JP7355366B2 - Beverage production equipment, methods and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a beverage manufacturing apparatus, method, and program for manufacturing a beverage by extracting a beverage liquid from an extraction target.

As a method for extracting coffee liquid, an immersion method in which ground beans are immersed in hot water (for example, Patent Document 1) and a permeation method in which hot water is passed through the ground beans (for example, Patent Document 2) are known.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-081544 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-024703

In the beverage manufacturing apparatus according to either of the systems disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is required to improve convenience in a configuration in which a recipe is displayed and the displayed recipe is changed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving convenience in a configuration for displaying a recipe and changing the displayed recipe.

The beverage manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a registration unit for registering a recipe including information on parameters for extracting a coffee beverage; an extraction unit for extracting a coffee beverage based on the registered recipe; display control means for displaying parameter information of a recipe on a display unit as a time change in a target value in a chart; and reception means for accepting a change operation for the parameter information displayed in a chart by the display control means; The display control means causes the display unit to display a chart on the display unit of time changes in measured values obtained in each extraction process of the coffee beverage based on the registered recipe, together with the information on the parameters displayed on the chart. , the accepting means accepts an operation for changing information on the parameters displayed in a chart on the display unit together with the measured values displayed in a chart on the display unit, and the registering unit accepts an operation for changing the information on the parameters displayed in a chart on the display unit, A recipe including parameter information is registered as a changed recipe, and the extraction means extracts a coffee beverage based on the registered changed recipe. .

The method according to the present invention is a method executed in a beverage manufacturing apparatus , and includes a registration step of registering a recipe including information on parameters for extracting a coffee beverage, and a step of registering a recipe for extracting a coffee beverage based on the registered recipe. an extraction step of extracting the registered recipe parameter information, a display control step of displaying the parameter information of the registered recipe as a time change of the target value in a chart on the display unit, and a change to the parameter information displayed in the chart in the display control step. a reception step of accepting an operation, and the display control step includes displaying time changes in measured values obtained in each extraction step of the coffee beverage based on the registered recipe, together with information on the parameters displayed in the chart. is displayed in a chart on the display section, and the receiving step is for accepting a change operation for the parameter information displayed on the display section in a chart together with the measured value displayed on the chart on the display section, In the registration step, a recipe including information on parameters changed by the change operation is registered as a changed recipe, and in the extraction step, a coffee beverage is prepared based on the registered changed recipe. It is characterized in that it extracts .

The program according to the present invention includes: a registration step of registering a recipe including information on parameters for extracting a coffee beverage in a beverage manufacturing device; an extraction step of extracting a coffee beverage based on the registered recipe; a display control step of displaying information on the parameters of the recipe as a time change of target values in a chart on a display unit; and a reception step of accepting a change operation for the parameter information displayed in the chart in the display control step. The display control step includes displaying, on the display section, a chart of temporal changes in measured values obtained in each extraction step of the coffee beverage based on the registered recipe, together with information on the parameters displayed on the chart. The receiving step is for accepting a change operation for the parameter information displayed in a chart on the display section together with the measured value displayed in a chart on the display section, and the registration step is for accepting the change operation on the parameter information displayed in a chart on the display section. A recipe including information on parameters changed by the operation is registered as a changed recipe, and the extraction step is to extract a coffee beverage based on the registered changed recipe. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve convenience in a configuration in which a recipe is displayed and the displayed recipe is changed.

An external view of the beverage manufacturing device. FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the beverage manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the functions of the beverage manufacturing device. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the separation device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a drive unit and an extraction container. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the extraction container of FIG. 5 in a closed state and an open state. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the configuration of part of the upper unit and the lower unit. A vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 7. Schematic diagram of the central unit. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device of the beverage manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. (A) and (B) are flowcharts showing examples of control executed by the control device. A schematic diagram of a liquid feeding amount adjustment device. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 12 and a cross-sectional view of another example. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of preheating. A diagram for explaining the operation of hot water supply from steaming to extraction. A diagram showing a plot display screen. A diagram showing a profile setting screen. A flowchart showing recipe chart display processing. The figure which shows the screen for displaying a recipe chart. It is a figure in which each parameter of a recipe is displayed in a table format. The figure which shows the screen of a recipe-chart.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more features among the plurality of features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

<1. Overview of beverage manufacturing equipment>
FIG. 1 is an external view of a beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The beverage manufacturing device 1 of this embodiment is a device that automatically manufactures a coffee beverage from roasted coffee beans and a liquid (here, water), and is capable of manufacturing one cup of coffee beverage per one manufacturing operation. . Roasted coffee beans as a raw material can be stored in the canister 40. A cup placement section 110 is provided at the bottom of the beverage production device 1, and the produced coffee beverage is poured into the cup from the pouring section 10c.

Beverage manufacturing device 1 includes a housing 100 that forms its exterior and surrounds its internal mechanism. The housing 100 is roughly divided into a main body part 101 and a cover part 102 that covers part of the front and part of the side surfaces of the beverage manufacturing device 1. An information display device 12 is provided on the cover portion 102 . In the case of this embodiment, the information display device 12 is a touch panel type display, and is capable of displaying various information as well as receiving input from an administrator of the device or a consumer of the beverage. The information display device 12 is attached to the cover part 102 via a moving mechanism 12a, and can be moved vertically within a certain range by the moving mechanism 12a.

The cover portion 102 is also provided with a bean inlet 103 and a door 103a for opening and closing the bean inlet 103. It is possible to open the opening/closing door 103 and input roasted coffee beans other than the roasted coffee beans stored in the canister 40 into the bean input port 103. This makes it possible to provide a special drink to beverage consumers.

In the case of the present embodiment, the cover section 102 is made of a translucent material such as acrylic or glass, and constitutes a transparent cover whose entirety is a transmissive section. Therefore, the mechanism inside the cover portion 102 is visible from the outside. In the case of this embodiment, a part of the manufacturing department that manufactures the coffee beverage is visible through the cover part 102. In this embodiment, the main body part 101 is entirely made of a non-transparent part, making it difficult to see the inside thereof from the outside.

FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1, showing a part of the manufacturing section that is visible to the user when viewed from the front of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. The cover portion 102 and the information display device 12 are illustrated with imaginary lines.

The housing 100 on the front side of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 has a double structure including a main body part 101 and a cover part 102 on the outside (front side) thereof. A part of the mechanism of the manufacturing department is disposed between the main body part 101 and the cover part 102 in the front-rear direction, and is visible to the user through the cover part 102.

In this embodiment, some mechanisms of the manufacturing department that are visible to the user through the cover section 102 include a collective conveyance section 42, grinders 5A and 5B, a separation device 6, an extraction container 9, etc., which will be described later. A rectangular recess 101a recessed toward the back is formed in the front portion of the main body 101, and the extraction container 9 and the like are located at the back of this recess 101a.

Since these mechanisms are visible from the outside through the cover part 102, it may be easier for the administrator to inspect and confirm the operation. Additionally, beverage consumers may be able to enjoy the coffee beverage manufacturing process.

Note that the cover section 102 is supported by the main body section 101 at its right end via a hinge 102a so as to be openable and closable laterally. An engaging portion 102b that maintains the main body portion 101 and the cover portion 102 in a closed state is provided at the left end portion of the cover portion 102. The engaging portion 102b is, for example, a combination of a magnet and iron. By opening the cover section 102, the administrator can inspect a portion of the above-mentioned manufacturing department inside the cover section 102.

In the case of this embodiment, the cover part 102 is of a horizontal opening type, but may be of a vertical opening type (vertical opening type) or of a sliding type. Further, the cover portion 102 may be configured so that it cannot be opened or closed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the functions of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. The beverage manufacturing device 1 includes a bean processing device 2 and an extraction device 3 as a coffee beverage manufacturing section.

The bean processing device 2 generates ground beans from roasted coffee beans. The extraction device 3 extracts coffee liquid from the ground beans supplied from the bean processing device 2. The extraction device 3 includes a fluid supply unit 7, a drive unit 8, which will be described later, an extraction container 9, and a switching unit 10. Ground beans supplied from the bean processing device 2 are put into an extraction container 9. The fluid supply unit 7 supplies hot water to the extraction container 9. Coffee liquid is extracted from the ground beans in the extraction container 9. The hot water containing the extracted coffee liquid is sent to the cup C as a coffee beverage via the switching unit 10.

<2. Fluid supply unit and switching unit>
The configurations of the fluid supply unit 7 and the switching unit 10 will be explained with reference to FIG. 3. First, the fluid supply unit 7 will be explained. The fluid supply unit 7 supplies hot water to the extraction container 9, controls the atmospheric pressure inside the extraction container 9, and the like. In addition, in this book, when atmospheric pressure is illustrated by a number, unless otherwise specified, it means absolute pressure, and gauge pressure is the atmospheric pressure where atmospheric pressure is 0 atmosphere. Atmospheric pressure refers to the atmospheric pressure around the extraction container 9 or the atmospheric pressure of the beverage manufacturing equipment. For example, if the beverage manufacturing equipment is installed at a point below sea level, the This is the standard atmospheric pressure (1013.25 hPa) at sea level of the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) established by the Aviation Organization [[omitted] ICAO] in 1976.

Fluid supply unit 7 includes piping L1 to L3. The pipe L1 is a pipe through which air flows, and the pipe L2 is a pipe through which water flows. The pipe L3 is a pipe through which both air and water can flow.

The fluid supply unit 7 includes a compressor 70 as a pressurization source. The compressor 70 compresses the atmospheric air and sends it out. The compressor 70 is driven by, for example, a motor (not shown) as a drive source. Compressed air sent out from the compressor 70 is supplied to a reserve tank (accumulator) 71 via a check valve 71a. The atmospheric pressure in the reserve tank 71 is monitored by a pressure sensor 71b, and the compressor 70 is driven so as to maintain it at a predetermined atmospheric pressure (in this embodiment, 7 atmospheres (6 atmospheres in gauge pressure)). The reserve tank 71 is provided with a drain 71c for draining water, so that water generated by compressing air can be drained.

The water tank 72 stores hot water (water) constituting the coffee beverage. The water tank 72 is provided with a heater 72a that heats the water in the water tank 72 and a temperature sensor 72b that measures the temperature of the water. The heater 72a maintains the temperature of the accumulated hot water at a predetermined temperature (120 degrees Celsius in this embodiment) based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 72b. For example, the heater 72a is turned on when the hot water temperature is 118 degrees Celsius, and turned off when the temperature of the hot water is 120 degrees Celsius.

