JP2894053B2 - Coffee kettle - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coffee brewing machine having a coffee bean crushing function for extracting a coffee liquid and keeping the temperature of the coffee liquor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been a demand for a coffee boiler that pulverizes coffee beans, extracts coffee liquid from the pulverized coffee powder, and keeps the temperature warm, so as to extract more delicious coffee liquid.

[0003] Conventionally, this type of coffee brewer is shown in FIG.
1, the structure as shown in FIG. 12 was common. Less than,
The configuration will be described.

As shown in FIG. 11, a water container 1 is a container for storing water and detachable from a main body, and the stored water is sent to a water pipe 3 through a water inlet 2 at the bottom of the water container. The water pipe 3 exits from the water inlet 2 and passes through the inside of the heating means 4, connecting the upper part of the water container 1 or the extraction chamber 5. Heating means 4
Is a glass container 6 containing water and extracted coffee liquid guided into the water pipe 3 through the water inlet 2 at the bottom of the water container 1.
Heat. A crushing means 8 provided in a crushing chamber 7 for crushing coffee beans is driven by a motor 9, and a motor control means 10 controls the power supply to the motor 9. The coffee beans pulverized by the pulverizing means 8 are sent to the extraction chamber 5 through a porous filter 11 through which a powder having a predetermined size or less passes. The water channel switching means 12 uses the switching valve to heat the heating means 4 until the temperature of the water contained in the container 1 reaches a predetermined temperature.
The heated water is returned to the water container 1 and circulated. When the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, a water path for sending the hot water heated by the heating means 4 to the extraction chamber 5 is switched. Return to container 1. The heating control unit 14 controls the energization of the heating unit 4. The start switch 15 is a switch for giving an instruction to start the operation of the main body.
Uses the output of the start switch 15 as an input and controls the operation pattern of the heating means 4 and the motor 9. When the start switch 15 is operated, the motor control means 10 starts energizing the motor 9 by the output from the control means 16,
The grinding of the coffee beans is performed for a predetermined time, and the ground coffee powder is accumulated in the extraction chamber 5 through the porous filter 11. When the grinding of the coffee beans is completed, the control means 16
The heating control means 14 starts energization of the heating means 4 by the output of, and the water in the water pipe 3 is heated. In the extraction chamber 5, hot water heated by the heating means 4 is dropped onto the stored coffee powder through the water pipe 3 to extract the coffee liquid. The extracted coffee liquid was stored in a glass container 6 and kept warm by the heating means 4.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the positional relationship between the discharge port 13 and the water intake port 2, and the discharge port 13 is located near the vertical line of the water intake port 2.

[0006]

In such a conventional coffee machine, when the coffee liquid is extracted, the heating means 4 is continuously energized, so that the extraction time corresponding to the amount of water contained in the water container 1 is reduced. Since control cannot be performed, there is a problem that the extraction time becomes shorter as the amount of water is smaller, resulting in a thin coffee and a poor taste.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and in a coffee boiler having a coffee bean crushing function for extracting and keeping the temperature of a coffee liquid, an optimal extraction according to the amount of water contained in a water container. It is a first object of the present invention to provide a coffee brewer that can complete the extraction of a coffee liquid in a short time. It is a second object of the present invention to obtain a configuration of a main body for accurately detecting the amount of water contained in a water container. Also, it is necessary to obtain a configuration of a water container for accurately detecting the amount of water contained in the water container so that heat is diffused in a stable state when the heated water returns to the water container. As a third object. In addition, when the amount of water contained in the water container is small, if the amount of water is detected while the heating means is continuously energized, a large amount of steam is generated, and the heated water does not return to the water container. The rate of increase is not proportional to the amount of water, and the accuracy of detecting the amount of water deteriorates. It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a coffee brewer that can accurately detect the amount of water even when the amount of water contained in the water container is small. Further, when hot water is put into the water container and the extraction of the coffee liquid is started, steam is generated during the detection of the water amount, and the water amount cannot be detected. Therefore, a fifth object is to obtain a coffee brewer that can extract coffee liquid even when the detected temperature at the time of starting the water amount detection is higher than a predetermined temperature.

