JPS61143024A - Coffee brewer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention relates to a coffee brewer that can automatically extract delicious coffee liquid by dripping boiling water onto coffee grounds.

Conventional technology A conventional method for obtaining coffee liquid by dropping boiling water onto coffee grounds is to introduce water from the bottom of a water container into a heating pipe and heat it, producing steam due to partial nucleate boiling of the water in the heating pipe. There are drip-type systems that utilize water generation to raise the water and drip it onto the coffee grounds over a period of about 10 minutes, and there are also methods that place the coffee grounds below a water container with a heating element and a bimetallic temperature sensing valve to heat the hot water into coffee. There was a drip type that dripped hot water onto the powder.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In such conventional systems, the temperature of hot water initially discharged while containing cold water is low, and the temperature gradually rises to 86°C or less even when the hot water is completed, which is a low temperature characteristic. The problem is that it is difficult to eliminate variations in temperature sensing accuracy and the water supply temperature is not constant. It was not possible to satisfy the following conditions: 1) to sufficiently swell the coffee powder and to complete the extraction in a short time (say 3 to 4 minutes) to reduce extraction of defective components.

The present invention solves these problems by making sure that the hot water supplied to the coffee grounds has already been boiled, making the temperature at which it contacts the coffee grounds higher than the initial temperature, and shortening the time required to extract the coffee liquid. The purpose is to enable extraction of a rich and fragrant coffee liquid that can be completed in just 3 to 4 minutes, and to improve usability.

Means for Solving the Problem In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a water container having a filter case containing coffee powder, a heating element, and a water container that generates steam when the water in the water container is heated and boiled. A steam detection element for detecting steam; a hot water supply valve that opens for a certain period of time in conjunction with the movement of the steam detection element to supply water in the water container to the filter case; The heating element is equipped with a power supply switch that stops power supply to the heating element.

Function: With this configuration, hot water can be automatically supplied into the filter case, and the valve is automatically closed to stop the hot water supply, so the usability is greatly improved. In addition, the power supply to the heating element is automatically stopped, resulting in an efficient heating configuration and ensuring safety by preventing dry firing.

Furthermore, the hot water that is poured over the coffee grounds must be boiled once, and the temperature at which it contacts the coffee grounds is higher than the initial temperature, allowing the extraction of coffee liquid to be completed in a short time, resulting in a rich and aromatic coffee liquid. can be extracted.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

In the figure, (1) is a container body, and this container (1) includes a base (2) that is flat and approximately cylindrical, and a container part (3) located above and opposite to this base (2). ) and a pillar (4) that connects the container part (3) and the side surface of the base (2), and is surrounded by the container body (1) and has an approximately letter-shaped shape with the right side cut open. A storage section (5) is formed. (6
) is a cylindrical stainless steel water container attached above the container part (3), and a heating element (7) is provided on the stepped part of the bottom.
A hot water supply valve (8) is provided at a position apart from this heating element (7), and a water inlet (9) is formed in the upper part.
9) is covered with a lid (10).

(11) is a steam port provided on the side wall surface of the water container (6) above the specified water level. The hot water supply valve (8) has a valve body (13) attached to a valve 4iJ (12) that can be raised and lowered by a valve spring (
14) so that the valve is always closed, and the valve body (
12) rises against the force of the valve spring (14), the valve opens.

The water in the water container (6) is guided through a hot water supply pipe (15) to a hot water supply port (16) opened above the storage section (5). (17) is a removable hot water diffuser that is attached to the hot water inlet (16) together with the hot water inlet gasket (18), and when the valve is opened, the hot water guided to the hot water inlet (16) is sent to the hot water diffuser (17).
The molten metal is dispersed and poured. (19) is the hot water diffuser (1
7), and is placed on the upper surface of the cup (20), and has an extraction port (2) on the lower bottom surface.
1), a filter (22) for storing coffee powder is housed inside, and a case lid (24) with a pouring spout (23) is mounted on the top. The cup (20) has a handle (25) and can be freely attached to a cup placement part (2G) formed on the storage part (5) side of the base (2).

