IT201900006394A1 - Espresso coffee machine and related kinematics - Google Patents

Description

Title: Espresso coffee machine and related kinematics.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an espresso coffee machine and relative kinematics. The invention has been made with particular regard to a machine equipped with a kinematic mechanism operated by motor means. The invention is particularly studied for coffee machines that use loose powdered coffee, however its use with other types of fillers, such as pods or capsules, is not excluded.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

Known automatic coffee machines for domestic use have an infusion chamber and a piston which are movable together between a loading position in which the piston is released from the chamber, and an infusion position in which the piston closes the chamber. The kinematic mechanisms which allow this type of relative motion are in general very complex, and comprise motor means operated in one direction of rotation for the decoupling of the chamber and piston, and in the opposite direction for their coupling. This generally results in a timing problem both during jams and during maintenance. In fact, it is generally necessary to manually return the mechanism to a starting or final position to restart the motors or to extract and reinsert the parts in the machine body for cleaning or maintenance purposes.

The object of the present invention is that of overcoming all or part of the problems of the known technique.

A preferable object of the present invention is to reduce or eliminate the timing problems following jams.

A further preferred object of the present invention is to make easier the disassembly and assembly of the machine for cleaning and maintenance.

Another further preferred object of the present invention is to achieve the objects indicated above with a system which is easy and inexpensive to produce.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

According to a first general aspect, the present invention relates to a coffee machine comprising an infusion unit (10), where the unit comprises an infusion head (22) and an infusion chamber (25) which are movable relative to each other. other in a relative sliding direction L1 and in a tilting direction of the chamber with respect to said sliding direction, in successive phases, where such relative movements are guided by the following guide means (27):

- a first guide track (40) which extends substantially in the relative sliding direction L1, and a first pin (44) guided by said track;

- a second guide track (42) for overturning the chamber and a second pin (45) guided by said second track, where said overturning track comprises:

● a first section (42a) substantially parallel to the first track (40), and a second section (42b) diverging from it.

The two traces are preferably substantially facing each other, ie they have at least respective portions placed at the same height.

A stop knee (42c) is preferably placed between the two portions and is positioned to deflect the path of the second pin (45).

Preferably the unit can be extracted from the machine as a single assembly.

According to some preferred embodiments of the invention, the brewing unit comprises means (8, 50) for moving the chamber (25) and the brewing head (22) comprising a drive shaft (8) and connecting rod means and crank (50) set to generate a sliding cycle of said pins with respect to said guides which comprises successive and alternating forward and return sliding movements, both corresponding to the rotation of said shaft in the same direction of travel.

This generates relative sliding and overturning of the chamber and of the head, all corresponding to the rotation of said shaft in the same direction of travel.

Advantageously, the unit can be inserted and extracted from the machine at any stage, as it does not need any alignment to resume the cycle, which can restart in any position.

According to a preferable general characteristic, the distance between the two pins (44, 45) is fixed.

According to a further preferable general characteristic, in the sliding direction (L1) and with reference to a position that precedes the overturned one, the pin (44) of the first track (40) is further away from said divergence (42c) than the other pin (45).

According to some preferred embodiments of the invention, the first track (40) is straight and parallel to the relative sliding direction (L1) between the chamber (25) and the brewing head (22), while the second track has the first section ( 42a) straight and parallel to the first track and the second straight and orthogonal to it.

According to further preferable general characteristics, the relative development of the two tracks (40, 42) and the distance between the pins (44, 45) is such that in the configuration of maximum overturning the second pin (45) is in said divergent section (42b ).

This advantageously allows to return from the overturned configuration to an infusion configuration.

According to some particularly simple embodiments, the guides and the brewing head are fixed to each other while the pins are fixed with respect to the brewing chamber.

