Valve, fluid path assembly, and coffee machine

Abstract

The utility model discloses part embodiments relate to a kind of coffee machines, especially a kind of valve, liquid path component and coffee machine, the valve is set on the liquid path pipeline of the liquid storehouse and pump liquid device of intercommunication coffee machine, valve is opened when pump liquid device is used to suck liquid, and liquid path pipeline is conducted through;Valve is also used to pump liquid device stop sucking liquid or when being closed, disconnect the liquid path pipeline.Compared with prior art, since valve can be opened when pump liquid device is used to suck liquid, to conduct through liquid path pipeline, so that the pump liquid device at this time can be through liquid path pipeline to suck liquid medium in liquid storehouse, while the valve can also be closed when pump liquid device stop sucking liquid or when being used to pump liquid, to disconnect liquid path pipeline, so it can prevent pump liquid device to pump back to liquid storehouse the liquid medium that has been sucked when pumping, so as to effectively avoid the diving phenomenon in liquid storehouse, ensure the precision of pump liquid device when pumping, and improve the taste of coffee when extracting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Some embodiments of this utility model relate to a coffee machine, and more particularly to a valve, a liquid circuit assembly, and a coffee machine. Background Technology

[0002] Portable coffee machines, as a type of portable device that can directly extract coffee powder or coffee capsules, are small in size and easy to carry, allowing users to enjoy freshly ground coffee anytime, anywhere.

[0003] Furthermore, current portable coffee machines generally use diaphragm high-pressure pumps to draw and pump liquid during the coffee extraction process. However, since these high-pressure pumps typically pass through the same reservoir chamber during both drawing and pumping, if there is a problem with the seal at the pump's inlet or if there is a design flaw, the diaphragm inside the pump can easily pump the liquid already drawn into the reservoir back into the coffee machine's reservoir during its reciprocating motion. This can cause water to "jump" in the reservoir, affecting not only the accuracy of the pumping device but also the taste of the extracted coffee, significantly impacting the user experience. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to design a valve, a liquid circuit assembly, and a coffee machine that can prevent the pumping device from pumping the already absorbed liquid medium back into the liquid tank during pumping. This effectively avoids water leakage in the liquid tank while ensuring the accuracy of the pumping device during pumping, thus improving the taste of the coffee during extraction.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, some embodiments of this utility model provide a valve, which is disposed on a liquid pipeline connecting the liquid tank of a coffee machine and a liquid pumping device. The valve is opened when the liquid pumping device draws liquid, thereby opening the liquid pipeline; the valve is also closed when the liquid pumping device stops drawing liquid or is pumping liquid, thereby disconnecting the liquid pipeline.

[0006] In addition, some embodiments of this utility model also provide a liquid circuit assembly, the liquid circuit assembly comprising:

[0007] Liquid circuit pipeline; the liquid circuit pipeline includes: a first pipeline and a second pipeline; wherein, one end of the first pipeline is connected to the liquid tank of the coffee machine, and one end of the second pipeline is connected to the liquid pumping device of the coffee machine;

[0008] The valves described above are connected to the other end of the first pipeline and the other end of the second pipeline, respectively.

[0009] In addition, some embodiments of this utility model also provide a coffee machine, the coffee machine comprising:

[0010] Liquid tanks are used to store liquid media;

[0011] A coffee powder cup, used to hold coffee powder;

[0012] A pumping device is used to draw the liquid medium stored in the liquid tank and to pump the drawn liquid medium into the coffee powder cup to extract the coffee powder in the coffee powder cup.

[0013] The fluid circuit assembly as described above.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the embodiments of this utility model have the following advantages: a valve is provided on the liquid pipeline connecting the liquid tank and the pumping device of the coffee machine. This valve can be opened when the pumping device is drawing liquid to open the liquid pipeline, allowing the pumping device to draw liquid from the liquid tank through the liquid pipeline. At the same time, the valve can be closed when the pumping device stops drawing liquid or is pumping liquid to disconnect the liquid pipeline. Therefore, it can prevent the pumping device from pumping the drawn liquid back into the liquid tank, thereby effectively avoiding the phenomenon of water drop in the liquid tank, ensuring the accuracy of the pumping device during pumping, and improving the taste of coffee during extraction. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the valve from one side in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A top-down view;

[0017] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cross section at point AA;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the axial side of the flexible element in some embodiments of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 5 This is an isometric view of some embodiments of the present invention, showing the liquid circuit assembly connected to the liquid tank and the pumping device respectively.

