Coffee maker with brew protection
By incorporating a device into the coffee machine's tamping system to detect the installation of the tamping funnel and the position of the tamping hammer, the safety issue when the filter is not installed is resolved, achieving brewing protection and ensuring user safety and the accuracy of the brewing process.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ZHEJIANG HUAGUANG ELECTRIC APPLIANCE GRP
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing coffee machines, when the filter is not installed, are prone to coffee grounds falling out or high-temperature steam escaping, affecting user safety and user experience.
A detection device is installed in the tamping system of the coffee machine to detect whether the funnel is installed and is connected to the circuit system to control the opening and closing of the coffee machine; at the same time, a position device detects the position of the tamping hammer to control the opening and closing of the brewing system.
It effectively prevents coffee powder from falling out or high-temperature steam from leaking, ensuring user safety and guaranteeing the accuracy and safety of the brewing process.
Smart Images
Figure CN224483707U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of coffee machines, and more particularly to a coffee machine with brewing protection. Background Technology
[0002] Coffee machines are divided into coffee grinders and capsule coffee machines. Coffee grinders, which grind coffee beans to make coffee, are favored by coffee lovers because they can fully bring out the flavor of the coffee beans and produce a rich and aromatic taste. They are widely used in the catering industry and in people's daily lives.
[0003] Most coffee machines on the market currently use a tamping hammer to press coffee grounds, making the brewing process cumbersome and resulting in a poor user experience. Coffee machines with automatic tamping are rare. For example, Chinese patent application CN 111568188A discloses an automatic tamping coffee machine, including a main body with a downward-facing brewing spout on which a coffee filter can be mounted. The brewing spout is connected to the outlet of an electrically controlled three-way valve via a brewing tube. One inlet of this valve is connected to the hot water chamber inside the main body via a water inlet pipe, and the other inlet is connected to air via an air inlet pipe. This automatic tamping coffee machine connects the brewing tube to air through the air inlet pipe. Air is delivered through the brewing tube to the coffee grounds in the coffee filter, compacting the coffee grounds. Simultaneously, a booster pump continuously increases the air pressure in the brewing tube until a set pressure is reached, ensuring the coffee grounds achieve the required compaction.
[0004] However, the filter of such coffee machines usually needs to be removed from the machine for cleaning after use and then reinstalled for the next use. If the coffee machine is started without the filter installed, coffee grounds may fall outside the machine or high-temperature steam may be blown out directly, causing injury to the user. Utility Model Content
[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a coffee machine with brewing protection.
[0006] The above-mentioned problems of this utility model are solved by the following technical solution:
[0007] A coffee machine with brewing protection includes a coffee machine body, the coffee machine body comprising,
[0008] The coffee grinding system is used to receive coffee beans from the bean hopper and grind them.
[0009] A tamping system is used to tamp coffee grounds fed from a grinding system into a puck so that they can be evenly contacted with the brewing liquid.
[0010] The brewing system includes a water tank, and the water in the tank is heated and injected into the tamping system in the form of steam to extract the coffee liquid;
[0011] The tamping system includes a detachable funnel for receiving coffee powder from the grinding system and steam from the brewing system, and for dispensing the extracted coffee liquid into an external cup.
[0012] The tamping system is equipped with a detection device near the funnel to detect whether the funnel is installed; the detection device is connected to the circuit system inside the coffee machine to control the opening and closing of the coffee machine.
[0013] A further provision of the above technical solution is that the tamping system includes a limiting sleeve capable of accommodating the movement of the tamping hammer, the limiting sleeve having a powder inlet communicating with the grinding system and a powder outlet connected to the funnel.
[0014] The limiting sleeve has an installation part that can be connected to the funnel along the periphery of the powder outlet.
[0015] The detection device is located outside the installation location, and the detection head extends into the inside of the installation location.
[0016] A further provision of the above technical solution is that the detection device includes a movable contact head and a micro switch located at the tail of the contact head;
[0017] The micro switch is activated when the contact head retracts axially.
[0018] A further provision of the above technical solution is that the contact head is provided with an elastic component, which causes the contact head to tend to move toward one side of the funnel.
[0019] A further feature of the above technical solution is that the tail of the contact head is configured as an inclined surface with a gradually decreasing thickness, and the inclined surface faces the micro switch side.
[0020] A further feature of the above technical solution is that the installation part is a plurality of suspension platforms formed in the inner ring of the limiting sleeve, and the upper end surface of the suspension platform can suspend the outer edge of the funnel.
