Coffee maker

Abstract

To provide a coffee maker that can arbitrarily change a spiral trajectory for pouring hot water.SOLUTION: A coffee maker comprises a hot water pouring device (10) for spirally pouring hot water on coffee powder in a filter. The hot water pouring device (10) comprises a first motor (M1) for driving a mechanism for moving a hot water pouring port (12A) in a circular trajectory, and a second motor (M2) for driving a mechanism for reciprocating the hot water pouring port between a center of the circular trajectory and a position closer to an outer peripheral side than the center when viewed in a gravity direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coffee maker in which hot water is poured from above a basket holding a coffee filter containing coffee powder to extract coffee liquid. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of coffee maker, there is known a device that is equipped with a pouring device that pours hot water in a spiral shape onto the top surface of the coffee powder. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a spiral-type pouring device that is equipped with a rotating shaft tube and a reciprocating screw that is linked to the rotating shaft tube, and that moves a water outlet pipe to which a hot water pouring hose is connected back and forth in a spiral shape from the center of the filtration point back and forth inward and outward. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-106288 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional technology is configured using a reciprocating screw that is linked to a rotating shaft tube, so the helical period (whirl cycle) of pouring hot water is constant.

[0005] Even if the amount of coffee powder is the same, the concentration of the coffee liquid will be stronger when hot water is poured on the inside where the layer of coffee powder is thicker, and will be weaker when hot water is poured on the outside where the layer of coffee powder is thinner. If the spiral period for pouring the hot water is constant, the pouring method will always be the same, and the concentration of the coffee liquid cannot be adjusted by the pouring method.

[0006] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to realize a coffee maker that can arbitrarily change the spiral trajectory in which hot water is poured. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a coffee maker according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a basket that holds a filter containing coffee powder, and a pouring device located above the basket and pouring hot water in a spiral manner onto the coffee powder in the filter, the pouring device comprising a first drive source that drives a mechanism that moves a pouring spout from which hot water comes out in a circular orbit centered on the center of the basket, and a second drive source that drives a mechanism that moves the pouring spout back and forth between the center of the circular orbit and a position outer than the center when viewed in the direction of gravity. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a coffee maker can be realized that can arbitrarily change the spiral trajectory in which hot water is poured. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a coffee maker according to first and second embodiments. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the pouring equipment of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the pouring equipment of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the pouring equipment of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the radial reciprocating movement of the pouring spout in the pouring equipment of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the shape of the spiral for pouring molten metal in the pouring equipment of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the pouring equipment of the second embodiment seen from above. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the pouring equipment of the second embodiment, seen from above after being turned upside down. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the pouring equipment of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating the radial reciprocating movement of the pouring spout in the pouring equipment of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0011] (Outline of the coffee maker) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a coffee maker 1 according to the present embodiment. In Fig. 1, the internal configuration of a housing 4A of a main body 4 is shown in blocks as a typical configuration of a coffee maker. Fig. 1 also shows a coffee maker 1A according to a second embodiment.

[0012] 1, the coffee maker 1 includes a basket 2, a storage container 3, and a main body 4. The main body 4 includes a tank 5, a pipe 6, a heating unit 7, and a pouring device 10 inside a housing 4A.

[0013] The basket 2 holds a filter 101 containing coffee powder 100, and is shaped like a funnel with a narrowed bottom. The storage container 3 is located below the basket 2, and stores the extracted coffee liquid that flows down from the bottom end of the basket 2.

[0014] Tank 5 stores water and is configured to be easily removable from coffee maker 1. Pipe 6 communicates with tank 5, heating unit 7, and pouring device 10, and pipe 6, which supplies water in tank 5 to pouring device 10 via heating unit 7, includes a first pipe 6A communicating with tank 5 and heating unit 7, and a second pipe 6B communicating with heating unit 7 and pouring device 10.

