KR102463321B1 - Baverage maker - Google Patents

Abstract

Beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, a fermenter assembly including a fermenter having an opening, and a fermenter cover opening and closing the opening; a main channel connected to the fermenter assembly; a water supply module including a water pump and connected to the main channel; Fermenter connection channel connected to the lower part of the fermenter assembly; a discharge valve connected to the fermenter connecting channel; And when cleaning the fermenter, it may include a controller for turning on the water pump.

Description

Beverage maker {BAVERAGE MAKER}

The present invention relates to a beverage maker, and more particularly, to a beverage maker having a fermenter.

Beverage is a generic term for drinkable liquids such as alcohol or tea. For example, beverages are divided into various categories such as water (drinks) to quench thirst, juice drinks with a unique flavor and taste, soft drinks that give a refreshing feeling, preference drinks that can be expected to have arousal effect, or alcoholic drinks with alcohol effects can be

A typical example of such a beverage is beer. Beer is an alcoholic beverage made from malt (malt) made from sprouting barley, filtered, added hops, and fermented with yeast.

Consumers can purchase ready-made products manufactured and sold by beer makers or drink house beer (or craft beer) made by fermenting beer ingredients at home or in a bar.

House beer can be manufactured in a variety of types rather than ready-made products, and can be manufactured according to consumer tastes.

The material for beer production may be water, malt, hops, yeast, flavor additives, and the like.

Yeast can be called yeast and can be added to the malt to ferment the malt and help produce alcohol and carbonic acid.

Flavor additives are additives that enhance the taste of beer, such as fruit, syrup, or vanilla beans.

Typically, house beer may include a total of three stages of a wort production step, a fermentation step, and a maturation step, and it may take about 2 to 3 weeks from the wort production step to the maturation step.

For house beer, it is important to maintain the optimum temperature during the fermentation stage, and the easier it is to manufacture, the more convenient the user can be.

Recently, a beverage maker that can easily produce house beer at home or a bar is gradually being used, and it is preferable that such a beverage maker safely and conveniently manufactures beer.

One problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a beverage maker that can keep the inside of the fermenter clean.

Beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, a fermenter assembly including a fermenter having an opening, and a fermenter cover for opening and closing the opening; a main channel connected to the fermenter assembly; a water supply module including a water pump and connected to the main channel; a fermenter connection channel connected to a lower portion of the fermenter assembly; a discharge valve connected to the fermenter connection channel; and a controller that turns on the water pump when cleaning the fermenter.

The beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a main valve that is installed in the main channel and opens and closes the main channel. The controller may open the main valve when cleaning the fermenter.

The controller may turn off the water pump and open the discharge valve when a preset time elapses after the water pump is turned on.

The beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an air injection pump connected to the main channel.

The controller may turn on the air injection pump when a predetermined time elapses after the discharge valve is opened.

The beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a material feeder connected to the main channel and formed with a material receiving portion. The main channel may include: a first main channel connecting the water supply module and the material feeder; a second main channel connecting the material feeder and the fermenter assembly; and a bypass channel connecting the first main channel and the second main channel by bypassing the material receiving unit.

A bypass valve for opening and closing the bypass channel may be installed in the bypass channel, and the controller may open the bypass valve when cleaning the fermenter.

Beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, a fermenter assembly including a fermenter having an opening, and a fermenter cover for opening and closing the opening; a steam generator for injecting steam into the fermenter; a fermenter connection channel connected to a lower portion of the fermenter assembly; a discharge valve connected to the fermenter connection channel; and a controller for turning on the steam generator when cleaning the fermenter.

The controller may turn off the steam generator and open the discharge valve when a preset time elapses after the steam generator is turned on.

The beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a steam injection channel connecting the steam generator and the fermenter assembly.

Beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, beverage maker further comprising a main channel connected to the fermenter assembly.

Beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, the main channel connected to the fermenter assembly; and a steam injection channel connecting the main channel and the steam generator.

The beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a main valve that is installed in the main channel and opens and closes the main channel. The steam injection channel may be connected between the main valve and the fermenter assembly among the main channels.

The controller may close the main valve when cleaning the fermenter.

The beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an air injection pump connected to the main channel and the air injection channel.

The controller may turn off the steam generator, open the discharge valve, and turn on the air injection pump when a preset time elapses after the steam generator is turned on.

The beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a material feeder connected to the main channel and formed with a material receiving portion. The main channel may include a first main channel to which the air injection channel is connected; a second main channel connecting the material feeder and the fermenter assembly; and a bypass channel connecting the first main channel and the second main channel by bypassing the material receiving unit.

A bypass valve for opening and closing the bypass channel may be installed in the bypass channel, and the controller may open the bypass valve when cleaning the fermenter.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inside of the fermenter may be cleaned by water or steam. Thereby, the inside of the fermenter can be kept clean.

In addition, since the cleaning of the fermenter can be performed by utilizing the water supply module required for beverage production, a configuration for cleaning is unnecessary. Thereby, the production cost can be reduced and the beverage maker can be kept compact.

In addition, since the fermenter connection channel and the connection channel can be used as a drain channel, there is an advantage that water that has been sterilized and washed can be automatically drained.

In addition, it is possible to wash and sterilize the fermenter using a steam generator. Thereby, uniform sterilization and washing in the fermenter are possible, and a separate residual water treatment is unnecessary, so that the user's convenience can be improved.

In addition, the inside of the fermenter that has been cleaned may be dried by the air injected by the air injector. Thereby, the moisture inside the fermenter can be removed and the inside of the fermenter can be kept more clean.

1 is a block diagram of a beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of the beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a front view showing the inside of the beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the dispenser of the beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of a beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a view showing the flow of water during the water supply process during the cleaning step of the fermenter of the beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a view showing the flow of water during the drainage process during the cleaning step of the fermenter of the beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a view showing the flow of air during the drying process during the cleaning step of the fermenter of the beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a block diagram of a beverage maker according to another embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a block diagram of a beverage maker according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with drawings.

Hereinafter, although beer is exemplified as a beverage manufactured using a beverage maker in the present specification, the type of beverage that can be manufactured using the beverage maker is not limited to beer, and various types of beverages are used in the embodiment of the present invention. It can be prepared through a beverage maker according to the.

1 is a block diagram of a beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The beverage maker may include a fermenter assembly 1 in which a space S1 for manufacturing a beverage is formed therein, as shown in FIG. 1 .

The beverage maker may further include a main channel 2 connected to the fermenter assembly 1 . The main channel 2 may supply water or various materials necessary for beverage manufacturing to the space S1 of the fermenter assembly 1 .

The beverage maker may further include a material feeder 3 connected to the main channel 2 and accommodating the capsules C1 , C2 and C3 .

The beverage maker may further include a water supply module 5 for supplying water to the main channel 2 .

The beverage maker may further include a beverage ejector 6 for dispensing beverages to the outside. The beverage dispensing machine 6 may further include a beverage dispensing channel 61 connected to the main channel 2 . The beverage inside the fermenter assembly 1 may flow into the main channel 2 , and may flow through a portion of the main channel 2 to the beverage outlet channel 61 .

The beverage maker may include a gas discharger 7 for discharging the gas in the fermentation container 12 to the outside. The fermentation container 12 will be described later in detail.

The beverage maker may further include an air injector 8 for injecting air into the main channel 2 .

A space S1 in which the fermentation container 12 in which the beverage is manufactured is accommodated may be formed in the fermenter assembly 1 .

The fermenter assembly 1 includes a fermenter 112 having an opening 111 formed therein; It may include a fermenter cover 114 for opening and closing the opening 111. The space S1 in which the fermentation container 12 is accommodated may be formed in the fermenter 112 .

The beverage maker may further include a main channel connection part 115 formed in the fermenter assembly 1 . The main channel 2 may be connected to the main channel connection unit 115 .

The fermenter 112 may be composed of a combination of a plurality of members.

The fermenter cover 114 is to seal the inside of the fermenter 112 , and may be disposed on the upper portion of the fermenter 112 to cover the opening 111 . A main channel connection part 115 connected to the main channel 2 may be formed in the fermenter cover 114 .

The fermentation container 12 may be a container provided separately so that the beverage material and the finished beverage do not stick to the inner wall of the fermentation tank 112 . The fermentation container 12 may be detachably provided in the fermenter 112 . The fermentation container 12 may be seated inside the fermenter assembly 1 to ferment the beverage inside the fermenter assembly 1 , and after use is completed, may be withdrawn to the outside of the fermenter 112 .

The fermentation container 12 may be a pack in which the ingredients for beverage production are accommodated therein. Fermentation container 12 may be formed smaller than the space (S1) formed in the interior of the fermenter assembly (1). Fermentation container 12 may be accommodated by being inserted into the fermenter 1 in a state in which the material is accommodated therein. The fermentation container 12 may be inserted into the fermenter 112 and accommodated in the fermenter 112 while the opening 111 of the fermenter 112 is opened. The fermenter cover 114 may cover the opening 111 of the fermenter 112 after the fermentation container 12 is inserted into the fermenter 112 . Fermentation container 12 may help the fermentation of materials in a state accommodated in the space S1 closed by the fermenter 112 and the fermenter cover 114 . The fermentation container 12 may be inflated by the pressure therein while the preparation of the beverage is in progress. The fermentation container 12 may be compressed by the air inside the fermenter 112 when the beverage contained therein is taken out and air is supplied between the fermenter 112 and the fermentation container 12 .

On the other hand, in the case of manufacturing beer using a beverage maker, materials for manufacturing beer may include water, malt, yeast, hops, flavor additives, and the like.

The beverage maker may include both the material feeder 3 and the fermentation container 12 , and the material for beverage production may be dispersedly accommodated in the material feeder 3 and the fermentation container 12 . Fermentation container 12 may accommodate some of the ingredients for beverage production, and the material feeder 3 may accommodate the remaining ingredients. The remaining material accommodated in the material feeder 3 may be supplied to the fermentation container 12 together with the water supplied from the water supply module 5, and may be mixed with some of the materials accommodated in the fermentation container 12. .

The fermentation container 12 may contain a main material essential for beverage production, and the material feeder 3 may contain additives added to the main material. In this case, the additive accommodated in the material feeder 3 may be mixed with the water supplied from the water supply module 5 and supplied to the fermentation container 12 , and may be mixed with the main material accommodated in the fermentation container 12 . can

The main material accommodated in the fermentation container 12 may be a material with a higher capacity than other materials. For example, in the case of beer production, the main ingredient may be malt, yeast, hops, or malt among flavor additives. In addition, the additive accommodated in the material feeder 3 may be a material other than malt among materials for beer production, and may be yeast, hops, flavor additives, and the like.

The beverage maker does not include the material feeder 3 , but may include a fermentation container 12 , in which case the fermentation container 12 may contain the main material, and the user may directly apply the additive to the fermentation container 12 . can be put in

When the beverage maker includes both the material feeder 3 and the fermentation container 12, it is possible to manufacture a beverage more conveniently, and hereinafter, for convenience, an example including both the material feeder 3 and the fermentation container 12 Explain. However, of course, the present invention is not limited to including both the material feeder 3 and the fermentation container 12 .

