JPH01300909A - Syphon type coffee maker - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To maintain a proper temperature without being affected by the quantity of brewed coffee liquid by executing a heat insulating operation for energizing a heater by an output changing in proportion to the magnitude of brewed quantity information stored in a storing means after a brewing operation is completed. CONSTITUTION:A storing container 13 heated by a heater 3, a decanter 14 mounted on the storing container 13 and communicated with the internal part thereof through a water pipe 15 and a controller 33 for energizing the heater 3 according to an brewing operation command and starting the brewing operation are provided. The controller 33 is provided with a storing means 37 for storing the informations indicating the quantity of the brewed coffee liquid and a heat insulating operation for energizing the heater 3 by an output changing in proportion to the magnitude of the brewed quantity informations stored in the storing means 37 is executed after the brewing operation is completed. Consequently, the brewed coffee liquid can be constantly maintained at a proper temperature without being affected by its quantity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Field) The present invention relates to a siphon-type coffee extractor that extracts coffee liquid using a siphon phenomenon.

(Prior art) Traditionally, this type of siphon coffee extractor
There is a device that automatically performs extraction operation and heat retention operation using a control device. As for the 17y structure, an extraction container is placed on the storage container which is heated by a heater, and the extraction container is communicated with the inside of the storage container by 1'' through a water pipe. A series of operations are performed continuously by controlling the electric current.That is, a desired amount of coffee powder is stored in the extraction container, and water corresponding to the amount of coffee powder is stored in the storage container. If you operate the start switch in this state, the extraction operation command or control device will receive a 17
- In response to this, the controller or heater is energized to generate heat. Then, the water in the storage container boils, and hot water is supplied from the storage container through the water pipe into the extraction container by the well-known siphon phenomenon, and coffee liquid is extracted in the extraction container. Then, the extracted coffee liquid descends into the storage container through the water pipe and is stored therein. Subsequently, the control device performs a warming operation by energizing the heater, thereby keeping the coffee liquid in the storage container warm.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Generally, when performing the above-described heat retention operation, it is necessary to control the heater to be turned on and off depending on the degree of rise in the temperature of the storage container. However, in the siphon coffee extractor, a heater is disposed near the storage container, and
Since the heater has a relatively large output because it is necessary to boil the water in the storage container in a short time, it is difficult to accurately detect the temperature of the storage container during the heat-keeping operation.

For this reason, conventionally, a configuration has been considered in which the heater is controlled to be intermittently energized at a constant cycle during the heat retention operation without adding a function to detect the temperature of the storage container. However, when configured like this,
Since the heater is energized with a constant output when keeping warm, when the amount of coffee liquid stored in the storage container is small, the coffee liquid in the storage container may be overheated, causing the coffee liquid to There were drawbacks such as re-boiling or deterioration of the flavor of the coffee liquid. Also, when the amount of coffee liquid in the storage container is large, the coffee liquid in the storage container easily loses heat to the surroundings, making it impossible to keep it sufficiently warm even though it is heated by the heater. There were drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a siphon type coffee extractor that can always keep extracted coffee liquid at an appropriate temperature without being affected by the amount of coffee liquid extracted.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a storage container heated by a heater, an extraction container placed on the storage container and communicating with the inside of the storage container through a water pipe, and an extraction operation. A siphon coffee extractor comprising a control device that energizes the heater to start an extraction operation in response to a command, wherein the control device is provided with a storage means for storing information indicating an amount of coffee liquid to be extracted; After the extraction operation is completed, a heat-retaining operation is performed in which the heater is energized with an output that varies in proportion to the magnitude of extraction amount information stored in the storage means.

In addition to the above configuration, the control device includes a detection means for detecting whether or not the storage container is located at a predetermined position, and the storage container is located at a predetermined position based on the detection result of the detection means during the heat retention operation. When it is determined that the heater is not in the position, the heater may be configured to be energized to the minimum output.

