Tamping mechanism

Abstract

A tamping mechanism (200) for pressing coffee grounds held by a handle filter into a compact, the tamping mechanism (200) comprising: a tamping member (210) having a tamping surface (220) for pressing coffee grounds; a link (230) driven by the shaft (280) and arranged to move the tamping member (210) between a tamping position, in which the tamping face (220) is pressed in an axial direction (110) relative to the handle filter during a tamping operation, and a rest position, in which the tamping face (220) is at least partially laterally moved from the tamping position; a motor (290) for driving a shaft (280) of the link (230) to move the tamping member (210) between a tamping position and a rest position; and a controller (300) for controlling the operation of the motor (290).

Description

Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Convention priority of Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2022902821, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a tamping mechanism and a coffee machine having a tamping mechanism. Background Art

[0003] Mechanical assisted tamping mechanisms have been considered to compress coffee grounds into pucks for use with a coffee machine to produce a beverage, to improve the consistency of the tamping pressure applied during a series of tamping operations, and to assist in applying an appropriate tamping pressure. However, these tamping mechanisms are typically user-operated, resulting in inconsistent results. Previously considered tamping mechanisms require the use of relatively complex linkages and damping mechanisms to adjust for inconsistent and potentially undesirable forces and speeds when the user operates the tamping mechanism.

[0004] Automated tamping mechanisms based on auger mechanisms have been previously disclosed, which result in undesirable differences in coffee ground compactness between the center and the edges of the puck, which may cause undesirable channeling effects during beverage extraction. Another automated tamping mechanism, considered previously as a stand-alone device, uses a rack and pinion mechanism to provide vertical lifting of a tamping member for tamping operations. However, such an arrangement may be undesirable for use with a coffee machine. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to at least substantially address one or more of the above disadvantages, or at least provide a useful alternative to the tamping mechanisms discussed above.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a tamping mechanism for pressing coffee grounds held by a portafilter into a puck, the tamping mechanism comprising: A tamping member having a tamping surface for pressing the coffee grounds; A linkage driven by a shaft and arranged to move the tamping member between a tamping position and an idle position, in the tamping position, the tamping surface is pressed axially relative to the portafilter during a tamping operation, and in the idle position, the tamping surface moves at least partially laterally from the tamping position; A motor for driving the shaft of the linkage to move the tamping member between the tamping position and the idle position; and A controller for controlling the operation of the motor.

[0007] Preferably, the connecting rod includes a connecting member for enabling the tamping member to rotate relative to the mechanism between an idle position and a tamping position.

[0008] Preferably, the tamping mechanism further includes a guiding structure having a first track, and the tamping member includes a pivot for pivotally connecting the tamping member to the connecting rod such that the pivot is positioned between the connecting member and the tamping surface. The tamping member has a first cam for engaging the first track such that the movement of the tamping member is restricted by the first track.

[0009] Preferably, the connecting rod includes a recess positioned to engage the first cam when the tamping member approaches the tamping position such that a force can be delivered from the tamping member to the connecting rod in the axial direction through the first cam.

[0010] Preferably, the guiding structure further includes a second track, and the pivot includes a second cam for engaging the second track such that the engagement of the first cam with the first track and the engagement of the second cam with the second track restrict the movement and orientation of the tamping member.

[0011] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a coffee machine including the tamping mechanism of the first aspect, the coffee machine having: a bracket for holding a handle filter; and a grinder for delivering coffee grounds along a flow path to the handle filter, wherein at least partial lateral movement of the tamping member towards the idle position moves the tamping member out of the flow path.

[0012] Preferably, the connecting rod includes at least two connecting rod arms connected by a connecting rod beam, wherein the connecting rod beam is positioned at a distance from the axis of the connecting rod such that the connecting rod beam is outside the flow path when the tamping member is in the idle position.

[0013] Preferably, the grinder is vertically positioned above the bracket such that the flow path is substantially collinear with the axial direction.

