DE102021114815A1 - Outlet for beverage preparation machine with fluid guiding element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a beverage outlet (10) for a beverage preparation machine, in particular a coffee machine, having an inlet element (1) for connection to a liquid feed (2) of the beverage preparation machine, an outlet element (3) for removing the liquid, and an intermediate chamber ( 4), wherein the inlet element (1), the intermediate chamber (4) and/or the outlet element (3) have a guide element (5, 6) which is guided by an inner wall (11 , 12, 13) protrudes into the fluid duct and is designed as a flow direction indicator to reduce turbulence in a beverage volume flow guided therein.

Description

The present invention relates to an outlet for a beverage preparation machine, in particular a coffee machine, with a guide element for optimizing a controlled beverage volume flow.

Beverage preparation machines such as coffee machines, in particular fully automatic coffee machines, having a beverage outlet for guiding a liquid into a collecting container provided for this purpose, in particular a cup or a mug, are sufficiently known from the prior art. The beverage outlet is generally designed for a predetermined flow of liquid and is intended to support the provision of a volume flow that is as uniform as possible at the outlet or a uniform jet pattern. This is desirable, among other things, because uncontrolled drainage at the beverage outlet can lead to contamination on the housing of the beverage preparation machine or in or on the collection container. When dispensing mixed drinks such as cappuccino, unwanted stains can also appear.

EP 3 042 593 A1 discloses a beverage outlet for connection to a fluid path of a beverage preparation machine, having a vertical outlet pipe and a beverage guide element running coaxially to the outlet pipe, the beverage guide element being arranged with a first section inside the outlet pipe and with a second section out of an outlet opening of the outlet pipe protrudes. In a front area of the outlet pipe, this has incisions in the circumference of the outlet pipe arranged on the circumference and between radially extending wings of the guide element, which form through-openings between the inner and outer area of the outlet pipe, as a result of which air pockets present in the fluid path can escape laterally and the formation of air bubbles should be minimized at the outlet to avoid spray effects. However, this design with a plurality of partial channels running in parallel in the outlet pipe, separated by radial vanes, has the disadvantage, among other things, of increased susceptibility to contamination and also impairs effective cleaning of the outlet.

EP 2 565 151 A1 discloses a beverage outlet for a beverage preparation machine having an inlet pipe for connection to an internal fluid path of the preparation machine, a vertical outlet pipe for outlet of the fluid and an intermediate chamber arranged in between, which is designed as a collection basin for calming the fluid flow. The outlet tube has a smaller flow cross-section than the inlet tube and is offset relative to it, so that the inflowing fluid flow first has to cross the collection basin and cannot flow off immediately. In this case, pressure fluctuations in the inflowing liquid can be compensated for fluid calming and vapor components of the liquid can be discharged to an outside area through a connection channel provided. However, the collection basin that is provided requires a relatively large amount of installation space for the beverage outlet.

It is the object of the present invention, based on the known prior art, to provide an improved beverage outlet for a beverage preparation device which overcomes or at least significantly alleviates the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a beverage outlet is to be provided, which is intended to provide a more even formation of the liquid flow and is intended to enable cost-effective production and/or simplified cleaning. The invention also addresses other problems, which will become more apparent from the following description.

The underlying problem is solved by the beverage outlet with the features of independent claim 1 . Advantageous developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a beverage outlet for a beverage preparation machine, in particular a coffee machine, having an inlet element for connection to a liquid supply of the beverage preparation machine, an outlet element for removing the liquid, and an intermediate chamber connecting it in a fluid-conducting manner, with the inlet element, the intermediate chamber and/or or the outlet element have at least one guide element which protrudes into the fluid guide channel from an inner wall delimiting a fluid guide channel running therein and is designed as a flow direction indicator for reducing turbulence in a beverage volume flow guided in the fluid channel.

Providing the fluid guide channel with the inventive fluid guide element arranged therein reduces turbulence in the volume flow of beverages and thus calms the volume flow of beverages by mechanical means that can be arranged in a space-saving manner, in particular without providing an expansive collection basin. The guide elements which according to the invention protrude into the respective fluid guide channel, ie which do not completely subdivide it, enable a Beruhi tion of the volume flow, without dissecting the fluid duct into two or more closed sub-channels. As a result, in addition to a simpler manufacturing option, the susceptibility to contamination is reduced and simplified cleaning of the beverage outlet is made possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the inlet element, the intermediate chamber and/or the outlet element each form a channel-shaped or tubular fluid-guiding channel. In this context, channel-shaped is understood to mean a fluid-guiding channel that is open at the top and has a substantially U-shaped cross section. Tubular is understood to mean a fluid duct that is closed perpendicularly to the direction of flow and has a substantially round or oval cross section.