[0008]

In order to achieve the first object, the present invention provides a water container for containing water, and a heating means for heating the water introduced from the water container to supply hot water. ,
Heating control means for controlling the power supply to the heating means, water path switching means for switching a water path for sending water heated by the heating means to the water container or an extraction chamber for extracting coffee liquid, and the water container A water amount detecting means for detecting an amount of water contained in the inside; a duty ratio calculating means for calculating an energization duty ratio to the heating means based on an output of the water amount detecting means; and the heating based on an output of the duty ratio calculating means. Control means for controlling the control means,
The water amount detection means, a temperature sensing element attached to a water pipe at the bottom of the water container, a first time measurement means for measuring a predetermined time from the start of heating to the start of water amount detection, A temperature comparing unit that receives the output of the element and the output of the first timing unit as inputs, and compares the temperature obtained by adding a predetermined temperature difference to the temperature at the time of starting the water amount detection with the detected temperature of the thermosensitive element; A second timing means for starting time measurement by an output of the first time measurement means, and measuring a time required for the water temperature to rise from a temperature at the time when the detection of the water amount is started from the output of the temperature comparison means to a predetermined temperature difference; A water amount calculating means for calculating a water amount based on an output of the second time measuring means, and detecting a water amount from a time required to rise from a temperature after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of heating to a predetermined temperature difference. The first thing that was done It is a means for solving the problems.

In order to achieve the second object, the position of the discharge port for returning the water heated by the heating means into the water container is changed to the position of the water intake port for sending water from the water container to the heating means. A configuration shifted from a position vertically above is a second problem solving means.

In order to achieve the third object,
The water container has a predetermined space from the bottom of the water container in a first space into which heated water falling from the discharge port enters and a second space having a water suction port for sending water in the water container to the heating means. As a third means for solving the problem, it is configured to be divided into right and left by a partition plate having a gap of height.

Further, in order to achieve the fourth object,
A fourth problem solving means is that the heating control means performs heating at a predetermined duty ratio when the amount of water contained in the water container is detected by the water amount detecting means.

Further, in order to achieve the fifth object, in addition to the first means for solving the above problems, when the output of the temperature sensing element at the time of starting the water amount detection is higher than a predetermined temperature, The fifth means for solving the problem is that the heating means is continuously energized during the liquid extraction.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the amount of water contained in the water container can be obtained by the first solving means, and the duty ratio calculating means obtains and controls the energizing duty ratio to the heating means from the amount of water. The extraction of the coffee liquor can be performed at the optimum extraction time according to the amount of water.

Further, according to the second solving means, in the water amount detecting means using the temperature sensing element, accurate water amount detection is performed by the structure of the main body.

Further, according to the third solution means, in the water amount detecting means using the temperature-sensitive element, the heat diffusion at the time of circulation is stabilized by the structure of the water container, and accurate water amount detection is performed.

According to the fourth solution, the water amount detecting means using the temperature sensing element controls the heating means at the time of detection, thereby performing accurate water amount detection even when the water amount is small.

Further, according to the fifth solution means, in the water amount detecting means using the temperature sensing element, the coffee liquid is extracted even when the temperature of the water contained in the water container is high.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the first means for solving problems will be described below with reference to FIGS. The same components as those in the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water amount detecting means 17 is a detecting means for obtaining the water amount V of the water contained in the water container 1.
The first time measuring means 18 measures a predetermined time T1 after the heating means 4 starts heating. The temperature comparing means 19 measures the temperature obtained by adding a predetermined temperature difference ΔK to the temperature K1 when a predetermined time T1 has elapsed from the start of heating, and the time measurement, based on the output of the temperature sensing element 20 attached to the water pipe below the water container 1. A comparison is made with the detected temperature K from the start, and the second time counting means 21 starts time counting by the output of the first time counting means 18,
The time T2 required for the temperature to rise by ΔK is measured by the output of the temperature comparing means 19. The water amount calculating means 22 is the second
The water amount V is obtained from the output T2 of the time measuring means 21. The duty ratio calculating means 23 receives the output V of the water amount detecting means 17 and calculates the energizing duty ratio τ of the heating means 4 so that the coffee liquid extraction time is constant.

The control means 24 receives the outputs of the start switch 15 and the duty ratio calculation means 23 and controls the heating control means 14 and the motor control means 10 and instructs the first time measurement means 18 to start time measurement. And
At the time of coffee extraction, the heating control unit 12 is controlled so that the heating unit 4 is energized at the energization duty ratio τ obtained by the duty ratio calculation unit 23. In the present invention, a heater is used as the heating means 4 and a thermistor is used as the temperature sensing element 20.

In the above configuration, the operation of the water amount detecting means 17 will be described according to the procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step 101, the water pipe 3 is
The water channel is switched to the circulation side so that the water in the container returns to the water container 1, and the process proceeds to step 102. In step 102, the heating means 4
And the process proceeds to step 103. In step 103, the time counting by the first time counting means 18 is started (reset), and the process proceeds to step 104. In step 104, the time t1 is measured by the first timer 18, and the process proceeds to step 105. In step 105, the measured time t1 is compared with a predetermined time T1 from the start of heating to the start of detection of the amount of water. If t1 ≧ T1, the process proceeds to step 106, where t1 <T1. If there is, the process returns to step 104, and the timing of the time t1 by the first timing unit 18 is repeated. In step 106, the temperature sensing element 20 detects the initial water temperature K1 for detecting the amount of water, and proceeds to step 107. In step 107, the second timer 21 starts (resets) the measurement of the time t2 required for the temperature ΔK to rise, and proceeds to step 108. In step 108, the water temperature K at the bottom of the water container 1 is detected by the temperature sensing element 20, and the process proceeds to step 109. In step 109, the detected water temperature K and the temperature K at which the time measurement ends.
The comparison with 1 + ΔK is performed. If K ≧ K1 + ΔK, the process proceeds to step 110, and if K <K1 + ΔK, the process returns to step 108, and the detection of the water temperature K is repeated. Step 1
In 10, the time t <b> 2 is measured by the second timer 21, and the process proceeds to step 111. In step 111, the water amount V in the water container 1 is calculated and obtained by the water amount calculating means 22 from the time t2 required to increase by ΔK degrees. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the detected temperature of the temperature-sensitive element 20 after the start of the heating. The horizontal axis represents the elapsed time from the start of the heating, and the vertical axis represents the detected temperature of the temperature-sensitive element 20. Things. When the temperature of the water contained in the water container 1 and the temperature of the main body are almost equal and stable, the water heated by the heat capacity and circulation of the water pipe 3, the heating means 4 and the main body returns to the water container 1 and returns. Due to the influence of the time until the temperature rises, a time delay occurs from the start of the heating to the start of the rise in the detected temperature. When the detected temperature starts to rise, the gradient of the rise in the detected temperature becomes almost proportional to the water stored in the water container 1. Therefore, it can be seen that the time t2 required to increase by ΔK degrees from the temperature K1 when the predetermined time T1 has elapsed from the start of heating greatly changes depending on the amount of water contained in the water container. As a result, the time required for the detected temperature of the temperature-sensitive element 20 to rise by a predetermined temperature from the temperature when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of heating is measured, and the temperature is stored in the water container 1 based on the measured time. The detected amount of water can be detected.

Next, an embodiment of the second problem solving means will be described with reference to FIG. The components having the same configuration as that of the embodiment of the first problem solving means are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the positional relationship between the water inlet 2 for sending out water in the water container 1 to the water pipe 3 and the outlet 13 for returning heated water to the water container 1 again. Is located away from the vicinity of a vertical line passing through the water inlet 2. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a change in the temperature distribution of water contained in the water container 1 during circulating heating when the water intake port 2 and the discharge port 13 are configured at the conventional positions shown in FIG. (A), (b), and (c) show cases where the amount of water is large, and (e) and (f) show cases where the amount of water is small. In FIG. 5, the hatched portion is heated by the heated water and the temperature is high. When the heating is started and the circulation of the water starts, the heated water drops on the water surface immediately below the discharge port 13. And warm the water around it ((a),
(E)).

Further, when the circulation is continued, when the amount of water is large, the water is heated downward by the momentum at the time of falling, and the water is returned toward the water surface by convection and warmed from the upper side, as shown in FIG. The warmed water reaches the water inlet 2 before the water in the lower right part of the water container 1 warms (c).
Further, when the amount of water is small, the heated water has a strong force of falling, so that the warmed water reaches the water inlet 2 immediately,
The unheated water remains on the right side of the water container 1 (f).
For this reason, when the discharge port 13 is located near the vertical line of the water intake port 2, warm water is sent out from the water intake port 2 to the water pipe 3 while unheated water remains in the water container 1. As a result, there has been a large variation in the time for detecting the amount of water.

FIG. 6 shows the temperature distribution of water contained in the water container 1 during circulating heating when the water suction port 2 and the discharge port 13 are configured in the positional relationship shown in FIG. is there. (A), (b), (c) and (d) are cases where the amount of water is large, and (e), (f) and (g) are cases where the amount of water is small. When the position of the discharge port 13 is configured at a position separated from above the vertical line of the water suction port 2 in FIG. 6, the heated water falls to a position away from the water suction port 2, so that the heated water is When the water reaches the water inlet 2, it can be seen that the entire water contained in the water container 1 is warmed. As a result, by setting the discharge port 13 at a position away from the vicinity of the water inlet 2 on the vertical line, the temperature can be detected while warming the entire water in the water container 1 at the time of circulating heating, and the accuracy of the water amount detection can be improved. I can give it.

Next, an embodiment of the third problem solving means will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the embodiment of the second problem solving means are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, the partition plate 25 is
A gap is provided at a distance α from the bottom of the container, and a distance β is provided from the side wall closer to the discharge port 13.
The inside is divided into a first space in which heated water drops from the discharge port 13 and a second space in which the water suction port 2 exists. FIG. 8 shows the temperature distribution of the water contained in the water container 1 during circulation heating when the partition plate 25 is provided in the water container 1. (A), (b), (c),
(D) is a case where the amount of water is large, and (e), (f) and (g) are cases where the amount of water is small. As shown in FIG. 8, when the partition plate 25 is provided in the water container 1, when the heating is started, the heated water falls into the first space, and the water in the first space is heated first. Next, warmed water flows from the bottom of the container through the gap α to the second space. Since the temperature of the water in the second space is lower than the temperature of the water in the first space, the water that has moved from the first space to the second space is separated by the partition plate 25.
Gather along the water in the second space. Since the water in the second space gradually warms uniformly from the top and reaches the water inlet 2, it can be seen that the whole water contained in the water container 1 is warmed. As a result, by providing the partition plate 25 in the water container 1 and dividing the inside of the water container into the first space and the second space, the change in the temperature of the water in the water container 1 can be stabilized, and The accuracy of detection can be improved.

Next, an embodiment of the fourth problem solving means will be described with reference to FIG. The components having the same configuration as that of the embodiment of the first problem solving means are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the state of energization of the heating means 4 on a graph of the elapsed time from the start of heating and the detected temperature of the temperature-sensitive element 20 (thermistor). The time during which the temperature of the thermistor 20 is detected and power is supplied to the heating means 4 is indicated by hatching. When the operation is started by the start switch 15, the heating means 4 is continuously energized for a predetermined time T1, and the temperature K1 after the lapse of T1 from the start of heating is detected. When the amount of water is small, the heating control means 14 heats at a predetermined duty ratio (50% duty in this embodiment) until the detected temperature of the thermistor 20 becomes K1 + ΔK (from T1 to t3), and extracts after t3. Until the end is detected, the duty ratio calculating means 23 is used based on the water amount obtained by the water amount detecting means 17.
Is supplied at the calculated duty ratio (25% duty in this embodiment). When the amount of water is large, similarly to the case where the amount of water is small, power is supplied at a duty ratio of 50% from T1 to t4 until the temperature detected by the thermistor 20 becomes K1 + ΔK, and then duty ratio calculation means is provided until the end of extraction is detected. Heating means 4 with a duty ratio of 75% determined in step 23
Is energized. As a result, it is possible to reduce the generation of steam when ΔK is increased in order to increase the accuracy of detecting the amount of water, and to improve the accuracy of detecting the amount of water even when the amount of water is small.

Next, the operation of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. The same components as those in the embodiment of the second problem solving means are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. First, step 2
In step 01, the waterway is switched to the circulation side using the waterway switching means 12 so that the water in the water pipe 3 returns to the water container 1, and step 202 is performed.
Proceed to. In step 202, heating by the heating means 4 is started, and the process proceeds to step 203. In step 203, the first
(Reset) the clocking by the clocking means 18 of (1), and then proceed to step 204. In step 204, the time t1 is measured by the first timer 18, and the process proceeds to step 205. In step 205, the time t1 measured and a predetermined time T from the start of heating to the start of detection of the amount of water are set.
1 and if t1 ≧ T1, step 20
6; if t1 <T1, return to step 204;
The timing of the time t1 by the first timing means 18 is repeated. In step 206, the initial water temperature K1 for detecting the amount of water is detected by the temperature sensing element 20 (thermistor), and the process proceeds to step 207. In step 207, the detected water temperature K1 is compared with a predetermined temperature θ1, and K1 ≧ θ1
If so, the process proceeds to step 208, and if K1 <θ1, the process proceeds to step 209. In step 208, the energization duty ratio determined by the duty ratio calculation means 23 is set to τ = 1.
(Continuous energization). In step 209, the water amount V is detected by the same operation as the operation after step 107 in FIG. 4, and the energization duty ratio τ is calculated in step 210.

As a result, if the temperature of the water contained in the water container 1 after the predetermined time T1 has elapsed since the start of the heating is higher than the predetermined temperature θ1, the duty ratio calculating means 23 determines the duty ratio. With the energization duty ratio set to 1, coffee liquid can be extracted.

[0030]

As is apparent from the above description of the embodiment, according to the present invention, the amount of water contained in the water container can be detected by the water amount detecting means, and based on the result, the duty ratio calculating means can detect the amount of water. By calculating and controlling the duty ratio to the heating means, the coffee liquid extraction time can be optimized according to the amount of water.