The material in the fermentation container 12 may be fermented over time, and the beverage manufactured in the fermentation container 12 may flow to the main channel 2 through the main channel connection part 115, and the main channel In (2), it flows to the beverage ejector 6 and may be ejected to the beverage ejector 6 .

The beverage maker may further include a thermostat for changing the temperature of the fermenter assembly 1 . The thermostat is to heat or cool the fermenter assembly 1, and may adjust the temperature of the fermenter assembly 1 to an optimum temperature for beverage fermentation.

The temperature controller may include a compressor 131, a condenser 132, an expansion mechanism 133, and a refrigeration cycle device 13 having an evaporator 134, any one of the condenser and the evaporator is a fermenter assembly ( 1) can be placed.

When the condenser 132 is disposed to be in contact with the fermenter 112 , the refrigeration cycle device 13 may heat the fermenter 112 to adjust the temperature of the fermenter 112 . In this case, the condenser 132 may be disposed to be in contact with the outer surface of the fermenter 112 . The condenser 132 may include a condensing tube wound around the outer surface of the fermenter 112 .

When the evaporator 134 is placed in contact with the fermenter 112 , the refrigeration cycle device 13 may cool the fermenter 112 to adjust the temperature of the fermenter 112 . In this case, the evaporator 134 may be disposed in contact with the outer surface of the fermenter 112 . The evaporator 134 may include an evaporation tube wound around the outer surface of the fermenter 112 . The evaporation tube may be accommodated between the fermenter 112 and the heat insulating wall 102 (see FIGS. 3 and 4 ), and may cool the inside of the heat insulating space S2 insulated by the heat insulating wall 102 .

The thermostat may further include a heater 14 for heating the fermenter assembly 1 . The heater 14 may be installed in contact with the outer surface of the fermenter 112 and may be configured as a heating heater that generates heat when power is applied. The heater 14 may be configured as a line heater, and may be wound on the outer surface of the fermenter 112 .

The refrigeration cycle device 13 may be configured as a heat pump. The refrigeration cycle device 13 may include a channel switching valve (not shown). The channel selector valve may be configured as a four-way valve. The channel switching valve may be connected to the suction channel of the compressor 131 and the discharge channel of the compressor 131, respectively, may be connected to the condenser 132 and the condenser connection channel, and may be connected to the evaporator 134 and the evaporator connection channel. .

The channel switching valve may guide the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 131 to the condenser 132 when the fermenter 112 is cooled, and guide the refrigerant leaked from the evaporator 134 to the compressor 131 .

The channel switching valve may guide the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 131 to the evaporator 134 when the fermenter 112 is heated, and also guide the refrigerant leaked from the condenser 132 to the compressor 131 .

One end of the main channel 2 may be connected to the water supply module 5 , and the other end may be connected to the main channel connection part 115 formed in the fermenter assembly 1 .

The material feeder 3 can be connected to the main channel 2 . Water from the main channel 2 may flow into the material feeder 3 and flow through the material feeder 3 .

The material supply 3 may be accommodated in the material required for beverage production, the water supplied from the water supply module 5 may be configured to pass. For example, when the beverage manufactured in the beverage maker is beer, the material accommodated in the material feeder 3 may be yeast, hops, flavor additives, or the like.

The material accommodated in the material feeder 3 may be directly received in a material receiver formed in the material feeder 3 . At least one material receiver may be formed in the material feeder 3 . A plurality of material accommodating portions may be formed in the material feeder 3, and in this case, a plurality of material accommodating portions may be formed to be partitioned from each other.

On the other hand, the material accommodated in the material feeder 3 may be accommodated in the capsule, the material feeder 3 may be formed with at least one capsule receiving portion in which the capsule is accommodated. When the material is accommodated in the capsule, the material feeder 3 may be configured to allow seating and withdrawal of the capsule, and the material feeder 3 may be configured as a capsule kit assembly in which the capsule is detachably accommodated.

Water supplied from the water supply module 5 to the main channel 2 may be mixed with the material while passing through the material receiving unit or capsule, and the material accommodated in the material receiving unit or capsule may be mixed with the water in the main channel 2 can be moved to

In the material feeder 3, a plurality of additives of different types may be accommodated separately from each other. For example, a plurality of additives accommodated in the material feeder 3 during the production of beer may be yeast, hops, and flavor additives, and these may be received separately from each other.

When a plurality of material receiving portions are formed in the material feeder 3, each of the plurality of material receiving portions may be connected to the main channel 2 and the material feeder inlet channel, and may be connected to the main channel 2 and the material feeder outlet channel. have.

When a plurality of capsule receiving portions are formed in the material feeder 3, each of the plurality of capsule receiving portions may be connected to the main channel 2 and the material feeder inlet channel, and may be connected to the main channel 2 and the material feeder outlet channel. have.

The material receiver of the material feeder 3 and the capsule receiver of the material feeder 3 may have substantially the same construction. When the capsule is inserted into the material feeder 3 in a state in which the material is accommodated in the capsule, it may be referred to as a capsule receiver, and when the material is directly accommodated in the material feeder 3 in a state where the material is not contained in the capsule, it may be referred to as a material receiver. have. Since the material accommodating part and the capsule accommodating part have substantially the same configuration, it will be hereinafter described that the capsule accommodating part is formed in the material feeder 3 for convenience of description.

The material feeder 3 is formed with a capsule receiving portion in which the capsule containing the additive is removably accommodated, and may be connected to the main channel 2 and the material feeder inlet channel, and may be connected to the main channel 2 and the material feeder outlet channel. have.

The material feeder inlet channel may be provided with an on/off valve for opening and closing the material feeder inlet channel.

A check valve may be installed in the material feeder outlet channel to prevent water or air from flowing back into the capsule receiver through the material feeder outlet channel.

The material feeder 3 may be formed with a plurality of capsule accommodating portions 31, 32, 33, and a plurality of capsule accommodating portions 31, 32, 33 may be formed separately from each other. The plurality of capsule receiving portions 31 , 32 , 33 may be connected to their respective material feeder inlet channels and their respective material feeder outlet channels.

Hereinafter, the material feeder 3 may contain a first additive, a second additive, and a third additive. The first additive may be yeast, the second additive may be hops, and the third additive may be a flavor additive.

The material feeder 3 includes a first capsule accommodating part 31 in which the first capsule (C1) containing the first additive is accommodated, and a second capsule accommodating part in which the second capsule (C2) in which the second additive is accommodated is accommodated ( 32) and a third capsule containing the third additive (C3) is accommodated may include a third capsule receiving portion (33).

A first material feeder inlet channel 311 for guiding water or air to the first capsule accommodating part 31 may be connected to the first capsule accommodating part 31, and water flowing out from the first capsule accommodating part 31 may be connected. , a mixture of water and the first additive, and a first material feeder outlet channel 312 through which air is guided may be connected. A first on/off valve 313 for opening and closing the first material feeder inlet channel 311 may be installed in the first material feeder inlet channel 311 . In the first material feeder outlet channel 312 , the fluid in the first capsule receiving part 31 flows to the main channel 2 while the fluid flows through the first material feeder outlet channel 312 to the first capsule receiving part 31 ), a first check valve 314 to prevent backflow may be installed. Here, the fluid may be water leaked from the first capsule receiving part 31, a mixture of water and the first additive, and air.

A second material feeder inlet channel 321 for guiding water or air to the second capsule accommodating part 32 may be connected to the second capsule accommodating part 32, and the water flowing out from the second capsule accommodating part 32 may be connected. , a mixture of water and the second additive, and a second material feeder outlet channel 322 through which air is guided can be connected. A second on/off valve 323 for opening and closing the second material feeder inlet channel 321 may be installed in the second material feeder inlet channel 321 . In the second material feeder outlet channel 322 , the fluid in the second capsule receiving portion 32 flows to the main channel 2 while the fluid flows through the second material feeder outlet channel 322 to the second capsule receiving portion 32 ), a second check valve 324 to prevent backflow may be installed. Here, the fluid may be water leaked from the second capsule receiving part 32, a mixture of water and the second additive, and air.

A third material feeder inlet channel 331 for guiding water or air to the third capsule accommodating part 33 may be connected to the third capsule accommodating part 33, and the water flowing out from the third capsule accommodating part 33 may be connected. , a mixture of water and a third additive, and a third material feeder outlet channel 332 through which air is guided may be connected. A third on/off valve 333 for opening and closing the third material feeder inlet channel 331 may be installed in the third material feeder inlet channel 331 . In the third material feeder outlet channel 332 , the fluid in the third capsule receiving part 33 flows to the main channel 2 while the fluid flows through the third material feeder outlet channel 332 to the third capsule receiving part 33 ), a third check valve 334 to prevent backflow may be installed. Here, the fluid may be water, a mixture of water and a third additive, and air leaked from the third capsule accommodating part 33 .

The main channel 2 is a first main channel 2A positioned before the material feeder 3 in the water or air flow direction, and the material in the water or air flow direction, when the beverage maker includes the material feeder 3 . It may include a second main channel (2B) located after the feeder (3).

The main channel 2 may further include a bypass channel 2C connecting the first main channel 2A and the second main channel 2B and allowing water or air to bypass the material feeder 3 .

Here, the first main channel 2A may be a water supply channel connected to the water supply module 5 , and the second main channel 2B may be a fermenter assembly connection channel connected to the fermenter assembly 1 . And, the bypass channel (2C) may be configured so that water or air bypasses the material feeder 3 while connecting the water supply channel and the fermenter assembly connection channel.

The main channel 2 may be configured as a single channel when the beverage maker does not include the ingredient feeder 3 , and when the beverage maker includes the ingredient feeder 3 , the first main channel 2A and , a second main channel 2B and a bypass channel 2C.

The bypass channel (2C) may be connected in parallel with the channel of the first capsule accommodating part 31, the channel of the second capsule accommodating part 32, and the channel of the third capsule accommodating part 33, respectively.

A bypass valve 35 for opening and closing the bypass channel 2C may be installed in the bypass channel 2C.

The first main channel 2A may be connected to each of the first material feeder inlet channel 311 , the second material feeder inlet channel 321 , the third material feeder inlet channel 331 , and the bypass channel 2C, respectively. have. The first main channel 2A has a common pipe connected to the water supply module 5, a common pipe branching from the common pipe, a first material feeder inlet channel 311, a second material feeder inlet channel 321, and a third material feeder It may include an inlet channel 331 and a bypass channel 2C and a plurality of branch pipes connected thereto.

The second main channel 2B may be connected to each of the first material feeder outlet channel 312 , the second material feeder outlet channel 322 , the third material feeder outlet channel 332 and the bypass channel 2C, respectively. have. The second main channel 2B includes a common pipe connected to the fermenter assembly 1 , a first material feeder outlet channel 312 , a second material feeder outlet channel 322 , and a third material feeder outlet channel 332 . And it may include a plurality of laminated pipe connecting the bypass channel (2C) with the common pipe.

