Patent Description:
Coffee is one of the three major beverages in the world, and communities of coffee drinkers have been growing all around the world. The ever-increasing popularity of coffee machines renders a more convenient and simpler preparation of coffee, which is followed by every moment of life full of the flavor of coffee.

Capsule coffee machines are one type of coffee machines, a manufacturer packs coffee powder into a plastic capsule box similar to a pudding box, and then charges an inert gas to preserve freshness. A cup of fragrant coffee is prepared soon after a capsule is inserted into a machine. In comparison with a semi-automatic coffee machine or a full-automatic coffee machine using coffee powder, the operation of the capsule coffee machine is quite simple and convenient. The capsule coffee machine in the broad sense can not only make coffee, but also make natural flower and fruit tea, etc..

Various capsule coffee machines are currently available from the market, generally provided with a base, a capsule holder for holding a capsule, an injection module for piercing a capsule membrane and injecting hot water, and a power module for driving the injection module to move along a preset direction. Some capsule coffee machines adopt drawer-type capsule holders which can move relative to the base of the coffee machine, when a capsule is to be added, the capsule holder is pulled out from the base of the coffee machine, then the capsule is placed into specific accommodating cavities, and then the capsule holder is pushed back to the original position. Capsule coffee machines are also known from <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

However, the inventor(s) of the invention found during implementing the invention that: for the capsule coffee machine with such a structure, after the coffee is prepared, the used capsule box cannot be automatically recovered, the user has to take out the capsule box where the brewed liquid is adhered, and this may leads to a poor user experience.

It's an object of embodiments of the invention to solve the technical problem that the used capsule boxes cannot be automatically recovered for the capsule coffee machine with the drawer-type capsule holder by providing a brewing device and a beverage machine.

The technical problem is solved by implementing:.

A brewing device in accordance with independent claim <NUM>. Further improvements to the brewing device are recited in the dependent claims.

The technical problem is also solved by implementing:.

a beverage machine according to claim <NUM>, including the brewing device according to any of the claims <NUM>-<NUM>.

The invention has the following advantages:.

The brewing device provided by the embodiments of the invention includes a base, a capsule holder, an injection module, a sliding rail and a driving module. The capsule holder is provided with an accommodating cavity for receiving the capsule; one end of the sliding rail is carried on the capsule holder and used for carrying the capsule, and the other end of the sliding rail is rotatably mounted on the capsule holder. After the brewing process is complete, when the injection module is getting away from the capsule holder along a preset direction, the driving module can drive the sliding rail to rotate together, so that one end of the sliding rail carried on the capsule holder gets away from the capsule holder, the sliding rail carries the capsule away from the accommodating cavity of the capsule holder, and the capsule slides down to a designated position along the sliding rail.

Therefore, in comparison with the brewing device in the capsule coffee machine currently available on the market, the brewing device provided by the embodiments of the invention can realize the automatic recovery of the capsule after the brewing is complete, without manual operation of a user, and thus the user experience is effectively improved.

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the invention, the drawings used in the description of the present embodiments are briefly described below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the description below illustrate only some of the present embodiments of the invention, and that other drawings can be obtained from the structures shown in the drawings without involving any inventive effort for a person skilled in the art.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to the accompanied drawings and embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is "secured to/fixedly connected with" another element, it can be a direct relationship or there can be one or more intervening elements therebetween. When an element "connects" another element, it can be directly connected with the element or there can be one or more intervening elements therebetween.

With reference to <FIG>, a perspective view of a brewing device according to an embodiment from an angle, said embodiment not being part of the present invention, a perspective view of the brewing device in its brewing working position with side plates not shown, and a perspective view of the brewing device in its sliding-down working position with a base not shown are presented, the brewing device including a base <NUM>, a capsule holder <NUM>, an injection module <NUM>, a power module <NUM>, a sliding rail <NUM> and a driving module. Wherein, the base <NUM> is provided with a passage; the capsule holder <NUM>, at least partially received in the passage, is slidably mounted on the base <NUM>, capable of directionally sliding along the passage. The injection module <NUM> is movably connected with the base <NUM> and can get close to or away from the capsule holder <NUM> in a preset direction. The power module <NUM> is connected with the injection module <NUM> for driving the injection module <NUM> to get close to or away from the capsule holder <NUM> in the preset direction. One end of the sliding rail <NUM> is carried at one end of the capsule holder <NUM> proximate to the injection module <NUM> and used for carrying a flange of a capsule <NUM>; the other end of the sliding rail <NUM> is rotatably mounted on the capsule holder <NUM>. The driving module is configured to drive the sliding rail <NUM> to rotate when the injection module <NUM> is getting away from the capsule holder <NUM> in the preset direction, so that the end of the sliding rail <NUM> carried on the capsule holder <NUM> gets away from the capsule holder <NUM>.