[0021] The contact head can extend above the suspension platform.
[0022] A further provision of the above technical solution is that the upper surface of the suspension platform is configured as an inclined inlet surface and a horizontal suspension surface in sequence along the direction of the funnel's rotation.
[0023] A further feature of the above technical solution is that the suspension platform is configured as an L-shaped structure, with a vertical stop surface formed at the end of the suspension surface.
[0024] A further provision of the above technical solution is that the powder pressing system also includes a positioning device, which is used to detect the position of the powder pressing hammer, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the brewing system.
[0025] A further provision of the above technical solution is that the positioning device is a Hall element disposed on the side of the limiting sleeve, and the side of the powder pressing hammer is provided with a magnet that can be sensed by the Hall element.
[0026] Compared with prior art, the advantages of this invention are as follows: By incorporating a detection device within the tamping system, the presence or absence of a funnel can be detected. This prevents the coffee machine from starting without a funnel, which could cause coffee grounds to fall out or high-temperature steam to escape, ensuring user safety and providing brewing protection. Furthermore, the tamping system also includes a position device to detect the position of the tamping hammer and control the opening and closing of the brewing system, preventing brewing when the tamping hammer is not in its reset position, thus ensuring the accuracy and safety of the brewing process. Attached Figure Description
[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model.
[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the coffee machine.
[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the powder pressing system.
[0030] Figure 4 This is a side view of the detection device.
[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the detection device.
[0032] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the powder pressing system in Example 1.
[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the installation part in Example 1.
[0034] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the suspension platform in Example 1.
[0035] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the powder pressing system in Example 2.
[0036] The attached diagram is labeled as follows: 1. Coffee machine body; 1.1. Control panel; 2. Coffee bean container; 3. Water tank; 4. Funnel; 4.1. Suspension part; 5. Hall effect sensor; 6. Magnet;
[0037] 100. Coffee grinding system;
[0038] 200. Powder pressing system; 210. Limiting sleeve; 211. Clearance hole; 212. Suspension platform; 213. Notch; 212.1. Inlet surface; 212.2. Suspension surface; 212.3. Stop surface; 220. Powder pressing hammer; 230. Transmission component;
[0039] 300. Brewing system;
[0040] 400. Detection device; 410. Contact head; 411. Supporting protrusion; 412. Pressing surface; 420. Micro switch; 430. Mounting bracket; 440. Elastic component; 421. Activation key. Detailed Implementation
[0041] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by this utility model in order to achieve the intended utility model purpose, the following detailed description of the specific implementation methods, structure, features and effects of this utility model is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments.
[0042] like Figure 1-9 As shown, the following embodiments disclose a coffee machine with brewing protection.
[0043] Example 1
[0044] Specific reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a coffee machine with brewing protection includes a coffee machine body 1, the coffee machine body 1 comprising,
[0045] The coffee grinding system 100 is used to receive coffee beans imported from the bean hopper 2 and grind the coffee beans.
[0046] The tamping system 200 is used to tamp the coffee powder introduced from the grinding system 100 into a cake that can evenly contact the brewing liquid.
[0047] The brewing system 300 includes a water tank 3, and the water in the water tank 3 is heated and injected into the tamping system 200 in the form of steam to extract coffee liquid;
[0048] The tamping system 200 includes a detachable funnel 4, which is used to receive coffee powder output from the grinding system 100 and steam output from the brewing system 300, and to output the extracted coffee liquid to an external cup.
[0049] The tamping system 200 is equipped with a detection device 400 near the installation location of the funnel 4 to detect whether the funnel 4 is installed; the detection device 400 is connected to the circuit system inside the coffee machine body 1 to control the coffee machine to start and stop.
[0050] The above is the basic scheme of this embodiment.
[0051] When using the coffee machine, first install the funnel 4 onto the main body 1 of the coffee machine, then put the coffee beans into the bean hopper 2 of the grinding system 100, and let them enter the grinding system 100 along the bean hopper 2. The grinding system 100 grinds the coffee beans into powder, and then guides the coffee powder into the tamping system 200 through the powder outlet channel, and into the funnel 4.
[0052] The tamping system 200 is started, and the tamping hammer 220 descends to tamp the coffee powder in the funnel 4, so that the coffee powder forms a uniform block in the funnel 4, filling the funnel 4.