[0015] Although not shown, the heating unit 7 includes a heater pipe to which water is supplied from the first tube 6A, and a heater for heating the heater pipe. The heating unit 7 generates hot water (hot water) by heating the water flowing through the heater pipe with the heater, and sends the generated hot water sequentially from the outlet of the heater pipe to the second tube 6B. The heating unit 7 is located below the plate 8 on which the storage container 3 is placed, and also has the function of heating the coffee liquid in the storage container 3 via the plate 8 and keeping it warm.

[0016] The pouring device 10 is located above the basket 2 and pours hot water from above onto the coffee powder 100 in a filter 101 held by the basket 2. The pouring device 10 pours hot water in a spiral shape onto the coffee powder 100. The configuration of the pouring device 10 will be described below.

[0017] (Pouring device) Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the pouring device 10. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the pouring device 10. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the pouring device 10. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the movement of the tip holding member 25, where reference numeral 501 indicates the tip holding member 25 in the central position facing almost straight down, and reference numeral 502 indicates the tip holding member 25 in the outer peripheral position after rotating. Note that in Figs. 2 and 4, the main frame 15, which will be described later, is omitted, and Fig. 5 mainly shows the configuration for rotating the tip holding member 25.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, the pouring device 10 is equipped with a first motor (first drive source) M1 that drives a mechanism that moves the pouring spout 12A from which the molten metal comes out on a circular track, and a second motor (second drive source) M2 that drives a mechanism that moves the pouring spout 12A back and forth between the center of the circular track and the outer periphery of the center as viewed in the direction of gravity. The first motor M1 and the second motor M2 can be controlled independently. The pouring device 10 is installed so that the center of the circular track is located at the center of the basket 2 (see Fig. 1).

[0019] Hereinafter, the mechanism that moves the pouring spout 12A on a circular orbit is referred to as a first mechanism, and the mechanism that moves the pouring spout 12A back and forth between the center of the circular orbit and the outer periphery of the center when viewed in the direction of gravity is referred to as a second mechanism.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the pouring equipment 10 includes, in addition to a first motor M1 and a second motor M2, a joint pipe 11, a pouring pipe 12, a joint member 13, a subframe 14, a main frame 15, a first drive gear 21, a ring gear 22, an inner cylinder member 23, an outer cylinder member 24, a tip holding member 25, a pair of links 26, a second drive gear 31, and an engagement member 32.

[0021] The first mechanism is made up of a first drive gear 21, a ring gear 22, an inner cylinder member 23, an outer cylinder member 24, a tip holding member 25, and a pair of links 26. The second mechanism is made up of an outer cylinder member 24, a tip holding member 25, a pair of links 26, a second drive gear 31, and an engagement member 32. In other words, the inner cylinder member 23, the outer cylinder member 24, the tip holding member 25, and the pair of links 26 are members shared by both the first mechanism and the second mechanism.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the molten metal filling pipe 12 is made of a flexible material, and the tip, which is the lower end of the molten metal filling pipe 12, serves as a pouring spout 12A. The upper end of the molten metal filling pipe 12 is connected to the second pipe 6B (see Figure 1) via a joint member 13, a subframe 14, and a joint pipe 11. This allows molten metal to be supplied to the molten metal filling pipe 12 from the second pipe 6B.

[0023] Specifically, the lower end of the joint pipe 11 is connected to a cylindrical upper connection part 14A formed on the subframe 14. A lower connection part 14B is formed on the rear surface side of the upper connection part 14A, and the upper end of the joint member 13 is connected to this lower connection part 14B. The upper end of the molten metal filling pipe 12 is connected to the lower end of the joint member 13.

[0024] The subframe 14, together with the first motor M1 and the second motor M2, is held by a main frame 15 (see FIG. 3). The main frame 15 is also a component for attaching the pouring equipment 10 to the main body 4.

[0025] 2 to 4, the inner cylinder member (cylindrical member) 23 and the outer cylinder member (cylindrical member) 24 are both cylindrical members that are long in the vertical direction. The inner cylinder member 23 and the outer cylinder member 24 form a double pipe, with the inner cylinder member 23 inserted into the outer cylinder member 24. The molten metal pouring pipe 12 is inserted into the inner cylinder member 23.

