阅读说明：本技术 饮料制造装置 (Beverage making device ) 是由 朴相旭 于 2019-02-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种饮料制造装置,其包括用于加热流体的热交换器,其中,所述热交换器包括：主体；加热器,其嵌入所述主体；第一管,其安装在所述主体上,并在从所述主体的第一端部朝向与所述第一端部相对的第二端部的第一方向上引导流体；以及第二管,其安装在所述主体上,接收从所述第一管流出的流体,并在与所述第一方向相反的第二方向上引导流体。(There is provided a beverage making apparatus comprising a heat exchanger for heating a fluid, wherein the heat exchanger comprises: a main body; a heater embedded in the body; a first pipe mounted on the body and guiding a fluid in a first direction from a first end of the body toward a second end opposite the first end; and a second pipe installed on the main body, receiving the fluid flowing out of the first pipe, and guiding the fluid in a second direction opposite to the first direction.)

1. A beverage making device comprising a heat exchanger for heating a fluid, wherein,

the heat exchanger includes:

a main body;

a heater embedded in the body;

a first pipe mounted on the body and guiding a fluid in a first direction from a first end of the body toward a second end opposite the first end; and

a second tube mounted on the body, receiving fluid flowing out of the first tube, and directing the fluid in a second direction opposite the first direction.

2. The beverage making device of claim 1, further comprising:

a connection pipe connecting an outlet of the first pipe and an inlet of the second pipe.

3. The beverage making device of claim 1,

the first tube extends in a spiral shape between the first end and the second end, an

The second tube extends in a helical shape between the first end and the second end.

4. The beverage making apparatus of claim 3,

the heater is disposed between the first tube and the second tube and extends in a spiral shape between the first end and the second end.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a beverage making apparatus, in particular, to a beverage making apparatus comprising a heat exchanger.

Background

In general, various drinkable beverages (e.g., black tea, green tea, coffee, etc.) are prepared by drying various natural cultivated plants in a natural state and extracting unique flavors included therein into a beverage form, and are widely ingested and enjoyed by modern people.

Recently, as the demand for such beverages increases, apparatuses for making beverages such as coffee or tea are being developed. For example, a capsule coffee machine is a device using the espresso principle, which extracts coffee by pressurizing hot water to coffee beans in a capsule. The coffee extraction process is convenient and inexpensive, and thus, has recently been widely used.

Disclosure of Invention

The technical problem solved by the technical idea of the present invention is to provide a beverage making device comprising a heat exchanger capable of efficiently heating a fluid.

In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical idea of the present invention is to provide a beverage making apparatus including a heat exchanger for heating a fluid, wherein the heat exchanger includes: a main body; a heater embedded in the body; a first pipe mounted on the body and guiding a fluid in a first direction from a first end of the body toward a second end opposite the first end; and a second pipe installed on the main body, receiving the fluid flowing out of the first pipe, and guiding the fluid in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, the beverage making apparatus further comprises a connection pipe connecting the outlet of the first pipe and the inlet of the second pipe.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first tube extends in a helical shape between the first end and the second end, and the second tube extends in a helical shape between the first end and the second end.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heater is disposed between the first tube and the second tube and extends in a spiral shape between the first end and the second end.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a beverage making apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2-5 are diagrams for explaining methods of operating a beverage making device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger taken along line vii-vii' of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a second valve according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 to 11 are diagrams for explaining an operation method of a beverage manufacturing apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of a beverage making apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the technical concept of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements, and thus repeated explanation thereof is omitted.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a beverage making device 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 1, the beverage making apparatus 10 may be a device capable of discharging water having a predetermined temperature and pressure. For example, the beverage producing apparatus 10 may be a coffee maker that extracts liquid coffee using high-temperature water, or a tea producing apparatus that can make tea by discharging high-temperature water.

The beverage making apparatus 10 may include a container 110 in which water W may be stored, a flow meter 120, a first valve 130, a pump 140, a heat exchanger 150, a second valve 170, a check valve 180, and a discharge unit 190. The beverage making apparatus 10 may include a flow path connecting the container 110, the flow meter 120, the first valve 130, the pump 140, the heat exchanger 150, the second valve 170, the check valve 180, and the discharge unit 190. For example, the beverage producing apparatus 10 may include a first flow path 210 connecting the outlet of the container 110, the flow meter 120, and the first valve 130 in series, a second flow path 220 connecting the first valve 130, the pump 140, the heat exchanger 150, and the second valve 170 in series, a discharge flow path 230 connecting the second valve 170 to the check valve 180 and the discharge unit 190 in series, and a circulation flow path 250 connecting the second valve 170 and the container 110 in series.

