JP2008178507A - Beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-size, as small as possible, and compact beverage dispenser such as a coffee maker. <P>SOLUTION: This beverage dispenser consists of a liquid container having a heating means, an electric pump, beverage extraction means, a liquid circulation path annularly connecting the liquid container, the electric pump and the beverage extraction means sequentially in a communicating state, and hot water supply means situated between the electric pump and the beverage extraction means in the liquid circulation path and changing over the liquid circulation path from the circulation state to a hot water supply state where hot water can be supplied to the outside. This beverage dispenser is so formed that water in the liquid container is heated by the heating means, the heated hot water is circulated by the electric pump via the liquid circulation path and the beverage extraction means to extract beverage till a prescribed concentration, and the beverage after completing the extraction is stored in the liquid container. This beverage extractor is further provided with a hot water temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the hot water in the liquid container and, only after the hot water temperature in the liquid container becomes a prescribed temperature or more, the electric pump is actuated and the extraction of the beverage is started via the beverage extraction means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a circulation extraction type beverage providing apparatus.

  Up to now, beverage providing apparatuses such as various coffee makers have been proposed including those for business use and home use.

  However, in any of the above beverage supply apparatuses such as coffee makers, water is stored, heated by a boiling water heating means and stored in a container for hot water and extracted coffee or other beverage liquid, and kept warm. The container that is kept warm by the means is separated from the container. First, the hot water from the hot water container heated to the hot water by the hot water heating means is passed through the beverage extraction means such as coffee to extract the beverage, and further stored at a predetermined temperature. A system for transferring to a heat insulating container and keeping the temperature is employed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-165310 (Specification, page 1-10, FIG. 1)

  However, since such a conventional beverage providing apparatus requires at least two liquid containers, two heating means, a communication path for communicating them, and the like, the housing of the apparatus inevitably becomes large and the installation space is wide. There is a drawback of lacking compactness. Of course, the cost is high accordingly.

  In addition, the device structure is complicated and the thermal efficiency is poor.

  Therefore, the inventor of the present application, as a beverage providing apparatus that solves such a problem, allows liquid to circulate through a beverage extraction means and an electric pump in a single liquid container provided with a single heating means. By circulating hot water heated to a predetermined temperature at which the beverage can be extracted through a circulation passage, the beverage can be extracted and kept at the predetermined temperature in the original liquid container. We are currently developing a circulation extraction type beverage supply device.

  According to the beverage providing apparatus having such a configuration, only one liquid container and heating means are required, and a smaller size and a smaller space are sufficient. Therefore, the cost can be reduced and the installation place can be reduced.

  However, when such a configuration is adopted, since the beverage is heated from the middle of the extraction line (hot water circulation line), what is the extraction start of the beverage, the extraction operation and the hot water supply operation An unprecedented new problem of how to deal with the relationship arises.

  The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving such problems.

  In order to achieve the same object, the present invention is configured with the following problem solving means.

(1) Invention of Claim 1 This invention is the liquid which connects the liquid container provided with the heating means, the electric pump, the beverage extraction means, and these liquid containers, the electric pump, and the beverage extraction means in an annular state in sequential communication. A circulation passage and hot water supply means for switching the liquid circulation passage from a circulation state to a hot water supply state capable of hot water supply to the outside between the electric pump and the beverage extraction means in the liquid circulation passage, Beverage is heated by heating means, and the heated hot water is circulated through the liquid circulation passage and the beverage extraction means by the electric pump, thereby extracting the beverage to a predetermined concentration, and the beverage after completion of the extraction Is a circulation extraction type beverage providing device configured to store a hot water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of hot water in the liquid container, and the hot water temperature in the liquid container is predetermined. First time allows driving the electric pump when it is above the temperature, and characterized in that so as to start the extraction of the beverage through the beverage extraction means.

  In this way, the hot water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the hot water in the one liquid container is provided so that the electric pump can be driven only when the temperature of the hot water in the same container becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. If the beverage can be extracted automatically through the means or when the extraction command operation is performed, it is possible to avoid the risk of starting the circulation extraction at a low hot water temperature, and to always stably extract the beverage. Become.

