DE102020110105A1 - Espresso machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An espresso machine (2) is specified which has a housing (4) with a stand (6) for receiving a cup (8), a cylinder sieve (10) that can be inserted inside the housing (4) for receiving water (12) and Espresso powder (14), an intermediate sieve (16), which is removably arranged in the cylinder sieve (10), for the spatial separation of the water (12) from the espresso powder (14) within the cylinder sieve (10) and a piston (18), which in a feed direction (V) is movable for pushing the water (12) through the espresso powder (14). In addition, the piston (18) is connected to an electromotive drive (20), in particular a linear drive, for moving in the feed direction (V).

Description

The invention relates to an espresso machine.

In a conventional espresso machine, water is heated to around 90 ° C in a mostly electrically heated kettle or heat exchanger and passed through finely ground, compressed espresso powder under a pressure of around 9 bar. The pressure is usually generated manually by a lever or by an electric pump.

A special type of espresso machine was developed in the 1950s: This uses a manually operated lever mechanism to previously press water heated externally, for example with a kettle, through the espresso powder in a cylinder. Water and coffee powder are separated from each other in the cylinder by an intermediate sieve. The intermediate sieve serves to prevent the coffee powder from being swirled when the water is poured in and to separate it from the water column. There are already new editions and further developments of this espresso machine.

The main advantage of the espresso machine described above is the simplicity of the device: there are only a few parts that almost never need to be serviced. The compact brewing part essentially consists of a cylinder, one side of which is closed by a sieve, a piston and an intermediate sieve. These components can all be cleaned very easily and there is no risk of calcification.

The disadvantage of this espresso machine is that the user has to operate the levers with manual force during the brewing process. As a rule, the force required for this is so high that the user has to bend his body over the device in order to generate the necessary pressure. Another disadvantage here is that there is no view of the emerging espresso on the underside of the device. This is precisely the most beautiful and most exciting moment during espresso production among connoisseurs, as it provides information about the quality of the drink and the flow of the freshly emerging espresso triggers a certain fascination.

Based on this, the invention is based on the object of providing an espresso machine that can be operated easily and effortlessly.

The object is achieved according to the invention by an espresso machine with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments, developments and variants are the subject of the subclaims.

Specifically, the object is achieved by an espresso machine that has a housing with a base for holding a cup. The cup can thus be placed on the stand during operation and thus in the housing provided with an opening for this purpose.

Furthermore, the espresso machine has a cylinder sieve which can be inserted inside the housing, which is also referred to in the following simply as a cylinder, for receiving espresso powder and water.

In addition, the espresso machine has an intermediate sieve that is removably arranged in the cylinder and especially within the cylinder. In other words, the intermediate sieve can be inserted into the cylinder to spatially separate the espresso powder from the water when both are located inside the cylinder. For this purpose, during the brewing process, the intermediate sieve is usually arranged on the espresso powder first filled into the cylinder in order to prevent the espresso powder from being swirled up when the water is poured in. The water filled into the cylinder can also be referred to as a water column. The intermediate screen can be supplemented by a paper filter arranged underneath or, as an alternative, even replaced.

The espresso machine furthermore has a piston, which can be moved in a feed direction, for pushing the water column through the espresso powder, whereby the espresso produced as a result runs into the cup. The cup is expediently arranged here on the stand below the cylinder. The piston is designed as a reciprocating piston. In addition, the piston can also be moved counter to the feed direction in order to move out of the cylinder after a brewing process.

According to the invention, the espresso machine has an electromotive drive, in particular a linear drive, to which the piston is connected for moving in the feed direction. In this context, connected can be understood to mean that the electromechanical drive can act on the piston in order to move it in and against the feed direction.

The novelty lies in the fact that the water column is pressed through the espresso powder by means of the electric motor drive designed as a linear drive and is thus controllable and reproducible. The piston no longer has to be actuated manually, as in the case of the espresso machines described above. This is how it is makes it possible, on the one hand, to apply the pressure value, which is important for a high-quality espresso, with which the water column is pushed through the espresso powder.

During the brewing process, the user can also observe the espresso emerging from the brewing group, which is usually made up of the components cylinder sieve and intermediate sieve. Since the espresso machine according to the invention is operated electrically, it offers a large number of further embodiments and further developments, which are described in more detail below.

In a further embodiment, the cylinder has a transparent area. In other words, the sides of the cylinder, which is in particular provided with a bayonet connection, are transparent, which allows the internal brewing process to be observed. Here, the transparent area has a transparent plastic or a transparent glass.

