A coffee extraction unit and a coffee machine equipped with the extraction unit.

Abstract

A brewing unit for extracting coffee is provided, comprising a funnel for ground coffee, a brewing cylinder including a lower extraction piston and at least one upper extraction piston, and at least one drive device including at least one first electric motor. The brewing unit includes a frame and a slide having an upper and lower side, mounted on the frame and movable within the frame. The funnel for ground coffee and at least one upper extraction piston are positioned adjacent to each other on the slide, each extending from the top to the bottom of the slide. The drive device is suitable for moving the slide within the frame so that the funnel or at least one extraction piston can be positioned above the opening of the brewing cylinder. A coffee machine comprising this brewing unit is also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] An extraction unit for extracting coffee is provided, which includes a funnel for ground coffee, a lower extraction piston and an extraction cylinder including at least one upper extraction piston, and at least one drive device including at least one first electric motor. The extraction unit includes a frame and a slide having upper and lower sides, which is mounted on the frame and movable within the frame. The funnel for ground coffee and at least one upper extraction piston are arranged adjacent to each other on the slide, each extending from above towards the lower side of the slide (i.e., the narrow outlet of the funnel and the extraction screen of the upper extraction piston are each located on the lower side of the slide). The drive device is suitable for moving the slide within the frame so that the funnel or at least one extraction piston can be (selectively) arranged above the opening of the extraction cylinder. This movement within the frame can reduce the height of the extraction unit compared to the extraction unit described above. A coffee machine including this extraction unit is also provided.

Background Art

[0002] The prior art discloses an extraction unit in which a funnel for ground coffee and an upper extraction piston are arranged at a fixed point (i.e., an immovable point) within the extraction unit. This method has the drawback that, on the one hand, it is necessary to design the extraction unit relatively large (especially high when viewed from the base) because it fills the extraction cylinder with ground coffee through the funnel and, on the other hand, moves the upper extraction piston into the extraction cylinder to start the extraction process.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] With this in mind, the object of the present invention was to provide an extraction unit that does not have these drawbacks. In particular, the extraction unit should be able to fill the extraction cylinder with ground coffee through the funnel of the extraction unit and move the upper extraction piston into the extraction cylinder of the extraction unit, that is, to finally provide the extracted coffee, in a more compact design (especially a low structure). Furthermore, a coffee machine that can supply the extracted coffee in a more compact design must be provided.

[0004] This objective is achieved by an extraction unit having the features of claim 1 and a coffee machine having the features of claim 11. Advantageous developments are described in the dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to the present invention, an extraction unit for extracting coffee, a) A funnel having an inlet for filling with ground coffee and an outlet for supplying ground coffee, b) At least one upper extraction piston for brewing coffee, c) A lower extraction piston for extracting coffee, d) An extraction cylinder having an upper opening and a lower opening, wherein the upper opening is suitable for receiving the upper extraction piston and the lower opening is suitable for receiving the lower extraction piston, e) A drive device comprising at least one first electric motor, Equipped with, The extraction unit comprises a frame and a slide attached to the frame, the slide having an upper and a lower side, The slide is movable within the frame, The funnel and the at least one upper extraction piston are arranged adjacent to each other on the slide, and the funnel and the at least one upper extraction piston each extend from the upper side of the slide to the lower side of the slide, The drive device (via the at least one first electric motor) is suitable for moving the slide within the frame so that at least the outlet for supplying ground coffee from the funnel or the at least one upper extraction piston can be positioned above the upper opening of the extraction cylinder. An extraction unit characterized by the above is provided.

[0006] The extraction unit according to the present invention makes it possible to fill an extraction cylinder with ground coffee through a funnel and move the extraction cylinder toward an upper extraction piston, thereby providing the final extracted coffee, in a more compact (particularly low) design. This is due to the mobility of the funnel and upper extraction piston within the frame, which are positioned on a slide; that is, the frame, on the one hand, defines the maximum structural extension of the slide's movement, and on the other hand, allows the slide (and the funnel and at least one upper extraction piston positioned above it) the maximum degree of freedom of movement within the frame. This structural limitation of movement, and on the other hand, the high flexibility of movement, allows the funnel and at least one upper extraction piston to move selectively through the upper opening of the extraction cylinder as needed and perform their functions there. This eliminates the need for the complex solution known in the prior art, which requires the funnel to be positioned adjacent to the extraction cylinder in order to deliver the ground coffee to the upper opening of the extraction cylinder.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the slide is movable within the frame by a movement selected from the group consisting of linear motion, rotational motion, pivotal motion, and combinations thereof, and particularly preferably, the slide is movable within the frame by linear motion (i.e., linearly movable in a first direction and linearly movable in the opposite direction to the first direction).