(2) Invention of Claim 2 This invention is the structure of the invention of Claim 1 above, and the beverage after completion of extraction stored in the liquid container is kept at a predetermined heat retention temperature lower than the temperature at the time of extraction. It is characterized by becoming.

  As described above, if the beverage after completion of extraction is kept at a predetermined warming temperature set in advance that is lower than the hot water temperature at the time of beverage extraction, the desired drinking time is always obtained after the completion of extraction. Hot water can be poured out to a server or the like via a hot water supply means.

(3) Invention of Claim 3 This invention is the structure of the invention of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the concentration of the beverage to be extracted is the hot water circulation time, the hot water circulation amount per unit time, the steaming time, and the hot water temperature. It is characterized by being variable by any one or any combination.

  In this way, the concentration of the beverage to be extracted is always varied by any one or any combination of hot water circulation time, hot water circulation amount per unit time, steaming time, hot water temperature, It may be possible to extract a beverage at a desired constant concentration.

(4) Invention of Claim 4 This invention is made to stop an electric pump, when the hot-water supply means is operated during circulation extraction of a drink in the structure of the invention of the said Claim 1, 2 or 3. It is characterized by that.

  As described above, when the hot water supply means is operated during the circulation extraction of the beverage, if the electric pump is stopped, the beverage is still being extracted and the concentration is not sufficient. Regardless, an erroneous operation in which the hot water supply means is operated and a low-concentration beverage is poured out is reliably avoided.

  As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a beverage providing apparatus such as a coffee maker that is compact in structure, low in cost, high in thermal efficiency, and highly reliable.

  Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the beverage providing device of the present invention when configured as a coffee maker, for example, will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Configuration of the coffee maker body)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, the coffee maker of this embodiment includes a container main body 1 having an inner container 2 for storing a liquid, and an electric for heating the inner container 2 in both the hot water heating and heat insulation processes. A heater 3, a hot water temperature sensor 41 that is located at the bottom of the inner container 2 and detects the temperature of the hot water in the inner container 2, and the liquid stored in the inner container 2 are passed through circulation passages 6 and 7 described later. An electric pump 4 that circulates and drives, a coffee cartridge 5 that is a coffee extraction means for extracting coffee as a beverage, a pumping passage 6 that supplies liquid pumped to the coffee cartridge 5 by the electric pump 4, A coffee extract recirculation passage 7 for recirculating the coffee extract from the coffee cartridge 5 into the inner container 2 and a hot water supply passage for supplying hot water to the extracted beverage in the inner container 2 8 and a passage switching valve 9 for switching the flow of liquid to the hot water supply passage 8 and the pumping water passage 6, and hot water supplied to the lower part of the coffee cartridge 5 through the pumping water passage 6 is supplied to the coffee cartridge 5. The inside is soaked from the bottom to the top and is further refluxed from the top through the coffee extract reflux passage 7 into the inner container 2. Storage and boiling of water, warming of hot water during circulating extraction after boiling from boiling water, and storage and warming of extracted coffee beverages.

  The container body 1 includes a synthetic resin-made bottom shoulder 10 made of a synthetic resin, which engages the upper end of a bottomed cylindrical inner container 2 made of sheet metal, and the shoulder member 10 joined to the upper end. A lid 13 that covers the upper end opening of the inner container 2 so as to be openable and closable is connected to one side of the shoulder member 10 via a hinge mechanism 12 so as to be openable and closable. ing. Reference numeral 14 denotes a lock mechanism for holding the lid 13 in a closed state, and 15 denotes a steam discharge passage.

  A coffee beverage extraction unit U is provided on one side of the container body 1 so as to be adjacent to the container body 1, and the coffee beverage extraction unit U is on the side opposite to the hinge mechanism of the shoulder member 10. The cartridge support portion 16 is integrally formed above the inner container 2 and supports the cartridge 5, and is formed along one side of the container body 1, and the straight pipe portion 6 a of the pumping passage 6 is disposed. And a server mounting table 18 on which a server S for receiving the coffee beverage to be poured out is placed in a horizontal direction from the lower end of the passage forming unit 17. It has a letter shape.

