Coffee basket vibration mechanism and coffee maker

Abstract

The coffee basket vibration mechanism disclosed in this application includes a driving component, a transmission component, a bearing component, and a cup holder assembly. One end of the transmission component is connected to the driving component, and the other end has a through hole. The bearing component is disposed inside the through hole. The cup holder assembly is partially connected to the bearing component and configured to support the coffee basket. The driving component can drive the transmission component to move, thereby causing the coffee basket to vibrate. Compared with the prior art, the coffee basket vibration mechanism provided in this application supports the coffee basket by setting a cup holder assembly, and a driving component drives the transmission component to reciprocate. The transmission component is also connected to the cup holder assembly, thereby transmitting the driving force of the driving component to the coffee basket through the transmission component to drive the coffee basket to vibrate. In addition, a bearing component is provided between the cup holder assembly and the transmission component, which enables higher precision in the power transmission between the transmission component and the cup holder assembly, thereby making the coffee powder in the coffee basket vibrate evenly. In addition, this application also provides a coffee machine.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 730,573, filed December 11, 2024, entitled "COFFEE MAKER", and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 765,895, filed March 3, 2025, entitled "AUTOMATIC POUR OVER COFFEE MACHINE AND METHODS OFUSE", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of coffee machine technology, and in particular to a coffee basket vibration mechanism and a coffee machine. Background Technology

[0003] Fully automatic or semi-automatic coffee machines use hot water to brew coffee grounds to produce coffee drinks. The quality of the coffee drinks depends largely on the uniformity and density of the coffee grounds. In fully automatic or semi-automatic coffee machines, coffee grounds can be produced by integrating a grinding device, or pre-ground coffee grounds can be stored in a container and delivered in batches to the coffee basket during the brewing process, and then brewed with hot water.

[0004] When coffee grounds are fed into the coffee basket, a problem arises: the coffee grounds are not evenly distributed. This is because the coffee grounds fall from above, and due to gravity and the suction effect of the basket's inner walls, they are unevenly distributed, forming irregularly shaped mounds. This results in uneven extraction of the coffee grounds, severely impacting the taste of the final product.

[0005] Therefore, the above problems need to be addressed. Utility Model Content

[0006] According to one aspect of this application, a coffee basket vibration mechanism is provided, which can vibrate coffee powder in a coffee basket to evenly distribute the coffee powder within the basket. The coffee basket vibration mechanism includes a drive component, a transmission component, a bearing component, and a cup holder assembly; one end of the transmission component is drively connected to the output end of the drive component, and the other end has a through hole; the bearing component is disposed inside the through hole; the cup holder assembly is partially drively connected to the bearing component, and the cup holder assembly is configured to receive the coffee basket; the drive component can drive the transmission component to move, thereby causing the coffee basket to vibrate.

[0007] Compared with existing technologies, the coffee basket vibration mechanism provided in this application uses a cup holder assembly to support the coffee basket, a driving component, and a transmission component at the output end of the driving component. The transmission component is then connected to the cup holder assembly, thereby transmitting the driving force of the driving component to the coffee basket to cause it to vibrate. Furthermore, a bearing is provided between the cup holder assembly and the transmission component, which improves the precision of power transmission between them, resulting in more uniform vibration of the coffee basket. Therefore, the coffee basket vibration mechanism provided in this application can drive the coffee basket to vibrate, thus ensuring uniform agitation of coffee powder when it is contained within the basket.

[0008] Specifically, the cup holder assembly includes a first cup holder component and a second cup holder component; the first cup holder component has a funnel-shaped first support portion and a transmission portion connected below the first support portion, the transmission portion being connected within the bearing component; the second cup holder component is disposed within the first support portion, the second cup holder component is also funnel-shaped, and is configured to receive the coffee basket.

[0009] Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the transmission part abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the bearing component; a plurality of reinforcing ribs are provided at the connection position between the first support part and the transmission part, and the reinforcing ribs abut against the upper end surface of the bearing component.

[0010] Specifically, the first support portion has a first receiving surface and a second receiving surface distributed from top to bottom; the first receiving surface is fitted with the upper edge of the second cup holder component, the second receiving surface is fitted with the middle part of the second cup holder component, and the inclination angle of the first receiving surface relative to the horizontal plane is smaller than the inclination angle of the second receiving surface relative to the horizontal plane. This arrangement allows the first cup holder component and the second cup holder component to fit together in segments, thereby transmitting vibration to the coffee basket in segments, thus vibrating the coffee powder in the coffee basket in segments, resulting in higher vibration precision and more even distribution of coffee powder in the coffee basket.

[0011] Specifically, the second cup holder component further includes a positioning part, which has a positioning protrusion, and the outer peripheral surface of the coffee basket has a positioning groove. The positioning protrusion can cooperate with the positioning groove to position the coffee basket on the second cup holder component.