[0008] The slide may be attached to the frame by (reversible) force connections and / or force fittings. Force connections and / or force fittings are suitable, on the one hand, for preventing the slide from falling out of the frame, and on the other hand, for allowing the slide to move within the frame. Force connections and / or force fittings are preferably configured such that the user of the extraction unit can remove the slide from the frame without the use of tools (i.e., without tools). This allows the user to clean the slide more quickly and easily, and also to replace it with a new slide quickly and easily (e.g., during maintenance). Furthermore, it is quick and easy to replace an existing slide with a slide of different equipment (e.g., a slide with at least one other upper extraction piston). In a preferred embodiment, the funnel positioned on the slide and at least one upper extraction piston positioned on the slide are each positioned on the slide via reversible connections. In this case, these slide components can also be replaced quickly and easily.

[0009] Force connections are preferably selected from the group consisting of frictional connections, magnetic connections, and combinations thereof. Magnetic connections are established via at least two, most preferably at least three, and especially at least four permanent magnets, positioned in particular on the slide and / or frame, most preferably on the underside of the slide and / or on the upper side of the frame. Frictional connections are preferably established via frictional O-rings. Force mating is preferably selected from the group consisting of bayonet fasteners, clip fasteners, labyrinth seals, latches, slide closures, and combinations thereof.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the slide has at least one first structural element on a first side extending away from the slide, the slide has at least one second structural element on a second side opposite to the first side extending away from the slide, the frame has at least one first groove facing the first side of the slide and suitable for receiving at least one first structural element of the slide, and the frame has at least one second groove facing the second side of the slide and suitable for receiving at least one second structural element of the slide. Alternatively, the slide has at least one first groove on a first side and at least one second groove on a second side opposite to the first side, the frame has at least one first structural element facing the first side of the slide and suitable for engaging with at least one first groove of the slide, and the frame has at least one second structural element facing the second side of the slide and suitable for engaging with at least one second groove of the slide. This configuration can more securely prevent the slide from falling out of the frame.

[0011] Preferably, at least one first groove and at least one second groove each have a break at the frame removal position, which is suitable for removing the respective structural elements from the groove and removing the slide from the frame. In addition, the breaks in each groove allow the user to remove the slide from the frame quickly and easily (without tools).

[0012] At least one first electric motor of the drive device may have a coupling to the slide.

[0013] The coupling to the slide may include a step gear, preferably an intermittent step gear, or consist of a step gear, preferably an intermittent step gear. Coupling via a step gear has the advantage that at least one first electric motor can cause both the movement of the slide (e.g., horizontal movement of the slide) and the movement of the extraction cylinder (e.g., vertical movement of the extraction cylinder), although the two movements may require different travel times and / or travel distances. The advantage of this design is that the extraction unit can be made even more compact because only a single electric motor is required to produce these two different movements.

[0014] The coupling to the slide may include one gear wheel and / or at least one gear rack, or may consist of one gear wheel and / or at least one gear rack.

[0015] Furthermore, the coupling to the slide may include, or consist of, at least one linear actuator, preferably a solenoid.

[0016] Separately, the coupling to the slide may include, or consist of, at least one linear actuator, preferably a hydraulic coupling.

[0017] Furthermore, the coupling to the slide may include or consist of a pneumatic coupling.

[0018] Separately, by configuring the electric motor as a linear motor, connection to the slide can be achieved. The advantage of this is that the connection to the slide can be done very directly via the linear motor itself, thus reducing the number of components required to connect the extraction unit.

[0019] At least one first electric motor of the drive device can have a coupling to the extraction cylinder. Thereby, there is an advantage that at least one first electric motor can move not only the slide but also the extraction cylinder.

[0020] The coupling to the extraction cylinder can include a step gear, preferably an intermittent step gear, or can be composed of a step gear, preferably an intermittent step gear.

[0021] Furthermore, the coupling to the extraction cylinder can include at least one drive spindle. The drive spindle can be connected to the extraction cylinder via a spindle nut.

