CN223111500U

CN223111500U - Coffee machine and milk foam generating system

Info

Publication number: CN223111500U
Application number: CN202422365606.7U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 邱步; 周梦德; 汤潇
Original assignee: AO Smith China Water Heater Co Ltd; AO Smith China Environmental Products Co Ltd
Current assignee: AO Smith China Water Heater Co Ltd; AO Smith China Environmental Products Co Ltd
Priority date: 2024-09-26
Filing date: 2024-09-26
Publication date: 2025-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-26

Abstract

The utility model discloses a coffee machine and a milk foam generating system, wherein the coffee machine comprises a coffee liquid generating module, a steam conveying pipeline, a movable tank body and a milk container, wherein the coffee liquid generating module is provided with a hot water inlet and a coffee liquid outlet, the steam generating module is provided with a water inlet and a steam outlet, the water inlet is used for inputting water required for generating steam to the steam generating module, the steam generated by the steam generating module flows to the steam outlet, the steam conveying pipeline is provided with a steam inlet and a steam outlet, the steam inlet is connected with the steam outlet, the movable tank body is used for containing milk liquid, the tank body is provided with a communication port matched with the steam outlet, and when the communication port on the tank body is communicated with the steam outlet, steam flowing out of the steam outlet can flow into the tank body. According to the utility model, parts which are not easy to clean are directly canceled, a brand new structure is adopted for replacement, and the milk is only contacted with the tank body for containing the milk, so that the problems that in the prior art, milk stains are difficult to clean and easy to remain, and the residual milk stains are easy to deteriorate to influence the use experience of users can be preferably solved.

Description

Coffee machine and milk foam generating system

Technical Field

The utility model relates to the technical field of beverage brewing equipment, in particular to a coffee machine and a milk brewing generation system.

Background

A fully automatic coffee machine refers to a machine that can make a cup of coffee by simply pressing a button. Full-automatic coffee machines automatically realize the whole process from grinding coffee beans to brewing coffee with hot water, and are favored by many families and enterprises.

At present, many full-automatic coffee machines integrate the function of frothing milk, so as to meet the demands of users on the taste and the ornamental value of coffee drinks. For coffee machines integrated with a frothing function, it is usual to include a milk tube, one end of which can be inserted through the refrigerator into the milk in the refrigerator, the other end of which extends into the frothed container, through which the milk in the refrigerator can flow into the frothed container. After use, the milk tube for circulating milk needs to be detached and manually cleaned periodically. However, since the milk tube is a small-bore tube body, it is prone to residue, i.e., the inner surface is not easily cleaned, when it is manually cleaned. When the remained milk adheres to the inner surface of the tube body, deterioration can occur after a certain time, so that bacteria exceed standard and peculiar smell is generated.

Furthermore, for the above-mentioned coffee machine integrated with the frothing function, there may be also structures that need to contact the milk, such as a water nozzle for milk discharge provided at the end of the milk tube, an intake structure for sucking in milk, etc. These constructions also require the coffee machine to be removed together with the milk tube for manual cleaning after a certain period of use. These structures also have the above problems, that is, the inner surface is easy to retain milk stains and is not easy to be cleaned. After long-term use, residual milk stain is easy to deteriorate, so that bacteria exceed standard and peculiar smell is generated, and the use experience of a user can be influenced.

For this reason, it is necessary to propose a coffee machine and a milk foam generating system which solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

Disclosure of utility model

Aiming at the defects existing in the prior art, the embodiment of the utility model provides a coffee machine and a milk foam generating system, which are replaced by adopting a brand new structure by directly canceling parts which are not easy to clean, and milk only contacts with a tank body for containing the milk, so that the problems that milk stains are difficult to clean and easy to remain, and the residual milk stains are easy to deteriorate and influence the use experience of users in the prior art can be preferably solved.

The specific technical scheme of the embodiment of the utility model is as follows:

a coffee maker, the coffee maker comprising:

The coffee liquid generating module is provided with a hot water inlet and a coffee liquid outlet, and hot water input from the hot water inlet flows through coffee materials in the coffee liquid generating module to generate coffee liquid to the coffee liquid outlet;

The steam generation module is provided with a water inlet and a steam outlet, the water inlet is used for inputting water required by steam generation to the steam generation module, and the steam generated by the steam generation module flows to the steam outlet;

The steam delivery pipeline is provided with a steam inlet and a steam outlet, and the steam inlet is connected with the steam outlet;

The movable tank body is used for containing milk, the tank body is provided with a communication port matched with the steam outlet, and when the communication port on the tank body is communicated with the steam outlet, steam flowing out of the steam outlet can flow into the tank body.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner wall of the can is a smooth surface or is provided with an easy-to-clean coating.

In a preferred embodiment, the coffee maker has an operating mode for simultaneously generating coffee liquid and steam, and when the coffee maker enters the operating mode for simultaneously generating coffee liquid and steam, the steam generation module inputs steam into the tank to heat the milk to a predetermined temperature range, and the coffee liquid generation module generates a predetermined volume of coffee liquid.

In a preferred embodiment, the milk is heated to a predetermined temperature range upon completion of preparing a predetermined volume of coffee liquid or before completion of preparing a predetermined volume of coffee liquid by the coffee machine.

In a preferred embodiment, when the communication port of the tank containing milk is communicated with the steam outlet, the steam generation module can input steam with preset time length into the tank to heat the milk to a preset temperature range.

In a preferred embodiment, the tank is arranged inside or outside the housing of the coffee machine.

In a preferred embodiment, the steam outlet extends out of the housing of the coffee machine, and the tank is arranged outside the housing of the coffee machine.

In a preferred embodiment, a unidirectional conduction component is arranged at the communication port of the tank body, and the unidirectional conduction component is configured to prevent the milk from flowing out of the communication port when the communication port of the tank body is disconnected from the steam outlet or is in a non-connection state.

In a preferred embodiment, the unidirectional conducting component is configured such that when the communication port on the tank is in communication with the steam outlet, the unidirectional conducting component is opened or pushed away by steam output from the steam outlet so that steam flowing out of the steam outlet flows into the tank.

In a preferred embodiment, the unidirectional conduction component comprises any one of a unidirectional valve and a solenoid valve.

In a preferred embodiment, the coffee maker further includes a steam guide member provided downstream of the communication port of the tank, the steam guide member allowing steam to flow into the milk of the tank in a predetermined manner when the one-way conduction member is opened or pushed away by the steam output from the steam outlet.

In a preferred embodiment, an air intake mechanism is connected to the steam delivery pipe, and the air intake mechanism is used for mixing a predetermined gas into the steam in the steam delivery pipe.

In a preferred embodiment, the air intake mechanism comprises a venturi structure having an inlet end, an outlet end and an air inlet, the inlet end and the outlet end being connected to the steam delivery line, respectively, the air inlet being provided in a throat section of the venturi structure.

In a preferred embodiment, an inlet valve is provided at or upstream of the inlet port for controlling the on-off of a predetermined gas into the steam delivery line and/or the flow of the predetermined gas.

In a preferred embodiment, the tank comprises a bottom wall and a side wall, the steam guide being provided on the bottom wall and/or on the side wall adjacent to the bottom wall.

In a preferred embodiment, the steam guide comprises at least one jet, the jet being directed to eject fluid at a predetermined angle to the radial direction of the tank.

In a preferred embodiment, the steam guide is provided on the bottom wall, and the distance from the spout to the center of the bottom wall is greater than the distance from the spout to the side wall.

In a preferred embodiment, the communication port is disposed opposite to the steam guide member, and the steam guide member is located in the tank and is integrally formed with the tank.

In a preferred embodiment, the steam guiding member includes a side wall and a top wall, the spout is provided on the side wall of the steam guiding member, and the top wall of the steam guiding member is provided opposite to the communication port.

In a preferred embodiment, the communication port is in sealing engagement with the steam outlet in a detachable manner, and when the communication port is in contact with the steam outlet, the communication port is in sealing engagement with the steam outlet.

In a preferred embodiment, the coffee machine further comprises a heating module arranged upstream of the hot water inlet for supplying hot water to the coffee liquid generating module, which heating module is capable of communicating with an external water source and/or with a water tank arranged inside the coffee machine.

In a preferred embodiment, the water inlet of the steam generating module is in communication with the water tank and/or an external water source.

