APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ESPRESSO MACHINE

摘要

An espresso machine that includes a group control head for controlling the brewing and dispensing of espresso drinks. In particular, the group control head includes a novel arrangement of proximity switches, magnets, and centering post that allows for a more efficient workflow in the controlling, automating, and duplicating the brewing of multiple doses of espresso. An associated method for using the group control head is also described.

主权项

1. A group control head (300) for dispensing a controlled dose of espresso from an espresso machine, comprising:
a base (302) having a center axis; a top plate (324) rigidly fixed to the base, the top plate comprising a pivot pin (325) disposed on the center axis, a centering post (350) disposed at a radial idle position offset orthogonally from the center axis, and at least one proximity sensor (375) disposed at a fixed angle from the radial idle position; an actuator (340) rotationally disposed on the pivot pin, the actuator including a magnet (342) which is disposed near the radial idle position and adjacent to the centering post; and a handle (314) fixed to the actuator, the handle disposed to manually rotate the actuator away from the radial idle position in which the magnet is adjacent to the centering post, wherein the centering post and magnet provide a biasing force that biases the actuator position to automatically return the actuator to the radial idle position.