Self-cleaning method of coffee machine and coffee machine

Abstract

The invention discloses a self-cleaning method of a coffee machine and the coffee machine, and the method comprises the steps: responding to a self-cleaning instruction, moving a brewing head in a brewing assembly to a target non-working position, and opening a first electromagnetic valve; a water pump is started, a first boiler is started according to first power, the water pump conveys water to the first boiler for heating, heated hot water enters a coffee making channel through an outlet of the first boiler and a first electromagnetic valve so as to clean the coffee making channel, and the first power is smaller than the maximum power of the first boiler; under the condition that the first condition is met, the power of the first boiler is increased from the first power to the second power; under the condition that the second condition is met, the water pump is stopped; delaying for a first time to stop the first boiler, and closing the first electromagnetic valve. Therefore, the amount of water remaining in the coffee making channel is reduced, the amount of water entering the residue box is reduced when the coffee making channel is discharged, residue and water separation is reliably achieved, and the user experience is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of home appliance technology, and in particular to a self-cleaning method for a coffee machine and a coffee machine. Background Technology

[0002] Some coffee machines have a self-cleaning function. After cleaning the coffee-making channel of the brewing component, the remaining water in the brewing component is usually drained into the coffee machine's grounds container.

[0003] Current self-cleaning methods often result in excessive water remaining in the coffee-making channel, leading to too much water leaking into the grounds container and hindering grounds-water separation. Patent CN117562421A discloses a self-cleaning method for a coffee machine. The coffee machine includes a brewing chamber, a heating device, and piping. The heating device and brewing chamber are connected by piping, allowing water heated by the heating device to flow into the brewing chamber. The self-cleaning method includes: heating the heating device to a preset first temperature when self-cleaning is required; and adding water to the heating device to generate steam. This method, which uses steam and hot water to flush away coffee powder residue on the inner wall of the brewing chamber, results in excessive water remaining in the coffee-making channel. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a self-cleaning method and a coffee machine. After cleaning the coffee-making channel, the water pump is stopped, and the first boiler continues to heat at a second power to reduce the amount of water entering the grounds box from the coffee-making channel.

[0005] In a first aspect, a self-cleaning method for a coffee machine is provided, comprising: responding to a self-cleaning command, moving the brewing head in the brewing assembly of the coffee machine to a target non-working position; opening a first solenoid valve of the coffee machine, such that the outlet of a first boiler of the coffee machine is connected to a coffee-making channel within the brewing assembly via the first solenoid valve; starting the water pump of the coffee machine, starting the first boiler at a first power, such that the water pump delivers water to the first boiler for heating, and the heated hot water enters the coffee-making channel through the outlet of the first boiler and the first solenoid valve to clean the coffee-making channel, wherein the first power is less than the maximum power of the first boiler; increasing the power of the first boiler from the first power to a second power when a first condition is met; stopping the water pump when a second condition is met; stopping the first boiler after a first delay, closing the first solenoid valve, such that the coffee-making channel is connected to a drain channel of the brewing assembly via the first solenoid valve to drain the remaining water in the coffee-making channel into the coffee machine's grounds container.

[0006] In some embodiments, after starting the water pump of the coffee machine, the method further includes: determining a first water volume delivered to the first boiler by the water pump using a flow meter of the coffee machine; and determining that the first condition is met when the first water volume reaches a first target water volume, wherein the first target water volume is less than a first target cleaning water volume. This reliably increases the power of the first boiler before the cleaning of the coffee-making channel is completed, enabling the first boiler to generate sufficient high-pressure gas.

[0007] In some embodiments, after increasing the power of the first boiler from the first power to the second power, the method further includes: determining that the second condition is met when the first water volume reaches the first target cleaning water volume. This allows for more reliable cleaning of the coffee-making tunnel.

[0008] In some embodiments, the step of delaying the first boiler for a first duration includes: determining the temperature of the hot water output by the first boiler; and stopping the first boiler when the water temperature is greater than a set water temperature and the delay reaches the first duration.