In a preferred embodiment, the coffee machine is further provided with a base adapted to the bottom wall of the tank, the steam outlet being provided on the base.

In a preferred embodiment, the base is provided with a first matching part adapted to the steam outlet, and the steam outlet is matched with the first matching part in a detachable connection mode.

In a preferred embodiment, the base is provided with a second matching portion adapted to the bottom wall of the tank, and the bottom wall of the tank is provided with a butt joint portion butt-jointed with the second matching portion, and the butt joint portion is movably matched with the second matching portion.

In a preferred embodiment, a unidirectional conduction component is arranged at the communication port of the tank body, a third matching part used for matching with the unidirectional conduction component is arranged on the base, and the unidirectional conduction component can be opened by the third matching part when the tank body is installed in the base.

In a preferred embodiment, the inlet valve comprises a regulating valve capable of regulating the flow of the predetermined gas flowing into the steam delivery line, the coffee machine comprising a controller in which a plurality of coffee preparation modes are stored, the opening of the regulating valve being correspondingly stored in different ones of the coffee preparation modes.

In a preferred embodiment, the coffee machine further comprises a temperature detection member for detecting the temperature of milk in the tank, a controller electrically connected with the air inlet valve and the temperature detection member, and when the coffee machine is in a first processing stage of milk frothing processing, the controller controls the air inlet valve to reduce the air inlet amount or is switched from an open state to a closed state when the temperature detection member detects that the temperature of milk reaches a first preset temperature.

In a preferred embodiment, the first preset temperature is 40±5 ℃.

In a preferred embodiment, the coffee machine further comprises a steam control valve, wherein the steam control valve is arranged on the steam conveying pipeline and used for controlling the on-off state of the steam generation module and the tank body and/or the steam flow output by the steam generation module.

In a preferred embodiment, the steam control valve is electrically connected to the controller, and the controller controls the steam control valve to switch from an open state to a closed state when the temperature detecting member detects that the temperature of the milk reaches a second preset temperature after the coffee machine is switched from a first processing stage of the milk frothing process to a second processing stage of the milk frothing process.

In a preferred embodiment, the second preset temperature is 60±5 ℃.

In a preferred embodiment, the coffee machine has a coffee outlet for the outflow of coffee, which is arranged opposite the tank, the coffee flowing out of the coffee outlet being able to flow into the milk of the tank, or the tank is offset from the coffee outlet, the coffee flowing out of the coffee outlet not flowing into the milk of the tank.

A milk foam generating system, the milk foam generating system comprising:

The air inlet mechanism is connected to the steam conveying pipeline and is used for mixing preset gas into steam in the steam conveying pipeline;

The milk bottle comprises a bottle body, wherein the bottle body is used for containing milk, the bottle body is provided with a communication port matched with the steam outlet, and when the communication port on the bottle body is communicated with the steam outlet, fluid flowing out from the steam outlet can flow into the bottle body.

In a preferred embodiment, the milk foam generating system further comprises a steam guiding member provided downstream of the communication port of the tank, the steam guiding member causing steam to flow into the milk of the tank in a predetermined manner when the one-way conduction member is opened or pushed away by the steam output from the steam outlet.

In a preferred embodiment, the milk foam generating system is further provided with a base adapted to the bottom wall of the tank, the steam outlet being provided on the base.

The technical scheme of the utility model has the following remarkable beneficial effects:

In the coffee machine provided by the embodiment of the application, in the process of heating milk in the tank body or heating and foaming, only the tank body is in contact with the milk, and other components (such as an air inlet mechanism comprising a Venturi structure and the like) communicated with the steam conveying pipeline are not in contact with the milk. In addition, the tank body contacted with milk can be moved, and can be cleaned independently and conveniently by a user.

Specific embodiments of the utility model are disclosed in detail below with reference to the following description and drawings, indicating the manner in which the principles of the utility model may be employed. It should be understood that the embodiments of the utility model are not limited in scope thereby. The embodiments of the utility model include many variations, modifications and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

Drawings

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. In addition, the shapes, proportional sizes, and the like of the respective components in the drawings are merely illustrative for aiding in understanding the present utility model, and are not particularly limited. Those skilled in the art with access to the teachings of the present utility model can select a variety of possible shapes and scale sizes to practice the present utility model as the case may be.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a coffee maker according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic structural view of a tank of a coffee machine according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a pod of a coffee machine according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a tank of a coffee machine according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a pod of a coffee machine according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a first use state of a tank of a coffee machine according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a second use state of a tank of a coffee machine according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural view of a milk foam generating system according to an embodiment of the present application.

The reference numerals of the application:

100. A coffee liquid generation module;

200. a steam generation module;

300. A steam delivery line;

310. A steam outlet;

320. A venturi structure;

301. an intake valve;

400. A tank body;

401. a bottom wall;

402. A sidewall;

403. An extension wall;

410. A communication port;

420. a one-way valve;

430. A steam guide member;

431. a spout;

440. A base;

441. A boss;

451. a first mating portion;

460. a connecting piece;

470. a sleeve;

500. a housing;

501. a coffee outlet;

510. A water receiving box;

610. A water tank;

620. a water pump;

630. A flow meter;

640. and a heating module.

Detailed Description

The technical solution of the present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings and specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are only for illustrating the present utility model and not for limiting the scope of the present utility model, and various modifications of equivalent forms of the present utility model will fall within the scope of the appended claims after reading the present utility model.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. When an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and the like are used herein for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be the only embodiment.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein in the description of the application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and/or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The utility model provides a coffee machine and a milk foam generating system, which can better solve the problems that milk stains are difficult to clean and easy to remain, and the residual milk stains are easy to deteriorate to influence the use experience of users in the prior art by directly canceling parts which are not easy to clean and adopting a brand new structure to replace the parts, wherein milk is only in contact with a tank body for containing the milk stains.

Referring to fig. 1 to 5 in combination, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a coffee machine is provided, which may include a coffee liquid generating module 100, the coffee liquid generating module 100 having a hot water inlet and a coffee liquid outlet, hot water input from the hot water inlet flowing through coffee materials in the coffee liquid generating module 100 to generate a coffee liquid flow to the coffee liquid outlet, a steam generating module 200, the steam generating module 200 having a water inlet and a steam outlet, the water inlet being used for inputting water required for generating steam to the steam generating module 200, the steam generated by the steam generating module 200 flowing toward the steam outlet, a steam conveying pipeline 300, the steam conveying pipeline 300 having a steam inlet and a steam outlet 310, the steam inlet being connected to the steam outlet, a tank 400 being movable, the tank 400 having a communication port 410 adapted to the steam outlet 310, the steam flowing from the tank 400 being connectable to the steam outlet when the communication port 410 on the tank 400 is in phase with the steam outlet 310.

In the embodiment of the application, in the use process of the coffee machine, only the tank 400 is in contact with milk, but the steam conveying pipeline 300 and other components communicated with the steam conveying pipeline 300 are not in contact with milk, compared with the prior art, the coffee machine directly eliminates parts such as a milk pipe which is not easy to clean, and can better solve the problems that in the prior art, milk stains are difficult to clean and easy to remain, and the residual milk stains are easy to deteriorate to influence the use experience of users. In addition, the milk-contacting can 400 itself can be moved, and can be subsequently cleaned individually and conveniently by a user.

The following detailed description will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

As shown in fig. 1, the coffee maker mainly includes a coffee liquid generating module 100, a steam generating module 200, a steam delivery pipe 300, a tank 400, and the like.

The coffee liquid generating module 100 is used for generating coffee liquid, and specifically, the coffee liquid generating module can comprise a hot water inlet, a coffee liquid outlet, a grinding mechanism for grinding coffee beans to form coffee powder, a pressing mechanism for pressing the coffee powder to form a coffee powder cake, and a brewing cavity for brewing the coffee powder cake, wherein the brewing cavity is communicated with the hot water inlet and the coffee liquid outlet. Of course, the specific structure, composition, etc. of the coffee maker module 100 is not limited to the above examples, but may also include other configurations included in the fully automatic coffee machine of the prior art.

In this embodiment, the hot water inlet may be directly connected to an external hot water source, for example, the hot water inlet may be connected to a water purifier, and hot water required for brewing coffee may be directly supplied to the hot water inlet through the water purifier.

Or the coffee machine may further comprise a heating module 640, the heating module 640 being arranged upstream of the hot water inlet for supplying hot water to the coffee liquid generating module 100. The heating module 640 can be in communication with an external water source and/or a water tank 610 disposed within the coffee maker.

