APPARATUS FOR EXTRACTING BEVERAGE

Provided is a beverage extraction apparatus including a water tank for storing water, a heater configured to heat the water supplied from the water tank, and a water distribution module configured to discharge the heated water toward the dripper from a plurality of locations. The water distribution module includes a water outlet member including a water outlet plate and a plurality of water outlets provided to pass through the water outlet plate, and the water distribution module is configured such that discharge times at which water begins to be discharged from the plurality of water outlets are different.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure provides a beverage extraction apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

A beverage may be extracted by supplying heated water to a dripper with an extractable beverage target placed therein. For example, coffee in a liquid form (liquid coffee) may be extracted by supplying heated water to a dripper with a filter having placed therein coffee powder obtained by grinding coffee beans. The coffee extracted in this way is called drip coffee, and in some cases may be called pour-over coffee, filtered coffee, or brewed coffee.

As a method of extracting such drip coffee, a hand drip method where a person directly adjusts water by using a drip port is typically used. However, in this hand drip method, the speed at which water is poured, the way of pouring water, temperature of water, etc. vary depending on the person making the coffee, and the speed, the way of pouring, temperature of the water, etc. may not be consistent even for the same person. Accordingly, the quality of the extracted coffee may not be consistent.

To overcome the drawback of the hand drip method, the use of a beverage extraction apparatus that automatically pours water into a dripper and extracts a beverage, such as coffee, may be considered.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Solution to Problem

A beverage extraction apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be an apparatus for extracting a beverage by discharging heated water toward a dripper.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the beverage extraction apparatus includes a water tank for storing water, a heater configured to heat the water supplied from the water tank, and a water distribution module configured to discharge the heated water toward the dripper from a plurality of locations.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the water distribution module of the beverage extraction apparatus may include a pipe member configured to provide at least one flow path for receiving the heated water, and a water outlet member including a water outlet plate and a plurality of water outlets provided to pass through the water outlet plate.

The water distribution module may be configured such that discharge times at which water begins to be discharged from the plurality of water outlets are different.

The water distribution module may be configured such that at least one of diameters of the plurality of water outlets or lengths of paths along which water supplied from the pipe member moves until it is discharged through the plurality of water outlets is different.

MODE OF DISCLOSURE

Throughout the disclosure, the expression “at least one of a, b or c” indicates only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof. “At least one” is not to be construed as limiting “a” or “an.” “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals or symbols refer to like components or elements performing substantially the same functions.

It will be understood that, although the terms including an ordinal number such as “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or components, these elements or components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one element or component from another element or component. For example, as used herein, a first element or component may be termed a second element or component without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and similarly, a second element or component may be termed a first element or component. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing an embodiment of the disclosure and is not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “includes” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof. In the drawings, like reference numerals represent like elements performing substantially the same functions.

FIG.1illustrates a beverage extraction apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG.2is a conceptual view of the beverage extraction apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the beverage extraction apparatus1is an apparatus for extracting a beverage by discharging heated water toward a dripper2. For example, the beverage extraction apparatus1may be an apparatus for extracting a coffee beverage (hereinafter, referred to as ‘coffee’) by pouring heated water onto an extractable target, such as coffee powder C, contained in the dripper2.

As an example for the apparatus, the beverage extraction apparatus1may include a water tank20for storing water, a heater11for heating the water, and a water distribution module100for pouring water into the dripper2in which the coffee powder C may be put.

The dripper2may have a structure with a width or a diameter decreasing toward a bottom thereof, for example, an inverted cone shape, and a filter4may be provided in the dripper2. The coffee powder C may be contained in the filter4. A server3for storing extracted coffee may be provided below the dripper2.

The water tank20may be detachably mounted to a main body10and store water. A user may detach the water tank20from the main body10to fill the water tank20with water or clean the inside thereof.

A heater11may be provided between the water tank20and the water distribution module100and heat water supplied from the water tank20. For example, the heater11may be disposed between the water tank20and the water distribution module100in view of a water flow path. The heater11may heat the water to a set target temperature. An operation time and an operation start time of the heater11may be controlled by a controller15. The target temperature to which the heater11heats the water may vary depending on a type of the extractable target, such as the coffee powder C, extraction time, etc.

The water distribution module100may be configured to discharge heated water toward the dripper2from a plurality of locations. As the water is discharged from the plurality of locations by the water distribution module100, the water is poured onto the coffee powder C contained in the dripper2, and then coffee is extracted. The extracted coffee is then stored in the server3.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the beverage extraction apparatus1may further include a pump12for providing pressure so that the water stored in the water tank20is directed toward the water distribution module100. The controller15may control the pump12to adjust at least one of a discharge speed or a discharge time at which water is discharged by the water distribution module100.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the beverage extraction apparatus1may further include a dripper holder31on which the dripper2is placed and a server holder32on which the server3is mounted. The dripper holder31may have a vertically movable structure. The user may adjust a height of the dripper2according to a size of the server3or the dripper2by adjusting a height of the dripper holder31. A container detection sensor13may be provided in the server holder32and detect whether the server3is mounted. The controller15may determine whether the pump12operates based on a result of the detection by the container detection sensor13.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the beverage extraction apparatus1may further include a flow sensor14for detecting a flow rate of water supplied from the water tank20. The flow sensor14may be provided between the water tank20and the heater11. However, arrangement of the flow sensor14is not limited thereto, and may be variously changed as long as the flow sensor14is positioned to detect the amount of water supplied.

