Sliding cover driving mechanism

Abstract

The utility model discloses a slip cover driving mechanism and is used for beverage dispenser using capsule to brew beverage, the beverage dispenser comprises a shell, a slip cover and a brewing assembly located in the shell, the shell is connected with the slip cover in a sliding mode, the brewing assembly is connected with the slip cover, and the brewing assembly is connected with the slip cover. And the brewing assembly is driven by the sliding cover to be switched between a brewing state and a standby state. The brewing assembly is driven by the sliding cover to switch the working states, a structure for switching the working states does not need to be additionally arranged, and the effect is reliable; the sliding cover also has a power supply control function, an additional power switch is not needed, and the beverage dispenser can be turned on or turned off only by pushing the sliding cover once; the sliding cover has a clear state prompt in the sliding process, so that a user can know the current working state of the beverage dispenser conveniently.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a capsule coffee machine or other similar beverage machines suitable for capsule brewing, and in particular to a driving mechanism of the beverage machine. Background Art

[0002] A capsule beverage machine (such as a capsule coffee machine) includes a beverage preparation component and a cover that isolates the preparation component from the outside of the device during the beverage preparation process. The cover is typically opened by a flip-up or sliding cover. The flip-up cover also typically causes the beverage preparation component to lift upward to facilitate the installation or removal of a capsule. Chinese utility model patent publication number CN201375421Y discloses a beverage brewing device comprising a bracket, a cylinder connected to the bracket via a connecting rod assembly, and a flip-up cover capable of driving the connecting rod assembly. Chinese invention patent application publication number CN104026980A discloses a beverage brewing device in which a capsule chamber is driven by a drive mechanism, first rotating and then moving horizontally. Chinese utility model patent publication number CN213940482U discloses a coffee brewing device in which the brewing component is horizontally driven by a screw assembly, and the sliding cover serves only to isolate the device from the outside world.

[0003] Therefore, the sliding cover of the coffee machine using the sliding cover in the prior art can only play the above-mentioned isolation role, and beverage preparation still needs to be completed through other devices or operations, and the operation process is relatively cumbersome. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide a sliding cover driving mechanism which is easy to operate and simple in structure, so as to solve the technical problem of complicated operation and redundant structure in the prior art.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above technical problems is: a sliding cover driving mechanism, a beverage machine for brewing beverages using capsules, the beverage machine including a shell and a sliding cover, and a brewing component located inside the shell, the shell and the sliding cover are slidably connected, the brewing component is connected to the sliding cover, and the brewing component is driven by the sliding cover to switch between a brewing state and a standby state.

[0006] Furthermore, the shell and the sliding cover are slidably connected via a sliding mechanism, and the sliding mechanism includes an identification portion and a limiting portion that cooperate with each other. When the brewing assembly is in the brewing state and the standby state, the identification portion cooperates with the limiting portion.

[0007] Furthermore, the limiting part includes a first limiting part and a second limiting part, and the first limiting part and the second limiting part are arranged in sequence along the moving direction of the sliding cover. When the identification part cooperates with the first limiting part, the brewing component is in the brewing state, and when the identification part cooperates with the second limiting part, the brewing component is in the standby state.

[0008] Furthermore, the sliding cover includes a cover body and a driving end connected to each other, the brewing assembly includes a brewing connector and a brewing component connected to each other, and the driving end is connected to the brewing connector.

[0009] Furthermore, the housing has an opening, and the opening allows the driving end to move back and forth therein.

[0010] Furthermore, the limiting part includes a first limiting part and a second limiting part, and the first limiting part and the second limiting part are sequentially arranged on the edge of the opening along the moving direction of the driving end. When the identification part cooperates with the first limiting part, the brewing component is in the brewing state, and when the identification part cooperates with the second limiting part, the brewing component is in the standby state.

[0011] Furthermore, the shell includes a capsule loading port, and the capsule loading port and the opening are arranged in sequence along the moving direction of the sliding cover.

[0012] Furthermore, the capsule loading port is opened and closed by the sliding cover.

[0013] Furthermore, the sliding cover has a trigger protrusion for triggering a power switch. When the power switch is turned on, the brewing component enters the brewing state. When the power switch is turned off, the brewing component ends the brewing state.