[0012] Specifically, the lower end of the through hole has a flange, the outer peripheral surface of the bearing component abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the through hole, and the lower end of the bearing component is supported by the flange.

[0013] Specifically, the driving component includes a drive motor and a cam. The output end of the drive motor is connected to the cam. The cam can abut against the transmission component. The drive motor can drive the cam to rotate, thereby driving the transmission component to reciprocate linearly.

[0014] Specifically, the transmission component is driven to vibrate at a frequency of 40Hz to 50Hz.

[0015] Specifically, the transmission component has multiple extensions that are distributed in a ring around the through hole. The coffee basket vibration mechanism also includes a damping component connected to the extensions. The damping component is used to reduce the vibration intensity transmitted by the transmission component.

[0016] According to another aspect of this application, a coffee machine is also provided, which includes a support platform and the aforementioned coffee basket vibration mechanism. The support platform includes a support area, the cup holder assembly is disposed in the support area, and the drive member, the transmission member and the bearing member are all disposed within the support platform. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 A perspective view of a coffee machine provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a coffee machine provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the assembly of the coffee basket vibration mechanism, the coffee basket, and the support platform provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0022] Figure 5 The perspective view of the coffee machine provided in the embodiment of this application after removing part of the housing of the coffee basket and the support platform shows the transmission component of the coffee basket vibration mechanism;

[0023] Figure 6 A perspective view of the first cup holder component of the coffee machine provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 7 A perspective view of the second cup holder component of the coffee machine provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 8 A perspective view of a shock-absorbing component for a coffee machine provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0026] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0027] 100-Coffee machine, 1-Supporting platform, 11-Supporting area, 101-Coffee machine body, 2-Coffee basket vibration mechanism, 21-Driver, 211-Drive motor, 212-Cam, 22-Transmission component, 222-Extension, 23-Bearing component, 24-Cup holder assembly, 241-First cup holder component, 2411-First receiving part, 2412-Transmission part, 2413-Reinforcing rib, 2414-Limiting boss, 241a-First receiving surface, 241b-Second receiving surface, 242-Second cup holder component, 2421-Positioning part, 2422-Positioning protrusion, 25-Through hole, 26-Shock absorber, 261-Connecting terminal, 262-Shock damping, 3-Coffee basket, 31-Positioning groove. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0030] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0031] Please see Figures 1-3The coffee machine 100 provided in this application includes a coffee machine body 101, a support platform 1, and a coffee basket vibration mechanism 2. The support platform 1 is connected to the coffee machine body 101 and includes a support area 11. The coffee basket vibration mechanism 2 is disposed on the support platform 1. Specifically, the coffee basket vibration mechanism 2 includes a drive component 21, a transmission component 22, a bearing component 23, and a cup holder assembly 24. The drive component 21 is fixedly disposed on the support platform 1. One end of the transmission component 22 is connected to the output end of the drive component 21, and the other end of the transmission component 22 is provided with a through hole 25. The bearing component 23 is disposed inside the through hole 25. The cup holder assembly 24 is partially connected to the bearing component 23 and is disposed within the support area 11. The cup holder assembly 24 is configured to receive the coffee basket 3.

[0032] Further, please refer to Figures 4-5 In some embodiments of this application, the driving member 21 includes a driving motor 211 and a cam 212. The driving end of the driving motor 211 is connected to the cam 212, and the cam 212 can abut against the transmission member 22. The driving motor 211 can drive the cam 212 to rotate. The transmission member 22 also has a plurality of extensions 222, which are distributed in a ring around the through hole 25. The coffee basket vibration mechanism 2 also includes a shock absorber 26, which is connected to the extensions 222. The shock absorber 26 is used to reduce the vibration intensity transmitted by the transmission member 22. In this embodiment, one end of the shock absorber 26 is connected to the extension 222, and the other end of the shock absorber 26 is connected to the support platform 1 of the coffee machine 100, so as to reduce the vibration intensity applied to the support platform 1 by the coffee basket vibration mechanism 2.

[0033] In order to cooperate with the transmission component 22, the end of the damping component 26 connected to the extension 222 can swing relative to each other. Therefore, when the drive motor 211 drives the cam 212 to rotate, the cam 212 will intermittently push the transmission component 22, and the transmission component 22 will move back and forth relative to the damping component 26.

[0034] Specifically, the shock absorber 26 includes connecting terminals 261 at both ends and a damping shock absorber 262 disposed between the two connecting terminals 261. The connecting terminals 261 can swing relative to the damping shock absorber 262. One of the two connecting terminals 261 is connected to the support platform 1, and the other is connected to the extension 222 of the transmission member 22. The damping shock absorber 262 can absorb part of the vibration energy transmitted from the transmission member 22 to the support platform 1, so as to form an effective buffer between the transmission member 22 and the support platform 1, thereby effectively preventing the coffee machine body 101 from shaking due to the strong action of the support platform 1. In this embodiment, the drive motor 211 is selected as a servo motor that meets the usage requirements.