When the coffee maker is provided with a heating module 640, the heating module 640 may be used to heat water flowing into the inside thereof. In addition, the coffee maker may be provided with a water tank 610, the water tank 610 being in communication with the heating module 640 so as to be able to supply water to the heating module 640. A control valve may be provided at or downstream of the outlet of the tank 610, and when the control valve is open, water in the tank 610 may flow into the heating module 640. Of course, for embodiments in which the water tank 610 is not provided, the heating module 640 may be supplied with water by communicating with an external water source.

In particular, the heating module 640 may be an instant heating mechanism, which may be in the form of a heated plate, for example. Of course, the present application does not exclude that the heating module 640 is a water-storage type heating mechanism, for example, a water container with a certain volume may be disposed inside the heating module.

When hot water is needed, at least one of an external water source and a water tank 610 within the coffee maker communicates with the heating module 640, thereby supplying water to the heating module 640. The heating plate raises the water flowing therethrough to a predetermined temperature to be supplied to the coffee liquid generating module 100.

In one embodiment, for a coffee machine provided with a hot water function, the outlet of the heating module 640 may be provided with a three-way switching valve comprising a first port connected to the outlet of the heating module 640, a second port connected to the coffee liquid generating module 100, and a third port in communication with a hot water waterway. When the user needs to use the hot water function of the coffee machine, the first interface and the third interface can be communicated by utilizing the three-way switching valve, so that hot water is output to the user at the terminal of the hot water waterway.

In one embodiment, a three-way switching valve may be further provided on the coffee tube between the coffee-making module 100 and the coffee outlet 501, two of the three-way switching valves being connected in the coffee tube, the third being connected with an evacuation line, which is provided with an evacuation pump, the end of which may be connected to a water collection box, or other location where drainage is possible. When the coffee machine is used, the hot water is filled in the coffee tube before the coffee liquid is discharged, so that a large amount of bubbles in the coffee caused by a large amount of air in the pipeline are avoided, and after the coffee liquid is discharged, the emptying pump can be started to suck the residual coffee in the coffee tube, so that the emptying is realized.

The steam generation module 200 is used for heating water to change from a liquid state to a steam state. The steam generation module 200 includes a water inlet for inputting water required for generating steam to the steam generation module 200, a steam generation unit for heating water flowing in through the water inlet to a steam state, and a steam output for outputting the water steam heated to the steam state by the steam generation unit. The steam generating unit may be in the form of a steam tray, and the steam generating unit is heated and evaporated by the steam tray after flowing into the steam tray to form steam. Of course, the specific form of the steam generating unit is not limited to the above examples, and the present application is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, the water inlet of the steam generation module 200 communicates with the water tank 610 and/or an external water source.

In this embodiment, the water inlet of the steam generation module 200 may communicate with at least one of the water tank 610, an external water source. For example, the water inlet of the steam generating module 200 and the water inlet of the heating module 640 may be connected to the outlet of the water tank 610 through a tee, and a flow meter 630, a water pump 620, and the like may be provided on a pipe line between the outlet of the water tank 610 and the tee. Wherein the flow meter 630 can be used to obtain the amount of water supplied from the water tank 610 to the steam generating module 200 or the heating module 640, and the water pump 620 can be used to pump out the water in the water tank 610 to the steam generating module 200 or the heating module 640.

The steam delivery line 300 is used to guide the steam generated by the steam generating module 200 to the tank 400. The steam delivery line 300 may generally comprise a hollow tube, with the steam delivery line 300 having a steam inlet and a steam outlet 310, the steam inlet being coupled to the steam outlet for receiving steam output from the steam outlet.

The vapor delivery line 300 may also be provided with a bypass branch that may be used to vent the vapor in the vapor delivery line 300 to a water collection box or other location where the vapor may be collected or vented. The bypass line 300 may be connected to the steam line by a switching valve.

In one embodiment, an air intake mechanism is connected to the steam delivery pipe 300, and the air intake mechanism is used for mixing a predetermined gas into the steam in the steam delivery pipe 300.

In this embodiment, an air intake mechanism that can be used to mix a predetermined gas into the steam in the steam delivery pipe 300 may be connected to the steam delivery pipe 300. The predetermined gas may be air. Of course, the predetermined gas may be other gas that can be mixed into coffee, such as carbon dioxide, and in the embodiment of the present application, the air having the lowest cost is mainly exemplified.

Further, the air intake mechanism may include a venturi structure 320, where the venturi structure 320 has an inlet end, an outlet end, and an air inlet, the inlet end and the outlet end are respectively connected to the steam delivery pipe 300, and the air inlet is disposed at a throat section of the venturi structure 320.

In this embodiment, the air intake mechanism may be a venturi structure 320. The venturi structure 320 has an inlet and an outlet connected to the steam delivery pipe 300, respectively, and when steam flows through the steam delivery pipe 300, negative pressure is generated at a throat section having a smallest diameter, thereby sucking air into the venturi structure 320 and mixing the air into the steam.

Further, an air inlet valve 301 is disposed at the air inlet or upstream of the air inlet, and the air inlet valve 301 is used for controlling on-off of a predetermined gas into the steam delivery pipeline 300 and/or flow of the predetermined gas.

In order to accurately control the on-off and/or inflow amount of air flowing into the air inlet of the venturi, an air intake valve 301 is provided at or upstream of the air inlet. For example, an intake branch may be connected at the intake port. The air inlet valve 301 may be disposed in the air inlet branch, and the air inlet valve 301 may specifically be an on-off valve capable of controlling on-off of air, or may be a regulating valve capable of regulating air flow.

On the air intake branch, specifically, a filtering mechanism may be further disposed upstream of the air intake valve 301, where the filtering mechanism is used for purifying and filtering air, improving cleanliness of air mixed into steam, and preventing impurities in air from blocking the air intake valve 301, venturi structure and other structures, so as to affect use reliability of the coffee machine. In particular, the form of the filter mechanism may include a plurality of forms and combinations thereof, and in particular, the present application is not limited solely herein.

The tank 400 may be used to hold milk. Specifically, the shape, structure, material, etc. of the can 400 are not particularly limited herein, for example, the can 400 may be a cylinder with one end opened, and an operation portion, such as a handle, may be provided on the sidewall 402 of the can 400, so as to be convenient for a user to hold for performing operations such as pouring, cleaning, etc. The tank 400 may not only hold milk, but also may not exclude users from having other materials (e.g., juice, tea, etc.) in the tank 400 or from using the tank 400 for other purposes according to their actual needs.

In this embodiment, the tank 400 is relatively movable with respect to the housing 500 of the coffee machine, so that a user can flexibly operate the tank 400 according to actual requirements, and further, the subsequent operations such as cleaning the tank 400 are facilitated.

In one embodiment, the inner wall of the can 400 is a smooth surface or is provided with an easy-to-clean coating.

In this embodiment, in order to facilitate efficient, residue-free cleaning of the can 400 in contact with milk, the inner wall of the can 400 may be provided with a smooth surface or with an easy-to-clean coating.

For example, when the inner wall of the can 400 is a smooth surface, the smoothness may be such that the roughness Ra is less than 0.8 microns and the finish level may be above 12. Of course, the smoothness of the inner wall surface of the can 400 may be described in other quantitative or qualitative manners, and the present application is not particularly limited thereto.

When the inner wall of the can 400 is provided with the easy-to-clean coating, the easy-to-clean coating may be a fluoropolymer coating, a ceramic coating, an enamel coating, an organosilicon coating, or the like, and of course, the specific form of the easy-to-clean coating may be other forms, not limited to the above description, and other modifications are possible by those skilled in the art in light of the technical spirit of the present application, but are intended to be included in the scope of the present application as long as the functions and effects implemented are the same as or similar to those of the present application.