With regard to the base <NUM>, reference is made to <FIG> which shows a perspective view of the base <NUM> in combination with <FIG>, the base <NUM> includes two oppositely disposed side plates <NUM>, and a connecting plate <NUM> having both ends connected with the two side plates <NUM>, respectively. Each side plate <NUM> is vertically disposed, and the connecting plate <NUM> is used for connecting the two side plates <NUM> so that the two side plates <NUM> are oppositely arranged and fixed relative to each other, thereby forming the above-mentioned passage <NUM>.

With regard to the capsule holder <NUM>, reference is made to <FIG> which shows a perspective view of the capsule holder <NUM> in combination with <FIG>, the capsule holder <NUM> includes a cup holder <NUM>, a slider <NUM>, and a push plate <NUM>. An accommodating cavity <NUM> for accommodating the capsule <NUM> is provided at the end, proximate to the injection module <NUM>, of the cup holder <NUM> (i.e., the top as shown). The slider <NUM> is generally strip-shaped, the two sliders <NUM> are arranged on two opposite sides of the cup holder <NUM> in parallel, and the sliders <NUM> extend in a direction extending parallel to the passage <NUM>. The two side plates <NUM> are respectively provided at one end facing the passage <NUM> with guide grooves <NUM> adapted to the sliders <NUM> and extending in a direction extending parallel to the passage <NUM>, and the pair of sliders <NUM> are mated with the pair of guide grooves <NUM> to ensure that the capsule holder <NUM> can slide directionally in the passage <NUM>. The push plate <NUM> is fixedly connected with one end of the slider <NUM> and facilitates pulling the capsule holder <NUM> out of the accommodating cavity <NUM> to the exterior of the passage <NUM> for the capsule <NUM> to fill in, as well as pushing the capsule holder <NUM> into a set position to conduct the subsequent brewing process.

With regard to the injection module <NUM> described above, reference is made to <FIG> which shows a perspective view of the injection module <NUM> in combination with <FIG>, the injection module <NUM> includes an injection component <NUM> and a connecting arm <NUM>. The injection component <NUM> is disposed in the passage <NUM> and positioned on one side of the capsule holder <NUM> where the accommodating cavity <NUM> is provided, specifically, above the accommodating cavity <NUM>. The injection component <NUM> serves to pierce a sealing membrane of the capsule <NUM> and inject boiled water into the capsule <NUM> to complete the brewing process. One end of the connecting arm <NUM> is fixedly connected with the injection component <NUM>, and the other end of the connecting arm <NUM> extends away from the push plate <NUM> in a direction parallel to the passage <NUM> and is rotatably mounted on the base <NUM>; that is, the direction in which the injection module <NUM> rotates in the present embodiment is the preset direction described above. In the present embodiment, the number of the connecting arms <NUM> is two, and the two connecting arms <NUM> are respectively arranged on two sides of the injection component <NUM> along the direction of width of the passage <NUM>; one end of each connecting arm <NUM> distal to the injection component <NUM> is connected with a rotating shaft <NUM>, the side plate <NUM> is provided with a rotating hole <NUM> (<FIG>) matched with the rotating shaft <NUM>, and the connecting arm <NUM> and the side plate <NUM> are rotatably connected through the matching of the rotating shaft <NUM> and the rotating hole. At the brewing working position, the injection module <NUM> is positioned close to an opening of the accommodating cavity <NUM>, and generally, almost parallel to the capsule holder <NUM>; starting from such a position, the injection module <NUM> reaches the sliding-down working position (shown in <FIG>) after being rotated by a preset angular displacement in a direction away from the accommodating cavity <NUM>. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments of the invention, the connecting arm <NUM> may be rotatably connected with the side plate <NUM> in other ways. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, the rotating shaft <NUM> is sleeved with a bearing, an inner race of which is in interference fit with the rotating shaft, and an outer race of which is fixed to the side plate <NUM>, that is, the connecting arm <NUM> is rotatably connected with the side plate through a bearing.

