Storage equipment and beverage manufacturing equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a storage device, etc., in which the liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage space changes, and which can respond to abnormalities occurring in the float. [Solution] The determination means 11a determines that a first state (float abnormality 1 to 3 or a water supply timeout) has occurred in the float 730 if, despite the liquid level in the storage space 725 changing at a certain liquid level (high liquid level), there is no change in the detection result of the float 730 by sensors 731h, m, and l. If the control means 11a determines that the first state has occurred, it can perform recovery control (float recovery processing) by controlling the liquid volume change units 72d, 72l, and 72i without relying on the detection results of sensors 731h, m, and l to increase the amount of liquid stored in the storage space 725 (steps S511 to S514) and then decrease it (steps S516 to S521).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage device in which the liquid level of a liquid stored in a storage space changes, and a beverage manufacturing device including the storage device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a storage device that detects a changing liquid level of a liquid stored in a storage space by using a float floating on the liquid stored in the storage space (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a conventional storage device, there is a problem that if any abnormality occurs in the float, the liquid level cannot be detected.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage device capable of coping with an abnormality occurring in a float, and a beverage manufacturing device including the storage device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The storage device of the present invention for solving the above object is a storage tank having a storage space for storing a liquid, a liquid amount changing unit for changing the amount of the liquid stored in the storage space, a float that floats on the liquid stored in the storage space and moves up and down with a change in the liquid level of the storage space, a sensor for detecting the float, A storage device comprising control means for controlling the liquid volume changing section based on the detection result of the sensor, The system includes a determination means for determining the state of the float based on the detection result of the sensor, The determination means determines that a first state in which an abnormality has occurred in the float occurs when the amount of liquid stored in the storage space changes at a certain liquid level, but the detection result of the float by the sensor does not change. If the determination means determines that the first state is in place, the control means controls the liquid volume change unit without relying on the detection result of the sensor to perform recovery control, which involves increasing and then decreasing the amount of liquid stored in the storage space, or decreasing and then increasing it. The process is repeated until the first condition is resolved. It is feasible. the law of nature, The control means, in the recovery control, increases the amount of liquid for the first time so that the liquid level after the increase is lower than the full liquid level, and continues to increase the amount of liquid so that the liquid level after each increase is higher until the full liquid level of the storage space is reached. It is characterized by the following: Also, The control means, when reducing the amount of liquid for the first time in the recovery control, reduces the amount of liquid so that the liquid level after the reduction becomes higher than the empty liquid level. This could be considered a distinguishing feature.

[0007] Also, The control means may be characterized in that it can repeatedly execute the recovery control until the first state is resolved.

[0008] In addition, The control means may increase the amount of liquid in the recovery control until the liquid level of the storage space is full, such that the liquid level after each increase increases with each increase in the number of times the amount of liquid is increased.

[0009] For example, the control means may increase the amount of liquid in the recovery control such that the liquid level after the second increase is higher than the liquid level after the first increase.

[0010] Alternatively, the control means may, in the recovery control, increase the amount of liquid for the first time so that the liquid level after the increase is lower than the full liquid level, and in the recovery control, decrease the amount of liquid after the first increase so that the liquid level after the decrease is higher than the empty (0) liquid level.

[0011] Also, The determination means determines that if the recovery control is executed a predetermined number of times by the control means, the recovery control is in a second state in which the first state is not resolved. The control means may be characterized in that it terminates the recovery control when the determination means determines that the second state is in place.

[0012] Also, The system may also be characterized by having a notification means that provides notification indicating that the system is in the second state when the determination means determines that the system is in the second state.

[0013] Also, The control means is The system may be characterized in that, if the determination means determines that the system is in the first state, the recovery control is automatically executed.

[0014] Also, The determination means determines that the first state is in place when, despite the liquid level in the storage space decreasing the amount of liquid stored in the storage space at a certain first liquid level, there is no change in the detection result of the float by the sensor. The control means may be characterized in that, when the determination means determines that the first state is in place, it controls the liquid volume change unit without relying on the detection result of the sensor, thereby increasing and then decreasing the amount of liquid stored in the storage space as the recovery control.

[0015] In addition, It includes a float tube into which the liquid stored in the storage space can flow in. The float moves up and down inside the float tube along with the change in the water level of the storage space. The sensor includes a first sensor. The first sensor is arranged at a position where it detects the float when the liquid level in the storage space is the first liquid level, and does not detect the float when it is a certain second liquid level lower than the first liquid level. The determination means may determine that it is in the first state when the first sensor continues to detect the float even though the amount of the liquid stored in the storage space has decreased when the liquid level in the storage space is at the first liquid level.

[0016] Also, The determination means determines that it is in the first state when there is no change in the detection result of the float by the sensor even though the amount of the liquid stored in the storage space has increased when the liquid level in the storage space is a certain second liquid level. When it is determined by the determination means that it is in the first state, the control means controls the liquid amount changing part without relying on the detection result of the sensor, and as the recovery control, after reducing the amount of the liquid stored in the storage space, it increases the amount, which may be a feature.

[0017] Note that It includes a float tube into which the liquid stored in the storage space can flow in. The float moves up and down inside the float tube along with the change in the water level of the storage space. The sensor includes a second sensor. The second sensor is arranged at a position where it detects the float when the liquid level in the storage space is the second liquid level, and does not detect the float when it is a certain first liquid level higher than the second liquid level. The determination means may determine that the first state is in effect if the second sensor continues to detect the float even though the liquid level in the storage space has increased the amount of liquid stored in the storage space at the second liquid level.

[0018] The present invention provides a beverage manufacturing apparatus that solves the above-mentioned objectives. The present invention is characterized by being equipped with a storage device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to respond to abnormalities that occur in the float. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] This is an external view of a coffee machine 1, which corresponds to one embodiment of the beverage manufacturing apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a partial front view of coffee machine 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the control device and operation tablet included in the coffee machine shown. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the coffee machine. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the liquid flow rate adjustment device, as seen from diagonally above. [Figure 6] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 as seen from the opposite, diagonally downward direction compared to Figure 5. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional perspective view of the liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 shown in Figure 5, taken along the line A-A' shown in Figure 5. [Figure 8] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the liquid flow rate adjustment device 72. [Figure 9] This is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing the internal structure of the liquid flow rate adjustment device when the water level in the storage section is at the full tank level. [Figure 10]This is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing the internal structure of the liquid flow rate adjustment device when hot water is being measured in the metering section. [Figure 11] This is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing the internal structure of the fluid flow rate adjustment device 72 in the same way as in Figure 10, but in the case of a malfunction in the float during the hot water metering process. [Figure 12] This is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing the internal structure of the fluid flow rate adjustment device in the event of a malfunction in the float during the water draining process or hot water tank replacement process at closing time, which will be described later. [Figure 13] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing the internal structure of the liquid flow rate adjustment device when water is supplied to the hot water tank from an empty state until the storage section is full, but a malfunction occurs in the float. [Figure 14] This is a flowchart showing the main processing flow of coffee machine 1. [Figure 15] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the processing flow during the waiting period. [Figure 16] This is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt processing flow. [Figure 17] This is a flowchart showing the flow of the extraction process. [Figure 18] This flowchart shows the flow of the hot water tank water replacement process when coffee machine 1 is in the process of replacing the hot water tank water. [Figure 19] This flowchart shows the process for draining water at closing time. [Figure 20] This is a flowchart showing the monitoring process flow. [Figure 21] Figure 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of the float anomaly 2 monitoring process. [Figure 22] Figure 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of the float anomaly 3 monitoring process. [Figure 23] Figure 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of the hot water tank water supply abnormality monitoring process. [Figure 24] This is a flowchart showing the flow of the float recovery process. [Figure 25]This flowchart shows the continuation of the float recovery process as shown in Figure 24. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] <1. Overview of the coffee machine> Figure 1 is an external view of a coffee machine 1 corresponding to one embodiment of the beverage manufacturing apparatus of the present invention. The coffee machine 1 shown in Figure 1 is an apparatus that automatically manufactures coffee beverages from roasted coffee beans and liquid (water in this case), and can produce one cup of coffee beverage per manufacturing operation. The roasted coffee beans used as raw materials can be stored in a canister 40. A cup holder 110 is provided at the bottom of the coffee machine 1, and the manufactured coffee beverage is poured into the cup from a pouring section 10c.

[0023] The coffee machine 1 includes a housing 100 that forms its exterior and encloses its internal mechanism. The housing 100 is equipped with a power switch (not shown) and a ventilation fan. The housing 100 is broadly divided into a main body 101 and a cover 102 that covers part of the front and part of the sides of the coffee machine 1. An operation tablet 12 is attached to the cover 102. The operation tablet 12 shown in Figure 1 is a terminal with a touch panel liquid crystal display as its display unit, and in addition to displaying various information, it can accept input from the device administrator and beverage consumers. The operation tablet 12 is attached to the cover 102 via a movable mechanism 121 and can be moved vertically within a certain range by the movable mechanism 121.

[0024] The cover section 102 is also provided with a bean input port 103 and an opening / closing door 103a for opening and closing the bean input port 103. By opening the opening / closing door 103a, it is possible to put roasted coffee beans different from those stored in the canister 40 into the bean input port 103. This makes it possible to provide beverage consumers with a special cup of coffee.

[0025] The cover portion 102 shown in Figure 1 is made of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic or glass, and its entirety constitutes a transparent cover. As a result, the internal mechanism covered by the cover portion 102 is visible from the outside. In the coffee machine 1 shown in Figure 1, a part of the manufacturing section that produces coffee beverages is visible through the cover portion 102. The main body portion 101 shown in Figure 1 is entirely opaque, making it difficult to see inside from the outside.

[0026] Figure 2 is a partial front view of the coffee machine 1 shown in Figure 1, and shows a portion of the manufacturing area visible to the user in a front view of the coffee machine 1. The cover portion 102 and the operation tablet 12 are shown with dashed lines.

[0027] The housing 100 at the front of the coffee machine 1 has a double structure consisting of a main body 101 and an outer (front) cover 102. Some of the manufacturing mechanism is located between the main body 101 and the cover 102 in the front-to-back direction and is visible to the user through the cover 102.

[0028] Some of the mechanisms of the manufacturing section visible to the user through the cover section 102 include the collection and conveying section 42, the crushing device 5 (first grinder 5A, second grinder 5B), the separation device 6, the drive unit 8, and the extraction container 9. A rectangular recess 101a is formed on the front of the main body section 101, recessed towards the back, and the extraction container 9 and the other components are located at the back of this recess 101a. Figure 2 also schematically shows the mill temperature sensor 5Bs and the chamber temperature sensor 90s. The mill temperature sensor 5Bs is a non-contact temperature sensor positioned near the second grinder 5B and measuring the temperature of the second grinder 5B from a position away from the second grinder 5B. The chamber temperature sensor 90s is a non-contact temperature sensor positioned near the extraction container 9 and measuring the temperature of the extraction container 9 from a position away from the extraction container 9. Here, "nearby" refers to the range within which the temperature of the object to be measured can be measured according to the performance of the sensor. Furthermore, Figure 2 schematically shows the internal temperature sensor 101s. The internal temperature sensor 101s is a temperature sensor that measures the temperature inside the recess 101a.

[0029] Because these mechanisms are visible from the outside through the cover 102, it may be easier for administrators to inspect and verify their operation. Furthermore, consumers of the beverage may be able to enjoy the process of how the coffee beverage is made.

[0030] The cover portion 102 is supported at its right end via a hinge 102a on the main body portion 101 so as to be able to open and close horizontally. An engaging portion 102b is provided at the left end of the cover portion 102 to maintain the main body portion 101 and the cover portion 102 in a closed state. The engaging portion 102b is, for example, a combination of a magnet and iron. By opening the cover portion 102, the administrator can inspect the aforementioned manufacturing part inside.

[0031] Although the cover portion 102 shown in Figure 1 is a horizontal opening type, it may also be a vertical opening type (up and down opening type) or a sliding type. Furthermore, the cover portion 102 may be configured to be non-openable or non-closable.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the storage device 4 includes three canisters 40 in which roasted coffee beans are stored. Each canister 40 includes a cylindrical body 40a for storing roasted coffee beans and a handle 40b provided on the body 40a, and is configured to be detachably attached to the coffee machine 1.

[0033] Each canister 40 may contain different types of roasted coffee beans, and the type of roasted coffee beans to be used in the production of the coffee beverage may be selected by inputting an operation to the operation tablet 12. Different types of roasted coffee beans may be, for example, roasted coffee beans of different varieties. Alternatively, different types of roasted coffee beans may be the same variety but roasted to different degrees. Alternatively, different types of roasted coffee beans may be roasted coffee beans that are different in both variety and roasting degree. Furthermore, at least one of the three canisters 40 may contain a mixture of roasted coffee beans of multiple varieties. In this case, the roasted coffee beans of each variety may be roasted to a similar degree.

[0034] Furthermore, the number of canisters 40 is not limited to three; there may be four or more, or even just one. Also, if multiple canisters 40 are provided, the same type of roasted coffee beans may be contained in all or multiple canisters 40.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, each canister 40 is detachably mounted on a conveyor 41, which is a weighing and conveying device. The conveyor 41 is, for example, an electric screw conveyor, which automatically weighs a predetermined amount of roasted coffee beans contained in the canisters 40 and sends them downstream.

[0036] Each conveyor 41 sends roasted coffee beans to the downstream collection and conveying section 42. The collection and conveying section 42 is made of hollow components. The roasted coffee beans discharged from each conveyor 41 move inside the collection and conveying section 42 by their own weight. At the downstream end of the collection and conveying section 42, there is a first bean passage (not shown) that leads to the grinding device 5 (particularly the first grinder 5A), and a second bean passage 43 for removing roasted coffee beans that are not sent to the grinding device 5. A switching member (not shown) is provided to switch the destination of the roasted coffee beans that have moved inside the collection and conveying section 42, either to the first bean passage or the second bean passage 43. This switching member performs the switching operation by driving a bean passage switching motor (also not shown). The roasted coffee beans that have passed through the first bean passage flow down to the grinding device 5.