  The coffee cartridge 5 acting as the coffee extracting means is a vertically long conical container for storing, for example, a coffee extraction bag (filter bag) G containing a predetermined kind of coffee bean powder. The hot water inlets 19, 19,... For introducing hot water are formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the coffee cartridge 5 has an upper reflux passage 7a, which is a part of the coffee extract reflux passage 7, communicated with the upper end opening of the coffee cartridge 5 and the upper opening of the upper reflux passage 7a. In this state, it is formed integrally.

  Further, a flange portion 5a is formed integrally with the upper end opening edge of the coffee cartridge 5, and a cylindrical cartridge cover 20 that covers the outside of the coffee cartridge 5 is engaged with the flange portion 5a. Yes. Reference numeral 21 is a lid that covers the upper end opening of the coffee cartridge 5, and 22 is a seal packing that seals the lid 21 and the opening edge of the coffee cartridge 5. The lid 21 communicates with the inside and outside of the lid 21 at appropriate positions. Air holes 23 are formed (see FIG. 5).

  If it does in this way, the upper part (namely, space part between the lid | covers 21) of the coffee cartridge 5 will be in a vacuum state at the time of completion | finish of coffee extraction circulation, and coffee extract liquid will pass through the coffee extract recirculation | reflux channel | path 7. Although there is a possibility that it will not return to the inner container 2 or overflow, the formation of the air hole 23 eliminates the generation of negative pressure at the top of the coffee cartridge 5 (the space between the lid 21) and Such a problem will not occur.

  The cartridge support portion 16 has a circular shape in plan view, and a cartridge receiver 24 for fitting and fixing the lower end portion of the coffee cartridge 5 is formed at the center thereof. Reference numeral 25 denotes a seal packing for ensuring a sealing property between the upper end opening of the cartridge receiver 24 and the coffee cartridge 5. A female screw portion 27 for screwing a male screw portion 26 provided at the lower end of the coffee cartridge 5 is provided at the center of the inner bottom of the cartridge receiver 24.

  In the state where the coffee cartridge 5 is inserted and fixed to the coffee cartridge receiver 24, the lower end of the upper reflux passage 7a is connected to the upper end of the lower reflux passage 7b connected to the inner container 2 side. In addition, the lower end of the cartridge cover 20 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral edge of the cartridge support portion 16. Further, the upper end of the pumping passage 6 passing from the bottom of the inner container 2 through the electric pump 4 to the passage constituting portion 17 is connected to the bottom of the cartridge support portion 16.

  In the middle of the pumping passage 6 (that is, the lower part of the cartridge support portion 16), the hot water supply passage 8 for supplying the liquid in the inner container 2 to the outside and the flow state of the liquid to the pumping passage 6 are shown. A switching valve 9 for switching is provided. In the present embodiment, the switching valve 9 is configured such that the pumping passage 6 side is always open, while the hot water supply passage 8 side is normally closed, and the hot water supply is discharged only when the coffee beverage is dispensed. The side of the passage 8 is open.

  That is, the hot water supply passage 8 is branched from the middle of the pumping passage 6, and the switching valve 9 is constituted by an on-off valve that opens and closes the hot water supply passage 8 side in the branch portion. The outlet of the hot water supply passage 8 (that is, the spout to the server S) is directed downward so as to face the server S. Reference numeral 28 is a valve rod of the switching valve 9, 29 is a hot water supply operation lever for opening and closing the switching valve 9, and 30 is a spring for biasing the valve rod 28 in the valve closing direction.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the lower end of the lower reflux passage 7b in the coffee extract reflux passage 7 is connected to the side surface of the inner container 2, but on the side surface of the inner container 2 slightly below the full water level. Is formed with a recessed portion 2a that is stepped and formed in one paragraph from another portion, and the lower end of the lower reflux passage 7b is connected to the recessed portion 2a. If it does in this way, the refluxed coffee extract will flow down along the inner surface of the inner container 2, and it will not foam in the inner container 2, and the lower end of the lower reflux passage 7 b, the inner container 2, Can be easily connected.

