Automatic hot beverage machine, in particular fully automatic coffee machine
By introducing a steam generator and a hot water generator into the steam and hot water supply part of the fully automatic coffee machine, and preheating water in the steam generator area with a heat exchanger, the problem of insufficient power of the heater at low power supply voltage is solved. , realizes fast and continuous coffee beverage preparation and improves the output efficiency of the machine.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202190000873.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2020-11-18
- Filing Date
- 2021-11-15
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-27
- Estimated Expiration
- 2031-11-15
AI Technical Summary
In a low power supply voltage environment, the heater power of the fully automatic coffee machine is insufficient, resulting in the extended preparation time of coffee beverages and the inability to quickly and continuously output multiple products.
A fully automatic coffee machine is designed, which introduces a steam generator and a hot water generator into the steam and hot water supply section, and is formed in the steam generator area by a heat exchanger, and the water to be heated is preheated in the steam generator. Then it flows directly into the hot water generator, and the heater is heated quickly at low power to avoid the reheating stage, and realizes parallel operation of the steam and hot water generator to improve heating efficiency.
Under low power supply voltage, coffee beverages can be prepared quickly and continuously, reducing waiting time and improving the output efficiency of the coffee machine.
Smart Images
Figure CN222237433U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic hot beverage machine, in particular a fully automatic coffee machine, and a method for operating a fully automatic coffee machine. Background Art
[0002] Fully automatic coffee machines are known from the prior art in a wide variety of designs and variants, in which coffee beans are freshly ground and the coffee powder produced in this way is fed to a brewing chamber, in which a coffee beverage is prepared by pressing hot water from a hot water generator through the compressed coffee powder.
[0003] In regions with voltages below 230 V (e.g. 110 V) in the low-voltage network, only reduced power is available for the operation of fully automatic coffee machines designed for a 230 V supply voltage. Nevertheless, the power capacity of the machine for the first successive products should be reduced as little as possible, i.e., a plurality of coffee products should be able to be dispensed one after the other without interruption in the shortest possible time interval. In this case, the quality of the product, which is characterized here in particular by a defined preparation temperature, must remain constant.
[0004] Due to the lower supply voltage and the associated lower electrical power that can be supplied to the fully automatic coffee machine, even though the heater itself can be designed for a low supply voltage in order to reach the release temperature for the next beverage to be dispensed again, permanent heating during product preparation may also be insufficient, which results in undesirable waiting times until the next product is prepared.
[0005] This problem should be reduced by the present invention. Summary of the invention
[0006] This object is achieved by a fully automatic coffee machine.
[0007] Therefore, a fully automatic coffee machine is created, which has at least the following:
[0008] - a steam and hot water supply unit, comprising a steam generator to which water can be supplied via a steam generator delivery pipeline and a hot water generator to which water can be supplied;
[0009] a brewing unit in which the hot beverage to be prepared can be prepared with water from the hot water generator;
[0010] - and a beverage outlet, from which the prepared hot beverage can be dispensed into a vessel, wherein
[0011] Before the water to be supplied to the hot water generator can be conducted to the hot water generator, it can first be conducted through or along the steam generator, wherein a heat exchanger is formed in the region of the steam generator.
[0012] This advantageously makes it possible to prepare more coffee beverages at a desirable speed, ie usually without waiting times, by means of the heater of the hot water generator even at a relatively low heating power of the hot water generator without an early reheating phase.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the supply line to the hot water generator has a switching valve and a branch which passes through or along the steam generator and a branch which leads directly into the hot water generator. When preparing a coffee-milk mixed beverage, the switching valve provides the option of guiding the water directly to the hot water generator and heating it there, thereby preventing energy from being discharged from the steam generator. The necessary reheating phase of the steam generator before preparing the coffee-milk mixed beverage, which is otherwise necessary for producing milk froth, for example, is thereby reduced or avoided in the best case. In such a case, the heater of the hot water generator can be put into operation in parallel with the operation of the steam generator for preparing milk froth, so that power-dependent waiting times can be advantageously compensated by such parallel operation.
