Intelligent coffee machine

Abstract

The utility model relates to an intelligent coffee machine which comprises a microcontroller. The microcontroller is electrically connected with a grinding assembly, a temperature adjusting assembly, a water volume adjusting assembly and a water pressure adjusting assembly, and the microcontroller is in communication connection with a dual-mode communication module which supports Bluetooth and WiFi communication at the same time. Compared with a traditional coffee machine with a single communication mode, the design scheme of the intelligent coffee machine supporting Bluetooth and WiFi dual-mode communication at the same time can provide more flexible communication selection, and can be switched to a more stable connection mode when signals are interrupted, so that the intelligent coffee machine can effectively operate in various scenes, and the service life of the coffee machine is prolonged. Therefore, the flexibility and reliability of remote control of the intelligent coffee machine are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of smart home, in particular to a smart coffee machine. Background Art

[0002] With the development of smart home technology, users are increasingly demanding more convenience and personalization from their coffee machines. Existing smart coffee machines already incorporate electronic technology to automate the entire coffee brewing process, including grinding, pressing, filling, brewing, and removing residue. They also support remote control, allowing users to customize brewing parameters, satisfying their individual coffee taste needs and enhancing the user experience.

[0003] However, although existing smart coffee machines can be connected to terminal devices to achieve the purpose of remote control, there are still problems such as device failure to connect or connection interruption, resulting in unreliable remote control. This problem needs to be solved. Utility Model Content

[0004] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a smart coffee machine to address the problem of unreliable remote control.

[0005] A smart coffee machine includes a microcontroller; the microcontroller is electrically connected to a grinding component, a temperature adjustment component, a water volume adjustment component, and a water pressure adjustment component; the microcontroller is communicatively connected to a dual-mode communication module that supports both Bluetooth and WiFi communications.

[0006] In one embodiment, the grinding assembly includes a movable grinding disc, a fixed grinding disc, a first stepper motor connected to the movable grinding disc, a second stepper motor connected to the fixed grinding disc, and a motor drive connected to the first stepper motor and the second stepper motor, and the microcontroller is electrically connected to the motor drive.

[0007] In one embodiment, the temperature regulating component includes a heater and a temperature control switch for controlling the heater to be turned on and off, and the microcontroller is connected to the temperature control switch via a relay.

[0008] In one embodiment, the temperature regulating component further includes a PID controller, a cooling plate and a temperature sensing element connected to the PID controller, and the microcontroller is connected to the PID controller.

[0009] In one embodiment, the water flow regulating assembly includes a water pump motor and a Hall flow sensor connected to the water pump motor.

[0010] In one embodiment, the water volume regulating assembly further includes a liquid level sensor connected to the microcontroller.

[0011] In one embodiment, the water pressure regulating assembly includes a steam wand and an air pressure sensor connected to the steam wand.

[0012] In one embodiment, the smart coffee machine further includes a weighing sensor for detecting the amount of coffee powder, and the weighing sensor is connected to the microcontroller.

[0013] In one embodiment, the smart coffee machine further includes a power supply module for supplying power to the microcontroller, the dual-mode communication module, the grinding assembly, the temperature adjustment assembly, the water volume adjustment assembly, and the water pressure adjustment assembly.

[0014] In one embodiment, the smart coffee machine further includes a display screen connected to the microcontroller.

[0015] The aforementioned smart coffee machine, with its dual-mode communication module, allows a user terminal to connect to the machine via Bluetooth or WiFi, thereby sending commands to the microcontroller, which in turn controls the grinding, temperature, water volume, and pressure control components to execute the corresponding commands, thereby satisfying the user's personalized coffee taste requirements. Compared to traditional coffee machines that rely solely on a single communication method, the proposed smart coffee machine design, which supports both Bluetooth and WiFi dual-mode communication, offers more flexible communication options and can switch to a more stable connection mode in the event of a signal interruption, enabling effective operation in a variety of scenarios. This improves the flexibility and reliability of remote control for the smart coffee machine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is the circuit block diagram of the smart coffee machine.