(Function) - When an extraction operation command is given, the control device energizes the heater and starts the extraction operation. Then, the water in the storage container boils, and accordingly, the hot water is supplied into the extraction container through the water pipe, and coffee liquid is extracted in the extraction container. Then, the coffee liquid descends into the storage container through the water pipe and is stored therein. Subsequently, the control device performs a warming operation and energizes the heater with an output that varies in proportion to the magnitude of coffee liquid extraction amount information stored in advance in the storage means. In other words, when there is a large amount of extracted coffee liquid and the extracted amount information stored in the storage means is large, the heater is energized to increase the output during keeping warm, and the amount of extracted coffee liquid is small. When the extraction information amount is small, the heater output is controlled to be low.Therefore, the heater energization during keeping warm is controlled according to the amount of extracted coffee liquid. The coffee liquid in the storage container is kept at an appropriate temperature.

In addition, if the heater is configured to be energized at the minimum output when the storage container is not in the predetermined position based on the detection result of the detection means during the heat retention operation, the heater is energized at the minimum output. When the heater is moved from its position, the amount of heat generated by the heater decreases, so even if the amount of coffee liquid in the storage container decreases due to drinking, the small amount of coffee liquid can be kept at an appropriate temperature.

(Example) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, in FIG. 2 showing the entire body, 1 is a main body formed in an oval shape, and a heater 3 is disposed on the upper surface of a base portion 2 of this main body. The right side of the main body 1 is an electrical equipment case 4, and a mill motor 5 is housed in the upper part of this case.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a mill case mounted on the electrical equipment case 4, and a cutter 7 for grinding coffee beans is disposed at the inner bottom of this case.
In the state where the cutter 7 is attached to the rotary shaft of the mill motor 50, the cutter 7 is connected to the rotary shaft of the mill motor 50 via the coupling 8. 9 is a mill filter installed on a part of the peripheral wall surface of the mill case, and 10 is a guide portion communicating with the inside of the mill case 6 via the mill filter 9. 11 is the base part 2
A container support extending in the -L direction from the left side of the container is detachably provided with respect to the main body 1, and a holder 12 located above the heater 3 is formed at its tip. . Reference numeral 13 denotes a storage container, which is made of heat-resistant glass and shaped like a round-bottomed flask, and its upper end portion is similar to the holder 12.
is maintained. 14 is the same <i! It is an extraction container made of thermal glass, and a filter (not shown) is installed at the bottom of the container, and a water pipe 15 is connected downward from there.
has been extended. This extraction container 14 is placed on the storage container 13 via a backing 16, and in the placed state, the tip of the water pipe 15 is close to the inner bottom surface of the storage container 13.

In addition, 17 is a part provided to cover the extraction container 14 and the mill case 6, and 18 is a lid switch.

-J119 is a temperature sensor, which is biased by a compression coil spring 20 (-1) and protrudes diagonally upward from the central part of the side surface of the electrical component case 4.

Reference numeral 38 denotes a bottle switch as a detection means, which is divided by a compression coil spring 39 and protrudes obliquely from the center of the side surface of the electrical component case 4 toward the direction of the arrow. When the extraction container 14 is placed on the storage container 13, the temperature sensor 19 and the bottle switch 38 come into contact with the side surface of the extraction container 14.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a panel provided on the front side of the electrical component case 4, which includes a cup number selection button 22, as shown in FIG.
A concentration selection button 23, a course selection button 24, a start button 25 are provided, and a light emitting diode 26 is provided.
32 are provided.

Now, FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an electric circuit, and this will be explained below.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a control device, which is configured as a t+SS mainly based on a microcomputer, and receives a cup number selection command from the cup number selection button 22, a concentration selection command from the concentration selection button 23, and a course selection from the course selection button 24. It is configured to input a command, a start command from the start button 25, a detection signal of 18 degrees from the temperature sensor 19, and a detection signal from the bottle switch 38.
Lighting of the light emitting diode 26 Ti to 32 5 The drive of the mill motor 5 is controlled. On the other hand, 34 is a buzzer disposed within the electrical component case 4, which is configured to sound when driven by the control device 33.