FIG.3Ais an assembled perspective view of the water distribution module100according to an embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG.3Bis an exploded perspective view of the water distribution module100according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.4is a cross-sectional view of the water distribution module100ofFIG.3Ataken along line A-A′, andFIG.5is a cross-sectional view of the water distribution module100ofFIG.3Ataken along line B-B′. For convenience of description, a housing for covering an upper portion of a pipe member110in the water distribution module100is not shown inFIGS.3A and3B.

Referring toFIGS.3A and3B, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the water distribution module100may be configured to discharge heated water toward the dripper2. For example, the water distribution module100may include the pipe member110for providing at least one flow path for receiving heated water, and a water outlet member200configured to allow water supplied from the pipe member110to be discharged through a plurality of locations.

The pipe member110may be configured to supply water heated by the heater11to a plurality of regions of the water outlet member200. For example, the pipe member110may include a first pipe111for supplying water to a first region of the water outlet member200, e.g., a central region211of a water outlet plate210, and a second pipe112for supplying water to a second region of the water outlet member200, e.g., an outer region212of the water outlet plate210.

The pipe member110may include a pipe plate113provided above the water outlet member200. The pipe plate113may include a first connector1131connected to the first pipe111and a second connector1132connected to the second pipe112. The first connector1131may be provided to overlap the central region211of the water outlet plate210, and the second connector1132may be disposed to overlap the outer region212of the water outlet plate210. The second connector1132may be configured as a plurality of second connectors1132.

The first pipe111may be provided to supply water to the central region211of the water outlet plate210. The first pipe111may be connected to the first connector1131of the pipe plate113. A first flow path through which water (e.g., heated water) moves toward the central region211of the water outlet plate210may be provided by the first pipe111and the first connector1131. The water moving through the first flow path may be supplied to the coffee powder C contained in the dripper2. The first pipe111or the first connector1131may be provided in a singular number. However, the number of the first pipe111or the first connector1131is not limited thereto, and the first pipe111or the first connector1131may be provided in a multiple number in another embodiment.

The second pipe112may be provided to supply water to the outer region212of the water outlet plate210. For example, the second pipe112may be configured as a plurality of second pipes112. The plurality of second pipes112may be connected to the plurality of second connectors1132of the pipe plate113, respectively. The plurality of second pipes112may supply water to the outer region212of the water outlet plate210at regular intervals via the second connectors1132. A second flow path through which water moves toward the outer region212of the water outlet plate210may be provided by the second pipe112and the second connector1132. Water moving through the second fluid path may be supplied to the filter4in the dripper2. The second fluid path may be a passage through which rinsing water for rinsing the filter4moves. The number and connection structure of the second pipes112and the second connectors1132according to the embodiment of the disclosure are merely an example, and are not necessarily limited thereto.

The second pipe112and the first pipe111may be connected by a valve (16ofFIG.2). The valve16may be a 3-way valve. The heated water may be selectively supplied to the first pipe111or the second pipe112by the valve16. For example, in a rinsing operation for wetting the filter4, the valve16may open the second pipe112while blocking the first pipe111, so that water is supplied via the second pipe112. In a drip operation for extracting coffee, the valve16may open the first pipe111while blocking the second pipe112, so that water is supplied via the first pipe111.

The water outlet member200may include a water outlet plate210and a plurality of water outlets220and230provided to pass through the water outlet plate210.

The water outlet plate210may include the central region211, the outer region212, and a border wall213for separating the central region211from the outer region212. The border wall213has a ring shape and prevents water from moving between the central region211and the outer region212. The water outlet plate210may be supported on the main body10by a support120.

The plurality of water outlets220and230may include a plurality of drip water outlets230provided in the central region211and a plurality of rinsing water outlets220provided in the outer region212.

Referring toFIGS.3A,3B, and4, the plurality of drip water outlets230may be provided at or around a center of the water outlet plate210. The plurality of drip water outlets230may include a central water outlet231provided at the center and a plurality of peripheral water outlets232provided around the central water outlet231. However, arrangement of the plurality of drip water outlets230is not limited thereto, and may vary. For another example, the plurality of drip water outlets230may include the plurality of peripheral water outlets232without the central water outlet231.

Water is supplied to the central region211of the water outlet plate210via the first pipe111and the first connector1131of the pipe member110, and the supplied water may be discharged from a plurality of locations through the plurality of drip water outlets230. The water discharged from the plurality of locations falls over the coffee powder C contained in the dripper2, and then coffee may be extracted.

Referring toFIGS.3A,3B, and5, the plurality of rinsing water outlets220may be provided in the outer region212at regular intervals along a circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of rinsing water outlets220may have the same diameter. Each of the plurality of rinsing water outlets220may have a larger diameter than a diameter of each of the plurality of drip water outlets230. A distance between the plurality of rinsing water outlets220may be greater than a distance between the plurality of drip water outlets230.