Further, by arranging the position of the discharge port for circulating the heated water and returning to the water container from the vertical line of the water suction port of the water container, the water in the water container can be easily diffused with heat. The accuracy of water amount detection can be improved.

Further, a partition plate having a predetermined gap from the bottom of the container is inserted into the water container, and the space in which the heated water falls and the space having the water inlet are separated so that the heated water can be removed. It is possible to stabilize the diffusion of heat when warming the water contained in the water container and improve the accuracy of detecting the amount of water.

In addition, while the time for detecting the water amount is being measured, the heating means is energized at a predetermined duty ratio, so that even if the amount of water contained in the water container is small, the water amount is detected while the water amount is being detected. The generation of steam can be prevented, and the accuracy of water amount detection can be improved.

Further, when the temperature of the water after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the heating is higher than the predetermined temperature, the coffee liquid can be extracted by setting the energization duty ratio to 1.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a coffee brewer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of a water amount detecting means of the coffee machine.

FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing a detected temperature of a thermistor from the start of heating.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a water container according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how heat is diffused in a configuration of a conventional coffee brewer.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a state of heat diffusion in the configuration of the coffee brewer of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a water container according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view showing how heat is diffused in the configuration of the water container.

FIG. 9 is a characteristic diagram of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an operation flowchart of the heating control means of the coffee machine.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a conventional coffee machine.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the water container.

[Description of Signs] 1 water container 3 water pipe 4 heating means 5 extraction chamber 12 water path switching means 14 heating control means 15 start switch 17 water amount detection means 18 first time measurement means 19 temperature comparison means 20 temperature sensing element 21 second time measurement Means 22 Water amount calculation means 23 Duty ratio calculation means 24 Control means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-62-102717 (JP, A) JP-A-4-321417 (JP, A) JP-A-63-283615 (JP, A) JP-A-63-283615 135113 (JP, A) Fully open sho 64-17635 (JP, U) Fully open sho 64-25031 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) A47J 31/00-31 / 60

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A water container for accommodating water, heating means for heating water introduced from the water container to supply hot water, heating control means for controlling energization of the heating means, and coffee powder An extraction chamber for extracting the coffee liquid with the hot water supplied thereto, a start switch for instructing a start of an operation for extracting the coffee liquid, and a means for sending water heated by the heating means to the water container or the extraction chamber. Water path switching means for switching a water path, a water amount detecting means for detecting an amount of water contained in the container, a duty ratio calculating means for calculating an energization duty ratio to the heating means by an output of the water amount detecting means, Control means for controlling the heating control means and the motor control means using the start switch and the output of the duty ratio calculation means as inputs, wherein the water amount detection means is provided at the bottom of the water container. A temperature sensing element attached to the water pipe, first time counting means for counting a predetermined time from the start of heating to the start of water amount detection, an output of the temperature sensing element and the first time counting means Temperature comparing means for comparing the temperature obtained by adding a predetermined temperature difference to the temperature at the time when the water amount detection was started with the output of the temperature sensor as an input, and the temperature detected by the temperature sensing element; and starting the time measurement by the output of the first time measurement means. A second timer for measuring the time required for the water temperature to rise from the temperature at the time when the detection of the amount of water is started based on the output of the temperature comparator to a predetermined temperature difference, and the amount of water measured by the output of the second timer. Water amount calculating means for calculating the amount of water from the time required to rise from the temperature after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of heating to a predetermined temperature difference, the control means means the water amount detection means The output of Coffee machine of the ratio calculating means is configured to perform the control of the heating means in the coffee extraction on the basis of the duty ratio calculated. 2. The position of the discharge port for returning the water heated by the heating means into the water container in order to circulate the water is set vertically above the water suction port for sending water from the water container to the heating means. 2. The coffee brewer according to claim 1, wherein the coffee brewer is shifted from the position. 3. The water container is divided into a first space for receiving heated water falling from a discharge port and a second space having a water suction port for sending water in the water container to the heating means. 3. The coffee according to claim 2, wherein the coffee plate is divided into left and right sides by a plate, and the partition plate is provided in the water container with a gap of a predetermined height from the bottom of the water container to stabilize heat diffusion of circulated water. Boiler. 4. The coffee according to claim 1, wherein the heating control means controls the heating means at a predetermined duty ratio when the amount of water contained in the water container is detected by the water amount detecting means. Boiler. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the output of the temperature sensing element at the time of starting the water amount detection is higher than a predetermined temperature, the heating means is continuously energized during coffee liquid extraction. Coffee kettle.