The water tank 72 is also provided with a water level sensor 72c. The water level sensor 72c detects the water level of hot water in the water tank 72. When the water level sensor 72c detects that the water level has fallen below a predetermined water level, water is supplied to the water tank 72. In the case of this embodiment, water is supplied via a water purifier (not shown). A solenoid valve 72d is provided in the middle of the pipe L2 from the water purifier, and when a drop in the water level is detected by the water level sensor 72c, the solenoid valve 72d is opened to supply water, and when a predetermined water level is reached, the solenoid valve 72d is opened. The valve 72d is closed and the water supply is cut off. In this way, the hot water in the water tank 72 is maintained at a constant water level. Note that water may be supplied to the water tank 72 every time hot water used for producing one coffee beverage is discharged.

The water tank 72 is also provided with a pressure sensor 72g. The pressure sensor 72g detects the atmospheric pressure inside the water tank 72. Air pressure in the reserve tank 71 is supplied to the water tank 72 via a pressure regulating valve 72e and a solenoid valve 72f. The pressure regulating valve 72e reduces the atmospheric pressure supplied from the reserve tank 71 to a predetermined atmospheric pressure. In the case of this embodiment, the pressure is reduced to 3 atmospheres (2 atmospheres in gauge pressure). The solenoid valve 72f switches between supplying and cutting off the atmospheric pressure regulated by the pressure regulating valve 72e to the water tank 72. The solenoid valve 72f is controlled to open and close so that the air pressure inside the water tank 72 is maintained at 3 atmospheres, except when water is being supplied to the water tank 72. When water is supplied to the water tank 72, the solenoid valve 72h lowers the air pressure in the water tank 72 to a pressure lower than the water pressure (for example, 2.5 m) so that water is smoothly replenished into the water tank 72 by the water pressure. Reduce the pressure to less than 5 atmospheres). The electromagnetic valve 72h switches whether or not to release the inside of the water tank 72 to the atmosphere, and releases the inside of the water tank 72 to the atmosphere when the pressure is reduced. In addition, the solenoid valve 72h releases the inside of the water tank 72 to the atmosphere when the atmospheric pressure inside the water tank 72 exceeds 3 atmospheres, and maintains the inside of the water tank 72 at 3 atmospheres, other than when water is supplied to the water tank 72. do.

Hot water in the water tank 72 is supplied to the extraction container 9 via the check valve 72j, the electromagnetic valve 72i, and the pipe L3. Opening the solenoid valve 72i supplies hot water to the extraction container 9, and closing the solenoid valve 72i cuts off the supply of hot water. The amount of hot water supplied to the extraction container 9 can be controlled by the opening time of the solenoid valve 72i. However, the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 72i may be controlled by measuring the supply amount. A temperature sensor 73e for measuring the temperature of hot water is provided in the pipe L3, and the temperature of the water supplied to the extraction container 9 is monitored.

The atmospheric pressure in the reserve tank 71 is also supplied to the extraction container 9 via a pressure regulating valve 73a and a solenoid valve 73b. The pressure regulating valve 73a reduces the atmospheric pressure supplied from the reserve tank 71 to a predetermined atmospheric pressure. In the case of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the pressure to 5 atm (4 atm in gauge pressure) or less. The electromagnetic valve 73b switches between supplying and blocking the atmospheric pressure regulated by the pressure regulating valve 73a to the extraction container 9. The atmospheric pressure inside the extraction container 9 is detected by a pressure sensor 73d. When the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized, the solenoid valve 73b is opened based on the detection result of the pressure sensor 73d, and the inside of the extraction container 9 is maintained at a predetermined atmospheric pressure (in the case of this embodiment, a maximum of 5 atm (4 atm in gauge pressure) )). The atmospheric pressure inside the extraction container 9 can be reduced by a solenoid valve 73c. The electromagnetic valve 73c switches whether or not to open the inside of the extraction container 9 to the atmosphere, and opens the inside of the extraction container 9 to the atmosphere when the pressure is abnormal (for example, when the inside of the extraction container 9 exceeds 5 atmospheres).

When one batch of coffee beverage production is completed, in the case of this embodiment, the inside of the extraction container 9 is washed with water. The solenoid valve 73f is opened during cleaning and supplies water to the extraction container 9.

Next, the switching unit 10 will be explained. The switching unit 10 is a unit that switches the destination of the liquid sent out from the extraction container 9 to either the pouring part 10c or the waste tank T. The switching unit 10 includes a switching valve 10a and a motor 10b that drives the switching valve 10a. The switching valve 10a switches the flow path to the pouring part 10c when the coffee beverage in the extraction container 9 is to be delivered. The coffee beverage is poured into the cup C from the pouring part 10c. When discharging waste liquid (water) and residue (ground beans) from washing, the flow path is switched to the waste tank T. In this embodiment, the switching valve 10a is a 3-port ball valve. Since residue passes through the switching valve 10a during cleaning, the switching valve 10a is preferably a ball valve, and the motor 10b switches the flow path by rotating its rotation shaft.

<3. Bean processing equipment＞
The bean processing device 2 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The bean processing device 2 includes a storage device 4 and a crushing device 5.

<3-1. Storage device＞
The storage device 4 includes a plurality of canisters 40 in which roasted coffee beans are stored. In the case of this embodiment, three canisters 40 are provided. The canister 40 includes a cylindrical main body 40a that accommodates roasted coffee beans, and a handle 40b provided on the main body 40a, and is configured to be detachable from the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1.

Each canister 40 may accommodate different types of roasted coffee beans, and the type of roasted coffee beans used for producing the coffee beverage may be selected by operating input to the information display device 12. Roasted coffee beans of different types are, for example, roasted coffee beans of different varieties of coffee beans. Further, roasted coffee beans of different types are coffee beans of the same variety, but may be roasted coffee beans with different degrees of roasting. Further, the different types of roasted coffee beans may be roasted coffee beans with different types and degrees of roasting. Further, at least one of the three canisters 40 may store roasted coffee beans in which roasted coffee beans of a plurality of types are mixed. In this case, roasted coffee beans of each type may have the same degree of roasting.

Although a plurality of canisters 40 are provided in this embodiment, a configuration in which only one canister 40 is provided may be used. Furthermore, when a plurality of canisters 40 are provided, all or a plurality of canisters 40 may contain the same type of roasted coffee beans.

Each canister 40 is detachably attached to a weighing and conveying device 41. The weighing and conveying device 41 is, for example, an electric screw conveyor, and automatically weighs a predetermined amount of roasted coffee beans contained in the canister 40 and sends the weighed beans to the downstream side.

Each metering and conveying device 41 discharges roasted coffee beans to a collecting conveyance section 42 on the downstream side. The collective conveyance section 42 is formed of a hollow member, and forms a conveyance path for roasted coffee beans from each conveyor 41 to the grinding device 5 (particularly the grinder 5A). The roasted coffee beans discharged from each weighing and conveying device 41 move inside the collective conveying section 42 by their own weight and flow down to the crushing device 5.

A guide portion 42a is formed in the collective conveyance portion 42 at a position corresponding to the bean input port 103. The guide portion 42a forms a passage that guides the roasted coffee beans input from the bean input port 103 to the grinding device 5 (particularly the grinder 5A). Thereby, in addition to the roasted coffee beans contained in the canister 40, a coffee beverage can also be produced using the roasted coffee beans inputted from the bean input port 103 as a raw material.

<3-2. Grinding device>
The crushing device 5 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the separation device 6. As shown in FIG. The crushing device 5 includes grinders 5A and 5B and a separating device 6. The grinders 5A and 5B are mechanisms for grinding roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4. The roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 are ground by a grinder 5A, and then further ground by a grinder 5B to form a powder, and then fed into the extraction container 9 from a discharge pipe 5C.

The grinders 5A and 5B have different grain sizes for grinding beans. The grinder 5A is a coarse grinder, and the grinder 5B is a fine grinder. Each of the grinders 5A and 5B is an electric grinder, and includes a motor as a drive source, a rotary blade driven by the motor, and the like. By changing the rotation speed of the rotary blade, the size (particle size) of the roasted coffee beans to be ground can be changed.

The separating device 6 is a mechanism for separating unnecessary substances from ground beans. Separation device 6 includes a passage portion 63a arranged between grinder 5A and grinder 5B. The passage portion 63a is a hollow body that forms a separation chamber through which the ground beans freely falling from the grinder 5A pass. A passage part 63b extending in a direction (in the case of this embodiment, the left-right direction) intersecting the direction in which the ground beans pass (in the case of this embodiment, the vertical direction) is connected to the passage part 63a. The suction unit 60 is connected to the portion 63b. When the suction unit 60 suctions the air in the passage section 63a, light objects such as chaff and fine powder are suctioned. This allows unnecessary substances to be separated from the ground beans.

The suction unit 60 is a centrifugal mechanism. The suction unit 60 includes a blower unit 60A and a collection container 60B. In this embodiment, the blower unit 60A is a fan motor, and exhausts the air in the collection container 60B upward.

The collection container 60B includes an upper part 61 and a lower part 62 that are separably engaged. The lower part 62 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open upper part, and forms a space for accumulating unnecessary materials. The upper part 61 constitutes a lid part that is attached to the opening of the lower part 62. The upper part 61 includes a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 61a and an exhaust pipe 61b formed coaxially with the outer peripheral wall 61a. The blower unit 60A is fixed to the upper part 61 above the exhaust pipe 61b so as to suck the air inside the exhaust pipe 61b. A passage portion 63b is connected to the upper portion 61. The passage portion 63b opens to the side of the exhaust pipe 61b.

By driving the blower unit 60A, air currents indicated by arrows d1 to d3 in FIG. 4 are generated. Due to this airflow, air containing unnecessary substances is sucked from the passage section 63a into the collection container 60B through the passage section 63b. Since the passage portion 63b opens on the side of the exhaust pipe 61b, the air containing unnecessary substances swirls around the exhaust pipe 61b. Unwanted matter D in the air falls due to its weight and is collected in a part of the collection container 60B (deposited on the bottom surface of the lower part 62). Air is exhausted upward through the inside of the exhaust pipe 61b.

A plurality of fins 61d are integrally formed on the circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe 61b. The plurality of fins 61d are arranged in the circumferential direction of the exhaust pipe 61b. Each fin 61d is inclined obliquely with respect to the axial direction of the exhaust pipe 61b. By providing such fins 61, swirling of the air containing the waste matter D around the exhaust pipe 61b is promoted.

In the case of this embodiment, the lower part 62 is made of a translucent material such as acrylic or glass, and constitutes a transparent container whose entirety is a transmissive part. Further, the lower portion 62 is a portion covered by the cover portion 102 (FIG. 2). A manager or a consumer of beverages can see through the cover part 102 and the peripheral wall of the lower part 62 to visually recognize the waste D accumulated in the lower part 62. For the manager, it may be easy to check the cleaning timing of the lower part 62, and for the beverage consumer, being able to visually confirm that the unnecessary material D has been removed increases expectations regarding the quality of the coffee beverage being manufactured. There are cases.