[0014] Preferably, the grinder includes a grinder motor for operating the grinder to deliver coffee grounds, wherein the grinder motor includes a grinder motor shaft, and the motor of the tamping mechanism includes a tamping motor shaft, and the grinder motor shaft and the tamping motor shaft extend in parallel directions.

[0015] Preferably, the axis of the connecting rod is connected to a connecting rod gear, and the tamping motor shaft includes a worm gear engaging with the connecting rod gear such that a high transmission ratio between 1:20 and 1:100, preferably about 1:50, is achieved from the motor of the tamping mechanism to the axis of the connecting rod.

[0016] Preferably, the coffee machine further includes a motor speed sensor to provide a tamping speed signal to the controller, the tamping speed signal indicating the tamping speed of the tamping surface relative to the portafilter, wherein the controller is adapted to: Receive, store, and / or determine a desired tamping speed; When the tamping speed signal indicates that the tamping speed is lower than the desired tamping speed, control the power delivered to the motor to increase the tamping speed; and When the tamping speed signal indicates that the tamping speed is higher than the desired tamping speed, control the power delivered to the motor to decrease the tamping speed.

[0017] Preferably, the coffee machine further includes a motor current sensor to provide a tamping force signal to the controller, the tamping force signal indicating the tamping force applied by the tamping surface to the coffee grounds, wherein the controller is adapted to: Receive, store, and / or determine a desired tamping force; and When the tamping force signal indicates that the tamping force has reached or exceeded the desired tamping force, end the tamping operation.

[0018] Preferably, the coffee machine further includes a motor position sensor to provide a tamping position signal to the controller, the tamping position signal indicating the position of the tamping surface relative to the portafilter, wherein the controller is adapted to: Receive, store, and / or determine a desired tamping position; When the tamping force signal indicates that the tamping force has reached or exceeded the desired tamping force, determine the difference between the position indicated by the tamping position signal and the desired tamping position; and Use the user interface to provide an indication of the difference.

[0019] Preferably, the controller is adapted to adjust the settings of the grinder based on the difference between the position indicated by the tamping position signal and the desired tamping position.

[0020] Preferably, the grinder includes a grinder motor for operating the grinder to deliver coffee grounds, and wherein when the difference between the position indicated by the tamping position signal and the desired tamping position requires that more coffee grounds should be delivered, the controller is further adapted to: Determine a supplementary dose of coffee grounds based on the difference between the position indicated by the tamping position signal and the desired tamping position; Control the operation of the grinder motor to deliver the supplementary dose of coffee grounds to the portafilter; and Control the operation of the tamping mechanism to perform the tamping operation.

[0021] Preferably, the holder includes a load sensor to provide a weight signal to the controller, the weight signal indicating the weight of the portafilter, Wherein, the grinder includes a grinder motor for operating the grinder to convey coffee grounds, and wherein, the controller is adapted to: receive, store and / or determine a desired dose; control the operation of the grinder motor to convey coffee grounds to the portafilter; stop the operation of the grinder motor when the weight signal indicates that the weight of the portafilter has increased by at least the desired dose; and control the operation of the motor of the tamping mechanism to perform a tamping operation.

[0022] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a coffee machine for extracting coffee beverages from coffee grounds in a portafilter, the coffee machine having: a holder for holding the portafilter; and a grinder for conveying coffee grounds along a flow path to the portafilter, a tamping mechanism for pressing the coffee grounds held by the portafilter into a puck, the tamping mechanism including: a tamping member having a tamping surface for pressing the coffee grounds; a connecting rod driven by a shaft and arranged to move the tamping member between a tamping position and an idle position, in the tamping position, the tamping surface is pressed in an axial direction relative to the portafilter during the tamping operation, in the idle position, the tamping surface moves at least partially laterally from the tamping position; a user operating device for driving the shaft of the connecting rod to move the tamping member between the tamping position and the idle position, wherein, at least a partial lateral movement of the tamping member towards the idle position moves the tamping member out of the flow path. Description of the Drawings

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a coffee machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an isometric view of the grinder and tamping mechanism of the coffee machine in the tamping position.