  An operation panel 31 as shown in detail in FIG. 6 is provided on the right front side of the apparatus body of the present coffee maker. On the panel surface 31 a of the operation panel 31, a timer water heater is used by using a liquid crystal screen 37 at the top, a hot water supply unlocking switch 32 below it, and additional extraction or reservation timer switch 35 for increasing the extraction concentration of the coffee liquid. A circulation extraction switch (manual extraction switch) 33 for extracting coffee at a desired time by manual operation when necessary, any one of hot water circulation time, hot water circulation amount per unit time, steaming time, hot water temperature A concentration selection switch 34 for setting the concentration of the extracted coffee liquid by one or any combination thereof, a reservation timer switch 35 for heating the inner container 2 at a desired time (within 8 hours) by timer reservation, a cleaning mode To turn off the electric heater 3 when water is used, and to enable cleaning with water Like the heater OFF switch 36 is provided.

(Configuration of circulation extraction system and control circuit system)
The coffee maker having the above-described configuration includes, for example, a circulation extraction system and a control system as shown in FIG. 7. First, water stored in the inner container 2 is connected to the AC power plug and the electric heater 3. 9, for example, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 9, first, the hot water temperature sensor 41 is heated until the detected temperature reaches 93 ° C. (boiling state), and then the hot water temperature sensor 41 detects the same temperature 93 ° C. Then, the electric heater 3 is turned off, and after a predetermined waiting time of 30 seconds for cavitation countermeasures has elapsed, the electric heater 3 is turned on and off at predetermined time intervals, and the hot water temperature is changed to 93. Extraction of the coffee liquid by the hot water circulation described above with the electric pump 4 turned ON (starting with the initial steaming of the hot water circulation) Steaming to start followed by coffee liquid extraction) to.

  As a result, hot water having a temperature of 93 ° C. in the inner container 2 is introduced into the coffee cartridge 5 through the pumping passage 6 by driving of the electric pump 4, and coffee beans in the coffee cartridge 5 are introduced. The coffee liquid is extracted while being extracted through the coffee extraction bag G containing the powder of coffee, and the coffee liquid extracted from the coffee extraction bag G is recirculated into the inner container 2 through the coffee extraction liquid recirculation passage 7. The By repeating the hot water circulation through the coffee cartridge 5 within a predetermined set time corresponding to the coffee concentration set in advance, 93 ° C. hot water in the inner container 2 is set to a set concentration of 93 ° C. It will be converted into coffee liquid.

  When the hot water in the inner container 2 becomes a predetermined concentration of coffee liquid, the driving of the electric pump 4 is stopped at that time, and then the output of the electric heater 3 is kept at a temperature of 93 ° C. hot water. When the temperature is controlled to be a little lower than that, for example, the temperature is controlled to 85 ° C. when drinking, the coffee liquid in the inner container 2 is held in a temperature maintaining state of the desired drinking temperature of 85 ° C.

  When such coffee liquid is poured into the server S, if the switching valve 9 is operated by the hot water supply operation lever 29 so that the hot water supply passage 8 side is opened, the operation of the switching valve 9 is interlocked. Then, the aforementioned hot water supply switch 42 is turned ON, and the electric pump 4 is driven again. As a result, the coffee liquid having a temperature of 85 ° C. in the inner container 2 is poured from the hot water circulation passage into the lower server S through the hot water supply passage 8. In other words, in this case, the electric pump 4 acts as a coffee hot water pump for pouring the coffee liquid stored in the inner container 2 to the outside.

  As is apparent from FIG. 7, all of these controls are executed by a control unit 40 that includes a microcomputer. For this reason, the control unit 40 includes the above-described hot water temperature sensor. The ON / OFF outputs of the various operation switches 33 to 36 of the operation panel 31 are inputted together with the outputs of 41 and the hot water supply switch 42. Then, the control unit 40 controls the output state of the electric heater 3 and the driving state of the electric pump 4 based on the inputted various data.

  By the way, in the case of this embodiment, the concentration of the coffee liquid poured out and supplied to the server S can be adjusted to, for example, three levels of dark, normal, and light by the selection operation of the concentration selection switch 34. The change of the concentration can be realized by changing the amount of hot water circulation to the coffee cartridge 5 per unit time by changing the number of rotations of the electric pump 4 during the circulation extraction of the coffee liquid. It has become.

