Air flow regulating valve and coffee machine

Abstract

The utility model discloses an air flow regulating valve and a coffee machine, the air flow regulating valve comprises a valve body, an air guide cavity is formed in the valve body, the air guide cavity is provided with an air inlet end and an air outlet end which are communicated with an external air source, and a throttling hole is formed at the air outlet end of the air guide cavity; and the adjusting assembly comprises an adjusting seat and an adjusting rod, the adjusting seat is arranged on the valve body, the working end of the adjusting rod is arranged corresponding to the throttling hole, the adjusting seat is suitable for converting rotary motion of the adjusting rod into axial displacement, and the axial displacement of the adjusting rod can change the circulation sectional area between the adjusting rod and the throttling hole. Staged pressure control can be achieved, and the coffee extraction effect is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of coffee equipment technology, and in particular to a gas volume regulating valve and a coffee machine. Background Technology

[0002] When brewing espresso, ensuring the appropriate pressure is crucial, as this helps to more effectively extract the oils from the coffee grounds, thus enhancing the flavor of the beverage. An ideal extraction process typically includes a preliminary stage where the coffee grounds are pre-infused at a low pressure of 1-3 bar for a few seconds, followed by increasing the pressure to a high of 9 bar for the main extraction. However, some espresso makers on the market today, which rely on gas cylinders for air supply, struggle to achieve precise pressure control within the water tank. This means they can only release pressure up to 9 bar at a time, unable to perform the segmented pressure adjustments described above. Consequently, coffee brewed with these devices often lacks in texture and flavor. To achieve optimal extraction, devices with more precise pressure control are necessary. Current technology urgently needs improvement to address these issues. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a gas flow regulating valve that enables staged pressure control, thereby improving the coffee extraction effect.

[0004] In addition, this utility model also proposes a coffee machine.

[0005] A gas volume regulating valve according to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0006] The valve body has an internal air guide chamber, which is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet that are connected to an external air source. The air outlet of the air guide chamber forms a throttling orifice.

[0007] The regulating assembly includes an regulating seat and an regulating rod. The regulating seat is disposed on the valve body, and the working end of the regulating rod is disposed corresponding to the throttling orifice. The regulating seat is adapted to convert the rotational motion of the regulating rod into axial displacement. The axial displacement of the regulating rod can change the flow cross-sectional area between the regulating rod and the throttling orifice.

[0008] A gas flow regulating valve according to an embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: Through the cooperative use of the regulating seat and regulating rod in the regulating assembly, rotational motion can be precisely converted into axial displacement, thereby achieving fine adjustment of the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the throttling orifice. This allows users to precisely control the gas flow rate according to actual needs, meeting the requirements of different application scenarios; it can more accurately control the gas outflow, avoiding unnecessary energy waste, especially in situations requiring long-term operation or frequent gas flow adjustments, thus helping to improve the overall system's energy efficiency ratio; the design of the regulating assembly allows operators to easily complete complex flow regulation tasks through simple rotational movements, greatly improving ease of use; and by precisely controlling the gas flow rate, it reduces system fluctuations caused by unstable flow, enhancing the stability and reliability of equipment operation.

[0009] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the inner wall of the adjusting seat is provided with a first threaded portion, and the outer wall of the adjusting rod is provided with a second threaded portion. The first threaded portion and the second threaded portion form a helical transmission pair. Through the helical transmission pair formed by the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion, very fine axial displacement adjustment can be achieved when the adjusting rod is rotated, which significantly improves the accuracy of adjusting the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the throttling orifice, thereby achieving more precise gas flow control.

[0010] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the pitch of the helical drive pair is 0.7mm to 0.8mm, and the thread profile is a trapezoidal thread with self-locking characteristics. The pitch design allows for very fine flow adjustment, with smaller axial displacement of the adjusting rod each time it is rotated, thereby enabling more precise control of the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the throttling orifice.

