A coffee maker

Abstract

This utility model relates to a coffee machine, including a bean hopper for storing coffee beans and a grinding chamber for grinding coffee beans. It also includes a metering chamber for holding coffee beans, wherein the amount of coffee beans held in the metering chamber when full is the amount required for a single grinding cycle in the grinding chamber. The inlet of the metering chamber is fluidly connected to the outlet of the bean hopper, and the outlet of the metering chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet of the grinding chamber. Both the inlet and outlet of the metering chamber can be opened and closed. Compared with the prior art, this utility model, by setting up a metering chamber, allows coffee beans from the bean hopper to first enter the metering chamber and then enter the grinding chamber. Since the amount of coffee beans held in the metering chamber when full is the amount required for a single grinding cycle in the grinding chamber, it helps to avoid coffee bean residue in the grinding chamber after grinding. Furthermore, the fixed volume of the metering chamber helps to ensure the accuracy of the grinding amount, thereby guaranteeing coffee quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of household appliances, and in particular to a coffee machine. Background Technology

[0002] In current coffee grinders, the bean hopper and grinding chamber are directly connected, allowing coffee beans to fall directly into the chamber. The amount of coffee grounds is controlled by adjusting the rotation time of the grinding motor. For example, Chinese utility model patent ZL202421059580.7 (authorization announcement number CN222323416U) discloses a coffee machine comprising a body and a grinder. The top of the body houses the bean hopper, motor, and reducer. The motor's output shaft is connected to the reducer's input end, and the output shaft and reducer's output end are vertically aligned. The reducer's output end is vertically positioned within the bean hopper. The grinder is detachably mounted on the body below the bean hopper. A shaft within the grinder that drives the grinding disc is connected to the reducer's output end. A bean drop channel is provided between the bean hopper and the grinder. For example, Chinese utility model patents with patent number ZL202322273868.6 (authorization announcement number CN220675799U) and ZL202222922481.4 (authorization announcement number CN218651412U) are examples.

[0003] However, since the bean hopper is connected to the grinding chamber, coffee beans will always be present in the grinding chamber. After each grinding, some coffee beans will be in a partially cut state, making them susceptible to moisture and off-flavors, thus affecting the quality of the coffee. Furthermore, controlling the grinding amount by adjusting the motor speed is not very accurate. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The first technical problem this invention aims to solve is to provide a coffee machine that can avoid coffee bean residue in the grinding chamber after grinding, in contrast to the prior art.

[0005] The second technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a coffee machine that can avoid coffee bean residue in the grinding chamber after grinding and accurately control the grinding amount, in contrast to the prior art.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: a coffee machine, including a bean hopper for storing coffee beans and a grinding chamber for grinding coffee beans, characterized in that it further includes a metering hopper for holding coffee beans, and the amount of coffee beans held in the metering hopper when it is full is the amount of coffee beans required for a single grinding by the grinding chamber, and the inlet of the metering hopper is fluidly connected to the outlet of the bean hopper, while the outlet of the metering hopper is fluidly connected to the inlet of the grinding chamber, wherein both the inlet and outlet of the metering hopper can be opened and closed.

[0007] Furthermore, the metering chamber is located below the bean hopper and above the grinding chamber, with all three extending vertically. The bean outlet is located at the bottom of the bean hopper, while the bean inlet is located at the top of the grinding chamber. The input port is located at the top of the metering chamber, and the output port is located at the bottom of the metering chamber. The bean outlet and input port are vertically opposite each other, as are the output port and input port. This allows coffee beans to fall from the bean hopper into the metering chamber under their own weight, and then from the metering chamber into the grinding chamber under their own weight.

[0008] Furthermore, it also includes a horizontally extending conveying chamber located at the bottom of the bean hopper. The conveying chamber has a conveying inlet at the top and a conveying outlet at the bottom. The conveying inlet is always connected to the bean outlet. Initially, the conveying outlet is closed. When beans are being fed into the metering bin, the conveying outlet opens and connects vertically with the input port. With the conveying chamber, coffee beans in the bean hopper first fall into the conveying chamber. When the conveying outlet opens, they then fall into the metering bin through the input port. This reduces the speed at which coffee beans fall from the bean hopper into the metering bin, which helps control the accuracy of the amount of coffee beans in the metering bin (too fast a falling speed will result in excessively large gaps between the coffee beans, increasing the error in the amount of coffee beans).