[0026] Figure 3 is Figure 2 an isometric view of the grinder and tamping mechanism in the idle position.

[0027] Figure 4 is Figure 2Top view of the tamping mechanism.

[0028] Figure 5 is the left sectional view of the tamping mechanism along Figure 4 plane A-A.

[0029] Figure 6 is Figure 4 the right view of the tamping mechanism.

[0030] Figure 7 is Figure 3 the top view of the tamping mechanism.

[0031] Figure 8 is the left sectional view of the tamping mechanism along Figure 7 plane A-A.

[0032] Figure 9 is Figure 7 the right view of the tamping mechanism.

[0033] Figure 10 is Figure 3 the detailed isometric view of the tamping mechanism.

[0034] Figure 11 is Figure 3 the detailed right view of the tamping mechanism.

[0035] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the weight-based dose feedback operation of the coffee machine Figure 1 .

[0036] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the tamping speed control operation of the coffee machine Figure 1 .

[0037] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the tamping force control operation of the coffee machine Figure 1 .

[0038] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the position-based dose feedback operation of the coffee machine Figure 1 . Detailed Description of the Invention

[0039] As Figure 1 shown, the coffee machine 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 102, and a holder 120 for holding a handle-type filter (not shown) is mounted to the main body. Further, as Figure 2As shown, the coffee machine 100 includes a grinder 130 mounted to the body 102 for conveying coffee grounds along a flow path 140 to a portafilter. The grinder 130 includes a grinder motor 132 for operating the grinder 130 to convey coffee grounds, and the grinder motor 132 includes a grinder motor shaft 134 for conveying torque and / or power to the grinder 130 via a transmission mechanism. The coffee machine 100 further includes a user interface 104 for receiving instructions from a user and / or providing information to the user regarding the operation of the coffee machine 100.

[0040] As Figure 2 shown, the coffee machine 100 further includes a tamping mechanism 200 for pressing the coffee grounds held by the portafilter into a puck. Then, the coffee machine 100 typically uses the puck to extract a beverage from the coffee grounds. However, this step is not the subject of this specification, and many methods for extracting coffee beverages from pucks of coffee grounds are known in the art.

[0041] Continuing to refer Figure 2 to, the tamping mechanism 200 includes a tamping member 210 having a tamping surface 220 for pressing the coffee grounds. The tamping surface 220 is preferably flat and preferably circular to conform to the opening of the filter basket held by the portafilter, into which the coffee grounds are conveyed by the grinder 130. The tamping mechanism further includes a linkage 230 arranged to move the tamping member 210 between Figure 2 the tamping position shown in Figure 3 and Figure 3 the idle position shown in Figure 8 As shown, in the tamping position, the tamping surface 220 is pressed in the axial direction 110 relative to the portafilter during the tamping operation. In the idle position, as

[0042] shown, the tamping surface 220 moves at least partially laterally from the tamping position. As Figures 4 to 6 shown, at least partial lateral movement of the tamping member 210 towards the idle position moves the tamping member 210 out of the flow path 140. The linkage 230 is driven by a shaft 280 and further includes a motor 290 for driving the shaft 280 of the linkage 230 to move the tamping member 210 between the tamping position and the idle position. Still further, the tamping mechanism 200 includes a controller 300 for controlling the operation of the motor 290. In another embodiment, the linkage 230 may be driven by a manual mechanism (not shown), such as a lever, dial, or other user-operated movement mechanism.

[0042] Now turning to Figures 4 to 6 which shows the tamping mechanism 200 in the tamping position Figures 7 to 9, the connecting rod 230 includes a connector 232 for enabling the tamping member 210 to rotate relative to the tamping mechanism 200 between an idle position and a tamping position. The connector 232 is preferably positioned between the tamping member 210 and the shaft 280. The tamping mechanism further includes a guiding structure 240 having a first track 242. The guiding structure 240 also defines a channel 246 within which the flow path 140 is positioned, and the grinder 130 conveys coffee grounds through the flow path. The tamping member 210 includes a pivot 212 for pivotally connecting the tamping member 210 to the connecting rod 230 such that the pivot 212 is positioned between the connector 232 and the tamping surface 220. The tamping member also has a first cam 214 for engaging the first track 242 such that the movement of the tamping member 210 is restricted by the first track 242, as Figure 6 and Figure 9 shown.

