into the sleeve 20 through the opening.

[0071] The sleeve 20 is provided with a first inlet 23 for introducing water flow into the cavity 45. Preferably, the first inlet 23 can introduce a high-pressure water column that passes through the opening 43 and rushes towards the solid soluble material 200 inside the cavity 45, so that the solid soluble material 200 is accelerated to be crushed.

[0072] Preferably, the sleeve 20 includes an end cap 21 disposed opposite to the opening at a first end 401, and a cylinder wall 22 extending in a first direction between the end cap 21 and the opening. The end cap 21 has a first inlet 23, and the opening 43 is open towards the end cap 21. When the sleeve 20 is in the second position, the end cap 21 closes the opening 43 of the container, simultaneously blocking the second feed inlet 46. At this time, the cavity 45 is constructed as a sealed space. Continuously introducing airflow or water into the cavity 45 through the first inlet 23 can create a high-pressure sealed environment within the cavity, further utilizing high pressure to accelerate the dissolution rate and degree of the solid soluble substance 200.

[0073] Preferably, the second feed inlet 46 is opened on the side wall of the container 40, and the cylindrical wall 22 surrounds the outer periphery of the side wall. When the sleeve 40 is in the second position, the cylindrical wall 22 closes the second feed inlet 46.

[0074] The first inlet 23 is used to introduce water or airflow. When the dissolving device 100 is working, the first inlet 23 is used to introduce high-pressure water flow, so that the water flow rushing out of the first inlet 23 can form a high-pressure water jet that rushes into the cavity 45, breaking down the solid soluble substance 200 in the cavity 45, thereby accelerating the dissolution rate of the solid soluble substance 200. It should be noted that in this invention, the state in which the solid soluble substance 200 is broken down may be varied. For example, the solid soluble substance 200 may gradually dissolve and break down from the outside to the inside, or the solid soluble substance 200 may be dispersed by the high-pressure water jet, forming multiple small solid fragments. Regardless of how the solid soluble substance 200 breaks down, its dissolution rate is accelerated by the influence of the high-pressure water jet. The specific water pressure of the high-pressure water jet is set according to actual needs, so that the solid soluble substance 200 can break down and dissolve as quickly as possible, while preventing splashed water from splashing out of the second inlet 46 before it is closed.

[0075] In addition, please see Figure 2 and Figure 3The sleeve 20 has a first position, away from the second end 402 and offset from the second inlet 46, and a second position, close to the second end 402 and covering the second inlet 46, during its sliding stroke along the first direction. When the dissolving device 100 starts working, the sleeve 20 is in the first position, and the solid soluble substance 200 enters the cavity 45 from the second inlet 46. The first inlet 23 introduces a high-pressure water jet to flush away the solid soluble substance 200 in the cavity 45. At the same time, the sleeve 20 slides from the first position to the second position to close the second inlet 46. In this embodiment, the dissolving device 100 uses a high-pressure water jet to flush away the solid soluble substance 200 to accelerate the dissolution rate of the solid soluble substance 200, achieving rapid and convenient dissolution of the solid soluble substance 200. Furthermore, the sleeve 20 closes the second inlet 46 to prevent water vapor backflow, which could cause the solid soluble substance 200 that has not yet entered the cavity 45 to become damp and deteriorate.

[0076] In this embodiment, after water flows into the cavity 45 from the first inlet 13, and before the sleeve 20 is in the second position and the second feed inlet 46 is closed, the water level in the cavity 45 is always lower than the lowest edge of the second feed inlet 46. This prevents water from flowing back into the feeding device, which could cause the solid soluble material 200 that has not yet entered the cavity 45 to become damp and deteriorate.

[0077] The dissolving device 100 also includes a mechanism, the specific structure of which can vary, as long as it can drive the relative movement of the sleeve 20 and the container 40. Specifically, it may include a motor and a worm gear structure, a gear and rack structure, etc., connected to the motor for transmission. The mechanism can also be a piston structure, using water pressure to push the sleeve 20 relative to the container 40. Preferably, the movement is achieved using the pressure difference of the water entering the cavity 45. During the stroke of the sleeve 20 and the container 40 moving closer and further apart, the mechanism realizes the reciprocating motion of the sleeve 20 and the container 40 relative to each other, or the mechanism realizes the unidirectional motion of the sleeve 20 and the container 40 relative to each other, with an elastic element achieving the reverse return.