With regard to the power module <NUM>, reference is made to <FIG> in combination with <FIG> and <FIG>, the power module <NUM> is connected with the injection module <NUM> and configured to drive the injection module <NUM> to reciprocate between the brewing working position and the sliding-down working position, and the power module <NUM> includes a first link <NUM>, a second link <NUM>, and a rotation mechanism <NUM>. One end of the first link <NUM> is rotatably mounted on the injection component <NUM> of the injection module, the other end of the first link <NUM> is rotatably connected with the second link <NUM>, an output end of the rotation mechanism <NUM> is connected with the second link <NUM> and configured to drive the second link <NUM> to rotate; the base <NUM>, the second link <NUM>, the first link <NUM> and the injection module <NUM> together form a four bar linkage, so that regular movement of the injection module <NUM> can be rendered by driving the second link <NUM> by the rotation mechanism <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the rotation mechanism <NUM> is an electric motor, and it will be appreciated that in other embodiments of the invention, the rotation mechanism may be any mechanism that can achieve rotational output, such as a rotating cylinder.

Further, the rotation mechanism <NUM> further includes a worm gear and a worm, through which the rotation mechanism is connected with the second link to reduce the rotation speed of the injection module <NUM> to a certain extent and avoid damage caused by strong impact between the injection module <NUM> and the capsule holder <NUM> due to too fast rotation of the motor. The worm gear is coaxially and fixedly connected with a worm gear shaft, the worm gear shaft is rotatably mounted on the base <NUM>, and the second link is sleeved on and fixed with the worm gear shaft. And the worm is matched with the worm gear and connected with the output end of the rotation mechanism.

With regard to the sliding rail <NUM>, reference is made to <FIG> which respectively show a perspective view of the sliding rail <NUM> and a schematic view showing the connection of the sliding rail <NUM> and the capsule holder <NUM> in combination with <FIG>, the sliding rail <NUM> includes a sliding guide part <NUM>, one end of which is carried at one end of the cup holder <NUM> proximate to the injection component <NUM>, the other end of which extends away from the push plate <NUM> in a direction extending parallel to the passage <NUM> and is rotatably mounted on the capsule holder <NUM>. The end of the sliding rail <NUM> carried on the cup holder <NUM> is disposed at an edge of a profile of the accommodating cavity <NUM> and used for carrying the flange of the capsule <NUM>.

Further, the sliding rail <NUM> further includes a bent part <NUM> having one end connected with one end of the sliding guide part <NUM> distal to the accommodating cavity <NUM> and the other end extending towards a bottom of the base <NUM>. In the present embodiment, one end of the bent part <NUM> distal to the cup holder <NUM> extends towards the bottom of the base <NUM> and gradually gets away from the cup holder <NUM>. Actually, the bent part <NUM> can be formed by bending a straight sliding rail, and on one hand, the distance between the two ends of the straight sliding rail can be reduced by the configuration of the bent part <NUM>, so that the travel of the capsule <NUM> is shortened; on the other hand, when the sliding rail <NUM> is rotated by a certain angle, the capsule <NUM> slides down, the bent part <NUM> has a certain inclination angle relative to the sliding guide part <NUM>, and the capsule <NUM> slides on the bent part <NUM> with less resistance, so that the bent part <NUM> can accelerate the falling of the capsule <NUM> when the capsule <NUM> slides down to the bent part <NUM>.

In addition, the sliding rail <NUM> having the bent part <NUM> enables a greater inclined angle of the sliding guide part <NUM> when the end of the sliding rail <NUM> carried at one end of the cup holder <NUM> rises by the same height as that of the straight sliding rail having the same total length does. To facilitate understanding, reference is made specifically to <FIG> which is a schematic view showing a straight sliding rail and the sliding rail <NUM> having the bent part <NUM> being respectively rotated until their ends proximate to the cup holder <NUM> reach the same height in combination with other drawings. As shown in the drawings, point O and point X respectively represent two ends of the straight sliding rail when the straight sliding rail is horizontal, point Y represents a position of the straight sliding rail after the end thereof proximate to the cup holder being rotated by angle α along a circle centered in point O, and circle P is a movement track of the end of the straight sliding rail proximate to the cup holder, that is, the end of the straight sliding rail proximate to the cup holder <NUM> is rotated from a horizontal position at point X by angle α to point Y along a circle centered in point O. Similarly, points O' and M represent both ends (O'M = OM) of the bent part <NUM> of the sliding rail <NUM> having the bent part, points M and X represent both ends of the sliding guide part <NUM> of the sliding rail <NUM> having the bent part, point Z represents the position of the sliding rail <NUM> having the bent part after its end proximate to the cup holder being rotated by angle β along a circle centered in point O', and points Z and Y are at the same height relative to the horizontal position, and circle Q is a movement track of the end, proximate to the cup base, of the sliding rail <NUM> having the bent part, namely: the end of the sliding rail with the bent part <NUM> proximate to the cup holder rotates from a horizontal position point X to point Z by angle β along a circle centered in point O'. The rotation angle of the sliding rail is generally less than <NUM> degrees, and within such a range, the track of the circle Q is always on the left side of the track of the circle P, then:.

