Systems and processes for preparing beverages with motorized actuation

Abstract

Systems and process for preparing beverages, in particular espresso coffee and similar aromatic beverages, based upon a beverage preparation apparatus that has a beverage preparation device adapted to be actuated between open and closed positions by an actuation disposition that includes an electric motor and thereby collect an individual portion of beverage ingredients. A control mechanism is adapted for regulating the operation of several components of the apparatus, to limit the electric power supplied to the electric motor according to at least one previously defined rule along at least most part of the movement path carried out between the open and closed positions.

1 . Apparatus comprising a beverage preparation device presenting at least one mobile part adapted so that can be driven by an actuation disposition that includes an electric motor and that can be regulated by control means in a closing movement path between open position, where the beverage preparation device can collect an individual portion of edible substance, and closed position, and in the reverse movement path,
 wherein:   the control means are configured so that can regulate the supply of electric energy to the electric motor according to at least one of:
 only a fraction of nominal power, P N , of the electric motor can be supplied to the electric motor at least in a first part of the movement path, including between an initial position and a region of the movement path in the proximity of a destination position; 
 the total energy consumption by the electric motor in each movement path is less than a fourth, preferentially less than a fifth, particularly preferentially less than a sixth of the reference maximum energy consumption by the electric motor at nominal power, P N . 
   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the control means are configured so that can regulate the supply of electrical energy to the electric motor according to at least one of:
 a first regulation rule that includes a first maximum value of electrical power (P 1 ) that can be supplied in a first path of movement path that excludes the region adjacent to the closed position, e 
 a second regulation rule that includes a second maximum value of operative parameter that can be attained at least in a part of movement path that includes the region adjacent to the closed position, 
   and   the control means are configured so that can regulate the supply of electrical energy to the electric motor according to the relative position in the movement path and the displacement velocity associated with a driving came driven by the electric motor, and preferentially determined by the control means and/or based upon data of at least one movement parameter apprehended by actuation monitoring means.   
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the control means are configured so that can regulate the supply of electrical energy to the electric motor according to at least one of:
 a first regulation rule whereby the electrical power can be limited along at least at least most part of the movement path, including at least in the region in the proximity of the closed position, but not limited in the region adjacent to the closed position, as a function of the displacement position, and 
 a second regulation rule whereby can interrupt the supply of electrical power to the electric motor along at least the part of movement path that includes the region adjacent to the closed position, preferentially along the entire closing path, as a function of the displacement velocity, in case that there is determined a previously defined reduction of the displacement velocity, and 
   the control means are configured so that can regulate at least one of: current intensity and voltage of the electrical current supplied to the electric motor, preferentially according to at least one of: first and second regulation rule, as a function of the relative position of the mobile part relative to the movement path.   
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the control means are configured so that, according to a first rule, can limit the electrical power supplied to the electric motor to a first maximum power value (P 1 ) that corresponds to less than 20%, preferentially less than 15%, particularly preferentially less than 10% of the nominal power value, P N , of the electric motor, and   the control means are configured so that, according to a second rule, can carry out at least one of:
 interrupting the supply of electrical power to the electric motor in case that there is detected a reduction by at least 30%, preferentially by at least 50%, in the displacement speed in relative position of the movement path that do not correspond to the open and closed positions, including at least in the region adjacent to the closed position; 
 limiting the rate of temporal variation of the electric power supplied to the electric motor to a previously defined rate of temporal variation, so as to prevent sudden peaks of electrical power. 
   
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the control means are configured to control the supply of electrical power so that the consumption of electrical energy by the electric motor in each movement path of the beverage preparation device is less than 10%, preferentially less than 8% of the reference maximum energy consumption at the nominal power, P N , whereby it is preferred when the control means are configured so that can regulate the electrical power supplied to the electric motor so that each movement path requires less than 4 seconds, preferentially less than 3 seconds, and that the consumption of electrical energy by the electric motor in each movement path is less than 20 mWh, preferentially less than 15 mWh, particularly preferentially less than 10 mWh (thousands of Watt.hour), and   the actuation disposition comprises a gear set functionally associated with the electric motor and adapted so that the maximum torque required by the electric motor in each movement path is comprised between 10 e 60 mNm, preferentially between 20 and 40 mNm, whereby the gear set is adapted so that can provide a transmission ratio comprised between 1:100 e 1:500, preferentially between 1:200 and 1:400.   
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the actuation disposition includes an electric motor, a velocity and torque conversion device, preferentially in the form of a gear box, and a drive transmission disposition of final rotation movement to a mobile part of linear movement of the beverage preparation device, whereby the actuation disposition is preferentially adapted so that the linear movement path between initial and destination positions, that is, between open and closed positions of the beverage preparation device, and vice-versa, only requires a rotation movement by a driving came by a rotation angle of at most 110°, preferentially at most 95°, in the clockwork direction and reverse.   
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the actuation disposition includes an electric motor operatively connected by means of direct movement transmission to a single gear set that presents a movement exit preferentially oriented in an orthogonal direction relative to the driving axis of electric motor, whereby the gear set is adapted for direct transmission of the rotation movement of driving came that drives at least one mobile part of the beverage preparation device, whereby all components of the movement transmission of the actuation disposition are provided encapsulated so that they are not exposed to dusts or corrosive agents, including the single gear set is preferentially provided inside of a respective gear box, and the driving came is provided inside of a respective driving sleeve, and   the actuation disposition includes a driving came adapted so that provides direct movement transmission between a transmission exit of gear set and an actuation part of the beverage preparation device, whereby the driving came preferentially extends along the whole width of the actuation disposition and along at least most part of a transversal extension of the beverage preparation device.   
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the control means are configured so that can regulate at least one of: actuation of the actuation disposition and actuation of said flow pressurization device, as well as display of operative conditions to the user, based upon at least one of:
 the correct entry and exit of the individual portion, in particular an eventual jamming of the individual portion at the entry of the beverage preparation device; 
 the positions of start and end of movement path of the actuation disposition, thereby inferring the condition of total opening or total closure of the beverage preparation device. 
   
