Steam generation module for coffee machine and coffee machine

Abstract

The utility model discloses a steam generating module for a coffee machine and the coffee machine, the steam generating module comprises a water tank, a water pump, a boiler, a three-way valve, an electromagnetic valve and a steam input end, the water tank is communicated with the input end of the water pump; the boiler is communicated with the output end of the water pump and is used for heating water to form hot water or steam; the three-way valve comprises an input interface, a first output interface and a second output interface, the input interface is communicated with the output end of the boiler, the first output interface is used for being communicated with the brewing head, and the second output interface is communicated with the electromagnetic valve. The steam generator further comprises a water-steam separation box arranged between the electromagnetic valve and the steam input end, the input end of the water-steam separation box is communicated with the output end of the electromagnetic valve, and the output end of the water-steam separation box is communicated with the steam input end. Therefore, by arranging the water-steam separation box, residual water and steam can be separated, the residual water is prevented from entering the steam input end, and then the milk foaming quality is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of coffee machines, in particular to a steam generating module for a coffee machine and the coffee machine. Background Art

[0002] This section only provides background information related to the present application to help those skilled in the art understand the present application more thoroughly and accurately, and it is not necessarily prior art.

[0003] As people's living standards improve, coffee begins to be loved by people and gradually becomes a daily drink for people, especially those who pursue quality of life. At present, there are many ways to make coffee. In order to obtain a better coffee taste, more and more people buy home coffee machines to make coffee.

[0004] Existing household coffee machines are usually single-boiler coffee machines, that is, the hot water required for extracting coffee and the steam required for frothing milk are both generated by one boiler. Currently, single-boiler coffee machines on the market have the following problems during use: when the user switches from the extraction mode to the milk frothing mode, a section of hot water will remain in the pipeline. When the valve for outputting steam is opened, the residual water will be output together with the steam, resulting in poor milk frothing effect.

[0005] Therefore, how to prevent the residual water in this section from being output together with the steam is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0006] In order to overcome the defects of the above-mentioned prior art, the utility model provides a steam generating module for a coffee machine, which can separate residual water from steam by arranging a water vapor separation box between the solenoid valve and the steam input end, thereby preventing residual water from entering the steam input end and ensuring the quality of milk foaming.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by the utility model to solve the problem is:

[0008] A steam generating module for a coffee machine, comprising:

[0009] A water tank and a water pump, wherein the water tank is connected to an input end of the water pump;

[0010] A boiler connected to the output end of the water pump; the boiler is used to heat water to form hot water or steam;

[0011] A three-way valve, comprising an input interface, a first output interface and a second output interface; the input interface is connected to the output end of the boiler, and the first output interface is used to communicate with the brewing head;

[0012] a solenoid valve connected to the second output interface of the three-way valve;

[0013] A steam input end, which is connected to an output end of the solenoid valve;

[0014] Wherein, it also includes a water vapor separation box arranged between the solenoid valve and the steam input end, the input end of the water vapor separation box is connected to the output end of the solenoid valve, and the output end of the water vapor separation box is connected to the steam input end.

[0015] Furthermore, the water vapor separation box comprises a box body and a box cover arranged on the top of the box body, wherein:

[0016] The box body has a water storage cavity for storing hot water and steam, and the box cover is arranged on the box body to seal the water storage cavity;

[0017] The box cover is provided with an input joint and an output joint connected to the water storage chamber, the input joint is connected to the output end of the solenoid valve, and the output joint is connected to the steam input end.

[0018] Furthermore, the water storage chamber is stepped.

[0019] Furthermore, it also includes a first sealing ring, which is arranged between the box body and the box cover to form a waterproof seal.

[0020] Furthermore, it also includes a drain seat arranged at the bottom of the box body, and a drain hole connected to the water storage chamber is opened at the bottom of the box body; a drainage channel connected to the drainage hole is opened in the drain seat, and a water plug is arranged in the drainage channel and can open or close the drainage channel.

[0021] Furthermore, the water plug is made of a material with a density less than that of water;

[0022] A step surface is provided in the drainage channel. When the water pump is working, the water blocking plug blocks the step surface under the action of air pressure to close the drainage channel; when the water pump stops working, the water blocking plug is separated from the step surface to open the drainage channel.

[0023] Furthermore, the water blocking plug is made of PP plastic material.

[0024] Furthermore, it also includes a second sealing ring, which is arranged between the box body and the drain seat to form a waterproof seal.

[0025] In addition, the utility model also provides a coffee machine, comprising a machine body and a steam generating module arranged on the machine body.

[0026] Furthermore, it also includes a milk box and a brewing head arranged on the body, the milk box is connected to the steam input end, and the brewing head is connected to the first output interface of the three-way valve.