[0020] Figure 6 This is an axonometric view of the internal structure of the coffee machine in some embodiments of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the various embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that many technical details have been presented in the various embodiments of this utility model to enable the reader to better understand this application. However, the technical solutions claimed in this application can be implemented even without these technical details and with various changes and modifications based on the following embodiments.

[0022] Example 1

[0023] The first embodiment of this utility model relates to a valve, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, valve 1 is installed on the liquid pipeline 4 connecting the liquid tank 2 of the coffee machine and the liquid pumping device 3. Valve 1 is opened when the liquid pumping device 3 is drawing liquid, thus opening the liquid pipeline 4. In addition, valve 1 is also closed when the liquid pumping device 3 stops drawing liquid or is pumping liquid, thus disconnecting the liquid pipeline 4.

[0024] As can be seen from the above, since a valve 1 is provided on the liquid pipeline 4 connecting the liquid tank 2 and the pumping device 3 of the coffee machine, and this valve 1 can be opened when the pumping device 3 is drawing liquid to open the liquid pipeline 4, the pumping device 3 can draw liquid from the liquid tank 2 through the liquid pipeline 4. At the same time, the valve 1 can also be closed when the pumping device 3 stops drawing liquid or is pumping liquid to disconnect the liquid pipeline 4. Therefore, it can prevent the pumping device 3 from pumping the already drawn liquid back into the liquid tank, thereby effectively avoiding the phenomenon of water drop in the liquid tank 2, ensuring the accuracy of the pumping device 3 when pumping liquid, and improving the taste of coffee during extraction.

[0025] Specifically, in some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, valve 1 includes a housing 11 and a flexible element 12. The housing 11 is disposed on the liquid passage 4 and has an inlet end 111 and an outlet end 112 away from the inlet end 111. The outlet end 112 is used to generate negative pressure when the pumping device 3 performs a suction action. Additionally, in some other embodiments, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the flexible element 12 is disposed within the housing 11, and the flexible element 12 is located between the liquid inlet end 111 and the liquid outlet end 112. Wherein, combined with Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the flexible element 12 deforms when a negative pressure is generated at the outlet end 112, connecting the inlet end 111 and the outlet end 112. Conversely, the flexible element 12 can also return to its initial state when no negative pressure is generated at the outlet end 112, disconnecting the inlet end 111 and the outlet end 112. It is easy to see that since the outlet end 112 of the housing 11 can generate a negative pressure when the pumping device 3 draws liquid, the flexible element 12 can deform under this negative pressure to connect the inlet end 111 and the outlet end 112, allowing the pumping device 3 to draw liquid medium from the liquid tank 2 through the liquid passage 4. Conversely, when the pumping device 3 stops drawing liquid or begins pumping, the negative pressure at the outlet end 112 disappears, allowing the flexible element 12 to return to its initial state, disconnecting the inlet end 111 and the outlet end 112. Therefore, this method can effectively prevent the phenomenon that the pumping device 3 will pump the liquid medium that has been drawn into it back into the liquid tank 2 due to sealing problems or design problems at the inlet of the pumping device 3.