According to a particularly advantageous and practical preferable general aspect, the infusion unit comprises means (30) for extracting the exhausted coffee charge from the infusion chamber (25); they comprise a plate (33) movable between a bottom and an upper opening of the brewing chamber to lift and expel the exhausted charge, where the plate (33) is moved by a plunger (34) which bypasses the bottom of the chamber (25) , and selectively interacts with a cam (35) placed on an oscillating arm (36).

The arm (36) oscillates between an operating position, in which the cam (35) interacts with the plunger to expel the exhausted charge, and a neutral position, in which the cam does not interact with the plunger.

The transition between the operating position and the neutral position takes place in the overturning phase of the chamber (25), where the piston (34) is dragged into overturning by the chamber so as to disengage from the cam (35) and place itself next to the arm (36) , pushed by return means (37) towards a position of maximum extension outside the chamber.

In this position the piston itself, during the return phase from the maximum overturning position, pushes the arm (36) into oscillation, moving it to the neutral position.

When the chamber (25) is in the infusion position, the plunger (34) is located above the cam, and the arm (36) is returned to the operative position by further return means (38).

Advantageously, the extraction is also thus operated with the same rotation of the motor shaft mentioned above.

The extraction means (30) preferably comprise scraper means (32) arranged to scrape away the exhausted coffee charge raised by the plate (33) during the overturning movement.

According to some preferred embodiments, the coffee machine comprises a self-cleaning valve (70) comprising an at least partially spherical chamber (72), communicating with an outlet duct (74) obstructed by a sphere (76) contained free in said chamber and maintained urged to obstruct this duct by elastic means (78); the chamber (72) also communicates with an outlet duct (82), arranged to inject into it a thread of fluid tangent to the ball (76) so as to make it rotate and move it away from the outlet duct (74) to open it when the pressure reached is sufficient to overcome the thrust force of said elastic means (78).

According to a second general aspect, the invention relates to an infusion unit of the type described above.

According to a third general aspect thereof, the invention relates to a self-cleaning valve of the type described above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of its preferred embodiments, made with reference to the attached drawings and given by way of non-limiting example. In such drawings:

Figure 1 schematically represents an embodiment of an automatic espresso coffee machine according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the machine of Figure 1 open and partially exploded to show the extraction of the infusion unit;

- figure 3 shows from the rear the hydraulic connection and to the motor means of the brewing unit made for quick coupling and release;

- Figures 4a and 4b show a perspective and sectional view of the brewing unit of the previous figures;

- figures 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d schematically show the phases of the cycle of the kinematics of the infusion unit of the previous figures;

figure 6a shows a section of the unit of the previous figures in the infusion phase;

figure 6b shows the phase of figure 6a in a perspective view;

figure 7a shows a section of the unit of the previous figures at the end of the linear descent phase;

- figures 7b and 7c show the phase of figure 7a in a perspective view, where the difference between the two is the removal of a wall of the frame for clarity;

figure 8a shows a section of the unit of the previous figures at the end of the tilting phase, in the loading position;

figure 8b shows the phase of figure 8a in a perspective view;

figure 9a shows a section of the unit of the previous figures in the linear ascent phase;

figure 9b shows the phase of figure 9a in a perspective view;

- figures 10 and 11 show an infusion valve of the machine of figure 1.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show an espresso coffee machine according to the present invention indicated as a whole with the reference number 1.

The machine 1 comprises an external casing 3, an internal compartment 5, an infusion unit 10, motor means 8 adapted to move the infusion unit between a loading position and an infusion position; means for dispensing the infusion 12 and hydraulic feeding means 14 operatively coupled and uncoupled from the infusion unit 10 respectively for dispensing the beverage resulting from the infusion and for supplying the unit with the fluid, preferably water, necessary to generate the infusion. The machine 1 also comprises a coffee charge magazine 15. The coffee is preferably in loose powder and automatically loaded into the unit 10 at each infusion cycle, however the use of other forms of charge, such as pods or capsules, is not excluded. loaded automatically or manually when the unit is in a loading position.