[0026] 4, the pouring pipe 12 is held in the inner cylindrical member 23 via the joint member 13, by the joint member 13 being fitted into the upper end of the inner cylindrical member 23 and being locked to the upper end of the inner cylindrical member 23. The joint member 13 is fitted into the inner cylindrical member 23 with some play, and the inner cylindrical member 23 is configured to be rotatable relative to the joint member 13.

[0027] Furthermore, the inner cylinder member 23 is configured to be rotatable relative to the subframe 14. A plurality of dome-shaped protrusions 23B are formed on the upper end surface of the inner cylinder member 23 facing the lower surface of the subframe 14 to reduce the contact area and reduce friction.

[0028] The tip of the molten metal filling tube 12 extends downward below the lower end of the inner cylinder member 23, and this tip is held by a tip holding member 25. The tip holding member 25 has a holding part 25A on the inside of the lower end side that holds the tip of the molten metal filling tube 12. The tip of the molten metal filling tube 12 is inserted into and held by the holding part 25A. The holding part 25A holds the tip of the molten metal filling tube 12 with some play.

[0029] 4, the tip of the molten metal pipe 12 is held by the holding part 25A, and therefore the tip of the molten metal pipe 12 serves as the pouring inlet 12A. A pouring inlet may be formed in the tip holding member 25, and the tip of the molten metal pipe 12 may be inserted into a connection part that communicates with the pouring inlet formed in the tip holding member 25.

[0030] The inner and outer cylindrical members 23 and 24, which are cylindrical members, and the tip holding member 25 are provided so as to rotate together in the circumferential direction.

[0031] 3 and 5, the tip holding member 25 is rotatably supported by a shaft 23A provided at the lower end of the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube member 23. The tip holding member 25 is also connected to the lower end of the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube member 24 via a pair of links 26. That is, the inner tube member 23 and the outer tube member 24 are connected via the tip holding member 25.

[0032] The outer tubular member 24 is located inside the ring gear 22, engages with the ring gear 22 in the circumferential direction, and rotates integrally with the ring gear 22. The ring gear 22 is located on the outer circumferential surface of the outer tubular member 24. The outer tubular member 24 is fitted to the ring gear 22 so as to be movable (slidable) relative to the ring gear 22 in the vertical direction. Specifically, a rib-shaped convex portion 24A extending in the vertical direction is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the outer tubular member 24, and this convex portion 24A engages with a concave portion 22A formed on the inner circumferential surface of the ring gear 22. The convex portion 24A also functions as a guide when the outer tubular member 24 moves up and down.

[0033] The ring gear 22 meshes with a first drive gear 21 connected to a drive shaft of a first motor M1. Both the ring gear 22 and the first drive gear 21 are spur gears. The first motor M1 is a motor that rotates in one direction. When the first motor M1 is driven and the ring gear 22 rotates in a predetermined direction, the inner cylinder member 23, the outer cylinder member 24, and the tip holding member 25 rotate together.

[0034] On the other hand, in the vertical direction, the inner tube member 23 does not move, but the outer tube member 24 and the tip holding member 25 move. Furthermore, at that time, the tip holding member 25 is arranged to move while rotating relative to the inner tube member 23.

[0035] 4, the engaging member 32 is attached to the outer periphery of the upper end of the inner cylindrical member 23 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

[0036] Moreover, the engaging member 32 holds the upper end of the outer tube member 24 slidably in the circumferential direction. In other words, the outer tube member 24 moves integrally with the engaging member 32 in the up-down direction, and is engaged with the engaging member 32 so as to slide in the rotational direction (circumferential direction) relative to the engaging member 32.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the engagement member 32 has a rack, and the rack is engaged with a second drive gear 31 connected to the drive shaft of the second motor M2. The second drive gear 31 is a spur gear. The second motor M2 is a bidirectional motor that rotates in both directions. When the second drive gear 31 rotates in both directions with the forward and reverse rotation of the second motor M2, the engagement member 32 moves up and down. Accordingly, the outer tube member 24 held by the engagement member 32 moves up and down relative to the inner tube member 23. Since the tip holding member 25 is connected to the outer tube member 24 via a pair of links 26, the tip holding member 25 also moves up and down relative to the inner tube member 23.