[0053] After tamping, the tamping hammer 220 returns to its original position and rises, and the brewing system 300 starts, heating the water in the water tank 3 to form steam, which is then injected into the funnel 4. The steam comes into contact with the coffee powder to extract the coffee liquid. The extracted concentrate is output through the outlet on the funnel 4 into the cup below the funnel 4, thus completing the preparation of the concentrate.
[0054] The main body of the coffee machine 1 is equipped with a control panel 1.1 for consumers to operate.
[0055] In this embodiment, a detection device 400 is installed in the tamping system 200, and is located in the mounting position near the funnel 4. When the funnel 4 is not installed in the mounting position, the detection device 400 transmits an idle signal to the circuit system inside the coffee machine body 1. At this time, the coffee machine body 1 cannot be started. That is to say, the grinding system, the tamping system 200, and the brewing system 300 cannot be started, thereby ensuring that there is no coffee powder output in the grinding system, and that the tamping hammer 220 will not move, and that high-temperature steam will not be injected into the tamping system 200, thus ensuring the safety of consumers and the brewing protection of the coffee machine.
[0056] In this embodiment, the order of the grinding system, the pressing system 200, and the brewing system 300 can be set in the circuit system. In this way, the detection device 400 can only affect the circuit of the grinding system. If the grinding system does not start, then the subsequent pressing system 200 and brewing system 300 cannot start either.
[0057] In addition, the specific structure and working state of the grinding system 100, the tamping system 200 and the brewing system 300 in this embodiment are consistent with those of semi-automatic or fully automatic coffee machines in the prior art, and will not be described in detail here.
[0058] Specifically, to ensure the detection effect of the detection device 400, the tamping system 200 includes a limiting sleeve 210 that can accommodate the movement of the tamping hammer 220. The limiting sleeve 210 has a powder inlet that communicates with the grinding system 100 and a powder outlet that connects to the funnel 4.
[0059] The limiting sleeve 210 has an installation part that can be connected to the funnel 4 along the periphery of the powder outlet.
[0060] The detection device 400 is located outside the installation location, and the detection head extends into the inside of the installation location.
[0061] Specific reference Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the limiting sleeve 210 is a sleeve structure with its central axis set vertically. The tamping hammer 220 is located inside the sleeve and can move up and down along the axis of the sleeve to tamp the coffee powder.
[0062] The funnel 4 is connected to the lower end of the limiting sleeve 210, which seals the opening at the lower end of the limiting sleeve 210. The coffee powder ground in the grinding system 100 passes through the powder outlet of the limiting sleeve 210 along the powder outlet channel and falls into the funnel 4 inside the limiting sleeve 210.
[0063] The installation part is the annular structure surrounding the powder outlet at the lower end of the limiting sleeve 210. The funnel 4 is installed in the inner ring of the annular structure. The detection device 400 is located outside the annular structure, and the detection head extends into the interior of the annular structure through the clearance hole 211 on the annular structure, so that the end of the detection head can sense or contact the funnel 4.
[0064] Specifically, the detection device 400 includes a rod-shaped contact head 410 that is movably disposed, and a micro switch 420 disposed at the tail of the contact head 410. The detection head is the head of the contact head 410.
[0065] The contact head 410 moves axially, and its head is squeezed out by the funnel 4, so that its tail contacts the micro switch 420 and presses the activation key 421 on the micro switch 420, thereby activating the micro switch 420.
[0066] Reference Figure 4 As shown, a mounting bracket 430 is fixed to the side of the limiting sleeve 210. The mounting bracket 430 is provided with a movable channel. The contact head 410 is movably disposed in the movable channel and moves axially within the movable channel to achieve the action of approaching the funnel 4 and moving away from the funnel 4.
[0067] The micro switch 420 is fixed at the tail of the mounting bracket 430 and close to the tail of the contact head 410. When the contact head 410 is away from the side of the funnel 4, it can contact the micro switch 420 and press the activation key 421 of the micro switch 420.
[0068] When the funnel 4 is removed from the mounting position, the contact head 410 needs to automatically reset and extend into the mounting position, and its tail separates from the micro switch 420. Therefore, the contact head 410 is provided with an elastic member 440, which makes the contact head 410 tend to move toward the side of the funnel 4.
[0069] Preferably, in this embodiment, the elastic component 440 is a spring, which is sleeved on the contact head 410 and located within the movable channel of the mounting bracket 430. A supporting protrusion 411 is provided on the contact head 410 near its head. The front end of the spring supports the supporting protrusion 411, and the rear end supports the mounting bracket 430. In this embodiment, the lower end of the micro switch 420 is positioned below the highest point of the movable channel, and the tail end of the spring extends behind the movable channel to support the micro switch 420, thereby causing the contact head 410 to have a tendency to move away from the micro switch 420.