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the control means are configured so that can regulate the operation of said flow pressurization device according to at least one of the following conditions:
 cannot be initiated in case of not being detected placement of drinking recipient on a respective placement disposition, and/or in case that the beverage preparation device is not in the completely closed position, even in case that there is detected and/or inferred the presence of an individual portion inside thereof, and 
 can be initiated even in case that there is not detected or inferred the present of an individual portion inside of the closed beverage preparation device; 
 can be interrupted and/or terminated in case of detection of a removal of the drinking recipient from said placement disposition, and can be suspended in case of detection of manipulation of the drinking recipient on a respective placement disposition. 
   
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the control means are configured so that can regulate the operation of said actuation disposition based upon the relative position of the individual portion in relation to the beverage preparation device, and based upon the relative position of the actuation disposition with relation to the movement path, including based upon the positions of start and end of movement path thereof, and   the control means are configured so that can infer the relative position of the individual portion and eventual jamming thereof at the entry of the beverage preparation device based upon the determination of a previously defined reduction of rate of reduction of the displacement speed associated with the actuation disposition, in particular the driving came, or stop thereof.   
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the control means are configured so that can infer the following events based upon the following respective means:
 presence of individual portion: based upon the actuation of portion detection means, preferentially a first and a second portion sensors associated with the beverage preparation device, 
 position of the beverage preparation device: based upon the actuation of position sensors, for example of optical type and of electro mechanic switch type, associated with at least one of the edges of movement path of the actuation disposition and corresponding to the total opening and total closure of the beverage preparation device; 
 an eventual jamming of the individual portion on the beverage preparation device: based upon a variation of the displacement velocity of driving came. 
   
     
     
         12 . Process for preparing a beverage including:
 providing a beverage preparation apparatus;   switching the apparatus on so as to provide operational readiness,   optionally, in each beverage preparation cycle associated with an individual portion, confirming the position of the beverage preparation device and functional connection of the control means with the actuation disposition, including operating condition of the electric motor; and,   regulating the supply of electric power to the electric motor in each movement path so as:
 to generating an opening and closing movement of the beverage preparation device, as a function of data apprehended by actuation monitoring means; 
 that each movement path of at least one mobile part of the beverage preparation device requires less than 4 seconds, preferentially less than 3 seconds, and the consumption of electric energy by the electric motor in each movement path is of less than 20 mWh, preferentially less than 15 mWh, particularly preferentially less than 10 mWh (thousands of Watt.hour). 
   
     
     
         13 . Process according to  claim 12 , wherein
 further includes the step:
 limiting the supply of electric power to the electric motor to a previously defined maximum value or interval of operating values of at least one of: voltage and intensity of electric current, along at least most part of the movement path, including in the region of proximity, mas excluding the region adjacent to the closed position, 
   whereby said limitation is regulated by the control means based upon at least one of: rotation direction, number of rotations, and rotation velocity of the driving came of the actuation disposition, so that the consumption of electric energy by the electric motor in each movement path is of less than 10 mWh, preferentially less than 5 mWh, particularly preferentially less than 2 mWh (thousands of Watt.hour).   
     
     
         14 . Process according to  claim 12 , wherein
 in that at least in the case of closing movement path, further includes the step:
 reduction or interruption of supply of electric power to the electric motor after detection of a reduction of actuation velocity, for example rotation velocity of the driving came or immobilization thereof, at least in the region adjacent to the closed position. 
   
     
     
         15 . Process according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the supply of electric power to the electric motor is regulated by the control means so that is not carried out simultaneously with the supply of electric power to the fluid pressurization device, whereby it is preferred when in each beverage preparation cycle, the supply of electric power to the electric motor only unfolds at least partially simultaneously with the supply of electric power to the control means, to the fluid heating device and, optionally, further to use interfaces of the apparatus.   
     
     
         16 . Process according to  claim 12 , wherein
 in case of detection of a jamming of individual portion in the entry/exit region of said beverage preparation device, further includes the step of commanding the actuation disposition according to at least one of:
 in at least 1 and up to 3 consecutive movements of partial opening and attempt of closing the beverage preparation device, in case of apprehension of a supply of an individual portion, for example by means of actuation of a first portion sensor, and no apprehension of complete closing of the beverage preparation device, in a previously defined time interval after command of closure thereof; 
 in at least 1 and up to 5 consecutive movements of closing and opening the beverage preparation device, in case of apprehension of opening of the actuation device and no apprehension of total exit of the individual portion, for example by means of actuation of a second portion de sensor, in a previously defined time interval after command of opening thereof, 
   so as to unjam an individual portion from the entry/exit region of the beverage preparation device.