KR102558548B1 - Automatic coffee machine with inhanced washing ability - Google Patents

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gripper is in direct contact with the cup and the portafilter to form a gripping operation; A robot arm formed in a multi-stage link structure, capable of translational and rotational movement, and capable of moving with multiple degrees of freedom; a coffee extractor disposed within an operating radius of the robot arm to extract coffee; a cup divider disposed within an operating radius of the robot arm and provided with the cup; an ice maker disposed within an operating radius of the robot arm to dispense cold water and ice into the cup; and a washing tub disposed within an operating radius of the robot arm to form a portafilter cradle on which the gripper is seated and having a high-temperature and high-pressure hot water discharge nozzle directed toward the portafilter cradle. a portafilter having a space in the front end for storing coffee beans and being combined with the coffee extractor to extract coffee; a knock box through which dregs left after coffee is extracted from the portafilter are discharged; and a beverage pick-up system in which the cup containing the finished coffee is seated and transported to be discharged to the outside. The portafilter includes a basket portion in which a cylindrical space with an open top is formed and an extraction port is formed at the center of the lower portion; and a grip part extending from the basket part and formed long in the longitudinal direction and coupled to the robot arm, wherein the grip part is connected to the basket part at a front end and has an end shape extending to one side of the grip rod; And a coupling block formed at the rear end of the grip portion and having robot arm coupling grooves formed in a symmetrical form on the left and right sides; And the robot arm coupling groove is formed to be curved from the upper and lower sides of the coupling block toward the center of the outer round; and an inner inclined surface extending from the outer round and forming a symmetrical inclined surface inclined in an inward direction of the coupling block; the beverage pick-up system is formed in the shape of a circular plate, and a cup holding groove is formed at the center to provide a space in which a cup is seated, and is formed to be movable upward and downward, and is provided with one or more beverage dispensing trays; gates disposed on one side of the beverage dispensing tray, coupled with a linear actuator to the lower side, and moved upward and downward to form an opening and closing operation; a barcode scanner that transmits a signal for opening and closing the gate to a scanner that scans a barcode; and a sensor for preventing hand jamming that is disposed on one side of the gate and transmits a signal to open the gate when the signal is sensed. An automated coffee machine including a may be provided.

Description

Automatic coffee machine with enhanced washing ability}

The present invention relates to a coffee machine in which extraction and washing of coffee is automated.

In general, a coffee extracting machine uses a method of pulverizing roasted beans and extracting them using hot water. Coffee extraction methods include a method of extracting for a relatively fast time using the pressure and motor of the boiler, and a drip method in which ground coffee beans are placed in a filter-coupled dripper and extracted several times by controlling the amount, speed, or cycle of hot water. Among the coffee manufacturing methods, an automated machine using a dripping method is disclosed in Registered Patent No. 10-2214778. Recently, not limited to coffee extraction, the entire process up to the washing process for hygiene is being automated, and research is being conducted to increase the efficiency of work performed in the extraction process.

Registered Patent No. 10-2214778 (registered on February 4, 2021)

An object of the present invention is to provide a coffee machine having an improved washing effect by automating coffee extraction and washing processes.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gripper is in direct contact with the cup and the portafilter to form a gripping operation; A robot arm formed in a multi-stage link structure, capable of translational and rotational movement, and capable of moving with multiple degrees of freedom; a coffee extractor disposed within an operating radius of the robot arm to extract coffee; a cup divider disposed within an operating radius of the robot arm and provided with the cup; an ice maker disposed within an operating radius of the robot arm to dispense cold water and ice into the cup; and a washing tub disposed within an operating radius of the robot arm to form a gripper seat on which the gripper is seated and having one or more high-temperature and high-pressure hot water discharge nozzles directed toward the gripper seat. a portafilter having a space in the front end for storing coffee beans and being combined with the coffee extractor to extract coffee; and a knock box through which dregs remaining after coffee is extracted from the portafilter are discharged. An automated coffee machine including a may be provided.

An automated coffee machine according to embodiments of the present invention may be provided with automated high-temperature and high-pressure coffee extraction using a portafilter through a robot arm and a gripper. In particular, the automated coffee machine of the present embodiments can be used to maintain a hygienic environment using pneumatic and water pressure in place of the conventional brush-type washing method.

