JPH049044B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a beverage extraction device for extracting a favorite beverage such as coffee, black tea, or green tea.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

In general, the taste of coffee and other beverages changes depending on how they are brewed, and drinkers are aware that there is a close relationship between the temperature of the water, raw materials such as coffee powder, and the amount of hot water that affect the taste. As is well known.

Conventionally, in this type of beverage brewing device, when extracting a predetermined amount of hot water stored in the water heater at an appropriate temperature controlled by a thermostat, etc., the water supply time is controlled by a flow rate control valve in the water supply path to the closed water heater. A means of measuring the amount of water supplied using timer control and pumping up and extracting the same amount of hot water according to the amount of water supplied,
A means for supplying hot water in a water heater with a heat-resistant pump and controlling the hot water supply time with a timer, or as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 14671/1983,
It is well known to provide a measuring tank in the upper part of the water boiling tank, and to introduce water measured by the measuring tank into the bottom of the water boiling tank by a drop to extract a predetermined amount of hot water.

However, with the hot water extraction method that includes a flow rate control valve in the water supply route, the water pressure of the tap water varies from region to region, ranging from approximately 0.5 to 10 kg/ ^cm2 , and varies depending on the time of use. It is difficult to maintain a constant flow rate because the flow rate changes significantly and is unstable.In addition, when extracting hot water using a heat-resistant pump, the water temperature is over 90 degrees, close to the boiling point. The negative pressure generated when the pump sucks hot water causes the hot water to boil inside the pump chamber, which makes the amount of hot water discharged from the pump very unstable and tends to cause unevenness in the amount of hot water supplied. In addition, special public service 52-14671
In the method disclosed in the above publication, since the amount of hot water is measured in a measuring tank, it is possible to accurately measure the amount of hot water and the amount of hot water supplied without being affected by the water pressure of the tap water. Therefore, in order to make it possible to extract a large amount of hot water (10 or more at a time), the volume of the measuring tank must be increased, which inevitably requires a large capacity of the entire device. As the water boiling tank becomes larger and moreover, it is necessary to absorb the expansion of hot water caused by boiling water in the water boiling tank by flowing it back into the measuring tank, it is not only necessary to communicate the water boiling tank and the measuring tank even when on standby. Since the entire amount of water in the measuring tank is measured every time hot water is extracted, if a large amount of hot water is supplied, the measuring time will be longer.
There were inconveniences such as a long waiting time before extraction.

In addition, although large beverage brewing devices like this, which can extract a large amount at one time, are convenient for a large number of people, when used for a small number of people, it takes a long time to keep the raw material liquid warm, especially for coffee. In the case of a undiluted solution, there are problems such as oxidation and deterioration of the taste. Therefore, it is preferable to divide the amount of extraction into at least two stages, large and small, or more. However, although it is possible to change the amount of hot water supplied, it is not possible to change the flow rate to ensure the optimal extraction time commensurate with the change in the amount of hot water supplied, which causes a loss of taste.

[Purpose of the invention]

This invention was made under the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to make it possible to change the amount of hot water supplied to the raw materials of a favorite drink and the extraction time according to the amount of one extraction, thereby stabilizing it. To provide a beverage brewing device which is small in size and capable of extracting a large amount of hot water and shortening measuring time, while preventing deterioration of taste.

[Summary of the invention]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a water supply solenoid that is controlled to open and close by the water level detection means in the middle of the water supply route that leads water from the water supply source to the water boiling tank and the measuring tank provided with the water level detection means. A pump is provided, each having a valve, and a pump for sending the cold water supplied into the metering tank into the water boiling tank via a flow rate regulating valve, and communicating with the outside air with a hot water outlet pipe whose suction end faces the upper part of the water boiling tank. The hot water storage cylinder is arranged such that the middle top of the hot water supply pipe is located higher than the upper surface of the water boiling tank and the discharge end thereof is located lower than the suction end, and the water boiling tank is controlled by a temperature control device within the water boiling tank. A heating means is provided to control the internal water temperature, and a water supply solenoid valve on the water supply route to the water boiling tank is closed or the water supply solenoid valve is The pump is driven at the same time as the valve is closed to send the cold water in the metering tank into the water heating tank, and the drive of the pump is stopped when a lower limit water level is detected by the water level detection means in the metering tank. The present invention is characterized in that it is provided with a switching control means for switching to.

