WO2016074711A1 - Beverage preparation device - Google Patents

Abstract

The aim of the invention is to improve a beverage preparation device comprising at least one fluid inlet, a beverage dispensing device comprising at least one beverage outlet, a fluid line network which fluidically connects said at least one fluid inlet to the at least one beverage outlet, and a housing such that, in particular the construction and maintenance thereof is simplified. According to the invention, the housing comprises an upper housing cover and a valve support is arranged below the housing cover, on which at least two control and/or regulating valves of the beverage preparation device are arranged, said support being freely accessible after removing the upper housing cover.

Description

 The beverage maker

The present invention relates to a beverage preparation device having at least one liquid inlet, a beverage dispensing device comprising at least one beverage outlet, a liquid line network fluidically connecting the at least one liquid inlet and the at least one beverage outlet, and a housing.

Beverage preparation devices of the type described above are known, for example, in the form of so-called water dispensers, which serve in particular for the delivery of treated drinking water. Housing such water dispensers are usually made of sheets and also have metallic frame parts. Furthermore, individual components, such as solenoid valves for controlling a liquid flow through the liquid line network, arranged substantially arbitrarily distributed in the housing and connected to the liquid line network. This results in particular in regularly performed maintenance and case by case repairs the beverage preparation devices problems in their implementation, which lead to time-consuming and thus costly interventions, not least because individual components of the beverage preparation devices are difficult to access.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve beverage preparation devices of the type described above so that in particular their installation and maintenance is simplified.

This object is achieved in a beverage preparation device of the type described above according to the invention that the housing comprises an upper housing cover and that below the upper housing cover a valve carrier is arranged, arranged on the at least two control and / or control valves of the beverage preparation device and after removing the upper Housing cover are freely accessible. The development proposed according to the invention makes it possible, in particular, to be able to access particularly high-maintenance components of the beverage preparation device simply and quickly, for example for maintenance or repair purposes. Thus, in particular the at least two control and / or regulating valves can be arranged clearly and easily accessible in the housing. All you need to do is remove the top cover to access the control and / or control valves directly without passing other components. Such an arrangement also allows easy installation and a clear arrangement of the liquid line network and any electrically conductive connection lines within the housing.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the housing is designed in the form of a self-supporting housing, that the housing comprises a plurality of housing parts made of a plastic and that at least a part of the housing parts have component holding means for holding further, the beverage preparation device forming components , In particular, this development can also be provided in a beverage preparation device of the type described above, ie without the presence of the above-described valve carrier. In particular, the proposed development has the advantage that the weight of the beverage preparation device can be significantly reduced by forming the housing with partially or completely made of a plastic housing parts compared to the beverage preparation devices available on the market. In addition, the component holding devices make it possible, at least on a part of the housing parts, to mount other components of the beverage preparation device in a simple manner. For example, cable or cable mounts may be provided on one or more housing parts for attaching, eg clipping, cables thereto. But it can also be recordings in which, for example, valves, switches or electrically operated Be used units of the beverage preparation device and can be mounted with or without additional fasteners.

Advantageously, a separate frame of the housing can be dispensed with in particular if the housing is formed at least partially from self-supporting plastic components. For example, the upper cover and / or a side wall of the housing may not only have the function of closing the housing, but also of carrying or holding at least part of the components contained therein, which are arranged on the respective self-supporting plastic component.

Preferably, the housing parts in particular comprise the valve carrier, the upper housing cover, a housing rear wall, a housing front wall, a right and a left housing side wall, a housing intermediate part arranged between the housing front wall and the housing rear wall and a housing bottom. The intermediate housing part and the valve carrier are not absolutely necessary. In addition, one or more of said housing parts may also be integrally formed with each other. In particular, it is possible to form, for example, the parts mentioned from a plastic and also in a self-supporting manner, so that no additional, the beverage preparation device stability conferring frame members are required.

It is advantageous if cable holding elements for fixing connecting lines and / or cables are arranged or formed at least on a part of the housing parts. In particular, the cable holding elements may be formed integrally with one or more housing parts. This configuration in particular facilitates the assembly of connecting lines and / or cables to the housing, since neither screws nor brackets or hooks or other elements are required in order to fix the connecting lines and / or cables to the housing. Conveniently, the cable holding elements are designed in the form of tabs or hooks. This makes it possible, in particular, to pass through connecting lines and / or cables, for example by means of tabs, or hook them into hooks on one or more housing parts, so that they can be easily and quickly arranged during assembly. In addition, as well as the clarity of the structure of the beverage preparation device can be improved.

In order to control a liquid flow through the liquid line network in particular automatically, it is advantageous if the at least two control and / or regulating valves are designed in the form of electrically controllable valves.

It is advantageous if the at least two control and / or regulating valves have a valve drive for opening and / or closing the same. For example, the valve drive may be in the form of an electromagnetic or pneumatic valve drive. Thus, by means of an electrical or pneumatic control current, a position of the control and / or regulating valves can be changed in order to permit or prevent, for example, a liquid flow through the liquid line network.