[0022] The extraction unit can have at least one second electric motor, and at least one second electric motor of the extraction unit is connected to the extraction cylinder via the drive spindle of the extraction unit. In this configuration, at least one second electric motor is responsible for the movement of the extraction cylinder (for example, vertical movement). The disadvantage is that a second electric motor is required for the extraction unit, which impairs the compactness of the unit. The advantage is that the design of the extraction unit is simplified because a step gear is not required for the connection to the slide and / or the extraction cylinder.

[0023] The coupling to the extraction cylinder can include at least one drive spindle. The drive spindle can be connected to the extraction cylinder via a spindle nut.

[0024] The extraction unit may include at least one measuring device for determining the pressing force exerted by the lower extraction piston on the upper extraction piston. The at least one measuring device preferably comprises or consists of a force transducer. The force transducer is preferably selected from the group consisting of load cells, strain gauges, and combinations thereof. This design enables the determination of the extraction force, pressing force, and / or tamping force that acts from the lower extraction piston on the upper extraction piston and thus also on the coffee cake located between the lower and upper extraction pistons.

[0025] The at least one measuring device can be attached to the upper extraction piston. Alternatively, the at least one measuring device (or another additional measuring device) can be arranged on the bearing of the drive spindle of the extraction unit.

[0026] According to the invention, there is further provided a coffee machine comprising an extraction unit according to the invention.

[0027] The coffee machine according to the invention is characterized in that it enables the provision of extracted coffee with a more compact design.

[0028] The coffee machine may comprise a control unit configured to control or adjust the extraction unit of the coffee machine.

[0029] The control unit is preferably configured to cause the drive device to move the slide to a powder supply position where the outlet of the funnel is located above the upper opening of the extraction cylinder when the control unit receives or generates a signal for filling the coffee extracted by the extraction cylinder.

[0030] Furthermore, the control unit is preferably configured to cause the drive device to move the slide to an extraction position where the upper extraction piston is located above the upper opening of the extraction cylinder when the control unit receives or generates a signal for extracting coffee.

[0031] Furthermore, the control unit may preferably be configured to move the slide to a removal position where it can be removed from the frame when the control unit receives or generates a signal to remove the slide. In the removal position, the structural elements of the slide are preferably positioned at the location of the frame groove where the frame groove is interrupted, or the structural elements of the frame are positioned at the point in the slide groove where the slide groove is interrupted.

[0032] Furthermore, the control unit may preferably be configured to move the drive device toward the upper extraction piston when the control unit receives or generates a signal to extract coffee. When the control unit receives or generates a signal to extract coffee (preferably, when it receives or generates a signal to discharge the coffee cake and after the coffee cake has been discharged), the control unit may also release the lower extraction piston from the components of the extraction unit (e.g., the shaft of the extraction unit) (e.g., by rotating the hook on the shaft toward the corresponding receptacle of the lower extraction piston). Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to move the extraction cylinder toward the upper extraction piston (during which time the lower extraction piston is held in place by the pivot hook). After the lower extraction piston has reached the lowest position of the extraction cylinder and moved a certain distance toward the upper extraction piston, the control unit may be configured to release the lower extraction piston (again) by rotating the hook. This causes the extraction cylinder to move toward the upper extraction piston together with the lower extraction piston (due to frictional and forceful engagement between the extraction cylinder and the lower extraction piston).

[0033] Separately, when the control unit receives or generates a signal to discharge the coffee cake, it may move the drive device to move the extraction cylinder, which may be configured to move away from the upper extraction piston in one direction. The extraction cylinder may move downward along the lower extraction piston until it reaches a position where the upper end of the lower extraction piston is flush with the upper end of the extraction cylinder. "Downward along the lower piston" specifically means that the extraction cylinder is moved further down than the lower extraction cylinder (i.e., towards the base of the extraction unit) so that the coffee cake on the lower extraction piston is no longer surrounded by the extraction cylinder and can approach the mechanical discharge device of the extraction unit, thereby allowing it to be discharged. When the control unit receives or generates a signal to discharge the coffee cake, the control unit may also fix the lower extraction piston to a component of the extraction unit (e.g., the shaft of the extraction unit) (e.g., by rotating the hook of the shaft into the corresponding receptacle of the lower extraction piston).