[0017] Figure numerals: 100, microcontroller; 101, temperature sensor; 201, movable grinding disc; 202, fixed grinding disc; 203, first stepper motor; 204, second stepper motor; 205, motor drive; 301, heater; 302, temperature control switch; 303, relay; 304, PID controller; 305, cooling plate; 306, temperature sensing element; 401, water pump motor; 402, Hall flow sensor; 403, liquid level sensor; 501, steam wand; 502, air pressure sensor; 600, dual-mode communication module; 700, weighing sensor; 801, power supply module; 802, first power supply submodule; 803, second power supply submodule; 804, MOS level conversion circuit; 900, display screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following description sets forth many specific details to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many other ways than those described herein, and those skilled in the art may make similar modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0019] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like to indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations 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 device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation to the present invention.

[0020] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of this utility model, "plurality" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0021] In this utility model, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection, electrical connection; direct connection, or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two components, or interaction between two components, unless otherwise specified. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model based on specific circumstances.

[0022] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, when a first feature is "above" or "below" a second feature, it may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediary. Furthermore, when a first feature is "above," "above," or "above" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. When a first feature is "below," "below," or "below" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a lower level than the second feature.

[0023] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation methods.

[0024] See Figure 1 , Figure 1 A circuit block diagram of an intelligent coffee machine in one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The intelligent coffee machine provided by one embodiment of the present invention includes a microcontroller 100; the microcontroller 100 is electrically connected to a grinding component, a temperature adjustment component, a water volume adjustment component, and a water pressure adjustment component. The microcontroller 100 is communicatively connected to a dual-mode communication module 600 that supports both Bluetooth and WiFi communications.

[0025] The grinding assembly grinds coffee beans into powder, while the temperature, water, and pressure control assemblies adjust the temperature, water volume, and water pressure, respectively, during the coffee brewing process. Microcontroller 100 remotely connects to the user terminal wirelessly via dual communication modules, receiving control commands from the terminal and distributing them to the grinding, temperature, water, and pressure control assemblies for execution.

[0026] The dual-mode communication module 600 can support both Bluetooth and WiFi communications on a single chip. Bluetooth communication is characterized by low power consumption and short-range communication, while WiFi communication is characterized by high data transmission rate, large communication range, and strong anti-interference capability. The two communication modes can complement each other, and the user terminal can choose the best connection method according to the actual environment, thereby realizing reliable remote control of the smart coffee machine.

[0027] In one embodiment, the grinding assembly includes a movable grinding disc 201, a fixed grinding disc 202, a first stepper motor 203 connected to the movable grinding disc 201, a second stepper motor 204 connected to the fixed grinding disc 202, and a motor drive 205 connected to the first stepper motor 203 and the second stepper motor 204, and the microcontroller 100 is electrically connected to the motor drive 205.

[0028] In this embodiment, the fixed grinding disc 202 is typically fixed to the bottom of the coffee machine, and the movable grinding disc 201 is located above the fixed grinding disc 202 and can move up and down. Both grinding discs have grinding teeth. The first stepper motor 203 controls the up and down movement of the movable grinding disc 201, thereby changing the distance between the two grinding discs. The larger the distance, the coarser the ground coffee beans; the smaller the distance, the finer the particles. The second stepper motor 204 is used to adjust the size of the coffee powder outlet on the fixed grinding disc 202. The microcontroller 100 controls the operation of the first stepper motor 203 and the second stepper motor 204 respectively through stepper drive, and realizes the control of the coarseness of the coffee powder according to the instructions of the user terminal. The specific implementation structure of the above functions refers to the existing coffee machines and will not be repeated here.

[0029] In one embodiment, the temperature adjustment component includes a heater 301 and a temperature control switch 302 for controlling the heater 301 to be turned on and off. The microcontroller 100 is connected to the temperature control switch 302 via a relay 303 .

