Beverage supply device

Abstract

To provide a beverage supply device capable of reducing a useless waiting time until beverage supply is completed.SOLUTION: A beverage supply device is provided with an extraction machine 40 extracting beverage by charging crushed materials and hot water and supplies a cup C with the beverage extracted by the extraction machine 40 via a nozzle N. A temperature sensor S1 detects whether or not there is beverage to be supplied to the nozzle N side by the extraction machine 40 and, when a detection result of the temperature sensor S1 changes from yes to no, it is determined that the beverage supply to the cup C is finished, then an opening / closing door 23 opening / closing the beverage supply part 22 where the cup C is placed is unlocked, and it is displayed to a display 21 that the beverage supply is finished.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser capable of reducing unnecessary waiting time until the completion of beverage dispense. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in a beverage supply device that supplies a beverage to a container, an extractor disposed inside the device body extracts a beverage from ground ingredients and hot water, and supplies the extracted beverage to a container such as a cup (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-190238 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional beverage supply device, ground ingredients such as coffee beans and hot water are poured into the extraction cylinder of the extractor, and the ingredients are stirred in the extraction cylinder. The top opening of the extraction cylinder is closed with a cylinder head to apply pressure, and a beverage such as coffee is extracted through a paper filter at the bottom of the extraction cylinder. The time control of the beverage extraction operation is set to be long enough to allow for a safety factor so as to prevent poor extraction, taking into account variations in ingredients, amount of hot water, component operations, etc. For this reason, even if the beverage extraction operation is actually completed, the door of the beverage supply unit in which the cup into which the extracted beverage is to be dispensed is not unlocked, resulting in a problem of a long wait time until the beverage supply is completed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and has an object to provide a beverage supplying device that can reduce unnecessary waiting time until the completion of beverage supply. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the present invention provides a beverage supply device that includes an extractor that extracts a beverage by adding crushed raw materials and hot water, and supplies the beverage extracted by the extractor to a cup through a nozzle, and is characterized in that it includes a beverage presence / absence detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of the beverage supplied from the extractor to the nozzle side, and a control unit that determines that the supply of beverage to the cup has been completed when the detection result of the beverage presence / absence detection sensor changes from the presence of the beverage to the absence of the beverage.

[0007] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above invention, when the control unit determines that the beverage supply to the cup has been completed, it unlocks the opening and closing door that opens and closes the beverage supply unit on which the cup is placed, and displays on the display unit that the beverage supply has been completed.

[0008] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above invention, when the control unit determines that the supply of beverage to the cup has been completed, it stops operating the air pump that supplies pressurized air for discharging the beverage extracted by the extraction machine.

[0009] In the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the beverage presence / absence detection sensor is provided on a beverage supply line that delivers the beverage extracted by the extractor to the nozzle side.

[0010] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the beverage presence / absence detection sensor is a temperature sensor that detects the presence or absence of the beverage based on differences in temperature within the beverage supply line, and detects the absence of the beverage when the temperature within the beverage supply line decreases by a predetermined value.

[0011] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above invention, the beverage presence / absence detection sensor is either a liquid detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of a beverage based on the difference in refractive index between the liquid and gas in the beverage supply line, or a flow sensor that detects the presence or absence of a beverage based on changes in flow rate in the beverage supply line.

[0012] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the beverage presence / absence detection sensor is a pressure sensor that detects the presence or absence of the beverage based on a change in pressure within an extraction cylinder in which the beverage is extracted in the extraction machine.

[0013] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention further comprises a cylinder head that closes an upper opening of an extraction cylinder in the extraction machine that performs the beverage extraction process when the beverage is extracted, an air pump that supplies pressurized air into the extraction cylinder through a pressurized supply hole provided in the cylinder head, a pressurized air supply line that connects between the pressurized supply hole and the air pump, and a pressure reduction line that is connected to the pressurized air supply line and can be released to the atmosphere through an opening / closing valve, and the control unit closes the cylinder head, then drives the air pump to supply the pressurized air into the extraction cylinder to extract the beverage, and after the extraction, stops the air pump and opens the opening / closing valve to reduce the pressure of the pressurized air in the extraction cylinder through the pressure reduction line. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the unnecessary waiting time until the beverage supply is completed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a beverage dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the beverage dispenser shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the beverage extraction process. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the relationship between the detection result of the temperature sensor and the drive of the air pump. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the relationship between the detection result of the liquid detection sensor and the drive of the air pump in the first modification. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the relationship between the detection result of the flow rate sensor and the drive of the air pump in the second modification. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the relationship between the detection result of the flow rate sensor and the drive of the air pump in the third modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the relationship between the detection result of the flow rate sensor and the drive of the air pump in the fourth modification. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a beverage dispenser according to the fifth modification. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a time chart showing the relationship between the detection result of the pressure sensor and the drive of the air pump in the fifth modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a beverage supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the beverage supplying device shown in Fig. 1. The beverage supplying device exemplified here is a coffee machine installed in a store such as a convenience store, and supplies a beverage such as coffee to a container such as a cup C by performing an extraction process such as grinding coffee beans and dripping. This beverage supplying device includes a device main body 1.