[0078] In one embodiment, after water enters through the first inlet 23, a high-pressure water column is first formed to dissolve the solid soluble substance 200. Then, after the sleeve 20 reaches the second position, water continues to enter through the first inlet 13, filling the cavity 45 and creating a high-pressure environment within the cavity 45. This further accelerates the dissolution rate of the solid soluble substance 200 and increases its solubility in the cavity 45. Only after the solid soluble substance 200 has dissolved more thoroughly in the cavity 45 is the outlet 44 opened, allowing the dissolved liquid to be discharged into the liquid supply system 300. In this embodiment, please refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 3To ensure the airtightness of the cavity 45, a first sealing ring 51 is provided on the inner side of the first end 401 of the container 40 or the end cap 21. The first sealing ring 51 is arranged around the outer periphery of the opening 43 so that when the sleeve 20 slides to the second position, the first sealing ring 51 is sandwiched between the container 40 and the end cap 21; and / or,

[0079] A second sealing ring 52 is provided between the outer wall of the container 40 and the inner wall of the sleeve 20. Optionally, the second sealing ring 52 is located between the second inlet 46 and the outlet 44, so that when the sleeve 20 slides to the second position, the second sealing ring 52 is sandwiched between the outer wall of the container 40 and the inner wall of the sleeve 20.

[0080] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the first sealing ring 51 and the second sealing ring 52 are provided simultaneously, thus forming a double sealing barrier to prevent water from backflowing and seeping out from the second feed inlet 46, causing the undissolved solid solubles 200 to become damp.

[0081] In one embodiment, the cavity 45 has a water outlet trough 48 adjacent to the outlet 44, and the cross-section of the water outlet 48 in a first direction is tapered towards the outlet 44. The water outlet trough 48 serves two purposes: firstly, it confines the solid soluble material 200 falling into the cavity 45 within the water outlet 48, thus providing a positioning function; secondly, it maintains a gap between the outlet 44 and the solid soluble material 200, preventing the solid soluble material 200 from blocking the outlet 44 and affecting water output.

[0082] For further information, please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 1 to 4 The dissolving device 100 further includes a housing 10, with the container 40 fixedly disposed relative to the housing 10. The sleeve 20 is slidably fitted inside the housing 10 along the first direction and clamped between the housing 10 and the container 40. Further, a cavity 11 is formed within the housing 10 at the end of the sleeve 20 facing away from the container 40, and the volume of the cavity 11 changes as the sleeve 20 moves along the first direction. Thus, the pressure within the cavity 11 can be used to drive the sleeve 20 to move.

[0083] In a preferred embodiment, the housing 10 has a second inlet 12 and forms a cavity 11 communicating with the second inlet 12. The cavity 11 and the chamber 45 are respectively located on both sides of the end cap 21. The volume of the cavity 11 changes as the sleeve 20 slides along the first direction. The water inflow of the first inlet 23 is less than the water outflow of the second inlet 12. Preferably, the first inlet 23 is smaller than the second inlet 12, so that the sleeve 20 moves from the first position to the second position under the action of the pressure difference between the inner and outer sides. In this embodiment, the sleeve 20 acts as a piston, moving under the action of the pressure difference. When the dissolving device 100 starts working, the second inlet 12 begins to introduce water into the cavity 11, while the first inlet 23 simultaneously guides the water in the cavity 11 to the container 45. Since the first inlet 23 is smaller than the second inlet 12, the water inflow rate into the cavity 11 is greater than the outflow rate, and the water fills the cavity 11. The pressure difference on both sides of the end cap 21 drives the sleeve 20 to slide towards the second end 402, causing the volume of the cavity 11 to increase. When the sleeve 20 reaches the second position, the volume of the cavity 11 remains unchanged, and the water pressure from the first inlet 23 into the container 45 increases, forming a high-pressure water column to break down the solid soluble matter 200 in the container 45. In this embodiment, a piston-like structure is used to convert the power of the water pressure into the power to drive the sleeve 20 to move from the first position to the second position, while simultaneously increasing the pressure of the water column from the first inlet 23 into the container 45, forming a high-pressure water column, thus accelerating the breakdown and dissolution rate of the solid soluble matter 200.

[0084] Preferably, a guide groove 210 is recessed on the outer side of the end cap 21, and the first inlet 23 is formed at the bottom of the guide groove 210. The cross-section of the guide groove 210 in the first direction is gradually tapered towards the first inlet 23. The guide groove 210 directs the initial water entering through the second inlet 12 to the first inlet 23, making it less likely to be bounced off the outer side of the end cap 21. This increases the water pressure rushing towards the solid soluble substance 200, thereby forming a water column with greater force and accelerating the rate at which the solid soluble substance 200 is broken down.

[0085] In addition, to ensure the airtightness of the cavity 11, a third sealing ring 53 may be provided between the outer wall of the sleeve 20 and the inner wall of the housing 10.

[0086] Based on the previous embodiment, in order to slidably support the sleeve 20, in an optional embodiment, the sleeve 20 can be supported by the friction between the outer wall of the sleeve 20 and the inner wall of the housing 10. After the sleeve 20 reaches the second position and the dissolution is complete, the sleeve 20 is driven back to the first position by another driving method, and then the next dissolution process can be repeated.

