Automatic cup-falling tea brewing machine

Abstract

The invention discloses an automatic cup falling tea making machine which comprises a charging barrel used for containing stacked cup bodies; the cup falling mechanism is arranged at the lower part of the charging barrel, the cup falling mechanism comprises a plurality of separating cams capable of synchronously rotating, each separating cam comprises a cam part and a gear part which are connected with each other, and the cam part is provided with a continuous outline. The cup falling mechanism adopts a plurality of separating cams which can rotate synchronously and have specific outlines. In the rotating process, the cams cooperatively act, on one hand, the cup body at the bottommost part can be actively and downwards driven to overcome adhesion and ensure reliable separation and falling of the cup body, and on the other hand, the cup stack above the cup body can be seamlessly switched and supported, and overall instability is prevented. According to the design that active separation and seamless bearing are combined with single rotation action, the stability and high efficiency that only one cup body is separated each time are fundamentally guaranteed, and finally the tea machine which is reliable in structure and capable of achieving full-automatic cup falling and brewing is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of beverage preparation equipment, and in particular to an automatic cup-dropping tea brewing machine. Background Art

[0002] As the pace of life accelerates, consumers' demand for freshly brewed beverages has shifted from simple convenience to a balanced experience of high quality and efficiency. Against this backdrop, a new type of pre-packed tea paper cup has emerged on the market. These tea cups contain tea leaves pre-encapsulated at the bottom, separated from the upper chamber by a permeable filter membrane. When hot water is poured into the cup, it penetrates the membrane and fully contacts the tea leaves, completing the brewing process. At the same time, the filter effectively prevents the tea leaves from entering the mouth, thus balancing the excellent taste of whole leaf tea with the convenience of teabags.

[0003] However, although this pre-filled tea paper cup provides new possibilities for improving the drinking experience, there is a technical gap in the existing automation equipment field. Specifically:

[0004] 1. The core brewing modules of existing fully automatic coffee machines, such as grinding, powder pressing, and high-pressure extraction, are not suitable for the brewing method of pre-filled tea paper cups that only requires hot water immersion, in terms of structure and principle. Moreover, their systems are generally more complicated.

[0005] 2. Traditional vending machines can usually only sell pre-packaged finished beverages and do not have the functions of instant heating, water filling and brewing.

[0006] Therefore, the existing technology lacks a dedicated device capable of storing, separating, and dropping pre-filled tea paper cups, and subsequently refilling and brewing them. This has prevented the popularization of these new tea paper cups through automated channels, limiting their market adoption. Therefore, developing a dedicated tea drinking machine with a reliable structure, high efficiency, and the ability to fully automatically vend and brew pre-filled tea paper cups has become a pressing technical challenge in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic cup-dropping tea brewing machine to solve the above technical problems.

[0008] The present invention provides an automatic cup-dropping tea brewing machine, comprising:

[0009] a barrel for accommodating stacked cups;

[0010] The cup dropping mechanism is provided at the lower part of the barrel. The cup dropping mechanism includes a plurality of synchronously rotatable separation cams. Each separation cam includes a connected cam portion and a gear portion. The cam portion has a continuous profile. The profile of the cam portion is configured as follows:

[0011] When rotating to a first angular position, the separating cam supports the bottommost cup in the stack of cups; and in the process of rotating from the first angular position to a second angular position, the separating cam drives the bottommost cup downward and simultaneously turns to support the cup immediately above the bottommost cup, so that the bottommost cup is separated from the stack of cups and falls to a predetermined position;

[0012] The water supply mechanism is used to inject liquid into the predetermined position.

[0013] In which, multiple separation cams are arranged circumferentially around the lower part of the barrel, and each of the separation cams is configured to rotate around its own axis; the profile of the cam portion has a first support portion and a second support portion relative to each other, and a transition support portion arranged between the first support portion and the second support portion.

[0014] Among them, the cup dropping mechanism also includes a first drive component, which includes a first drive motor and a transmission mechanism connected to the first drive motor; the transmission mechanism includes a linkage gear plate, which has an inner gear ring, and the gear parts of multiple separation cams are all engaged with the inner gear ring of the linkage gear plate; the transmission mechanism also includes a driving gear connected to the first drive motor, and a driven gear engaged with both the driving gear and the linkage gear plate.

[0015] Among them, the cup dropping mechanism also includes a base and an upper cover arranged on the base, a cavity is formed between the base and the upper cover, a plurality of separation cams are arranged in the cavity, and an opening is provided at the top and bottom of the cavity, and the channel formed between the openings is used to accommodate the barrel and the stacked cup bodies in the barrel.

[0016] Among them, a through hole is passed through the bottom surface of the base, the output shaft of the first drive motor is passed through the through hole and is fixedly connected to a mounting member, the mounting member includes a connecting rod and a first drive arm arranged at the top end of the connecting rod; the connecting rod is passed through the middle part of the driving gear, so that the first drive arm can be accommodated in the embedding groove on the top surface of the driving gear.

[0017] It also includes a sealing component, which is arranged below the base, and a first sealing member is provided at the bottom of the channel; the sealing component includes a second sealing member and a second driving component, and the second sealing member is adapted to the first sealing member to close the channel when it is in contact with the first sealing member under the drive of the second driving component.

[0018] The second drive assembly includes a second drive motor, a second drive arm connected to the second drive motor, and a return spring; a sliding member is provided at one end of the second drive arm, and the second sealing member is provided on the sliding member, and the sliding member can move along a straight path between a sealing position and a non-sealing position;

[0019] In which, the second drive motor is used to drive the second drive arm to rotate to abut and push the sliding member, so that the sliding member overcomes the elastic force of the return spring and moves to the non-sealed position; when the second drive arm rotates to disengage from the abutment with the sliding member, the sliding member is reset to the sealing position under the drive of the return spring.