Water or air supplied to the first main channel (2A) may bypass the bypass channel (2C) by passing through the capsule accommodating parts (31, 32, 33) when the bypass valve (35) is closed, , may flow to the second main channel 2B.

Conversely, when the on-off valves 311, 321, 331 are closed, the water or air supplied to the first main channel 2A passes through the bypass channel 2C to receive the capsules 31, 32 ( 33) may be bypassed, and may flow to the second main channel 2B.

The water supply module 5 includes a water tank 51 containing water; a water supply pump 52 for pumping water in the water tank 51; It may include a water heater 53 that heats the water pumped by the water pump 52 .

A water tank outlet channel 54 may be connected to the water tank 51 , and the water supply pump 52 may be connected to the water tank outlet water channel 54 .

The feed water pump outlet channel 55 may be connected to the feed water pump 52 , and the feed water heater 53 may be connected to the feed water pump outlet channel 55 .

A flow meter 56 for measuring the flow rate of the feed water pump outlet channel 55 may be installed in the feed water pump outlet channel 55 .

The water supply heater 53 may be a mold heater, and the inside thereof includes a heater case through which water pumped from the water supply pump 52 passes, and a heating heater installed inside the heater case to heat the water flowing into the heater case. can do. The water heater 53 may be provided with a thermistor 57 that measures the temperature of the water heater 53 . In addition, a thermal fuse 53a (thermal fuse) may be installed in the water supply heater 53 to cut off the circuit when the temperature is high to block the current applied to the water supply heater 53 .

When the feed water pump 52 is driven, the water in the water tank 51 may be guided to the water heater 53 through the water tank outlet channel 54 , the feed water pump 52 , and the feed water pump outlet channel 55 , The water guided to the heater 53 may be heated in the water supply heater 53 and then guided to the main channel 2 .

On the other hand, the water supply module (5) does not include the water tank (51), the water pump (52), and the water heater (53), and is directly connected to the faucet or connected to the faucet through a separate connection hose to supply water to the main channel (2). It is possible to include a water supply pipe leading to the

The water supply module 5 does not include the water tank 51 and the water pump 52, but is directly connected to the faucet or is connected to the faucet with a separate connection hose to guide water to the main channel 2, and to the water supply pipe Of course, it is also possible to include the installed water heater 53.

The beverage dispenser 6 may be connected to the main channel 2 . The beverage dispenser 6 may include a beverage dispensing channel 61 that is connected to the main channel 2 to guide the beverage of the main channel 2 . The beverage dispenser 6 may further include a dispenser 62 connected to the beverage dispensing channel 61 .

The beverage outlet channel 61 may be connected between the water supply module 5 and the fermenter assembly 1 of the main channel 2 .

The beverage outlet channel 61 may be connected between the material feeder 3 of the main channel 2 and the fermenter assembly 1 .

The beverage dispensing channel 61 may be connected to the second main channel 2B.

The beverage dispensing channel 61 may be provided with a foam blocking part 63, an anti-foaming path, and the foam of the beverage flowing from the main channel 2 to the beverage dispensing channel 61 is minimized while passing through the bubble blocking path. can be The bubble blocking part 63 may be provided with a mesh (Mesh), etc. through which the bubbles are filtered.

The dispenser 62 may include a lever operated by the user, and a tap valve having a limit switch 630 (Micro Switch, see FIG. 5) for detecting the user's operation.

The gas exhauster 7 includes a gas outlet channel 71 connected to the fermenter assembly 1, a pressure sensor 72 installed in the gas outlet channel 71, and a pressure sensor in the gas outlet direction to the gas outlet channel 71 ( 72) may include a gas opening/closing valve 73 installed later. The gas discharger 7 may further include an air filter 74 through which the gas passing through the gas opening/closing valve 73 passes.

The gas outlet channel 71 may be connected to the fermenter assembly 1 , in particular, the fermenter cover 114 . In the fermenter assembly 1 , a gas outlet channel connection part 121 to which the gas outlet channel 71 is connected may be formed. The gas outlet channel connection part 121 may be provided on the fermenter cover 114 .

The gas in the fermentation container 12 may flow to the gas outlet channel 71 and the pressure sensor 72 through the gas outlet channel connection part 121 , and the pressure sensor 72 takes out the gas in the fermentation container 12 . The pressure of the gas leaked into the gas outlet channel 71 through the channel connection part 121 may be sensed.

The gas opening/closing valve 73 may be turned on and opened when air is injected into the interior of the fermentation container 12 by the air injector 8 . The beverage maker may inject air into the fermentation container 12 to evenly mix malt and water, and at this time, the bubbles generated in the liquid malt are generated from the gas outlet channel 71 and gas opening/closing at the upper part of the fermentation container 12 . It may be discharged to the outside through the valve (73).

The gas opening/closing valve 73 may be turned on and opened to detect the degree of fermentation during the fermentation process and then turned off and closed again.

The pressure sensor 72 , the gas opening/closing valve 73 , and the air filter 74 may be sequentially disposed in the gas discharge channel 71 in the gas discharge direction.

The gas discharger 7 may further include a gas discharge relief valve 75 provided in the gas discharge channel 71 . The gas discharge relief valve 75 may be installed before the pressure sensor 72 in the gas discharge direction among the gas discharge channels 71 .

The air injector 8 may be connected to the main channel 2 to inject air into the main channel 2 .

The air injector 8 may be connected before the material feeder 3 in the water flow direction, and in this case, air may be injected into the material feeder 3 through the main channel 2 . The air inlet 8 may be connected to the first main channel 2A. Air injected from the air injector 8 into the main channel 2 may be injected into the fermentation container 12 after passing through the material feeder 3 . Air injected from the air injector 8 into the main channel 2 may be injected into the fermentation container 12 by bypassing the material feeder 3 .

The air injector 8 may inject air into the capsule accommodating parts 31, 32 and 33 through the main channel 2, and the capsule (C1) (C2) (C3) or the capsule accommodating part 31 Residual water or debris in (32) (33) may flow into the main channel (2) by the air injected by the air injector (8). The capsules (C1), (C2) and (C3) and the capsule accommodating parts 31, 32, and 33 can be kept clean by the air injected by the air injector (8).

The air injector 8 may include an air injection channel 81 connected to the main channel 2 , and an air injection pump 82 for pumping air into the air injection channel 81 .

The air injection channel 81 may be connected between the water supply module 5 and the material feeder 3 in the water flow direction.

The air injection channel 81 may be connected to the first main channel 2A of the main channels 2 .

The air injector 8 may further include a check valve 83 for preventing the water of the main channel 2 from flowing into the air injection pump 82 through the air injection channel 81 . The check valve 83 may be installed after the air injection pump 82 in the air injection direction.

The air injector 8 may further include an air filter 84 connected to the air injection channel 81 and installed before the air injection pump 82 in the air injection direction.

When the air injection pump 82 is driven, dust and the like may be filtered out of the external air by the air filter 84 , and the air passing through the air filter 84 is flowed by the air injection pump 82 to the main It can flow into the channel (2).

On the other hand, the beverage maker may further include a main valve 9 for opening and closing the main channel (2).

The main channel 2 may include a first connection part 91 connected to the beverage dispensing channel 61 and a second connection part 92 connected to the main channel connection part 115 formed in the fermenter assembly 1 .

The main valve 9 may be installed between the first connection part 91 and the second connection part 92 .

The main valve 9 may be opened when water is supplied to the fermentation container 12 to open the main channel 2 . The main valve 9 may be closed while cooling the fermenter assembly 1 to close the main channel 2 . The main valve 9 may be opened when injecting air into the fermentation container 12 to open the main channel 2 . The main valve 9 may be opened when the additive is supplied into the fermentation container 12 to open the main channel 2 . The main valve 9 may be closed while the fermentation of the material is in progress to seal the inside of the fermentation container 12 . The main valve 9 may be closed during aging and storage of the beverage to seal the inside of the fermentation container 12 . The main valve 9 is opened when the beverage is taken out by the beverage dispenser 6 to open the main channel 2, and the beverage in the fermentation container 12 passes through the main valve 9 to the beverage dispensing channel ( 61) can flow.

On the other hand, the beverage maker may include an air regulator 15 for supplying air to the inside of the fermenter assembly (1) or exhausting the air inside the fermenter assembly (1).

The air regulator 15 may supply air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 inner wall of the outside air or exhaust the air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 inner wall to the outside.

The air regulator 15 includes an air pump 152 and a fermenter connection channel 154 connecting the air pump 152 and the inside of the fermenter assembly 1; It is connected to the fermenter connection channel 154 and includes a discharge valve 156 for exhausting air to the outside.

The beverage maker may further include an air relief valve 158 connected between the connection portion 154F of the fermenter connection channel 154 and the discharge channel 157 and the fermenter assembly 1 .

The air pump 152 and the fermenter connection channel 154 may function as an air supply for supplying air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter assembly 1 .

The fermenter connection channel 154 and the discharge valve 156 may function as an air exhaust passage for exhausting air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter assembly 1 to the outside.

The fermenter connection channel 154 may be connected to the fermenter 112 to supply air between the fermenter 112 and the fermentation container 12 .

The fermenter connection channel 154 may have one end connected to the air pump 152 and the other end connected to the fermenter 112 .

In a state in which the fermentation container 12 is accommodated in the fermenter assembly 1, the air pump 152 and the fermenter connection channel 154 may supply air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter assembly 1, As such, the air supplied into the fermenter assembly 1 may press the fermentation container 12 between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 .

The beverage in the fermentation container 12 can be pressurized by the fermentation container 12 pressed by air, and when the main valve 9 and the dispenser 62 are opened, the beverage passes through the main channel connection part 115 to the main channel ( 2) can flow. The beverage flowing from the fermentation container 12 to the main channel 2 may be taken out through the beverage ejector 6 .

When beverage production is completed, the beverage maker does not take out the fermentation container 12 to the outside of the fermenter assembly 1, but places the beverage in the fermentation container 12 inside the fermenter assembly 1 into the beverage ejector ( 6) can be taken out.

The air pump 152 may supply air so that a predetermined pressure is formed between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 , and the beverage in the fermentation container 12 is taken out between the pack 112 and the fermenter 112 . This easy pressure can be built up.

The air pump 152 may remain in an off state while beverage dispensing is in progress, and when beverage dispensing is finished, the air pump 152 may be driven and stopped for the next beverage dispensing.

The discharge valve 156 may be located outside the fermenter assembly 1 , and may be connected to a portion located outside the fermenter 112 of the fermenter connection channel 154 .

The discharge valve 156 may be connected to the discharge channel 157 to the fermenter connection channel 154 .