Preferably, the at least two control and / or regulating valves have a valve inlet and a valve outlet which point in mutually opposite directions. In particular, longitudinal axes of the valve inlet and the valve outlet may be parallel to each other or even fall together. In an arrangement of the at least two control and / or regulating valves on the valve carrier, it is thus possible to arrange the control and / or regulating valves so that both the valve inlet and the valve outlet are freely accessible after removing the upper housing cover.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the at least two control and / or regulating valves are arranged on the valve carrier such that their valve inlets and their valves tilauslässe point towards a rear side of the housing or in the direction of a front of the housing housing. In particular, all the control and / or regulating valves can be arranged in the manner described. This connection lines of the liquid line network can be connected in a clear manner and in the same orientation with the at least two control and / or regulating valves.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the at least one control and / or regulating valve is arranged on the valve carrier such that the valve drive is arranged between the valve inlet and the valve outlet on the one hand and the housing cover on the other hand. This is to be understood in particular that the valve drive can be arranged directly below the upper housing cover, so is freely accessible when it is removed from the housing. The valve drive then sits above, so the upper housing cover faces, the valve inlet and the valve outlet.

In order, in particular, to control and / or regulate a fluid flow through the fluid line network in a pressure-dependent manner, it is advantageous if the beverage preparation device comprises a pressure switch. In particular, at least one pressure switch cooperating or connected to the liquid line network and / or a C0 ₂ line network can be arranged on the valve carrier. Due to the special arrangement of the valve carrier and the pressure switch is then easily accessible, for example, to make measurements for test purposes on this. In particular, the pressure switch may be a C0 ₂ pressure switch, which may, for example, send a control signal to a control and / or regulating device of the beverage preparation device if a co-operating with the liquid line network or with a C0 ₂ supply line thereof C0 ₂ line network connected C0 ₂ memory, in particular a C0 ₂ bottle, is empty.

In order to easily mount and arrange cables or connection lines, the beverage preparation device can have at least one cable have belführungseinrichtung. In particular, this may be in the form of a cable duct or a plurality of similarly or identically formed cable holders. In particular, it is advantageous if the valve carrier has a cable guide device and if electrical connecting lines of the beverage preparation device are arranged in particular on the valve carrier, electrically driven components on or in the cable guide device. By means of this embodiment, in particular electrical connecting lines and optionally also connecting lines of the liquid line network can be laid in a defined and clear manner in the housing.

It is advantageous if the valve carrier defines a longitudinal axis which extends transversely to a connecting line between a housing front side and a housing rear side of the housing. Alternatively, the valve carrier may also define a longitudinal axis which extends parallel or substantially parallel to a connecting line between a front of the housing or a rear of the housing. In any case, allows such a valve support to arrange components in the same way and defined manner and secure.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention can be provided that a housing bottom is formed substantially trough-shaped and an integrally formed liquid collecting container summarizes. Trough-shaped in particular does not mean that a substantially complete surface of the housing bottom has to form the trough. This can also claim only a part of the surface defined by the housing bottom. In particular, the liquid collection container may serve the purpose of collecting leaked liquid so that it does not run out of the housing and undesirably pressurize a floor or furniture on which the beverage preparation device is placed with a liquid flowing through the liquid line network especially can pollute. It is advantageous if the housing bottom has a housing base surface recessed away from the housing bottom facing away from the housing cover in the direction of the housing cover, and if the fluid collection container at least partially surrounds the housing bottom surface. In particular, the liquid collecting container may be in the form of a partially or completely circumferential groove defining a volume to accommodate not only liquid in the event of leakage, but also condensed liquid, for example, which may be deposited inside the housing, for example, if the beverage preparation device is optional a cooling device comprises. The cooling device can serve, for example, to cool a liquid or a beverage flowing through the beverage outlet, before or during the flow through the beverage outlet. In particular, this may be advantageous in conjunction with a carbonator, so as to provide the liquid efficiently with carbon dioxide. The housing bottom formed in the described manner with the recessed housing bottom surface also makes it possible, in particular, to position components of the beverage preparation device in such a way that there is no danger that, in the event of the escape of liquid from the liquid line network, these components can be permanently flooded with liquid. They are thus arranged higher than the liquid reservoir and are thus optimally protected can be arranged.

In order to be able to empty the liquid collecting container in a simple manner, it is advantageous if it has a liquid collecting container outlet for emptying liquid collected therein. In particular, the liquid collecting container outlet can be in the form of an opening which defines an axis which runs parallel or substantially parallel to a connecting line from the housing bottom to the upper housing cover. For example, the liquid collection container may be emptied via a hose connected to the liquid collection container outlet, or simply by holding another container. In order to avoid that the liquid collecting container can overflow, it is favorable if the beverage preparation device comprises a detector for determining a filling level of liquid collected in the liquid collecting container. In particular, a control signal generated by the detector can be used, if necessary to deactivate the beverage preparation device as a precaution, in order to prevent damage to the same or the undesirable escape of liquid in the event of overflow of the liquid collecting container. For example, the control signal can be used to automatically close an inlet valve at the at least one liquid inlet.

