DE102006006806A1 - Valve actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for actuating a valve (3; 46) on a hot beverage preparation device, which comprises a water container (2), a beverage container (5) and a base body (1) with a brewing device (4) and a valve (3; 46) at an interface (10; 44) between the water container (2) or the beverage container (5) and the base body (1), with a movably mounted valve body acted upon by a spring force, in which an actuator (6; 45) causes the movement of the valve body against the spring force necessary for actuating the valve (3; 46).

Description

The The present invention relates to a device for actuating a Valve attached to a removable water container of a hot beverage preparation device, namely at an interface between a basic device, ie the preparation device without water tank, and the water tank and / or at an interface between a Aufbrüheinrichtung and a beverage container the Hot beverage maker is arranged. The valve includes a valve housing and a movable therein mounted, acted upon by a spring force valve body. It serves to open and closing a drain opening the water tank or the Aufbrüheinrichtung. such Valves are provided when the user is at risk of scalding consists. For simplicity, but without the scope of the invention to limit it to in the following, instead of hot beverage preparation devices exclusively from Coffee machines the speech.

Similar versions Such a valve are in principle as a so-called drip stop for Example with coffee machines known. The valve is between one Filter holder and a coffee pot arranged. Is the Coffee pot for filling below the filter, the valve is open. Once the coffee pot is removed, closes the valve automatically and prevents the coffee from dripping. This feature will work for example, by lime or coffee deposits, especially in the Impacted area of the valve seat. The can lead to, that the valve does not close tightly anymore. That happens in general with all liquids, which tend to form deposits.

task The present invention is therefore an improved valve assembly which reliably prevents dripping.

to solution This object, the device of the invention comprises an actuator to operate of the valve, the movement of the valve body against the spring force causes. This means a departure from the prior art: There, the operator with an operator immediately causes the opening of the Valve, e.g. by placing the coffee pot under a filter holder represents while a valve body lifts off a valve seat. The opening force is through the Operating force defined. Your maximum amount is due to the force that determines an operator to place the pot under the filter holder et al maximum comfort can be demanded from the comfort point of view. As the opening force of the closing force counteracts, the closing force is smaller or at best as big as the opening force. To close the valve is thus also only a limited force to disposal.

The In contrast, the invention turns away from this concept. She pursues rather the principle, the opening force at least largely in size operator-independent to provide by an actuator. As a result, the opening and closing forces of the valve can not only be matched exactly. Rather, now in particular the closing force independently be dimensioned by a narrow operating force. Thereby can the closing force, which provides the spring to be measured exclusively according to like shooting the valve is reliably guaranteed even with deposits. So she can be considerably larger as before.

Next the known drip stop at an outlet of the Aufbrüheinrichtung For example, a comparable device may be placed on a removable water container be. Both the valve at the outlet of the Aufbrüheinheitheit as well as the water tank can each be assigned its own actuator. After a favorable Development of the invention can both valves are actuated by a common actuator. Independently of which, through which container the signal to close to the actuator, closes he certainly both valves. This offers in addition to the reduced technical Effort the advantage that when taking the beverage container not only in known Make the valve at the brewing device is closed. At the same time, the actuator also closes the valve at the water tank and thus prevents a further inflow of hot water in the Aufbrüheinrichtung. The brewing process is interrupted so that the Aufbrüheinrichtung not overflow can.

Of the Actuator or the actuators can both on the basic unit as well as the water tank be arranged. At the water tank he can directly actuate the valve. This leads to a compact design and avoids energy loss through short transmission paths. Is the actuator on the basic unit arranged, receives to get a container with low weight. Furthermore then fall the interfaces between water tank and basic unit and the interface between actuator and valve together. At the Remove the container from the basic device the power flow between the actuator and the valve body is interrupted. Thereafter, the biased spring disposed on the valve can Valve automatically shut down.

In order to provide the force to actuate the valve, the actuator can be operated with either mechanical or electrical energy, with respect to the beverage container with only electrical energy. The mechanical energy can continue ge through an operator available which can now be translated by means of a gearbox. The gearbox is part of the actuator. By contrast, the electrical energy can activate the actuator, for example an electric motor, completely independently of the operating force. It can basically be made available from the basic unit, but also from the water tank. The energy supply of the actuator preferably takes place from the basic device. This has the advantage that the water tank remains largely free of additional components. Its weight and its external dimensions are thus not unnecessarily increased or its capacity is not reduced at given external dimensions.