In one embodiment, the intermediate screen and the cylinder screen can be removed from the housing for cleaning. In particular, all parts of the espresso machine that can be inserted into the housing can be removed therefrom, so that simple cleaning of the individual parts and in particular of the intermediate sieve and the cylinder sieve is ensured.

In one embodiment, a piston speed of the piston is adjustable by a user. The pressing of the water column through the espresso powder is therefore dynamically adjustable or controllable, whereby individual needs and requirements of the user are taken into account, since the flow rate, which is dependent on the piston speed, makes an important contribution to the quality of the espresso.

In one embodiment, a control unit is provided which is set up in such a way as to control the electric motor drive as a function of the predetermined piston speed.

In an expedient embodiment, a temperature sensor (also referred to as a temperature sensor) and / or a pressure sensor is / are arranged on the piston. These sensors are used to record a water temperature and / or a piston pressure. The temperature sensor thus detects the temperature of the water, which can be displayed to the user on the display element. In addition, the temperature sensor can be connected to the heating controller in order to maintain a predetermined temperature.

The pressure in the cylinder is measured via the pressure sensor, which is preferably arranged on the underside, that is to say on the side of the piston facing the water column, and displayed on an external manometer. Alternatively, however, the pressure can also be derived from the power consumption of the linear drive. With the aid of the piston speed display and the pressure gauge, the user can control the pressure and flow rate during the brewing process. The piston speed can be adjusted via the control unit in such a way that a predetermined pressure is reached.

To activate the electromotive drive and in particular to set or adjust the piston speed, the espresso machine has at least one switching element in one embodiment. Furthermore, a display element is provided on which operating parameters are displayed, e.g. during the brewing process. The operating parameters can be understood to mean, for example, a piston speed and a status report on how far advanced the brewing process is. The display element can either be designed as an analog-looking pointer instrument or as a digital display, furthermore optionally with a touch function. In this context, the touch function can be understood to mean that the display element is a touchscreen, with the electromotive drive being able to be activated via the touchscreen as an alternative or in addition to the switching element. For example, the pressure values of the pressure sensor can also be displayed on the display element.

As an alternative, the direction of movement of the piston is controlled, for example, via a toggle switch, while the piston speed can be set, for example, via a separate rotary knob. Information relevant to device service, such as motor temperature, current flow, operating hours and the like, can also be displayed on the display element.

In a further development, the control unit has a memory which is set up to store different user profiles. The user profiles here have in particular user-specific piston pressure values, water temperatures and / or piston speeds with which the respective user-specific brewing process is to run. The display and in particular the selection of the individual user profiles, which can also be referred to as brewing profiles, take place via the display element and / or the switching element. The brewing profiles (pressure and flow profiles) can also be recorded. These Brewing profiles can be used again later. The brewing profiles can also be recorded or called up on external storage media (eg USB sticks) via the user interface.

Furthermore, it can additionally be provided that a user interface is provided by means of which data can be transferred from an external storage medium to the control unit or vice versa.

In one embodiment, a portafilter which can be removed therefrom is arranged in the housing. The cylinder can be and / or arranged in the portafilter, the portafilter having a lock, in particular a bayonet lock. The lock is used for reversible locking in the housing, in particular during the brewing process. In the inserted state, the cylinder is thus received in the portafilter. This increases the stability of the espresso machine, especially with regard to the high pressure that occurs during the brewing process. In addition, the portafilter typically has a handle with which it can be easily inserted and removed from the machine.

The intermediate sieve is essentially made of a perforated, circular metal plate, in the middle of which a small handle pin is attached. In one embodiment, the intermediate screen is also constructed in such a way that it has an annular seal which prevents the water from flowing past sideways. This prevents unwanted "channeling" (the formation of channels in the coffee powder, which causes over-extraction). The edge of the intermediate filter can be so high that it is impossible for the filter to tilt inside the cylinder. The intermediate screen thus has an edge extending in the direction of the piston.

The seal also holds the intermediate screen in place when the cylinder is tilted. This can be the case in particular when hot water is poured in to preheat the cylinder in a state already loaded with espresso powder, which is then poured out again before the actual brewing process begins.

In a further embodiment, the sides of the intermediate screen are notched and directed upwards, that is to say in the direction of the handle pin, and thus create a clamp that holds the screen in the cylinder. The piston is provided with recesses that prevent a collision with the handle pin and the raised edge of the intermediate sieve.