Furthermore, the inlet element and the outlet element are preferably arranged in a stepwise offset manner in a side view. The inlet element and the outlet element, together with the intermediate chamber which connects them in a fluid-conducting manner, preferably form a cascade-like arrangement. In this case, the outlet element is preferably arranged in a linear extension of the inlet element in a plan view.

In a further preferred embodiment, the intermediate chamber is designed as a shaft element which runs essentially vertically and which connects the inlet element and the outlet element in a stepped manner offset relative to one another. The shaft element can have a section with a reduced flow cross section compared to the inlet element. As a result, a predefined backwater in the shaft element can be provided in order to provide a beverage volume flow that is as uninterrupted as possible at the outlet. The design of the intermediate chamber as a substantially vertically running shaft element reduces the space required for the intermediate chamber and also allows a maximum viewing area of the collecting container to be arranged under an outlet of the beverage outlet. A shaft element running essentially vertically means that the shaft element has a greater depth or height in the vertical direction than a width in the horizontal direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the shaft element is essentially tubular. The box element can be open at the top. In this case, a side wall of the shaft element preferably has a flow opening for the fluidic connection to the inlet element. A bottom area of the chute element is preferably closed and has a lateral flow opening as a drain, which connects the chute element to the outlet element.

The chute element can have a substantially constant flow cross section or at least one section with a reduced flow cross section compared to the rest of the chute element, for example formed by the bottom outlet with a reduced cross section. Furthermore, the shaft element can have a section upstream of the outlet with a flow cross section that at least partially narrows in the direction of flow. For example, the shaft element can have a section in which the flow cross section tapers continuously or in stages or in sections in the direction of flow.

In a preferred embodiment, the inlet element is connected directly to the chute element, with the inlet element opening directly into an inlet opening or inlet mouth of a side wall of the chute element. In this case, preferably no impact elements or flow obstacles are arranged in the direction of flow from the inlet element to the shaft element, in particular in the inlet opening. Furthermore, the shaft element is preferably connected directly to the outlet element by means of the outlet provided. In this case, a base area of the shaft element preferably merges smoothly into a base or floor area of the outlet channel.

In a preferred embodiment, the inlet element and/or the outlet element are each designed as an inlet or outlet channel. The design of the inlet element as an inlet channel that is open at the top allows simplified cleaning of the inlet element. In addition, vapor components of the supplied fluid can already escape at least partially in the inlet element, as a result of which a more uniform beverage volume flow in the beverage outlet is supported. By configuring the outlet element as an outlet channel, the beverage volume flow can be guided over a predefined path that is visible to the user to a beverage collecting container arranged underneath, such as a cup or a mug. This not only simplifies cleaning, but also makes the beverage outlet more user-friendly, since, in addition to the optically appealing provision of the beverage volume flow, the user can recognize the actual start of beverage preparation earlier and, for example, a cup that is not completely correctly positioned under the outlet, for example an espresso cup, can be identified with regard to its relative Position to the outlet can be readjusted.

In a preferred embodiment, the inlet element or the inlet chute and the outlet element or the outlet chute are arranged inclined in side view relative to a horizontal and towards an outlet provided at the end. The inlet chute and/or the outlet chute are preferably arranged at an angle of between 5 and 50°, more preferably at an angle of between 10 and 45°, relative to the horizontal.

The outlet channel preferably has a downwardly curved outlet in a side view. In particular, an end section of the outlet channel encompassing the outlet can be bent or curved downwards by a predetermined radius, i.e. towards a liquid container to be arranged underneath.

The guide element according to the invention is preferably designed to provide an obstacle to turbulence in the beverage volume flow, in particular transversely to and/or rotating around the direction of flow in the fluid guide channel. As a result, in particular turbulence that negatively affects the beverage volume flow and promotes rotation and/or fluctuation of the volume flow in the fluid duct can be significantly reduced or prevented.

In a preferred embodiment, the guide element comprises a discharge dome protruding into the fluid guide channel of the inlet element for interaction with a liquid feed of the beverage preparation machine directed thereon. In this case, the diverting dome is preferably arranged in an end section of the inlet element. The diverting dome is preferably convex. In this case, the diversion dome protrudes from the inner wall of the fluid duct in a direction opposite to the beverage volume flow of the liquid supply directed towards the diversion dome. In particular, the convex formation of the diversion dome extends in a direction opposite to a direction of the beverage volume flow provided by the liquid supply towards the inlet element.