A electrical power from the water tank means he For its part, it will be equipped with its own energy supply can. It offers the advantage that the water tank then independent of basic unit can be operated as a separate kettle.

at Electrical power supply, the actuator, for example be an electromagnet or an electric motor. Is it correct? the actuator to an electromagnet, whose movably mounted Anchor indirectly, about over a transmission, or directly with the valve body in connection. The anchor may also be part of the valve body itself. Then the actuator in the water tank as possible placed close to the valve to provide additional transfer elements between Actuator and valve body to avoid with corresponding friction losses.

is The actuator is an electric motor that can be used between the electric motor and valve body Gear can be arranged, which controls the rotational movement of the electric motor converted into a straight-line movement of the valve body. As a transmission come for it For example, eccentric, screw, crank or traction mechanism into consideration.

Independent of its arrangement in the basic unit or at the water tank is at a power supply of the actuator from the basic unit in any case the transfer either mechanical or electrical energy at an interface between basic device and water tank required. For this purpose, at the interface means for energy transfer arranged. These funds are designed so that they only when put on container are coupled and transmit energy. Once the container is removed is, there is an interruption of the power supply. The actuator then lacks the necessary energy to counteract the closing force of closing spring apply, and the closing spring includes the valve in the same way as for devices without an actuator.

For transmission of mechanical energy can in principle all suitable, mechanically active agents, for example Pins, pestles, joints or springs are used, which transmit an actuating force to the valve can. In the case of the electrical power supply of the actuator it can the funds are electrically conductive, such as pen or annular Contact elements act when putting the containers together come into contact and thus close an electrical circuit. At the Remove the container they are disconnected, causing the interruption of the power supply of the actuator with the consequences already mentioned leads.

ever After arrangement of the actuator on the base unit or on the container can be different means for energy transfer chosen become. As a means of energy transfer between containers and basic device so can one on the container regularly in the ground area of the container arranged contact element are used, with a Counter contact element on the basic unit is in active connection. According to the invention as contact elements Pestle or a ring with a ring contact as a mating contact element. The arrangement of a ring as one of the contact elements - at least with centric arrangement of the interface on the container - has the Advantage that the container with respect to a vertical axis of rotation in any orientation on the coffee machine can be put on. Of course, instead of a ring a disc can be used.

ever bigger the Contact force between the contact elements, the more reliable the contact to the power supply of the water tank are made. In the embodiment described above it corresponds at least to the weight of the empty water tank. Otherwise would the empty one water tank lifted from the coffee machine and thus his safe stand to lose.

In an alternative embodiment, a scissor-shaped contact element cooperates with a mandrel-shaped mating contact element. Such an embodiment is advantageous if the weight of the water tank - for example, a plastic container - is not sufficient to establish a secure contact. Another reason, for example, be a constructive conditional force direction of the contact elements. The scissor-shaped contact element in this case comprises two legs, which are connected via a joint against each other rotatable. The joint can be arranged at any position, that is approximately in the middle like a pair of scissors, or at the ends of the legs. The joint can be configured as desired, as long as it allows a certain relative movement of the legs. If only a relatively small Be If there is a movement of the legs, in a simple case, a film hinge can serve as a joint.

in the non-contact state can the legs are pulled against each other by spring force. she are thus in a situation comparable to the idle state of a Scissors. To produce the contact presses the mandrel-shaped mating contact element the legs apart against the spring force. By touch contact between the thorn and thighs can at the same time an electric Contact between the contact elements are generated. The contact force between them then acts in a horizontal rather than a vertical direction, leaving an empty water container from one to the basic unit arranged kraftbeaufschlagten contact element no longer raised can be.

The power transmission By means of contact elements, however, is susceptible to wear and corrosion. In a further advantageous embodiment can contact elements be waived. Instead, a sensor detects the presence or Absence of the water tank. It generates a signal to the actuator, which is used to switch or actuate the valve body and thus to open or close of the valve can be used.

following Be exemplary embodiments from figures closer explained. Show it:

1 a schematic diagram of a coffee machine with exemplary arrangement of the device according to the invention;

2a . 2 B a schematic diagram of a plunger-ring contact connection as a means of energy transfer at the interface between the container and coffee machine;

2c a schematic representation of a ring-ring contact connection as a means of energy transfer at the interface between the container and coffee machine;

3 a schematic representation of a contact connection between a scissor-like contact element and a mandrel-shaped mating contact element at the interface between the water tank and coffee machine.

