Filling and dosing mechanism for espresso machine having grinder

Abstract

A filling and dosing mechanism for an espresso machine having a grinder, the filling and dosing mechanism comprising a frame, and a grinding assembly (1), a tamping assembly and a hopper assembly (2) mounted on the frame, wherein the hopper assembly (2) is adapted to be mounted on the grinding assembly (1) by rotation, and the grinding assembly (1) is in communication with a powder chute (11) for feeding ground coffee into the hopper assembly (2). The grinding assembly (1) is provided with a grinding micro switch assembly (3). The tamping assembly comprises a tamping stirring head (4), a tamping drive electric motor (5), a transmission component (6) and a dosing control component (7), wherein an output shaft of the tamping drive electric motor (5) is connected to an input end of the transmission component (6); an output end of the transmission component (6) is connected to a transmission shaft (8); the tamping stirring head (4) is arranged within the hopper assembly (2) and connected to the transmission shaft (8); and the dosing control component (7) is connected to an upper end portion of the transmission shaft (8) and moves up and down along with the transmission shaft (8) to control opening or closing of the dosing control component (7).

Description

A filling and dispensing mechanism for a coffee grinder / pressure coffee machine

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application filed on January 16, 2025, with application number 202520108848X, entitled "A filling and dispensing mechanism for a coffee grinder pressure machine", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the technical field of coffee machines, specifically a filling and dispensing mechanism for a coffee grinder pressure coffee machine. Background Technology

[0004] Existing coffee machines use a mixing head to distribute and tamp coffee grounds. When the amount of coffee grounds in the funnel assembly increases and reaches a set height (coffee volume), the grinding assembly needs to stop grinding. At this point, a mechanism is needed to send a signal to the control system to stop the grinding assembly. Current coffee machines generally use microswitches, which notify the control system to stop the grinding assembly by switching the microswitch on and off.

[0005] However, coffee machines with the above-mentioned structure have the following shortcomings in actual use: when the amount of coffee powder reaches the set height, the microswitch structure cannot accurately sense changes in height, resulting in a relatively large error and causing significant deviations in the amount of coffee powder, which affects the flavor of the brewed coffee. Furthermore, the microswitch structure occupies a large space, affecting the product's structural layout. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a filling and metering mechanism for a coffee grinder, which can accurately measure the amount of coffee powder, avoid large errors in the degree of compaction of coffee powder and the amount of coffee powder, ensure the flavor of brewed coffee, and simplify the structural layout and ensure the product structure layout.

[0007] The objective of this invention is achieved as follows: A filling and dispensing mechanism for a pressure coffee grinder includes a frame, a grinding assembly, a tamping assembly, and a funnel assembly. The grinding assembly, tamping assembly, and funnel assembly are all mounted on the frame. The funnel assembly is screwed onto the grinding assembly. The grinding assembly has a powder outlet channel for feeding coffee powder into the funnel assembly. The grinding assembly is equipped with a micro-switch assembly for controlling the grinding action or stopping the grinding process. The tamping assembly includes a tamping and stirring head. The device includes a tamping drive motor, a transmission component, and a metering control component. The output shaft of the tamping drive motor is connected to the input end of the transmission component. The output end of the transmission component is connected to a drive shaft on the funnel assembly. The drive shaft can move up and down under its own weight or the force of the coffee powder accumulation in the funnel assembly. The tamping and stirring head is placed inside the funnel assembly and connected to the drive shaft. The metering control component is connected to the upper end of the drive shaft and can move up and down with the drive shaft to control the metering control component to open or close.

[0008] In one embodiment, the quantitative control component is located on the left side of the drive shaft.

[0009] In one embodiment, the quantitative control component is located on the right side of the drive shaft.

[0010] In one embodiment, the quantitative control components are distributed on the left and right sides of the drive shaft.

[0011] In one embodiment, the drive shaft is provided with a spring-loaded drive member, which can move up and down to push the metering control component to move to both sides. The spring-loaded drive member is mounted on the outer edge of the drive shaft and is slidably connected to the metering control component.