[0043] As best seen in Figure 9 , the connecting rod 230 includes a recess 234 positioned to allow the recess 234 to engage the first cam 214 when the tamping member 210 approaches the tamping position, as best shown in Figure 2 . Thus, when a force is applied to the tamping member 210 during the tamping operation, the recess 234 provides sufficient space for the connecting rod 230 to be positioned in the axial direction 110. In this way, the force can be delivered from the tamping member 210 to the connecting rod 230 through the first cam 214 in the axial direction 110. Further, this arrangement allows the shaft 280, the connector 232, and the pivot 212 to be substantially aligned and / or collinear in the axial direction 110.

[0044] As best seen in Figure 5 , the guiding structure 240 optionally further includes a second track 244. The second track 244 is preferably shallower than the first track 242, and most preferably, the first track 242 is a through slot while the second track 244 is a groove. The pivot 212 of the tamping member 210 includes a second cam 216 for engaging the second track 244 such that when the tamping member moves between the tamping position and the idle position, the engagement of the first cam 214 with the first track 242 and the engagement of the second cam 216 with the second track 244 restrict the movement and orientation of the tamping member 210. Preferably, as Figure 5 seen, the second track 244 is substantially horizontally displaced from the first track 242 at a position corresponding to the idle position of the tamping member 210 such that the tamping member 210 rotates relative to the tamping position in the idle position. Thus, the second track 244 defines the rotational movement of the tamping member 210 when the tamping member moves to and from the idle position. As a result, the second track 244 is a spirograph of the movement of the tamping member 210 relative to the first track 242.

[0045] Now turning to Figure 10 , the connecting rod 230 further includes at least two connecting rod arms 236 connected by a connecting rod beam 238. The connecting rod beam 238 is positioned at a distance 252 from the axis 280 of the connecting rod 230 such that when the tamping member 210 is in the idle position, the connecting rod beam 238 is outside the flow path 140. As Figure 10 can also be seen, the motor 290 for operating the tamping mechanism 200 includes a transmission mechanism, which may include a tamping motor shaft 292, and as Figure 11 best seen, the tamping motor shaft 292 includes a worm gear 294. However, other transmission mechanisms, such as gear or belt systems, may also be used. The worm gear 294 engages with a connecting rod gear 250 attached to the axis 280 of the connecting rod 230 to provide a transmission ratio between 1:20 and 1:100, preferably about 1:50, between the motor 290 and the axis 280. The transmission ratio may vary depending on the type of motor, the target tamping force, and the dimensions of the connecting rod in a particular application.

[0046] Now returning to Figure 2 , which shows the grinder 130 positioned vertically above the bracket 120 such that the coffee grounds are conveyed to a flow path 140 along which the handle filter is located and is substantially collinear with the axial direction 110. Preferably, the tamping motor shaft 292 and the grinder motor shaft 134 extend in parallel directions. The grinder motor 132 may be operated by the controller 300 according to a set of grinder settings, which may include, for example, the time for which the grinder 130 is operated to convey a certain amount of coffee grounds and / or the grind size setting.

