Drive device for a brewing unit and coffee machine

Abstract

This application provides a driving device for a brewer and a coffee machine. The driving device includes a power transmission mechanism and a reset mechanism, with the reset mechanism connected to the power transmission mechanism. The power transmission mechanism is connected to the brewer and drives the brewer to move to the brewing position. After the brewer picks up coffee powder, the reset mechanism rotates in a first direction under the drive of the power transmission mechanism. The power transmission mechanism can also drive the brewer to reset, and the reset mechanism rotates in a second direction under the drive of the power transmission mechanism, causing the push rod to move downwards to reset. By using a single power transmission mechanism, the movement of the brewer and push rod during the brewing and reset processes can be achieved, solving the problems of complex structure, high cost, and frequent malfunctions in existing driving devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of coffee machine technology, and in particular to a driving device for a brewer and a coffee machine. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, home coffee machines primarily rely on multi-motor drives for brewing and resetting. The core of the brewing process involves at least two independent drive motors, each providing power to the brewing and resetting processes with its own independent transmission chain. However, this approach has significant drawbacks. For example, the dual motors and independent transmission chains increase hardware costs and make the structure more complex. Furthermore, the dual-power system doubles the potential for failure, significantly increasing maintenance costs and the risk of process interruptions. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a driving device for a brewer and a coffee machine.

[0004] The embodiments of this application adopt the following technical solution: a driving device for a brewer, applied to a coffee machine, wherein the brewer is connected to a push rod, and when the brewer moves downward relative to the push rod, the push rod pushes out the coffee grounds in the brewer; The drive device includes a power transmission mechanism and a reset mechanism, wherein the reset mechanism is connected to the power transmission mechanism; The power transmission mechanism is connected to the brewing device and drives the brewing device to the brewing position; the reset mechanism rotates along the first direction under the drive of the power transmission mechanism. The power transmission mechanism can also drive the brewer to reset, and the reset mechanism rotates in a second direction under the drive of the power transmission mechanism, thereby driving the push rod to move downwards to reset; wherein, the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

[0005] A single power transmission mechanism can be used to move the brewer and push rod during the brewing and resetting processes, solving the problems of complex structure, high cost and frequent failures of existing drive devices.

[0006] In some embodiments, the power transmission mechanism includes a drive motor, a worm gear, a drive rod, and a rack; The drive motor is connected to one end of the worm gear and drives the worm gear to rotate. One end of the drive rod is threaded into the worm gear, and the drive rod can move up and down when the worm gear rotates. The brewing device is movably connected to the drive rod and can move under the pushing action of the drive rod; One end of the rack is connected to the drive rod, and the other end of the rack extends downward.

[0007] This power transmission mechanism uses only one drive motor, and its structure is relatively simple.

[0008] In some embodiments, the reset mechanism includes a gear and a reset rod, wherein one end of the reset rod is provided with gear teeth; The gear engages with the rack and rotates under the drive of the rack; The teeth of the reset rod engage with the gear and rotate under the drive of the gear.

[0009] The gear and rack transmission method can transmit power stably. The meshing of the rack and the reset gear converts linear motion into rotational power, which drives the reset rod to complete the rotational action synchronously. This allows a single power source to run through the entire coffee brewing and reset process, and the brewer can operate automatically during coffee brewing and reset without additional power.

[0010] In some embodiments, the coffee machine frame is provided with a first moving channel for the brewer to slide along, the first moving channel including a first channel and a second channel that are interconnected; after the brewer picks up the coffee powder, the power transmission mechanism drives the brewer to move horizontally along the first channel and vertically along the second channel. The design of the first moving channel allows the brewer to move smoothly along the first moving channel.

[0011] In some embodiments, the drive rod is provided with a second moving channel, and the drive rod pushes the brewer to move along the first moving channel and the second moving channel through the second moving channel, so that the brewer can be driven by one drive motor driving one drive rod, thereby reducing the number of structural components in the drive device.

