Cleaning flow path system and beverage machine

Abstract

This invention provides a cleaning flow path system and a beverage machine. The cleaning flow path system includes: a liquid supply source; a target cleaning chamber; a main delivery pipeline connected between the liquid supply source and the target cleaning chamber; a supply container having a cavity for storing detergent and / or descaling agent, with a delivery port at the bottom; and an auxiliary delivery pipeline connected between the main delivery pipeline and the delivery port. A first pump is installed on the main delivery pipeline, and a second pump is installed on the auxiliary delivery pipeline. The first pump delivers liquid from the main delivery pipeline to the target cleaning chamber, and the second pump introduces liquid from the liquid supply source into the supply container through the auxiliary delivery pipeline and the delivery port to prepare a cleaning solution in the supply container. The cleaning solution in the supply container is discharged to the target cleaning chamber through the delivery port. Through the coordinated operation of the two pumps, the automated preparation and delivery of the cleaning solution containing detergent and / or descaling agent are achieved, significantly improving the automation level of equipment cleaning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of beverage preparation technology, and in particular to a cleaning flow path system and a beverage machine. Background Technology

[0002] During daily use, beverage equipment such as coffee machines is prone to accumulating dirt or limescale in key components such as the brewing unit and heating element, which can affect the taste of beverages, the lifespan of the equipment, and hygiene and safety. To ensure equipment performance and user experience, regular cleaning or descaling of these components is necessary. Currently, fully automatic coffee machines on the market typically use cleaning agents or descaling agents for routine cleaning and maintenance.

[0003] Current cleaning or descaling agent dosing technologies mainly include two methods: manual dosing of solid agents and automatic dosing of solid agents. Manual dosing requires frequent user intervention, resulting in a poor user experience and posing safety hazards such as agent loss or accidental ingestion by children. Automatic dosing methods, such as those using motor-driven rotating containers, are structurally complex and costly, posing a risk of user contact with irritating agents. Alternatively, plug-in modular installations may lead to residual agent leakage and equipment contamination. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a cleaning and descaling system that is simple in structure, safe to use, and offers a better user experience to address these issues. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a cleaning flow path system and a beverage machine to solve the problems of complex cleaning and descaling operations, poor user experience, safety hazards, and easy contamination of equipment by cleaning agents or descaling agents in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, this utility model provides a cleaning flow path system, comprising:

[0006] Liquid supply source;

[0007] Target clean room;

[0008] The main delivery pipeline connects the liquid supply source and the target clean chamber.

[0009] A supply container having a cavity for storing cleaning agents and / or descaling agents, the bottom of the supply container having a delivery port;

[0010] An auxiliary delivery pipeline is connected between the main delivery pipeline and the delivery port;

[0011] The main delivery pipeline is equipped with a first pump, and the auxiliary delivery pipeline is equipped with a second pump. The first pump is used to deliver the liquid in the main delivery pipeline to the target cleaning chamber. The second pump is used to introduce the liquid in the liquid supply source into the supply container through the auxiliary delivery pipeline and the delivery port to prepare a cleaning solution in the supply container. The cleaning solution in the supply container is discharged into the target cleaning chamber through the delivery port.

[0012] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: By cooperating with two pumps, the automatic preparation and delivery of cleaning solutions containing detergents and / or descaling agents are achieved. This effectively solves the problems of inconvenience caused by manual tablet dispensing in existing technologies, as well as the complex structure, high cost, and easy contamination of the machine associated with automatic tablet dispensing systems. It significantly improves the automation level of equipment cleaning, reduces user operational risks, and enhances the user experience. The overall structure of the cleaning flow path system is compact and functionally defined, ensuring stable and reliable operation.

[0013] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, a bypass pipeline is also included, which is connected between the auxiliary delivery pipeline and the first pump. The first pump can selectively deliver the liquid in the main delivery pipeline or the cleaning solution in the bypass pipeline to the target cleaning chamber.

[0014] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, a first control valve is provided between the supply container and the second pump, and the connection point of the bypass pipeline and the auxiliary delivery pipeline is located between the first control valve and the second pump; the supply container includes a first supply container for containing the cleaning agent and a second supply container for containing the descaling agent, and the first control valve is configured to operablely connect one of the first supply container and the second supply container to the auxiliary delivery pipeline.

