JP2003095395A - Beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectuate an automatic dispensing of a desired amount of sparkling beverage to be always carried out even if either a pressure of carbonated gas supplied in a beverage dispenser or a temperature of the sparkling beverage within a beverage container is changed. SOLUTION: A pouring control circuit sets and stores each of beer pouring times T1, T2 for liquid beer and bubbled beer when a pouring amount setting mode is selected in this beverage dispenser. A pressure adjusting control circuit stores a supplying pressure Ps of carbonated gas at the time of this setting and storing operation. Then, when an automatic pouring mode is started, the pressure adjusting control circuit calculates correction values α1, α2 in response to a carbonated gas supplying pressure Px detected by a pressure sensor and a set pressure Ps stored at the time of selecting the pouring amount setting mode. The pouring control circuit corrects the pouring times T1, T2 stored at the time of selection of pouring amount setting mode in reference to the calculated correction values α1, α2 keeps a dispensing plug 11 only for the corrected pouring times T1', T2' under the liquid beer dispensing state and the bubbled beer dispensing state and dispenses both the liquid state beer and the bubbled state beer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sparkling beverage such as beer stored in a beverage container, which is pumped by a pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied by a gas supply means to a spout valve, and the spout valve is opened. The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser that is sealed to the outside in a pouring closed state, and particularly to a beverage dispenser that enables automatic dispensing of a desired amount of beverage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an apparatus of this kind, an automatic pouring mode for automatically pouring a sparkling beverage and a pouring amount for setting the amount of the sparkling beverage to be poured in the automatic pouring mode. Mode selecting means for selecting a setting mode, and a pouring instructing means for instructing start and stop of pouring of a sparkling beverage during selection of a pouring amount setting mode by the mode selecting means,
Manual pouring control means for opening the pouring valve when the start of pouring of the sparkling beverage is instructed by the pouring instruction means and closing the pouring valve when instructing to stop the discharging of the sparkling beverage; The time measuring means for measuring the time when the pouring valve is opened under the control of the manual pouring control means while the setting mode is selected, and the pouring referring to the time measured by the time measuring means in the automatic pouring mode. With reference to the time storage means that is set and stored as time and the dispense time stored in the time storage means when the automatic dispense mode is selected by the mode selection means, the dispense valve is controlled to open and close to dispense the sparkling beverage. Equipped with an automatic pouring control means to be dispensed, when the automatic pouring mode is selected, under the control of the automatic pouring control means, the same amount of the sparkling beverage as the sparkling beverage that has been poured out when the pouring amount setting mode is selected. Something you tried to pour automatically It was.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, the automatic dispensing control means merely opens the dispensing valve only during the dispensing time stored in the time storage means. When the pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied by the gas supply means is different when the mode is selected and when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected, the pressure at which the sparkling beverage is pumped from the beverage container to the dispensing valve is different. Because,
It was not possible to pour the same amount of sparkling beverage as the sparkling beverage that was poured out when the dispensing amount setting mode was selected. Further, even when the temperature of the sparkling beverage in the beverage container changes, the viscosity of the sparkling beverage changes, and the same amount of the sparkling beverage cannot be poured out.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispenser which can always automatically dispense a desired amount of a sparkling beverage even when the pressure of the supplied carbon dioxide gas or the temperature of the sparkling beverage in the beverage container changes. Especially.

A structural feature of the present invention resides in a beverage dispenser provided with the mode selection means, the dispensing instruction means, the manual dispensing control means, the timing means, the time storage means, and the automatic dispensing control means. Pressure storage means for storing the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage to the dispensing valve when the dispensing time setting is stored during selection of the dispensing amount setting mode, and the automatic dispensing mode selection when the automatic dispensing mode is selected by the mode selecting means. The pouring time stored in the time storage means based on the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage to the pouring valve at the time and the supply pressure of the foamed beverage stored in the pressure storage means at the time of selecting the pouring amount setting mode. When the automatic pouring control means selects the automatic pouring mode, the automatic pouring control means opens the pouring valve only during the pouring time corrected by the correcting means, thereby setting the pouring amount setting mode. The foam drink the same amount of sparkling beverages, which issued Note at the time of mode selection lies in the fact that so as to dispense.