[0009] Furthermore, the conveying chamber is cylindrical in shape, with its bottom wall being a disc capable of rotating around its own axis. The conveying outlet is eccentrically located on this disc. Initially, the conveying outlet and the input port are offset from each other, and both are closed. When the disc rotates until the conveying outlet and the input port are vertically aligned, both the conveying outlet and the input port open and become interconnected. The rotation of the disc serves two purposes: firstly, it allows for the rotation and shaping of the coffee beans flowing into the conveying chamber, facilitating a more stable drop of the coffee beans into the metering bin; secondly, it enables control over the opening and closing of the conveying outlet and the input port.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a horizontally extending mounting platform, on the upper surface of which the aforementioned disc is rotatably mounted. Initially, the mounting platform blocks the conveyor outlet, thus closing it, while the disc simultaneously blocks the inlet, closing it as well. By providing the mounting platform, both stable mounting of the disc and control of the opening and closing of the conveyor outlet can be achieved.

[0011] Furthermore, the disk is hollow inside, forming a downward-opening cavity. The edge of the aforementioned conveying outlet extends vertically downward in the circumferential direction to form an extension tube. In the initial state, the free end edge of the extension tube abuts against the upper surface of the aforementioned mounting platform in the circumferential direction.

[0012] Furthermore, a transmission gear is mounted on the inner top surface of the aforementioned disc, and a first drive motor is mounted below the aforementioned mounting platform. The output shaft of the first drive motor passes vertically through the mounting platform and connects to a rotating gear located on the mounting platform. This rotating gear is housed in the aforementioned cavity and meshes with the aforementioned transmission gear. The cavity within the disc allows for the mounting of the transmission gear and the rotating gear, while the extension tube at the conveying outlet guides the coffee beans to the inlet, preventing them from entering the cavity.

[0013] Furthermore, the bean outlet is a circular opening with its rim extending vertically downwards in the circumferential direction to form a cylinder. The aforementioned disc covers the lower end of this cylinder, forming the aforementioned conveying cavity, and the bean outlet coincides with the conveying inlet. This simplifies the structure of the conveying cavity, facilitates its construction at the bottom of the bean hopper, and allows coffee beans to fall more effectively from the bean hopper into the conveying cavity.

[0014] Furthermore, the dispensing chamber is cylindrical in shape, with a closed top and an input port on its top wall. One side of this top wall extends horizontally outward to form the mounting platform. The mounting platform and the dispensing chamber are designed as a single unit, which simplifies the internal structure of the coffee machine and also improves its structural robustness.

[0015] Furthermore, the metering chamber is cylindrical in shape, with its lower end forming the aforementioned output port. A valve plate for opening and closing the output port is rotatably mounted on this output port. Thus, the opening and closing of the output port can be controlled by rotating the valve plate.

[0016] Furthermore, it also includes a second drive motor and a horizontally extending rotating shaft disposed outside the aforementioned metering chamber. This rotating shaft is fixed to the output shaft of the second drive motor and passes through the lower end of the metering chamber to connect with the aforementioned valve plate, causing the valve plate to rotate and have at least two states: in the first state, the valve plate extends horizontally to close the aforementioned output port; in the second state, the valve plate extends vertically to fully open the output port. Thus, by driving the valve plate to rotate via the second drive motor, the opening and closing of the output port is controlled.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are as follows: by setting a quantitative chamber, the coffee beans in the bean hopper first enter the quantitative chamber and then enter the grinding chamber. Since the amount of coffee beans that the quantitative chamber can hold when it is full is the amount of coffee beans required for a single grinding in the grinding chamber, it helps to avoid coffee bean residue in the grinding chamber after grinding. In addition, the volume of the quantitative chamber is fixed, which helps to ensure the accuracy of the grinding amount, thereby ensuring the quality of coffee. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the coffee machine in this utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the coffee machine in this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the coffee machine in this utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A structural diagram in another direction. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0023] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "transverse," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description. They 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. Since the embodiments disclosed in this utility model can be arranged in different directions, these terms indicating direction are only for illustration and should not be regarded as limitations. For example, "upper" and "lower" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity. In addition, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features.

