Pressure release valve

Abstract

The utility model discloses a pressure release valve which comprises a main body and a valve cover, the main body comprises a water inlet channel, the water inlet channel is provided with a first connecting part, the valve cover comprises a cover body, a second connecting part and a pressure release channel, and the second connecting part and the pressure release channel are communicated with each other and are respectively connected with the cover body. The first connecting part and the second connecting part are connected and communicated in a sealed mode, the water inlet channel and the pressure relief channel are communicated through a narrow channel, and the maximum inner diameter of the narrow channel is smaller than the minimum inner diameter of the water inlet channel. The device is simple in structure and low in failure rate; the pressure relief effect is stable and reliable, water flow power is ingeniously utilized to switch the working state of the pressure relief valve, pressure can be relieved in time according to needs, improper leakage is prevented, and the use experience is improved; pressure relief residual water vapor is fully utilized, leakage is prevented, and water is saved; the device is not limited by the use environment and the installation direction, and is wide in application range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a pressure relief valve used in beverage machines with heating functions, and more particularly to a pressure relief valve used in coffee machines. Background Technology

[0002] Beverage machines that use relatively high pressure to produce beverages (such as capsule coffee machines) typically require pressure relief valves to promptly release unwanted residual air, water, or moisture to prevent excessive internal pressure from damaging components or causing leaks. Existing pressure relief valves generally consist of a valve body with inlet, outlet, and outlet channels, and a reset mechanism to switch between these channels for different scenarios, achieving on-demand pressure relief.

[0003] Chinese utility model patent CN207506424U discloses a pressure relief valve, which includes a piston, piston partition, one-way valve support, sealing head, and return spring. It achieves pressure relief by selectively blocking a second outlet using the one-way valve sealing head. However, this pressure relief valve has a relatively complex structure, and its sealing effect depends on the connections between multiple components. If a problem occurs in the connection between two adjacent components, it will affect the sealing effect or even prevent the pressure relief function from being achieved. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a pressure relief valve with a simpler structure and more reliable and stable pressure relief effect, so as to overcome the above-mentioned defects in the prior art.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: a pressure relief valve, including a main body and a valve cover. The main body includes a water inlet channel, the water inlet channel has a first connecting part, the valve cover includes a cover body, and a second connecting part and a pressure relief channel that are interconnected and respectively connected to the cover body. The first connecting part and the second connecting part are sealed and connected. The water inlet channel and the pressure relief channel are connected through a narrow channel. The maximum inner diameter of the narrow channel is smaller than the minimum inner diameter of the water inlet channel.

[0006] Furthermore, the narrow channel is a first through hole, which penetrates the cover of the valve cover and connects the second connecting part and the pressure relief channel.

[0007] Furthermore, it also includes a reset mechanism and a stop block located inside the main body. The force-applying end of the reset mechanism is connected to the stop block, and the fixed end of the reset mechanism is connected to the inside of the pressure relief valve. The cover has a sub-channel that is directly connected to the pressure relief channel. In the working state, the stop block overcomes the restoring force of the reset mechanism and approaches and blocks the opening of the sub-channel. In the non-working state, the stop block moves away from the opening of the sub-channel under the restoring force of the reset mechanism.

[0008] Furthermore, the maximum diameter of the stop block is greater than the maximum inner diameter of the sub-channel, and the maximum diameter of the stop block is less than the minimum inner diameter of the second connecting portion.

[0009] Furthermore, the sub-channel is a first channel that penetrates the cover and extends within the second connecting portion, and the narrow channel is a second through hole penetrating the sidewall of the first channel and / or a first notch in the first channel.

[0010] Furthermore, the sub-channel is a second channel that penetrates the cover, and the narrow channel is a second notch in the second channel.

[0011] Furthermore, the narrow channel is a groove located on the surface of the stop or a third through hole penetrating the stop.

[0012] Furthermore, the opening of the second connection portion has a pressure relief hole or a pressure relief notch.

[0013] Furthermore, the number of pressure relief holes or pressure relief notches is greater than or equal to 2.

[0014] Furthermore, the maximum inner diameter of the narrow channel is less than or equal to 3 mm.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are: simple structure and low failure rate; stable and reliable pressure relief effect; clever use of water flow dynamics to switch the working state of the pressure relief valve; timely pressure relief as needed to prevent improper leakage and improve user experience; full utilization of residual water vapor during pressure relief to prevent leakage and save water; and wide applicability as it is not limited by the usage environment and installation direction. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first embodiment of the pressure relief valve of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along C-C'.