In addition, a chord length formula can be combined: L=2R*sin < θ /<NUM>) , wherein L represents chord length and θ represents radian;
It can be inferred that β is greater than α, that is, the angle by which the sliding rail <NUM> having the bent part rotates is greater than the angle by which the straight sliding rail rotates. A horizontal piece has an included angle γ with the horizontal direction after being rotated by angle γ along a circle centered in any point, regardless of the choice of the rotation center, so the angle between the sliding guide part and the horizontal direction is β, which is larger than the included angle α of the straight sliding rail with the horizontal direction. Therefore, the sliding rail <NUM> having the bent part <NUM> provided by the present embodiment is more favorable for the capsule <NUM> to slide down.

Furthermore, in order to render a more reliable process to bring the capsule <NUM> out of the accommodating cavity <NUM> by the sliding rail <NUM>, the sliding guide part <NUM> of the sliding rail <NUM> is U-shaped. Reference is made to <FIG> in combination with other drawings, the U-shaped structure of the sliding guide part <NUM> is disposed around the edge of the accommodating cavity <NUM>, and both ends of the U-shaped structure extend in a direction parallel to the passage <NUM>. The two bent parts <NUM> are respectively connected with two ends of the sliding guide part <NUM> distal to the accommodating cavity <NUM>. Each bent part <NUM> is connected with a pin shaft <NUM> arranged in parallel with the rotating shaft <NUM>, the two pin shafts <NUM> extend in opposite directions, in the present embodiment, one end of each pin shaft <NUM> is connected with the bent part <NUM>, the other end of each pin shaft <NUM> extends away from the center of the passage <NUM>, and the sliding rail <NUM> is rotatably mounted on the slider <NUM> of the capsule holder <NUM> through the pin shaft <NUM>. The sliding guide part <NUM> is of a U-shaped structure, so that the area of the sliding rail <NUM> for bearing the capsule <NUM> is increased, and the process of bearing the capsule <NUM> by the sliding rail <NUM> is more reliable; moreover, the sliding rail <NUM> is also U-shaped, and the structure cooperates with the pin shaft <NUM> so that the sliding rail <NUM> is not easily disengaged after being mounted on the capsule holder <NUM>.

With regard to the driving module, reference is made to <FIG> in combination with <FIG> and others, the driving module <NUM> is used to drive the sliding rail <NUM> to rotate when the injection module <NUM> is getting away from the capsule holder <NUM> in the preset direction, so that one end of the sliding rail <NUM> carried on the capsule holder <NUM> gets away from the capsule holder <NUM> and brings the capsule <NUM> out of the accommodating cavity <NUM>. The driving module <NUM> includes a clamping hook <NUM> and a clamping strip <NUM>, wherein the clamping hook <NUM> is arranged on the sliding rail <NUM> and includes a connecting part <NUM> and a hooking part <NUM>, one end of the connecting part <NUM> is connected with the sliding guide part <NUM> of the sliding rail <NUM>, the other end of the connecting part <NUM> extends to the connecting arm <NUM> of the injection module <NUM>, and the hooking part <NUM> is arranged at one end, distal to the sliding rail <NUM>, of the connecting part <NUM> on a side of the connecting part <NUM> proximate to the center of the passage <NUM>. The clamping strip <NUM> is provided at the connecting arm <NUM> of the injection module <NUM>, extends integrally in a direction parallel to the passage <NUM>, and is located between the sliding rail <NUM> and the hooking part <NUM>. At the brewing working position, the clamping strip <NUM> is positioned on a side of the hooking part <NUM> proximate to the capsule holder. When the injection module <NUM> is moving to the sliding-down working position under the drive of the power module <NUM>, the clamping strip <NUM> can abut against the hooking part <NUM> of the clamping hook <NUM> and drive the sliding rail <NUM> to rotate along with the clamping hook <NUM>, so that one end of the sliding rail <NUM> gets away from the capsule holder <NUM> and brings the capsule <NUM> out of the accommodating cavity <NUM>; when the sliding rail <NUM> is rotated by a certain angle, the capsule <NUM> will slide down in the direction in which the sliding rail <NUM> extends under the action of gravity and fall into a designated container. And after the capsule <NUM> slides off, the sliding rail <NUM> continues to rotate along with the injection module <NUM> until the hooking part <NUM> of the clamping hook <NUM> moves to the end of the clamping strip <NUM> with respect to the clamping strip <NUM> and is disengaged with the clamping strip <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), at which time, the sliding rail <NUM> rotates towards the capsule holder <NUM> under the action of gravity until the end proximate to the capsule holder <NUM> is carried on the capsule holder <NUM>. During the movement of the injection module <NUM> from the sliding-down working position to the brewing working position under the drive of the power module <NUM>, the clamping strip <NUM> first abuts against the hooking part <NUM> of the clamping hook <NUM>, renders the clamping hook <NUM> to be opened in a direction away from the center of the passage <NUM> by the elasticity of the clamping hook <NUM>, and then enables the return to the brewing working position by passing over the hooking part <NUM>.