[0014] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that in the first switched position of the switching valve, the water to be heated flows through a branch of the supply line which passes through the steam generator or runs along the steam generator in order to then flow preheated into the hot water generator, while the branch of the supply line which runs directly into the hot water generator is blocked. This advantageously makes it possible to prepare more coffee beverages at a desirable speed (i.e., usually without waiting time) even with a relatively low heating power of the hot water generator by means of the heater of the hot water generator without an early reheating phase.
[0015] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that in the second switch position of the switching valve, the water to be heated flows into the hot water generator via a branch of the supply line that leads directly into the hot water generator to be heated there by the heater of the hot water generator, while the branch of the supply line that passes through the steam generator or leads along the steam generator is blocked. This makes it possible to achieve a structurally simple and advantageous parallel operation of the steam generator and the hot water generator when preparing a coffee-milk mixed beverage.
[0016] Furthermore, in another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the preheating capacity of the heat exchanger is increased by means of an additional tube helix, which is formed in the region of the steam generator by a branch of a conveyor line passing through the steam generator or along the steam generator, so that the heat exchanger operates like a tube helix heat exchanger. This makes it possible to increase the capacity of the heat exchanger in a structurally simple and space-saving manner.
[0017] The object is also achieved by a method for operating a steam and hot water supply for an automatic hot beverage machine, in particular a fully automatic coffee machine. The method comprises the following method steps: I) providing a steam and hot water supply for the fully automatic coffee machine, wherein the steam and hot water supply is supplied with water via a drinking water network, and the steam and hot water supply comprises a steam generator, into which water from the drinking water network can flow via a steam generator supply line, and the steam generator can be heated, preferably electrically, by a heater, and thus steam can be generated from the water, which steam can be drawn from the steam generator via a steam line, and the steam and hot water supply comprises a hot water generator, in which the water can be heated, preferably electrically, by a heater, and The water can thereby be heated to a predefined preparation temperature; II) water from the drinking water network flows into the steam generator via a branch of the supply line passing through the steam generator or leading along the steam generator; III) water from the drinking water network is preheated in the steam generator or at the steam generator in a branch of the supply line passing through the steam generator or leading along the steam generator; IV) the preheated water flows into the hot water generator via a branch of the supply line passing through the steam generator or leading along the steam generator.
[0018] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not limited to this embodiment but can also be realized in other ways or equivalently within the scope of the claims.
[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a water and steam supply unit of a fully automatic coffee machine according to the present invention;
[0021] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing a water and steam supply unit of a variant of a fully automatic coffee machine according to the present invention;
[0022] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a hydraulic system of a fully automatic coffee machine according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] exist Figure 1 Schematically shows a steam and hot water supply 1 of an automatic hot beverage machine, wherein the automatic beverage machine is in particular designed as a fully automatic coffee machine, more precisely a fully automatic coffee machine. The automatic hot beverage machine can also be designed as an automatic tea preparation machine, for example.
[0024] The steam and hot water supply 1 of the fully automatic coffee machine can be supplied with water from the drinking water network. For this purpose, the fully automatic coffee machine is usually permanently connected to a water point 2 provided for it. A pump 3 and optionally a water meter 4, which can be designed as a rotary water meter, can be connected downstream of the water point 2, and furthermore, a non-return valve 5 and, again, optionally, a pressure measuring instrument 6 can be connected.
[0025] The steam and hot water supply 1 of the fully automatic coffee machine also has a steam generator 10 (also called a steam boiler in the technical terminology). The steam generator 10 has a container 11, into which water (here from the drinking water network) can flow through a steam generator supply line 12 and can be heated by a heater 13, preferably electrically.
[0026] The steam generator 10 is designed to generate steam from the inflowing water by operating the heater 13, which accumulates above the water level and can be led out of the steam generator 10 via the steam line 14. In order to ensure that there is always enough water in the steam generator 10, the steam generator 10 can have a filling level sensor 15.
[0027] The steam thus produced can, for example, be used to froth milk in order to prepare coffee-milk mixed drinks, such as milky coffee or latte macchiato, with milk foam produced by steam and air.
[0028] Furthermore, the steam and hot water supply unit 1 of the fully automatic coffee machine has a hot water generator 20 (also referred to as a water boiler in professional terminology).