[0011] According to some embodiments of this utility model, a first sealing ring is provided between the outer wall of the adjusting rod and the inner wall of the air guiding chamber, and a second sealing ring is provided between the outer wall of the adjusting seat and the inner wall of the valve body. The provision of the first and second sealing rings effectively prevents gas leakage from the gap between the adjusting rod and the air guiding chamber and the gap between the adjusting seat and the valve body, ensuring the system's sealing performance.

[0012] According to some embodiments of this utility model, a tapered adjusting head is provided at the end of the adjusting rod, and the tapered surface of the tapered adjusting head forms a gradually narrowing throttling channel with the inlet of the throttling orifice. The gradually narrowing throttling channel helps guide the gas to pass through in a smoother and more orderly manner, reducing turbulence and pressure loss, and improving the overall efficiency of the system.

[0013] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the adjusting assembly further includes an adjusting handle, and the top circumferentially of the adjusting rod is provided with multiple positioning grooves, which form a transmission engagement with the adjusting rod. The positioning grooves enable stable transmission between the positioning grooves and the adjusting rod.

[0014] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the air inlet end is provided with a gas cylinder connection mechanism, which includes a gas cylinder mounting base, and the gas cylinder mounting base is detachably connected to the valve body. By adopting a detachable gas cylinder mounting base, modularization of system components is achieved, facilitating the selection of appropriate gas cylinder types or other related accessories according to different application scenarios, thereby enhancing the versatility and adaptability of the equipment.

[0015] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the inner wall of the gas cylinder mounting base is connected to the outer wall of the air inlet end via a ratchet structure. The ratchet structure provides clear operational feedback during installation, letting the user know that the connection has been correctly completed, thus enhancing user confidence and satisfaction.

[0016] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the valve body further includes an inlet sealing seat, which is disposed at the inlet end. The inlet sealing seat has a first annular groove and a second annular groove respectively formed at its two ends. A third sealing ring is disposed in the first annular groove, and a fourth sealing ring is disposed in the second annular groove. The inlet sealing seat not only serves as the mounting location for the sealing rings but also provides additional mechanical support, enabling it to withstand high-pressure gas and effectively preventing deformation or damage to the sealing rings due to high pressure, thereby improving the pressure resistance of the entire system.

[0017] A coffee machine according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the aforementioned gas volume regulating valve, wherein the gas outlet is configured to circulate with the brewing chamber of the coffee machine.

[0018] The coffee machine according to the second aspect of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: by using the gas volume regulating valve to precisely control the gas flow rate entering the brewing chamber, the pressure and flow rate during the coffee extraction process can be finely adjusted. Users can easily adjust the working state of the coffee machine by adjusting the gas volume regulating valve without complicated settings or professional skills, thus improving the convenience of use.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a gas volume regulating valve according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the valve body and adjusting seat according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the valve body and adjusting seat according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the adjusting rod according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Reference numerals: Adjusting seat 100; Valve body 110; Adjusting handle 120; Gas cylinder mounting seat 130; Adjusting rod 140; Inlet end 160; Outlet end 170; Third sealing ring 180; Fourth sealing ring 190; Throttling orifice 200; Conical adjusting head 210; Positioning groove 220; First sealing ring 230; Second sealing ring 240; Inlet sealing seat 250. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0027] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directional descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the directional or positional relationship based on the directional or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0028] In the description of this utility model, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. If "first" or "second" is used in the description, it is only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0029] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. Those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of these terms in this utility model based on the specific content of the technical solution. In the description of this utility model, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this utility model. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this utility model. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0030] Reference Figures 1 to 4 In existing technologies, the espresso extraction process requires precise control of the water tank pressure to achieve segmented regulation of pre-infusion and main extraction. However, traditional gas cylinder supply equipment is limited by the structural design of the gas propulsion unit, which can only release a constant high-pressure gas at a time. For example, in coffee machines that use gas cylinders as a pressure source, the gas valve assembly cannot dynamically adjust the gas output pressure, resulting in the inability to create a low-pressure environment of 3 bar during the pre-infusion stage, and difficulty in maintaining a stable pressure of 9 bar during the main extraction stage, ultimately affecting the extraction rate of coffee oils and the taste of the beverage.

