JP2016185269A - Beverage extractor and beverage extraction method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correctly detect residual water.SOLUTION: Hot water is supplied from a water storage part 2 through a water supply tube 9 having heating means 12. A beverage extractor includes: temperature detection means 13 arranged in the water supply tube 9; and control means 20 for performing: first determination processing for temporarily determining the loss of residual water inside the water supply tube 9 by a first method on the basis of detected temperature in the temperature detection means 13; and second determination processing for regularly determining the loss of the residual water inside the water supply tube 9 by a second method on the basis of the detected temperature in the temperature detection means 13 after the first determination processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a beverage extractor and a beverage extraction method.

  Conventionally, when the water in the water container is reduced by the heating control means and the temperature of the heating means rises to the first set temperature, the energization to the heating means is suppressed, and the water disappears until the second set temperature higher than the first set temperature. A coffee water heater is known in which the energization of the heating means is stopped when the temperature rises (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  There is also a known coffee extractor that detects a heating temperature by a heater with a temperature sensor and outputs an abnormal alarm signal if the rate of increase in detected temperature in a predetermined time is equal to or greater than a preset limit value (for example, , See Patent Document 2).

  However, in the former, energization control to the heating means is only performed based on the detected temperature reaching the set temperature. For this reason, it may not be possible to accurately detect whether there is no remaining water. In the latter case, only an abnormal alarm signal is output based only on the rate of increase in the detected temperature, and no reference is made to the detection of residual water.

JP 2002-263004 A JP-A-63-206217

  An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage extractor and a beverage extraction method capable of accurately detecting residual water.

As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides:
A beverage extractor configured to supply hot water from a water storage section through a water supply pipe having a heating means,
Temperature detecting means provided in the water supply pipe;
Based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means, a first determination process that temporarily determines that there is no remaining water in the water supply pipe by the first method, and a temperature detected by the temperature detection means after the first determination process. And a second determination process for determining that there is no remaining water in the water supply pipe by the second method,
A beverage extractor comprising:

  With this configuration, after it is determined that there is no remaining water in the first provisional determination, the second main determination can be further performed using a different method. That is, since determination is performed from a multifaceted viewpoint, it is possible to accurately determine the presence or absence of residual water.

  As the first method, it is preferable that the control unit temporarily determines that there is no remaining water in the water supply pipe when the rate of increase in the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a set value.

  With this configuration, it is possible to more accurately determine the presence or absence of residual water based on a specific rate of increase in detected temperature due to the absence of residual water.

  Preferably, the control means includes, as the first method, performing a temporary determination of residual water when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a first set temperature.

  With this configuration, erroneous detection caused by various reasons is reduced, and the remaining water can be detected more accurately.

  As the second method, the control means preferably makes a main determination that there is no remaining water in the water supply pipe when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the second set temperature.

  With this configuration, the presence / absence of residual water is determined again by the second method different from the first method, so that more accurate determination is possible.

  Preferably, the control means executes the second determination process after a predetermined time has elapsed after the end of the first determination process.

  With this configuration, it is possible to make the change in the detected temperature remarkable after the heating by the heating unit is stopped, so it is possible to more accurately determine the presence or absence of residual water.

  Preferably, the control means includes determining that the water supply pipe is in a state requiring cleaning when the detected temperature is determined to be lower than the second set temperature by the second method.

  With this configuration, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the scale is attached to the inner wall of the water supply pipe and cleaning is necessary.

  As the first method, the control means preferably ends the first determination process when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a third set temperature that is higher than the first set temperature.

  With this configuration, when the third set temperature is exceeded (for example, an abnormal overheat state or the like), extra heating can be stopped.

As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides:
A beverage extraction method for supplying hot water from a water storage section through a water supply pipe having a heating means,
A first determination process for temporarily determining that there is no remaining water in the water supply pipe based on the detected temperature of the water supply pipe;
After the first determination process, based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means, a second determination process for determining that there is no remaining water in the water supply pipe;
A beverage extraction method is provided.

  According to the present invention, after the first provisional determination is made and the provisional determination is made that there is no remaining water, the second main determination is performed by a different determination method. The presence / absence of remaining water can be accurately determined.