1 shows a coffee machine with a basic device 1 and a removable water tank 2 in the mounted state via an interface 10 with the basic device 1 communicates. In the lower area of the water tank 2 is a valve 3 arranged over which the water from the water tank 2 in a Aufbrüheinrichtung 4 and from there as coffee in a coffee pot 5 arrives. The valve 3 is by means of a on the basic unit 1 arranged actuator 6 actuated. This one is with the valve 3 via means of energy transfer 7 connected. The means 7 are located on both sides of the interface 10 in the form of contact and mating contact elements on the base unit 1 and at the water tank 2 ,

At the coffee pot 5 , the beverage container, runs another interface 44 in the upper part of the container 5 , At an outlet of the Aufbrüheinrichtung 4 is a valve 46 and above the brewing device 4 in the basic device 1 the coffee machine an actuator 45 arranged.

In the 2a to 2c three different embodiments of contact and mating contact elements as a means of energy transfer are shown in a schematic diagram. They are at the interface shown as a dashed line 10 between the basic device 1 and the water tank 2 in its bottom area or between the basic unit 1 and the beverage container 5 arranged in the lid area.

2a shows a ring attached to the coffee machine 12 for transmitting mechanical or electrical energy to a water tank 2 associated ram 14 , In the case of electrical energy transfer - for the beverage container 5 only this case is relevant - are both the ring 12 as well as the pestle 14 made of an electrically conductive material. In the case of a purely mechanical energy transfer, this is not necessary. The ring 12 and the pestle 14 can then be made of any material that allows power transmission.

The arrows 16 and 18 symbolize the possibility of movement of the ring 12 and the pestle 14 , It may be sufficient, only one contact element 12 . 14 movable store.

For mechanical energy transmission, this is imperative the contact element 14 at the water tank 2 , The for making the contact between the ring 12 and the pestle 14 required force can then be provided by prestressed springs, which are both the movably mounted ring 12 as well as the movably mounted ram 14 act accordingly. In both cases, the prestressed springs serve to transfer energy. The ring works 12 when placing the water tank 2 so as a stop against the movable plunger 14 , This activates a contact force that is the valve 3 in the water tank 2 opens against a preloaded spring. When lifting the water tank 2 the contact force falls away, so that the valve 3 due to its force acting in the closing direction of the spring closes.

2 B provides an alternative embodiment 2a and shows the in 2a already described interface 10 , where the ring 12 at the water tank 2 and the pestle 14 is arranged on the coffee machine. The functionality corresponds to that in 2a described.

2c shows an embodiment of an interface 10 in which the contact element is a first ring 12 and as a counter contact element, a second ring 12 ' with the direction of movement 16 ' come into use. The second ring 12 ' assumes the function of already in the 2a and 2 B described plunger 14 , The advantage of this embodiment over in the 2a and 2 B shown is the better power distribution, especially in water containers with greater weight. In addition, the ring shape provides a larger contact area, which is advantageous in electrical energy transmission.

All in the 2a to 2c described interfaces 10 are also suitable in the mounted state for up to 360 degrees rotatable container. An orientation of the container prior to placement on the coffee does not need to be made, which makes handling much easier.

3 shows a further embodiment of a means for transmitting energy at the interface 10 , There, the coffee maker has a fixed mandrel 20 on, a shaft 22 and a tip 24 includes. The thorn 20 protrudes above the level of the interface 10 out.

At the tank 2 (please refer 1 ) is as a means 7 or as a counter contact element a scissor element 30 arranged. It consists of two thighs 32 that have a joint 34 are pivotally connected to each other. The thigh 32 are at theirs of interfaces 10 opposite ends 36 connected by a tension spring, by the double arrow 38 is symbolized. The tension spring 38 pull the ends 36 together, allowing a movement of the thighs 32 in the direction of the arrows 40 results. This is the scissor element 30 forced into a position that corresponds to that of a pair of scissors when closed.

The thigh 32 indicate to theirs the interface 10 facing ends of head areas 42 on that in 3 are shown only schematically. The head areas 42 are designed such that they provide complete abutment of the legs 32 prevent each other when the tension spring 38 she in through the arrows 40 symbolized direction urges. They make it possible for the spike 20 , with his tip 24 from the head areas 42 out between the thighs 32 retract and opposite to the direction of the arrow 40 and thus against the force of the tension spring 38 deflect. The position reached thereby represents the 3 dar. So the scissor element 30 at the bottom of the water tank 2 is arranged, whose state does not affect, the scissor element protrudes 30 not beyond the footprint of the container, which is here with the plane of the interface 10 coincides.