In this embodiment, the roasted coffee beans supplied from the storage device 4 are first coarsely ground by the grinder 5A, and when the coarsely ground beans pass through the passage section 63a, the separation device 6 removes unnecessary substances. are separated. The coarsely ground beans from which unnecessary substances have been separated are finely ground by a grinder 5B. The unnecessary substances separated by the separator 6 are typically chaff and fine powder. These may reduce the taste of coffee drinks, and by removing chaff and the like from ground beans, the quality of coffee drinks can be improved.

The grinding of roasted coffee beans may be in one grinder (single-stage grinding). However, by carrying out two-stage grinding using the two grinders 5A and 5B as in the present embodiment, the particle size of the ground beans becomes more uniform, and the degree of coffee liquid extraction can be made constant. When beans are crushed, heat may be generated due to friction between the cutter and the beans. By performing the two-stage grinding, it is possible to suppress heat generation due to friction during grinding and prevent deterioration of the ground beans (for example, loss of flavor).

Furthermore, by going through the stages of coarse grinding, separation of unnecessary materials, and fine grinding, it is possible to increase the difference in mass between the unnecessary materials and the ground beans (necessary portion) when separating unnecessary materials such as chaff. This can increase the efficiency of separating unnecessary materials and prevent the ground beans (necessary portion) from being separated as unnecessary materials. Moreover, by separating unnecessary substances using air suction between coarse grinding and fine grinding, heat generation of ground beans can be suppressed by air cooling.

<4. Drive unit and extraction container>
<4-1. Overview＞
The drive unit 8 and extraction container 9 of the extraction device 3 will be explained with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drive unit 8 and the extraction container 9. Most of the drive unit 8 is surrounded by the main body part 101.

The drive unit 8 is supported by the frame F. The frame F includes upper and lower beam portions F1 and F2 and a column portion F3 that supports the beam portions F1 and F2. The drive unit 8 is roughly divided into three units: an upper unit 8A, a middle unit 8B, and a lower unit 8C. The upper unit 8A is supported by the beam portion F1. The middle unit 8B is supported by the beam portion F1 and the column portion F3 between the beam portion F1 and the beam portion F2. The lower unit 8C is supported by the beam portion F2.

The extraction container 9 is a chamber including a container body 90 and a lid unit 91. The extraction container 9 is sometimes called a chamber. The middle unit 8B includes an arm member 820 that detachably holds the container body 90. Arm member 820 includes a holding member 820a and a pair of shaft members 820b spaced apart laterally. The holding member 820a is an elastic member made of resin or the like formed in the shape of a C-shaped clip, and holds the container body 90 by its elastic force. The holding member 820a holds the left and right sides of the container body 90, and the front side of the container body 90 is exposed. This makes it easier to visually recognize the inside of the container body 90 when viewed from the front.

Attachment and detachment of the container body 90 to and from the holding member 820a are performed manually, and the container body 90 is attached to the holding member 820a by pressing the container body 90 backward in the front-rear direction against the holding member 820a. Further, the container body 90 can be separated from the holding member 820a by pulling the container main body 90 forward in the front-rear direction from the holding member 820a.

The pair of shaft members 820b are rods extending in the front-rear direction, and are members that support the holding member 820a. Although the number of shaft members 820b is two in this embodiment, it may be one, or three or more. The holding member 820a is fixed to the front end portions of the pair of shaft members 820b. A pair of shaft members 820b are moved back and forth in the front-back direction by a mechanism to be described later, whereby the holding member 820a is moved back and forth, allowing a movement operation of moving the container body 90 in parallel in the back-and-forth direction. The middle unit 8B is also capable of rotating the extraction container 9 upside down, as will be described later.

<4-2. Extraction container>
The extraction container 9 will be explained with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the extraction container 9 in a closed state and an open state. As described above, the extraction container 9 is turned upside down by the middle unit 8B. The extraction container 9 in FIG. 6 shows a basic posture in which the lid unit 91 is located on the upper side. In the following description, when referring to the vertical positional relationship, unless otherwise specified, it means the vertical positional relationship in the basic posture.

The container main body 90 is a bottomed container, and has a bottle shape having a neck portion 90b, a shoulder portion 90d, a body portion 90e, and a bottom portion 90f. A flange portion 90c defining an opening 90a communicating with the internal space of the container body 90 is formed at the end of the neck portion 90b (upper end of the container body 90).

Both the neck portion 90b and the body portion 90e have a cylindrical shape. The shoulder portion 90d is a portion between the neck portion 90b and the body portion 90e, and has a tapered shape such that the cross-sectional area of its internal space gradually decreases from the side of the body portion 90e to the side of the neck portion 90b. ing.

The lid unit 91 is a unit that opens and closes the opening 90a. Opening and closing operations (elevating and lowering operations) of the lid unit 91 are performed by the upper unit 8A.

Container body 90 includes a body member 900 and a bottom member 901. The main body member 900 is a cylindrical member that is open at the top and bottom and forms a neck portion 90b, a shoulder portion 90d, and a body portion 90e. The bottom member 901 is a member that forms the bottom portion 90f, and is inserted into and fixed to the lower part of the main body member 900. A sealing member 902 is interposed between the main body member 900 and the bottom member 901 to improve airtightness within the container main body 90.

In the case of this embodiment, the main body member 900 is made of a translucent material such as acrylic or glass, and constitutes a transparent container whose entirety is a transmissive portion. The administrator and the beverage consumer can visually check the extraction status of the coffee beverage inside the container body 90 through the cover part 102 and the main body member 900 of the container body 90. For the administrator, it may be easier to check the brewing operation, and for beverage consumers, the brewing status may be more enjoyable.

A protrusion 901c is provided at the center of the bottom member 901, and the protrusion 901c has a communication hole that communicates the inside of the container body 90 with the outside, and a valve (valve 903 in FIG. 8) that opens and closes this communication hole. It is provided. The communication hole is used for discharging waste liquid and residue when cleaning the inside of the container body 90. A sealing member 908 is provided on the convex portion 901c, and the sealing member 908 is a member for maintaining airtightness between the upper unit 8A or the lower unit 8C and the bottom member 901.

The lid unit 91 includes a cap-shaped base member 911. The base member 911 has a convex portion 911d and a flange portion 911c that overlaps the flange portion 90c when closed. The convex portion 911d has the same structure as the convex portion 901c in the container body 90, and is provided with a communication hole that communicates the inside of the container body 90 with the outside, and a valve (valve 913 in FIG. 8) that opens and closes this communication hole. It is being The communication hole of the convex portion 911d is mainly used for pouring hot water into the container body 90 and discharging the coffee beverage. A seal member 918a is provided on the convex portion 911d. The seal member 918a is a member for maintaining airtightness between the upper unit 8A or the lower unit 8C and the base member 911. The lid unit 91 is also provided with a seal member 919. The seal member 919 improves the airtightness between the lid unit 91 and the container body 90 when the lid unit 91 is closed. The lid unit 91 holds a filter for filtration.

<4-3. Upper unit and lower unit>
The upper unit 8A and lower unit 8C will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a front view showing the configuration of a part of the upper unit 8A and the lower unit 8C, and FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 7.

Upper unit 8A includes an operation unit 81A. The operation unit 81A performs opening/closing operations (elevating and lowering) of the lid unit 91 with respect to the container body 90 and opening/closing operations of the valves of the convex portions 901c and 911d. The operation unit 81A includes a support member 800, a holding member 801, a lifting shaft 802, and a probe 803.

The support member 800 is fixedly provided so that its relative position with respect to the frame F does not change, and accommodates the holding member 801. The support member 800 also includes a communication portion 800a that communicates the inside of the support member 800 with the pipe L3. Hot water, water, and atmospheric pressure supplied from the pipe L3 are introduced into the support member 800 via the communication portion 800a.

The holding member 801 is a member that can detachably hold the lid unit 91. The holding member 801 has a cylindrical space into which the protrusion 911d of the lid unit 91 or the protrusion 901c of the bottom member 901 is inserted, and also includes a mechanism for detachably holding these. This mechanism is, for example, a snap ring mechanism, which engages with a certain pressing force and disengages with a certain separating force. Hot water, water, and atmospheric pressure supplied from the pipe L3 can be supplied into the extraction container 9 via the communication portion 800a and the communication hole 801a of the holding member 801.

The holding member 801 is also a movable member that is provided to be slidable vertically within the support member 800. The elevating shaft 802 is provided so that its axial direction is the vertical direction. The elevating shaft 802 passes airtightly through the top of the support member 800 in the vertical direction, and is provided so as to be vertically movable with respect to the support member 800 .

The top of the holding member 801 is fixed to the lower end of the lifting shaft 802. The holding member 801 slides in the vertical direction by raising and lowering the lifting shaft 802, and the holding member 801 can be attached to and separated from the convex portion 911d and the convex portion 901c. Further, the lid unit 91 can be opened and closed with respect to the container body 90.

A screw 802a constituting a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lifting shaft 802. A nut 804b is screwed onto this screw 802a. The upper unit 8A includes a motor 804a, and the nut 804b is rotated on the spot (without moving up or down) by the driving force of the motor 804a. The rotation of the nut 804b moves the elevating shaft 802 up and down.

The elevating shaft 802 is a tubular shaft having a through hole in the central axis, and a probe 803 is inserted into the through hole so as to be slidable up and down. The probe 803 passes airtightly through the top of the holding member 801 in the vertical direction, and is provided so as to be vertically movable with respect to the supporting member 800 and the holding member 801.

The probe 803 is an operator that opens and closes the valves 913 and 903 provided inside the convex portions 911d and 901c. When the probe 803 descends, the valves 913 and 903 are changed from the closed state to the open state, and when the probe 803 rises, the valves are opened. It can be changed from an open state to a closed state (by the action of a return spring, not shown).

A screw 803a constituting a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the probe 803. A nut 805b is screwed onto this screw 803a. The upper unit 8A includes a motor 805a, and the nut 805b is provided to rotate on the spot (without moving up and down) by the driving force of the motor 805a. The probe 803 moves up and down by rotating the nut 805b.

The lower unit 8C includes an operation unit 81C. The operation unit 81C has a configuration in which the operation unit 81A is upside down, and opens and closes the valves 913 and 903 provided inside the convex portions 911d and 901c. Although the operating unit 81C is also configured to be able to open and close the lid unit 91, the operating unit 81C is not used to open and close the lid unit 91 in this embodiment.

The following is a description of the operating unit 81C, which is substantially the same as the explanation of the operating unit 81A. The operation unit 81C includes a support member 810, a holding member 811, a lifting shaft 812, and a probe 813.

The support member 810 is fixedly provided so that its relative position with respect to the frame F does not change, and accommodates the holding member 811. The support member 810 also includes a communication portion 810a that allows communication between the switching valve 10a of the switching unit 10 and the inside of the support member 810. The coffee beverage, water, and residue of ground beans in the container body 90 are introduced into the switching valve 10a via the communication portion 810a.