[0037] The collective conveying section 42 has a guide section 42a formed at a position corresponding to the bean input port 103. The guide section 42a forms a passage that guides the roasted coffee beans introduced from the bean input port 103 to the grinding device 5 (particularly the first grinder 5A). This makes it possible to produce coffee beverages using roasted coffee beans introduced from the bean input port 103 as a raw material, in addition to the roasted coffee beans contained in the canister 40.

[0038] The grinding device 5 includes a first grinder 5A and a second grinder 5B. The first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are mechanisms for grinding roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4. The first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B grind beans to different particle sizes. The first grinder 5A is a coarse grinder, and the second grinder 5B is a fine grinder. The beans ground by the first grinder 5A are further ground into powder by the second grinder 5B. The first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B are electric grinders, each including a fixed blade, a motor which is the drive source, and a rotating blade driven by the motor. In the second grinder 5B, the size (particle size) of the roasted coffee beans being ground can be changed by adjusting the distance between the fixed blade and the rotating blade using a particle size adjustment motor (not shown). The ground coffee beans, prepared by the second grinder 5B, are fed into the extraction container 9 via the delivery pipe 5C.

[0039] The separation device 6 is a mechanism for separating unwanted materials from ground beans. The separation device 6 includes a passage section 630a positioned between the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B. The passage section 630a is a hollow body that forms a separation chamber through which ground beans, free-falling from the first grinder 5A, pass. A passage section 630b is connected to the passage section 630a, extending in a direction intersecting the direction of passage of the ground beans (for example, the vertical direction) (for example, the left-right direction), and a suction unit 60 is connected to this passage section 630b. The suction unit 60 sucks air from the passage section 630a, thereby sucking up light objects such as chaff and fine powder. This allows unwanted materials to be separated from the ground beans.

[0040] The suction unit 60 is a centrifugal separation mechanism. The suction unit 60 includes a chaff fan unit 60A and a recovery container 60B. The chaff fan unit 60A comprises a chaff fan motor and a chaff fan rotated by the chaff fan motor, and exhausts the air in the recovery container 60B upward.

[0041] The collection container 60B includes a detachably engaging upper part 61 and lower part 62. The lower part 62 is a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open top, forming a space for accumulating waste. The upper part 61 constitutes a lid that fits onto the opening of the lower part 62. A passage 630b is connected to the upper part 61. When the chaff fan unit 60A is driven, air containing waste is drawn from the passage 630a through the passage 630b into the collection container 60B. The waste in the air that reaches the collection container 60B falls due to its weight and is collected in a part of the collection container 60B, and the air is exhausted upward.

[0042] As explained above, the roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 are first coarsely ground in the first grinder 5A, and as the coarsely ground beans pass through the passage 630a, unwanted materials are separated by the separation device 6. The coarsely ground beans from which the unwanted materials have been separated are then finely ground in the second grinder 5B. The unwanted materials separated by the separation device 6 are typically chaff and fine powder. These can degrade the taste of coffee beverages, and removing chaff and other impurities from the ground beans can improve the quality of the coffee beverage.

[0043] Roasted coffee beans can be ground using a single grinder (single-stage grinding). However, by using a two-stage grinding process with the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, the particle size of the ground beans becomes more uniform, and the degree of coffee extraction can be made consistent. During grinding, heat may be generated due to friction between the cutter and the beans. By using a two-stage grinding process, heat generated by friction during grinding can be suppressed, and deterioration of the ground beans (for example, loss of flavor) can be prevented.

[0044] Furthermore, by going through the stages of coarse grinding → separation of unwanted materials → fine grinding, the mass difference between unwanted materials such as chaff and the ground beans (the necessary part) can be increased. This improves the efficiency of separating unwanted materials and prevents the ground beans (the necessary part) from being separated as unwanted materials. In addition, by intervening in the unwanted material separation process using air suction between coarse grinding and fine grinding, the heat generated by the ground beans can be suppressed by air cooling. This also helps to prevent deterioration of the ground beans (for example, a loss of flavor).

[0045] The extraction container 9 is a chamber consisting of a container body 90 and a lid unit 91, with a first valve 913 provided on the lid unit 91 side and a second valve 903 provided on the opposite side.

[0046] Most of the drive unit 8 is enclosed within the main body 101. This drive unit 8 holds, moves, and inverts the extraction container 9, and also opens and closes the lid unit 91. More specifically, the drive unit 8 moves the container body 90 back and forth between the front bean input position and the rear extraction position. In Figure 2, the container body 90 is held by the drive unit 8 at the rear extraction position, and the lid unit 91, which would normally be hidden by the delivery tube 5C, is shown by a dotted line in Figure 2. The lid unit 91 shown by the dotted line in Figure 2 is closed. The drive unit 8 also pushes down the first valve 913 by lowering an upper probe pin (not shown), opening the first valve 913. The first valve 913 returns to the closed state when the upper probe pin rises due to the action of a spring (not shown). The drive unit 8 also pushes up the second valve 903 by raising a lower probe pin (not shown), opening the second valve 903. The second valve 903 returns to a closed state due to the action of a spring (not shown) when the lower probe pin descends. Furthermore, when the drive unit 8 inverts the extraction container 9, the upper probe pin opens and closes the second valve 903, and the lower probe pin opens and closes the first valve 913.

[0047] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the control device and operation tablet included in the coffee machine shown in Figure 1.

[0048] The control device 11 controls the entire coffee machine 1. The control device 11 includes a processing unit 11a, a storage unit 11b, and an I / F (interface) unit 11c. The processing unit 11a is, for example, a processor such as a CPU. The storage unit 11b is, for example, RAM or ROM. The I / F unit 11c performs signal input and output between an external device such as an operation tablet 12 and the processing unit 11a. The operation tablet 12 is connected to the control device 11 by wire.

[0049] The operation tablet 12 is an external terminal that receives user input instructions and includes a processing unit 12a, a storage unit 12b, an I / F unit 12c, a display unit 12d, and a speaker 12e. The processing unit 12a is, for example, a processor such as a CPU. The storage unit 12b is, for example, RAM or ROM. The I / F unit 12c performs signal input and output between the control device 11 and the processing unit 12a. The display unit 12d is a touch panel type liquid crystal display. Alert sounds and the like are output from the speaker 12e.

[0050] The processing unit 11a of the control device 11 executes a program stored in the storage unit 11b and controls the actuator group 14 based on instructions from the operation tablet 12 or detection results from the sensor group 13. The user can instruct the production of coffee beverages via the operation tablet 12. The sensor group 13 consists of various sensors provided in the coffee machine 1 (for example, the chamber temperature sensor 90s, the mill temperature sensor 5Bs, the internal temperature sensor 101s shown in Figure 2, as well as mechanism operation position detection sensors (upper sensor 731h, middle sensor 731m, lower sensor 731l described later), pressure sensors, etc.). The actuator group 14 consists of various actuators (motors, solenoid valves, heaters, etc.) provided in the coffee machine 1.

[0051] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the coffee machine 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0052] The coffee beverage production section of coffee machine 1 is broadly divided into a bean processing unit 2 and an extraction unit 3. The bean processing unit 2 produces ground coffee from roasted coffee beans. The extraction unit 3 extracts coffee liquid from the ground coffee supplied from the bean processing unit 2. The extraction unit 3 includes a fluid supply unit 7, an extraction container 9, and a switching unit 10.

[0053] The bean processing device 2 includes a storage device 4 and a grinding device 5. As described above, the storage device 4 contains roasted coffee beans, and a predetermined amount of roasted coffee beans is supplied from the storage device 4 to the grinding device 5. The grinding device 5 is a grinder that grinds the roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4, and Figure 2 shows a first grinder 5A, a second grinder 5B, and mill temperature sensors 5Bs that measure the temperature of the second grinder 5B.

[0054] The fluid supply unit 7 pours hot water into the extraction container 9. Coffee liquid is extracted from the ground beans inside the extraction container 9. The hot water containing the extracted coffee liquid is sent to cup C as a coffee beverage via the switching unit 10.

[0055] The fluid supply unit 7 supplies hot water to the extraction container 9 and controls the air pressure inside the extraction container 9. In this specification, when air pressure is given as a numerical example, it refers to absolute pressure unless otherwise specified. Atmospheric pressure refers to the air pressure around the extraction container 9 or the air pressure of the coffee machine. For example, if the coffee machine is installed at an altitude of 0m above sea level, it refers to the standard air pressure (1013.25 hPa) at an altitude of 0m of the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 1976.

[0056] The fluid supply unit 7 includes a fluid flow rate adjustment device 72 and piping L1 to L4. Piping L1 is a pipe through which air flows, and piping L2 is a pipe through which water flows. The upstream portion of piping L2 is connected to the fluid flow rate adjustment device 72, and the downstream portion of piping L2 connects the fluid flow rate adjustment device 72 to piping L3. Piping L3 is a pipe through which both air and water can flow and is connected to the extraction container 9. Piping L4 is a pipe through which hot water discharged from the hot water tank 720a (described later) flows, and is connected to the hot water outlet 72x provided in the hot water tank 720a and extends to the waste tank T.

[0057] The fluid supply unit 7 includes a compressor 70 as a pressurizing source. The compressor 70 compresses and delivers atmospheric air. The compressor 70 is driven by, for example, a motor (not shown). The compressed air delivered from the compressor 70 is supplied to a reserve tank (accumulator) 71 via a check valve 71a. The atmospheric pressure in the reserve tank 71 is monitored by a pressure sensor 71b, and the compressor 70 is driven to maintain a predetermined atmospheric pressure. The reserve tank 71 is provided with a drain 71c for drainage, allowing water generated by the compression of air to be drained.

[0058] The liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 has a hot water tank 720a for storing hot water (water) that makes up the coffee beverage, and is a device that has the function of dispensing a fixed amount of hot water. In the following description, hot water and water may be collectively referred to as liquid. In this case, although it will be called the liquid level, the term water level will be used consistently in the description. The liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 heats the stored liquid and monitors its temperature, maintaining the temperature of the stored liquid at a predetermined temperature (for example, 120°C).

[0059] Furthermore, after a coffee beverage production cycle, described later, is completed, tap water is supplied to the hot water tank 720a of the liquid supply volume adjustment device 72 via a water purifier (not shown) through a water inlet 72w. A water supply solenoid valve 72d is installed in the middle of the piping L2 from the water purifier, and the processing unit 11a of the control device 11 shown in Figure 3 opens the water supply solenoid valve 72d to supply tap water. When the hot water tank 720a is full, the processing unit 11a closes the water supply solenoid valve 72d to cut off the supply of tap water. In this way, the amount of hot water in the hot water tank 720a is maintained at the full level.

[0060] Furthermore, the water supply solenoid valve 72d may be opened when the water level falls below a predetermined level different from the full water level, allowing tap water to be supplied from the water inlet 72w, and the water supply solenoid valve 72d may be closed when the predetermined water level is reached, thereby cutting off the supply of tap water.

[0061] Furthermore, the liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 is equipped with a pressure sensor 72g. The pressure sensor 72g detects the atmospheric pressure inside the hot water tank 720a. The hot water tank 720a is provided with a pressure port 72p, through which the water is pressurized or depressurized. When pressurizing the hot water tank 720a, with the pressure release solenoid valve 72h closed, atmospheric pressure from the reserve tank 71 is supplied via the pressure regulating valve 72e and the pressurizing solenoid valve 72f. The pressure regulating valve 72e reduces the atmospheric pressure supplied from the reserve tank 71 to a predetermined atmospheric pressure. The pressurizing solenoid valve 72f switches between supplying and shutting off the atmospheric pressure regulated by the pressure regulating valve 72e to the hot water tank 720a. When depressurizing the hot water tank 720a, with the pressurizing solenoid valve 72f closed, the pressure release solenoid valve 72h is opened to release the water inside the hot water tank 720a to the atmosphere. Furthermore, the hot water tank 720a is also equipped with a relief valve 72k. If the air pressure inside the hot water tank 720a exceeds a predetermined pressure, the relief valve 72k opens, releasing the contents of the hot water tank 720a to the atmosphere and maintaining the air pressure inside the hot water tank 720a at the predetermined pressure.

[0062] Furthermore, if liquid overflows from the hot water tank 720a for any reason, the overflowing liquid passes through the pressure port 72p and pushes up the spring of the pressure-releasing solenoid valve 72h, thus being discharged. Although not shown in Figure 4, the overflowing liquid is discharged into the waste tank T.

[0063] As will be explained in more detail later, the hot water tank 720a is equipped with a storage section and a metering section. In the storage section, the water is heated by a heater to become hot water, and when the processing section 11a of the control device 11 opens the hot water volume control valve 72l, which is a solenoid valve, the hot water is sent from the storage side hot water inlet 72y to the metering section. The volume of the metering section is adjustable, and the amount of hot water to be metered is adjusted by adjusting the volume according to the amount of hot water supplied to the extraction container 9. The hot water in the metering section is supplied to the extraction container 9 via the extraction side piping 728c, check valve 72j, and piping L3 when the processing section 11a of the control device 11 opens the chamber hot water supply valve 72i, which is a solenoid valve. A temperature sensor 73e is provided in piping L3 to measure the temperature of the hot water, and the temperature of the hot water supplied to the extraction container 9 is monitored.

[0064] The atmospheric pressure in the reserve tank 71 is also supplied to the extraction container 9 via a pressure regulating valve 73a and a solenoid valve 73b. The pressure regulating valve 73a reduces the atmospheric pressure supplied from the reserve tank 71 to a predetermined atmospheric pressure. The solenoid valve 73b switches between supplying and shutting off the atmospheric pressure regulated by the pressure regulating valve 73a to the extraction container 9. The atmospheric pressure inside the extraction container 9 is detected by a pressure sensor 73d. When the extraction container 9 is pressurized, the solenoid valve 73b is opened based on the detection result of the pressure sensor 73d, pressurizing the extraction container 9 to a predetermined atmospheric pressure. The atmospheric pressure inside the extraction container 9 can be reduced by a solenoid valve 73c. ​​The solenoid valve 73c switches whether or not to release the inside of the extraction container 9 to the atmosphere, and releases the inside of the extraction container 9 to the atmosphere in the event of an abnormal pressure (for example, if the atmospheric pressure inside the extraction container 9 becomes too high).