The first valve 130 is connected to an outflow port of the container 110 through a first flow path 210, and may introduce external air through an air inflow flow path 240 connected to the external air. The first valve 130 may be a flow path switching valve and may be configured to selectively open and close a plurality of inflow ports. For example, the first valve 130 may be a solenoid valve (solenoid valve). The first valve 130 may selectively introduce either one of the water W or the air a.

Specifically, the first valve 130 may selectively open and close an inlet connected to the first flow path 210, and may selectively open and close an inlet connected to the air inflow flow path 240. For example, when the first valve 130 is in a first position opening an inlet connected to the first flow path 210, the water W may flow out to the second flow path 220 connected to an outlet of the first valve 130. Alternatively, when the first valve 130 is in the second position opening the inlet connected to the air inflow flow path 240, the air a may flow out to the second flow path 220 connected to the outlet of the first valve 130.

The flow meter 120 is provided in the first flow path 210 connecting the container 110 and the first valve 130, and can detect the flow rate of the water W flowing out of the container 110.

The pump 140 may provide motive force to flow fluid within the flow path of the beverage making device 10. For example, as the pump 140 is driven, the water W or the air a flows along a flow path provided in the beverage making apparatus 10, and may be discharged through the discharge unit 190. For example, the pump 140 may be configured to adjust the flow rate of the water W or the flow rate of the air a by adjusting a driving period (i.e., an on/off period).

The heat exchanger 150 may heat the fluid flowing along the second flow path 220 in an instant heating method. For example, the heat exchanger 150 may be configured to heat the water W flowing out through the first valve 130 and transfer the heated water W to the second valve 170 side, or to heat the air a flowing out through the first valve 130 and transfer the heated air a to the second valve 170 side.

The second valve 170 may be connected to the first valve 130 through a second flow path 220, to the discharge unit 190 through a discharge flow path 230, and to an inflow port of the container 110 through a circulation flow path 250. The second valve 170 may be a flow path switching valve and may be configured to selectively open and close the plurality of outflow ends. For example, the second valve 170 may be a solenoid valve. When fluid flows in through the inlet of the second valve 170, the second valve 170 may selectively flow the fluid flowing in out to the discharge flow path 230 or the circulation flow path 250.

Specifically, the second valve 170 may selectively open and close an outlet connected to the discharge flow path 230, and may selectively open and close an outlet connected to the circulation flow path 250. For example, when the second valve 170 is in the first position to open the outlet connected to the discharge flow path 230, the water W or the air a may flow out to the discharge flow path 230. Alternatively, when the second valve 170 is in the second position to open the outlet connected to the circulation flow path 250, the water W or the air a may flow out to the circulation flow path 250.

In an exemplary embodiment, the beverage making apparatus 10 may include a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure within the flow path. For example, the pressure sensor may be used to detect the pressure of the discharge flow path 230. As shown in fig. 8, a pressure sensor may be provided on the second valve 170. Alternatively, the pressure sensor may be provided on the discharge flow path 230. The pressure sensor may sense a pressure within the flow path. Pressure information sensed by the pressure sensor may be used to discern whether the pressure within the flow path is within a normal pressure range.

The temperature sensor 160 may be provided on the second flow path 220 connecting the heat exchanger 150 and the second valve 170. The temperature sensor 160 may sense the temperature of the water W flowing out of the heat exchanger 150. The temperature information sensed by the temperature sensor 160 may be used to discriminate whether the temperature of the water W heated by the heat exchanger 150 is within a normal temperature range.

The check valve 180 may be disposed on the discharge flow path 230 near the discharge unit 190. The check valve 180 may prevent fluid from flowing back within the discharge flow path 230. The check valve 180 may allow fluid to flow in a direction from the second valve 170 toward the discharge unit 190 and prevent fluid from flowing in a direction from the discharge unit 190 toward the second valve 170. For example, when the discharge unit 190 is clogged due to foreign substances or the like to form high pressure at the discharge unit 190, the check valve 180 may prevent the fluid from flowing back toward the second valve 170 through the discharge flow path 230.