[0018] The device main body 1 has a main body cabinet 10 and a front door 20. The main body cabinet 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an opening (not shown) on the front side (hereinafter also referred to as a front opening). Inside the main body cabinet 10, a beverage preparation unit 30 that prepares a beverage (e.g., coffee) and a control unit 60 are provided.

[0019] The front door 20 is a door body having a size sufficient to close the front opening of the main cabinet 10. The front door 20 is provided at the left edge of the front side of the main cabinet 10 so as to be able to swing around the central axis of an axis part (not shown) extending in the up-down direction, and is capable of opening and closing the front opening of the main cabinet 10.

[0020] The front door 20 has a front surface which constitutes the customer service surface, and is provided with a display unit 21, a beverage supply unit 22, and an opening / closing door 23.

[0021] The display unit 21 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal touch panel, and displays various information in response to commands given from the control unit 60, and is capable of input operations such as touch operations. When an input operation such as a touch operation is performed, the display unit 21 sends a sales signal to the control unit 60.

[0022] The beverage supply unit 22 is provided below the display unit 21, and has a stage 22a. The stage 22a is for placing the cup C thereon, and is provided with an arc-shaped stopper (not shown).

[0023] The opening / closing door 23 is made of a light-transmitting material such as a transparent resin, and is large enough to cover the beverage supply unit 22. The left end of the opening / closing door 23 is pivotally supported by the front door 20, and is swingable in the front-rear direction. That is, the opening / closing door 23 is swingable in the front-rear direction in a manner approaching and moving away from the beverage supply unit 22, and can close the beverage supply unit 22 when it swings backward in a manner approaching the beverage supply unit 22, and can open the beverage supply unit 22 when it swings forward in a manner moving away from the beverage supply unit 22. After the cup C is placed on the beverage supply unit 22, the opening / closing door 23 is locked in a closed state until the beverage supply is completed, and is unlocked when the beverage supply is completed.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the beverage preparation unit 30 includes an ingredient box 31, a grinder 33, a hot water supply unit 35, an extractor 40, a container bucket 49, a pressurized air supply line L2, a beverage supply line L3, a drain line L4, and a nozzle N.

[0025] The ingredient box 31 contains roasted coffee beans, which are a beverage ingredient, and is provided in such a manner that a portion of it protrudes upward from the top panel 12 of the main body cabinet 10. The ingredient box 31 is provided with an ingredient supply drive unit 31a. The ingredient supply drive unit 31a drives when a drive command is given from the control unit 60. The ingredient supply drive unit 31a dispenses a predetermined amount of coffee beans included in the drive command.

[0026] The crusher 33 is what is called a mill, and is driven when a drive command is given from the control unit 60. The crusher 33 is installed below the raw material box 31, and is connected to the raw material box 31 via the raw material chute 32.

[0027] When the grinder 33 is driven, it grinds the coffee beans discharged from the ingredient box 31 and guided by the ingredient chute 32, and feeds the ground coffee beans (hereinafter also referred to as ground coffee beans) through the powder chute 34 into the extractor 40. Here, the powder chute 34 is constructed by integrating each component part with a resin.

[0028] The hot water supply section 35 is for supplying hot water to the extractor 40, and is configured by sequentially connecting a hot water tank 36, a metering pump P1, an auxiliary tank 37, a hot water supply pump P2, and a check valve V11 to a hot water supply line L1 formed of a hot water supply piping.