1 is a perspective view of an automated coffee machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an enlarged perspective view of the gripper shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view showing a modified example of the cup contact surface shown in FIG. 2;
4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a portafilter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating the knockbox shown in FIG. 1 .
6 is a schematic view of the washing tub shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7(a) is a view showing the combination of the portafilter and the portafilter holder according to this embodiment, and FIG. 7(b) is a perspective view showing the rear side of the portafilter and the portafilter holder.
8 is a perspective view and a front view of a beverage pick-up system according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;
9 is a diagram showing an output screen of a DID system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a view showing a load cell formed in an ice maker, and FIG. 11 is a flow chart and operation diagram of an ice picking deviation removal system using a load cell.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the following examples are provided to aid understanding of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following examples. The following embodiments are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, and detailed descriptions of well-known configurations that may unnecessarily obscure the technical gist of the present invention will be omitted.

1 is a perspective view of an automated coffee machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an automated coffee machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a gripper 100 in direct contact with a cup and a portafilter 700 to form a gripping operation; A robot arm 200 formed in a multi-stage link structure, capable of translational and rotational movement, and capable of moving with multiple degrees of freedom; and a coffee extractor 300 disposed within an operating radius of the robot arm 200 to extract coffee; and a cup divider 400 disposed within an operating radius of the robot arm 200 and provided with a cup; and an ice maker 500 disposed within an operating radius of the robot arm 200 to dispense cold water and ice into the cup. and a portafilter holder 620 on which the gripper 100 is seated is disposed within the operating radius of the robot arm 200 and high-temperature and high-pressure hot water is discharged toward one or more portafilter holders 620 Washing tub 600; A portafilter 700 having a space for storing coffee beans at the front end and being combined with the coffee extractor 300 to extract coffee; and a knock box 800 in which coffee residues remaining after coffee is extracted in the portafilter 700 are discharged. can include

In such an automated coffee machine, the gripper 100 is seated on a gripper seat provided in a washing tub and a knock box, and a washing method using water and air together can provide an automated coffee machine with increased washing effect.

Hereinafter, each configuration will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the automated coffee machine of this embodiment may include a robot arm 200 having an operating radius of a predetermined size. The robot arm 200 may be involved in all movement operations such as transportation of coffee beans, portafilters, and cups in the automated coffee machine 10 . The robot arm 200 is formed in a multi-stage link structure and can perform multi-degree-of-freedom operations to perform the present embodiment. In such a robot arm 200, all components of the automated coffee machine 10 may be installed on one stage, but are not limited thereto. As long as all components of the automated coffee machine 10 can be placed within the operating radius of the robot arm 200, it may be installed in any location. As described above, the robot arm 200 may be provided with a gripper 100 in which a gripping operation is formed by directly contacting a gripping target during a transfer operation.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the gripper 100 shown in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , the robot arm 200 may include a gripper 100 . The gripper 100 may be a part that is coupled to one side of the robot arm 200 and performs a gripping operation so that various functions can be performed using the robot arm 200 . The gripper 100 includes a gripper base 110 coupled to one side of the robot arm 200 and having at least one moving groove 111 formed thereon; and a gripper actuator block 120 coupled to one side of the gripper base 110 and moving along the path of the moving groove 111 formed in the gripper 100; and a gripper arm 130 coupled to the gripper actuator block 120 and contacting an object to form a gripping operation.

Hereinafter, each configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.

The gripper 100 of this embodiment may include a gripper base 110 . The gripper base 110 is coupled to the robot arm 200 and may be a part where the gripper 100 is supported. The gripper base 110 may be coupled to the robot arm by bolting, but is not limited thereto. The gripper base 110 may be connected by a shaft to have a rotatable structure. The gripper base 110 is formed in a column shape of a predetermined size, and its outer shape is not particularly limited.

A movable groove 111 may be formed on one side of the gripper base 110 as described above. The moving groove 111 may be a path through which the gripper actuator block 120 can move left and right. The moving groove 111 of this embodiment may be formed symmetrically on the left and right sides, but is not limited thereto. One or more movable grooves 111 may be formed so that the gripper arm 130 included in the gripper 100 can operate sufficiently. In addition, the shape of the moving groove 111 may be formed in a concave-convex shape. In addition, the moving groove 111 may be formed symmetrically up and down. The moving groove 111 may have a size corresponding to the moving radius of the gripper arm 130 .