The diversion dome is preferably designed in such a way that a beverage volume flow directed thereto is diverted to side walls of the diversion dome and towards the fluid duct of the inlet element. The convex or dome-like formation can more preferably be arranged in such a way that its apex is aligned with the direction from which the beverage volume flow of the liquid supply meets the discharge dome.

Due to the design according to the invention, the beverage volume flow directed onto the diversion dome is diverted calmly, first to the side walls of the diversion dome and then to a downstream section of the fluid duct of the inlet element in the fluid duct direction.

In a further preferred embodiment, the guide element comprises at least one rib that protrudes into the fluid guide channel and runs in the fluid guide direction or parallel to the fluid guide direction in the respective fluid guide channel. The at least one rib here forms a mechanical flow direction indicator protruding into the respective fluid guidance channel, which directs the beverage volume flow in the fluid guidance direction and thereby provides an obstacle to turbulence, in particular transverse to and/or rotating to the flow direction.

The at least one rib preferably has a polygonal, in particular rectangular or triangular, cross section perpendicular to the fluid guidance direction. The rib preferably has a constant width and/or height of the cross section in the fluid flow direction. In other words, the extent of the rib transverse to the fluid flow direction is constant and preferably not variable. In an alternative embodiment, the rib can have a variable extent, in particular in a direction transverse to the direction of flow. For example, the rib can have a height and/or width that increases in the fluid flow direction transversely to the flow direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the guide element comprises a plurality of ribs, in particular at least two, more preferably at least three to four ribs designed according to the invention. In this case, the ribs are preferably arranged running parallel to one another in the fluid flow direction in the respective fluid duct. Furthermore, the ribs are preferably distributed circumferentially in the respective fluid duct.

The respective rib preferably extends radially inward from the respective inner wall of the fluid duct. The rib also preferably extends from the respective inner wall to less than a third, preferably less than a quarter of an inner radius of the respective fluid duct.

In a preferred embodiment, the inlet element comprises a guide element, which is designed as a deflection dome according to the invention, and the inlet element and/or the intermediate chamber comprises a guide element, comprising at least one rib according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the beverage outlet comprising the inlet element, the chute element and the outlet element, as well as the at least one guide element, is designed as an integral component, ie in one piece. The beverage outlet can be made of plastic, for example, as an injection molded part. The beverage outlet is preferably designed for selective use in a beverage preparation machine. This additionally simplifies the possibility of cleaning the beverage outlet. In this case, the beverage outlet can preferably have integrally formed connecting means, which allow selective attachment to the beverage preparation machine by the user.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a beverage preparation machine, in particular a coffee machine, more preferably a fully automatic coffee machine, having a beverage outlet according to one of the preceding claims.

• 1: eine seitliche Schnittansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Getränkeauslaufs gemäß einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;
• 2: eine perspektivische Draufsicht des erfindungsgemäßen Getränkeauslaufs nach 1;
• 3: eine Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Führungselements im Zulaufelement;
• 4: eine Draufsicht auf ein weiteres erfindungsgemäßes Führungselement in der Zwischenkammer; und
• 5: eine Draufsicht auf den erfindungsgemäßen Getränkeauslauf gemäß 1 bei der Zubereitung eines Getränks.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment and from the drawings, which show in:

• 1 : a side sectional view of the beverage outlet according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
• 2 : a perspective top view of the beverage outlet according to the invention 1 ;
• 3 : a sectional view of a guide element according to the invention in the inlet element;
• 4 : a plan view of a further guide element according to the invention in the intermediate chamber; and
• 5 : a plan view of the beverage outlet according to the invention according to FIG 1 when preparing a drink.

1 shows a beverage outlet 10 according to the invention for a beverage preparation machine (not shown). The beverage outlet 10 comprises an inlet element 1, designed here as an inlet channel open at the top, for connection to an in 1 schematically illustrated liquid supply 2 of the beverage preparation machine. Furthermore, the beverage outlet 10 comprises a shaft element 4 connected to the inlet channel 1 and an outlet element 3 designed as an outlet channel. In addition, the beverage outlet 10 can comprise connecting means (not shown) for preferably selective connection to the beverage preparation device.

