Modularized brewing unit mounting structure and protection structure thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a modularized brewing unit mounting structure and a protection structure thereof, the mounting structure comprises a brewing unit detachably mounted on a frame and a partition plate arranged between a screw rod and a brewing cup assembly, the partition plate is provided with a receding groove extending in the vertical direction, a sliding block penetrates through the receding groove and is in transmission connection with the screw rod, and the brewing cup assembly is connected with the sliding block. The partition plate is used for supporting installation and positioning of the driving assembly and serves as a structural installation foundation of the brewing unit, the partition plate with the receding groove is integrated in the brewing unit, high integration and rapid assembly of the driving assembly and the brewing assembly are achieved, and the problems that in the prior art, the structure is scattered, assembly is complex, and integrated design is lacked are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of coffee machines, specifically to the technical field of a modular brewing unit installation structure and its protective structure. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, fully automatic coffee machines generally use a screw drive structure to drive the brewing cup assembly to reciprocate up and down, in order to complete actions such as sealing and docking with the brewing head, pressure extraction, and resetting. This type of structure typically includes components such as a motor, screw, slider, brewing cup assembly, and support frame, all integrated inside the machine frame.

[0003] However, existing structures mostly adopt a decentralized layout, with each functional component (such as the drive mechanism, brewing component, guide structure, etc.) installed independently in the chassis, resulting in complex assembly processes, a large number of parts, and a large overall size, which is not conducive to modular production and later maintenance.

[0004] Secondly, during the process of adding and compacting coffee powder, some powder is prone to fall from the edge of the brewing cup. If it falls into the screw and slider transmission area, it will not only cause contamination of the transmission mechanism and accelerate wear, but may also cause jamming, abnormal noise, or even functional failure, seriously affecting the long-term operational stability and hygiene safety of the equipment.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, some improvements have been proposed in existing technologies. For example, some products attempt to prevent coffee powder from entering by adding dust covers or partitions to shield the screw drive area. However, these dustproof structures are mostly add-ons, installed independently, increasing the number of parts and assembly difficulty, failing to fundamentally achieve structural integration and simplification. Furthermore, due to the lack of overall structural reinforcement design, the partitions are prone to deformation under long-term stress, thus affecting the slider's motion accuracy and the overall reliability of the machine.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a new structural solution that can achieve both high integration and modularity of the brewing unit and effectively prevent coffee powder from contaminating the transmission components. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application proposes a modular brewing unit installation structure and its protective structure, which organically integrates the brewing component, the driving component and the reinforced protective structure into a functional module that can be assembled independently. By optimizing the matching relationship between the partition and the slider, it overcomes the technical defects of the prior art, such as complex structure, insufficient protection and inconvenient maintenance.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present application adopts the following technical solution:

[0009] Firstly, this application proposes a modular brewing unit installation structure, comprising: A brewing unit, detachably mounted on the frame, the brewing unit comprising: Brewing components, including brewing head components and brewing cup components; A drive assembly, disposed above the brewing assembly, includes a motor and a screw driven by the motor; The brewing cup assembly is fixedly connected to the slider via a carrier, and the slider is threadedly engaged with the screw and moves up and down along its axial direction. It also includes a partition plate disposed between the screw and the brewing cup assembly. The partition plate has a clearance groove extending in the vertical direction. The slider passes through the clearance groove and is connected to the screw in a driving connection. The partition plate is used to support the installation and positioning of the drive assembly and serves as the structural installation base for the brewing unit.

[0010] Thus, by integrating a partition with a clearance groove into the brewing unit, a high degree of integration and rapid assembly of the drive component and the brewing component are achieved. The partition not only serves as a structural support to improve overall rigidity, but also serves as an installation benchmark to simplify the assembly process, solving the problems of dispersed structure, complex assembly, and lack of integrated design in the prior art.

[0011] In some possible implementations, the drive assembly further includes a transmission nut fixed to the slider and engaging with the screw to achieve threaded transmission.

[0012] In some possible implementations, the transmission nut is fixed inside the slider by a retaining pin to prevent the transmission nut from rotating circumferentially.