It is advantageous if the valve carrier is fixed on a housing rear wall on the one hand and / or on a self-supporting housing intermediate part held on the housing bottom or on a housing front wall on the other hand. Such a configuration makes it possible, for example, to close the housing by housing side walls, which can be removed without interfering with the stability of the housing in order to access the interior of the housing and the components arranged therein for maintenance, repair and / or cleaning purposes can. In addition, the valve carrier forms with appropriate design and an arrangement in the manner described optionally also a reinforcement or bracing of the housing.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention can be provided that the left and / or the right side of the housing removable, without disassembling further parts of the housing, are arranged on the other, the housing forming parts of the housing. For example, the right and / or the left side of the housing can be locked connected to the remaining housing parts. Optionally, it is also possible to additionally secure the housing side walls with fastening elements such as screws or clamps.

The housing rear wall preferably has a passage for the liquid inlet and / or an opening for a network connection device for electrically conductive connection to a power grid. The passage for the liquid inlet makes it possible in particular to connect the beverage preparation device to a water supply network, for example to connect to a faucet. For operating electrical components of the beverage preparation device, the network connection device makes it possible to connect the beverage preparation device to an electrical supply network. Optionally, the beverage preparation device can also be designed such that it can be operated independently of the mains, for example with a battery arranged in the housing. In this case can then be dispensed with a network connection device and an opening for this.

In a simple way, the beverage preparation device can be connected to a power grid when the network connection device is designed in the form of a mains plug connection socket. For example, it is thus possible to connect the drinks preparation device to a power network using a standard mains connection cable.

In order to enable a loss-free removal of a drink as well as to avoid unwanted exposure to the environment of the beverage preparation device when removing a beverage prepared therefrom with the beverage outlet, it is favorable if the beverage preparation device comprises a drip tray which is arranged below the beverage outlet , With the drip tray escaping in particular from the beverage outlet liquid that does not get into a container to be filled, such as a glass or a cup to be collected.

To be able to empty the drip tray in a simple manner, it is advantageous if this drawer-like at least partially inserted into the housing and for emptying completely pulled out of this. In order to avoid that the beverage preparation device or an operator does not splash out of the beverage outlet into the container to be filled, it is favorable if the drip tray has a trickling filter with a convexly curved trickling filter surface pointing in the direction of the beverage outlet. By this particular form of the trickling filter incident fluid is deflected in the desired manner and collected by the drip tray. In order to avoid the ingress of contaminants into the drip tray, it is advantageous if the drip tray comprises a drip tray cover which at least partially closes the part of the drip tray protruding from the housing and has a drip tray cover opening. In particular, liquid dripping down from the beverage outlet can enter the drip tray through the drip tray cover opening.

Conveniently, the trickling filter is arranged such that an annular opening is formed between the trickling filter surface and the drip tray cover opening. In particular, the opening may be arranged slightly above a deepest boundary line of the trickling filter surface, so that liquid droplets deflected by the trickling filter enter the drip tray through the annular opening without wetting the drip tray cover.

Advantageously, the beverage preparation device comprises a drink outlet valve associated with the beverage outlet for controlling a beverage delivery. For example, controls may be arranged on the housing, with which the delivery of a liquid through the beverage outlet by an operator can be requested. These controls can in particular be in operative connection with the beverage outlet valve, so that this opens at the request of an operator and optionally closes automatically again.

In a simple way, the beverage outlet valve can be controlled, if it is designed in the form of an electrically controllable and / or controllable valve. In principle, it would be conceivable to connect the liquid inlet with a local liquid reservoir, for example a water container having a defined volume. However, it is advantageous for a continuous operation of the beverage preparation device when the at least one liquid inlet in the form of a water inlet is designed for connection to a tapping point of an external drinking water network. For example, the tapping point can be designed in the form of a water tap, which can be fluidly connected to the liquid inlet via a tube or hose connection.

In order to remove contaminants from liquid flowing through the liquid inlet, it is favorable if the beverage preparation device comprises at least one filter device for filtering the liquid flowing through the at least one liquid inlet.

Conveniently, the filter device comprises at least one water filter. This may in particular be a mechanical filter. For example, the water filter can be designed in the form of a filter cartridge which can be arranged in a corresponding housing and installed in the liquid line network in such a way that the liquid flowing through the liquid inlet flows through the filter device at least once before it leaves the beverage outlet.

In order to prevent or at least reduce the penetration and multiplication of germs in the liquid flowing through the liquid line network, it is advantageous if the beverage preparation device comprises a sterilization device for sterilizing the liquid flowing through the liquid line network. In particular, the degermination device can be designed in the form of a metering device which emits germicidal chemicals into the liquid line network. In order to avoid the need for chemicals to sterilize the liquid flowing through the liquid network, it is favorable if the sterilization device comprises a UV light source for irradiating the liquid flowing through the liquid line network with UV radiation.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the beverage preparation device comprises a carbon dioxide mixing device with a carbon dioxide outlet for feeding the liquid flowing in the liquid line network with carbon dioxide. In this way, carbonated drinks can be produced with the beverage preparation device. In particular, an optional carbonation of the liquid can be specified individually by the user.