The inlet chute 1 and the outlet chute 3 are arranged inclined relative to the horizontal (x-axis) in a side view, preferably towards the shaft element 4 or towards the outlet or outlet section 9 at the end. The chute element 4 preferably extends essentially vertically (y-axis) between an end section of the inlet channel 1 and a section of the outlet channel 3 opposite the outlet 9. The inlet channel 1 and the outlet channel 3 also preferably extend in a predetermined longitudinal direction in plan view. In particular, the outlet chute 3 extends in a linear extension of the inlet chute 1 in plan view.

The shaft element 4 is essentially tubular and extends over a predefined height or length in the vertical direction (y-axis). The shaft element 4 is preferably designed to be open at the top and comprises an inlet opening 7 in a side wall, into which the inlet channel 1 opens. On the bottom side, a drain 8 is formed in the chute element 4 as an opening in the inner or side wall 12 which connects the chute element 4 and the outlet channel 3 .

Furthermore, the chute element 4 can also have an overflow 14 which also opens into the outlet chute 3 and which is designed in such a way that liquid accumulated in the chute element 4 above a predefined height is discharged into the outlet chute 3 . The overflow 14 is preferably arranged in a side wall of the shaft element 4 and preferably opposite the inflow channel 1 . The overflow 14 can be designed as an upwardly open wall section in the shaft element 4 and has a lower edge that preferably runs horizontally. This can be arranged in the shaft element 4 at the same level or higher than a lower edge or an apex of the inlet opening 7, which is arranged at the same or lower height in the shaft element 4.

In addition, the beverage outlet 10 can have at least one steam outlet 15, which enables steam to be discharged from the beverage outlet 10, in particular from the inlet channel 1 and/or from the chute element 4, into an outer area of the beverage outlet 10, even if it is connected to an associated housing (not shown) should be covered. The steam outlet 15 can, for example, 1 include lateral outlet openings shown schematically in an upper area of the beverage outlet 10 .

According to the invention, the inlet element 1, the intermediate chamber 4 and/or the outlet now has Running element 3 has at least one guide element 5,6, which protrudes into the fluid guide channel from an inner wall 11,12,13 delimiting a fluid guide channel K1, K2, K3 running therein and is designed as a flow direction indicator for reducing turbulence in a beverage volume flow guided therein. In this case, the fluid guiding element should in particular support the formation of a laminar flow in the respective fluid guiding channel K1, K2, K3.

In the preferred embodiment according to 1 and 2 the guide element comprises a discharge dome 5 protruding into the fluid guide channel K1 of the inlet element 1 for interaction with a liquid supply 2 of the beverage preparation machine directed thereon.

Furthermore, the guide element comprises at least one rib 6 protruding into the fluid guide channel K2 of the shaft element 4, more preferably several ribs, which are arranged to run in the fluid guide direction F2.

As in 3 shown, the aforementioned diversion dome 5 is essentially convex and protrudes from the inner wall 11 of the fluid duct K1 in a direction opposite to the beverage volume flow V1 of the liquid supply 2 directed towards the diversion dome. A beverage volume flow V1 directed towards the diversion dome 5 is diverted at the side walls 5a of the diversion dome 5 in partial volume flows V1a, V1b towards the fluid duct K1 of the inlet element 1.

4 shows a plan view of the ribs 6 arranged in the shaft element 4 as a guide element. The ribs 6 are here arranged to run in the fluid guidance direction F2. In particular, three ribs 6 are distributed in the circumferential direction of the shaft element 4 . The ribs 6 have a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the fluid flow direction F2 and extend parallel to each other. The ribs 6 preferably protrude essentially radially from the inner wall or inner peripheral surface 12 of the shaft element 4 . The individual ribs 6 protrude from the surrounding inner wall by preferably less than a third, preferably less than a quarter of an inner radius of the essentially tubular fluid duct K2 formed in the shaft element 4 . The ribs 6 here form circumferentially distributed mechanical obstacles against turbulence and/or against fluctuations in the beverage volume flow in the shaft element 4 .

The ribs described above as a fluid guiding element can alternatively or additionally be arranged in the inlet element 1 and/or in the outlet element 3 (not shown).

5 shows a plan view of the beverage outlet 10 according to the invention during the preparation of a beverage. The beverage volume flow V3 shown flows calmly through the diversion dome 5 in the inlet element 1 towards the shaft element 4. There, further fluid guidance takes place through the provided ribs 6 parallel to the flow direction F2. The volume flow can be at least partially accumulated in the shaft element 4 , which is then discharged continuously as a further calmed volume flow V4 in the outlet element 3 to a collection container 16 such as a cup or mug by means of the outlet 9 .