[0087] In this embodiment, please refer to Figures 2 to 4The dissolving device 100 further includes an elastic element 30, which is disposed between the sleeve 20 and the container 40, or between the sleeve 20 and the housing 10. After water begins to enter through the first inlet 23, the pressure difference on both sides of the end cap 21 overcomes the elastic force of the elastic element 30, thereby driving the sleeve 20 to slide from the first position to the second position. After water stops entering through the first inlet 23, the elastic element 30 provides a restoring force to drive the sleeve 20 back from the second position to the first position. In this embodiment, the elastic element 30 ensures that during the entire dissolving process, the sleeve 20 moves from the first position to the second position under the action of water pressure, and then returns to the first position under the action of the elastic element 30. The movement of the sleeve 20 and the pressurization of the second inlet 12 are both powered entirely by the mechanical structure, eliminating the need for complex drive mechanisms and control programs. This achieves rapid and convenient dissolution of solid soluble substances 200 while reducing production costs, and makes the overall structure of the dissolving device 100 simple and easy to maintain.

[0088] Based on the previous embodiment, the areas of the first inlet 23 and the second inlet 12, as well as the elastic force of the elastic element 30, are configured such that before the sleeve 20 slides from the first position to the second position, the liquid level in the cavity 45 is always lower than the lowest point of the second feed inlet 46. In this embodiment, by designing the areas of the first inlet 23 and the second inlet 12, as well as the elastic force of the elastic element 30, the balance between the water inlet speed of the cavity 45 and the sliding speed of the sleeve 20 is controlled, ensuring that before the sleeve 20 slides from the first position to the second position, the liquid level in the cavity 45 is always lower than the lowest point of the second feed inlet 46. This prevents liquid in the cavity 45 from flowing back into the second feed inlet 46, which could cause the solid solubles 200 in the storage bin to become damp and deteriorate.

[0089] In one embodiment, please continue to refer to Figures 2 to 4 The elastic element 30 is a compression spring. The outer side of the container 40 has a stepped surface 47 facing the end cap 21. The stepped surface 47 is located between the second feed inlet 46 and the first end 401. The compression spring is sleeved on the outer wall of the container 40, with one end abutting the end cap 21 and the other end abutting the stepped surface 47. In this embodiment, the container 40 and the sleeve 20 serve a guiding function, preventing the compression spring from becoming eccentric during extension and contraction. Furthermore, water will not soak the compression spring, keeping it in a relatively dry environment and preventing it from becoming damp and aging after prolonged use.

[0090] Based on any of the above embodiments, please continue to refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3The cavity 45 includes a first cavity 410 relatively close to the first end 401 and a second cavity 420 relatively close to the second end 402. The first cavity 410 is connected to the opening 43 and the second feed inlet 46, and the second cavity 420 is connected to the outlet 44. The cross-sectional dimension of the second cavity 420 in the first direction is smaller than that of the first cavity 410. In this embodiment, the second cavity 45 is located below the first cavity 45, and the second feed inlet 46 enters the cavity 45 and falls into the second cavity 420. The cross-sectional area of ​​the second cavity 420 is smaller than that of the first cavity 410, which can play a role in limiting the solid soluble substance 200 in the circumferential direction, preventing the solid soluble substance 200 from deviating from the scouring range of the high-pressure water jet when it is scourdled by the high-pressure water jet.

[0091] Preferably, a connecting segment 400 is provided between the first cavity 410 and the second cavity 420. The cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting segment 400 in the first direction is larger than that of the second cavity 420 and smaller than that of the first cavity 410. The connecting segment 400 is located below the second feed inlet 46. Please refer to the reference section. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The inner diameter of the connecting section 400 is set to be slightly smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the solid soluble substance 200 before it dissolves. In this embodiment, before water begins to enter the first inlet 23, the outlet 44 is closed. In the initial stage when the solid soluble substance 200 falls into the cavity 45, it can be stuck in the connecting section 400 and flushed by the high-pressure water jet without being submerged in water, which would reduce the force of the water jet. Only when the solid soluble substance 200 is partially dissolved and its outer diameter decreases, or when it breaks into multiple pieces, will it fall into the second cavity 420 to be soaked and dissolved. Thus, with the outlet 44 closed, the flushing time of the solid soluble substance 200 can be extended, accelerating its dissolution rate. In addition, keeping the outlet 44 closed until the solid soluble substance 200 is completely dissolved can effectively prevent particulate solids from entering the liquid supply system 300, which could cause damage to the pump body in the liquid supply system 300 due to particles getting stuck, or blockage of the pipeline.

