Waterway system of ice-making coffee machine and ice-making coffee machine

Abstract

The invention provides a waterway system of an ice-making coffee machine and the ice-making coffee machine. An ice-making water tank of the waterway system is used for storing ice water for making ice blocks or extracting coffee; the ice-making water path is connected with the water storage tank and conveys water in the water storage tank to the ice-making water tank; the ice extraction coffee water way is connected with the ice making water tank so as to convey ice water in the ice making water tank to the brewing device to brew ice coffee; the hot extraction coffee water path is connected with the water storage tank, and the hot extraction coffee water path heats water from the water storage tank to obtain first-temperature hot water and conveys the first-temperature hot water to the brewing device to brew hot coffee; the hot water and steam water path is connected with the hot extraction coffee water path, the hot water and steam water path reheats the first-temperature hot water from the hot extraction coffee water path, and second-temperature hot water or hot steam obtained after heating is conveyed to the water outlet nozzle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of water system technology for coffee machines, and particularly to a water system for an ice coffee maker and an ice coffee maker. Background Technology

[0002] There are no coffee machines on the market that combine a coffee machine and an ice maker. To make a cup of cold coffee with ice, you need to have a coffee machine and an ice maker, which require operating two separate devices. The water system is also separate, requiring separate water connection, drainage, and cleaning. The operation is cumbersome and very inconvenient. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a water system for an ice coffee maker and an ice coffee maker.

[0004] The embodiments of this application adopt the following technical solution: a water circuit system for an ice coffee maker, the ice coffee maker including a brewer and a water outlet; the water circuit system includes: Water storage tank; Ice-making water tank, which is used to store ice water for making ice cubes or extracting coffee; An ice-making water circuit is connected to the water storage tank and the ice-making water tank respectively, and transports the water in the water storage tank to the ice-making water tank; The iced coffee water circuit is connected to the ice-making water tank and the brewer respectively, so as to transport the ice water in the ice-making water tank to the brewer to brew iced coffee; The hot brewing coffee water circuit is connected to the water storage tank and the brewer respectively. The hot brewing coffee water circuit heats the water from the water storage tank to obtain hot water at a first temperature, and delivers the hot water at the first temperature to the brewer to brew hot coffee. The hot water and steam circuits are connected to the hot coffee brewing circuit and the water outlet, respectively. The hot water and steam circuits reheat the hot water from the hot coffee brewing circuit at a first temperature and then deliver the resulting hot water or steam at a second temperature to the water outlet. This water system allows a single coffee machine to produce hot coffee, iced coffee, ice cubes, hot water, and steam. It also allows for simultaneous cleaning of all water circuits, simplifying the system design and facilitating operation.

[0005] In some embodiments, the water storage tank is higher than the ice-making water tank. The ice-making water circuit includes a first three-way pipe, a first solenoid valve, and a second water pump. The first opening of the first three-way pipe is connected to the outlet of the water storage tank, the second opening of the first three-way pipe is connected to the inlet of the first solenoid valve, and the outlet of the first solenoid valve is connected to the ice-making water tank. The second water pump pumps water from the ice-making water tank to an ice tray at the top of the ice-making water tank to make ice blocks. When the first solenoid valve is open, water in the water storage tank can flow naturally into the ice-making water tank through the ice-making water circuit without the need for a separate power source.

[0006] In some embodiments, the hot brew coffee water circuit includes a first water pump, a first heating element, a three-way check valve, a first three-way solenoid valve, and a second three-way pipe. The inlet of the first water pump is connected to the second opening of the first three-way pipe, the outlet of the first water pump is connected to the inlet of the first heating element, the outlet of the first heating element is connected to the first opening of the three-way check valve, the second opening of the three-way check valve is connected to the second opening of the first three-way solenoid valve, the first opening of the first three-way solenoid valve is connected to the first opening of the second three-way pipe, and the second opening of the second three-way pipe is connected to the brewer. The first three-way pipe of the hot brew coffee water circuit is connected to the ice-making water circuit, and its three-way check valve can also be used to connect to the hot water and steam water circuits. The second three-way pipe can also be connected to the ice brew coffee water circuit, simplifying the design of the ice coffee machine's water circuit system.

[0007] In some embodiments, a check valve is provided between the first three-way solenoid valve and the second three-way pipe. The check valve prevents water from the iced coffee water circuit from flowing through the second three-way pipe to the second three-way solenoid valve of the hot coffee water circuit.

[0008] In some embodiments, a protective valve is provided between the outlet of the first water pump and the first heating component, and the return port of the protective valve is connected to the water storage tank. When the second three-way solenoid valve closes the hot coffee brewing water circuit, or when an overpressure abnormality occurs in the hot coffee brewing water circuit, the water from the first water pump can flow through the protective valve to the water storage tank for pressure relief.

[0009] In some embodiments, the iced coffee water circuit includes a third water pump, the inlet of which is connected to the ice-making water tank, and the outlet of which is connected to the third opening of the second three-way pipe. The iced coffee water circuit can connect to the ice-making water tank for making ice cubes, using ice water to make iced coffee. Additionally, the iced coffee water circuit is also connected to the second three-way pipe of the hot coffee water circuit, simplifying the design of the water system.

[0010] In some embodiments, the hot water and steam circuit includes a second three-way solenoid valve and a second heating component. The second opening of the second three-way solenoid valve is connected to the third opening of the three-way check valve, the first opening of the second three-way solenoid valve is connected to the inlet of the second heating component, and the outlet of the second heating component is connected to the water outlet. Connecting the second three-way solenoid valve of the hot water and steam circuit to the hot brew coffee circuit allows for reheating using the hot water from the hot brew coffee circuit, simplifying the water circuit and reducing energy waste.

[0011] In some embodiments, a third three-way pipe is provided between the hot coffee brewing water circuit and the hot water and steam water circuit. The first and second openings of the third three-way pipe are respectively connected to the third openings of the first and second three-way solenoid valves. The third opening of the third three-way pipe drains the water in the third three-way pipe to the water tray of the ice coffee maker. The third three-way pipe can discharge residual water in the hot coffee brewing water circuit and the hot water and steam water circuit.

[0012] In some embodiments, the bottom of the ice-making water tank is also connected to a drain pipe, and a second solenoid valve is installed on the drain pipe. When the second solenoid valve is opened, the water in the ice-making water tank is discharged into the water tray of the ice coffee maker. The drain pipe can discharge the water in the cooling water tank, facilitating the cleaning of the cooling water tank.

[0013] In some embodiments, the ice-making water tank is equipped with an ice basket, a temperature sensor, and a water level detection switch; The ice basket is a pull-out type installed on the ice-making water tank, and the ice basket is located below the ice tray of the ice-making water tank to catch the ice blocks falling from the ice tray; Both the temperature sensor and the water level detection switch are located at the bottom of the ice-making water tank. The water level detection switch is linked to the opening and closing of the iced coffee brewing water circuit. The ice basket can be used to hold ice cubes made by the ice tray, and its pull-out design makes it easy to access the ice cubes. The temperature sensor can detect the temperature of the water in the ice-making water tank to meet the user's requirements for making iced coffee at different water temperatures. The water level detection switch can detect the water level in the ice-making water tank to determine whether to activate the second water pump to make ice cubes. The water level switch is linked to the first solenoid valve. When the water level reaches a high level, the first solenoid valve closes, stopping the water from the storage tank to the ice-making water tank. When the water level switch triggers a low water level, the first solenoid valve opens to replenish water to the ice-making water tank. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or related technologies of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making water circuit in this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the hot brewing coffee water circuit in this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the water circuit for iced coffee in this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the hot water and steam circuit in this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the water system cleaning principle in this application.

[0016] Reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. Water storage tank; 2. Connector assembly; 3. First tee pipe; 4. Flow meter; 5. Protective valve; 6. First water pump; 7. Tee pipe check valve; 8. First tee solenoid valve; 9. Second tee pipe; 10. Brewer; 11. Water outlet; 12. Third tee pipe; 13. Second tee solenoid valve; 14. Check valve; 15. Second water pump; 16. Ice-making water tank; 17. Water level detection switch; 18. Ice tray; 19. First solenoid valve; 20. Third water pump; 21. First heating assembly; 22. Second heating assembly; 23. Second solenoid valve; 24. Water receiving tray; 25. Temperature sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Various embodiments and features of this application are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] It should be understood that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein. Therefore, the above description should not be considered as limiting, but merely as an example of embodiments. Other modifications within the scope and spirit of this application will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are included in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present application and, together with the general description of the present application given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present application.

[0020] These and other features of this application will become apparent from the following description of preferred forms of embodiments given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] It should also be understood that although this application has been described with reference to some specific examples, those skilled in the art can certainly implement many other equivalent forms of this application.

[0022] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of this application will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and in view of the following detailed description.

[0023] Specific embodiments of this application are described thereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it should be understood that the claimed embodiments are merely examples of this application, which can be implemented in various ways. Well-known and / or repeated functions and structures are not described in detail to avoid unnecessary or redundant details that could obscure the application. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details claimed herein are not intended to be limiting, but merely serve as the basis and representative basis for the claims to teach those skilled in the art to use this application in a variety of substantially any suitable detailed structures.

[0024] This specification may use the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in another embodiment,” “in yet another embodiment,” or “in other embodiments,” all of which may refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments according to this application.

[0025] To address the problems in the background art, a water system for an ice coffee maker is provided. The ice coffee maker includes a brewer 10 and a spout 11, which are interconnected. The brewer 10 can be understood as a coffee brewing module that can automatically brew coffee. The coffee liquid produced by the brewer 10 can flow out through the spout 11, meaning the brewer 10 can automatically brew coffee. At least a portion of the water circuit in the system can be connected to the inlet of the brewer 10 to deliver water for brewing coffee to the brewer 10. A portion of the water circuit in the system can also be connected to the spout 11 to allow direct dispensing of drinking water. This ice coffee maker's water system can be used to make ice cubes, provide ice water for making iced coffee, provide hot water for making hot coffee, and provide hot water and steam. When the entire water system is open, it can also be used for simultaneous cleaning, improving cleaning efficiency.

[0026] The water system includes a water storage tank 1, an ice-making water tank 16, an iced coffee brewing water system, a hot coffee brewing water system, a hot water system, and a steam water system.

[0027] The water storage tank 1 can store water, which can be cold water or room temperature water. The bottom of the water storage tank 1 has a water outlet, and a connector assembly 2 can be installed at the water outlet. The connector assembly 2 can have an outlet pipe and a return pipe. The connector assembly 2 facilitates the connection of the water tank to various water circuits and the return of water.

[0028] The ice-making water tank 16 is used to store water needed for ice making or refrigeration. The ice-making water tank 16 may include an ice tray 18, which can be connected to a compressor assembly (not shown in the figure). The compressor delivers refrigerant to the ice tray 18, where water can be frozen into ice cubes. During the freezing process, water in the ice-making water tank 16 can be circulated to the ice tray 18, and water on the ice tray 18, cooled to ice water, will fall back into the ice-making water tank 16. Of course, the compressor's operating time can be adjusted as needed.

[0029] Stop the fan on the compressor refrigeration system. The ice on the ice tray 18 will melt naturally and fall off naturally through heat. The frozen ice on the ice tray 18 can also melt at natural temperature and fall off the ice tray 18, or it can be melted and fallen off by heating.

[0030] The ice tray 18 can be tilted and positioned above the cooling water tank to allow the ice to slide down naturally. Alternatively, the ice tray 18 can be positioned on the body of the ice-making water tank 16 using a flipping device, which then flips the ice tray 18 to detach the ice. For example, a motor can provide the driving force to rotate the ice tray 18. This is merely an example and does not constitute a limitation on the scope of the claims.

[0031] The ice-making water circuit is connected to both the water storage tank 1 and the ice-making water tank 16, and supplies water from the water storage tank 1 to the ice-making water tank 16. When the first solenoid valve 19 is opened, water from the water storage tank 1 can enter the ice-making water tank 16 via the ice-making water circuit. The ice-making water circuit can also supply water from the ice-making water tank 16 to the ice tray 18 via the second water pump 15, allowing the ice-making water tank 16 to circulate and cool the water through the ice tray 18 to produce ice cubes and / or ice water.

[0032] The iced coffee water circuit can be connected to both the ice-making water tank 16 and the brewer 10 to deliver ice water from the ice-making water tank 16 to the brewer 10 for brewing iced coffee. One end of the iced coffee water circuit is connected to the ice-making water tank 16, and the other end is connected to the brewer 10. When iced coffee is needed, the iced coffee water circuit can be turned on (the ice-making water tank 16 contains ice water), and the ice water can be pumped to the brewer 10 by the third water pump 20 to make iced coffee. In addition, ice cubes from the ice tray 18 can be added to the prepared coffee liquid (hot or cold coffee) to further lower the temperature of the coffee liquid.

[0033] The hot brew coffee water circuit is connected to both the water tank 1 and the brewer 10. The hot brew coffee water circuit heats the water from the water tank 1 to obtain hot water at a first temperature, and then delivers this hot water to the brewer 10 to brew hot coffee. Here, the first temperature of the hot water can be below 100°C, such as 60°C, and the specific water temperature can be provided according to the user's needs. The hot brew coffee water circuit may have a heater to heat the water from the water tank 1 to obtain the first temperature of hot water. It should be noted that the hot brew coffee water circuit may not be directly connected to the water tank 1, but rather connected to the first T-connector 3 of the ice-making water circuit, thus achieving communication with the water tank 1.

[0034] Of course, it is understandable that the hot brew coffee water circuit can also be connected to the spout 11 to provide drinkable warm water.

[0035] The hot water and steam circuits can be connected to the hot brew coffee circuit and the water outlet 11 respectively. The hot water and steam circuits reheat the hot water from the hot brew coffee circuit at the first temperature and deliver the heated hot water or steam at the second temperature to the water outlet 11. Another heater can be installed on the hot water and steam circuits. This heater can further heat the warm water (or hot water) heated by the hot brew coffee circuit to increase the water temperature or generate steam, instead of directly heating the room temperature water or ice water from the water storage tank 1, thus reducing energy waste.

[0036] The water system provided in this application embodiment can enable a single coffee machine to produce hot coffee, iced coffee, ice cubes, hot water, and steam. It can also simultaneously clean each water circuit, simplifying the design of the water system and making it easy to operate.

[0037] In some embodiments, the water storage tank 1 is higher than the ice-making water tank 16, that is, the lowest water level in the water storage tank 1 is higher than the position where the ice-making water tank 16 is connected to the ice-making water circuit, so that the water in the water storage tank 1 can flow naturally into the ice-making water tank 16 without the need for other power sources.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the ice-making water circuit may include a first three-way pipe 3, a first solenoid valve 19, a second water pump 15, and connecting pipes. The first opening of the first three-way pipe 3 can be connected to the outlet of the water storage tank 1. In the above embodiment, the first opening of the first three-way pipe 3 can be connected to the outlet pipe of the connector assembly 2. The second opening of the first three-way pipe 3 can be connected to the inlet of the first solenoid valve 19, and the outlet of the first solenoid valve 19 can be connected to the ice-making water tank 16. When the first solenoid valve 19 is open, the water in the water storage tank 1 can flow naturally into the ice-making water tank 16 without requiring any other power source.

[0039] A connecting pipe is also provided between the ice-making water tank 16 and the ice tray 18, and a second water pump 15 is installed on the connecting pipe between the ice-making water tank 16 and the ice tray 18. The second water pump 15 can pump water from the ice-making water tank 16 to the ice tray 18 above the ice-making water tank 16 to make ice. For example, when the water level in the ice-making water tank 16 reaches a certain height, the second water pump 15 can deliver water from the ice-making water tank 16 to the ice tray 18 to make ice.

[0040] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the hot brew coffee water circuit may include a first water pump 6, a first heating component 21, a three-way check valve 7, a first three-way solenoid valve 8, and a second three-way pipe 9; of course, the hot brew coffee water circuit also includes corresponding connecting pipes.

[0041] The inlet of the first water pump 6 can be connected to the second opening of the first three-way pipe 3, and the outlet of the first water pump 6 can be connected to the inlet of the first heating component 21, so as to transport the water in the water storage tank 1 to the first heating component 21 for heating. The first heating component 21 can be a heater or a heating structure such as a heating pot.

[0042] Additionally, a flow meter 4 can be installed between the first three-way pipe 3 and the first water pump 6. The flow meter 4 can detect the flow rate of water entering the hot brew coffee water circuit. For example, if it is set that 300 ml of hot water is needed to brew a cup of hot coffee, the flow meter 4 can determine the amount of water entering the hot brew coffee water circuit, and the hot brew coffee water circuit can be disconnected when the water volume reaches 300 ml.

[0043] The outlet of the first heating element 21 can be connected to the first opening of the three-way check valve 7. The second opening of the three-way check valve 7 can be connected to the second opening of the first three-way solenoid valve 8. The first opening of the first three-way solenoid valve 8 can be connected to the first opening of the second three-way pipe 9. The second opening of the second three-way pipe 9 can be connected to the brewer 10. The three-way check valve 7 can connect the hot brew coffee water circuit with the hot water and steam water circuits. The second three-way solenoid valve 13 can discharge residual water in the hot brew coffee water circuit. The second three-way pipe 9 can connect the hot brew coffee water circuit with the cold brew coffee water circuit, thereby allowing the cold brew coffee water circuit to connect to the brewer 10 through the second three-way pipe 9.

[0044] The first T-connector 3 connects the hot brew coffee water circuit to the ice-making water circuit. The one-way valve 7 of the T-connector can also be used to connect to the hot water and steam water circuits. The second T-connector 9 can also be connected to the ice brew coffee water circuit, which simplifies the design of the water circuit system of the ice coffee maker.

[0045] In some embodiments, a check valve 14 may be provided between the first three-way solenoid valve 8 and the second three-way pipe 9. The check valve 14 can prevent water from the iced coffee water circuit from flowing through the second three-way pipe 9 to the second three-way solenoid valve 13 of the hot coffee water circuit.

[0046] In some embodiments, a protective valve 5 may be provided between the outlet of the first water pump 6 and the first heating component 21, and the return port of the protective valve 5 may be connected to the water storage tank 1. Again, in conjunction with the above embodiments, the return port of the protective valve 5 may be connected to the return pipe of the connector assembly 2. When the second three-way solenoid valve 13 closes the hot coffee brewing water circuit, or when an overpressure abnormality occurs in the hot coffee brewing water circuit, the water from the first water pump 6 can flow through the protective valve 5 to the water storage tank 1 for pressure relief, preventing damage to the hot coffee brewing pipeline due to pressure.

[0047] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the iced coffee water circuit may include a third water pump 20. The inlet of the third water pump 20 can be connected to the ice-making water tank 16, and the outlet of the third water pump 20 can be connected to the third opening of the second three-way pipe 9. When the third water pump 20 is activated, it can deliver the ice water in the ice-making water tank 16 to the brewer 10 to make iced coffee. In addition, the iced coffee water circuit is also connected to the second three-way pipe 9 of the hot coffee water circuit, so that the ice water can enter the brewer through the hot coffee water circuit after the second three-way pipe 9, simplifying the water circuit system design.

[0048] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the hot water and steam circuit may include a second three-way solenoid valve 13 and a second heating element 22. The second opening of the second three-way solenoid valve 13 is connected to the third opening of the three-way check valve 7, and the first opening of the second three-way solenoid valve 13 is connected to the inlet of the second heating element 22, so as to deliver the first-temperature hot water obtained by heating in the hot coffee extraction circuit to the second heating element 22 for reheating. The second heating element 22 may also use a heating pot or other heating structure to heat the first-temperature hot water. If needed, the second heating element 22 can heat the first-temperature hot water to a higher temperature, or hot steam. The outlet of the second heating element 22 is connected to a spout 11, which can deliver the second-temperature hot water or hot steam to the outside of the iced coffee maker.

[0049] Connect the second three-way solenoid valve 13 of the hot water and steam water circuit to the hot brew coffee water circuit, and use the hot water from the hot brew coffee water circuit for reheating, which simplifies the water circuit and reduces energy waste.

[0050] In some embodiments, a third three-way pipe 12 can be provided between the hot coffee water circuit and the hot water and steam water circuits. The first and second openings of the third three-way pipe 12 are respectively connected to the third opening of the first three-way solenoid valve 8 and the third opening of the second three-way solenoid valve 13. Water in the third three-way pipe 12 can be discharged to the water tray 24 of the ice coffee maker through the third opening of the third three-way pipe 12. A connecting pipe can be provided between the third opening of the third three-way pipe 12 and the water tray 24 to prevent water splashing due to a large distance between the third opening of the third three-way pipe 12 and the water tray 24.

[0051] Additionally, a pressure relief device (not shown in the figure) can be installed on the connecting pipe between the third tee pipe 12 and the water receiving tray 24 as a buffer to prevent excessive water pressure from falling onto the water receiving tray 24. The pressure relief device can be a pressure relief valve or other structures; the specific structure of the pressure relief device is not particularly required.

[0052] The third tee pipe 12 can discharge residual water from the hot coffee brewing water circuit as well as the hot water and steam water circuit.

[0053] In some embodiments, the bottom of the ice-making water tank 16 is also connected to a drain pipe, and a second solenoid valve 23 is installed on the drain pipe. When the second solenoid valve 23 is opened, the water in the ice-making water tank 16 is discharged into the water collection tray 24. The drain pipe can realize the discharge of water in the cooling water tank, which facilitates the cleaning of the cooling water tank.

[0054] In some embodiments, the ice-making water tank 16 is equipped with an ice basket, a temperature sensor 25, and a water level detection switch 17.

[0055] The ice basket is installed on the side of the ice-making water tank 16 via a pull-out mechanism. The top of the ice basket is open, and the ice basket is located below the ice tray 18 to catch ice blocks falling from the ice tray 18. When ice blocks are needed, the ice basket can be pulled out, and after the ice blocks are used, the ice basket can be pushed back to prevent the ice blocks from melting quickly and to prevent impurities from getting into the ice basket, thus ensuring the cleanliness and hygiene of the ice blocks.

[0056] Both the temperature sensor 25 and the water level detection switch 17 are located at the bottom of the ice-making water tank 16. The water level detection switch 17 is linked to the opening and closing of the iced coffee brewing water circuit. For example, when the water level detection switch 17 detects that the water level in the ice-making water tank 16 has reached the set water level, the second water pump 15 can be activated to transport the water in the ice-making water tank 16 to the ice tray 18 for ice making. The water level detection switch 17 is also linked to the first solenoid valve 19. When the water level in the ice-making water tank 16 reaches the high water level, the first solenoid valve 19 is closed, stopping the water from the storage tank 1 to the ice-making water tank 16. When the water level detection switch 17 triggers a low water level, the first solenoid valve 19 is opened to replenish water to the ice-making water tank 16. The water level detection switch 17 can be, but is not limited to, a liquid level float switch.

[0057] The ice basket can be used to hold ice cubes made by the ice tray 18, and the pull-out design makes it easy to take out the ice cubes. The temperature sensor 25 can detect the temperature of the water in the ice-making water tank 16, meeting the user's requirements for making iced coffee at different water temperatures.

[0058] The water level detection switch 17 can detect the water level in the ice-making water tank 16 to determine whether to start the second water pump 15 for ice making. The water level detection switch 17 is linked to the first solenoid valve 19. When the water level detection switch 17 detects that the ice-making water tank 16 has reached a high water level, it closes the first solenoid valve 19 to stop supplying water to the ice-making water tank 16; when the water level detection switch 17 detects that the ice-making water tank 16 has a low water level, it opens the first solenoid valve 19 to replenish water to the ice-making water tank 16.

[0059] Combination Figures 1 to 5 The working principle of the water system in this application is as follows: Add clean water to the water storage tank 1 and connect the connector assembly 2 to the water storage tank 1. The water storage tank 1 and the connector assembly 2 can be separated to ensure that the water storage tank 1 can be made as a separate split type or integrated with the whole machine. Water flows out of the water tank connector as return water. This outlet water is connected to the first three-way pipe 3 and is also divided into two paths. One path flows into the ice-making water tank 16 through the first solenoid valve 19. The water level is controlled by the liquid level float switch. When the water level in the ice-making water tank 16 reaches the high water level (preset water level), the first solenoid valve 19 closes the water inlet, and the second water pump 15 starts to circulate and draw water from the ice-making water tank 16 into the ice tray 18 to start ice making. The water in the ice tray 18 also falls into the ice-making water tank 16. In this cycle, the room temperature water is cooled, and ice blocks are produced in the ice tray 18. After the ice blocks are de-iced, they naturally fall into the ice basket for storage. The water level in water storage tank 1 is higher than that in ice-making water tank 16. Utilizing the water pressure difference, the water in water storage tank 1 can flow naturally into ice-making water tank 16 without the need for any other power source. This is a complete ice-making water circuit.

[0060] Another water path after the first three-way pipe 3 can be connected to the flow meter 4. The protection valve 5 is installed on the first water pump 6. The water pumped by the first water pump 6 passes through the first heating component 21 and is heated to a temperature suitable for brewing hot coffee. The water then passes through the three-way pipe check valve 7, the first three-way solenoid valve, the check valve 14, and the second three-way pipe 9 in sequence before entering the brewer 10 to complete the hot coffee extraction. The water then flows out from the water outlet 11 component, and the hot coffee extraction is complete.

[0061] Once the hot coffee extraction is complete, the first three-way solenoid valve 8 switches, and water flows along the third three-way pipe 12 into the water tray 24 to release pressure. If the hot coffee extraction malfunctions and the water pressure in the hot coffee extraction circuit exceeds the limit, the water pumped out by the first water pump 6 passes through the protection valve 5 and flows back to the water storage tank 1 from the connector assembly 2. The heating control of the first heating component 21 can be controlled by an NTC temperature sensor probe, which will not be described in detail here. This is a complete fully automatic hot coffee extraction water circuit.

[0062] For the iced coffee brewing pipeline, based on the ice-making water circuit, when the level float switch detects a low water level signal in the ice-making water tank 16, the first solenoid valve 19 closes the water inlet. The water in the ice-making water tank 16 is drawn by the second water pump 15 into the ice tray 18 for ice making and ice water circulation. The third water pump 20 draws ice water from the ice-making water tank 16, which enters the brewer 10 through the second three-way pipe 9 to extract the iced coffee, which flows out from the spout 11, completing the iced coffee extraction. After the iced coffee extraction is complete, the first three-way solenoid valve 8 switches, and the residual water flows into the water receiving tray 24 along the third three-way pipe 12. The one-way valve 14 between the first three-way solenoid valve 8 and the second three-way pipe 9 prevents the ice water drawn by the third water pump 20 from flowing along the second three-way pipe 9 to the first three-way solenoid valve 8.

[0063] The hot water and steam circuit module is formed by a first water pump 6 drawing water, which is initially heated by a first heating element 21. The heated water then enters a second heating element 22 for further heating to produce steam or hot water at a higher temperature. The steam or hot water at a higher temperature flows out from the outlet 11. The selection of hot water or steam can be achieved by controlling the flow meter 4 to control the water volume and the heating temperatures of the first and second heating elements 21 and 22, which are controlled by the ice coffee maker. After hot water or steam is obtained, the second three-way solenoid valve 13 switches, and the residual water vapor flows into the water receiving tray 24 along the third three-way pipe 12. A pressure relief device (not shown in the figure) can be connected in series between the third three-way pipe 12 and the water receiving tray 24 for buffering.

[0064] Figure 5 The cleaning principle of the water system is illustrated as follows: Clean water and cleaning medium are added to the water storage tank 1. Connecting the connector assembly 2, the water in the storage tank 1 is split into two streams via the first three-way pipe 3. One stream flows through the first solenoid valve 19 into the ice-making water tank 16. When the ice-making water tank 16 reaches its maximum water level, the first solenoid valve 19 closes, and the second water pump 15 draws water into the ice tray 18 to begin circulating and cleaning the ice tray 18. When the number of cleaning cycles reaches a set value, the second solenoid valve 23 opens, and the water drains into the receiving tray 24. Simultaneously, the other stream of water from the first three-way pipe 3 flows through the flow meter 4 and is drawn by the first water pump 6 through the first heating assembly 21, the three-way pipe check valve 7, the first three-way solenoid valve 8, the check valve 14, and the second three-way pipe 9 into the brewer to clean the brewer 10. The cleaned water is then discharged from the outlet 11 into the receiving tray 24. Then, clean water is added to the water storage tank 1, and the above cleaning process is repeated.

[0065] This application also provides an iced coffee maker, including a water system as described in any of the above embodiments. This iced coffee maker can make hot coffee, hot water (steam), iced coffee, ice cubes, and ice water with a single device. The overall water system structure is simple, and cleaning operations are also simplified.

[0066] The foregoing has described in detail several embodiments of this application, but this application is not limited to these specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various variations and modifications based on the concept of this application, and all such variations and modifications should fall within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

Claims

1. A waterway system of an ice-coffee maker, characterized in that, The iced coffee maker includes a brewer (10) and a spout (11); the water system includes: Water storage tank (1); Ice-making water tank (16), which is used to store ice water for making ice cubes or extracting coffee; The ice-making water circuit is connected to the water storage tank (1) and the ice-making water tank (16) respectively, and transports the water in the water storage tank (1) to the ice-making water tank (16); The iced coffee water circuit is connected to the ice-making water tank (16) and the brewer (10) respectively, so as to transport the ice water in the ice-making water tank (16) to the brewer (10) to brew iced coffee; The hot brewing coffee water circuit is connected to the water tank (1) and the brewer (10) respectively. The hot brewing coffee water circuit heats the water from the water tank (1) to obtain hot water at a first temperature and delivers the hot water at the first temperature to the brewer (10) to brew hot coffee. The hot water and steam water circuit is connected to the hot coffee extraction water circuit and the water outlet (11) respectively. The hot water and steam water circuit reheats the first temperature hot water from the hot coffee extraction water circuit and delivers the second temperature hot water or hot steam obtained after heating to the water outlet (11).

2. The waterway system of the ice coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein, The water storage tank (1) is higher than the ice-making water tank (16). The ice-making water circuit includes a first three-way pipe (3), a first solenoid valve (19), and a second water pump (15). The first opening of the first three-way pipe (3) is connected to the outlet of the water storage tank (1), the second opening of the first three-way pipe (3) is connected to the inlet of the first solenoid valve (19), and the outlet of the first solenoid valve (19) is connected to the ice-making water tank (16). The second water pump (15) pumps the water in the ice-making water tank (16) to the ice tray (18) above the ice-making water tank (16) to make ice blocks.

3. The waterway system of the ice coffee maker according to claim 2, wherein, The hot brewing coffee water circuit includes a first water pump (6), a first heating component (21), a three-way check valve (7), a first three-way solenoid valve (8), and a second three-way pipe (9); the inlet of the first water pump (6) is connected to the second opening of the first three-way pipe (3), the outlet of the first water pump (6) is connected to the inlet of the first heating component (21), the outlet of the first heating component (21) is connected to the first opening of the three-way check valve (14)(7), the second opening of the three-way check valve (14)(7) is connected to the second opening of the first three-way solenoid valve (8), the first opening of the first three-way solenoid valve (8) is connected to the first opening of the second three-way pipe (9), and the second opening of the second three-way pipe (9) is connected to the brewer (10).

4. The water system of the ice-making coffee machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, A check valve (14) is provided between the first three-way solenoid valve (8) and the second three-way pipe (9).

5. The water system of the ice-making coffee machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, A protective valve (5) is provided between the outlet of the first water pump (6) and the first heating component (21), and the return port of the protective valve (5) is connected to the water storage tank (1).

6. The water system of the ice-making coffee machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The iced coffee water circuit includes a third water pump (20), the inlet of which is connected to the ice-making water tank (16), and the outlet of which is connected to the third opening of the second three-way pipe (9).

7. The water system of the ice-making coffee machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The hot water and steam circuit includes a second three-way solenoid valve (13) and a second heating component (22). The second opening of the second three-way solenoid valve (13) is connected to the third opening of the three-way check valve (14)(7). The first opening of the second three-way solenoid valve (13) is connected to the inlet of the second heating component (22). The outlet of the second heating component (22) is connected to the outlet nozzle (11).

8. The water system of the ice-making coffee machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, A third three-way pipe (12) is provided between the hot coffee water circuit and the hot water and steam water circuit. The first opening and the second opening of the third three-way pipe (12) are respectively connected to the third opening of the first three-way solenoid valve (8) and the third opening of the second three-way solenoid valve (13). The third opening of the third three-way pipe (12) drains the water in the third three-way pipe (12) to the water receiving tray (24) of the ice coffee maker.

9. The water system of the ice-making coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the ice-making water tank (16) is also connected to a drain pipe, and a second solenoid valve (23) is installed on the drain pipe. When the second solenoid valve (23) is opened, the water in the ice-making water tank (16) is discharged to the water tray (24) of the ice coffee maker.

10. The water system of the ice-making coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice-making water tank (16) is equipped with an ice basket, a temperature sensor (25) and a water level detection switch (17); The ice basket is pulled out and installed on the ice-making water tank (16), and the ice basket is located below the ice tray (18) of the ice-making water tank (16) to catch the ice blocks falling from the ice tray (18); The temperature sensor (25) and the water level detection switch (17) are both located at the bottom of the ice-making water tank (16). The water level detection switch (17) is linked to the opening and closing of the iced coffee water circuit.

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