The gripper 100 of this embodiment may include a gripper actuator block 120. The gripper actuator block 120 may be a part where movement is formed so that the gripper 100 can be operated. In addition, the gripper actuator block 120 may be a part operated according to a signal transmitted from the control panel. The gripper actuator block 120 may be coupled to the movable groove 111 formed in the gripper base 110 and disposed. In addition, the movement of the gripper actuator block 120 along the moving groove 111 can be formed.

The gripper 100 of this embodiment may include a gripper arm 130 that directly contacts an object to be gripped.

The gripper arm 130 may be coupled to the gripper actuator block 120 in a mutually coupled form. The gripper arm 130 includes a portafilter holder 131 having a rear end coupled to the gripper actuator block 120 and one side coupled to the portafilter; and a cup holder portion 132 extending from the portafilter holder portion 131 and formed in an arc shape corresponding to the outer edge of the cup. can include

The portafilter holder 131 may have a stepped rear end coupled to the gripper actuator block 120 . In addition, the lower side 131A of the rear end of the portafilter holder unit 131 having a step difference may be positioned below the gripper actuator block 120 and coupled by bolting. In addition, the upper side 131B of the rear end where the step is formed of the portafilter holder part 131 may come into contact with and be supported by one side surface formed on the front side of the gripper actuator block 120. Accordingly, when the portafilter 700 is coupled to the portafilter holder 131, a phenomenon in which the gripper arm 130 contacts the portafilter 700 and is pushed backward can be prevented.

Meanwhile, an inclined insertion protrusion 134 may be formed on one side of the portafilter holder 131 . The inclined insertion projection 134 may be a projection in the form of a triangular beam in which an inclined surface 134a is formed in a vertically symmetrical shape. The inclined insertion protrusion 134 shown in this embodiment may be formed in a triangular cross-sectional shape, but is not limited thereto. If inclined surfaces can be formed on the upper and lower sides, it can be changed into a trapezoidal or polygonal shape.

Meanwhile, the gripper arm 130 may have a cup holder portion 132 formed in contact with the cup to form a gripping operation. The cup holder part 132 may be formed in the form of two ends formed in an arc shape. At this time, the two ends formed in the cup holder part 132 may be formed symmetrically with each other. The size of the cup holder portion 132 thus formed may be formed in the shape of an arc formed with a diameter corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of the gripped cup.

In addition, the cup holder portion 132 may have a cup contact surface 132a that comes into contact with the cup. The cup contact surface 132a of this embodiment may be formed as a smooth surface as shown in the drawing, but is not limited thereto.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a modified example of the cup contact surface shown in FIG. 2;

Referring to FIG. 3 , a condensed water discharge passage R1 may be formed on the cup contact surface 132a according to the modified example of the present invention. The condensed water discharge passage R1 may be a groove formed in an oblique shape on the cup contact surface 132a. In addition, a plurality of condensed water discharge passages R1 may be formed on the cup contact surface 132a. At this time, the plurality of condensed water discharge passages R1 may be formed spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval. The distance between the plurality of condensed water discharge passages R1 may be formed to a number at which the condensed water flowing when the cup contact surface 132a and the drinking cup are in contact are sufficiently discharged. In addition, the condensed water discharge passage R1 may be formed with different depths of the upper and lower grooves. Referring to the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 3 , the depth of the groove of the condensed water discharge passage R1 may increase from the upper part to the lower part. In addition, the condensed water discharge passage R1 may be formed such that the inclination of the groove increases from the upper part to the lower part. The condensed water discharge passage R1 formed as described above may have a shape in which condensed water is easily discharged.

4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a portafilter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4 , the automated coffee machine according to this embodiment may include a portafilter 700. The portafilter 700 may be a part from which the coffee extract is extracted when coffee beans are contained and coupled to the coffee extractor 300. The portafilter 700 includes a basket portion 710 in which ground beans are placed; And it may include a grip part 720 that extends from the basket part 710 and is formed long in the longitudinal direction and coupled to the robot arm 200 .

The basket portion 710 may be a space in which ground coffee beans are contained. In addition, the basket unit 710 may contain hot water of high temperature and high pressure. Accordingly, the coffee undiluted solution can be extracted through the extraction port 711 formed in the center of the lower portion of the basket unit 710 . At this time, in the basket unit 710, a coffee filter (not shown) may be coupled to an upper side of the spout 711 so that ground coffee beans are not discharged through the spout 711. The coffee filter (not shown) may be a filter type commonly used in a portafilter of a coffee machine. In the basket unit 710, a flow path toward the extraction port may be formed vertically so that the coffee extract can be discharged perpendicularly to the central portion of the extraction port 711.