[0024] like Figures 1-4 As shown, a coffee machine includes a bean hopper 1 for storing coffee beans and a grinding chamber 2 for grinding coffee beans. It also includes a metering hopper 3 for holding coffee beans, wherein the amount of coffee beans held in the metering hopper 3 when full is the amount required for a single coffee brewing. The metering hopper 3 has an inlet 31 that is fluidly connected to the outlet 10 of the bean hopper 1, and an outlet 32 ​​that is fluidly connected to the inlet 20 of the grinding chamber 2. Both the inlet 31 and outlet 32 ​​of the metering hopper 3 can be opened and closed.

[0025] This invention features a metering chamber 3, where coffee beans from the bean hopper 1 first enter the metering chamber 3 before entering the grinding chamber 2. Since the metering chamber 3 holds the amount of coffee beans required for a single grinding cycle in the grinding chamber when full, it helps prevent coffee bean residue in the grinding chamber 2 after grinding. Furthermore, the fixed volume of the metering chamber 3 ensures accurate grinding measurements, thereby guaranteeing coffee quality. This invention uses a detection device to check if the metering chamber 3 is full; in this embodiment, this detection device can be a weight sensor or an infrared sensor.

[0026] Furthermore, the aforementioned metering chamber 3 is located below the bean hopper 1 and above the grinding chamber 2, with all three extending vertically. Specifically, the bean outlet 10 is located at the bottom of the bean hopper 1, while the bean inlet 20 is located at the top of the grinding chamber 2. The input port 31 is located at the top of the metering chamber 3, and the output port 32 is located at the bottom of the metering chamber 3. The bean outlet 10 and input port 31 are vertically opposite each other, as are the output port 32 and input port 20. In this way, coffee beans can fall from the bean hopper 1 into the metering chamber 3 under their own gravity, and then, under their own gravity, fall from the metering chamber 3 into the grinding chamber 2.

[0027] Furthermore, it also includes a horizontally extending conveying cavity 4, which is located at the bottom of the bean hopper 1. The conveying cavity 4 has a conveying inlet 41 at the top and a conveying outlet 42 at the bottom. The conveying inlet 41 is always connected to the bean outlet 10. Initially, the conveying outlet 42 is closed. When beans are being fed into the metering chamber 3, the conveying outlet 42 opens and communicates vertically with the input port 31. By setting the conveying cavity 4, the coffee beans in the bean hopper 1 first fall into the conveying cavity 4. When the conveying outlet 42 is open, they then fall into the metering chamber 3 through the input port 31. This reduces the speed at which coffee beans fall from the bean hopper 1 into the metering chamber 3, which is beneficial for controlling the accuracy of the amount of coffee beans in the metering chamber 3 (too fast a speed at which coffee beans fall will result in excessively large gaps between coffee beans, increasing the error in the amount of coffee beans).

[0028] Preferably, the conveying cavity 4 is cylindrical, with its bottom wall being a disc 43 that can rotate around its own axis. The conveying outlet 42 is eccentrically located on this disc 43. Initially, the conveying outlet 42 is offset from the inlet 31, and both are closed. When the disc 43 rotates until the conveying outlet 42 and the inlet 31 are vertically aligned, both open and communicate vertically. The rotation of the disc 43 allows for the rotation and shaping of the coffee beans flowing into the conveying cavity 4, facilitating a more stable flow into the metering chamber 3. It also enables control over the opening and closing of the conveying outlet 42 and the inlet 31.

[0029] Furthermore, it also includes a horizontally extending mounting platform 5, on which the aforementioned disc 43 is rotatably mounted. In the initial state, the mounting platform 5 blocks the conveying outlet 42, thus closing the conveying outlet 42, while the disc 43 blocks the input port 31, thus closing the input port 31. By setting up the mounting platform 5, both the stable installation of the disc 43 and the opening and closing control of the conveying outlet 42 can be achieved.

[0030] Preferably, the interior of the disc 43 is hollow, forming a downward-facing cavity 430. The edge of the conveying outlet extends vertically downward in the circumferential direction to form an extension tube 421. In the initial state, the free end edge of the extension tube 421 abuts against the upper surface of the mounting platform 5 in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, a transmission gear 62 is mounted on the inner top surface of the disc 43, and a first drive motor 6 is mounted below the mounting platform 5. The output shaft of the first drive motor 6 passes vertically through the mounting platform 5 and is connected to a rotating gear 61 located on the mounting platform 5. The rotating gear 61 is housed in the cavity 430 and meshes with the transmission gear 62. The cavity 430 in the disc 43 allows for the installation of the transmission gear 62 and the rotating gear 61, while the extension tube 421 at the conveying outlet guides the coffee beans to the inlet 31, preventing the coffee beans from entering the cavity 430.

[0031] Furthermore, the aforementioned bean outlet 10 is a circular opening, with its rim extending vertically downwards in the circumferential direction to form a cylinder 101. The aforementioned disc 43 covers the lower end of the cylinder 101 to form the aforementioned conveying cavity 4, and the aforementioned bean outlet 10 coincides with the conveying inlet 41 (e.g., Figure 2 (As shown). This simplifies the structure of the conveying chamber 4, making it easier to construct the conveying chamber 4 at the bottom of the bean hopper 1, and also allows coffee beans to fall more easily from the bean hopper 1 into the conveying chamber 4. Preferably, the metering chamber 3 is cylindrical 101 in shape, with a closed top and an input port 31 on its top wall. One side of this top wall extends outward in a horizontal direction to form the mounting platform 5. The mounting platform 5 and the metering chamber 3 are designed as a single unit, which simplifies the internal structure of the coffee machine and also improves the robustness of the internal structure.

[0032] Furthermore, the aforementioned metering chamber 3 is cylindrical in shape, with its lower end forming the aforementioned output port 32. A valve plate 7 for opening and closing the output port 32 is rotatably mounted on the output port 32. Thus, the opening and closing of the output port 32 can be controlled by rotating the valve plate 7. Specifically, it also includes a second drive motor 8 disposed outside the aforementioned metering chamber 3 and a horizontally extending rotating shaft 71. The rotating shaft 71 is fixed to the output shaft of the second drive motor 8 and passes through the lower end of the metering chamber 3, connecting to the aforementioned valve plate 7, so that the valve plate 7 can rotate and have at least two states: in the first state, the valve plate 7 extends horizontally and closes the aforementioned output port 32; in the second state, the valve plate 7 extends vertically and fully opens the output port 32. Thus, the second drive motor 8 drives the valve plate 7 to rotate, thereby achieving the opening and closing control of the output port 32.

[0033] The term "fluid connectivity" as used in this utility model refers to the spatial relationship between two components or parts (hereinafter referred to as the first part and the second part, respectively), that is, a fluid (gas, liquid, or a mixture of both) can flow from the first part along a flow path and / or be transported to the second part. This can be a direct connection between the first part and the second part, or an indirect connection between the first part and the second part through at least one third party. The third party can be a fluid channel such as a pipe, channel, conduit, guide, hole, or groove, or a chamber or combination thereof that allows fluid to flow through.

Claims

1. A coffee machine comprising a bean hopper (1) for storing coffee beans and a grinding chamber (2) for grinding coffee beans, characterized in that, It also includes a metering chamber (3) for holding coffee beans, and the amount of coffee beans held in the metering chamber (3) when it is full is the amount of coffee beans required for a single grinding in the grinding chamber (2). Furthermore, the inlet (31) of the metering chamber (3) is fluidly connected to the outlet (10) of the bean hopper (1), and the outlet (32) of the metering chamber (3) is fluidly connected to the inlet (20) of the grinding chamber (2). Both the inlet (31) and the outlet (32) of the metering chamber (3) can be opened and closed.