[0009] By simultaneously considering water temperature and delay time, sufficient high-pressure gas can be generated from the hot water in the first boiler more reliably, thereby further reducing the amount of residual water in the coffee-making tunnel.

[0010] In some embodiments, after closing the first solenoid valve, the method further includes: opening the second solenoid valve of the coffee machine, such that the outlet of the first boiler is connected to the inlet of the second boiler of the coffee machine via the second solenoid valve; starting the water pump and the second boiler of the coffee machine, such that the water pump delivers water through the first boiler and the second solenoid valve to the second boiler for heating, and delivers the heated hot water through the outlet of the second boiler to the steam channel of the coffee machine to clean the steam channel.

[0011] By cleaning the steam passage after cleaning the coffee-making passage, the temperature of the first boiler can be reduced while the steam passage is reliably cleaned.

[0012] In some embodiments, after starting the water pump and the second boiler of the coffee machine, the method further includes: determining a second water volume delivered by the water pump to the second boiler using a flow meter of the coffee machine; and, when the second water volume reaches a second target cleaning water volume, stopping the water pump and the second boiler, closing the second solenoid valve, and connecting the steam passage to the vent passage via the second solenoid valve. This reliably completes the cleaning of the steam passage.

[0013] In some embodiments, the self-cleaning command is triggered by one of the following: a power-on command to the coffee machine; or a manual cleaning command to the coffee machine.

[0014] By triggering the coffee machine's self-cleaning function upon startup, the machine can automatically perform this process after being turned on, thus increasing its automation level. Alternatively, a manual cleaning command can trigger self-cleaning, allowing users to manually clean the machine according to their needs, thereby enhancing the user experience.

[0015] In some embodiments, before moving the brewing head in the coffee machine's brewing assembly to a target non-operating position and opening the coffee machine's first solenoid valve, the method further includes: determining the back pressure of the coffee-making channel; and, if the back pressure is zero, performing the step of moving the brewing head in the coffee machine's brewing assembly to the target non-operating position and opening the coffee machine's first solenoid valve. This improves the cleaning efficiency and effectiveness of the coffee-making channel.

[0016] In some embodiments, after closing the first solenoid valve, the method further includes: delaying for a second period of time to move the brewing head to the target working position. This improves coffee brewing efficiency.

[0017] In a second aspect, a coffee machine is provided, including a brewing assembly, a water pump, a first solenoid valve, a first boiler, a sediment container, and a controller, the controller being configured to clean the coffee machine using a self-cleaning method as described in the first aspect.

[0018] By applying the above technical solution, during the cleaning of the coffee-making channel, the power of the first boiler is increased from the first power to the second power, raising the temperature of the first boiler. After cleaning the coffee-making channel, the water pump is stopped, and the first boiler continues to heat at the second power. This causes the water remaining in the first boiler to generate high-pressure gas, which squeezes out the water in the coffee-making channel, thereby reducing the amount of water remaining in the coffee-making channel. Consequently, when venting the coffee-making channel, the amount of water entering the grounds box is reduced, reliably achieving grounds-water separation and improving the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying 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.

[0020] Figure 1 The process of a self-cleaning method for a coffee machine according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 ;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a self-cleaning method for a coffee machine according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating how to determine if the first condition is met, as described in this application embodiment. Figure 4 The process of a self-cleaning method for a coffee machine according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 ; Figure 5 The process of a self-cleaning method for a coffee machine according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 .