Wherein the can 400 may be disposed inside the housing 500 of the coffee maker or outside the housing 500. When the can 400 is disposed in the housing 500 of the coffee maker, the housing 500 may be provided with an open or semi-open area for accommodating the can 400, for example, an accommodating space having an opening, the can 400 may be disposed in the accommodating space, or an opening of the accommodating space may be provided with an openable and closable movable door, which may be in a closed state when milk in the can 400 is warmed or whipped, thereby preventing the external environment from polluting the milk in the can 400. Or, for example, the pod 400 may be positioned in the area of the cartridge 510 of the coffee maker. In the area of the water receiving box 510, a user can intuitively observe the frothing condition of the milk in the can 400. Or the can 400 may be disposed outside the housing 500 of the coffee maker, and the can 400 may be partially in contact with the housing 500 of the coffee maker or not in contact with the housing 500 of the coffee maker at all. Of course, when the can 400 is disposed outside the housing 500 of the coffee maker, the specific disposition thereof is not particularly limited herein.

In one embodiment, wherein the steam outlet 310 extends out of the housing 500 of the coffee maker, the canister 400 is disposed outside the housing 500 of the coffee maker.

In this embodiment, when the can 400 is disposed outside the housing 500 of the coffee maker, the can 400 may be connected only to the steam outlet 310 protruding out of the housing 500 of the coffee maker. The steam outlet 310 may be located at a position of the housing 500, for example, the steam outlet 310 may be located at a water receiving box 510 of the coffee machine, and when the tank 400 is abutted with the steam outlet 310, it is also located approximately at the area of the water receiving box 510, so as to facilitate the operation of the user. Of course, the specific position of the steam outlet 310 on the housing 500 of the coffee machine is not limited to the above example, and may be adaptively adjusted according to the operation habit of the user, the structure of the housing 500 of the coffee machine, and the like.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7 in combination, in one embodiment, the coffee machine has a coffee outlet 501 for delivering coffee, the coffee outlet 501 is disposed opposite to the tank 400, and the coffee delivered from the coffee outlet 501 can flow into the milk of the tank 400, or the tank 400 is disposed offset from the coffee outlet 501, and the coffee delivered from the coffee outlet 501 does not flow into the milk of the tank 400.

In this embodiment, the position of the can 400 is different, and the corresponding function may be different. For example, as shown in fig. 7, in one scenario, the coffee outlet 501 is disposed opposite to the tank 400, so that the coffee flowing out of the coffee outlet 501 can flow into the milk in the tank 400, thereby obtaining a cup of coffee with milk, and omitting the step of mixing the milk with the coffee. In addition, since the can 400 is separable from the housing 500 of the coffee maker, the can 400 can be directly used as a coffee cup to be used by a user.

As shown in fig. 6, in another scenario, the coffee outlet 501 and the tank 400 are arranged in a staggered manner, that is, the coffee flowing out of the coffee outlet 501 flows into a coffee cup opposite to the coffee outlet, the milk in the tank 400 is heated and beaten separately, and then a predetermined amount of heated and beaten milk can be heated in the coffee according to the needs of the user.

In this embodiment, the tank 400 is provided with a communication port 410 adapted to the steam outlet 310, and the communication port 410 may be opened when steam needs to flow into the tank 400, so that the communication port 410 on the tank 400 is connected to the steam outlet 310, so that steam flowing out of the steam outlet 310 may flow into the tank 400. When the steam with higher temperature flows into the milk in the tank 400, the milk in the tank 400 can be heated, and particularly when a certain amount of air is mixed into the steam, the milk in the tank 400 can be heated and simultaneously can be efficiently beaten to form milk foam.

In the coffee machine provided in the embodiment of the application, in the process of heating up milk in the tank 400 or heating up and foaming, only the tank 400 is in contact with milk, but no other parts (such as an air inlet mechanism including a venturi structure 320) communicated with the steam conveying pipeline 300 and the steam conveying pipeline 300 are in contact with milk, compared with the prior art, parts which are not easy to clean are directly eliminated, and the problems that milk stains are difficult to clean, are easy to remain, and the residual milk stains are easy to deteriorate and influence the use experience of users in the prior art can be preferably solved. In addition, the milk-contacting can 400 itself can be moved, and can be subsequently cleaned individually and conveniently by a user.

Wherein the pod 400 may be moved, meaning that the pod 400 itself is in a non-stationary arrangement, e.g., the pod 400 may simply remain in contact with the housing 500 or other location of the coffee machine, or simply snap-fit or plug-in location. The can 400 can be conveniently moved when a subsequent user needs to move the can 400. Of course, it should be noted that in some other embodiments, the case that the can 400 cannot be simply moved is not excluded. For example, the pod 400 may be secured to the housing 500 of the coffee maker, or within the housing 500. In this case, the tank 400 which is easily cleaned can be cleaned by using the self-cleaning mode of the machine.

Further, a unidirectional conduction member is provided at the communication port 410 of the tank 400, and the unidirectional conduction member is configured to prevent the milk from flowing out of the communication port 410 when the communication port 410 of the tank 400 is disconnected from the steam outlet 310 or is in a non-connection state.

In this embodiment, by providing the unidirectional conductive member at the communication port 410 of the tank 400, milk can be prevented from flowing into the steam delivery pipe 300 from the communication port 410 of the tank 400, so that it is possible to reliably ensure that members having a small flow cross section (for example, the steam delivery pipe 300 and other members communicating with the steam delivery pipe 300) that are difficult to clean do not come into contact with milk.

Specifically, the one-way conduction member may be configured such that it can prevent the milk from flowing out of the communication port 410 when the communication port 410 of the can 400 is disconnected from the steam outlet 310 or in a non-connection state, and be opened or pushed away by the steam outputted from the steam outlet 310 when the communication port 410 of the can 400 is connected to the steam outlet 310 so that the steam flowing out of the steam outlet 310 flows into the can 400.

In this embodiment, the on-off control of the unidirectional conducting component may include one or a combination of various forms, for example, the on-off control of the unidirectional conducting component may be controlled by steam pressure, when the steam outlet 310 outputs steam with pressure, the unidirectional conducting component may be switched from an off or non-on state to an on or on state by the pressure of the steam, or the on-off control of the unidirectional conducting component may be implemented by a structure inside the unidirectional conducting component or the unidirectional conducting component cooperates with the steam outlet 310. For example, when the on-off control of the unidirectional conduction member is implemented by the unidirectional conduction member being matched with the steam outlet 310, the unidirectional conduction member can be conducted or an acting force for conducting the unidirectional conduction member is generated when the tank 400 is contacted with the steam outlet 310, the unidirectional conduction member can be conducted by matching with the steam pressure, and when the tank 400 is separated from the steam outlet 310, the unidirectional conduction member can be in a non-conducting state.

The unidirectional conduction component can comprise any one of a unidirectional valve 420 and an electromagnetic valve. Of course, the specific form of the unidirectional conductive component is not limited to the above description, and other modifications may be made by those skilled in the art in light of the technical spirit of the present application, but it should be covered in the protection scope of the present application as long as the functions and effects implemented by the unidirectional conductive component are the same as or similar to those of the present application.

When the unidirectional conduction component is the unidirectional valve 420, the unidirectional valve 420 is not required to be connected with a controller of the coffee machine, and the unidirectional conduction function from the steam outlet 310 side to the tank 400 side can be controlled only under the pressure of steam and/or under the mechanical cooperation relationship of the steam outlet 310. When the unidirectional conduction component is in the form of an electromagnetic valve, the unidirectional conduction component can be electrically connected with a controller of the coffee machine, and the controller can control the on-off of the electromagnetic valve so as to accurately control the on-off. In the whole, by providing the unidirectional conductive member, it is possible to more reliably ensure that the milk in the tank 400 does not contact other members than the tank 400.

In this embodiment, the coffee liquid generating module 100 and the steam generating module 200 in the coffee machine may be turned on separately or simultaneously. For example, when milk needs to be heated, the steam generating module 200 may be started, the steam generating module 200 heats water into steam, and when the communication port 410 of the tank 400 containing milk is connected to the steam outlet 310, the steam generating module 200 inputs steam into the tank 400 for a preset time period to heat the milk to a preset temperature range.

The coffee maker has an operation mode of synchronously generating coffee liquid and steam, and when the coffee maker enters the operation mode of synchronously generating coffee liquid and steam, the steam generation module 200 inputs steam into the tank 400 to heat the milk to a predetermined temperature range, and the coffee liquid generation module 100 generates a predetermined volume of coffee liquid.