[0015] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, a second control valve is provided upstream of the first pump, and both the main delivery pipeline and the bypass pipeline are connected to the second control valve. The second control valve is configured to operablely connect one of the main delivery pipeline and the bypass pipeline to the first pump.

[0016] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary delivery pipeline is provided with a first tee connector, the first tee connector is disposed between the supply container and the second pump, and the bypass pipeline is connected between the first tee connector and the second control valve.

[0017] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the second pump includes an inlet and an outlet. A second tee connector is provided at the inlet, and a first tee connector is provided at the outlet. The two ports of the second tee connector are connected in series with the main delivery pipeline, and the two ports of the first tee connector are connected in series with the bypass pipeline.

[0018] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present utility model, the bottom of the first supply container is provided with a first conveying port, and the bottom of the second supply container is provided with a second conveying port.

[0019] The target cleaning chamber includes a first target cleaning chamber and a second target cleaning chamber. The first pump is configured to deliver the cleaning solution in the first supply container to the first target cleaning chamber via the first delivery port and the bypass pipeline, or to deliver the cleaning solution in the second supply container to the second target cleaning chamber via the second delivery port and the bypass pipeline.

[0020] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning flow path system has a cleaning solution preparation mode, a cleaning mode, and a water cleaning mode that are executed sequentially. In the cleaning solution preparation mode, the second pump delivers a first preset volume of water from the liquid supply source to the supply container to prepare the cleaning solution. In the cleaning mode, the first pump delivers the cleaning solution from the supply container to the target cleaning chamber. In the water cleaning mode, the first pump delivers a second preset volume of water from the liquid supply source to the target cleaning chamber, wherein the first preset volume is smaller than the second preset volume.

[0021] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, a second three-way connector is provided on the main delivery pipeline, the auxiliary delivery pipeline is connected to the second three-way connector, a first on / off valve is provided between the liquid supply source and the second three-way connector, the first on / off valve is used to control the flow path between the liquid supply source and the second three-way connector; the second pump provides the power to deliver the cleaning solution in the supply container to the target cleaning chamber.

[0022] This utility model also provides a beverage machine, including a brewer, with a heater connected upstream of the brewer and a liquid outlet connected downstream of the brewer. The beverage machine is characterized in that it further includes a cleaning flow path system as described in any of the above embodiments, and the brewing chamber of the brewer and / or the water-containing chamber of the heater are configured as the target cleaning chamber. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the water path of a cleaning flow path system according to one embodiment of the present invention, which shows the liquid flow direction of the cleaning solution preparation mode.

[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the water flow path of the cleaning system, illustrating the liquid flow direction during the cleaning mode.

[0025] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the water flow path of the cleaning system, illustrating the liquid flow direction in the water cleaning mode.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the water path of a cleaning flow path system according to another embodiment of this utility model.

[0027] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another variation of the cleaning flow path system in the diagram.

[0028] The repeated use of reference numerals in this specification and the accompanying drawings is intended to indicate the same or similar features or elements of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments do not limit the present invention, and any structural, methodological, or functional modifications made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are included within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0030] It should be understood that terms such as “above,” “over,” “below,” and “under” used herein to indicate spatial relative position are for illustrative purposes to describe the relationship of one unit or feature relative to another unit or feature as shown in the accompanying drawings. The terms for spatial relative position may be intended to include different orientations of the equipment in use or operation other than those shown in the figures. The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” used herein are interchangeable to distinguish one component from another, and these terms are not intended to indicate the location or importance of individual components.

[0031] Reference Figures 1 to 3 This embodiment provides a cleaning flow path system 100, taking its application in beverage machines such as coffee machines as an example, to achieve automatic cleaning and / or descaling of key internal components. The cleaning flow path system 100 includes a liquid supply source 20, a target cleaning chamber, a main delivery pipeline 41, a supply container 50, and an auxiliary delivery pipeline 42. The liquid supply source 20 can be a water tank built into the coffee machine, or an external municipal pipeline or bottled water. The target cleaning chamber can be components of the coffee machine such as the brewer 31, heater 32, or milk frother that require regular cleaning or descaling. The heater 32 can be an electric heating plate or a boiler.