[0029] The hot water tank 36 stores hot water, such as tap water, supplied from a water supply means (not shown) by heating it with a heater 36a. The metering pump P1 is driven in response to a command given from the control unit 60, and when driven, it delivers a fixed amount of hot water from the hot water tank 36 to the auxiliary tank 37. The auxiliary tank 37 has a smaller volume than the hot water tank 36, and temporarily stores the hot water delivered by the metering pump P1. The hot water supply pump P2 is driven in response to a command given from the control unit 60, and when driven, it pressurizes the hot water in the auxiliary tank 37 and delivers it to the extractor 40. The hot water supply pump P2 is set so that the delivery amount is larger than the delivery amount of the metering pump P1. The check valve V11 is a valve body that allows the hot water delivered from the hot water supply pump P2 to pass toward the extractor 40, while restricting the hot water from passing from the extractor 40 toward the auxiliary tank 37. Although not shown in the figure, this check valve V11 is arranged in a state where it is thermally connected to the hot water tank 36.

[0030] The extraction machine 40 is what is known as a brewer unit, and extracts coffee liquid (beverage) from ground coffee beans fed from the grinder 33 through a powder chute 34 and hot water supplied by the hot water supply section 35.

[0031] A beverage supply line L3 is connected to the extractor 40. The beverage supply line L3 is configured by a single beverage supply pipe or by connecting a plurality of beverage supply pipes, and supplies the coffee extracted by the extractor 40 to the nozzle N.

[0032] A pinch valve V3 is provided midway along the beverage supply line L3. This pinch valve V3 opens and closes in response to a command given from the control unit 60. When in an open state, the pinch valve V3 allows the passage of fluid, whereas when in a closed state, the pinch valve V3 restricts the passage of fluid.

[0033] A temperature sensor S1 is provided between the filter block 43 and the pinch valve V3 of the beverage supply line L3 as a beverage presence / absence detection sensor that detects the flow of the beverage, i.e., the presence or absence of the beverage, after the beverage extracted by the extractor 40 starts to be supplied to the nozzle N. The temperature sensor S1 detects the presence or absence of the beverage based on the difference in temperature of the fluid in the beverage supply line L3.

[0034] The extractor 40 has an extracting cylinder 41, a cover 42, and a filter block 43. The extracting cylinder 41 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is detachably provided to the main body cabinet 10. The extracting cylinder 41 is formed to have a small diameter such that the outer diameter and the inner diameter are smaller than those of a conventional cylinder, and the diameter of the bottom opening is, for example, about 60 mm to 61 mm.

[0035] The cover 42 has a cylinder head 44. The cylinder head 44 is driven by a drive mechanism M1 such as a motor in response to a command given from the control unit 60, and moves toward and away from the top opening of the extraction cylinder 41 while sliding relative to the top opening of the extraction cylinder 41, thereby opening and closing the top opening of the extraction cylinder 41. The cover 42 is formed with input holes 52 and 53 that allow ground coffee beans supplied through the powder chute 34 to be input into the extraction cylinder 41, and an input hole 51 that allows hot water supplied by the hot water supply unit 35 to be input into the extraction cylinder 41 (see FIG. 3). The input hole 53 is formed on the cylinder head 44 side, and when the input holes 52 and 53 are connected, the ground coffee beans are allowed to be input into the extraction cylinder 41.

[0036] The filter block 43 is provided below the extraction cylinder 41 and is connected to the beverage supply line L3. The filter block 43 moves in the vertical direction toward and away from the extraction cylinder 41 when the block motor M2 is driven in response to a command given from the control unit 60.

[0037] The filter block 43 has a paper roller unit 48. The paper roller unit 48 holds a paper filter PF that is pulled out from a filter roll FR that is rotatably supported and stored in the filter storage unit 47 and guided by a guide roller GR. The filter roll FR winds up the paper filter PF. In other words, the filter storage unit 47 rotatably supports and stores the filter roll FR that winds up the paper filter PF used when the extractor 40 extracts a beverage.

[0038] When the paper filter PF pulled out from the filter roll FR is set on a predetermined path passing between the extraction cylinder 41 and the filter block 43, the filter block 43 unwinds the paper filter PF from the filter roll FR by the rotation of the paper roller unit 48. In other words, the paper roller unit 48 allows the unwinding operation that unwinds the paper filter PF from the filter roll FR.

[0039] The collection bucket 49 is disposed below the extractor 40 and collects the extraction grounds K (see FIG. 3) generated when the beverage is extracted by the extractor 40 together with the paper filter PF.

