Steam tube assembly and coffee maker

Abstract

The utility model provides a steam pipe assembly and coffee machine include: steam pipe, its one end is equipped with ball head connecting portion, valve body subassembly, including clamping portion, ball head connecting portion is located in clamping portion and can rotate along the contact surface, make steam pipe relative to valve body subassembly rotatable, wherein, the contact surface of at least one of clamping portion and ball head connecting portion forms polytetrafluoroethylene layer. The utility model through polytetrafluoroethylene layer effectively eliminates the abnormal sound that ball head connecting portion and clamping portion produced when rotating because of metal direct friction, through the pressure of ball head connecting portion that clamping portion exerted, make clamping portion and ball head connecting portion produce stable friction, when needing to adjust steam pipe angle, the rotating force of user overcomes this friction, makes ball head connecting portion smooth rotation, when adjusting in place, this friction is enough to overcome steam pipe dead weight etc. external interference, make it can steady rest in the position required, thereby realize rotating nimble, stationary solid use effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of coffee machines, and in particular to a steam pipe assembly and a coffee machine. Background Technology

[0002] Coffee machines are commonly used equipment in modern catering services, and their steam function is indispensable for operations such as making milk foam and heating beverages. The steam hose assembly, as the core component for realizing the steam function, allows the operator to flexibly adjust the direction of the steam jet through a rotatable connection structure.

[0003] However, existing steam pipe rotating structures generally use metal-to-metal friction pairs with spring clamping mechanisms to maintain clamping force. In actual use, this traditional structure not only produces unpleasant noises due to direct metal-to-metal friction, but also exacerbates the noise when the spring pressure is increased to provide sufficient clamping force. Applying lubricant to solve the noise problem will cause grease and odors to mix into the steam, affecting the hygiene and safety of beverages. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a steam pipe assembly and a coffee machine, aiming to solve at least one of the problems of the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] This utility model provides a steam pipe assembly for a coffee machine, comprising:

[0007] A steam pipe, one end of which is equipped with a ball-shaped connector;

[0008] A valve body assembly includes a clamping portion, wherein a ball-head connector is located within the clamping portion and is rotatable along a contact surface, such that the steam pipe is rotatable relative to the valve body assembly, wherein a polytetrafluoroethylene layer is formed on the contact surface of at least one of the clamping portion and the ball-head connector.

[0009] In the above technical solution, the clamping part and / or the ball head connecting part are constructed of polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0010] In any of the above technical solutions, the clamping part is constructed with a spherical or partially spherical receiving groove, the receiving groove covering the ball head connecting part and being interference-fitted with the ball head connecting part.

[0011] In any of the above technical solutions, the clamping part includes a first clamping member and a second clamping member. The first clamping member and the second clamping member are respectively constructed with hemispherical grooves. The first clamping member and the second clamping member are connected so that the two hemispherical grooves surround the receiving groove.

[0012] In any of the above technical solutions, the valve body assembly further includes a sleeve, which is at least sleeved at the mating position of the first clamping member and the second clamping member and is interference-fitted to the first clamping member and the second clamping member.

[0013] In any of the above technical solutions, a first stop ring is provided on the outer peripheral wall of one of the first clamping member and the second clamping member. One end of the sleeve abuts against the stop ring, and the other end protrudes inward to form a second stop ring. The second stop ring abuts against the other of the first clamping member and the second clamping member.

[0014] In any of the above technical solutions, the valve body assembly further includes a valve seat, the valve seat is provided with a mounting groove, and the sleeve is located in the mounting groove and is interference-fitted with the mounting groove.

[0015] In any of the above technical solutions, the mounting groove includes a first groove and a second groove with a stepped transition. The sleeve is located in the first groove with a larger groove diameter. A portion of the first clamping member is located in the sleeve, and another portion extends into the second groove with a smaller groove diameter and is interference-fitted with the second groove.

[0016] In any of the above technical solutions, the valve body assembly further includes a valve cover, the valve cover being provided with an clearance hole.

[0017] The outer peripheral wall of the sleeve is provided with a protruding third stop ring. One end of the third stop ring abuts against the end wall of the mounting groove, and the valve cover presses the third stop ring against the valve seat from the other end of the third stop ring.

[0018] This utility model also provides a coffee machine, including:

[0019] The body has steam passages;

[0020] As described in any of the preceding claims, the valve body assembly of the steam pipe assembly is mounted on the machine body, and the steam pipe of the steam pipe assembly communicates with the steam passage.