Further, the distance between the two hooking parts <NUM> becomes smaller in a direction from the hooking part <NUM> to the sliding guide part <NUM> to provide guide for the clamping strip <NUM> to pass over the hooking part <NUM>, thereby preventing the clamping strip <NUM> from being directly pressed onto the hooking part <NUM> to damage the clamping hook <NUM>.

It should be understood that even though the clamping hook <NUM> in the above embodiment is provided on the sliding rail <NUM> and the clamping strip <NUM> is provided on the injection module <NUM>, this embodiment is not limited thereto; for example, in other embodiments, the clamping hook may also be provided on the injection module and extend in a direction towards the sliding rail, and accordingly, the clamping strip may be provided on the sliding rail between the injection module and the hooking part of the clamping hook.

Furthermore, in order to facilitate control of the power module <NUM> that can be stopped in time when the injection module <NUM> moves to the brewing working position, so that the injection module <NUM> can conduct the subsequent brewing process, the brewing device further includes a first sensor <NUM> and a controller (not shown), the first sensor <NUM> and the rotation mechanism <NUM> being both connected with the controller. Specifically, reference is made back to <FIG> in combination with the other drawings, the first sensor <NUM> is fixed to the side plate <NUM> and corresponds to the position of the second link <NUM>. When the injection module <NUM> moves to the brewing working position, the second link <NUM> moves to abut against the first sensor <NUM> and triggers the first sensor <NUM>; the controller controls the rotation mechanism <NUM> to stop operating in response to the trigger signal, and the injection module <NUM> stays stably at the brewing working position.

Similarly, in order to control the power module <NUM> to stop operating as required when the injection module <NUM> moves away from the capsule holder <NUM> until the sliding rail <NUM> disengages with the injection module <NUM>, so as to ensure consistent displacements of the injection module <NUM> each time it moves away from the capsule holder <NUM>, the brewing device further includes a second sensor <NUM>, which is also connected with the controller. The second sensor <NUM> is fixed to the side plate <NUM> and corresponds to the position of the connecting arm <NUM>. The second sensor <NUM> serves to abut against the connecting arm <NUM> of the injection module <NUM> and get triggered during rotation of the injection module <NUM> in a direction away from the capsule holder <NUM>, so that the controller controls the rotation mechanism <NUM> to stop operating in response to the trigger signal, thereby stopping the movement of the injection module <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the injection module <NUM> triggers the second sensor <NUM> after the sliding rail <NUM> disengages with the injection module <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the capsule <NUM> may be a coffee capsule or other capsules such as a fruit tea capsule, and the working mechanism of the brewing device according to the invention will be briefly described with reference to the drawings, taking the coffee capsule as an example.

In an initial state, the capsule holder <NUM> is accommodated in the passage <NUM>, the capsule <NUM> is not provided in the accommodating cavity <NUM>, and the injection module <NUM> is at the sliding-down working position.