[0092] Preferably, the inner wall of the connecting section 400 is provided with a baffle plate, and the baffle plate has a through hole. When the solid soluble substance 200 is stuck in the connecting section 400, it is supported by the baffle plate. At the same time, the flushing water can flow from the through hole into the second cavity 420, which prevents the liquid level in the cavity 45 from reaching the second feed port 46 too early due to the blockage of the solid soluble substance 200. In this way, the overall size of the dissolving device 100 in the first direction can be set to be smaller, the structure is more compact, and it is easier to install in the beverage preparation equipment.

[0093] Please continue reading. Figures 1 to 4The container 40 includes a first cylindrical body 41 and a second cylindrical body 42 sequentially adjacent to each other from the first end 401 to the second end 402. The first cavity 410 is located inside the first cylindrical body 41, and the second cavity 420 is located inside the second cylindrical body 42. A connecting portion 49 is provided between the first cylindrical body 41 and the second cylindrical body 42. The connecting portion 49 engages with a connecting fitting portion 14 on the housing 10, so that the housing 10 is fixedly connected to the container 40. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting portion 49 and the connecting fitting portion 14 are fitted threads, so that the housing 10 is screwed onto the container 40 to seal the connection between the two, while facilitating disassembly and cleaning. The cylindrical body includes a cylindrical wall 22 extending from one side of the end cap 21 along a first direction. The cylindrical wall 22 is inserted into the housing 10. A gap 60 is formed between the outer wall of the first cylindrical body 41 and the inner wall of the housing 10. The sleeve 20 is inserted into the gap 60, and the second cylindrical body 42 extends out of the housing 10. In this embodiment, the gap 60 formed between the outer wall of the first cylinder 41 and the inner wall of the shell 10 serves as a guide to reliably limit the movement direction of the sleeve 20.

[0094] Furthermore, the housing 10 has a first inlet 13 communicating with the gap 60. The first inlet 13 is disposed opposite to the second inlet 46. When the sleeve 20 is in the second position, the cylinder wall 22 is inserted between the first inlet 13 and the second inlet 46. This allows external solid soluble substances 200 to enter the cavity 45. Preferably, please refer to [reference needed]. Figures 2 to 4 The housing 10 has a guide cylinder 70 protruding outwards, and a feeding channel 71 connected to the first feed port 13 is formed inside the guide cylinder 70. The feeding channel 71 extends outwards and upwards from the first feed port 13. In this embodiment, the feeding channel 71 is configured such that the dispensed pills fall into the cavity 45 under the action of gravity without easily getting stuck.

[0095] It is understood that the movement of the sleeve 20 in the first direction should be limited. In a preferred embodiment, please refer to [the relevant documentation / reference needed]. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The inner wall of the housing 10 has a first limiting surface 61 facing outward of the end cap 21. The first limiting surface 61 is used to abut against the outer side of the end cap 21 when the sleeve 20 is in the first position. The connecting portion 49 has a second limiting surface 62 facing the end of the cylinder wall 22. The second limiting surface 62 is used to abut against the end of the cylinder wall 22 when the sleeve 20 is in the second position. In this embodiment, the limiting structure is integrally formed using the structure of the housing 10 and the container 40, which is simple to form, has low production cost, and provides reliable limiting.

[0096] Please continue reading. Figure 5 A second control valve 302 can be provided outside the first inlet 23 to control the air or water intake of the first inlet 23. Specifically, in one embodiment, the water inlet end of the second control valve 302 is connected to a water inlet pipe and an air inlet pipe 305, respectively. The air inlet pipe 305 is used to provide high-pressure air intake, and the water inlet pipe may also include a room temperature water inlet pipe 303, a hot water inlet pipe 304, and a mixing valve to control the water intake temperature of the first inlet 23. In other embodiments, flow valves can also be provided on the room temperature water inlet pipe 303 and the hot water inlet pipe 304 to control the water intake temperature. It is understood that the water intake structure outside the first inlet 23 is not limited to this, as long as it can control the air or water intake of the first inlet 23, and / or the air intake pressure of the first inlet 23, and / or the water intake pressure of the first inlet 23, and / or the water intake temperature of the first inlet 23 as needed.

[0097] Based on the dissolving device 100 in the above embodiments, the present invention provides a beverage preparation device including the above-mentioned dissolving device 100 and a control method for the beverage preparation device.

[0098] The following is a first embodiment of the control method for the beverage preparation equipment provided by the present invention. The following implementation details are provided for ease of understanding only and are not necessary for implementing this solution.

[0099] In this embodiment, please refer to Figure 6 The cleaning method includes:

[0100] Step S1: When the cleaning mode is chemical cleaning mode, receive the cleaning command.