[0012] In some embodiments, the coffee machine frame is further provided with a guide hole, and the other end of the reset rod rotates along the guide hole. This guide hole serves two purposes: firstly, it guides the reset rod; secondly, it allows the reset rod to pass through the guide hole and drive the push rod to reset, provided that the power transmission mechanism, reset mechanism, and brewer are structurally well-arranged.

[0013] In some embodiments, when the brewer moves to the brewing position, the reset rod moves along the bottom end of the guide hole to the top end of the guide hole under the forward rotation of the gear. The top end of the guide hole has a latch to secure the reset rod. When the brewer resets, the reset rod disengages from the latch under the reverse rotation of the gear. The latch design allows the reset rod to maintain its current position when the rack and gear transition to a non-meshing state, preparing for subsequent brewer reset.

[0014] In some embodiments, the upper end of the push rod extends from the bottom of the brewer into the brewer, the brewer is movably connected to the push rod, a sealing ring is provided between the push rod and the inner wall of the brewer, and the push rod moves relative to the brewer to automatically discharge coffee grounds from the brewer after brewing.

[0015] In some embodiments, the other end of the reset rod is provided with a pressure rod. After the coffee grounds in the brewer are ejected, the reset rod rotates in the second direction, the pressure rod abuts against the lower end of the push rod, and applies a downward force to the push rod so that the push rod moves downward relative to the brewer to reset, thereby realizing the automatic reset of the overall structure of the brewer.

[0016] This application also provides a coffee machine, including a driving device for the brewer as described in any of the above embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or related technologies of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies 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 without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the drive device for the brewer in this application; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the driving device for the brewing device of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the drive device of the brewer in this application from another angle; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure when the push rod of this application pushes the limit block to move upward; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure when the push rod pushes the limit block to flip. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure when the reset rod of this application moves to the top of the guide hole; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure when the compression bar of this application contacts the load-bearing platform.

[0019] Reference numerals: 1. Brewer; 2. Push rod; 21. Push plate; 22. Sealing ring; 23. Force-bearing platform; 3. Power transmission mechanism; 31. Drive motor; 32. Worm gear; 33. Drive rod; 331. Second moving channel; 34. Rack; 35. Nut; 4. Reset mechanism; 41. Gear; 42. Reset rod; 421. Gear tooth; 422. Pressure rod; 5. Frame; 51. First channel; 52. Second channel; 53. Guide hole; 531. Bayonet; 6. Limiting block; 7. Torsion spring. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Various embodiments and features of this application are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] It should be understood that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein. Therefore, the above description should not be considered as limiting, but merely as an example of embodiments. Other modifications within the scope and spirit of this application will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are included in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present application and, together with the general description of the present application given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present application.

[0023] These and other features of this application will become apparent from the following description of preferred forms of embodiments given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] It should also be understood that although this application has been described with reference to some specific examples, those skilled in the art can certainly implement many other equivalent forms of this application.

[0025] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of this application will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and in view of the following detailed description.

[0026] Specific embodiments of this application are described thereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it should be understood that the claimed embodiments are merely examples of this application, which can be implemented in various ways. Well-known and / or repeated functions and structures are not described in detail to avoid unnecessary or redundant details that could obscure the application. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details claimed herein are not intended to be limiting, but merely serve as the basis and representative basis for the claims to teach those skilled in the art to use this application in a variety of substantially any suitable detailed structures.

[0027] This specification may use the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in another embodiment,” “in yet another embodiment,” or “in other embodiments,” all of which may refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments according to this application.

[0028] To address the problems in the background art, embodiments of this application provide a driving device for a brewer 1, which can be applied to a coffee machine or other beverage brewing devices. This application uses a coffee machine as an example for illustration.

[0029] The top of the brewer 1 can be open. After coffee grounds fall into the brewer 1 and are tamped, the brewer 1 can move upwards to the brewing head. The brewing head then pours water into the brewer 1 to extract the coffee. After brewing, the coffee grounds in the brewer 1 can be ejected using the pusher 2. For example, the brewer 1 can be connected to the pusher 2. When the brewer 1 moves downwards relative to the pusher 2, the pusher 2 moves upwards relative to the brewer 1, ejecting the coffee grounds. After the coffee grounds are ejected, the brewer 1 and pusher 2 return to their original positions for the next use.