[0032] Specifically, the main delivery pipeline 41 is connected between the liquid supply source 20 and the target clean room to deliver the liquid in the liquid supply source 20 to the water-consuming component downstream of the liquid supply source 20. For example, the main delivery pipeline 41 is used to deliver the water in the water tank to the target clean room downstream of the water tank.

[0033] The supply container 50 has a receiving cavity 52 for storing cleaning agents and / or descaling agents. The cleaning agents and descaling agents can be solid tablets or granules, specifically alkaline cleaning agents for removing coffee residue from the brewer 31, or acidic cleaning agents for removing limescale from the heater 32. It should be noted that this application does not limit the type of cleaning agents and / or descaling agents contained in the target cleaning chamber and the receiving cavity 52.

[0034] The supply container 50 has a delivery port 51 at its bottom for the input of liquid (e.g., clean water) and the output of cleaning solution. An auxiliary delivery line 42 is connected between the main delivery line 41 and the delivery port 51 for supplying liquid (e.g., clean water from a water tank) from the liquid supply source 20 to the supply container 50, thereby dissolving the detergent and / or descaling agent to prepare a cleaning solution containing detergent and / or descaling agent in the supply container 50.

[0035] To achieve automated control, a first pump 43 is installed on the main delivery pipeline 41, and a second pump 44 is installed on the auxiliary delivery pipeline 42. The first pump 43 delivers the liquid from the main delivery pipeline 41 to the target clean chamber. When the liquid in the main delivery pipeline 41 is clean water, it can perform water rinsing of the target clean chamber; when the liquid in the main delivery pipeline 41 is a cleaning solution, it can perform cleaning or descaling of the target clean chamber. The second pump 44 introduces the liquid from the supply source 20 into the supply container 50 through the auxiliary delivery pipeline 42 and the delivery port 51, so as to automatically prepare the cleaning solution in the supply container 50. The cleaning solution in the supply container 50 is discharged to the target clean chamber through the delivery port 51; that is, the cleaning solution formed after the cleaning agent and / or descaling agent have dissolved is then discharged to the target clean chamber through the delivery port 51.

[0036] The supply of clean water and the output of cleaning solution in the supply container 50 are both achieved through the delivery port 51. The single delivery port design simplifies the structure of the supply container 50, allows for the sharing of some pipelines, thereby facilitating installation and reducing costs. In addition, since the output of the cleaning solution can only be carried out after the input of clean water, the dissolution effect of the cleaning agent and / or descaling agent can be guaranteed, improving cleaning efficiency and ensuring the cleanliness and / or descaling effect of the target cleaning chamber.

[0037] The aforementioned cleaning flow path system 100, through the coordinated operation of two pumps, achieves automated preparation and delivery of cleaning solutions containing detergents and / or descaling agents. This effectively solves the problems of inconvenience caused by manual tablet dispensing in existing technologies, as well as the complex structure, high cost, and potential machine contamination associated with automated tablet dispensing systems. It significantly improves the automation level of equipment cleaning, reduces user operational risks, and enhances the user experience. The cleaning flow path system 100 has a compact overall structure, clearly defined functions, and stable and reliable operation.

[0038] In this embodiment, the liquid supply source 20 is preferably a water tank built into the coffee machine, used to supply clean water to the main delivery pipeline 41. A flow meter 21 is provided downstream of the water tank to precisely control the water flow rate, ensuring the amount of water used for beverage brewing, the amount of water used to prepare the cleaning solution, and the amount of water required for cleaning the target cleaning chamber. The target cleaning chamber is specifically the brewing chamber of the brewer 31 and / or the water-containing chamber of the heater 32 inside the coffee machine, which can receive the delivered cleaning solution to remove coffee residue or scale accumulated therein, thereby ensuring the taste of the coffee and the performance of the equipment. The downstream of the brewer 31 is connected to the outlet assembly 33, and the wastewater after cleaning can be discharged from the outlet assembly 33 to the water storage pan 34, or directly discharged from the outlet of the brewer 31 or heater 32 connected to the water storage pan to the water storage pan 34, without passing through the outlet assembly 33.

[0039] The cleaning agent is specifically an alkaline solid agent (tablets or granules), and the descaling agent is specifically an acidic solid agent (tablets or granules). After clean water is added to the supply container 50, the cleaning agent or descaling agent can automatically dissolve in the water, thereby preparing an effective cleaning solution.

[0040] In terms of specific control, the functions of the first pump 43 and the second pump 44 are clearly defined and work closely together. The second pump 44 is preferably a venting pump, whose function is to: after the cleaning and / or descaling process is started, introduce the liquid from the supply source 20 (e.g., a water tank) into the supply container 50 through the auxiliary delivery pipeline 42 and the delivery port 51, so that the solid agent in the receiving cavity 52 can be quickly dissolved to form a cleaning solution of suitable concentration and uniform dissolution. Of course, the second pump 44 can also be other pumps, such as centrifugal pumps, screw pumps, gear pumps, vane pumps, and diaphragm pumps. After the solid agent has fully dissolved to form the cleaning solution, the first pump 43 starts, delivering the prepared cleaning solution from the supply container 50 through the delivery port 51 and the main delivery pipeline 41 to the target cleaning chamber to carry out the cleaning and / or descaling operation.

[0041] The start-stop control of the first pump 43 and the second pump 44 is clearly defined. During the cleaning solution preparation stage, the second pump 44 operates and stops after completing the preparation. Then, the first pump 43 starts to deliver the cleaning solution to the target cleaning chamber. After cleaning, the first pump 43 further delivers clean water from the supply source 20 to rinse the main delivery pipeline 41 and any remaining cleaning solution in the target cleaning chamber. This ensures that no chemicals remain in the pipelines and components through which the cleaning solution flows, preventing secondary contamination and guaranteeing beverage quality.

[0042] The structural design and operational logic of this embodiment are simple, efficient, and easy to control, significantly improving the automation level of the cleaning and descaling process and avoiding the inconvenience and risks that may arise from manual operation. Simultaneously, the automatic dissolution and precise delivery of the cleaning agent ensures a more thorough cleaning effect, effectively preventing the risk of agent spillage and equipment contamination, and significantly improving the user experience and equipment maintenance efficiency.

[0043] In one embodiment, the cleaning flow path system 100 adds a bypass line 45 between the auxiliary delivery line 42 and the first pump 43, allowing the first pump 43 to selectively deliver either the liquid in the main delivery line 41 or the cleaning solution in the bypass line 45 to the target cleaning chamber, thereby significantly improving the flexibility of system operation. The target cleaning chamber can be cleaned with cleaning solution and clean water sequentially using the same pump, facilitating control and reducing the overall cost of the cleaning flow path system 100.

[0044] A first control valve 421 is provided between the supply container 50 and the second pump 44. The connection point between the bypass line 45 and the auxiliary delivery line 42 is located between the first control valve 421 and the second pump 44, so that input and output can be realized sequentially through the delivery port 51. In order to achieve separate control and selection of cleaning agent and descaling agent, the supply container 50 includes a first supply container 501 for containing cleaning agent and a second supply container 502 for containing descaling agent. The first control valve 421 is configured to operablely connect one of the first supply container 501 and the second supply container 502 to the auxiliary delivery line 42, thereby ensuring that the cleaning solution in the first supply container 501 or the second supply container 502 can accurately and efficiently enter the target cleaning chamber.

[0045] Specifically, the bottom of the first supply container 501 is provided with a first conveying port 511, and the bottom of the second supply container 502 is provided with a second conveying port 512. Both the first conveying port 511 and the second conveying port 512 are used to input clean water and output the corresponding cleaning solution. The target cleaning chamber includes a first target cleaning chamber and a second target cleaning chamber. The first pump 43 is configured to deliver the cleaning solution in the first supply container 501 to the first target cleaning chamber via the first conveying port 511 and the bypass line 45, or to deliver the cleaning solution in the second supply container 502 to the second target cleaning chamber via the second conveying port 512 and the bypass line 45. By precisely controlling the first control valve 421, the system can flexibly switch the type of cleaning solution, ensuring that each cleaning solution is accurately delivered to the corresponding cleaning chamber, further improving the cleaning effect and reducing operational complexity and time costs.

[0046] To further improve the flexibility and accuracy of the system's delivery, a second control valve 412 is installed upstream of the first pump 43. Both the main delivery line 41 and the bypass line 45 are connected to the second control valve 412. The second control valve 412 is configured to operably connect one of the main delivery line 41 or the bypass line 45 to the first pump 43, allowing the first pump 43 to flexibly select to deliver clean water from the supply source 20 or the cleaning solution from the supply container 50. Through precise adjustment of the second control valve 412, the system can flexibly switch delivery modes according to actual needs, ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of the cleaning process.

[0047] In addition, to simplify pipeline layout and installation and maintenance, a first tee connector 461 is provided on the auxiliary delivery pipeline 42, specifically located between the supply container 50 and the second pump 44. The bypass pipeline 45 is connected between the first tee connector 461 and the second control valve 412. The first tee connector 461 simplifies the pipeline connection of the bypass pipeline 45, allowing the overall pipeline to be arranged more compactly based on space requirements.

[0048] Preferably, the first tee connector 461 is disposed between the first control valve 421 and the second pump 44.

[0049] The first control valve 421 and the second control valve 412 can be configured as three-way valves, such as three-way solenoid valves, three-way electric valves, etc.

[0050] In one embodiment, to optimize pipeline connections and improve system reliability, the second pump 44 includes an inlet 441 and an outlet 442. A second tee connector 462 is provided at the inlet 441 of the second pump 44, and a first tee connector 461 is provided at the outlet 442 of the second pump 44. The two ports of the second tee connector 462 are connected in series to the main delivery pipeline 41, allowing the second pump 44 to obtain clean water from the main delivery pipeline 41 to dissolve the solid reagent. The two ports of the first tee connector 461 are connected in series to a bypass pipeline 45, allowing the dissolved cleaning solution to flow smoothly into the bypass pipeline 45, thereby achieving more efficient delivery. This optimized design not only reduces the complexity of pipeline connections but also improves the overall stability and operating efficiency of the system.

[0051] The cleaning flow path system 100 in this embodiment is configured with three operating modes that are executed sequentially: cleaning solution preparation mode, cleaning mode, and water cleaning mode.

[0052] Reference Figure 1 In the cleaning solution preparation mode, along Figure 1 In the direction of the arrow, the second pump 44 delivers water of the first preset volume in the liquid supply source 20 to the supply container 50 (first supply container 501 or second supply container 502) to ensure that the solid agent is fully dissolved and a cleaning solution of appropriate concentration is prepared.

[0053] Reference Figure 2 In cleaning mode, along Figure 2 In the direction of the arrow, the first pump 43 delivers the cleaning solution in the supply container 50 to the target cleaning chamber to achieve a thorough cleaning or descaling effect. That is, the cleaning solution in the first supply container 501 is delivered to the first target cleaning chamber, or the cleaning solution in the second supply container 502 is delivered to the second target cleaning chamber. The cleaning solution in the first supply container 501 or the second supply container 502 can be delivered to the heater 32 along the direction of the thin arrow, or the cleaning solution in the first supply container 501 or the second supply container 502 can be delivered to the brewer 31 first along the direction of the thin arrow and then along the direction of the thick arrow.

[0054] Reference Figure 3 In water cleaning mode, the first pump 43 delivers a second preset volume of clean water from the liquid supply source 20 to the target cleaning chamber to effectively flush any residual cleaning solution in the pipeline, ensuring safety and hygiene. The clean water in the liquid supply source 20 can be delivered to the heater 32 along the direction of the thin arrow, and the clean water in the liquid supply source 20 can be delivered to the brewer 31 along the direction of the thin arrow followed by the thick arrow.

[0055] The first preset volume is smaller than the second preset volume, thus balancing the effective use of cleaning agents with the comprehensiveness of pipeline cleaning results. Through this multi-mode switching mechanism, the system can flexibly respond to different cleaning needs, maximizing cleaning effectiveness while effectively reducing waste of cleaning agents and water, achieving efficient resource utilization and environmental protection goals.

[0056] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 In one embodiment, to improve system efficiency and control flexibility, another cleaning flow path system 200 includes a second three-way connector 462 on the main delivery pipeline 41, an auxiliary delivery pipeline 42 connected to the second three-way connector 462, and a first on-off valve 415 specifically installed between the liquid supply source 20 and the second three-way connector 462. The first on-off valve 415 controls the flow path between the liquid supply source 20 and the second three-way connector 462. Through precise control of the first on-off valve 415, the delivery path of the cleaning liquid can be flexibly selected according to actual needs, allowing switching based on different cleaning tasks and ensuring stable operation of the entire cleaning process.

[0057] The second pump 44 is not only used to deliver clean water from the supply source 20 to the supply container 50 to prepare the cleaning solution, but also provides additional power to deliver the prepared cleaning solution in the supply container 50 to the main supply pipeline 41 through the auxiliary delivery pipeline 42, and cooperates with the first pump 43 to deliver the cleaning solution to the target cleaning chamber for cleaning or descaling operations.

[0058] The first pump 43 and the second pump 44 work together to deliver the cleaning solution to the target cleaning chamber, ensuring greater stability and flow rate output during solution delivery, thus enhancing cleaning effectiveness and efficiency. Through this collaborative working mode, the cleaning flow path system 200 not only improves cleaning efficiency but also ensures stable and efficient completion of cleaning or descaling tasks under various operating conditions.

[0059] Specifically, during the operation of the cleaning flow path system 200, the second pump 44 first draws an appropriate amount of clean water from the liquid supply source 20 and enters the supply container 50 through the auxiliary delivery pipeline 42 and the delivery port 51, so that the solid agent in the supply container 50 is fully dissolved to form a cleaning solution of appropriate concentration. Subsequently, the second pump 44 continues to operate, delivering the dissolved cleaning solution to the main delivery pipeline 41 through the auxiliary delivery pipeline 42. At the same time, the first pump 43 operates to deliver the cleaning solution in the main delivery pipeline 41 to the target cleaning chamber for cleaning or descaling operations. In the above process, the first on / off valve 415 effectively prevents the cleaning solution from flowing back to the liquid supply source 20 during the process of delivering the dissolved cleaning solution to the main delivery pipeline 41, and cuts off the liquid delivery from the liquid supply source 20 to the main delivery pipeline 41, ensuring the safety of the cleaning flow path system 200.

[0060] By adding the structure of the second three-way connector 462 and the first on / off valve 415, and the auxiliary conveying function undertaken by the second pump 44, the system optimizes the reliability and economy of the overall cleaning process while ensuring efficient cleaning. This embodiment effectively improves the overall operating efficiency and safety of the cleaning flow path system 200, significantly expands the system's application capabilities, and further enhances the user experience.

[0061] Specifically, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The first pump 43 can both deliver liquid from the main delivery pipeline 41 to the target clean chamber and pump the cleaning solution from the target clean chamber back to the main delivery pipeline 41, achieving bidirectional liquid delivery. In the cleaning solution preparation mode, the first on / off valve 415 is open, and clean water from the supply source 20 enters the auxiliary delivery pipeline 42 through the second three-way connector 462, and is then sent to the supply container 50 by the second pump 44, ensuring that the solid agent is fully dissolved. In the cleaning mode, the first on / off valve 415 is closed, and the second pump 44 sends the cleaning solution in the supply container 50 to the main delivery pipeline 41 through the auxiliary delivery pipeline 42. The first pump 43 works synchronously to ensure that the cleaning solution is efficiently delivered to the target clean chamber to complete the cleaning task. In the water cleaning mode, the second pump 44 is off, the first pump 43 is working, the first on / off valve 415 is open, and the water in the supply source 20 is delivered to the target clean chamber.

[0062] certainly, Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, the first on / off valve 415 can also be in a normally open state, and the cleaning flow path system 200 can also achieve a cleaning process that is basically the same as that of the cleaning flow path system 100 described above.