In the above case, the gas supply means is further provided with a pressure detection means for detecting the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied into the beverage container, and is stored in the pressure storage means and referred to by the correction means. The supply pressure of the sparkling beverage when the output amount setting mode is selected, or the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage when the automatic pouring mode referred to by the correction unit is selected may be the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas detected by the pressure detection unit. Alternatively, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the sparkling beverage in the beverage container, and a target pressure calculation for calculating a control target pressure of carbon dioxide gas to be supplied into the beverage container based on the temperature of the sparkling beverage detected by the temperature detecting means. Means and the pressure control for controlling the pressure regulating valve interposed in the gas supplying means such that the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied by the gas supplying means into the beverage container becomes the control target pressure calculated by the target pressure calculating means. Means for providing the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage at the time of selecting the dispensing amount setting mode which is stored by the pressure storing means and referred to by the correcting means, or of the sparkling beverage at the time of selecting the automatic dispensing mode referred to by the correcting means. The supply pressure may be the control target pressure of carbon dioxide gas calculated by the target pressure calculating means.

In the beverage dispenser having the above characteristics, the pressure storage means stores the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage to the dispensing valve when the dispensing time is set and stored in the dispensing amount setting mode, and when the automatic dispensing mode is selected. The correction means determines the time based on the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage to the dispensing valve when the automatic dispensing mode is selected and the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected, which is stored in the pressure storage means. The pouring time stored in the storage means is corrected.
Then, the automatic dispensing control means opens the dispensing valve only during the corrected dispensing time to dispense the sparkling beverage. Therefore, when the automatic dispensing mode is selected, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied by the gas supply means is different from that when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected, and the pressure at which the foamed beverage is pumped from the beverage container to the dispensing valve is Even if they are different, it is possible to correct the pouring time by adding the pressure difference, so it is possible to pour the same amount of the sparkling beverage as the sparkling beverage that was poured out when the dispensing amount setting mode was selected. . As a result, a desired amount of sparkling beverage can always be automatically dispensed.

Another structural feature of the present invention is a beverage dispenser equipped with the mode selection means, the dispensing instruction means, the manual dispensing control means, the timing means, the time storage means, and the automatic dispensing control means, Temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the sparkling beverage in the beverage container, a temperature storage means for storing the temperature of the sparkling beverage detected by the temperature detection means at the time of storing the setting of the pouring time during the selection of the pouring amount setting mode, When the automatic dispensing mode is selected by the mode selecting means, the temperature of the sparkling beverage detected by the temperature detecting means when the automatic dispensing mode is selected, and the sparkling beverage when the dispensing amount setting mode stored in the temperature storage means is selected And a correction means for correcting the pouring time stored in the time storage means on the basis of the temperature of the automatic pouring control means, and the automatic pouring control means operates the pouring valve when the automatic pouring mode is selected. In the foaming beverage foaming beverage same amount that issued Note during dispense amount setting mode selection by opening only between that corrected dispensing time by the positive means is adapted to dispense.

In the beverage dispenser having the above characteristics, when setting and storing the dispensing time in the dispensing amount setting mode, the temperature storing means stores the temperature of the sparkling beverage in the beverage container detected by the temperature detecting means, and the automatic dispensing is performed. Based on the temperature of the sparkling beverage at the time of selecting the automatic dispensing mode, which is detected by the temperature detecting means, and the temperature of the sparkling beverage at the time of selecting the dispensing amount setting mode stored in the temperature storage means, when the dispensing mode is selected. The correction means corrects the pouring time stored in the time storage means. And the automatic pouring control means
Only during this corrected dispensing time, the dispensing valve is opened to dispense the sparkling beverage. Therefore, when the automatic dispensing mode is selected, even if the temperature of the sparkling beverage in the beverage container is different from that when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected and the viscosity of the sparkling beverage changes, etc. Since it is possible to correct the time, it is possible to dispense the same amount of the sparkling beverage as the sparkling beverage that was dispensed when the dispensing amount setting mode was selected. In particular,
It is possible to make a subtle correction when the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage to the pouring valve is constant and only the temperature of the sparkling beverage is different. As a result, a desired amount of sparkling beverage can always be automatically dispensed.

Another structural feature of the present invention is, in a beverage dispenser, a mode selecting means, a pouring instructing means, and a manual pouring control means similar to the above, and a manual pouring while selecting the pouring amount setting mode. A pouring amount calculation means for calculating the pouring amount of the sparkling beverage that is poured out under the control of the spouting control means based on the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage to the pouring valve, and the pouring amount A pouring amount storage means for setting and storing the pouring amount calculated by the calculating means as the reference pouring amount in the automatic pouring mode, and a pouring amount when the automatic pouring mode is selected by the mode selecting means. The valve is opened, and thereafter the amount of the sparkling beverage that has been poured out is calculated based on the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage to the discharging valve every time a predetermined time has passed, and the calculated amount of pouring is stored in the pouring amount storage means. Foaming when the dispensing volume setting mode is selected In the provision and automatic spout control means closes the dispensing valve upon reaching a pouring amount of fee.