[0022] Figure 2 In the middle, 1. Brewing assembly; 2. Water pump; 3. First solenoid valve; 4. First boiler; 5. Flow meter; 6. Second solenoid valve; 7. Second boiler; 8. Coffee spout assembly; 9. T-pipe; 10. T-connector valve; 11. Water tank; 12. Water tank connector assembly; 13. Protective valve. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Various embodiments and features of this application are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] An embodiment of this application discloses a self-cleaning method for a coffee machine. During the cleaning of the coffee-making channel, the power of the first boiler is increased from a first power to a second power, raising the temperature of the first boiler. After cleaning the coffee-making channel, the water pump is stopped, and the first boiler continues to heat at the second power. This causes the water remaining in the first boiler to generate high-pressure gas, which squeezes out the water in the coffee-making channel, thereby reducing the amount of water remaining in the coffee-making channel. Consequently, when the coffee-making channel is drained, the amount of water entering the grounds box is reduced, reliably achieving grounds-water separation and improving the user experience.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the self-cleaning method for coffee machines includes the following steps: Step S101: In response to the self-cleaning command, the brewing head in the brewing assembly of the coffee machine is moved to the target non-working position, and the first solenoid valve of the coffee machine is opened, so that the outlet of the first boiler of the coffee machine is connected to the coffee making channel in the brewing assembly through the first solenoid valve.

[0033] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 As shown, the coffee machine may include a brewing assembly 1, a water pump 2, a first solenoid valve 3, and a first boiler 4. The brewing assembly 1 includes a brewing head for extracting coffee grounds. The brewing head can be disposed in a brewing chamber within the brewing assembly 1, and can be in a target working position and a target non-working position. For example, the target working position can be the bottom of the brewing chamber, and the target non-working position can be the top of the brewing chamber. The brewing assembly 1 also includes a coffee-making channel, which can be a pipe through which the coffee liquid flows in the brewing assembly 1. During the rinsing process of the coffee-making channel, hot water entering the coffee-making channel flows out from the coffee spout assembly 8 of the coffee machine. The coffee spout assembly 8 can be the outlet for the coffee liquid when the coffee machine extracts coffee. The brewing assembly 1 also includes a drain channel, the outlet of which connects to the coffee machine's grounds container, which is used to collect and process coffee grounds residue after extraction.

[0034] The first boiler 4 can be an electric heating boiler used to heat cold water or room temperature water and provide hot water.

[0035] When the first solenoid valve 3 is in the open state, the channel between its first end and the second end is open, and the channel between its first end and the third end is closed, so that the outlet of the first boiler 4 is connected to the coffee-making channel through the first solenoid valve 3; when the first solenoid valve 3 is in the closed state, the channel between its first end and the third end is open, and the channel between its first end and the second end is closed, so that the coffee-making channel is connected to the discharge channel through the first solenoid valve 3.

[0036] Since there is no need to clean the brewing head, in response to the self-cleaning command, the brewing head is moved to the target non-working position and the first solenoid valve 3 is opened to connect the pipeline between the first boiler 4 and the coffee making channel, so that the coffee making channel can be cleaned using the hot water from the first boiler 4.

[0037] Step S102: Start the water pump of the coffee machine and start the first boiler at the first power, so that the water pump delivers water to the first boiler for heating, and the heated hot water enters the coffee making channel through the outlet of the first boiler and the first solenoid valve to clean the coffee making channel. The first power is less than the maximum power of the first boiler.

[0038] In this embodiment, water pump 2 is started, and first boiler 4 is started at a first power. Water pump 2 delivers water to first boiler 4 for heating. The heated hot water is output from the outlet of first boiler 4, enters the coffee-making channel through first solenoid valve 3, and is discharged from the coffee spout assembly to clean the coffee-making channel. The first power is less than the maximum power of first boiler 4, thereby avoiding excessively high water temperature that would generate steam and affect the cleaning effect. In some embodiments of this application, the first power can be 20% of the maximum power.

[0039] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 2 As shown, the coffee machine also includes a water tank 11 and a protection valve 13. The inlet of the water pump 2 is connected to the water tank 11, the outlet of the water pump 2 is connected to the inlet of the protection valve 13, the first outlet of the protection valve 13 is connected to the inlet of the first boiler 4, and the second outlet of the protection valve 13 is connected to the water tank 11. The water pump 2 delivers water to the first boiler 4 through the water tank connector assembly 12 of the water tank 11. The protection valve 13 is used to connect the outlet and the second outlet of the water pump 2 when the flow rate of the water pump 2 is lower than the target flow rate, thereby preventing the outlet pressure of the water pump 2 from being too high due to blockage of the coffee-making channel, and thus protecting the water pump 2.

