Coffee maker

Abstract

To provide a coffee maker that can suppress a damage, due to heat, of a mechanism for opening and closing an opening of an extractor by a valve body, and improves durability.SOLUTION: In a coffee maker 1, at the time of bringing a second opening 2b of an extractor 6 into an open state, a projection member 26 is moved so as to be in a projection state to press a rotation member 30 to rotate the rotation member 30, thereby, a valve body 20 is separated from the second opening 2b of the extractor 6, and the second opening 2b of the extractor 6 is opened. The extractor 6 is formed separately from a body 1A and the projection member 26 is provided in the body 1A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coffee maker technology in which coffee powder is immersed in hot water in an extractor, and then filtered through a filter to extract coffee liquid, which is then stored in a coffee server. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a known coffee maker is equipped with a main body, an extractor, and a coffee server, in which coffee powder is immersed in hot water discharged from the main body in the extractor, and then filtered through a filter to extract coffee liquid, which is then stored in the coffee server.

[0003] Patent document 1 also describes a coffee maker that includes an extractor, a valve body that opens and closes an opening below the extractor, and a drive mechanism that causes the valve body to open and close the opening below the extractor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 063544 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the coffee maker, the valve and drive mechanism are mounted on the extractor and are integrated, which means that the heat of the hot water in the extractor is easily transferred to the drive mechanism, making the drive mechanism susceptible to damage from heat and potentially reducing its durability.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide a coffee maker that can prevent damage caused by heat to the mechanism that opens and closes the opening of the extractor with a valve body, thereby improving durability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The coffee maker of the present invention comprises a main body, an extractor, and a coffee server, and in the extractor, coffee powder is soaked in hot water discharged from the main body and then filtered through a filter to extract coffee liquid, and the coffee liquid is stored in the coffee server. The extractor has a lower opening from which the extracted coffee liquid is discharged, and is equipped with a valve body that opens and closes the opening of the extractor, a rotating member on which the valve body is provided, and a protruding member that rotates the rotating member. When the opening of the extractor is opened, the protruding member is moved to a protruding state and the rotating member is pressed to rotate the rotating member, thereby separating the valve body from the opening of the extractor and opening of the extractor. The extractor is constructed separately from the main body, and the protruding member is provided on the main body.

[0008] The coffee maker according to the present invention makes it difficult for the heat of the hot water in the extractor to be transmitted to the mechanism that opens and closes the opening of the extractor with the valve, thereby preventing damage to the mechanism that opens and closes the opening of the extractor with the valve from heat and improving its durability.

[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that the rotary member has a lower thermal conductivity than the valve body.

[0010] This configuration makes it difficult for the heat of the hot water in the extractor to be transmitted to the mechanism that opens and closes the opening of the extractor with the valve, thereby preventing damage to the mechanism that opens and closes the opening of the extractor with the valve from heat and improving durability.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that a support part is provided that contacts the bottom surface of the extractor and supports the extractor from below during the operation of extracting the coffee liquid, and that the support part supports the extractor at a position lower than the opening of the extractor.

[0012] According to this configuration, the support part is arranged to cover the periphery of the valve body that closes the opening of the extractor, and the support part can prevent foreign matter from coming into contact with the opening of the extractor, the valve body, etc.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that the support portion is configured to surround the sides of the opening of the extractor in a bottom view when supporting the extractor.

[0014] According to this configuration, the support portion can prevent foreign matter from coming into contact with the opening of the extractor, the valve body, etc. Furthermore, because of this configuration, it is possible to prevent the extractor, which is supported by the support portion, from tilting forward, backward, left, or right.

[0015] In the present invention, the support portion has a pair of arms protruding from the main body, and when the support portion supports the extractor, it is preferable that the opening of the extractor is positioned between the pair of arms when viewed from the bottom.

[0016] This configuration can prevent foreign matter from coming into contact with the opening at the bottom of the extractor, the valve body, etc. Also, because of this configuration, it is possible to prevent the extractor, which is supported by the support part, from tilting forward, backward, left, or right.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that the opening of the coffee server and the opening of the extractor are arranged so as to overlap in a plan view.