[0018] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pressure relief valve of this utility model in the working state according to Embodiment 2.

[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along D-D'.

[0020] Figure 5 for Figure 3 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of Embodiment 2 in a non-working state.

[0021] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of part A.

[0022] Figure 7 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of part B.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 3 of the pressure relief valve of this utility model.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0025] 100-Main body, 110-Water inlet channel, 111-First connecting part, 112-Water inlet end, 113-Sealing ring, 120-Water outlet channel, 130-Step surface; 200-Valve cover, 201-Cover body, 210-Pressure relief channel, 220-Second connecting part, 221-Pressure relief notch, 230-First channel, 231-First opening, 232-First notch, 240-Second channel, 241-Second opening, 242-Second notch; 300 / 300'-Spring; 500-First through hole; 600-Stop; 700-Gap; Arrows indicate the direction of water or air flow. Detailed Implementation

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

[0027] Reference Figure 1-8The pressure relief valve of this utility model includes a main body 100, which has an inlet channel 110 and an outlet channel 120. The inlet channel 110 and the outlet channel 120 are connected. The inlet channel 110 has a first connecting part 111. The inlet end 112 of the inlet channel 110 is connected to an external water pipe for receiving external water. The outlet channel 120 is connected to the heating component of the beverage machine. When heating is required, external water is introduced into the heating component. After heating stops, the hot water remaining in the heating component flows back to the main body 100 through the outlet channel 120. The pressure relief valve also includes a valve cover 200, which includes a cover body 201 and a pressure relief channel 210 and a second connecting part 220 respectively connected to the cover body 201. The second connecting part 220 is connected to the pressure relief channel 210 and is sealed and connected to the first connecting part 111. In one embodiment, the first connecting part 111 and the second connecting part 220 are sealed by a sealing ring 113.

[0028] The main body 100 may contain a small amount of residual water and water vapor, hereinafter referred to as "residual water vapor". Residual water vapor usually comes from the previous working cycle.

[0029] It should be noted that the term "maximum inner diameter" in this specification is not limited to the maximum diameter of the inner circle of a circular object; it can also refer to the distance between the two furthest points on the inner cross-section of an object with a polygonal cross-section. Example 1

[0030] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, in Embodiment 1, the pressure relief channel 210 and the second connecting part 220 are connected by a first through hole 500. The first through hole 500 penetrates the cover 201. The inner diameter of the first through hole 500 is much smaller than the minimum inner diameter of the water inlet channel 110. In one embodiment, the maximum inner diameter of the first through hole 500 is less than or equal to 3 mm.

[0031] The opening of the second connecting part 220 has a pressure relief hole (not shown in the figure) or a pressure relief notch 221. When the valve cover 200 is rotated to the first position, the pressure relief notch 221 communicates with the water outlet channel 120, such as... Figure 1 As shown; when the valve cover 200 is rotated to the second position (not shown in the figure), for example, with Figure 1 When the state shown is the first position, the second position can be rotated 90 degrees in the horizontal plane relative to the first position. The pressure relief gap 221 is closed by the inner wall of the water inlet channel 110 and is not connected to the water outlet channel 120. However, regardless of the first position, the second position or other positions, the pressure relief channel 210 is always connected to the water inlet channel 110 through the first through hole 500.

[0032] In some embodiments, the number of pressure relief holes or pressure relief notches 221 is greater than or equal to 2, for example, such as Figure 1 The two symmetrically arranged pressure relief notches 221 shown enable the valve cover 200 to achieve a 180-degree reversing function. That is, the outlet direction of the pressure relief channel 210 can be rotated 180 degrees, and it is still connected to the water outlet channel 120 through the other opposing pressure relief notch 221. This is to adapt to the needs of different beverage machines for the position and direction of the pressure relief outlet, and to open and close the water outlet channel 120 by rotating the valve cover 200. Similarly, when the pressure relief notch 221 is arranged with one every 120 degrees and three are evenly arranged around the circumference, it can correspond to three outlet directions. Those skilled in the art can also arrange other numbers and different positions of pressure relief notches 221 (and / or pressure relief holes) evenly or unevenly according to actual needs.