[Embodiments of the invention]

The present invention will be described below with reference to an illustrated embodiment.

As shown in Figure 1, 11 in the figure is the upper limit water level LV ₁
This is a measuring tank in _which a lower limit water level LV ₂ is set, and is placed below the water heating tank ₁₂ stored in a casing (not shown). A water level detector 14 having a water level sensor 14 is provided, and one end of a water supply pipe 16 connected to a water supply source (not shown) such as a water supply and having a water supply electromagnetic valve 15 in the middle portion faces on the top surface thereof. One end of the metering tank 11 is kept at a certain distance from the water surface so that the water in the metering tank 11 does not flow back when the water supply source becomes negative pressure.

A pump 17 is provided at the bottom of the measuring tank 11.
The suction side of the pump 17 is connected to the pump 17, and the discharge side of the pump 17 is connected to a conduit 21 in which a water electromagnetic valve 18 and a flow rate regulating valve 19 are provided in series. This pipe line 21 faces above the water boiling tank 12, and has its open end spaced apart from the water surface of the water boiling tank 12 so that the hot water in the water boiling tank 12 does not flow back toward the measuring tank 11 side. The water in the metering tank 11 is made to flow into the bottom of the water heating tank 12 through a water conduit 22 that extends close to the bottom of the tank 12 . Further, a heater 24 is disposed at the inner bottom of the water boiling tank 12 and is energized and controlled by a temperature control device 23 installed outside. A suction end 28a of a hot water pipe 28 for sprinkling hot water onto a favorite material such as coffee powder 27 set on a paper filter 26 inside faces, and a water sprinkler 29 having a large number of small holes is provided at its discharge end 28b. The intermediate top portion 28c is located higher than the suction end, and the discharge end is located lower than the suction end.

Furthermore, a hot water storage cylinder 30 with a relatively large inner diameter is arranged on the top surface of the water heating tank 12 with its upper end open to the atmosphere in order to maintain the hot water level higher than the hot water tap 28 when starting hot water tap or when pouring a large amount of hot water. is,
Inside this hot water storage cylinder 30 is an overflow pipe 31 that returns hot water to the measuring tank 11 located below the water boiling tank 12 when the amount of water supplied from the measuring tank 11 by the pump 17 becomes excessive and the liquid level rises too much. is inserted therethrough, and the upper end opening of the overflow pipe 31 is located higher than the top of the hot water outlet pipe 28 and lower than the opening end of the electrical conduit 21 to penetrate the water heating tank 12, and the lower end opening thereof The upper surface of the measuring tank 11 faces the upper surface of the measuring tank 11.

On the other hand, one end of another water supply pipe 33 that is connected to a water supply source (not shown) and has a water supply electromagnetic valve 32 in the middle faces the upper end opening of the water conduit 22 facing the water boiler tank 12. A measuring tube 35 is provided in communication with the bottom side of the tank 12, and within this measuring tube 35 is a float 37 that detects the measured water level LV ₃ and the water level LV ₄ that prevents the heater 24 from running dry. A water level detector 36 is provided. In addition, 38 in the figure is a ventilation pipe provided above the measuring tube 35;
39 and 40 are the water boiling tank 12 and the measuring tank 11
Drain pipes 41 provided at the bottom of the extractor 25 are containers placed at the bottom of the extractor 25.

Next, the control operation of the beverage extraction device described above is performed in a second manner.
This will be explained with reference to the figures.