  If it does in this way, in the circulation extraction process of coffee liquid, it will become possible to give change to the taste of coffee as desired.

  Further, as a method of changing the rotational speed of the electric pump 4, for example, a variable speed control of the pump motor by PWM (pulse width modulation) or a method using a multi-stage speed switching type electric pump may be adopted. it can.

  In addition, the structure of each part of the coffee maker main body of the present invention described above and the structure of the control system are by no means limited to the above-described structure, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.

(Control operations such as boiling water-coffee extraction-heat retention-hot water supply)
In the coffee maker of this embodiment, as described above, (1) boiling water up to 93 ° C., (2) keeping the hot water at 93 ° C. after boiling, (3) hot water at 93 ° C. (4) After the completion of the circulation extraction of the coffee liquid, there are four steps of keeping the coffee liquid temperature at 85 ° C., each of which is a single container, a single coffee It is realized by a cartridge, one continuous liquid circulation passage, and a single electric pump, and the same liquid container is used in the two heat-retaining steps having different temperatures in (2) and (4). To be realized.

  The flowchart of FIG. 8 and the time chart of FIG. 9 show the control operation of each process of the coffee maker of the present invention that makes use of such features.

That is, in this control, the control is first started by turning on the power switch, and the above-described electric heater 3 is heated and heated with the output (maximum output by continuous ON) (the detected temperature of the hot water temperature sensor 41 is 93 ° C.). The water is heated until it becomes () (step S ₁ ). Then, the hot water temperature sensor 41 detects the hot water temperature (the temperature in the inner container 2), and determines whether or not the detected temperature has reached 93 ° C. (boiling state) (step S ₂ ). As a result, when the hot water temperature of NO is still lower than 93 ° C., boiling of the electric heater 3 is continued until the hot water temperature reaches 93 ° C. (continuing step S ₁ ).

On the other hand, when the detected temperature of the hot water temperature sensor 41 becomes 93 ° C., the process proceeds to the hot water warming step (2). At this time, as shown in the time chart of FIG. The electric heater 3 is once completely turned off for 30 seconds (step S ₃ ), while the electric pump 4 is provided with a waiting time during which it is not turned on for 30 seconds (step S ₄ ). When the waiting time of 30 seconds has elapsed (YES in step S _4), the first time the electric heater 3 intermittently turns ON to lower 93 ° C. insulation than the output of the electric heater 3 when the boiler output, the 93 The hot water after boiling to the temperature of 0 ° C. is kept at the same temperature of 93 ° C. (step S ₅ ).

Next, the electric pump 4 is turned on for the first time in the hot water insulation state at 93 ° C. after 30 seconds have passed, and coffee extraction by hot water circulation through the coffee cartridge 5 is started (step S ₆ ).

On the other hand, when the standby time of 30 seconds of NO in the step S ₄ has not elapsed, the coffee circulation extraction operation by keeping the electric heater 3 and the electric pump 4 to the same 30 seconds elapses remain OFF Ban.

  The waiting time 30 seconds until the electric heater 3 and the electric pump 4 are driven after the completion of the boiling is provided to prevent the cavitation of the electric pump 4.

  That is, in the case of a structure in which hot water is assembled by the centrifugal type electric pump 4 instead of the conventional drip method by the vapor pressure as in the coffee maker of the present invention, the electric heater 3 as a water heater is heated to the coffee extraction start temperature. When the electric pump 4 is driven immediately after the energization is performed, bubbles at the time of boiling enter the electric pump 4 and cavitation occurs, and hot water cannot be assembled. For this reason, after reaching the extraction temperature of 93 ° C., the extraction is prohibited for at least 30 seconds and the disappearance of bubbles is waited. And start extracting.

After that, the coffee liquid is extracted within a predetermined set extraction time according to the set concentration of coffee. When the same set extraction time has elapsed (YES in step S _8), after the time, further lowering the output of the electric heater 3, the process proceeds to the coffee solution kept step at 85 ° C. (Step S ₉₎ Also at this time, after the waiting time of 30 seconds elapses, notification that coffee can be dispensed is performed (steps S ₁₀ and S ₁₁ ).