2. The coffee machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The metering chamber (3) is located below the bean hopper (1) and above the grinding chamber (2). All three extend vertically. The bean outlet (10) is located at the bottom of the bean hopper (1), while the bean inlet (20) is located at the top of the grinding chamber (2). The input port (31) is located at the top of the metering chamber (3), while the output port (32) is located at the bottom of the metering chamber (3). The bean outlet (10) and the input port (31) are vertically opposite each other, while the output port (32) and the input port (20) are vertically opposite each other.

3. The coffee machine as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a horizontally extending conveying cavity (4), which is located at the bottom of the bean hopper (1). The top of the conveying cavity (4) is provided with a conveying inlet (41) and the bottom is provided with a conveying outlet (42). The conveying inlet (41) is always connected to the bean outlet (10). In the initial state, the conveying outlet (42) is closed. When the quantitative hopper (3) is receiving beans, the conveying outlet (42) is opened and connected to the input port (31) vertically.

4. The coffee machine as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The cavity wall of the conveying cavity (4) is cylindrical, and its bottom wall is a disk (43) that can rotate around its own axis. The conveying outlet (42) is eccentrically opened on the disk (43). In the initial state, the conveying outlet (42) and the input port (31) are offset from each other, and both the conveying outlet (42) and the input port (31) are closed. When the disk (43) rotates to the point where the conveying outlet (42) and the input port (31) are vertically opposite each other, both the conveying outlet (42) and the input port (31) are opened and connected vertically.

5. The coffee machine as described in claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a horizontally extending mounting platform (5), on which the disk (43) is rotatably mounted on the upper surface of the mounting platform (5). In the initial state, the mounting platform (5) covers the conveying outlet (42) and closes the conveying outlet (42), while the disk (43) covers the input port (31) and closes the input port (31).

6. The coffee machine as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The disc (43) is hollow inside, forming a downward-opening cavity (430). The edge of the conveying outlet (42) extends vertically downward in the circumferential direction to form an extension tube (421). In the initial state, the free end edge of the extension tube (421) abuts against the upper surface of the mounting platform (5) in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, a transmission gear (62) is installed on the inner top surface of the aforementioned disk (43), and a first drive motor (6) is installed below the aforementioned mounting platform (5). The output shaft of the first drive motor (6) passes vertically through the mounting platform (5) and is connected to a rotating gear (61) located on the mounting platform (5). The rotating gear (61) is housed in the aforementioned cavity (430) and meshes with the aforementioned transmission gear (62).

7. The coffee machine as described in any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, The bean outlet (10) is a circular opening with its edge extending vertically downward along the circumference to form a cylinder (101). The disc (43) covers the lower end of the cylinder (101) and surrounds the conveying cavity (4). The bean outlet (10) coincides with the conveying inlet (41).

8. The coffee machine as described in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The quantitative chamber (3) is cylindrical (101) in shape, with its top closed and the input port (31) provided on the top wall. One side of the top wall extends outward in a horizontal direction to form the installation platform (5).

9. The coffee machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The quantitative chamber (3) is cylindrical in shape, and its lower end forms the above-mentioned output port (32). A valve plate (7) for opening and closing the output port (32) is rotatably provided on the output port (32).

10. The coffee machine as described in claim 9, characterized in that, It also includes a second drive motor (8) disposed outside the above-mentioned metering chamber (3) and a horizontally extending rotating shaft (71). The rotating shaft (71) is fixed to the output shaft of the second drive motor (8) and passes through the lower end of the metering chamber (3) and is connected to the above-mentioned valve plate (7) so that the valve plate (7) can rotate and have at least two states: in the first state, the valve plate (7) extends horizontally and closes the above-mentioned output port (32); in the second state, the valve plate (7) extends vertically and fully opens the output port (32).

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