[0040] Step S103: If the first condition is met, increase the power of the first boiler from the first power to the second power.

[0041] In this embodiment, during the cleaning process of the coffee-making channel, it is determined whether a first condition is met. If the first condition is met, the power of the first boiler 4 is increased from the first power to the second power, thereby improving the heating efficiency of the first boiler 4. The second power can be the maximum power of the first boiler 4, or it can be less than the maximum power, for example, 90% of the maximum power.

[0042] Step S104: If the second condition is met, stop the water pump.

[0043] In this embodiment, it is determined whether the second condition is met. If it is met, it is determined that the coffee making channel cleaning is complete, and water pump 2 is stopped to stop water supply to the first boiler 4.

[0044] Step S105: After a first delay, stop the first boiler and close the first solenoid valve, so that the coffee making channel is connected to the venting channel of the brewing assembly via the first solenoid valve, so as to drain the remaining water in the coffee making channel into the grounds container of the coffee machine.

[0045] In this embodiment, after the water pump 2 is stopped, the first boiler 4 is allowed to run for a delayed period of time. This allows the first boiler 4 to continue raising the temperature of the water it contains and generating high-pressure gas. The high-pressure gas enters the coffee-making channel through the first solenoid valve 3, forcing the water in the coffee-making channel out through the coffee nozzle assembly, thereby reducing the amount of water remaining in the coffee-making channel. Then, the first boiler 4 is stopped and the first solenoid valve 3 is closed, connecting the coffee-making channel to the venting channel of the brewing assembly 1 via the first solenoid valve 3. This allows the remaining water in the coffee-making channel to be released into the coffee machine's grounds container. Since most of the water in the coffee-making channel has been forced out by the high-pressure gas, the amount of water entering the grounds container is reduced, reliably achieving grounds-water separation.

[0046] It should be noted that, with the cleaning method of this application embodiment, there may not be any remaining water in the coffee making channel. After the coffee making channel is connected to the discharge channel of the brewing component via the first solenoid valve 3, there may also be no water entering the grounds box from the coffee making channel.

[0047] The self-cleaning method for a coffee machine according to this application embodiment, in response to a self-cleaning command, moves the brewing head in the brewing assembly of the coffee machine to a target non-working position, opens the first solenoid valve of the coffee machine, so that the outlet of the first boiler of the coffee machine is connected to the coffee-making channel in the brewing assembly through the first solenoid valve; starts the water pump of the coffee machine, starts the first boiler at a first power, so that the water pump delivers water to the first boiler for heating, and the heated hot water enters the coffee-making channel through the outlet of the first boiler and the first solenoid valve to clean the coffee-making channel, wherein the first power is less than the maximum power of the first boiler; when a first condition is met, the power of the first boiler is increased from the first power to a second power; when a second condition is met, the water pump is stopped; the first boiler is stopped after a first delay, and the first solenoid valve is closed, so that the coffee-making channel is connected to the venting channel of the brewing assembly through the first solenoid valve to drain the remaining water in the coffee-making channel into the coffee machine's grounds container. This reduces the amount of water remaining in the coffee-making channel, and consequently reduces the amount of water entering the grounds container when draining the coffee-making channel, reliably achieving grounds-water separation and improving the user experience.

[0048] In some embodiments of this application, after the water pump of the coffee machine is started, such as Figure 3 As shown, it also includes the following steps: Step S106: Determine the first amount of water pumped to the first boiler by the flow meter of the coffee machine.

[0049] In this embodiment, the coffee machine includes a flow meter, exemplarily, such as... Figure 2 As shown, flow meter 5 can be installed at the inlet of water pump 2. The flow meter 5 of the coffee machine determines the initial water volume delivered by water pump 2 to the first boiler 4.

[0050] Step S107: If the first water volume reaches the first target water volume, it is determined that the first condition is met, and the first target water volume is less than the first target cleaning water volume.