The basket part 710 may include a grip part 720 . The grip part 720 may have a grip rod 721 connected to the basket part at the front end and a coupling block 722 at the rear end. Coupling block 722 is formed in the form of a block on one side of the grip portion 720, and a robot arm coupling groove 723 formed as a groove that can be coupled with the robot arm 200 may be formed.

The grip rod 721 may be in the form of an end extending from the portafilter to one side.

At this time, the robot arm coupling groove 723 may be formed symmetrically on the left and right outer sides of the coupling block 722 . Accordingly, the robot arm coupling groove 723 may be formed with an outer round 723a bent from the upper and lower sides of the coupling block 722 toward the center. A pair of outer rounds 723a formed on the upper and lower sides may be formed in a symmetrical shape. The outer round 723a may be a part formed to facilitate coupling with the gripper 100 .

Meanwhile, the pair of outer rounds 723a may be connected to the symmetrically formed inner inclined surface 723b. The inner inclined surface 723b may be an inclined surface inclined toward the inside of the coupling block 722 so that the robot arm coupling groove 723 formed in the coupling block 722 may be formed by extending to the outer round 723a. The inner inclined surface 723b may be formed in a symmetrical shape to form a 'v' shape. At this time, the position of the vertex of the valley of the inner inclined surface 723b may be a position coincident with the central axis of the grip rod 721. Accordingly, when the inclined insertion protrusion 134 formed on the robot arm is inserted into and coupled to the robot arm coupling groove 723, the robot arm and the portafilter can be easily maintained horizontally. Since the portafilter 700 moves in the direction of the coffee extractor 300 by containing the beans, it may be important to keep it level. The robot arm coupling groove 723 formed in the coupling block 722 of the present invention allows the position of the vertex of the 'v'-shaped valley to coincide with the central axis of the grip rod 721, so that only the horizontal direction is taken into account, the movement trajectory can be formed and the operation can be facilitated.

In addition, a rough surface A1 may be formed on the coupling block 722 . The bearing surface (A1) may be a side surface toward the basket portion 710 on the lower side of the robot arm coupling groove 723 in the coupling block 722. The passing surface A1 may be a part where the portafilter 700 completes the coffee extraction operation and is placed in a washing or standby situation. A detailed description of the mounting situation will be described together with the characteristics of the knock box and washing tank to be described later.

In addition, a mounting hole H1 may be formed in the coupling block 722 . The mounting hole H1 may be a hole formed in the central portion of the mounting surface A1. The installation hole H1 may be a hole to which the portafilter 700 is fixed by being coupled with a knock box and a coupling pin of a washing tub, which will be described later.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating the knockbox shown in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5 , the automated coffee machine according to the present embodiment may include a knock box 800. The knock box 800 may be a space where coffee grounds are discharged from the portafilter 700 after coffee is extracted from the coffee extractor 300 .

The knock box 800 includes a box portion 810 in which a space for storing predetermined coffee grounds is formed; And an air inlet 820 disposed outside the box portion 810 and formed in the form of a connector into which air is injected; And it may include an air injection nozzle 830 connected to the air inlet 820 and protruding to the inside of the box portion 810 and formed in a hollow tube shape.

The knock box 800 may include a box portion 810 . The box portion 810 may be formed in a predetermined space to have a box shape with an open top. The size of the space formed in the box portion 810 may be formed to a size that can sufficiently accommodate the coffee grounds discharged from the portafilter 700 .

The knock box 800 may include an air inlet 820 . The air inlet 820 may be formed outside the box portion 810 . In addition, the air inlet 820 is formed on the upper side of the box part 810, so that the portafilter 700 can be cleaned even if it is not moved to a deep position inside the box part 810. The air inlet 820 may be connected to a compressor provided on either side of the automated coffee machine 10 of the present invention and become an inlet for receiving high-pressure air.

The knock box 800 may include an air injection nozzle 830 . The air injection nozzle 830 may be an air flow path in communication with the air inlet 820 . In addition, the end of the air injection nozzle 830 may be watched so that air can be discharged toward the inside of the box portion 810 . Such an air injection nozzle 830 may be formed in the form of a hollow tube having a predetermined diameter. At this time, the size of the diameter of the air injection nozzle 830 may be formed to correspond to the inner diameter of the outlet 711 formed in the portafilter 700. When the air injection nozzle 830 is combined with the outlet 711 of the portafilter 700 and air is discharged, the coffee grounds formed in the portafilter 700 may be removed toward one side of the portafilter.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the washing tub 600 shown in FIG. 1 . 1 and 6, the washing tank 600 includes a water tank 610 in which a space containing water is formed; and a plurality of washing water inlets 611 disposed on one side of the water tank 610 to discharge high-temperature and high-pressure water toward the inside of the water tank 610; and a portafilter holder 620 formed inside the water tank 610 and formed on a side opposite to the washing water inlet 611 to which the portafilter 700 is mounted.

The water tank 610 may be in the form of a box with an open top formed at the lowest central portion of the lower portion. An outlet 613 may be formed at the lowest central portion of the water tank 610 . The outlet 613 may be an outlet through which water used for washing is discharged.

In addition, a washing water inlet 611 may be formed on one side of the water tank 610 . A plurality of washing water inlets 611 are formed so that a plurality of portafilters 700 can be washed at the same time. The washing water inlet 611 may be a nozzle through which high-temperature and high-pressure water is supplied and discharged from a pump installed on one side of the automated coffee machine.

In addition, a shielding film 612 may be formed in the water tank 610 . The shielding film 612 may be formed at a circumferential position spaced apart from the washing water inlet 611 by a predetermined distance. The shielding film 612 may be formed by bending a plate having a predetermined thickness. The shielding film 612 may prevent a problem in that water discharged from the washing water inlet 611 and washing the portafilter 700 leaks out of the washing tub.

Meanwhile, a plurality of portafilter holders 620 may be disposed on one side of the water tank 610 . The portafilter holder 620 may be disposed on the opposite side of the washing water inlet 611. The portafilter holder 620 may be a part where the portafilter 700 washed in the water tank 610 is mounted.

FIG. 7(a) is a view showing a combination of the portafilter 700 and the portafilter holder 620 of this embodiment, and FIG. 7(b) is a perspective view showing the back of the portafilter 700 and the portafilter holder 620.

Referring to Figure 7 (a) and (b). The portafilter holder 620 of the present embodiment may include a mounting block 621 on which the portafilter 700 is supported and a mounting pin 622 formed in the shape of a pin protruding upward from an upper surface of the mounting block 621. Hereinafter, each component of the portafilter holder 620 will be described in detail.

The mounting block 621 may be a part where the portafilter 700 completes the coffee extraction operation and is mounted in a washing or standby situation. A guide groove 621a formed in a shape corresponding to one side of the grip rod 721 of the portafilter may be formed on one side of the mounting block 621 . The guide groove 621a may be formed in a shape corresponding to one side of the grip rod 721 so that the outer side surrounds the grip rod 721 . Such a guide groove 621a may be a part in contact with one side of the portafilter 700 in the process of seating the portafilter 700 and the washing tub 600. The portafilter 700 in contact with the guide groove 621a may be guided along a coupling path so that it can be mounted at the correct position of the mounting block 621. In addition, the mounting block 621 may be formed to a size that can sufficiently support the coupling block 722 of the portafilter 700.

Meanwhile, the mounting pin 622 formed on the upper surface of the mounting block 621 may be a pin inserted into the mounting hole H1 formed in the portafilter 700 . Accordingly, the portafilter 700 may be supported and fixed to the washing tub 600.

The automated coffee machine of this embodiment may include a water heater 900 . The water heater 900 may be a device that discharges hot water to a cup containing a beverage. Such a water heater 900 may be disposed within the operating range of the robot arm 200. Also, since the water heater 900 is formed in a pipe shape, hot water can be jetted from an end thereof. In addition, a drain hole is formed at the lower side of the water jetting portion of the water heater 900 so that remaining hot water flowing after jetting into the cup can be discharged.

8 is a perspective view and a front view of a beverage pick-up system according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

Referring to FIG. 8 , the automated coffee machine of this embodiment may include a beverage pick-up system 1000 using a barcode scanner. Beverage pick-up system may be a device that is transported so that the manufactured beverage is seated and discharged to the outside.

Such a beverage pick-up system 1000 is formed in the form of a circular plate, a cup holding groove 1110 is formed at the center, a space in which a cup is seated is provided, and is formed to be movable to the upper and lower sides and is provided with one or more beverage discharge trays 1100; And disposed on one side of the beverage discharge tray 1100, the linear actuator 1210 is coupled to the lower side to move upward and downward to form an opening and closing operation, and is provided in a number corresponding to the beverage discharge tray 1100. Gates 1200; and a barcode scanner 1300 that transmits a signal for opening and closing the gate 1200 to a scanner that scans barcodes; and a sensor 1400 disposed on one side of the gate 1200 to transmit a signal to open the gate 1200 when a signal is detected. A beverage pick-up system including a may be further included.

In addition, the automated coffee machine according to this embodiment may include a DID system.

9 is a diagram showing an output screen of a DID system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 9, the DID system (Digital Information Display) (S10) of the present invention can be output on the order screen in the kiosk. In the DID system (S10), a preparation notification column (S11) for notifying the number of the beverage being prepared may be formed. In the preparation notification column (S11), the number of the beverage being prepared is output so that an effect of informing the user of the dispensing order of the beverage may be formed.

In addition, the DID system of the present invention may be formed with a discharge port notification column (S12) to inform the number of the beverage discharged from the beverage pick-up system (1000). The outlet notification column (S12) informs the number of the beverage discharged from the beverage pick-up system 1000, and the effect of informing the number of the beverage that has been completed in the automated coffee machine 10 of the present invention can be formed. At this time, the discharge port notification column (S12) may be divided into a number corresponding to the number of beverage discharge trays 1100 of the beverage pick-up system 1000. Such a discharge port notification column (S12) may inform the location of the beverage discharge tray 1100 where the beverage corresponding to the table number is discharged at the location of the discharge port notification column (S12) matched to each position of the beverage discharge tray 1100.

Meanwhile, the ice maker 500 of an automated coffee machine according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a load cell and a cup tray 520 .

10 is a view showing a load cell formed in an ice maker, and FIG. 11 is a flow chart and operation diagram of an ice picking deviation removal system using a load cell.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 , in the ice maker 500, a load cell 510 may be formed on a lower side of a cup. In addition, a cup tray 520 connected to the load cell 510 may be formed on which cups are seated. In the ice maker 500 as described above, an ice maker extraction deviation removal system may be formed.

An ice maker 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a load cell 510 and a cup tray 520 . The load cell 510 and the cup tray 520 may be formed in a form connected to each other. The cup tray 520 may be in the form of a circular plate having a horizontal seating surface on which cups are placed. When a cup is placed on the cup tray 520, the load cell 510 measures the weight of the cup, and a signal controlling the operation of the ice maker 500 may be transmitted.

Such an ice maker 500 may have an ice extraction deviation system. In the ice extraction deviation system, first, when a cup is seated on the cup tray 520, the solenoid valve is opened, and ice and cold water can be discharged and iced out. At this time, the opening time of the solenoid valve may be about 2 to 4 seconds. At this time, the load cell 510 may measure the weight and transmit an analog value of the current weight to the load cell control relay circuit. At this time, if the target weight set in the PLC is not reached, the PLC may transmit a water extraction and ice extraction operation signal to the ice maker 500 . When the target weight set in the PLC is reached by repeating the above process, the load cell control relay circuit blocks the water extraction and ice extraction signals so that the appropriate amount of ice and cold water can be controlled so that water and ice extraction can be performed.

As described above, the automated coffee machine according to the embodiments of the present invention can effectively remove the dregs of the portafilter through a pneumatic device and a hydraulic device. In particular, the automated coffee machine of the present embodiments can be used to remove the dregs of the portafilter by replacing the conventional brush-type washing method.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art will be able to variously modify and change the present invention by adding, changing, deleting, or adding components within the scope not departing from the spirit of the present invention described in the claims, and this will also be included within the scope of the present invention.