A rinsing operation for rinsing the filter4may be performed by using the plurality of rinsing water outlets220before placing the coffee powder C in the dripper2. Water supplied to the outer region212of the water outlet plate210via the second pipe112may be discharged from the plurality of locations through the plurality of rinsing water outlets220. The water discharged from the plurality of locations falls into the filter4, and then the filter4may be rinsed with the water in the rinsing operation. However, because the rinsing operation is optional, it may be omitted according to a user's selection or setting.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, in the water distribution module100, the water outlet member200may be configured such that discharge times at which water begins to be discharged from the plurality of drip water outlets230(hereinafter, referred to as water outlets230) are different.

FIG.6is a plan view illustrating an example of a water outlet member200A according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.7is a partial bottom perspective view of an example of the water outlet member200A, according to the embodiment ofFIG.6.FIG.8is a cross-sectional perspective view of a part of the water outlet member200A ofFIG.7.

Referring toFIG.6, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the water outlet member200A includes a water outlet plate210A having a plurality of water outlets230A provided in a central region211.

The plurality of water outlets230A may include a plurality of peripheral water outlets232spaced apart from a center of the water outlet member200A. For example, the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may each be at a constant distance from the center of the water outlet member200A. As another example, the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may be at different distances from the center of the water outlet member200A. In this case, for example, the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may be arranged in a spiral shape.

The plurality of water outlets230A may further include a central water outlet231provided at the center of the water outlet member200A. However, the central water outlet231may be an optional component and may be omitted.

The plurality of water outlets230A may have different diameters. Due to the difference in diameter, discharge times at which water is discharged from the plurality of water outlets230A may vary. For example, water may be discharged first from the water outlet230A having the largest diameter, and water may be discharged last from the water outlet230A having the smallest diameter.

At least some of the plurality of water outlets230A may have different diameters. For example, the central water outlet231may have a different diameter than a diameter of each of the plurality of peripheral water outlets232. For example, the central water outlet231may have a larger diameter than a diameter of each of the plurality of peripheral water outlets232. Accordingly, water supplied to the central region211of the water outlet member200A may be discharged from the central water outlet231earlier than from the peripheral water outlets232.

For another example, at least some of the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may have different diameters from each other. For example, diameters of the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may vary along a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. For example, the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may have decreasing diameters in a clockwise direction. In this case, water supplied to the central region211of the water outlet member200A may be discharged from the plurality of peripheral water outlets232sequentially in the clockwise direction.

Although in the embodiment of the disclosure, it has been described mainly with respect to an example in which the plurality of water outlets230A each have a different diameter, the disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and some of the plurality of water outlets230A may have the same diameter in another embodiment.

Referring toFIGS.7and8, each of the plurality of water outlets230A may include an inlet port2301through which water is introduced, a discharge port2302through which water is discharged, and an outlet passage2303connecting the inlet port2301with the discharge port2302. A thickness of each water outlet230A may vary depending on a length t3of the outlet passage2303. The length of the outlet passage2303may be a length of water discharge through the water outlet230A. The thickness of the water outlet230A may be a thickness along a direction in which the water is discharged therethrough.

At least some of the plurality of water outlets230A may have different lengths of water discharge. For example, the plurality of water outlets230A may have different lengths of water discharge from each other. The plurality of water outlets230A may have different thicknesses along a direction in which water is discharged therefrom so that lengths of water discharge vary. When the plurality of water outlets230A have different lengths of water discharge, times at which water is discharged through the plurality of water outlets230A may vary. For example, the shorter the length of water discharge, the earlier the discharge time at which water is discharged, and the longer the length of water discharge, the later the discharge time at which water is discharged.

For example, the central water outlet231may have a different length of water discharge than a length of each of the peripheral water outlets232. For example, a thickness t1of the central water outlet231may be less than a thickness t2of each of the peripheral water outlets232. Accordingly, water supplied to the central region211of the water outlet member200A may be discharged from the central water outlet231earlier than from the peripheral water outlets232.

For example, at least some of the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may have different lengths of water discharge. The plurality of peripheral water outlets232may have different lengths of water discharge. For example, the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may have different thicknesses t2. For example, thicknesses t2of the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may vary along a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. For example, the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may have increasing thicknesses t2in a counter-clockwise direction. That is, the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may have decreasing thicknesses t2in a clockwise direction. In this case, water supplied to the central region211of the water outlet member200A may be discharged from the plurality of peripheral water outlets232sequentially in the counter-clockwise direction.

The thicknesses t2of at least some of the plurality of water outlets230A may each be greater than a thickness t0of the water outlet plate210A. For example, the at least some of the plurality of water outlets230A may each have a structure protruding from the water outlet plate210A. For example, the water outlet230A may have a shape of a column protruding from the water outlet plate210A along the direction in which water is discharged.