With reference to Figures 4a and 4b, the infusion unit 10 comprises a frame 20, arranged to support, motionless at one of its distal ends, an infusion head 22.

The frame preferably comprises at least one wall 21, preferably a pair of walls 21 parallel to each other.

The head 22 comprises an infusion piston 23 and preferably at least one outlet duct for the infusion 24, intended to be operatively coupled and uncoupled to the delivery means 12 of the outer casing 3. In addition or alternatively, the infusion head 22 can comprising at least one fluid inlet duct for generating the infusion (not shown), intended to be operatively coupled and uncoupled from the hydraulic supply means 14.

The unit 10 further comprises an infusion chamber 25, movable with respect to the piston 23, and intended to contain the coffee charge.

The chamber 25 comprises a seat 26 for housing the coffee charge open towards the piston 23 and able to receive it. The seat 26 has a main development direction L coinciding with the relative sliding direction L1 between chamber 25 and piston 23.

The unit 10 further comprises means 7 for moving the chamber in the direction L according to a to and fro movement between two extreme positions.

The handling means 7 comprise for example a drive shaft 28, operatively coupled and uncoupled to the drive means 8.

The shaft 28 rotates around an X axis orthogonal to the direction L1.

The handling means 7 further comprise connecting rod and crank means 50 for transforming the rotary motion of the shaft 28 into an alternating rectilinear motion of the brewing chamber 25. The latter are shown only schematically in Figures 5a to 5e.

The unit 10 generally comprises linear guide and overturning means 27 of the infusion chamber 25 with respect to the frame 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, the guide means 27 comprise at least a guide track 40 and a pin 44 sliding relative to each other to guide the chamber substantially in the direction L1, preferably linearly, between an infusion position and a position of load, and vice versa.

The track 40 is for example rectilinear and parallel to L1, it is also preferably integral with the frame 20, being for example formed as a groove in at least one of the walls 21.

The motor pin 44 is preferably integral in movement with the chamber 25.

According to the preferred embodiments, the pin 44 can be directly moved by the motor means 7, and in this case it is said motor pin, being for example hinged to the connecting rod and crank means 50, but this is not an essential condition.

The guide means 27 also comprise at least a second guide track 42 and a second tilting pin 45 of the chamber, operatively sliding relative to each other to incline the development direction L of the chamber 25 with respect to the sliding direction L1.

The pin 45 is preferably a driven pin, since it is dragged to slide in the overturning track 42 when the driving pin 44 is pushed into the track 40 to slide by the motor means 7.

The driven pin 45 is preferably integral in movement with the chamber 25.

The pins 44 and 45 preferably have a fixed distance P between them, as shown in figures 5b and 5c.

Preferably, with reference to the infusion position and to the direction L1, the pins 44 and 45 are placed with respect to the chamber 25 with the driven pin 45 in a lower position with respect to the motor pin 44. See here their distances F1> F2 from the bottom of the chamber in figure 5a. These distances are preferably invariable.

Preferably, with reference to the infusion position and to a direction orthogonal to the direction L1, the motor pin 44 is located substantially equidistant from the ends of the chamber. In this regard, see the relative distances from said ends T1 = T2 in Figure 5a. This position is preferably invariable.

With this position of the motor pin 44 it is evident that, although less preferably, it is possible to move the chamber 25 along the direction L1 also with motor means other than the connecting rod and crank mechanism, such as for example a screw and nut screw mechanism acting on the pin. 44 towards L1. However, this implies a reversibility of the engine adopted, while, as will be clarified below, the connecting rod and crank mechanism allows a continuous cycle without the need for reversibility.

Preferably, with reference to the infusion position and to a direction orthogonal to the direction L1, the driven pin 45 is placed closer to one of the ends of the chamber. In this regard, see the relative distances from said ends M1> M2 in Figure 5a. This position is preferably invariable.

The overturning track 42 is preferably integral with the frame 20, being for example formed as a groove in at least one of the walls 21.