[0038] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, shafts 23A that rotatably support tip holding member 25 in inner tube member 23 are formed on both sides in the radial direction passing through the central axis of inner tube member 23. Tip holding member 25 has a pair of extension parts 25B that extend upward from holding part 25A. A pair of holes 25C through which shaft 23A is inserted are formed in the upper ends of the pair of extension parts 25B. Here, the positions of holes 25C are formed to be shifted to the opposite side from the side to which tip holding member 25 rotates and tilts.

[0039] Meanwhile, a pair of shafts 24B serving as joints on one end side of the pair of links 26 described above are formed on the lower end of the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube member 24. Here, the shafts 24B are formed on both sides in the radial direction passing through the central axis of the outer tube member 24. Also, a pair of shafts 25D serving as joints on the other end side of the pair of links 26 are formed on the outer surfaces of the pair of extensions 25B of the tip holding member 25. The shafts 25D are formed on the side where the tip holding member 25 is inclined in the vertical direction with respect to the hole 25C, and are formed vertically lower than the hole 25C.

[0040] 5, the position of shaft 25D is shifted relative to shaft 24B toward the side where tip holding member 25 is inclined. Therefore, the pair of links 26 are always inclined toward the side where tip holding member 25 is inclined.

[0041] 5, when the outer cylinder member 24 is in the lower position, the tip holding member 25 is located almost directly below the inner cylinder member 23 and the outer cylinder member 24. Therefore, in this state, the pouring spout 12A located at the lower end of the tip holding member 25 also faces almost directly below the inner cylinder member 23 and the outer cylinder member 24 (center position). The position of the central axis of the inner cylinder member 23 and the outer cylinder member 24 becomes the center of the circular orbit.

[0042] When the outer cylinder member 24 is moved from this state to the upper position, as shown by reference numeral 502 in Fig. 5, the tip holding member 25 rotates in a direction away from the central axis G of the inner cylinder member 23 and the outer cylinder member 24 and tilts relative to the central axis G. Therefore, in this state, the pouring spout 12A located at the lower end of the tip holding member 25 also tilts relative to the central axis G and is located on the outer periphery side of the center of the circular orbit (outer periphery position). A notch 23C is formed in the inner cylinder member 23 on the side where the tip holding member 25 rotates and tilts, in order to allow the molten metal filling tube 12 to bend when the tip holding member 25 rotates (see Fig. 2).

[0043] From this state, when the outer tube member 24 is moved to a lower position, as shown by symbol 501 in Figure 5, the tip holding member 25 rotates in a direction approaching the central axis G and returns to a position almost directly below the inner tube member 23 and the outer tube member 24, and the pouring spout 12A also faces almost directly downward.

[0044] In this way, the tip holding member 25 is rotatably supported on the inner tube member 23, which is a cylindrical member, and is configured to be able to rotate the tip of the molten metal filling tube 12 from a central position facing the center of the circular orbit to an outer peripheral position facing further outward than the central position.

[0045] The inclination angle θ of the tip holding member 25 with respect to the central axis G is set to zero when the outer cylinder member 24 is at the lowest end relative to the inner cylinder member 23, and increases as the outer cylinder member 24 is moved upward. The maximum inclination angle θ at which the tip holding member 25 is inclined to the maximum is, for example, 45° with respect to the central axis G. When the pouring device 10 is attached to the coffee maker 1, the central axis G is parallel to the vertical direction and passes through the center of the basket 2.

[0046] The inclination angle θ of the tip holding member 25 determines the diameter of the spiral that pours the hot water, and the larger the inclination angle θ, the larger the diameter of the spiral. The inclination angle θ of the tip holding member 25 can be set appropriately within the maximum angle. In other words, by making the amount of movement by which the outer tube member 24 is pulled upward smaller than the pull-up distance at the maximum angle, it can be set to 30°, for example. By moving it up and down within the range of the set pull-up amount, it is possible to create a spiral with a diameter according to the set pull-up amount.