A length of water discharge through the water outlet230A may be determined by taking into account a diameter of the water outlet230A. For example, the water outlet230A having the largest diameter among the plurality of water outlets230A may have the shortest length of water discharge. For example, the central water outlet231may have the largest diameter and the shortest length of water discharge among the plurality of water outlets230A. For example, the water outlet230A having the smallest diameter among the plurality of water outlets230A may have the longest length of water discharge. For example, one of the peripheral water outlets232may have the smallest diameter and the longest length of water discharge. Accordingly, water supplied to the central region211of the water outlet member200A begins to be discharged first from the central water outlet231and last from one of the peripheral water outlets232which has the smallest diameter and the longest length of water discharge. However, because the structure of the plurality of water outlets230A is merely an example, it is not limited thereto and may be appropriately changed to adjust the discharge time at which water is discharged.

FIG.9is a perspective view showing an example of a water outlet member200B according to an embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG.10is a plan view illustrating a path of movement of water in the water outlet member200B ofFIG.9.

Referring toFIG.9, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the water outlet member200B may include a water outlet plate210B having a plurality of water outlets230B in a central region211. The plurality of water outlets230B may include a plurality of peripheral water outlets232spaced apart from a center of the water outlet member200B and arranged along a circumferential direction. The plurality of peripheral water outlets232may each be at a constant distance from the center of the water outlet member200B. However, arrangement of the plurality of peripheral water outlets232is not limited thereto and may vary. For another example, although not shown inFIG.9, the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may be at different distances from the center of the water outlet member200B.

Water supplied from the pipe member (110ofFIG.4) may fall within a certain radius from the center of the water outlet member200B such that the water does not fall directly into the plurality of peripheral water outlets232. For example, water supplied from the pipe member110may fall more radially inward than the plurality of peripheral water outlets232.

In the water outlet member200B, paths through which the water supplied from the pipe member110moves to the plurality of water outlets230B may have different lengths from each other such that discharge times at which the water begins to be discharged from the plurality of water outlets230B are different. For example, the water outlet plate210B may include a guide wall215for guiding a flow path of water along a top surface of the central region211of the water outlet plate210B such that a path along which water supplied from the pipe member110moves toward each of the plurality of peripheral water outlets has different lengths.

The guide wall215may protrude from the water outlet plate210B in a direction opposite to a direction in which water is discharged. The guide wall215may protrude from the top surface of the central region211of the water outlet plate210B. The guide wall215may extend continuously or discontinuously in a radial direction of the water outlet plate210B and in a circumferential direction perpendicular to the radial direction. However, a planar shape of the guide wall215is not limited thereto, and may vary depending on a length of a path along which the water moves toward each of the peripheral water outlets232.

Referring toFIG.10, the guide wall215may provide a bypass path so that water supplied from the pipe member110does not move directly to each of the plurality of peripheral water outlets232. Bypass paths for the plurality of peripheral water outlets232provided by the guide wall215may be of different lengths. For example, the guide wall215may provide a first bypass path BP1for a first peripheral water outlet2321, a second bypass path BP2for a second peripheral water outlet2322, a third bypass path BP3for a third peripheral water outlet2323, a fourth bypass path BP4for a fourth peripheral water outlet2324, a fifth bypass path BP5for a fifth peripheral water outlet2325, and a sixth bypass path BP6for a sixth peripheral water outlet2326. The plurality of bypass paths may have lengths that are sequentially increasing or decreasing. For example, the first bypass path BP1may have the shortest length and the sixth bypass path BP6may have the longest length. Accordingly, water may begin to be discharged sequentially from the first peripheral water outlet2321, the second peripheral water outlet2322, the third peripheral water outlet2323, the fourth peripheral water outlet2324, the fifth peripheral water outlet2325, and the sixth peripheral water outlet2326. However, the order of discharge times at which water are discharged from the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may vary depending on a shape of the guide wall215.

The plurality of water outlets230B may include at least one central water outlet231provided at the center. In the water outlet plate210B, a length of a path along which water supplied from the pipe member110moves toward the central water outlet231may be less than a length of a path along which water supplied from the pipe member110moves toward each of the peripheral water outlets232. Accordingly, water may begin to be discharged from the central water outlet231and then sequentially discharged from the plurality of peripheral water outlets232.

FIG.11is a perspective view showing an example of a water outlet member200C according to an embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG.12is a cross-sectional view of the water outlet member200C ofFIG.11.

Referring toFIG.11, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the water outlet member200C may include a water outlet plate210C having a plurality of water outlets230C in a central region211. The plurality of water outlets230C may include a plurality of peripheral water outlets232spaced apart from a center of the water outlet member200C and arranged along a circumferential direction. The plurality of water outlets230C may include at least one central water outlet231provided at the center.

At least some of the plurality of water outlets230C may have different protrusion heights h to which they protrude in a direction opposite to the direction in which water is discharged. The plurality of water outlets230C may have different protrusion heights h to which they protrude in a direction opposite to the direction in which water is discharged. For example, the central water outlet231may have a different protrusion height h than a protrusion height h of each of the plurality of peripheral water outlets232. At least some of the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may have different protrusion heights h from each other. For example, the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may have different protrusion heights h. Here, a protrusion height h of the peripheral water outlet232may be represented as a positive (+) number when the peripheral water outlet232protrudes upward from a top surface of the central region211of the water outlet plate210C, represented as 0 when an upper surface of the peripheral water outlet232coincides with the top surface of the central region211of the water outlet plate210C, and represented as a negative (−) number when the peripheral water outlet232is recessed from the top surface of the central region211of the water outlet plate210C.

When the plurality of water outlets230C have different protrusion heights h, times at which water is introduced into the plurality of water outlets230C may vary. Accordingly, times at which water begins to be discharged through the plurality of water outlets230C may vary.

Referring toFIG.12, as water w is supplied to the central region211of the water outlet member200C, a level wh of the water w may rise. Therefore, the water w may be first introduced into the water outlet230C having the lowest protrusion height h among the plurality of water outlets230C, and then the water w may begin to be discharged from the corresponding water outlet230C.

For example, as the water w is supplied to the central region211of the water outlet member200C, a level wh of the water w filled in the central region211of the water outlet member200C may rise. When the level wh of the water w rises above a protrusion height h of the central water outlet231, the water w is introduced into the central water outlet231and then begins to be discharged therefrom in a case that the protrusion height h of the central water outlet231is the lowest among the water outlets230C. In this case, the water w is not introduced into the plurality of peripheral water outlets232and thus is not discharged therefrom. Then, when the level wh of the water w rises above a protrusion height h of one peripheral water outlet2323, the water w is introduced into the peripheral water outlet2323and begins to be discharged therefrom. Thereafter, when the level wh of the water w rises above a protrusion height h of another peripheral water outlet2326, the water w is introduced into the other peripheral water outlet2326and begins to be discharged therefrom.

Referring back toFIG.11, the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may have different protrusion heights h. For example, the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may have increasing protrusion heights h in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. For example, the plurality of peripheral water outlets232may have increasing protrusion heights h in a counter-clockwise direction. In this case, as the water w is supplied to the central region211of the water outlet member200C so that the level wh of the water w rises, the water w may begin to be discharged from the plurality of peripheral water outlets232in the counter-clockwise direction.

On the other hand, when the supply of water w is stopped, the level wh of the water w in the central region211of the water outlet member200C gradually falls. As the water level wh of the water w decreases, discharge of the water w from the water outlet230C with a maximum protrusion height h is stopped first, and discharge of the water w from the water outlet230C with a minimum protrusion height h is stopped last. For example, for the plurality of peripheral water outlets232with increasing protrusion heights h in the counter-clockwise direction, as shown inFIG.11, discharge of the water w may be stopped in the clockwise direction. By these structural arrangements, even without a programed separate driving motor in the water distribution module100, the way of pouring water (e.g., discharging water in a spiral sequence) used by a person skilled in a hand drip method may be implemented with consistency.

Referring toFIGS.11and12, protrusion heights h of the plurality of water outlets230C may be determined by taking into account a length of water discharge through the plurality of water outlets230C. For example, a protrusion height h of the plurality of water outlets230C may be determined to be lower as a length of water discharge is shorter. A protrusion height h of the plurality of water outlets230C may be determined to be higher as a length of water discharge is longer. For example, the water outlet230C having the shortest length of water discharge among the plurality of water outlets230C may have a minimum protrusion height h. For example, the water outlet230C having the longest water outlet among the plurality of water outlets230C may have a maximum protrusion height H.

FIG.13is an assembled perspective view of a water distribution module100A according to an embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG.14is an exploded perspective view of the water distribution module100A according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.15is a cross-sectional view of the water distribution module100A taken along line C-C′ ofFIG.13.FIG.16is a perspective view for explaining an operation of a water outlet member200D ofFIG.13, andFIG.17is a cross-sectional view of the water outlet member200D ofFIG.16.FIG.18is an exploded perspective view of a water distribution module100A including a water outlet member200D, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.13and14, the water distribution module100A according to the embodiment of the disclosure includes a water outlet member200D and a pipe member110A. The water outlet member200D may include a water outlet plate210D having a plurality of water outlets230D and a blade240provided in an upper portion of the water outlet plate210D. The blade240may be rotatable. The pipe member110A may include a spray hole1134through which water is sprayed toward the blade240. Water may be sprayed toward the blade240through the spray hole1134. The pipe member110A may provide a space1133in which at least a portion of the blade240is rotatable.

The blade240may include a wing241configured to be rotated by water supplied through the pipe member110A, and a body portion242fixed to the wing241and configured to rotate together when the wing241rotates.

Referring toFIGS.13to15, the pipe member110A may spray water in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the wing241. For example, the spray hole1134may be provided in a sidewall defining the space1133in which the wing241is rotatable. Accordingly, water may be sprayed from the spray hole1134toward the wing241in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the rotational axis.

An inclined surface2410of the wing241may be perpendicular or tilted with respect to the direction in which the water is sprayed. The blade240may include a plurality of wings241. However, the shape and number of wings241are not limited thereto, and may be changed by taking into account a rotation speed required for the blade240. For example, to increase the rotation speed of the wing241, the number of wings241may be increased. For example, to decrease the rotation speed of the wing241, the number of wings241may be reduced, or a tilt angle for the inclined surface2410may be decreased.

The body portion242may include a shaft243supporting the wing241. The shaft243may be provided at a center of the body portion242. The body portion242provides a temporary storage space2420in which water supplied through the pipe member110A may be temporarily stored before being delivered to the water outlet plate210D.

The body portion242may include a discharge opening244through which water is discharged toward some water outlets230D among the plurality of water outlets230D. The water temporarily stored in the temporary storage space2420of the body portion242may be delivered to the water outlet plate210D via the discharge opening244.

Referring toFIGS.15and16, the wing241is rotated by the water sprayed through the spray hole1134of the pipe member110A. When the wing241rotates, the body portion242fixed to the wing241by the shaft243also rotates. Because the water outlet plate210D does not rotate when the body portion242rotates, a location of the discharge opening244of the body portion242is changed relative to the water outlet plate210D. When the body portion242rotates, a position where the discharge opening244overlaps the water outlet plate210D changes. Thus, water discharged through the discharge opening244may be supplied to a different location on the water outlet plate210D. For example, the water discharged through the discharge opening244may be supplied to the plurality of peripheral water outlets232sequentially along a direction of rotation of the blade240. For example, as the blade240rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, water may begin to be discharged through the plurality of peripheral water outlets232in the counter-clockwise direction.

Referring back toFIGS.14,16, and17, the water outlet plate210D may include a rotation-support shaft217that supports the blade240to be rotatable with respect to the water outlet plate210. The rotation-support shaft217may be coaxially provided with respect to the shaft243of the blade240. For example, the shaft243of the blade240may be rotatably assembled to the rotation-support shaft217. For example, the rotation-support shaft217may be inserted into an internal groove of the shaft243. In the water outlet plate210D, a plurality of central water outlets231A may be provided around the rotation-support shaft217.

The water outlet plate210D may have partition walls216provided to separate the plurality of water outlets230D. For example, the partition wall216may be provided to surround each of the peripheral water outlets232. Accordingly, a portion of water discharged around one peripheral water outlet232via the discharge opening244of the blade240may be discharged through the peripheral water outlet232without being moved to another peripheral water outlet232due to the partition wall216.

A partition wall2161provided to surround the peripheral water outlet232may be spaced apart from another partition wall2162provided to surround another peripheral water outlet232adjacent thereto. A channel218through which water may flow may be formed in a space between the partition wall2161and the other partition wall2162. The channel218may extend toward the central water outlet231A. Accordingly, as the blade240rotates, another portion of the water is discharged through the discharge opening244into the channel218, and the another portion of the water discharged into the channel218may move along the channel218and be discharged through the central water outlet231A. While the portion of water is discharged from the plurality of peripheral outlets232in a counter-clockwise direction, the another portion of water may be discharged from the central water outlet231A.

In this way, water supplied by the pipe member110A causes the blade240to rotate with respect to the water outlet plate210D, and the water discharged through the discharge opening244of the blade240that rotates is then delivered to the plurality of water outlets230D in the water outlet plate210D at different times. Accordingly, discharge times at which water is discharged from the plurality of water outlets230D may vary.

While in the embodiment of the disclosure, it has been described mainly with respect to an example in which the water outlet plate210D has a structure in which the partition walls216surrounding the plurality of peripheral water outlets232, respectively, are spaced apart from each other to form the channel218, the structure of the water outlet plate210D and the shape of the blade240are not limited thereto. For another example, as shown inFIG.18, a water outlet plate210D1may have a structure in which each of a plurality of peripheral water outlets232is surrounded by partition walls216A without the channel218between the plurality of peripheral water outlets232. In this case, the central water outlet231A may be omitted.

As described above, in the water outlet member200D according to the embodiment of the disclosure, paths, along which water supplied from the pipe member110A moves until it is discharged through the plurality of water outlets230D, may be designed to have different lengths, so that discharge times at which the water may be discharged from the plurality of water outlets230D are different. In the water outlet member200D, at least one of lengths of water discharge through the plurality of water outlets230D, diameters of the plurality of water outlets230D, lengths of paths along which water moves to the plurality of water outlets230D, or protrusion heights of the plurality of water outlets230D may be designed to be different such that discharge times at which the water is discharged through the plurality of water outlets230D are different. As an example, one of lengths of water discharge through the plurality of water outlets230D, diameters of the plurality of water outlets230D, lengths of paths along which water moves to the plurality of water outlets230D, or protrusion heights of the plurality of water outlets230D may be different. For example, only lengths of water discharge through the plurality of water outlets230D may be different. For example, only diameters of the plurality of water outlets230D may be different. For example, only lengths of paths along which water moves to the plurality of water outlets230D may be different. For example, only protrusion heights of the plurality of water outlets230D may be different. As an another example, two of lengths of water discharge through the plurality of water outlets230D, diameters of the plurality of water outlets230D, lengths of paths along which water moves to the plurality of water outlets230D, or protrusion heights of the plurality of water outlets230D may be different. As an another example, three of lengths of water discharge through the plurality of water outlets230D, diameters of the plurality of water outlets230D, lengths of paths along which water moves to the plurality of water outlets230D, or protrusion heights of the plurality of water outlets230D may be different. As an another example, four of lengths of water discharge through the plurality of water outlets230D, diameters of the plurality of water outlets230D, lengths of paths along which water moves to the plurality of water outlets230D, or protrusion heights of the plurality of water outlets230D may be different. Thus, water may fall over the coffee powder C contained in the dripper2at a plurality of locations at different times.

FIG.19is a perspective view of a water outlet plate210E according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.20is an enlarged view of a portion of the water outlet plate210E ofFIG.19.

Referring toFIGS.19and20, the water outlet plate210E may include a plurality of water outlets230E provided in a central region211.

The arrangement of the plurality of water outlets230E may be determined by taking into account a shape of a dripper2A. For example, the dripper2A may have a plurality of drain ports5spaced apart along a straight line. The plurality of water outlets230E of the water outlet plate210E may also include a plurality of main water outlets233spaced apart along an imaginary straight line passing through a center of the water outlet member200(specifically, the water outlet plate211), and a plurality of auxiliary water outlets234that are equidistant radially from the center of the water outlet member200(specifically, the water outlet plate211). A diameter of each of the main water outlets233may be greater than a diameter of each of the auxiliary water outlets234. Accordingly, a flow rate of water discharged from the main water outlet233may be greater than a flow rate of water discharged from the auxiliary water outlet234.

When a direction of the dripper2A is adjusted so that the arrangement direction of the main water outlets233coincides with the arrangement direction of the drain ports5of the dripper2A, a relatively large flow rate of water falls through the main water outlets233into the coffee powder C provided in a region of the dripper2A overlapped by the main water outlets233while a relatively small flow rate of water falls through the auxiliary water outlets234into the coffee powder C provided in a region of the dripper2A overlapped by the auxiliary water outlets234. Thus, during coffee extraction, water may be poured from the water outlet plate210E according to the embodiment of the disclosure to match the amount of coffee powder C contained in the dripper2A. As described above, in the water outlet member200of the beverage extraction apparatus1according to the embodiment of the disclosure, at least one of diameters of the plurality of water outlets230or lengths of paths along which water supplied from the pipe member110moves until it is discharged through the plurality of water outlets230may be different. Through these structural arrangement in the water outlet member200, a discharge time at which water supplied to the dripper2A is discharged and a flow rate of the discharged water may be adjusted without a separate driving motor.

FIG.21is a view for explaining the beverage extraction apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.22is a view for explaining a power supply structure of the beverage extraction apparatus1ofFIG.21.

Referring toFIGS.21and22, the beverage extraction apparatus1according to the embodiment of the disclosure may receive power from a power station1000. For example, the beverage extraction apparatus1may wirelessly receive power from the power station1000. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the beverage extraction apparatus1may wirelessly receive power from the power station1000by using electromagnetic induction. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the beverage extraction apparatus1may not include a power line connected to a power outlet. However, power supply to the beverage extraction apparatus1is not necessarily limited to a wireless method, and the beverage extraction apparatus1may be supplied with power by a power line in another embodiment.

The power station1000may be an apparatus that wirelessly transmits power to an object placed on a top plate, such as the beverage extraction apparatus1, by using electromagnetic induction. The power station1000may be a heating apparatus. The power station1000may also be referred to as an induction range or an electric range. The power station1000may include a transmission coil1001that generates a magnetic field and a printed circuit board (“PCB”)1002connected to the transmission coil1001.

Transmitting power wirelessly may mean transferring power via a reception coil302by using a magnetic induction method. For example, the power station1000may allow current to flow through the transmission coil1001to create a magnetic field so that the magnetic field may be induced in the beverage extraction apparatus1.

The beverage extraction apparatus1may include a pickup coil301, the reception coil302, and a PCB303for wirelessly receiving power. A communication interface (not shown) and the controller (15ofFIG.2) may be mounted on the PCB303.

The pickup coil301may receive initial power from the power station1000. The received initial power may be transferred to the PCB303. The initial power transferred to the PCB303may activate the communication interface and the controller15. The controller15may include at least one processor that may control all operations of the beverage extraction apparatus1.

The communication interface may include a short-range communication interface (e.g., a Bluetooth communication interface, a near field communication (“NFT”) interface, a Bluetooth Low Energy (“BLE”) communication interface, etc.), a mobile communication interface, etc. The initial power is a power for driving the communication interface, and may be, for example, a power of 100 watts (W) to 300 W. The communication interface operates to enable communication between the beverage extraction apparatus1and the power station1000. The beverage extraction apparatus1may be paired with the power station1000.

The reception coil302may receive power from the transmission coil1001of the power station1000after communication is established between the beverage extraction apparatus1and the power station1000. The received power may be used to operate the beverage extraction apparatus1. The received power used to operate the beverage extraction apparatus1may be higher than the initial power. For example, the received power may be a power higher than 800 W, but is not limited thereto. The received power may be used to operate the heater11, the pump12, and other components of the beverage extraction apparatus1.

Moreover, while in the embodiment of the disclosure, it has been described mainly with respect to an example in which the beverage extraction apparatus1is used to extract coffee, the use of the beverage extraction apparatus1is not necessarily limited to the coffee. For example, the beverage extraction apparatus1according to the embodiment of the disclosure may be used to extract a beverage other than coffee, such as tea, in a manner similar to coffee extraction.

Although reference has been made to embodiments of the disclosure illustrated in the drawings for understanding the disclosure, and specific terms have been used to describe the embodiments thereof, the scope of the disclosure is not limited by the specific terms, and the disclosure will be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Particular implementations described herein merely correspond to embodiments of the disclosure and do not limit the scope of the disclosure in any way. For the sake of brevity of the specification, conventional electronic configurations, control systems, software, and other functional aspects of the systems may be omitted. Furthermore, connecting lines or connectors shown in various figures are intended to represent exemplary functional connections and/or physical or logical couplings between components in the figures, and in an actual device, connections between components may be represented by many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections, or logical connections. In addition, an element may not be necessarily essential to the practice of the disclosure unless the element is specifically described as essential,” “critical,” etc. As used herein, the term such as “comprising”, “including” and the like are used to be understood as being an open-ended term for describing embodiments of the disclosure.

The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosure (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural. Furthermore, recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range (unless otherwise indicated herein), and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Lastly, operations of methods according to the disclosure described herein may be performed in any suitable order unless clearly specified herein or contradicted by context. The disclosure is not limited to the described order of the operations. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language, e.g., “such as”, etc., provided herein is merely intended to describe the disclosure in detail and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise limited by the claims. Furthermore, various changes and modifications will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

A beverage extraction apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be an apparatus for extracting a beverage by discharging heated water toward a dripper.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the beverage extraction apparatus include a water tank for storing water, a heater for heating the water supplied from the water tank, and a water distribution module configured to discharge the heated water toward the dripper from a plurality of locations.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the water distribution module of the beverage extraction apparatus includes a pipe member for providing at least one flow path for receiving the heated water, and a water outlet member including a water outlet plate and a plurality of water outlets provided to pass through the water outlet plate.

The water distribution module may be configured such that discharge times at which water begins to be discharged from the plurality of water outlets are different.

In the water outlet member, lengths of water discharge through the plurality of water outlets, diameters of the plurality of water outlets, lengths of paths along which water moves to the plurality of water outlets, or protrusion heights of the plurality of water outlets may be different such that the discharge times for the plurality of water outlets are different.

The plurality of water outlets may have different thicknesses along a direction in which the water is discharged therefrom so that the lengths of water discharge vary.

Thicknesses of at least some of the plurality of water outlets may be greater than a thickness of the water outlet plate.

At least some of the plurality of water outlets may have different diameters.

At least some of the plurality of water outlets may have different protrusion heights from a reference surface in a direction opposite to the direction in which the water is discharged.

The plurality of water outlets may include a plurality of peripheral water outlets spaced apart from a center of the water outlet member, and the water outlet plate may further include a guide wall that guides a flow path of water along a top surface of a central region of the water outlet plate such that paths along which water supplied from the pipe member moves toward the plurality of peripheral water outlets, respectively, have different lengths.

The water outlet member may further include a blade configured to rotate and provided in an upper portion of the water outlet plate, and the blade may include a wing configured to be rotated by water supplied through the pipe member, and a body portion fixed to the wing to rotate together when the wing rotates and including a discharge opening through which water is discharged toward some of the plurality of water outlets.

The water outlet plate may have a partition wall provided to separate the plurality of water outlets from each other.

The pipe member may include a first pipe supplying water to a central region of the water outlet plate and a plurality of second pipes supplying water to an outer region of the water outlet plate, and the plurality of water outlets may include a plurality of drip water outlets provided in the central region and a plurality of rinsing water outlets provided in the outer region.

A beverage extraction apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure is an apparatus for extracting a beverage by discharging heated water toward a dripper.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the beverage extraction apparatus include a water tank for storing water, a heater heating the water supplied from the water tank, and a water distribution module configured to discharge the heated water toward the dripper from a plurality of locations.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the water distribution module of the beverage extraction apparatus may include a pipe member providing at least one flow path for receiving the heated water, and a water outlet member including a water outlet plate and a plurality of water outlets provided to pass through the water outlet plate.

The water distribution module may be configured such that at least one of diameters of the plurality of water outlets or lengths of paths along which water supplied from the pipe member moves until it is discharged through the plurality of water outlets is different.

The plurality of water outlets may include a plurality of main water outlets spaced apart along an imaginary straight line passing through a center of the water outlet member, and a plurality of auxiliary water outlets that are equidistant radially from the center of the water outlet member, and a diameter of each of the main water outlets may be greater than a diameter of each of the auxiliary water outlets.

In the water outlet member, lengths of water discharge through the plurality of water outlets, the diameters of the plurality of water outlets, the lengths of paths along which water moves to the plurality of water outlets, or protrusion heights of the plurality of water outlets may be different such that discharge times at which the water is discharged through the plurality of water outlets are different.

The water outlet member may further include a blade configured to rotate and provided in an upper portion of the water outlet plate, and the blade may include a wing configured to be rotated by water supplied through the pipe member, and a body portion fixed to the wing to rotate together when the wing rotates and including a discharge opening through which water is discharged toward some of the plurality of water outlets.

The pipe member may include a first pipe for supplying water to a central region of the water outlet plate and a plurality of second pipes for supplying water to an outer region of the water outlet plate, and the plurality of water outlets may include a plurality of drip water outlets provided in the central region and a plurality of rinsing water outlets provided in the outer region.