It is a perspective view of the coffee maker which is an example of the drink extractor concerning this embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing of FIG. It is a figure which shows the display panel of FIG. It is a block diagram of the coffee maker of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the extraction process in the coffee maker of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the extraction process in the coffee maker of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the extraction process in the coffee maker of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the cleaning process in the coffee maker of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the other extraction process in the coffee maker of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the other extraction process in the coffee maker of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state before and behind scale adhesion in the water supply pipe | tube of FIG.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following description is only illustrations essentially and does not intend restrict | limiting this invention, its application thing, or its use.

  FIG. 1 shows a beverage extractor according to this embodiment. This beverage extractor includes an extractor body 1 and a liquid container 2.

  The extractor main body 1 has an arrangement space 3 in which a liquid container 2 can be arranged on the left side when viewed from the front. An upper surface side constituting the arrangement space 3 is an extraction unit 4, a lower surface side is a placement unit 5, a back surface side is a back surface portion 6, and a side side is a side portion 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper inside of the side part 7 is constituted by a water storage part 8. The water storage unit 8 and the extraction unit 4 are connected by a water supply pipe 9.

  In the water reservoir 8, water can be supplied by opening the lid 10 on the upper end surface. The water supply pipe 9 is connected to the bottom surface of the water storage section 8 via a check valve 11, and a first region 9 a that extends downward, and a second region that is bent on the bottom surface side of the extractor body 1 and extends in the horizontal direction. 9 b and the third region 9 c extending upward along the side surface of the side portion 7 reach the extraction portion 4. A heater 12 is arranged in contact with a part of the water supply pipe 9 (lower U-shaped part), and a temperature detection sensor 13 (here, a thermistor) as an example of temperature detection means is attached. Yes. The temperature detection sensor 13 is provided on the lower outer surface of the third region 9 c of the water supply pipe 9. By providing the temperature detection sensor 13 not in the second region 9b but in the third region 9c, it is difficult to be affected by residual water. The heater 12 is not limited to the heater 12 disposed in contact with a part of the water supply pipe 9 and may be configured by a heating wire wound around the entire outer peripheral surface.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an operation panel 14 is provided on the lower front side of the side portion 7. The operation panel 14 is provided with a display display unit 14 a, a start button 15, a time adjustment button 16, a cancel button 17, a timer button 18, and a care display unit 19. Characters and symbols indicating the contents are displayed on each button and display unit. The start button 15, timer button 18, and care display unit 19 are provided with LEDs 15 a, 18 a, and 19 a that indicate respective operation states.

  A control unit 20 (here, using a microcomputer) is provided in the extractor body 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 20 controls energization of the heater 12 and the LEDs 15 a and 18 a based on the input signal by the operation of the buttons 15 to 18 on the operation panel 14 and the detected temperature from the temperature detection sensor 13. And 19a, notification by the buzzer 21, and the like are controlled.

  Next, operation | movement of the drink extractor which consists of the said structure is demonstrated according to the flowchart of FIGS.

(Extraction process)
When water is supplied to the water storage section 8, the water flows into the water supply pipe 9 through the check valve 11 (see FIG. 2). Here, as shown in FIG. 5, when the start button 15 is turned on (step S1: YES), energization of the heater 12 is started (step S2). In step S <b> 2, for example, in energizing the heater 12, the energization (on) state is maintained until a first set time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses, and then the second set time (for example, 20 seconds) elapses thereafter. The energization is cut off (off), and this on / off is repeated twice (preheating step).

  If the preheating process is completed (step S3: YES), the heater 12 is turned on again (step S4). By turning on the heater 12, the water in the water supply pipe 9 is heated and evaporated. When the vapor pressure increases, boiling water is supplied to the extraction unit 4 and coffee extraction is started (extraction process).

  During the extraction process, the first determination process is executed. In the first determination process, for example, the temperature Td detected by the temperature detection sensor 13 is equal to or higher than the first set temperature T1 (step S5: YES), and the temperature that rises per unit time (temperature increase rate α) is set. When the value is greater than or equal to value S (step S6: YES), it is temporarily determined that the remaining water is “0”. The first set temperature T1 corresponds to the first set temperature of the present invention, and here is the temperature before water boils. The set value S is the rate of temperature increase that would be obtained if there was no residual water in the water supply pipe 9.