In order to easily introduce carbon dioxide into the liquid to be prepared, the carbon dioxide outlet is conveniently in fluid communication with the liquid line network.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the carbon dioxide mixing device comprises an outlet valve for controlling and / or regulating a carbon dioxide flow through the carbon dioxide outlet. The outlet valve makes it possible, in particular, by means of a corresponding circuit, that a user of the beverage preparation device can individually enrich the beverage desired by him with carbon dioxide or not. Alternatively or additionally, the admixing of the carbon dioxide can also take place via the control of a valve in the associated line section of the liquid line network, namely by requesting a delivery of CO ₂ added water by an operator of the beverage preparation device water through the so-called "inline" in the liquid line network "integrated carbon dioxide mixing device and then flows to the output. A C0 ₂ blending is done in this way unregulated. If a carbonic acid boiler is used as the carbon dioxide mixing device, water flows under control into the carbonator vessel and the C0 ₂ pressure prevailing there pushes or pushes the water-C0 ₂ mixture to the outlet. The beverage preparation device can be made particularly compact if the carbon dioxide mixing device comprises a carbon dioxide storage device. In particular, the carbon dioxide storage may be in the form of a carbon dioxide gas cylinder. This can be used for example before starting the operation of the beverage preparation device in the housing and, for example, be fluidly connected to the outlet valve of the carbon dioxide mixing device. If the carbon dioxide storage is empty, it can be easily replaced.

Furthermore, it is favorable if the beverage preparation device comprises a central control and / or regulating device for controlling and / or regulating in particular electrically actuated components of the beverage preparation device. In this way it can be ensured that electrically actuated components are only actuated when this is actually desired and should also be so for safety reasons. For example, liquid streams through the liquid line network can be selectively controlled by opening and closing valves. In particular, when operating a carbonator, it is important that a maximum fluid pressure in the fluid line system is not exceeded.

It is advantageous if the beverage preparation device comprises a component carrier on which the other, the beverage preparation device forming components are arranged or can be arranged. For example, the component carrier can be optimally shaped and configured for receiving the further components. For example, it can comprise a receptacle for a carbon dioxide storage as well as for a filter device and / or a sterilization device.

The further components forming the beverage dispensing device preferably comprise the at least two control and / or regulating valves, the at least one pressure switch, the sterilizing device, the carbon dioxide mixing device and / or the central control and / or regulating device. gelungseinrichtung. This list is not exhaustive. In addition, any combinations of the stated components can be arranged in the beverage preparation device and be connected or ready for operation. In particular, such an individual equipment of the beverage preparation device is possible, optionally also their individual retrofitting with components that were not yet installed at delivery of the beverage preparation device.

Conveniently, the beverage preparation device is designed in the form of a water dispenser for dispensing drinking water. Preferably, the water dispenser, which may also be referred to as a drinking water dispenser, formed in the form of a line-bound water dispenser. This means, in particular, that the water dispenser can be connected to a tapping point of an external water supply network, so that drinking water can be continuously processed and delivered to a user according to their needs. Optionally, the beverage preparation device may also comprise further dispensing means, for example to introduce flavoring substances into the water.

The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention is used in conjunction with the drawings for further explanation. Show it :

Figure 1: a perspective view of a water dispenser from the front;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a water dispenser from behind;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the water dispenser similar to Figure 1 with removed upper housing cover;

Figure 4: a view of the water dispenser in the direction of arrow A in

FIG. 3; FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the water dispenser from the rear without upper housing cover, housing rear wall and left housing side wall;

FIG. 6: an enlarged partial view of a valve carrier of the water dispenser;

Figure 7: a partial exploded view of the water dispenser of

 front;

FIG. 8: an enlarged partial view of the water dispenser in the area of the

 beverage outlet;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the water dispenser from the front with the front cover removed;

FIG. 10: a partially cutaway perspective view of the water dispenser from the front;

FIG. 11 is a perspective enlarged view of the water dispenser in FIG

 Area of a drip tray with removed drip tray cover;

Figure 12: a perspective view of the housing bottom with inserted

 Drip tray;

Figure 13: a schematic diagram of the structure of the water dispenser.

In the figures, an exemplary embodiment of a beverage preparation device 10 in the form of a water dispenser 12 is shown schematically. He is trained for the treatment of drinking water and preferably designed wired. The water dispenser 12 comprises a liquid inlet 14, optionally also a plurality of liquid inlets can be provided, and a beverage outlet 16 from which treated drinking water 18 can be filled into a container 20, for example a glass.

The beverage outlet 16 is part of a beverage dispenser 22, which may optionally include a beverage outlet valve 24. The beverage outlet valve 24 is in particular designed to control a beverage dispensing and can be designed to be electrically and pneumatically controllable and / or controllable. For example, an electromagnetic drive 26 may be provided for opening and closing the beverage outlet valve 24.

The liquid inlet 14 and the beverage outlet 16 are fluidly connected to each other via a liquid line network 28. It comprises a plurality of connecting lines 30, which fluidly connect individual components of the beverage preparation device 10, through which water flows.

The water dispenser 10 further includes a housing 32 having a removable upper housing cover 34 which forms one of a plurality of housing parts 36. The housing parts 36 are in particular made of plastic, for example by injection molding, self-supporting plastic components 38. Housing parts 36 of the water dispenser 12 form in particular the already mentioned upper housing cover 34, a self-supporting housing rear wall 40, a self-supporting housing front wall 42 in the form of a door with a front cover 44, an optionally self-supporting right-hand housing wall 46, an optionally self-supporting left housing wall 48, a self-supporting housing intermediate part 50 arranged between the housing front wall 42 and the housing rear wall 40 and a self-supporting housing bottom 52. The cover 44 may be in the form of a glass pane, for example.