[0030] Heater 301 can be an electric heating element that generates heat by flowing current through a heating wire, thereby heating water or coffee. Temperature control switch 302 monitors the temperature of heater 301 and automatically controls its operation when the set temperature is reached, ensuring that the coffee machine operates within a safe and effective temperature range.

[0031] Since the heating power of the heater 301 is relatively large, the relay 303 plays an important role in switching and protecting, and can effectively improve the safety and reliability of the temperature adjustment component.

[0032] In this embodiment, at least two relays 303 are provided, each connected in parallel. A single relay 303 may not be able to withstand excessive current or power. By connecting two relays 303 in parallel, the current is shared between the two relays 303, reducing the burden on each relay 303 and extending its service life. Furthermore, connecting relays 303 in parallel increases system redundancy. If one relay 303 fails, the other relay 303 can continue to operate, ensuring the normal operation of the heating system.

[0033] In one embodiment, the temperature regulation component further includes a PID controller 304 , and a cooling plate 305 and a temperature sensing element 306 connected to the PID (Proportional, Integral, Derivative) controller 304 , and the microcontroller 100 is connected to the PID controller 304 .

[0034] The PID controller 304 is a widely used feedback controller suitable for many automation and control systems. In the PID control system, the following three basic control actions are used in combination: 1. The role of proportional (P) control is to adjust the control output according to the error between the set value and the actual value. The larger the error, the stronger the proportional control effect, but the proportional control cannot completely eliminate the error. 2. The role of integral (I) control is to accumulate and sum historical errors to eliminate steady-state errors. The stronger the integral effect, the longer it takes for the system to reach the set value, but it can ensure that the deviation is eventually eliminated. 3. The role of differential (D) control is to adjust the control output according to the rate of change of the error (i.e., the derivative of the error). The differential action can predict the trend of error changes, help reduce or prevent overshoot, and improve the dynamic performance of the system. In this embodiment, four temperature sensing elements 306 are used to provide temperature data to the PID controller 304. The PID controller 304 adjusts the heating or cooling of the refrigeration plate 305 based on this data to maintain the required temperature. The temperature sensing element 306 is specifically a NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) temperature sensing element 306 , such as an NTC thermistor.

[0035] In one embodiment, the water flow regulating assembly includes a water pump motor 401 and a Hall flow sensor 402 connected to the water pump motor 401 .

[0036] The Hall effect refers to the phenomenon in which a magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of current flowing through a conductor or semiconductor generates a voltage difference across the conductor. This voltage difference is known as the Hall voltage. The Hall flow sensor 402 utilizes this principle to sense fluid flow, providing high flow measurement accuracy and suitable for applications requiring precise flow control.

[0037] In this embodiment, the amount of added water is monitored in real time by the Hall flow sensor 402 , and the microcontroller 100 controls the start and stop of the water pump motor 401 according to the change in water amount and the control instruction of the user terminal, thereby achieving the regulation of water amount.

[0038] In one embodiment, the water volume regulating assembly further includes a liquid level sensor 403 connected to the microcontroller 100 .

[0039] The liquid level sensor 403 is a device used to measure the height or level of liquid in a container or tank. The liquid level in the coffee cup is monitored by the liquid level sensor 403 to monitor the water volume and provide data support for the microcontroller 100 to control the working state of the water pump motor 401 to avoid overflow.

[0040] In one embodiment, the water pressure regulating assembly includes a steam wand 501 and an air pressure sensor 502 connected to the steam wand 501 .

[0041] The steam wand 501 heats and froths the milk into a fine foam. By introducing steam into the milk, the steam wand 501 stirs the milk, heating it and incorporating air, creating foam that adds flavor to the coffee. Generally speaking, the higher the steam pressure, the faster the frothing time. The microcontroller 100 monitors pressure changes during the coffee brewing process by acquiring air pressure data from the air pressure sensor 502 and adjusting the operating state of the steam wand 501 to personalize the coffee's taste.