[0026] Furthermore, it is worth noting that in some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the housing 11 includes: an upper housing 113 with a liquid inlet 111 and a lower housing 114 with a liquid outlet 112. The lower housing 114 is at least partially disposed within the upper housing 113, and the lower housing 114 also fixes the flexible element 12 within the upper housing 113. Furthermore, in order to ensure that the lower housing 114 can stably fix the flexible element 12 within the upper housing 113, in some embodiments, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the upper shell 113 includes: a top plate 1131 and a first sidewall 1132 circumferentially arranged around the top plate 1131, wherein the liquid inlet 111 is disposed on the top plate 1131, and the first sidewall 1132 surrounds the top plate 1131 to form a first cavity 1133. Secondly, as... Figure 1 As shown, the lower shell 114 includes: a base plate 1141 and a second sidewall 1142 circumferentially arranged around the base plate 1141, wherein the liquid outlet 112 is disposed on the base plate 1141, and the second sidewall 1142 surrounds the base plate 1141 to form a second cavity 1143. Therefore, when the upper shell 113 is assembled with the lower shell 114, as... Figure 3As shown, the second sidewall 1142 of the lower shell 114 can be disposed within the first cavity 1133 of the upper shell 113, so that the top plate 1131 and the bottom plate 1141 can face each other. The flexible element 12 can be fixed to the side of the top plate 1131 opposite to the bottom plate 1141 via the second sidewall 1142, thereby allowing the flexible element 12 to initially block the liquid inlet end 111 on the upper shell 113. It should be noted that the lower shell 114 and the upper shell 113 can be assembled using an interference fit method. Of course, in other embodiments, the lower shell 114 and the upper shell 113 can also be assembled using ultrasonic welding, thermoforming, snap-fit, etc. However, in this embodiment, the assembly method between the lower shells 114 and the upper shell 113 is not specifically limited.

[0027] Furthermore, it is worth noting that in some embodiments, the inlet end 111 is an inlet connector pipe formed by a portion of the top plate 1131 protruding away from the bottom plate 1141. Similarly, the outlet end 112 is an outlet connector pipe formed by a portion of the bottom plate 1141 protruding away from the top plate 1131. Therefore, when the valve 1 is assembled with the liquid pipeline 4, a portion of the inlet connector pipe can be inserted into the first pipeline 41 connecting the liquid pipeline 4 and the liquid tank 2, and a portion of the outlet connector pipe can be inserted into the second pipeline 42 connecting the liquid pipeline 4 and the pumping device 3. Thus, the valve 1 can achieve the connection or disconnection between the first pipeline 41 and the second pipeline 42 under the negative or positive pressure of the outlet end 112.

[0028] In addition, in order to enable the flexible element 12 to deform when a negative pressure is generated at the liquid outlet 112 of the housing 11, so as to achieve communication between the liquid inlet 111 and the liquid outlet 112, in some other embodiments, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the flexible element 12 includes a fixing part 121 and a sealing part 122. The fixing part 121 is fixed to the top plate 1131 of the upper shell 113 on the side opposite to the bottom plate 1141 by the second sidewall 1142 of the lower shell 114, while the sealing part 122 is connected to the fixing part 121 and is rotatable relative to the top plate 1131. Specifically, combined with... Figure 4As shown, the sealing part 122 is used to flip away from the top plate 1131 when a negative pressure is generated at the outlet end 112, thereby opening the inlet end 111 and allowing communication between the inlet end 111 and the outlet end 112. Conversely, the sealing part 112 is also used to flip towards the top plate 1131 when no negative pressure is generated at the outlet end 112, thereby blocking the inlet end 111 and disconnecting the outlet end 112 from the inlet end 111. It is easy to see that when the pumping device 3 needs to draw liquid medium from the liquid tank 2, the pumping device 3 can act on the outlet end 112 of the housing 11 to generate negative pressure at the outlet end 112, thereby completing the drawing of liquid medium from the liquid tank 2. When the pumping device 3 finishes absorbing the liquid medium in the liquid tank 2, the negative pressure at the outlet end 112 disappears, allowing the sealing part 122 to flip towards the top plate 1131 until the sealing part 122 is in contact with the top plate 1131, thereby sealing the inlet end 111 and disconnecting the inlet end 111 and the outlet end 112. Furthermore, it is worth noting that when there is a problem with the sealing of the inlet of the pumping device 3 or there is a design defect, the pumping device 3 will generate a certain positive pressure at the outlet 112 during the pumping process. At this time, since the sealing part 122 of the flexible element 12 is already attached to the top plate 1131 of the upper shell 113, the sealing part 122 of the flexible element 12 can better adhere to the top plate 1131 under the action of the positive pressure. This can further improve the sealing performance of the sealing part 122 of the flexible element 12 at the inlet 111 and effectively prevent the pumping device 3 from pumping the absorbed liquid medium back into the liquid tank 2 during the pumping process.