On the other hand, although not specifically shown in the drawings, the beverage making apparatus 10 includes a control unit (refer to 300 in fig. 12) for controlling the flow meter 120, the first valve 130, the pump 140, the heat exchanger 150, the temperature sensor 160, the second valve 170, and the like. For example, the control unit may include a microprocessor, a communication module, and the like.

Fig. 2-5 are diagrams for explaining methods of operation of the beverage making device 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively.

Referring to fig. 2, the beverage making apparatus 10 may discharge heated water W through a discharge unit 190.

Specifically, the pump 140 is driven in a state where a first inlet of the first valve 130 connected to the first flow path 210 is opened and a second inlet of the first valve 130 connected to the air inflow flow path 240 is closed. As the pump 140 is driven, the water W contained in the container 110 may be guided to the first flow path 210 and flow to the first valve 130, and the water W flowing out through the outlet of the first valve 130 may flow to the heat exchanger 150. In the heat exchanger 150, the water W may be heated to a predetermined temperature and then introduced into the second valve 170. The second valve 170 may open a first outlet connected to the discharge flow path 230 and close a second outlet connected to the circulation flow path 250 to flow the heated water W out to the discharge flow path 230 side. Then, the heated water W may be guided to the discharge flow path 230 to flow to the discharge unit 190, and may be discharged through the discharge unit 190.

Referring to fig. 3, the beverage making apparatus 10 may circulate water W to the receptacle 110.

Specifically, the pump 140 is driven in a state where the first inlet of the first valve 130 connected to the first flow path 210 is opened and the second inlet of the first valve 130 connected to the air inflow flow path 240 is closed. As the pump 140 is driven, the water W contained in the container 110 is guided to the first flow path 210 and flows to the first valve 130, and the water W flowing out through the outlet of the first valve 130 may be guided to the second flow path 220 and flow to the heat exchanger 150. The water W heated in the heat exchanger 150 is guided to the second flow path 220 and flows into the second valve 170. The second valve 170 may open the second outlet connected to the circulation flow path 250 and close the first outlet connected to the discharge flow path 230 to flow the water W out to the circulation flow path 250 side. The water W may be guided to the circulation flow path 250 and recovered to the container 110.

In an exemplary embodiment, the temperature information of the water W detected by the temperature sensor 160 may be used to determine the outflow direction of the water W using the second valve 170. That is, the temperature sensor 160 detects the temperature of the water W flowing out of the heat exchanger 150 and transmits to the control unit (see 300 in fig. 12), and when the control unit recognizes that the detected temperature is out of the preset normal temperature range, the outlet of the second valve 170 connected to the circulation flow path 250 may be opened so that the water W is recovered to the container 110.

Further, in the exemplary embodiment, pressure information detected at a pressure sensor (see 171 in fig. 8) of the second valve 170 may be used to decide the outflow direction of the water W through the second valve 170. That is, the pressure sensor detects the pressure within the flow path and transmits it to the control unit, and when the control unit recognizes that the detected pressure is out of the preset normal pressure range, the outlet of the second valve 170 connected to the circulation flow path 250 may be opened so that the water W may be recovered to the container 110.

Referring to fig. 4, the beverage making apparatus 10 may flow air a toward the discharge unit 190 side to remove residual water within the flow path.

Specifically, the pump 140 is driven in a state where the first inlet of the first valve 130 connected to the first flow path 210 is closed and the second inlet of the first valve 130 connected to the air inflow flow path 240 is opened to flow the external air. When the pump 140 is driven, the air a flows into the second inlet of the first valve 130 through the air inflow flow path 240, and the air a flowing out to the outlet of the first valve 130 may pass through the heat exchanger 150 and be introduced into the second valve 170. The second valve 170 opens a first outlet connected to the discharge flow path 230 and closes a second outlet connected to the circulation flow path 250, so that the air a is guided to the discharge flow path 230 and flows to the discharge unit 190.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, since the remaining water W, foreign substances, and the like in the flow path may be discharged to the outside through the discharge unit 190 during the flow of the air a through the second flow path 220, the discharge flow path 230, and the discharge unit 190, contamination in the flow path may be prevented. Further, since the foreign substances adsorbed to the discharge unit 190 can be removed in the process of discharging the air a through the discharge unit 190, it is possible to prevent a problem of a pressure rise of the flow path due to clogging of the discharge unit 190 and a problem of contamination of the discharge unit 190.