In the above case, the gas supply means is further provided with a pressure detection means for detecting the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied into the beverage container, and the pouring amount setting mode referred to by the pouring amount calculation means. The supply pressure of the sparkling beverage at the time of selection or the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage at the time of selecting the automatic pouring mode referred to by the automatic pouring control means may be the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas detected by the pressure detecting means. Alternatively, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the sparkling beverage in the beverage container, and a target pressure calculation for calculating a control target pressure of carbon dioxide gas to be supplied into the beverage container based on the temperature of the sparkling beverage detected by the temperature detecting means. Means and the pressure control for controlling the pressure regulating valve interposed in the gas supplying means such that the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied by the gas supplying means into the beverage container becomes the control target pressure calculated by the target pressure calculating means. Means for providing the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage at the time of selecting the dispensing amount setting mode referred to by the dispensing amount calculating means, or the supply of the sparkling beverage at the time of selecting the automatic dispensing mode referred to by the automatic dispensing control means. The pressure may be the control target pressure of the carbon dioxide gas calculated by the target pressure calculating means.

In the beverage dispenser having the above characteristics, the dispensing amount calculating means is operating while the dispensing amount setting mode is selected.
The dispensed amount of the sparkling beverage that has been dispensed under the control of the manual dispensing control means is calculated based on the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage to the dispensing valve, and the dispensed amount storage means is calculated by the dispensed amount calculating means. Remember the amount of pouring out. When the automatic pouring mode is selected, the automatic pouring control means pours out the sparkling beverage while keeping the pouring valve open, and pours out the amount of the sparkling beverage that has been poured out every predetermined time. It is calculated based on the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage to the valve, and when the calculated pouring amount reaches the pouring amount in the pouring amount setting mode stored in the pouring amount storage means, the pouring valve is closed. Then, the pouring out of the sparkling beverage is completed. Therefore, when the automatic dispensing mode is selected, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied by the gas supply means is different from that when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected, and the sparkling beverage supplied by the dispensing valve is pumped from the beverage container. Even if the pressure is different, the pouring valve is controlled to open and close so that the dispensed amount calculated based on the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage matches. The same amount of sparkling beverage can be dispensed. In particular, even when the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage changes during automatic pouring, the automatic pouring control means calculates the amount of the sparkling beverage that has been poured out at every predetermined time, so that the pouring is accurately performed. It is possible to dispense the same amount of the sparkling beverage as the sparkling beverage that was poured out when the quantity setting mode was selected. As a result, a desired amount of sparkling beverage can always be automatically dispensed.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION a. First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment employs the beer server shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a beverage dispenser according to the present invention. This beer server is a pouring cock 11 in which beer (foamed beverage) stored in a beer barrel 80 (beverage container) is arranged in front of the main body 10 by the pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied by a gas cylinder 90 (gas supply means). (Pour out valve) is pressure-fed to appropriately pour out.

The pouring cock 11 has a built-in valve mechanism (not shown), and in response to tilting operation of the lever 11a by the switching drive mechanism 12, beer pumped from the beer barrel 80 is discharged from the liquid nozzle 11b. Liquid pouring state (open state) for pouring the beer in a state, foam pouring state (open state) for pouring the beer in the foam state from the foam nozzle 11c, and a neutral state (closed state) for sealing the beer. State) and can be switched. Below the pouring cock 11, a mug stand 13 for placing a beer mug is arranged. The jug stand 13 is driven by a tilting drive mechanism 14 in accordance with the beer pouring condition from the pouring cock 11 to be maintained in an upright state or an inclined state.

Inside the main body 10, a beer barrel 80 is filled with beer pumped through a siphon pipe 81, a dispenser head 82, and a beer supply hose 83.
A beer supply pipe 15 leading to is housed. The coiled intermediate portion 15a of the beer supply pipe 15 is housed in a cooling water tank 17 that stores cooling water cooled by the cooling device 16, and the cooling water in the cooling water tank 17 causes the supply pipe intermediate portion 15a. The beer inside is cooled by the time it is supplied to the pouring cock 11. A temperature sensor 18 for detecting the temperature of beer at the same position is housed at a position upstream of the coiled intermediate portion 15a of the beer supply pipe 15.