  Normally, when all the water in the water supply pipe 9 is supplied to the extraction unit 4 and the water supply pipe 9 is empty, a specific temperature increase rate α that appears at that time is obtained. In addition, it is necessary to exclude false detection in a temperature range lower than the first set temperature T1 that occurs for various reasons. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the temperature increase rate α is detected from the state before the temperature of the feed water rises and boils (here, when the first set temperature T1 is reached), and this temperature increase rate α is set. When the value is greater than or equal to the value S, it is determined that the remaining water in the water supply pipe 9 has become “0”, and the amount of remaining water is detected.

  By the way, in a drink extractor, as shown to Fig.11 (a), the heat from the heater 12 is transmitted to internal water through the water supply pipe | tube 9. As shown in FIG. However, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), a scale mainly composed of calcium carbonate adheres to the inner wall of the water supply pipe 9 due to long-term use. As the adhesion amount of the scale increases, the scale layer formed in the water supply pipe 9 gradually exhibits a heat insulating effect. Due to the heat insulation effect of the scale layer, the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 13 is increased by the heating of the heater 12, but the water in the water supply pipe 9 may not boil. In other words, although the detected temperature Td continues to rise, the temperature rise rate α does not exceed the set value S due to the influence of water remaining in the water supply pipe 9. There is a suspicion that this is a state in which the inner wall of the water supply pipe 9 needs to be cleaned (care required state). Further, if heating continues further in this state, each component may be damaged or malfunction.

  Therefore, it is determined whether or not the temperature Td detected by the temperature detection sensor 13 is equal to or higher than the third set temperature T3 (step S7). The third preset temperature T3 corresponds to the third preset temperature of the present invention. Here, the third preset temperature T3 is a temperature that does not increase if water is present in the water supply pipe 9 (a temperature exceeding 100 ° C.). If the detected temperature Td is lower than the third set temperature T3 (step S7: NO), energization of the heater 12 is continued. The case where the detected temperature Td becomes equal to or higher than the third set temperature T3 will be described later.

  When it is temporarily determined in step S6 that the remaining water is “0” (step S6: YES), as shown in FIG. 6, the energization to the heater 12 is stopped (step S8), and the extraction process is terminated. Then, the second determination process is executed. In the second determination process, first, the first set time t1 is waited (step S9) (standby step). The first set time can be, for example, a time that is assumed to rise from the stop of the heater 12 to the vicinity of a second set temperature T2 described later.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the temperature Td detected by the temperature detection sensor 13 has become equal to or higher than the second set temperature T2 (step S10). The second set temperature T2 corresponds to the second set temperature of the present invention. Here, the second set temperature T2 is a temperature that reliably reaches after the first set time t1 has elapsed since the energization stop of the heater 12 (temperature exceeding 100 ° C.). This determination is performed until a second set time t2 (for example, 15 seconds) elapses (step S11). If the detected temperature Td becomes equal to or higher than the second set temperature T2 even once before the second set time t2 elapses, it is determined that the remaining water is “0”. Then, after waiting for a predetermined time (step S12: YES), the fact that the extraction is completed is notified by a lamp, a buzzer or the like (step S13).

  In the second determination process of step S10, when the temperature Td detected by the temperature detection sensor 13 has never become equal to or higher than the second set temperature T2 (step S10: NO), it is determined that there is residual water in the water supply pipe 9. If it is temporarily determined that the remaining water is “0” in step S6, the normal determination is not made unless the remaining water is “0” in step S10. However, when a small amount of water remains in the water storage unit 8 due to some trouble and this residual water flows into the water supply pipe 9, the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 13 may not rise to the second set temperature T2. . Therefore, the occurrence of such a problem is detected by executing the second determination process. If a defect is detected, the fact is notified by a buzzer or the like (step S14).

  If the temperature Td detected by the temperature detection sensor 13 is equal to or higher than the third set temperature T3 in step S7, as shown in FIG. 7, the energization to the heater 12 is stopped (step S15), and the second set time t2 After waiting, a second determination process is executed. In the second determination process, it is determined whether or not the detected temperature Td detected by the temperature detection sensor 13 is equal to or higher than the second set temperature T2 (step S16). This determination is performed until a second set time t2 (for example, 15 seconds) elapses (step S17). If the detected temperature Td detected by the temperature detection sensor 13 is equal to or higher than the second set temperature T2 by the time the second set time t2 elapses (step S16: YES), this process ends and the second set temperature T2 is once. If not (NO at step S16), the maintenance lamp is turned on (step S18). In this case, in addition to lighting the maintenance lamp, or instead of this, a sound may be notified by a buzzer or the like. In response to this notification, the user may perform a cleaning process described later. Note that step S7 may be executed as a separate maintenance process instead of the second determination process.

  As described above, in the above embodiment, since the final determination of the residual water is performed in the second determination process after the temporary determination of the residual water is performed in the first determination process, the residual water determination can be accurately performed. it can. In particular, since the remaining water determination is performed by different methods based on the temperature increase rate in the first determination process and based on the detected temperature in the second determination process, more accurate determination can be performed. .

  In the first determination process, it is determined whether or not the temperature Td detected by the temperature detection sensor 13 is equal to or higher than the third set temperature T3 even though the rate of temperature increase is not high, and the detected temperature Td is the third set temperature. When the temperature is equal to or higher than T3, the maintenance determination process is executed after the second determination process. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the water supply pipe 9 needs to be cleaned, and to notify the user before a problem occurs in the extraction process.

(Cleaning process)
As described above, the cleaning process is a process that is executed when a scale layer is formed in the water supply pipe 9. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Is added and the start button 15 is pressed for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) for a long time (step S21). The LEDs 15a, 18a, and 19a are blinked by long-pressing the start button 15 (step S22). Then, after the preheating step as in step S2 (step S23), the temperature equilibrium control process is started (step S24).

  In the temperature equilibrium control process, the temperature is adjusted for a third set time (for example, 60 minutes) so that the temperature of the wash water is maintained at the fourth set temperature. Here, an upper limit value (for example, 65 ° C.) and a lower limit value (for example, 55 ° C.) are set. 12 is turned on. However, the off state is maintained for a predetermined time (for example, 60 seconds) after the heater 12 is turned off. The fourth set temperature is preferably high, but if it is too high, the amount of evaporation becomes too large (for example, if the temperature of the wash water is 80 ° C., the amount of evaporation is large and the wash water decreases). ), The cleaning ability and the evaporation amount are set to a comparative value (for example, 60 ° C.).

  When the temperature balance control process is completed, the heater 12 is turned on / off in the same manner as in step S2 (step S25). Then, the heater 12 is turned on again (step S26), and this on state is maintained until it is determined that the remaining water is “0” (step S27). The remaining water determination is performed in the same manner as in step S5, for example, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 13 is equal to or higher than the first set temperature (for example, 90 ° C.) and the rate of temperature increase per unit time is the set value. Or the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 13 is equal to or higher than the second set temperature (for example, 120 ° C.), and the remaining water may be determined to be “0”.

  If it is determined that the remaining water is “0” (step S27: YES), the heater 12 is turned off (step S28), and after waiting for a predetermined time (step S29: YES), the cleaning process is terminated. . At the end of the cleaning process, the user is notified by a buzzer or the like (step S30).

(Air blow prevention treatment)
In the extraction process described above, the idling prevention process is executed in parallel whenever the heater 12 is on. That is, the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 13 is the fifth set temperature (a temperature that will not increase immediately after the remaining water in the water supply pipe 9 is exhausted. However, it is higher than the second set temperature. It is determined whether or not the temperature is higher than that, and the fact that the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the fifth set temperature is notified that it is empty. However, even after the heater 12 is turned off, this determination is made for a predetermined time. This is because the temperature of the water supply pipe 9 continues to rise immediately after the heater 12 is turned off.

  Further, it is determined whether or not the temperature has become equal to or higher than the sixth set temperature (the temperature that will not rise if water is present in the water supply pipe 9) within the fourth set time after the heater 12 is turned on. When this condition is satisfied, it is informed that it is empty. Immediately after the start of the extraction process, forgetting to supply water to the water storage unit 8 or the like is assumed, and therefore, the emptying prevention process is executed particularly at this time.