[0065] The switching unit 10 is a unit that switches the destination of the liquid discharged from the extraction container 9 to either the pouring section 10c or the waste tank T. The switching unit 10 includes a switching valve 10a and a motor 10b that drives the switching valve 10a. The switching valve 10a switches the flow path to the pouring section 10c when discharging the coffee beverage from the extraction container 9. The coffee beverage is poured from the pouring section 10c into the cup C.

[0066] After the coffee beverage has been extracted, the extraction container 9 is cleaned. During cleaning, the flow path is switched to the waste tank T by the switching valve 10a, and tap water (purified water) is supplied to the extraction container 9 as cleaning water. By pressurizing the extraction container 9, the cleaning water inside the extraction container 9 is discharged to the waste tank T along with the coffee grounds. In this embodiment, the switching valve 10a is a 3-port ball valve. A ball valve is preferable for the switching valve 10a because the residue passes through it, and the motor 10b switches the flow path by rotating its rotating shaft.

[0067] Next, we will explain in more detail the liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 shown in Figure 4.

[0068] Figure 5 is an external perspective view of the liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 shown in Figure 4, viewed from diagonally above; Figure 6 is an external perspective view of the liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 shown in Figure 4, viewed from diagonally below, opposite to the view in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 shown in Figure 5, taken along the line A-A' shown in Figure 5; and Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing the internal structure of the liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 shown in Figure 4.

[0069] The liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 includes a hot water tank 720a and a water level sensor 72c. In Figure 5, the water level sensor 72c is shown on the right side of the figure, but in Figure 6, viewed from the opposite side of Figure 5, the water level sensor 72c is shown on the left side of the figure.

[0070] Furthermore, as described above, the liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 is a device that has the function of dispensing a fixed amount of hot water. This sequentially dispenses the amount of hot water needed for one cup of coffee. Moreover, the amount of hot water dispensed for one cup can be changed.

[0071] The hot water tank 720a is cylindrical in shape overall, and its outer wall includes a perimeter wall 721, an upper wall 723 joined to the upper end of the perimeter wall 721, and a bottom wall 724 joined to the lower end of the perimeter wall 721. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, a partition wall 722 is provided inside the hot water tank 720a, and its internal space is divided by the partition wall 722 into a cylindrical outer space 725 and an inner cylindrical space 726A. The partition wall 722 is a cylindrical wall body arranged concentrically with the perimeter wall 721, but the partition wall 722 may be eccentric with respect to the perimeter wall 721.

[0072] The outer space 725 is defined by the peripheral wall 721, the outer portion of the upper wall 723, the outer portion of the bottom wall 724, and the partition wall 722, and constitutes a storage section for storing hot water, and is an example of a storage space. This outer space 725 corresponds to the storage section described above, and hereafter, the outer space 725 will also be referred to as the storage section 725. A movable member 727c is positioned in the upper part of the inner space 726A, and the lower space 726 below it is defined by the partition wall 722, the bottom surface 727cb of the movable member 727c, and the inner portion of the bottom wall 724, and constitutes a measuring section for measuring hot water. This lower space 726 corresponds to the measuring section described above, and hereafter, the lower space 726 will also be referred to as the measuring section 726. By separating the storage section 725 and the metering section 726 with a common partition wall 722, the size of the hot water tank 720a can be reduced compared to partitioning them with separate walls.

[0073] The storage section 725 is equipped with a heater 72a for heating the water inside the storage section 725 and a temperature sensor 72b for measuring the water temperature. As shown in Figure 7, the heater 72a has a hanging portion 72a1 that extends downward from the upper wall 723 along the cylindrical partition wall 722, and a heating portion 72a2 that spirals around the partition wall 722 with a gap between it and the partition wall 722, covering approximately the lower half of the partition wall 722. This heating portion 72a2 is a direct heating type that heats by directly contacting the hot water (water). As shown in Figure 8, the lowest end 72ab of the heating portion 72a2 is separated from the bottom wall 724.

[0074] The temperature sensor 72b is a thermocouple, inserted into the storage section 725 from the upper wall 723 and extending toward the bottom wall 724. The measuring section (contact) 72b1, which is the tip of the temperature sensor 72b, is located inside the heating section 72a2 of the heater 72a, that is, between the heating section 72a2 and the cylindrical partition wall 722. Alternatively, the measuring section 72b1 may be located outside the heating section 72a2 of the heater 72a, that is, between the heating section 72a2 and the peripheral wall 721.

[0075] Furthermore, if the heating section 72a2 is divided into three parts vertically, such as the upper, middle, and lower sections, the measuring section 72b1 is positioned at the height of the middle section of the heating section 72a2.

[0076] The processing unit 11a of the control device 11 shown in Figure 3 controls the on / off state of the heater 72a based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 72b, and maintains the temperature of the hot water stored in the storage unit 725 at a predetermined temperature (for example, 120°C).

[0077] As shown in Figure 5, a pressure port 72p is provided in the portion of the upper wall 723 that defines the storage section 725. A pipe L1 that supplies atmospheric pressure from the reserve tank 71 (see Figure 4) is connected to this pressure port 72p, and Figure 8 also shows a pressurizing solenoid valve 72f provided on this pipe L1. In addition, a pipe that connects the storage section 725 to the atmosphere is connected to the pressure port 72p, and a pressure-releasing solenoid valve 72h is provided here. The pressure-releasing solenoid valve 72h switches whether or not to release the inside of the storage section 725 to the atmosphere, and releases the inside of the storage section 725 to the atmosphere when the pressure is reduced. Furthermore, the liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 is equipped with a pressure sensor 72g (see Figure 4) that detects the atmospheric pressure inside the storage section 725, and the pressurizing solenoid valve 72f switches between supplying and shutting off the atmospheric pressure regulated by the pressure regulating valve 72e (see Figure 4) to the storage section 725. The pressurizing solenoid valve 72f is controlled to open and close so that the air pressure in the storage section 725 is maintained at a predetermined pressure.

[0078] Furthermore, a relief valve 72k is also provided in the portion of the upper wall 723 that defines the storage section 725. When the air pressure inside the hot water tank 720a exceeds a predetermined pressure, the relief valve 72k opens, releasing the inside of the hot water tank 720a to the atmosphere and maintaining the air pressure inside the hot water tank 720a at the predetermined pressure.

[0079] As described above, if liquid overflows from the hot water tank 720a for any reason, the overflowing liquid is discharged by passing through the pressure port 72p, which pushes up the spring of the pressure-releasing solenoid valve 72h, and is not discharged through the relief valve 72k.

[0080] Furthermore, a water inlet 72w is provided in the portion of the upper wall 723 that defines the storage section 725. As shown in Figure 8, a pipe L2 that supplies tap water to the storage section 725 is connected to this water inlet 72w, and a water supply solenoid valve 72d is provided here. The water supply solenoid valve 72d is opened and closed based on the detection result of the water level sensor 72c, which will be described later, to control the water level of the hot water in the storage section 725.

[0081] As shown in Figure 6, a hot water outlet 72x is provided in the portion of the bottom wall 724 that defines the storage section 725. As shown in Figure 8, a pipe L4 for draining the hot water from the storage section 725 is connected to this hot water outlet 72x, and a manual drain valve 72q is provided at this outlet. The manual drain valve 72q is opened when the hot water in the storage section 725 is to be discarded, and the hot water in the storage section 725 is discharged into the pipe L4.

[0082] The measuring section 726 shown in Figures 7 and 8 is a space whose volume can be changed by moving the movable member 727c. In Figures 7 and 8, the movable member 727c is in the highest position, and the measuring section 726 is in a state where its maximum volume is secured.

[0083] Furthermore, the liquid supply volume adjustment device 72 includes a hot water volume adjustment valve 72l, a chamber hot water supply valve 72i, a storage-side pipe 728a, a metering-side pipe 728b, and an extraction-side pipe 728c. Hot water is supplied to the metering unit 726 from the storage unit 725 via the storage-side pipe 728a, the hot water volume adjustment valve 72l, and the metering-side pipe 728b. The flow path connecting the hot water tank 720a (metering unit 726) and the extraction container 9 is sometimes referred to as the hot water supply flow path. A more detailed explanation of the metering unit 726 will be given later.

[0084] As shown in Figure 6, a storage-side hot water inlet 72y is provided in the portion of the bottom wall 724 that defines the storage section 725. The storage-side hot water inlet 72y is located inside the heating section 72a2 (towards the partition wall 722), but it may also be located outside the heating section 72a2 (towards the peripheral wall 721). The storage-side piping 728a is connected to this storage-side hot water inlet 72y and connects the storage-side hot water inlet 72y to the hot water volume control valve 72l.

[0085] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, a flow path forming pipe 74 is provided inside the storage section 725, with one end connected to the outlet 741 and the other end connected to the storage-side hot water inlet 72y. This flow path forming pipe 74 has a bent shape due to considerations such as installation space and space for maintenance, but it may also be straight. The flow path formed by the flow path forming pipe 74 connects the outlet 741, which is above the bottom wall 724, to the bottom wall 724. In addition, the flow path that continues from the flow path forming pipe 74 through the storage-side hot water inlet 72y to the storage-side piping 728a extends from the inside to the outside of the storage section 725 (storage space). In this embodiment, the direction of this flow path is from top to bottom, but it is not limited to this direction, and may be in the opposite direction (from bottom to top), diagonal, or horizontal.

[0086] The flow path forming pipe 74, the storage side hot water inlet 72y, the storage side piping 728a, and the hot water volume control valve 72l have the function of sending the hot water stored in the storage section 725 to the outside of the storage section 725.

[0087] Furthermore, the flow path forming pipe 74 is intended to raise the height of the outlet (discharge port 741) into which the hot water stored in the storage section 725 flows when the hot water stored in the storage section 725 is discharged to the outside of the storage section 725. In this embodiment, the discharge port 741 is provided above the lowest end 72ab of the heating section 72a2.

[0088] The measuring section (contact) 72b1, which is the tip of the temperature sensor 72b, is located near the outlet 741 of the flow path forming pipe 74. More specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the measuring section 72b1 is located at a higher position than the outlet 741. If the measuring section 72b1 is located too high relative to the outlet 741, the temperature of the hot water flowing into the outlet 741 will be too low compared to the temperature measured by the measuring section 72b1, resulting in insufficient heating of the hot water discharged from the storage section 725. Ideally, the measuring section 72b1 should be at the same height as the outlet 741, but due to space limitations for the outlet 741 and maintenance considerations, in this embodiment, the measuring section 72b1 and the outlet 741 cannot be placed at the same height, so the heights of the measuring section 72b1 and the outlet 741 are brought close together.

[0089] With the configuration described above, the measuring unit 72b1 measures the temperature of the hot water near the height of the outlet 741. As a result, the temperature of the hot water controlled by the processing unit 11a of the control device 11 shown in Figure 3 is discharged from the storage unit 725, and variations in the temperature of the discharged liquid can be suppressed.

[0090] As shown in Figure 6, a metering-side hot water inlet 72z is provided in the bottom wall 724. The metering-side piping 728b is connected to this metering-side hot water inlet 72z. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the metering-side hot water inlet 72z opens in the portion of the bottom wall 724 that defines the metering section 726, and nothing is connected inside the metering section 726. The metering-side piping 728b connects the metering-side hot water inlet 72z to the hot water volume control valve 72l. In addition, piping branched from the metering-side piping 728b is connected to the chamber hot water valve 72i.

[0091] The chamber hot water valve 72i is provided with an extraction hot water outlet 728d. As shown in Figure 8, an extraction-side pipe 728c is connected to this extraction hot water outlet 728d to send hot water from the metering unit 726 to the extraction container 9. The extraction-side pipe 728c is not shown in Figure 8, but as shown in Figure 4, it is connected to a check valve 72j.

[0092] Under the control of the processing unit 11a of the control device 11 shown in Figure 3, the solenoid valve, the hot water volume adjustment valve 72l, can switch between connecting and disconnecting the storage side piping 728a and the metering side piping 728b, and similarly, the solenoid valve, the chamber hot water supply valve 72i, can switch between connecting and disconnecting the metering side piping 728b and the extraction side piping 728c.

[0093] The hot water volume control valve 72l switches between connecting and disconnecting the storage side pipe 728a and the metering side pipe 728b, thereby switching between connecting and disconnecting the storage section 725 and the metering section 726. Additionally, the chamber hot water supply valve 72i switches between connecting and disconnecting the metering side pipe 728b and the extraction side pipe 728c, thereby switching between supplying hot water from the metering section 726 to the extraction container 9 and storing it in the metering section 726.

[0094] The chamber hot water supply valve 72i shuts off the connection between the metering side pipe 728b and the extraction side pipe 728c when the storage side pipe 728a and the metering side pipe 728b are connected by the hot water volume control valve 72l. Conversely, the chamber hot water supply valve 72l shuts off the connection between the storage side pipe 728a and the metering side pipe 728b when the metering side pipe 728b and the extraction side pipe 728c are connected by the chamber hot water supply valve 72i.

[0095] As shown in Figure 8, the water volume control valve 72l is in the closed position, and the chamber hot water supply valve 72i is also in the closed position. That is, the water volume control valve 72l is blocking the storage side piping 728a and the metering side piping 728b, and the chamber hot water supply valve 72i is blocking the metering side piping 728b and the extraction side piping 728c. In subsequent figures, arrows indicate when the pipes are connected.

[0096] Furthermore, the liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 includes a drive unit 727. The amount of hot water required for one cup of coffee varies depending on the size of the coffee cup. The drive unit 727 adjusts the volume of the measuring unit 726 so that an appropriate amount of hot water is dispensed from the measuring unit 726 in accordance with the size of the coffee cup, etc.

[0097] The drive unit 727 is a mechanism that changes the volume of the measuring section 726 by moving the movable member 727c shown in Figures 7 and 8 up and down. The movable member 727c is a piston-shaped member that is inserted into the inner space 726A and configured to slide in the vertical direction, and its bottom surface 727cb constitutes the upper wall of the measuring section 726. The volume of the measuring section 726 changes as the bottom surface 727cb moves up and down.