A gas supply pipe 19 is also accommodated in the main body 10. The gas supply pipe 19 reduces the carbon dioxide gas, which has been decompressed from the gas cylinder 90 to a predetermined pressure (for example, 0.5 MPa) by the constant pressure valve 91 and supplied through the gas supply hose 92, to the gas supply hose 84 and the dispenser head 8.
It is supplied to the inside of the beer barrel 80 through 2. The gas supply pipe 19 has a pressure adjusting valve 21 for electrically controlling the opening of the carbon dioxide gas to be supplied to the beer barrel 80 and a pressure sensor 22 for detecting the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas.
Is installed. Opening degree adjusting valves 21a and 22a for adjusting the opening degree of the gas supply pipe 19 are provided downstream of the pressure regulating valve 21 and upstream of the pressure sensor 22, respectively.

An operation panel 23 is provided on the front surface of the main body 10. The operation panel 23 includes a dispensing button 23a,
A liquid button 23b and a bubble button 23c are provided (only shown in FIG. 2). The pouring button 23a is a mode selection means and is an automatic pouring mode for automatically pouring a predetermined amount of beer, or a pouring amount setting mode for setting the amount of beer to be poured in the automatic pouring mode. Is for selecting. The liquid button 22b and the foam button 23c are a pouring instruction means for instructing the start and stop of the pouring of beer in the liquid state and the foam state, respectively, during the selection of the pouring amount setting mode by the pouring button 23a. It is a thing. Each button 2
3a to 23c are normally open switches that are always kept in an off state when not operated.

Each drive mechanism 12, 14 and operation panel 2
A pouring control circuit 24 is connected to 3. The dispensing control circuit 24 is composed of a microcomputer, and executes a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 to control the operation of the drive mechanisms 12 and 14. The pouring control circuit 24 uses a liquid pouring time measuring timer 24.
a, a bubble pouring time measuring timer 24b, and a memory 24c. Each of the pouring time measuring timers 24a and 24b is a time measuring means, and is for measuring the pouring time of beer in the liquid state and the beer state as measuring times T1D and T2D, respectively. The memory 24c is a time storage means, and each spout time measurement timer 24 while the spout amount setting mode is selected.
The times T1D and T2D measured by a and 24b are stored as the pouring times T1 and T2 referred to in the automatic pouring mode.

Each sensor 18, 22 and pressure regulating valve 21
A pressure regulation control circuit 25 is connected to the. The pressure regulation control circuit 25 is also composed of a microcomputer,
The program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is executed to control the operation of the pressure regulating valve 21. The pressure adjusting control circuit 25 controls the pouring time T during the selection of the pouring amount setting mode.
A memory 25a is built in as a pressure storage means for storing the supply pressure Ps of carbon dioxide gas to the beer barrel 80 as the supply pressure of beer to the pouring cock 11 when setting and storing 1 and T2. The control circuits 24 and 25 are connected to each other so that the respective control information can be mutually input and output.

Next, the operation of the beer server configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the cooling device 16 starts cooling the water in the cooling water tank 17, and each control circuit 24, 25 starts the program in steps 100 and 400 of FIGS. Start execution. The dispensing control circuit 24 first sets step 102.
The initial setting is executed at and the measurement times T1D and T2D measured by the timers 24a and 24b are set to the value "0", respectively.
After resetting to, the operation waits for any of the buttons 23a to 23c to be turned on in step 104.

During the standby in step 104, the beer mug is placed on the mug stand 13 and the liquid button 2 is pressed.
When 3b is turned on, the pouring control circuit 24 advances the program to step 106 to start pouring beer in a liquid state. At this time, the dispensing control circuit 24 causes the liquid button 23 to
While b is kept in the ON state, the pouring cock 11 is kept in the liquid pouring state, and the beer pumped from the beer barrel 80 is poured in the liquid state by the pouring cock 11.

On the other hand, when the foam button 23c is turned on during the standby in step 104, the pouring control circuit 24 advances the program to step 108 to start pouring beer in a foam state. At this time, the pouring control circuit 24
Keeps the pouring cock 11 in the foam pouring state while the foam button 23c is kept on, and pours beer pumped from the beer barrel 80 in the foam state from the pouring cock 11.