[0012] In one embodiment, the quantitative control component includes a contact mounting component, a contact return spring, a contact spring, and a contact terminal. The contact terminal is fixed to the contact mounting component. One side of the contact mounting component is slidably connected to the spring drive component, and it can move left and right on the fixed part of the transmission component as the transmission shaft moves up and down. One elastic end of the contact return spring is connected to the fixed part of the transmission component, and the other elastic end of the contact return spring is connected to the contact mounting component. The contact spring is mounted on the contact mounting component and communicates or disconnects with the contact terminal as the contact mounting component moves, so as to control the contact terminal to be connected or disconnected from the grinding micro switch assembly.

[0013] In one embodiment, the transmission component is provided with a contact plate pressure plate, which is used to limit the movement position of the contact mounting member. A shaft return spring is provided between the contact plate pressure plate and the transmission component, which is used to assist the transmission shaft in resetting movement. The contact terminal is fixed on the contact mounting member, and one side of the contact plate pressure plate is connected to the elastic end of the contact return spring.

[0014] In one embodiment, the transmission component includes a transmission gear set and a transmission gearbox. The grinding assembly is equipped with a grinding bracket adapted to the transmission gearbox. The transmission gear set is installed inside the transmission gearbox. The input end of the transmission gear set is connected to the output shaft of the grinding drive motor, and the output end of the transmission gear set is connected to the transmission shaft. The transmission gearbox is fixedly equipped with contact terminals and slidably connected with contact mounting parts.

[0015] In one embodiment, the grinding micro switch assembly is mounted on the grinding assembly via the grinding bracket, and the funnel assembly, when screwed onto the grinding bracket, triggers the grinding micro switch assembly to activate it.

[0016] In one embodiment, the grinding micro-switch assembly includes a micro-switch, a push rod, and a switch reset spring. The micro-switch is mounted on the grinding support and electrically connected to the grinding assembly and the powder pressing drive motor. The push rod is connected to the grinding support and can move up and down. The switch reset spring is fitted onto the upper end of the push rod. One elastic end of the switch reset spring is connected to the grinding support, and the other elastic end of the switch reset spring is connected to the push rod. When the funnel assembly is screwed onto or off the grinding support, it pushes the push rod upward or the push rod moves downward under the elastic action of the switch reset spring, thereby triggering the micro-switch to conduct or disconnect the circuit.

[0017] This application utilizes a tamping assembly with a tamping and stirring head, a tamping drive motor, a transmission component, and a metering control component. The tamping and stirring head is positioned within the funnel assembly, and the tamping drive motor simultaneously drives the transmission shaft, compacting and leveling the coffee grounds within the funnel assembly. During this process, the amount of coffee grounds continuously increases, pushing the tamping and stirring head to its designated position within the funnel assembly. When the tamping and stirring head reaches a set position, the transmission shaft activates the metering control component, which then disengages, stopping the grinding assembly. This design is simple, accurately metering the coffee grounds and preventing significant errors in compaction and quantity, thus ensuring optimal coffee flavor. Furthermore, the metering control component and grinding micro-switch assembly simplify the structural layout and ensure optimal product arrangement. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the disclosed drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the application.

[0021] Figure 3 is an equipment relationship diagram of the powder pressing assembly and the funnel assembly according to an embodiment of this application (with the contact plate pressure plate removed).

[0022] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the contact spring and the contact terminal in one embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 5 is an assembly cross-sectional view of a powder pressing assembly according to an embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure 6 is an exploded view of a powder pressing component according to an embodiment of this application.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals: 1. Grinding assembly; 11. Powder outlet channel; 12. Grinding support; 2. Funnel assembly; 3. Grinding micro switch assembly; 31. Micro switch; 32. Push rod; 33. Switch reset spring; 4. Powder pressing and stirring head; 5. Powder pressing drive motor; 6. Transmission components; 61. Transmission gear set; 62. Transmission gearbox; 7. Quantitative control components; 71. Contact mounting component; 72. Contact reset spring; 73. Contact spring; 74. Contact terminal; 75. Contact pressure plate; 8. Drive shaft; 9. Spring drive component; 10. Rotary shaft reset spring. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, an embodiment of this application provides a filling and dispensing mechanism for a coffee grinder / pressure machine, including a frame and a grinding assembly 1, a tamping assembly, and a funnel assembly 2 mounted on the frame. The funnel assembly 2 is screwed onto the grinding assembly 1, and the grinding assembly 1 is connected to a powder outlet channel 11 for feeding coffee powder into the funnel assembly 2. The grinding assembly 1 is equipped with a grinding micro-switch assembly 3 for controlling the grinding action or stopping. The tamping assembly includes a tamping and stirring head 4, a tamping drive motor 5, a transmission component 6, and a dispensing control component 7. The output shaft of the tamping drive motor 5 is connected to the input end of the transmission component 6, and the output end of the transmission component 6 is connected to a drive shaft 8 that can move up and down on the funnel assembly 2 under its own weight or the pressure of coffee powder accumulation within the funnel assembly 2. The tamping and stirring head 4 is placed inside the funnel assembly 2 and connected to the drive shaft 8. The dispensing control component 7 is connected to the upper end of the drive shaft 8 and moves up and down with the drive shaft 8 to control the dispensing control component 7 to open or close.