[0030] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 2 In order to drive the movement of the brewer 1 and the push rod 2, the driving device of this application may include a power transmission mechanism 3 and a reset mechanism 4. Both the brewer 1 and the reset mechanism 4 can be connected to the power transmission mechanism 3. The power transmission mechanism 3 can drive the movement of the brewer 1 during the brewing process and the reset process. The reset mechanism 4 can be driven by the power transmission mechanism 3 to drive the push rod 2 to reset after the coffee brewing is completed.

[0031] The power transmission mechanism 3 can drive the brewer 1 from the powder receiving position through the intermediate position to the brewing position. During this process, the relative positions of the brewer 1 and the push rod 2 can remain unchanged. When the brewer 1 starts moving from the powder receiving position, the reset mechanism 4 can rotate along the first direction under the drive of the power transmission mechanism 3. Alternatively, the reset mechanism 4 can rotate along the first direction after the brewer 1 has moved a certain distance from the powder receiving position. The specific timing of the rotation of the reset mechanism 4 is not specifically limited, as long as it can rotate along the second direction during the reset process, causing the push rod 2 to reset.

[0032] After coffee extraction is completed at the brewing position, the power transmission mechanism 3 can also drive the brewer 1 to move from the brewing position back to the coffee grounds receiving position. During this process, the brewer 1 can move downward relative to the push rod 2 under the drive of the power transmission mechanism 3, and the push rod 2 pushes out the coffee grounds in the brewer 1. After the coffee grounds are pushed out, the reset mechanism 4 can also be activated under the drive of the power transmission mechanism 3, so that the reset mechanism 4 can rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction and make contact with the push rod 2. The reset mechanism 4 continues to rotate and applies a downward force to the push rod 2, so as to drive the push rod 2 to move downward and reset. Of course, the reset mechanism 4 can also start moving in the second direction before the coffee grounds are pushed out, although the reset mechanism 4 will make contact with the push rod 2 again when moving in the second direction. There is no specific restriction on the timing of the reset mechanism 4 rotating in the second direction.

[0033] This application embodiment uses a single power transmission mechanism 3 to realize the movement of the brewer 1 and the push rod 2 in the brewing and resetting processes, which solves the problems of complex structure, high cost and frequent failures of existing drive devices. It also realizes the linkage between the movement of the brewer 1 and the action of the resetting mechanism 4, and solves the problem of delayed connection between brewing and resetting actions caused by the two existing drive motors 31.

[0034] In some embodiments, combined again Figure 1 and Figure 2 The power transmission mechanism 3 may include a drive motor 31, a worm gear 32, a drive rod 33, and a rack 34. Here, the drive motor 31 refers to a single drive motor 31. The output end of the drive motor 31 can be connected to one end of the vertically arranged worm gear 32 to drive the worm gear 32 to rotate. For example, the drive motor 31 can be connected to the top end of the worm gear 32 via a gear set 41, thereby driving the worm gear 32 to rotate. The drive motor 31 can rotate in both directions; for example, it can rotate forward during the brewing process and reverse during the reset process.

[0035] One end of the drive rod 33 can be threaded with the worm 32 via the nut 35. When the worm 32 rotates, the drive rod 33 can move linearly up and down under the drive of the worm 32.

[0036] The brewer 1 is movably connected to the drive rod 33 and can move from the powder receiving position to the brewing position through the middle position under the push of the drive rod 33, and can also move from the brewing position to the powder receiving position through the middle position.