[0098] Furthermore, instead of changing the volume of the measuring section 726 by moving the position of the upper wall (bottom surface 727cb), a configuration can also be adopted in which the volume is changed by moving the position of the lower or side walls.

[0099] The movable member 727c includes a sealing member (not shown) that forms a seal with the inner surface of the partition wall, and slides liquid-tightly along the inner surface of the partition wall. However, as shown in Figure 8, a groove 727e extending in the vertical direction is formed on the circumferential surface of the movable member 727c, and there is a gap between the groove 727e and the inner surface of the partition wall. This groove 727e is formed to communicate with an opening 722a that penetrates the partition wall in the thickness direction. The opening 722a is formed above the highest water level of the hot water in the storage section 725 (the position of the upper sensor 731h, described later), and is an air communication section that connects the storage section 725 and the inner space 726A. The storage section 725 and the metering section 726 are in communication via the opening 722a and the groove 727e, and the air pressure in these spaces is the same. Furthermore, if the storage section 725 and the measuring section 726 are to be kept at atmospheric pressure at all times, separate passages to communicate with the atmosphere may be provided.

[0100] As shown in Figure 8, the drive unit 727 includes a water volume adjustment motor 727a supported on the upper wall 723 as a drive source, and a screw shaft (lead screw) 727b as a moving mechanism for moving the movable member 727c. The screw shaft 727b extends in the vertical direction and rotates due to the driving force of the water volume adjustment motor 727a via a transmission gear 727g. A rotation sensor 727s for detecting the rotation speed of the screw shaft 727b is provided on the head of the screw shaft 727b. The movable member 727c has a screw hole 727f opening on its upper surface, and the screw shaft 727b is screwed into this screw hole 727f. The movable member 727c is provided so as not to rotate around its axis, and the rotation of the screw shaft 727b causes the movable member 727c to move in the vertical direction. The processing unit 11a of the control device 11 shown in Figure 3 determines the vertical position of the movable member 727c based on the detection result of the rotation sensor 727s provided on the head of the screw shaft 727b. Therefore, the rotation sensor 727s corresponds to a position detection sensor for the movable member 727c. Alternatively, the processing unit 11a may calculate the rotation speed of the water volume adjustment motor 727a and determine the vertical position of the movable member 727c from the calculated rotation speed.

[0101] Furthermore, instead of the screw mechanism consisting of a screw shaft 727b and a screw hole 727f, other mechanisms such as a rack and pinion mechanism can also be used as the moving mechanism for the movable member 727c.

[0102] The water level sensor 72c is a measuring unit that measures the water level of the hot water in the storage section 725. The water level sensor 72c includes a hollow cylindrical pipe member 729 that extends vertically, a float 730 (see Figure 8) provided inside the pipe member 729, an upper sensor 731h that detects the float 730, a lower sensor 731l, and a middle sensor 731m positioned between these two sensors.

[0103] The pipe member 729 communicates with the storage section 725 at a communication section 729a located below the lower sensor 731l. Hot water from the storage section 725 flows into the pipe member 729 via the communication section 729a, and the water level of the hot water in the pipe member 729 becomes equal to the water level of the hot water in the storage section 725. In Figure 8, the entire hot water tank 720a is empty, and the storage section 725 is also empty, so the lower surface 730u of the float 730 is in contact with the bottom of the pipe member 729. That is, the float 730 is in its lowest position. The float 730 shown in Figure 8 is not detected by the upper sensor 731h and the middle sensor 731m, but is detected only by the lower sensor 731l.

[0104] Since the pipe member 729 in this embodiment is made of colorless, transparent glass, the water level of the hot water in the pipe member 729 can be seen from the outside, and as a result, the water level of the hot water in the storage section 725 can be confirmed by the user or maintenance service personnel. Of course, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a permeable section is provided in a part of the peripheral wall 721 of the storage section 725 so that the water level can be seen. The pipe member 729 may also be made of a permeable material such as acrylic resin.

[0105] The float 730 can be any object that floats in hot water within the pipe member 729. In this embodiment, the float 730 is made of colored resin, and its buoyancy is adjusted so that its upper surface 730t is approximately the same as the water level (strictly speaking, the upper surface 730t is slightly higher). As described above, the pipe member 729 is colorless and transparent, and the float 730 is colored, so in addition to the water level, the position of the float 730 can also be seen from the outside, allowing users and maintenance service personnel to confirm it.

[0106] The upper sensor 731h, middle sensor 731m, and lower sensor 731l are, for example, optical sensors (photointerrupters) that detect the float 730 from outside the pipe member 729.

[0107] It is also possible to construct a configuration equivalent to the water level sensor 72c inside the storage unit 725.

[0108] Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 when the water level WL in the storage section 725 is at the full level.

[0109] When the water level WL in the storage section 725 rises from below the full level to the full level, the float 730 also rises in accordance with the rise in water level WL. As shown in Figure 9, the float 730 rises normally in accordance with the rise in water level WL. At the full level, the upper end of the float 730 is detected by the upper sensor 731h, but the lower end is not covered by the middle sensor 731m and is therefore not detected.

[0110] As shown in Figure 9, the upper end of the float 730 is detected by the upper sensor 731h, but the lower end is not covered by the middle sensor 731m and is therefore not detected.

[0111] The processing unit 11a of the control device 11 determines that the water level WL of the storage unit 725 is at the full level because only the upper sensor 731h is detecting the float 730.

[0112] Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 when hot water is being measured in the metering unit 726.

[0113] When the processing unit 11a of the control device 11 opens the solenoid valve, the hot water volume control valve 72l, high-temperature hot water is sent from the storage-side hot water inlet 72y to the metering unit 726. In Figure 10, an arrow is shown on the hot water volume control valve 72l, indicating that the storage-side piping 728a and the metering-side piping 728b are in communication. In Figure 10, the water level WL of the storage unit 725 has fallen from the full tank level shown in Figure 9 to below the middle sensor 730m, and the metering unit 726 is filled with hot water from the storage unit 725, indicating that hot water metering is complete. In Figure 10, the float 730 is descending normally in accordance with the decrease in water level WL, and the lower part of the float 730 is detected by the lower sensor 731l, but the upper end is not covered by the middle sensor 731m and is not detected.

[0114] Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the liquid flow rate adjustment device 72 when hot water is metered in the same way as in Figure 10, but an abnormality occurs in the float 730.

[0115] In Figure 11, as the hot water volume control valve 72l opens, the water level WL in the storage section 725 drops from the full level shown in Figure 9, and the metering section 726 is filled with hot water from the storage section 725, indicating that hot water metering is complete. However, the float 730 shown in Figure 11 does not descend in accordance with the decrease in water level WL, but remains in the position it was in when the water level WL was at the full level. That is, the upper end of the float 730 remains detected by the upper sensor 731h, while the lower end is not covered by the middle sensor 731m and is not detected. The processing unit 11a of the control device 11 determines that the water level WL in the storage section 725 is at the full level because only the upper sensor 731h is detecting the float 730, but the actual water level WL is lower than that detected by the middle sensor 730m. The float 730, being made of resin, may stick to the inner surface of the glass or acrylic pipe member 729 due to hydrolysis, deterioration, limescale, or dirt buildup. Furthermore, the outermost diameter of the float 730 is approximately 90% of the length of the inner diameter of the pipe member 729. The float 730 shown in Figure 11 is in a state where it is stuck to the pipe member 729. In addition, even if the float 730 descends slightly as the water level WL decreases, it may stick to the pipe member 729 at a position where the upper end of the float 730 is detected by the upper sensor 731h and the lower end is detected by the middle sensor 731m (hereinafter referred to as upper-middle sticking). Alternatively, even if the float 730 descends as the water level WL decreases until the upper end is removed from the upper sensor 731h, it may stick to the pipe member 730 before the lower end reaches the lower sensor 731l (hereinafter referred to as middle sticking). In this state, the float 730 is detected only by the middle sensor 731m. The water volume control valve 72l has opened, but these abnormalities in which the float 730 sticks to the pipe member 72l are sometimes referred to as float abnormality 3.

[0116] Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the liquid supply volume adjustment device 72 in the event of an abnormality in the float 730 during the water draining process at closing time or the hot water tank water replacement process described later.

[0117] During the closing-time water draining process or hot water tank water replacement process, the processing unit 11a of the control device 11 opens the hot water volume control valve 72l, and then the chamber hot water supply valve 72i, so that the hot water remaining in the storage section 725 is discharged into the waste tank T shown in Figure 4. In Figure 12, an arrow is shown for the hot water volume control valve 72l, and an arrow is also shown for the chamber hot water supply valve 72i, indicating that the storage side piping 728a, the metering side piping 728b, and the extraction side piping 728c are in communication. In the hot water tank 720a shown in Figure 12, there is no hot water in either the storage section 725 or the metering section 726, and the float 730 should ideally be in its lowest position, with its lower surface 730u in contact with the bottom of the pipe member 729, as shown in Figure 8. However, as shown in Figure 12, the float 730 is stuck to the upper surface, with its upper end remaining detected by the upper sensor 731h, while its lower end is not covered by the middle sensor 731m and is therefore not detected. The abnormality described above, where the float 730 sticks to the surface despite draining the hot water tank 720a, may be referred to as float abnormality 1.

[0118] Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the liquid supply volume adjustment device 72 when water is supplied from an empty state in the hot water tank 720a shown in Figure 8 until the storage section 725 is full, but an abnormality occurs in the float 730.

[0119] In Figure 13, the water level WL in the storage section 725 of the hot water tank 720a is at the full level. The float 730 should, as shown in Figure 9, have its upper end detected by the upper sensor 731h, but its lower end should not be touching the middle sensor 731m and therefore not being detected. However, in Figure 13, the float 730 does not rise in accordance with the water level WL, and remains in its lowest position with its bottom surface 730u in contact with the bottom of the pipe member 729. It is not detected by the upper sensor 731h or the middle sensor 731m, but only by the lower sensor 731l. In other words, the float 730 in Figure 13 is stuck to the bottom of the pipe member 729. In this state, a water supply timeout occurs.

[0120] Next, we will explain the main processing of the coffee machine 1 performed by the processing unit 11a of the control device 11 shown in Figure 3.

[0121] Coffee machine 1 has nine states, and it transitions to one of these nine states. The nine states are: preparing to start up, starting up, standby, brewing, cleaning, changing water in the hot water tank, waiting for brewing cancellation request, forced stop recovery, and preparing to close. Preparing to start up is the first state to which the machine transitions when it goes from the power-off state to the power-on state. Starting up is the state to which the machine transitions from preparing to start up. Standby is the state to which the machine transitions from starting up, and it is ready to receive a brewing command. In other words, in standby mode, it is not receiving a brewing command and is waiting for one. On the other hand, brewing is the state to which the machine transitions from standby mode when it receives a brewing command while in standby mode, and it is in the state of producing coffee beverage. Cleaning is the state to which the machine transitions from standby mode when it receives a cleaning command while in standby mode. Changing water in the hot water tank is the state to which the machine transitions from standby mode when it receives a water change command while in standby mode. The "Waiting for Extraction Cancellation Request" state indicates that a critical error occurred during extraction and extraction was interrupted. The "Recovering from Forced Stop" state is reached when an instruction to release a forced stop is received after a forced stop due to a critical error. The "Preparing to Close" state is reached when an instruction to terminate is received while the machine is in standby mode. Coffee machine 1 performs processing according to each state (various processing performed in the various device processing steps described later (step S204), and error detection).

[0122] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the main processing flow of coffee machine 1.

[0123] When the power switch (not shown) is turned on and power is supplied, the state of the coffee machine 1 is transitioned from sleep state to startup preparation state, and the startup preparation process (step S11) is executed. The control device 11 is equipped with a WDT to monitor abnormalities in program processing. During the startup preparation process, the processing unit 11a, which is the CPU, sets the initial stack value (temporary setting) for its own stack pointer, sets the interrupt mask, initializes the I / F unit 11c, initializes various variables stored in RAM, which is one of the memory units 11b, grants permission to operate the WDT and sets its initial value, and then sends and receives information with the operation tablet 12. For example, the processing unit 11a obtains the version information of the connected operation tablet 12, performs authentication, and if authentication is successful, sends back a response signal. As a result, the processing unit 11a comes under the control of the operation tablet 12. The processing unit 11a sends machine-specific information to the operation tablet 12, and the operation tablet 12 receives the transmitted machine-specific information. Machine-specific information includes constants (washing water volume, pressurization volume) used in the post-extraction cleaning of the extraction container 9, the temperature of the heater in the hot water tank 720a, the stopping times of various sensors, the pressure value at which the compressor 70 automatically turns ON / OFF, the set value for the grinding particle size in the grinding device 5, and the set pressure value of the hot water tank 720a. The various machine-specific information received is stored in RAM, which is one of the memory units 11b of the control device 11.

[0124] Next, the state of coffee machine 1 is transitioned from preparing to start up to starting up, and the startup process (step S12) is executed. During this startup process, the state at the time of the previous power outage is read from RAM to check if there were any RAM abnormalities. In addition, the operation of the ventilation fan (not shown) which is driven when the temperature in the recess 101a rises, the motors that are the driving sources for the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B respectively, the drive unit 8, etc. are checked, and various sensors such as the mill temperature sensor 5Bs, the chamber temperature sensor 90s, and the chamber temperature sensor 101s are also checked. Furthermore, calibration of the spacing between the fixed blade and the rotating blade in the second grinder 5B is also performed. In addition, the hot water supply preparation proceeds by starting to supply water to the storage section 725 of the empty hot water tank 720a, stopping the water supply at a predetermined water level before it becomes full, heating it to a first target temperature (e.g., 100°C) under a predetermined first pressure (e.g., 150kPa), then restarting the water supply to fill it, and heating it to a second target temperature (e.g., 120°C) under a predetermined second pressure (e.g., 180kPa). Pressure management of the reserve tank 71 is also performed. Once all conditions are met, the startup process is completed (startup state), and the state of the coffee machine 1 is changed from startup to standby. The processing unit 11a transmits to the operation tablet 12 that the state of the coffee machine 1 has changed to standby.