[0031] To address the aforementioned issues, researchers noted that the key to pressure regulation in gas cylinder supply systems lies in the precision of gas flow control. Traditional direct-push valves can only achieve two states: fully open or fully closed. However, by converting rotational motion into linear displacement through a mechanical transmission structure, a continuously adjustable throttling channel can be established. Based on this idea, a scheme was designed that uses a threaded transmission pair to drive the conical adjusting head 210 to move axially, utilizing changes in the flow cross-sectional area to achieve gradient regulation of gas pressure.

[0032] Therefore, this application proposes a gas volume regulating valve, including a valve body 110 and a regulating assembly. The valve body 110 has an internal air guide chamber with an inlet end 160 and an outlet end 170 communicating with an external air source. The outlet end 170 forms a throttling orifice 200. The regulating assembly includes an regulating seat 100 and an regulating rod 140. The regulating seat 100 is disposed on the valve body 110, and the working end of the regulating rod 140 is positioned corresponding to the throttling orifice 200. The regulating seat 100 converts the rotational motion of the regulating rod 140 into axial displacement, which changes the flow cross-sectional area between the regulating rod 140 and the throttling orifice 200.

[0033] The air guide chamber refers to the gas flow channel that runs through the interior of the valve body 110. It can be implemented using a cylindrical cavity structure. Its inlet end 160 connects to the gas cylinder connection mechanism, and its outlet end 170 forms a throttling orifice 200 through a narrowing. Pressure regulation is achieved by controlling the resistance of the gas flowing through the throttling orifice 200. The adjustment component refers to the motion conversion mechanism composed of the adjustment seat 100 and the adjustment rod 140. It can be implemented using a transmission structure with internal and external threaded connections. The rotational motion of the adjustment rod 140 is converted into axial displacement, thereby changing the position of its working end relative to the throttling orifice 200. The flow cross-sectional area refers to the annular gap area between the end of the adjustment rod 140 and the throttling orifice 200. Specifically, it can be formed by the conical surface of the conical adjustment head 210 engaging with the inlet of the throttling orifice 200 to form a gradually narrowing channel. The greater the axial displacement, the smaller the gap area, and the greater the resistance to gas flow.

[0034] Specifically, when the adjusting rod 140 is rotated, the threaded drive converts its rotational motion into axial movement, causing the conical adjusting head 210 to gradually approach or move away from the inlet of the throttling orifice 200. During the pre-soaking stage, the retraction of the adjusting rod 140 increases the flow cross-sectional area, allowing gas to enter the water tank at a lower pressure. During the main extraction stage, the adjusting rod 140 continues to rotate, reducing the flow cross-sectional area and forcing an increase in gas pressure. Due to the self-locking characteristic of the threaded drive, the adjusting head can remain stable in any position, thus achieving precise maintenance of pressure segments.

[0035] Compared to existing technologies, traditional gas cylinder supply valves use a spring-loaded diaphragm structure, which can only be fully opened by gas pressure, and cannot continuously adjust the flow rate. This solution, however, establishes a steplessly adjustable pressure control system through mechanical transmission and a throttling orifice 200. This system not only allows for switching between low pre-infusion pressure and high main extraction pressure, but also adjusts the intermediate pressure value according to the characteristics of the coffee powder, significantly improving the adaptability of the extraction process.

[0036] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves multi-level precise control of the output pressure of the gas cylinder supply equipment, solving the problem that existing technologies cannot control pressure in segments. In coffee machine applications, the operator can precisely set the 3-bar pre-infusion pressure and the 9-bar main extraction pressure by rotating the adjustment component, ensuring that the oil components in the coffee powder are fully extracted, while avoiding the puck channel effect caused by high-pressure impact, ultimately improving the body and flavor profile of the coffee beverage.