By the way, circulating extraction of coffee becomes possible as in steps S ₅ and S ₆ described above, and in the coffee extraction state where the electric pump 4 is driven, for example, the hot water supply operation lever 29 for coffee is erroneously operated, and the hot water supply is performed. The switch 42 may be turned on. In this embodiment, the hot water supply lock function is provided as in the case of the electric pot, but when the hot water supply operation lever 29 is opened even when the lock release switch 32 is not pressed as described above. The passage switching valve 9 is opened, and hot water can be supplied.

Therefore, in this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the hot water supply switch 42 is turned on during the circulation extraction (step S ₇ ). As a result, when the opening operation of the NO hot water supply operation lever 29 is not performed, the operation proceeds to the operation for determining the passage of the circulation extraction time set in advance as described above (step S ₈ ). When the hot water supply operation lever 29 is opened and the coffee hot water switch 42 is turned ON, the electric pump 4 is immediately turned OFF (step S ₁₆ ). Thus, even when the coffee hot water operation lever 29 is accidentally operated during the circulation extraction, the extraction of the low-concentration and high-temperature (93 ° C.) coffee liquid with the insufficient extraction is stopped to the minimum amount (spilling level). To make it possible.

Then, after returning the hot water supply operation lever 29 users noticing an erroneous operation of the coffee hot water control lever 29, when the coffee hot water supply switch 42 is OFF (YES in step S _17), returns to step S _5, S ₆ above Then, the electric pump 4 is turned on again to enable the coffee circulation extraction.

Then, after that, whether the circulation extraction time of coffee is pre Ji fit set in step S ₈ as in the case where it is determined first from NO in the step S ₇ described above has elapsed.

As a result, when the pre-set coffee circulation extraction time determined as YES has elapsed, the electric pump 4 is turned off and the ON time of the electric heater 3 is reduced by a predetermined amount to produce a heating output. The coffee liquid is kept warm at a target keeping temperature of 85 ° C. (step S ₉ ).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the notification that the coffee extraction is completed is not performed immediately when the preset circulation extraction time has elapsed, but the circulation extraction time has elapsed. After the transition to the coffee keeping process at 85 ° C., it is determined whether or not a predetermined waiting time of 30 seconds has passed (step S ₁₀ ). After 30 seconds, the inside of the circulation passage and the coffee extraction bag ( Filter bag) Waiting for the coffee liquid remaining in G to fall into the inner container where the coffee liquid is stored under its own weight, and when the hot water temperature of 93 ° C drops even in the direction of drinking temperature the performing extraction completion notification to Mihakara' (step S _11). As a result, it is possible to extract and store the coffee liquid without waste, and it is avoided that too hot coffee is poured out.

Therefore, after that, when the coffee hot water operation lever 29 is opened and the coffee hot water switch 42 is turned on, the electric pump 4 is driven accordingly and the coffee is poured into the server S (steps S ₁₂ and S ₁₃ ). .

Further, the remaining amount of the coffee liquid in the inner container 2 is determined by visually observing the user's liquid amount pipe 38, and the remaining amount of the coffee liquid in the inner container 2 is below a predetermined amount (empty). If it is determined (YES at step S _14), it ends the control over to the electric heater 3 to OFF (oN the heater OFF switch 36) (step S _15).

(Modification 1)
By the way, in the control of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 described above, the coffee beans “spotting process”, which is a preliminary process for coffee extraction, is performed simultaneously (first) in the heat retaining process after the completion of boiling up to 93 ° C. However, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 10, for example, in the “spotting process”, the electric pump 4 is turned on for a predetermined time after the hot water boiling process up to 93 ° C., for example, when the hot water temperature reaches about 80 ° C. Alternatively, it may be performed during pre-heating.

  In such a case, as long as the water boiling process is completed and only 30 seconds of cavitation measures are completed, effective coffee liquid can be immediately extracted, and the coffee extraction time can be substantially shortened (promotion of completion). .