[0101] In this step, the chemical cleaning refers to the process of using the dissolving device 100 to dissolve the solid soluble substance 200 to obtain a solution containing cleaning agent, and then using this solution to rinse the liquid supply system 300 for cleaning. The method of generating this chemical cleaning command is not limited; for example, it can be triggered by various input units, such as buttons on the device, buttons on the remote control, or input commands on remote operating devices. It can also be based on a preset control program, for example, triggered when the feeding device adds material or when solid soluble substance 200 is detected in the cavity 45 of the dissolving device 100.

[0102] In step S2, after the solid soluble substance falls into the cavity, the second inlet is opened and water is introduced into the second inlet within a preset first time period so that the cavity is filled with water. Under the action of water pressure, the sleeve slides from the first position to the second position. The water in the cavity rushes out from the first inlet to form a high-pressure water column to crush the solid soluble substance. The outlet is then closed so that the water remains in the cavity to dissolve the solid soluble substance and obtain cleaning solution.

[0103] In this step, the second inlet 12 can be opened after the feeding device adds the solid soluble substance 200, or it can be opened after the presence of the solid soluble substance 200 in the cavity 45 is detected. The action of introducing water into the second inlet 12 can be achieved by the second control valve 302, and preferably, the inlet water temperature of the second inlet 12 can be controlled according to actual needs. It is preferable to introduce high-temperature water to promote the rapid dissolution of the solid soluble substance 200 in the cavity 45.

[0104] It should be noted that, in one embodiment, the second inlet 12 can be continuously supplied with water, so that the cavity 45 is filled with water and the continuous water supply creates a high-pressure environment in the cavity 45, thereby promoting a faster and more thorough dissolution of the solid soluble substance 200 in the cavity 45. In other embodiments, the cavity 45 may not be filled completely, so that the solid soluble substance 200 in the cavity 45 is dissolved by soaking under normal air pressure after being broken down by the high-pressure water jet.

[0105] In practice, the action of closing outlet 44 can be performed immediately after receiving the chemical cleaning command. Alternatively, the outlet can be closed after the high-pressure water jet entering from the second inlet 12 has been flushing the solid soluble matter 200 for a period of time. Specifically, the closing of outlet 44 can be controlled by the first control valve 301 located at outlet 44.

[0106] In an optional embodiment, step S2 includes:

[0107] The steps are as follows: after the solid soluble substance 200 falls into the cavity 45, the second inlet 12 is opened and water is introduced into the second inlet 12 within a preset first time period so that the cavity 11 is filled with water. Under the action of water pressure, the sleeve 20 slides from the first position to the second position. The water in the cavity 11 is flushed out from the first inlet 23 to form a high-pressure water column to break up the solid soluble substance 200 and remain in the cavity 45. The liquid level in the cavity 45 is not higher than the second feed port 46.

[0108] In this step, the solid soluble material 200 is flushed away by the high-pressure water jet into the cavity 45 in the first stage. In the second stage, the solid soluble material 200 is submerged in the water in the cavity 45. At this time, the flushing effect of the high-pressure water jet is limited. At this time, the second inlet 12 will be controlled to stop water from entering. The liquid level in the cavity 45 is maintained below the second feed inlet 46 to prevent backflow that could cause the undissolved solid soluble material 200 in the storage bin or other devices to become damp and deteriorate.

[0109] The step involves introducing gas into the second inlet 12 during a preset second time period to maintain a high-pressure environment within the cavity 45, where the solid soluble substance 200 dissolves to obtain a cleaning solution.

[0110] In this step, high-pressure gas, rather than continuous water intake, is used to maintain the cavity 45 in a high-pressure environment. This accelerates the dissolution rate of the solid soluble substance 200 and enhances the solubility of the water in the cavity 45, ensuring a more complete dissolution of the solid soluble substance 200. Simultaneously, it prevents water from submerging the second feed inlet 46 and causing backflow. In this embodiment, by preventing high-pressure water from submerging the second feed inlet 46, even if the sealing structure between the sleeve 20 and the container 40 fails after prolonged use, it is less likely that water vapor will backflow into the feed channel 71, causing the solid soluble substance 200 to become damp. This reduces the requirements for the sealing performance of the cavity 45. Furthermore, after opening the outlet, the solution containing cleaning agent cleans the liquid supply system 300, and the liquid supply system 300 can be dried by high-pressure gas, protecting the liquid supply system 300 and extending its service life.

[0111] Following step S2, the cleaning method includes:

[0112] Step S3: Open the outlet 44 so that the cleaning fluid in the cavity 45 flows to the liquid supply system 300.

[0113] In this step, the outlet 44 can be opened after a preset time period following the opening of the second inlet 12, to ensure that the solid soluble substance 200 in the cavity 45 has been completely dissolved and there are no particulate substances, thus avoiding damage to the pump body or blockage of the pipeline in the liquid supply system 300.