Referring to fig. 5, the beverage producing apparatus 10 may flow air a toward the circulation flow path 250 side to remove residual water within the circulation flow path 250.

Specifically, the pump 140 is driven in a state where the first inlet of the first valve 130 connected to the first flow path 210 is closed and the second inlet of the first valve 130 connected to the air inflow flow path 240 is opened to flow the external air. As the pump 140 is driven, air a may be introduced to the second valve 170 via the heat exchanger 150. The second valve 170 opens the second outlet connected to the circulation flow path 250 and closes the first outlet connected to the discharge flow path 230, so that the air a is discharged into the container 110 through the circulation flow path 250.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, since the water W and foreign substances remaining in the flow path may be removed during the flow of the air a through the second flow path 220 and the circulation flow path 250, contamination in the flow path may be prevented.

On the other hand, in the exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, in the process of introducing the air (a) to remove the residual water within the flow path, the heat exchanger 150 may heat the air a to a predetermined temperature to increase the fluidity of the air a.

Further, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the beverage making device 10 may sequentially perform the following steps: the step of circulating the water W until the water W flowing out of the heat exchanger 150 is heated to be within the preset temperature range as described with reference to fig. 3, the step of discharging the water W heated to the preset temperature range to the discharge unit 190 to manufacture a beverage as described with reference to fig. 2, the step of removing the residual water of the discharge flow path 230 and the discharge unit 190 as described with reference to fig. 4, and the step of removing the residual water of the circulation flow path 250 as described with reference to fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger 150 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger 150 taken along line vii-vii' of fig. 6.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7, the heat exchanger 150 may include a body 151, a first pipe 152, a second pipe 153, a connection pipe 154, and a heater 155.

The first and second tubes 152 and 153 may be mounted on the body 151 and may provide a path through which fluid can flow within the heat exchanger 150. The second tube 153 is connected to the first tube 152 to be in fluid communication, thereby receiving the fluid flowing out of the first tube 152. As shown, the fluid delivered from the first valve (refer to 130 in fig. 1) flows into the first pipe 152 and is heated during the sequential flow through the first pipe 152 and the second pipe 153, and the heated fluid may be discharged through the outlet of the second pipe 153. However, in other exemplary embodiments, unlike the drawings, the fluid delivered from the first valve (refer to 130 of fig. 1) may be discharged through the first pipe 152 after flowing into the second pipe 153.

The flow directions of the fluid in the first and second pipes 152 and 153 may be opposite to each other. That is, the first tube 152 may guide the fluid in a first direction from the first end 151e1 of the body 151 toward the second end 151e2 opposite the first end 151e1, and the second tube 153 may guide the fluid transferred from the first tube 152 in a second direction opposite the first direction (e.g., a direction from the second end 151e2 toward the first end 151e 1).

In an exemplary embodiment, the first pipe 152 and the second pipe 153 protrude from the body 151, and an outlet side end portion of the first pipe 152 and an inlet side end portion of the second pipe 153 may be connected by a connection pipe 154. However, in other exemplary embodiments, unlike the illustrated drawings, the first and second tubes 152 and 153 may be directly connected to each other within the main body 151, and in this case, the connection tube 154 may be omitted.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first tube 152 and the second tube 153 may each have a spiral (helical) shape. The spiral-shaped first and second tubes 152 and 153 may heat the fluid for a longer time by increasing the time the fluid flows within the heat exchanger 15. The second tube 153 may be disposed farther from the central portion of the body 151 than the first tube 152, and a spiral diameter 153D of the second tube 153 may be larger than a spiral diameter 152D of the first tube 152.

At least a portion of the heater 155 may be embedded in the body 151. For example, the heater 155 may be a tube-shaped heater, and may have a structure in which a hot wire heated in a resistance heating method is disposed inside a protective tube. When power is supplied through the terminals 156 connected to both ends of the hot wire, the fluid inside the first and second tubes 152 and 153 may be heated by heat generated from the hot wire.

The heater 155 may be disposed between the first pipe 152 and the second pipe 153. Since the heater 155 may be disposed close to the first and second tubes 152 and 153, the fluid in the first tube 152 and the fluid in the second tube 153 may be effectively heated.