[0042] In one embodiment, the smart coffee machine further includes a weighing sensor 700 for detecting the amount of coffee powder, and the weighing sensor 700 is connected to the microcontroller 100 .

[0043] The weighing sensor 700 can determine the amount of coffee powder added to the coffee cup based on the weight change of the coffee cup, thereby more accurately adjusting the parameters such as water volume, water pressure, and temperature of coffee brewing to meet the customer's taste needs.

[0044] In one embodiment, the smart coffee machine further includes a power supply module 801 for supplying power to the microcontroller 100, the dual-mode communication module 600, the grinding assembly, the temperature adjustment assembly, the water volume adjustment assembly, and the water pressure adjustment assembly.

[0045] The power module 801 implements AC / DC conversion of the power supply through a transformer, reducing the 220V voltage to 24V to power a DC motor, such as the water pump motor 401.

[0046] In this embodiment, the power module 801 is further connected to a first power supply submodule 802, which can be a step-down DC / DC converter that reduces the 24V voltage to 3.3V to power the dual-mode communication module 600 and sensors such as the Hall effect flow sensor 402 and the air pressure sensor 502. The power module 801 is further connected to a second power supply submodule 803, which can be a step-down DC / DC converter that reduces the 12V voltage to 5V to power the microcontroller 100. The power module 801 is also connected to a MOS level conversion circuit 804 to enable bidirectional communication between components or modules in different power voltage domains.

[0047] In one embodiment, the smart coffee machine further includes a display screen 900 connected to the microcontroller 100 .

[0048] The microcontroller 100 displays the acquired data such as water pressure, temperature, and water volume in real time through the display screen 900, so that the user can predict the taste of the brewed coffee in advance based on the data changes.

[0049] In one embodiment, the smart coffee machine further includes a temperature sensor 101 connected to the microcontroller 100 for detecting the temperature of coffee in a cup that has been left on the coffee machine and not removed promptly. The temperature is displayed on a display screen 900, allowing the user to monitor the coffee temperature and avoid missing the optimal drinking temperature. To ensure hygiene, the temperature sensor 101 can be a non-contact temperature measurement tool, such as an infrared temperature sensor.

[0050] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0051] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementations of the present invention. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art would be able to make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present utility model patent shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An intelligent coffee machine, characterized in that: The smart coffee machine includes: a microcontroller; the microcontroller is electrically connected to a grinding component, a temperature adjustment component, a water volume adjustment component and a water pressure adjustment component; the microcontroller is communicatively connected to a dual-mode communication module that supports both Bluetooth and WiFi communications.

2. The smart coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The grinding assembly includes a movable grinding disc, a fixed grinding disc, a first stepper motor connected to the movable grinding disc, a second stepper motor connected to the fixed grinding disc, and a motor drive connected to the first stepper motor and the second stepper motor, and the microcontroller is electrically connected to the motor drive.

3. The smart coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature regulating component includes a heater and a temperature control switch for controlling the heater to be turned on and off, and the microcontroller is connected to the temperature control switch via a relay.

4. The smart coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature regulating component further comprises a PID controller, and a refrigeration plate and a temperature sensing element connected to the PID controller, and the microcontroller is connected to the PID controller.

5. The smart coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water volume regulating assembly includes a water pump motor and a Hall flow sensor connected to the water pump motor.

6. The intelligent coffee machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The water volume regulating assembly further comprises a liquid level sensor connected to the microcontroller.

7. The smart coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water pressure regulating assembly includes a steam rod and an air pressure sensor connected to the steam rod.

8. The smart coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The smart coffee machine further comprises a weighing sensor for detecting the amount of coffee powder, and the weighing sensor is connected to the microcontroller.

9. The smart coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The smart coffee machine also includes a power supply module for supplying power to the microcontroller, the dual-mode communication module, the grinding assembly, the temperature adjustment assembly, the water volume adjustment assembly, and the water pressure adjustment assembly.

10. The smart coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The smart coffee machine also includes a display screen connected to the microcontroller.

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