  In addition, as described above, if the “spotting process” is put in early and then the hot water temperature becomes 93 ° C. and the countermeasure for cavitation is completed, the coffee liquid is circulated and extracted at a stretch. So that you do n’t have to

  Other configurations are the same as those in the control in FIGS.

  Note that the boiling temperature 93 ° C. detected by the hot water temperature sensor 41 described above corresponds to the boiling temperature of the hot water in the inner container 2, but coffee can be extracted even when the temperature is about 80 ° C. As another method, for example, coffee may be extracted from about 80 ° C.

(Modification 2)
8 and FIG. 9, when the temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 42 reaches 93 ° C. corresponding to the boiling state after the start of boiling, the hot water temperature automatically enters the temperature maintaining step of 93 ° C. First, the electric heater 3 was turned off and the electric pump 4 was automatically driven after taking measures against cavitation for 30 seconds to start extracting coffee by circulating hot water. For example, after completion of boiling up to 93 ° C., the heat treatment step at 93 ° C. is entered and at the same time measures against cavitation for 30 seconds are taken, and thereafter, for example, as in the case of using the reservation timer switch 35 described above, The coffee extraction (ON of the electric pump 4) may be started only after waiting for the circulation extraction switch 33 to be pressed (manual extraction system). Beam).

(Modification 3)
Further, in the above-described configuration of the coffee maker main body, a single electric heater 3 is used as a heating means for heating the inner container 2 and the magnitude of the output (energization time) is adjusted, so The heating process is divided into three heating processes, namely, the heat retention at 85 ° C. and the heat retention at 85 ° C. As in the case of a well-known electric pot, the water heater and the heat retention at 93 ° C. You may make it perform each process of (degree C) heat retention.

  In this way, in the case of a heater that combines a hot water heater and a heat retaining heater, for example, only the hot water heater and the electric pump 4 may be in a non-energized state within the above-described waiting time of 30 seconds.

(Modification 4)
In addition, the inner container 2 having the above-described structure is formed in a stainless steel vacuum double container or a heat insulation wall structure, for example, like an electric pot, so that the heat insulation performance and the heat insulation performance are high, so-called “magic bottle heat insulation”. It can be of structure.

  In such a case, the power consumption of the electric heater 3 can be greatly saved in each case of 93 ° C. insulation after boiling and 85 ° C. insulation after coffee extraction.

  By the way, regarding the heater control at the time of “Holding the bottle”, when “Hot bottle” is selected in the conventional electric pot, for example, when the water is added unlike the normal case, the boiling mode is set. Has not been moved to.

  This is because the energization control which requires an electricity bill as much as possible is not performed from the viewpoint of “Harm-bottle heat retention = energy-saving control”. And even when the magic bottle heat insulation is canceled, the heating to the set temperature is performed in the heat insulation mode.

  However, in the coffee maker as in this case in which the coffee liquid is contained in the inner container 2 as described above, if the heat insulation (heater OFF) is released after adding water, Since it needs to be remade, the same control as that of the conventional electric pot causes inconvenience.

  Therefore, when the addition of water is detected during normal heat retention, the mode is automatically shifted to the boiling mode. On the other hand, when the heat insulation of the bottle (heater OFF) is selected, the mode is not shifted to the boiling mode even if the addition of water is detected. Like that.

  And then, when releasing the bottle warmer (heater OFF), if the water temperature at that time is less than 80 ° C, the water temperature is too low, so it is determined that it is necessary to remake coffee from the beginning, Switch to boiling mode for the first time.

The coffee maker of the present case has a specification that “when the remaining amount of coffee in the inner container 2 decreases, the heater OFF switch 36 is pushed” as in steps S ₁₄ and S ₁₅ of the above-described flowchart. It is necessary to shift to the operation of making coffee from when the heater OFF switch 36 is originally released.

  However, as described above, whether the liquid in the inner container 2 is water or coffee remains when the electric heater 3 is turned off by changing the control at a temperature (threshold) of 80 ° C. Will be able to judge.