[0013] In some possible implementations, the carrier is fastened to the slider by a pressure plate.

[0014] In some possible implementations, a base plate assembly is provided on the other side of the brewing cup assembly, and a front cover plate is provided on the outside. The base plate assembly and the front cover plate together form a support and enclosure structure for the brewing area.

[0015] In some possible implementations, the upper end of the base plate assembly is provided with a funnel cover assembly.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the output shaft of the motor is positioned upwards, with a support plate above it. The support plate is fixed to the partition, and a transmission gear set is mounted on the support plate.

[0017] In some possible implementations, the brewing unit further includes a reinforcing cover disposed between the drive assembly and the brewing assembly, and fixedly connected to the partition.

[0018] Secondly, this application also proposes a protective structure for a brewing unit, comprising: A baffle, which is part of the partition, is disposed in the clearance groove and clearance gaps are formed on both sides of the baffle; The slider has a U-shaped structure, and its two legs extend into the clearance gap and are connected to the transmission nut on the screw. The baffle is used to prevent coffee powder from falling laterally from the brewing area into the transmission area of ​​the screw and slider.

[0019] In this way, by designing the baffle as part of the partition and setting the slider as a U-shaped structure with the clearance groove through which it passes, the slider's freedom of movement up and down is ensured, and the space outside the screw is completely blocked, effectively preventing coffee powder from falling into the transmission area and improving the cleanliness and operational reliability of the equipment.

[0020] In some possible implementations, on the brewing area side, the plastic plane of the baffle is lower than the plastic plane of the partition on the outer periphery of the baffle. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a visual internal view of the brewing unit of the coffee machine involved in this application; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the coffee machine brewing unit installation structure in this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation status of one side of the drive unit in this application; Figure 4 This is a top view and a sectional view at point AA of the brewing unit installation structure of this application; Figure 5 This is an exploded schematic diagram of the brewing unit in this application; Figure 6 This is a visual internal view of the coffee machine baffle involved in this application; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the installation status of the partition and the carrier in this application; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the installation state of the partition and screw in this application; Figure 9 This is a side view of the partition and a sectional view at its BB section in this application; Figure 10 This is a partial sectional view showing the connection between the screw and the carrier; Figure 11 This is an exploded view of the carrier, partition, and screw connections. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following examples further illustrate the features of this application and other related features in detail, so as to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art: It should be noted that the terms “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “up,” and “down” used in the following description refer to the directions in the attached diagrams, while the terms “bottom surface,” “top surface,” “inner,” and “outer” refer to the directions toward or away from the geometric center of a specific component, respectively.

[0023] Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this case based on the specific circumstances.

[0024] This application relates to a modular brewing unit installation structure and its protective structure, which is particularly suitable for scenarios in fully automatic coffee machines and other beverage making equipment where the brewing process requires precise transmission. This structure integrates the brewing components, drive components, and reinforced protective structure into a single, independently detachable functional module, thereby simplifying the overall structure, improving assembly efficiency, and enhancing operational reliability.

[0025] like Figures 1 to 11 As shown, the brewing unit mounting structure in this embodiment mainly includes a frame 100 and a brewing unit 200. The frame 100 is a component of the coffee machine body, serving as the main support structure for the entire machine, used to support and position the various internal functional modules. The brewing unit 200, as a core functional component, is detachably mounted on the frame 100, forming an independent module with complete motion control and environmental protection capabilities, facilitating mass production, rapid assembly, and subsequent maintenance and replacement.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 2 to 5 The brewing unit 200 integrates several sub-components, including a brewing assembly 210, a drive assembly 220, a partition 300, a carrier 240, a slider 250, and a reinforcing cover 230. The brewing assembly 210 comprises a brewing head assembly 211 and a brewing cup assembly 212, which work together to compact the coffee powder and extract hot water. The brewing cup assembly 212 is located at the lower end of the brewing area. One side is fixedly connected to the slider 250 via the carrier 240, and the other side has a base plate assembly 400 to support the entire brewing chamber and prevent liquid or powder spillage. A funnel cover assembly 600 is located at the upper end of the base plate assembly 400. This assembly has a conical structure with an upward-facing opening, effectively guiding the coffee powder added by the user to accurately fall into the brewing cup, preventing spillage into non-target areas, improving ease of use and overall cleanliness.