[0125] Next, the pending process (step S13) is executed, and once the pending process finishes, the main process also finishes.

[0126] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the processing flow during the standby period shown in Figure 14. The processing during the standby period shown in Figure 15 is also executed by the processing unit 11a of the control device 11.

[0127] The processing unit 11a receives extraction commands, cleaning commands, water change commands, and coffee machine termination commands from the operation tablet 12. The extraction command is sent from the operation tablet 12 when the extraction button displayed on the operation tablet 12's display screen is pressed. The cleaning command is sent from the operation tablet 12 when the cleaning button for the extraction container 9 displayed on the operation tablet 12's display screen is pressed. The water change command is sent from the operation tablet 12 when the water change button for the hot water tank 720a displayed on the operation tablet 12's display screen is pressed. The coffee machine termination command is sent from the operation tablet 12 when the termination button displayed on the operation tablet 12's display screen is pressed. In addition, an error flag is provided in the RAM of the storage unit 11b of the control device 11.

[0128] Step S131 determines whether these commands have been received. If an extraction command is received, the state of coffee machine 1 is changed from standby to extraction, and the extraction process (step S132) is executed. The extraction process manages the sequence of the extraction process, which will be described later. If a cleaning command is received, the state of coffee machine 1 is changed from standby to cleaning, and the cleaning process (step S133) is executed. The cleaning process manages the sequence of the cleaning process, which involves cleaning the inside of the extraction container 9 with chemicals and hot water. If a water change command is received, the state of coffee machine 1 is changed from standby to hot water tank change, and the hot water tank water change process (step S134) is executed. The hot water tank water change process manages the sequence of the hot water tank water change process, which will be described later, in which the hot water in the storage section 725 of the hot water tank 720a is temporarily discharged to the waste tank T, and new water is refilled in the storage section 725. If a coffee machine termination command is received, the state of coffee machine 1 is changed from standby to preparing to close, and the preparation to close process (step S135) is executed. The preparation to close process manages the sequence of the preparation to close process, including the water draining process at closing, which will be described later. In steps S132 to S134, if the sequence of each process managed by each process completes to the end without any problems, the process proceeds to step S136. If an error occurs, the process is forcibly exited from that sequence and proceeds to step S136. In step S135, if the sequence of the preparation to close process completes to the end without any problems, the process proceeds to step S139. If an error occurs, the process is forcibly exited from that sequence and proceeds to step S139. If an error occurs, the sequence of each process stops at that point, and an error flag is turned on. The error flag may be turned on in the monitoring process (see Figure 20) executed in the various device processing (step S204) in the timer interrupt processing described later.For example, the error flag is turned on when the coffee machine 1 is in the brewing state and the cover 102 shown in Figure 1 is detected to have been opened, when the waste tank T is detected to have been removed while the coffee machine 1 is in the brewing state, when a pressure abnormality (e.g., the pressure in the storage unit 725 is 300kPa or higher) is detected, or when a temperature abnormality (e.g., the water temperature in the storage unit 725 is 150℃ or higher) is detected. The error flag is also turned on if the float abnormality is not resolved in the float recovery process described later (see Figures 24 and 25). Furthermore, the error flag is also turned on when the coffee machine 1 is in the brewing state and the forced stop button displayed on the display screen of the operation tablet 12 is pressed (manual stop) and a forced stop command is received from the operation tablet 12.

[0129] In step S136, it is determined whether the error flag is on or off. If the error flag is not on, the state of coffee machine 1 is changed to waiting, and the process returns to step S131. If the error flag is on, the state of coffee machine 1 is changed to waiting for extraction cancellation request, and it is determined whether an error cancellation command has been received (step S137). If the error flag is on, it is a serious error and requires checking and recovery work by a maintenance service technician. After the maintenance service technician has finished checking, the maintenance service technician presses the error resolution button displayed on the display screen of the operation tablet 12, which sends an error cancellation command from the operation tablet 12. The processing unit 11a repeats the process in step S137 until it receives an error cancellation command.

[0130] Upon receiving an error cancellation command, the state of coffee machine 1 is changed from waiting for extraction cancellation request to forced stop recovery, and the forced stop recovery process (step S138) is executed. During the forced stop recovery process, the sequence of the forced stop recovery process is managed, and when the sequence of each process is completed to the end, the process returns to step S131. The forced stop recovery process includes the process of recovering each device through fully manual or semi-automatic manual operation, as well as the process of powering on again.

[0131] Also, in step S139, just like in step S136, it is determined whether the error flag is on or off. If the error flag is on, the process proceeds to step S137. On the other hand, if the error flag is off, this waiting process ends.

[0132] Next, we will explain the timer interrupt processing performed by the processing unit 11a of the control device 11. Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the timer interrupt processing.

[0133] The control device 11 includes a timer circuit that generates a timer interrupt signal at a predetermined interval (approximately once every 1ms in this embodiment), and the timer interrupt processing is started at a predetermined interval triggered by this timer interrupt signal.

[0134] In step S201, the timer interrupt start process is performed. This timer interrupt start process includes temporarily saving the values ​​of each register of the CPU, which is the processing unit 11a, to the stack area.

[0135] In step S202, the WDT (Wave Warning Timer) in the control device 11 is restarted periodically (in this embodiment, once every 1ms, which is the timer interrupt period) to prevent a WDT interrupt from occurring (to prevent detection of a processing abnormality) if the WDT count value exceeds the initial setting value.

[0136] In step S203, a sensor value update process is performed. In this sensor value update process, values ​​from various sensors are acquired and recorded in RAM, which is one of the memory units 11b. These values ​​include those from temperature sensors (for example, the temperature sensor 73e installed in the piping L3 and the thermocouple-type temperature sensor installed in the storage section 725 of the hot water tank 720a), non-contact temperature sensors (for example, the mill temperature sensor 5Bs, the chamber temperature sensor 90s and the internal temperature sensor 101s), position detection sensors (for example, the upper sensor 731h, the middle sensor 731m and the lower sensor 731l), pressure sensors, and current sensors. As a result of step S203, the values ​​of the various sensors recorded in RAM are updated to the latest values.

[0137] Step S204 performs various device processing. These various device processing operations include device control in the various processes described above, such as hot water tank control, heater control, reserve tank control, bean processing device control, and chamber control. Hot water tank control includes control of the valves and motors related to the hot water tank 720a. When the automatic hot water tank water supply control is on, the amount of water in the storage section 725 is monitored, and water is replenished if it is not full. When the automatic hot water tank pressure control is on, the pressure of the hot water tank 720a is monitored and controlled to be maintained at a constant level. Heater control includes monitoring the temperature of the storage section 725 and controlling the heater power to be turned on and off. When the automatic heater control is on, the temperature of the storage section 725 is monitored and controlled to be maintained at a set temperature. Reserve tank control includes monitoring the pressure of the air tank of the reserve tank 71. When the automatic reserve tank pressure control is on, the pressure of the reserve tank 71 is monitored and controlled to be maintained at a constant level. The bean processing device control includes controlling the operation of the storage device 4 and the grinding device 5. For example, this includes controlling the conveyor 41 of the storage device 4 and the motor of the grinding device 5. The chamber control includes controlling the operation of the extraction container 9. For example, this includes controlling the movement and inversion of the extraction container 9, and the opening and closing of the lid unit 91 by the drive unit 8. The various processes performed within each device will be described individually later.

[0138] Next, a timer update process (step S205) is performed to update various timers, and then the process proceeds to device status management (step S206). In device status management, preparations are made before outputting logs such as temperature, motor position, grinding status, and extraction contents, and the prepared logs are output (step S207), followed by communication control (step S208). In this communication control, the processing unit 11a communicates commands with the operation tablet 12.

[0139] The control device 11 is equipped with a voltage monitoring circuit that monitors the voltage value of the power supply. This voltage monitoring circuit outputs a low voltage signal to the processing unit 11a when the voltage value of the power supply falls below a predetermined value, indicating that the voltage has dropped. In step S209, the system monitors whether the low voltage signal is on or off. If the low voltage signal is on (power outage detected), the system proceeds to step S210. If the low voltage signal is off (no power outage detected), the system proceeds to step S211. In step S211, the timer interrupt termination process is performed. In this timer interrupt termination process, the values ​​of each register that were temporarily saved in step S201 are set back to their original values. Interrupt enable settings are also performed. After that, the system returns to the main process shown in Figure 14. Meanwhile, in step S210, specific variables and a stack pointer for returning to the state at the time of power outage are saved as recovery data in a predetermined area of ​​RAM, which is one of the storage units 11b. Power outage processing, such as initialization of the I / F unit 11c, is performed, and then the system enters a HALT state.

[0140] Next, we will explain the extraction process controlled by the extraction process shown in Figure 15 (step S132).

[0141] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of the extraction process. The extraction process shown in Figure 17 is also executed by the processing unit 11a of the control device 11.

[0142] When the extraction button displayed on the operation tablet 12's screen is pressed, the extraction command sent from the operation tablet 12 is received in the communication control (step S208) shown in Figure 16, causing the state of the coffee machine 1 to transition to extraction mode. During various device processing (step S204), preparations such as preheating the extraction container 9 are first carried out. Once these preparations are complete, the extraction preparation complete flag stored in the RAM of the control device 11 is set to ON. The extraction process shown in Figure 17 begins when this extraction preparation complete flag is set to ON.

[0143] In step S331, the grinding process is performed. During the grinding process, the roasted coffee beans are crushed, and the ground beans are put into the container body 90. In the extraction container 9, the lid unit 91 shown in Figure 2 is removed, and the container body 90 moves to the bean input position. Next, the storage device 4 and the grinding device 5 are driven. This supplies enough roasted coffee beans for one cup from the storage device 4 to the first grinder 5A. The roasted coffee beans are ground in two stages by the first grinder 5A and the second grinder 5B, and unwanted materials are separated by the separation device 6. The ground beans are put into the container body 90. After that, the container body 90 is returned to the extraction position, and the lid unit 91 is attached to the container body 90. The container body 90, when returned to the extraction position, is in an upright position. The second valve 903 is closed, and the first valve 913 is open.

[0144] Furthermore, the process may be carried out in parallel with the grinding process or after the grinding process, but the entire amount of hot water required for this extraction process is measured. The processing unit 11a adjusts the volume of the measuring unit 726 of the hot water tank 720a to enable the measurement of the entire amount of hot water required for this extraction process, and then opens the hot water volume adjustment valve 72l to send high-temperature hot water to the measuring unit 726.

[0145] In step S332, a small amount of hot water (less than the amount needed for one cup) is supplied to the extraction container 9 to allow the ground coffee beans inside to steep. Here, the chamber hot water valve 72i, which is a solenoid valve, is opened and closed for a predetermined time (e.g., 500 milliseconds). This supplies hot water from the metering unit 726 of the hot water tank 720a into the extraction container 9. After that, the process in S332 is terminated after waiting for a predetermined time (e.g., 5000 milliseconds). This process allows the ground coffee beans to steep. By steeping the ground coffee beans, carbon dioxide gas contained in the beans is released, which enhances the subsequent extraction effect.

[0146] In step S333, the remaining amount of hot water is supplied to the extraction container 9 so that enough hot water for one cup is contained within the extraction container 9. Here, the chamber hot water valve 72i is opened and closed for a predetermined time (for example, 7000 milliseconds). This supplies hot water from the metering unit 726 of the hot water tank 720a into the extraction container 9.

[0147] In step S334, the extraction container 9 is pressurized. Here, the solenoid valve 73b for chamber pressurization shown in Figure 4 is opened and closed for a predetermined time (e.g., 1000 msec), pressurizing the extraction container 9 to a pressure where the water does not boil (e.g., about 4 atmospheres (about 3 atmospheres in gauge pressure)). After that, the first valve 913 is closed. Subsequently, this state is maintained for a predetermined time (e.g., 7000 msec) to perform immersion-type coffee extraction. This allows for immersion-type coffee extraction under high temperature and high pressure. After that, the pressure inside the extraction container 9 is reduced. Here, the pressure inside the extraction container 9 is switched to the pressure at which the water boils. Specifically, the first valve 913 is opened, and the solenoid valve 73c shown in Figure 4 is opened and closed for a predetermined time (e.g., 1000 msec). The extraction container 9 is then released to the atmosphere. After that, the first valve 913 is closed again.

[0148] The pressure inside the extraction container 9 is rapidly reduced to a level below the boiling point, causing the water inside to boil instantly. The water and ground coffee beans inside the extraction container 9 are explosively scattered. This allows the water to boil uniformly. It also promotes the breakdown of the cell walls of the ground coffee beans, further accelerating the extraction of the coffee liquid. Furthermore, this boiling also agitates the ground coffee beans and water, further promoting the extraction of the coffee liquid. In this way, the extraction efficiency of the coffee liquid can be improved.

[0149] In step S335, the drive unit 8 is controlled to invert the extraction container 9 from an upright position to an inverted position. In the inverted position, the lid unit 91 is positioned on the bottom.

[0150] In step S336, percolation-type coffee liquid extraction is performed, and the coffee beverage is delivered to cup C. The processing unit 11a controls the motor 10b that drives the switching valve 10a shown in Figure 2, so that the extraction container 9 and the pouring section 10c are in communication. In addition, both the second valve 903 and the first valve 913 are opened. Furthermore, the solenoid valve 73b for chamber pressurization shown in Figure 4 is opened for a predetermined time (e.g., 10,000 milliseconds) to set the pressure inside the extraction container 9 to a predetermined pressure (e.g., 1.7 atmospheres (0.7 atmospheres in gauge pressure)). A filter is provided in the lid unit 91. Inside the extraction container 9, the coffee beverage, in which the coffee liquid has dissolved in hot water, permeates through the filter and is delivered to cup C. The filter prevents the leakage of coffee grounds residue. Note that hot water may be refilled into the extraction container 9 after inversion (during percolation-type coffee liquid extraction).

[0151] Step S337 involves the disposal of coffee grounds. This step involves cleaning the extraction container 9. The extraction container 9 is cleaned by returning it from an inverted position to an upright position and supplying it with tap water (purified water). Then, the extraction container 9 is pressurized, and the water inside the extraction container 9, along with the coffee grounds residue, is discharged into the waste tank T.