[0028] By employing the structural coordination of the tamping assembly's tamping head 4, tamping drive motor 5, transmission component 6, and metering control component 7, the tamping head 4 is positioned within the funnel assembly 2. Simultaneously, the tamping drive motor 5 drives the transmission shaft 8, which in turn drives the tamping head 4, compacting and leveling the coffee powder within the funnel assembly 2. During this process, the amount of coffee powder continuously increases, pushing the tamping head 4 to its position within the funnel assembly 2. When the tamping head 4 is pushed to the set position, the transmission shaft 8 activates the metering control component 7, disengaging it and stopping the grinding assembly 1. This simple structure accurately measures the amount of coffee powder, avoiding significant errors in the compaction and quantity of the coffee powder, thus ensuring the optimal flavor of the brewed coffee.

[0029] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, and further detailing, the quantitative control component 7 is distributed on the left side of the drive shaft 8, or the right side of the drive shaft 8, or both sides of the drive shaft 8.

[0030] This figure shows that quantitative control components 7 are distributed on both the left and right sides of the drive shaft 8, so that the quantitative control components 7 are electrically connected to the grinding assembly 1 in parallel conductive form, thereby increasing the control accuracy.

[0031] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, and further detailed, the drive shaft 8 is provided with a spring-loaded drive member 9 for moving up and down to push the quantitative control component 7 to move to both sides. The spring-loaded drive member 9 is installed on the outer edge of the drive shaft 8 and is slidably connected to the quantitative control component 7.

[0032] The quantitative control component 7 includes a contact mounting component 71, a contact return spring 72, a contact spring 73, and a contact terminal 74. The contact terminal 74 is fixed to the contact mounting component 71. One side of the contact mounting component 71 is slidably connected to the spring drive component 9, and it can move left and right on the fixed part of the transmission component 6 as the transmission shaft 8 moves up and down. The two elastic ends of the contact return spring 72 are respectively connected to the fixed part of the transmission component 6 and the contact mounting component 71. The contact spring 73 is mounted on the contact mounting component 71 and, as the contact mounting component 71 moves, connects or disconnects from the contact terminal 74, thereby controlling the connection or disconnection of the contact terminal 74 with the grinding micro-switch assembly 3.

[0033] In actual operation, the transmission component 6 is provided with a contact plate pressure plate 75 for limiting the movement position of the contact plate mounting component 71. A rotary shaft reset spring 10 for resetting and moving the auxiliary transmission shaft 8 is provided between the contact plate pressure plate 75 and the transmission component 6. One side of the contact plate pressure plate 75 is connected to the elastic end of the contact plate reset spring 72.

[0034] Furthermore, the transmission component 6 includes a transmission gear set 61 and a transmission gearbox 62. The grinding assembly 1 is equipped with a grinding bracket 12 adapted to the transmission gearbox 62. The transmission gear set 61 is installed inside the transmission gearbox 62, and its input and output ends are respectively connected to the output shaft of the grinding drive motor 5 and the transmission shaft 8. The transmission gearbox 62 is fixedly equipped with a contact terminal block 74 and slidably connected with a contact mounting piece 71.

[0035] As shown in the parametric figures 1 to 3, in further detail, the grinding micro switch assembly 3 is mounted on the grinding assembly 1 via the grinding bracket 12. When the funnel assembly 2 is screwed onto the grinding bracket 12, it triggers the grinding micro switch assembly 3 to activate the grinding micro switch assembly 3.