  Further, it is determined whether or not the temperature increase rate of the detected temperature has exceeded the set value within the range of the fifth set time after a predetermined time has passed since the heater 12 was turned on, and satisfying this condition Notify that you are flying.

(Other embodiments)
In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure described in the said embodiment, A various change is possible.

  In the embodiment, in the first determination process, it is determined whether or not the temperature increase rate of the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the set value and whether or not the detected temperature is equal to or higher than the set temperature. It can be done with the judgment.

  For example, as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10, the second determination process may be performed when the temperature increase rate of the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a set value. That is, steps S31 to S35, S37 to S45, and S46 are the same as steps S1 to S5, S7 to S15, and S17 of the extraction process, but are different in the following points.

  In the first determination process, as in step S7, it is not determined whether or not the detected temperature Td is equal to or higher than the third set temperature T3. After a predetermined waiting time (step S36), the temperature increase rate α It is determined whether or not is equal to or greater than the set value S (step S37). In this case, the standby time may be set to a time sufficient for the remaining water in the water supply pipe to disappear after the detected temperature Td reaches the first set temperature T1. However, if the first set temperature T1 is a temperature reached when there is no remaining water in the water supply pipe (for example, a temperature exceeding 100 ° C. but not reaching the third set temperature T3), the waiting time is unnecessary. .

  In the second determination process, it is determined whether or not the detected temperature Td is equal to or higher than the third set temperature T3 after the first set time t1 has elapsed since the end of the first determination process. Immediately after the end of the process, it may be determined whether or not the temperature increase rate is equal to or higher than a set value.

  Further, in the second determination process, when the determinations in step S6 and step S7 of the first determination process are YES, processing is performed in different flows. However, in any case, step S10 is performed. It is also possible to make a determination only with. This is because when it is determined as YES in step S6 and step S7, it is mostly determined that the state is “care required” in step S10 as NO.

1. Extractor body 2. Liquid container (water storage part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Arrangement space 4 ... Extraction part 5 ... Placement part 6 ... Back part 7 ... Side part 8 ... Water storage part 9 ... Water supply pipe 10 ... Cover body 11 ... Check valve 12 ... Heater (heating means)
13. Temperature detection sensor (temperature detection means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Operation panel 15 ... Start button 16 ... Time adjustment button 17 ... Cancel button 18 ... Timer button 19 ... Maintenance display part 20 ... Control part (control means)
21 ... Buzzer

Claims (8)

A beverage extractor configured to supply hot water from a water storage section through a water supply pipe having a heating means,
Temperature detecting means provided in the water supply pipe;
Based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means, a first determination process that temporarily determines that there is no remaining water in the water supply pipe by the first method, and a temperature detected by the temperature detection means after the first determination process. And a second determination process for determining that there is no remaining water in the water supply pipe by the second method,
A beverage extractor comprising:   The beverage extractor according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes, as the first technique, temporarily determining that there is no remaining water in the water supply pipe when the rate of increase in the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a set value.   The beverage extractor according to claim 2, wherein the control means includes, as the first technique, performing a temporary determination of residual water when a detected temperature is equal to or higher than a first set temperature.   4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes, as the second method, main determination that there is no remaining water in the water supply pipe when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a second set temperature. 5. The beverage extractor described.   The beverage extractor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit executes the second determination process after a predetermined time has elapsed after the end of the first determination process.   6. The control unit according to claim 4, wherein the control unit includes determining that the water supply pipe is in a state requiring cleaning when the detected temperature is determined to be lower than the second set temperature by the second method. Beverage extractor.   The control means, as the first method, terminates the first determination process when the detected temperature becomes equal to or higher than a third set temperature higher than the first set temperature, and executes the second determination process. The beverage extractor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: A beverage extraction method for supplying hot water from a water storage section through a water supply pipe having a heating means,
A first determination process for temporarily determining that there is no remaining water in the water supply pipe based on the detected temperature of the water supply pipe;
After the first determination process, based on the temperature detected by the temperature detection means, a second determination process for determining that there is no remaining water in the water supply pipe;
Beverage extraction method characterized by performing

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