[0152] This completes the extraction process.

[0153] Next, we will explain the various processes performed within the various device processes (step S204) shown in Figure 16.

[0154] Figure 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of the hot water tank water replacement process, which is performed in the various device processes (step S204) when the state of coffee machine 1 is in the process of replacing the hot water tank water. The hot water tank water replacement process shown in Figure 18 is also performed by the processing unit 11a of the control device 11.

[0155] When the water change button displayed on the display screen of the operation tablet 12 is pressed, the water change command transmitted from the operation tablet 12 is received in the communication control (step S208) shown in Figure 16, causing the state of the coffee machine 1 to transition to "hot water tank water change in progress," and this hot water tank water change process is started in the various device processing (step S204).

[0156] In step S134a, various automatic controls are switched. Specifically, the automatic control of the heater 72a, as shown in Figure 8, is switched off. The automatic control of the hot water tank water level is also switched off. In other words, water is not automatically supplied to the storage unit 725. The automatic control of the compressor 70, as shown in Figure 4, is switched on. The automatic control of the hot water tank pressure is also switched on.

[0157] In step S134b, it is checked whether the upper probe pin and lower probe pin are attached to the extraction container 9. If they are not attached, the drive unit 8 shown in Figure 2 is controlled to attach the upper probe pin and lower probe pin to the extraction container 9.

[0158] Next, the hot water volume control valve 72l is opened (step S134c), the motor 10b that drives the switching valve 10a shown in Figure 2 is controlled to connect the extraction container 9 and the waste tank T (step S134d), the upper probe pin is lowered to open the first valve 913 and the lower probe pin is raised to open the second valve 903 (step S134e). Subsequently, the chamber hot water supply valve 72i is opened (step S134f), and a standby wait is performed (step S134g). During this standby wait, a counter prepared in RAM is incremented by 1 with each 1ms timer interrupt. If a 10-second standby wait is performed, and the counter value is less than 10000, the system records that processing has progressed to step S134g, exits step S134g, and performs other processing separate from the hot water tank water replacement process. The next time a timer interrupt occurs, processing will resume from the recorded step S134g and will be repeated until the counter value reaches 10000. Once the counter value reaches 10000, a 10-second waiting period will have elapsed.

[0159] As explained above, in the wait processing at step S134g, if there is no state transition for coffee machine 1, the next time a timer interrupt occurs, processing will resume from the recorded step S134g. On the other hand, if there is a state transition for coffee machine 1, and it subsequently transitions to the hot water tank water replacement process, and the hot water tank water replacement process is executed, processing will start from step S134g. The same applies to the wait processing described below (steps S135g, S507, S513, S518, and S520); if there is no state transition for coffee machine 1, processing will start from the recorded step, and if there is a state transition, processing will start from the beginning.

[0160] In step S134f, the chamber hot water valve 72i is opened, and the hot water remaining in the storage unit 725 is discharged to the waste tank T through the storage side piping 728a, the metering side piping 728b, and the extraction side piping 728c. In other words, the hot water in the storage unit 725 is discharged directly to the waste tank T without flowing to the metering unit 726. After a 10-second waiting period, the process proceeds to step S134h, where the chamber hot water valve 72i, which was opened in step S134f, is closed, and the 10-second discharge of hot water from the storage unit 725 ends. Next, a general-purpose counter stored in RAM is decremented (step S134i), and it is determined whether the value of the general-purpose counter has become 0 or not (step S134j). If it is not 0, the process returns to step S134f. The initial value of the general-purpose counter is 5, so the 10-second discharge of hot water from the storage unit 725 will be repeated 5 times. If all the hot water remaining in the storage section 725 were to be discharged at once, steam would spread throughout the waste tank T, causing steam (white smoke) to leak out through the gaps in the waste tank T. Therefore, the water is discharged in multiple stages (five times in this case).

[0161] If the value of the general-purpose counter is 0, the hot water volume control valve 72l, which was opened in step S134c, is closed (step S134k), and it is determined whether the water level change in the storage section 725 is appropriate (step S134l). In this determination in step S134l, if only the lower sensor 731l of the upper sensor 731h, middle sensor 731m, and lower sensor 731l shown in Figure 8, etc., is detecting the float 730, it is determined to be appropriate, and the process proceeds to step S134m, where various automatic controls are switched, and this hot water tank water replacement process is completed. Specifically in step S134m, the automatic control of the heater 72a and the automatic control of the hot water tank water level, which were switched off in step S134a, are switched on. In step S134a, the automatic control of the compressor 70 and the automatic control of the hot water tank pressure are switched on. As a result, the automatic control of the heater 72a and the automatic control of the hot water tank water level are switched on, which starts the automatic water supply to the hot water tank 720a (storage section 725), and the water replacement of the hot water tank 720a is completed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the water level change is not appropriate, the float abnormality 1 flag prepared in RAM is set to ON (step S134n), and the hot water tank water replacement process is terminated. The float abnormality 1 flag indicates that an abnormality has occurred in the float 730, such as upper attachment, upper-middle attachment, or middle attachment, as explained using Figure 12.

[0162] Furthermore, when the processing unit 11a receives a water replacement command, it may store in RAM the detection state of the float 730, which represents the water level in the storage section 725 of the hot water tank 720a at that time. In the determination in step S134l, it may compare the detection state representing the current water level in the storage section 725 with the detection state representing the water level in the storage section 725 that was stored when the water replacement command was received. The detection state referred to here is the detection state of the float 730 by the upper sensor 731h, middle sensor 731m, and lower sensor 731l, respectively, as shown in Figure 8, etc. (the same applies hereafter). Alternatively, each time hot water is discharged from the storage section 725 for 10 seconds, the detection state of the float 730 at that time may be compared with the detection state of the float 730 at the time of the previous discharge. If there is a change, the process may proceed to step S134m; if there is no change, the process may proceed to step S134n.

[0163] Next, we will explain the closing process that is performed in the various device processing steps (step S204) when the state of coffee machine 1 is preparing to close.

[0164] When the end button displayed on the display screen of the operation tablet 12 is pressed, the coffee machine end command sent from the operation tablet 12 is received in the communication control (step S208) shown in Figure 16, causing the state of the coffee machine 1 to transition to closing preparation, and the closing process is started in the various device processing (step S204).

[0165] The closing procedure includes resetting the grind size of the coffee beans by adjusting the distance between the fixed and rotating blades in the second grinder 5B (returning the distance between the fixed and rotating blades to its initial value), switching off the automatic control of the compressor 70 shown in Figure 4, and also switching off the automatic control of the hot water tank pressure. In addition, with the pressurizing solenoid valve 72f shown in Figure 4 closed, the pressure-releasing solenoid valve 72h is opened to reduce the pressure of the hot water tank 720a to atmospheric pressure. The reserve tank 71 is also reduced to atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, the extraction container 9 is cooled by supplying tap water (purified water), and the upper and lower probe pins are separated from the extraction container 9. In addition, the closing water draining procedure is performed.

[0166] Figure 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of the water drainage process at closing time. The water drainage process at closing time shown in Figure 19 is also executed by the processing unit 11a of the control device 11.

[0167] Steps S135a to S135l in the water draining process at closing time are the same as steps S134a to S134l in the hot water tank water replacement process described earlier, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0168] If step S135l determines that the condition is correct because only the lower sensor 731l is detecting the float 730, then the coffee machine 1 is switched to idle mode (step S135m), and the various automatic controls are switched (step S135n) as in step S134m, and the closing water draining process is completed. On the other hand, if step S135l determines that the condition is incorrect, the float abnormality 1 flag prepared in RAM is set to ON (step S135o), and the closing water draining process is completed.

[0169] Next, we will explain the monitoring process that is performed during various device processing (step S204) regardless of whether the coffee machine 1 is in standby mode or brewing mode. Figure 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of the monitoring process. The monitoring process shown in Figure 20 is also performed by the processing unit 11a of the control device 11.

[0170] In step S41, the temperature sensor monitoring process is executed. Examples of temperature sensors include the temperature sensor 72b that measures the temperature of the liquid in the storage section 725, the temperature sensor 73e installed in the piping L3 (hot water supply channel) shown in Figure 4, and the mill temperature sensor 5Bs. If the measured value of each temperature sensor does not fall within a predetermined allowable temperature range, an error flag is turned on. In the case of the temperature sensor 72b that measures the temperature of the liquid in the storage section 725, for example, the allowable temperature range is 50°C to 150°C.

[0171] In step S42, pressure sensor monitoring is performed. Examples of pressure sensors include the pressure sensor 72g that detects the air pressure in the storage section 725, the pressure sensor 73d that detects the air pressure in the extraction container 9, and the pressure sensor 71b that detects the air pressure in the reserve tank 71, as shown in Figure 4. If the measured value of each pressure sensor does not fall within a predetermined allowable pressure range, an error flag is turned on. In the case of the pressure sensor 72g that detects the air pressure in the storage section 725, for example, the allowable pressure range is 50kPa or more and 300kPa or less.

[0172] In step S43, a current value monitoring process is performed. If the current values ​​of the motor that drives the second grinder 5B, the motor that raises and lowers the upper probe pin, the motor that raises and lowers the lower probe pin, etc., are not within a predetermined allowable current value range, an error flag is turned on. In the case of the motor that drives the second grinder 5B, for example, the allowable current value range is between -1A and 4A.

[0173] In step S44, the float abnormality 2 monitoring process is executed; in step S45, the float abnormality 3 monitoring process is executed; in step S46, the hot water tank water supply abnormality monitoring process is executed; and finally, in step S47, the monitoring process for other sensors is executed, and the monitoring process ends. In step S47, the system monitors whether the cover part 102 shown in Figure 1 is opened during extraction, or whether the waste tank T is removed during extraction, and if the cover part 102 is opened or the waste tank T is removed, an error flag is turned on.

[0174] Figure 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of the float anomaly 2 monitoring process shown in Figure 20. This float anomaly 2 monitoring process is a continuous monitoring process that is executed whether the coffee machine 1 is in standby mode or brewing mode.

[0175] In step S441, it is determined whether the hot water volume control valve 72l is closed and the chamber hot water supply valve 72i is also closed. If the result is No, this float abnormality 2 monitoring process ends. On the other hand, if it is Yes, the process proceeds to step S442, where it is determined, based on the detection state of the float 730, whether the water level has changed since the determination in the previous step S442. If the process proceeds to step S442, there should ideally be no change in the water level of the storage section 725. However, if there has been a change in the water level, it means that the float 730 fell with a delay following the change in water level. For example, the float 730 may be detected in the following cases: when the upper-attached state (detected only by the upper sensor 731h) is resolved and it is detected by both the upper sensor 731h and the middle sensor 731m; when the upper-middle-attached state (detected by both the upper sensor 731h and the middle sensor 731m) is resolved and it is detected only by the middle sensor 731m; when the middle-attached state (detected only by the middle sensor 731m) is resolved and it is detected by both the middle sensor 731m and the lower sensor 731l; or when it is detected only by the lower sensor 731l. Such abnormalities, where the detection state of the float 730 changes despite the water volume control valve 72l being in the closed state, are sometimes referred to as float abnormality 2. If there is no change in the water level, the float abnormality 2 monitoring process ends. If there is a change in the water level, the float abnormality 2 flag prepared in RAM is set to ON (step S443), and the float abnormality 2 monitoring process ends.

[0176] Figure 22 is a flowchart showing the flow of the float abnormality 3 monitoring process shown in Figure 20. This float abnormality 3 monitoring process is a continuous monitoring process that is executed whether the coffee machine 1 is in standby mode or brewing mode, but it is a process for monitoring float abnormalities that occur during the metering of hot water in the metering unit 726.

[0177] Step S451 determines whether the hot water volume is being adjusted and the hot water tank water supply is stopped (metering is in progress). The processing unit 11a executes step S451 by determining whether the hot water volume adjustment valve 72l is open, the water supply solenoid valve 72d shown in Figure 4 is closed, and the chamber hot water supply valve 72i is also closed. If the determination in step S451 is YES (metering is in progress), the process proceeds to step S452. A hot water volume adjustment valve open continuation counter is provided in RAM, and in step S452, 1 is added to this hot water volume adjustment valve open continuation counter, and the process proceeds to step S453. In step S453, it is determined whether the value of the hot water volume adjustment valve open continuation counter is 10000 or more. A value of 10000 for the hot water volume adjustment valve open continuation counter means that 10 seconds have passed since metering started, since this float abnormality 3 monitoring process is executed with a 1ms timer interrupt. If 10 seconds have not elapsed since the start of weighing, proceed to step S455.

[0178] Furthermore, if the result in step S451 is NO, the hot water volume adjustment valve open continuation counter is cleared (step S454), and the process proceeds to step S455.

[0179] In step S455, it is determined whether the water level has changed since the previous determination in step S455, based on the detection state of the float 730. The detection state of the float 730 should change within 10 seconds of the start of metering. For example, the float 730 may change from being detected only by the upper sensor 731h to being detected by both the upper sensor 731h and the middle sensor 731m, or from being detected by both the upper sensor 731h and the middle sensor 731m to being detected only by the middle sensor 731m. If there is no change in the water level, the float abnormality 3 monitoring process ends. If there is a change in the water level, the hot water volume adjustment valve open continuation counter is cleared (step S456), and the float abnormality 3 monitoring process ends.

[0180] On the other hand, if the determination in step S453 indicates that 10 seconds have elapsed since the start of metering, it means that the water level in the storage unit 725 did not change during those 10 seconds, and a float abnormality has occurred. For example, if the water volume control valve 72l is left open for 10 seconds, the water level in the storage unit 725 may decrease, but the float 730 may remain in the upper-attached state (detected only by the upper sensor 731h) and not change to a state where it is detected by both the upper sensor 731h and the middle sensor 731m, or it may remain in the upper-middle-attached state (detected by both the upper sensor 731h and the middle sensor 731m) and not change to a state where it is detected only by the middle sensor 731m. In these cases, the float abnormality 3 flag prepared in RAM is set to ON (step S457), and the float abnormality 3 monitoring process is terminated.