In one embodiment, a heating unit (also referred to as a heating system) is arranged in the housing. The cylinder is thus heated when the espresso machine is in operation in order to minimize the cooling of the hot water that has been filled in. This can be done via a heating wire located on or in the wall of the portafilter or the cylinder, the heat of which radiates onto the cylinder. However, it can also be done via an induction coil located on or in the wall of the portafilter, which heats the cylinder, which in this case is electrically conductive, via an alternating magnetic field. Furthermore, as an alternative or in addition, the heating system or a further heating system can be arranged on the piston and especially on a rear side of the piston roof. The bayonet mechanism in particular serves as the electrical interface between the heating unit and the heating wire or induction coil arranged on the portafilter or cylinder Closure receptacle, in particular a bayonet receptacle, has the corresponding mating contacts which lead to the heating controller.

During operation, the linear drive and, additionally, the heating unit are regulated via the control unit as a function of the data transmitted by the temperature sensor and / or the pressure sensor and / or data are exchanged with or via the user interface. For this purpose, the sensors are preferably connected to the control unit.

In one embodiment, a scale is arranged in the base below the cylinder and, in particular, is integrated into it. The scales provide the base for the cup and measure the weight of the espresso that has escaped. Your values are transmitted to the control unit and can, for example, cause the linear drive to be automatically switched off when the desired amount of espresso is reached via a user interface.

• Das fein gemahlene Kaffeepulver wird in dem Zylinder mit einem sogenannten Tamper komprimiert und von einem Zwischensieb abgedeckt. Der Zylinder wird daraufhin mit heißem Wasser aufgefüllt. Der Zylinder wird per BajonettVerschluss an der Espressomaschine angebracht.

In summary and in general, the functional principle of the espresso machine can be described as follows:

• The finely ground coffee powder is compressed in the cylinder with a so-called tamper and covered by an intermediate sieve. The cylinder is then filled with hot water. The cylinder is attached to the espresso machine with a bayonet lock.

By actuating a switching element, the piston in the cylinder is lowered by a linear drive. The hot water is pressed through the coffee powder and the sieve opening and ends up as an espresso in the cup below. The speed of the piston can be adjusted via a Rotary dial determined and checked on a kind of speedometer. The speedometer is used to control the flow rate of the water through the coffee powder. The pressure in the cylinder is measured via a pressure sensor on the underside of the piston and displayed on a manometer. Alternatively, however, the pressure can also be derived from the power consumption of the linear drive. With the help of the feedback from the speedometer and manometer, the user can control the pressure and flow rate during the brewing process and adjust them manually using the rotary control.

After the desired amount of espresso has been reached, the piston can be stopped by operating a switching element. The cup can now be removed and the espresso can be enjoyed.

To empty the water remaining in the cylinder, the piston can be moved further down as far as it will go - the escaping liquid can be collected in a container placed under the cylinder sieve. The piston can then be returned to its starting position by operating a switching element. The coffee powder is usually relatively dry-pressed at this point, so that it can be easily knocked out of the cylinder.

The cylinder can then be removed and cleaned. The bottom of the flask can be wiped with a damp cloth.

The power can be transmitted directly from the linear drive to the piston. Alternatively, it can also take place indirectly, for example via a lever mechanism. In this case, the linear drive is arranged, for example, parallel to the piston and acts on the power arm of a two-armed lever. In this case, the load arm is connected to the piston, which is moved into the cylinder when the linear drive is extended.

Furthermore, for example, several linear drives can also be used in parallel, which then act on the piston via a common axis. The linear drive (s) used can be of an electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic type.

• 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Espressomaschine gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform,
• 2 die erfindungsgemäße Espressomaschine gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform,
• 3 die erfindungsgemäße Espressomaschine gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform,
• 4 die erfindungsgemäße Espressomaschine gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform sowie
• 5 die erfindungsgemäße Espressomaschine gemäß einer fünften Ausführungsform.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. These show in partially simplified representations:

• 1 an espresso machine according to the invention according to a first embodiment,
• 2 the espresso machine according to the invention according to a second embodiment,
• 3 the espresso machine according to the invention according to a third embodiment,
• 4th the espresso machine according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment and
• 5 the espresso machine according to the invention according to a fifth embodiment.

In the figures, parts with the same effect are always shown with the same reference numerals.

In the 1 shown, inventive espresso machine 2 has a housing 4th with a stand 6th to accommodate a cup, which is only shown schematically 8th on.