[0063] The only difference lies in the on / off state of the first shut-off valve 415, which can be flexibly adjusted according to actual needs. This flexible switching mode not only improves cleaning efficiency but also optimizes overall operating costs. By precisely controlling the flow and pressure at each stage, the system can automatically adjust its operating mode according to different cleaning requirements, ensuring optimal results every time.

[0064] in addition, Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the bypass line 45 is not provided, and the second control valve 412 upstream of the first pump 43 can be replaced by a second on-off valve 416, which can be used to control the flow path of the main delivery line 41. In this embodiment, the cleaning mode is achieved through the combined action of the first pump 43 and the second pump 44, ensuring a stable supply and efficient circulation of the cleaning solution, further improving the operational flexibility and adaptability of the system. The cleaning flow path system 100 in this embodiment has a more compact pipeline arrangement, optimizing space utilization and reducing maintenance costs.

[0065] The first shut-off valve 415 and the second shut-off valve 416 can be configured as two-way valves, such as pinch valves, shut-off valves, etc.

[0066] In one embodiment, a beverage machine specifically applying the above-described cleaning flow path systems 100 and 200 is provided. The beverage machine includes a brewer 31, with a heater 32 connected upstream of the brewer 31 and a liquid outlet connected downstream of the brewer 31. The brewing chamber of the brewer 31 and / or the water-containing chamber of the heater 32 are configured as target cleaning chambers, thereby integrating the cleaning flow path systems 100 and 200 into the beverage machine equipment to form an automated cleaning and descaling solution. The liquid outlet can be the outlet of the outlet component 33, or the outlet of the brewer 31 or heater 32 connected to the water storage pan, thereby further discharging into the water storage pan 34.

[0067] During the actual operation of the beverage machine, users can start the cleaning or descaling mode through the control panel of the device, or send cleaning or descaling commands through the mobile device. Alternatively, the cleaning or descaling mode can be automatically triggered based on the operating parameters of the beverage machine (such as the operating time of the beverage machine, the number of cups of beverages output, and whether there is no beverage output within a preset time after the beverage machine is turned on or before it is turned off). The beverage machine will then automatically execute the cleaning solution preparation mode, the cleaning mode, and the water cleaning mode, and fully automate the cleaning of the internal pipes, the brewer 31, and the heater 32, thereby effectively avoiding the tediousness of manual maintenance and the safety risks of chemical storage.

[0068] In addition, the beverage machine has a compact overall structure, high integration between various components, convenient installation, and a high degree of automation in the system operation process, which greatly improves the ease of maintenance and user experience of the whole machine, and significantly extends the service life and operational stability of the beverage machine.

[0069] In summary, the cleaning flow path system 100, 200 and beverage machine provided by this utility model, through the cooperation of the main conveying pipeline 41, the auxiliary conveying pipeline 42 and the supply container 50, and the precise control of the liquid conveying process by the first pump 43 and the second pump 44, realize the automatic preparation and precise delivery of cleaning agent and descaling agent, effectively avoid the cumbersome and safety hazards of manual agent addition in the prior art, and significantly improve the automation level and safety of the equipment cleaning and descaling process.

[0070] Specifically, the flexible switching of the bypass pipeline 45 and the first control valve 421 and the second control valve 412 effectively achieves separate control and directional delivery of cleaning agents and descaling agents, significantly improving the efficiency and targeting of cleaning and descaling. Combined with the first three-way connector 461, the second three-way connector 462, and control valves, the pipeline layout is optimized, improving the safety and stability of equipment operation. Furthermore, by setting three operating modes—cleaning solution preparation mode, cleaning mode, and water cleaning mode—the full dissolution and thorough rinsing of the agents are further ensured, preventing secondary contamination of the beverage machine by residual agents and guaranteeing the hygiene and safety of the equipment and the quality of the beverages.

[0071] This utility model features a compact and reasonable overall structure, stable and reliable operation, significantly simplifies the cleaning and descaling process, reduces maintenance costs and difficulties, greatly enhances the user experience, and effectively extends the service life of beverage machines, demonstrating good practicality and economic benefits.