[0033] When the valve cover 200 is in the first position, after external water enters the water inlet channel 110, since the water inlet channel 110 and the water outlet channel 120 are in a connected state, most of the water will directly enter the heating element through the water outlet channel 120. Although the water inlet channel 110 is also in a connected state with the pressure relief channel 210, since the inner diameter of the first through hole 500 is much smaller than the inner diameter of the second connecting part 220, due to the viscosity of water, even if the water flow velocity inside the water inlet channel 110 is large, only a small amount of water can pass through the first through hole 500 and enter the pressure relief channel 210, while most of the water will still directly enter the water outlet channel 120. Compared with the water supply to the heating element, the water entering the pressure relief channel 210 can be ignored. When the water flow velocity is small or has not reached a stable state, the air and residual water vapor inside the main body 100 will directly enter the pressure relief channel 210 through the first through hole 500 and be discharged. In one embodiment, the pressure relief channel 210 is connected to the return water tank (not shown in the figure), and the return water tank is connected to the outside atmosphere. The air and residual water vapor inside the main body 100 enter the return water tank through the first through hole 500 and the pressure relief channel 210 in sequence. Typically, the highest water level in the return water tank is below the outlet of the pressure relief channel 210 to prevent water in the return water tank from flowing back into the pressure relief channel 210. Example 2

[0034] Unlike Example 1, as Figures 3-7As shown, a reset mechanism is provided between the pressure relief channel 210 and the second connecting part 220, and the pressure relief channel 210 and the second connecting part 220 are always in communication. The opening of the second connecting part 220 also has a pressure relief hole (not shown in the figure) or a pressure relief notch 221, the same as in Embodiment 1, and will not be described again here. The first channel 230 penetrates the cover 201, and both ends of the first channel 230 are in communication with the pressure relief channel 210 and the second connecting part 220, respectively. The maximum diameter Dm of the stop 600 is greater than the maximum inner diameter D2 of the first channel 230 to prevent the stop 600 from completely entering the interior of the first channel 230; and the maximum diameter Dm of the stop 600 is less than the minimum inner diameter D1 of the second connecting part 220 to ensure that there is a gap 700 between the stop 600 and the inner wall of the second connecting part 220, which allows air and residual water vapor to pass through. When the inner diameters of the second connecting part 220 and the first channel 230 are uniform, the maximum inner diameter and the minimum inner diameter are both inner diameters.

[0035] A baffle 600 is provided at the first opening 231 of the first channel 230. The baffle 600 is used to block the first opening 231 when needed, preventing all or most of the air and water from entering the pressure relief channel 210. The baffle 600 is repositionably connected to the inside of the water inlet channel 110 / second connection 220 by a reset mechanism (such as a spring 300). In one embodiment, the baffle 600 blocks the first opening 231 from the outside; in another embodiment, the baffle 600 blocks the first opening 231 from the inside; in other embodiments, the first opening 231 can be blocked from both the outside and the inside simultaneously.

[0036] In one embodiment, the fixed end of the spring 300 is sleeved on the outer wall of the first channel 230, and the force-applying end of the spring 300 is connected to the stop block 600.

[0037] When the pressure relief valve is in a non-operating state, such as Figure 5-7As shown, spring 300 is in a non-stretched state, i.e., in a natural state or a slightly compressed state. When spring 300 is in its natural state, the stop block 600 does not tend to move away from the first opening 231. When spring 300 is in a slightly compressed state, the stop block 600 is pushed by spring 300, causing it to always tend to move away from the first opening 231. At this time, the first opening 231 is open, and external water has not yet entered the water inlet channel 110. The main body 100 contains only air, and possibly a small amount of residual water vapor. When external water enters the water inlet channel 110, the air and small amount of residual water vapor inside the main body 100 are first pushed towards the pressure relief channel 210. When the water flow pushing force on the stop block 600 is sufficient to overcome the pushing force of spring 300, the stop block 600 begins to move towards the first opening 231, continuing to compress spring 300 until the first opening 231 is blocked. At this point, almost all the residual water vapor inside the main body 100 has been discharged through the pressure relief channel 210. Once the external water flow rate stabilizes, the baffle 600 is stably held at the first opening 231 and remains blocked.