The coffee machine can generate coffee by using the coffee generation module 100 and can generate steam by using the steam generation module 200, when the operation mode of synchronously generating the coffee and the steam of the coffee machine is started, the steam generated by the steam generation module 200 can be supplied into milk in the tank 400 so as to heat the milk to a preset temperature range, and the coffee generation module 100 can synchronously generate a preset volume of coffee for a user. The preset temperature range of the milk can be comprehensively regulated and controlled according to parameters such as the temperature of the steam, the flow rate of the steam, the time of introducing the steam into the milk and the like. Specific values of the predetermined temperature range are not limiting herein. The volume of the coffee liquid can also be adaptively selected according to the requirements of the user, for example, the volume of the coffee liquid required to be taken by the user at one time can be set in a personalized way. The specific value of the predetermined volume of the coffee liquid is not limited herein.

Further, in this mode of operation of simultaneous generation of coffee liquid and steam, the milk is heated to a predetermined temperature range upon completion of preparation of a predetermined volume of coffee liquid or before completion of preparation of a predetermined volume of coffee liquid by the coffee machine.

That is, a predetermined volume of coffee grounds may be prepared exactly when the milk is heated to a predetermined temperature range, or the predetermined volume of coffee grounds may be in the process of being prepared. For coffee, the coffee beans need to be ground and the like during the preparation, which is relatively time-consuming, especially for preparing a large volume of coffee, the preparation process is relatively long, and when the milk is heated to a predetermined temperature range, the coffee can be prepared.

Of course, in embodiments of the present application, not limited to the above examples, for example, the coffee maker may pre-activate the coffee generating module 100, and subsequently control the time required to complete the preparation of the predetermined volume of coffee in conjunction with the time required for the milk to be heated to the predetermined temperature range before the milk is heated to the predetermined temperature range or while the milk is heated to the predetermined temperature range or after the milk is heated to the predetermined temperature range.

Referring to fig. 2 to 5 in combination, in one embodiment, the coffee maker may further include a steam guide member 430 disposed downstream of the communication port 410 of the can 400, the steam guide member 430 allowing steam to flow into milk of the can 400 in a predetermined manner when the one-way conduction member is opened or pushed away by the steam output from the steam outlet 310.

In this embodiment, a steam guiding member 430 may be further disposed downstream of the communication port 410 of the tank 400, where the steam guiding member 430 is configured to guide steam into milk in a predetermined manner when the unidirectional conductive member is in a communication state, so as to drive at least part of the milk to perform a swirling motion, thereby enabling the steam to be uniformly mixed with the milk, and also facilitating sufficient mixing of milk foam and milk.

As shown in fig. 2, the can 400 may include a bottom wall 401 and a side wall 402, and the steam guide 430 may be disposed on the bottom wall 401 and/or the side wall 402 adjacent to the bottom wall 401. When the steam guiding component 430 is disposed on the bottom wall 401 of the tank 400 or the side wall 402 close to the bottom wall 401, on the premise that no component extending into the milk is disposed, the steam flowing out of the steam guiding component 430 can generate larger disturbance to the whole milk from bottom to top in the height direction, so that the milk in the tank 400 can be heated uniformly, and in addition, uniform milk foam can be generated in the milk.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, the steam guide 430 includes at least one nozzle 431, and the direction of the fluid ejected from the nozzle 431 forms a predetermined angle with the radial direction of the tank 400.

In this embodiment, the steam guide 430 may be integrally formed as a hollow cover. For example, the steam guide 430 includes a side wall 402 and a top wall. Wherein the steam guide 430 may be provided on the bottom wall 401. When the steam guide member 430 is disposed on the bottom wall 401, the communication port 410 may be disposed opposite to the steam guide member 430, and in particular, the top wall of the steam guide member 430 is disposed opposite to the communication port 410, so that the steam introduced from the communication port 410 can be directly and efficiently introduced into the steam guide member 430.

The top wall of the steam guide 430 may be located within the can 400 and the side walls of the steam guide 430 may be located at least partially within the can 400. For example, referring to fig. 4 and 5 in combination, a portion of the sidewall of the steam guide 430 may be positioned in the can 400, and another portion may protrude from the bottom wall 401 of the can 400 to be positioned outside the can 400. The steam guide 430 may be detachably coupled to the bottom wall 401 of the can 400, thereby facilitating separate removal and cleaning of the steam guide 430 and the can 400. The detachable connection may be a threaded connection, for example, an outer surface of the sidewall of the steam guide member 430 protruding from the bottom wall 401 of the can 400 may be provided with external threads, and the steam guide member 430 may be fixed to the bottom wall 401 of the can 400 by a connection 460 (e.g., a nut) provided with internal threads cooperating with the external threads of the steam guide member 430. Further, when the steam guide 430 is detachably fixed to the bottom wall 401 of the can 400 by the connector 460, in order to ensure tightness of the can 400, the mating position of the steam guide 430 and the connector 460, and prevent milk in the can 400 from leaking out of the mating position, the can 400 may further include a sealing ring, which may be specifically disposed between the connector 460 and the bottom wall 401 of the can 400. For example, a groove may be provided on the top surface of the connection member 460, and the sealing ring may be installed in the groove by an interference fit, so that a better sealing effect can be achieved when the connection member 460 is connected with the steam guide 430.

Or the steam guide member 430 may be located in the tank 400 and integrally constructed with the tank 400, so that milk does not flow out through the coupling position between the steam guide member 430 and the tank 400 without providing a sealing member between the steam guide member 430 and the tank 400, thereby simplifying the structure and reducing the assembling steps while ensuring the sealing performance as a whole.

Wherein the steam guide 430 includes at least one spouting 431. As shown in fig. 4, specifically, the spouts 431 are disposed on the sidewall of the steam guide 430, the number of the spouts 431 may be plural, and the spouts 431 may be arranged at intervals along the height direction. The size of the aperture of the nozzle 431 may be determined comprehensively according to factors such as the pressure of the steam moving to the nozzle 431, and the present application is not limited herein. The direction of the fluid sprayed from the nozzle 431 and the radial direction of the tank 400 form a predetermined angle, specifically, the predetermined angle may be a larger acute angle, for example, the predetermined angle may be closer to 90 degrees, so that the fluid sprayed from the nozzle 431 may be sprayed along the tangential direction of the contour of the sidewall 402 of the tank 400, thereby efficiently driving the milk in the tank 400 to perform the swirling motion.

As shown in fig. 3, in one embodiment, the steam guide 430 is disposed on the bottom wall 401, and a distance H1 from the spouts 431 to the center of the bottom wall 401 is greater than a distance H2 from the spouts 431 to the side wall 402.

In this embodiment, when the steam guide 430 is disposed on the bottom wall 401, the nozzle 431 of the steam guide 430 is disposed closer to the side wall 402 than the center of the bottom wall 401, so that the steam sprayed from the nozzle 431 can act on more milk in the tank 400 more effectively, and the milk in the tank 400 can perform swirling motion from outside to inside effectively.

In one embodiment, the communication port 410 is in sealing engagement with the steam outlet 310 in a detachable manner, and the communication port 410 is in sealing engagement with the steam outlet 310 when the communication port 410 is in contact with the steam outlet 310.

In this embodiment, the communication port 410 and the steam outlet 310 may be detachably engaged. Specifically, the detachable mode can be an inner and outer sleeving mode through plugging. For example, the communication port 410 may be sleeved on the periphery of the steam outlet 310 or inserted into the inner side of the steam outlet 310, and when the steam outlet 310 needs to be disassembled, the communication port 410 may be directly separated from the steam outlet 310 by plugging. Further, in order to ensure the tightness of the matching position of the communication port 410 and the steam outlet 310, the communication port 410 and the steam outlet 310 are in butt joint, and can be sealed at the same time. Specifically, taking the case that the communication port 410 is sleeved on the periphery of the steam outlet 310, a sealing member may be further disposed at a position opposite to the communication port 410 on the periphery of the steam outlet 310, and when the communication port 410 is in butt joint with the steam outlet 310, the communication port 410 can be abutted against the sealing member, so as to realize sealing fit between the communication port 410 and the steam outlet 310.

Specifically, a sleeve 470 with a predetermined height may be disposed inside the steam guiding component 430, a valve core of the check valve 420 is disposed inside the sleeve 470, that is, the sleeve 470 may be used as a valve sleeve of the check valve 420, an upper end of the sleeve 470 abuts against a step formed by the inner sidewall 402 of the steam guiding component 430, a sealing member may be disposed between an upper portion of the sleeve 470 and the inner sidewall 402 of the steam guiding component 430, and the sealing member is used to seal, so as to ensure that fluid (steam, steam mixed with air, etc.) cannot leak from a matched position of the two. The lower end of the sleeve 470 may be used to form the communication port 410.