The holding member 811 has a cylindrical space into which the protrusion 911d of the lid unit 91 or the protrusion 901c of the bottom member 901 is inserted, and has a mechanism for detachably holding these. This mechanism is, for example, a snap ring mechanism, which engages with a certain pressing force and disengages with a certain separating force. The coffee beverage, water, and residue of ground beans in the container body 90 are introduced into the switching valve 10a through the communication portion 810a and the communication hole 811a of the holding member 811.

The holding member 811 is also a movable member that is provided to be slidable vertically within the support member 810. The elevating shaft 812 is provided so that its axial direction is the vertical direction. The elevating shaft 812 passes airtightly through the bottom of the support member 800 in the vertical direction, and is provided so as to be able to move up and down with respect to the support member 810 .

The bottom of the holding member 811 is fixed to the lower end of the lifting shaft 812. The holding member 811 slides in the vertical direction as the elevating shaft 812 moves up and down, and the holding member 811 can be attached to and separated from the convex portion 901c and the convex portion 911d.

A screw 812a constituting a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lifting shaft 812. A nut 814b is screwed onto this screw 812a. The lower unit 8C includes a motor 814a, and the nut 814b is rotated on the spot (without moving up or down) by the driving force of the motor 814a. The rotation of the nut 814b moves the elevating shaft 812 up and down.

The elevating shaft 812 is a tubular shaft having a through hole in the central axis, and a probe 813 is inserted into the through hole so as to be slidable up and down. The probe 813 hermetically penetrates the bottom of the holding member 811 in the vertical direction, and is provided to be able to move up and down with respect to the supporting member 810 and the holding member 811.

The probe 813 is an operator that opens and closes the valves 913 and 903 provided inside the convex parts 911d and 901c.As the probe 813 rises, the valves 913 and 903 change from the closed state to the open state, and as the probe 813 descends, the valves open and close. It can be changed from an open state to a closed state (by the action of a return spring, not shown).

A screw 813a constituting a lead screw mechanism is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the probe 813. A nut 815b is screwed onto this screw 813a. The lower unit 8C includes a motor 815a, and the nut 815b is provided to rotate on the spot (without moving up and down) by the driving force of the motor 815a. The probe 813 moves up and down by rotating the nut 815b.

<4-4. Chubu unit>
The middle unit 8B will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 9. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the middle unit 8B. The middle unit 8B includes a support unit 81B that supports the extraction container 9. The support unit 81B includes a unit main body 81B' that supports a locking mechanism 821 in addition to the arm member 820 described above.

The lock mechanism 821 is a mechanism that maintains the lid unit 91 in a closed state with respect to the container body 90. The locking mechanism 821 includes a pair of gripping members 821a that vertically hold the flange portion 911c of the lid unit 91 and the flange portion 90c of the container body 90. The pair of gripping members 821a have a C-shaped cross section that fits between the collar portion 911c and the flange portion 90c, and are opened and closed in the left-right direction by the driving force of the motor 822. When the pair of gripping members 821a are in the closed state, each gripping member 821a fits into the flange portion 911c and the flange portion 90c so as to vertically sandwich them, as shown by the solid line in the box diagram of FIG. The unit 91 is airtightly locked to the container body 90. In this locked state, even if the holding member 801 is raised by the lifting shaft 802 to open the lid unit 91, the lid unit 91 does not move (the lock is not released). In other words, the locking force of the locking mechanism 821 is set to be stronger than the force of opening the lid unit 91 using the holding member 801. This can prevent the lid unit 91 from opening with respect to the container body 90 in the event of an abnormality.

Furthermore, when the pair of gripping members 821a are in the open state, each gripping member 821a is separated from the collar portion 911c and the flange portion 90c, as shown by broken lines in the box diagram of FIG. will be unlocked.

When the holding member 801 is holding the lid unit 91 and the holding member 801 is raised from the lowered position to the raised position, the lid unit 91 is removed from the container body 90 when the pair of gripping members 821a is in the open state. Separated. Conversely, when the pair of gripping members 821a are in the closed state, the holding member 801 relative to the lid unit 91 is released, and only the holding member 801 rises.

The middle unit 8B also includes a mechanism that horizontally moves the arm member 820 in the front-rear direction using a motor 823 as a drive source. Thereby, the container body 90 supported by the arm member 820 can be moved between the extraction position on the rear side (state ST1) and the bean introduction position on the front side (state ST2). The bean loading position is a position where ground beans are loaded into the container body 90, and the ground beans ground by the grinder 5B are loaded from the discharge pipe 5C into the opening 90a of the container body 90 from which the lid unit 91 is separated. In other words, the position of the discharge pipe 5C is above the container body 90 located at the bean input position.

The extraction position is a position where the container body 90 can be operated by the operation unit 81A and the operation unit 81C, a position coaxial with the probes 803 and 813, and a position where coffee liquid is extracted. The extraction position is further back than the bean introduction position. 5, 7, and 8 all show the case where the container body 90 is in the extraction position. In this way, by differentiating the position of the container main body 90 for inputting ground beans, extraction of coffee liquid, and supply of water, steam generated during extraction of coffee liquid can be removed from the exhaust pipe that is the supply part of ground beans. It can prevent adhesion to 5C.

The middle unit 8B also includes a mechanism that rotates the support unit 81B around a longitudinal axis 825 using a motor 824 as a drive source. Thereby, the posture of the container body 90 (extraction container 9) can be changed from an upright posture (state ST1) with the neck portion 90b on the upper side to an inverted posture (state ST3) with the neck portion 90b on the lower side. While the extraction container 9 is rotating, the locking mechanism 821 maintains the state in which the lid unit 91 is locked to the container body 90. The extraction container 9 is turned upside down between the upright position and the inverted position. In the inverted posture, the convex portion 911d is located at the position of the convex portion 901c in the upright posture. Further, in the inverted posture, the convex portion 901c is located at the position of the convex portion 911d in the upright posture. Therefore, in the inverted position, the operating unit 81A can open and close the valve 903, and the operating unit 81C can open and close the valve 913.

<5. Control device>
The control device 11 of the beverage manufacturing device 1 will be explained with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the control device 11.

The control device 11 controls the entire beverage manufacturing device 1 . The control device 11 includes a processing section 11a, a storage section 11b, and an I/F (interface) section 11c. The processing unit 11a is, for example, a processor such as a CPU. The storage unit 11b is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The I/F section 11c includes an input/output interface that inputs and outputs signals between an external device and the processing section 11a. The I/F unit 11c also includes a communication interface capable of data communication with the server 16 and the mobile terminal 17 via a communication network 15 such as the Internet. The server 16 is capable of communicating with a mobile terminal 17 such as a smartphone via the communication network 15, and can receive information such as reservations for beverage production and impressions from the mobile terminal 17 of a beverage consumer, for example. . A system for extracting coffee beverage liquid from an object to be extracted includes a beverage manufacturing device 1, a server 16, and a mobile terminal 17.

A beverage consumer (user) can set a profile for beverage production from the mobile terminal 17. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a profile setting screen displayed on the mobile terminal 17. The user can adjust the amount of hot water to be extracted, etc. on the mobile terminal 17 using the screen 1801 in FIG. The screen 1801 in FIG. 17 is basically the same as the setting items displayed on the information display device 12. For example, before visiting a cafe, the user can set the amount of hot water to be extracted to the desired value on the mobile terminal 17. It can be adjusted to

The display area 1802 allows the user to arbitrarily adjust and set the amount of coffee beans. Further, the display area 1803 allows the user to arbitrarily adjust and set the grinding grain size. Further, the display area 1804 allows the user to arbitrarily adjust and set the amount of steaming water. Further, the display area 1805 allows the user to arbitrarily adjust and set the steaming time. Further, the display area 1806 allows the user to arbitrarily adjust and set the amount of hot water to be extracted. Further, the display area 1807 allows the user to arbitrarily adjust and set the extraction pressure. Further, the display area 1808 allows the user to arbitrarily adjust and set the extraction time.

Button 1809 is a button for confirming the contents of display areas 1802 to 1808. In the case of FIG. 17, when button 1809 is pressed, the contents of display areas 1802 to 1808 are saved and a two-dimensional code is displayed. For example, the user can convey the contents of display areas 1802 to 1808 to the information display device 12 by visiting a cafe and holding the two-dimensional code displayed on the mobile terminal 17 over the imaging unit of the information display device 12. . Button 1809 does not have to be a button for displaying a two-dimensional code. For example, it may be a button to confirm and save the contents of the display areas 1802 to 1808, or a button to send the contents of the display areas 1802 to 1808 to the information display device 12 via the short-range wireless communication I/F. You can also do it.

By making it possible to adjust parameters for brewing a coffee beverage as shown in FIG. 17 on the mobile terminal 17, the user may be able to easily experience the feeling of brewing coffee like a barista. In this embodiment, parameters for extracting a coffee beverage as shown in FIG. 17 are referred to as an extraction profile or recipe.

The processing unit 11a executes a program stored in the storage unit 11b, and controls the actuator group 14 based on instructions from the information display device 12, detection results of the sensor group 13, or instructions from the server 16. The sensor group 13 includes various sensors (for example, a hot water temperature sensor, a mechanism operating position detection sensor, a pressure sensor, etc.) provided in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. The actuator group 14 includes various actuators (for example, a motor, a solenoid valve, a heater, etc.) provided in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1.

Next, the liquid feeding amount adjusting device for the water tank 72 will be explained. In this embodiment, the supply (pouring) of hot water from the water tank 72 to the extraction container 9 is performed by a liquid feeding amount adjusting device in which the water tank 72 is configured as shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the liquid feeding amount adjusting device 720, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 12 and a cross-sectional view of another example (configuration example EX31). Like the water tank 72, the liquid feeding amount adjustment device 720 is a tank that stores hot water (water) constituting a coffee beverage, and is also a device that has a function of sending out a fixed amount of hot water. This sequentially delivers the hot water needed for one cup of coffee beverage. Moreover, the amount of hot water delivered per cup can be changed. In the following description, components having the same functions as those related to the water tank 72 are given the same reference numerals.

The liquid feeding amount adjustment device 720 has a tank 720a that stores hot water. The outer wall of the tank 720a includes a peripheral wall 721, an upper wall 723 joined to the upper end of the peripheral wall 721, and a bottom wall 724 joined to the lower end of the peripheral wall 721, and as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. has a cylindrical shape as a whole. A partition wall 722 is provided in the tank 720a, and the internal space is divided into an outer cylindrical space 725 and an inner cylindrical space 726A. In the case of this embodiment, the partition wall 722 is a cylindrical wall body arranged concentrically with the peripheral wall 721, but even if the partition wall 722 is eccentric with respect to the peripheral wall 721 as shown in the configuration example EX31 of FIG. good.