The overturning track 42 comprises a first upper section 42a substantially parallel to the motor track 40, and a second lower section 42b substantially diverging from it, where between the two sections there is an abutment knee 42c placed to deviate the path of the driven pin 45 .

For example, the engine track 40 and the upper section 42a of the overturning track 42 are straight tracks parallel to L1 and the diverging section 42b is a straight section inclined with respect to the section 42a, preferably orthogonal as shown in the figure.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the frame 20 has two parallel walls 21 and the guides 40 and 42 are replicated on both, with respective pins 44 and 45 integral with the chamber.

The invention also contemplates variants with inverting associations, whereby the guides 40 and 42 are integral in movement with the chamber 25 and the pins 44 and 45 are integral with the frame 20.

In use, and with reference to the sequence of figures 5a to 5e, which are not to scale, starting from the infusion position of figure 5a in which the piston 23 is inserted in the chamber 25, following the rotation of the crankshaft 28 the connecting rod and crank means 50 push the chamber 25 downwards along the direction L1 away from the piston 23. The relative movement between the chamber 25 and the piston 23 is linear parallel to L1 until the pin 45 reaches the knee 42c. Here this pin is held, but since the pin 44 continues its downward stroke and the distance P between the two pins 44 and 45 is invariable, the pin 45 is pushed into the diverging guide section 42b and generates the overturning of the chamber, as shown in the sequence of figures 5b, 5c, 5d.

In the position of maximum overturning of Figure 5d, the pin 45 is in the diverging portion 42b.

Continuing with the rotation of the shaft 28, the overturning is automatically reversed, and the chamber 25 returns with the direction of development L parallel to L1, as can be seen in the passage from figure 5d to 5e.

At this point, by concluding the rotation of the shaft 28 to make a complete revolution, the rectilinear motion is returned to the infusion position, passing from figure 5e to figure 5a.

The motion of the motor means is therefore in a single direction of rotation, and is capable of controlling a cycle which in a single rotation of the shaft 8 comprises in succession an infusion position of the chamber 25, a loading position overturned with respect to the position the infusion position, and again the infusion position.

In a more general perspective, independent of the embodiment given to the guide means 27, the chamber 25 comprises a movement composed at least of a linear movement towards and away from the piston 23 along the direction L1 and a movement of inclination K with respect to said direction L1, where the two movements alternate with each other in an infusion cycle comprising:

- a loading phase in which the chamber 25 is in a loading position, disengaged and far from the piston, and has the direction of development L inclined with respect to the direction L1; This phase is illustrated in figures 5d, 8a and 8b;

- a straightening phase in which the chamber rotates until it aligns L with L1;

- a linear approach stroke of the chamber 25 to the piston 23 along the direction L with L and L1 aligned, until the piston 23 engages in the seat 26; this phase is also conventionally called the rising phase and is illustrated in figures 5e, 9a and 9b;

- an infusion phase, in which the piston is in the infusion position corresponding to the maximum insertion into the chamber 25, where the infusion fluid passes into the coffee charge inside the seat 26 closed by the piston 23; this step is illustrated in figures 5a, 6a and 6b;

- a step of linear moving away of the chamber 25 from the piston along the direction L with L and L1 aligned, where in this step preferably means 30 for extracting the exhausted charge from the chamber are active; this phase is illustrated in figures 5b, 7a, 7b, 7c;

- a phase of inclination of the chamber 25 in the direction K until it returns to the loading position with L1 inclined with respect to L, in this phase scraper means 32 are preferably active to scrape the expelled exhausted charge away from the top of the chamber 25; this phase is illustrated by figures 5c and 5d.

We will now describe other preferable features of the invention.

In the case in which it is intended to make a machine for use with a load of loose coffee powder, the infusion unit 10 comprises a loading hopper 52 capable of receiving the powder from the magazine 15 and conveying it into the chamber 25 when located in the loading position illustrated in Figures 8a and 8b, corresponding to an overturned configuration of the chamber 25.