[0181] Figure 23 is a flowchart showing the flow of the hot water tank water supply abnormality monitoring process shown in Figure 20. This hot water tank water supply abnormality monitoring process is also a continuous monitoring process, and it monitors for water supply timeouts that may occur when the coffee machine 1 is starting up, brewing, or changing the water in the hot water tank.

[0182] In step S460, it is determined whether the hot water tank water supply valve, which is the solenoid valve 72d for water supply shown in Figure 4, is in the open state. If it is in the open state, the process proceeds to step S461. The RAM is equipped with a hot water tank water supply valve open cumulative counter. In step S461, 1 is added to this hot water tank water supply valve open cumulative counter, and the process proceeds to step S462. In step S462, it is determined whether the value of the hot water tank water supply valve open cumulative counter is 120,000 or more. A value of 120,000 for the hot water tank water supply valve open cumulative counter means that 120 seconds have elapsed since the start of water supply to the storage unit 725, since this hot water tank water supply abnormality monitoring process is executed with a 1ms timer interrupt. If 120 seconds have not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S464.

[0183] In step S460, if the hot water tank water supply valve is closed, it means that no water is being supplied to the hot water tank 720a (storage section 725), so the hot water tank water supply valve open cumulative counter is cleared (step S463), and the process proceeds to step S464.

[0184] In step S464, it is determined whether the water level in the hot water tank 720a (storage section 725) is full or not. The processing unit 11a executes step S464 by determining whether the float 730 is detected only by the upper sensor 731h. If the water level is full, the hot water tank water supply valve open cumulative counter is cleared (step S465), and the hot water tank water supply abnormality monitoring process ends.

[0185] On the other hand, if the water level is not full, it is determined whether the hot water volume control valve 72l is closed and the chamber hot water supply valve 72i is open (step S466). If this determination is YES, it means that hot water is being supplied from the metering unit 726 to the extraction container 9, and the process proceeds to step S465. If the determination is NO, it is then determined whether the hot water volume control valve 72l is open and the chamber hot water supply valve 72i is also open (step S467). If this determination is YES, it means that metering is not performed in the metering unit 726, and hot water is being supplied directly from the storage unit 725 to the extraction container 9, and the process proceeds to step S465. If the determination is NO, the hot water tank water supply abnormality monitoring process is terminated.

[0186] On the other hand, if the determination in step S462 indicates that 120 seconds have elapsed since the start of water supply, it means that the water level in the hot water tank 720a (storage section 725) did not reach full capacity during those 120 seconds, resulting in a water supply timeout. Reasons for a water supply timeout include, for example, the float 730 being stuck to the bottom (detected only by the bottom sensor 731l), forgetting to turn on the power to the water pump that supplies tap water (purified water) to the hot water tank water supply valve, or forgetting to close the manual drain valve 72q shown in Figure 8, etc. A water supply timeout flag is provided in the RAM, and in the event of a water supply timeout, the water supply timeout flag is set to ON (step S468), various automatic controls are switched (step S469), and then the hot water tank water supply abnormality monitoring process ends. Specifically in step S469, the automatic control of the heater 72a shown in Figure 8, etc. is switched to OFF. Additionally, the automatic water level control in the hot water tank is switched off, as is the automatic pressure control in the hot water tank.

[0187] If a water supply timeout occurs during extraction, an alert will be displayed and sounded on the operation tablet 12 after the extraction is complete (while waiting). In this case, the user should check the water supply by confirming that the water pump is powered on and that the main water valve is open. They should also confirm that the manual drain valve 72q, as shown in Figure 8, is closed. After these checks, the user can press the alert reset button displayed on the operation tablet 12's display screen, at which point the processing unit 11a will execute an alarm reset process, which includes turning the water supply timeout flag off and turning on the automatic hot water tank water level control that was turned off in step S469.

[0188] Next, the float recovery process will be explained. Figure 24 is a flowchart showing the flow of the float recovery process, and Figure 25 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the float recovery process shown in Figure 24. The float recovery process is also executed by the processing unit 11a of the control device 11.

[0189] The float recovery process may be initiated based on the presence of one of the following flags: the float abnormality 1 flag, which is set to ON during the hot water tank water replacement process shown in Figure 18 or the water draining process at closing time shown in Figure 19; the float abnormality 2 flag, which is set to ON when the float 730 falls after a delay following a change in water level; or the float abnormality 3 flag, which is set to ON when the float 730 does not change during metering. In this case, the float recovery process is performed within the various device processes (step S204) that are performed by timer interrupts. If the coffee machine 1 is in the process of brewing, the brewing may continue and the float recovery process may be performed after brewing; this will be explained later. Also, if the water supply timeout described above occurs, an alert will be issued and a float recovery process button will be displayed on the display screen of the operation tablet 12. The user can also manually start the float recovery process by pressing the float recovery process button.

[0190] In step S501, various automatic controls are switched. Specifically, the automatic control of the heater 72a, as shown in Figure 8, is switched off. The automatic control of the hot water tank water level is also switched off, meaning that water is not automatically supplied to the storage unit 725. The automatic control of the hot water tank pressure is also switched on.

[0191] The following steps S502 to S510 are the same as steps S134b to S134j of the hot water tank water replacement process described earlier, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. However, the process in steps S506 to S510 is a hot water tank emptying process that completely drains the water from the hot water tank 720a (storage section 725) and empties the hot water tank 720a. This hot water tank emptying process is necessary when a water supply timeout occurs, that is, when the float 730 is not detected by the upper sensor 731h only, even though the storage section 725 is full (for example, when a lower sticking occurs). To prevent steam (white smoke) from leaking out of the gap in the waste tank T, the discharge is repeated five times for 10 seconds each. In this way, all the water in the storage section 725 can be drained. Note that if the float abnormality 1 flag is set to ON, the storage section 725 is empty, so the water draining process is meaningless, but it is executed for the sake of process commonality.

[0192] Once the emptying of the hot water tank is complete, the hot water volume control valve 72l is closed (step S511), and then the hot water tank water supply valve, which is the water supply solenoid valve 72d shown in Figure 4, is opened (step S512) and a standby wait is performed (step S513). The standby wait here is a process to wait for water to accumulate in the storage section 725. Similar to the standby wait in step S134g described earlier, a counter prepared in RAM is incremented by 1 with each 1ms timer interrupt to record that processing has progressed to step S513, and then step S513 is exited to execute processing other than the float recovery process. The next time a timer interrupt occurs, processing resumes from the recorded step S513 and is repeated until the standby wait time has elapsed. That is, if the standby wait time has not elapsed, the execution of step S513 is repeated each time the float recovery process is executed by a 1ms timer interrupt. The number of repetitions (standby wait time) differs depending on the type of abnormality. If the float anomaly 1 flag or the float anomaly 3 flag is set to ON, a 5-second waiting time is secured by repeating the waiting wait 5000 times. In the float recovery process, the process of supplying water to the storage section 725 and draining water from the storage section 725 may be repeated. In both the case of float anomaly 1 and float anomaly 3, since the float 730 is suspected to be stuck to the top, it may be necessary to supply water until the water level rises, but a single water supply over 5 seconds will not bring the water level in the storage section 725 to a high level. On the other hand, if the float anomaly 2 flag or the water supply timeout flag is set to ON, a 2-second waiting time is secured by repeating the waiting wait 2000 times. In the case of float anomaly 2, a delay in the change of the float 730 is suspected, and in the case of water supply timeout, the float 730 is suspected to be stuck to the bottom, so it is not necessary to fill the storage section 725 with water as much as in the case of float anomaly 1 or float anomaly 3. Once the waiting time has elapsed, the counter stored in RAM is reset to 0, and the process proceeds to step S514. The hot water tank water supply valve, which was opened in step S512, is returned to the closed position (step S514), the water supply to the storage unit 725 ends, and the process proceeds to the determination in step S515.

[0193] In step S515, it is determined whether the water level has changed since the previous water level change determination based on the detection state of the float 730. If the process proceeds to step S515, the water level in the storage section 725 should have changed due to the water supply process in steps S512 to S514. However, if there is no change in the water level, the water draining process of the hot water tank 720a (storage section 725) is executed again. Specifically, the hot water volume control valve 72l is opened (step S516), the chamber hot water supply valve 72i is also opened (step S517), and a standby wait is performed (step S518). In this standby wait in step S518, similar to the standby wait in step S134g described earlier, a counter prepared in RAM is incremented by 1 with each 1ms timer interrupt. In this step S518, a standby wait time of 6 seconds is secured by repeating the standby wait 6000 times. In other words, the waiting time is shorter than in step S507, and the amount of water drawn from the storage unit 725 is small. As the chamber hot water valve 72i opens, the water in the storage unit 725 is discharged to the waste tank T through the storage side piping 728a, the metering side piping 728b, and the extraction side piping 728c. After a waiting time of 6 seconds has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S519, where the hot water volume control valve 72l, which was opened in step S516, is returned to the closed position, and the waiting time is repeated (step S520). In this waiting time in step S520, similar to the waiting time in step S134g described earlier, a counter prepared in RAM is incremented by 1 every 1ms timer interrupt. The standby wait in step S520 is intended to allow as much water as possible to be discharged from the section of the metering side piping 728b connecting the hot water volume control valve 72l and the chamber hot water supply valve 72i, and to ensure a delay time before closing the chamber hot water supply valve 72i. For example, by repeating the standby wait 1000 times, a standby wait time (delay time) of 1 second is ensured. After the 1 second standby wait time has elapsed, the chamber hot water supply valve 72i is closed (step S521), and the process proceeds to the determination in step S522.

[0194] In step S522, it is determined, based on the detection state of the float 730, whether the water level has changed since the previous water level change determination (determination in step S515). If the process proceeds to step S522, the water level in the storage section 725 should have changed due to the water draining process in steps S516 to S521. If the water level has changed, the recovery of the float abnormality is complete, the float abnormality flag, which was previously on, is turned off (step S523), various automatic controls are switched (step S524), and this float recovery process is completed. In step S524, the automatic control of the heater 72a is switched on, and the automatic control of the hot water tank water level is also switched on.

[0195] If float abnormality 1 occurs during the hot water tank water replacement process shown in Figure 18 or the closing water draining process shown in Figure 19, the processing unit 11a will repeat the hot water tank water replacement process or the closing water draining process once the float abnormality has been resolved. Also, if float abnormality 2 or float abnormality 3 occurs while the coffee machine 1 is in the brewing state, the float recovery process will be started during the various device processing (step S204) performed by the timer interrupt after the brewing is completed. In other words, the float recovery process will be started automatically when the state of the coffee machine 1 transitions from brewing to standby. The process will end when the float abnormality has been resolved by the automatically started float recovery process.

[0196] On the other hand, if the determination in step S522 indicates no change in the water level, the process proceeds to step S525. The RAM also has a second general-purpose counter, the initial value of which is 4. In step S525, the second general-purpose counter is decremented, and in the following step S526, it is determined whether the value of the second general-purpose counter has become 0. If the value of the second general-purpose counter is not 0, the process returns to step S512, and the water supply process is performed again. In this way, the float recovery process may repeat the water supply process to the storage section 725 (steps S511 to S514) and the water draining process from the storage section 725 (steps S516 to S521).

[0197] The following describes a specific example of float restoration. In this explanation, the water levels in the reservoir 725 will be described in descending order as low water level, low-medium water level, medium water level, medium-high water level, and high water level (full tank level).

[0198] If float anomaly 1 or float anomaly 3 occurs (when the storage section 725 is empty and the float 730 is stuck to the top, middle, or middle), the first water supply process to the storage section 725 (steps S511 to S514) is performed, causing the water level in the storage section 725 to rise to the middle level. However, since there is no change in the water level, the first water draining process from the storage section 725 (steps S516 to S521) is performed, and the water level in the storage section 725 does not become empty but falls to the low level. However, since there is no change in the water level, the second water supply process is performed, causing the water level in the storage section 725 to rise to the medium-high level. However, since there is no change in the water level, the second water draining process from the storage section 725 is performed, and the water level in the storage section 725 falls to the low-medium level. However, since there was no change in the water level, the third water supply process was performed, causing the water level in the storage section 725 to rise to the high water level (full water level). However, since there was still no change in the water level, the third water draining process was performed from the storage section 725, causing the water level in the storage section 725 to drop to the medium water level. After this third water draining process was completed, the water level had changed, and the float malfunction was resolved.

[0199] Thus, the storage section 725 does not become completely full during the first water supply treatment, and the storage section 725 does not become empty during the first water draining treatment. Then, the water level is gradually raised during the second and third water supply treatments. This is because the float 730 is not always attached to the top, but may be attached to the top and middle or to the middle, so by gradually raising the water level, it is expected that the float 730, which is attached to the inner surface of the pipe member 729, will be detached by the force of the water draining at around that water level.

[0200] In addition, the water level in the storage section 725 reaches the high water level (full tank level) during the third water supply treatment, and since the initial value of the second general-purpose counter is 4, if there is no change in the water level, a fourth water supply treatment may be performed. During the fourth water supply treatment, water is supplied until it overflows from the storage section 725. The overflowing water is discharged by passing through the pressure port 72p shown in Figure 4, which pushes up the spring of the pressure-releasing solenoid valve 72h. The initial value of the second general-purpose counter may also be set to the number of times until the water level in the storage section 725 reaches the high water level (full tank level) (3 in this example). Alternatively, the water level in the storage section 725 may be set to reach the high water level (full tank level) during the second water supply treatment.

[0201] If a water supply timeout occurs (when the storage unit 725 is full and the float 730 is stuck to the bottom), the storage unit 725 is emptied by performing the hot water tank emptying process in steps S506 to S510. By performing the first water supply process to the storage unit 725 (steps S511 to S514), the water level in the storage unit 725 only rises to the low-medium level. Since there is no change in the water level, the first water draining process from the storage unit 725 (steps S516 to S521) is performed, and the storage unit 725 becomes emptied again. However, since there is no change in the water level, the water level in the storage unit 725 rises again to the low-medium level by performing the second water supply process. After this second water supply process is completed, the water level has changed, and the float malfunction has been resolved. This example demonstrates a successful removal of the float 730, which was attached to the inner surface of the pipe member 729, by the force of the rising water level.