[0036] The grinding micro-switch assembly 3 includes a micro-switch 31, a push rod 32, and a switch reset spring 33. The micro-switch 31 is mounted on the grinding support 12 and electrically connected to the grinding assembly 1 and the powder pressing drive motor 5. The push rod 32 is connected to the grinding support 12 and moves up and down. The switch reset spring 33 is fitted onto the upper end of the push rod 32, and the two elastic ends of the switch reset spring 33 are respectively connected to the grinding support 12 and the push rod 32. When the funnel assembly 2 is screwed onto or off the grinding support 12, it pushes the push rod 32 to move upward or downward under the elastic action of the switch reset spring 33, thereby triggering the micro-switch 31 to conduct or disconnect the circuit.

[0037] When in use, the funnel assembly 2 is screwed onto the grinder holder 12, and simultaneously, the funnel assembly 2 contacts and pushes up the push rod 32, causing the micro switch 31 to close, thus starting the grinder assembly 1 to grind the coffee beans. The coffee powder falls into the funnel assembly 2 through the powder outlet 11. During this process, the tamping drive motor 5 operates, and through the structural cooperation between the transmission gear set 61 of the transmission component 6 and the transmission shaft 8, it drives the tamping head 4 to rotate. The coffee powder enters the funnel assembly 2 through the tamping head 4, where it is flattened and compacted by the rotating tamping head 4.

[0038] As coffee grounds are added, the tamping head 4 is pushed upwards. Simultaneously, the drive shaft 8 drives the spring drive 9 upwards. The inclined surface of the spring drive 9 contacts the contact mounting piece 71, moving it along the transmission gearbox 62 to both sides. This causes the contact springs 73 on both sides to separate from the contact terminals 74, breaking the circuit and controlling the grinding micro-switch assembly 3 to disconnect. This generates a signal to the coffee machine's control system to stop or delay the grinding assembly 1 from operation. This structure is simple, low-cost, and highly reliable. Because the spring drive 9 can separate the contact springs 73 from the contact terminals each time the drive shaft 8 rises to the same height, the amount of coffee grounds in the tamping head 4 is consistent, achieving quantitative grinding and tamping, avoiding large errors in the compaction and quantity of coffee grounds, and ensuring the flavor of the brewed coffee.

[0039] After grinding and pressing are completed, and the powder is detached from the funnel assembly 2, under the action of gravity and the shaft reset spring 10, the powder pressing and stirring head 4 and the spring drive 9 move downward along the transmission shaft 8. Subsequently, under the action of the contact reset spring 72, the contact mounting parts 71 on both sides move and reset, so that the contact spring 73 is connected to the contact terminal 74, thereby generating a connection signal to the control system to enter the standby state.

[0040] During this period, the quantitative control component 7 and the grinding micro-switch assembly 3 using this structure can simplify the structural layout and ensure the product structural layout.

[0041] The above specific embodiments are only specific implementations with better effects in this application. Any structure that is the same as or equivalent to the filling and dispensing mechanism of the coffee grinder pressure coffee machine of this application is within the protection scope of this application.

[0042] In the description of this application, it should be understood that if terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" appear, these terms indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0043] Furthermore, where the terms "first" and "second" appear, these terms are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, where the term "multiple" appears, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0044] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0045] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the use of descriptions such as "above" or "below" the second feature indicates that the first and second features are in direct contact or indirect contact via an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. Similarly, "below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0046] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. If an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. If so, the terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0047] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0048] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A filling and dispensing mechanism for a coffee grinder / pressure coffee machine, comprising a frame, a grinding assembly (1), a tamping assembly, and a funnel assembly (2), wherein the grinding assembly (1), the tamping assembly, and the funnel assembly (2) are all mounted on the frame, the funnel assembly (2) is adapted to be screwed onto the grinding assembly (1), and the grinding assembly (1) is connected to a powder outlet channel (11) for feeding coffee powder into the funnel assembly (2), characterized in that: The grinding assembly (1) is equipped with a grinding micro-switch assembly (3), which is used to control the grinding action or stop. The tamping assembly includes a tamping stirring head (4), a tamping drive motor (5), a transmission component (6), and a metering control component (7). The output shaft of the tamping drive motor (5) is connected to the input end of the transmission component (6), and the output end of the transmission component (6) is connected to the transmission shaft (8) on the funnel assembly (2). The transmission shaft (8) can move up and down under its own weight or the push of the coffee powder accumulation in the funnel assembly (2). The tamping stirring head (4) is placed in the funnel assembly (2) and connected to the transmission shaft (8). The metering control component (7) is connected to the upper end of the transmission shaft (8). The metering control component (7) can move up and down with the transmission shaft (8) to control the metering control component (7) to open or close.