35 is a switching circuit that turns on and off according to commands from the control device 33 to connect the heater 3 to the AC commercial power source 36.
It is designed to selectively connect to. Reference numeral 37 denotes a storage means composed of, for example, a semiconductor memory, which stores digital data when it is given from the control device 33, and outputs the digital data to the control device 33 based on a command from the control device 33. do.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained with reference to FIG. 4, which shows the control contents of the control device 33.

First, a desired amount of coffee beans is stored in the mill case 6, and an amount of water corresponding to the coffee beans is stored in the storage container 13. Next, the cup number setting button 22 is depressed in accordance with the amount of coffee beans stored in the mill case 6.

In other words, when the amount of coffee beans is equivalent to 2 to 3 cups, press the cup number selection button 22 once or an odd number of times (7, when the amount of coffee beans is equivalent to 4 cups, press the cup number selection button 22) The suppression operation is performed twice or an even number of times.Then, when the control device 33 receives the cup number selection command once, it determines that the selected number of cups is "2 to 3" and lights up the light emitting diode 26, and When the number of cups selection command is received twice, the number of selected cups is determined to be "4" and the light emitting diode 27 is turned on.Next, the concentration selection button 2
Press 3 to select the desired coffee liquid concentration.

That is, when the density selection button 23 is pressed once or an odd number of times, the control device 33 determines that regular has been selected and lights the light emitting diode 28, and
When the button is pressed once or an even number of times, it is determined that the mild mode has been selected, and the light emitting diode 29 is turned on. next,
A desired driving course is selected by suppressing the course selection button 24.

In other words, press the course selection button 24 once or 30 times (
n is a natural number), the control device 33 determines that a driving course starting from M or R is selected and lights up the light emitting diode 30, and when the same operation is performed twice or (3n+1), the control device 33 starts from extraction. It is determined that the course has been selected and the light emitting diode 31 is turned on, and when the same operation is performed three times or (3n+1), it is determined that only the warming operation has been selected and the light emitting diode 32 is turned on. Then, the control device 33 stores information corresponding to the number of cups, coffee concentration, and driving course determined as described above in the storage means 37. In this case, the number of cups stored in the storage means 37 corresponds to the extraction amount information.

Now, as described above, after performing the initial setting by pressing each button 22 to 24 the desired number of times (in this case, it is assumed that the course starting from the mill is selected).
, press the start button 25. Then, since a start command (extraction operation command) is given to the control device 33, the control device 33 determines rYESJ in step N1 of the flowchart shown in FIG.
Then, the extraction amount information and coffee concentration information are read from the storage means 37. Next, the control device 33 identifies the number of selected cups for the note 1 in step N3 from the read extraction amount information. In other words, when the number of selected cups is "2 to 3",
If it is determined as "YES" and the driving time 11 of the mill motor 5 is set to 15 seconds in step N4, and if the number of selected cups is "4", it is determined as rNOJ and the driving time t is set in step N5.
Set l to 20 seconds. Then, the control device 33 identifies the coffee concentration selected in step NG from the coffee concentration information read in step N2 as described above. In other words, when regular is set, rY
It is determined as EsJ and the process proceeds to step N7, where the steaming time is t2.
Set to 20 seconds. If mild is set, the determination is "NO" and the process proceeds to step N8, where the steaming time t2 is set to 0 seconds. Then, the control device 33 drives the mill motor 5 for a set time tl in steps N9 to Nil. As a result, the coffee beans in the mill case 6 are crushed by the cutter 7, become coffee powder, pass through the mill filter 9, and are guided by the guide part 10 and fall into the extraction container 14. Next, the control device 33
turns on the switching circuit 35 in step NI2.