[0034] Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to determine the pressing force that the lower extraction piston applies to the upper extraction piston. The control unit is preferably configured to adjust the desired pressing force using a specific pressing force. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to use a specific pressing force to determine seal wear, preferably of the lower extraction piston and / or the upper extraction piston. Furthermore, the control unit is preferably configured to use a specific pressing force to determine backlash of the lower extraction piston and / or the upper extraction piston. Separately, the control unit is preferably configured to use a specific pressing force to determine whether the lower extraction piston, upper extraction piston, extraction cylinder, and / or drive spindle of the extraction unit are blunted. Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to use a specific pressing force to detect whether the extraction cylinder into which the lower extraction piston is inserted is inserted into the control unit. Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to use a specific pressing force to detect whether the upper extraction piston is missing within the extraction unit.

[0035] The subject matter of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following drawings, but we do not intend to limit them to the specific embodiments presented herein. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0036] [Figure 1] Figure 1 schematically shows a part of the extraction unit according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 schematically shows a part of the extraction unit according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 schematically shows various arrangements of the upper extraction piston, extraction cylinder, and lower extraction piston of the funnel and slide during the coffee extraction cycle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0037] Figure 1 schematically shows a part of the extraction unit according to the present invention. The funnel 1 has an inlet for filling with ground coffee and an outlet for supplying ground coffee, and is positioned adjacent to the upper extraction piston 2 on the slide 5, which is held by the frame 4. The first electric motor 3 of the drive device is connected to the slide 5 via a coupling 12 and transmits driving force to the slide 5, in which case the slide 5 moves linearly within the frame 4. The second electric motor 13 of the device is connected to the drive spindle 10 of the extraction unit via a coupling 14 and transmits driving force to the extraction cylinder 20 via a coupling 11 of the drive spindle 10, thereby allowing the extraction cylinder to move toward and away from the upper extraction piston 2. When the extraction cylinder is not attached to the extraction unit (for example, hooked in place), it can support the lower extraction piston 21 by friction and geometric fit.

[0038] Figure 2 schematically shows a portion of an extraction unit for extracting coffee according to the present invention. The extraction unit includes a funnel 1 having an inlet for filling with ground coffee and an outlet for supplying ground coffee, at least one upper extraction piston 2 for extracting coffee, a lower extraction piston 21 for extracting coffee, an extraction cylinder 20 having an upper opening and a lower opening, and a drive device including a first electric motor. The extraction unit includes a frame 4 and a slide 5 held in the frame 4, the slide 5 having an upper and a lower side. The frame 4 and the slide 5 are configured so that the slide 5 can move within the frame 4. This movement is driven by a first electric motor in the drive device of the extraction unit. The funnel 1 and the at least one upper extraction piston 2 are positioned adjacent to each other on the slide 5. Figure 1 shows that the funnel 1 and the at least one upper extraction piston 2 extend from the upper side of the slide to the lower side of the slide. The drive device of the extraction unit is suitable for moving the slide 5 within the frame 4 so that the outlet for supplying ground coffee from the funnel 1 or at least one upper extraction piston 2 can be positioned above the upper opening of the extraction cylinder 20. This allows for selective placement of the funnel 1 above the upper opening of the extraction cylinder 20 (for filling with ground coffee) and / or at least one upper extraction piston 2 (or another upper extraction piston positioned on the slide) above the upper opening of the extraction cylinder 20 (for extracting coffee), enabling feasible placements depending on the requirements. The left side of Figure 2 shows the powder supply position of the slide 5 with the outlet of the funnel 1 positioned above the upper opening of the extraction cylinder 20. The center side of Figure 2 shows the removal position of the slide 5, where the slide 5 can be removed from the frame 4 (the structural elements 7, 7' of the slide are positioned here in the intermediate 9, 9' of the grooves 8, 8' of the frame). The right side of Figure 2 shows the extraction position of the slide 5, where the upper extraction piston 2 is positioned above the upper opening of the extraction cylinder 20.