[0020] The sealing assembly further comprises a sealing box body disposed below the base, the second driving assembly is disposed in the sealing box body, a support track is disposed in the sealing box body, and the sliding member is in sliding engagement with the support track.

[0021] Among them, the water supply mechanism includes a water tank and a constant temperature boiler, and the water tank is respectively connected to a water injection pipe and a water receiving pipe, the water injection pipe is connected to the constant temperature boiler, and the water receiving pipe is used to connect with an external water source supply; the constant temperature boiler is connected to a water supply pipe, and the output end of the water supply pipe is facing the predetermined position.

[0022] Among them, it also includes: a cup body in place sensor, used to detect whether the cup body has fallen to the predetermined position; and a controller, electrically connected to the cup body in place sensor and the water supply mechanism, respectively, and the controller is configured to: after receiving the cup body in place signal emitted by the cup body in place sensor, control the water supply mechanism to perform the liquid injection action.

[0023] Beneficial technical effects of the present invention:

[0024] The cup-dropping mechanism of the present invention utilizes multiple synchronously rotating separation cams with specific profiles. During rotation, these cams work together to actively drive the bottommost cup downward to overcome adhesion, ensuring its reliable separation and drop. Simultaneously, they seamlessly shift and support the stack of cups above it, preventing overall instability. This design, combining "active separation" and "seamless support" in a single rotational motion, fundamentally ensures the stability and efficiency of separating only one cup at a time, ultimately achieving a structurally reliable tea machine capable of fully automatic cup drop and brewing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of a tea drinking machine provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a cup dropping mechanism in a tea drinking machine provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a first driving assembly of a cup dropping mechanism in a tea drinking machine provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of the first drive assembly;

[0030] Figure 5 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a separation cam of a cup dropping mechanism in a tea machine provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a separation cam of a cup dropping mechanism in a tea drinking machine provided by an embodiment of the present invention from another perspective;

[0032] Figure 7 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a mounting member in a tea drinking machine provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 8 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the base of a tea drinking machine provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 9 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the base of the tea drinking machine provided by an embodiment of the present invention from another perspective;

[0035] Figure 10 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a sealed box body in a tea drinking machine provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 11 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a sealed box in a tea drinking machine provided by an embodiment of the present invention from another perspective;

[0037] Figure 12 This is a control schematic diagram of a controller in a tea drinking machine provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Description of reference numerals:

[0039] In the figure: 10-controller, 20-cup body in place sensor, 100-barrel, 110-base, 120-upper cover, 130-cavity, 140-channel, 201-bottommost cup body, 202-upper cup body, 310-separation cam, 311-cam part, 312-first support part, 313-second support part, 314-transition support part, 315-gear part, 410-first drive motor, 412-through hole, 421-driving gear, 4211-embedded groove, 422-driven gear, 423-linkage Toothed disc, 431-connecting rod, 432-first driving arm, 510-first sealing member, 520-second sealing member, 530-sealing box body, 531-support rail, 600-second driving motor, 620-second driving arm, 630-sliding member, 631-detection part, 632-reset spring, 700-first photoelectric sensor, 800-second photoelectric sensor, 900-water supply mechanism, 910-water tank, 920-constant temperature boiler, 930-water injection pipe, 940-water receiving pipe, 950-water supply pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0041] It will be understood that when used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” indicate the presence of described features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0042] It should also be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. As used in the specification and appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0043] It should be further understood that the term "and / or" used in the present description and the appended claims refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0044] Please also refer to Figures 1-12The embodiment of the present invention provides an automatic cup-dropping tea brewing machine, which is mainly used for automatically separating, dropping and subsequently brewing a cup body of pre-filled tea leaves, so as to realize fast and convenient freshly brewed tea service. The tea drinking machine includes a barrel 100 for accommodating stacked cup bodies; a cup dropping mechanism is arranged at the lower part of the barrel 100, and the cup dropping mechanism includes a plurality of synchronously rotatable separation cams 310, each of the separation cams 310 includes a connected cam portion 311 and a gear portion 315, and the cam portion 311 has a continuous profile. The profile of the cam portion 311 is configured as follows: when rotating to a first angular position, it supports the bottommost cup body 201 in the stacked cup bodies; and in the process of rotating from the first angular position to the second angular position, the separation cam 310 drives the bottommost cup body 201 downward, and at the same time turns to support the cup body immediately above the bottommost cup body 201, so that the bottommost cup body 201 is separated from the stacked cup bodies and falls to a predetermined position; a water supply mechanism 900 is used to inject liquid into the predetermined position.

[0045] In this embodiment, the tea drinking machine includes a barrel 100 , a cup dropping mechanism and a water supply mechanism 900 .

[0046] Specifically, the barrel 100 is used to accommodate multiple cups stacked one above the other. The barrel 100 can be a vertically arranged cylindrical structure with an internal passageway sized to accommodate the cups to be accommodated. The cups are preferably tea cups with an outer rim, such as paper cups pre-filled with tea leaves.

[0047] The cup drop mechanism is located at the lower exit of the barrel 100 and is used to separate the stacked cups one by one and drop them. The cup drop mechanism includes multiple synchronously rotating separation cams 310. These separation cams 310 are arranged around the lower portion of the barrel 100 and work together to achieve stable control of the cups.

[0048] Each separation cam 310 includes a cam portion 311 and a gear portion 315. The cam portion 311 and the gear portion 315 are connected and can be an integral structure or a detachable connection structure. The gear portion 315 is used to receive external power and transmit torque to drive the separation cam 310 to rotate; while the cam portion 311 directly interacts with the cup body to perform the separation action.

[0049] The cam portion 311 has a continuously changing profile. Through the design of the profile, the separation cam 310 can achieve a series of preset, time-sequenced actions during the rotation process. Specifically, the profile of the cam portion 311 is configured to achieve the following functions:

[0050] First, when the separation cam 310 rotates to a predetermined first angular position, a specific area on its profile stably supports the outer edge of the cup rim of the bottommost cup 201 in the stack. In this position, all the separation cams 310 together form a stable support platform, securely holding all cups within the barrel 100. This state can be considered the standby or initial state of the cup drop mechanism, preventing cups from accidentally slipping out during non-operational periods.