(27) and (28) are the base (
2) A heat-retaining heater and a thermostat for temperature control are provided inside, and (29) is a vector frame for the magnetic plug (30). (31) is the steam port (I) of the water container (6)
) is a substantially cylindrical steam detection tube that protrudes from the top surface of the support column (4) and is installed in parallel with the water container (6), with a steam port (11
) are provided with a plurality of opening holes (32) facing each other. Inside this opening hole (32), the steam detection tube (31
) is arranged with a vapor detection element (33). This vapor detection element (33) is normally pressurized and deformed by the spring force of a bias spring (34) arranged below, and is brought into close contact with the
When amnesticized at a certain temperature below 00℃, at a temperature of 100℃ it returns to its original elongated state with great restoring power, and conversely, when it is cooled below the amnestic temperature (e.g. room temperature), it loses its restoring power. The Ti-Ni or Cu-AQ-
It is a shape memory alloy formed by processing into the shape of a coiled spring, such as a Zn-based alloy. This extension movement of the vapor detection element (33) is transmitted to one end of a lower rotatable valve lever (36) by a lower sliding rod (35) which can be raised and lowered. At the upper end of the sliding rod (35) is a vapor detection tube (31) that passes through the vapor detection element (33).
) A sensing part (39) with markings, for example, is provided inside the guide hole (37) on the top surface in a watertight manner, and this sensing part (39) is made of glass fitted onto the top surface of the vapor detection tube (31). It is located in a dome (40) made of transparent resin material or the like. (41) is a waterproof gasket that fixes the peripheral edge and keeps the central portion of the sliding rod (35) airtight inside.

The valve lever (36) has a power supply switch (42) at one end that rotates when the sliding rod (35) is lowered to supply power to the heating element (7).
The other end has a protruding piece (43) that opens the valve stem (43) that protrudes from the diaphragm (44) of the hot water supply valve (8) via the fulcrum.
12) comes into contact with the lower end surface. (45) is the sliding rod (35
) is lowered and the valve lever (36) is rotated counterclockwise to open the hot water supply valve (8), and when the movable piece of the power supply switch (42) is pushed down by the protruding piece (43) and opened,
It is a spring-loaded locking lever that locks this movable piece and opens the power supply switch (42). (46) and (4
7) is a self-resetting power button and cut-off button provided on the upper part of the support column (4); when the power button (46) is pushed down, it is locked and stopped by a spring-loaded locking plate (48); At the same time, the power switch (49) is closed by the lower end protrusion (50). When the cut-off button (47) is pushed down, the locking plate (48) and the locking lever (45) are moved to release the locking state of the power button (46) and the power supply switch (42).
).

Figure 4 shows the electrical circuit diagram, (52) and (53) are 10
This is a power supply terminal connected to a 0V power supply, and corresponds to both contacts of the magnetic plug (30) in FIG. Power terminal (52
) is connected to the power switch (49), and the power terminal (5
3) between the insulating heater (27) and the thermostat (2).
8) series circuit and the power supply switch (42) which becomes a normally closed contact.
) through the heating element (7) and the safety thermometer (5) to prevent dry firing.
4) and the temperature fuse (55) are connected to the common contact (
56) (57).

Next, the operation of the first embodiment having the above configuration will be explained. First, coffee powder is put into the filter (22), and a predetermined amount of water is poured into the water container (6). Connect the magnetic plug (30) with one end inserted into an outlet to the vector frame (29), and press the power button (46) to turn on the power switch (
49) is closed, and the heating element (7) for boiling water and the heat-retaining heater (27) are energized. In this state, the power button (46) is locked and held below by the locking plate (48).

The water in the water container (6) is heated by the heating element (7) and its temperature rises. At around 100°C, steam is just coming out from the water surface, but as the heating progresses further and reaches the boiling point of 100°C. It turns into steam, and that steam is generated continuously. This steam is ejected from the steam port (11) of the water container (6) and hits the steam detection element (33) inside the opening hole (32) at the top of the steam detection tube (31) with force.