[0037] This application further proposes that the inner wall of the adjusting seat 100 is provided with a first threaded portion, and the outer wall of the adjusting rod 140 is provided with a second threaded portion, wherein the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion form a helical transmission pair.

[0038] The helical drive pair refers to a mechanical structure that converts rotary motion into linear motion through threaded engagement. Specifically, it can be implemented using a mating surface with continuous helical grooves, and the motion conversion ratio is controlled by the thread helix angle. The first threaded section refers to the threaded structure fixed to the inner wall of the adjusting seat 100, which can be implemented using an internal threaded ring or a threaded groove formed by integral cutting, used to form a stable transmission reference surface. The second threaded section refers to the mating thread on the outer wall of the adjusting rod 140, which can be implemented using an external thread structure that matches the first threaded section, obtaining axial displacement driving force through threaded engagement.

[0039] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves precise control of the axial displacement of the regulating rod 140, ensuring the repeatability and stability of the change in the flow cross-sectional area during the air volume adjustment process.

[0040] This application further proposes a screw drive pair with a pitch of 0.7 mm to 0.8 mm, and a trapezoidal thread profile with self-locking characteristics. In some preferred embodiments, the pitch is 0.75 mm.

[0041] This application effectively solves the problem of adjustment and positioning deviation caused by thread clearance. It can maintain a stable self-locking state under high-pressure gas conditions, prevent pressure fluctuations caused by reverse rotation of the threaded pair, and ensure that the gas volume regulating valve can achieve precise and stable opening control within the 9 bar working pressure range.

[0042] This application further proposes that a first sealing ring 230 is provided between the outer wall of the adjusting rod 140 and the inner wall of the air guide cavity, and a second sealing ring 240 is provided between the outer wall of the adjusting seat 100 and the inner wall of the valve body 110.

[0043] The first sealing ring 230 refers to an elastic sealing element installed in the annular gap between the adjusting rod 140 and the air guide chamber. Specifically, it can be implemented using an O-ring rubber ring. The radial pressure generated by its compression deformation can seal the dynamic gap generated when the adjusting rod 140 is axially displaced. The second sealing ring 240 refers to an annular sealing element set on the mating surface between the adjusting seat 100 and the valve body 110. Specifically, it can be implemented using a lip sealing ring made of polytetrafluoroethylene material. Its flexible lip contacts the inner wall of the valve body 110 to form a rotary sealing interface.

[0044] Specifically, when the adjusting rod 140 moves axially, the first sealing ring 230 fills the gap between the outer wall of the adjusting rod 140 and the inner wall of the air guide chamber through elastic deformation, preventing gas from leaking axially into the non-working area. When the adjusting seat 100 rotates with the adjusting rod 140, the lip structure of the second sealing ring 240 remains in contact with the valve body 110 during sliding, preventing gas from leaking out through the assembly gap between the adjusting seat 100 and the valve body 110. The two sets of sealing rings form a complementary sealing mechanism for the different leakage paths generated by linear and rotational motions, allowing for freedom of movement of the adjusting assembly in both axial and rotational directions while ensuring that the pressure inside the air guide chamber is not affected by dynamic motion.

[0045] Compared with existing technologies, traditional gas volume regulating valves usually only use a single static sealing structure, which cannot effectively deal with the dynamic leakage problem that exists simultaneously with the axial displacement of the regulating rod 140 and the rotational movement of the regulating seat 100. However, this application solves the problem of pressure control inaccuracy caused by compound motion by setting two types of sealing rings in different areas, which can cover the sealing requirements under both linear and rotational motion modes while maintaining the regulating function.

[0046] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves dual dynamic sealing of the axial movement gap between the adjusting rod 140 and the air guide chamber, and the rotational movement gap between the adjusting seat 100 and the valve body 110, avoiding the interference of gas leakage on the flow regulation accuracy of the throttle orifice 200, ensuring stable pressure in the air guide chamber, thereby meeting the requirements for precise pressure segmentation control during the coffee machine extraction process.