[0038] To ensure that the water inlet channel 110 and the pressure relief channel 210 remain connected even when the first opening 231 is blocked by the stop block 600, a narrow channel needs to be provided. The maximum inner diameter (width) of the narrow channel is much smaller than the minimum inner diameter of the water inlet channel 110. In one embodiment, a first notch 232 is provided at the first opening 231, such as... Figure 6 As shown; in another embodiment, a second through hole (not shown) penetrating the sidewall of the first channel 230 is provided near the first opening 231. Neither the first notch 232 nor the second through hole is blocked by the stop block 600; in another embodiment, a groove (not shown) is provided on the surface of the stop block 600, one end of which communicates with the pressure relief channel 210 and the other end with the water inlet channel 110; in another embodiment, a third through hole (not shown) penetrating the body of the stop block 600 is provided, one end of which communicates with the pressure relief channel 210 and the other end with the water inlet channel 110. The first notch 232, the second through hole, the groove, and the third through hole can also be selected in whole or in part as needed. Example 3

[0039] Unlike Example 2, as Figure 8As shown, the first channel 230 inside the second connecting portion 220 is degenerated into a second channel 240 in Embodiment 3. The second channel 240 also penetrates the cover 201, and its two ends are connected to the pressure relief channel 210 and the second connecting portion 220, respectively. The maximum diameter Dm of the stop 600 is greater than the maximum inner diameter D3 of the second channel 240 to prevent the stop 600 from completely entering the interior of the second channel 240; similarly, the maximum diameter Dm of the stop 600 is less than the minimum inner diameter D1 of the second connecting portion 220 to ensure that there is a gap (not shown in the figure) between the stop 600 and the inner wall of the second connecting portion 220, which serves the same function as the gap 700 in Embodiment 2. When the inner diameters of the second connecting portion 220 and the second channel 240 are uniform, both the maximum and minimum inner diameters are inner diameters.

[0040] A narrow passage is provided at the second opening 241 of the second channel 240. When the stop block 600 blocks the second opening 241, the narrow passage is not closed, but is used to maintain the connection between the second channel 240 and the water inlet channel 110, but only allows a very small amount of air and / or water vapor to pass through. The effect achieved by the narrow passage in Embodiments 2 and 3 is the same as that of the first through hole 500 in Embodiment 1. For example, the narrow passage in Embodiment 3 can be the second notch 242, or it can be a recessed through groove located on the inner wall of the second channel 240 (equivalent to an extended second notch 242). As long as the second channel 240 and the water inlet channel 110 can remain connected when the stop block 600 blocks the second opening 241, it is acceptable.

[0041] The stop block 600 is also connected to the water inlet channel 110 via a reset mechanism (such as spring 300'), but unlike embodiment two, as shown in the example... Figure 8 As shown, the stop block 600 is connected to the force-applying end of the spring 300', and the fixed end of the spring 300' is connected to the water inlet channel 110, for example, connected to... Figure 5 The stepped surface 130 is shown inside the water inlet channel 110. When the pressure relief valve is not in operation, the stop 600 is away from the second opening 241 of the second channel 240, that is, the second opening 241 is not closed by the stop 600. In one embodiment, the spring 300' is in its natural state without elastic deformation. When the pressure relief valve is in operation, external water enters the water inlet channel 110, and the stop 600 is pushed by the water flow. As the water flow push gradually increases, the stop 600 gradually moves towards the second opening 241 until the water flow push stably overcomes the tension of the spring 300' and is sufficient to keep the stop 600 at the second opening 241, thereby blocking the second opening 241. At the same time, the second notch 242 is not closed, so that the second channel 240 remains connected to the water inlet channel 110.

[0042] The workflow of each embodiment of this utility model includes at least the following processes:

[0043] Taking a coffee machine as an example, when the coffee machine is turned on, external water begins to enter through the water inlet channel 110. The air and residual water vapor inside the main body 100 are pushed into the pressure relief channel 210 and continue to enter the return water tank. The water inlet channel 110 continuously receives external water, and most of the external water enters the heating element through the water outlet channel 120. A small amount of water continues to be pushed into the pressure relief channel 210 and enters the return water tank until the water inlet volume per unit time remains stable. Compared with the water supply to the heating element, the small amount of water entering the pressure relief channel 210 is negligible. The heated water enters the brewing mechanism for coffee brewing. The pressure inside the brewing mechanism is usually much higher than atmospheric pressure. Therefore, when brewing is finished, external water stops entering the water inlet channel 110. Since the brewing mechanism still has a high pressure after brewing and the inlet of the water inlet channel 110 is closed, the residual water vapor located in the brewing mechanism, heating element and its connected water pipes will be pushed back into the main body 100 of the pressure relief valve by the high pressure through the water outlet channel 120. At this time, the pressure relief channel 210 and the water outlet channel 120 are connected through a narrow channel with a maximum inner diameter of no more than 3 mm (first through hole 500, first notch 232, second through hole, groove, third through hole, second notch 242, etc.). With the help of the aforementioned higher pressure, the residual water vapor will continue to be pushed into the pressure relief channel 210 and enter the return water tank.