The brewing unit 10 preferably comprises means 30 for extracting the exhausted coffee charge from the chamber 25.

The extraction means 30 comprise a plate 33 placed in the seat for housing the charge 26, movable between the bottom and the upper inlet opening of the piston 23, to lift and expel the exhausted charge.

The plate 33 is moved in sliding along the main development line of the chamber L by a piston 34 which bypasses the bottom of the chamber 25, and selectively interacts with a cam 35 placed on an oscillating arm 36.

The arm 36 oscillates between an operative position, illustrated in Figures 7a, 7b and 7c, in which the cam 35 interacts with the plunger to keep it from moving downwards during the descent in the L1 direction of the chamber 25, and a neutral position, illustrated in figures 8a, 8b and 9a, 9b; where the cam does not interact with the plunger.

The passage between the operating position and the neutral position occurs in the overturning phase of the chamber 25, since during the overturning to pass from the position of the chamber 25 aligned with the piston 23, illustrated in figure 7a, to the overturned position illustrated in figure 8a, the piston 34 disengages from cam 35 and is placed next to arm 36 pushed to extend further out of chamber 25 by return means 37, for example elastic. Subsequently, in the overturning step from the loading position to the aligned position, the piston moves the arm 36 to the neutral position, as shown in Figure 9a.

When the chamber 25 is in the infusion position, the plunger 34 is located above the cam and the arm 36, which therefore is recalled into the operative position by further return means 38, for example elastic ones.

The extraction means 30 preferably comprise scraper means 32, for example advantageously fixed to the hopper 52, so as to scrape off the load raised by the plate 33 during the overturning movement from the aligned position of chamber 25 and piston 23 to the loading position.

With reference to the exploded views of figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that the infusion unit 10 can be extracted as a single piece from the machine 1, and can be coupled and uncoupled from the motor means 8, and from the hydraulic feed means 14.

For example, the drive shaft 28 and the drive means 28 can be coupled and uncoupled by means of a gear coupling.

The hydraulic supply means 14 comprise a duct 60 for connecting the brewing chamber 25 to a boiler 64. The duct 60 is flexible and preferably movable in a shaped opening 62 of a wall of the machine 1. The duct 60 can be engaged and disengaged to a quick coupling 66 of the brewing chamber 25.

With reference to Figures 9 and 10, the infusion dispensing means 12 comprise a self-cleaning dispensing consent valve 70 capable of opening only when a predetermined minimum pressure is reached.

It is believed that the valve 70 can also be exploited independently of the other characteristics described above, that is, as an invention in its own right, whereby the applicant reserves the right to file independent claims thereon.

The self-cleaning valve 70 comprises a semi-spherical chamber 72, where the hemispherical portion 73 communicates with an outlet duct 74 obstructed by a sphere 76, contained free in the chamber 72 and kept elastically pushed to obstruct this duct by elastic means 78. The elastic means they include, for example, a helical spring whose thrust force is registered by means of a dowel 80 which can be screwed to the wall of the chamber.

The chamber 72 also communicates with an outlet duct 82, arranged to inject into it a thread of fluid tangent to the sphere 76 capable of wedging between the sphere and the hemispherical portion 73. The action of the tangent fluid thread is such as to put the ball 76 rotates and moves it away from the hemispherical portion by opening the outlet duct 74 when the pressure reaches it is sufficient to overcome the elastic force of the spring 78 compressed by the grain 80.

The sphere 76 is preferably made of glass or metal material.

GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term "comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended as open-ended terms that specify the presence of the claimed characteristics, elements, components, groups, integers and / or phases, but they do not exclude the presence of other undeclared characteristics, elements, components, groups, integers and / or phases. The above also applies to words that have similar meanings such as the terms "including", "having" and their derivatives. Furthermore, the terms "part", "section", "portion", "member" or "element" when used in the singular may have the dual meaning of a single part or of a plurality of parts. As used herein to describe the form (s) above, the following directional terms "forward", "backward", "above", "down", "vertical", "horizontal", "below" and "transverse" as well as any other similar directional term refers to the embodiment described in operative position. Finally, degree terms such as "substantially", "about" and "approximately" as used herein mean the possible tolerance of a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the final result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, position or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and / or desired. The components shown directly connected or in contact with each other can have intermediate structures arranged between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment may be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all the advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Any feature that is original compared to the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, should also be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and / or functional concepts embodied by those features. Therefore, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustrative purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS 1. Coffee machine comprising an infusion unit (10), where the unit comprises an infusion head (22) and an infusion chamber (25) movable relative to each other in a relative flow direction L1 and in an overturning direction of the chamber with respect to said sliding direction, in successive phases, where such relative movements are guided by the following guide means (27): - a first guide track (40) which extends substantially in the relative sliding direction L1, and a first pin (44) guided by said track; - a second guide track (42) for overturning the chamber and a second pin (45) guided by said second track, where said overturning track comprises: ● a first section (42a) substantially parallel to the first track (40), and a second section (42b) diverging from it. Coffee machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the brewing unit comprises means (8, 50) for moving the chamber (25) and the brewing head (22) comprising a drive shaft (8) and connecting rod and crank means (50) arranged to generate a sliding cycle of said pins with respect to said guides which comprises successive and alternating forward and return slides, both corresponding to the rotation of said shaft in the same direction of travel. Coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the two pins (44, 45) is fixed. 4. Coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the sliding direction (L1) and with reference to the configuration preceding the overturned one, the pin (44) of the first track (40) is further away from said divergence (42c) with respect to the other pin (45). 5. Coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first track (40) is straight and parallel to the relative sliding direction (L1) between the chamber (25) and the brewing head (22), while the second track has the first section (42a) straight and parallel to the first track and the second section straight and orthogonal to it. Coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in the fact that the relative development of the two tracks (40, 42) and the distance between the pins (44, 45) is such that in the configuration of maximum overturning the second pin ( 45) is in said divergent section (42b). 7. Coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guides and the brewing head are fixed to each other while the pins are fixed with respect to the brewing chamber. Coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the infusion unit comprises means (30) for extracting the exhausted coffee charge from the infusion chamber (25); they comprise a plate (33) movable between a bottom and an upper opening of the brewing chamber to lift and expel the exhausted charge, where the plate (33) is moved by a plunger (34) which bypasses the bottom of the chamber (25) , and selectively interacts with a cam (35) placed on an oscillating arm (36); the arm (36) oscillates between an operative position, in which the cam (35) interacts with the plunger to expel the exhausted charge, and a neutral position, in which the cam does not interact with the plunger; the transition between the operating position and the neutral position occurs in the overturning phase of the chamber (25), where the piston (34) is dragged into overturning by the chamber so as to disengage from the cam (35) and place itself next to the arm (36) , pushed by return means (37) towards a position of maximum extension outside the chamber; in this position the piston itself, during the return phase from the maximum overturning position, pushes the arm (36) into oscillation, moving it to the neutral position, when the chamber (25) is in the infusion position, the plunger (34) is above the cam, and the arm (36) is recalled into the operative position by further return means (38). 9. Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the extraction means (30) comprise scraper means (32) arranged to scrape off the load raised by the plate (33) during the overturning movement. Coffee machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a self-cleaning valve (70) comprising an at least partially spherical chamber (72), communicating with an outlet duct (74) obstructed by a sphere (76) contained free in said chamber and kept forced to obstruct said duct by elastic means (78); the chamber (72) also communicates with an outlet duct (82), arranged to inject into it a thread of fluid tangent to the ball (76) so as to make it rotate and move it away from the outlet duct (74) to open it when the pressure reached is sufficient to overcome the thrust force of said elastic means (78). Infusion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9. 12. Self-cleaning valve according to claim 10.