[0070] Preferred, refer to Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the micro switch 420 is disposed below the contact head 410, and the activation key 421 is located on the upper end surface of the micro switch 420. In order for the contact head 410 to press the activation key 421 downward, a pressing surface 412 is provided at the tail of the contact head 410 in this embodiment. The pressing surface 412 is an inclined surface, and the thickness near the end is less than the thickness away from the end.
[0071] In other words, as the contact head 410 moves away from the funnel 4, the pressing surface 412 gradually approaches the activation key 421. Due to the effect of the inclined pressing surface 412, the closer the contact head 410 gets to the micro switch 420, the greater the pressing force of its pressing surface 412 on the activation key 421, so as to ensure the activation effect of the micro switch 420.
[0072] When the funnel 4 is removed from the mounting position, the contact head 410 moves toward the side of the funnel 4 under the action of the elastic member 440, and the pressing surface 412 quickly separates from the activation key 421, ensuring that the micro switch 420 can be quickly disconnected.
[0073] Preferably, in this embodiment, the head of the contact head 410 is set as an arc surface to reduce the contact between it and other components during movement.
[0074] In this embodiment, the mounting part is a plurality of suspension platforms 212 formed in the inner ring of the limiting sleeve 210, and the upper end surface of the suspension platform 212 can suspend the outer edge of the funnel 4.
[0075] The contact head 410 can extend above the suspension platform 212.
[0076] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the suspension platform 212 is a rib protruding from the inner wall of the limiting sleeve 210 and is arranged in the circumferential direction; a notch 213 is formed between two adjacent suspension platforms 212 to accommodate the insertion of the suspension part 4.1 of the funnel 4. The funnel 4 extends upward from the lower end of the powder outlet into the limiting sleeve 210. By rotating the funnel 4, the suspension part 4.1 is slid along the upper end surface of the suspension platform 212 until the suspension part 4.1 can be completely rotated into the upper end surface of the suspension platform 212.
[0077] When the funnel 4 moves onto the suspension platform 212, the contact head 410, which was originally located above the suspension platform 212, is driven by the suspension part 4.1, the limit sleeve 210 is disengaged, and the micro switch 420 is activated.
[0078] Preferably, in this embodiment, the upper end face of the suspension platform 212 is configured as an inclined inlet surface 212.1 and a horizontal suspension surface 212.2 along the screwing direction of the funnel 4.
[0079] The starting position of the inlet surface 212.1 is lower than the ending position, so that the funnel 4 continues to move upward a small distance during rotation, ensuring the connection between the funnel 4 and the limiting sleeve 210.
[0080] In this embodiment, the suspension part 4.1 is a protrusion on the outer surface of the funnel 4, and the suspension part 4.1 is provided with an inclined surface that cooperates with the guide surface 212.1.
[0081] When the funnel 4 rotates to the installation position, the suspension part 4.1 needs to be limited to prevent it from continuing to rotate. In this embodiment, the suspension platform 212 is set as an L-shaped structure, and a vertical stop surface 212.3 is formed at the end of the suspension surface 212.2.
[0082] The vertical protrusion of the L-shaped structure is located above the suspension surface 212.2.
[0083] Example 2
[0084] This embodiment is an improvement based on Embodiment 1, and its purpose is to provide a device for controlling the opening and closing of the brewing system 300 to avoid brewing when the powder pressing hammer 220 is not reset.
[0085] The specific implementation method is as follows:
[0086] The powder pressing system 200 also includes a positioning device for detecting the position of the powder pressing hammer 220, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the brewing system 300.
[0087] Specifically, the positioning device is a Hall element 5 disposed on the side of the limiting sleeve 210, and a magnet 6 is disposed on the side of the powder pressing hammer 220, which can be sensed by the Hall element 5.
[0088] Specific reference Figure 9 As shown, the Hall element 5 is fixed to the side of the limiting sleeve 210, with the detection surface facing the limiting sleeve 210; a transmission component 230 is provided at the upper end of the powder pressing hammer 220, the transmission component 230 is connected to the drive assembly, and drives the powder pressing hammer 220 to move; the magnet 6 is embedded in the outer periphery of the transmission component 230 and is located at the position corresponding to the Hall element 5.
[0089] During the grinding process, the tamp hammer 220 is in the initial position, at which time the magnet 6 is above the Hall element 5, that is, the Hall element 5 is in an inactive state.
[0090] After grinding is completed, the circuit system controls the drive component to move, causing the grinding hammer 220 to move downward. During the movement, the magnet 6 passes the position of the Hall element 5 for the first time. At this time, the Hall element 5 is still in an inactive state.
[0091] As the tamping process ends and the drive assembly moves the tamping hammer 220 upward, the magnet 6 on the transmission component 230 gradually approaches the Hall element 5. When the magnet 6 passes the position of the Hall element 5 for the second time, the Hall element 5 is activated, and the tamping hammer 220 reaches the brewing position. At this time, the circuit system instructs the brewing system 300 to start and extract the coffee liquid.
[0092] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the circuit system sets the activation procedure for Hall element 5. During the grinding and pressing processes, the circuit containing Hall element 5 is not activated. At this time, even if magnet 6 passes by the position of Hall element 5, Hall element 5 will not be activated. Only at the beginning of the extraction process is the circuit containing Hall element 5 turned on. At this time, when magnet 6 passes by the position of Hall element 5, Hall element 5 is activated. After extraction is completed or Hall element 5 has been activated once, the circuit containing Hall element 5 is turned off again.
[0093] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model in any way. Although the present utility model has been disclosed above with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present utility model. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present utility model without departing from the scope of the present utility model shall still fall within the scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A coffee machine with brewing protection, comprising a coffee machine body (1), said coffee machine body (1) comprising, A coffee grinding system (100) is used to receive coffee beans introduced from the bean box (2) and grind the coffee beans; A tamping system (200) is used to tamp coffee powder introduced from a grinding system (100) to form a puck that can evenly contact the brewing liquid. The brewing system (300) includes a water tank (3), and heats the water in the water tank (3) and injects it into the tamping system (200) in the form of steam to extract coffee liquid; Its features are: The tamping system (200) includes a detachable funnel (4) for receiving coffee powder output from the grinding system (100) and steam output from the brewing system (300), and for outputting the extracted coffee liquid to an external cup. The tamping system (200) is equipped with a detection device (400) near the installation part of the funnel (4) to detect whether the funnel (4) is installed; the detection device (400) is connected to the circuit system inside the coffee machine body (1) to control the opening and closing of the coffee machine.
2. The coffee machine with brewing protection according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tamping system (200) includes a limiting sleeve (210) that can accommodate the movement of the tamping hammer (220). The limiting sleeve (210) has a powder inlet that communicates with the grinding system (100) and a powder outlet that connects to the funnel (4). The limiting sleeve (210) has an installation part that can be connected to the funnel (4) along the periphery of the powder outlet; The detection device (400) is located outside the installation location, and the detection head extends into the inside of the installation location.
3. The coffee machine with brewing protection according to claim 2, characterized in that: The detection device (400) includes a movable contact head (410) and a micro switch (420) located at the tail of the contact head (410); When the contact head (410) retracts axially, the micro switch (420) is activated.
4. The coffee machine with brewing protection according to claim 3, characterized in that: The contact head (410) is provided with an elastic member (440), which causes the contact head (410) to tend to move toward the funnel (4).
5. The coffee machine with brewing protection according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The tail of the contact head (410) is configured as a slope with gradually decreasing thickness, which faces the micro switch (420) side.
6. The coffee machine with brewing protection according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mounting part consists of multiple suspension platforms (212) formed in the inner ring of the limiting sleeve (210), and the upper end face of the suspension platform (212) can suspend the outer edge of the funnel (4). The contact head (410) can extend above the suspension platform (212).
7. The coffee machine with brewing protection according to claim 6, characterized in that: The upper end face of the suspension platform (212) is configured as an inclined inlet surface (212.1) and a horizontal suspension surface (212.2) along the direction of the funnel (4) screwing in.
8. The coffee machine with brewing protection according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The suspension platform (212) is configured as an L-shaped structure, and a vertical stop surface (212.3) is formed at the end of the suspension surface (212.2).
9. The coffee machine with brewing protection according to claim 2, characterized in that: The powder pressing system (200) also includes a positioning device for detecting the position of the powder pressing hammer (220) to control the opening and closing of the brewing system (300).
10. The coffee machine with brewing protection according to claim 9, characterized in that: The positioning device is a Hall element (5) disposed on the side of the limiting sleeve (210), and the side of the powder pressing hammer (220) is provided with a magnet (6) that can be sensed by the Hall element (5).