[0047] (effect) According to the above configuration, the pouring spout 12A is moved on a circular track by the first mechanism, while being reciprocated radially from the center of the circular track by the second mechanism. This allows the pouring spout 12A to be moved in a spiral (whirl) shape centered on the center of the basket 2 from the center to the outer periphery and from the outer periphery to the center, so that hot water can be poured in a spiral shape onto the coffee powder 100.

[0048] The first mechanism and the second mechanism are driven by independent first motor M1 and second motor M. This makes it possible to arbitrarily set the speed at which pouring spout 12A moves in a circular orbit and the speed at which pouring spout 12A moves in a radial direction, and as a result, it is possible to arbitrarily change the spiral orbit (spiral period, spiral interval, spiral diameter, etc.).

[0049] The spacing of the spirals changes depending on the combination of the speed of movement on the circular orbit and the speed of movement in the radial direction. For example, if the speed of movement on the circular orbit is the same, the spacing becomes wider when the speed of movement in the radial direction is increased, and becomes narrower when the speed of movement in the radial direction is decreased. If the speed of movement in the radial direction is the same, the spacing becomes narrower when the speed of movement on the circular orbit is increased, and becomes wider when the speed of movement on the circular orbit is decreased.

[0050] For example, even if the amount of ground coffee is the same, the strength can be adjusted to the desired concentration by changing the spiral trajectory of the hot water pouring. Specifically, if a "stronger" coffee is desired, the operation of the brewing device 10 is set so that more hot water is poured on the inside where the layer of ground coffee is thicker. If a "weaker" coffee is desired, the operation of the brewing device 10 is set so that more hot water is poured on the outside where the layer of ground coffee is thinner.

[0051] Furthermore, when the number of cups of coffee brewed at one time increases, the amount of coffee powder also increases, and the diameter of the top surface of the coffee powder onto which hot water is poured becomes larger. If the diameter of the spiral is constant, the pouring method is the same regardless of the size of the top surface of the coffee powder, so the concentration of the coffee liquid changes depending on the number of cups of coffee brewed at one time, and the concentration is not stable. According to the above configuration, the spiral trajectory for pouring hot water can be changed as desired, so the diameter of the spiral can be changed. As a result, even if the number of cups of coffee brewed at one time changes, the concentration of the coffee liquid can be stabilized by setting the diameter according to the area of ​​the top surface of the coffee powder.

[0052] The driving conditions of the first motor M1 and the second motor M2 according to the strength of the coffee liquid and the number of cups to be brewed at one time may be stored in a control unit (not shown) of the coffee maker 1 or the like.

[0053] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the shape of the spiral in which molten metal is poured by the pouring device 10. As shown by the reference numerals 601 to 605, the speed at which the pouring spout 12A moves in a circular orbit and the speed at which the pouring spout 12A moves in a radial direction can be set arbitrarily, and the speed can be changed during pouring, thereby pouring molten metal in a spiral of various shapes. Also, as shown by the reference numerals 601, 606, and 607, the diameter of the spiral can be changed arbitrarily as long as it is within the range of the inclination angle θ of the tip holding member 25 relative to the central axis G (see Fig. 5).

[0054] 2 to 5, the cylindrical member rotated by the first motor M1 on the rotary shaft and the tip holding member 25 is composed of an inner cylindrical member 23 and an outer cylindrical member 24, and the outer cylindrical member 24 is moved up and down to rotate the tip holding member 25 relative to the inner cylindrical member. However, the outer cylindrical member 24 is not essential, and it is sufficient that the tip holding member 25 can be rotated relative to the cylindrical member through which the molten metal pouring tube 12 is inserted, that is, the inner cylindrical member 23, from a position where the pouring spout 12A faces the center of the circular orbit to an inclined position facing the outer periphery from the center.

[0055] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0056] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the pouring device 40 according to this embodiment, seen from above. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the pouring device 40, seen upside down and from above. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the pouring device 40. Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the pouring spout 43A of the pouring device 40, which moves back and forth in the radial direction. In Fig. 10, reference numeral 1001 indicates the state in which the pouring spout 43A is at the outermost radial position, reference numeral 1002 indicates the state in which the pouring spout 43A is at the innermost radial position, and reference numeral 1003 indicates the state in which the pouring spout 43A is at the middle position in the radial direction.