[0018] This configuration allows the coffee liquid dripping from the opening of the extractor to be reliably supplied to the coffee server. Furthermore, because the coffee liquid can be reliably supplied from the opening of the extractor to the coffee server in this way, the opening area of ​​the coffee server can be reduced, thereby improving the coffee server's ability to retain the heat of the coffee liquid. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a coffee maker according to the present invention; [Figure 2] Schematic diagram showing a coffee maker. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a coffee maker. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a bottom view showing the extractor of the coffee maker. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the support part before the coffee maker extractor is attached to the main body. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the support part when the coffee maker's extractor is attached to the main body. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the coffee maker with the second opening of the extractor open. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] [Overall configuration of the coffee maker] Next, a coffee maker 1 shown in Figures 1 to 8 will be described. The coffee maker 1 shown in Figures 1 to 8 is one embodiment of a coffee maker according to the present invention. For ease of explanation, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined for the coffee maker 1 as indicated by the arrows shown in Figures 1 to 8. However, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction shown in Figures 1 to 8 do not limit the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the coffee maker according to the present invention. Furthermore, in the following description, the terms front, rear, left, right, top, bottom, etc. refer to the orientations of the components of the coffee maker 1 when they are assembled in their predetermined positions when the coffee maker 1 is in use.

[0021] Coffee maker 1 is operated by a user to automatically extract coffee liquid using coffee grounds and hot water. Coffee maker 1 is an immersion coffee maker that extracts coffee liquid by immersing coffee grounds in hot water and then filtering the resulting liquid through a filter. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , coffee maker 1 includes a coffee server 2, a base 3, a support 4, a hot water supply 5, an extractor 6, a water tank 7, a heater 8, a pump 9, a circulation unit 10, an opening / closing operation unit 11, and a control unit 12.

[0022] The base 3 forms the lower part of the coffee maker 1, and the coffee server 2 is placed on it. The support column 4 extends upward from the rear end of the base 3. The hot water supply section 5 forms the upper part of the coffee maker 1, and is located above the base 3. The hot water supply section 5 is equipped with a discharge unit 50 and extends forward from the upper end of the support column 4. The base 3, support column 4, and hot water supply section 5 form the coffee maker 1 in a generally U-shape when viewed from the side. The base 3, support column 4, and hot water supply section 5 form the main body 1A of the coffee maker 1.

[0023] Discharge unit 50 of hot water supply section 5 includes inlet 51 and discharge section 52. Discharge unit 50 of hot water supply section 5 is hollow inside. Inlet 51 is provided at the rear end of discharge unit 50. Discharge section 52 is provided at the bottom of discharge unit 50 and discharges hot water.

[0024] The extractor 6 is configured separately from the main body 1A. The extractor 6 is configured in a funnel shape, and a filter and coffee powder are placed inside. The extractor 6 is located above the coffee server 2 and below the hot water supply unit 5. The extractor 6 is located in front of the support unit 4. As shown in Figures 4, 5, 7, and 8, a first opening 6a is formed at the top of the extractor 6 and serves as an inlet for hot water. A second opening 6b is formed at the bottom of the extractor 6, through which the extracted coffee liquid is supplied to the server. The bottom of the funnel-shaped portion of the extractor 6 is configured so that its outside is covered by a substantially cylindrical case 6c with a bottom. The lower edge of the case 6c protrudes below the bottom of the case 6c. The second opening 6b is located above the bottom of the case 6c and is opened and closed by a valve body 20.

[0025] 1 to 3, the water tank 7 stores water for extracting coffee liquid. The water tank 7 is provided at the upper rear part of the support part 4.

[0026] Heater 8 is an electric heater configured as a water heating means, and is disposed inside table 3. Heater 8 is located within table 3 below the upper surface of table 3 and is disposed close to the upper surface of table 3. When powered on, heater 8 heats the upper surface of table 3, thereby heating and keeping warm the coffee liquid in coffee server 4 placed on the upper surface of table 3. Heater 8 also heats the portion of flow section 10 that is disposed on table 3, thereby heating the water flowing through flow section 10 to hot water.

[0027] The pump 9 is a DC pump configured as a means for circulating water and hot water through the circulating section 10, and is disposed midway through the circulating section 10. The pump 9 is disposed inside the support section 4, between the water tank 7 and the heater 8. When the pump 9 is operated, the water stored in the water tank 7 and the hot water heated by the heater, etc. are circulated through the circulating section 10.