100: gripper 200: robot arm
300: coffee weight 400: cup divider
500: ice maker 600: washing tank
700: portafilter 710: basket part
720: grip part 721: grip rod
722: coupling block 723: robot arm coupling groove
800: knock box

Claims (11)

The gripper 100 directly contacting the cup and the portafilter 700 to form a gripping action;
A robot arm 200 formed in a multi-stage link structure, capable of translational and rotational movement, and capable of moving with multiple degrees of freedom;
a coffee extractor 300 disposed within an operating radius of the robot arm 200 to extract coffee;
a cup divider 400 disposed within an operating radius of the robot arm 200 and provided with the cup;
an ice maker 500 disposed within an operating radius of the robot arm 200 to dispense cold water and ice into the cup; and
A washing tub 600 disposed within the operating radius of the robot arm 200 to form a portafilter cradle 620 on which the gripper 100 is seated and equipped with a high-temperature and high-pressure hot water discharge nozzle directed toward the portafilter cradle 620;
A portafilter 700 having a space for storing coffee beans at the front end and being combined with the coffee extractor 300 to extract coffee;
a knock box 800 through which dregs remaining after coffee is extracted from the portafilter 700 are discharged; and
A beverage pick-up system (1000) in which a cup containing coffee that has been manufactured is seated and transported to be discharged to the outside; contains
The portafilter 700 is
a basket portion 710 in which a cylindrical space with an open top is formed and an outlet 711 is formed at the center of the lower portion; And a grip part 720 extending from the basket part 710 and formed long in the longitudinal direction and coupled to the robot arm 200,
The grip part 720 is
a grip rod 721 connected to the basket portion 710 at the front end and extending to one side; and
A coupling block 722 formed at the rear end of the grip portion 720 and having robot arm coupling grooves 723 formed symmetrically on the left and right sides; contains
The robot arm coupling groove 723 is
an outer round 723a formed to be bent from the upper and lower sides of the coupling block 722 toward the center; and
An inner inclined surface 723b extending from the outer round 723a and having a symmetrical inclined surface inclined in an inward direction of the coupling block 722 is included.
The beverage pick-up system 1000
It is formed in the shape of a circular plate and has a cup holding groove 1110 formed in the center to provide a space in which a cup is seated and is formed to be movable to the upper and lower sides and has one or more beverage dispensing trays 1100;
It is disposed on one side of the beverage dispensing tray 1100, and a linear actuator 1210 is coupled to the lower side to move upward and downward to form an opening and closing operation, and is provided in a number corresponding to that of the beverage dispensing tray 1100. Gates 1200;
a barcode scanner 1300 that transmits a signal for opening and closing the gate 1200 to a scanner that scans barcodes; and
a sensor for preventing hand pinching (1400) disposed on one side of the gate (1200) and transmitting a signal to open the gate (1200) when a signal is detected; Automated coffee machine comprising a.
delete delete delete in claim 1
The knock box 800 includes a box portion 810 in which a space for storing predetermined coffee grounds is formed; An air inlet 820 disposed outside the box portion 810 and formed in a connector shape into which air is injected; and
An air injection nozzle 830 connected to the air inlet 820 and protruding toward the inside of the box portion 810 in a hollow tube shape; Automated coffee machine comprising a. in claim 1
The portafilter 700 is
a basket unit 710 containing ground beans; and
a grip part 720 that extends from the basket part 710 and is formed long in the longitudinal direction and coupled to the robot arm 200; Automated coffee machine comprising a. in claim 1
The washing tank 600 includes a water tank 610 in which a space containing water is formed; and
a washing water inlet 611 disposed on one side of the water tank 610 and discharging high-temperature and high-pressure water toward the inside of the water tank 610; and
An automated coffee machine including a portafilter holder 620 formed inside the water tank 610 and formed on a side opposite to the washing water inlet 611 to mount the portafilter 700. in claim 1
a water heater (900) formed in the shape of a pipe and having hot water jetted at the end and a drain hole formed at the lower side of the jetting part; An automated coffee machine further comprising a. delete in claim 1
Including the DID system (S10) output on the order screen at the kiosk
The DID system (S10)
A preparation notification column (S11) in which the number of the beverage being prepared is output; and
A discharge port notification column (S12) in which the number of the beverage discharged from the beverage pick-up system (1000) is output; Automated coffee machine in which this is formed. in claim 1
The ice maker 500
a cup tray 520 having a seating surface formed horizontally on which cups can be placed; and
a load cell 510 connected to the cup tray 520 to measure weight and transmit a signal controlling the ice maker 500; contains
In the ice maker 500, when a cup is seated on the cup tray 520, a solenoid valve opens for 2 to 4 seconds, ice and cold water are dispensed and iced out, and the process of measuring weight from the load cell 510 is repeated. When a set target weight is reached, a solenoid valve operates the ice cream deviation system.