[0114] In this embodiment, the dissolving device 100 generates a high-pressure water jet to pulverize the solid soluble substance 200, thereby accelerating its dissolution and achieving rapid and convenient dissolution. Furthermore, the movement of the sleeve 20 seals the second inlet 46, preventing backflow of water vapor and ensuring that the solid soluble substance 200 before entering the cavity 45 does not become damp and deteriorate. In addition, throughout the dissolution process, only the opening and closing of the second inlet 12 and outlet 44 need to be controlled. The sleeve 20 moves from the first position to the second position under water pressure and then returns to the first position under the action of the elastic element 30. The movement of the sleeve 20 and the pressurization of the second inlet 12 are entirely powered by mechanical structures, eliminating the need for complex drive mechanisms and control programs. This achieves rapid and convenient dissolution of the solid soluble substance 200 while reducing production costs, and makes the overall structure of the dissolving device 100 simple and easy to maintain.

[0115] In a preferred embodiment, step S3 may further include:

[0116] The step involves introducing high-pressure gas into the second inlet 12 so that the gas flows from the outlet 44 to the liquid supply system 300 to dry the liquid supply system 300.

[0117] In this step, the second inlet 12 can be controlled by the first control valve 301 to open the outlet 44 and connect to the air inlet pipe 305 to introduce high-pressure gas. After the pipes in the liquid supply system 300 are cleaned, the liquid supply system 300 is dried.

[0118] In this embodiment, after the liquid supply system 300 is cleaned, high-pressure gas is introduced into the liquid supply system 300 through the dissolving device 100 for drying, which can prevent the liquid supply system 300 from being soaked and corroded by the cleaning agent for a long time, thereby extending the service life of the liquid supply system 300.

[0119] Based on the first embodiment described above, a second embodiment of the control method for beverage preparation equipment is proposed. The following implementation details are provided for ease of understanding only and are not necessary for implementing this solution.

[0120] In this embodiment, the cleaning method further includes:

[0121] In response to a water cleaning command from the beverage preparation equipment, the outlet 44 is opened.

[0122] In this step, "clean water cleaning" refers to the process of rinsing the liquid supply system 300 with clean water (free of cleaning agents) discharged from the dissolving device 100. The method of generating this clean water cleaning command is not limited; for example, it can be triggered by various input units, such as buttons on the device, buttons on the remote control, or input commands on a remote operating device. It can also be based on a preset control program, for example, triggered when material is detected being fed by the feeding device or when solid soluble matter 200 is present in the cavity 45 of the dissolving device 100. Upon receiving the clean water cleaning command, the outlet 44 is opened, which can be controlled by the first control valve 301 located at the outlet 44.

[0123] The steps involve controlling the opening of the second inlet 12 and introducing water into the second inlet 12 so that the cavity 11 is filled with water. Under the action of water pressure, the sleeve 20 slides from the first position to the second position, and the water in the cavity 11 continuously enters the cavity 45 from the first inlet 23 and then flows from the outlet 44 to the liquid supply system 300.

[0124] In this step, outlet 44 remains open, and the water introduced from the second inlet 12 is pressurized to form a high-pressure water flow to clean the supply system 300, achieving the pressurization effect. Utilizing the existing dissolving device 100 for pressurization eliminates the need for additional pressurization structures or procedures, improving cleaning effectiveness while reducing production costs. The temperature of the water introduced into the second inlet 12 can be set as needed; for cost-saving considerations, room temperature water is preferred for the second inlet 12. In this embodiment, a method of pressurizing and cleaning the supply system 300 with clean water is provided. This can be combined with chemical cleaning methods, for example, using a high-frequency clean water cleaning mode to clean the supply system 300 to maintain its hygiene, while using chemical cleaning methods at a lower frequency to remove stubborn stains from the supply system 300, achieving good cleaning results while saving cleaning time and costs.