[0047] Finally, the coffee machine 100 may include a motor speed sensor (not shown), such as a kinematic differential position encoder or an inductive speed sensor, to provide a tamping speed signal to the controller 300. The tamping speed signal may be determined by the controller 300, based on the geometry of the tamping mechanism 200, as an indication of the tamping speed of the tamping surface 220 relative to the portafilter. The coffee machine 100 may include a motor current sensor (not shown), such as a known resistor that measures the voltage across its ends, to provide a tamping force signal to the controller 300. The tamping force signal may be determined by the controller 300, based on the geometry of the tamping mechanism 200 and the specifications of the motor 290, as an indication of the tamping force applied by the tamping surface 220 to the coffee grounds. The coffee machine 100 may include a motor position sensor (not shown), such as a kinematic integral optical or electrical position encoder or an inductive speed sensor, to provide a tamping position signal to the controller 300. The controller 300 may determine the tamping position signal, based on the geometry of the tamping mechanism 200, as an indication of the position of the tamping surface 220 relative to the portafilter. In a preferred embodiment, the bracket 120 includes a load sensor (not shown) to provide a weight signal to the controller 300. The weight signal 300 may be determined by the controller 300 as an indication of the weight of the portafilter.

[0048] The controller 300 may be further adapted to determine the motor torque required to apply a desired tamping force F at the tamping surface 220. The linkage 230 includes a first linkage member extending from the shaft 280 (point A) to the pivot 232 (point B), and a second linkage member extending from the pivot 232 (point B) to the tamping member 210 (point C). Torques M are applied at the pivotally connected points A, B, and C c . Let the force at each point be A x , A y , B x , B y , C x , C y : F = A y = B y , A x = B x (Clockwise +) ΣM b = 0, A y (l1sinθ) - A x (l1cosθ) = 0 ∴ A x = Ftanθ

[0049] And F = B y = C y , A x = Bx = C x (Clockwise +) ∑M c = 0, M c - A x (l2cosθ) - F(l2sinθ) = 0 M c = Ax(l2cosθ) + F(l2sinθ) = (Ftanθ)(l2cosθ) + F(l2sinθ) ∴ Mc = 2 * F * lsinθ

[0050] Where θ is the angle between the link 220 and the axial direction 110, and l n is the length of the link member n. In the preferred embodiment, the first link member and the second link member have equal lengths.

[0051] Now the use of the coffee machine 100 will be discussed.

[0052] As Figure 12 shown, after receiving an instruction from the user via the user interface 104, at step S101, the controller 300 operates the grinder motor 132 to convey coffee grounds along the flow path 140 to the portafilter. Preferably, the tamping mechanism 200 is in the idle position so that the flow path 140 is not blocked by the link 230 and the tamper 210. In an embodiment where the bracket 120 includes a load sensor, as Figure 12 shown, at step S103, the controller 300 receives from the user via the user interface 104, or has stored, or determines based on known information, the desired dose of coffee grounds to be conveyed by the grinder 130. At step S105, the controller 300 uses the weight signal to compare the increase in the weight of the portafilter. When the weight signal indicates that the weight of the portafilter has increased by at least the desired dose, at step S107, the controller 300 stops the operation of the grinder motor 132. Otherwise, as shown in step S109, the controller 300 continues to operate the grinder motor 132. In an embodiment without a load sensor, once the time set for the grinder 130 has elapsed, the controller 300 stops the operation of the grinder motor 132.

[0053] As Figures 13 to 15 shown, then at step S111, the controller 300 starts the tamping operation by controlling the motor 290 to move the tamper 210 from the idle position towards the tamping position.

[0054] Figure 13 Shows the tamping speed control operation that the coffee machine 100 can perform when it has a motor speed sensor.

[0055] In step S113, the controller 300 receives from the user via the user interface 104, or has stored, or determines based on known information, a desired tamping speed. The desired tamping speed may include a desired tamping speed curve that varies with the position of the tamping member 210 along the tracks 242, 244 between the idle position and the tamping position. The desired tamping speed may be different for the movement of the tamping member 210 from the idle position to the tamping position and for the movement of the tamping member 210 back from the tamping position to the idle position. When the controller 300 operates the motor 290 to move the tamping member 210 from the idle position toward the tamping position, in step S115, the controller 300 determines whether the tamping speed indicated by the tamping speed signal is lower than the desired tamping speed. When the tamping speed signal indicates that the tamping speed is lower than the desired tamping speed, in step S117, the controller 300 controls the power delivered to the motor 290 to increase the tamping speed. In step S119, the controller 300 determines whether the tamping speed indicated by the tamping speed signal is higher than the desired tamping speed. When the tamping speed signal indicates that the tamping speed is higher than the desired tamping speed, in step S121, the controller 300 controls the power delivered to the motor 290 to increase the tamping speed.