The fermenter connection channel 154 is a first channel from the air pump 152 to the connection part 154F on the basis of the connection part 154F to which the discharge channel 157 is connected, and the exit end 154E from the connection part 154F, 4) up to and including the second channel. The first channel may be an air supply channel for guiding the air pumped by the air pump 152 to the second channel. And, the second channel supplies air that has passed through the air supply channel between the fermenter 112 and the fermentation container 12, or guides the air leaked between the fermenter 112 and the fermentation container 12 to the discharge channel 157. It may be a channel for both supply and exhaust.

The discharge valve 156 may be opened so that air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 is exhausted to the outside when the fermentation container 12 is expanded during beverage preparation. The discharge valve 156 may be controlled to open when water is supplied by the water supply module 5 . The discharge valve 156 may be controlled to open when air is injected by the air injector 8 .

The discharge valve 156 may be opened to release air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 when the beverage extraction in the fermentation container 12 is completed. The user may take out the fermentation container 12 to the outside of the fermenter 112 after the beverage extraction is completed, because when the inside of the fermenter 112 maintains a high pressure, a safety accident may occur. The discharge valve 156 may be controlled to open when the beverage dispensing of the fermentation container 12 is completed.

The fermenter assembly 1 may be provided with a temperature sensor 16 for measuring the temperature of the fermenter assembly 1 . The temperature sensor 16 may measure the temperature of the fermenter 112 and transmit a temperature value to the controller 109 (refer to FIG. 3 ) to be described later.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of the beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a beverage according to an embodiment of the present invention It is a front view showing the inside of the manufacturing machine.

The beverage maker may further include a base 100 . The base 100 may constitute the outer appearance of the bottom surface of the beverage maker, and the fermenter assembly 1, the compressor 131, the feed water heater 53, the feed water pump 52, the water tank 51, etc. located on the upper side thereof can support

The beverage maker may further include a beverage container 101 that can receive and store the beverage dropped from the dispenser 62 . The beverage container 101 may be integrally formed with the base 100 or coupled to the base 100 .

The beverage container 101 may include a container body 101A having a space in which the beverage dropped from the dispenser 62 is accommodated therein. The beverage container 101 may include a container top plate 101B disposed on the upper surface of the container body 101A to cover the space in the container body 101A.

The container body 101A may be formed to protrude in the forward direction from the front part of the base 100 . The container body 101A may have an open top surface.

A hole 101C through which the beverage falls into the container body 101A may be formed in the container top plate 101B.

Among the beverages dropped from the dispenser 62, the beverages that have fallen around the beverage container (not shown) may fall to the container top plate 101B, and the beverage container 101 through the hole 101C of the container top plate 101B. It can be temporarily stored in the beverage maker, and can be kept clean around the beverage maker.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fermenter 112 is a lower fermenter 112A with an open upper surface and a space formed therein, and an upper fermenter disposed on the upper side of the lower fermenter 112A and having an opening 111 on the upper surface ( 112B).

The fermenter 112 may be provided with a seat portion 116 on which the fermentation container 12 is seated. The seat portion 116 may be provided to protrude from the opening 111 , and the fermentation container 12 may be mounted on the periphery of the seat portion 116 .

The beverage maker may include an insulating wall 102 that encloses the fermenter 112 and the evaporator 134 together.

The insulating wall 102 may be formed of expanded polystyrene, etc., which has high thermal insulation performance and can absorb vibration.

The heat insulating wall 102 may have a heat insulating wall opening 103 formed therein, and a heat insulating space S2 may be formed therein.

The heat insulating wall 102 may be composed of a combination of a plurality of members. The heat insulating wall 102 is an upper heat insulating wall 102A with an open upper surface and a space formed therein, and an upper heat insulating wall 102B disposed on the lower heat insulating wall 102A and having a heat insulating wall opening 103 on the upper surface. may include.

The insulating wall 102 having the lower insulating wall 102A and the upper insulating wall 102B may surround the circumferential surface and the lower surface of the fermenter 112 .

The insulating wall opening 103 of the insulating wall 102 may surround the upper portion of the fermenter 112 . The insulating wall opening 103 of the insulating wall 102 may surround the outer surface of the portion in which the opening 113 of the fermenter 112 is formed.

The inner surface of the heat insulation wall 102 may have a larger diameter than the outer surface of the fermenter 112 , and a gap may be formed between the inner surface 102C of the heat insulation wall 102 and the outer surface 112C of the fermenter 112 . This gap may be filled with air, and the air between the inner surface 102C of the insulating wall 102 and the outer surface 112C of the fermenter 112 may insulate the fermenter 112 . The gap between the inner surface 102C of the insulating wall 102 and the outer surface 112C of the fermenter 112 may be a space in which the evaporator 134 is accommodated and at the same time a space capable of minimizing the temperature change of the fermenter 112. .

The insulation wall 102 may include a lower plate portion 102D, the fermenter 112 may be seated on the upper surface 102E of the lower plate portion 102D, and the insulation wall 102 supports the fermenter 112 . can do.

The heat insulating wall 102 may be mounted on the heat insulating wall supporter 100A in which the bottom surface 102F of the lower plate portion 102D is formed on the upper surface of the base 100 .

The heat insulation wall 102 may be formed with a fermenter connection channel through-hole 102G through which the fermenter connection channel 154 penetrates in the lower plate portion 102D. A portion of the fermenter connection channel 154 may be introduced into the insulating wall 102 and may be connected to the fermenter 112 .

A fermenter connection channel insertion hole 112E into which a portion of the fermenter connection channel 154 is inserted may be formed in the fermenter 112 , and the fermenter connection channel 154 is an outlet for supplying air to the inside of the insulation tank 112 . stage 154E may be included. The exit end of the fermenter connection channel 154 may communicate with the space S1 of the heat insulating tank 112 .

On the other hand, the evaporator 134 may be an evaporation tube wound around the outer surface of the fermenter 112 to be positioned in such a gap. The evaporator 134 may be in contact with each of the outer surface 112C of the fermenter 112 and the inner surface 102C of the thermal insulation wall 102 . The evaporator 134 may be supported on the insulating wall 102 .

The evaporator 134 may include an extension tube (not shown) extending outside the heat insulating wall 102 through an evaporation tube through hole (not shown) formed in the heat insulating wall 102 .

The beverage maker may include a peripheral surface of the insulating wall 102 and an insulating wall cover 104 , 105 surrounding the upper surface of the insulating wall 102 .

The insulating wall cover 104, 105 may be configured as a single cover, and may be configured as a combination of a plurality of covers.

The heat insulating wall cover 104, 105 has an open lower surface and a lower heat insulating wall cover 104 that surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the heat insulating wall 102, and is disposed on the upper heat insulating wall cover 104 and the heat insulating wall ( It may include an upper insulating wall cover 105 that covers the upper surface of the 102).

The lower insulating wall cover 104 may have a lower portion mounted on the base 100 .

The upper insulating wall cover 105 may have a lower portion mounted on the upper end of the lower insulating wall cover 104 .

The insulating wall cover 104 , 105 may protect the insulating wall 102 , and may form part of the exterior of the beverage maker.

The heat insulating wall cover 104 , 105 may surround the entire circumferential surface of the heat insulating wall 102 , and may surround only a portion of the circumferential surface of the heat insulating wall 102 .

The heat insulating wall covers 104 and 105 may have side openings formed on the surface facing the water tank 51 . The extension tube of the evaporator 134 may be disposed to pass through the side opening. The extension tube of the evaporator 134 may pass through the side openings of the heat insulating wall covers 104 and 105 to extend into the receiving space S5 to be described later shown in FIG. 4 .

Meanwhile, the water tank 51 may be spaced apart from the base 100 on the upper side of the base 100 . The water tank 51 may be spaced apart from the base 100 in a vertical direction. A space S3 in which at least one of the compressor 131 , the water heater 53 , and the water pump 52 can be accommodated may be formed between the water tank 51 and the base 100 . In addition, the water tank 51 may be spaced apart from the insulating wall 102 in a horizontal direction.

The beverage maker may include a water tank supporter 106 for supporting the water tank 51 to be spaced apart from the base 100 . The water tank supporter 106 may be disposed on the base 100 , and may support the water tank 51 on the upper side of the base 100 to be spaced apart from the base 100 . The lower end of the water tank supporter 106 may be placed on the base 100 , and the water tank 51 may be placed on the upper portion thereof.

The tank supporter 106 may be coupled to a plurality of supporter members in a hollow cylindrical shape as a whole. The tank supporter 106 may have a side opening formed on the surface facing the heat insulating wall 102 .

The water tank 51 may include an outer water tank 58 and an inner water tank 59 that is accommodated in the outer water tank 58 and has a space S4 in which water is accommodated.

The outer water tank 58 may be placed on the upper portion of the water tank supporter 106 , and the lower surface thereof may be spaced apart from the upper surface of the base 100 , and between the outer water tank 58 and the base 100 .

A space S3 in which at least one of the compressor 131 , the water heater 53 , and the water pump 52 can be accommodated may be formed.

The outer water tank 58 may have a container shape with an open upper surface, and surround the outer circumferential surface and the lower surface of the inner water tank 59 positioned therein to protect the inner water tank 59 .

The inner water tank 59 may be inserted into the outer water tank 58 and may be supported by the outer water tank 58 .

The beverage maker may further include a water tank protector 107 disposed above the outer water tank 58 to surround the upper outer circumferential surface of the inner water tank 59 . The water tank protector 107 may be disposed to surround the entire or part of the upper outer circumferential surface of the inner water tank 59 . The tank protector 107 may be coupled to a plurality of protector members in a ring shape.

The beverage maker may further include a water tank lid 108 coupled to the water tank 51 or the water tank protector 107 to cover the upper surface of the water tank 51 . One side of the water tank lid 108 may be rotatably connected to the water tank 51 or the water tank protector 107 . The water tank lid 108 may be detachably seated on the upper surface of the water tank 51 or the water tank protector 107 .

Meanwhile, at least one of the compressor 131 , the water heater 53 , and the water pump 52 may be disposed between the base 100 and the water tank 51 .

The condenser 132 may be disposed between the insulating wall 101 and the water tank 51 and facing at least one of the insulating wall 101 .

The material feeder 3 may be disposed between the fermenter cover 114 and the water tank 51 . In this case, the beverage maker can be manufactured more compactly than when the material feeder 3 is located other than between the fermenter cover 114 and the water tank 51 , and the material feeder 3 includes the fermenter cover 114 and the water tank (51) can be protected.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the material feeder 3 may have one side mounted on the outer water tank 58 and the other side mounted on the insulating wall covers 104 and 105 . The material feeder 3 may be spaced apart from the base 100 in the vertical direction on the upper side of the base 100 .

The material feeder 3 includes a capsule accommodating body 36 formed with a capsule accommodating part in which the capsules C1, C2, and C3 shown in FIG. 1 are removably accommodated, and a lid module 37 covering the capsule accommodating part. can do.

The capsule receiving body 36 may be supported by the outer water tank 58 by being seated on a seating portion formed in the outer water tank 58, on one side of the left plate and the right plate facing the water tank 51 .