[0047] This application further proposes that the end of the adjusting rod 140 is provided with a conical adjusting head 210, and the conical surface of the conical adjusting head 210 forms a gradually narrowing throttling channel with the inlet of the throttling orifice 200.

[0048] The conical regulating head 210 refers to a structure with a conical or truncated conical end, whose conical surface forms an annular gap with the inlet of the throttling orifice 200. The gradually narrowing throttling channel refers to a flow channel whose cross-sectional area gradually decreases along the airflow direction, formed by the outer surface of the conical regulating head 210 and the inner wall of the inlet of the throttling orifice 200. This can be achieved by changing the axial overlap between the conical surface and the inlet through the axial displacement of the regulating rod 140. The cone angle design of the conical regulating head 210 allows for non-linear adjustment of the rate of change of cross-sectional area under different displacement amounts; for example, the cone angle can be from 30 degrees to 45 degrees, and the gradient of the airflow cross-sectional area with displacement is controlled by the cone surface slope.

[0049] Specifically, when the adjusting rod 140 undergoes axial displacement, the height of the annular gap between the conical surface of the conical adjusting head 210 and the inlet of the throttling orifice 200 changes continuously. The gradually narrowing conical structure in the airflow path guides the airflow to laminarize and contract, reducing local eddies and pressure fluctuations. For example, during the pre-infusion stage of the coffee machine, the 0.1mm to 0.3mm gap formed between the conical surface and the inlet can maintain a stable pressure of 3 bar; when the gap expands to more than 0.5mm during the main extraction stage, the flow rate can still be steadily increased at a pressure of 9 bar.

[0050] Compared to existing technologies, when a traditional planar valve core is engaged with the throttling orifice 200, the cross-sectional area changes abruptly with displacement. For example, when the planar valve core completely blocks the throttling orifice 200, the cross-sectional area abruptly drops to zero, resulting in significant lag in pressure regulation. In contrast, the conical regulating head 210 achieves continuous and gradual change in cross-sectional area through a tapered channel. For instance, within a 1mm movement of the regulating rod 140, the cross-sectional area can undergo a smooth transition from fully closed to fully open, eliminating the pressure abrupt change phenomenon at critical positions in traditional structures.

[0051] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves precise maintenance of a low pressure of 3 bar during the pre-infusion stage and a smooth transition to a high pressure of 9 bar during the main extraction stage in the coffee extraction process. This allows water to penetrate the coffee grounds evenly and avoids uneven extraction caused by sudden pressure changes. The airflow guiding effect of the gradually narrowing throttling channel reduces turbulence intensity, for example, controlling pressure fluctuations within ±0.2 bar, ensuring the linearity and stability of the segmented pressure adjustment process.

[0052] This application further proposes that the adjustment assembly also includes an adjustment handle 120, and the top circumference of the adjustment rod 140 is provided with multiple positioning grooves 220, which form a transmission engagement with the adjustment rod 140. The adjustment handle 120 refers to a rotary operating component that is transmissionally connected to the adjustment rod 140, and can specifically be a cylindrical handle with anti-slip texture, its inner cavity having a protrusion structure matching the positioning grooves 220. The positioning grooves 220 refer to groove structures evenly distributed along the top circumference of the adjustment rod 140, and can specifically be V-shaped cross-section grooves or rectangular grooves.

[0053] Specifically, when the adjusting handle 120 is rotated, its inner cavity protrusion engages with the positioning groove 220 of the adjusting rod 140, causing the adjusting rod 140 to generate axial displacement. The spacing of the positioning grooves 220 is positively correlated with the axial displacement of the adjusting rod 140, and each positioning groove 220 corresponds to a specific flow cross-sectional area. Compared with the prior art, traditional air volume regulating devices rely solely on the continuous rotation of the threaded pair to achieve regulation, lacking a positioning feedback mechanism, resulting in insufficient regulation accuracy. This solution, by setting a positioning groove 220 at the top of the adjusting rod 140 and forming a mechanical limiting engagement with the handle, discretizes the originally continuous regulation action into multiple quantifiable and controllable segmented regulation steps.