[0051] In this embodiment, when cleaning the coffee-making channel, if the first target cleaning water volume is reached, it is determined that the cleaning of the coffee-making channel is complete. If the first target water volume is less than the first target cleaning water volume, and the first water volume reaches the first target water volume, it is determined that the first condition is met, and the power of the first boiler 4 is increased from the first power to the second power. This reliably increases the power of the first boiler 4 before the cleaning of the coffee-making channel is completed, so that the first boiler 4 can generate sufficient high-pressure gas.

[0052] In some embodiments of this application, as an alternative, when cleaning the coffee-making channel, if the cleaning time reaches a first target cleaning time, the cleaning of the coffee-making channel is determined to be complete. Therefore, the cleaning time for the coffee-making channel can be determined, and if the cleaning time reaches the first cleaning time, it is determined that a first condition is met: the first cleaning time is less than the first target cleaning time, for example, the first cleaning time is half of the first target cleaning time.

[0053] In some embodiments of this application, after increasing the power of the first boiler from the first power to the second power, the method further includes: If the first water volume reaches the first target cleaning water volume, then the second condition is determined to be met.

[0054] In this embodiment, if the first water volume reaches the first target cleaning water volume, it indicates that the cleaning of the coffee making channel has been completed, the second condition is met, and the second water pump is stopped, thereby cleaning the coffee making channel more reliably.

[0055] In some embodiments of this application, the delay for the first duration to stop the first boiler includes: Determine the temperature of the hot water output from the first boiler; If the water temperature is higher than the set water temperature and the delay reaches the first duration, the first boiler is stopped.

[0056] In this embodiment, the water temperature of the hot water output from the first boiler 4 can be determined by a temperature sensor. If the water temperature is higher than the set water temperature and the delay reaches the first time duration, it is determined that the water temperature in the first boiler 4 is high enough, and the first boiler 4 is stopped. By simultaneously considering the water temperature and the delay duration, it is possible to reliably generate sufficient high-pressure gas from the hot water in the first boiler 4, thereby further reducing the amount of residual water in the coffee-making channel.

[0057] Alternatively, as an alternative, the water temperature of the hot water output from the first boiler 4 can be determined after the water pump 2 is stopped; if the water temperature is higher than the set water temperature, the first boiler 4 can be stopped.

[0058] In some embodiments of this application, after the first solenoid valve is closed, such as Figure 4 As shown, it also includes the following steps: Step S108: Open the second solenoid valve of the coffee machine, so that the outlet of the first boiler is connected to the inlet of the second boiler of the coffee machine through the second solenoid valve.

[0059] In this embodiment, as Figure 2As shown, the coffee machine also includes a steam passage, a second solenoid valve 6, and a second boiler 7. When the second solenoid valve 6 is in the open state, the channel between its first and second ends is open, and the channel between its first and third ends is closed, allowing the outlet of the first boiler 4 of the coffee machine to connect to the inlet of the second boiler 7 via the second solenoid valve. When the second solenoid valve 6 is in the closed state, the channel between its first and third ends is open, and the channel between its first and second ends is closed, allowing the steam passage to connect to the venting channel via the second solenoid valve 6. During normal operation of the coffee machine, the second boiler 7 can heat the hot water output from the first boiler 4 and output steam. The steam passage can be the pipe between the outlet of the second boiler 7 and the coffee spout assembly 8. When cleaning the steam passage, the second boiler 7 can heat the water output from the first boiler 4 and output hot water to the steam passage.

[0060] Open the second solenoid valve 6 so that the outlet of the first boiler 4 is connected to the inlet of the second boiler 7 of the coffee machine through the second solenoid valve 6, which facilitates the subsequent cleaning of the steam passage.

[0061] Step S109: Start the water pump and the second boiler of the coffee machine, so that the water pump delivers water through the first boiler and the second solenoid valve to the second boiler for heating, and delivers the heated hot water through the outlet of the second boiler to the steam channel of the coffee machine to clean the steam channel.

[0062] In this embodiment, the water pump 2 and the second boiler 7 are started. The water pump 2 inputs cold water or room temperature water into the first boiler 4. Since the first boiler 4 has just stopped, the temperature of the first boiler 4 can be reduced. The water output from the first boiler 4 enters the second boiler 7 through the second solenoid valve 6 for heating. The hot water output from the second boiler 7 is delivered to the steam channel and discharged through the coffee spout assembly 8 to clean the steam channel.