Capsule receiving body 36, the other side plate facing the fermenter cover 114 of the left and right plates can be seated on the insulating wall covers 104 and 105, and supported by the insulating wall covers 104 and 105 can be

The lid module 37 may include a lid 38 covering the capsule receiving body 36 . The lid 38 may be slidably disposed or rotatably connected to the capsule receiving body 36 . The lid 38 may be hingedly connected to the capsule receiving body 36 .

The material feeder 3 may be installed to be positioned approximately in the upper center of the beverage maker, and the user rotates the lead module 37 of the material feeder 3 upward to facilitate the capsules C1, C2, and C3. It can be easily installed and removed.

Beverage maker may be formed with a receiving space (S5) that can accommodate a number of parts. Here, the accommodation space S5 may be a space between the heat insulating wall 102 and the water tank 51 in the left and right directions and between the material feeder 3 and the base 100 in the vertical direction.

It is preferable that the beverage maker is accommodated in a plurality of parts in this accommodation space (S5), and in this case, the beverage maker may be compact. A plurality of components accommodated in this accommodation space (S5) are surrounded by the insulating wall 102, the water tank 51, the base 100, the material feeder 3, the condenser 132, and the center cover 66 to be described later to protect it. can be

The on-off valves 313, 323, 333 are installed in the material feeder inlet channels 311, 321, 331 shown in FIG. 1 to open and close the material feeder inlet channels 311, 321, 331 As shown in 4, it may be located below the capsule receiving body (36).

The on-off valves 313 , 323 , and 333 may be installed on a bracket 64 (see FIG. 3 ) installed on the base 100 .

The bracket 64 may be disposed to be positioned next to the insulating wall 102 , and the on/off valves 313 , 323 , 333 are disposed between the insulating wall 102 and the water tank 51 by the bracket 64 . It can be installed positionally. The opening/closing valves 313 , 323 , and 333 may be located between the insulating wall 102 and the water tank 51 in the left and right directions, and may be located between the material feeders 3 in the vertical direction.

The beverage maker may further include a center cover 66 covering the front of the on/off valves 313, 323, 333.

The center cover 66 blocks between the lower insulating wall cover 104 and the water tank supporter 106 in the left and right directions, and the material feeder 3 and the base 100 in the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 2 . can be placed. The center cover 66 may face the condenser 132 in the front-rear direction on its rear surface, and may protect a plurality of components.

In addition, the material feeder 3 may have its front part mounted on the top of the center cover 66 , and the material feeder 3 may be supported by the center cover 66 .

Meanwhile, the dispenser 62 may be mounted on the center cover 66 . The dispenser 62 may be mounted to the center cover 66 to protrude in the forward direction. The dispenser 62 may be mounted on the center cover 66 to be positioned on the upper side of the beverage container 101 .

The beverage maker may include a controller 109 that controls the beverage maker.

The controller 109 may include a main PCB 109C.

The controller 109 may further include a wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates with a wireless communication device such as a remote control or a mobile terminal. The wireless communication device, such as a Wi-Fi module and a Bluetooth module, may be installed without being limited to the type as long as it can communicate wirelessly with a remote control or a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device may be installed in the main PCB 100C or a display PCB to be described later.

The controller 109 may include an input unit for receiving a command related to the manufacture of the beverage maker. The input unit may include a rotary knob 109A and a rotary switch 109B switched by the rotary knob 109A. A knob hole 106A through which the rotary knob 109A is rotatably penetrated may be formed at one side of the water tank supporter 106 . The rotary knob 109A may be disposed such that at least a part thereof is exposed to the outside. The rotary switch 109B may be installed in the main PCB 109C. The input unit may include a touch screen that receives a user's command through a touch method. The touch screen may be provided on the display 109D, which will be described later. The user may input a command through a remote control or a wireless communication device, and the controller 109 may receive the user's command through a wireless communication device, of course.

The controller 109 may include a display 109D for displaying various information of the beverage maker. The display 109D may include a display device such as an LCD, an LED, or an OLED. The display 109D may include a display PCB on which a display element is installed. The display PCB may be mounted on the main PCB 109C or may be connected to the main PCB 109C through a separate connector.

The controller 109 may sense the pressure inside the fermentation container 12 by the pressure sensor 72 , and may detect the temperature of the fermenter assembly 1 by the temperature sensor 16 (see FIG. 1 ). The controller 109 may determine the degree of fermentation of the beverage using the pressure or temperature sensed in this way.

The controller 109 may integrate at least one of a time when the limit switch 630, which will be described later, is on, a time when the air pump 152 is driven, and a time when the main valve 9 is on after the beverage preparation is completed. The controller 109 may calculate the amount of the beverage taken out from the beverage production fermentation container 12 according to the time accumulated in this way. The controller 109 may calculate the remaining amount of the beverage from the amount of beverage taken out thus calculated. The controller 109 may determine whether all beverages in the beverage production fermentation container 12 have been taken out from the calculated residual amount information of the beverage. When it is determined that all beverages in the beverage production fermentation container 12 have been taken out, the controller 109 may determine that beverage extraction is complete. The controller 109 may display information such as the amount of the beverage taken out, the remaining amount of the beverage, or the completion of dispensing of the beverage through the display 109D.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the dispenser of the beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The dispenser 62 includes a dispenser body 600 having a dispenser channel 611 connected to the beverage dispensing channel 61 shown in FIG. 1; a lifting valve body 610 which is discharged to be lifted from the dispenser body 600 and opens and closes the dispenser channel 611; It is rotatably connected to the upper part of the lifting valve body 610 and includes a rotary lever 620 for lifting and lowering the lifting valve body 610 during a rotation operation, and a limit switch 630 switched by the lifting valve body 610 . can do. The dispenser 62 may further include a valve spring 640 embedded in the dispenser body 600 to elastically press the lifting valve body 610 in a downward direction.

The dispenser body 600 may be mounted on the center cover 66 shown in FIG. 2 . The dispenser channel 611 may include a horizontal channel 612 elongated in the front-rear direction along the dispenser body 600 , and a vertical channel 613 formed to be bent downward from the front end of the horizontal channel 612 . The beverage guided to the beverage outlet channel 61 shown in FIG. 1 sequentially passes through the horizontal channel 612 and the vertical channel 613 when the horizontal channel 612 is opened and then falls to the lower side of the vertical channel 613. can be The dispenser body 600 may include a horizontal portion having a horizontal channel 612 formed therein, and a vertical portion formed perpendicular to the horizontal portion and having a vertical channel 613 formed therein.

The lifting valve body 610 may be arranged to be raised and lowered in the dispenser channel 611 , particularly the vertical channel 613 . The lifting valve body 610 may be lowered to a height blocking the horizontal channel 612 , and may be raised to a height opening the horizontal channel 612 . The lifting valve body 610 may be disposed so that an upper portion thereof protrudes toward the upper side of the dispenser body 600 . An operation protrusion 614 for contacting the limit switch 630 when the lift valve body 610 is raised may protrude.

The rotary lever 620 may be hinged 621 connected to the upper portion of the lifting valve body 610 , and may be erected in a vertical direction or laid down horizontally while connected to the lifting valve body 610 .

When the rotary lever 620 is laid down horizontally, the lift valve body 610 is raised to open the horizontal channel 612, and when the rotary lever 620 is vertically erected, the lift valve body 610 is It can be lowered to close the horizontal channel (612).

The limit switch 630 may be connected to the controller 109 shown in FIG. 3 , and the controller 109 may control the beverage maker according to the on and off of the limit switch 630 .

The valve spring 640 may be disposed above the vertical portion of the dispenser body 600 to elastically press the lifting valve body 610 downward.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of a beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The operation of the beverage maker of this embodiment will be described as follows.

The beverage maker of this embodiment may include a channel cleaning step of cleaning and/or sterilizing the channel therein. The channel cleaning step may be performed separately from the beverage preparation step.

Preferably, the channel cleaning step is performed prior to the implementation of the beverage preparation step. However, the channel cleaning step may be performed after the beverage preparation step.

In addition, the channel cleaning step can be performed by a user input in the middle of the beverage manufacturing step, in this case, as in the first fermentation step or the second fermentation step to be described later, the main valve 9 is closed, and the material feeder It can be carried out while no additives are contained in (3).

The channel cleaning step may be carried out in a state in which the capsules C1, C2, and C3 are not accommodated in the material feeder 3, and the beverage manufacturing step is performed in the material feeder 3 with the capsules C1 and C2. (C3) is accommodated and may be carried out in a state in which the fermentation container 12 is accommodated inside the fermenter 112.

In the channel cleaning step ( S100 ), washing and sterilization by hot water may be performed.

A user may input a cleaning command through an input unit provided in the controller 109, a remote control, a mobile terminal, or the like. The controller 109 may control the beverage maker to the channel cleaning step S100 according to the input of the cleaning command.

After opening the dispenser 62 , the user may input a cleaning command through an input unit, a remote control, or a mobile terminal.

When the limit switch 630 of the dispenser 62 is on and a cleaning command is input through an input unit, a remote control, or a mobile terminal, the controller 109 may turn on the water pump 52 and the water heater 53, The bypass valve 35 and the first, second, third, and on-off valves 313, 323, and 333 may be turned on. At this time, the controller 109 may maintain the main valve 9 in a closed state. When the bypass valve 35 is turned on and the first, second, third, on-off valves 313, 323, and 333 are turned on, the bypass valve 35 and the first, second, third, on-off valves ( 313, 323, 333 can all be open.

When the feed water pump 52 is turned on, the water in the water tank 51 may flow to the feed water heater 53 and be heated in the feed water heater 53 . The water (ie, hot water) heated by the water heater 53 is transmitted through the first main channel 2A through the first capsule receiving part 31, the second capsule receiving part 32, and the third capsule receiving part. (33) and can flow into the bypass channel (2C). After the water heated by the water heater 53 passes through the main channel 2, the first capsule accommodating part 31, the second capsule accommodating part 32, and the third capsule accommodating part 33 It may flow into the beverage dispensing channel 61 and may be discharged through the dispenser 62 .

During the control as described above, the beverage maker has a main channel (2), a bypass valve (35), a first capsule receiving part (31), a second capsule receiving part (32), and a third capsule receiving part (33) , the beverage outlet channel 61 and the dispenser 62 may be washed and sterilized by the water heated by the water heater 53 .

The beverage maker may perform washing and sterilization by hot water as described above for a cleaning set time, and after the set cleaning time, the channel cleaning step (S100) may be completed. The controller 109 may turn off the water pump 52 and the water heater 53 after the set cleaning time has elapsed, and the bypass valve 35 and the first, second, third, on-off valves 313 and 323 may be turned off. ) and 333 can all be turned off. When the bypass valve 35 and the first, second, and third on-off valves 313, 323, and 333 are off, the bypass valve 35 and the first, second, third, on-off valve 313 Both (323) and (333) can be closed.