[0037] The top end of rack 34 can be connected to drive rod 33, and the lower end of rack 34 can extend downwards. As drive rod 33 moves up and down, rack 34 also moves up and down synchronously. Rack 34 can be connected to reset mechanism 4 to drive reset mechanism 4 to perform a first direction and a second reverse direction. For example, when drive motor 31 rotates forward, drive rod 33 and rack 34 move upwards, and rack 34 drives reset mechanism 4 to rotate in the first direction; when drive motor 31 rotates in reverse, drive rod 33 and rack 34 move downwards, and rack 34 drives reset mechanism 4 to rotate in the second direction.

[0038] In this application, the power transmission mechanism 3 uses only one drive motor 31. The structure of the power transmission mechanism 3 is relatively simple, which solves the problems of complex structure, high cost and many failures of the drive device in the prior art.

[0039] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 1 The reset mechanism 4 includes a gear 41 and a reset rod 42, with teeth 421 at one end of the reset rod 42. The gear 41 can be mounted on the frame 5 of the coffee machine, positioned such that it meshes with the rack 34 of the power transmission mechanism 3. The reset rod 42, with one end of the teeth 421 rotatably mounted on the frame 5, also meshes with the gear 41. When the rack 34 moves up and down, it drives the gear 41 to rotate, which in turn drives the reset rod 42. This transmission method, with the gear 41 and rack 34 meshing, allows for stable power transmission. The meshing of the rack 34 and reset gear 41 converts linear motion into rotational power, causing the reset rod 42 to rotate synchronously. This allows a single power source to power the entire coffee brewing and reset process, enabling automatic operation of the brewer 1 during coffee brewing and reset without additional power.

[0040] In some embodiments, combined with Figure 1 The coffee machine frame 5 has a first moving channel for the brewer 1 to slide along. This first moving channel includes a first channel 51 and a second channel 52 that are interconnected. For example, the first channel 51 can be horizontally positioned, and the second channel 52 can be vertically positioned; the first channel 51 and the second channel 52 can be perpendicular to each other. The powder receiving position can be located at the end of the first channel 51 furthest from the second channel 52, and the middle position can be located at the intersection of the first channel 51 and the second channel 52. Figure 4 and Figure 5 After the brewer 1 receives coffee powder at the powder receiving position, the power transmission mechanism 3 can rotate in the forward direction, driving the brewer 1 and the push rod 2 to move synchronously along the first channel 51 from the powder receiving position to the middle position and along the second channel 52 from the middle position to the brewing head position, that is, to the brewing position. The brewing head pours hot or cold water or other brewing liquid for extracting coffee into the brewer 1.

[0041] Combination Figure 7 After brewing, the power transmission mechanism 3 can rotate in the opposite direction, driving the brewer 1 and push rod 2 to move downwards synchronously along the second channel 52. When the push rod 2 reaches the bottom and contacts the limiting structure, the brewer 1 moves relative to the push rod 2. The brewer 1 continues to move downwards, and the push rod 2 moves upwards relative to the brewer 1 to discharge the coffee grounds inside the brewer 1. Then, the brewer 1 and push rod 2 move horizontally along the first slide back to the powder receiving position. During this process, because a sealing ring 22 is set between the push rod 2 inside the brewer 1 and the inner wall of the brewer 1 to prevent leakage, the push rod 2 cannot reset on its own due to the sealing effect of the sealing ring 22 and the inner wall of the brewer 1. Therefore, the reset rod 42 can rotate in the second direction, so that the reset rod 42 and the push rod 2 come into contact, and the reset rod 42 pushes the push rod 2 to reset.

[0042] The aforementioned limiting structure can be a limiting block 6 rotatably mounted on the frame 5, and the limiting block 6 can be rotatably connected to the frame 5 via a torsion spring. (Combined) Figure 5 When the brewer 1 and push rod 2 move upward, the limiting block 6 flips upward under the pushing action of push rod 2. After push rod 2 passes the limiting block 6, the limiting block 6 returns to its original position under the action of torsion spring. Figure 6 After the coffee grounds are discharged, the push rod 2 will be limited by the limiting block 6 when it moves downward. Of course, it is understood that the limiting structure can also take other forms; this is only used as an example and does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the claims.