As a result, the heater 3 is connected to the AC commercial power source 36 and generates heat, causing the water in the storage container 13 to boil. Then, the hot water in the storage container 13 rises through the water pipe 15 due to the well-known siphon phenomenon and is supplied into the extraction container 14, so that coffee liquid is extracted in the extraction container 14. At this time, since hot water is supplied into the extraction container 14, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 19 rises to a predetermined temperature.
4 and waits for a steaming time t2. Then, when the steaming time t2 has elapsed, the control device 33 turns off the switching circuit 35 in step N+5. As a result, the heater 3 is cut off, so the temperature inside the storage container 13 decreases, and in response, the coffee liquid in the extraction container 14 falls into the storage container 13 and is stored therein. Then, the control device 33 identifies the number of cups selected from the extraction amount information read in step N2 in step NIB. At this time, it takes a maximum of 5 minutes for the coffee liquid equivalent to 2 to 3 force drops to descend into the storage container 13, and a maximum of 5 minutes and 30 seconds for the coffee liquid equivalent to 4 force drops to descend. Therefore, the control device 33 performs step NI
7 or after waiting for the maximum time in step NI8, the buzzer 34 is sounded in step NI9. Therefore, the end of the extraction operation can be confirmed by the beep sound from the buzzer 34.

Next, the control device 33 executes a heat retention operation. That is, the control device 33 identifies the number of selected cups in step N20 from the extraction amount information read in step N2.

That is, when the extraction amount information is 2 to 3 cups, the operation of turning on the switching circuit 35 for 1 second and turning it off for 8 seconds is repeated in step N21.

As a result, as shown in FIG.
Intermittent energization is performed at 9. Therefore, even if the amount of coffee itk in the storage container 13 is as small as 2 to 3 cups, a small amount of heat will be given to the coffee liquid in the storage container 13 because the output of the heater 3 is relatively small. In the end, is the coffee lfk in the storage container 13 kept at the optimum temperature? A
, is Led. Also, based on the extraction information seedling, the number of selected cups is identified as "4". If so, the process proceeds from step N20 to step N22, and it is determined whether the bottle presence/absence detection flag is set to 1 or not. At this time, since the extraction container 14 is placed on the storage container 13, it is determined that it is rNOJ, and the process proceeds from step N23 to step N24, where the operation of turning on the switching circuit 35 for 2 seconds and turning it off for 8 seconds is repeated. . As a result, the heater 3 is energized at a energization duty ratio of 115 with a energization time of 2 seconds and a power-off time of 8 seconds, as shown in FIG. 5(a), and therefore generates heat with a relatively large output. Therefore, even if the coffee liquid in the storage container 13 is as large as 4 cups, a large amount of heat will be given to the coffee liquid in the storage container 13 due to the large output of the heater 3. The coffee liquid inside is kept warm at the optimum temperature.

Now, when trying to drink the coffee kept warm in the storage container 13, when the container support 11 is removed from the main body 1 and the storage container 13 is moved from above the heater 3, the extraction container 13 on the storage container 13 is moved. moves away from the bottle switch 38, so the bottle switch 38 detects that the extraction container 14 is not present. Then, the control device 33 determines rYEsJ in step N23 and proceeds to step N25.
Set the bottle detection flag to 1. Then, since the number of selected cups is "4", even if the control device 33 determines rNOJ in step N20, it determines rYEsJ in step N22 and executes step N.
, 2 +, the switching circuit 35 is turned on for 1 second and then turned off for 8 seconds, and the operation is repeated. Thereby, the output of the heater 3 becomes the minimum output during the heat retention operation. In other words, even if the number of selected cups is "4", if the -[J- storage container 13 is moved from the predetermined position on the heater 3 during the heat retention operation, it will be the same as when the number of selected cups is "2 to 3". Therefore, the output of the heater 3 can be suppressed. Therefore,
Even if the amount of coffee liquid in the storage container 13 decreases due to drinking during warming, the coffee liquid in the storage container 13 continues to be kept warm with the output of the heater 3 being reduced, so that the reduced coffee liquid is heated excessively. This will be prevented.

