Coffee machine with simplified hydraulic circuit distribution

Abstract

The coffee machine comprises a hydraulic circuit provided with hoses (6, 8, 12, 14) and a dispenser comprising one or more pinch valves (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d), a shaft (18) with one or more cams (19) for controlling switching of the pinch valves (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d), and an actuator (20) of the shaft (18) with the cams (19), where each pinch valve (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) has an actuator (20) configured to actuate the hose (6, 8, 12, 14) of the hydraulic circuit. 14), and a drive element (23) for driving the movable throttle valve (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coffee machine with simplified hydraulic circuit distribution. Background Art

[0002] Various types of coffee machines currently on the market comprise a hydraulic circuit including a water inlet pump, a boiler and a coffee brewer in cascade.

[0003] In many types of known coffee machines, the hydraulic circuit usually also comprises a steam production circuit and a discharge circuit, to which the water inlet pump and the delivery of the coffee brewer are connected.

[0004] Regardless of the specific type of coffee machine, the features users request are generally very similar.

[0005] In fact, such functions include triggering the water inlet pump, dispensing the beverage, emptying the hydraulic circuit, releasing the pressure in the brewer, dispensing steam, etc.

[0006] In order to perform all the functions, the hydraulic circuit is provided with a distribution system which is often quite complex and difficult to manage.

[0007] Depending on the solution adopted, the distribution system may include manual valves, automatic valves with electric actuators, automatic valves with hydraulic actuators.

[0008] In some cases, the distribution system of the hydraulic circuit includes various types of selectors, including selectors with directly actuated pistons, indirectly actuated pistons with fluid separation, ceramic disks or plastic disks.

[0009] For example, these dispensing systems are already known from WO2019 / 121270, DE19545112, WO2017 / 063784, EP1916459.

[0010] The problem with current dispensing systems is that they have been developed for specific applications and cannot be customized, particularly with respect to the number of paths, actuation sequences, and actuation combinations. Summary of the invention

[0011] Therefore, the technical task of the present invention is to realize a coffee machine which eliminates the above-mentioned technical defects of the prior art.

[0012] In the context of this technical task, one object of the present invention is to realize a coffee machine capable of being operated while limiting and / or simplifying the manual operations required of the end user.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to realize a coffee machine that makes it possible to expand the functionality of the dispensing system of the hydraulic circuit at will and in a personalized manner.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to achieve a coffee machine with a hydraulic circuit whose dispensing system is always extremely efficient and reliable, regardless of the complexity and number of its functions.

[0015] Not last but one more object of the invention is to realize a coffee machine with a hydraulic circuit whose dispensing system is economical and structurally simple.

[0016] The technical task according to the invention as well as these and other objects are achieved by realizing a coffee machine, which is characterized in that it includes a hydraulic circuit, which is provided with a hose and a distributor, which includes one or more pinch valves, a shaft with one or more cams for controlling the switching of the pinch valves, and an actuator of the shaft with the cams, wherein each pinch valve has at least one active throttle valve configured to throttle a section of the hose of the hydraulic circuit, and a drive element for driving the active throttle valve.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each cam of the cammed shaft interacts with a corresponding drive element of the active throttle valve.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator is electric.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distributor has an angular position sensor for the cam-bearing shaft.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each pinch valve is formed from a modular valve module.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the modular valve module is single-stage.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the modular valve is multi-stage.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cammed shaft is formed by one or more modular shaft modules.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the one or more modular axis modules include at least one single-stage axis module.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the one or more modular axis modules include at least one multi-stage axis module.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more modular axle modules have interconnecting means for quick coupling.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic circuit comprises a water inlet pump, a boiler, a brewer, a first hose connected to an outlet of the brewer and to an external coffee dispenser and having a back-pressure valve, a second hose bypassing the back-pressure valve, wherein the first hose is provided with a first pinch valve downstream of the second hose, and the second hose is provided with a second pinch valve.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic circuit comprises a third hose connecting the first hose and the second hose to a discharge port, wherein the third hose is provided with a third pinch valve.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hydraulic circuit comprises a fourth hose connecting the delivery of the water inlet pump to the discharge port, wherein the fourth hose is provided with a fourth pinch valve.

[0030] Advantageously, the present invention allows for simplification of hydraulic circuits by employing a distribution system with a pinch valve that is capable of completely throttling a section of a hose until the flow of fluid is blocked.

[0031] The advantages of a pinch valve are that there is no need to narrow a pipe where turbulent flow and sediment may settle, and because it operates without contact with the fluid flowing in the pipe, it does not cause hygiene problems and food regulatory compliance issues.

[0032] Thanks to its modularity, the dispensing system is easy to customise and can be adapted to specific applications at any time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a coffee machine according to the invention, which are illustrated by way of approximate and non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] Figure 1 schematically shows a hydraulic circuit of a coffee machine according to a possible embodiment;

[0035] Figure 2 A single-stage modular pinch valve that can be used in a dispenser of a hydraulic circuit of a coffee machine is shown in exploded form according to one possible embodiment;

[0036] Figure 3 Shown is the assembled Figure 2 A perspective view of a single-stage modular pinch valve;

[0037] Figure 4 A hose for a hydraulic circuit of a coffee machine according to a possible embodiment is shown. Figure 3A perspective view of a single-stage modular pinch valve;

[0038] Figure 5 Shown is the assembled Figure 2 A side elevation view of a single-stage modular pinch valve;

[0039] Figure 6 Shown along Figure 5 A view of the modular single-stage pinch valve taken along line AA of FIG. 1 , wherein the section of the hose is in a throttled state;

[0040] Figure 7 Shown along Figure 5 A view of the single-stage modular pinch valve taken along line AA of FIG. 1 with the section of the hose in a released state;

[0041] Figure 8 shows a modular single-stage valve that may be part of a dispenser of a hydraulic circuit of a coffee machine according to one possible embodiment;

[0042] Fig. 9 shows a single-stage modular valve of a dispenser of a hydraulic circuit of a coffee machine according to one possible embodiment;

[0043] Figure 9a Shown without cover and with actuator disconnected Fig. 9 Multi-stage modular valves;

[0044] Fig.10 Two modular single-stage valves that may be part of a dispenser of a hydraulic circuit of a coffee machine are shown according to one possible embodiment;

[0045] Fig.11 shows a single-stage modular shaft with cams for a dispenser of a hydraulic circuit of a coffee machine according to a possible embodiment;

[0046] Fig.12 shows a single-stage modular shaft with cams for a dispenser of a hydraulic circuit of a coffee machine according to a possible embodiment; and

[0047] Figures 13a to 13e Shown are various cam shapes that can be adopted for each possible drive angle of a cammed shaft of a dispenser of a hydraulic circuit of a coffee machine according to one possible embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] With reference to the cited figures, there is shown a hydraulic circuit of a coffee machine, which hydraulic circuit, as known, comprises, in a minimal configuration, an inlet pump 1 , a boiler 2 and a brewer 3 connected in cascade.

[0049] The water inlet pump 1 is connected to a water source 4, which may be directly a water main or a water tank installed in the coffee machine.

[0050] The flow meter 5 may be positioned between the water source 4 and the water inlet pump 1 .

[0051] For reasons that will become more apparent below, the hydraulic circuit of the coffee machine has hoses.

[0052] By way of example only, Figure 1 In the solution in, the hydraulic circuit comprises a first hose 6 connected to the outlet of the brewer 3 and to the external coffee dispenser 10 and having a back-pressure valve 7, and a second hose 8 bypassing the back-pressure valve 7, which is separated from the first hose 6 upstream of the compression valve 7 and rejoins the first hose 6 downstream of the back-pressure valve 7.

[0053] The external dispenser 10 of the coffee machine can dispense coffee directly into a container 11 , in particular into a cup.

[0054] The hydraulic circuit further comprises a third hose 12 which connects the first hose 6 and the second hose 8 to the discharge port 13 .

[0055] The hydraulic circuit comprises a fourth hose 14 which connects the delivery of the water inlet pump 1 to the discharge 13 .

[0056] The hydraulic circuit also comprises other hoses 15, 16, which respectively connect the water inlet pump 1 to the boiler 2 and the boiler 2 to the brewer 3, which hoses may also be variable in the illustrated case.

[0057] The hydraulic circuit can obviously be more complex than illustrated here and comprise, for example, a steam distribution hose connected to the boiler 2 or to another boiler not illustrated.

[0058] Likewise, the steam distribution hose (if provided) may also be variable, for reasons that will become clearer below.

[0059] Advantageously, the hydraulic circuit of the coffee machine comprises a distributor comprising one or more pinch valves 17 , a shaft 18 with one or more cams 19 for controlling the switching of the pinch valves 17 , and an actuator 20 of the shaft 18 with the cams 19 .

[0060] Each pinch valve 17 has at least one movable throttle valve 21 which is designed to throttle a section 22 of a hose of the hydraulic circuit, and a drive element 23 for driving the movable throttle valve 21 .

[0061] More precisely, each cam 19 of the shaft 18 interacts with a corresponding drive element 23 of the active throttle valve 21 .

[0062] Advantageously, each pinch valve 17 is formed from a modular valve module.

[0063] Furthermore, advantageously, each valve module can be single-stage or multi-stage.

[0064] The single-stage valve module comprises a single throttle valve 21 which operates on a section of a single hose, whereas the multi-stage valve module comprises a plurality of throttle valves 21 , each throttle valve operating on a section of a different hose.

[0065] The number and type of valve modules to be constructed can be freely selected depending on the functions that the distributor is responsible for.

[0066] Thus, there are countless combinations of single-stage valve modules and / or multi-stage valve modules.

[0067] In the least restrictive case, a single pinch valve 17 formed by a single single-stage valve module may be included, but it is obvious that the more functions the hydraulic circuit of the coffee machine has, the more advantageous the invention is.

[0068] For example, the dispenser may include a single pinch valve 17 formed from a multi-stage valve module, or may be composed of a plurality of pinch valves 17, each of which may be formed from a single-stage valve module or a multi-stage valve module.

[0069] Likewise, the shaft 18 with the cam 19 is also formed from one or more modular shaft modules.

[0070] The modular axis modules may then be single-stage or multi-stage.

[0071] The single-stage axis module has a single cam 19 for operating on a single drive element 23 .

[0072] A multi-step axis module has a plurality of cams 19 , each of which is intended to operate on a different drive element 23 .

[0073] The modular shaft modules have interconnecting means for quick coupling.

[0074] In particular, the interconnection means for rapid coupling may comprise a grooved pin 30 engageable in a grooved seat 31 of conjugate shape.

[0075] The number and type of axis modules can be freely selected depending on the functions that the distributor is responsible for.

[0076] Therefore, there are also countless combinations of single-stage axis modules and / or multi-stage axis modules.

[0077] Of course, the selection of the axis module must be consistent with the selection of the valve module in order to assign a corresponding cam 19 to each drive element 23 .

[0078] It is obvious that in the case of a plurality of valve modules, the plurality of valve modules must be assembled together according to the axis of the shaft with the cam.

[0079] The construction of the single-stage valve module includes a fixed body 24 which supports and guides the translational sliding of the throttle valve 21 .

[0080] The throttle valve 21 and the drive element 23 are coupled to each other so as to be integrally translated by and against the action of a return spring 25 .

[0081] By means of the projection 26 of the fixed body 24 , the active throttle valve 21 defines a region of variable size in which a section of a hose of the hydraulic circuit is confined.

[0082] A cover 27 is mounted on the fixed body 24 , which, together with two opposite side walls of the fixed body 24 , defines specially aligned through holes 28 accommodating a support bushing 29 rotating on the shaft 18 itself carrying the cam 19 .

[0083] Due to the angular rotation of the shaft 18 itself, the cam 19 positioned inside the cover 27 moves the drive element 23 .

[0084] The cam 19 is operated in a first angular position, which releases a section of the hose 20 , and in a second angular position, which throttles the section of the hose.

[0085] When moving towards the first angular position, the cam 19 acting on the drive element 23 counter to the spring 25 causes the throttle valve 21 to move away from the projection 26 .

[0086] In contrast, when moving towards the second angular position of the cam 19 , the spring 25 acts on the drive element 23 , causing the throttle valve 21 to move towards the projection 26 .

[0087] The individual stages of the multi-stage valve module are as described above.

[0088] The individual stages of the multi-stage valve module preferably have a common fixed body 24 and cover 27, such as for example Fig. 9 shown.

[0089] If a plurality of valve modules are included, the fixed bodies 24 of the valve modules are arranged side by side so as to match the passage holes 28 of the shaft 18 with the cam 19 .

[0090] The hydraulic circuit of the exemplary coffee machine includes a first pinch valve 17a operating on the first hose 6 downstream of the junction with the second hose 8, a second pinch valve 17b operating on the second hose 8, a third pinch valve 17c operating on the third hose 12, and a fourth pinch valve 17d operating on the fourth hose 14.

[0091] In this case, the distributor of the hydraulic circuit must control four stages and may therefore include a four-stage modular valve, four combined single-stage modular valves, two combined two-stage modular valves, one single-stage modular valve and one combined three-stage modular valve, etc.

[0092] In a consistent manner, the modularity of the shaft with cams is chosen to control four valve stages.

[0093] The actuator 20 may be electric, and specifically may be an electric motor configured to rotate at a predetermined angle to pull the shaft 18 with the cam 19 .

[0094] Advantageously, a quick-coupling connection is provided between the shaft 32 of the electric motor and the shaft 18 with the cam 19 , which quick-coupling connection is preferably of the same type as that used to realize the connection between shaft modules with the cam.

[0095] It is obvious that the actuator 20 may be of another type, such as a mechanical actuator or a hydraulic actuator.

[0096] Advantageously, the distributor also has an angular position sensor 33 of the shaft 18 with the cam 19 .

[0097] The position sensor 33 may be of encoder or microswitch type, for example.

[0098] The electronic controller of the coffee machine can thus precisely control the angular position of the shaft 18 with the cam 19 .

[0099] This is of crucial importance, since the rotation of the shaft 18 with the cam 19 determines the movement law of the drive element 3 and thus of the throttle valve 21 .

[0100] In this regard, the electronic controller of the coffee machine is configured to execute the functions selectable by the user and to assign a different angular position of the shaft 18 with the cam 19 to each function.

[0101] refer to Figure 1 The hydraulic circuit of a coffee machine is depicted, which is self-explanatory, wherein a typical sequence of functions is as follows.

[0102] The first function corresponds to the coffee machine being in a stationary state.

[0103] The controller pairs a first rotation angle of the shaft 18 with the cam 19 with the function.

[0104] At this first rotational angle of the shaft 18, each of the four cams 19 is in a position corresponding to closing the corresponding pinch valve 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d.

[0105] The second function consists in triggering the water inlet pump 1 .

[0106] The controller pairs this function with a second rotation angle of the shaft 18 with the cam 19 , which second rotation angle is different from the first rotation angle.

[0107] When the shaft 18 is at the second rotation angle, the first cam 19, the second cam 19 and the third cam 19 are at positions corresponding to closing the corresponding first pinch valve 17a, the second pinch valve 17b and the third pinch valve 17c, and the fourth cam 19 is at a position corresponding to opening the corresponding fourth pinch valve 17d.

[0108] The water drawn from the water source 4 is directly delivered from the water inlet pump 1 to the fourth hose 14 and then to the discharge port 13 .

[0109] The third function includes dispensing drip coffee.

[0110] The controller pairs a third rotation angle of the shaft 18 with the cam 19 with this function, the third rotation angle being different from the first rotation angle and different from the second rotation angle.

[0111] At the third rotation angle of the shaft 18, the first cam 19 and the second cam 19 are at positions corresponding to opening the corresponding first pinch valve 17a and the second pinch valve 17b, while the third cam 19 and the fourth cam 19 are at positions corresponding to closing the corresponding third pinch valve 17c and the fourth pinch valve 17d.

[0112] Water drawn from a water source 4 is conveyed from a water inlet pump 1 to a brewer 3 and from there to an external dispenser 10 via a second hose 8 , which bypasses an overpressure valve 7 .

[0113] The fourth function includes dispensing espresso, and may be selected as an alternative to the third function.

[0114] The controller pairs a fourth rotation angle of the shaft 18 with the cam 19 with the function, the fourth rotation angle being different from the first rotation angle, the second rotation angle and the third rotation angle.