[0014] Furthermore, the recognition portion and the limiting portion are sensed by the user through touch, vision or hearing when they are engaged and / or disengaged.

[0015] Compared with the existing technology, the advantages of the present invention are: the brewing component is driven by the sliding cover to switch the working state, and there is no need to set up an additional structure for switching the working state, and the effect is reliable; the sliding cover has the function of power control, and there is no need to set up an additional power switch, and the beverage machine can be turned on or off by just pushing it once; the sliding cover has a clear status prompt during the sliding process, which makes it easy for users to understand the current working status of the beverage machine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the sliding cover driving mechanism of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2It is a cross-sectional view of the sliding cover driving mechanism of the present invention along the XY plane.

[0018] Figure 3 It is a partial structural diagram of the sliding cover driving mechanism of the utility model.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the sliding cover and power switch of the sliding cover driving mechanism of the utility model.

[0020] Figure 5 This is another sectional perspective view of the sliding cover driving mechanism of the present invention along the XY plane.

[0021] Description of reference numerals:

[0022] 100 - housing, 103 - guide hole, 104 - opening, 105 - capsule loading port, 106 - mounting end, 110 - brewing head, 111 - retaining member, 120 - rear connection position, 130 - first limiting portion, 131 - first limiting protrusion, 140 - second limiting portion, 141 - second limiting protrusion;

[0023] 200 - sliding cover, 201 - handle, 210 - cover body, 220 - driving end, 230 - identification part, 231 - recess, 232 - edge, 240 - slider, 241 - protrusion, 260 - trigger protrusion;

[0024] 300-brewing assembly, 310-brewing part, 320-first connecting rod, 330-second connecting rod, 340-third connecting rod;

[0025] 400-Switch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0027] Reference Figure 1-5 The sliding cover driving mechanism of the present invention is used to isolate the brewing assembly 300 from the external space and to drive the brewing assembly 300. The capsule beverage machine using the sliding cover driving mechanism of the present invention includes a housing 100 and a sliding cover 200 slidably connected to the housing 100.

[0028] like Figure 2As shown, the brewing assembly 300 includes a brewing head 110 located at one end of the housing 100, a brewing element 310, and a brewing connector. The brewing element 310 is used to install coffee capsules or other beverage capsules. The brewing element 310 and the brewing head 110 cooperate to form a sealed or relatively sealed brewing space, in which the capsule is punctured and the beverage is extracted. The brewing connector is connected to the brewing element 310 and the sliding cover respectively. The sliding cover 200 drives the brewing connector to drive the brewing element 310 and the sliding cover 200 to move in the same direction or opposite direction, thereby moving the brewing element 310 closer to or farther away from the brewing head 110. In one embodiment, the brewing connector includes a first connecting rod 320, a second connecting rod 330, and a third connecting rod 340. The brewing component 310 is rotatably connected to one end of the first connecting rod 320. The other end of the first connecting rod 320 is rotatably connected to one end of the second connecting rod 330 and the third connecting rod 340. The other end of the third connecting rod 340 is rotatably connected to the rear connection portion 120 of the housing 100. The other end of the second connecting rod 330 is rotatably connected to the sliding cover 200. In one embodiment, the other end of the second connecting rod 330 is rotatably connected to the driving end 220 via a rotating shaft 221. In other embodiments, the brewing connection component can also be another component for driving the brewing component 310.

[0029] In one embodiment, the housing 100 has a capsule loading port 105. After the capsule is loaded into the brewing part 310, the capsule loading port 105 is closed / covered by the sliding cover 200, and the brewing part 310 and the brewing head 110 constitute a brewing space; when the capsule needs to be loaded into the brewing part 310 or when the capsule needs to be taken out, the capsule loading port 105 is opened by the sliding cover 200. In some embodiments, while the capsule loading port 105 is closed by the sliding cover 200, the brewing component 310 and the brewing head 110 form a brewing space. In other embodiments, after the brewing component 310 and the brewing head 110 form the brewing space, the sliding cover 200 continues to slide for a distance before the capsule loading port 105 is closed by the sliding cover 200. In one embodiment, the capsule loading port 105 is located at the top of the housing 100. In another embodiment, the capsule loading port is located on the side wall of the housing 100 (not shown in the figure). The sliding cover 200 has a shielding portion extending downwardly to the capsule loading port. The sliding cover 200 closes or opens the capsule loading port by moving the shielding portion during the sliding process. In another embodiment, the capsule is loaded into the brewing component 310 through another inlet. The sliding cover 200 cannot close or open the other inlet. The sliding cover 200 is only used to drive the sliding cover drive mechanism to drive the brewing component 310 toward or away from the brewing head 110.