[0056] Figure 14 Illustrated is a tamping force control operation that the coffee machine 100 can perform when it has a motor current sensor.

[0057] In step S123, the controller 300 receives from the user via the user interface 104, or has stored, or determines based on known information, a desired tamping force. When the controller 300 operates the motor 290 to move the tamping member 210 from the idle position toward the tamping position, in step S125, the controller 300 compares the tamping force based on the tamping force signal with the desired tamping force. When the tamping force signal indicates that the tamping force has reached or exceeded the desired tamping force, in step S129, the controller 300 ends the tamping operation and controls the motor 290 to return the tamping member 210 to the idle position. Otherwise, in step S127, the controller 300 continues the tamping operation.

[0058] Figure 15 Illustrated is a position-based dose feedback operation that the coffee machine 100 can perform when it has a motor position sensor.

[0059] In step S131, the controller 300 receives from the user via the user interface 104, or has stored, or determines based on known information, a desired tamping position. When step S125 has been performed above and the controller 300 has determined that the tamping force has reached or exceeded the desired tamping force, in step S133, the controller determines the difference between the current tamping position based on the tamping position signal and the desired tamping position. In step S133, the controller 300 determines whether the difference indicates that more coffee grounds should be dispensed to provide a desired dose of coffee grounds in the portafilter. If no additional coffee grounds are needed, or the difference indicates that too much coffee grounds have been dispensed, then in step S137, the controller 300 provides an indication of the difference using the user interface 104. Further, in some embodiments including step S139, the controller 300 may adjust one or more settings of the grinder 130 based on the difference between the position indicated by the tamping position signal and the desired tamping position, such that the grinder 130 produces a smaller difference between the tamping position and the desired tamping position based on future operations with the updated settings and subsequent tamping operations.

[0060] If additional coffee grounds are needed, then in step S141, the controller 300 determines a supplemental dose based on the difference between the position indicated by the tamping position signal and the desired tamping position. In some embodiments, the controller 300 may also provide the indication of step S137 using the user interface 104 and wait for confirmation from the user to proceed with the supplemental dose. Then in step S143, the controller 300 controls the grinder motor 132 to dispense the supplemental dose. As described above, step S139 may also be performed to adjust future operations of the grinder 130. Finally, the controller 300 returns to step S111 to perform a tamping operation to press the supplemental dose of coffee grounds into a puck.

[0061] Advantages of the coffee machine 100 will now be discussed.

[0062] Because the motor-driven linkage 230 operates to move the tamping surface 220 at least partially laterally from the tamping position, the flow path 140 is substantially unobstructed and the grinder 130 can be positioned substantially vertically above the support 110, eliminating the need for a grinding chute. The rotation of the tamping member 210 between the idle position and the tamping position causes the tamping member 210 to move from the flow path 140 using the linkage 230 with a small geometric footprint. The use of the first track 242 to limit the movement of the tamping member 210 provides protection against jamming or buckling of the linkage 230. The use of the first cam 214 and the recess 234 allows for an effective force path from the tamping surface 220 to the shaft 280. The use of the second track 244 provides secure control of the orientation of the tamping member 210.

[0063] The parallel extension of the tamping motor shaft 292 and the grinder motor shaft 134 allows for the efficient packaging of the tamping mechanism 200 and the grinder 130 within the coffee machine 100. The use of the worm gear 294 provides the desired high transmission ratio, which allows for the use of a motor 290 with relatively low torque.