[0054] Through the above technical solution, this application achieves precise segmented control of the gas volume regulating valve opening. The operator can accurately position the regulating rod 140 to the 3-bar opening position corresponding to the pre-infusion stage according to the scale markings, and then rotate the regulating handle 120 to the 9-bar opening position corresponding to the main extraction stage, thus completing the pressure stage transition during coffee extraction. This structure effectively avoids pressure control deviations caused by continuous adjustment in traditional equipment, ensuring the precise execution of pressure parameters at each stage.

[0055] This application further proposes that the air inlet 160 be provided with a gas cylinder connection mechanism, which includes a gas cylinder mounting base 130, and the gas cylinder mounting base 130 is detachably connected to the valve body 110.

[0056] Among them, the gas cylinder connection mechanism refers to the connection component used to fix the gas source device and the air inlet end 160 of the valve body 110. Specifically, it can be implemented by a metal seat with a threaded interface or a snap-fit ​​structure. Its function is to eliminate the assembly gap between the gas source and the valve through a rigid contact surface.

[0057] The detachable connection refers to the mechanical connection method that allows the gas cylinder mounting base 130 and the valve body 110 to be repeatedly installed and removed. Specifically, it can be achieved by using a ratchet engagement or quick-release slot structure. Its function is to ensure the impact resistance and stability of the gas source device after installation, and to meet the needs of quick replacement of gas cylinder devices of different sizes.

[0058] Specifically, the gas cylinder mounting base 130 is designed as an independent component, with its inner wall rigidly connected to the outer wall of the air inlet 160 via a mechanical interlocking structure. When the gas cylinder assembly is inserted into the mounting base, the gas source outlet and the air inlet 160 channel are axially aligned, and the gas path is sealed by a sealing ring. When it is necessary to replace the gas cylinder or perform maintenance, the mechanical locking device between the mounting base and the valve body 110 can be released to separate them.

[0059] Through the above technical solution, this application can effectively eliminate the assembly error between the gas source device and the air inlet 160 of the regulating valve, prevent air pressure leakage or pressure fluctuation caused by loose connection, thereby ensuring the stability of the pressure control curve of the gas-propelled coffee machine during the extraction process. This device is particularly suitable for 8-gram gas cylinders, and the gas cylinder is made of food-grade materials.

[0060] This application further proposes that the inner wall of the gas cylinder mounting base 130 and the outer wall of the air inlet 160 are connected by a ratchet structure. Specifically, corresponding ratchet structures are respectively configured at the ends of the inner wall of the gas cylinder mounting base 130 and the outer wall of the air inlet 160.

[0061] As the gas cylinder mounting bracket 130 is axially advanced along the inlet end 160, the inclined tooth surface of the ratchet structure causes a slight elastic deformation between the inner wall of the mounting bracket and the outer wall of the inlet end 160. As the advancement is completed, the tooth tips and grooves eventually fully engage, forming a stable connection and providing clear feedback during this process. This design allows the user to clearly perceive whether the installation has been successfully completed.

[0062] Compared to traditional threaded connections, which often fail to provide accurate alignment, this solution addresses this issue by employing a ratchet mechanism. Once properly installed, the tight engagement of the ratchet teeth produces a distinct "click," clearly and intuitively informing the user that the connection has been correctly established.

[0063] This improvement not only enhances the user experience but also ensures consistency and reliability with each installation, greatly simplifying maintenance and replacement processes. By introducing a ratchet mechanism, it provides users with a more convenient, reliable, and easy-to-use solution.

[0064] Through the above technical solution, the feedback feature when the ratchet is in place can clearly indicate the installation completion status, avoiding excessive force that could damage the components.

[0065] This application further proposes that the valve body 110 includes an air inlet sealing seat 250, which is disposed at the air inlet end 160. The two ends of the air inlet sealing seat 250 are respectively provided with a first annular groove and a second annular groove. A third sealing ring 180 is provided in the first annular groove, and a fourth sealing ring 190 is provided in the second annular groove.