Furthermore, a component or valve carrier 54 forms part of the housing 32. It is designed to be self-supporting and, on the one hand, to be connected to the housing intermediate. part 50 and on the other hand connected to the rear wall 40, for example screwed and / or locked. The housing bottom 50, the housing rear wall 40, the intermediate housing part 50 and the valve carrier 54 form virtually a self-supporting frame 56 of the water dispenser 12, to which the further housing parts 36 and the components required for its operation are arranged.

The right housing wall 46 and the left housing wall 48 can be removed as well as the upper housing cover 34, without this having a significant effect on the stability of the water dispenser 12. In particular for maintenance and repair purposes, a housing interior 58 defined by the housing 32 can be easily opened in order to be able to access substantially free components arranged therein.

The valve carrier 54 is positioned inside the housing 58 such that control and / or regulating valves 64 can be inserted directly from above in valve receptacles 60 correspondingly provided on the valve carrier 54.

The control and / or regulating valves 64 are preferably designed in the form of electrically controllable valves and comprise a valve drive 66. In particular, an electromagnetic valve drive 66 may be provided for opening and closing the control and / or regulating valves 64.

The control and / or regulating valves 64 each have a valve inlet 68 and a valve outlet 70. As can be clearly seen in particular in FIGS. 3 to 6, the control and / or regulating valves 64 on the valve carrier 54 are arranged in the valve receptacles 60 such that their valve inlets 68 and their valve outlets 80 point in the direction of a housing front 72 or a housing rear side 74 point. In addition, the valve drives 66 are arranged between the valve inlets 68 and the valve outlets 70 on the one hand and the housing cover 34 on the other hand. This makes it possible in particular, after removing the housing cover 34 directly on the control and / or regulating valves 64 or in a Druckschalterauf- would be 62 pressure switch 76, which is inserted into a pressure switch receptacle 62 to access. By this arrangement, on the one hand, the assembly of the control and / or regulating valves 64 is simplified and also their maintenance and, if necessary, repair. Preferably, all components that require intensive maintenance can be arranged so easily accessible to a user.

In Figure 13 is shown schematically for a pressure switch 76 and a control and / or control valve 64, an electrical connection line 78 to a preferably central control and / or regulating device 80, from which at least a part of, preferably all, electrically control and / or controllable components of the water dispenser 12 can be controlled. In particular, the control and / or regulating device 80 can be in operative connection with an actuating element 82 via a further connecting line 78, so that an operator as a result of actuation of the actuating element 82, for example designed in the form of a pushbutton or pressure switch, opens a sequence of valve opening. and valve closing operations and optionally also pump cycles triggered by the control and / or regulating device 80 and / or in particular the drive 26 of the drink keauslassventils 24 by this controls so that drinking water 18 flows from the beverage outlet 16 into the container 20.

The valve carrier 54 further has a cable guide device 84 comprising two cable channels 86, which are formed on the front side of the valve carrier 54 and aligned transversely to a longitudinal direction defined by this longitudinal axes of the valve inlets 68 and the valve outlets 70 extend in a direction from the housing rear wall 40 to the housing front wall 42nd , So parallel to the cable channels 86. The valve carrier 54 and the cable channels 86 together form a one-piece component.

In order to easily and quickly mount the control and / or regulating valves 64 or the pressure switch 76 on the valve carrier, 62 fastening elements 88 are on the valve seats 60 and the Druckschalteraufnahmen preferably in the form of substantially projecting in the direction of the housing cover 34 locking elements 90 or formed. They make it possible to clip the control and / or regulating valves 64 from above into the valve seats 60 or the pressure switch 76 into a pressure switch receptacle 62. Other fasteners for fixing the components described on the valve carrier 54 are then not mandatory.

Electrical connection lines 78 of the beverage preparation device 10 can in particular save space and yet clearly laid in the cable channels 86 and arranged to the valve carrier 54, electrically controlled and / or controllable components.

In particular, cable holding elements can also be arranged or formed on the housing parts 36, for example in the form of cable channel-like recesses or cable clips formed integrally with the respective housing part 36. These make it possible, in particular, connecting lines and / or cables that can be laid to form the liquid line network 28 and the electrically conductive connection electrically actuated or controllable components of the water dispenser 12. The cable holding elements can optionally also be designed in the form of tabs or hooks. Protrusions 94 and 98 pointing into the housing interior 58 serve to connect hooks, rails and / or guides for holding the housing walls 46, 48. Preferably, the protrusions 94, 98 are hollow so that they do not protrude on an outer visible side of the housing bottom 52 ,

Although the connecting lines 30 and the connecting lines 78 are not shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, it is easy to understand that they can be attached in particular to the self-supporting plastic components 38 in a defined and clear manner. The housing bottom 52 is at least partially trough-shaped and comprises a liquid collecting container 100. This is formed integrally with the housing bottom 52. A housing bottom surface 102 of the housing bottom 52 points in the direction of the upper housing cover 34 and is relative to a housing bottom outside 104 in the direction of the housing cover 34 reset.

The liquid collection container 100 surrounds the housing bottom surface 102 at least partially. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the liquid collection container 100 surrounds the housing bottom surface 102 in a substantially U-shaped manner. Both the liquid collecting container 100 and the housing bottom surface 102 are delimited by a bulkhead 106 projecting in the manner of a flange in the direction of the housing cover 34.

If water from one of the components or a connection line 30 runs inside the housing 58, it can flow from the housing base surface 102 into the liquid collection container 100. In order to remove water collected therein, the liquid collection container 100 has a liquid collection container outlet 108. This is formed in the form of a bore which is arranged below the housing rear wall 40 and can be closed with a plug, not shown in the figures.

In order to prevent electrical components of the water dispenser 12 from coming into contact with liquid, a detector 110 for determining a level of liquid 112 collected in the liquid collection container 100 is provided. In particular, the detector 112 may comprise a reed contact operable by means of a float, which is connected to the control and / or regulating device 80 via an electrically conductive connection line 78, for example to deactivate the water dispenser 12 or, in particular, an electromagnetically operable inlet valve 114 which is adjacent to the liquid inlet 14 is closed to prevent overflow of the liquid collection container 100. As already indicated, the left and / or right side wall of the housing are designed such that they can be removed without disassembling further parts of the housing 32.

Preferably, on the rear wall of the housing 40, a passage 116 is arranged in the form of a circular opening, which serves for the passage of the liquid inlet 14. Furthermore, an opening 118 for a network connection device 120 for the electrically conductive connection to a power supply can also be provided on the housing rear wall 40. The network connection device 120 may be designed, in particular, in the form of a mains plug connection socket which can be connected to a first end of a standardized mains connection cable whose other end can be inserted into a socket, for example a household socket.

The water dispenser 12 further comprises a drip tray 122, which is designed like a drawer and partially in the housing 52 can be inserted. To empty the drip tray 122 can be completely pulled out of a designated recess 124 which is formed in the housing bottom 52. The drip tray 122 is disposed in the direction of gravity below the beverage outlet 16 and below the cover 44th

A drip tray cover 126 serves to close the portion of the drip tray 122 protruding from the housing 52. The drip tray cover 126 has a circular drip tray aperture 128 formed in the center of an annular discharge surface 130 sloped toward the drip tray aperture 128.

In the drip tray 122, a drip body 132 pointing in the direction of the drip tray cover 126 is formed integrally with the drip tray 122. It has essentially the shape of a truncated cone and terminates in a trickling filter surface 134 which, in the direction of the beverage outlet 16, is slightly convexly curved in the direction of the beverage outlet 16. As can be clearly seen in particular in FIG. 1, the trickling filter 132 is arranged and designed in such a way that see the trickling filter surface 134 and the Drip cup cover Durchbrechung 128 an annular opening 136 is formed. If liquid 18 drips onto the discharge surface 130, it is guided through the opening 136 into the drip tray 122. If a drop of liquid hits the trickling filter surface 134, then it is deflected in a defined manner and likewise passed through the opening 136 into the drip tray 122.

The liquid inlet 14 is designed in particular in the form of a water inlet for connection to a tapping point 138 of an external drinking water network 140. This makes it possible, in particular, to continuously prepare drinking water 18 with the water dispenser 12 and to make it available.

Optionally, the water dispenser 12 may comprise a filter device 142, with which the water flowing through the liquid inlet 14 is filtered from the drinking water network 140. The filter device 142 may in particular comprise at least one water filter 144. This can be designed in particular in the form of a water filter cartridge, which can be exchanged at regular intervals.

Furthermore, the water dispenser 12 may optionally include a degerminator 146 for sterilizing the water flowing through the liquid line network 28. For example, the degerminator 146 may include a UV light source 148 for irradiating the liquid flowing through the liquid line network 28 with UV radiation.

As an alternative or in addition to the sterilizing device 146, it is also possible to provide a thermal hygiene device with which a thermal sanitation of the water dispenser can be carried out. Hot water is circulated for a certain time in the water dispenser, in particular in the liquid line network 28, and then rinsed out. Furthermore, it is also possible to carry out a chemical cleaning of the water dispenser, in which a cleaning solution is introduced into the liquid line network 28. brought and rinsed after a certain residence time in the water dispenser again.

In order to carbonize the drinking water 18, the water dispenser 12 may optionally also include a carbon dioxide mixing device 150 with a carbon dioxide outlet 152 for charging the liquid flowing in the liquid line network 28 with carbon dioxide. For this purpose, the carbon dioxide outlet 152 is in fluid communication with the liquid line network 28.

To enable the carbon dioxide delivery to be demand dependent, the carbon dioxide mixing device 150 may include an exhaust valve 154 for controlling and / or regulating a carbon dioxide flow through the carbon dioxide outlet 152. In particular, the outlet valve 154 can be controlled by the control and / or regulating device 80, for example, as a function of the actuation of an actuating element 156 provided for this purpose, which is in operative connection with the control and / or regulating device 80. Alternatively, the admixing of the carbon dioxide can also take place in other ways, namely purely mechanically via the secondary pressure set at a pressure reducer and the water pressure present at a mixer. For example, in the case of a water dispenser with an in-line mixer, it is thus possible to obtain a CO ₂ admixture with the water of 4.5 g CO ₂ per liter of water, which corresponds approximately to a table water medium. For water dispensers with a Karbonatorkessel contrast, the water is mixed with 6.5 g C0 ₂ per liter of water. Such water dispensers allow the delivery of so-called "pure C0 ₂ water", which corresponds approximately to a classic table water, or the release of only medium-spattered water. The latter can be obtained, for example, by means of the intermittent mixing of unpurified cold water controlled by the control and / or regulating device 80.

For the provision of carbon dioxide, a carbon dioxide storage 158 may be either externally, optionally in a pedestal 166, or internally, For example, be arranged on a special recording with integrated pressure reducer. The special receptacle with pressure reducer can be installed in particular behind the door formed by the front wall 42 in the intermediate housing part 50 or screwed up. The carbon dioxide storage 158 may, in particular, be in the form of a carbon dioxide compressed gas cylinder which is in fluid communication with the carbon dioxide mixing device 150 via a pressure line 162.

Furthermore, the beverage preparation device 10 may also comprise a heating device, not shown in the figures, for heating water and / or a ready-to-drink beverage, for example in the form of a boiler, which are inserted into a receptacle 160 provided on the housing bottom 52.

The intermediate housing part 50 is preferably in the form of a component carrier 164, on which one or more components of the water dispenser 12, in particular the degerming device 146, the carbon dioxide mixing device 150 and / or the central control and / or regulating device 80 can be arranged.

The water dispenser 12 can in particular be set up as a desktop device in the designs illustrated in FIG. 1 or arranged on the pedestal 166, which can serve in particular for accommodating a supply of carbon dioxide bottles or beverage cups.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