First, turn on the power switch SW ₁ of this device connected to the power supply (AC200V50/60Hz) and turn on the power indicator light.
Turn on PL ₁ . At this time, since the contact RS ₂ of the water level detector 14 is closed, the relay 2R is energized and self-held by the A contact 2R1, and the solenoid WV ₁ is energized by the A contact 2R3. The valve is opened to supply water into the measuring tank 11. Then, when the water level in the measuring tank 11 rises and closes the detection element RS1 of the upper limit water level LV ₁ , the relay 1R is energized, its B contact 1R1 is opened, the relay 2R is de-energized, and the water supply solenoid valve 1 is energized.
5 is closed to stop water supply into the measuring tank 11.

In this state, when the push button switch PB is pressed after turning off the capacity selector switch SW ₂ and setting it to the small capacity side, the relay 6R is energized and its A contact 6R ₁
The contact 6R2 is closed and the solenoid WV ₂ of the water supply solenoid valve 32 is energized.
The water supply solenoid valve 32 is opened to supply water from the water supply pipe 33 to the water boiling tank 12, and when the water level in the measuring tube 35 communicated with the water boiling tank 12 rises to the measured water level LV ₃ , the water level detector Contact RS3 in 36
is closed, relay 3R is energized, and its B contact 3
By opening R1 and de-energizing the relay 6R, water supply to the water heating tank 12 is stopped. At this time, since the metered water level LV ₃ of the water boiling tank 12 is located slightly higher than the top of the hot water outlet pipe 28, the water in the water boiling tank 12 passes through the hot water outlet pipe 28 and flows from the sprinkler 29 to the extractor 25. Water starts to be sprinkled, and when the water level in the water boiling tank 12 reaches the suction end of the hot water outlet pipe 28 in this state, the siphon phenomenon is canceled and the watering stops, and a certain amount of water is poured out during this period.

By the way, if the water level in the water boiling tank 12 is lower than the dry heating prevention water level LV ₄ after water supply to the water boiling tank 12 is started, the water level detector 36 contact RS4 is in the closed state and the relay 4R is energized. Its B contact 4
Since R1 is open, the heater H (corresponding to the heater 24 in FIG. 1) is not energized and dry heating is prevented. When the water level in the water boiling tank 12 exceeds the dry heating prevention water level LV ₄ , the B contact 4R1 is closed, the relay 5R is energized via the contact TH1 of the temperature control device 23, and the A contact 5R1 is closed. energizes heater H, which causes water boiling tank 1
The cold water in 2 is controlled to be heated to a predetermined temperature, and when the predetermined heating temperature is reached, a hot water temperature indicator PL ₂ connected in parallel with the relay 5R can be turned off.

When extracting a large amount of hot water, turn on the capacity changeover switch SW ₂ to set it to the large capacity side, and then place the extractor 25 containing the filter 26 and the favorite raw material 27 directly under the sprinkler 29. After setting, press push button switch PB. By operating this push button switch PB, relay 6R is energized and A contact 6
It is self-held by R1, and the A contact 6R2 excites the solenoid WV ₂ to open the water supply solenoid valve 32.
From the water supply pipe 33 to the water boiling tank 12 via the water pipe 22
Cold water is supplied from the bottom side of the interior, and the upper layer of hot water with a lighter specific gravity is pushed up into the hot water storage cylinder 30. When the hot water level exceeds the top of the hot water outlet pipe 28, the hot water is transferred from the sprinkler 29 to the extractor 25 by a siphon effect. The taste material (for example, coffee powder) 27 and the filter 2 are
6, the coffee liquid flows down into the container 41, and at this time, at the same time as the hot water level exceeds the top of the tap pipe 28, the measuring water level detecting element RS3 in the water level detector 36 provided in the measuring cylinder 35 closes. The relay 3R is energized and its B contact 3R1 is opened.
The water supply is stopped by de-energizing the relay 6R and closing the water supply solenoid valve 32, but the hot water is supplied to the outlet pipe 2.
Hot water continues to be sprinkled from the water sprinkler 29 due to the siphon phenomenon of 8. The energization of the relay 3R closes the A contact 3R2, energizing the relay 7R, which is self-held by the A contact 7R1, and the A contact 7R2 energizes the solenoid WV ₃ to open the water solenoid valve 18. The electric motor of the pump 17 at the same time as the valve
The PM is rotated, and the water in the metering tank 11 is adjusted to a flow rate suitable for large-capacity extraction using the flow rate adjustment valve 19, and water is supplied to the bottom of the water boiling tank 12 from the conduit 21 through the water conduit 22. As a result, the hot water level in the hot water storage cylinder 30 further rises, and the flow rate through the hot water outlet pipe 28 and the pump 17 increase.
As a result, the water level in the metering tank 11 is raised to a level at which the flow rate obtained by sending the water into the water boiling tank 12 through the flow rate adjustment valve 19 and becomes stable. As a result, the head difference between the discharge end of the hot water tap 28 to which the water sprinkler 29 is attached and the liquid level in the hot water storage cylinder 30 becomes an almost constant value, and the water sprinkler 29 can stably spray hot water at the required flow rate. It will be done.