[0035] Further, please refer to Figures 1-3 as well as Figures 7-8The transmission component 22 is driven to vibrate at a frequency of 40Hz to 50Hz, which means that the transmission component 22 vibrates 40 to 50 times per second (inclusive). This vibration frequency has been proven to be relatively moderate. It will not cause the coffee powder that is relatively far from the inner wall of the coffee basket 3 to not vibrate properly due to too few vibrations per second, nor will it cause the coffee powder in the coffee basket 3 to splash due to too many vibrations per second, resulting in material waste.

[0036] Further, please refer to Figures 1-3 as well as Figures 7-8 The cup holder assembly 24 includes a first cup holder component 241 and a second cup holder component 242. The first cup holder component 241 has a funnel-shaped first support portion 2411 and a transmission portion 2412 connected below the first support portion 2411. The transmission portion 2412 is connected to the bearing component 23. The second cup holder component 242 is disposed within the first support portion 2411. The second cup holder component 242 is also funnel-shaped and is configured to receive the coffee basket 3. The first cup holder component 241 and the second cup holder component 242 of the cup holder assembly 24 are funnel-shaped to facilitate fitting and docking with the funnel-shaped coffee basket 3.

[0037] To ensure the coffee basket 3 is accurately placed on the second cup holder component 242, the second cup holder component 242 also includes a positioning part 2421. The positioning part 2421 has positioning protrusions 2422, and the outer circumferential surface of the coffee basket 3 has a positioning groove 31. The positioning protrusions 2422 can cooperate with the positioning groove 31 to position the coffee basket 3 on the second cup holder component 242. In this embodiment, the positioning part 2421 has four evenly distributed positioning protrusions 2422, and the positioning groove 31 is an annular groove, thus simultaneously cooperating with all four positioning protrusions 2422 for positioning. This arrangement, compared to separately setting four grooves whose shapes match the positioning protrusions 2422 to cooperate with each of the four positioning protrusions 2422, allows the annular groove to simultaneously position all four positioning protrusions 2422, making it more convenient for the coffee basket 3 to be quickly positioned.

[0038] Further, please refer to Figures 2-3 In order to make the vibration transmission of the transmission component 22 more accurate, the lower end of the through hole 25 is provided with an annular flange 251. The outer peripheral surface of the bearing component 23 and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 25 abut against each other, and the lower end of the bearing component 23 is supported on the flange 251. The inner peripheral surface of the bearing component 23 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the transmission part 2412. In this way, the outer ring of the bearing component 23 is positioned and supported on the flange 251.

[0039] To further limit the bearing component 23, multiple reinforcing ribs 2413 are provided at the connection position between the first support portion 2411 and the transmission portion 2412. The reinforcing ribs 2413 abut against the upper end face of the bearing component 23. A limiting boss 2414 is provided at the end of the transmission portion 2412 away from the second cup holder component 242. The limiting boss 2414 is flush with the flange 251. In this way, the inner ring of the bearing component 23 is clamped between the reinforcing ribs 2413 and the limiting boss 2414 for positioning. In addition, the presence of the reinforcing ribs 2413 can also improve the structural strength at the connection position between the first support portion 2411 and the transmission portion 2412, thereby improving the service life of the first cup holder component 241.

[0040] Further, please refer to Figures 1-3 The first support portion 2411 has a first receiving surface 241a and a second receiving surface 241b distributed from top to bottom. The first receiving surface 241a is attached to the upper edge of the second cup holder component 242, and the second receiving surface 241b is attached to the middle part of the second cup holder component 242. The inclination angle of the first receiving surface 241a relative to the horizontal plane is smaller than the inclination angle of the second receiving surface 241b relative to the horizontal plane. This arrangement allows the first cup holder component 241 and the second cup holder component 242 to be attached in three segments, thereby transmitting vibration to the coffee basket 3 in segments. This results in layered vibration of the coffee powder in the coffee basket 3, with higher vibration precision, so that the coffee powder is more evenly distributed in the coffee basket 3.

[0041] Specifically, the first receiving surface 241a serves as the first transmission section, transmitting vibration. Since the first receiving surface 241a is inclined, it transmits both horizontal and vertical vibration forces, causing horizontal and vertical oscillations in the upper layer of coffee powder within the coffee basket 3. The second receiving surface 241b serves as the second transmission section, also inclined, similarly causing horizontal and vertical oscillations in the middle layer of coffee powder within the coffee basket 3. The transmission part 2412 serves as the third transmission section, transmitting vibration. However, since the transmission part 2412 directly contacts the bearing component 23 and is vertical, it causes horizontal oscillations in the lower layer of coffee powder within the coffee basket 3, with the oscillation force being the greatest at this point, facilitating rapid and uniform oscillation.