[0066] The first and second annular grooves refer to annular grooves machined along the outer circumferential surfaces of both ends of the intake sealing seat 250. These grooves can be formed by CNC lathe cutting and are used to accommodate the sealing rings and limit their radial compression space. The third and fourth sealing rings 180 and 190 are elastic sealing elements embedded in the two annular grooves respectively. They can be made of nitrile rubber or fluororubber and deform under pressure to fill the gap between the contact surfaces.

[0067] Specifically, the intake sealing seat 250 is assembled between the intake end 160 of the valve body 110 and the external air source interface, with its two ends forming the connection surfaces of the air source input path. When the external air source interface is screwed into the intake end 160, the intake sealing seat 250 is subjected to axial compression. At this time, the third sealing ring 180 is deformed under pressure and fits tightly against the inner wall of the intake end 160 of the valve body 110, and the fourth sealing ring 190 is deformed under pressure and fits tightly against the outer wall of the air source interface. The two sealing rings form independent sealing areas on the inner and outer contact surfaces of the intake path, respectively. Even if one sealing ring ages due to long-term use or assembly errors, resulting in partial sealing failure, the other sealing ring can still maintain an effective sealing state. Through the synergistic effect of the dual sealing structure, minor leakage paths caused by insufficient deformation of a single sealing structure or contact surface machining errors can be eliminated.

[0068] In some specific embodiments, the depth of the first annular groove can be designed to be 80%-90% of the diameter of the sealing ring cross-section, so that the sealing ring generates a compression of 20%-30% when under pressure. The width of the second annular groove can be slightly larger than the diameter of the sealing ring cross-section, which facilitates the automatic adjustment of the sealing ring position during assembly.

[0069] Compared to existing technologies, conventional air volume regulating valves only employ a single-stage sealing structure at the air inlet 160. When there is radial misalignment at the air source interface or assembly gaps in the connecting threads, sealing failure is easily caused. This solution, however, establishes two independent sealing lines at the air inlet 160 by incorporating an air inlet sealing seat 250 with dual sealing rings. This effectively compensates for the decline in sealing performance caused by machining tolerances, assembly errors, or long-term wear.

[0070] Through the above technical solution, this application solves the gas leakage problem at the connection between the air inlet 160 and the external air source, ensuring that the air source input path maintains a stable sealing state during dynamic pressure changes and long-term use. The dual sealing structure can simultaneously cope with axial compression deformation and radial assembly clearance, avoiding a decrease in overall sealing performance due to the failure of a single sealing ring, thereby ensuring the reliability of the pressure control accuracy of the air volume regulating valve.

[0071] This application further proposes a coffee machine, including a gas volume regulating valve, with the gas outlet 170 connected to the brewing chamber of the coffee machine.

[0072] Among them, the gas flow regulating valve refers to the valve body 110 structure that achieves pressure regulation by changing the gas flow cross-sectional area. Specifically, it can be implemented by a mechanical structure with an adjusting rod 140 cooperating with a throttle orifice 200. Its function is to regulate the gas flow and pressure through physical structure.

[0073] The gas outlet 170 and the brewing chamber flow setting refers to the formation of a gas transmission channel between the output port of the gas volume regulating valve and the coffee machine brewing chamber. Specifically, it can be directly connected by a pipe or interface. Its function is to directly apply the regulated gas pressure to the coffee extraction process.

[0074] Specifically, in this technical solution, the gas volume regulating valve is integrated into the gas circuit system of the coffee machine, and the gas outlet 170 forms a flow path with the brewing chamber through a connecting structure. The regulating rod 140 of the gas volume regulating valve undergoes axial displacement during rotation, thereby changing the flow cross-sectional area between its end and the throttling orifice 200. During coffee extraction, the gas pressure is input through the inlet 160, regulated through a channel with a variable cross-sectional area, and finally transmitted to the brewing chamber through the outlet 170. Through the self-locking characteristic of the helical drive pair, the adjusted flow cross-sectional area can remain stable, avoiding pressure fluctuations. The tapered regulating head 210 and the throttling orifice 200 form a gradually narrowing channel, further optimizing the linearity of pressure regulation, allowing the operator to precisely control the pressure value through rotation, achieving segmented pressure regulation from the pre-infusion stage to the main extraction stage.