[0030] The sliding cover 200 comprises at least a cover body 210 and a driving end 220 connected to each other. The cover body 210 provides a force application site for the user and isolates the brewing space from the outside in the embodiment where the capsule loading port 105 needs to be closed. The driving end 220 is used to control the switching of the brewing assembly 300 between the brewing state and the standby state. When the sliding cover 200 is moved in the horizontal direction ( Figure 2 When the driving end 220 moves along the X-axis (as shown), the driving end 220 drives the brewing component 310 through the brewing connector to move toward or away from the brewing head 110. In some embodiments, the brewing head 110 is mounted at one end of the housing 100 and is stationary. In other embodiments, the brewing head 110 can be driven as needed or detachably connected to the housing 100. In one embodiment, the brewing head 110 can also be driven by the driving end 220.

[0031] The sliding cover 200 is connected to the housing 100 in a horizontal or substantially horizontal direction. In one embodiment, the sliding cover 200 is located at the top of the housing 100; in another embodiment, the sliding cover 200 is located inside the housing 100 and near the top, and the upper surface of the cover body 210 has a force-applying portion that extends from the top of the housing 100 and can be touched by the user to apply external force; in other embodiments, the sliding cover 200 can also be located on the side of the housing 100. In one embodiment, as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, the force-applying portion is a handle 201, which is convenient for the user to push and pull; in another embodiment, the force-applying portion can also be a protrusion, a depression directly formed on the upper surface of the cover body 210, or a pattern that increases the contact area between the user's fingers and the surface of the cover body 210; in other embodiments, the force-applying portion can also be a handle, a button, or other components that are easily controlled by the user with one hand.

[0032] The sliding cover 200 is connected to the housing 100 via a sliding mechanism. The sliding mechanism includes a guide portion and a sliding portion that are slidably connected. The guide portion can be a guide rail, a guide groove, or a guide through hole with a certain length in the X-axis direction located at the top of the housing 100. The sliding portion can be a slide groove or a slider that can slide back and forth along the extension direction (X-axis) of the guide portion and can maintain contact with the guide portion during the sliding process. Figure 3As shown, in one embodiment, the guide portion is a guide hole 103, and the sliding portion is a slider 240 that can slide back and forth in the guide hole 103. The slider 240 is located on the bottom surface or side of the sliding cover 200. In one embodiment, the slider 240 has a protrusion 241, which abuts against the edge of the guide hole 103 to prevent the slider 240 from disengaging from the guide hole 103 during sliding. Since the protrusion 241 increases the contact area between the slider 240 and the guide hole 103, it may increase the friction resistance during sliding. Those skilled in the art can use conventional means to reduce this friction resistance, which will not be described here. In another embodiment, the guide portion and the sliding portion can be interchanged, that is, the guide portion is located on the sliding cover 200 and the sliding portion is located on the housing 100.

[0033] In one embodiment, in order to facilitate the installation of the slider 240 into the guide hole 103, one end of the guide hole 103 is the mounting end 106, and the mounting end 106 allows the slider 240 and its protrusion 241 to pass through and slide toward the other end of the guide hole 103. When the slider 240 is at any position of the guide hole 103 except the mounting end 106, it cannot be separated from the guide hole 103, and during normal use of the sliding cover 200, the slider 240 is restricted from sliding into the mounting end 106 to ensure that the slider 240 will not accidentally separate from the guide part.

[0034] In order to facilitate the user to identify the position status of the sliding cover 200 during the movement, that is, the current working status of the beverage machine, the sliding mechanism also includes an identification part and a limiting part. In one embodiment, the identification part 230 is located on the sliding cover 200, and the limiting part is located on the outer shell 100; in another embodiment, the limiting part is located on the sliding cover 200, and the identification part is located on the outer shell 100.