When the channel cleaning step S100 is completed, the user may close the dispenser 62 .

On the other hand, during the channel cleaning step (S100), the controller 109 does not turn on the water supply heater 53 and maintains the off state, so as to perform only cleaning with room temperature or low temperature water without performing sterilization by hot water. It is possible.

And, the beverage maker of this embodiment may include a beverage manufacturing step of manufacturing a beverage.

Hereinafter, the beverage manufacturing step will be described.

The user may open the fermenter cover 114 and insert the fermentation container 12 into the fermenter 12 for the beverage manufacturing step to be seated in the fermenter 12 . Thereafter, the user may close the fermenter cover 114 , and the fermentation container 12 may be accommodated and stored in the fermenter 112 and the fermenter cover 114 . In this case, the inside of the fermenter 112 may be closed by the fermenter cover 114 .

Then, the user inserts a plurality of capsules (C1) (C2) (C3) into the material feeder (3) before and after the seating of the fermentation container (12), and then a plurality of capsule receiving parts (31) with the lead module (37) (32) and (33) can be covered.

A user may input a beverage preparation command through an input unit provided in the controller 109, a remote control, a mobile terminal, or the like. The controller 109 may control the beverage maker to the beverage preparation step according to the input of the beverage preparation command.

The controller 109 may initiate a water supply step (S200) of supplying water to the fermentation container 12 during the beverage manufacturing step. The water supply step (S200) may be a liquid malt forming step in which the malt in the fermentation container 12 is evenly mixed with hot water to form liquid malt.

The controller 109 may turn on the water pump 52 and the water heater 53 during the water supply step S200, turn on the bypass valve 35, and turn on the main valve 9. . The controller 109 may open the main valve 9 by turning on the main valve 9 which is in an off state. The controller 109 may keep the first on-off valve 313, the second on-off valve 323, and the third on-off valve 333 off during the water supply step (S200). On the other hand, the controller 109 may turn on the gas discharge valve 73 when water is supplied to the fermentation container 12 . In addition, the controller 109 may control the air control valve 156 to be opened by turning on the air control valve 156 .

Water in the water tank 51 may be discharged from the water tank 51 and may pass through the feed water pump 52 , may flow to the water feed heater 53 and be heated by the water feed heater 53 . The water heated by the feed water heater 53 may pass through the main channel 2 and the bypass valve 35 , and may pass through the main valve 9 and be introduced into the fermentation container 12 . The hot water introduced into the fermentation container 12 through the main channel 2 may be mixed with the malt accommodated in the fermentation container 12, and the malt in the fermentation container 12 may be mixed with water and gradually diluted. . On the other hand, since hot water is supplied to the fermentation container 12, the malt accommodated in the fermentation container 12 can be quickly and evenly mixed with the hot water.

Fermentation container 12 can be gradually expanded when water is introduced as described above, and air between fermentation container 12 and fermenter 112 is partially transferred to fermenter connection channel 154 as fermentation container 12 is expanded. It may flow, and the air flowing into the fermenter connection channel 154 may be exhausted to the discharge valve 156 .

While water is introduced into the fermentation container 12, some of the air filled between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 may be exhausted through the discharge valve 156, and the fermentation container 12 may be discharged from the fermenter ( 112) Water can be supplied without breaking or tearing from the inside.

On the other hand, in the water supply step (S200) as described above, it is preferable that the water heater 53 heats the water to 50 ° C. to 70 ° C., and the controller 109 according to the temperature sensed by the thermistor 57. 53) can be controlled.

The beverage maker may perform the water supply step (S200) as described above until the quantity detected by the flow meter 56 reaches the set flow rate, and when the quantity detected by the flow meter 56 reaches the set flow rate, the water supply step (S200) may be completed. Upon completion of the water supply step ( S200 ), the controller 109 may turn off the water pump 52 and the water heater 53 , and may turn off the bypass valve 35 . The controller 109 may turn off the gas discharge valve 73 upon completion of the water supply step S200 . The controller 109 may control the closing of the discharge valve 156 upon completion of the water supply step S200 .

On the other hand, the beverage maker may be controlled so that air is introduced into the interior of the fermentation container 12 during the water supply step (S200) as described above.

The controller 109 first introduces water into the inside of the fermentation container 12 and then stops, then injects air into the inside of the fermentation container 12 and then stops, and finally into the inside of the fermentation container 12 . It is possible to stop the secondary inflow of hot water, and it is also possible to complete the water supply step (S200) after sequentially completing all of these primary water inflows, air injections, and secondary water inflows.

An example of the water supply step (S200) may be performed only the hot water supply process for supplying hot water.

Another example of the water supply step (S300) is to sequentially perform a first hot water supply process for supplying hot water, an air injection process for injecting air, and a second hot water supply process for injecting hot water secondarily. .

First, as an example of the water supply step ( S200 ), a case in which the water supply step ( S200 ) performs only the hot water supply process will be first described as follows.

The controller 109 may turn on the water pump 52 and the water heater 53 at the start of the hot water supply process, may turn on the bypass valve 35 , and may turn on the main valve 9 . . The controller 109 may turn on the gas discharge valve 73 at the start of the hot water supply process. The controller 109 may turn on the discharge valve 156 at the start of the hot water supply process.

In addition, the controller 109 may turn off the water supply pump 52 and the water supply heater 53 when the hot water supply process is completed, and may turn off the bypass valve 35 . The controller 109 may turn off the gas discharge valve 73 upon completion of the hot water supply process. The controller 109 may turn off the discharge valve 156 upon completion of the hot water supply process.

Hereinafter, as another example of the water supply step ( S200 ), a case in which the water supply step ( S200 ) sequentially performs the first hot water supply process, the air injection process, and the second hot water supply process will be described as follows.

At the start of the first hot water supply process, the controller 109 may turn on the water pump 52 and the water heater 53, turn on the bypass valve 35, and turn on the main valve 9. can The controller 109 may turn on the gas discharge valve 73 at the start of the first hot water supply process. The controller 109 may turn on the discharge valve 156 at the start of the first hot water supply process.

In addition, the controller 109 may turn off the water supply pump 52 and the water supply heater 53 upon completion of the first hot water supply process. The controller 109 may maintain the ON state of the bypass valve 35 and the main valve 9 upon completion of the primary hot water supply process. The controller 109 may maintain the on state of the gas discharge valve 73 upon completion of the first hot water supply process. The controller 109 may maintain the on state of the discharge valve 156 upon completion of the primary hot water supply process. During the first hot water supply process, water may be introduced into the fermentation container 12 , and the fermentation container 12 may be expanded by the incoming water, and between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 . Some of the air may be pushed to the fermentation container 12 to be expanded and flow to the fermenter connection channel 154 , and may be exhausted to the outside through the discharge valve 156 .

The controller 109 may turn on the air injection pump 82 at the start of the air injection process. While the air injection pump 82 is on, the air pumped by the air injection pump 82 may be introduced into the main channel 2 through the air injection channel 81, and the fermentation container through the main valve 9 (12) can be introduced. As such, the air introduced into the fermentation container 12 collides with the liquid malt to help the malt and hot water more evenly mix (Mixing).

As air flows into the fermentation container 12 , the fermentation container 12 may be inflated, and some of the air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 is pushed to the fermentation container 12 to be expanded, thereby connecting the fermenter. It may flow into the channel 154 and may be exhausted to the outside through the discharge valve 156 .

When the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 72 is equal to or greater than the set pressure, the controller 109 may complete the air injection process, and may turn off the air injection pump 82 to complete the air injection process. When the air injection process is completed, the controller 109 may turn on the main valve 9 , the bypass valve 35 , the gas discharge valve 73 , and the discharge valve 156 .

The controller 109 may turn on the water supply pump 52 and the water supply heater 53 at the start of the secondary hot water supply process. The water in the water tank 51 may be supplied to the fermentation container 12 as in the first hot water supply process, and new hot water may be additionally supplied to the fermentation container 12 .

During the secondary hot water supply as described above, the fermentation container 12 may be further expanded by the additionally introduced water, and some of the air remaining between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 is inflated. It may flow to the fermenter connection channel 154 by being pushed by (12), and may be exhausted to the outside through the discharge valve 156.

The controller 109 may determine the completion of the secondary hot water supply process according to the flow rate detected by the flow meter 56 in the middle of the secondary hot water supply process. When the flow rate sensed by the flow meter 56 reaches the set flow rate in the middle of the secondary hot water supply process, the controller 109 determines that the secondary hot water supply process is complete, and operates the feed water pump 52 and the water heater 53. By turning off, the main valve 9, the bypass valve 35, and the gas discharge valve 73 can be turned off. And, the controller 109 may control the closing by turning off the discharge valve 156 so that the air in the fermenter 112 is not exhausted through the discharge valve 156 .

On the other hand, the beverage maker may perform a fermenter cooling step (S300) of cooling the fermenter 112 when the water supply step (S200) is completed.

The controller 109 may control the compressor 131 and the expansion mechanism 133 of the refrigeration cycle device 13 for cooling the fermenter 112 . The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 131 may be expanded by the expansion mechanism 133 after being condensed in the condenser 132 . The refrigerant expanded by the expansion mechanism 133 may take heat from the fermenter 112 while passing through the evaporator 134 and be evaporated. The refrigerant passing through the evaporator 134 may be sucked into the compressor 131 . When the compressor 131 is driven, the fermenter 112 may be gradually cooled, and the fermentation container 12 accommodated in the fermenter 112 and the liquid malt accommodated in the fermentation container 12 may be cooled.

When cooling the fermenter 112 as described above, the beverage maker may cool the fermentation container 12 to a medium temperature, for example, 23 ° C. to 27 ° C., and the controller 109 is a temperature sensor installed in the fermenter 112 ( 16), the compressor 131 may be controlled according to the detected temperature. The controller 109 may turn on the compressor 131 when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 16 exceeds the compressor on temperature. The controller 109 may turn off the compressor 131 when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 16 is equal to or less than the compressor off temperature.

The controller 109 may keep the discharge valve 156 closed during the fermenter cooling step (S300), and the air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 is discharged to the outside through the discharge valve 156. It does not go out, and the air inside the fermenter 112 can be cooled quickly.

The beverage maker mixes liquid malt by supplying air into the fermentation container 12 when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 16 is below the compressor-off temperature at least once after the fermenter cooling step (S300) as described above is started. A mixing step (S400) may be performed.

Even in the middle of the mixing step (S400), the beverage maker may turn on and off the compressor 131 according to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 16, and the on and off control of the compressor 131 is an additive to be described later. It may be continued until the input steps (S500) (S600) (S700) are completed.

The controller 109 may turn on the air injection pump 82 , and may turn on the bypass valve 35 , the main valve 9 , and the gas discharge valve 73 . The controller 109 may open the discharge valve 156 .

While the air injection pump 82 is on, the air pumped by the air injection pump 82 may be introduced into the main channel 2 through the air injection channel 81, and then the main channel 2 and the main valve It may be introduced into the fermentation container 12 through (9). As such, the air introduced into the fermentation container 12 collides with the liquid malt to help the malt and water mix more evenly, and the air that collides with the liquid malt may supply oxygen to the liquid malt.

While air is injected into the fermentation container 12 , the fermentation container 12 may be inflated by the air injected into the fermentation container 12 , and some of the air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 . may be pushed to the expanded fermentation container 12 and flow into the fermenter connection channel 154 , and may be exhausted to the outside through the discharge valve 156 .

As some of the air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 is exhausted through the fermenter connection channel 154 and the discharge valve 156, the fermentation container 12 can be easily expanded, and the main channel ( The air of 2) can be quickly introduced into the fermentation container 12 and mixed with the liquid malt.

The controller 109 turns on the air injection pump 82 and can mix air with the liquid malt for a mixing set time (for example, 1 hour), and the air injection pump 82 turns on and the mixing set time elapses. When this occurs, the air injection pump 82 may be turned off, and the bypass valve 35 and the gas extraction valve 73 may be turned off. The controller 109 may control the closing of the discharge valve 156 when the air injection pump 82 is turned off. That is, the beverage maker may complete the mixing step (S400) when the mixing set time has elapsed.

The beverage maker may perform an additive input step (S500) (S600) (S700) after the mixing step (S400).

In the additive input step (S500) (S600) (S700), the beverage maker simultaneously or sequentially adds the additive of the first capsule (C1), the additive of the second capsule (C2), and the additive of the third capsule (C3). can be put in

The controller 109 sequentially performs the additive input process (S500) of the first capsule (C1), the additive input process (S600) of the second capsule (C2), and the additive input process (S700) of the third capsule (C3) can be carried out with

The controller 109 controls the feed water pump 52, the main valve 9, the first on/off valve 313, and the gas discharge valve 73 during the additive input process (S500) of the first capsule (C1). 1 It can be turned on for the set time of the additive. When the water supply pump 52 is turned on, the water in the water tank 51 may pass through the water supply pump 52 and then through the water heater 53 and may be introduced into the first capsule C1. The water introduced into the first capsule (C1) may be mixed with the additive contained in the first capsule (C1), and may flow into the main channel (2) together with the additive contained in the first capsule (C1), It may be introduced into the fermentation container 12 through the main channel (2). When the first additive set time has elapsed, the controller 109 may turn off the water pump 52 and the first on/off valve 313, and complete the additive input process (S500) of the first capsule (C1). can

The controller 109 may turn on the feed water pump 52 and the second on/off valve 323 for a second additive set time during the additive input process (S600) of the second capsule C2. When the water supply pump 52 is turned on, the water in the water tank 51 may pass through the water supply pump 52 and then through the water heater 53 and may be introduced into the second capsule C2. The water introduced into the second capsule (C2) may be mixed with the additive contained in the second capsule (C2), and may flow into the main channel (2) together with the additive contained in the second capsule (C2), It may be introduced into the fermentation container 12 through the main channel (2). When the second additive set time has elapsed, the controller 109 may turn off the feed water pump 52 and the second on/off valve 323, and complete the additive input process (S600) of the second capsule C2. can

The controller 109 may turn on the feed water pump 52 and the third on/off valve 333 for a third additive set time during the additive input process (S700) of the third capsule C3. When the water supply pump 52 is turned on, the water in the water tank 51 may pass through the water supply pump 52 and then through the water heater 53 and may be introduced into the third capsule C3. The water introduced into the third capsule (C3) may be mixed with the additive contained in the third capsule (C3), and may flow into the main channel (2) together with the additive contained in the third capsule (C3), It may be introduced into the fermentation container 12 through the main channel (2). When the third additive set time has elapsed, the controller 109 may turn off the water pump 52 and the third on/off valve 333, and complete the additive input process (S700) of the third capsule (C3). can

When all of the additive input steps (S500) (S600) (S700) are completed, the beverage maker may perform a material feeder residual water removal step (S800) of removing the residual water in the material feeder 3 .

The controller 109 turns on the air injection pump 82, and turns on the first on-off valve 313, the second on-off valve 323, and the third on-off valve 333 during the material feeder residual water removal step (S800). and the main valve 9 and the gas outlet valve 73 can be turned on.

When the air injection pump 82 is turned on, the air passes through the air injection channel 81 and a part of the main channel 2 sequentially, and then the first capsule receiving part 31, the second capsule receiving part 32 and the second 3 The remaining water is supplied to the capsule accommodating part 33, the first capsule accommodating part 31, the second capsule accommodating part 32 and the third capsule accommodating part 33 to be blown into the main channel (2). The air may be moved to the fermentation container 12 together with the remaining water moved to the first capsule accommodating part 31, the second capsule accommodating part 32 and the third capsule accommodating part 33. The controller 109 may open the discharge valve 156 during the material feeder residual water removal step S800 .

As residual water and air are injected into the fermentation container 12 from the main channel 2, the fermentation container 12 may be further expanded, and some of the air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 is expanded. It may be pushed to the fermentation container 12 and flow to the fermenter connection channel 154 , and may be exhausted to the outside through the discharge valve 156 .

As some of the air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 is exhausted through the fermenter connection channel 154 and the discharge valve 156, the fermentation container 12 can be easily expanded, and the main channel ( The air and residual water of 2) can be quickly introduced into the fermentation container (12).

The controller 109 turns on the air injection pump 82 for a set time for residual water removal, and when the set time for residual water removal elapses, the controller 109 can turn off the air injection pump 82, and the first on/off valve 313 and the first The second on-off valve 323 , the third on-off valve 333 , the main valve 9 , and the gas outlet valve 73 can be turned off. In addition, the controller 109 may control the closing of the discharge valve 156 .

The beverage maker may complete the residual water removal step (S800) of the material supplier when the set time for removing residual water has elapsed.

The beverage maker may sequentially perform the primary fermentation step (S900) and the secondary fermentation step (S1000) after the completion of the material supplier residual water removal step (S800).

The controller 109 can control the compressor 131 to the primary fermentation target temperature during the primary fermentation step (S900), and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 16 maintains the primary fermentation set temperature range. (131) can be controlled. After the first fermentation step (S900) is started, the controller 109 periodically turns on and off the gas outlet valve 73, and stores the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 72 while the gas outlet valve 73 is on. It can be stored in the department (not shown). When the change in pressure periodically sensed by the pressure sensor 72 exceeds the first fermentation set pressure, the controller 109 may determine that the primary fermentation is complete, and complete the primary fermentation step (S900).

The controller 109 may start the secondary fermentation step (S1000) after completion of the first fermentation step (S900). The controller 109 may control the compressor 131 to the secondary fermentation target temperature during the secondary fermentation step (S1000), and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 16 maintains the secondary fermentation set temperature range. (131) can be controlled. After the secondary fermentation step (S1000) is started, the controller 109 periodically turns on and off the gas outlet valve 73, and stores the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 72 while the gas outlet valve 73 is on. It can be stored in the department (not shown). When the change in the pressure periodically sensed by the pressure sensor 72 exceeds the second fermentation set pressure, the controller 109 may determine that the secondary fermentation is complete and complete the secondary fermentation step (S1000).

When both the first fermentation step (S900) and the second fermentation step (S1000) are completed, the beverage maker may perform the aging step (S1100).

The controller 109 may wait for the aging time during the aging phase, and may control the compressor 131 so that the temperature of the beverage is maintained between the upper limit value of the set aging temperature and the lower limit of the set aging temperature during this aging time. . The controller 109 may turn off the compressor 131 when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 16 is less than or equal to the lower limit of the set aging temperature, and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 16 is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the set aging temperature. , the compressor 131 may be turned on.

When the aging time elapses in the beverage maker, all beverage production may be completed.

The controller 109 may display completion of preparation of the beverage through the display 109D or the like, and the user may take out the beverage by operating the dispenser 62 . (S1200)

When the user operates the dispenser 62 in a direction to open, the limit switch 630 may be contacted, and the controller 109 may open the main valve 9 since the beverage preparation is completed.

When the main valve 9 is opened, the beverage in the fermentation container 12 can flow from the fermentation container 12 to the main channel 2 by the air pressure between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112, It flows from the main channel 2 to the beverage dispensing channel 61 and may be discharged to the dispenser 62 .

If the user operates the dispenser 62 in a direction to close after taking out a portion of the beverage through the dispenser 62, the limit switch 630 may be released, and the controller 109 opens the main valve 9 to ? can be printed

Thereafter, the controller 109 may turn on the air pump 152 , and at this time, the discharge valve 156 may be kept closed.

When the air pump 152 is turned on, air may be supplied between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 through the fermenter connection channel 154, and the air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 is the fermentation container. The beverage of (12) presses the fermentation container (12) to a pressure that can be raised to the main channel (2). This is to form a space between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 at a sufficient high pressure so that the beverage of the fermentation container 12 can be smoothly and quickly taken out when the beverage is taken out later.

The user can take out the beverage at least once through the dispenser 62, and the controller 109 controls the time when the limit switch 630 is on, the time when the air pump 152 is driven, and the main after the beverage production is completed. It is possible to determine whether the beverage dispensing is complete using information such as the time when the valve 9 is on. When the beverage dispensing is completed, the controller 109 may control the opening of the discharge valve 156 .

When the dispensing of the beverage is completed and the dispenser 62 is closed, the controller 109 turns on the exhaust vab 156 for a set time to complete and opens it.

Upon open control of the discharge valve 156 , air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 may be exhausted to the discharge valve 156 through the fermenter connection channel 154 , and the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter Between (112) can be equal to atmospheric pressure.

After the discharge valve 156 is turned on, the controller 109 closes the discharge valve 156 by turning off the discharge valve 156 when the set completion time has elapsed.

The user may open the fermenter cover 114 in order to take out the fermentation container 12 in which beverage preparation and beverage extraction are completed from the fermenter 112 .

When the fermenter cover 114 is opened as described above, if the inside of the fermenter 112 is higher than the set pressure than atmospheric pressure, the fermentation container 12 may jump to the upper part of the fermenter 112 by this pressure difference.

On the other hand, before the user opens the fermenter cover 114, if some of the air between the fermentation container 12 and the fermenter 112 is exhausted through the discharge valve 156, when the fermenter cover 114 is opened , the fermentation container 12 is maintained inside the fermenter 112 without bouncing upward.

That is, the user can safely and cleanly withdraw the used fermentation container 12 from the fermenter 112 .

On the other hand, the beverage maker of this embodiment may further include a fermenter cleaning step (S1300) of washing and / or sterilizing the inside of the fermenter 112.

The fermenter cleaning step (S1300) may be performed separately from the channel cleaning step and the beverage manufacturing step.

Fermenter cleaning step (S1300) is preferably carried out after the implementation of the beverage manufacturing step. However, it is also possible that the fermenter cleaning step (S1300) is carried out before the beverage manufacturing step.

The fermenter cleaning step (S1300) may be performed in a state in which the fermentation container 12 is not accommodated in the fermenter 112.

The fermenter cleaning step (S1300) of the beverage maker according to this embodiment may include a water supply process, a drainage process, and a drying process. The water supply process, the drainage process, and the drying process may be sequentially performed. Hereinafter, each process will be described in detail.

7 is a view showing the flow of water during the water supply process during the cleaning step of the fermenter of the beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

During the water supply process of the fermenter cleaning step (S1300), washing and sterilization of the fermenter 112 by hot water may be performed.

After the user removes the fermentation container 12 from the fermenter 112 , the user may input a fermenter cleaning command through an input unit provided in the controller 109 , a remote controller, or a mobile terminal. The controller 109 may control the beverage maker to the fermenter cleaning step ( S1300 ) according to the input of the fermenter cleaning command.

When the fermentation container 12 is separated from the fermenter 112 and a fermenter cleaning command is input through an input unit, a remote control, or a mobile terminal, the controller 109 may turn on the feed water pump 52 and the water heater 53. and the bypass valve 35 and the main valve 9 can be opened. Also, the controller 109 may keep the discharge valve 156 closed.

When the feed water pump 52 is turned on, the water in the water tank 51 may flow to the feed water heater 53 and be heated in the feed water heater 53 . Water (ie, hot water) heated by the water supply heater 53 may flow into the main channel 2 , and may be introduced into the fermenter 112 through the main channel connection part 115 . The water introduced into the fermenter 112 may sterilize and wash the inside of the fermenter 112 .

Since the discharge valve 156 is in a closed state, the water introduced into the fermenter 112 may be filled in the fermenter 112 without being discharged.

The beverage maker may perform washing and sterilization of the fermenter 112 by the hot water as described above for a set time for water supply, and after the set time for water supply, the water supply process of the fermenter cleaning step (S1300) may be completed. The controller 109 may turn off the water supply pump 52 and the water heater 53 after the set time for water supply has elapsed.

8 is a view showing the flow of water during the drainage process during the cleaning step of the fermenter of the beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The controller 109 may perform the draining process of the fermenter cleaning step (S1300) after the water supply process of the fermenter cleaning step (S1300) is completed.

During the drainage process of the fermenter cleaning step (S1300), the water supplied during the water supply process and sterilized and washed inside the fermenter 112 may be drained.

During the draining process of the fermenter cleaning step ( S1300 ), the controller 109 may open the discharge valve 156 . Accordingly, the water contained in the fermenter 112 may pass through the fermenter connection channel 154 and the discharge channel 157 to be drained to the discharge valve 156 .

9 is a view showing the flow of air during the drying process during the cleaning step of the fermenter of the beverage maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The drying process may be started simultaneously with the draining process, or may be started after the initiation of the draining process. In more detail, the controller 109 turns on the air injection pump 82 at the same time that the discharge valve 156 is opened, or turns on the air injection pump 82 when the discharge valve 156 is opened and a predetermined time elapses. can come on

Air pumped from the air injection pump 82 may be injected into the main channel 2 through the air injection channel 81 , and may be introduced into the fermenter 112 through the main channel 2 . The air introduced into the fermenter 112 may flow into the fermenter connection channel 154 while pushing the residual water remaining in the fermenter 112 , and may pass through the discharge channel 157 and be discharged to the discharge valve 156 . . In this process, the air introduced into the fermenter 112 may remove and dry the remaining water of the interior of the fermenter 112 , the fermenter connection channel 154 , the discharge channel 157 , and the discharge valve 156 .

The beverage maker may perform drying of the fermenter 112 by air as described above for a set drying time, and after the set drying time, the drying process of the fermenter cleaning step (S1300) may be completed. The controller 109 may turn off the air injection pump 82 after a set drying time has elapsed, and may close the bypass valve 35 , the main valve 9 , and the discharge valve 156 .

10 is a block diagram of a beverage maker according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Since the beverage maker according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the beverage maker of the embodiment described above, except for the steam generator 20 and the steam injection channel 21, the overlapping contents will be omitted and the differences will be mainly described.

The beverage maker may further include a steam generator 20 and a steam injection channel 21 .

The steam generator 20 may generate steam. The steam generator 20 includes a storage container in which water for generating steam is stored, a heater that generates steam by heating the water in the storage container, a steam collector in which the generated steam is collected, and a steam collector in which the generated steam is collected. It may include a steam injection port through which steam is injected. In addition, the steam generator 20 may further include a water level sensor for detecting the water level. The steam injection channel 21 may be connected to the steam injection port. Since the configuration of the steam generator 20 itself is a well-known technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The steam generator 20 may be controlled on/off by the controller 109 .

The steam injection channel 21 may connect the steam generator 20 and the fermenter assembly 1 . Accordingly, the steam injection channel 21 may guide the steam generated by the steam generator 20 to the inside of the fermenter 112 .

Hereinafter, the fermenter cleaning step (S1300) of the beverage maker according to this embodiment will be described.

The cleaning step (S1300) of the fermenter of the beverage maker according to this embodiment may include a steam injection process and a drying process. The steam injection process and the drying process may be sequentially performed. Hereinafter, each process will be described in detail.

During the steam injection process of the fermenter cleaning step ( S1300 ), washing and sterilization of the fermenter 112 by steam may be performed.

After the user removes the fermentation container 12 from the fermenter 112 , the user may input a fermenter cleaning command through an input unit provided in the controller 109 , a remote controller, or a mobile terminal. The controller 109 may control the beverage maker to the fermenter cleaning step ( S1300 ) according to the input of the fermenter cleaning command.

When the fermentation container 12 is separated from the fermenter 112 and a fermenter cleaning command is input through an input unit, a remote control or a mobile terminal, the controller 109 may turn on the steam generator 20 and the discharge valve 156 can be kept closed.

When the steam generator 20 is turned on, the steam generated by the steam generator 20 may be injected into the fermenter 112 through the steam injection channel 21 . Since the discharge valve 156 is in the closed state, the steam introduced into the fermenter 112 flows inside the fermenter 112 and can wash and sterilize the inside of the fermenter 112 .

The beverage maker may perform washing and sterilization of the fermenter 112 by steam as described above for a steam injection set time, and after the steam injection set time, the steam injection process of the fermenter cleaning step S1300 may be completed. The controller 109 may turn off the steam generator 20 after the steam injection set time has elapsed.

The controller 109 may perform the drying process of the fermenter cleaning step (S1300) after the steam injection process of the fermenter cleaning step (S1300) is completed.

During the drying process of the fermenter cleaning step S1300 , the controller 109 may open the discharge valve 156 , the main valve 9 , and the bypass valve 35 , and turn on the air injection pump 82 .

Air pumped from the air injection pump 82 may be injected into the main channel 2 through the air injection channel 81 , and may be introduced into the fermenter 112 through the main channel 2 . The air introduced into the fermenter 112 may flow to the fermenter connection channel 154 together with the steam in the fermenter 112 , and may be discharged to the discharge valve 156 through the discharge channel 157 . In this process, the air flowing into the fermenter 112 may remove the steam inside the fermenter 112 and dry it.

The beverage maker may perform drying of the fermenter 112 by air as described above for a set drying time, and after the set drying time, the drying process of the fermenter cleaning step (S1300) may be completed. The controller 109 may turn off the air injection pump 82 and close the bypass valve 35 , the main valve 9 , and the discharge valve 156 after the set drying time has elapsed.

11 is a block diagram of a beverage maker according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The beverage maker according to this embodiment may be the same as the beverage maker according to another embodiment described above except for the connection position of the steam injection channel 21 ′.

The steam injection channel 21 ′ of the beverage maker according to the present embodiment may connect the steam generator 20 and the main channel 2 . That is, the steam injection channel 21 ′ may guide the steam generated by the steam generator 20 to the main channel 2 .

In more detail, the steam injection channel 21 ′ may be connected to the second main channel 2B. More specifically, the steam injection channel 21 ′ may be connected between the main valve 9 of the main channel 2 and the fermenter assembly 1 .

During the steam injection process during the fermenter cleaning step (S1300) of the beverage maker according to the present embodiment, the controller 109 may control the closing of the main valve 9 . Accordingly, the steam generated by the steam generator 20 and injected into the main channel 2 through the steam injection channel 21 ′ does not flow toward the beverage dispenser 6 or the material feeder 3 but the main channel connection part 115 . ) through the fermenter 112 may be introduced into the interior.

On the other hand, channels such as the main channel 2, the beverage outlet channel 61, the gas outlet channel 71, the air injection channel 81, the fermenter connection channel 154 and the outlet channel 157 described in the present invention are fluid may be formed by a hose or tube that can pass through, it may be composed of a plurality of hoses or a plurality of tubes that are continuous in the longitudinal direction, and two hoses or Of course, it is also possible to include a tube.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical spirit of the present invention, and various modifications and variations will be possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention, but to explain, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

The protection scope of the present invention should be construed by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

1: fermenter assembly 109: controller
112: fermenter 114: fermenter cover
154: fermenter connection channel 156: discharge valve
157: exhaust channel 2: main channel
20: steam generator 21: steam injection flow path
3: material feeder 35: bypass valve
5: water module 52: water pump
53: water heater 81: air injection flow path
82: air injection pump 9: main valve

Claims (18)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete A fermenter having an opening in the upper portion and having an interior space;
Fermentation container accommodated in the inner space;
a fermenter cover for opening and closing the opening;
a main channel communicating with the inner space of the fermenter through the fermenter cover;
a water supply module including a water pump and connected to the main channel;
an air injection pump for injecting air into the internal space of the fermenter;
air pump and
a fermenter connecting channel connecting the air pump and the inside of the fermenter;
a discharge valve connected to the fermenter connection channel to exhaust air to the outside; and
A controller for controlling the feed water pump, the air injection pump and the discharge valve,
The air pump and the fermenter connecting channel is an air supply that supplies air between the fermentation container and the fermenter,
The fermenter connecting channel and the discharge valve are air exhaust passages for exhausting air to the outside between the fermentation container and the fermenter,
The controller is
Turn on the water pump to clean the internal space of the fermenter,
Open the discharge valve so that the washing water washing the internal space of the fermenter is discharged to the outside,
A beverage maker for turning on the air injection pump so that the inner space of the fermenter washed by the washing water is dried. 17. The method of claim 16,
Further comprising a material feeder provided between the water supply module and the fermenter cover with respect to the main channel and formed with a material receiving part,
The main channel is
a first main channel connecting the water supply module and the material receiving part and connected to the air injection pump;
a second main channel connecting the material receiving part and the fermenter cover; and
Beverage maker including a bypass channel connecting the first main channel and the second main channel by bypassing the material receiving part. 18. The method of claim 17,
A bypass valve for opening and closing the bypass channel is installed in the bypass channel,
The controller is
A beverage maker for opening the bypass valve so that washing water or air bypasses the material receiving part and flows into the internal space of the fermenter.

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