[0021] This invention features a polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) layer formed on the contact surface of the clamping part, the contact surface of the ball joint, or the contact surface of the clamping part and the ball joint. PTFE material is easy to process and mold, has low production costs, and possesses an extremely low coefficient of friction and self-lubricating properties. This effectively eliminates abnormal noises caused by direct metal-to-metal friction during rotation between the ball joint and the clamping part. Simultaneously, the clamping force applied by the clamping part to the ball joint generates stable friction between the relative contact surfaces of the clamping part and the ball joint. When the steam pipe angle needs adjustment, the rotational force applied by the user overcomes this friction, allowing the ball joint to rotate smoothly. Once adjusted, this friction is sufficient to overcome external interference such as the weight of the steam pipe, ensuring it remains stably stationary in the desired position. This achieves a flexible rotation and stable stationary operation. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a steam pipe assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a steam pipe assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The enlarged structural diagram of part A is shown in the figure.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a valve body assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a front view structural diagram of a valve body assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of BB is shown in the figure;

[0028] Figure 7 This is an exploded structural diagram of a valve body assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the clamping part and sleeve according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of a valve seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] The correspondence between the reference numerals and the component names is as follows:

[0032] 10. Steam pipe assembly; 100. Steam pipe; 110. Ball joint connector; 120. Pipe body; 200. Valve body assembly; 210. Clamping part; 2101. Receiving groove; 2102. Hemispherical groove; 211. First clamping member; 2111. First stop ring; 212. Second clamping member; 220. Sleeve; 221. Second stop ring; 222. Third stop ring; 230. Valve seat; 231. Mounting groove; 2311. First groove; 2312. Second groove; 240. Valve cover; 241. Clearance hole. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To better understand the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this utility model, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in these embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0034] Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0035] The following is a reference to the appendix. Figure 1 To be continued Figure 9 This invention describes the steam pipe assembly 10 and coffee machine according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this utility model proposes a steam pipe assembly 10 for a coffee machine, the steam pipe assembly 10 including a steam pipe 100 and a valve body assembly 200.

[0037] The steam pipe 100 is the core component of the coffee machine to realize the steam function. One end of it is connected to the main body of the coffee machine through the valve body assembly 200, and the other end is equipped with a nozzle. When working, high-temperature steam is generated inside the coffee machine, flows through the valve body assembly 200 and through the steam pipe 100, and finally exits from the nozzle at its end. By operating the steam pipe 100, the user places the nozzle in a container of liquid such as milk, and uses the discharged steam to heat the liquid and create milk foam, thereby making specialty coffee drinks such as cappuccino and latte.

[0038] The connection method between the steam pipe 100 and the valve body assembly 200 is as follows.

[0039] One end of the steam pipe assembly 10 is provided with a ball joint 110. The valve body assembly 200 includes a clamping part 210. The ball joint 110 is located inside the clamping part 210 and can rotate along the contact surface with the clamping part 210, so that the steam pipe 100 can rotate relative to the valve body assembly 200. The ball joint 110 can be constructed as a complete spherical structure or as a partially spherical structure. The ball joint 110 and the pipe body 120 of the steam pipe 100 can be an integrated structure that is more conducive to preventing steam leakage, or a split structure that is more convenient to process and form. The ball joint 110 can provide multiple degrees of freedom and a wide range of rotation angles to meet the user's operating needs. At the same time, the clamping part 210 applies a reliable constraint force to the ball joint 110, so that the steam pipe 100 can obtain stable support and sufficient static friction after rotating to any angle, thereby firmly maintaining its current position and reducing the risk of slipping and sagging due to its own weight or slight external force.

[0040] A polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer is formed on the contact surface of the clamping part 210, the contact surface of the ball joint 110, or the contact surface of the clamping part 210 and the ball joint 110. PTFE material has the advantages of easy processing and molding, low production cost, and extremely low coefficient of friction and self-lubricating properties. It can effectively eliminate abnormal noise caused by direct metal-to-metal friction when the ball joint 110 and the clamping part 210 rotate. At the same time, the clamping force applied by the clamping part 210 to the ball joint 110 generates a stable frictional force between the relative contact surfaces of the clamping part 210 and the ball joint 110. When the angle of the steam pipe 100 needs to be adjusted, the rotational force applied by the user overcomes this frictional force, allowing the ball joint 110 to rotate smoothly. When the adjustment is in place, this frictional force is sufficient to overcome external interference such as the weight of the steam pipe 100, allowing it to remain stably stationary in the required position, thus achieving a flexible rotation and stable stationary operation.