[0075] Compared to existing technologies, traditional coffee machines use a gas cylinder with a fixed pressure output, making it impossible to adjust pressure parameters according to the extraction stage. This solution, however, achieves continuous gas pressure regulation through a mechanical gas volume regulating valve. This not only allows for precise control of pressure changes but also enables rapid switching between different pressure stages by rotating the adjusting lever 140.

[0076] Through the above technical solution, this application solves the problem of insufficient extraction of coffee oils caused by uncontrollable pressure in existing coffee machines. By adjusting the gas flow cross-sectional area, different pressure values ​​can be set according to extraction needs. For example, a lower pressure can be maintained during the pre-infusion stage to prevent excessive expansion of the coffee grounds, while the pressure can be increased during the main extraction stage to fully extract flavor compounds. The direct connection between the gas outlet 170 and the brewing chamber ensures that the adjusted pressure is transmitted to the extraction area without loss, thereby improving the body and aroma release of the coffee liquid.

[0077] The embodiments of the present utility model have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A gas volume regulating valve, characterized by, The valve body has a gas guiding cavity formed therein, the gas guiding cavity is provided with an air inlet end and an air outlet end, the air outlet end of the gas guiding cavity forms a throttle hole, and the air inlet end is communicated with an external air source. The adjusting assembly comprises an adjusting seat and an adjusting rod, the adjusting seat is arranged on the valve body, the working end of the adjusting rod is arranged corresponding to the throttle hole, the adjusting seat is adapted to convert the rotary motion of the adjusting rod into axial displacement, and the axial displacement of the adjusting rod can change the flow area between the adjusting rod and the throttle hole. The inner wall of the adjusting seat is provided with a first threaded portion, the outer wall of the adjusting rod is provided with a second threaded portion, and the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion form a screw transmission pair.

2. The air volume control valve according to claim 1, wherein The pitch of the screw transmission pair is 0.7mm to 0.8mm, and the thread profile is trapezoidal thread with self-locking characteristics.

3. The air volume control valve according to claim 2, wherein A first sealing ring is arranged between the outer wall of the adjusting rod and the inner wall of the gas guiding cavity, and a second sealing ring is arranged between the outer wall of the adjusting seat and the inner wall of the valve body.

4. The air volume control valve according to claim 3, wherein The end of the adjusting rod is provided with a tapered adjusting head, and the tapered surface of the tapered adjusting head forms a tapered throttling channel with the inlet of the throttle hole.

5. The air volume control valve according to claim 1, wherein The adjusting assembly further comprises an adjusting handle, the top of the adjusting rod is circumferentially provided with a plurality of positioning grooves, and the positioning grooves are in transmission cooperation with the adjusting rod.

6. The air volume control valve according to claim 1, wherein The air inlet end is provided with a gas cylinder connecting mechanism, the gas cylinder connecting mechanism comprises a gas cylinder mounting seat, and the gas cylinder mounting seat is detachably connected with the valve body.

7. The air volume control valve according to claim 1, wherein The inner wall of the gas cylinder mounting seat is connected with the outer wall of the air inlet end through a ratchet structure.

8. The air volume control valve according to claim 7, wherein The valve body further comprises an air inlet sealing seat, the air inlet sealing seat is arranged on the air inlet end, two ends of the air inlet sealing seat are respectively provided with a first annular groove and a second annular groove, a third sealing ring is arranged in the first annular groove, and a fourth sealing ring is arranged in the second annular groove.

9. The air volume control valve according to claim 1, wherein The gas volume regulating valve comprises the gas volume regulating valve according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and the air outlet end is in flow communication with a brewing cavity of a coffee machine.

10. A coffee maker characterized in that, ​

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