[0027] In summary, the utility model provides a steam generating module for a coffee machine and a coffee machine, which have the following beneficial effects:

[0028] (1) A water vapor separation box is provided between the solenoid valve and the steam input end, which can separate the residual water from the steam, thereby preventing the residual water from entering the steam input end, thereby ensuring the quality of milk foaming.

[0029] (2) By setting a drain seat and a water plug, when the water pump is working, the water plug closes the drainage channel under the action of air pressure, and the residual water is temporarily stored in the water storage chamber, while the steam is discharged through the output joint; when the water pump stops working, the water plug floats up and opens the drainage channel, and the residual water can be discharged through the drainage channel, which is convenient for recovery and cleaning. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the coffee machine of the utility model;

[0031] Figure 2 It is a partial structural schematic diagram of the coffee machine of the utility model;

[0032] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure from another perspective;

[0033] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the explosion of the water vapor separation box in the coffee machine of the utility model;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the water vapor separation box in the coffee machine of the utility model;

[0035] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the water vapor separation box in the coffee machine of the utility model.

[0036] The meanings of the reference numerals are as follows:

[0037] 1. Machine body; 2. Water tank; 3. Milk box; 4. Brewing head; 5. Water pump; 6. Solenoid valve; 7. Water vapor separation box; 71. Box body; 711. Water storage chamber; 712. Drain hole; 72. Box cover; 721. Input connector; 722. Output connector; 73. Drain seat; 731. Drain channel; 74. Water plug; 75. Second sealing ring; 76. First sealing ring; 8. Boiler; 9. Three-way valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] For better understanding and implementation, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" etc. indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the modules or components referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0040] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0041] See also Figure 1-6 The utility model provides a coffee machine, comprising a machine body 1, a water tank 2, a water pump 5, a boiler 8, a three-way valve 9, a brewing head 4, a solenoid valve 6 and a milk tank 3 arranged on the machine body 1, the water tank 2 is connected to the input end of the water pump 5, and the output end of the water pump 5 is connected to the boiler 8; the three-way valve 9 comprises an input interface, a first output interface and a second output interface, the input interface is connected to the output end of the boiler 8, the first output interface is connected to the brewing head 4, the second output interface is connected to the solenoid valve 6, the solenoid valve 6 is connected to the steam input end on the machine body 1, and the steam input end is connected to the milk tank 3. Preferably, the steam input end is a steam input port opened on the machine body.

[0042] Thus, when the water pump 5 is working, it can pump water out of the water tank 2 and input it into the boiler 8, and the boiler 8 can heat the water to form hot water or steam, and then enter the three-way valve 9. When the user starts the extraction mode, the solenoid valve 6 is in a closed state, and the hot water is output through the first output interface and enters the brewing head 4 to extract the coffee; when the user switches to the milk frothing mode, the solenoid valve 6 is opened, the temperature of the boiler 8 rises and heats the hot water to form steam, and the steam flows out through the solenoid valve and enters the milk tank 3 through the steam input port to froth the milk, thereby forming milk foam.

[0043] It also includes a water vapor separation box 7 arranged between the solenoid valve 6 and the steam input port, the input end of the water vapor separation box 7 is connected to the output end of the solenoid valve 6, and the output end of the water vapor separation box 7 is connected to the steam input port.

[0044] Therefore, by setting the water vapor separation box 7 between the solenoid valve 6 and the steam input port, when the user switches from the extraction mode to the milk frothing mode, the hot water remaining in the pipeline will enter the water vapor separation box 7 together with the steam, and the water vapor separation box 7 can separate the residual water from the steam, and the residual water will be temporarily stored in the water vapor separation box 7, and the steam will be output from the output end of the water vapor separation box 7 and enter the milk box 3 after being saturated. Therefore, the water vapor separation box 7 can prevent the residual water from entering the steam input end, thereby ensuring the quality of milk frothing.

[0045] It should be noted that the connectivity referred to in this embodiment is achieved by connecting through water pipes, so that the circulation of hot water and steam can be achieved, which will not be repeated here.

[0046] See also Figure 4-6 Specifically, the water vapor separation box 7 includes a box body 71 and a box cover 72 covered on the top of the box body 71. The box body 71 has a water storage chamber 711 for storing hot water and steam. The box cover 72 is covered on the box body 71 and seals the water storage chamber 711. The box cover 72 is provided with an input connector 721 and an output connector 722 connected to the water storage chamber 711. The input connector 721 is connected to the output end of the solenoid valve 6, and the output connector 722 is connected to the steam input port. Preferably, the water storage chamber 711 is stepped.

[0047] Thus, when the residual water and steam enter the water storage chamber 711 through the input connector 721, the residual water and steam are temporarily stored in the water storage chamber 711. As the amount of steam in the water storage chamber 711 increases, the steam will be output through the output connector 722, thereby achieving separation of the residual water and steam. In addition, the water storage chamber 711 is arranged in a stepped shape, which is more conducive to the centralized collection of the residual water.