In the event of an unexpected increase in flow from the beverage preparation machine, an additional beverage volume flow can be discharged through the overflow 14 into the outlet channel 3 . The overflow 14 can in this case have additional guide means, in particular in the form of two opposing side walls 17a, 17b, which preferably extend from the shaft element 4 in the direction of the outlet channel 3. The side walls 17a, 17b can be tapered towards the outlet 9 in the fluid flow direction.

reference list

1

inlet element, inlet channel

2

fluid delivery

3

outlet element, outlet channel

4

intermediate chamber, shaft element

5

Guide element, discharge dome

5a

side walls discharge dome

6

Guide element, guide rib

7

inlet opening, inlet mouth

8th

drain hole

9

outlet

10

beverage outlet

11,12,13

inner wall

14

overflow

15

steam vent

16

collection container, cup

17a,17b

side walls

F1,F2,F3

flow direction

K1, K2, K3

fluid guide channel

V1-V4

beverage volume flow

Claims (16)

Beverage outlet (10) for a beverage preparation machine, in particular a coffee machine, having an inlet element (1) for connection to a liquid feed (2) of the beverage preparation machine, an outlet element (3) for removing the liquid, and an intermediate chamber (4) connecting this in a fluid-conducting manner, thereby characterized in that the inlet element (1), the intermediate chamber (4) and/or the outlet element (3) have a guide element (5,6) which is surrounded by an inner wall (11, 12,13) protrudes into the fluid duct and is designed as a flow direction indicator to reduce turbulence in a beverage volume flow guided therein. Beverage outlet after claim 1 , characterized in that the inlet element (1), the intermediate chamber (4) and/or the outlet element (3) each form a channel-shaped or tubular fluid-guiding channel (K1, K2, K3). Beverage outlet after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the intermediate chamber (4) is designed as a substantially vertically running shaft element, which connects the inlet element (1) and the outlet element (3) in a stepped manner offset to one another and preferably has a section (8) which is reduced compared to the inlet element (1). Has flow cross section. Beverage outlet after one of Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the inlet element (1) is designed as an inlet channel and the outlet element (3) as an outlet channel, which are arranged inclined in side view relative to a horizontal and towards an outlet (9). Beverage outlet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide element (5, 6) is designed to be an obstacle to turbulence in the beverage volume flow, in particular transversely to and/or rotating about a flow direction (F1, F2, F3) in the fluid guide channel (K1, K2,K3) to provide. Beverage outlet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide element (5, 6) has a discharge dome (5) protruding into the fluid guide channel (K1) of the inlet element (1) for cooperation with a liquid supply (2) of the beverage preparation machine directed thereto. Beverage outlet (10) after claim 6 , characterized in that the diversion dome (5) is convex and protrudes from the inner wall (11) of the fluid duct (K1) in a direction opposite to the beverage volume flow of the liquid supply (2) directed towards the diversion dome. Beverage outlet (10) after claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that the diversion dome (5) is designed to divert a beverage volume flow (V1) directed thereon to side walls (5a) of the diversion dome (5) and towards the fluid duct (K1) of the inlet element (1). Beverage outlet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide element (5, 6) comprises at least one rib (6) which protrudes into the fluid guide channel and is arranged to run in the fluid guide direction (F2). Beverage outlet after claim 9 , characterized in that the rib (6) has a polygonal, in particular rectangular or triangular, cross section perpendicular to the fluid guidance direction (F2). Beverage outlet after claim 9 or 10 , characterized in that the guide element (6) in the fluid guide channel (K2) has a plurality of ribs which are distributed around the circumference and which are arranged to run parallel to one another in the fluid flow direction (F2). Beverage outlet after one of claims 9 until 11 , characterized in that the at least one protruding rib (6) of the respective inner wall (12) extends to less than a third, preferably less than a quarter of an inner radius of the fluid duct (K2). Beverage outlet after one of claims 3 until 12 , characterized in that the shaft element (4) is designed as an upwardly open, tubular element with an opening (7) on the jacket side for connection to the inlet element (1) and a bottom outlet (8) for connection with the outlet element (3). Beverage outlet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet element (3) is arranged in a linear extension of the inlet element (1) in plan view. Beverage outlet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet element (3) has an outlet (9) which is curved downwards when viewed from the side. Beverage preparation machine, in particular a coffee machine, having a beverage outlet (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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