In an exemplary embodiment, the heater 155 may have a spiral shape. At this time, the spiral diameter 155D of the heater 155 may be greater than the spiral diameter 152D of the first pipe 152 and less than the spiral diameter 153D of the second pipe 153.

The heat exchanger 150 may include a temperature sensor 159 mounted on the body 151. For example, the temperature sensor 159 may be used to sense overheating of the heat exchanger 150 or to discern whether the heat exchanger 150 has reached a target temperature range during a warm-up operation of the heat exchanger 150.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, since the fluid within the heat exchanger 150 may be heated during the flow of the first and second tubes 152 and 153, which guide the fluid in opposite directions to each other, the heating efficiency of the heat exchanger 150 may be improved.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a second valve 170 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 8, the second valve 170 may be a four-way valve (four-way valve) having one inlet and three outlets. The second valve 170 may have one inlet 173 connected to the second flow path 220, a first outlet 175o1 connected to the discharge flow path 230, and a second outlet 175o2 and a third outlet 175o3 connected to the circulation flow path 250, respectively.

The second valve 170 may include a pressure sensor 171. The pressure sensor 171 may be configured to detect the pressure in the discharge flow path 230. The second outlet 175o2 may decide to open or close the second outlet 175o2 based on the temperature information of the water W detected by the temperature sensor 160, and the third outlet 175o3 may decide to open or close the third outlet 175o3 based on the pressure information within the flow path detected by the pressure sensor 171.

Fig. 9 to 11 are diagrams for explaining an operation method of a beverage manufacturing apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively. Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of a beverage making apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 9 and 12, when the temperature of the water W heated by the heat exchanger 150 is within a normal temperature range and an abnormal pressure is not detected in the flow path, the second valve 170 may discharge the water W to the discharge unit 190 side.

Specifically, the temperature sensor 160 and the pressure sensor 171 may transmit temperature information Temp of the water W heated by the heat exchanger 150 and pressure information Press in the flow path to the control unit 300, respectively. When it is recognized that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 is within the normal temperature range and the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 171 is within the normal pressure range, the control unit 300 may drive the second valve 170 such that the first outlet 175o1 of the second valve 170 is opened. When the first outlet 175ol is opened, the water W heated to the normal temperature range may be discharged through the discharge unit 190.

Referring to fig. 10 and 12, when the temperature of the water W heated by the heat exchanger 150 is out of the normal temperature range, the second valve 170 may allow the water W to flow out to the circulation flow path 250 side.

Specifically, when it is recognized that the abnormal pressure is not detected at the pressure sensor 171 but the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160 is out of the normal temperature range, the control unit 300 may drive the second valve 170 such that the second outlet 175o2 of the second valve 170 is opened. As the second outlet 175o2 is opened, the water W does not flow to the discharge flow path 230 side, but can be recovered in the tank 110 through the circulation flow path 250.

Referring to fig. 11 and 12, when an abnormal pressure within the flow path is detected, the second valve 170 may discharge the water W to the circulation flow path 250 side.

Specifically, when the pressure in the flow path excessively increases due to a problem such as the discharge unit 190 being clogged with foreign matter, it can be recognized that the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 171 is out of the normal pressure range. In this case, the control unit 300 may drive the second valve 170 to close the first outlet 175o1 to block the flow of the water W toward the discharge flow path 230 side, and may open the third outlet 175o3 of the second valve 170 so that the water W is recovered into the container 110.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, since the beverage manufacturing apparatus may discharge water heated to a predetermined temperature range, beverages having a uniform temperature, such as coffee and tea, may be manufactured. Further, since the beverage manufacturing apparatus can determine whether to discharge the water based on the detected pressure information, it is possible to prevent damage of the apparatus due to overpressure and safety accidents occurring due to discharge of the fluid in an overpressure state.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, since a fluid within a heat exchanger may be heated during the flow of first and second tubes guiding the fluid in opposite directions to each other, the heating efficiency of the heat exchanger may be improved.

As described above, the exemplary embodiments have been disclosed in the drawings and the specification. Although the present specification has described the embodiments using specific terms, the terms used in the present disclosure are only used to describe the technical idea of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure recited in the claims. Accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that many modifications and equivalents are possible. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the technical idea of the appended claims.