[0051] Secondly, when a cup needs to be dropped, the cup dropping mechanism drives the multiple separation cams 310 to rotate synchronously from the first angular position to the second angular position. During this rotation process, the profile of the cam portion 311 dynamically interacts with the cup. On the one hand, the portion of the profile that originally supported the bottom cup 201 will rotate away, releasing the support for the bottom cup 201; on the other hand, another portion of the profile will press downward on the outer edge of the cup mouth of the bottom cup 201, actively driving it downward. At the same time, a higher area on the profile will rotate to the bottom of the cup immediately above the bottom cup 201 and support it. Through this synergistic effect of "support switching" and "downward drive", the bottom cup 201 can be smoothly separated from the stack of cups and fall vertically to a predetermined position under the action of gravity.

[0052] The predetermined position is located directly below the cup dropping mechanism, such as a cup receiving platform or a cup taking port. When the separation action is completed, the separation cam 310 has reliably supported the new bottom cup body in the remaining cup bodies, and is ready for the next cup dropping action.

[0053] The water supply mechanism 900 is used to inject liquid (such as hot water) into the cup body that has fallen to the predetermined position to complete the tea brewing process. The water outlet of the water supply mechanism 900 is directed toward the predetermined position, and water injection can be started when the cup body is detected to have fallen into place.

[0054] This embodiment utilizes multiple synchronously rotating separation cams 310 with specific profiles to transform rotational motion into a complex sequence of "supporting, separating, and re-supporting" the cup, achieving automatic and reliable separation and dropping of individual cups. The entire cup-dropping process boasts a simple structure, reliable operation, and high efficiency, perfectly meeting the requirements of automated tea drinking equipment.

[0055] In one embodiment, a plurality of separation cams 310 are circumferentially arranged around the lower portion of the barrel 100, and each of the separation cams 310 is configured to rotate around its own axis; the profile of the cam portion 311 has a first support portion 312 and a second support portion 313 relative to each other, and a transition support portion 314 arranged between the first support portion 312 and the second support portion 313.

[0056] In this embodiment, the separation cams 310 are arranged around the lower outlet of the channel for receiving the cup body (e.g., formed by the barrel 100), forming a circular array. This layout ensures that all separation cams 310 can simultaneously contact the outer edge of the cup mouth of the bottommost cup body 201, thereby forming a stable platform with multiple support points when supporting, applying uniform driving force during separation, and effectively preventing the cup body from tilting or getting stuck during the separation process.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, three, four, or five separation cams 310 may be provided and evenly distributed along the circumference. The number of separation cams 310 may be adjusted based on the size and weight of the cup body and the stability requirements, but evenly distributed circumferentially is ideal for ensuring force balance and motion synchronization.

[0058] Furthermore, to ensure that the specific profile of the separation cam 310 (similar to a curved ramp) can act on the cup body at a predetermined timing, each separation cam 310 is configured to rotate about its own axis. This axis is perpendicular to the central axis of the plane in which the separation cam 310 lies. It is precisely through this rotation about its own axis that the profile segments with different functions on the cam portion 311 of each separation cam 310, at specific angular positions during rotation, sequentially support the cup body below, take over the upper cup body 202, and push down the bottommost cup body 201.

[0059] A significant advantage of this design is its compact structure. Since each cam rotates in place, it occupies very little radial space, allowing the entire mechanism to be designed as a compact annular module that fits tightly under the cup channel 140 without significantly increasing the overall size of the device.

[0060] In this embodiment, the continuous profile of the cam portion 311 can be functionally divided into three interconnected sections: a first support portion 312, a second support portion 313, and a transition support portion 314 disposed therebetween. These three sections work in conjunction to complete the support conversion and separation drive of the cup body during the rotation of the separation cam 310.

[0061] Physically, the first support portion 312 can be understood as a flat or gently curved surface at the bottom of the cam profile. Its primary function is to support the cups when the device is in standby mode. When all separation cams 310 rotate to the first angular position, their respective first support portions 312 are simultaneously positioned directly below the outer edge of the bottommost cup 201, forming a stable and reliable multi-point support platform that securely supports the entire stack of cups.

[0062] The second support portion 313 is a curved surface at the top of the cam profile. Its function is to extend into the gap between the bottom cup 201 and its adjacent upper cup 202 during the separation process, thereby taking over the support of the upper cup 202.

[0063] The transition support portion 314 is a curved surface connecting the first support portion 312 and the second support portion 313, forming a slope-like structure. Its function is to actively drive the bottom cup body 201 downward while supporting the transition.

[0064] The following describes the collaborative workflow of these three parts in combination with a complete separation action:

[0065] When the separation cam 310 starts to rotate synchronously from the first angular position:

[0066] Release of support: As the rotation proceeds, the first support portion 312 will gradually rotate away from below the cup opening of the bottommost cup body 201, thereby releasing the direct support thereon.

[0067] Switching support: At the same time, the second support portion 313 rotates into position, contacting the lower surface of the outer edge of the cup rim of the upper cup 202, and begins to support the upper cup 202 and all cups above it. This seamless switching action ensures that when the bottom cup 201 is released, the entire stack of cups above it will not become unstable and fall.

[0068] Active Separation: During the support switching process, the sloped transition support portion 314 rotates accordingly. Its upper surface contacts and continues to support the upper cup 202, while its lower surface presses downward against the upper edge of the cup rim of the bottom cup 201. This downward pressure actively pushes the bottom cup 201 out of its nested position with the upper cup 202, effectively preventing adhesion between the cups due to friction or deformation.