[0040] The pressurized air supply line L2 is configured by connecting a plurality of pressurized air supply pipes, with one end connected to the cylinder head 44 and the other end connected to the middle of the beverage supply line L3. An air pump P3 and pinch valves V1 and V2 are provided on this pressurized air supply line L2. A pressure reduction line L5 is connected to the pressurized air supply line L2 between the pinch valve V1 and the cylinder head 44. A pinch valve V5 is provided on this pressure reduction line L5.

[0041] The air pump P3 is driven in response to a command given from the control unit 60, and compresses and sends out air. The pinch valve V1 is provided at one end side (cylinder head 44 side) of the air pump P3. The pinch valve V1 opens and closes in response to a command given from the control unit 60, and when in an open state, it allows the passage of fluid, while when in a closed state, it restricts the passage of fluid. The pinch valve V2 is provided at the other end side (beverage supply line L3 side) of the air pump P3. The pinch valve V2 opens and closes in response to a command given from the control unit 60, and when in an open state, it allows the passage of fluid, while when in a closed state, it restricts the passage of fluid. The pinch valve V5 is an opening and closing valve that opens and closes in response to a command given from the control unit 60, and when in an open state, it allows the passage of fluid in the extraction cylinder 41 and releases the residual pressure in the extraction cylinder 41 to the atmosphere, while when in a closed state, it restricts the passage of fluid in the extraction cylinder 41.

[0042] The drain line L4 is configured by connecting one or more drain pipes, and is provided in a manner that branches off from the beverage supply line L3 midway and extends to an area above the containing bucket 49. This drain line L4 is provided with a pinch valve V4. The pinch valve V4 opens and closes in response to a command given from the control unit 60, and when in an open state, it allows the passage of fluids such as waste liquid, while when in a closed state, it restricts the passage of fluids such as waste liquid.

[0043] As a result, the collection bucket 49 collects the extraction grounds K generated when the beverage is extracted by the extractor 40, the paper filter PF used in extracting the beverage, and the waste liquid generated when the extractor 40 is cleaned.

[0044] The nozzle N is detachably attached to a nozzle attachment portion (not shown) provided on the front door 20. By being attached to the nozzle attachment portion, the nozzle N is disposed in a manner facing the beverage supply unit 22. In other words, the nozzle N is detachably disposed in a manner facing the beverage supply unit 22. Such a nozzle N dispenses the beverage supplied through the beverage supply line L3 into the cup C placed on the stage 22a.

[0045] The control unit 60 generally controls the operation of each part of the beverage supplying device in accordance with programs and data stored in a storage unit (not shown). Note that the control unit 60 may be realized by, for example, having a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute a program, that is, by software, by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0046] <Beverage supply processing> Next, the beverage supply process by the beverage supply device will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the beverage extraction process. Note that the beverage supply process includes a beverage extraction process. The beverage supply device supplies a beverage extracted by the beverage production unit 30 to a cup C placed on the stage 22a of the beverage supply unit 22.

[0047] First, the extractor 40 is in a standby state (FIG. 3(a)). In this standby state, hot water at a predetermined temperature is generated and stored in the hot water tank 36, the pinch valves V1, V3, V4, and V5 are in a closed state, and the pinch valve V2 is in an open state. Also, the cylinder head 44 is in an open state.

[0048] Thereafter, when the user touches the display unit 21, the control unit 60 receives a sales signal for the selected beverage, which moves the filter block 43 upward, then issues a drive command to the ingredient supply drive unit 31a to have the grinder 33 dispense an amount of coffee beans corresponding to the beverage, and issues a drive command to the grinder 33 to grind the coffee beans, and feeds the ground coffee beans into the extraction cylinder 41 through the feed holes 52, 53 (FIG. 3(b)). Thereafter, the drive of the ingredient supply drive unit 31a is stopped.

[0049] The control unit 60 also drives the metering pump P1 to send a fixed amount of hot water from the hot water tank 36 to the auxiliary tank 37, while driving the hot water supply pump P2 to pressurize the hot water in the auxiliary tank 37 and send it to the extractor 40, thereby feeding the hot water into the extraction cylinder 41 through the feed hole 51 (FIG. 3(b)). Thereafter, the control unit 60 stops driving the metering pump P1 and the hot water supply pump P2.

[0050] Thereafter, the control unit 60 drives the air pump P3 to supply pressurized air (pressurized air for stirring) from the filter block 43 side into the extraction cylinder 41 using a part of the pressurized air supply line L2, thereby stirring (forced stirring) the ground coffee beans and hot water (FIG. 3(c)). Thereafter, the control unit 60 stops driving the air pump P3.