Space 725 constitutes a storage section that stores hot water. The space 725 is also referred to as a storage section 725. A movable member 727c is disposed above the space 726A, and the space 726 below the movable member 727c constitutes a storage section that stores hot water. The space 726 is also referred to as a storage section 726. By partitioning the storage portion 725 and the storage portion 726 with the partition wall 722, which is a common wall, the tank 720a can be made smaller than when partitioned with separate walls.

The storage section 725 is provided with a heater 72a that heats the water in the storage section 725 and a temperature sensor 72b that measures the temperature of the water. The heater 72a maintains the temperature of the accumulated hot water at a predetermined temperature (120 degrees Celsius in this embodiment) based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 72b. For example, the heater 72a is turned on when the hot water temperature is 118 degrees Celsius, and turned off when the temperature of the hot water is 120 degrees Celsius.

A part of the upper wall 723 that defines the storage part 725 is connected to a pipe through which the air pressure in the reserve tank 71 (see FIG. 3) is supplied, and a solenoid valve 72f is provided here. The liquid feeding amount adjusting device 720 includes a sensor (not shown; for example, a sensor corresponding to the pressure sensor 72g in FIG. 3) that detects the atmospheric pressure in the storage section 725, and the electromagnetic valve 72f is a pressure regulating valve 72e (see FIG. 3). Supply and cutoff of the regulated atmospheric pressure to the storage section 725 are switched. The solenoid valve 72f is controlled to open and close so that the atmospheric pressure inside the reservoir 725 is maintained at a predetermined atmospheric pressure, for example, 3 atmospheres, except when water is supplied to the reservoir 725.

A portion of the upper wall 723 that defines the storage portion 725 is also connected to a pipe that communicates the storage portion 725 to the atmosphere, and a solenoid valve 72h is provided here. When water is supplied to the storage section 725, the pressure in the storage section 725 is reduced to less than 2.5 atmospheres by the solenoid valve 72h so that tap water is smoothly replenished into the storage section 725 by the water pressure. The electromagnetic valve 72h switches whether or not to release the inside of the water tank 72 to the atmosphere, and releases the inside of the storage section 725 to the atmosphere when the pressure is reduced. In addition, the solenoid valve 72h releases the reservoir 725 to the atmosphere when the atmospheric pressure in the reservoir 725 exceeds 3 atm, for example, other than when water is supplied to the reservoir 725, and maintains the reservoir 725 at 3 atm. .

A piping L2 that supplies water to the storage section 725 is connected to a portion of the bottom wall 724 that defines the storage section 725, and a solenoid valve 72d is provided here. The solenoid valve 72d is controlled to open and close based on the detection result of a water level sensor 72c, which will be described later, and controls the water level of hot water in the storage section 725.

A portion of the bottom wall 724 that defines the storage section 725 is also connected to a pipe L2' for discharging hot water from the storage section 725, and a solenoid valve 72d' is provided here. The solenoid valve 72d' is opened when discarding the hot water in the storage section 725, and the hot water in the storage section 725 is discharged to the pipe L2'.

The storage portion 726 is a space whose volume can be changed by moving the movable member 727c. Hot water is supplied to the storage section 726 from the storage section 725 via a pipe 728a, a solenoid valve 728, and a pipe 728b. Piping 728a connects between the portion of bottom wall 724 that defines storage section 725 and solenoid valve 728. Piping 728b connects between the portion of bottom wall 724 that defines reservoir 726 and electromagnetic valve 728.

In the case of this embodiment, the electromagnetic valve 728 is a three-way valve, and can switch between communication and cutoff between the pipe 728b and the pipe 728a, and between communication and cutoff between the pipe 728b and the pipe 728c. Further, the solenoid valve 728 can also cut off any pipes from each other. The pipe 728c is a pipe for sending hot water in the storage section 726 to the extraction container 9.

By switching between communicating and blocking the pipe 728b and the pipe 728a, communication and blocking between the storage section 725 and the storage section 726 can be switched. By switching between communicating and blocking the piping 728b and the piping 728c, it is possible to switch between sending and storing the hot water in the storage section 726.

The electromagnetic valve 728 cuts off the pipe 728b and the pipe 728c when the pipe 728b and the pipe 728a are in communication with each other. Conversely, when the pipe 728b and the pipe 728c are in communication, the pipe 728b and the pipe 728a are cut off. The arrow shown on the electromagnetic valve 728 in the figure indicates the operating state of the electromagnetic valve 728, and in the case of the example in FIG. Indicates the condition.

In this embodiment, the solenoid valve 728 is a three-way valve, so that one solenoid valve 728 can perform these switching operations. However, a configuration is also adopted in which the piping 728b is divided into two parts, and a valve is provided to switch communication and cutoff between the piping 728b and the piping 728a on one side, and a valve to switch communication and cutoff between the piping 728b and the piping 728c on the other side. It is possible.

The liquid feeding amount adjustment device 720 includes a drive unit 727. The drive unit 727 is controlled in accordance with the amount of hot water sent out from the storage section 726, and changes the volume of the storage section 726. The amount of hot water required for one cup varies depending on the size of the coffee cup. The drive unit 727 adjusts the volume of the storage section 726 so that an appropriate amount of hot water is delivered from the storage section 726 according to the size of the coffee cup.

The drive unit 727 of this embodiment is a mechanism that changes the volume of the storage section 726 by moving a movable member 727c up and down. The movable member 727c is a piston-shaped member inserted into the space 726A and configured to slide in the vertical direction, and its bottom surface 727d constitutes the upper wall of the storage portion 726. The volume of the storage section 726 changes as the bottom surface 727d moves up and down.

Note that the volume of the storage section 726 is not changed by moving the position of the upper wall as in this embodiment, but is changed by moving the position of the lower and side walls. configurations are also possible.

The movable member 727c includes a seal member (not shown) that forms a seal with the inner surface of the partition wall 722, and slides on the inner surface of the partition wall 722 in a fluid-tight manner. However, a groove 727e extending in the vertical direction is formed on the circumferential surface of the movable member 727c, and there is a gap between the groove 727e and the inner surface of the partition wall 722.

This groove 727e is formed to communicate with an opening 722a that penetrates the partition wall 722 in the thickness direction. The opening 722a is formed at a position above the highest water level of hot water in the storage section 725 (the position of a sensor 731b described later), and is an air communication section that communicates the storage section 725 and the space 726A. Air communicates between the storage section 725 and the storage section 726 through the opening 722a and the groove 727e, and the air pressures in these spaces become the same. In addition, when the storage parts 725 and 726 are always kept at atmospheric pressure, passages communicating with the atmosphere may be provided separately.

The drive unit 727 includes a motor 727a supported by the upper wall 723 as a drive source, and a screw shaft 727b as a moving mechanism for moving the movable member 727c. The screw shaft 727b extends in the vertical direction and is rotated by the driving force of the motor 727a. The movable member 727c has a screw hole 727f opened on its upper surface, and a screw shaft 727b is engaged with the screw hole 727f. The movable member 727c is prevented from rotating (not shown), and is moved in the vertical direction by rotation of the screw shaft 727b. The rotation stopper may be, for example, a concave portion and a convex portion extending in the vertical direction provided on the inner surface of the partition wall 722 and the circumferential surface of the movable member 727c.

In this embodiment, a screw mechanism consisting of a screw shaft 727b and a screw hole 727f is used as a moving mechanism for moving the movable member 727c, but the mechanism is not limited to this, and other mechanisms such as a rack-pinion mechanism can also be adopted. be.

The water level sensor 72c is a measurement unit that measures the water level of hot water in the storage section 725. The water level sensor 72c includes a hollow cylindrical reservoir 729 extending vertically, a float 730 provided in the reservoir 729, and a lower sensor 731a and an upper sensor 731b that detect the float 730.

The storage portion 729 communicates with the storage portion 725 through a communication portion 729a located below the sensor 731a, and communicates with the storage portion 725 through a communication portion 729b located above the sensor 731b. Hot water in the storage section 725 flows into the storage section 729 via the communication section 729a. The communication portion 729b is an air communication portion that communicates the storage portion 725 and the storage portion 729, and air communicates between the storage portion 725 and the storage portion 729 via the communication portion 729b. Therefore, the water level of the hot water in the storage section 729 becomes equal to the water level of the hot water in the storage section 725.

In the case of this embodiment, the storage section 729 is made of a transparent member such as glass or acrylic. Thereby, the water level of the hot water in the storage section 729 can be visually checked from the outside, and as a result, the user can confirm the water level of the hot water in the storage section 725. Of course, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a transparent part is provided in a part of the peripheral wall (721) of the storage part 725 so that the water level can be visually checked.

The float 730 may be of any type as long as it floats on hot water in the reservoir 729.

The sensors 731a and 731b are, for example, optical sensors (photointerrupters), and detect the float 730 from outside the storage section 729. When the float 730 is detected by the sensor 731a, the electromagnetic valve 72d is opened and water is supplied to the storage section 725. That is, the sensor 731a monitors the lower limit of the hot water level in the storage section 725. The lower limit of the water level is set at a higher position than the heater 72a, which can prevent the heater 72a from heating the heater 72a dry.

When the float 730 is detected by the sensor 731b, the electromagnetic valve 72d is closed to stop the supply of water to the storage section 725. In other words, the sensor 731b monitors the upper limit of the hot water level in the storage section 725.

It is also possible to construct a configuration equivalent to the water level sensor 72c inside the storage section 725. However, by constructing the water level sensor 72c outside the storage section 725 as in this embodiment, it becomes easier to check the water level of the storage section 725 from the outside.

<6. Operation control example>
An example of the control processing of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 executed by the processing unit 11a will be described with reference to FIGS. 11(A) and 11(B), FIG. 12, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. FIG. 11(A) shows an example of control related to one coffee beverage production operation. The state of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 before the manufacturing instruction is given is called a standby state. The states of each mechanism in the standby state are as follows. Note that in FIGS. 14 and 15, the solenoid valve 728 is shown as a solenoid valve 728-1 and a solenoid valve 728-2 for explaining the operation. The state in which the pipe 728b and the pipe 728a are in communication in FIG. 12 corresponds to the state in which the solenoid valve 728-1 is open and the solenoid valve 728-2 is closed in FIGS. 14 and 15. On the other hand, the state in which the pipe 728b and the pipe 728c are in communication in FIG. 12 corresponds to the state in which the solenoid valve 728-1 is closed and the solenoid valve 728-2 is opened in FIGS. 14 and 15.

The extraction device 3 is in the state shown in FIG. The extraction container 9 is in an upright position and is located at the extraction position. The lock mechanism 821 is in a closed state, and the lid unit 91 closes the opening 90a of the container body 90. The holding member 801 is in the lowered position and is attached to the convex portion 911d. The holding member 811 is in the raised position and is attached to the convex portion 901c. Valves 903 and 913 are in a closed state. The switching valve 10a allows the communication portion 810a of the operation unit 8C to communicate with the waste tank T.