[0115] At this fourth rotation angle of the shaft 18, the first cam 19 is at a position corresponding to opening the corresponding first pinch valve 17a, while the second cam 19, the third cam 19 and the fourth cam 19 are at positions corresponding to closing the corresponding second pinch valve 17b, the third pinch valve 17c and the fourth pinch valve 17d.

[0116] Water drawn from a water source 4 is conveyed from the water inlet pump 1 to the brewer 3 and from there through the section of the first hose 6 comprising the pressure relief valve 7 to an external dispenser 10 .

[0117] The fifth function consists in drying the used coffee pods.

[0118] The controller pairs a fifth rotation angle of the shaft 18 with the cam 19 with the function, the fifth rotation angle being different from the first rotation angle, the second rotation angle, the third rotation angle, and the fourth rotation angle.

[0119] At the fifth rotation angle of the shaft 18, the second cam 19 and the third cam 19 are at positions corresponding to opening the corresponding second pinch valve 17b and the third pinch valve 17c, while the first cam 19 and the fourth cam 19 are at positions corresponding to closing the corresponding first pinch valve 17a and the fourth pinch valve 17d.

[0120] The water released by squeezing the used coffee capsule is conveyed to the hose 12 and from there to the discharge opening 13 .

[0121] If the machine comprises a more complex hydraulic circuit capable of performing an additional function such as a sixth steam distribution function, it is sufficient to add a valve stage and a stage shaft with a cam: the controller pairs a sixth rotation angle of the shaft 18 with the cam 19 with the sixth function, which sixth rotation angle is different from the first rotation angle, the second rotation angle, the third rotation angle, the fourth rotation angle and the fifth rotation angle.

[0122] The same is true for other additional features.

[0123] The coffee machine as conceived herein is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all the details may be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

[0124] The materials and dimensions used can be determined according to needs and existing technologies during implementation.

Claims

1. A coffee machine, characterized in that: The coffee machine comprises a hydraulic circuit provided with a hose (6, 8, 12, 14) and a dispenser, the dispenser comprising one or more pinch valves (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d), a shaft (18) with one or more cams (19) for controlling the switching of the pinch valves (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d), and an actuator (20) of the shaft (18) with the cams (19), wherein each pinch valve (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) has at least one active throttle valve (21) configured to throttle a section (22) of a hose (6, 8, 12, 14) of the hydraulic circuit, and a drive element (23) for driving the active throttle valve (21).

2. Coffee machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that Each cam (19) of the shaft (18) with cams (19) interacts with a corresponding drive element (23) for driving the active throttle valve (21).

3. Coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The actuator (20) is electric.

4. Coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The distributor has an angular position sensor (33) for the shaft (18) with the cam (19).

5. Coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Each pinch valve (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is formed by a modular valve module.

6. Coffee machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The modular valve module is single-stage.

7. The coffee machine according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that The modular valve module is multi-stage.

8. Coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The shaft (18) with the cam (19) is formed from one or more modular shaft modules.

9. Coffee machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The one or more modular shaft modules have interconnecting means (30, 31) for quick coupling.

10. Coffee machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The modular axis modules include at least one single-stage axis module.

11. The coffee machine according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that The modular axis modules include at least one multi-stage axis module.

12. Coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The hydraulic circuit comprises a water inlet pump (1), a boiler (2), a brewer (3), a first hose (6) connected to an outlet of the brewer (3) and to an external coffee dispenser (10) and having a back pressure valve (7), a second hose (8) bypassing the back pressure valve (7), wherein the first hose (6) is provided with a first pinch valve (17a) downstream of the second hose (8), and the second hose (8) is provided with a second pinch valve (17b).

13. Coffee machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that The hydraulic circuit comprises a third hose (12) which connects the first hose (6) and the second hose (8) to a discharge port (13), wherein the third hose (12) is provided with a third pinch valve (17c).

14. The coffee machine according to any one of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that The hydraulic circuit comprises a fourth hose (14) connecting the delivery of the water inlet pump (1) to the discharge port (13), wherein the fourth hose (14) is provided with a fourth pinch valve (17d).

15. Coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The coffee machine provides an electronic controller configured to execute functions selectable by a user, the electronic controller assigning to each function a different angular position of the shaft (18) with the cam (19).

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