[0072] Of course, the above-mentioned cleaning flow path systems 100 and 200 are not limited to applications in coffee machines, but can also be used in other beverage brewing devices, such as tea machines or other beverage brewing devices, or water dispensers, etc.

[0073] It should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0074] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent embodiments or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cleaning flow path system, comprising: Liquid supply source; Target clean room; The main delivery pipeline connects the liquid supply source and the target clean chamber. A supply container having a cavity for storing cleaning agents and / or descaling agents, the bottom of the supply container having a delivery port; An auxiliary delivery pipeline is connected between the main delivery pipeline and the delivery port; The feature is that a first pump is provided on the main delivery pipeline, and a second pump is provided on the auxiliary delivery pipeline. The first pump is used to deliver the liquid in the main delivery pipeline to the target cleaning chamber, and the second pump is used to introduce the liquid in the liquid supply source into the supply container through the auxiliary delivery pipeline and the delivery port to prepare a cleaning solution in the supply container; the cleaning solution in the supply container is discharged into the target cleaning chamber through the delivery port.

2. The clean flow path system of claim 1, wherein, It also includes a bypass line connected between the auxiliary delivery line and the first pump, the first pump being able to selectively deliver liquid from the main delivery line or cleaning solution from the bypass line to the target cleaning chamber.

3. The clean flow path system of claim 2, wherein, A first control valve is provided between the supply container and the second pump, and the connection point between the bypass line and the auxiliary delivery line is located between the first control valve and the second pump; the supply container includes a first supply container for containing the cleaning agent and a second supply container for containing the descaling agent, and the first control valve is configured to operablely connect one of the first supply container and the second supply container to the auxiliary delivery line.

4. The clean flow path system of claim 2, wherein, A second control valve is provided upstream of the first pump. Both the main delivery line and the bypass line are connected to the second control valve. The second control valve is configured to operablely connect one of the main delivery line and the bypass line to the first pump.

5. The clean flow path system of claim 4, wherein, The auxiliary delivery pipeline is provided with a first tee connector, which is located between the supply container and the second pump. The bypass pipeline is connected between the first tee connector and the second control valve.

6. The clean flow path system of claim 2, wherein The second pump includes an inlet and an outlet. A second tee connector is provided at the inlet, and a first tee connector is provided at the outlet. The two ports of the second tee connector are connected in series with the main delivery pipeline, and the two ports of the first tee connector are connected in series with the bypass pipeline.

7. The clean flow path system of claim 3, wherein The first supply container has a first conveying port at its bottom, and the second supply container has a second conveying port at its bottom; The target cleaning chamber includes a first target cleaning chamber and a second target cleaning chamber. The first pump is configured to deliver the cleaning solution in the first supply container to the first target cleaning chamber via the first delivery port and the bypass pipeline, or to deliver the cleaning solution in the second supply container to the second target cleaning chamber via the second delivery port and the bypass pipeline.

8. The clean flow path system of claim 2, wherein, The cleaning flow path system has a cleaning solution preparation mode, a cleaning mode, and a water cleaning mode that are executed sequentially. In the cleaning solution preparation mode, the second pump delivers a first preset volume of water from the liquid supply source to the supply container to prepare the cleaning solution. In the cleaning mode, the first pump delivers the cleaning solution from the supply container to the target cleaning chamber. In the water cleaning mode, the first pump delivers a second preset volume of water from the liquid supply source to the target cleaning chamber, where the first preset volume is smaller than the second preset volume.

9. The clean flow path system of claim 1, wherein, The main delivery pipeline is equipped with a second three-way connector, the auxiliary delivery pipeline is connected to the second three-way connector, and a first on / off valve is provided between the liquid supply source and the second three-way connector. The first on / off valve is used to control the flow path between the liquid supply source and the second three-way connector; the second pump provides the power to deliver the cleaning solution in the supply container to the target cleaning chamber.

10. A beverage machine, comprising a brewer, wherein a heater is connected upstream of the brewer and a liquid outlet is connected downstream of the brewer, characterized in that, The beverage machine further includes a cleaning flow path system as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the brewing chamber of the brewer and / or the water-containing chamber of the heater are configured as the target cleaning chamber.

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