[0029] The hot water generator 20 has a container 21, in which water can be heated, preferably electrically, by a heater 22. For this purpose, the hot water generator 20 is configured to generate hot water having a temperature of more than 60° C. from the inflowing water by operating the heater 22, as is usually used for preparing coffee beverages. The hot water generated in this way can be led out of the hot water generator 20 via a hot water line 23. In order to ensure that no high pressure occurs in the hot water generator 20, the hot water generator 20 can have a pressure sensor 24.
[0030] In order to compensate for the lower power of the heater 22 of the hot water generator 20 resulting from this in the case of a power network with a lower supply voltage (e.g. 110 V), it is provided that the water first flows to a branch 16 a of the supply line 16 which passes through the steam generator 10 or is guided along the steam generator 10 before it flows into the hot water generator 20 having been preheated by the steam in the steam generator 10.
[0031] This advantageously makes it possible to prepare a coffee beverage at a desirable speed (ie without waiting times) by means of the heater 22 of the hot water generator 20 , despite the low power of the heater 22 of the hot water generator 20 , without an early reheating phase.
[0032] In this respect, the feed line 16 and the steam generator 10 advantageously act like a heat exchanger 17. The preheating capacity of this heat exchanger 17 can be increased as required by further tube spirals, so that the heat exchanger 17 then acts like a tube spiral heat exchanger, which is formed by the branch 16 a of the feed line 16 that passes through the steam generator 10 or is guided along the steam generator 10 in the region of the steam generator 10.
[0033] In this respect, the water to be supplied to the hot water generator 20 can therefore first be passed through or along the steam generator 10 before it can be conducted into the hot water generator, wherein a heat exchanger 17 is formed in the region of the steam generator 10 .
[0034] According to the present invention Figure 2 The alternative embodiment variant shown in FIG. 1 is provided so that a switching valve 30 is arranged in the supply line 16 to the hot water generator 20. In addition, the supply line 16 has a branch 16a that passes through the steam generator 10 or is led along the steam generator 10 and a branch 16b that is led directly into the hot water generator (i.e., does not pass through the steam generator 10 or is led along the steam generator 10). The switching valve 30 can be implemented as a 3 / 2-way valve and is shown here to be connected in the second connection position. The switching valve 30 (as in FIG. 1 ) is connected to the hot water generator 20 in the second connection position. Figure 2 ) is preferably implemented as a solenoid valve with spring return, which can also be implemented differently.
[0035] In the first switched position of the switching valve 30, the water to be heated flows via the branch 16a of the supply line 16 which passes through the steam generator 10 or is led along the steam generator 10, so as to then flow into the hot water generator 20 in a preheated state, while the branch 16b of the supply line 16 which leads directly into the hot water generator 20 is blocked.
[0036] In the first switched position of the switching valve 30 , water can therefore flow only via the steam generator 20 (ie preheated) into the hot water generator 20 .
[0037] In the second switch position of the switching valve 30 shown here, the water to be heated flows into the hot water generator 20 via the branch 16 b of the supply line 16 which leads directly into the hot water generator 20, to be heated there by the heater 22 of the hot water generator 20, while the branch 16 b of the supply line 16 which passes through the steam generator 10 or leads along the steam generator 10 is blocked. This switch position is set when a coffee-milk mixed beverage is to be prepared.
[0038] During the preparation of the coffee-milk beverage, the switch valve 30 provides the option of directing the water to the hot water generator 20 and heating it there, thereby preventing energy from being removed from the steam generator 10. The necessary reheating phase of the steam generator 10 before preparing the coffee-milk beverage, which would otherwise be necessary, for example, to produce milk froth, is thereby reduced or avoided in the best case. The heater 22 of the hot water generator 20 can be put into operation in parallel with the operation of the steam generator 10 for preparing milk froth in such a case, so that power-dependent waiting times can be compensated by such parallel operation.
[0039] exist Figure 3 Schematically shown in FIG. 1 is a fully automatic coffee machine according to the invention. In addition to the steam and hot water supply 1 described above, the fully automatic coffee machine has a brewing unit 40, in which the hot beverage to be prepared (preferably coffee in this case) is brewed. The brewing unit 40 of a fully automatic coffee machine is known from the prior art, so that a detailed description of the brewing unit 40 is omitted here. The hot water necessary for the brewing process is supplied via the hot water line 23 of the brewing unit 40. A brewing valve 50 is inserted in the hot water line 23 between the hot water generator 20 and the brewing unit 40.