On the other hand, in the case of the measuring tank 11, when the water level drops due to water being sent to the water heating tank 12 by the pump 17 and reaches the lower limit water level LV ₂ by sending a predetermined amount of cold water, the lower limit water level of the water level detector 14 is detected. Element RS ₂ is closed, relay 2R is energized and its A contact 2
It is self-held by R1, the B contact 2R2 is opened, and the relay 7R is de-energized, whereby the motor PM of the pump 17 is stopped and the liquid level in the hot water storage cylinder 30 is lowered. At this time, even if the liquid level drops below the top of the hot water tap pipe 28, hot water continues to be dispensed due to the siphon phenomenon, and when the liquid level eventually reaches the suction end of the hot water tap pipe 28 in the water boiling tank 12, the siphon phenomenon is canceled and the hot water tap stops. do.

In this case, the amount of hot water sprinkled from the water sprinkler 29 varies from the upper limit water level LV ₁ to the lower limit water level, which is sent from the metering tank 11 to the water heating tank 12 by the pump 17.
This is the sum of the capacity up to LV ₂ and the volume from the top of the outlet pipe 28 to the suction end, which is sent out from the hot water tank 12 by the siphon effect of the outlet pipe 28 after the pump is stopped.

In addition, the temperature sensing part of the temperature control device 23 installed in the water boiling tank 12 is connected to the pump 17 from the metering tank 11.
The temperature of the hot water is raised to a predetermined temperature by sensing a drop in the hot water temperature due to the cold water sent in and starting energizing the heater 24. Further, when the water level in the measuring tank 11 decreases and the contact RS2 of the water level detector 14 is closed again,
Relay 2R is energized, and by closing its A contact 2R3, solenoid WV ₁ is energized and water supply solenoid valve 1 is activated.
5 is started, the water in the measuring tank 11 is replenished, and when the water level reaches the upper limit water level LV ₁ , the water level detection element RS1 is closed and the relay 1R is energized, so that the relay 2R is de-energized and the solenoid is activated.
WV ₁ is de-energized and the water supply solenoid valve 15 is closed to complete water replenishment.

Furthermore, when extracting a small volume of hot water, after turning off the capacity selector switch SW ₂ and setting it to the small capacity side, the same operation as described above is performed. Since this is done by siphoning, the hot water is dispensed at a flow rate suitable for small-volume extraction, thereby making it possible to extract high-quality coffee liquid.

By the way, in the device of the present invention, the temperature of the water in the water boiling tank 12 is controlled within a predetermined temperature range by the temperature control device 23, so that the water temperature reaches the maximum set temperature immediately after the heater 24 is energized. west,
As time passes, the water temperature decreases due to heat dissipation from the wall of the water boiling tank 12, and when it reaches the minimum set temperature, the heater 24 is energized again to raise the water temperature, and such a control operation is on standby. It has become possible to do it repeatedly.