[0057] The pouring device 40 can be installed in the coffee maker 1 shown in Fig. 1 in place of the pouring device 10. A coffee maker equipped with the pouring device 40 instead of the pouring device 10 will be referred to as a coffee maker 1A.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 7, the pouring device 40 includes a first motor M1 that drives a first mechanism that moves the pouring spout 43A (see Fig. 8) on a circular track, and a second motor M2 that drives a second mechanism that moves the pouring spout 43A back and forth between the center of the circular track and the outer periphery of the center as viewed in the direction of gravity. The pouring device 40 is attached so that the center of the circular track is located at the center of the basket 2 (see Fig. 1).

[0059] 9, the pouring equipment 40 includes, in addition to the first motor M1 and the second motor M2, a main frame 41, a support member 42, a joint member 43, a first drive gear (first drive spur gear) 51, a large diameter gear (first spur gear) 52, a second drive gear (second drive spur gear) 61, a small diameter gear (second spur gear) 62, and a slide member 63. The first drive gear 51, the large diameter gear 52, the second drive gear 61, and the small diameter gear 62 are all spur gears.

[0060] The first mechanism is made up of a first drive gear 51 and a large diameter gear 52. The second mechanism is made up of a second drive gear 61, a small diameter gear 62, and a slide member 63.

[0061] The first motor M1 and the second motor M2 are held by a main frame 41 (see FIG. 9). The main frame 41 is also a component for attaching the pouring device 40 to the main body 4.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 7, the large diameter gear 52 has an axis 52Z (see Fig. 9) in the vertical direction and meshes with a first drive gear 51 to which a drive shaft of a first motor M1 is connected. The first motor M1 is a motor that rotates in one direction. The large diameter gear 52 rotates in one direction by the drive force of the first motor M1.

[0063] 9 and 10, the large diameter gear 52 has a circular cam groove 52A centered on the axis 62Z of the small diameter gear 62 on a side surface 52C facing the small diameter gear 62. The protrusion 62A of the small diameter gear 62 is movably inserted into this cam groove 52A.

[0064] Furthermore, the large diameter gear 52 has a third elongated hole 52B that is long in the radial direction on the opposite side of the shaft 52Z to the cam groove 52A. In other words, the third elongated hole 52B is long in the direction in which the slide member 63 reciprocates. A boss-shaped portion 63C of the slide member 63 is movably inserted into this third elongated hole 52B. The center of the cam groove 52A is located on an extension line connecting the center position of the third elongated hole 52B in the short direction and the center of rotation.

[0065] The small diameter gear 62 has a smaller diameter than the large diameter gear 52, and has an axis 62Z in the vertical direction. The small diameter gear 62 and the large diameter gear 52 are disposed so that their side surfaces overlap, and are rotatably supported by the large diameter gear 52. Specifically, the axis 62Z of the small diameter gear 62 is rotatably supported by the support member 42 attached to the large diameter gear 52. Therefore, the small diameter gear 62 rotates integrally with the large diameter gear 52 on the axis 52Z.

[0066] The small diameter gear 62 rotates radially outward of the shaft 52Z of the large diameter gear 52. The small diameter gear 62 has a protrusion 62A on the side opposite to the large diameter gear 52, which is inserted into the cam groove 52A of the large diameter gear. The small diameter gear 62 meshes with a second drive gear 61 to which the drive shaft of the second motor M2 is connected. In the pouring equipment 40, the second motor M2 is a motor that rotates in one direction.

[0067] In other words, when the large diameter gear 52 rotates, the small diameter gear 62 moves in a circular orbit around the axis 52Z of the large diameter gear 52, and when the second drive gear 61 rotates, the small diameter gear 62 rotates on its own axis 62Z.

[0068] In this embodiment, the shaft 61Z of the second drive gear 61 is located on the shaft 52A of the large diameter gear 52. This makes it possible to hide the gear from the outside of the product, and also makes it possible to reduce the height of the product.