[0202] In the case of a water supply timeout, although the storage section 725 is emptied by one water draining process (steps S516 to S521), the waiting time in step S518 may be shortened compared to when float abnormality 1 or float abnormality 3 occurs, so as not to empty the storage section 725. By doing so, the water level can be gradually raised by repeating the water supply process (steps S511 to S514), and it is expected that floats 730 with middle-bottom adhesion, in addition to bottom adhesion, will be removed.

[0203] On the other hand, if the value of the second general-purpose counter is 0 in the determination in step S526, the error flag prepared in RAM is set to ON (step S527), and this float recovery process ends. In this case, it means that the float abnormality could not be recovered, and if float abnormality 1 occurred during the hot water tank water replacement process shown in Figure 18 or the closing water draining process shown in Figure 19, the processing unit 11a forcibly stops the coffee machine 1 and triggers an alert on the operation tablet 12 using the display unit 12d and speaker 12e. Also, if float abnormality 2 or float abnormality 3 occurs during extraction, and the float recovery process is automatically started when the coffee machine 1 is in standby mode as described above, but the float abnormality could not be recovered, the processing unit 11a forcibly stops the coffee machine 1 and triggers an alert on the operation tablet 12. Upon receiving the alert, the user calls a maintenance service technician, and the recovery process is performed manually by the maintenance service technician. After the recovery work is completed, the maintenance service technician presses the error resolution button displayed on the screen of the operation tablet 12, which sends an error cancellation command from the operation tablet 12, and the processing unit 11a executes the forced shutdown recovery process (step S138) shown in Figure 15.

[0204] If a machine-stopping error is detected during extraction, the processing unit 11a will immediately stop the extraction and forcibly shut down the coffee machine 1, and issue an alert on the operation tablet 12. Examples of machine-stopping errors include the cover 102 shown in Figure 1 opening during extraction, the waste tank T being removed during extraction, a pressure anomaly (for example, the pressure in the storage unit 725 being 300kPa or higher), and a temperature anomaly (for example, the water temperature in the storage unit 725 being 150℃ or higher). In the case of the first two errors, the user will receive an alert and call a maintenance service technician, who will perform a recovery process manually and release the forced stop. In the case of the latter two errors, the power to the coffee machine 1 will be turned back on, a self-test will be performed, and if the error is resolved, the coffee machine 1 will be restored.

[0205] Based on the above description, A storage tank having a storage space for storing liquid [for example, a hot water tank 720a], A liquid volume changing unit [for example, a water supply solenoid valve 72d, a hot water volume adjustment valve 72l, and a chamber hot water supply valve 72i] that changes the amount of liquid stored in the storage space, A float [for example, float 730] that floats on the liquid stored in the storage space and moves up and down in accordance with changes in the liquid level of the storage space, The sensors that detect the float [for example, upper sensor 731h, middle sensor 731m, lower sensor 731l], A storage device [e.g., liquid flow rate adjustment device 72] comprising control means [e.g., control device 11] for controlling the liquid flow rate change unit based on the detection results of the sensor, Based on the detection results of the sensor, the system includes a determination means for determining the state of the float [for example, a processing unit 11a that executes a water level state change determination process (steps S134, S135, S442, S455) in each of the hot water tank water replacement process shown in Figure 18, the closing time water draining process shown in Figure 19, the float abnormality 2 monitoring process shown in Figure 21, and the float abnormality 3 monitoring process shown in Figure 22, or a full tank determination process (step S464) in the hot water tank water supply abnormality monitoring process shown in Figure 23], The determination means determines that a first state of abnormality has occurred in the float [for example, a state in which float abnormality 1 to 3 or a water supply timeout has occurred] if, despite the amount of liquid stored in the storage space being changed at a certain liquid level [for example, a high liquid level or a low liquid level (including 0 which is empty)], there is no change in the detection result of the float by the sensor. The storage device is characterized in that, when the determination means determines that the first state is in place, the control means can control the liquid volume change unit without relying on the detection result of the sensor [for example, based on the weight time] to increase the amount of liquid stored in the storage space [for example, water supply treatment (steps S511 to S514)] and then decrease it [for example, water draining treatment (steps S516 to S521)] or decrease it and then increase it [for example, the float recovery treatment shown in Figures 24 and 25]. I explained about that.

[0206] This storage device allows for the recovery control by the control means to address any abnormalities that occur in the float. In other words, it may be possible to recover from minor abnormalities that do not require parts replacement.

[0207] The sensor may be a general float sensor (a type of sensor in which a float guided around a vertical axis moves up and down within the storage space), or it may be a sensor that detects a float that is connected to the storage space and floats up and down in a space separate from the storage space.

[0208] The liquid volume changing unit may include a supply unit [for example, a water supply solenoid valve 72d] that supplies liquid to the storage space, and a discharge unit [for example, a hot water volume adjustment valve 72l and a chamber hot water supply valve 72i] that discharges the liquid stored in the storage space to the outside.

[0209] The control means may, when the determination means determines that the first state is in place, execute the recovery control in response to a start command [for example, a command from the operation tablet 12] being input. In other words, it may not be executed automatically, but rather by a manual operation such as inputting a start command. If a water supply timeout occurs in the hot water tank water supply abnormality monitoring process, an alert is output, and the recovery control is executed when the user performs a start command operation.

[0210] Also, "The storage device is characterized in that the control means is capable of repeatedly executing the recovery control until the first state is resolved [for example, repeatedly executing until the second general-purpose counter becomes 0]." I also explained that.

[0211] In addition, "The control means may increase the amount of liquid in the recovery control until the liquid level of the storage space is full, such that the liquid level after each increase is higher with each increase in the amount of liquid [for example, a medium liquid level the first time and a medium-high liquid level the second time]." For example, the control means may increase the amount of liquid in the recovery control such that the liquid level after the second increase [e.g., medium-high level] is higher than the liquid level after the first increase [e.g., medium level].

[0212] or, "The control means may, when increasing the amount of liquid for the first time in the recovery control, increase the amount of liquid so that the liquid level after the increase is lower than the full liquid level [for example, so that it becomes a medium level], and when decreasing the amount of liquid after increasing it for the first time in the recovery control, decrease the amount of liquid so that the liquid level after the decrease is higher than the empty (0) liquid level [for example, so that it becomes a low level]." Also, The determination means determines that if the recovery control is executed by the control means a predetermined number of times [for example, 4 times], the first state is not resolved by the recovery control, and the second state is [for example, an error state in which the error flag is turned on] [for example, step S526]. The storage device is characterized in that the control means terminates the recovery control [for example, by setting the error flag to ON (step S527)] when the determination means determines that the second state is in place. I also explained that.

[0213] Also, A storage device characterized by comprising notification means [for example, the display unit 12d of the operation tablet 12 shown in Figure 3 or the speaker 12e] that provides notification [for example, an alert] indicating that the second state is being experienced when the determination means determines that the second state is being experienced. I also explained that.

[0214] Also, The control means is The storage device is characterized in that, when the determination means determines that the first state is in place, the recovery control is automatically executed [for example, if float abnormality flags 1 to 3 are on in the various device processing steps of the timer interrupt processing shown in Figure 16 (step S204), the float recovery process is started]. I also explained that.

[0215] Also, The determination means determines that the first state is in place when the amount of liquid stored in the storage space decreases at a certain first liquid level [for example, a high liquid level], but there is no change in the detection result of the float by the sensor [for example, setting the float abnormality 1 flag to ON in the hot water tank water replacement process shown in Figure 18 or the closing water draining process shown in Figure 19, or setting the float abnormality 3 flag to ON in the float abnormality 3 monitoring process shown in Figure 22]. The storage device is characterized in that, when the determination means determines that the first state is in place, the control means controls the liquid volume change unit without relying on the detection result of the sensor [for example, based on the wait time], thereby increasing the amount of liquid stored in the storage space [for example, water supply treatment (steps S511 to S514)] and then decreasing it [for example, water draining treatment (steps S516 to S521)] as the recovery control. I also explained that.

[0216] In addition, "The storage space is equipped with a float pipe [for example, a pipe member 729] into which the liquid stored in the storage space can flow," The float moves up and down inside the float tube in accordance with the change in the water level in the storage space. The sensor includes a first sensor [for example, upper sensor 731h or upper sensor 731h and middle sensor 731m], The first sensor is positioned such that it detects the float when the liquid level in the storage space is at the first liquid level [for example, a high liquid level or a medium-high liquid level], and does not detect the float when it is at a second liquid level lower than the first liquid level [for example, a low liquid level]. The determination means may determine that the first state is in effect if the first sensor continues to detect the float despite the liquid level in the storage space decreasing from the amount of liquid stored in the storage space at the first liquid level [for example, YES in the determinations in steps S134f to S134j, S135f to S135j, and S451] [for example, by setting the float abnormality 1 flag to ON in the hot water tank water replacement process shown in Figure 18 or the closing water draining process shown in Figure 19, or by setting the float abnormality 3 flag to ON in the float abnormality 3 monitoring process shown in Figure 22]. In this case, the first condition (abnormal adhesion of the float to the first liquid level) is detected when the liquid level in the storage space falls below the first liquid level, and the first condition may be resolved by the recovery control, which causes the liquid level to rise to the first liquid level before falling again.

[0217] The first sensor may consist of only the upper sensor 731h, or it may consist of the upper sensor 731h and the middle sensor 731m. The first liquid level may be a high liquid level (for example, the liquid level of a full tank) or a medium-high liquid level (a liquid level lower than a full tank but higher than the medium liquid level).

[0218] Also, The determination means determines that the first state is in place when the amount of liquid stored in the storage space increases at a second liquid level [for example, a medium liquid level or a low liquid level (including 0 (empty)], but there is no change in the detection result of the float by the sensor [for example, setting the water supply timeout flag to ON in the hot water tank water supply abnormality monitoring process shown in Figure 23]. The storage device is characterized in that, when the determination means determines that the first state is in place, the control means controls the liquid volume change unit without relying on the detection result of the sensor, thereby performing the recovery control by reducing the amount of liquid stored in the storage space [for example, emptying the hot water tank (steps S506 to S510) or draining the water (steps S516 to S521)] and then increasing it [for example, supplying water (steps S511 to S514)]. I also explained that.

[0219] In addition, "The storage space is equipped with a float pipe [for example, a pipe member 729] into which the liquid stored in the storage space can flow," The float moves up and down inside the float tube in accordance with the change in the water level in the storage space. The sensor includes a second sensor [for example, a lower sensor 731l or a lower sensor 731l and a middle sensor 731m], The second sensor is positioned such that it detects the float when the liquid level in the storage space is at the second liquid level [for example, a low liquid level or a low-to-medium liquid level], and does not detect the float when it is at a first liquid level higher than the second liquid level [for example, a high liquid level]. The determination means may determine that the first state is in effect if the second sensor continues to detect the float despite the liquid level in the storage space increasing the amount of liquid stored in the storage space at the second liquid level [for example, YES in the determination of step S460] [for example, by setting the paper feed timeout flag to ON in the hot water tank water supply monitoring process shown in Figure 23]. In this case, the first condition (abnormal adhesion of the float to the second liquid level) is detected when the liquid level in the storage space rises from the second liquid level, and the first condition may be resolved by the recovery control, which causes the liquid level to drop to the second liquid level and then rise again.

[0220] The second sensor may consist of only the lower sensor 731l, or it may consist of the lower sensor 731l and the middle sensor 731m. The second liquid level may be a low liquid level (including 0 (empty)) or a low-mid liquid level (a liquid level lower than the mid liquid level but higher than the low liquid level).

[0221] Also, "A beverage manufacturing apparatus [for example, coffee machine 1] characterized by being equipped with the above-described storage device." I also explained that.

[0222] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments and examples shown above, and these can be combined with each other without departing from the spirit of the invention, and may be partially modified depending on the purpose, etc. Furthermore, the individual terms used herein are merely for the purpose of explaining the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the strict meaning of those terms, and may also include their equivalents. For example, expressions such as "apparatus" and "part" may be replaced with "unit" and "module," etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0223] 1 Coffee machine 2. Bean processing device 3 Extraction device 4. Storage device 5. Grinding device 5A First Grinder 5B Second Grinder 6 Separation device 72 Liquid volume control device 720a Hot water tank 725 Storage section 726 Measuring section 729 Pipe components 730 Float 731h Upper sensor 731m Medium Sensor 731l lower sensor 72d Water supply solenoid valve 72L water volume control valve 72i Chamber Hot Water Valve 9 Extraction vessel 11 Control device 11a Processing Unit 11b Storage section 12 Operation Tablet 12d Display section 12e Speakers

Claims

1. A storage tank having a storage space for storing liquid, A liquid volume changing unit that changes the amount of liquid stored in the storage space, A float that floats on the liquid stored in the storage space and moves up and down in accordance with changes in the liquid level in the storage space, The sensor for detecting the float, A storage device comprising control means for controlling the liquid volume changing section based on the detection result of the sensor, The system includes a determination means for determining the state of the float based on the detection result of the sensor, The determination means determines that a first state in which an abnormality has occurred in the float occurs when the amount of liquid stored in the storage space changes at a certain liquid level, but the detection result of the float by the sensor does not change. The control means, when the determination means determines that the first state is in place, can repeatedly perform a recovery control, which involves controlling the liquid volume change unit to increase and then decrease the amount of liquid stored in the storage space, or decrease and then increase it, without relying on the detection result of the sensor, until the first state is resolved. The storage device is characterized in that, when the amount of liquid is increased for the first time in the recovery control, the amount of liquid is increased so that the liquid level after the increase is lower than the liquid level of a full tank, and until the liquid level of a full tank of the storage space is reached, the amount of liquid is increased so that the liquid level after each increase is higher.

2. A storage device according to claim 1, The control means, when reducing the amount of liquid for the first time in the recovery control, reduces the amount of liquid so that the liquid level after the reduction becomes higher than the empty liquid level. A storage device characterized by the following features.

3. A beverage manufacturing apparatus characterized by comprising the storage device described in claim 1 or 2.

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