[0043] The design of the first moving channel allows the brewer 1 to move smoothly along the first moving channel to smoothly extract coffee.

[0044] In some embodiments, the drive rod 33 is provided with a second moving channel 331, through which the drive rod 33 pushes the brewer 1 to move along the first moving channel and the second moving channel 331. For example, the drive rod 33 may be inclined, and the second moving channel 331 may also be inclined, with a certain angle between the second moving channel 331 and the first channel 51 and the second channel 52.

[0045] When the drive rod 33 moves upward, the brewer 1 can move downward along the second moving channel 331, and the drive rod 33 pushes the brewer 1 to move horizontally in the first channel 51. Subsequently, the brewer 1 can continue to move downward along the second moving channel 331, driving the brewer 1 to move upward along the second channel 52, so that the brewer 1 can be driven for the entire brewing process by one drive motor 31 driving one drive rod 33, reducing the number of structural components in the drive device.

[0046] In some embodiments, the frame 5 of the coffee machine is also provided with a guide hole 53. A reset rod 42 and a push rod 2 can be respectively installed on both sides of the frame 5 with the guide hole 53, facilitating the overall layout of the coffee machine. The guide hole 53 can be an arc-shaped hole, allowing the other end of the reset rod 42 to rotate along the guide hole 53 when the reset rod 42 rotates. The guide hole 53 serves two purposes: firstly, it guides the reset rod 42; secondly, while ensuring a well-organized layout of the power transmission mechanism 3, the reset mechanism 4, and the brewer 1, it allows the reset rod 42 to pass through the guide hole 53 and drive the push rod 2 to reset.

[0047] When the brewer 1 moves from the powder receiving position to the brewing position, the reset rod 42 moves from the bottom end to the top end of the guide hole 53 under the forward rotation of the gear 41. The top end of the guide hole 53 has a latch 531 for securing the reset rod 42. When the reset rod 42 moves to the top end of the guide hole 53, the latch 531 can secure the reset rod 42 to the top end of the guide hole 53. During the movement of the brewer 1 from the brewing position to the powder receiving position, the reset rod 42 can disengage from the latch 531 under the reverse rotation of the gear 41. In this way, even if the rack 34 continues to move upward and disengages from the gear 41, the reset rod 42 will not move back to the bottom end of the guide hole 53 under its own weight without the drive of the gear 41. Moreover, this can shorten the length of the rack 34, reduce the space occupied by the drive device caused by the excessive length of the rack 34, and facilitate the miniaturization design of the coffee machine.

[0048] The bayonet 531 is designed so that when the rack 34 and gear 41 are switched to a non-meshing state, the reset rod 42 can maintain its current position, which is ready for the subsequent reset of the brewer 1.

[0049] In some embodiments, the upper end of the push rod 2 may be provided with a push plate 21 adapted to the inner cavity structure of the brewer 1, and the outer peripheral surface of the push plate 21 may fit against the inner peripheral surface of the brewer 1. A sealing ring 22 may also be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the push plate 21 to prevent coffee leakage. The upper end of the push rod 2 may extend into the brewer 1 through a through hole at the bottom of the brewer 1. The brewer 1 and the push rod 2 are movably connected, and the push rod 2 can only move up and down relative to the brewer 1. The movement of the push rod 2 relative to the brewer 1 automatically discharges the coffee grounds from the brewer 1 after brewing.

[0050] In some embodiments, a pressure rod 422 may be provided at the other end of the reset rod 42, in conjunction with... Figure 7After the coffee grounds in the brewer 1 are ejected, the reset rod 42 rotates in the second direction, and the pressure rod 422 can abut against the lower end of the push rod 2, applying a downward force to the push rod 2, so that the push rod 2 moves downward relative to the brewer 1 to reset, realizing the automatic reset of the overall structure of the brewer 1. For example, the lower end of the push rod 2 can be provided with a force-bearing surface 23. As the reset rod 42 rotates in the second direction, the pressure rod 422 can continuously approach the force-bearing surface 23 from above until it abuts against the force-bearing surface 23, thus applying a downward force to the push rod 2.