[0051] Thereafter, the control unit 60 moves the cylinder head 44 to close the top opening of the extraction cylinder 41 (FIG. 3(d)). As a result, the space between the input hole 51 and the extraction cylinder 41 is closed, and the spaces between the input holes 52 and 53 and the extraction cylinder 41 are closed.

[0052] Thereafter, the control unit 60 closes the pinch valve V2, opens the pinch valves V1 and V3, and drives the air pump P3. The pinch valves V4 and V5 are maintained in a closed state. As a result, pressurized air (pressurized air for extraction) is supplied into the extraction cylinder 41 via the pressurized air supply line L2 and the pressurized supply hole 54, and the coffee liquid, which is the beverage, is extracted. The extracted coffee liquid is supplied to the nozzle N via the beverage supply line L3, and is discharged from the nozzle N into the cup C (FIG. 3(e)).

[0053] At this time, the temperature sensor S1 detects the presence or absence of coffee liquid after the supply of the beverage to the nozzle N side has started. When the temperature sensor S1 changes from the presence of coffee liquid to the absence of coffee liquid based on the detection result of the temperature sensor S1, the control unit 60 determines that the supply of beverage to the cup C has been completed at the time of the change. When the control unit 60 determines that the supply of beverage to the cup C has been completed, it unlocks the opening and closing door 23 that opens and closes the beverage supply unit on which the cup C is placed, and displays on the display unit 21 that the beverage supply has been completed. This allows the user to take out the cup C from the beverage supply unit 22 by swinging the opening and closing door 23 in the opening direction. Furthermore, when the control unit 60 determines that the supply of beverage to the cup C has been completed, it stops the operation of the air pump P3 that supplies pressurized air to the extraction cylinder 41, and closes the pinch valve V1.

[0054] Thereafter, the control unit 60 opens the pinch valve V5 to open the inside of the extraction cylinder 41 to the atmosphere via the pressurized air supply line L2 and the decompression line L5, thereby releasing the residual pressure in the extraction cylinder 41 (FIG. 3(f)).

[0055] Thereafter, the control unit 60 moves the cylinder head 44 to open the top opening of the extraction cylinder 41 (FIG. 3(g)). Furthermore, the control unit 60 supplies hot water from the hot water supply unit 35 to the extraction cylinder 41 to wash the inside of the extraction cylinder 41, opens the pinch valve V4, and discharges the water remaining in the extraction cylinder 41 as waste liquid into the collection bucket 49 via the drain line L4.

[0056] Thereafter, the control unit 60 closes the pinch valve V4, moves the filter block 43 downward, and issues an operation command to the paper roller unit 48 to extend the paper filter PF by a predetermined amount, and collects the extraction grounds K produced by the extraction of the coffee liquid (beverage) together with the paper filter PF in the collection bucket 49 (Figure 3(h)), and transitions to the standby state of Figure 3(a).

[0057] <Beverage presence detection sensor> 4 is a time chart showing the relationship between the detection result of the temperature sensor S1 and the drive of the air pump P3. The temperature sensor S1 is an example of a beverage presence / absence detection sensor, and detects the presence or absence of a beverage based on the difference in temperature in the beverage supply line L3.

[0058] As shown in Figure 4, when the air pump P3 is activated at time t1 (Figure 4(c)), the temperature sensor S1 detects an increase in temperature due to the flow of beverage at time t2 after time t1, reaches beverage temperature T2 at time t3 and remains at this temperature until time t4, after which the flow of beverage stops and the temperature drops (Figure 4(a)). At time t5, the temperature reaches temperature T11, which is a predetermined value ΔT lower than temperature T12.

[0059] The temperature sensor S1 detects that there is no beverage in the beverage supply line L3 until time t2, detects that there is a beverage in the beverage supply line L3 from time t2 to time t5, and detects that there is no beverage in the beverage supply line L3 after time t5 (FIG. 4(b)). Even if there is no beverage in the beverage supply line L3, the temperature does not drop immediately, so the temperature sensor S1 detects that there is no beverage after time t5 when the temperature has dropped by a predetermined value ΔT.

[0060] The control unit 60 then determines that the supply of beverage to the cup C has finished at time t5 when it detects that there is no beverage, and unlocks the opening and closing door 23 while displaying the fact that the supply of beverage has finished on the display unit 21. Furthermore, at time t5, the control unit 60 stops the operation of the air pump P3 to stop the supply of pressurized air.