Furthermore, the espresso machine 2 one inside the case 4th single-seated cylinder screen that can be removed from this 10 on which to absorb water 12th as well as espresso powder 14th serves. There is also an intermediate sieve 16 inside the cylinder screen 10 arranged, and in particular insertable, to the water 12th from the espresso powder 14th to separate. Here, for example, when filling the cylinder sieve 10 first the ground espresso powder 14th filled in and slightly pressed. Then the intermediate sieve 16 on the espresso powder 14th and then the heated water 12th into the cylinder screen 10 poured.

The espresso machine 2 furthermore has a piston 18th on that in the cylinder screen 10 retractable in and against a feed direction V and out of the cylinder screen 10 is removable. About the movability of the piston 18th to be trained, this is to be done on an electric motor drive 20th , which is designed in particular as a linear drive, arranged. The first embodiment of the espresso machine 2 as they according to 1 is shown has a pressure sensor 22nd on that of the piston 18th or the electric motor drive 20th pressure exerted on the water 12th recorded. The piston moves during operation 18th in the feed direction V and pushes the water 12th through the espresso powder 14th through it, so that the resulting espresso flows into the underneath the cylinder sieve 10 standing cup 8th flows.

In 2 is the espresso machine 2 shown according to a second embodiment. Essentially the same as the espresso machine 2 that is already in 1 shown espresso machine 2 according to the first embodiment.

A difference from the first embodiment is that the espresso machine 2 a portafilter 24 having that in the housing 4th can be arranged and can also be removed from this. The cylinder screen 10 is according to this embodiment within the portafilter 24 can be arranged or arranged, with the portafilter 24 a clasp 26th , in particular a bayonet lock for reversible arrangement in the housing 4th having. The portafilter 24 gives the arrangement additional stability and has a handle (not shown) with which it can be easily inserted into the machine and removed again.

At the espresso machine 2 according to a third embodiment, as shown in 3 is shown, this also has a heating unit 28 on. The heating unit 28 in turn has a heating element 30th on, which is formed in the third embodiment as a heating coil made of a heating wire. The heating element 30th is around the portafilter 24 wrapped, but can alternatively also be wrapped directly around the cylinder screen 10 be wrapped. Another alternative is the heating element 30th the heating unit 28 designed as an inductive heating element. For electrical contacting and thus electrical supply of the heating element 30th are contact elements 32 provided, which are designed such that each one contact element 32 on a lock mount 34 and a corresponding contact element 32 on a collar 36 of the cylinder screen 10 or the portafilter 24 is arranged. When arranging the portafilter 24 by means of the lock 26th in the case 4th electrical contact is thus made.

To make the electrical connections easier to see, in 3 the case 4th represented only by a frame. Here are the contact elements 32 and thus the heating element 30th with a heating controller 38 electrically via cables 40 tied together.

At the espresso machine 2 according to a fourth embodiment is in addition to the espresso machine 2 according to the third embodiment (cf. 3 ) an additional piston heating element 42 provided with the heating controller 38 connected is. As a result, in addition to heating the cylinder screen 10 and / or the portafilter 24 a heating of the piston 18th made to the water 12th to be heated and / or kept at a constant temperature. The piston heating element 42 is part of the heating unit 28 .

5 shows the espresso machine 2 according to a fifth embodiment. The fifth embodiment builds on the fourth embodiment already described (cf. 4th ) on.

According to the fifth embodiment, the espresso machine 2 a temperature sensor 44 on, which is designed to detect the water temperature and this information in the form of a signal to the heating controller 38 transmitted. This makes it possible, in addition to simply heating the water, to implement monitoring and thus a setting as a function of the monitored water temperature.

Furthermore, the espresso machine 2 a display element 46 in the form of a display on that on an outside of the housing 4th is arranged. The display element 46 is used to display parameters already described above, such as the water temperature of the piston 18th applied pressure, the speed of the piston and / or the amount of in the cup 8th incoming espressos.

In addition, the espresso machine 2 at least one switching element 48. In the embodiment according to 5 instructs the espresso machine 2 two switching elements 48, namely a toggle switch 48a as well as a rotary switch 48b on. The toggle switch is used here 48a an activation of the electromotive drive 20th and especially a control of the direction of the electric motor drive 20th . That is, the toggle switch will 48a When actuated in a first direction, the electric motor drive moves 20th for example in the feed direction V, the toggle switch 48a When switched in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the electric motor drive moves 20th and thus also the piston 18th against the feed direction V. The rotary switch 48b serves to set a feed rate of the electromechanical drive 20th and thus the piston 18th .