When it is desired to brew coffee, at first, the push plate <NUM> is pulled until the accommodating cavity <NUM> is exposed out of the passage <NUM>, the capsule <NUM> is filled in the accommodating cavity <NUM>, and the push plate <NUM> is pushed until the position of the capsule <NUM> corresponds to the brewing working position. The power module <NUM> is then controlled to move the injection module <NUM> from the sliding-down working position to the brewing working position. After this, the injection module <NUM> is controlled to brew with the capsule <NUM>. After the brewing is complete, the power module <NUM> is controlled to drive the injection module <NUM> to move from the brewing working position to the sliding-down working position; during the process, the sliding rail <NUM> rotates along with the injection module <NUM> under the drive of the driving module <NUM> and brings the capsule out of the accommodating cavity <NUM>; when the sliding rail <NUM> rotates by a certain angle, the capsule <NUM> slides downwards along the extending direction of the sliding rail <NUM> and falls into a designated container; after the capsule <NUM> slides off, the sliding rail <NUM> continues to rotate along with the injection module <NUM> until the clamping hook <NUM> arranged on the sliding rail <NUM> is completely disengaged from the clamping strip <NUM> arranged on the injection module <NUM>, and then the sliding rail <NUM> reversely rotates to the initial position under the action of gravity; injection module <NUM> continues to move to the sliding-down working position under the drive of power module <NUM>. Until then, one cycle of brewing process is complete.

The brewing device provided by the present embodiment of the invention includes a base <NUM>, a capsule holder <NUM>, an injection module <NUM>, a power module <NUM>, a sliding rail <NUM> and a driving module, compared with a brewing device in a beverage machine currently available on the market. Wherein, the capsule holder <NUM> is provided with an accommodating cavity <NUM> for accommodating the capsule <NUM>; one end of the sliding rail <NUM> is used for bearing the capsule <NUM>, the other end of the sliding rail <NUM> is rotatably mounted on the capsule holder <NUM>, and after the brewing process is complete, the driving module <NUM> can drive the sliding rail <NUM> to rotate along with the injection module <NUM> when the injection module <NUM> is getting away from the capsule holder <NUM> in a preset direction, so that the sliding rail <NUM> brings the capsule <NUM> out of the accommodating cavity <NUM> of the capsule holder <NUM>, and the capsule <NUM> slides down the sliding rail <NUM> to a designated position. Therefore, the brewing device provided by the present embodiment of the invention can realize automatic recovery of the used capsule <NUM> without manual operation by a user, and effectively improves the user experience.

It should be understood that, in the present invention, the injection module <NUM> is rotated to get away from the capsule holder <NUM>, but the invention is not limited thereto; for example, in other embodiments not covered by the appended set of claims, the injection module may be moved away from the capsule holder <NUM> in a translational manner in a direction of a depth of the accommodating cavity <NUM>, and it will be appreciated that it is still possible to move the sliding rail <NUM> along with the injection module <NUM>, and the preset direction mentioned above is the direction in which the injection module <NUM> is translated.

Reference is made to <FIG> which shows a perspective view of a brewing device <NUM> provided according to an embodiment of the invention in combination with <FIG>, the brewing device <NUM> differs from the brewing device in the first embodiment mainly in that:.

Specifically, reference is made to <FIG> which respectively show a perspective view of an injection module <NUM> from one angle and a perspective view of a sliding rail <NUM> from one angle according to the present embodiment in combination with <FIG>, a first magnetic piece <NUM> is provided on the connecting arm of the injection module <NUM>, and a second magnetic piece <NUM> is provided at the position of the sliding rail <NUM> corresponding to the first magnetic piece <NUM>. One of the first magnetic piece <NUM> and the second magnetic piece <NUM> is an electromagnet which generates a magnetic field in a specific direction when powered on, and when the electromagnet is powered off, the magnetic field disappears; the other of the first magnetic piece <NUM> and the second magnetic piece <NUM> is a magnetic plate made of a magnetic material such as iron, cobalt, nickel or an alloy thereof. In the present embodiment, the first magnetic piece is an electromagnet and the second magnetic piece is a magnetic plate, and the brewing device is briefly described with reference to <FIG>.

One end of the magnetic plate is connected with the sliding rail <NUM>, and the other end of the magnetic plate extends towards the connecting arm of the injection module <NUM> until corresponding to the electromagnet. When the injection module <NUM> rotates away from the capsule holder, the electromagnet is powered on, the magnetic plate and the sliding rail <NUM> rotate along with the injection module under the adsorption action of the electromagnet, so that the capsule is brought out of the accommodating cavity, and the capsule slides down the sliding rail to a designated position to realize the recovery of the capsule; when the sliding-down process is complete, the electromagnet is powered off, the gravitational field between the magnetic plate and the electromagnet disappears, and the sliding rail reversely rotates to the capsule holder and rests thereon under the action of gravity.

Compared with the first embodiment, the capsule recovery and the resetting of the sliding rail are realized by controlling the power-on and power-off of the electromagnet, the electromagnet and the magnetic plate can be not contacted, and the failure caused by repeated contact friction of structures such as hooks, clamping strips and the like can be avoided. the present embodiment where the first magnetic piece is a magnetic plate and the second magnetic piece is an electromagnet is substantially the same as the above-described embodiment and will not be described in detail herein.

It should be understood that, even though one of the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece is an electromagnet and the other is a magnetic plate in the above embodiment, the invention is not limited thereto; for example, in other embodiments of the invention, both the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece may be electromagnets. Specifically, during rotation of the injection module <NUM> in a direction away from the capsule holder, the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece are powered on, so that the polarity of the ends of the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece in proximity is opposite, and then the sliding rail rotates along with the injection module and recovers the capsule to a specified position; after the capsule recovery is complete, the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece are powered on, so that the polarity of the ends of the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece in proximity is the same, the sliding rail is reset under the repelling action of the first magnetic piece, the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece can be powered off at the same time, and then the sliding rail is reset under the action of gravity. For another example, in still other embodiments of the invention, one of the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece is an electromagnet, and the other of the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece is a magnet. During the rotation of the injection module in a direction away from the capsule holder, since the iron core of the electromagnet itself is a soft magnetic material, the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece are attracted to each other (apart from this, the first magnetic piece may also be powered on, so that the polarity of the ends of the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece in proximity is opposite, and then the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece can be attracted to each other), and therefore the sliding rail rotates along with the injection module and realizes capsule recovery; when the capsule is recovered, the first magnetic piece may be powered on, so that the polarity of the ends of the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece in proximity is the same, and then the sliding rail is reset under the repelling action between the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece.

Reference is made to <FIG> and <FIG> which respectively show a perspective view of a brewing device <NUM>, and a perspective view of the sliding rail provided in yet another embodiment of the invention from two angles, as well as an enlarged view at B, in combination with <FIG>, the brewing device <NUM> differs from the brewing device <NUM> in the second embodiment mainly in that:.

After the brewing is complete, when an injection module <NUM> rotates in a direction away from the capsule holder, the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece are attracted to each other, and then the second magnetic piece and a sliding rail <NUM> rotate along with the injection module <NUM> under the attraction of the first magnetic piece, so that the capsule is brought out of the accommodating cavity and slides down the sliding rail to a designated position to realize the recovery of the capsule. When the capsule needs to be refilled, the user only needs to pull out the capsule holder by means of the push plate, the second magnetic piece is displaced along with the capsule holder until the second magnetic piece is disengaged from the attraction of the first magnetic piece, and the sliding rail <NUM> is reset under the action of gravity.

Compared with the second embodiment, the brewing device provided by the present embodiment does not use an electromagnet, so that the cost of circuitry is reduced, and the electric energy can be saved to a certain extent.

Furthermore, the brewing device provided in the present embodiment can realize successfully capsule recovery through the cooperation of the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece, and the user experience is improved; however, after the capsule is recovered, the sliding rail cannot be automatically reset in time, but is passively reset in the process of pulling out the capsule holder. The reset process of the sliding rail is not stable because the force applied by the user each time can vary greatly, the sliding rail <NUM> may damage the injection module and the capsule holder when the force applied by the user is too vigorous. In order to eliminate such a defect, the brewing device provided by the present embodiment further includes a limiting module <NUM> used for preventing the sliding rail <NUM> from continuing to rotate along with the injection module <NUM> when the sliding rail <NUM> rotates away from the capsule holder for a set angular displacement, so that the sliding rail <NUM> is reset under the action of gravity. Notably, before the sliding rail <NUM> rotates for the preset angular displacement, the capsule has been recovered.