In the standby state, when a coffee beverage manufacturing instruction is given, the process shown in FIG. 11(A) is executed. In S1, a preheating process is performed. This process is a process in which hot water is poured into the container body 90 and the container body 90 is heated in advance. First, valves 903 and 913 are opened. As a result, the pipe L3, the extraction container 9, and the waste tank T are brought into communication.

At this time, the movable member 727c is located at a predetermined initial position, as shown in FIG. 14(a). Then, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the movable member 727c is moved upward so that the amount of hot water for one cup can be stored in the storage portion 726. Then, the solenoid valve 728 is switched to communicate the pipe 728b and the pipe 728a, and a predetermined small amount of hot water (less than the amount of hot water for steaming) for preheating is stored in the storage section 726. Then, as shown in FIG. 14(c), the solenoid valve 728 is switched so that the piping 728b and the piping 728c are communicated with each other, and a small amount of hot water for preheating is injected into the extraction container 9.

Air pressure in the reserve tank 71 is supplied to the water tank 72 via a pressure regulating valve 72e and a solenoid valve 72f, and the pressure regulating valve 72e reduces the pressure supplied from the reserve tank 71 to a predetermined pressure. In the case of this embodiment, the pressure is reduced to 3 atmospheres (2 atmospheres in gauge pressure). In the process of reducing the pressure, boiling of water in the water tank 72 is promoted as shown in FIG. 14(d), and steam is supplied to the extraction container 9 via the opening 722a, the storage section 726, and the pipe 728c. . At this time, the solenoid valve 728 is controlled to communicate the pipe 728b and the pipe 728c for a predetermined period of time. By sending steam from the tank 720a to the extraction container 9, the pressure inside the tank 720a decreases, and the hot water inside the tank 720a is stirred, and the relatively high temperature hot water in the upper layer and the relatively low temperature hot water in the lower layer are mixed. If the averaged temperature does not reach the target temperature (for example, below 118 degrees Celsius), the heater 72a is turned on to boil the water in the tank 720a. Even after the piping 728b and the piping 728c are cut off, boiling in the water tank 72 continues until the pressure is reduced to 3 atmospheres, as shown in FIGS. 14(e) and 14(f).

Then, as shown in FIG. 14(g), the solenoid valve 728 is switched so that the piping 728b and the piping 728a communicate with each other, and the amount of hot water for steaming (for example, 30 cc) is stored in the storage portion 726. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 14(h), the pipe 728b and the pipe 728a are shut off. Through the above process, the inside of the extraction container 9 is preheated, and cooling of the hot water can be reduced in the subsequent production of the coffee beverage.

In S2, a grinding process is performed. Here, roasted coffee beans are ground and the ground beans are put into the container body 90. First, the lock mechanism 821 is opened and the holding member 801 is raised to the raised position. The lid unit 91 is held by the holding member 801 and rises together with the holding member 801. As a result, the lid unit 91 is separated from the container body 90. The holding member 811 is lowered to the lowered position. Move the container body 90 to the bean loading position. Subsequently, the storage device 4 and the crushing device 5 are operated. As a result, one cup of roasted coffee beans is supplied from the storage device 4 to the grinder 5A. Roasted coffee beans are ground in two stages by grinders 5A and 5B, and unnecessary materials are separated by a separator 6. The ground beans are put into the container body 90.

Return the container body 90 to the extraction position. The holding member 801 is lowered to the lowered position and the lid unit 91 is attached to the container body 90. The lock mechanism 821 is closed, and the lid unit 91 is airtightly locked to the container body 90. The holding member 811 rises to the raised position. Of the valves 903 and 913, valve 903 is in an open state, and valve 913 is in a closed state.

In S3, extraction processing is performed. Here, coffee liquid is extracted from the ground beans in the container body 90. FIG. 11(B) is a flowchart of the extraction process in S3. In this embodiment, the air pressure inside the extraction container 9 is changed with each hot water injection operation in the extraction process of S3. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing changes in the atmospheric pressure inside the extraction container 9 during the extraction process of S3. The extraction process in S3 will be described below with reference to the thin solid line and thin broken line in FIGS. 15 and 16. The thick solid line and thick broken line in FIG. 16 will be described later.

In S11, in order to steam the ground beans in the extraction container 9, a smaller amount of hot water (for example, 30 cc) than one cup of hot water is poured into the extraction container 9. Here, as shown in FIG. 15(i), the solenoid valve 728 is switched so that the piping 728b and the piping 728c communicate with each other, and hot water for steaming is injected into the extraction container 9. At that time, the solenoid valve 73b is opened for a predetermined time and then closed. As a result, as shown in period 1601 in FIG. 16, the air in the extraction container 9 is pressurized, for example, from 1 atm to 1.7 atm. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15(j), the pipe 728b and the pipe 728c are shut off, and as shown in a period 1602 in FIG. 16, a predetermined period of time (for example, 15000 ms) is waited, and the process of S11 is ended. This process allows the ground beans to be steamed. By steaming the ground beans, the carbon dioxide gas contained in the ground beans can be released and the subsequent extraction effect can be enhanced. In FIG. 16, a thin solid line indicates a change in the atmospheric pressure inside the extraction vessel 9, and a thin broken line indicates a change in the amount of hot water within the extraction vessel 9. In period 1601, 30 cc of hot water is supplied as the atmospheric pressure changes as described above. During period 1602, the hot water remains at 30 cc.

In S12, as shown in FIG. 15(k), the solenoid valve 728 is switched to communicate the pipe 728b and the pipe 728c, and a predetermined amount of hot water (for example, 40 cc) for one cup is injected into the extraction container 9. Here, the solenoid valve 73b is opened for a predetermined time and then closed. As a result, as shown in period 1603 in FIG. 16, the air in the extraction container 9 is pressurized, for example, from 1.7 atm to 3 atm.

By the process of S12, the inside of the extraction container 9 can be brought into a state where the temperature exceeds 100 degrees Celsius (for example, about 110 degrees Celsius). In S13, the remaining hot water (for example, 30 cc) is injected into the extraction container 9 with the piping 728b and the piping 728c communicating with each other. Furthermore, in S13, the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized. Here, the solenoid valve 73b is opened and closed for a predetermined period of time (for example, 1000 ms), and as shown in period 1604 in FIG. )). The total amount of hot water for steaming in period 1601, period 1603, and period 1604 in FIG. 16 can be adjusted to a predetermined amount (for example, 100 cc). Thereafter, the pipe 728b and the pipe 728c are shut off, and the valve 903 is closed. FIG. 15(l) corresponds to this point, and while the state of FIG. 15(l) is maintained, the following processes of S14 and S15 are performed.

Subsequently, in the process of S14, immersion extraction (S141) and chamber depressurization (S142) are performed. When the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized to, for example, 5 atm in S13, this state is maintained for a predetermined time (for example, 1000 ms) as shown in period 1605 in FIG. 16, and then the pressure is increased from 5 atm to, for example, 1.5 atm. Rapidly depressurize. Here, the atmospheric pressure inside the extraction container 9 is changed to the atmospheric pressure at which the hot water boils. Specifically, the inside of the extraction container 9 is opened to the atmosphere by opening the valve 913 and opening and closing the solenoid valve 73c for a predetermined period of time (for example, 1000 ms). Thereafter, the valve 913 is closed again.

The pressure in the extraction container 9 is rapidly reduced to a pressure lower than the boiling point pressure, and the hot water in the extraction container 9 boils at once. The hot water and ground beans in the extraction container 9 scatter explosively inside the extraction container 9. This allows the water to be boiled uniformly. Furthermore, the destruction of the cell walls of ground beans can be promoted, and the subsequent extraction of coffee liquid can be further promoted. In addition, this boiling can also stir the ground beans and hot water, thereby promoting the extraction of coffee liquid. In this way, in this embodiment, the extraction efficiency of coffee liquid can be improved. After the rapid pressure reduction, this state is maintained for a predetermined period of time (for example, 3000 ms), as shown in period 1606 in FIG. Thereafter, by opening the solenoid valve 73c for a predetermined time and then closing it, the pressure is further reduced from 1.5 atm to, for example, 1 atm. Then, as shown in a period 1607 in FIG. 16, this state is maintained for a predetermined time (for example, 1000 ms).

In this embodiment, in the process of S14 as described above, coffee liquid is extracted by an immersion method under high temperature and high pressure. The following effects can be expected from immersion extraction under high temperature and high pressure. First, by applying high pressure, it is possible to make it easier for hot water to penetrate inside the ground beans, and to accelerate the extraction of coffee liquid. Second, the high temperature accelerates the extraction of coffee liquid. Third, high temperatures reduce the viscosity of the oil contained in the ground beans, facilitating oil extraction. This makes it possible to produce a highly aromatic coffee beverage. In addition, in S14, the pressure is reduced in two steps, for example from 5 atm to 1.5 atm and from 1.5 atm to 1 atm, so compared to a one-step depressurization from 5 atm to 1 atm, the extraction container It is possible to suppress pressure fluctuations in the extraction container 9, and there is no need to provide a structure for alleviating pressure fluctuations in the extraction container 9, and as a result, it may be possible to prevent the structure from becoming large.

The temperature of the hot water (high-temperature water) only needs to be over 100 degrees Celsius, but higher temperatures are advantageous in extracting coffee liquid. On the other hand, increasing the temperature of hot water generally increases costs. Therefore, the temperature of the hot water may be, for example, 105 degrees Celsius or higher, 110 degrees Celsius or higher, or 115 degrees Celsius or higher, or, for example, 130 degrees Celsius or lower, or 120 degrees Celsius or lower. The atmospheric pressure is sufficient as long as it does not cause the water to boil. After maintaining the pressure at 1 atm for 1 second in S14, the solenoid valve 73b is opened for a predetermined time and then closed to increase the pressure to a predetermined atmospheric pressure (for example, 1.5 atm). Further, during the period 1607, such pressurization may make it possible to push a very small amount of liquid (about 5 cc) in the pipe leading into the extraction container 9 into the extraction container 9.

In S15, the extraction container 9 is reversed from an upright position to an inverted position. Here, the holding member 801 is moved to the raised position, and the holding member 811 is moved to the lowered position. Then, the support unit 81B is rotated. Thereafter, the holding member 801 is returned to the lowered position, and the holding member 811 is returned to the raised position. When the extraction container 9 is in an inverted position, the neck portion 90b and the lid unit 91 are located on the lower side. The period S15 corresponds to period 1608 in FIG. 16. After the extraction container 9 is inverted, the pressure is reduced to 1 atmosphere by opening the solenoid valve 73c for a predetermined time and then closing it. Then, as shown in a period 1609 in FIG. 16, this state is maintained for a predetermined time (for example, 2000 ms). Further, in this embodiment, after the extraction container 9 is turned over, the pouring of the hot water into the extraction container 9 is performed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15(m), the electromagnetic valve 728 is switched so that the pipe 728b and the pipe 728c communicate with each other, and a predetermined amount of hot water (for example, 80 cc) is injected into the extraction container 9.