There is also a control unit 50 provided inside the housing 4th the espresso machine 2 is arranged. The control unit 50 On the one hand, the electromotive drive is set up as a function of the specified piston speed 20th head for. In addition, the control unit 50 a memory 52 which is set up to store different user profiles. In the user profiles, for example, but not exclusively, user-specific piston pressure values and / or piston speeds are stored or stored to which the control unit can access 50 can fall back on, in order to produce a user-specific espresso. The control unit is used to control the respective elements 50 with the heating controller 38 as well as the electromechanical drive 20th electrically connected (not shown). The espresso machine also has a user interface 60 via which an external storage medium, for example a USB stick, is connected to the espresso machine 2 can be connected. This makes it possible, for example, to transfer the aforementioned and recorded parameters of a brewing process to the external storage medium as part of a user profile and / or, on the other hand, to transfer a user profile stored on the external storage medium to the memory 52 transferred to.

The intermediate sieve 16 is in the embodiment according to 5 designed in such a way that there is an annular seal arranged on the circumference 54 and a rim extending in the direction of the piston 56 having.

Furthermore, the espresso machine 2 a scale 58 on that in the stand 6th arranged, in particular integrated. By the scales 58 a reliable detection of an amount of espresso is made possible, for example and as already mentioned on the display element 46 can be displayed.

The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described above. Rather, other variants of the invention can also be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art without departing from the subject matter of the invention. In particular, all of the individual features described in connection with the exemplary embodiments can also be combined with one another in other ways without departing from the subject matter of the invention.

List of reference symbols

2

Espresso machine

4th

casing

6th

Stand

8th

Cup

10

Cylinder screen

12th

water

14th

Espresso powder

16

Intermediate sieve

18th

Pistons

20th

electric motor drive

22nd

Pressure sensor

24

Portafilter

26th

Clasp

28

Heating unit

30th

Heating element

32

Contact element

34

Lock mount

36

collar

38

Heating controller

40

management

42

Piston heating element

44

Temperature sensor

46

Display element

48a

Toggle switch

48b

Rotary switch

50

Control unit

52

Storage

54

poetry

56

edge

58

scale

60

User interface

Claims (12)

Espresso machine (2), comprising: - a housing (4) with a stand (6) for receiving a cup (8), - a cylinder sieve (10) which can be inserted inside the housing (4) for receiving water (12) and espresso powder (14), - an intermediate sieve (16), which is removably arranged in the cylinder sieve (10), for the spatial separation of the water (12) from the espresso powder (14) within the cylinder sieve (10) and - a piston (18), the can be moved in a feed direction (V) for pushing the water (12) through the espresso powder (14), characterized in that the piston (18) has an electromotive drive (20), in particular a linear drive, for moving in the feed direction (V ) connected is. Espresso machine (2) Claim 1 , characterized in that the cylinder screen (10) has a transparent area. Espresso machine after one of the Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that the intermediate sieve (16) and the cylinder sieve (10) can be removed from the housing (4) for cleaning. Espresso machine (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a piston speed of the piston (18) can be adjusted by a user. Espresso machine (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control unit (50) is provided which is set up to control the electric motor drive (20) as a function of the predetermined piston speed. Espresso machine (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a temperature sensor (44) and / or a pressure sensor (22) is / are arranged on the piston (18), for recording a water temperature and / or a piston pressure. Espresso machine (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one switching element (48) for activating the electromotive drive is arranged on the housing (4) and / or a display element (46) for displaying operating parameters on the housing (4) ) is arranged. Espresso machine (2) Claim 5 , characterized in that the control unit (50) has a memory (52) which is set up to store different user profiles, the user profiles in particular having user-specific piston pressure values and / or piston speed values. Espresso machine (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a portafilter (24) is arranged in the housing (4), in which the cylinder sieve (10) is arranged, the portafilter (24) having a closure (26), in particular has a bayonet lock for reversible locking in the housing (4). Espresso machine (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate sieve (16) has an annular seal (54) and / or on the circumferential side an edge (56) extending in the direction of the piston (18), for clamping the intermediate sieve ( 16) inside the cylinder screen (10). Espresso machine (2) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular according to Claim 9 , characterized in that a heating unit (28) is arranged in the housing (4), which is arranged in particular around the portafilter (24) and / or on the piston (18), with contact elements (32) for making electrical contact with the heating unit ( 28) are arranged on a closure receptacle (34) of the closure (26). Espresso machine (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a scale (58) is arranged, in particular integrated, in the base (6) for detecting the contents flowing into the cup (8).

Images