In short, according to the above mentioned one, ffi! l
? During the heat retention operation, the 8 device 33 determines the amount of information stored in the storage means 37 by 1. Since the heater 3 is energized with an output that varies proportionally, the heat generation m of the heater 3 changes depending on the magnitude of the extraction amount information. Therefore, the coffee liquid in the storage container 13 is kept at an optimum temperature without being affected by the amount.

In addition, since the information on the amount of extracted coffee liquid is obtained from the driving time of the mill timer 5 as described above, there is no need to newly install a device to detect the amount of extracted coffee liquid. ↓
)do not have.

Furthermore, when the bottle switch 38 detects movement of the brewing container 14 during the heat retention operation, the control device 33 forcibly switches the output of the heater 3 to the minimum output, so that the coffee liquid in the storage container 13 is controlled. Even if the amount of coffee liquid decreases due to drinking, the amount of heat generated by the heater 3 is suppressed, so that the coffee liquid in the storage container 14 will not be heated excessively. Therefore, the coffee liquid is prevented from boiling again or from being overheated and losing its flavor.

In the above embodiment, the extraction amount information indicating the amount of extracted coffee liquid is obtained from the driving time of the mill□ timer, but instead of this, input means for setting the amount of coffee liquid is provided. The amount of coffee liquid set in the manual means may be used as extraction amount information.Furthermore, an A11l measuring means for directly measuring the amount of extracted coffee liquid may be provided. Information from the measuring means may be used as extraction amount information.

Furthermore, although the heater output during the heat retention operation is adjusted by changing the energization duty ratio when energizing the heater intermittently, the heater output may be adjusted by, for example, so-called phase control instead of this. You may do so.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to what is described above and shown in the drawings, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist, such as not being able to perform the operation of detecting the presence or absence of a storage container. .

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, the present invention can provide the following effects.

According to the siphon type coffee extractor of claim 1, the control device includes a storage means for storing information indicating the amount of extracted coffee liquid, and after the extraction operation is completed, the control device changes the magnitude of the extracted amount information stored in the storage means. On the other hand, since the heater is configured to perform a heat-retaining operation in which the heater is energized with an output that varies proportionally, the extracted coffee liquid is heated by the heater with an amount of heat corresponding to the amount of extracted coffee liquid. Therefore, the extracted coffee liquid can always be kept at an appropriate temperature without being affected by the amount of coffee extracted.

According to the siphon type coffee extractor of claim 2, if the storage container is not in a predetermined position during the heat retention operation, the output of the heater is suppressed to its minimum output, so that the coffee liquid in the storage container is drunk during the heat retention operation. As a result, even if the amount decreases, the output of the heater is switched to the minimum output, so the reduced coffee liquid will not be overheated, and this will prevent the coffee liquid from boiling again. Prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration, FIG. 2 is a front view with the upper half cut away, FIG. 3 is a front view of the panel, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the control device, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the energization timing of the heater. In the figure, 3 is a heater, 13 is a storage container, 14 is an extraction container,
15 is a water pipe, 19 is a temperature sensor, 25 is a start button, 35 is a switching circuit, 37 is a storage means, and 38 is a bottle switch (detection means). Figure 1 Figure 4 ta) Fourth fork (b)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A storage container heated by a heater, an extraction container placed on the storage container and communicating with the inside of the storage container through a water pipe, and energized to the heater in response to an extraction operation command. A siphon coffee extractor comprising a control device for starting an extraction operation, wherein the control device includes a storage means for storing information indicating the amount of extracted coffee liquid, and after the extraction operation is finished, the information is stored in the storage means. A siphon-type coffee extractor, characterized in that the siphon-type coffee extractor is configured to perform a heat-retaining operation of energizing the heater with an output that changes in proportion to the magnitude of extraction amount information. 2. The control device has a detection means for detecting whether or not the storage container is located at a predetermined position, and determines that the storage container is not at the predetermined position based on the detection result of the detection means during the heat retention operation. 2. The siphon coffee brewer according to claim 1, wherein the heater is configured to be energized at a minimum output when the heater is turned on.