[0027] A front cover plate 500 is further provided on the outside of the base plate assembly 400. The base plate assembly 400 and the front cover plate 500 cooperate with each other to form a lateral support and sealing structure for the brewing area. The base plate assembly 400 mainly serves a structural support function, used to fix the installation position of the brewing cup assembly 212 and enhance the overall rigidity; the front cover plate 500 covers the outside, forming a closed contour with the base plate assembly 400, effectively preventing coffee powder, water stains or cleaning liquids from leaking from the side, while improving the cleanliness and sealing of the overall appearance. The two are connected by clips or screws, which makes the installation stable and easy to disassemble, facilitating daily cleaning and maintenance.

[0028] Furthermore, the drive assembly 220 is arranged above the brewing assembly 210, and mainly consists of a motor 221, a screw 222, a transmission nut 223, and a retaining shaft 224. The output shaft of the motor 221 extends vertically upward, and its top is connected to a transmission gear set 225, which is mounted on a support plate 226, which is fixed to the partition plate 300. Through gear transmission, the power of the motor 221 is transmitted to the screw 222, causing it to rotate. The power is then transmitted to the screw 222 through the transmission gear set 225 above, achieving speed reduction and torque increase. The screw 222 is arranged vertically, and its lower end meshes with the transmission nut 223. The transmission nut 223 is fixed inside the slider 250 by the retaining shaft 224 to limit its circumferential rotation during transmission, ensuring that the threaded pair only produces axial movement and avoiding power transmission failure. A threaded engagement pair is formed between the transmission nut 223 and the screw 222. When the motor 221 starts, the screw 222 rotates, and the transmission nut 223 moves only axially under the limit of the retaining shaft 224, thereby pushing the slider 250 to move up and down reciprocally, driving the brewing cup assembly 212 to complete the lifting action, and realizing the compression and sealing of the coffee powder.

[0029] Please refer to the reference. Figures 6 to 11 To achieve both structural support and dust protection, this embodiment includes a partition 300. This component not only serves as the mounting base for the drive assembly 220 but also plays a crucial structural connection role. It has a clearance groove 310 extending vertically, through which the slider 250 passes and is connected to the screw 222. Inside the clearance groove 310 is a baffle 301, part of the partition 300, located outside the screw 222, forming clearance gaps 311 on both sides. The slider 250 adopts a U-shaped design, with its two legs extending into the clearance gaps 311 on both sides. This design ensures free vertical sliding of the slider while completely shielding the exposed area of ​​the screw 222, effectively preventing coffee powder from falling laterally from the brewing area into the transmission area, significantly improving the system's cleanliness and operational stability.

[0030] Specifically, on the brewing area side, the plastic surface of the baffle 301 is lower than the plastic surface of the outer periphery of the partition 300, forming a stepped structure. This design makes it more difficult for coffee powder to cross the edge of the baffle and enter the transmission area, while also facilitating the cleaning of residual powder, further enhancing the dust-proof effect.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 To further enhance the overall rigidity and sealing performance of the brewing unit, a reinforcing cover 230 is provided between the drive assembly 220 and the brewing assembly 210 in this embodiment. This assembly is plate-shaped or frame-shaped and is fixedly connected to the partition 300 to form a closed space, which not only enhances the overall structural strength of the module but also effectively prevents external dust or liquid from entering the drive area from above. A micro switch 700 (e.g., ...) is provided at the edge of the reinforcing cover 230. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, it is used to detect whether the brewing unit 200 is in the correct position.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 11 The carrier 240, as a key component connecting the brewing cup assembly 212 and the slider 250, has an internal pressure plate 241 that securely connects the slider 250 with fasteners, ensuring stable and reliable power transmission. Simultaneously, this component also serves as a guide and buffer, coordinating with the movement trajectory of the slider 250 to reduce impact and vibration, thus extending its service life.

[0033] During actual assembly, the brewing unit 200 can be quickly aligned and fixed with the frame 100 through the positioning structure. The entire module has completed the pre-installation and debugging of its internal components and only requires overall installation before it can be put into use, greatly improving production efficiency and maintenance convenience.

[0034] In summary, this embodiment optimizes the fit between the brewing unit 200, the partition 300, and the slider 250, and, combined with the introduction of the reinforcing cover 230, achieves a highly integrated and modular design for the brewing unit. This structure not only solves the problems of structural dispersion, insufficient protection, and complex assembly found in traditional designs, but also demonstrates significant advantages in improving equipment reliability and reducing maintenance costs, making it suitable for various high-end home and commercial coffee machine products.

[0035] As stated above, this case protects a modular brewing unit installation structure and its protective structure. All technical solutions that are the same as or similar to this case should be considered to fall within the scope of protection of this case.

Claims

1. A modular brewing unit mounting structure, characterized in that, The utility model relates to a coffee machine, comprising: a brewing unit (200) detachably mounted on a frame (100), the brewing unit (200) comprising: a brewing assembly (210) comprising a brewing head assembly (211) and a brewing cup assembly (212); a drive assembly (220) disposed above the brewing assembly (210) and comprising a motor (221) and a screw rod (222) driven by the motor (221); wherein the brewing cup assembly (212) is fixedly connected with a slider (250) through a carrier (240), the slider (250) threadedly engages with the screw rod (222) and moves up and down along the axial direction of the screw rod (222); further comprising a partition plate (300) disposed between the screw rod (222) and the brewing cup assembly (212), the partition plate (300) is provided with a clearance slot (310) extending in the up-down direction, the slider (250) passes through the clearance slot (310) and is in transmission connection with the screw rod (222), and the partition plate (300) is used for supporting the installation and positioning of the drive assembly (220) and serving as a structural installation base of the brewing unit (200).

2. A modular brewing unit mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The drive assembly (220) further comprises a transmission nut (223) fixed on the slider (250) and in mesh with the screw rod (222) to realize threaded transmission.

3. A modular brewing unit mounting structure as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The transmission nut (223) is fixed in the slider (250) through a clamping shaft (224) to prevent the transmission nut (223) from rotating circumferentially.

4. A modular brewing unit mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The carrier (240) is fastened with the slider (250) through a pressing plate (241).

5. A modular brewing unit mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The other side of the brewing cup assembly (212) is provided with a bottom plate assembly (400), and an outer front cover plate (500) is arranged, and the bottom plate assembly (400) and the front cover plate (500) jointly constitute a support and closed structure of a brewing area.

6. A modular brewing unit mounting structure as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, The upper end of the bottom plate assembly (400) is provided with a funnel cover assembly (600).

7. A modular brewing unit mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The output shaft of the motor (221) is upwardly arranged, and a support plate (226) is arranged above the output shaft, the support plate (226) is fixed on the partition plate (300), and a transmission gear set (225) is arranged on the support plate (226).

8. A modular brewing unit mounting structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The brewing unit (200) further comprises a reinforcing cover (230) arranged between the drive assembly (220) and the brewing assembly (210) and fixedly connected with the partition plate (300).

9. Guard structure for a brewing unit, characterized in that, The utility model relates to a coffee machine, comprising: a baffle (301) being a part of the partition plate (300) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, arranged in the clearance slot (310) and forming clearance gaps (311) on both sides of the baffle (301); the slider (250) is in U-shaped structure, and two legs of the slider (250) respectively extend into the clearance gaps (311) and are connected with the transmission nut (223) on the screw rod (222); wherein the baffle (301) is used for blocking coffee powder from falling into the transmission area of the screw rod (222) and the slider (250) from the brewing area in the transverse direction.

10. A guard structure for a brewing unit as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, On the side of the brewing area, the plastic plane of the baffle (301) is lower than the plastic plane of the partition (300) on the periphery of the baffle (301).

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