[0039] Figure 3 schematically shows various arrangements of the funnel 1 and the slide's upper extraction piston 2, extraction cylinder 20, and lower extraction piston 21 during the coffee extraction cycle. In the first arrangement 15 (arrangement when filling the extraction piston 20 with ground coffee), the funnel 1 is positioned above the extraction cylinder 20. In the second arrangement 16 (arrangement when extracting coffee), the upper extraction piston 2 is positioned above the extraction cylinder 20. In the third arrangement 17 (arrangement when ejecting the coffee cake 22 via the ejector 23), the extraction cylinder 20 and lower extraction piston 21 are moved to their lowest positions, and the lower extraction piston 21 is securely connected to the extraction unit by the hook 24. In the fourth arrangement 18 (arrangement after the coffee cake 22 has been ejected by the ejector 23), since the lower extraction piston 21 remains securely connected to the extraction unit by the hook 24, the extraction cylinder 20 can move upward on its own, and this movement returns the ejector 23 to its original position. In the fifth configuration 19 (the configuration in which the funnel 1 is moved above the extraction cylinder 20), the lower extraction piston 21 disengages from the hook 24 and, together with the extraction cylinder 20 (via friction), moves further to the first configuration (filling the extraction cylinder 20 with more ground coffee), and then to the second configuration 16 (the configuration in which another coffee is extracted via friction between the lower extraction piston 21 and the extraction cylinder 20). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 1: A funnel having an inlet for filling with ground coffee and an outlet for supplying ground coffee. 2: Upper extraction piston, 3: First electric motor of the drive device, 4: Frame 5: Slide 6: Permanent magnets 7: The first structural element of the slide 7': The second structural element of the slide 8: The first trench 8': Second groove 9: Interruption of the first groove, 9': Interruption of the second groove 10: Drive spindle for driving the extraction cylinder, 11: Coupling from drive spindle to extraction cylinder, 12: The coupling of the first electric motor of the drive device to the slide (e.g., gear wheel rack coupling), 13: Second electric motor of the extraction unit, 14: Coupling of the second electric motor from the extraction unit to the extraction cylinder (via the drive spindle of the extraction unit), 15: First arrangement of the slide funnel and upper extraction piston, and the extraction cylinder and lower extraction piston (filling the extraction cylinder with ground coffee), 16: Second arrangement of the slide funnel and upper extraction piston, and the extraction cylinder and lower extraction piston (for extracting ground coffee), 17: The third arrangement of the slide funnel and upper extraction piston, and the extraction cylinder and lower extraction piston (for discharging the coffee cake), 18: The fourth arrangement of the slide funnel and upper extraction piston, and the extraction cylinder and lower extraction piston (after the coffee cake has been discharged), 19: Fifth arrangement of the slide funnel and upper extraction piston, and the extraction cylinder and lower extraction piston (moving the funnel across the extraction cylinder), 20: Extraction cylinder, 21: Lower extraction piston, 22: Coffee cake, 23: Ejector for discharging coffee cake, 24: Hook to attach to the lower extraction piston.

Claims

1. A brewing unit for extracting coffee, a) A funnel having an inlet for filling with ground coffee and an outlet for supplying ground coffee, b) At least one upper extraction piston for extracting coffee, c) A lower extraction piston for extracting coffee, d) An extraction cylinder having an upper opening and a lower opening, wherein the upper opening is suitable for receiving the upper extraction piston and the lower opening is suitable for receiving the lower extraction piston, e) A drive device comprising at least one first electric motor, Equipped with, The extraction unit comprises a frame and a slide held by the frame, the slide having an upper and a lower side. The slide is movable within the frame, The funnel and the at least one upper extraction piston are arranged adjacent to each other on the slide, and the funnel and the at least one upper extraction piston each extend from the upper side of the slide to the lower side of the slide, The drive device is suitable for moving the slide within the frame so that at least the outlet for supplying ground coffee from the funnel or the at least one upper extraction piston can be positioned above the upper opening of the extraction cylinder. An extraction unit characterized by the following features.

2. The slide is movable within the frame by a movement selected from the group consisting of linear movement, rotational movement, pivotal movement, and combinations thereof. The extraction unit according to claim 1, characterized in that

3. The slide is held by the frame via a force connection, and the force connection is preferably i) A connection by friction, preferably established via at least one friction O-ring positioned on the slide and / or the frame, and / or ii) A magnetic connection, preferably established via at least two, particularly preferably at least three, and especially at least four permanent magnets arranged in the slide and / or frame, and / or iii) To prevent the slide from falling out of the frame due to gravity, preferably, to prevent the slide from falling out of the frame due to gravity at least at the slide removal position within the frame, An extraction unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that

4. The slide is held by the frame via force fitting, and the force fitting is preferably, i) Selected from the group consisting of bayonet fasteners, clip fasteners, labyrinth seals, latches, slide closures, and combinations thereof, and / or ii) To prevent the slide from falling out of the frame due to gravity, preferably, to prevent the slide from falling out of the frame due to gravity at least at the removal position of the slide within the frame. An extraction unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that