[0040] The brewing unit 40 is equipped with at least one coffee grinding mechanism, here two coffee grinding mechanisms 61, 62, which supply coffee powder to the brewing unit 40. The corresponding coffee grinding mechanisms 61, 62 can be in effective connection with a storage container for coffee beans. Through the two coffee grinding mechanisms 61, 62 and their associated storage containers, different types and / or differently roasted coffee beans can be used to prepare coffee beverages or coffee-milk mixed beverages.
[0041] The brewing valve 50 controls the inflow of hot water into the brewing unit 40. The brewing valve 50 is designed as a 2 / 2 directional valve, for example, and is shown here switched in the second switch position. Figure 3 ) is preferably implemented as a solenoid valve with spring return.
[0042] In the first switched position of the brewing valve 50, hot water can flow from the hot water generator 20 into the brewing unit 40 through the hot water line 23. In the second switched position of the brewing valve 50, the hot water line 23 is blocked so that no hot water can flow into the brewing unit 40.
[0043] The coffee beverage brewed in the brewing unit 40 flows through the beverage line 41 into the first, central beverage outlet 70 and is discharged therein to a drinking vessel placed below the optionally vertically movable first, central beverage outlet 70. For this purpose, a reversing valve 80 is inserted in the beverage line 41.
[0044] The switching valve 80 controls the inflow of beverage to the first, central beverage outlet 70 or to the outlet 71, which flow direction is preferably used during the cleaning cycle of the machine. The switching valve 80 is designed as a 3 / 2 directional valve and is shown here switched in the second switching position. Figure 3 ) is preferably implemented as a solenoid valve with spring return.
[0045] In the first switched position of the reversing valve 80, the brewed coffee beverage can flow from the brewing unit 40 via the beverage line 41 to the first, central beverage outlet 70. In the second switched position of the reversing valve 80, which is switched on, cleaning fluid can flow into the outlet 71 during a cleaning cycle. A non-return valve 72 can be inserted into the line to the outlet 71.
[0046] Furthermore, the fully automatic coffee machine has a milk system 90. The milk system 90 generally comprises a device for frothing milk, in which the milk froth is produced by means of steam from milk and air. The milk can be packaged in conventional milk packages 92 (for example in beverage boxes), which are placed in a milk cooler 91 for hygienic reasons. In order to guide the milk from the milk package 92 into the milk system 90, the milk system 90 with a first milk line 93 is connected to the milk package 92. The first milk line 93 can be designed as a hose. The milk processed in the milk system 90 flows through a second milk line 94 into the first, central beverage outlet 70 and is discharged in the first, central beverage outlet 70 into a drinking container placed below the first, central beverage outlet 70, which can be optionally moved vertically.
[0047] The fully automatic coffee machine can have an auxiliary system 100. The auxiliary system 100 is supplied with hot water via a hot water line 101. The hot water line 101 branches off from the hot water line 23 downstream before the brewing valve 50 in the direction of the auxiliary system 100. In addition, the auxiliary system 100 is supplied with water via a water line 102.
[0048] Furthermore, the fully automatic coffee machine has a control device which controls or regulates the preparation of hot beverages in the fully automatic coffee machine, but this control device is not shown here.
[0049] For the operation of the steam and hot water supply 1 of an automatic hot beverage machine, in particular a fully automatic coffee machine, the following method is provided:
[0050] First, a fully automatic coffee machine is provided with a steam and hot water supply 1, wherein the steam and hot water supply 1 is usually supplied with water from a drinking water network. The steam and hot water supply 1 has a steam generator 10, wherein the steam generator 10 has a container 11, into which water (here water from the drinking water network) can flow via a steam generator supply line 12, and which can be heated preferably electrically by a heater 13, and thereby steam can be generated from the water, which steam can be led out of the steam generator 10 by a steam line 14. In addition, the steam and hot water supply 1 has a hot water generator 20, wherein the hot water generator has a container 21, in which water can be heated preferably electrically by a heater 22, and thereby the water can be heated to a predefined preparation temperature.
[0051] In the following second method step, water from the drinking water network flows via the first section 16 a of the conveying line 16 into the steam generator 10 ;
[0052] In a further third method step, water from the drinking water network is preheated in the steam generator 10 in the conveying line 16 ;
[0053] In a final fourth method step, the water preheated in the steam generator flows via the second section 16 b of the supply line 16 into the hot water generator 20 .
