Coffee maker

Abstract

To provide a coffee maker capable of changing a position to pour hot water in a dripper.SOLUTION: A coffee maker includes: a tank for storing water; a heater attached to the tank; a dripper arranged on a lower side of the tank, for extracting coffee; and a receiving part arranged on an upper side of the dripper, for receiving hot water supplied from the tank. On a bottom surface of the receiving part, a first hot water hole penetrating vertically, and a second hot water hole penetrating vertically and arranged at a higher position than the first hot water hole are formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present technology relates to a coffee maker that extracts coffee by pouring hot water into a dripper.

Background Art

[0002] There has been proposed a coffee maker that extracts coffee by pouring hot water into a dripper. The coffee maker heats the water in a tank until just before boiling to make hot water, pours a first amount of hot water into the dripper, and steams the coffee powder in the dripper. Then, a second amount of hot water is poured into the dripper to extract coffee. By ensuring sufficient steaming time, the temperature of the coffee powder is sufficiently increased to improve the taste of the coffee.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The area of the coffee powder in the dripper as viewed in plan varies depending on the amount of coffee powder put into the dripper. When a large amount of coffee powder is put in, the area also becomes large. In order to improve the taste of coffee, it is preferable to pour hot water over the entire area of the coffee powder. On the other hand, if hot water is poured on a part where there is no coffee powder, the coffee becomes unnecessarily weak. Also, when steaming the coffee powder, it is preferable to pour hot water over the entire area of the coffee powder in order to steam the coffee powder evenly.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a coffee maker capable of changing the position where hot water is poured into a dripper.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A coffee maker according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a tank for storing water, a heater attached to the tank, a dripper disposed below the tank for extracting coffee, and a receiving section disposed above the dripper for receiving hot water supplied from the tank, wherein the bottom surface of the receiving section has a first hot water passage hole that penetrates vertically and a second hot water passage hole that penetrates vertically and is positioned higher than the first hot water passage hole.

[0007] In the coffee maker according to this disclosure, for example, if the amount or flow rate of hot water supplied from the on-off valve to the receiving section is reduced, hot water is poured into the dripper from the first hot water hole, and if the amount or flow rate of hot water supplied from the on-off valve to the receiving section is increased, hot water is poured into the dripper from both the first and second hot water holes. In other words, the use or non-use of the second hot water hole can be selected.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the coffee maker is configured such that the first hot water passage is located inside a predetermined region in a plan view, and the second hot water passage is located outside the predetermined region.

[0009] In the coffee maker relating to this disclosure, when the second water passage is not used, hot water is poured into the inside of a predetermined area, and when the second water passage is used, hot water is poured into both the inside and outside of the predetermined area.

[0010] A coffee maker according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a hot water supply passage for supplying hot water from the tank to the receiving section, an on-off valve interposed in the hot water supply passage, a start reception section for receiving the start of coffee extraction, and a first control unit that, when the start reception section receives the start of coffee extraction, controls the opening time or degree of the on-off valve so that hot water flows through the first hot water passage and the second hot water passage in order to pre-infuse the coffee grounds in the dripper.

[0011] In the coffee maker relating to this disclosure, hot water is poured through the first and second hot water holes to allow the entire coffee grounds to steep.

[0012] A coffee maker according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a hot water supply passage for supplying hot water from the tank to the receiving section, an on-off valve interposed in the hot water supply passage, a designation reception section for receiving a designation of a first amount or a second amount greater than the first amount of coffee, and a second control unit that, when the designation reception section receives a designation of the first amount of coffee, controls the opening time or degree of opening of the on-off valve so that hot water flows through the first hot water passage and hot water does not flow through the second hot water passage.

[0013] In the coffee maker relating to this disclosure, when brewing a first amount of coffee, for example, when brewing a regular cup-sized amount of coffee, hot water is poured only through the first hot water passage. All of the poured hot water can pass through the entirety of the coffee grounds.