This phenomenon occurs only when the water in the water container (6) boils.
In addition, it utilizes the rapid pressure change due to the temperature of boiling vapor pressure, and the temperature of the vapor detection element (33) undergoes a rapid temperature rise change from the atmospheric temperature to 100°C (the second temperature change). 3 (a→b), the compressed coil spring-shaped shape memory alloy greatly expands against the force of the bias spring (34) to the state shown in FIG. 2 (A) to CB). The movement is caused by pushing down the sliding rod (35) and the valve lever (3).
6) Rotate counterclockwise. Then the valve lever (36
) pushes up the valve stem (12) against the valve spring (14) to open the hot water supply valve (8), and the boiling hot water in the water container (6) flows through the hot water supply valve (8) and the hot water supply valve (8). The hot water is dispersed by the hot water diffuser (17) through the pipe (15) and hot water inlet (16), and poured into the coffee grounds in the filter case (19). At the same time, the valve lever (36) is rotated counterclockwise so that the protruding piece (43) pushes open the movable piece of the normally closed power supply switch (42), and the valve lever (36) opens as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 1. When the locking lever (45) is released from the lower position, the power supply switch (
Since the movable piece of the power supply switch (42) is locked, the power supply switch (42) is locked.
) is opened and the heating element (7) is cut off, so the water container (6)
The heating inside stops. Moreover, the filter case (19)
The time for supplying hot water into the interior, that is, the time for brewing coffee, is determined by the hot water supply valve (8).
Waterway shape such as valve opening dimension and diameter of hot water pipe (15) = J-
The system is configured so that pouring is completed in 3 to 4 minutes by setting the method appropriately, and with this setting (shortening water rise time), conventional drip type increases power consumption, causes steam discharge phenomenon, and decreases efficiency. This is a relatively easy task compared to the previous extremely difficult task due to problems such as the heater life limit associated with this.

Follow? The hot water that is poured into the coffee powder can be poured from the beginning with high-temperature hot water that has already been boiled, and the coffee can be extracted for a short time of 3 to 4 minutes, which is not possible with conventional methods. You can extract a rich, fragrant, and delicious coffee liquid that was previously unavailable. The extracted coffee liquid flows through the spout (21) and accumulates in the cup (20), and is kept warm at a temperature suitable for drinking by the heat-retaining heater (27) and thermostat (28). On the other hand, the expanded steam detection element (33) is air-cooled by the atmosphere because heating in the water container (6) stops due to power cut-off of the power supply switch (42) and steam jetting from the steam port (11) stops. Naturally, the hot water supply valve (8) remains open until the hot water in the water container (6) is completely poured into the filter case (19), and during this time the steam detection element (33
) is set as the time required for the restoring force to occur above the transformation point (b in Figure 3).
(time from to d) The vapor detection element (33) extends and pushes down the valve lever (36), but when the temperature drops below the transformation point, the generated force suddenly disappears, so the bias spring (34) is pushed back and returns to the close contact state (point d in Figure 3). This valve opening time (time from b to c in Figure 3) depends on the shape (size, wall thickness, material) of the steam detection tube (31) and the shape of the opening hole (32) on the outside of the steam detection element (33). The cooling rate curve in the vapor detection element (33) and the transformation point temperature at which the vapor detection element (33) loses its restoring force are determined rationally, taking into account durable changes in characteristics, etc., and the valve is naturally opened. Time ≥ Hot water supply completion time (time from b to C in Figure 3). Therefore, with this configuration, the user does not have to close the valve each time when pouring water, and the valve automatically opens after hot water supply is completed. Does not require complicated operations, and
Unlike this configuration, there are those with a configuration that manually locks the valve open,
If the valve lever is configured to lock the valve open, the valve must be closed, and if water is accidentally poured when the valve is opened, the hot water may drip and moisten the coffee grounds, causing coffee extraction to fail or causing the cup (20) to become wet. If it is left behind, there will be a problem that the container (1) and the floor will get wet, but with a single configuration, these problems can be solved.6 However, with the above configuration as a countermeasure against erroneous water injection, the vapor detection element ( Since there is a risk of water leakage due to the time lag between the closing time of the valve 33) and the completion time of hot water supply due to water being poured too soon after the completion of hot water supply, in the single-tube configuration, this movement can be determined by the dome (40).

That is, the movement of the vapor detection element (33) is controlled by the transparent dome (
This can be determined by the lifting and lowering movement of the sensing part (39) with markings inside 40), and when it is going down, the valve is open, and when it is going up, it is closed. Therefore, by checking this operation, it is possible to determine whether the valve is open or closed, and the problem of incorrect water injection can be solved. In addition, the installation of the dome (40) further enhances the visual mood for the user, as the coffee extraction process is detected by the sensor, and the lifting and lowering movements of the dome (39) can be confirmed from the outside along with the above-mentioned steam jetting state. , the added value of the product has also been greatly increased. After use, when the cut-off button (47) is pressed down, the locking state of the power button (46) and power supply switch (42) is released and the power supply switch (49) is released, cutting off the power and supplying power. Switch (42) is closed.