[0041] Preferably, one or both of the clamping part 210 and the ball head connection part 110 are made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The entire part is made of PTFE material, which not only gives full play to its low friction and self-lubricating properties, but also makes the entire friction pair have better wear resistance. During long-term use, the wear is more uniform and the problem of coating peeling or local excessive wear is less likely to occur. This further extends the service life of the steam pipe 100 rotating mechanism and maintains smoothness and stability under long-term use.

[0042] Of course, the above is only a preferred embodiment of this utility model. The specific implementation of the polytetrafluoroethylene layer is not limited to this. For example, in other embodiments, the polytetrafluoroethylene layer can be a coating that is directly attached to the contact surface of the metal clamping part or the metal ball joint 110 by processes such as spraying and sintering, or it can be a polytetrafluoroethylene bushing that is independently processed and then fixed in the hemispherical groove 2102 of the clamping part by means of interference fit or bonding.

[0043] Regarding the structure of the clamping part 210, its construction methods include, but are not limited to, the following embodiments: In some embodiments, the clamping part 210 includes two clamping members that clamp from opposite ends of the ball joint 110. Further, the clamping part 210 also includes an elastic member that can apply pressure to one of the clamping members, causing it to press against the other clamping member, increasing the clamping force of the two clamping members. In other embodiments, the clamping part 210 may also adopt a multi-lobed structure, for example, composed of three or more clamping lobes. These clamping lobes together surround the ball joint 110 and apply a uniform clamping force in the radial direction. This multi-lobed structure increases the number of clamping points, making the distribution of clamping force more uniform, ensuring clamping reliability and avoiding local stress concentration. Simultaneously, this structural design facilitates alignment adjustments during assembly, improving assembly accuracy and efficiency.

[0044] It is worth noting that both the two-end clamping and the multi-lobed structure can be combined with the aforementioned polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer. The low friction characteristics of the PTFE layer ensure that the ball joint 110 can maintain rotational flexibility even under multi-contact clamping conditions, while the clamping part 210 provides the necessary and uniform clamping force for the entire friction pair. The PTFE layer and the clamping part work together to achieve a comprehensive effect of structural simplification, reliable clamping, and smooth rotation.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the clamping part 210 is constructed with a spherical or partially spherical receiving groove 2101. The receiving groove 2101 covers the ball head connecting part 110 and is interference-fitted with the ball head connecting part 110. In this embodiment, the receiving groove 2101 covers the ball head connecting part 110 and forms an interference fit with it. The radial clamping force generated by the interference fit provides a stable clamping force for the ball head connecting part 110, enabling it to reliably stay in any adjustable position. At the same time, a polytetrafluoroethylene layer is provided on the contact surface between the ball head connecting part 110 and the receiving groove 2101. The low coefficient of friction of polytetrafluoroethylene material ensures that even under the large clamping force generated by the interference fit, the ball head connecting part 110 can still rotate smoothly, effectively avoiding abnormal noise and rotation jamming that may be caused by direct metal-to-metal contact.

[0046] More specifically, the spherical or partially spherical receiving groove 2101 can cover the ball head connection 110 with a larger contact area, significantly increasing the effective contact area between the clamping part 210 and the ball head connection 110. Under the same clamping force, a larger contact area means that a larger static friction force can be generated, so that the clamping part 210 can more reliably clamp the ball head connection 110. Even if the steam pipe 100 is at a large tilt angle, the downward force generated by its own weight is difficult to overcome the static friction force generated by the large area contact, thereby effectively preventing the steam pipe 100 from automatically sagging. Meanwhile, the clamping method in this embodiment relies entirely on the interference fit of the structure itself, eliminating the need for traditional springs, pressure blocks, and other structures. This simplifies the overall structure, reduces the number of parts, lowers manufacturing costs and assembly complexity, and avoids the fatigue failure that springs may experience after long-term use, thus improving product reliability and service life. The interference fit clamping method provides a more uniform and stable clamping force distribution, avoiding the local stress concentration problem that spring compression may cause, and is more conducive to preventing abnormal noise. In addition, this structural design has good adaptability. By adjusting the size of the interference fit, the clamping force can be precisely controlled to meet the clamping requirements without making rotation too difficult. This adjustability allows the design to adapt to steam pipes 100 of different specifications and weights, demonstrating good versatility and flexibility.

[0047] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the clamping part 210 includes a first clamping member 211 and a second clamping member 212. The first clamping member 211 and the second clamping member 212 are respectively constructed with hemispherical grooves 2102. The first clamping member 211 and the second clamping member 212 are joined together so that the two hemispherical grooves 2102 enclose the receiving groove 2101. In this way, during installation, the ball-head connecting part 110 can be placed in the hemispherical groove 2102 of one of the clamping members first, and then the other clamping member is joined and fastened to it as a whole. This assembly method avoids the complicated operation of forcibly pressing the ball-head connecting part 110, reduces the stringent requirements for the manufacturing precision of the parts, improves the assembly efficiency and yield. In addition, the enclosing structure formed by the two clamping members can apply a uniform radial clamping force to the ball-head connecting part 110, avoiding the problem of uneven wear that may be caused by unilateral force. With the polytetrafluoroethylene layer set on the contact surface, sufficient static friction is ensured to prevent the steam pipe 100 from sagging, and the flexibility and quiet effect during rotation are also guaranteed.

[0048] Furthermore, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the valve body assembly 200 also includes a sleeve 220. The sleeve 220 is at least sleeved at the docking position of the first clamping member 211 and the second clamping member 212 and is interference-fitted to the first clamping member 211 and the second clamping member 212. In this way, the whole assembly forms a combination structure with external mechanical clamping and internal low-friction rotation. While completely eliminating the traditional spring pressure block mechanism, it achieves a simpler and more reliable integrated clamping solution. Specifically, the sleeve 220, acting as an external constraint component, has its inner wall forming an interference fit with the outer peripheral surfaces of the two clamping members. After the sleeve 220 is pressed into the designated position, the radial contraction force it generates acts evenly on the first clamping member 211 and the second clamping member 212, forcing the two hemispherical grooves 2102 to more tightly enclose the ball joint 110, providing a stable and continuous radial clamping force for the ball joint 110. Simultaneously, the sleeve 220 structure also integrates the two independent clamping members into one unit, enhancing the overall structural integrity of the clamping part 210, ensuring the stability of the clamping force during long-term use, and preventing the first clamping member 211 and the second clamping member 212 from loosening.

[0049] For example, the first clamping member 211 and the second clamping member 212 are respectively constructed as cylindrical or tubular, and a hemispherical groove 2102 is formed by recessing inward from one end face. In this way, the first clamping member 211 and the second clamping member 212 form a complete cylindrical structure after docking, which is easier to fit into the sleeve 220, and the overall connection is tighter and not easy to loosen.

[0050] Furthermore, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, one of the first clamping member 211 and the second clamping member 212 has a raised first stop ring 2111 on its outer peripheral wall. One end of the sleeve 220 abuts against the stop ring, and the other end protrudes inward to form a second stop ring 221. The second stop ring 221 abuts against the other of the first clamping member 211 and the second clamping member 212. The first stop ring 2111 and the second stop ring 221 provide accurate positioning references for assembly. The two stop rings define the installation position of the sleeve 220, making the assembly process simple and intuitive. While ensuring proper assembly, when pressing the sleeve 220, the two stop rings can serve as effective force application planes, facilitating the assembly equipment to apply force evenly from both ends, ensuring that the sleeve 220 is smoothly pressed into place. This design ensures both assembly accuracy and improves assembly efficiency.

[0051] In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 and Figure 9As shown, the valve body assembly 200 also includes a valve seat 230, which has a mounting groove 231. The sleeve 220 is located within the mounting groove 231 and is interference-fitted with the mounting groove 231. The valve seat 230 serves as the mounting support for the entire steam pipe assembly 10 and can be assembled onto the coffee machine body using any method such as threaded connection or flange fixing. The valve seat 230 has a steam channel inside, one end of which connects to the steam source of the coffee machine body, and the other end connects to the receiving groove 2101 in the clamping part 210, ensuring that steam can be smoothly delivered to the steam pipe 100. The depth and diameter of the mounting groove 231 are precisely designed to form an appropriate interference fit with the outer diameter of the sleeve 220. During assembly, the sleeve 220 assembly, with the clamping part and ball joint 110 already assembled, is pressed into the mounting groove 231, and the friction generated by the interference fit achieves reliable fixation. This connection method not only ensures the accuracy of the sleeve 220's position but also enhances the structural rigidity of the entire valve body assembly 200.

[0052] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 and Figure 9 As shown, the mounting groove 231 includes a stepped first groove 2311 and a second groove 2312. The sleeve 220 is located in the first groove 2311 with a larger diameter. A portion of the first clamping member 211 is located in the sleeve 220, and the other portion extends into the second groove 2312 with a smaller diameter and is interference-fitted with the second groove 2312. The stepped mounting groove 231 provides a clear positioning reference for assembly. During assembly, the first clamping member 211 can be inserted into the sleeve 220 first, and then this component can be pressed into the valve seat 230 along the second groove 2312 over the first groove 2311. The interference fit between the second groove 2312 and the first clamping member 211 not only achieves reliable fixation, but also ensures the coaxiality of the first clamping member 211 and the valve seat 230. At the same time, the sleeve 220 is precisely confined within the first groove 2311, forming a stable axial support. This structural design also enhances the overall stability of the structure. Through the interference fit between the first clamping member 211 and the second groove 2312, and the cooperation between the sleeve 220 and the first groove 2311, multiple fixing effects are formed, which effectively prevents loosening that may occur during use. This compact layout not only ensures the reliability of the structure, but also saves installation space to the maximum extent.

[0053] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown, the valve body assembly 200 also includes a valve cover 240, which has a clearance hole 241 for the steam pipe 100 to pass through. A raised third stop ring 222 is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the sleeve 220. One end of the third stop ring 222 abuts against the end wall of the mounting groove 231. The valve cover 240 is mounted on the valve seat 230, and the third stop ring 222 is pressed against the end wall of the mounting groove 231 from the other end. The cooperation between the valve cover 240 and the stop ring provides reliable axial positioning for the sleeve 220, preventing loosening and displacement during use. At the same time, this design simplifies the assembly process; installation can be completed simply by inserting the sleeve 220 assembly and then tightening the valve cover 240, ensuring structural stability and improving assembly efficiency.

[0054] The present invention also provides a coffee machine, including a body and a steam pipe assembly 10 of any of the foregoing embodiments. The body has a steam channel inside, a valve assembly 200 is installed in the body, and the steam pipe 100 is connected to the steam channel of the body.

[0055] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0056] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A steam pipe assembly for a coffee machine, characterized in that, include: A steam pipe, one end of which is equipped with a ball-shaped connector; A valve body assembly includes a clamping portion, wherein a ball-head connector is located within the clamping portion and is rotatable along a contact surface, such that the steam pipe is rotatable relative to the valve body assembly, wherein a polytetrafluoroethylene layer is formed on the contact surface of at least one of the clamping portion and the ball-head connector.

2. The steam pipe assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping part and / or the ball joint connection part are constructed of polytetrafluoroethylene.

3. The steam pipe assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The clamping part is constructed with a spherical or partially spherical receiving groove, which covers the ball head connecting part and is interference-fitted with the ball head connecting part.

4. The steam pipe assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The clamping part includes a first clamping member and a second clamping member. The first clamping member and the second clamping member are respectively constructed with hemispherical grooves. The first clamping member and the second clamping member are connected so that the two hemispherical grooves surround the receiving groove.

5. The steam pipe assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The valve body assembly further includes a sleeve, which is at least sleeved at the mating position of the first clamping member and the second clamping member and is interference-fitted to the first clamping member and the second clamping member.

6. The steam pipe assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, One of the first clamping member and the second clamping member has a raised first stop ring on its outer peripheral wall. One end of the sleeve abuts against the stop ring, and the other end protrudes inward to form a second stop ring. The second stop ring abuts against the other of the first clamping member and the second clamping member.

7. The steam pipe assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The valve body assembly also includes a valve seat, which has a mounting groove, and the sleeve is located in the mounting groove and is interference-fitted with the mounting groove.

8. The steam pipe assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The mounting groove includes a first groove and a second groove with a stepped transition. The sleeve is located in the first groove with a larger groove diameter. A portion of the first clamping member is located in the sleeve, and another portion extends into the second groove with a smaller groove diameter and is interference-fitted with the second groove.

9. The steam pipe assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The valve body assembly also includes a valve cover, which has a clearance hole for the steam pipe to pass through. The outer peripheral wall of the sleeve is provided with a raised third stop ring, one end of which abuts against the end wall of the mounting groove. The valve cover is installed on the valve seat and presses the third stop ring against the end wall of the mounting groove from the other end.

10. A coffee machine, characterized in that, include: The machine body has a steam passage inside; The steam pipe assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the valve body assembly is installed on the machine body, and the steam pipe is connected to the steam passage of the machine body.

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