[0125] Obviously, the embodiments described above are merely some, not all, embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications without creative effort, and all such variations or modifications should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rapid and convenient dissolving device for dissolving solid soluble substances, characterized in that, The dissolving apparatus includes: A container having a cavity inside, and a second inlet communicating with the cavity, allowing solid soluble substances to enter the cavity through the second inlet; and, A sleeve is fitted over the container and is movably disposed relative to the container in a first direction. The sleeve is provided with a first inlet for introducing water flow into the cavity. During its movement, the sleeve has a first position away from the container to be offset from the second feed inlet and a second position close to the container to close the second feed inlet. The dissolving device further includes a shell, the container and the shell are fixedly disposed together, the sleeve is disposed inside the shell and sandwiched between the shell and the container, a cavity is formed inside the shell at the end of the sleeve facing away from the container, the volume of the cavity changes as the sleeve moves along the first direction, the shell has a second inlet communicating with the cavity, the water outflow of the first inlet is less than the water inflow of the second inlet, so that the sleeve moves from the first position to the second position under the action of the pressure difference between the inside and outside sides, so as to close the second feed port and prevent water vapor backflow; After the water flows into the cavity from the first inlet, and before the sleeve is in the second position and the second feed inlet is closed, the water level in the cavity is always lower than the lowest edge of the second feed inlet; The container has a first end relatively close to the sleeve and a second end opposite to the first end. The second end has an outlet. The cavity includes a first cavity relatively close to the first end and a second cavity relatively close to the second end. The first cavity is connected to the second inlet, and the second cavity is connected to the outlet. The cross-sectional dimension of the second cavity in a first direction is smaller than that of the first cavity. A connecting section is provided between the first cavity and the second cavity. The cross-sectional dimension of the connecting section is smaller than that of the first cavity and larger than that of the second cavity. The inner diameter of the connecting section is set to be smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the solid soluble substance before it dissolves, so that the solid soluble substance is held at the connecting section after falling into the cavity.

2. The dissolving apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sleeve includes an end cap, a first inlet is formed in the end cap, the container has an opening that opens toward the end cap, and when the sleeve is in a second position, the end cap is closed to the opening of the container.

3. The dissolving apparatus as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The end cap is provided with a flow guide groove that is recessed towards the container, and the first inlet is located at the bottom of the flow guide groove.

4. The dissolving apparatus as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The guide channel is tapered in the direction close to the first inlet.

5. The dissolving apparatus as described in claim 2, characterized in that, A first sealing ring is provided at the first end of the container or on the inner side of the end cap. The first sealing ring surrounds the outer periphery of the opening, such that when the sleeve slides to the second position, the first sealing ring is sandwiched between the container and the end cap; and / or, A second sealing ring is provided between the outer wall of the container and the inner wall of the sleeve, so that when the sleeve slides to the second position, the second sealing ring is sandwiched between the outer wall of the container and the inner wall of the sleeve.

6. The dissolving apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a mechanism that, during the stroke of the sleeve and the container moving closer and further apart, enables the sleeve and the container to reciprocate relative to each other, or enables the sleeve and the container to move unidirectionally relative to each other, with an elastic element enabling the reverse return.

7. The dissolving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The second feed inlet is located on the side wall of the container, and the sleeve is provided with a cylindrical wall surrounding the outer periphery of the side wall of the container. When the sleeve is in the second position, the cylindrical wall closes the second feed inlet.

8. The dissolving apparatus as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The dissolving device further includes an elastic element disposed between the sleeve and the container, or between the sleeve and the housing. After water begins to enter through the first inlet, the pressure difference on both sides of the end cap overcomes the elastic force of the elastic element to drive the sleeve to move from the first position to the second position. After water stops entering through the first inlet, the elastic element provides a restoring force to drive the sleeve back from the second position to the first position.

9. The dissolving apparatus as described in claim 6 or 8, characterized in that, The container has a first end relatively close to the sleeve, and the outer side of the container forms a stepped surface facing the first end. The stepped surface is located between the second feed port and the first end. The elastic element is a compression spring sleeved on the outer wall of the container. One end of the compression spring abuts against the sleeve, and the other end abuts against the stepped surface.

10. The dissolving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, A third sealing ring is provided between the outer wall of the sleeve and the inner wall of the housing.

11. The dissolving apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The container includes a first cylindrical body and a second cylindrical body that are sequentially adjacent to each other from the first end to the second end. The first cavity is located inside the first cylindrical body, and the second cavity is located inside the second cylindrical body. A connecting part is provided between the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body. The connecting part cooperates with a connecting fitting part on the shell so that the shell is fixedly connected to the container. The sleeve includes an end cap and a cylindrical wall extending from one side of the end cap along a first direction. The cylindrical wall is inserted into the shell. A gap is formed between the outer wall of the first cylindrical body and the inner wall of the shell. The sleeve is inserted into the gap, and the second cylindrical body extends out of the shell.

12. The dissolving apparatus as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, The housing has a first inlet that communicates with the gap. The first inlet and the second inlet are arranged opposite to each other. When the sleeve is in the second position, the sleeve wall is inserted between the first inlet and the second inlet.

13. The dissolving apparatus as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that, The housing is provided with a guide cylinder protruding outward, and a feeding channel is formed inside the guide cylinder that connects to the first feed inlet. The feeding channel extends outward and upward from the first feed inlet.

14. The dissolving apparatus as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, The inner wall of the cavity has a first limiting surface facing the sleeve, the first limiting surface being used to abut against the sleeve when the sleeve is in the first position, and the connecting portion having a second limiting surface opposite to the first limiting surface, the second limiting surface being used to abut against the end of the cylinder wall when the sleeve is in the second position.