[0029] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in order to ensure the sealing performance of the sealing part 122 on the liquid inlet end 111 of the upper shell 113, in some embodiments, the flexible element 12 as a whole can be made of rubber, silicone, or other components, so that the sealing part 122 of the flexible element 12 has a certain deformation and resilience, thereby ensuring that the sealing part 122 can flip away from the top plate 1131 when a negative pressure is generated at the liquid outlet end 112, so that the sealing part 122 can open the liquid inlet end 111. Conversely, when the pumping device 3 stops sucking the liquid medium in the liquid tank 2, such as Figure 3 As shown, the negative pressure generated at the liquid outlet 112 will immediately disappear. At this time, the sealing part 122 can automatically return to its initial state by relying on its own resilience, so that the sealing part 122 can achieve the purpose of resealing the liquid inlet 111.

[0030] Additionally, as a preferred embodiment, in other embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the flexible element 12 is also provided with a rotating groove 123, which separates the fixing part 121 and the sealing part 122, and the rotating groove 123 is used to allow the sealing part 122 to flip relative to the top plate 1131. Specifically, in some embodiments, such as Figure 4As shown, the groove 123 surrounds the sealing portion 122, and the groove 123 can separate the sealing portion 122 and the fixing portion 121, so that the sealing portion 122 includes: a head end 1221 and a tail end 1222 that is away from the head end 1221 and connected to the fixing portion 121. Wherein, as Figure 4 As shown, the rotating groove 123 is not closed around the sealing part 122, so that both ends of the rotating groove 123 end at the tail end 1222 of the sealing part 122. It is easy to see that, with the help of the rotating groove 123, the sealing part 122 is only connected to a small part of the fixing part 121, so that the sealing part 122 can be rotated away from the top plate 1131 under the negative pressure of the liquid outlet end 112.

[0031] Furthermore, in order to improve the flipping performance of the sealing portion 122 of the flexible element 12, as a preferred embodiment, in other embodiments, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a positioning hole 124 is also provided near the tail end of the sealing part 122. Corresponding to the positioning hole 124, a positioning post 1134 is provided on the side of the top plate 1131 of the upper shell 113 opposite to the bottom plate 1141. The positioning post 1134 can be formed by a portion of the top plate 1131 protruding towards the bottom plate 1141. Of course, in other embodiments, the positioning post 1134 can also be connected to the top plate 1131 in other ways, such as welding, snap-fit, etc. In this embodiment, the connection method between the positioning post 1134 and the top plate 1131 is not specifically limited. When the upper shell 113 and the lower shell 114 are assembled, the positioning post 1134 can also pass through the positioning hole 124 on the flexible element 12. Through the cooperation between the positioning post 1134 and the positioning hole 124, the uniqueness of the installation position of the flexible element 12 between the lower shell 114 and the upper shell 113 can be guaranteed. This prevents the flexible element 12 from being displaced when the sealing part 122 is flipped relative to the top plate 1131, thereby ensuring the sealing performance of the sealing part 122 on the liquid inlet end 111.

[0032] Additionally, it is worth noting that in some other embodiments, in order to further improve the flipping performance of the sealing portion 122, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, a stress groove 125 is also provided on the side of the sealing part 122 opposite to the top plate 1131, and the stress groove 125 is located on the sealing part 122 near the tail end 1222. Therefore, when the sealing part 122 of the flexible element 12 flips away from the top plate 1131 under the negative pressure of the liquid outlet end 112, the stress of the sealing part 122 during flipping can be concentrated in the stress groove 125, thereby effectively improving the flipping performance of the sealing part 122 and making it easier for the sealing part 122 to flip when the liquid outlet end 112 generates negative pressure. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the stress groove 125 is only described as being provided on the side of the sealing part 122 opposite to the top plate 1131. In other embodiments, the stress groove 125 can also be provided on the side of the sealing part 122 away from the top plate 1131. Of course, as a preferred option, in some other embodiments, the stress groove 125 may also be provided on the side of the sealing part 122 opposite to the top plate 1131, and on the side of the sealing part 122 away from the top plate 1131.