[0051] This application also provides a coffee machine including a drive device for the brewer 1 as described in any of the above embodiments. A coffee machine using the aforementioned drive device for the brewer 1 can reduce the number of drive motors 31 in the drive device, resulting in a simpler overall structure and lower cost.

[0052] The foregoing has described in detail several embodiments of this application, but this application is not limited to these specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various variations and modifications based on the concept of this application, and all such variations and modifications should fall within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

Claims

1. A driving device for a brewer, used in a coffee machine, characterized in that, The brewing device (1) is connected to the push rod (2). When the brewing device (1) moves downward relative to the push rod (2), the push rod (2) pushes out the coffee grounds in the brewing device (1). The drive device includes a power transmission mechanism (3) and a reset mechanism (4), wherein the reset mechanism (4) is connected to the power transmission mechanism (3); The power transmission mechanism (3) is connected to the brewer (1) and drives the brewer (1) to move to the brewing position. The reset mechanism (4) rotates in the first direction under the drive of the power transmission mechanism (3). The power transmission mechanism (3) can also drive the brewer (1) to reset, and the reset mechanism (4) rotates in the second direction under the drive of the power transmission mechanism (3), and drives the push rod (2) to move downward to reset; wherein, the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

2. The driving device for the brewer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power transmission mechanism (3) includes a drive motor (31), a worm gear (32), a drive rod (33), and a rack (34); The drive motor (31) is connected to one end of the worm (32) and drives the worm (32) to rotate; One end of the drive rod (33) is threaded into the worm (32), and the drive rod (33) can move up and down when the worm (32) rotates; The brewing device (1) is movably connected to the drive rod (33) and can move under the pushing action of the drive rod (33); One end of the rack (34) is connected to the drive rod (33), and the other end of the rack (34) extends downward.

3. The driving device for the brewer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The reset mechanism (4) includes a gear (41) and a reset rod (42), and one end of the reset rod (42) is provided with gear teeth (421); The gear (41) engages with the rack (34) and rotates under the drive of the rack (34); The teeth (421) of the reset rod (42) engage with the gear (41) and rotate under the drive of the gear (41).

4. The driving device for the brewer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The coffee machine frame (5) is provided with a first moving channel for the brewer (1) to slide. The first moving channel includes a first channel (51) and a second channel (52) that are connected to each other. After the brewer (1) picks up the powder, the power transmission mechanism (3) drives the brewer (1) to move horizontally along the first channel (51) and vertically along the second channel (52).

5. The driving device for the brewer according to claim 4, characterized in that, The drive rod (33) is provided with a second moving channel (331), and the drive rod (33) pushes the brewer (1) to move along the first moving channel and the second moving channel (331) through the second moving channel (331).

6. The driving device for the brewer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The coffee machine frame (5) is also provided with a guide hole (53), and the other end of the reset rod (42) rotates along the guide hole (53).

7. The driving device for the brewer according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the brewer (1) moves toward the brewing position, the reset rod (42) moves along the bottom end of the guide hole (53) toward the top end of the guide hole (53) under the forward rotation of the gear (41), and the top end of the guide hole (53) has a latch (531) for securing the reset rod (42); when the brewer (1) resets, the reset rod (42) disengages from the latch (531) under the reverse rotation of the gear (41).

8. The driving device for the brewer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper end of the push rod (2) extends into the brewer (1) from the bottom of the brewer (1). The brewer (1) is movably connected to the push rod (2). A sealing ring (22) is provided between the push rod (2) and the inner wall of the brewer (1).

9. The driving device for the brewer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The other end of the reset rod (42) is provided with a pressure rod (422). After the coffee grounds in the brewer (1) are pushed out, the reset rod (42) rotates in the second direction. The pressure rod (422) abuts against the lower end of the push rod (2) and applies a downward force to the push rod (2) so that the push rod (2) moves downward relative to the brewer (1) to reset.

10. A coffee machine, characterized in that, The driving device includes the brewer (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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