15. The dissolving apparatus as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, The cavity has a water outlet groove adjacent to the outlet, and the cross-section of the water outlet groove in a first direction is gradually tapered towards the outlet.

16. A beverage preparation device, characterized in that, include: Liquid supply system; as well as, The dissolving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the dissolving apparatus is connected to the liquid supply system.

17. A method for cleaning beverage preparation equipment, characterized in that, The beverage preparation equipment includes a liquid supply system and a dissolving device. The dissolving device includes a container, a shell, and a sleeve. The container forms a cavity for containing solid soluble substances and has a second inlet for adding the solid soluble substances, as well as an outlet connecting the cavity and the liquid supply system. The sleeve is fitted over the container and is movably disposed relative to the container. The sleeve has a first inlet for introducing water flow into the cavity. During its movement, the sleeve has a first position away from the container to offset from the second inlet, and a second position close to the container to close the second inlet. At the second position outside the feed inlet, the container and the shell are fixedly arranged together. The sleeve is disposed inside the shell and clamped between the shell and the container. A cavity is formed inside the shell at the end of the sleeve facing away from the container. The volume of the cavity changes as the sleeve moves along the first direction. The shell has a second inlet that communicates with the cavity. The water outflow of the first inlet is less than the water inflow of the second inlet, so that the sleeve moves from the first position to the second position under the action of the pressure difference between the inside and outside sides, thereby closing the second feed inlet and preventing water vapor backflow. After the water flows into the cavity from the first inlet, and before the sleeve is in the second position and the second feed inlet is closed, the water level in the cavity is always lower than the lowest edge of the second feed inlet; The container has a first end relatively close to the sleeve and a second end opposite to the first end. The second end has an outlet. The cavity includes a first cavity relatively close to the first end and a second cavity relatively close to the second end. The first cavity is connected to the second inlet, and the second cavity is connected to the outlet. The cross-sectional dimension of the second cavity in a first direction is smaller than that of the first cavity. A connecting section is provided between the first cavity and the second cavity. The cross-sectional dimension of the connecting section is smaller than that of the first cavity and larger than that of the second cavity. The inner diameter of the connecting section is set to be smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the solid soluble substance before dissolution, so that the solid soluble substance is held at the connecting section after falling into the cavity. Cleaning methods include: When the cleaning mode is chemical cleaning mode, receive cleaning instructions; After solid soluble matter falls into the cavity, the second inlet is opened and water is introduced into the second inlet within a preset first time period so that the cavity is filled with water. Under the action of water pressure, the sleeve slides from the first position to the second position. The water in the cavity rushes out from the first inlet to form a high-pressure water column to crush the solid soluble matter. The outlet is then closed so that the water remains in the cavity to dissolve the solid soluble matter and obtain cleaning solution. Open the outlet to allow the cleaning fluid in the cavity to flow to the fluid supply system.

18. The cleaning method for the beverage preparation equipment as described in claim 17, characterized in that, After solid soluble matter falls into the cavity, the second inlet is opened and water is introduced into the second inlet within a preset first time period to fill the cavity with water. Under the action of water pressure, the sleeve slides from the first position to the second position, and the water in the cavity rushes out from the first inlet to form a high-pressure water column that dissolves the solid soluble matter. The outlet is then closed to allow water to remain in the cavity to dissolve the solid soluble matter and obtain a cleaning solution. The steps include: After solid soluble matter falls into the cavity, the second inlet is opened and water is introduced into the second inlet within a preset first time period so that the cavity is filled with water. Under the action of water pressure, the sleeve slides from the first position to the second position. The water in the cavity rushes out from the first inlet to form a high-pressure water column to break up the solid soluble matter and the outlet is closed so that the water remains in the cavity and the liquid level in the cavity is not higher than the second feed inlet. Gas is introduced into the second inlet during a preset second time period to maintain a high-pressure environment inside the cavity, and the solid soluble substances inside the cavity dissolve to obtain a cleaning solution.

19. The cleaning method for the beverage preparation equipment as described in claim 17, characterized in that, After the step of opening the outlet to allow the cleaning fluid in the cavity to flow to the fluid supply system, the following steps are included: High-pressure gas is introduced into the second inlet so that the gas flows from the outlet to the liquid supply system to dry the liquid supply system.

20. The cleaning method for the beverage preparation equipment as described in claim 17, characterized in that, The cleaning method further includes: In response to a clean water cleaning command from the beverage preparation equipment, the outlet is opened. The second inlet is opened and water is introduced into it so that the cavity is filled with water. Under the action of water pressure, the sleeve slides from the first position to the second position. The water in the cavity continuously enters the cavity from the first inlet and then flows from the outlet to the liquid supply system.

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