[0069] The slide member 63 is slidably supported on a side surface 52C of the large diameter gear 52. Therefore, the slide member 63 rotates together with the small diameter gear 62 integrally with the large diameter gear 52 on the shaft 52Z.

[0070] Further, the slide member 23 has a first elongated hole 63A through which the shaft 52Z of the large diameter gear 52 is inserted, and is slidable in a radial direction passing through the shaft 52Z of the large diameter gear 52. The slide member 63 reciprocates in the radial direction of the large diameter gear 52 by rotation about the shaft 62Z of the small diameter gear 62.

[0071] Specifically, the slide member 63 has a T-shape when viewed from above, and has a first long hole 63A in the vertical bar portion of the T-shape. The first long hole 63A is a hole for allowing the shaft 52Z of the large diameter gear 52 to escape when the slide member 63 moves in the radial direction. The first long hole 63A also has a guide function for guiding the movement direction of the slide member 63.

[0072] 9 and 10, a second long hole 63B is formed in the horizontal bar portion of the T-shape of the slide member 63. The second long hole 63B is a long hole whose longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the first long hole 63A formed in the vertical bar portion of the T-shape. A protrusion 62A formed on the small diameter gear 62 is inserted into this second long hole 63B, and the protrusion 62A is further inserted into a cam groove 52A formed in the large diameter gear 52.

[0073] 10, the small diameter gear 62 rotates on the shaft 62Z and the protrusion 62A moves along the cam groove 52A, so that the slide member 63 reciprocates in the radial direction of the large diameter gear 52.

[0074] Furthermore, the slide member 63 holds the tip of the flexible molten metal filling tube 70 so that it slides integrally with the slide member 63. Specifically, the slide member 63 has a boss-shaped portion 63C on the lower surface of the vertical bar portion of the T-shape, i.e., on the surface facing the side surface 52C of the large diameter gear 52, which is inserted into the third elongated hole 52B of the large diameter gear 52 described above.

[0075] 8, the boss-shaped portion 63C is inserted through the third elongated hole 52B of the large diameter gear 52 from the side surface 52C. The joint member 43 is attached to the boss-shaped portion 63C inserted through the third elongated hole 52B.

[0076] The joint member 43 has a connection part 43B on the side, and a molten metal filling pipe 70, shown by an imaginary line in Fig. 8, is connected to the connection part 43B. The other end of the molten metal filling pipe 70 is connected to the second pipe 6B (see Fig. 1) of the main body 4. A pouring spout 43A for pouring molten metal downward is formed on the underside of the joint member 43. In this way, the slide member 63 holds the tip of the molten metal filling pipe 70 on the side of the downward-facing side surface 52C of the large diameter gear 52 so that it moves integrally with the boss-shaped part 63C.

[0077] (effect) According to the above configuration, pouring spout 43A is moved in a circular orbit by the rotation of large diameter gear 52, while being moved back and forth in the radial direction from the center of the circular orbit by the movement of slide member 36 caused by the rotation of small diameter gear 62. This allows pouring spout 43A to move in a spiral (volute) shape centered on the center of basket 2, from the center to the outer periphery and from the outer periphery to the center, so that hot water can be poured in a spiral shape onto coffee powder 100.

[0078] In the pouring device 40, the large diameter gear 52 constituting the first mechanism and the small diameter gear 62 constituting the second mechanism are also driven by independent first and second motors M1 and M. This makes it possible to arbitrarily set the speed at which the pouring spout 34A moves in a circular orbit and the speed at which the pouring spout 34A moves in a radial direction, and as a result, the spiral orbit along which the molten metal is poured can be arbitrarily changed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1. 1A coffee maker 2. Basket 10, 40 Pouring device 12, 70 pouring pipe 12A, 43A, pouring spout 21 First drive cap 22 Ring gear 23 Inner cylinder member (cylindrical member) 24 Outer tube member (cylindrical member) 25 Tip holding member 31 Second drive gear 32 Engagement member 51 First drive gear (first drive spur gear) 52 Large diameter gear (first spur gear) 52A Cam groove 52B 3rd long hole 61 Second drive gear (Second drive spur gear) 62 Small diameter gear (second spur gear) 62A protrusion 63 Slide member 63A First long hole 63B 2nd long hole 63C Boss 100 Coffee Powder 101 Filters M1 First motor (first drive source) M2 Second motor (first drive source)