In addition, in the embodiment of this invention described above,
It was configured so that the amount of hot water dispensed could be switched in two stages, large and small, but
By providing a water level detector that detects the lower limit water level in the measuring tank in multiple stages and switching this using a capacity changeover switch, it becomes possible to change the amount of hot water delivered in multiple stages. In addition, the flow rate adjustment valve installed in the pipe that sends cold water from the lightweight tank to the hot water tank by the pump is changed to multiple fixed adjustment valves with different flow rates, and these valves are linked to the capacity selector switch to create a water solenoid. The amount of hot water can be changed in multiple stages by switching the valves or by interlocking one variable adjustment valve with a capacity changeover switch to change the degree of throttling of the valve.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the amount of hot water sprinkled into the extractor is measured in the space inside the water boiling tank between the top of the hot water tap provided at the top of the hot water tank and the suction end of the hot water tap. Since it is accurately measured as the volume or the sum of this volume and the volume of cold water measured in the measuring tank, hot water at an appropriate temperature can be dispensed at an optimal flow rate depending on the amount of hot water. In addition, the measurement of hot water, which is carried out by filling the space inside the water boiling tank from the top of the hot water pipe to the suction end, and the flow rate of cold water in the measuring tank are both volumetric, and are not affected by the water supply pressure as in the past. , it is possible to always dispense the correct amount of hot water. Furthermore, since a pump is used to supply water from the metering tank to the water boiling tank, the discharge pressure of the pump remains constant once the flow rate is determined, so the flow rate of hot water can be adjusted by adjusting the flow rate adjustment valve to adjust the amount of beverage extracted. The flow rate is set to the optimum flow rate according to the situation and is kept constant.This allows extraction to take place at the optimum extraction time at all times. The hot water is stored in the space above the suction end of the upper tap pipe, and is used as part of the next taping process, so it has no effect on the measured value, and moreover, the metering is performed in the measuring tank. Since the extraction operation is performed using cold water, the time required to start hot water supply as an extraction operation is the time to fill the space inside the water boiling tank from the top of the hot water pipe at the top of the water boiling tank to the suction end. You can shorten the time it takes to start. Furthermore, since the pump sends cold water from the metering tank to the water heating tank, it does not require heat resistance.
Not only does this eliminate the disadvantages of conventional pump housings such as boiling, foaming, or large fluctuations in flow rate due to negative pressure, but the use of such a pump also allows the metering tank to be installed below the water heating tank. As a result, the floor area of the entire device can be reduced, and the height dimension can also be reduced, resulting in great effects such as being compact, stable, and having excellent operability.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of a beverage brewing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an electrical wiring diagram showing control operations. 11...Measuring tank, 12...Kettle tank, 14...
Water level detector, 15...Water supply solenoid valve, 16...Water supply pipe, 17...Pump, 19...Flow rate adjustment valve, 21
... Pipeline, 23 ... Temperature control device, 24 ... Heater, 28 ... Hot water tap, 28a ... Suction end, 28
b...discharge end, 28c...middle top, 30...hot water storage cylinder, 32...water supply solenoid valve, 33...water supply pipe, 3
6... Water level detector, LV ₁ ... Upper limit water level, LV ₂ ...
Lower limit water level, LV ₃ ... Upper limit water level, LV ₄ ... Lower limit water level.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Water supply electromagnetic valves that are controlled to open and close by the water level detection means are provided in the water supply route that leads water from the water supply source to the water boiling tank and the measuring tank, each of which is provided with a water level detection means, and water is supplied into the measurement tank. a pump that sends the cold water into the water boiling tank through a flow rate adjustment valve, and a hot water storage cylinder that communicates with the outside air and a hot water outlet pipe whose suction end faces the top of the water boiling tank,
The intermediate top part of the hot water outlet pipe is located higher than the upper surface of the water boiling tank and the discharge end thereof is located lower than the suction end, and the water temperature in the water boiling tank is heated and controlled by a temperature control device in the water boiling tank. On the other hand, when the upper limit water level is detected by the water level detection means provided in the water boiling tank, the water supply solenoid valve on the water supply route into the water boiling tank is closed, or the water supply solenoid valve is closed and the pump is closed. A switching control means is provided for switching between driving the pump to send the cold water in the measuring tank into the water heating tank and stopping the driving of the pump when a lower limit water level is detected by the water level detecting means in the measuring tank. A beverage extraction device characterized by: