Apparatus for manufacturing beverage

Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing beverage. The apparatus includes a heat exchanger to heat a fluid. The heat exchanger includes a body including a first end portion and a second end portion, and the second end portion is opposite to the first end portion. The apparatus further includes a heater embedded in the body, a first pipe installed in the body and guiding the fluid in a first direction from the first end portion of the body to the second end portion of the body, and a second pipe installed in the body and guiding the fluid output from the first pipe in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0083132, filed on Jul. 17, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

One or more embodiments relate to an apparatus for manufacturing beverage, and more particularly, to an apparatus for manufacturing beverage including a heat exchanger.

2. Related Art

In general, various beverages such as black tea, green tea, coffee, etc. that can be drunk by brewing can be obtained by drying various natural cultivated plants in a natural state and then extracting the unique flavor contained in the plants in the form of beverage, and have been widely taken by modern people as favorite food.

Recently, apparatuses for manufacturing beverages such as coffee or tea are being developed according to an increase in the demand for the beverage. For example, capsule coffee machines are apparatuses using the principle of making espresso by applying hot water with pressure to ground coffee beans contained in a capsule, thereby extracting coffee. The capsule coffee machines are recently widely used for their convenient coffee extraction process and a low price.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments include an apparatus for manufacturing beverage including a heat exchanger that effectively heats a fluid.

According to one or more embodiments, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing beverage, the apparatus including a heat exchanger to heat a fluid, in which the heat exchanger includes a body including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion being opposite to the first end portion, a heater embedded in the body, a first pipe installed in the body and guiding the fluid in a first direction from the first end portion of the body to the second end portion of the body, and a second pipe installed in the body and guiding the fluid output from the first pipe in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

The apparatus may further include a connection tube connecting an outlet of the first pipe to an inlet of the second pipe.

The first pipe may extend in a helical shape between the first end portion of the body and the second end portion of the body, and the second pipe may extend in a helical shape between the first end portion of the body and the second end portion of the body.

The heater may be between the first pipe and the second pipe and may extend in a helical shape between the first end portion of the body and the second end portion of the body.

A helical diameter of the heater may be greater than a helical diameter of the first pipe and less than a helical diameter of the second pipe.

The heat exchanger may further include a temperature sensor installed in the body.

According to one or more embodiments, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing beverage, which includes a container configured to accommodate water, a first valve connected to the container via a first flow path for guiding a fluid output from the container and to outside air via an air inflow path, a second valve connected to the first valve via a second flow path for guiding the fluid output from the first valve, and an ejector connected to the second valve via an ejection flow path for guiding the fluid output from the second valve and configured to eject the fluid, in which the first valve includes a flow path switching valve configured to allow a flow of water through the first flow path or air through the air inflow path that communicates with the outside air.

The apparatus may further includes a heat exchanger installed on the second flow path for connecting the first valve to the second valve and configured to heat the fluid in an instant heating method.

The apparatus may further include a heat exchanger configured to detect a temperature of the fluid output from the heat exchanger.

The apparatus may further include a circulation flow path for connecting the second valve to the container and guiding the fluid output from the second valve to flow toward the container.

The second valve may include a flow path switching valve configured to allow the air input to the second valve to be output through the ejection flow path or to the circulation flow path.

According to one or more embodiments, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing beverage, which includes a container, a valve connected to the container through a flow path for guiding a fluid output from the container, an ejector connected to the valve via an ejection flow path for guiding the fluid output from the valve and configured to eject the fluid, a circulation flow path connecting the valve to the container and guiding the fluid output from the valve to the container, and a controller configured to control the valve, in which the valve includes a flow path switching valve configured to allow the fluid input to the valve to be output through the ejection flow path or the circulation flow path.

The apparatus may further include a heat exchanger installed on the flow path, and a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the fluid output from the heat exchanger.

When temperature of the fluid detected by the temperature sensor is out of a preset temperature range, the controller may be further configured to drive the valve to allow the fluid to flow through the circulation flow path.

The apparatus may further include a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure in the ejection flow path.

When the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is out of a preset pressure range, the controller may be further configured to drive the valve to allow the fluid to be output through the circulation flow path.

The apparatus may further include a heat exchanger installed on the flow path, a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the fluid output from the heat exchanger, and a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure in the ejection flow path.

The valve may include a first outlet and a second outlet both connected to the circulation flow path, in which the controller is further configured to drive the valve to open the first outlet when the temperature of the fluid detected by the temperature sensor is out of a preset temperature range, and the second outlet when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is out of a preset pressure range.

The apparatus may further include a fluid selection valve installed on the flow path connecting the container to the valve, in which the fluid selection valve includes a flow path switching valve configured to allow flow of water output from the container or outside air through an air inflow path that communicates with the outside air.

The apparatus may further include a check valve installed on the ejection flow path and configured to prevent backflow of the fluid in the ejection flow path.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 1schematically illustrates a configuration of a beverage manufacturing apparatus10according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 1, the beverage manufacturing apparatus10may be an apparatus for ejecting water having a certain temperature and pressure. For example, the beverage manufacturing apparatus10may be a coffee machine for extracting liquid coffee using hot water or a tea manufacturing apparatus capable of brewing tea by ejecting hot water.

The beverage manufacturing apparatus10may include a container110for containing water W, a flow meter120, a first valve130, a pump140, a heat exchanger150, a second valve170, a check valve180, and an ejector190. The beverage manufacturing apparatus10may include a flow path connecting the container110, the flow meter120, the first valve130, the pump140, the heat exchanger150, the second valve170, the check valve180, and the ejector190. For example, the beverage manufacturing apparatus10may include a first flow path210for sequentially connecting an outlet of the container110, the flow meter120, and the first valve130; a second flow path220for sequentially connecting the first valve130, the pump140, the heat exchanger150, and the second valve170; an ejection flow path230for sequentially connecting the second valve170, the check valve180, and the ejector190; and a circulation flow path250for connecting the second valve170to the container110.

The first valve130may be connected to the outlet of the container110through the first flow path210, and the outside air may be allow to flow through an air inflow path240connected to the outside air. The first valve130may include a flow path switching valve configured to selectively open or close a plurality of inflow ends. For example, the first valve130may be a solenoid valve. The first valve130may selectively allow a flow of any one of the water W and air A. The first valve130may be referred to as a fluid selection valve, considering that any one of the water W and the air A is selected.

In detail, the first valve130may selectively open or close an inlet connected to the first flow path210and an inlet connected to the air inflow path240. For example, when the first valve130is at a first position where the inlet connected to the first flow path210is open, the water W may be output through the second flow path220connected to an outlet of the first valve130. Alternatively, when the first valve130is at a second position where the inlet connected to the air inflow path240is open, the air A may be output through the second flow path220connected to the outlet of the first valve130.

The flow meter120may be installed on the first flow path210connecting the container110to the first valve130, and may detect a flow rate of the water W output from the container110.

The pump140may provide a drive force to flow a fluid in a flow path of the beverage manufacturing apparatus10. For example, as the pump140is driven, the water W or the air A may flow along the flow path provided in the beverage manufacturing apparatus10and may be discharged through the ejector190. For example, the pump140may be configured to control the flow speed of the water W or the air A by adjusting a driving cycle, that is, an ON/OFF cycle.

The heat exchanger150may heat the fluid flowing along the second flow path220by an instant heating method. For example, the heat exchanger150may be configured to heat the water W output through the first valve130to be transferred toward the second valve170, or to heat the air A output through the first valve130to be transferred toward the second valve170.

The second valve170may be connected to the first valve130via the second flow path220, to the ejector190via the ejection flow path230, and to the inlet of the container110via the circulation flow path250. The second valve170may include a flow path switching valve configured to selectively open or close a plurality of output ends. For example, the second valve170may be a solenoid valve. When the fluid is input through an inlet of the second valve170, the second valve170may selectively output the input fluid to the ejection flow path230or the circulation flow path250.

In detail, the second valve170may selectively open or close an outlet connected to the ejection flow path230and an outlet connected to the circulation flow path250. For example, when the second valve170is at a first position where the outlet connected to the ejection flow path230is open, the water W or the air A may be output through the ejection flow path230. Alternatively, when the second valve170is at a second position where the outlet connected to the circulation flow path250is open, the water W or the air A may be output through the circulation flow path250.

In some embodiments, the beverage manufacturing apparatus10may include a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure in the flow path. For example, the pressure sensor may be used to detect the pressure of the ejection flow path230. As illustrated inFIG. 8, a pressure sensor171may be provided in the second valve170. However, contrary to the above description, the pressure sensor may be installed on the ejection flow path230. The pressure sensor may detect the pressure in the flow path. Information about the pressure detected by the pressure sensor may be used to determine whether the pressure in the flow path is within a normal pressure range.

A temperature sensor160may be installed on the second flow path220connecting the heat exchanger150to the second valve170. The temperature sensor160may detect the temperature of the water W output from the heat exchanger150. Information about the temperature detected by the temperature sensor160may be used to determine whether the temperature of the water W heated by the heat exchanger150is within a normal temperature range.

The check valve180may be installed on the ejection flow path230around the ejector190. The check valve180may prevent backflow of the fluid in the ejection flow path230. The check valve180may allow the fluid to flow in a direction from the second valve170toward the ejector190, but may prevent the fluid from flowing in a direction from the ejector190toward the second valve170. For example, when the ejector190is clogged due to foreign materials, forming a high pressure in the ejector190, the check valve180may prevent the fluid from flowing back toward the second valve170through the ejection flow path230.

Although not illustrated in detail in the drawing, the beverage manufacturing apparatus10may include a controller (see300ofFIG. 12) for controlling the flow meter120, the first valve130, the pump140, the heat exchanger150, the temperature sensor160, and the second valve170. For example, the controller may include a microprocessor or a communication module.

FIGS. 2 to 5each illustrate an operation method of the beverage manufacturing apparatus10according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 2, the beverage manufacturing apparatus10may discharge the water W that is heated, through the ejector190.

In detail, the pump140is driven when a first inlet of the first valve130connected to the first flow path210is open and a second inlet of the first valve130connected to the air inflow path240is closed. As the pump140is driven, the water W contained in the container110may be guided along the first flow path210to flow toward the first valve130, the water W output from the outlet of the first valve130may flow toward the heat exchanger150. The water W may be heated in the heat exchanger150to a preset temperature and then input to the second valve170. The second valve170may open a first outlet connected to the ejection flow path230and close a second outlet connected to the circulation flow path250, thereby allowing the water W that is heated to flow toward the ejection flow path230. Accordingly, the water W that is heated may be guided by the ejection flow path230to flow toward the ejector190and then discharged through the ejector190.

Referring toFIG. 3, the beverage manufacturing apparatus10may circulate the water W back to the container110.

In detail, the pump140is driven when the first inlet of the first valve130connected to the first flow path210is open and the second inlet of the first valve130connected to the air inflow path240is closed. As the pump140is driven, the water W contained in the container110may be guided by the first flow path210to flow toward the first valve130. The water W output from the outlet of the first valve130may be guided by the second flow path220to flow toward the heat exchanger150. The water W heated by the heat exchanger150may be guided by the second flow path220to flow in the second valve170. The second valve170may open the second outlet connected to the circulation flow path250and close the first outlet connected to the ejection flow path230, thereby allowing the water W to flow toward the circulation flow path250. The water W may be guided by the circulation flow path250and collected in the container110.

In some embodiments, to determine the flow direction of the water W by using the second valve170, the information about the temperature of the water W detected by the temperature sensor160may be used. In other words, the temperature sensor160may detect the temperature of the water W output from the heat exchanger150and transmit the detected temperature to the controller. When the detected temperature is determined to be out of a preset normal temperature range, the controller may open an outlet of the second valve170connected to the circulation flow path250to collect the water W in the container110.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, to determine the flow direction of the water W through the second valve170, information about the pressure detected by the pressure sensor (see171ofFIG. 8) of the second valve170may be used. In other words, the pressure sensor may detect the pressure in the flow path and transmit the detected pressure to the controller. When the detected pressure is determined to be out of a preset normal pressure range, the controller may open the outlet of the second valve170connected to the circulation flow path250to collect the water W in the container110.

Referring toFIG. 4, the beverage manufacturing apparatus10may allow the air A to flow toward the ejector190to remove remaining water in the flow path.

In detail, to allow the outside air to flow in, the pump140is driven when the first inlet of the first valve130connected to the first flow path210is closed and the second inlet of the first valve130connected to the air inflow path240is open. As the pump140is driven, the air A may flow in the second inlet of the first valve130along the air inflow path240, and the air A flowing in the outlet of the first valve130may flow in the second valve170by passing through the heat exchanger150. As the second valve170opens the first outlet connected to the ejection flow path230and closes the second outlet connected to the circulation flow path250, the air A may be guided by the ejection flow path230to flow toward the ejector190.

According to the present embodiment, in a process in which the air A flows along the second flow path220, the ejection flow path230, and the ejector190, the water W and the foreign materials remaining in the flow path may be discharged to the outside through the ejector190, and thus contamination in the flow path may be prevented. Furthermore, in a process of discharging the air A through the ejector190, the foreign materials adsorbed in the ejector190may be removed, and thus problems that the pressure of the flow path is increased due to the clogging of the ejector190and the ejector190is contaminated may be prevented.

Referring toFIG. 5, the beverage manufacturing apparatus10may allow the air A to flow toward the circulation flow path250to remove the remaining water in the circulation flow path250.

In detail, the pump140is driven to allow the outside air to flow in when the first inlet of the first valve130connected to the first flow path210is closed and the second inlet of the first valve130connected to the air inflow path240is open. As the pump140is driven, the air A may flow in the second valve170through the heat exchanger150. The second valve170may allow the air A to be collected in the container110through the circulation flow path250by opening the second outlet connected to the circulation flow path250and closing the first outlet connected to the ejection flow path230.

According to the present embodiment, in a process in which the air A flows through the second flow path220and the circulation flow path250, the water W and the foreign materials remaining in the flow path may be removed, and thus contamination in the flow path may be prevented.

In some embodiments, as described inFIGS. 4 and 5, in the process of removing the remaining water in the flow path by flowing the air A in, the heat exchanger150may heat the air A to a certain temperature to increase fluidity of the air A.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the beverage manufacturing apparatus10may sequentially perform circulating the water W until the water W output from the heat exchanger150is heated within a preset temperature range, as described with reference toFIG. 3, manufacturing beverage by discharging the water W that is heated to the preset temperature range through the ejector190, as described with reference toFIG. 2, removing the remaining water in the ejection flow path230and the ejector190, as described with reference toFIG. 4, and removing the remaining water in the circulation flow path250, as described with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of the heat exchanger150according to an embodiment.FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchanger150taken along line VII-VII′ ofFIG. 6.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, the heat exchanger150may include a body151, a first pipe152, a second pipe153, a connection tube154, and a heater155.

The first pipe152and the second pipe153may be installed in the body151and may provide a path through which a fluid flows in the heat exchanger150. The second pipe153may be connected to the first pipe152to have fluid communication and may receive the fluid output from the first pipe152. As illustrated, the fluid transferred from the first valve130ofFIG. 1may flow in the first pipe152and may be heated while sequentially passing through the first pipe152and the second pipe153, and the heated fluid may be output through an outlet of the second pipe153. However, in some embodiments, unlike the illustration, the fluid transferred from the first valve130ofFIG. 1may flow in the second pipe153and then flow out of the first pipe152.

The flow directions of the fluid in the first pipe152and the second pipe153may be opposite to each other. In other words, the first pipe152may guide the fluid in a first direction from a first end portion151e1of the body151to a second end portion151e2opposite to the first end portion151e1, and the second pipe153may guide the fluid transferred from the first pipe152in a second direction, for example, a direction from the second end portion151e2to the first end portion151e1, that is opposite to the first direction.

In some embodiments, the first pipe152and the second pipe153may protrude from the body151, and an end portion of the outlet of the first pipe152and an end portion of the inlet of the second pipe153may be connected to each other by the connection tube154. However, in another embodiment, unlike the illustration in the drawings, the first pipe152and the second pipe153may be directly connected to each other in the body151. In this case, the connection tube154may be omitted.

In some embodiments, the first pipe152and the second pipe153may have a helical shape. The first pipe152and the second pipe153of a helical shape may increase a time for the fluid flowing in the heat exchanger150so that the fluid may be heated for a longer period of time. In this state, the second pipe153is arranged spaced farther from a center portion of the body151than the first pipe152, and a helical diameter153D of the second pipe153may be greater than a helical diameter152D of the first pipe152.

The heater155may be at least partially embedded in the body151. For example, the heater155, as a heater having a pipe shape, may have a structure in which a heat coil to be heated by a resistance heating method may be arranged in a protection tube. When power is supplied through terminals156connected to both end portions of the heat coil, the fluid in the first pipe152and the second pipe153may be heated by heat generated from the heat coil.

The heater155may be provided between the first pipe152and the second pipe153. The heater155may be arranged close to the first pipe152and the second pipe153, and thus the fluid in the first pipe152and the fluid in the second pipe153may be effectively heated.

In some embodiments, the heater155may have a helical shape. In this state, a helical diameter155D of the heater155may be greater than the helical diameter152D of the first pipe152and less than the helical diameter153D of the second pipe153.

The heat exchanger150may include a temperature sensor159installed on the body151. For example, the temperature sensor159may be used to detect overheat of the heat exchanger150or determine whether the heat exchanger150reaches a target temperature range during a preheating operation of the heat exchanger150.

According to the present embodiment, the fluid in the heat exchanger150is heated while passing through the first pipe152and the second pipe153that guide the fluid in the opposite directions, thereby improving heating efficiency of the heat exchanger150.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of the second valve170according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 8, the second valve170may be a four-way valve having one inlet and three outlets. The second valve170may have one inlet173connected to the second flow path220, a first outlet17501connected to the ejection flow path230, and a second outlet17502and a third outlet17503both connected to the circulation flow path250.

The second valve170may include the pressure sensor171. The pressure sensor171may be configured to detect pressure in the ejection flow path230. The second outlet17502may be open or closed depending on the information about the temperature of the water W detected by the temperature sensor160, and the third outlet17503may be open or closed depending on the information about the pressure in the flow path detected by the pressure sensor171.

FIGS. 9 to 11each illustrate an operation method of a beverage manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment.FIG. 12is a block diagram of a part of a beverage manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 9 and 12, the second valve170may allow the water W to flow toward the ejector190when the temperature of the water W heated by the heat exchanger150is within the normal temperature range and abnormal pressure is not detected in the flow path.

In detail, the temperature sensor160and the pressure sensor171may respectively transmit, to the controller300, information Temp about the temperature of the water W heated by the heat exchanger150and information Press about the pressure in the flow path. The controller300may the second valve170to open the first outlet17501of the second valve170when the temperature sensor160determines that the detected temperature is within the normal temperature range and the pressure sensor171determines that the detected pressure is within the normal pressure range. As the first outlet17501is open, the water W that is heated within the normal temperature range may be discharged through the ejector190.

Referring toFIGS. 10 and 12, the second valve170may allow the water W to flow toward the circulation flow path250when the temperature of the water W heated by the heat exchanger150is out of the normal temperature range.

In detail, although no abnormal pressure is detected by the pressure sensor171, when the temperature sensor160determines that the detected temperature is out of the normal temperature range, the controller300may drive the second valve170to open the second outlet17502of the second valve170. As the second outlet17502is open, the water W does not flow toward the ejection flow path230and may be collected in the container110through the circulation flow path250.

Referring toFIGS. 11 and 12, the second valve170may allow the water W to flow toward the circulation flow path250when abnormal pressure is detected in the flow path.

In detail, for example, when the ejector190is clogged due to foreign materials and thus pressure in the flow path excessively increases, the pressure sensor171may determines that the detected pressure is out of the normal pressure range. In this case, the controller300may drive the second valve170to close the first outlet17501to prevent the flow of the water W toward the ejection flow path230. The controller300may open the third outlet17503of the second valve170to collect the water W in the container110.

According to the present embodiment, as the apparatus for manufacturing beverage ejects water heated within a preset temperature range, beverages such as coffee and tea having a uniform temperature may be manufactured. Furthermore, as the apparatus for manufacturing beverage determines whether to eject water based on the detected pressure information, occurrence of damage to the apparatus due to overpressure and a safety accident due to the ejection of fluid in an overpressure state may be prevented.