Specifically, reference is made to <FIG> and in combination with <FIG>, the limiting module <NUM> includes a first limiting part <NUM> disposed on the sliding rail <NUM> and a second limiting part <NUM> disposed on the base, the first limiting part <NUM> and the second limiting part <NUM> abut against each other while the injection module <NUM> moves away from the capsule holder, so that the sliding rail <NUM> stops following the rotation of the injection module <NUM> and resets under the action of gravity. In the present embodiment, the first limiting part <NUM> is a limiting column connected with the bent part of the sliding rail <NUM> through a connecting column <NUM>; one end of the connecting column <NUM> is connected with one end of the bent part distal to the sliding guide part, the other end of the connecting column <NUM> extends away from the sliding guide part and simultaneously extends upwards, the limiting column is arranged at one end of the connecting column <NUM> distal to the bent part and extends in parallel with the pin shaft; the second limiting part <NUM> is a limiting plate horizontally fixed at one end, distal to the push plate of the capsule holder, of the side plate. When the injection module <NUM> is in the brewing state, the limiting column is positioned above the limiting plate, and when the injection module moves to the sliding-down working position, the limiting column rotates to abut against the limiting plate with the pin shaft as a rotation center, so that the sliding rail <NUM> does not move along with the injection module any longer, and the sliding rail can be reset under the action of gravity.

It should be understood that, in other embodiments of the invention, the first limiting part and the second limiting part may be of other structures, for example, the first limiting part is a limiting plate, and correspondingly, the second limiting part is a limiting column, as long as the first limiting part and the second limiting part are used for cooperating together to prevent the sliding rail <NUM> from continuing to rotate with the injection module when the sliding rail <NUM> rotates a preset angular displacement in a direction away from the capsule holder; the limit module may also be applied to the second embodiment to prevent the sliding rail <NUM> from continuing to rotate with the injection module when the slide rotates a preset angular displacement away from the capsule holder.

It should also be understood that, in other embodiments of the invention, the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece may each be a magnet, and a substantially the same manner as the above embodiment by which capsule recovery and sliding rail resetting are accomplished is provided, and thus such an embodiment will not be described in detail herein. Moreover, it can be seen by referring to the above second embodiment that the combination of the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece is various, so long as it is ensured that the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece can be mutually attracted when the injection module is getting away from the capsule holder in the preset direction, and thus one end, proximate to the cup holder, of the sliding rail gets away from the capsule holder to complete the recovery of the capsule.

Reference is made to <FIG> and <FIG> which show a perspective view of a brewing device <NUM> according to still another embodiment with the side plate not shown, said embodiment not being part of the present invention; and a partially enlarged view at C, in combination with <FIG>, the brewing device <NUM> differs from the brewing devices of the first, second and third embodiments in that:.

Furthermore, in order to avoid interference between the sliding rail <NUM> and the injection module <NUM> due to too high rotation speed of the output of the rotation mechanism <NUM>, the driving module further includes a first gear <NUM> and a second gear <NUM>, wherein the first gear <NUM> is fixedly connected with the output end of the rotation mechanism <NUM>, and the second gear <NUM> is coaxially sleeved on the pin shaft of the sliding rail <NUM>, that is, the rotation mechanism <NUM> changes speed by means of the first gear <NUM> and the second gear <NUM>, so that the sliding rail <NUM> can have an appropriate rotation speed, capable of taking out the capsule and avoiding interference with the injection module <NUM>.

According to the brewing device provided by the present embodiment of the invention, the self-service recovery of the capsule can also be realized, and the user experience can be effectively improved.

On the basis of the same concept, the invention also provides a beverage machine including a housing and the brewing device as provided in any of the above embodiments. By advantage of the brewing device, the beverage machine can realize self-service recovery of the capsule, and the user experience can be effectively improved.

Claim 1:
A brewing device, comprising:
a base;
a capsule holder, the capsule holder being provided on the base;
an injection module, the injection module being movably connected with the base and able to get close to or away from the capsule holder along a preset direction;
a sliding rail, the sliding rail having one end thereof carried on the capsule holder and the other end thereof rotatably mounted on the capsule holder; and
a driving module, the driving module being configured to drive the sliding rail to rotate when the injection module is getting away from the capsule holder along the preset direction, so that one end of the sliding rail carried on the capsule holder gets away from the capsule holder;
characterized in that the driving module comprises:
a first magnetic piece, provided on the injection module; and
a second magnetic piece, provided on the sliding rail and corresponds to the first magnetic piece;
wherein the first magnetic piece and the second magnetic piece are attracted to each other when the injection module is getting away from the capsule holder along the preset direction for driving the sliding rail to rotate.