[0035] After the identification part approaches the limiting part or contacts and cooperates with the limiting part, the identification part can remain relatively still with the limiting part without being subjected to external force. The identification part is easy to leave the limiting part when subjected to external force, and can be perceived by the user through touch, vision or hearing when the above state is switched. In one embodiment, the identification part is magnetically connected to the limiting part; in another embodiment, the identification part and the limiting part are connected by a recess and a protrusion, and the user can perceive it through the touch of the hand. At the same time, a slight "click" sound is generated when the protrusion is engaged in or disengaged from the recess, which can be perceived by the user's hearing; in other embodiments, the switching of the above states can also be prompted by other methods that are easy for the user to perceive, such as sound prompts through prompt sounds, visual prompts through indicator lights, etc. Based on this, those skilled in the art can think of corresponding implementation plans, which will not be repeated here.

[0036] In one embodiment, the sliding cover 200 has both the function of opening / closing the capsule loading port 105 and the function of driving the brewing component 300, wherein the capsule loading port 105 has at least two states, namely, fully open and fully closed, and the brewing component 300 has at least two states, namely, working and no-load. Even if the open state of the capsule loading port 105 is synchronized with the no-load state of the brewing component 300, and the closed state of the former is synchronized with the working state of the latter, at least two sets of limiting parts need to be set, including a first limiting part 130 and a second limiting part 140. When the identification part 230 cooperates with the first limiting part 130, it is used to control and prompt the open state of the capsule loading port 105 and the standby (no-load) state of the brewing component 300. When the identification part 230 cooperates with the second limiting part 140, it is used to control and prompt the closed state of the capsule loading port 105 and the working state of the brewing component 300. In other embodiments, more limiting parts can be provided according to actual needs, for example, when different states of the capsule loading port 105 and the brewing component 300 need to be realized and prompted separately through different limiting parts, or when the sliding cover 200 needs to trigger other functions during the sliding process.

[0037] In another embodiment, the sliding cover 200 only has the function of driving the brewing component 300, and there are at least two states: brewing and standby; similarly, when more functions need to be triggered, corresponding limit parts can be set on the housing 100 along the moving path of the sliding cover 200 to respectively prompt different working states.

[0038] In one embodiment, the sliding cover 200 also functions as a power switch trigger. The sliding cover 200 includes a trigger protrusion 260, and the switch 400 is disposed within the housing 100. When the sliding cover 200 slides, the trigger protrusion 260 moves to the switch 400, turning on the power. Prior to or simultaneously with this, the identification portion 230 engages with the second stop portion 140, causing the brewing assembly 300 to enter a brewing state. When the sliding cover 200 slides in the opposite direction, the trigger protrusion 260 moves away from the switch 400, turning off the power and ending the brewing state. In other embodiments, the sliding cover 200 can also trigger the power switch in other ways. As the sliding cover 200 continues to slide in the opposite direction, the brewing head 110 and brewing element 310 of the brewing assembly 300 separate until the identification portion engages with the first stop portion 130, causing the brewing assembly 300 to enter a standby state.

[0039] In one embodiment, Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the first limiting portion 130 and the second limiting portion 140 are arranged in sequence along the moving direction of the sliding cover 200. The identification portion 230 has a recess 231, and the first limiting portion 130 and the second limiting portion 140 both have limiting protrusions. The first limiting portion 130 has a first limiting protrusion 131, and the second limiting portion 140 has a second limiting protrusion 141. The limiting protrusion can be snapped into the recess 231, thereby achieving relative stillness between the limiting portion and the identification portion. In one embodiment, the recess 231 has a smoothly transitioning edge 232, which is on the path before and after the limiting protrusion enters and exits, thereby reducing the resistance to the limiting protrusion entering and exiting. In another embodiment, the recess 231 and the limiting protrusion can be interchanged.

[0040] In one embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, there is space around the limiting protrusion on the housing 100 (on both sides and / or up and down) to allow it to deform or swing slightly, so as to further reduce the resistance between the limiting protrusion and the recess 231 when mating and releasing.

[0041] Because the driving end 220 requires sufficient space when moving, the top of the housing 100 has an opening 104, which allows the driving end 220 to move back and forth therein. The interior of the housing 100 has a space corresponding to the opening 104, extending downward from the opening 104 until it reaches the brewing connector. The first limiting portion 130 and the second limiting portion 140 are sequentially arranged at the edge of the opening 104 along the moving direction of the driving end 220; in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the first stopper 130 and the second stopper 140 are symmetrically arranged along the edge of the opening 104 along the direction of movement of the driving end 220. In one embodiment, the capsule loading port 105 and the opening 104 are arranged sequentially along the X-axis. When in operation, in one embodiment, a portion of the opening 104 near the brewing head 110 is covered by the cover 210. In another embodiment, the opening 104 is completely covered by the cover 210.