[0033] Example 2

[0034] Embodiment 2 of this utility model relates to a liquid circuit assembly, such as Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the hydraulic system assembly includes: a hydraulic pipeline 4 and a valve 1 as described in Embodiment 1. The hydraulic pipeline 4 includes: a first pipe 41 and a second pipe 42. As shown... Figure 5 As shown, one end of the first pipe 41 is connected to the liquid tank 2 of the coffee machine, while one end of the second pipe 42 is connected to the pumping device 3 of the coffee machine.

[0035] Secondly, in some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, valve 1 is connected to the other end of the first pipe 41 and the other end of the second pipe 42, respectively, so that valve 1 can be opened when the pumping device 3 is drawing liquid, thereby enabling the connection of the first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42 of the liquid pipeline 4. When the pumping device 3 stops drawing liquid medium and resumes pumping, valve 1 can disconnect the first pipe 41 and the second pipe 42 of the liquid pipeline 4, thereby effectively preventing the liquid medium that has been drawn into the pumping device 3 from being pumped back into the liquid tank 2.

[0036] As can be seen from the above, since a valve 1 is provided on the liquid pipeline 4 connecting the liquid tank 2 and the pumping device 3 of the coffee machine, and this valve 1 can be opened when the pumping device 3 is drawing liquid to open the liquid pipeline 4, the pumping device 3 can draw liquid from the liquid tank 2 through the liquid pipeline 4. At the same time, the valve 1 can also be closed when the pumping device 3 is pumping to disconnect the liquid pipeline 4. Therefore, it can prevent the pumping device 3 from pumping the already drawn liquid back into the liquid tank, thereby effectively avoiding the phenomenon of water drop in the liquid tank 2, ensuring the accuracy of the pumping device 3 when pumping, and improving the taste of coffee during extraction.

[0037] Example 3

[0038] Embodiment 3 of this utility model relates to a coffee machine, such as Figure 6 As shown, the coffee machine includes: a liquid tank 2, a powder cup 6, a liquid pump 3, and a liquid circuit assembly as described in Embodiment 2.

[0039] Among them, such as Figure 6 As shown, the liquid tank 2 is used to store the liquid medium, and the coffee powder cup 6 is used to hold the coffee powder. Finally, the pumping device 3 is used to draw the liquid medium stored in the liquid tank 2 and pump the drawn liquid medium into the coffee powder cup 6 to extract the coffee powder in the coffee powder cup 6.

[0040] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments are specific implementations of the present invention, and in practical applications, various changes can be made to them in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A valve, characterized in that, The valve (1) is installed on the liquid pipeline (4) connecting the liquid tank (2) of the coffee machine and the liquid pumping device (3). The valve (1) is opened when the liquid pumping device (3) is drawing liquid, thus connecting the liquid pipeline (4). The valve (1) is also closed when the liquid pumping device (3) stops drawing liquid or is pumping liquid, thus disconnecting the liquid pipeline (4).

2. The valve of claim 1, wherein The valve (1) includes: A housing (11) is disposed on the liquid passage (4); the housing (11) has a liquid inlet end (111) and a liquid outlet end (112) away from the liquid inlet end (111); wherein, the liquid outlet end (112) is used to generate negative pressure when the pumping device (3) draws liquid; A flexible element (12) is disposed inside the housing (11) and located between the liquid inlet end (111) and the liquid outlet end (112); The flexible element (12) is used to disconnect the inlet end (111) and the outlet end (112) when the outlet end (112) does not generate negative pressure; the flexible element (12) is used to deform when the outlet end (112) generates negative pressure, so that the inlet end (111) and the outlet end (112) are connected.