[0063] By cleaning the steam passage after cleaning the coffee-making passage, the temperature of the first boiler 4 can be reduced while the steam passage is reliably cleaned.

[0064] In some embodiments of this application, after the second boiler of the water pump and the coffee machine is started, such as Figure 5 As shown, it also includes the following steps: Step S110: Determine the second amount of water pumped to the second boiler by the flow meter of the coffee machine.

[0065] In this embodiment, the coffee machine includes a flow meter, exemplarily, such as... Figure 2 As shown, flow meter 5 can be installed at the inlet of water pump 2. The flow meter 5 of the coffee machine determines the second amount of water pumped by the second boiler 7.

[0066] Step 111: When the second water volume reaches the second target cleaning water volume, stop the water pump and the second boiler, close the second solenoid valve, and connect the steam passage to the venting passage through the second solenoid valve.

[0067] In this embodiment, if the second water volume reaches the second target cleaning water volume, it indicates that the cleaning of the steam passage has been completed. The water pump 2 and the second boiler 7 are stopped, and the second solenoid valve 6 is closed, so that the steam passage is connected to the venting passage through the second solenoid valve 6, thereby reliably completing the cleaning of the steam passage.

[0068] Optionally, the cleaning time of the steam passage can be determined, and if the cleaning time reaches the second target cleaning time, the cleaning of the steam passage can be completed, the water pump 2 and the second boiler 7 can be stopped, and the second solenoid valve 6 can be closed.

[0069] In some embodiments of this application, such as Figure 2 As shown, the outlet of the first boiler 4 is connected to the second end of the first solenoid valve 3 and the second end of the second solenoid valve 6 via a three-way pipe 9. The third end of the first solenoid valve 3 and the third end of the second solenoid valve 6 are connected to the venting channel via a three-way connecting valve 10. The first end of the first solenoid valve 3 is connected to the coffee making channel, and the first end of the second solenoid valve 6 is connected to the inlet of the second boiler 7, thereby enabling more reliable cleaning of the coffee making channel and the steam channel.

[0070] In some embodiments of this application, the self-cleaning command is triggered by one of the following: The command to turn on the coffee machine; Manual cleaning instructions for the coffee machine.

[0071] In this embodiment, the power-on command can be issued by the user by pressing the start button on the coffee machine or by the user through a user terminal. Triggering the self-cleaning function of the coffee machine by issuing the power-on command enables automatic self-cleaning after power-on, improving the automation level of the coffee machine. The coffee machine may also include a manual cleaning button. The manual cleaning command can be issued by the user by pressing the manual cleaning button or by the user through a user terminal. Triggering the self-cleaning function by issuing the manual cleaning command allows for manual cleaning of the coffee machine according to the user's needs, improving the user experience.

[0072] In some embodiments of this application, before moving the brewing head in the brewing assembly of the coffee machine to a target non-operating position and opening the first solenoid valve of the coffee machine, the method further includes: Determine the back pressure of the coffee-making channel; When the back pressure is zero, the step of moving the brewing head in the brewing assembly of the coffee machine to the target non-working position and opening the first solenoid valve of the coffee machine is performed.

[0073] In this embodiment, if back pressure exists in the coffee-making channel, it will obstruct the hot water entering the coffee-making channel, reducing cleaning efficiency and effectiveness. By only performing the step of moving the brewing head in the coffee machine's brewing assembly to the target non-working position and opening the coffee machine's first solenoid valve when the back pressure is zero, the cleaning efficiency and effectiveness of the coffee-making channel can be improved.

[0074] In some embodiments of this application, after closing the first solenoid valve, the method further includes: The brewing head is moved to the target working position after a second delay.

[0075] In this embodiment, after the first solenoid valve is closed, the brewing head is moved to the target working position after a second delay, and coffee can then be made through the brewing head, thus improving the coffee making efficiency.