5. The aforementioned slide is, i) having at least one first structural element on a first side extending away from the slide, the slide having at least one second structural element on a second side opposite to the first side, the frame having at least one first groove facing the first side of the slide which is suitable for receiving at least one first structural element of the slide, the frame having at least one second groove facing the second side of the slide which is suitable for receiving at least one second structural element of the slide, or ii) Having at least one first groove on one side, the slide has at least one second groove on a second side opposite to the first side, the frame has at least one first structural element facing the first side of the slide and suitable for engaging with at least one first groove of the slide, the frame has at least one second structural element facing the second side of the slide and suitable for engaging with at least one second groove of the slide, The at least one first groove and the at least one second groove preferably each have an interruption at the frame removal position, which is suitable for removing the respective structural elements from the groove and removing the slide from the frame. An extraction unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that

6. At least one first electric motor of the drive device has a coupling to the slide, and the coupling is preferably i) A step gear, preferably an intermittent step gear, or a step gear, preferably an intermittent step gear, and / or ii) comprising at least one gear wheel, at least one gear rack, at least one toothed belt and / or at least one chain, or consisting of at least one gear wheel, at least one gear rack, at least one toothed belt and / or at least one chain, and / or iii) comprising at least one linear actuator, preferably a solenoid, or consisting of at least one linear actuator, preferably a solenoid, and / or i) Including or comprising a hydraulic coupling, and / or, V) Including or comprising a pneumatic coupling, and / or, and / or, Vi) The electric motor is realized as a linear motor by the design described above. An extraction unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that

7. At least one first electric motor of the drive device has a coupling to the extraction cylinder, and the coupling is preferably i) A step gear, preferably an intermittent step gear, or a step gear, preferably an intermittent step gear, and / or ii) Including at least one drive spindle, An extraction unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that

8. The extraction unit has at least one second electric motor, and at least one second electric motor of the extraction unit is connected to the extraction unit via the drive spindle of the extraction unit. An extraction unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that

9. The extraction unit has at least one measuring device for determining the pressing force applied by the lower extraction piston to the upper extraction piston, the at least one measuring device preferably includes or consists of a force transducer, the force transducer preferably selected from the group consisting of load cells, strain gauges, and combinations thereof. An extraction unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that

10. The at least one measuring device is i) Attached to the upper extraction piston, and / or, ii) Displaced on a bearing of a drive spindle, the drive spindle is suitable for moving the extraction cylinder and the lower extraction piston in the direction of the upper extraction piston, the drive spindle is preferably connected to an electric motor, and optionally connected to the electric motor of the drive device. An extraction unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that

11. A coffee machine comprising the extraction unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The coffee machine comprises a control unit configured to control or adjust the brewing unit of the coffee machine. The coffee machine according to claim 11, characterized in that...

13. The control unit controls the slide to the drive device, i) Preferably, when the control unit receives or generates a signal to fill the extraction cylinder with ground coffee, the outlet of the funnel is positioned above the upper opening of the extraction cylinder to supply powder, and / or ii) Preferably, when the control unit receives or generates a signal for brewing coffee, the at least one upper brewing piston is positioned above the upper opening of the brewing cylinder, and / or iii) Preferably, a removal position in which the slide can be removed from the frame when the control unit receives or generates a signal to remove the slide, wherein in the removal position, the structural elements of the slide are preferably positioned at the location of the groove of the frame where the groove of the frame is interrupted, or the structural elements of the frame are positioned at the point of the groove of the slide where the groove of the slide is interrupted, Configured to be moved, The coffee machine according to claim 12, characterized in that...

14. The control unit controls the drive device to the extraction cylinder, i) Preferably, when the control unit receives or generates a signal for brewing coffee, in the direction toward the upper brewing piston and / or, ii) Preferably, when a signal to discharge the coffee cake is received or generated, in a direction away from the upper extraction piston, Configured to be moved, The coffee machine according to feature 12 or 13.

15. The control unit identifies the pressing force applied by the lower extraction piston to the upper extraction piston, and preferably uses the specific pressing force. i) Adjust the desired pressing force, and / or, ii) Detect seal wear of the lower extraction piston and / or the upper extraction piston, and / or iii) Detect the backlash of the lower extraction piston and / or the upper extraction piston, and / or iv) Detect any dullness of the lower extraction piston, the upper extraction piston, the extraction cylinder, and / or the drive spindle of the extraction unit, and / or V) Detect whether the extraction cylinder into which the lower extraction piston is inserted is inserted into the control unit, and / or Vi) Detect whether the upper extraction piston is missing within the extraction unit. It is configured in such a way. A coffee machine according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that

Images