In S16, permeation type coffee liquid extraction is performed and the coffee beverage is delivered to cup C. Here, the switching valve 10a is switched to communicate the pouring portion 10c with the passage portion 810a of the operating unit 81C. Further, both valves 903 and 913 are opened. In this embodiment, in the coffee liquid extraction in S16, the coffee liquid is delivered by steam and by air from the reserve tank 71. To deliver the coffee liquid using steam, first, after inverting the extraction container 9, hot water is poured into the extraction container 9 (FIG. 15(m)), and then water is replenished into the water tank 72 (FIG. 15(n)). After waiting for a predetermined time period 1609, the pressure inside the water tank 72 is increased from 1 atm to 2.0 atm via the pressure regulating valve 72e and the electromagnetic valve 72f. Here, since the piping 728b and the piping 728c are connected, as the steam in the water tank 72 is supplied to the extraction container 9, the pressure in the water tank 72 decreases and boiling is promoted. By sending steam from the tank 720a to the extraction container 9, the pressure inside the tank 720a decreases, and if the target temperature has not been reached (for example, below 118 degrees Celsius), the heater 72a is turned on and the pressure inside the tank 720a is reduced. You will need to boil water. The pressure of the steam at this time makes the pressure inside the extraction container 9 about 1.6 atmospheres, and the coffee beverage in which the coffee liquid is dissolved in the hot water passes through the filter provided in the lid unit 91 and is delivered to the cup C. This period corresponds to period 1610 in FIG. The filter restricts the leakage of ground bean residue. With the above configuration, the inside of the water tank 72 can be stirred by boiling and the temperature distribution can be made uniform, and coffee liquid can be extracted at high temperature in some cases. Then, as shown in FIG. 15(o), the pipe 728b and the pipe 728c are cut off.

Next, in order to send out the coffee liquid by supplying pressure from the reserve tank 71, the solenoid valve 73b is opened for a predetermined time and then closed, thereby increasing the inside of the brewing container 9 to a predetermined pressure (for example, 2.0 atmospheres). Press. As a result, the coffee beverage containing the coffee liquid dissolved in the hot water passes through the filter provided in the lid unit 91 and is delivered to the cup C. This period corresponds to period 1611 in FIG. 16. The filter restricts the leakage of ground bean residue. With the above configuration, coffee beverages are delivered using a plurality of pressure sources. Moreover, since the coffee beverage is delivered using the last highest pressure among the plurality of pressure sources, it may be possible to reduce the amount of coffee beverage remaining in the delivery structure.

In this embodiment, the coffee liquid extraction efficiency can be improved by using both the immersion type extraction in S14 and the permeation type extraction in S16. When the extraction container 9 is in an upright position, ground beans are deposited from the body 90e to the bottom 90f. On the other hand, when the extraction container 9 is in an inverted position, ground beans accumulate from the shoulder portion 90d to the neck portion 90b. The cross-sectional area of the body portion 90e is larger than the cross-sectional area of the neck portion 90b, and the thickness of the ground beans piled up in the inverted position is thicker than the piled thickness in the upright position. That is, when the extraction container 9 is in an upright position, the ground beans are deposited relatively thinly and widely, and when the extraction container 9 is in an inverted position, the ground beans are relatively thickly and narrowly deposited.

In the case of this embodiment, since the immersion extraction in S14 is performed with the extraction container 9 in an upright position, the hot water and ground beans can be brought into contact over a wide range, and the extraction efficiency of coffee liquid can be improved. However, in this case, the hot water and ground beans tend to come into partial contact. On the other hand, since the transmission extraction in S16 is performed with the extraction container 9 in an inverted position, the hot water passes through the accumulated ground beans while coming into contact with more ground beans. The hot water comes into contact with the ground beans more evenly, further improving the extraction efficiency of the coffee liquid.

Returning to FIG. 11A, after the extraction process in S3, the discharge process in S4 is performed. Here, processing related to cleaning inside the extraction container 9 is performed. The extraction container 9 is cleaned by returning the extraction container 9 from an inverted position to an upright position and supplying water (purified water) to the extraction container 9. Then, the inside of the extraction container 9 is pressurized, and the water inside the extraction container 9 is discharged to the waste tank T together with the residue of the ground beans.

With the above steps, one coffee beverage manufacturing process is completed. Thereafter, similar processing is repeated for each manufacturing instruction. The time required to produce one coffee beverage is, for example, about 60 to 90 seconds.

FIG. 16 is also a diagram showing an example displayed on the information display device 12. FIG. 16 shows an example in which the results of actually measuring the pressure and amount of hot water inside the extraction container 9 during extraction are plotted in real time as the extraction progresses. In FIG. 16, the thin solid line indicates the target change in pressure inside the extraction container 9 when extracting one cup of coffee (pressure change graph), and the thin broken line indicates the target pressure change when extracting one cup of coffee. It shows the change in the amount of hot water in the extraction container 9 (liquid amount change graph). In FIG. 11, the control process of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 was explained using the thin solid line and the thin broken line in FIG. 16. In addition, the thick solid line in FIG. 16 shows how the pressure inside the extraction container 9 changes in real time during actual coffee extraction, and the thick broken line shows the change in real time during actual coffee extraction. The figure shows how the change in the amount of hot water in the extraction container 9 is plotted in real time. The pressure and amount of hot water in the extraction container 9 may be determined by providing a pressure sensor or a water level sensor in the extraction container 9 to obtain the measured values, or based on the measured values obtained by the pressure sensor 72g and the water level sensor 72c. It is also possible to obtain the information by

In FIG. 16, periods 1601 to 1605 and the middle of 1606 are plotted, the current extraction process has progressed to the middle of period 1606, the pressure in the extraction container 9 is 1.2 atm, and the amount of hot water in the extraction container 9 is 100 cc. It shows that. In other words, as the extraction process continues from the middle of the period 1606, the results of actually measuring the pressure and amount of hot water in the extraction container 9 are successively plotted and displayed. Furthermore, FIG. 16 shows that the target pressure and amount of hot water were not actually reached in each period due to malfunctions in various valves, hot water and pressure paths, leaks in the extraction container 9, and the like. In other words, the display shown in FIG. 17 allows the user to compare the target value and the actual value.

In FIG. 16, changes in the target pressure in the extraction container 9, changes in the target amount of hot water in the extraction container 9, changes in the measured pressure in the extraction container 9, changes in the measured amount of hot water in the extraction container 9, It was showing. However, the target pressure change in the extraction container 9 and the measured pressure change in the extraction container 9 may be displayed. Alternatively, changes in the target amount of hot water in the extraction container 9 and changes in the measured amount of hot water in the extraction container 9 may be displayed.

Furthermore, in FIG. 16, the lengths of the periods 1601 to 1611 are shown uniformly, but the graph is displayed on the information display device 12 at intervals corresponding to the actual length of each period. It's okay. In the above, the periods 1601 to 1611 have been explained as periods, but they may also be processes. For example, the periods 1601 to 1611 are, in order, a steaming pouring process, a steaming process, a first pouring process, a pressurizing process, and a high-pressure immersion process. Rapid depressurization process after (pressure release to atmosphere process 1), rapid depressurization process after standby state (pressure release to atmosphere process 2), standby process 1, container posture change process (container reversal process), standby process 2, beverage delivery It may also be a step 1, a beverage delivery step 2, or the like.

In addition, a plurality of graphs of the pressure in the extraction container 9, the amount of hot water, and the length of each period shown by the thin solid line and thin broken line in FIG. ) may be used to select a desired pattern, and a cup of coffee may be extracted by controlling the pressure in the brewing container 9, the amount of hot water, and the length of each period so that the selected pattern is achieved.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, changes in the target pressure in the extraction container 9, changes in the target amount of hot water in the extraction container 9, changes in the measured pressure in the extraction container 9, and measured amount of hot water in the extraction container 9. It displays changes in the target pressure in the extraction container 9, changes in the target amount of hot water in the extraction container 9, and measured pressure in the extraction container 9 over the entire period of brewing one cup of coffee. The change in the amount of hot water measured in the extraction container 9 may be stored in the storage means, and may be displayed again in response to a user's operation on the operation unit of the information display device 12 or the like. With such a configuration, for example, the user can use the taste of extracted coffee and the graph displayed on the information processing device 12 as a reference when modifying a recipe to create a different taste or flavor. There are cases where it is possible. Furthermore, on the screen showing the information shown in FIG. 16 displayed on the information display device 12, the user can adjust the time width and pressure/hot water volume target values for each period (each process) by touching the graph. It's okay.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing another example displayed on the information display device 12. In this embodiment, the parameters of the recipe registered in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 can be displayed as a chart, as shown in a screen 2101 of FIG. 21(a). Note that in this embodiment, the term "chart" includes the meanings of various forms of expression such as diagrams, tables, and graphs. On the screen 2101, charts 2102, 2103, 2104, and 2105 representing measured values in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 acquired based on the recipe, and a recipe chart 2106 representing the values of parameters of the recipe are displayed. In the screen 2101, the horizontal axis represents each control process of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 explained in FIG. 11 etc., and the vertical axis represents the size of each parameter.

Chart 2102 is the measured value of the pressure inside the extraction container 9, and chart 2103 is the measured value of the temperature of the coffee beverage pouring part 10c. Moreover, the chart 2104 is a measured value of the temperature of the flow path, for example, a measured value of the temperature sensor 73e provided in the pipe L3. Further, a chart 2105 shows measured values of the temperature of the water in the water tank 72. These measured values are not limited to those shown in FIG. 21(a), and other values measured within the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 may be displayed.

The recipe chart 2106 represents recipe parameters registered in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1, and FIG. 21(a) represents the pressure inside the extraction container 9 among the registered recipe parameters. Although FIG. 21A shows the pressure in the extraction container 9 as an example of the recipe chart 2106, other parameters such as the amount of hot water in the extraction container 9 may be used. A screen 2101 as shown in FIG. 21(a) may allow the user to compare the parameters represented by the recipe and the measured values in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. Note that the user may be a staff member or administrator who provides the coffee beverage using the beverage manufacturing device 1, or a general customer who has ordered the coffee beverage.