[0064] The use of the motor current sensor allows the use of the controller 300 instead of mechanical components (such as dampers and / or springs) to control the tamping force, which reduces the mechanical complexity of the tamping mechanism 200. The use of the motor position sensor allows for a position-based dose feedback algorithm, which can continuously adjust the settings of the grinder 130 to adjust the amount of coffee grounds delivered to the portafilter. An indication of the difference between the tamping position and the desired tamping position allows the user to make the desired adjustments to the grinder settings or other operating parameters of the coffee machine to produce a smaller difference in future tamping operations. Using the difference between the tamping position and the desired tamping position to deliver a supplementary dose of coffee grounds allows the delivered dose to be adjusted closer to the desired dose without discarding the coffee grounds that have already been delivered. Using a load sensor to provide a weight signal allows for weight-based dose feedback prior to the start of the tamping operation, which is desirable because multiple tamping operations can cause the puck to break or other inconsistencies in the coffee density throughout the puck, resulting in an undesirable channeling effect.

[0065] Those skilled in the art will understand that the present specification discloses various features in various combinations, but depending on the design specifications of a particular device, these features can be combined with each other in different desired combinations. It should be understood that the disclosure of the present specification also extends to these other readily derivable combinations.

Claims

1. A tamping mechanism for pressing coffee grounds held by a hand-held filter into a puck, the tamping mechanism comprising: A tamping member having a tamping surface for pressing the coffee grounds; A connecting rod driven by a shaft and arranged to move the tamping member between a tamping position and an idle position, in the tamping position, the tamping surface is pressed axially relative to the hand-held filter during the tamping operation, and in the idle position, the tamping surface moves at least partially laterally from the tamping position; A motor for driving the shaft of the connecting rod to move the tamping member between the tamping position and the idle position; And A controller for controlling the operation of the motor.

2. The ramming mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The connecting rod includes a coupling member for enabling the tamping member to rotate relative to the mechanism between the idle position and the tamping position.

3. The ramming mechanism according to claim 2, wherein, The tamping mechanism further includes a guiding structure having a first track, and the tamping member includes a pivot for pivotally connecting the tamping member to the connecting rod such that the pivot is positioned between the coupling member and the tamping surface, and the tamping member has a first cam for engaging the first track such that the movement of the tamping member is restricted by the first track.

4. The ramming mechanism according to claim 3, wherein, The connecting rod includes a recess positioned to engage the first cam when the tamping member approaches the tamping position such that a force can be delivered from the tamping member to the connecting rod in the axial direction through the first cam.

5. The ramming mechanism according to claim 3, wherein, The guiding structure further includes a second track, and the pivot includes a second cam for engaging the second track such that the engagement of the first cam with the first track and the engagement of the second cam with the second track restrict the movement and orientation of the tamping member.

6. A coffee machine comprising the tamping mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the coffee machine having: A bracket for holding the hand-held filter; and A grinder for conveying coffee grounds along a flow path to the hand-held filter, Among them, At least partial lateral movement of the tamping member towards the idle position moves the tamping member out of the flow path.

7. The coffee machine according to claim 6, wherein, The connecting rod includes at least two connecting rod arms connected by a connecting rod beam, wherein the connecting rod beam is positioned at a distance from the shaft of the connecting rod such that the connecting rod beam is outside the flow path when the tamping member is in the idle position.

8. The coffee machine according to claim 6, wherein, The grinder is vertically positioned above the bracket such that the flow path is substantially collinear with the axial direction.

9. The coffee machine according to claim 6, wherein, The grinder includes a grinder motor for operating the grinder to convey coffee grounds, wherein the grinder motor includes a grinder motor shaft, and the motor of the tamping mechanism includes a tamping motor shaft, and the grinder motor shaft and the tamping motor shaft extend in parallel directions.

10. The coffee machine according to claim 9, wherein, The shaft of the connecting rod is connected to a connecting rod gear, and the tamping motor shaft includes a worm gear engaging the connecting rod gear such that a high transmission ratio between 1:10 and 1:100, preferably about 1:50, is achieved from the motor of the tamping mechanism to the shaft of the connecting rod.