[0061] <Variation 1> In the above embodiment, a temperature sensor S1 is used as a beverage presence / absence detection sensor, but in this modified example 1, a liquid detection sensor S2 is used. The liquid detection sensor S2 detects the presence or absence of a beverage based on the difference in refractive index between the liquid and gas in the beverage supply line L3. The difference in refractive index may be detected, for example, by detecting the direction of refraction of light. Figure 5 is a time chart showing the relationship between the detection result of the liquid detection sensor S2 in modified example 1 and the operation of the air pump P3.

[0062] As shown in Figure 5, when the air pump P3 is activated at time t11 (Figure 5(c)), the liquid detection sensor S2 detects light in the refractive index direction when liquid is present (1) at time t12 after time t11 due to the flow of beverage, and then, at time t13, the flow of beverage stops, and the detection of light in the refractive index direction when liquid is present becomes non-detection (0).

[0063] As a result, the liquid detection sensor S2 detects that there is no beverage in the beverage supply line L3 until time t12, detects that there is beverage in the beverage supply line L3 from time t12 to time t13, and detects that there is no beverage in the beverage supply line L3 after time t13 (Figure 5(b)).

[0064] Then, the control unit 60 determines that the time t13 when it detects that there is no beverage is the time when the supply of beverage to the cup C has ended, and unlocks the opening and closing door 23 and displays an indication that the supply of beverage has ended on the display unit 21. Furthermore, at time t13, the control unit 60 stops the operation of the air pump P3 to stop the supply of pressurized air.

[0065] <Variation 2> In the above embodiment, the temperature sensor S1 is used as the beverage presence detection sensor, but in this modified example 2, a flow sensor S3 is used. The flow sensor S3 integrates the flow rate of the liquid in the beverage supply line L3 per unit time, and when the integrated flow rate increases, it detects that there is a beverage flow and that there is a beverage, and when the integrated flow rate remains constant, it detects that there is no beverage flow and that there is no beverage. Figure 6 is a time chart showing the relationship between the detection result of the flow sensor S3 in modified example 2 and the drive of the air pump P3.

[0066] As shown in Figure 6, when air pump P3 is driven at time t21 (Figure 6(c)), the integrated flow rate of flow sensor S3 increases at time t22 after time t21 due to the flow of beverage (Figure 6(a)), and therefore detects the presence of beverage from time t22 onwards (Figure 6(b)). After that, flow sensor S3 detects the absence of beverage from time t23 onwards (Figure 6(b)) because there is no flow of beverage at time t23 and the integrated flow rate does not change (Figure 6(a)).

[0067] Then, the control unit 60 determines that the time t23 when it detects that there is no beverage is the time when the supply of beverage to the cup C has ended, and unlocks the opening and closing door 23 and displays an indication that the supply of beverage has ended on the display unit 21. Furthermore, at time t23, the control unit 60 stops the operation of the air pump P3 to stop the supply of pressurized air.

[0068] <Modification 3> In the above-mentioned modified example 2, a flow sensor S3 that measures an integrated flow rate is used, but in this modified example 3, a flow sensor S4 that measures a unit time flow rate is used. The flow sensor S4 measures the unit time flow rate of the liquid in the beverage supply line L3. Figure 7 is a time chart showing the relationship between the detection result of the flow sensor S4 of modified example 3 and the drive of the air pump P3.

[0069] As shown in Figure 7, when the air pump P3 is driven at time t31 (Figure 7(c)), the flow rate per unit time of the flow sensor S4 increases from 0 to q (Figure 7(a)) because there is a flow of beverage at time t32 after time t31, and the presence of beverage is detected from time t32 onwards (Figure 7(b)). After that, the flow of beverage stops at time t33, so the flow rate per unit time of the flow sensor S4 becomes 0 (Figure 7(a)), and from time t33 onwards the absence of beverage is detected (Figure 7(b)).

[0070] Then, the control unit 60 determines that the time t33 when it detects that there is no beverage is the time when the supply of beverage to the cup C has ended, and unlocks the opening and closing door 23 and displays an indication that the supply of beverage has ended on the display unit 21. Furthermore, at time t33, the control unit 60 stops the operation of the air pump P3 to stop the supply of pressurized air.