[0054] As a result, despite the low power of the heater 22 of the hot water generator 20 , beverages can be prepared by the heater 22 of the hot water generator 20 at a desirable speed, ie without waiting times, without an early reheating phase.
[0055] Optionally, a switching valve 30 can be inserted in the supply line 16 connected to the steam generator 10. Through the switching valve 30, water can alternatively also flow via a part 16a' of the first section 16a of the supply line 16, via the water supply line 26 and a part 16b' of the second section 16b of the supply line 16 directly into the hot water generator 20. The supply line 16 to the steam generator 10 is then blocked.
[0056] Reference numerals list
[0057] 1 Steam and hot water supply unit
[0058] 2 water points
[0059] 3 Pumps
[0060] 4 Water Meter
[0061] 5 Check valve
[0062] 6 Pressure gauge
[0063] 10Steam generator
[0064] 11 Container
[0065] 12 Steam generator transmission pipeline
[0066] 13 Heater
[0067] 14 Steam pipeline
[0068] 15 Liquid level sensor
[0069] 16 Delivery pipeline
[0070] 16a, b branch (branch of the transmission pipeline)
[0071] 17Heat Exchanger
[0072] 20Hot water generator
[0073] 21 Containers
[0074] 22 Heater
[0075] 23 Hot water pipeline
[0076] 24 Overpressure valve
[0077] 25 Preheating pipeline
[0078] 26 Water delivery pipeline
[0079] 30 Switching valve
[0080] 40 brewing units
[0081] 41 Beverage pipeline
[0082] 50 brewing valve
[0083] 61,62 coffee grinding mechanism
[0084] 70 first beverage output unit
[0085] 71 discharge unit
[0086] 72 Check Valve
[0087] 80 reversing valve
[0088] 90 milk system
[0089] 91 Milk Cooler
[0090] 92 milk packaging
[0091] 93 First milk pipeline
[0092] 94 Second milk line
[0093] 100 Assistance Systems
[0094] 101 Hot water pipeline
[0095] 102 Water Pipeline
Claims
1. A fully automatic coffee machine having at least the following: a) a steam and hot water supply unit (1), comprising a steam generator (10) that can supply water via a steam generator delivery pipeline (12) and a hot water generator (20) that can supply water; b) a brewing unit (40) in which the hot beverage to be prepared can be prepared with water from the hot water generator (20); c) and a beverage outlet (70) from which the prepared beverage can be dispensed into a vessel, It is characterized in that d) The water to be supplied to the hot water generator (20) can first be guided through or along the steam generator (10) before it can be guided into the hot water generator (20), wherein a heat exchanger (17) is formed in the region of the steam generator (10).
2. The fully automatic coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The delivery pipeline (16) to the hot water generator (20) has a switching valve (30) and a branch (16a) passing through the steam generator (10) or leading along the steam generator (10) and a branch (16b) leading directly into the hot water generator (20).
3. The fully automatic coffee machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: In a first switched-on position of the switching valve (30), water to be heated flows through a branch (16a) of the supply line (16) passing through the steam generator (10) or leading along the steam generator (10) so as to then flow into the hot water generator (20) preheated, while a branch (16b) of the supply line (16) leading directly into the hot water generator (20) is blocked.
4. The fully automatic coffee machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: In the second switched-on position of the switching valve (30), the water to be heated flows into the hot water generator (20) via the branch (16b) of the delivery line (16) leading directly into the hot water generator (20) to be heated there by the heater (22) of the hot water generator (20), while the branch (16a) of the delivery line (16) leading through the steam generator (10) or along the steam generator (10) is blocked.
5. The fully automatic coffee machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The preheating power of the heat exchanger (17) is increased by a further tube helix, which is formed in the region of the steam generator (10) by a branch (16a) of the feed line (16) passing through the steam generator (10) or leading along the steam generator (10), so that the heat exchanger (17) operates like a tube helix heat exchanger.
6. The fully automatic coffee machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: At least one coffee grinder (61, 62) is provided, which is assigned a storage container for coffee beans.
7. The fully automatic coffee machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A milk system (90) is provided in which milk froth can be produced from milk by means of steam and air.