The coupled state between water tank 2 and basic device 1 , the 3 is achieved by the fact that the water tank 2 with his stand on the basic unit 1 is turned off. This activates the thorn 20 , the thighs 32 deflects in the manner described above, a force, for example, at the ends 36 the thigh 32 be tapped and as actuation force of a valve 3 can serve. Will the water tank 2 the coffee machine 1 taken off, the thorn 20 between the thighs 32 so removed, so pulls the tension spring 38 the thigh 32 together again. It thus generates one of the actuating force of the valve 3 opposing force that closes it. For a perfect function in mechanical energy transfer so are the operating force of the valve 3 , the traction that the tension spring 38 generated, and the operating force with which the water tank 2 on the coffee machine 1 is set to match.

In the case of electrical energy transfer, the mechanical functions of Dorn remain 20 and scissor element 30 initially unchanged. In addition to the mechanical energy transfer described above now serves the tension spring 38 to ensure a secure electrical contact between the thighs 32 and the thorn 20 sure. The tension spring 38 thus generates the contact force between the mandrel 20 as a contact element and the scissor element 38 as a counter contact element. The electrical energy that the water tank 2 should be fed, then on the thighs 32 be tapped. By removing the water tank 2 the contact is interrupted, so that lack of energy supply the valve 3 is closed by mechanical (spring) force.

When using sensors 43 instead of contact elements 7 . 12 - 18 those are installed in a customary and appropriate manner so as to preserve the presence and absence of the containers 2 . 5 detect and a corresponding switching signal to its actuator 6 . 45 conduct.

It is finally pointed out again that it is the previous, detailed described interfaces 10 are exemplary embodiments, which can be modified by the skilled person in various ways, without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the concrete Ausgestaltun conditions of the contact and mating contact elements in a different form from those described here. It is also pointed out for the sake of completeness that the use of indefinite articles does not preclude "one" or "one", that the characteristics in question may also be present multiple times.

1

basic unit

2

water tank

3

Valve

4

Aufbrüheinrichtung

5

beverage containers

6

Actuator for water tank 2

7

medium for energy transfer

10

interface

12 12 '

ring

14

tappet

16 16 '

movement direction ring

18

movement direction tappet

20

mandrel

22

shaft

24

top

30

scissors element

32

leg

34

joint

36

End of a thigh 32

38

mainspring

40

movement direction

42

header

43

sensor

44

interface

45

Actuator for beverage containers 5

46

Valve

Claims (11)

Device for actuating a valve ( 3 ; 46 ) on a hot beverage preparation device comprising a water container ( 2 ), a beverage container ( 5 ) and a basic body ( 1 ) with a Aufbrüheinrichtung ( 4 ) and a valve ( 3 ; 46 ) at an interface ( 10 ; 44 ) between the water tank ( 2 ) or the beverage container ( 5 ) and the basic body ( 1 ), with a movably mounted, acted upon by a spring force valve body, characterized by an actuator ( 6 ; 45 ), which is used to actuate the valve ( 3 ; 46 ) causes movement of the valve body against the spring force. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that an actuator two valves ( 3 ; 46 ) assigned. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator ( 6 ; 45 ) on the base body ( 1 ) or on the water tank ( 2 ) is arranged. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the actuator ( 6 ; 45 ) is operated with mechanical or electrical energy. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator ( 6 ; 45 ) is an electromagnet or an electric motor. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that that arranged between the electric motor and the valve body, a transmission is that a rotary motion of the electric motor in a straight line Movement of the valve body transforms. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator ( 6 ; 45 ) Part of the container ( 2 ; 5 ), characterized in that at the interface ( 10 ; 44 ) between the container ( 2 ; 5 ) and the basic body ( 1 ) Means for energy transfer ( 7 ) are arranged when removing the container ( 2 ; 5 ) from the hot beverage preparation device an interruption of the power supply of the actuator ( 6 ; 45 ) cause. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that at the interface ( 10 ; 44 ) with attached container ( 2 ; 5 ) as a means of energy transfer ( 7 ) a pestle ( 14 ) with a ring ( 12 ) or a ring ( 12 ) with a ring ( 12 ' ) comes into contact. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that a scissor-like contact element ( 30 ) with a mandrel-shaped counter-contact element ( 20 ) comes into contact. Apparatus according to claim 9 with a joint ( 34 ) between two legs ( 32 ) of the contact element ( 30 ), characterized in that the joint ( 34 ) is designed as a film hinge. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that in the region of the container ( 2 ; 5 ) a sensor ( 43 ) arranged on the actuator ( 6 ; 45 ) conducts a signal to initiate the energy transfer.