[0071] <Modification 4> In the present modification 4, a flow sensor S5 using gears is used as a beverage presence detection sensor, and the presence or absence of liquid is detected by the difference in the rotation speed of the gears. Fig. 8 is a time chart showing the relationship between the detection result of the flow sensor S5 of modification 4 and the drive of the air pump P3.

[0072] As shown in Figure 8, when the air pump P3 is driven at time t41 (Figure 8(c)), the flow sensor S5 detects the presence of beverage from time t42 (Figure 8(b)), as the rotation speed of the gear increases from 0 to ω1 (Figure 8(a)) due to the presence of beverage at time t42. After that, at time t43, the flow of beverage stops, i.e., there is no liquid and the gears rotate freely, causing the rotation speed of the gears to increase further from ω1 to ω2 (Figure 8(a)), and from time t44 onwards, the flow sensor S5 detects that there is no beverage (Figure 8(b)).

[0073] Then, the control unit 60 determines that the time t44 when it detects that there is no beverage is the time when the supply of beverage to the cup C has finished, and unlocks the opening and closing door 23 and displays an indication that the supply of beverage has finished on the display unit 21. Furthermore, at time t44, the control unit 60 stops the operation of the air pump P3 to stop the supply of pressurized air.

[0074] <Variation 5> In the above-mentioned embodiment and variants 1 to 4, the beverage presence / absence detection sensor was provided on the beverage supply line L3, but in the present variant 5, as shown in FIG. 9, the beverage presence / absence detection sensor is provided in the extraction cylinder 41, and is a pressure sensor S11 that detects the pressure within the extraction cylinder 41.

[0075] Fig. 10 is a time chart showing the relationship between the detection result of the pressure sensor S11 and the drive of the air pump P3 in the fifth modified example. As shown in Fig. 10, when the air pump P3 is driven at time t51 (Fig. 10(c)), the pressure sensor S11 detects that the pressure rises at time t52 after time t51, the pressure reaches P2 at time t53 and is maintained until time t54, and after time t54, the beverage to be discharged in the extraction cylinder 41 runs out and the pressurized air escapes to the beverage supply line L3 side, so the pressure drops (Fig. 10(a)). At time t55, the pressure becomes P11, which is lower than the pressure P12 by a predetermined value ΔP.

[0076] The pressure sensor S11 detects that there is no beverage in the beverage supply line L3 until time t52, detects that there is a beverage in the beverage supply line L3 from time t52 to time t55, and detects that there is no beverage in the beverage supply line L3 after time t55 (Figure 10(b)).

[0077] Then, the control unit 60 determines that the time t55 when it detects that there is no beverage is the time when the supply of beverage to the cup C has finished, and unlocks the opening and closing door 23 and displays the fact that the supply of beverage has finished on the display unit 21. Furthermore, at time t55, the control unit 60 stops the operation of the air pump P3 to stop the supply of pressurized air.

[0078] In the above embodiment and modified example, the air pump P3 is stopped when it is detected that there is no beverage, but this is not limiting and the operating time of the air pump P3 may be a preset operating time depending on the type of beverage. However, the control unit 60 determines that the time when it detects that there is no beverage is the time when the supply of beverage to the cup C is completed, and unlocks the opening and closing door 23 and displays on the display unit 21 that the beverage supply is completed. This reduces the waiting time for beverage supply regardless of whether the air pump P3 is operating.

[0079] In addition, if the absence of beverage is not detected within the specified time and beverage supply is not completed due to a decrease in the capacity of the air pump P3 due to aging or a piping problem, for example, if the presence of beverage is detected even though the air pump P3 has stopped, an error message will be displayed on the display unit 21, etc.

[0080] In this embodiment and its variants, it is possible to detect whether or not a beverage is actually being supplied, and directly detect the completion of the beverage extraction operation. Therefore, the opening and closing door can be unlocked in accordance with the actual beverage extraction operation time, regardless of the operation of the air pump P3, etc., and the display unit 21 can display the fact that beverage supply has ended, thereby shortening the waiting time for customers for beverage supply.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment and its modified examples, the presence or absence of a beverage actually being supplied is detected, and the completion of the beverage extraction operation can be directly detected, so there is no need to set a longer extraction operation time to allow for a safety margin, and the beverage extraction operation time, including the operation of the air pump P3, can be shortened. In particular, since the operation time of the air pump P3 can be shortened, the life of the air pump P3 can be extended, and the parts cost can be reduced.