Referring to fig. 2, 4 and 5 in combination, in some embodiments, the coffee maker is further provided with a base 440 adapted to the bottom wall 401 of the can 400, and the steam outlet 310 is disposed on the base 440.

In this embodiment, the coffee maker may further comprise a base 440, which base 440 is arranged to provide the steam outlet 310 on the one hand, and to receive the tank 400 and its communication opening 410 on the other hand. The overall outer contour configuration of the base 440 may be adapted to the bottom wall 401 configuration of the can 400. For example, when the bottom wall 401 is circular, the entire outer contour of the base 440 may be cylindrical. Of course, the particular outer contour configuration of the base 440 is not a unique limitation of the present application herein.

Further, a first matching portion 451 for matching with the steam outlet 310 is provided on the base 440, and the steam outlet 310 is matched with the first matching portion 451 in a detachable connection manner.

In this embodiment, a first engaging portion 451 may be disposed on the base 440 opposite to the communication port 410, and the specific configuration of the first engaging portion 451 may be matched with the steam outlet 310. The first engaging portion 451 may be engaged with the steam outlet 310 by a detachable connection. Specifically, the detachable connection mode may be plug connection. For example, the first mating portion 451 of the base 440 may be a plug-in port, and the steam outlet 310 may specifically include a connector provided with an opening, the connector being inserted into the plug-in port to mate with the plug-in port, and the steam outlet 310 may be reliably restrained at the first mating portion 451 of the base 440.

Of course, the specific matching relationship and manner of the steam outlet 310 and the first matching portion 451 on the base 440 may be other manners, and those skilled in the art may make other modifications within the spirit of the present application, but all the functions and effects achieved by the present application are included in the scope of the present application as long as they are the same or similar to those of the present application.

In one embodiment, the base 440 is provided with a second mating portion adapted to the bottom wall 401 of the can 400, and the bottom wall 401 of the can 400 is provided with a docking portion docking with the second mating portion, where the docking portion is movably mated with the second mating portion.

In this embodiment, the base 440 and the can 400 may be movably coupled by a docking portion and a second coupling portion. Specifically, the bottom wall 401 of the can 400 is provided with an annular extending wall 403 downward, the extending portion is used to form the abutting portion, the upper surface of the base 440 may be provided with a protruding portion 441 adapted to the extending wall 403, and the protruding portion 441 is used to form the second mating portion. The raised portion 441 can extend into the cavity surrounded by the extension wall 403, and the extension wall 403 and the raised portion 441 cooperate to not only guide the can 400 when the can 400 is mated with the base 440, but also position the can 400 after the can 400 is assembled with the base 440 in place. Of course, the specific form of the second mating portion and the abutting portion is not limited to the above examples, and the present application is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, a unidirectional conductive component is disposed at the communication port 410 of the can 400, and a third mating portion for mating with the unidirectional conductive component is disposed on the base 440, where the third mating portion can open the unidirectional conductive component when the can 400 is mounted in the base 440.

In the present embodiment, the unidirectional conductive member is exemplified by the unidirectional valve 420. As shown in fig. 5, the steam guide 430 cooperates with the communication port 410 (such as the sleeve 470 exemplified in the above embodiment) to form a valve housing, and a valve core is disposed in the valve body, and the valve core and the valve housing cooperate to form a unidirectional conductive member. In the orientation shown in fig. 5, the unidirectional conductive component is capable of conducting after a bottom-up force is applied to the unidirectional conductive component and the force reaches a predetermined value. The manner in which the force is applied to the unidirectional flow path member may include any one or a combination of the pressure of the fluid (steam), the mechanical working force of direct contact with the spool, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the tank 400 and the base 440 may be skillfully designed, and for example, a third engagement portion for engaging with the valve body of the unidirectional conductive member may be provided in the base 440. Specifically, the third matching portion may be a protruding portion 441 opposite to the valve core, when the tank 400 is installed in the base 440, the third matching portion may contact with the valve core, and apply a force to the valve core from bottom to top, so that the acting force of the valve core and the valve sleeve abutting against each other is reduced or even eliminated, so that the unidirectional conduction component is opened, and then the pressurized steam can flow into the tank 400 after passing through the unidirectional conduction component from bottom to top. Compared with the embodiment of pushing the unidirectional conduction component open only by the pressure of the steam with pressure, the unidirectional conduction component can be reliably ensured to be opened, and the pressure requirement on the steam with pressure can be greatly reduced.

In one embodiment, the intake valve 301 may include a regulating valve capable of regulating the flow rate of the predetermined gas flowing into the steam delivery line 300, and the coffee maker includes a controller in which a plurality of coffee preparation modes are stored, and the opening degrees of the regulating valves stored correspondingly are different in different coffee preparation modes.

In this embodiment, the intake valve 301 may specifically be in the form of an adjustment valve whose opening degree is adjustable. The coffee machine may include a controller having stored therein a plurality of coffee preparation modes, each of which is capable of preparing a different coffee product (e.g., american coffee, latte, cappuccino, mocha, macchiato, etc.), thereby enabling a corresponding coffee of a different mouthfeel. Specifically, the content of milk required and the proportion of bubbles in the milk are different for different coffee products. In the embodiment of the application, the on-off time of the gas, the flow rate of the gas and the like are effectively controlled, so that the manufacturing requirements of different coffee products can be met.

In some embodiments, the coffee machine may further include a temperature detecting member for detecting a temperature of milk in the tank 400, a controller electrically connected to the air inlet valve 301 and the temperature detecting member, and when the coffee machine is in a first processing stage of a milk frothing process, the controller controls the air inlet valve 301 to decrease an air inlet amount or to switch from an open state to a closed state when the temperature detecting member detects that the temperature of milk reaches a first preset temperature.

In this embodiment, the coffee machine may further include a temperature detecting member for detecting the temperature of milk in the tank 400, where the temperature detecting member may be disposed on the outer surface of the bottom wall 401 of the tank 400, so that the temperature detecting member may accurately obtain the temperature of milk without contacting the milk, and in addition, the temperature detecting member disposed on the outer surface of the bottom wall 401 of the tank 400 may also give consideration to the aesthetic requirement of the tank 400.

In this embodiment, the first treatment stage of the frothing treatment of the milk mainly refers to a frothing process in which sufficient bubbles are obtained before a first preset temperature. Wherein the first preset temperature is 40+/-5 ℃. When the milk is at the first preset temperature and the protein and fat in the milk have not reacted, the first treatment stage can be used to allow the protein to gradually spread and surface active effect to fully mix with air and water to form sufficient bubbles.

When the temperature of the milk reaches the first preset temperature, the intake air amount is reduced or the intake air is directly cut off by adjusting the intake valve 301. Wherein whether the bubbles in the milk have reached a sufficient level can be determined by detecting the level of the tank 400. For example, when the liquid level in the tank 400 rises by a predetermined height, it may be indicated that the air bubbles in the milk have reached a sufficient amount. The predetermined height of the liquid level may be different according to the volume, the structure, the milk volume, etc. of the tank 400, and the present application is not limited to specific values.

In one embodiment, the coffee machine further includes a steam control valve disposed on the steam delivery pipe 300 for controlling the on-off state of the steam generation module 200 and the tank 400 and/or the steam flow outputted from the steam generation module 200.

In this embodiment, the coffee maker may include a steam control valve that may be used to control the communication state of the steam generation module 200 with the can 400, for example, the steam control valve may be an on-off valve, when the steam control valve is opened, the steam generation module 200 is in communication with the can 400, and when the steam control valve is opened, the steam generation module 200 is not in communication with the can 400. In addition, the steam control valve may be a control valve with an adjustable opening, which can control the amount and duration of the steam input to the tank 400 by the steam generating module 200 according to the change of the actual application scenario.

In one embodiment, the steam control valve is electrically connected with the controller, and when the temperature detection part detects that the temperature of the milk reaches a second preset temperature after the coffee machine is switched from a first processing stage of milk frothing to a second processing stage of milk frothing, the controller controls the steam control valve to be switched from an open state to a closed state.