The beverage maker

 water dispenser

 liquid inlet

 beverage outlet

 Drinking water

 container

 Beverage dispenser

beverage outlet

drive

Liquid line network

connecting line

casing

housing cover

housing part

Plastic component

Rear panel

Housing front wall

cover

right housing wall

left housing wall

Intermediate housing part

caseback

valve

frame

Housing interior

valve receiving

Pressure Switch bracket

Control and / or regulating valve Valve drive

valve inlet valve outlet

 Housing front

 Housing back

 pressure switch

 connecting line

 Control and / or regulating device

actuator

 A cable routing device

 Cabel Canal

 fasteners

 locking element

 head Start

 head Start

 liquid collection

 Housing bottom surface

 Case back outside

 bulkhead

 Flüssigkeitssammelbehälterauslass

detector

 liquid

 intake valve

 execution

 perforation

 Network connection device

 drip tray

 recess

 Drip tray cover

 Drip tray cover aperture

Abiauffläche

 trickling

 Trickling filter surface

 opening

tap water Supply

filtering device

water filters

sterilization device

UV-light source

Carbon dioxide dispenser Carbon dioxide dispenser

outlet valve

actuator

Kohlenstoffdioxidspeicher

admission

pressure line

component support

pillar

Claims

claims A beverage preparation device (10) having at least one liquid inlet, a beverage dispensing device comprising at least one beverage outlet (16), a liquid line network (28) fluidically connecting the at least one liquid inlet (14) and the at least one beverage outlet (16) and a housing (32), characterized in that the housing (32) comprises an upper housing cover (34) and that below the upper housing cover (34) a valve carrier (54) is arranged, on which at least two control and / or regulating valves (64) the beverage preparation device (10) is arranged and freely accessible after removal of the upper housing cover (34). 2. beverage preparation device according to claim 1, in particular according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the housing (32) in the form of a self-supporting housing (32) is formed, that the housing (32) has a plurality of housing parts made of a plastic (36 ) and that at least a part of the housing parts (36) have component holding devices for holding further, the beverage preparation device (10) forming components. 3. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (32) is at least partially formed of self-supporting plastic components (38). 4. beverage preparation device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the housing parts (36) in particular the valve carrier, the upper housing cover (34), a housing rear wall (40), a housing front wall (42), a right and a left side housing wall (46, 48), a between the housing front wall (42) and the rear housing wall (40) arranged intermediate housing part (50) and a housing bottom (52). 5. beverage preparation device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that at least on a part of the housing parts (36) cable holding elements (92, 94) for fixing of connecting lines and / or cables are arranged or formed, in particular integrally formed cable holding elements (92, 94). 6. beverage preparation device according to claim 5, characterized in that the cable holding elements (92, 94) are formed in the form of tabs or hooks. 7. beverage preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two control and / or regulating valves (64) is designed in the form of electrically controllable valves. 8. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two control and / or regulating valves (64) have a valve drive (66), in particular an electromagnetic, for opening and / or closing the same. 9. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two control and / or regulating valves (64) have a valve inlet (68) and a valve tilauslass (70), which point in mutually opposite directions. 10. Beverage preparation device according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least two control and / or regulating valves (64) on the valve carrier (54) are arranged such that their valve inlets (68) and their valve outlets (80) towards a housing rear side (74) of the housing (32) or towards a front housing side (72) of the housing point. 11. Drinks preparation device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the at least one control and / or regulating valve (64) on the valve carrier (54) is arranged such that the valve drive (66) between the valve inlet (68) and the valve outlet ( 70) on the one hand and the housing cover (34) on the other hand is arranged. 12. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve carrier (54) at least one with the liquid line network (28) and / or a C0 ₂ -Leitungs- network (162) cooperating or connected pressure switch (76) is arranged. 13. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve carrier (54) has a cable guide device (84) and that electrical connection lines (78) of the beverage preparation device (10) in particular on the valve carrier (54) arranged electrically driven components on or in the cable guide device (84) are laid. 14. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve carrier (54) defines a longitudinal axis which extends transversely to a connecting line between a front side of the housing (72) and a rear housing side (74) of the housing (32). 15. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a housing bottom (52) in the We- is considerably formed trough-shaped and comprises an integrally formed liquid collecting container (100). 16. beverage preparation device according to claim 15, characterized in that the housing bottom (52) one of a of the housing cover (34) facing away from the housing bottom outside (104) in the direction of the housing cover (34) recessed housing bottom surface (102) and that the liquid collecting container ( 100) at least partially surrounds the housing bottom surface (102). 17. A beverage preparation device according to claim 16, characterized in that the liquid collecting container (100) has a liquid collecting container outlet (108) for emptying liquid collected therein. 18. Drinks preparation device according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized by a detector (110) for determining a level of liquid collected in the liquid collecting container (100) (112). 19. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve carrier (54) on a housing rear wall (40) on the one hand and / or on a self-supporting, on the housing bottom (52) held intermediate housing part (50) or a housing front wall (42) on the other hand set is. 20. Drinks preparation device according to claim 19, characterized in that the left and / or the right housing side wall (46, 48) removably, without further parts of the housing (32) to disassemble, on the other, the housing (32) forming parts of the housing (32) are arranged. 21. Drinks preparation device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the housing rear wall (40) has a passage for the liquid inlet (14) and / or an opening for a network connection device (120) for electrically conductive connection to a power grid. 22. Drinks preparation device according to claim 21, characterized in that the network connection device (120) is designed in the form of a mains plug connection socket. 23. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a drip tray (122), which is arranged below the beverage outlet. 24. Drinks preparation device according to claim 23, characterized in that the drip tray (122) drawer-like at least partially in the housing (52) can be inserted and for emptying completely pulled out of this. 25. Drinks preparation device according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the drip tray (122) has a trickling filter with a in the direction of the beverage outlet (16) facing out, convexly curved trickling filter surface (134). 26. The beverage preparation device according to claim 23, characterized in that the drip tray (122) comprises a drip tray cover (126) which at least partially closes off the part of the drip tray (122) protruding from the housing (52) and forms a drip tray cover opening (128 ) having. 27. Drinks preparation device according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the trickling filter (132) is arranged such that between the trickling filter surface (134) and the drip tray cover opening (128) an annular opening is formed. 28. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a beverage outlet (16) associated beverage outlet valve (24) for controlling a beverage delivery. 29. Drinks preparation device according to claim 28, characterized in that the beverage outlet valve (24) is designed in the form of an electrically controllable and / or controllable valve. 30. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one liquid inlet (14) in the form of a water inlet for connection to a tapping point (138) of an external drinking water network (140) is formed. 31. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one filter device (142) for filtering the liquid flowing through the at least one liquid inlet (14). 32. The beverage preparation device according to claim 31, characterized in that the filter device (142) comprises at least one water filter (144). 33. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a degermination device (146) for sterilizing the fluid flowing through the network (28) liquid. 34. The beverage preparation device according to claim 33, characterized in that the sterilization device (146) is a UV light source (148) for irradiating the liquid flowing through the liquid line network with UV radiation. 35. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a carbon dioxide mixing device - (150) with a carbon dioxide outlet (152) for charging the fluid line network (28) flowing liquid with carbon dioxide. A beverage preparation device according to claim 35, characterized in that the carbon dioxide outlet (152) is in fluid communication with the liquid line network (28). A beverage preparation device according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that the carbon dioxide mixing device (150) comprises an outlet valve (154) for controlling and / or regulating a carbon dioxide flow through the carbon dioxide outlet (152). 38. The beverage preparation device according to claim 35, wherein the carbon dioxide mixing device comprises a carbon dioxide storage device, in particular in the form of a carbon dioxide gas cylinder. 39. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a central control and / or regulating device (80) for controlling and / or regulating in particular electrically actuated components of the beverage preparation device (10). 40. Drinks preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a component carrier (164) on which the other, the beverage preparation device (10) forming components are arranged or can be arranged. 41. Drink preparation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further components forming the beverage preparation device (10), in particular the at least two control and / or regulating valves (64), the at least one pressure switch (76), the degermination device (146), the carbon dioxide mixing device (150) and / or the central control and / or regulating device (80). 42. Drink preparation device according to one of the preceding  Claims, characterized in that the beverage preparation device (10) in the form of a water dispenser (12) is formed, in particular in the form of a line-bound water dispenser (12) for dispensing drinking water (18).