2. The filling and dispensing mechanism of the coffee grinder / pressure coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The quantitative control component (7) is located on the left side of the drive shaft (8).

3. The filling and dispensing mechanism of the coffee grinder pressure coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The quantitative control component (7) is located on the right side of the drive shaft (8).

4. The filling and dispensing mechanism of the coffee grinder pressure coffee machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The quantitative control components (7) are distributed on the left and right sides of the transmission shaft (8).

5. The filling and dispensing mechanism of the coffee grinder pressure coffee machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The drive shaft (8) is provided with a spring drive member (9), which can move up and down to push the quantitative control component (7) to move to both sides. The spring drive member (9) is installed on the outer edge of the drive shaft (8) and is slidably connected to the quantitative control component (7).

6. The filling and dispensing mechanism of the coffee grinder pressure coffee machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The quantitative control component (7) includes a contact mounting component (71), a contact return spring (72), a contact spring (73), and a contact terminal (74). The contact terminal (74) is fixed to the contact mounting component (71). The contact mounting component (71) is slidably connected to the spring drive component (9) on one side and can move left and right on the fixed part of the transmission component (6) as the transmission shaft (8) moves up and down. One elastic end of the contact return spring (72) is connected to the fixed part of the transmission component (6), and the other elastic end of the contact return spring (72) is connected to the contact mounting component (71). The contact spring (73) is mounted on the contact mounting component (71) and connects or disconnects with the contact terminal (74) as the contact mounting component (71) moves, so as to control the contact terminal (74) to be connected or disconnected from the grinding micro switch assembly (3).

7. The filling and dispensing mechanism of the coffee grinder pressure coffee machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The transmission component (6) is provided with a contact plate (75), which is used to limit the movement position of the contact mounting component (71). A shaft return spring (10) is provided between the contact plate (75) and the transmission component (6). The shaft return spring (10) is used to assist the transmission shaft (8) in resetting and moving. One side of the contact plate (75) is connected to the elastic end of the contact return spring (72).

8. The filling and dispensing mechanism of the coffee grinder pressure coffee machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The transmission component (6) includes a transmission gear set (61) and a transmission gearbox (62). The grinding assembly (1) is equipped with a grinding bracket (12) adapted to the transmission gearbox (62). The transmission gear set (61) is installed inside the transmission gearbox (62). The input end of the transmission gear set (61) is connected to the output shaft of the powder pressing drive motor (5). The output end of the transmission gear set (61) is connected to the transmission shaft (8). The transmission gearbox (62) is fixedly equipped with a contact terminal (74) and slidably connected with a contact mounting piece (71).

9. The filling and dispensing mechanism of the coffee grinder pressure coffee machine according to claim 8, characterized in that: The grinding micro switch assembly (3) is mounted on the grinding assembly (1) via the grinding bracket (12). The funnel assembly (2) is screwed onto the grinding bracket (12) and simultaneously triggers the grinding micro switch assembly (3) to activate the grinding micro switch assembly (3).

10. The filling and dispensing mechanism of the coffee grinder pressure coffee machine according to claim 8, characterized in that: The grinding micro-switch assembly (3) includes a micro-switch (31), a push rod (32), and a switch reset spring (33). The micro-switch (31) is mounted on the grinding support (12) and electrically connected to the grinding assembly (1) and the powder pressing drive motor (5). The push rod (32) is connected to the grinding support (12) and can move up and down. The switch reset spring (33) is fitted onto the upper end of the push rod (32). One elastic end of the switch reset spring (33) is connected to the grinding support (12), and the other elastic end of the switch reset spring (33) is connected to the push rod (32). When the funnel assembly (2) is screwed onto or off the grinding support (12), it pushes the push rod (32) upward or the push rod (32) moves downward under the elastic action of the switch reset spring (33), thereby causing the push rod (32) to trigger the micro-switch (31) to conduct or disconnect.

Images