In this embodiment, the process of frothing milk comprises a first treatment stage for frothing and a second treatment stage for frothing. When the first treatment stage is completed, the temperature of the milk is typically heated to above 40 degrees celsius, and sufficient air bubbles are contained in the milk, only steam is introduced into the milk, and the introduced steam is used to agitate the milk to eliminate macrofoam in the milk, and simultaneously to allow the proteins and fat to collide. In this second treatment stage, the temperature is gradually increased from 40 degrees celsius, the sweetness of lactose in the milk is slowly apparent, the proteins are more stretched and collide with the fat, and the proteins form opposite hydrophilic ends and hydrophobic ends after stretching in the process of being heated. Wherein, the hydrophobic end is branched, and the branched can make the bubble formed stronger, and is difficult to defoam. In the whole, after the beating and continuous treatment in the second treatment stage, the milk foam becomes fine and soft, the fusion degree with the milk liquid is high, the liquid level is smooth and shiny, the milk fragrance is overflowed, and the milk foam tastes sweet.

When the temperature reaches the second preset temperature, the second treatment stage of beating cotton is completed, and the steam control valve can be closed. Wherein the second preset temperature is 60+/-5 ℃. When the temperature reaches above a second preset temperature, for example to 70 ℃, the proteins in the milk will break or denature, thereby reducing the quality of the milk foam and reducing the nutrition of the milk. Therefore, the second treatment stage of the frothing requires an accurate control of the temperature, preventing the milk from being heated to too high a temperature, which would cause internal protein breakage or deformation.

As shown in fig. 8, in the specification of the present application, there is further provided a milk foam generating system including a steam generating module 200, the steam generating module 200 having a water inlet for inputting water required for generating steam to the steam generating module 200 and a steam outlet to which the steam generated by the steam generating module 200 flows, a steam delivery pipe 300, the steam delivery pipe 300 having a steam inlet and a steam outlet 310, the steam inlet being connected to the steam outlet, an air inlet mechanism connected to the steam delivery pipe 300 for mixing a predetermined gas into the steam in the steam delivery pipe 300, a tank 400 for containing milk, the tank 400 having a communication port 410 adapted to the steam outlet 310, and the fluid flowing out of the steam outlet 310 being allowed to flow into the tank 400 when the communication port 410 on the tank 400 is connected to the steam outlet 310.

In the embodiment of the application, the milk foam generating system mainly comprises a steam generating module 200, a steam conveying pipeline 300, an air inlet mechanism and a tank 400. The milk foam generating system may be understood as a part of the above-mentioned coffee machine, wherein the respective components of the milk foam generating system, the cooperation between adjacent milk foam generating systems, the implemented functions, etc. may be referred to the specific description of the embodiments of the above-mentioned coffee machine, and the present application will not be repeated here.

Of course, the milk foam generating system can be applied in a coffee machine as a separate device for generating milk foam.

Wherein, for the tank 400, a unidirectional conduction component is provided at the communication port 410 of the tank 400, and the unidirectional conduction component is configured to prevent the milk from flowing out of the communication port 410 when the communication port 410 of the tank 400 is disconnected from the steam outlet 310 or is in a non-connection state.

Specifically, the one-way conduction member is configured such that, when the communication port 410 of the can 400 is connected to the steam outlet 310, the one-way conduction member is opened or pushed away by the steam outputted from the steam outlet 310 so that the steam flowing out of the steam outlet 310 flows into the can 400.

Specifically, the unidirectional conduction component comprises any one of a unidirectional valve 420 and an electromagnetic valve.

In addition, the milk foam generating system further includes a steam guide member 430 provided downstream of the communication port 410 of the tank 400, the steam guide member 430 allowing steam to flow into milk of the tank 400 in a predetermined manner when the one-way conduction member is opened or pushed away by steam output from the steam outlet 310.

Specifically, the air intake mechanism may include a venturi structure 320, where the venturi structure 320 has an inlet end, an outlet end, and an air inlet, the inlet end and the outlet end are respectively connected to the steam delivery pipe 300, and the air inlet is disposed at a throat section of the venturi structure 320.

Specifically, an air inlet valve 301 is disposed at the air inlet or upstream of the air inlet, and the air inlet valve 301 is used for controlling on-off of a predetermined gas into the steam delivery pipeline 300 and/or flow of the predetermined gas.

Specifically, the tank 400 includes a bottom wall 401 and a side wall 402, and the steam guide 430 is disposed on the bottom wall 401 and/or on the side wall 402 adjacent to the bottom wall 401.

The steam guiding component 430 includes at least one nozzle 431, and a direction of the fluid sprayed from the nozzle 431 forms a predetermined angle with a radial direction of the tank 400.

Wherein the steam guide 430 is disposed on the bottom wall 401, and the distance from the spouts 431 to the center of the bottom wall 401 is greater than the distance from the spouts 431 to the side wall 402.

The communication port 410 is disposed opposite to the steam guiding member 430, and the steam guiding member 430 is disposed in the tank 400 and is integrally formed with the tank 400.

The steam guiding member 430 includes a side wall 402 and a top wall, the nozzle 431 is disposed on the side wall of the steam guiding member 430, and the top wall of the steam guiding member 430 is disposed opposite to the communication port 410.

Wherein, the communication port 410 is in sealing fit with the steam outlet 310 in a detachable manner, and when the communication port 410 is connected with the steam outlet 310, the communication port 410 is in sealing fit with the steam outlet 310.

Wherein, the milk foam generating system is further provided with a base 440 adapted to the bottom wall 401 of the tank 400, and the steam outlet 310 is disposed on the base 440.

The base 440 is provided with a first mating portion 451 adapted to the steam outlet 310, and the steam outlet 310 is mated with the first mating portion 451 in a detachable connection manner.

The base 440 is provided with a second mating portion adapted to the bottom wall 401 of the can 400, and the bottom wall 401 of the can 400 is provided with a docking portion docking with the second mating portion, where the docking portion is movably mated with the second mating portion.

Wherein, the communication port 410 of the tank 400 is provided with a unidirectional conduction component, the base 440 is provided with a third matching portion for matching with the unidirectional conduction component, and when the tank 400 is mounted in the base 440, the third matching portion can open the unidirectional conduction component.

Wherein, the inner wall of the tank 400 is a smooth surface or is provided with a coating easy to clean.

In general, the milk foam generating system according to the embodiment of the present application may achieve the technical effects achieved by the milk foam generating portion in the embodiment of the coffee machine, and specifically, please refer to the detailed description of the above embodiment, the disclosure of which is not repeated herein.

It should be noted that, in the description of the present application, the terms "first," "second," and the like are used for descriptive purposes only and to distinguish between similar objects, and there is no order of preference between them, nor should they be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Furthermore, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise indicated, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more.

The foregoing embodiments in the present specification are all described in a progressive manner, and the same and similar parts of the embodiments are mutually referred to, and each embodiment is mainly described in a different manner from other embodiments.

The foregoing is merely a few embodiments of the present utility model, and the embodiments disclosed in the present utility model are merely examples which are used for the convenience of understanding the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Any person skilled in the art can make any modification and variation in form and detail of the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, but the scope of the present disclosure is still subject to the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A coffee machine, the coffee machine comprising:

2. A coffee machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the inner wall of the tank is a smooth surface or is provided with an easy-to-clean coating.

3. The coffee machine of claim 1, wherein the coffee machine has an operating mode for simultaneously generating coffee and steam, and wherein the steam generation module inputs steam into the tank to heat the milk to a predetermined temperature range when the coffee machine enters the operating mode for simultaneously generating coffee and steam, the coffee generation module generating a predetermined volume of coffee.

4. A coffee machine as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the milk is heated to a predetermined temperature range at or before completion of preparation of a predetermined volume of coffee.

5. The coffee machine of claim 1, wherein the steam generation module is capable of inputting steam into the tank for a preset period of time to heat the milk to a predetermined temperature range when the communication port of the tank containing milk is communicated with the steam outlet.

6. A coffee machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the tank is arranged inside or outside the housing of the coffee machine.

7. The coffee machine of claim 6, wherein the steam outlet extends out of a housing of the coffee machine, and the tank is disposed outside the housing of the coffee machine.

8. A coffee machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the communication opening of the tank is provided with a unidirectional conducting member configured to prevent the milk from flowing out of the communication opening when the communication opening of the tank is disconnected from the steam outlet or is in a non-on state.

9. A coffee machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein said one-way conduction member is configured such that, when the communication port on the tank is in communication with the steam outlet, the one-way conduction member is opened or pushed away by steam output from the steam outlet so that steam flowing out of the steam outlet flows into the tank.