[0042] The following is a description of the working principle of the coffee basket vibration mechanism 2 of the coffee machine 100 provided in this application. When coffee needs to be brewed, coffee powder is first placed into the coffee basket 3, and then the drive motor 211 of the coffee basket vibration mechanism 2 is started. The drive motor 211 drives the cam 212 to rotate and intermittently push the transmission component 22 to reciprocate. The first cup holder component 241 is connected to the transmission component 22 through the bearing component 23. Therefore, the first cup holder component 241 vibrates under the action of the transmission component 23. The second cup holder component 242 is in close contact with the first cup holder component 241. The coffee basket 3 is supported in the second cup holder component 242. Therefore, the coffee basket 3 also vibrates with the reciprocating motion of the transmission component 22, thereby gradually shaking the coffee powder in the coffee basket 3 evenly. After the coffee powder is evenly shaken, water can be added to the coffee basket 3 for brewing.

[0043] Compared with the prior art, the coffee basket vibration mechanism 2 provided in this application supports the coffee basket 3 by setting a cup holder assembly 24, and a driving member 21. A transmission member 22 is set at the output end of the driving member 21, and the transmission member 22 is connected to the cup holder assembly 24 for transmission. Thus, the driving force of the driving member 21 is transmitted to the coffee basket 3 through the transmission member 22 to drive the coffee basket 3 to vibrate. In addition, a bearing member 23 is provided between the cup holder assembly 24 and the transmission member 22, which can improve the accuracy of power transmission between the transmission member 22 and the cup holder assembly 24, thereby making the vibration of the coffee basket 3 more uniform. Therefore, the coffee basket vibration mechanism 2 provided in this application can drive the coffee basket 3 to vibrate, thereby making the coffee powder vibrate evenly when it is filled with coffee powder.

[0044] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of this utility model.

Claims

1. A coffee basket vibration mechanism, characterized in that, include: Drive components; The transmission component has one end connected to the output end of the driving component, and the other end is provided with a through hole; The bearing component is fixedly installed inside the through hole; The cup holder assembly is partially driven to the bearing component, and the cup holder assembly is configured to receive the coffee basket. The drive component can drive the transmission component to move, thereby causing the coffee basket to vibrate.

2. The coffee basket vibration mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cup holder assembly includes a first cup holder component and a second cup holder component; The first cup holder component has a funnel-shaped first support portion and a transmission portion connected below the first support portion, the transmission portion being connected within the bearing component; The second cup holder component is disposed within the first support portion. The second cup holder component is also funnel-shaped and is configured to receive the coffee basket.

3. The coffee basket vibration mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer peripheral surface of the transmission part and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing part abut each other; Furthermore, a plurality of reinforcing ribs are provided at the connection position between the first support part and the transmission part, and the reinforcing ribs abut against the upper end face of the bearing component.

4. The coffee basket vibration mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first support portion has a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface distributed from top to bottom; The first receiving surface and the upper edge of the second cup holder component are attached together, the second receiving surface and the middle part of the second cup holder component are attached together, and the inclination angle of the first receiving surface relative to the horizontal plane is smaller than the inclination angle of the second receiving surface relative to the horizontal plane.

5. The coffee basket vibration mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second cup holder component also includes a positioning part, which has a positioning protrusion. The outer peripheral surface of the coffee basket has a positioning groove, and the positioning protrusion can cooperate with the positioning groove to position the coffee basket on the second cup holder component.

6. The coffee basket vibration mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower end of the through hole has a flange, the outer peripheral surface of the bearing component abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the through hole, and the lower end of the bearing component is supported by the flange.

7. The coffee basket vibration mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving component includes a drive motor and a cam. The output end of the drive motor is connected to the cam. The cam can abut against the transmission component. The drive motor can drive the cam to rotate, thereby driving the transmission component to reciprocate linearly.

8. The coffee basket vibration mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, The transmission component is driven to vibrate at a frequency of 40Hz to 50Hz.

9. The coffee basket vibration mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission component has multiple extended portions that are arranged in a ring around the through hole. The coffee basket vibration mechanism also includes a shock absorber connected to the extended portions. The shock absorber is used to reduce the vibration intensity transmitted by the transmission component.

10. A coffee machine, characterized in that, The invention includes a support platform and a coffee basket vibration mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-9. The support platform includes a support area, the cup holder assembly is disposed within the support area, and the drive member, the transmission member, and the bearing member are all disposed within the support platform.

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