[0048] In this embodiment, a first sealing ring 76 is further included. The first sealing ring 76 is disposed between the box body 71 and the box cover 72 to form a waterproof seal.

[0049] Furthermore, it also includes a drain seat 73 arranged at the bottom of the box body 71, and a drain hole 712 connected to the water storage chamber 711 is opened at the bottom of the box body 71; a drainage channel 731 connected to the drainage hole 712 and a water plug 74 arranged in the drainage channel 731 and capable of opening or closing the drainage channel is opened in the drain seat 73.

[0050] Among them, the water plug 74 is made of a material with a density less than that of water; a step surface is provided in the drainage channel 731. When the water pump 5 is working, the water plug 74 moves downward under the action of air pressure and blocks the step surface to close the drainage channel 731; when the water pump 5 stops working, the water plug 74 floats up and detaches from the step surface to open the drainage channel 731, and the residual water can be discharged through the drainage channel 731 for easy recycling and cleaning.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the water plug 74 is made of PP plastic material. Of course, in other embodiments, the water plug 74 can also be made of materials with a density less than water, such as PE plastic material, which is not limited here.

[0052] In addition, a second sealing ring 75 is also included, which is arranged between the box body 71 and the drain seat 73 to form a waterproof seal.

[0053] In summary, the coffee machine provided by the utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0054] (i) By arranging a water vapor separation box 7 between the solenoid valve 6 and the steam input port, the water vapor separation box 7 can separate the residual water from the steam, thereby preventing the residual water from entering the steam input port, thereby ensuring the quality of milk frothing.

[0055] (ii) By providing the drain seat 73 and the water plug 74, when the water pump 5 is working, the water plug 74 closes the drain channel 731 under the action of air pressure, and the residual water is temporarily stored in the water storage chamber 711, while the steam is discharged through the output connector 722; when the water pump 5 stops working, the water plug 74 floats up and opens the drain channel 731, and the residual water can be discharged through the drain channel 731, which is convenient for recovery and cleaning.

[0056] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0057] It should be understood that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc. are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the modules or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0058] In addition, in the description of the present utility model, "multiple" and "several" mean two or more than two, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0059] The technical means disclosed in the solution of the utility model are not limited to the technical means disclosed in the above-mentioned implementation mode, but also include technical solutions composed of any combination of the above technical features. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the utility model, and these improvements and modifications are also regarded as the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A steam generating module for a coffee machine, characterized in that: include: A water tank and a water pump, wherein the water tank is connected to an input end of the water pump; A boiler connected to the output end of the water pump; the boiler is used to heat water to form hot water or steam; A three-way valve, comprising an input interface, a first output interface and a second output interface; the input interface is connected to the output end of the boiler, and the first output interface is used to communicate with the brewing head; a solenoid valve connected to the second output interface of the three-way valve; A steam input end, which is connected to an output end of the solenoid valve; Wherein, it also includes a water vapor separation box arranged between the solenoid valve and the steam input end, the input end of the water vapor separation box is connected to the output end of the solenoid valve, and the output end of the water vapor separation box is connected to the steam input end.

2. The steam generation module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water vapor separation box comprises a box body and a box cover arranged on the top of the box body, wherein: The box body has a water storage cavity for storing hot water and steam, and the box cover is arranged on the box body to seal the water storage cavity; The box cover is provided with an input joint and an output joint connected to the water storage chamber, the input joint is connected to the output end of the solenoid valve, and the output joint is connected to the steam input end.

3. The steam generation module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The water storage chamber is in a stepped shape.

4. The steam generation module according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a first sealing ring, which is arranged between the box body and the box cover and forms a waterproof seal.

5. The steam generation module according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: It also includes a drain seat arranged at the bottom of the box body, and a drain hole connected to the water storage chamber is opened at the bottom of the box body; a drainage channel connected to the drainage hole is opened in the drain seat, and a water plug is arranged in the drainage channel and can open or close the drainage channel.

6. The steam generation module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The water plug is made of a material with a density less than that of water; A step surface is provided in the drainage channel. When the water pump is working, the water blocking plug blocks the step surface under the action of air pressure to close the drainage channel; when the water pump stops working, the water blocking plug is separated from the step surface to open the drainage channel.

7. The steam generation module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The water blocking plug is made of PP plastic material.

8. The steam generation module according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a second sealing ring, which is arranged between the box body and the drain seat and forms a waterproof seal.

9. A coffee machine, characterized in that: The invention comprises a machine body and a steam generating module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 arranged on the machine body.

10. The coffee machine according to claim 9, characterized in that It also includes a milk box and a brewing head arranged on the machine body, the milk box is communicated with the steam input end, and the brewing head is communicated with the first output interface of the three-way valve.

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