[0082] Furthermore, when the beverage extraction operation is completed, there is residual pressure inside the extraction cylinder 41, and when the top opening of the extraction cylinder 41 is opened to remove this residual pressure, the residual pressure causes coffee grounds (extraction grounds K) to scatter and generates an opening noise. For this reason, currently, the top opening of the extraction cylinder 41 is not opened when the beverage extraction operation is completed, but is opened only after waiting for the residual pressure to be released from the lower part of the extraction cylinder 41, which is the beverage extraction side.

[0083] In this case, extraction grounds K remained on the paper filter PF, and this extraction grounds K acted as resistance, slowing down the decrease in internal pressure in the extraction cylinder 41. As a result, the extraction operation time, including the release of residual pressure after the beverage extraction operation was completed, was longer.

[0084] In contrast, in this embodiment and its modified examples, a pressure reduction line L5 is provided to release the residual pressure in the extraction cylinder 41 to the atmosphere after the beverage extraction operation is completed, thereby shortening the extraction operation time, thereby shortening the waiting time for the customer to be supplied with the beverage and preventing the occurrence of dirt due to the scattering of extraction grounds K, etc.

[0085] In addition, each configuration illustrated in the above embodiment is a functional schematic, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of distribution and integration of each device and component is not limited to that illustrated, and all or a part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various usage conditions, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1. Device body 10 Main Cabinet 12 Top plate 20 Front door 21 Display section 22 Beverage supply section Stage 22a 23 Opening and closing doors 30 Beverage production department 31 Raw material box 31a Raw material supply drive unit 32 Raw material chute 33 Crusher 34 Powder Shoot 35 Hot water supply section 36 Hot Water Tank 36a Heater 37 Auxiliary Tank 40 Extractor 41 Extraction cylinder 42 Lid 43 Filter Block 44 Cylinder head 47 Filter storage section 48 Paper roller part 49 Containment Bucket 51~53 Input hole 54 Pressure supply hole 60 Control section C Cup FR filter roll GR guide roller K extraction slag L1 Hot water line L2 Pressurized air supply line L3 Beverage supply line L4 Drain line L5 Pressure Reducing Line M1 Drive Mechanism M2 Block Motor N Nozzle P1 Metering Pump P2 Hot water pump P3 Air Pump PF Paper Filter S1 Temperature Sensor S2 Liquid Detection Sensor S3~S5 Flow Sensor S11 Pressure Sensor V1~V5 Pinch valve V11 Check valve

Claims

1. A beverage supplying device that includes an extractor that extracts a beverage by adding ground ingredients and hot water, and supplies the beverage extracted by the extractor to a cup through a nozzle, a temperature sensor that is provided upstream of a beverage supply line that delivers the beverage extracted by the extractor to the nozzle side and upstream of a branch point of a drainage line that branches off from the beverage supply line, and that detects the presence or absence of the beverage supplied from the extractor to the nozzle side based on a difference in temperature within the beverage supply line; an opening and closing door that locks the beverage supply unit in a closed state after the cup is placed on the beverage supply unit until the beverage supply is completed, and unlocks the closed state of the beverage supply unit when the beverage supply is completed; a control unit that determines that the supply of beverage to the cup has been completed when a detection result of the temperature sensor changes from the presence of the beverage to the absence of the beverage; Equipped with The beverage supply device is characterized in that when the control unit determines that the beverage supply to the cup has been completed, it unlocks the opening and closing door that opens and closes the beverage supply unit on which the cup is placed, and displays on a display unit that the beverage supply has been completed.

2. The beverage supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the control unit determines that the supply of beverage to the cup has been completed, it stops driving an air pump that supplies pressurized air for discharging the beverage extracted by the extractor.

3. a cylinder head that closes an upper surface opening of a brewing cylinder in the brewing machine that performs the brewing process of the beverage when the beverage is brewed; an air pump for supplying pressurized air into the extraction cylinder through a pressure supply hole provided in the cylinder head; a pressurized air supply line connecting the pressurized supply hole and the air pump; a pressure reducing line connected to the pressurized air supply line and capable of being opened to the atmosphere via an on-off valve; Equipped with The beverage supply device described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that after closing the cylinder head, the control unit drives the air pump to supply the pressurized air into the extraction cylinder to extract the beverage, and after the extraction, stops the air pump and opens the on-off valve to reduce the pressure of the pressurized air in the extraction cylinder via the pressure reduction line.

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