[0042] like Figure 2-5 As shown, the driving end 220 drives the brewing component 310 to move forward and backward through the brewing connector. When the sliding cover 200 slides to the point where the identification portion 230 engages with the first limiting portion 130, the brewing assembly 300 is in a standby state. The brewing component 310 is away from the brewing head 110, leaving enough space between the brewing head 110 to temporarily accommodate a capsule. The capsule loading port 105 is opened, and the capsule is loaded from the capsule loading port 105 and held in a position ready for brewing by the retaining member 111. In one embodiment, the retaining member 111 is a groove with an opening toward the axis of the brewing component 110, which can just accommodate the outer edge of the capsule seal (or sealing sticker); in one embodiment, the retaining member 111 is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the axis of the brewing component 110.

[0043] The sliding cover 200 drives the brewing component 310 toward the brewing head 110, and the capsule held between the brewing head 110 and the brewing component 310 enters the brewing component 310. When the sliding cover 200 slides until the identification portion 230 engages with the second limiting portion 140, the brewing component 310 and the brewing head 110 retain the capsule within the sealed brewing space. The trigger protrusion 260 then or subsequently slides to the power switch 400 and turns on the power switch 400 to begin brewing. After brewing is completed, the sliding cover 200 is again driven to drive the brewing component 310 away from the brewing head 110. The capsule leaves the brewing space and is removed. The sliding cover 200 drives the trigger protrusion 260 to disengage the power switch 400, which turns off. When the sliding cover 200 slides until the identification portion 230 engages with the first limiting portion 130, the brewing assembly 300 returns to the standby state.

Claims

1. A sliding cover drive mechanism for a beverage machine for brewing beverages using capsules, the beverage machine comprising a housing and a sliding cover, and a brewing assembly located inside the housing, characterized in that: The housing and the sliding cover are slidably connected, the brewing assembly is connected to the sliding cover, and the brewing assembly is driven by the sliding cover to switch between a brewing state and a standby state.

2. The sliding cover driving mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The housing and the sliding cover are slidably connected via a sliding mechanism. The sliding mechanism comprises an identification portion and a limiting portion that cooperate with each other. When the brewing assembly is in the brewing state and the standby state, the identification portion cooperates with the limiting portion.

3. The sliding cover driving mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: The limiting part includes a first limiting part and a second limiting part, and the first limiting part and the second limiting part are arranged in sequence along the moving direction of the sliding cover. When the identification part cooperates with the first limiting part, the brewing component is in the brewing state, and when the identification part cooperates with the second limiting part, the brewing component is in the standby state.

4. The sliding cover driving mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: The sliding cover includes a cover body and a driving end that are connected to each other. The brewing assembly includes a brewing connector and a brewing component that are connected to each other. The driving end is connected to the brewing connector.

5. The sliding cover driving mechanism according to claim 4, wherein: The housing has an opening that allows the drive end to move back and forth therein.

6. The sliding cover driving mechanism according to claim 5, wherein: The limiting part includes a first limiting part and a second limiting part, and the first limiting part and the second limiting part are sequentially arranged on the edge of the opening along the moving direction of the driving end. When the identification part cooperates with the first limiting part, the brewing component is in the brewing state, and when the identification part cooperates with the second limiting part, the brewing component is in the standby state.

7. The sliding cover driving mechanism according to claim 5, wherein: The shell includes a capsule loading port, and the capsule loading port and the opening are arranged in sequence along the moving direction of the sliding cover.

8. The sliding cover driving mechanism according to claim 7, wherein: The capsule loading port is opened and closed by the sliding cover.

9. The sliding cover driving mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: The sliding cover has a trigger protrusion for triggering the power switch. When the power switch is turned on, the brewing component enters the brewing state. When the power switch is turned off, the brewing component ends the brewing state.

10. The sliding cover driving mechanism according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that: When the identification portion and the limiting portion are engaged and / or disengaged, the user can sense them through touch, vision or hearing.

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