3. The valve of claim 2, wherein The housing (11) includes: an upper shell (113) with the liquid inlet end (111) and a lower shell (114) with the liquid outlet end (112); wherein, at least part of the lower shell (114) is disposed inside the upper shell (113) to fix the flexible element (12) inside the upper shell (113).

4. The valve of claim 3, wherein The upper shell (113) includes: a top plate (1131) and a first sidewall (1132) arranged circumferentially around the top plate (1131); wherein, the liquid inlet (111) is disposed on the top plate (1131), and the first sidewall (1132) surrounds the top plate (1131) to form a first cavity (1133). The lower shell (114) includes: a bottom plate (1141) and a second side wall (1142) arranged circumferentially around the bottom plate (1141); wherein the liquid outlet (112) is disposed on the bottom plate (1141), and the second side wall (1142) surrounds the bottom plate (1141) to form a second cavity (1143). The top plate (1131) and the bottom plate (1141) are opposite to each other, and the second side wall (1142) is at least partially disposed in the first cavity (1133), and the flexible element (12) is fixed to the side of the top plate (1131) opposite to the bottom plate (1141), so that the flexible element (12) blocks the liquid inlet end (111) in the initial state.

5. The valve of claim 4, wherein The flexible element (12) includes: The fixing part (121) is fixed between the second side wall (1142) of the lower shell (114) and the top plate (1131); The sealing part (122) is connected to the fixing part (121) and is rotatable relative to the top plate (1131); The sealing part (122) is used to flip away from the top plate (1131) when the liquid outlet end (112) generates negative pressure, thereby opening the liquid inlet end (111) and connecting the liquid inlet end (111) and the liquid outlet end (112). The sealing part (122) is also used to restore the liquid outlet (112) to its initial state when no negative pressure is generated, and to block the liquid inlet (111), so that the liquid inlet (111) and the liquid outlet (112) are disconnected.

6. The valve of claim 5, wherein The flexible element (12) is further provided with a rotating groove (123), and the rotating groove (123) separates the fixing part (121) and the sealing part (122), and the rotating groove (123) is used to allow the sealing part (122) to be flipped relative to the liquid outlet end (112), and the rotating groove (123) surrounds the sealing part (122), so that the sealing part (122) includes: a head end (1221) and a tail end (1222) that is away from the head end (1221) and connected to the fixing part (121). The rotating groove (123) is not closed around the sealing part (122), so that the two ends of the rotating groove (123) end at the tail end (1222) of the sealing part (122).

7. The valve of claim 6, wherein The sealing part (122) is provided with a positioning hole (124) near the tail end (1222), and the top plate (1131) is provided with a positioning post (1134) on the side opposite to the bottom plate (1141), and the positioning post (1134) passes through the positioning hole (124).

8. The valve of claim 6, wherein The sealing part (122) is provided with a stress groove (125) on one side of the top plate (1131) and / or on the side away from the top plate (1131), and the stress groove (125) is on the sealing part (122) near the tail end (1222).

9. A fluid path assembly, comprising: The fluid circuit assembly includes: Liquid pipeline (4); the liquid pipeline (4) includes: a first pipeline (41) and a second pipeline (42); wherein, one end of the first pipeline (41) is connected to the liquid tank (2) of the coffee machine, and one end of the second pipeline (42) is connected to the pumping device (3) of the coffee machine; The valve (1) as described in any one of claims 1-8 is connected to the other end of the first pipeline (41) and the other end of the second pipeline (42), respectively.

10. A coffee maker characterized in that, The coffee machine includes: Liquid tank (2) is used to store liquid media; Coffee powder cup (6), used to hold coffee powder; The pumping device (3) is used to draw the liquid medium stored in the liquid tank (2) and to pump the drawn liquid medium into the powder cup (6) to extract the coffee powder in the powder cup (6); The fluid circuit assembly as described in claim 9.

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