[0076] This application also proposes a coffee machine, including a brewing assembly, a water pump, a first solenoid valve, a first boiler, a sediment container, and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to clean the coffee machine using a self-cleaning method as described in any embodiment of this application.

[0077] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state drive), etc.

[0078] The above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. The scope of protection of this application is defined by the claims. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or equivalent substitutions to this application within its substance and scope of protection, and such modifications or equivalent substitutions should also be considered to fall within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A self-cleaning method for a coffee machine, characterized in that, include: In response to a self-cleaning command, the brewing head in the brewing assembly of the coffee machine is moved to a target non-working position, and the first solenoid valve of the coffee machine is opened, so that the outlet of the first boiler of the coffee machine is connected to the coffee making channel in the brewing assembly through the first solenoid valve. The water pump of the coffee machine is started, and the first boiler is started at the first power, so that the water pump delivers water to the first boiler for heating, and the heated hot water enters the coffee making channel through the outlet of the first boiler and the first solenoid valve to clean the coffee making channel. The first power is less than the maximum power of the first boiler. If the first condition is met, the power of the first boiler is increased from the first power to the second power; If the second condition is met, the water pump shall be stopped; The first boiler is stopped after a first delay, and the first solenoid valve is closed, so that the coffee making channel is connected to the venting channel of the brewing component through the first solenoid valve, so as to drain the remaining water in the coffee making channel into the grounds container of the coffee machine.

2. The self-cleaning method for a coffee machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, After the water pump of the coffee machine is activated, the following is also included: The flow meter of the coffee machine determines the first amount of water pumped to the first boiler; If the first water volume reaches the first target water volume, it is determined that the first condition is met, and the first target water volume is less than the first target cleaning water volume.

3. The self-cleaning method for a coffee machine as described in claim 2, characterized in that, After increasing the power of the first boiler from the first power to the second power, the method further includes: If the first water volume reaches the first target cleaning water volume, then the second condition is determined to be met.

4. The self-cleaning method for a coffee machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The delay for the first duration to stop the first boiler includes: Determine the temperature of the hot water output from the first boiler; If the water temperature is higher than the set water temperature and the delay reaches the first duration, the first boiler is stopped.

5. The self-cleaning method for a coffee machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, After closing the first solenoid valve, the method further includes: Open the second solenoid valve of the coffee machine so that the outlet of the first boiler is connected to the inlet of the second boiler of the coffee machine through the second solenoid valve; The water pump and the second boiler of the coffee machine are started, so that the water pump delivers water through the first boiler and the second solenoid valve to the second boiler for heating, and delivers the heated hot water through the outlet of the second boiler to the steam channel of the coffee machine to clean the steam channel.

6. The self-cleaning method for a coffee machine as described in claim 5, characterized in that, After the second boiler that starts the water pump and the coffee machine is activated, the following is also included: The flow meter of the coffee machine determines the second amount of water pumped to the second boiler; When the second water volume reaches the second target cleaning water volume, the water pump and the second boiler are stopped, and the second solenoid valve is closed, so that the steam passage is connected to the venting passage through the second solenoid valve.

7. The self-cleaning method for a coffee machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The self-cleaning command is triggered by one of the following: The command to turn on the coffee machine; Manual cleaning instructions for the coffee machine.

8. The self-cleaning method for a coffee machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Before moving the brewing head in the coffee machine's brewing assembly to the target non-operating position and opening the coffee machine's first solenoid valve, the method further includes: Determine the back pressure of the coffee-making channel; When the back pressure is zero, the step of moving the brewing head in the brewing assembly of the coffee machine to the target non-working position and opening the first solenoid valve of the coffee machine is performed.

9. The self-cleaning method for a coffee machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, After closing the first solenoid valve, the method further includes: The brewing head is moved to the target working position after a second delay.

10. A coffee machine, characterized in that, The device includes a brewing assembly, a water pump, a first solenoid valve, a first boiler, a sediment box, and a controller, the controller being configured to clean the coffee machine using the self-cleaning method of the coffee machine as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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