[0014] A coffee maker according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a hot water supply passage for supplying hot water from the tank to the receiving section, an on-off valve interposed in the hot water supply passage, a designation reception section for receiving a designation of a first amount or a second amount greater than the first amount of coffee, and a third control unit that, when the designation reception section receives a designation of the second amount of coffee, controls the opening time or degree of opening of the on-off valve so that hot water flows through the first and second hot water holes.

[0015] In the coffee maker relating to this disclosure, when brewing a second amount of coffee, for example, a mug-sized amount of coffee, hot water is poured through the first and second hot water holes. All of the poured hot water can pass through the entirety of the coffee grounds. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] In a coffee maker according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, for example, if the amount or flow rate of hot water supplied from the on-off valve to the receiving section is reduced, hot water is poured into the dripper from the first hot water hole, and if the amount or flow rate of hot water supplied from the on-off valve to the receiving section is increased, hot water is poured into the dripper from both the first and second hot water holes. That is, the use or non-use of the second hot water hole can be selected to change the position in which the hot water is poured within the dripper. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a schematic right side view of a coffee maker according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] It is a schematic front view showing a second tank, a first electromagnetic valve, a second electromagnetic valve, a dripper, etc. [Figure 3] It is a schematic perspective view of a receiving part. [Figure 4] It is a schematic plan view of a receiving part. [Figure 5] It is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line V-V shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a block diagram of an operation unit, a control device, a heater, etc. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart for explaining the drive process of the coffee maker by the control device. [Figure 8] It is a plan view schematically showing the positional relationship between a dripper, coffee powder, and a central region. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart for explaining the drive process of the coffee maker by the control device according to Embodiment 2.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the drawings showing a coffee maker according to Embodiment 1. In the following description, the up-down, front-back, left-right shown in the drawings are used. "Coffee" indicates the extracted liquid coffee, and "coffee powder" indicates the powder obtained by grinding coffee beans. FIG. 1 is a schematic right side view of the coffee maker, and FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a second tank 2, a first electromagnetic valve 11, a second electromagnetic valve 16, a dripper 7, etc. The coffee maker includes a first tank 1 for storing water and a second tank 2 for storing the water supplied from the first tank 1. The second tank 2 has smaller vertical dimensions and a smaller capacity than the first tank 1. The second tank 2 is disposed in front of the upper part of the first tank 1. The first tank 1 is made of a synthetic resin member. The first tank 1 has a main body 1a having an opening formed on the upper side and an upper lid 1b capable of opening and closing the opening. The user can open the upper lid 1b and put water into the first tank 1.

[0019] The second tank 2 is constituted by, for example, a metal member. The second tank 2 has a main body 2a with an opening formed on the upper side and an upper lid 2b. The upper lid 2b is screwed to the main body 2a of the second tank 2 to close the opening. The first tank 1 and the second tank 2 are connected by a water supply pipe 18. One end of the water supply pipe 18 is connected to the bottom surface of the first tank 1, and the other end of the water supply pipe 18 is connected to the upper lid 2b of the second tank 2. An electric pump 3 is provided in the middle of the water supply pipe 18. Water is pumped from the first tank 1 to the second tank 2 by the electric pump 3. The electric pump 3 constitutes a water pumping part. A check valve 19 for preventing backflow from the second tank 2 to the first tank 1 is provided in the water supply pipe 18.

[0020] Note that the first tank 1 may be arranged above the second tank 2, and a solenoid valve may be provided in the water supply pipe instead of the electric pump 3. By opening the solenoid valve, water is pumped from the first tank 1 to the second tank 2. In this case, the solenoid valve constitutes a water pumping part.

[0021] A heater 5 is attached to the outer bottom surface of the second tank 2. A temperature sensor 4 is attached to the second tank 2. The temperature sensor 4 penetrates the upper lid 2b of the second tank 2 and extends toward the bottom surface of the second tank 2. A gap is provided between the lower end of the temperature sensor 4 and the bottom surface. Note that the heater 5 may be attached to the outer surface of the second tank 2.