Claims

1. a basket for holding a filter containing coffee powder; a pouring device located above the basket for pouring hot water in a spiral shape onto the coffee powder in the filter; The pouring device is a first drive source that drives a mechanism that moves a pouring spout from which hot water comes out in a circular orbit centered on the center of the basket; The coffee maker is provided with a second drive source that drives a mechanism that moves the pouring spout back and forth between the center of the circular orbit and a position outer than the center when viewed in the direction of gravity.

2. The pouring device is a flexible pouring tube; a cylindrical member into which the melt filling pipe is inserted and which is rotatable about a center of the circular orbit as a rotation axis; a tip holding member which holds a tip portion of the melt filling tube, is rotatably supported by the cylindrical member, and is capable of rotating the tip portion from a central position toward the center of the circular orbit to an outer peripheral position toward the outer periphery of the central position, The first driving source rotates the cylindrical member and the tip holding member about the rotation shaft, 2. The coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein the second drive source rotates the tip holding member back and forth between the central position and the outer peripheral position.

3. The cylindrical member is an inner cylinder member into which the molten metal filling pipe is inserted; an outer tubular member through which the inner tubular member is inserted; The outer cylinder member moves vertically relative to the inner cylinder member, 3. The coffee maker according to claim 2, wherein the tip holding member is rotatably supported by the inner cylindrical member and connected to the outer cylindrical member by a link, so as to rotate in accordance with the vertical movement of the outer cylindrical member.

4. The pouring device is a ring gear that is rotated by a driving force of the first driving source and engaged with an outer periphery of the outer tubular member; an engaging member having a rack, moving in a vertical direction by a driving force of the second driving source, and engaged with an upper end portion of the outer cylinder member; the outer cylinder member rotates integrally with the ring gear in a circumferential direction and is movable relative to the ring gear in a vertical direction; and 4. The coffee maker according to claim 3, wherein the outer cylinder member rotates relative to the engaging member in the circumferential direction and moves integrally with the engaging member in the vertical direction.

5. The pouring device is a first spur gear having an axis extending in a vertical direction; a second spur gear arranged so that its side faces overlap with those of the first spur gear, rotatably supported by the first spur gear, and rotating radially outward of the axis of the first spur gear; a slide member that holds a tip end of a flexible melt filling tube, has a first elongated hole through which the shaft of the first spur gear is inserted, is slidable in a radial direction of the shaft of the first spur gear, and reciprocates with the rotation of the second spur gear, The first driving source rotates the first spur gear, The coffee maker according to claim 1 , wherein the second drive source rotates the second spur gear.

6. the first spur gear has a circular cam groove centered on the axis of the second spur gear, The slide member has a second elongated hole that is long in a direction perpendicular to the first elongated hole, the second spur gear has a protrusion inserted into the cam groove of the first spur gear via the second long hole, The coffee maker according to claim 5 , wherein the slide member reciprocates as the protrusion moves along the cam groove in response to rotation of the second spur gear.

7. the second spur gear and the slide member are located on the side of the first spur gear facing upward, the first spur gear has a third elongated hole that is long in a direction in which the slide member reciprocates, on the opposite side to the second spur gear across the shaft of the first spur gear, the slide member has a boss-shaped portion inserted into the third elongated hole, 7. The coffee maker according to claim 6, wherein the tip of said pouring tube is held on the downwardly facing side of said first spur gear so as to move integrally with said boss-like portion.

8. a first drive spur gear that meshes with the first spur gear and rotates the first spur gear by a drive force of the first drive source; a second drive spur gear that meshes with the second spur gear to rotate the second spur gear by a drive force of the second drive source, 8. The coffee maker of claim 7, wherein the axis of said second drive spur gear is located on the axis of said first spur gear.

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