As described above, the coffee boiler of this embodiment has a filter case (19) for storing coffee powder, a water container (6) having a heating element (7), and water in the water container (6) that heats and boils. A steam detection element (33) detects the steam that is generated, and a valve is opened for a certain period of time in conjunction with the movement of this steam detection element (33) to drain the water in the water container (6) to the filter case (19).
It is equipped with a hot water supply valve (8) that supplies hot water to the hot water supply valve (8), and a power supply switch (42) that stops power supply to the heating element (7) in conjunction with the operation of the hot water supply valve (8) to start supplying hot water. The hot water that is poured must be boiled, and the temperature at which it contacts the coffee grounds is higher than the initial temperature, and the time required to extract the coffee liquid can be completed in a short time, resulting in a rich and aromatic coffee liquid. Can be extracted. Also, the hot water valve (
In 8), the valve automatically opens to start hot water supply in conjunction with steam detection, and the valve automatically closes after hot water supply is completed, so the user does not need to close the valve, simplifying operability.

Moreover, this automatic valve closing solves problems such as water dripping even if water is accidentally poured, and greatly improves usability. Furthermore, a heating element (7) is activated in conjunction with the valve opening operation.
Since the power supply switch (42) to the water container (42) is cut off and further heating in the water container (6) is stopped, unnecessary heating in the water container (6) is stopped to ensure efficient heating efficiency and (6) We are trying to ensure safety by preventing dry firing inside. In addition, the configuration of the dome (40) including the sensing portion (39) allows for the enjoyment of checking the opening/closing operation of the hot water supply valve (8) and visually enjoying the coffee liquid extraction process. Furthermore, if the vapor detection element (33) is made of a shape memory alloy as in this embodiment, it can serve as both a vapor sensor and a driving force at the same time, so there is no sensing deviation, quality can be improved, and the component parts can be simplified. , the size and weight of the vessel body (1), including the vapor detection section, can be significantly reduced.

In this embodiment, the vapor detection element (33) is made of a shape memory alloy, but a liquid expansion thermometer that utilizes the expansion action of liquid, for example, may be used. Also, regarding the opening time of the hot water supply valve (8), for example, an electromagnetic magnet incorporating a timer element is arranged, and when the sliding rod (35) moves downward due to steam detection, an electric current is applied to the electromagnetic magnet placed below to stop the sliding. The valve opening time may be secured for a predetermined time by sucking a metal piece incorporated into the lower end of the moving rod (35) for a predetermined period of time, or other changes may be made as appropriate without departing from the gist of this embodiment. Of course it's okay to do so.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the conditions for extracting delicious coffee liquid are as follows. You can extract a rich, fragrant, and delicious coffee liquid by completing the extraction in a short time. In addition, since the opening and closing operations of the hot water supply valve can be performed automatically in conjunction with steam detection, there is no need to operate the valve from the outside each time.
This also solves the problem of water dripping if water is injected incorrectly without closing the valve, resulting in a significant improvement in ease of use.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, Fig. 2 (A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the main parts, and Fig. 3 is a temperature curve of a steam detection element and a hot water supply valve. and a graph showing the state of the power supply switch, and FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram. (6)...Water container, (7)...Heating element, (8)...
・Hot water valve, (19)...filter case, (33)
...Vapor detection element, (42) ... Power supply switch representative Yoshihiro Morimoto-14 Fig. 2 (A
(B) Figure 3 Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A filter case for storing coffee powder, a water container having a heating element, a steam detection element for detecting steam generated by heating and boiling water in the water container, and a steam detection element for detecting steam generated when water in the water container is heated and boiled. A hot water supply valve that opens for a certain period of time in conjunction with the movement to supply water in the water container to the filter case, and a power supply switch that stops energizing the heating element in conjunction with the start of hot water supply from the hot water supply valve. Equipped coffee brewer. 2. The coffee boiler according to claim 1, wherein the hot water supply valve is combined with a discriminating means that allows the hot water supply operation of the filter case to be confirmed from the outside.