[0022] A dripper 7 is detachably provided below the second tank 2. The second tank 2 and the dripper 7 are separated by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction. The dripper 7 is constituted by, for example, a metal member or a resin member. A receiving part 8 for receiving hot water supplied from the second tank 2 is arranged above the dripper 7. The receiving part 8 has a flat bottomed cylindrical shape or a dish shape with an open upper surface. A lid 9 is provided above the receiving part 8. The lid 9 closes the opening of the receiving part 8. Details of the configuration of the receiving part 8 will be described later.

[0023] A first hot water supply passage 10 is provided between the receiving section 8 and the second tank 2 in the vertical direction. One end of the first hot water supply passage 10 is connected to the bottom surface of the second tank 2, and the other end is connected to the lid 9 of the receiving section 8. The first hot water supply passage 10 is designed so that hot water flows from top to bottom, i.e., from the second tank 2 to the receiving section 8, due to the action of gravity. A first solenoid valve 11 is interposed in the middle of the first hot water supply passage 10. By opening the first solenoid valve 11, hot water is supplied from the second tank 2 to the receiving section 8. The first solenoid valve 11 is an on / off valve that can be fully open or fully closed. The first solenoid valve 11 constitutes an on / off valve.

[0024] A steam passage 6 is provided between the upper lid 2b of the second tank 2 and the lid 9 of the receiving section 8. Steam generated in the second tank 2 moves to the receiving section 8 through the steam passage 6. A shut-off valve may also be provided in the steam passage 6.

[0025] A tray 12 is provided below the dripper 7. In the vertical direction, the dripper 7 and the tray 12 are separated by a predetermined distance. A mesh cover 13 is provided above the tray 12. A container for storing coffee, such as a cup, can be placed on the cover 13. That is, the user can place a cup between the dripper 7 and the cover 13 in the vertical direction and collect the coffee extracted from the dripper 7 in the cup.

[0026] A second hot water supply passage 15 is provided between the cover 13 and the second tank 2 in the vertical direction. One end of the second hot water supply passage 15 is connected to the bottom surface of the second tank 2, and the other end is positioned at a predetermined distance above the cover 13. The other end of the second hot water supply passage 15 constitutes a spout. The spout is positioned opposite the rear side of the dripper 7 and above the lower end of the dripper 7. In the vertical direction, the spout is positioned between the rear side of the dripper 7 and the cover 13. The second hot water supply passage 15 is designed so that hot water flows from top to bottom due to gravity. A second solenoid valve 16 is interposed in the middle of the second hot water supply passage 15. When a cup is placed on the cover 13, opening the second solenoid valve 16 allows hot water to be supplied directly from the second tank 2 to the cup. That is, the second hot water supply passage 15 does not supply hot water to the dripper 7. The second solenoid valve 16 is an on / off valve that can be fully open or fully closed.

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the receiving portion 8, Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the receiving portion 8, and Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view with the VV line shown in Figure 4 as the cutting line. As described above, the receiving portion 8 is a flat, bottomed cylindrical or dish-shaped structure with an open top. The receiving portion 8 has a circular bottom portion 8a and a peripheral wall 8b that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom portion 8a. The peripheral wall 8b is annular in shape and is formed along the entire periphery of the bottom portion 8a. The peripheral wall 8b protrudes in the axial direction. The direction of protrusion of the peripheral wall 8b is upward. Two finger grips 8d are formed on the peripheral wall 8b. The finger grips 8d protrude radially outward from the peripheral wall 8b. Two locking portions 8c that lock onto the lid 9 are formed on the upper edge of the peripheral wall 8b.

[0028] The lid 9 of the receiving part 8 is fixed to the housing (not shown). The user engages the receiving part 8 with the lid 9 by bringing the locking part 8c close to the lid 9 from below, placing their finger on the finger hook 8d, and rotating the receiving part 8 in the forward direction. The receiving part 8 can be removed from the lid 9 by placing a finger on the finger hook 8d and rotating the receiving part 8 in the reverse direction. The user can remove the receiving part 8 from the lid 9, clean it, and reattach it to the lid 9.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, six mortar-shaped first recesses 81a are formed in the bottom surface 8a. A first through-hole 81 is formed in the center of each first recess 81a, penetrating the bottom surface 8a vertically. The six first through-holes 81 are formed inside the central region 85 of the bottom surface 8a. The central region 85 is, for example, rectangular in plan view, and the four first through-holes 81 are positioned slightly inward from each vertex of the rectangle. Two first through-holes 81 are aligned along the longitudinal direction of the rectangle in the center of the central region 85.

[0030] Outside the central region 85, four frustoconical, upwardly raised protrusions 82a are formed. Each of the four protrusions 82a faces the center of each of the four sides of the central region 85. A mortar-shaped second recess 82b is formed at the upper end of each protrusion 82a. A second through hole 82 is formed at the center of each second recess, penetrating vertically through the bottom surface 8a. As shown in Figure 5, the upper end of the second recess 82b is Δh higher than the upper end of the first recess 81a. In other words, the second through hole 82 is positioned higher than the first through hole 81.

[0031] When the first solenoid valve 11 is open, hot water is supplied from the second tank 2 to the receiving section 8. The flow rate (amount flowing per unit time) through the first solenoid valve 11 exceeds the sum of the flow rates from all the first hot water holes 81 and all the second hot water holes 82. If the opening time of the first solenoid valve 11 is short, that is, if the first solenoid valve 11 is open for the first hour as described later, the highest position of the liquid level of the hot water supplied to the receiving section 8 will be above the upper end of the first recess 81a and below the upper end of the second recess 82b, and the hot water will flow only through the first hot water hole 81. If the opening time of the first solenoid valve 11 is long, that is, if the first solenoid valve 11 is open for the second hour as described later, the highest position of the liquid level of the hot water supplied to the receiving section 8 will be above the upper end of the second recess 82b and below the upper end of the peripheral wall 8b, and the hot water will flow through both the first hot water hole 81 and the second hot water hole 82.

[0032] Figure 6 is a block diagram of the operation unit 21, control device 20, and heater 5, etc. The coffee maker includes the control device 20 and the operation unit 21. The control device 20 includes a control unit 20a, RAM 20b, and storage unit 20c. The control unit 20a includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU, MPU, GPU, or ASIC, or a logic circuit (for example, FPGA). The control unit 20a also includes a timer. RAM 20b temporarily stores information. The storage unit 20c includes a rewritable memory such as an EEPROM, EPROM, or flash memory, or a hard disk. The storage unit 20c pre-stores a control program that controls the operation of the coffee maker, as well as the boiling point, steam supply time, temperature T, extraction temperature T1, and brewing time, which will be described later.

[0033] Furthermore, the memory unit 20c pre-stores the following as the opening time for the first solenoid valve 11: a first time when the highest position of the liquid level of the hot water supplied to the receiving section 8 is above the upper end of the first recess 81a and below the upper end of the second recess 82b when the first solenoid valve 11 is opened; and a second time when the highest position of the liquid level of the hot water supplied to the receiving section 8 is above the upper end of the second recess 82b and below the upper end of the peripheral wall 8b when the first solenoid valve 11 is opened. The second time is longer than the first time. The control unit 20a loads the control program into the RAM 20b and controls the operation of the coffee maker.

[0034] The operation unit 21 includes, for example, switches, buttons, keys, or a touch panel, and accepts user input and outputs the input information to the control device 20. The switches include a start switch. The temperature sensor 4 outputs the temperature of the hot water in the second tank 2 to the control device 20. The control device 20 outputs on / off signals to the heater 5 and the electric pump 3. The control device 20 also outputs open / close signals to the first solenoid valve 11 and the second solenoid valve 16.

[0035] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the drive process of the coffee maker by the control device 20. In the initial state, the heater 5 and electric pump 3 are off, and the first solenoid valve 11 and the second solenoid valve 16 are closed. The dripper 7 is pre-filled with a filter and coffee grounds. The control unit 20a receives a signal from the operation unit 21 and determines whether the start switch has been turned on (S1). The on signal from the start switch includes information about the amount of coffee (water volume) to be produced, for example, information indicating the amount of water for a regular cup or a mug. The amount of water for a mug is greater than the amount of water for a regular cup.

[0036] If the start switch is not turned on (S1: NO), the control unit 20a returns to step S1. If the start switch is turned on (S1: YES), the control unit 20a drives the electric pump 3 for a predetermined time to deliver a first volume of water from the first tank 1 to the second tank 2 (S2). After driving for the predetermined time, the electric pump 3 stops. The first volume of water is approximately the same as the amount of hot water used to steep the coffee grounds. The control unit 20a turns on the heater 5 (S3). The timing of turning on the heater 5 may be immediately after starting the water delivery in step S2, or after the delivery of the first volume of water is completed. If an on-off valve is provided in the steam passage 6, the on-off valve is opened at the same time as the heater 5 is turned on.

[0037] The control unit 20a receives the value detected by the temperature sensor 4, i.e., the temperature T of the hot water in the second tank 2, and determines whether the temperature T is above the boiling point (S4). If the temperature T is not above the boiling point (S4: NO), the control unit 20a returns to step S4. If the temperature T is above the boiling point (S4: YES), the control unit 20a determines whether the steam supply time has elapsed since it was determined that the temperature T is above the boiling point (S5). The steam supply time is the time required to supply the steam generated in the second tank 2 to the dripper 7 and the coffee grounds in the dripper 7 via the steam passage 6. The dripper 7 and the coffee grounds are heated by the steam.

[0038] If the steam supply time has not elapsed (S5: NO), the control unit 20a returns to step S5. If the steam supply time has elapsed (S5: YES), the control unit 20a turns off the heater 5 (S6), opens the first solenoid valve 11 for two hours, and then closes it (S7). The second hour in step S7 may differ depending on whether information indicating the amount of hot water for a regular cup has been acquired or whether information indicating the amount of hot water for a mug has been acquired. In either case, the second hour is the time during which the highest position of the liquid level of the hot water supplied to the receiving section 8 is above the upper end of the second recess 82b and below the upper end of the peripheral wall 8b.

[0039] Figure 8 is a plan view illustrating the relative positions of the dripper 7, coffee grounds 70, and central region 85. The hatched areas indicate the area of ​​coffee grounds 70, and the dashed line indicates the central region 85. The upper part of Figure 8 shows the dripper 7 with coffee grounds 70 corresponding to a regular cup size, and the lower part of Figure 8 shows the dripper 7 with coffee grounds 70 corresponding to a mug size. The amount of coffee grounds 70 corresponding to a regular cup size is less than the amount of coffee grounds 70 corresponding to a mug size. The area of ​​the coffee grounds 70 corresponding to a regular cup size is smaller than the area of ​​the coffee grounds 70 corresponding to a mug size.

[0040] As shown in the upper part of Figure 8, the central region 85 overlaps with approximately 80% of the planar area of ​​the coffee grounds 70. As shown in the lower part of Figure 8, the central region 85 overlaps with approximately 50% of the planar area of ​​the coffee grounds 70. In step S7, hot water is supplied from the second tank 2 to the receiving section 8, and the highest position of the liquid level of the hot water supplied to the receiving section 8 is above the upper end of the second recess 82b and below the upper end of the peripheral wall 8b. That is, the hot water flows not only through the first water passage hole 81 located in the central region 85 of the receiving section 8, but also through the second water passage hole 82 located outside the central region 85. Therefore, in both the case of regular cup size and mug size, hot water is supplied to almost the entire planar area of ​​the coffee grounds 70 in the dripper 7, and the entire coffee grounds 70 can be steeped. Regardless of whether the information indicating the amount of hot water included in the ON signal from the start switch in step S1 is for a regular cup or a mug, in step S7, the first solenoid valve 11 is open for two hours, so that the entire amount of coffee grounds 70 can always be steeped.

[0041] The control unit 20a starts timing after the completion of the process in step S7 (S8). The start time of timing is a predetermined time after the completion of the process in step S7. The process in step S8 is for measuring the time it takes to steep the coffee grounds 70, i.e., the steeping time. The control unit 20a drives the electric pump 3 for a predetermined time to deliver a second amount of water from the first tank 1 to the second tank 2 (S9). The second amount of water may be different from or the same as the first amount of water. The second amount of water is approximately the same as the amount of hot water used to extract the coffee. The control unit 20a turns on the heater 5 (S10) and determines whether the temperature T of the water or hot water in the second tank 2 is equal to or greater than the extraction temperature T1 (S11). If the temperature T is not equal to or greater than the extraction temperature T1 (S11: NO), the control unit 20a returns to the process in step S11. The extraction temperature T1 is a temperature lower than the boiling point and is a suitable temperature for extracting coffee with less bitterness. For example, a temperature between 80°C and 90°C.

[0042] If the temperature T is equal to or greater than the extraction temperature T1 (S11: YES), the control unit 20a turns off the heater 5 (S12). After the processing in step S7 is completed, the control unit 20a determines whether the steeping time has elapsed (S13). If the steeping time has not elapsed (S13: NO), the control unit 20a returns to step S13. If the steeping time has elapsed (S13: YES), the control unit 20a ends the timing (S14). The steeping time is longer than the heating time. For example, the steeping time is 60 seconds and the heating time is 20-30 seconds. The steeping time may also be shorter than the heating time.

[0043] The control unit 20a opens the first solenoid valve 11 for one or two hours and then closes it (S15). If information indicating a regular cup size amount of hot water is received, the control unit 20a opens the first solenoid valve 11 for one hour and then closes it. Hot water flows down from the first hot water passage hole 81 to the dripper 7 and is supplied to the central area 85. As shown in the upper diagram of Figure 8, hot water is supplied to the coffee grounds 70 evenly. If information indicating a mug size amount of hot water is received, the control unit 20a opens the first solenoid valve 11 for two hours and then closes it. Note that if information indicating a mug size amount of hot water is received, the second hour in step S15 may be longer or shorter than the second hour in step S7. The second hour in step S15 is the same as the second hour in step S7, which is the time when the highest position of the liquid level of the hot water supplied to the receiving section 8 is above the upper end of the second recess 82b and below the upper end of the peripheral wall 8b. Hot water flows down into the dripper 7 from the first water passage hole 81 and the second water passage hole 82, supplying hot water to the central region 85 and the region outside the central region 85. As shown in the lower diagram of Figure 8, hot water is supplied to the coffee grounds 70 evenly.

[0044] In step S15, if the amount of coffee in the cup does not reach the target amount after one opening and closing operation of the first solenoid valve 11, the opening and closing operation of the first solenoid valve 11 is repeated intermittently multiple times with a predetermined waiting time in between until the target amount is reached. The waiting time is, for example, the time required for almost all of the hot water supplied to the receiving section 8 to be discharged from the receiving section 8. The target amount is about 30-70% of the standard amount for one cup of coffee (for example, 120 ml for a regular-sized cup, or 250 ml for a mug-sized cup). In other words, relatively strong coffee will accumulate in the coffee cup 14.

[0045] The control unit 20a opens the second solenoid valve 16 for a predetermined time, then closes it (S16), supplies hot water to the coffee cup 14, and ends the operation of the coffee maker. In step S16, the predetermined time for opening the second solenoid valve 16 is, for example, the time required to bring the amount of coffee in the coffee cup 14 to a standard amount. For example, it is the time required to supply an amount of hot water that is about 70-30% of the standard amount.

[0046] In the coffee maker according to Embodiment 1, when the amount of hot water supplied from the first solenoid valve 11 to the receiving section 8 is reduced, hot water is poured into the dripper 7 from the first hot water passage hole 81. When the amount of hot water supplied from the first solenoid valve 11 to the receiving section 8 is increased, hot water is poured into the dripper 7 from both the first hot water passage hole 81 and the second hot water passage hole 82. In other words, the use or non-use of the second hot water passage hole 82 can be selected to change the position in which the hot water is poured within the dripper 7.

[0047] Furthermore, if the second hot water outlet 82 is not used, hot water is poured into the inside of the central area 85, and if the second hot water outlet 82 is used, hot water is poured into both the inside and outside of the central area 85.

[0048] Furthermore, when steeping the coffee grounds, pouring hot water through the first and second hot water holes ensures that the entire coffee grounds are steeped evenly.

[0049] Furthermore, when brewing a regular-sized cup of coffee, pour hot water only through the first water outlet. This ensures that all the poured water passes through the coffee grounds, preventing the coffee from becoming unnecessarily diluted.

[0050] When brewing a mug-sized cup of coffee, pour hot water through both the first and second water passages. All the poured water will pass through the entire coffee grounds, ensuring that all of the coffee grounds are used without waste.

[0051] The raised portion 82a and the second water passage hole 82 may be omitted, and the first water passage hole 81 may be formed in the position of the second water passage hole 82. In this case, whether the coffee grounds 70 are being steeped or the coffee is being extracted, hot water is poured onto the coffee grounds 70 from the central region 85 and each of the first water passage holes 81 located outside the central region 85. In steps S7 and S15, the first solenoid valve 11 is opened and closed for a third time when the highest position of the liquid level of the hot water supplied to the receiving portion 8 is above the upper end of the first recess 81a and below the upper end of the peripheral wall 8b.

[0052] (Embodiment 2) The present invention will be described below with reference to drawings showing a coffee maker according to Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 2, components similar to those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions are omitted. In Embodiment 1, an on / off valve was used for the first solenoid valve 11, but in Embodiment 2, a flow control valve is used for the first solenoid valve 11 instead of the on / off valve. The opening degree of the first solenoid valve 11 can be changed to alter the flow rate (the amount flowing per unit time).

[0053] The memory unit 20c pre-stores the following opening degrees for the first solenoid valve 11: a first opening degree, where when the first solenoid valve 11 is opened, the highest position of the liquid level of the hot water supplied to the receiving section 8 is above the upper end of the first recess 81a and below the upper end of the second recess 82b; and a second opening degree, where when the first solenoid valve 11 is opened, the highest position of the liquid level of the hot water supplied to the receiving section 8 is above the upper end of the second recess 82b and below the upper end of the peripheral wall 8b. The first opening degree is set so that when a substantially constant flow rate of water flows through the first solenoid valve 11, the flow rate through the first solenoid valve 11 is less than or equal to the sum of the flow rates from all the first hot water holes 81. The second opening is set such that, when a nearly constant flow rate of water flows through the first solenoid valve 11, the flow rate through the first solenoid valve 11 exceeds the sum of the flow rates from all first hot water holes 81, and is less than or equal to the sum of the flow rates from all first hot water holes 81 and all second hot water holes 82.

[0054] When the first solenoid valve 11 is open, hot water is supplied from the second tank 2 to the receiving section 8. When the opening of the first solenoid valve 11 is at the first opening, the highest position of the liquid level of the hot water supplied to the receiving section 8 is above the upper end of the first recess 81a and below the upper end of the second recess 82b, and the hot water flows only through the first hot water passage hole 81. In other words, hot water flows down from the first hot water passage hole 81 to the dripper 7 and is supplied to the central region 85.

[0055] When the first solenoid valve 11 is open to the second degree, the highest position of the water level supplied to the receiving section 8 is above the upper end of the second recess 82b and below the upper end of the peripheral wall 8b, and the water flows through the first water passage hole 81 and the second water passage hole 82. In other words, water flows down from the first water passage hole 81 and the second water passage hole 82 to the dripper 7, and water is supplied to the central region 85 and the region outside the central region 85.

[0056] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the drive process of the coffee maker by the control device 20. Of the processes shown in Figure 9, steps S21-S26, S28-S34, and S36 are the same as steps S1-S6, S8-S14, and S16 shown in Figure 7, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0057] After turning off the heater 5 in step S26, the control unit 20a opens the first solenoid valve 11 at a second opening degree for a first predetermined time, and then closes it (S27). The first predetermined time is the time required to supply the amount of hot water necessary for the blooming of the coffee grounds 70.

[0058] After the timing is completed in step S34, the control unit 20a opens the first solenoid valve 11 at a first or second opening degree for a second predetermined time, and then closes it (S35). The second predetermined time is the time required for the amount of coffee in the cup to reach the target amount.

[0059] In the coffee maker according to Embodiment 2, when the flow rate of hot water supplied from the first solenoid valve 11 to the receiving section 8 is reduced, hot water is poured into the dripper 7 from the first hot water passage hole 81. When the flow rate of hot water supplied from the first solenoid valve 11 to the receiving section 8 is increased, hot water is poured into the dripper 7 from both the first hot water passage hole 81 and the second hot water passage hole 82. In other words, the use or non-use of the second hot water passage hole 82 can be selected to change the position in which the hot water is poured within the dripper 7.

[0060] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the claims and equivalents thereof. The matters described in each embodiment can be combined with one another. Furthermore, the independent and dependent claims described in the claims can be combined with one another in any combination, regardless of the form of reference. In addition, the claims use a multi-claim format in which claims refer to two or more other claims (multi-claim format), but are not limited thereto. They may also be described using a multi-claim format in which at least one multi-claim refers to another multi-claim (multi-multi-claim format). [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Tank No. 1 2. Second Tank (Tank) 3 Electric pump 4. Temperature Sensor 5 Heater 6 Steam channel 7. Dripper 8 Receiving part 81 1st hot water hole 82 2nd hot water hole 10. First hot water supply line (hot water supply line) 11. First solenoid valve (on / off valve) 15. Second hot water supply channel 16. Second solenoid valve 20 Control device 20a Control Unit

Claims

1. A tank for storing water, A heater attached to the aforementioned tank, A dripper for extracting coffee is located below the aforementioned tank, A receiving part is positioned above the dripper and receives hot water supplied from the tank. A steam passage that sends steam from the tank to the receiving section, Hot water is supplied from the tank to the receiving section, and a hot water supply path different from the steam path is provided. An on / off valve interposed in the hot water supply line, The reception desk for accepting orders to start coffee brewing, When the start reception unit determines that the start of coffee extraction has been received, the heating execution unit executes the heating using the heater until the temperature of the water stored in the tank reaches or exceeds the boiling point. Equipped with, A first through-hole that penetrates vertically and a second through-hole that penetrates vertically and is positioned higher than the first through-hole are formed on the bottom surface of the receiving portion. After heating is performed by the heating unit, a first control unit is provided that controls the opening time or degree of opening of the on / off valve so that hot water flows through the first and second hot water holes in order to steep the coffee grounds in the dripper. The first passage hole is located inside a predetermined area in a plan view, The second passage hole is located outside the predetermined area. Coffee maker.

2. A designation reception unit that accepts designations for a first quantity or a second quantity greater than the first quantity of coffee, When the designated reception unit receives a designation for the first quantity of coffee, a second control unit controls the opening time or degree of the on / off valve so that hot water flows through the first hot water passage but not through the second hot water passage. A coffee maker according to claim 1, comprising:

3. A designation reception unit that accepts designations for a first quantity or a second quantity greater than the first quantity of coffee, When the designated reception unit receives a designation for the second amount of coffee, a third control unit controls the opening time or degree of opening of the on / off valve so that hot water flows through the first and second hot water holes. A coffee maker according to claim 1, comprising:

Images