[0028] The circulation section 10 is made up of a plurality of tubular members through which the water stored in the water tank 7 and the hot water produced when the water is heated by the heater 8 flow. The circulation section 10 is arranged within the mounting base 3 and the support section 4, and is connected to the water tank 7 and the hot water supply section 5. When the user operates the operation panel or the like, the pump 9 is activated, causing water to flow out of the water tank 7 and flow through the circulation section 10, and the water flowing through the circulation section 10 is heated by the heater 8 to become hot water, and the hot water flows from the circulation section 10 into the hot water supply section 5. The circulating section 10 is configured to extend downward from the water tank 7, extend forward from the lower end of the portion disposed within the support section 4, enter the mounting base 3, and then extend rearward to return to the support section 4 side. The portion of the circulating section 10 disposed within the mounting base 3 is located below the heater 8 and is disposed in close proximity to the heater 8. The water circulating within the circulating section 10 within the mounting base 3 is heated by the heater 8 to become hot water. Circulation section 10 is configured to extend upward from the rear end of the portion disposed within mounting base 3, and further upward within support section 4. Circulation section 10 is configured to extend forward from the upper end of the portion extending upward within support section 4, and is connected to inlet 51 of discharge unit 50 of hot water supply section 5.

[0029] The hot water circulating within the circulating section 10 flows into the internal space through the inlet 51 of the discharge unit 50 of the hot water supply section 5 and is discharged from the discharge section 52. The hot water discharged from the discharge section 52 of the discharge unit 50 is poured into the extractor 6 through the first opening 6a at the top of the extractor 6. The coffee grounds in the extractor 6 are then immersed in the hot water poured into the extractor 6 and filtered through a filter, thereby extracting coffee liquid.

[0030] The opening / closing operation unit 11 is configured as a means for opening and closing the second opening 6b at the bottom of the extractor 6 using the valve body 20. The opening / closing operation unit 11 is provided in the front part of the support column 4, near the coffee server 2. When the valve body 20 is operated by the opening / closing operation unit 11 and the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 is in a closed state (see FIG. 7), the coffee liquid extracted in the extractor 6 remains stored in the extractor 6. When the valve body 20 is operated by the opening / closing operation unit 11 and the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 is in an open state (see FIG. 8), the coffee liquid extracted in the extractor 6 is discharged from the second opening 6b of the extractor 6, flows into the opening 2a at the top of the coffee server 2, and is stored in the coffee server 2.

[0031] When a user operates an operation switch located on the top surface of the hot water supply unit 5, the coffee maker 1 automatically starts extracting coffee liquid based on a program stored in the control unit 12, and stores the coffee liquid in the coffee server 2. The control unit 12 controls various operations of the coffee maker 1 (heater 8, pump 9, solenoid 25, etc.). The control unit 12 is electrically connected to the heater 8, pump 9, solenoid 25, etc.

[0032] [Detailed explanation of the extractor support state] 5 to 8, the coffee maker 1 includes a support part 21. The support part 21 supports the extractor 6 during the operation of extracting coffee liquid. The support part 21 contacts the bottom surface of the case 6c of the extractor 6 and supports the extractor 6 from below.

[0033] The opening / closing operation unit 11 is made up of a solenoid 25, a protruding member 26, a rotating member 30, etc. The solenoid 25 and the protruding member 26 are provided on the support unit 4, and the rotating member 30 is provided on the extractor 6.

[0034] The solenoid 25 is an actuator for opening and closing the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 by the valve body 20 in the opening / closing operation unit 11. The solenoid 25 is configured as a means for causing the pushing member 26 to push forward. The solenoid 25 is provided on the support unit 4. The protruding member 26 is configured as a means for rotating the rotation member 30. The protruding member 26 is provided on the support column 4. The protruding member 26 is disposed in front of the solenoid 25. Before the protruding member 26 is protruded, the front end of the protruding member 26 is disposed in the same position as the front surface of the support column 4.

[0035] The rotating member 30 is configured as a means for moving the valve body 20 between a closed state and an open state of the second opening 6b of the extractor 6. The rotating member 30 is disposed in front of the pushing member 26 when the extractor 6 is supported by the support portion 21. The rotating member 30 is provided at the rear portion of the case 6c of the extractor 6. The rotating member 30 is configured to be rotatable in the up and down direction relative to the case 6c of the extractor 6. The rotating member 30 includes an upper portion 31, a lower portion 32, and a shaft portion 33.

[0036] The upper portion 31 of the rotating member 30 is a flat member that extends upward when the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 is closed by the valve body 20. The rear surface of the upper portion 31 of the rotating member 30 comes into contact with the protruding member 26 as it protrudes. The lower part 32 of the rotating member 30 is a flat member that extends forward from the lower end of the upper part 31 when the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 is closed by the valve body 20. The lower part 31 of the rotating member 30 is disposed below the bottom of the case 6 of the extractor 6 so as to overlap with the second opening 6b in a bottom view. The valve body 20 is provided on the lower part 31 of the rotating member 30. The shafts 33 are configured as a pair of left and right shafts that serve as rotation axes when the rotating member 30 rotates. The shafts 33 are provided so as to protrude from the left and right sides of the front part of the lower part 32 of the rotating member 30, and are inserted into recesses (not shown) inside the case.

[0037] In the opening / closing operation unit 11, when the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 is opened, the control unit 12 causes the plunger 25a of the solenoid 25 to protrude forward. As the plunger 25a of the solenoid 25 moves forward, the protruding member 26 moves forward, and the front end of the protruding member 26 protrudes forward beyond the front surface of the support column 4. In this manner, the protruding member 26 is protruded and comes into contact with the rotating member 30. Then, the protruding member 26 in the protruding state presses the upper portion 31 of the rotating member 30, causing the rotating member 30 to rotate clockwise in FIGS. 7 and 8 . As the rotating member 30 rotates in this manner, the valve body 20 moves away from the second opening 6b of the extractor 6, opening the second opening 6b of the extractor 6. The protruding member 26 is biased rearward by a coil spring, and when the pressure from the solenoid 25 is released, the protruding member 26 returns to its original state before being protruded. In addition, the rotating member 30 is biased by a coil spring so as to rotate clockwise in Figures 7 and 8, and when the pressure from the protruding member 26 is released, it returns to the state it was in before being pressed and rotated by the protruding member 26.

[0038] In this way, when the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 is opened by the opening / closing operation unit 11, the solenoid 25 moves the pushing member 26 to the protruding state, pressing the upper part 31 of the rotating member 30 to rotate the rotating member 30, thereby separating the valve body 20 from the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 and opening the second opening 6b of the extractor 6. Therefore, the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 can be opened with a simple configuration. Note that the movement of the pushing member 26 to the protruding state is not limited to the configuration in which it is performed by the plunger 25, and may be performed by something other than the plunger 25.

[0039] Furthermore, in this way, the extractor 6 is configured separately from the main body 1A, and the solenoid 25 and the protruding member 26 are provided on the main body 1A (support part 4). Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the solenoid 25 and the protruding member 26 are provided on the extractor 6, the heat of the hot water in the extractor 6 is less likely to be transmitted to the solenoid 25 and the protruding member 26. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the solenoid 25 and the protruding member 25 from being damaged by heat, and it is possible to improve durability.

[0040] The valve body 20 is made of a material such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or stainless steel. The rotating member 30 is made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the valve body 20. The rotating member 30 is made of, for example, silicon, ethylene propylene rubber, or acrylonitrile butadiene rubber.

[0041] In this way, the rotating member 30 is made of a material with lower thermal conductivity than the valve body 20, so that the heat of the hot water in the extractor 6 is less likely to be transmitted from the valve body 20 to the rotating member 30. In other words, the heat of the hot water in the extractor 6 is less likely to be transmitted to the protruding member 26 via the valve body 20 and the rotating member 30. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the solenoid 25 and the protruding member 26 from being damaged by heat, and it is possible to improve durability.

[0042] The support part 21 is provided on the support column 4. The support part 21 is formed by bending a metal round bar-shaped member, and is formed into a generally U-shape in a plan view. The support part 21 contacts the bottom of the case 6c of the extractor 6 at a position lower than the second opening 6b of the extractor 6, and supports the extractor 6.

[0043] In this way, the support portion 21 contacts the bottom of the case 6c of the extractor 6 at a position lower than the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 and supports the extractor 6. Therefore, the support portion 21 is arranged so as to cover the periphery of the valve body 20 that closes the second opening 6b of the extractor 6, and the support portion 21 can prevent foreign matter from coming into contact with the second opening 6b of the extractor 6, the valve body 20, etc.

[0044] The support portion 21 is configured to surround the sides of the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 when supporting the extractor 6. The support portion 21 is configured to surround the front, left, and right outer sides of the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 in a bottom view.

[0045] In this way, the support portion 21 is configured to surround the sides of the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 in a bottom view, and therefore the support portion 21 can prevent foreign matter from coming into contact with the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 and the valve body 20, etc. Furthermore, because it is configured in this way, it is possible to prevent the extractor 6 supported by the support portion 21 from tilting forward, backward, left, or right.

[0046] The support part 21 includes a pair of linearly formed arms 21a and an arc-shaped connecting part 21b. The arms 21a of the support part 21 protrude forward from the front surface of the vertically middle part of the support part 4, and both ends of the connecting part 21b are connected to the front ends of the pair of arms 21a. When the support part 21 supports the extractor 6, the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 and the valve body 20 are disposed between the pair of arms 21a in a bottom view. The second opening 6b of the extractor 6 and the valve body 20 are disposed at approximately the middle position between the pair of arms 21a in a bottom view.

[0047] In this way, the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 and the valve body 20 are disposed between the pair of arms 21a in a bottom view, and therefore the support portion 21 can prevent foreign matter from coming into contact with the second opening 6b of the extractor 6, the valve body 20, etc. Furthermore, because of this configuration, the extractor 6 supported by the support portion 21 can be prevented from tilting forward, backward, left, or right.

[0048] The opening 2a of the coffee server 2 and the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 are positioned so as to overlap in a plan view. The centers of the opening 2a of the coffee server 2 and the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 are aligned on the same straight line extending in the vertical direction.

[0049] In this way, the opening 2a of the coffee server 2 and the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 are positioned so as to overlap in a plan view, so that the coffee liquid dripping from the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 can be reliably supplied to the coffee server 2. Furthermore, because the coffee liquid can be reliably supplied to the coffee server 2 from the second opening 6b of the extractor 6 in this way, the opening area of ​​the opening 2a of the coffee server 2 can be reduced, and the coffee liquid can be better kept warm by the coffee server 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 coffee maker 1A main unit 2. Coffee server 2a opening 3. Mounting table 4 Support section 5 Hot water supply section 6 Extractor 6a First opening 6b Second opening 6c case 7. Water Tank 8. Heater 9. Pump 10 Distribution Department 11 Opening and closing operation section 12 Control Unit 20 Valve body 21 Support part 21a Arm 21b Connection part 25 solenoid 26 Protruding member 30 Rotating member 31 Upper 32 Lower 33 Shaft

Claims

1. A coffee maker comprising a main body, an extractor, and a coffee server, wherein coffee powder is immersed in hot water discharged from the main body in the extractor, and then filtered through a filter to extract coffee liquid, and the coffee liquid is stored in the coffee server, The extractor has a lower opening for discharging the extracted coffee liquid, a valve body that opens and closes the opening of the extractor; a rotary member on which the valve body is provided; a protruding member that rotates the rotary member; Equipped with When the opening of the extractor is opened, the protruding member is moved to a protruding state, and the rotary member is pressed to rotate the rotary member, thereby separating the valve body from the opening of the extractor, and the opening of the extractor is opened, The extractor is configured separately from the main body, The coffee maker is characterized in that the protruding member is provided on the main body.

2. 2. The coffee maker according to claim 1, wherein the rotary member has a lower thermal conductivity than the valve body.

3. a support part that contacts a bottom surface of the extractor and supports the extractor from below during the operation of extracting the coffee liquid; 3. The coffee maker of claim 2, wherein the support supports the extractor at a position lower than the opening of the extractor.

4. The coffee maker according to claim 3 , wherein the support portion is configured to surround the sides of the opening of the extractor in a bottom view when supporting the extractor.

5. The support portion includes a pair of arms protruding from a main body, 5. The coffee maker according to claim 4, wherein when the support portion supports the extractor, the opening of the extractor is disposed between the pair of arms in a bottom view.

6. 6. The coffee maker according to claim 5, wherein the opening of the coffee server and the opening of the extractor are arranged so as to overlap in a plan view.

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