(Modification 5)
For the circulation extraction switch 33 in each of the above configurations, in addition to providing a dedicated switch as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the circulation extraction function may be selected by pressing and holding other operation switches such as the reservation timer switch 35. Good.

  Further, in this case, these switches cannot be pushed unless they are in a hot water holding temperature of 93 ° C. or the hot water temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature 80 ° C. that can be extracted.

(Modification 6)
Furthermore, the circulation extraction switch in each of the above configurations can also be used as a circulation extraction stop switch.

  In the case of coffee extraction by turning on the reservation timer switch 35 described above, the reservation timer can be operated until the boiling of water up to 93 ° C. and the warming of the hot water at 93 ° C. are performed, and then the circulation extraction switch 33 must be pressed. Does not enter into coffee extraction.

  However, there are times when it is desired to stop the extraction operation even after the circulation extraction switch 33 is pressed to start the circulation extraction. In this case, providing a dedicated cancel switch increases the cost accordingly.

  Therefore, as a countermeasure, for example, the same circulation extraction switch 33 is configured to function as a cancel switch when it is pressed twice or when it is pressed for a long time.

(Modification 7)
In the above configuration, when the circulation extraction is completed correctly, the circulation is not repeated again except in the case of additional extraction.

  Recycling after becoming coffee can not guarantee the taste because it deteriorates the taste. Therefore, this is avoided.

(Modification 8)
If the coffee cartridge 5 is not set, there is no point in controlling the boiling and extraction. Therefore, in such a case, a safe process is performed so that the water heating and extraction operation is not automatically performed even when the extraction switch is pressed.

(Modification 9)
Furthermore, as a process when a power failure is detected, a process to be executed is determined based on temperature detection information after the power is restored.

It is a front view of the coffee maker main body as a drink provision device concerning the best embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the coffee maker main body. It is the perspective view seen from the lower side which shows the structure of the principal part of the coffee maker main body. It is sectional drawing of the coffee cartridge part of the coffee maker main body. It is a partial expanded sectional view of the cartridge upper end part of the coffee maker main body. It is a front view of the operation panel part of the coffee maker main body. It is a circulation extraction system path and control circuit system diagram of the coffee maker main body. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the microcomputer control from the hot water boiling process of the coffee maker to the hot water supply pouring process. It is a time chart corresponding to the control content of FIG. It is a time chart of the modification 1 which changed a part of control content of the same FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  1 is a container body, 2 is an inner container, 3 is an electric heater, 4 is an electric pump, 5 is a cartridge, 6 is a pumping passage, 7 is a coffee extract recirculation passage, 8 is a hot water supply passage, 9 is a passage switching valve, 29 is A hot water supply operating lever, 31 is an operation panel, 34 is a concentration selection switch, 40 is a control unit, 41 is a hot water temperature sensor, and 42 is a hot water switch.

Claims (4)

  Liquid container provided with heating means, electric pump, beverage extraction means, liquid circulation passage for connecting the liquid container, electric pump and beverage extraction means in an annular manner in sequential communication, and the electric pump in the liquid circulation passage And a beverage extraction means, and a hot water supply means for switching the liquid circulation passage from a circulation state to a hot water supply state capable of hot water supply to the outside. The water in the liquid container is heated by the heating means, Is circulated through the liquid circulation passage and the beverage extraction means by the electric pump, so that the beverage is extracted until a predetermined concentration is reached, and the beverage after the extraction is stored in the liquid container. A circulation extraction type beverage providing apparatus, comprising a hot water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of hot water in the liquid container, and the electric power is not supplied until the hot water temperature in the liquid container becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. The pump can be driven, brewing apparatus is characterized in that so as to start the extraction of the beverage through the beverage extraction means.   The beverage providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the beverage after completion of extraction stored in the liquid container is kept at a predetermined heat retention temperature lower than the temperature at the time of extraction.   The concentration of the beverage to be extracted is variable depending on any one or any combination of hot water circulation time, hot water circulation amount per unit time, steaming time, hot water temperature. The beverage providing apparatus according to 1 or 2.   The beverage providing apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the electric pump is stopped when the hot water supply means is operated during the circulation extraction of the beverage.

Images