The process for displaying the screen 2101 in FIG. 21(a) will be described below.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 1901 for displaying the screen 2101 in FIG. 21(a). The screen 1901 is, for example, a maintenance screen that can be viewed by the administrator of the beverage manufacturing device 1. The screen 1901 displays, for example, the status of each part such as the motor driver and water level sensor, and the execution items of the test mode. Button 1902 on screen 1901 is an instruction button for displaying screen 2101 based on the recipe registered in beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. When the button 1902 is pressed, for example, the table format recipe displayed as shown in FIG. 20 is switched to a recipe chart 2106 on the screen 2101.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example in which each parameter of a recipe registered in the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 is displayed in a table format. For example, the recipe 2001 in FIG. 20 may be obtained based on the contents set on the setting screen displayed on the mobile terminal 17 in FIG. 17, or the recipe 2001 in FIG. It may be based on. Alternatively, it may be based on the content received on the information display device 12 when the coffee beverage is delivered by the beverage manufacturing device 1. For example, the recipe 2001 is acquired by pressing the load button 1909 on the screen 1901, and displayed by pressing the recipe change button 1908. That is, the user may be able to display registered recipe information in a table format and then display it as a chart on the screen 2101 using the button 1902. A set value 2002 of the recipe 2001 indicates a set value accepted on the setting screen, and a transmitted value 2003 is a value for controlling the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. The setting value 2002 and the transmission value 2003 have a unit-converted relationship, and for example, the transmission value 2003 for the extraction time "8" means a value converted to "8000" seconds.

A selection item 1903 on the screen 1901 accepts selection of an option when displaying a recipe in a chart. That is, the measured values for the selected items are displayed together with the recipe chart 2106 on the screen 2101. For example, when item 1905 is selected, chart 2105 is displayed on screen 2101. For example, when item 1906 is selected, chart 2104 is displayed on screen 2101. Further, for example, when item 1907 is selected, chart 2103 is displayed on screen 2101. The selection items 1903 display a number of optional items depending on the types of measurement values that can be displayed on the screen 2101.

When button 1902 is pressed with item 1904 selected, only recipe chart 2106 is displayed, as shown in screen 2111 in FIG. 21(b). Such display control may narrow down the information displayed on the screen and improve the convenience of the user in correcting recipe parameters (changing the recipe).

On the recipe chart 2106 on the screen 2111, the user can correct recipe parameters by touch operation or the like. As a user change operation, it is possible to accept a movement of a point represented by a black circle on the recipe chart 2106, for example, in the direction of the time axis or the direction of the parameter size. At this time, when accepting a movement of one point in the direction of the parameter size, adjacent points are also moved in conjunction with each other in that process. For example, when moving point 2112 in the "weight after rotation" process in a direction that increases the pressure value (i.e. upward in the figure), the adjacent point 2113 in the "weight after rotation" process will also move to increase the pressure value. Move it in the direction of increasing it.

In the above description, only the recipe chart 2106 is displayed when item 1904 is selected, but it may be displayed together with the items selected from items 1905 to 1907. With such a configuration, the user may be able to change the recipe while comparing it with desired measured values. When the save button 1910 on the screen 1901 is pressed after the correction of recipe parameters is accepted on the screen 2111, the recipe including information on the changed parameters is registered as a changed recipe. Further, although an example has been shown in which the recipe is modified by modifying the recipe chart 2106, a chart such as the measured values 2102 to 2105 may be registered as a recipe and called up at the time of beverage production so that it can be used as a recipe. In addition, charts such as measured values 2102 to 2105 can be corrected on the screen 2101 using the same method (for example, touch operation) that has been exemplified as the method of correcting the recipe chart 2106, and registered as a recipe. You can also call it up and make it available as a recipe. In addition, although a chart of the target pressure in the extraction container 9 has been illustrated as a recipe chart representing the values of recipe parameters, a chart of the target amount of hot water at a predetermined location (for example, the extraction container 9) inside the coffee machine, A temperature chart and a water temperature chart are displayed on the screen 2101 as a recipe chart, and the recipe chart 2106 is modified using the same method (for example, touch operation) as an example of how to modify it and registered as a recipe. It may also be called up at any time and made available as a recipe.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing recipe chart display processing. The processing in FIG. 18 is realized, for example, by the CPU of the processing unit 11a loading a program stored in a ROM into the storage unit 11b and executing it.

In S101, the processing unit 11a waits to receive an instruction to display the recipe chart 2106. Here, the instruction to display the recipe chart 2106 is, for example, pressing the button 1902. If it is determined that the instruction to display the recipe chart 2106 has been accepted, the process advances to S102.

In S102, the processing unit 11a acquires option information for displaying the recipe chart 2106. Here, the option information is, for example, selection information of items 1904 to 1907 of selection item 1903.

In S103, the processing unit 11a generates display data based on the option information acquired in S102. For example, each measurement value of the item selected in items 1905 to 1907 is acquired, and display data for displaying a chart is generated. Furthermore, display data for displaying the recipe chart 2106 is generated based on the recipe 2001 in FIG. 20 . In S104, the processing unit 11a causes the information display device 12 to display the data based on the display data generated in S103. At this time, depending on the selection status of item 1903, either screen 2101 or screen 2111 may be displayed.

In S105, the processing unit 11a determines whether or not there is a correction to the recipe chart 2106. For example, if the point 2112 moves on the screen 2111 and the save button 1910 on the screen 1901 is pressed, it is determined that the recipe chart 2106 needs to be corrected. If it is determined that there is no correction to the recipe chart 2106, the process in FIG. 18 ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the recipe chart 2106 needs to be corrected, the process advances to S106.

In S106, the processing unit 11a registers the recipe including the parameters corrected on the screen 2111 as a changed recipe. At this time, the changed recipe may be registered (that is, updated) in place of the recipe before the change, or the recipe may be registered together with the recipe before the change by accepting a designation of a different name. After S106, the process in FIG. 18 ends.

In the above description, the screens shown in FIGS. 16 and 19 to 21 have been described as being displayed on the information display device 12. However, the information may be displayed not on the information display device 12 but on a device different from the beverage manufacturing device 1. For example, the screens shown in FIGS. 16 and 19 to 21 may be displayed on the mobile terminal 17 shown in FIG. 10 or a PC connected to the network 15. In that case, the processing unit 11a transmits data (for example, an HTML file) for displaying the screens shown in FIGS. 16 and 19 to 21 to the mobile terminal 17 or PC in the system via the communication network 15. With such a configuration, for example, a user (for example, an administrator) in a remote location can change a recipe registered in the beverage manufacturing device 1 on his own maintenance PC, and the content of the changed recipe can be changed. may be transmitted to the beverage manufacturing device 1.

<Summary of embodiments>
The beverage manufacturing apparatus of the above embodiment includes a display control means (S104) for displaying information on parameters of registered recipes in a chart on a display unit (12, 17), and a display control means (S104) for displaying information on parameters of registered recipes in a chart, and information on the parameters displayed by the display control means. It is characterized by comprising a reception means (S105) that accepts an operation to change information, and a registration means (S106) that registers a recipe including information on parameters changed by the change operation as a changed recipe. With such a configuration, when the parameter information of a recipe is displayed in a chart and an operation to change the parameter information is accepted, the recipe including the changed parameter information can be registered as a changed recipe.

Further, the changing operation is a changing operation for at least one of the size and the time width of the parameter (FIG. 21(b)). Further, the change operation is a change operation on a chart (FIG. 21(b)). With such a configuration, it is possible to accept an operation for changing at least one of the size and time width of a parameter on the chart.

Further, the display control means is characterized in that it further causes the display unit to display the measured value obtained based on the registered recipe (FIG. 21(a)). With such a configuration, for example, changes in pressure obtained based on a recipe can be displayed.

Further, the method further includes an acquisition unit (1909) that acquires information on the parameters represented by the registered recipe. With such a configuration, for example, parameter information stored in a table format can be acquired.

Further, the display unit (12) is provided in the beverage manufacturing device. Further, the display unit (17) is provided in a device different from the beverage manufacturing device. With such a configuration, information on recipe parameters can be displayed in a chart on a display section provided in the beverage manufacturing apparatus or on a display section provided in a device different from the beverage manufacturing apparatus.

The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the invention.

1 Beverage manufacturing device: 9 Extraction container: 71 Reserve tank: 72 Water tank: 720 Liquid feeding amount adjustment device: 727 Drive unit: 72f, 72h, 73c, 73b, 728 Solenoid valve

Claims (6)

a registration means for registering a recipe including information on parameters for extracting a coffee beverage;
an extraction means for extracting a coffee beverage based on a registered recipe;
Display control means for displaying information on the registered recipe parameters as a chart on a display unit as a time change in target values ;
reception means for accepting a change operation to the parameter information displayed in a chart by the display control means;
Equipped with
The display control means causes the display unit to display a chart on the display unit of time changes in measured values obtained in each extraction process of the coffee beverage based on the registered recipe, together with the information on the parameters displayed on the chart. ,
The accepting means accepts an operation to change the parameter information displayed in a chart on the display unit together with the measured value displayed in a chart on the display unit,
The registration means registers a recipe including information on parameters changed by the change operation as a changed recipe,
The extraction means extracts a coffee beverage based on the registered changed recipe.
A beverage manufacturing device characterized by : The beverage manufacturing device according to claim 1,
The beverage manufacturing apparatus, wherein the changing operation is a changing operation on at least one of a magnitude and a time width of the parameter. The beverage manufacturing device according to claim 1 or 2,
The beverage manufacturing device, wherein the measured value includes a temperature of hot water in a hot water tank. The beverage manufacturing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The beverage manufacturing device, wherein the measured value includes a pressure inside the chamber. 1. A method carried out in a beverage manufacturing device, the method comprising:
a registration step of registering a recipe including information on parameters for extracting the coffee beverage;
an extraction process of extracting a coffee beverage based on a registered recipe;
a display control step of displaying information on the registered recipe parameters in a chart on a display unit as time changes in target values ;
a reception step of accepting a change operation for the parameter information displayed in a chart in the display control step;
has
The display control step causes the display section to display a chart of time changes in measured values obtained in each extraction step of the coffee beverage based on the registered recipe, along with information on the parameters displayed in the chart. ,
The receiving step is for accepting a change operation for the parameter information displayed in a chart on the display unit together with the measured value displayed in a chart on the display unit,
The registration step is to register a recipe including information on parameters changed by the change operation as a changed recipe,
The extraction step is to extract a coffee beverage based on the registered changed recipe.
A method characterized by: For beverage manufacturing equipment,
a registration step of registering a recipe including information on parameters for extraction of the coffee beverage;
An extraction process that extracts a coffee beverage based on a registered recipe;
a display control step of displaying information on the registered recipe parameters in a chart on a display unit as time changes in target values ;
a reception step for accepting a change operation for the parameter information displayed in a chart in the display control step;
It is a program to run
The display control step causes the display section to display a chart of time changes in measured values obtained in each extraction step of the coffee beverage based on the registered recipe, along with information on the parameters displayed in the chart. ,
The receiving step is for accepting a change operation for the parameter information displayed in a chart on the display unit together with the measured value displayed in a chart on the display unit,
The registration step is to register a recipe including information on parameters changed by the change operation as a changed recipe,
The extraction step is to extract a coffee beverage based on the registered changed recipe.
A program characterized by :

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