11. The coffee machine according to claim 6, wherein, The coffee machine further includes a motor speed sensor to provide a tamping speed signal to the controller, the tamping speed signal indicating the tamping speed of the tamping surface relative to the portafilter, wherein the controller is adapted to: Receive, store, and / or determine a desired tamping speed; When the tamping speed signal indicates that the tamping speed is lower than the desired tamping speed, control the power supplied to the motor to increase the tamping speed; and When the tamping speed signal indicates that the tamping speed is higher than the desired tamping speed, control the power supplied to the motor to decrease the tamping speed.

12. The coffee machine according to claim 6, wherein, The coffee machine further includes a motor current sensor to provide a tamping force signal to the controller, the tamping force signal indicating the tamping force applied by the tamping surface to the coffee grounds, wherein the controller is adapted to: Receive, store, and / or determine a desired tamping force; and When the tamping force signal indicates that the tamping force has reached or exceeded the desired tamping force, end the tamping operation.

13. The coffee machine according to claim 12, wherein, The coffee machine further includes a motor position sensor to provide a tamping position signal to the controller, the tamping position signal indicating the position of the tamping surface relative to the portafilter, wherein the controller is adapted to: Receive, store, and / or determine a desired tamping position; When the tamping force signal indicates that the tamping force has reached or exceeded the desired tamping force, determine the difference between the position indicated by the tamping position signal and the desired tamping position; and Provide an indication of the difference using a user interface.

14. The coffee machine according to claim 13, wherein, The controller is adapted to adjust the settings of the grinder based on the difference between the position indicated by the tamping position signal and the desired tamping position.

15. The coffee machine according to claim 13, wherein, The grinder includes a grinder motor for operating the grinder to deliver coffee grounds, and wherein when the difference between the position indicated by the tamping position signal and the desired tamping position requires that more coffee grounds should be delivered, the controller is further adapted to: Determine a supplementary dose of coffee grounds based on the difference between the position indicated by the tamping position signal and the desired tamping position; Control the operation of the grinder motor to deliver the supplementary dose of coffee grounds to the portafilter; and Control the operation of the tamping mechanism to perform a tamping operation.

16. The coffee machine according to claim 6, wherein, The holder includes a load sensor to provide a weight signal to the controller, the weight signal indicating the weight of the portafilter, wherein the grinder includes a grinder motor for operating the grinder to deliver coffee grounds, and wherein the controller is adapted to: Receive, store, and / or determine a desired dose; Control the operation of the grinder motor to deliver coffee grounds to the portafilter; When the weight signal indicates that the weight of the portafilter has increased by at least the desired dose, stop the operation of the grinder motor; and Control the operation of the motor of the tamping mechanism to perform a tamping operation.

17. A coffee machine for extracting a coffee beverage from coffee grounds in a portafilter, the coffee machine having: A holder for holding the portafilter; and A grinder for delivering coffee grounds along a flow path to the portafilter, A tamping mechanism for tamping coffee grounds held by a handle-type filter into a puck, the tamping mechanism comprising: A tamping member having a tamping surface for tamping the coffee grounds; A connecting rod driven by a shaft and arranged to move the tamping member between a tamping position and an idle position, in the tamping position, the tamping surface is pressed axially relative to the handle-type filter during the tamping operation, and in the idle position, the tamping surface moves at least partially laterally from the tamping position; A manual operating device for driving the shaft of the connecting rod to move the tamping member between the tamping position and the idle position; wherein at least partial lateral movement of the tamping member towards the idle position moves the tamping member out of the flow path.

18. The coffee machine according to claim 17, wherein, The connecting rod includes at least two connecting rod arms connected by a connecting rod beam, wherein the connecting rod beam is positioned at a distance from the shaft of the connecting rod such that the connecting rod beam is outside the flow path when the tamping member is in the idle position.

19. The coffee machine according to claim 17, wherein, The grinder is vertically positioned above the bracket such that the flow path is substantially collinear with the axial direction.

Images