10. The coffee machine of claim 9, wherein the unidirectional conductive component includes any one of a unidirectional valve, a solenoid valve.

11. The coffee machine of claim 9, further comprising a steam guide member disposed downstream of the communication port of the tank, the steam guide member causing steam to flow into milk of the tank in a predetermined manner when the one-way conduction member is opened or pushed away by steam output from the steam outlet.

12. A coffee machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that an air intake means is connected to the steam delivery line, said air intake means being adapted to mix a predetermined gas into the steam in the steam delivery line.

13. The coffee machine of claim 12, wherein the air intake mechanism includes a venturi structure having an inlet end, an outlet end, and an air inlet port, the inlet end and the outlet end being respectively connected to the steam delivery line, the air inlet port being disposed in a throat section of the venturi structure.

14. A coffee machine as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that an inlet valve is provided at or upstream of the inlet port, said inlet valve being adapted to control the on-off of a predetermined gas into the steam delivery line and/or the flow of the predetermined gas.

15. Coffee machine according to claim 11, wherein said tank comprises a bottom wall and a side wall, said steam guide being provided on said bottom wall and/or on the side wall close to said bottom wall.

16. A coffee machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein said steam guide means comprise at least one spout, said spout emitting a fluid in a direction at a predetermined angle to the radial direction of said tank.

17. The coffee machine of claim 16, wherein the steam guide is disposed on the bottom wall, the spout being spaced from a center of the bottom wall a greater distance than the spout is spaced from the side wall.

18. A coffee machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein said communication port is arranged opposite to said steam guide member, said steam guide member being located in said tank and being of unitary construction with said tank.

19. The coffee machine of claim 16, wherein the steam guide member includes a side wall and a top wall, the spout is disposed on the side wall of the steam guide member, and the top wall of the steam guide member is disposed opposite the communication port.

20. The coffee machine of claim 1, wherein the communication port is removably sealingly engaged with the steam outlet, the communication port being sealingly engaged with the steam outlet when the communication port is engaged with the steam outlet.

21. The coffee machine of claim 1, further comprising a heating module disposed upstream of the hot water inlet for supplying hot water to the coffee liquid generating module, the heating module being communicable with an external water source and/or a water tank disposed within the coffee machine.

22. Coffee machine according to claim 21, wherein the water inlet of the steam generating module is in communication with the water tank and/or an external water source.

23. The coffee machine of claim 1, further comprising a base adapted to the bottom wall of the tank, the steam outlet being provided on the base.

24. The coffee machine of claim 23, wherein the base is provided with a first mating portion for mating with the steam outlet, the steam outlet being mated with the first mating portion by a detachable connection.

25. The coffee machine of claim 24, wherein the base is provided with a second mating portion for mating with a bottom wall of the pod, and wherein the bottom wall of the pod is provided with a docking portion for docking with the second mating portion, the docking portion being movably mated with the second mating portion.

26. The coffee machine of claim 25, wherein a one-way conduction member is provided at the communication port of the can, and a third engagement portion for engaging with the one-way conduction member is provided on the base, the third engagement portion being capable of opening the one-way conduction member when the can is loaded into the base.

27. A coffee machine as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that said inlet valve comprises a regulating valve capable of regulating the flow of said predetermined gas flowing into said steam delivery line, said coffee machine comprising a controller in which a plurality of coffee preparation modes are stored, the opening of said regulating valve being stored differently for different ones of said coffee preparation modes.

28. The coffee machine of claim 14, characterized in that the coffee machine further comprises:

the temperature detection piece is used for detecting the temperature of milk in the tank body;

the controller is electrically connected with the air inlet valve and the temperature detection piece;

When the temperature detection part detects that the temperature of the milk reaches a first preset temperature in a first processing stage of the milk frothing processing of the coffee machine, the controller controls the air inlet valve to reduce the air inflow or switch from an open state to a closed state.

29. The coffee machine of claim 28, wherein the first predetermined temperature is 40±5 ℃.

30. The coffee machine of claim 28, further comprising a steam control valve disposed on the steam delivery line for controlling the on-off state of the steam generation module and the tank and/or the flow of steam output by the steam generation module.

31. The coffee machine of claim 30, wherein the steam control valve is electrically connected to the controller, and the controller controls the steam control valve to switch from an open state to a closed state when the temperature detecting member detects that the temperature of the milk reaches a second preset temperature after the coffee machine is switched from a first processing stage of the milk frothing process to a second processing stage of the milk frothing process.

32. The coffee machine of claim 31, wherein the second predetermined temperature is 60±5 ℃.

33. The coffee machine of claim 1, wherein the coffee machine has a coffee outlet for outflow of coffee, the coffee outlet being disposed opposite the tank, the coffee flowing from the coffee outlet being capable of flowing into milk of the tank, or the tank being disposed offset from the coffee outlet, the coffee flowing from the coffee outlet not flowing into milk of the tank.

34. A milk foam generating system, the milk foam generating system comprising:

35. A milk foam generating system according to claim 34, wherein a one-way conduction member is provided at the communication port of the tank, the one-way conduction member being configured to prevent the milk from flowing out of the communication port when the communication port of the tank is disconnected from the steam outlet or in a non-on state.

36. A milk foam generating system according to claim 35, wherein the one-way conduction member is configured to be opened or pushed away by steam output from the steam outlet when a communication port on the tank is in communication with the steam outlet so that steam flowing out of the steam outlet flows into the tank.

37. A milk foam generating system according to claim 36 wherein the unidirectional conductive component comprises any one of a unidirectional valve, a solenoid valve.

38. The milk foam generating system of claim 36 further comprising a vapor directing member disposed downstream of the communication port of the canister that causes vapor to flow into the milk of the canister in a predetermined manner when the one-way conduction member is opened or pushed aside by vapor output from the vapor outlet.

39. A milk foam generating system according to claim 34, wherein the air intake mechanism comprises a venturi structure having an inlet end, an outlet end, and an air inlet, the inlet end and the outlet end being respectively connected to the steam delivery conduit, the air inlet being disposed in a throat section of the venturi structure.

40. A milk foam generating system according to claim 39, wherein an inlet valve is provided at or upstream of the inlet port for controlling the on-off of a predetermined gas into the steam delivery line and/or the flow of the predetermined gas.

41. A milk foam generating system according to claim 38, wherein the tank comprises a bottom wall and a side wall, the steam directing means being provided on the bottom wall and/or on the side wall adjacent to the bottom wall.

42. A milk foam generating system according to claim 41, wherein the steam directing feature comprises at least one jet directed to eject fluid at a predetermined angle to a radial direction of the tank.

43. A milk foam generating system according to claim 42, wherein the steam directing feature is disposed on the bottom wall, the spout being spaced from a center of the bottom wall a greater distance than the spout is spaced from the side wall.

44. A milk foam generating system according to claim 41, wherein the communication port is disposed opposite the steam directing feature, the steam directing feature being located within and integral with the tank.

45. A milk foam generating system according to claim 42, wherein the steam directing member includes a side wall and a top wall, the spout being disposed on the side wall of the steam directing member, the top wall of the steam directing member being disposed directly opposite the communication port.

46. A milk foam generating system according to claim 34, wherein the communication port is in removable sealing engagement with the steam outlet, the communication port being in sealing engagement with the steam outlet when the communication port is in engagement with the steam outlet.

47. A milk foam generating system according to claim 34, wherein the milk foam generating system is further provided with a base adapted to the bottom wall of the tank, the steam outlet being provided on the base.

48. A milk foam generating system according to claim 47, wherein the base is provided with a first mating portion for mating with the steam outlet, the steam outlet being mated with the first mating portion by a removable connection.

49. A milk foam generating system according to claim 48, wherein the base is provided with a second mating portion for mating with the bottom wall of the canister, and wherein the bottom wall of the canister is provided with a docking portion for docking with the second mating portion, the docking portion being movably mated with the second mating portion.

50. A milk foam generating system according to claim 49, wherein a one-way conduction member is provided at the communication port of the canister, and a third engagement portion for engaging the one-way conduction member is provided on the base, the third engagement portion being capable of opening the one-way conduction member when the canister is fitted into the base.

51. A milk foam generating system according to claim 34, wherein the inner wall of the tank is a smooth surface or provided with an easy-to-clean coating.