[0069] During the process of the separation cam 310 rotating to the second angular position, the bottom cup body 201 is successfully driven downward and separated, while the remaining cup stack is stably supported by the transition support portion 314. Next, the separation cam 310 does not stop, but continues to rotate to complete a complete cycle:

[0070] Continuing to rotate from the second angle position, since the transition support portion 314 is a downward slope, the cup stack will slide downward for a short distance along the slope in a stable and controllable manner under the action of gravity, and smoothly descend from a higher position to a lower position.

[0071] Finally, the first support portion 312 rotates again to the bottom of the cup stack, securely catches it at a lower position, and returns to the initial stable supporting state (i.e., the first angle position), preparing for the next cup dropping action.

[0072] By dividing the cam profile into three functional sections and utilizing a complete rotation cycle, the device not only achieves reliable separation and seamless support switching, but also ensures that the entire cup stack remains stable during the cycle through a controlled sliding process, greatly improving the success rate and stability of cup placement.

[0073] In this embodiment, the first supporting portion 312 and the second supporting portion 313 are opposite to each other, which means that one is located at a low point and the other is located at a high point on the profile of the cam portion 311. The end of the support of the first supporting portion 312 is the beginning of the support of the second supporting portion 313.

[0074] In this embodiment, the “first angular position” and the “second angular position” do not refer to two fixed, absolute angular values ​​(such as 30 degrees or 90 degrees), but are used to functionally define two state nodes of the separation cam 310 in its rotation cycle.

[0075] In one embodiment, the cup dropping mechanism further includes a first drive assembly, which includes a first drive motor 410 and a transmission mechanism connected to the first drive motor 410; the transmission mechanism includes a linkage gear plate 423, and the linkage gear plate 423 has an inner gear ring, and the gear portions 315 of the plurality of separation cams 310 are all engaged with the inner gear ring of the linkage gear plate 423; the transmission mechanism further includes a driving gear 421 connected to the first drive motor 410, and a driven gear 422 engaged with both the driving gear 421 and the linkage gear plate 423.

[0076] In this embodiment, the first driving assembly includes a first driving motor 410 and a transmission mechanism connected to the first driving motor 410 .

[0077] The first drive motor 410 serves as a power source, responsible for providing initial rotational power. In one feasible implementation, the first drive motor 410 can be a DC reduction motor to provide stable power output with moderate torque. Other types of motors can also be selected based on design requirements.

[0078] The function of the transmission mechanism is to receive the power from the first drive motor 410 and effectively transmit it to each separation cam 310. In order to achieve this function, the structure of the transmission mechanism is designed to be able to mesh with the gear portion 315 of each separation cam 310.

[0079] Through this mechanical engagement, when the first drive motor 410 is started and drives the transmission mechanism, the transmission mechanism simultaneously drives the gear portions 315 of all meshed separation cams 310 to rotate. Due to the mechanical hard connection (meshing), it is fundamentally guaranteed that all separation cams 310 can rotate synchronously at the same angular velocity and phase.

[0080] This design, which utilizes a single first drive motor 410 in conjunction with a transmission mechanism to drive multiple separation cams 310, offers significant advantages over solutions that require a separate drive source for each separation cam 310. It not only greatly simplifies the mechanical structure and control system, reducing manufacturing costs and potential failure points, but more importantly, through mechanical engagement, it physically ensures absolute synchronization and uniform rotation of all separation cams 310. This synchronization is crucial for ensuring that the cup remains stable during the separation process, without tilting or binding, and thus allowing for successful separation and release.

[0081] In one specific embodiment, the linkage gear disc 423 is a ring-shaped gear with an inner ring gear machined on its inner circumferential wall. In terms of assembly, the gear portions 315 of the multiple separation cams 310 are all meshed with the inner ring gear of the linkage gear disc 423. This layout, in which multiple external gears (the gear portions of the separation cams) are meshed with an internal gear (the inner ring gear of the linkage gear disc) around the center, forms an internal meshing transmission structure similar to a planetary gear train. When the linkage gear disc 423 rotates, its inner ring gear acts as an integral drive source, simultaneously driving all meshing separation cams 310 around their respective axes at the same angular velocity and direction, thereby achieving synchronous action.

[0082] To drive the linkage gear plate 423 to rotate, the transmission mechanism also includes a driving gear 421 and a driven gear 422. The driving gear 421 is directly connected to the output shaft of the first drive motor 410, serving as the power input for the entire transmission chain. When the first drive motor 410 is started, its rotational motion is directly transmitted to the driving gear 421.

[0083] The driven gear 422 acts as an intermediate transmission member and can mesh with the driving gear 421 and the linkage gear plate 423 at the same time. Specifically, the outer teeth of the driven gear 422 mesh with the outer teeth of the driving gear 421, and at the same time, its outer teeth also mesh with the inner gear ring of the linkage gear plate 423.

[0084] The entire power transmission path is as follows: the first drive motor 410 is started, driving the driving gear 421 to rotate; the driving gear 421 drives the driven gear 422 to rotate in the opposite direction through external engagement; the driven gear 422 then drives the interlocking gear plate 423 to rotate in the same direction through internal engagement; finally, the rotating interlocking gear plate 423 drives all the separation cams 310 meshing with it to rotate synchronously through its inner gear ring.

[0085] This transmission design, consisting of a driving gear 421 - a driven gear 422 - a linked gear plate 423 (annular gear) - and a separation cam 310 (gear unit), is highly compact and achieves precise, synchronized transmission of all separation cams 310 with minimal components. It efficiently converts the single rotational input of the first drive motor 410 into a completely consistent, synchronized rotational output of the multiple separation cams 310, greatly ensuring the stability and reliability of the cup dropping process.

[0086] In other embodiments, the transmission mechanism of the cup dropping mechanism can also adopt the method of a synchronous belt (not shown in the drawings) to achieve synchronous rotation between multiple separation cams 310. Specifically, the cup dropping mechanism includes a first drive motor 410 and an active synchronous pulley connected to the output shaft of the first drive motor 410. The gear portion 315 for transmitting power on each separation cam 310 is replaced by a driven synchronous pulley. The multiple driven synchronous pulleys are linked to each other through an annular synchronous belt. The active synchronous pulley cooperates with the annular synchronous belt. Under the drive of the first drive motor 410, the active synchronous pulley drives the annular synchronous belt to move, thereby driving the multiple driven synchronous pulleys to rotate synchronously, thereby achieving synchronous rotation of the multiple separation cams 310.

[0087] In one embodiment, the cup dropping mechanism further includes a base 110 and an upper cover 120 disposed on the base 110, a cavity 130 is formed between the base 110 and the upper cover 120, a plurality of separation cams 310 are disposed in the cavity 130, and an opening is provided at the top and bottom of the cavity 130, and a channel 140 formed between the openings is used to accommodate the barrel 100 and the stacked cup bodies in the barrel 100.

[0088] In this embodiment, the upper cover 120 and the base 110 can be detachably connected by fasteners such as screws and buckles to form a structural shell.

[0089] When the upper cover 120 and the base 110 are assembled together, they form an internal cavity 130. The aforementioned multiple separation cams 310 and the transmission mechanism used to drive them are housed and installed within this cavity 130. This design effectively supports, positions, and protects these moving parts. For example, the separation cams 310, the linkage gear plate 423, and the driven gear 422 are all rotatably connected to the base 110.

[0090] In order to allow the cup body to pass through the device smoothly, an opening is provided at the top (i.e., the upper cover) and the bottom (i.e., the base) of the cavity 130. The two openings are aligned vertically and connected to each other, forming a vertical channel 140.

[0091] The channel 140 is designed to accommodate the cartridge 100 and the stacked cups within it. In practice, the cartridge 100, used to store the stacked cups, can be inserted from above and secured to the opening of the upper cover 120, allowing the entire stack of cups within the cartridge 100 to pass through the channel 140. The outer edge of the bottommost cup 201 is positioned within the cavity 130, corresponding to the active position of the multiple separation cams 310. Once the separation is complete, the separated bottommost cup 201 falls through the opening of the base 110 and into a predetermined position below.

[0092] In one embodiment, a through hole 412 is formed through the bottom surface of the base 110, and the output shaft of the first drive motor 410 is passed through the through hole 412 and fixedly connected to a mounting member, wherein the mounting member includes a connecting rod 431 and a first drive arm 432 arranged at the top end of the connecting rod 431; the connecting rod 431 is passed through the middle of the driving gear 421, so that the first drive arm 432 can be accommodated in the embedding groove 4211 on the top surface of the driving gear 421.

[0093] In this embodiment, a through hole 412 is defined in the bottom surface of the base 110. This through hole 412 is positioned non-centrally to accommodate the layout of the transmission mechanism. The first drive motor 410 is mounted below the base 110, with its output shaft extending from bottom to top through this through hole 412 and into the cavity 130.

[0094] In order to reliably transmit the rotational power of the first drive motor 410 to the transmission mechanism (especially the driving gear) located in the cavity 130 , a mounting member is fixedly connected to the end of the output shaft of the first drive motor 410 .

[0095] The mounting structure includes a connecting rod 431 and a first driving arm 432 disposed at the top of the connecting rod 431. In this embodiment, the connecting rod 431 is vertically arranged and coaxially arranged with the motor output shaft; the first driving arm 432 is horizontally arranged at the top of the connecting rod 431 and can be in the form of one or more arm-like structures extending from the center.

[0096] During assembly, the connecting rod 431 of the mounting assembly passes through the middle of the driving gear 421. This means that the driving gear 421 is vertically positioned by the connecting rod 431. The key to power transmission lies in the design of the first driving arm 432, which is designed to fit within the pre-set groove 4211 on the top surface of the driving gear 421. The shape of the groove 4211 matches that of the first driving arm 432, allowing it to fit snugly into or fit within it.

[0097] Through this "first drive arm 432 - slot 4211" arrangement, when the first drive motor 410 rotates, its output shaft drives the mounting member to rotate synchronously. The first drive arm 432 on the mounting member then shifts the sidewalls of the slot in the driving gear 421, reliably transmitting the motor's rotational torque to the driving gear 421, driving its rotation and, in turn, the entire transmission mechanism. This design eliminates the need for traditional key connections or interference fits, making installation and removal significantly easier while ensuring reliable torque transmission.

[0098] In one embodiment, a sealing component is further included, which is arranged below the base 110, and a first sealing member 510 is provided at the bottom of the channel 140; the sealing component includes a second sealing member 520 and a second driving component, and the second sealing member 520 is adapted to the first sealing member 510 to close the channel 140 when it is in contact with the first sealing member 510 under the drive of the second driving component.

[0099] In this embodiment, the sealing assembly is entirely disposed below the base 110 , and its function is to selectively close the bottom outlet of the vertical channel 140 formed by the upper cover 120 and the opening of the base 110 .

[0100] In order to achieve sealing, the bottom of the channel 140, i.e., the periphery of the base 110 opening, is provided with a first sealing member 510. The first sealing member 510 can be an O-ring. It is fixed to the lower surface of the base 110 and surrounds the channel 140 opening.

[0101] The sealing assembly further includes a second sealing member 520 and a second driving assembly for driving the second sealing member 520. The second sealing member 520 is adapted in shape and size to the first sealing member 510. For example, if the first sealing member 510 is an annular sealing ring surrounding an opening, the second sealing member 520 can be a flat cover plate with a surface area sufficient to completely cover the first sealing member 510.

[0102] The second seal 520 is not stationary, but can move under the drive of the second drive assembly. Its moving path is designed to enable it to switch between a "sealed position" and a "non-sealed position". When the second drive assembly drives the second seal 520 to move to the sealed position, the second seal 520 will fit tightly with the first seal 510, thereby effectively closing the bottom outlet of the channel 140. At this time, external dust, water vapor or other pollutants cannot enter the interior of the channel 140. Similarly, the objects or environment inside the channel 140 are also isolated from the outside world. When the cup needs to be dropped, the second drive assembly will drive the second seal 520 to move away, so that the outlet of the channel 140 is opened and the cup body can fall smoothly.

[0103] In one specific embodiment, in order to achieve a more reliable sealing effect, the bottom of the channel 140 is designed as a slope, and the first sealing member 510 is correspondingly attached to the slope. To match this, the sealing surface of the second sealing member 520 is also inclined. When it is necessary to close the channel 140, the second drive assembly drives the second sealing member 520 to move horizontally, bringing it closer to the first sealing member 510. Because the surface of the base 110 where the first sealing member 510 is located and the contact surface of the second sealing member 520 are both matching slopes, when the second sealing member 520 moves horizontally, the two inclined surfaces will contact and produce a wedge-shaped locking effect, forming a sealed state with excellent airtightness.

[0104] Conversely, when channel 140 needs to be opened, the second drive assembly drives the second seal 520 to move horizontally in the opposite direction, separating the two inclined surfaces. The seal is quickly released, and the outlet of channel 140 is opened, allowing the cup to fall smoothly. This design, which utilizes inclined surfaces in conjunction with horizontal movement, can achieve a high sealing pressure with a small driving force, thereby improving the reliability of the seal.

[0105] In one embodiment, the second drive assembly includes a second drive motor 600 and a second drive arm 620 connected to the second drive motor 600, and a return spring 632; a sliding member 630 is provided at one end of the second drive arm 620, and the second sealing member 520 is provided on the sliding member 630, and the sliding member 630 can move between a sealing position and a non-sealing position along a straight path; wherein, the second drive motor 600 is used to drive the second drive arm 620 to rotate to abut and push the sliding member 630, so that the sliding member 630 overcomes the elastic force of the return spring 632 and moves to the non-sealing position; when the second drive arm 620 rotates to disengage from the abutment with the sliding member 630, the sliding member 630 is reset to the sealing position under the drive of the return spring 632.

[0106] In this embodiment, the second drive assembly includes a second drive motor 600, a second drive arm 620 connected to the motor, a sliding member 630, and a return spring 632. The second drive motor 600 can be a DC motor or a stepper motor, and its output shaft is fixedly connected to the second drive arm 620. The second drive motor 600 can drive the second drive arm 620 to rotate in forward and reverse directions. One end of the second drive arm 620 (the end away from the motor shaft) is in rolling engagement with the sliding member 630. This "rolling engagement" can be specifically implemented as follows: a pin is provided at one end of the second drive arm 620, and a roller or bearing is mounted on the pin. The roller or bearing is then engaged with the sliding member 630. This design can significantly reduce the friction between the two during relative motion, making the motion smoother. The sliding member 630 can move along a preset straight path. The second sealing member 520 is mounted on the sliding member 630 and moves therewith. The return spring 632 is disposed on the moving path of the sliding member 630 and is used to apply a constant return force to the sliding member 630 to move it toward the sealing position.

[0107] The entire component works as follows:

[0108] Opening Process: When the passage 140 needs to be opened, the second drive motor 600 is activated and drives the second drive arm 620 to rotate forward. One end of the second drive arm 620 contacts and abuts the slider 630. As the second drive arm 620 continues to rotate, it pushes the slider 630 to overcome the elastic force of the return spring 632 and move along a predetermined linear path to the unsealed position, thereby fully opening the outlet of the passage 140. During this process, the return spring 632 is compressed, storing elastic potential energy and continuously exerting a force on the slider 630, tending to return it to the sealed position.

[0109] Closing Process: When the passage 140 needs to be sealed, the second drive motor 600 rotates in the opposite direction, disengaging the second drive arm 620 from its contact with the slider 630. Once the second drive arm 620's resistance is removed, the elastic potential energy stored in the return spring 632 is immediately released, driving the slider 630 to smoothly return along a straight path to its initial sealing position. At this point, the second seal 520 affixed thereto tightly fits the first seal 510, reliably sealing the passage 140.

[0110] As can be seen, the power to close the seal is entirely provided by return spring 632. This ensures consistent and reliable sealing force during each closure, effectively preventing loose or overtight seals caused by motor torque fluctuations or inaccurate control. The second drive motor 600 is solely responsible for overcoming the spring force to push the slider 630 to the open position, and its load is predictable. During the closing process, it only needs to rotate out of contact, fundamentally eliminating the risk of the motor stalling, overloading, or even damage due to obstacles.

[0111] In one embodiment, the sealing assembly further includes a sealing box body 530 disposed below the base 110 , the second driving assembly is disposed in the sealing box body 530 , a support rail 531 is disposed in the sealing box body 530 , and the sliding member 630 slides in cooperation with the support rail 531 .

[0112] In this embodiment, to effectively support, position, and protect the sealing assembly, the sealing assembly further includes a sealing box 530. This sealing box 530 is mounted below the base 110 of the automatic cup dropping device. The second drive motor 600, second drive arm 620, and return spring 632 are all disposed within this sealing box 530.

[0113] In order to ensure that the sliding member 630 can accurately reciprocate along the preset linear path, a support track 531 is further provided in the sealed box body 530. The support track 531 can be a slide groove processed on the inner wall of the box body, or an additionally installed linear guide rail.

[0114] The slider 630 is designed to slidably engage with the support rail 531. For example, both sides of the slider 630 may be provided with flanges or sliders that mate with the support rail 531. Through this coordination between the rail and the slider 630, the slider 630's freedom of movement is strictly limited to a single direction, namely, a predetermined linear reciprocating path. This effectively prevents the slider 630 from deflecting, shaking, or getting stuck during movement, thereby ensuring that the second sealing member 520 affixed thereto can smoothly and precisely move to the predetermined sealing and unsealing positions, ensuring the reliability and repeatability of each sealing and opening action.

[0115] In one embodiment, a first photoelectric sensor 700 and a second photoelectric sensor 800 are provided on the sealed box body 530 , and a detection portion 631 is provided at corresponding positions on the sliding member 630 .

[0116] In this embodiment, a first photoelectric sensor 700 and a second photoelectric sensor 800 are provided on the sealed box body 530, respectively, near the two end positions of the movement path of the slider 630. Accordingly, the slider 630 is provided with a detection portion 631, such as a light shield extending from the slider 630, which is designed to effectively trigger the photoelectric sensors.

[0117] When the channel 140 needs to be opened, the second drive motor 600 drives the second drive arm 620 to push the sliding member 630 to move to the non-sealed position. When the sliding member 630 moves to the end of the stroke, that is, the non-sealed state, the detection part 631 thereon is detected by the second photoelectric sensor 800. The second photoelectric sensor 800 generates a detection signal and feeds it back to the second drive motor 600, causing it to stop driving. This ensures that the channel 140 is fully opened and prevents the motor from being overloaded or damaged due to continuous pushing. The detection signal can also be fed back to the controller 10 at the same time to confirm that the channel has been opened, so that the controller can execute the next procedure (such as dropping the cup).

[0118] When the channel 140 needs to be sealed, the second drive motor 600 rotates in the opposite direction to disengage the second drive arm 620 from the abutment, and the slider 630 automatically moves toward the sealing position driven by the return spring 632. When the slider 630 moves to the sealing position, the detection portion 631 thereon enters the detection area of ​​the first photoelectric sensor 700. At this time, the first photoelectric sensor 700 is triggered and generates a "sealed in place" confirmation signal. This signal is fed back to the controller 10 to confirm that the channel has been reliably sealed, allowing the controller to execute the next step (such as entering the standby state).

[0119] This arrangement enables complete closed-loop control of the sealing mechanism's movement. The second photoelectric sensor 800 acts as a limit switch for the opening action, while the first photoelectric sensor 700 serves as a status confirmation sensor for the closing action. This control method not only ensures precise positioning of the slider at its two extreme positions but also improves the reliability and safety of the entire system's operational process.

[0120] With this setup, the second photoelectric sensor 800 functions as a sensor to confirm the channel is open, while the first photoelectric sensor 700 functions as a sensor to confirm the channel is closed. This approach not only ensures the slider is positioned at its two extremes, preventing motor overload, but also significantly improves the reliability and safety of the entire system's operation by providing clear status feedback to the controller.

[0121] In one embodiment, the water supply mechanism 900 includes a water tank 910 and a constant temperature boiler 920, and the water tank 910 is respectively connected to a water injection pipe 930 and a water receiving pipe 940, the water injection pipe 930 is connected to the constant temperature boiler 920, and the water receiving pipe 940 is used to connect to an external water source supply; the constant temperature boiler 920 is connected to a water supply pipe 950, and the output end of the water supply pipe 950 is facing the predetermined position.

[0122] In this embodiment, the water tank 910 serves as an internal water storage unit and plays the role of water source buffering and transfer. In order to realize water supply and output, the water tank 910 is respectively connected to a water receiving pipe 940 and a water injection pipe 930.

[0123] One end of the water inlet pipe 940 is connected to the water tank 910, and the other end is used to connect to an external water supply. The external water source can be a large-capacity bottled water or a filtered tap water pipeline. Through the water inlet pipe 940, the water tank 910 can be easily replenished with water.

[0124] The water injection pipe 930 connects the water tank 910 and the constant temperature boiler 920 , and its function is to transport the normal temperature water stored in the water tank 910 to the constant temperature boiler 920 for heating.

[0125] The constant temperature boiler 920 receives water from the water injection pipe 930 and uses the heating element inside it to heat the water to a preset constant temperature, such as 85-95 degrees Celsius suitable for brewing tea. In order to transport the heated hot water to the cup body, a water supply pipe 950 is also connected to the constant temperature boiler 920. The water supply pipe 950 is the final channel for the hot water to flow out, and its output end is arranged to face the predetermined position. This predetermined position is the water receiving position where the cup body separated by the cup drop mechanism falls after falling in the aforementioned embodiment. Through such a layout, when the cup body is in place, the water supply mechanism 900 can inject the high-temperature hot water in the constant temperature boiler 920 into the cup body through this water supply pipe 950 to complete the brewing action. A solenoid valve (not shown) is set at the outlet of the water supply pipe 950, and its opening and closing are controlled by the controller 10 to realize the start and stop of water injection.

[0126] In summary, the water supply mechanism 900 of this embodiment realizes fully automatic, constant temperature and quantitative hot water supply through the clear path of "external water source → water receiving pipe 940 → water tank 910 → water injection pipe 930 → constant temperature boiler 920 (heating) → water supply pipe 950 → cup body at a predetermined position", providing reliable guarantee for the whole machine to achieve high-quality automatic brewing function.

[0127] In one embodiment, it also includes: a cup body in place sensor 20, used to detect whether the cup body has fallen to the predetermined position; and a controller 10, which is electrically connected to the cup body in place sensor 20 and the water supply mechanism 900, respectively, and the controller 10 is configured to: after receiving the cup body in place signal emitted by the cup body in place sensor 20, control the water supply mechanism 900 to perform the liquid injection action.

[0128] In this embodiment, in order to ensure that the liquid injection action is performed only after the cup body is accurately in place, thereby avoiding liquid splashing or waste, the tea drinking machine of this embodiment is further provided with a cup body in place sensor 20 and a controller 10.

[0129] Specifically, the cup arrival sensor 20 is installed at an appropriate position of the predetermined position, such as on the side of the cup receiving platform. Its function is to detect in real time whether a cup has successfully fallen from the cup drop mechanism and stably stayed at the predetermined position. As a preferred implementation method, the sensor can be a reflective photoelectric sensor (such as an infrared sensor), which can determine the presence of the cup by emitting a light beam and detecting the signal reflected from the side wall of the cup. Other types of sensors such as a through-beam photoelectric sensor and a mechanical micro switch can also be used to achieve the same function. When the presence of a cup is detected, the sensor will generate and output a "cup arrival signal".

[0130] The controller 10 is the control core of the entire tea drinking machine. It is electrically connected to the cup arrival sensor 20, the cup drop mechanism and the water supply mechanism 900 through circuits to receive sensor signals and issue control instructions.

[0131] The core working logic of the controller 10 is configured as follows:

[0132] When a tea-making instruction is received (for example, initiated by the user through the operation interface), the controller 10 first controls the cup-dropping mechanism to perform a cup-dropping action, so that a cup body is separated from the barrel 100 and falls.

[0133] After the cup dropping action is completed, the controller 10 does not start water supply immediately, but enters a waiting and monitoring state, continuously reading the signal from the cup arrival sensor 20.

[0134] Only when the controller 10 receives a clear “cup in place signal” sent by the cup in place sensor 20 will it confirm that the cup has been successfully placed in place.

[0135] After confirming that the cup body is in place, the controller 10 immediately executes the next step of the process, that is, issuing an instruction to the water supply mechanism 900, such as opening the solenoid valve on the water supply pipe 950, to start injecting a preset amount of hot water into the cup.

[0136] By incorporating the cup placement sensor 20 and the aforementioned closed-loop control logic, the tea dispenser of this embodiment implements a "confirm first, execute later" workflow. This significantly improves the reliability and safety of the device, effectively avoiding errors such as cup jams and empty cup bins that could lead to water filling without a cup, ensuring a positive user experience and clean operation.

[0137] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, and such modifications or substitutions are intended to be within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. An automatic cup-dropping tea brewing machine, characterized in that: include: a barrel for accommodating stacked cups; The cup dropping mechanism is provided at the lower part of the barrel. The cup dropping mechanism includes a plurality of synchronously rotatable separation cams. Each separation cam includes a connected cam portion and a gear portion. The cam portion has a continuous profile. The profile of the cam portion is configured as follows: When rotating to a first angular position, the separating cam supports the bottommost cup in the stack of cups; and in the process of rotating from the first angular position to a second angular position, the separating cam drives the bottommost cup downward and simultaneously turns to support the cup immediately above the bottommost cup, so that the bottommost cup is separated from the stack of cups and falls to a predetermined position; The water supply mechanism is used to inject liquid into the predetermined position.

2. The tea drinking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of separation cams are circumferentially arranged around the lower portion of the barrel, and each of the separation cams is configured to rotate around its own axis; the profile of the cam portion has a first support portion and a second support portion relative to each other, and a transition support portion arranged between the first support portion and the second support portion.

3. The tea drinking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cup dropping mechanism also includes a first drive assembly, which includes a first drive motor and a transmission mechanism connected to the first drive motor; the transmission mechanism includes a linkage gear plate, which has an inner gear ring, and the gear portions of the plurality of separation cams are all engaged with the inner gear ring of the linkage gear plate; the transmission mechanism also includes a driving gear connected to the first drive motor, and a driven gear engaged with both the driving gear and the linkage gear plate.

4. The tea drinking machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cup dropping mechanism also includes a base and an upper cover arranged on the base, a cavity is formed between the base and the upper cover, a plurality of separation cams are arranged in the cavity, and an opening is provided at the top and bottom of the cavity, and the channel formed between the openings is used to accommodate the barrel and the stacked cup bodies in the barrel.

5. The tea drinking machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: A through hole is passed through the bottom surface of the base, and the output shaft of the first drive motor is passed through the through hole and fixedly connected to a mounting member, wherein the mounting member includes a connecting rod and a first drive arm arranged at the top end of the connecting rod; the connecting rod is passed through the middle part of the driving gear, so that the first drive arm can be accommodated in the embedding groove on the top surface of the driving gear.

6. The tea drinking machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a sealing component, which is arranged below the base, and a first sealing member is provided at the bottom of the channel; the sealing component includes a second sealing member and a second driving component, and the second sealing member is adapted to the first sealing member to close the channel when it is in contact with the first sealing member under the drive of the second driving component.

7. The tea drinking machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second drive assembly includes a second drive motor, a second drive arm connected to the second drive motor, and a return spring; a sliding member is provided at one end of the second drive arm, and the second sealing member is provided on the sliding member, and the sliding member can move along a straight path between a sealing position and a non-sealing position; In which, the second drive motor is used to drive the second drive arm to rotate to abut and push the sliding member, so that the sliding member overcomes the elastic force of the return spring and moves to the non-sealed position; when the second drive arm rotates to disengage from the abutment with the sliding member, the sliding member is reset to the sealing position under the drive of the return spring.

8. The tea drinking machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The sealing assembly further includes a sealing box body disposed below the base, the second driving assembly is disposed in the sealing box body, a support track is disposed in the sealing box body, and the sliding member is in sliding engagement with the support track.

9. The tea drinking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water supply mechanism includes a water tank and a constant temperature boiler. The water tank is respectively connected to a water injection pipe and a water receiving pipe. The water injection pipe is connected to the constant temperature boiler, and the water receiving pipe is used to connect with an external water source supply; the constant temperature boiler is connected to a water supply pipe, and the output end of the water supply pipe is facing the predetermined position.

10. The tea drinking machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A cup body in position sensor is used to detect whether the cup body has fallen to the predetermined position; as well as The controller is electrically connected to the cup arrival sensor and the water supply mechanism respectively. The controller is configured to control the water supply mechanism to perform a liquid injection action after receiving a cup arrival signal from the cup arrival sensor.

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