[0044] In Embodiment 1, due to its simple structure, lacking a baffle 600 and a reset mechanism, the air and residual water vapor after brewing can only be discharged through the first through hole 500, resulting in a slow depressurization rate. In Embodiments 2 and 3, the baffle 600 continuously blocks the depressurization channel 210 during water intake, but air and a small amount of water can still enter the depressurization channel 210 through the gap 700 and / or narrow channel. After brewing, the water flow thrust on the baffle 600 gradually weakens until it cannot overcome the restoring force of the reset mechanism, and the baffle 600 gradually moves away from the first opening 231. The first channel 230 or the second channel 240 is reopened, and air and residual water vapor can quickly enter the depressurization channel 210 through the first channel 230 or the second channel 240 and be discharged. Since the inner diameter D2 of the first channel 230 or the inner diameter D3 of the second channel 240 is much larger than the inner diameter of the first through hole 500, the depressurization rate is faster. In Embodiments 2 and 3, the baffle 600 can be any shape and material that can be conceived by those skilled in the art, such as a silicone ball. To achieve a proper balance between minimizing water loss during the water intake process and quickly expelling residual water vapor during the depressurization process, the number, location, and inner diameter of the narrow channels can be set accordingly by those skilled in the art as needed.

[0045] When external water begins to enter, the air inside the main body 100 cannot be discharged through the outlet channel 120 due to the one-way valve at the front end of the heating component connected to the outlet channel 120, making it difficult for external water to enter. However, since the narrow channel in this invention is always open, the air inside the main body 100 can be directly discharged through the narrow channel into the pressure relief channel 210 under the thrust of the external water pump. At the same time, it pushes residual water vapor through the narrow channel into the return water tank, thereby giving the external water sufficient pressure to enter the inlet channel 110. This achieves at least two effects: first, it prevents residual water vapor from remaining at the coffee liquid outlet and causing leakage, thus affecting the user experience and allowing the coffee extraction process to be completed quickly; second, in brewing mechanisms with hydraulic compensation devices, the hydraulic compensation device can be quickly returned to its original position, making it easier to open the mechanical locking mechanism of the brewing chamber. For information on hydraulic compensation devices, please refer to relevant prior art, such as another utility model patent of the applicant with patent number 2018215197590.

Claims

1. A pressure relief valve, comprising a body and a valve cover, the body including a water inlet channel having a first connecting portion, the valve cover including a cover body, and a second connecting portion and a pressure relief channel communicating with each other and respectively connected to the cover body, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion being sealed and communicating, characterized in that: The water inlet channel and the pressure relief channel are connected by a narrow channel, the maximum inner diameter of which is smaller than the minimum inner diameter of the water inlet channel.

2. The pressure relief valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The narrow channel is a first through hole, which penetrates the cover of the valve cover and connects the second connecting part and the pressure relief channel.

3. The pressure relief valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a reset mechanism and a stop block located inside the main body. The force-applying end of the reset mechanism is connected to the stop block, and the fixed end of the reset mechanism is connected to the inside of the pressure relief valve. The cover has a sub-channel that is directly connected to the pressure relief channel. In the working state, the stop block overcomes the restoring force of the reset mechanism and approaches and blocks the opening of the sub-channel. In the non-working state, the stop block moves away from the opening of the sub-channel under the action of the restoring force of the reset mechanism.

4. The pressure relief valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: The maximum diameter of the stop block is greater than the maximum inner diameter of the sub-channel, and the maximum diameter of the stop block is less than the minimum inner diameter of the second connecting part.

5. The pressure relief valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sub-channel is a first channel that penetrates the cover and extends within the second connecting portion. The narrow channel is a second through hole penetrating the side wall of the first channel and / or a first notch in the first channel.

6. The pressure relief valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sub-channel is a second channel that penetrates the cover, and the narrow channel is a second notch in the second channel.

7. The pressure relief valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: The narrow channel is a groove located on the surface of the stop or a third through hole penetrating the stop.

8. The pressure relief valve according to claim 3, characterized in that: The opening of the second connection part has a pressure relief hole or a pressure relief notch.

9. The pressure relief valve according to claim 8, characterized in that: The number of pressure relief holes or pressure relief notches is greater than or equal to 2.

10. The pressure relief valve according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that: The maximum inner diameter of the narrow channel is less than or equal to 3 mm.

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