On the other hand, while the pouring button 23a is turned on during the standby in step 104 and the on state is maintained for a predetermined time or longer, the beer server enters the pouring amount setting mode and the pouring control circuit 24. Advances the program to step 110 and executes the pouring amount setting process shown in detail in FIGS.

After starting the same processing in step 200, the pouring control circuit 24 first repeatedly executes the determination processing in step 202 and waits for the liquid button 23b to be turned on. At this time, if the liquid button 23b is turned on while the pouring button 23a is kept on, the program proceeds to step 204 and the switching drive mechanism 12 causes the pouring cock 11 to shift to the liquid pouring state. , Start pouring liquid beer.

With the start of the pouring, in step 206, the liquid pouring time measuring timer 24a is caused to start counting time. Then, thereafter, the determination process of step 208 is repeatedly executed while the liquid button 23b is kept in the ON state. At this time, the pouring cock 11 is kept in the liquid pouring state to continue pouring the beer in the liquid state, and the liquid pouring time measuring timer 2
4a measures the elapsed time after the start of the pouring, which is the measurement time T1D.
Continue to measure as.

During the above-mentioned pouring and time keeping, the liquid button 23
When the ON state of b is released, the pouring control circuit 24 shifts the pouring cock 11 to the neutral state by the switching drive mechanism 12 in step 210 to stop the pouring of the beer, and in step 212. Stops the time measured by the liquid pouring time measuring timer 24a. As a result, the pouring of the liquid beer by the pouring cock 11 is once completed, and the time required for the pouring is measured as the measurement time T1D.

Note that, while the beer in the liquid state is being poured out, the jug base 13 is driven by the tilting drive mechanism 14 to be kept in the tilted state. When the on-state of the pouring button 23a is released before the completion of the pouring of the beer, the pouring control circuit 24 cancels the pouring amount setting process and neutralizes the pouring cock 11. After shifting to the state and stopping the pouring of beer, the program is returned to step 104 in FIG.

After the beer pouring is finished once, the pouring control circuit 24 repeatedly executes the determination processing of steps 214 to 218 to turn on the liquid button 23b and the foam button 23c and the pouring button 23a. Wait for release of ON state. Then, at this time, when the liquid button 23b is turned on again while the on-state of the pouring button 23a is maintained, steps 220 to 228 similar to steps 204 to 212 of FIG. The above process is executed to perform additional pouring of liquid beer.

At the time of the additional pouring, the pouring control circuit 24 keeps the pouring cock 11 in the liquid pouring state and pours the liquid beer only while the liquid button 23b is kept in the ON state. The liquid pouring time measuring timer 24a is caused to measure the time.
In this case, the liquid pouring time measurement timer 24a does not reset the value of the measurement time T1D measured until then,
It continues from the value up to that point and restarts timing. Therefore, during the repeated execution of steps 214 to 218, each time the liquid button 23b is turned on, the beer in the liquid state is additionally poured into the beer mug on the jug stand 13, and the time required for the pouring is increased. It is sequentially added to the measurement time T1D, and the total time when the liquid-state beer is poured out during the selection of the pouring amount setting mode is measured as the measurement time T1D.

On the other hand, when the bubble button 23c is turned on while the pouring button 23a is kept on during the repeated execution of the above steps 214 to 218, the pouring control circuit 2
4 advances the program to step 230 based on the determination in step 218, causes the switching drive mechanism 12 to shift the pouring cock 11 to the foam pouring state, and starts the pouring of beer in the foam state.

With the start of the pouring, in step 232, the bubble pouring time measuring timer 24b starts counting time. Then, thereafter, while the bubble button 23c is kept in the ON state, the determination process of step 234 is repeatedly executed. At this time, the pouring cock 11 is kept in the foam pouring state to continue pouring beer in the foam state, and the foam pouring time measuring timer 2
4b is a measurement time T2D which is the elapsed time after the start of the pouring.
Continue to measure as.

During the above-mentioned pouring and time keeping, the bubble button 23
When the ON state of c is released, the pouring control circuit 24 shifts the pouring cock 11 to the neutral state by the switching drive mechanism 12 in step 236 to stop the beer pouring, and in step 238. Then, the time counting by the bubble pouring time measuring timer 24b is stopped. As a result, the pouring of the beer in the foam state by the pouring cock 11 is once completed, and the time required for the pouring is measured as the measurement time T2D.

In the above case, the bubble pouring time measuring timer 24b continues counting from the value up to that time without resetting the value of the measured time T2D measured at the start of the time counting in step 230. I'm trying to get started. Therefore, during the repeated execution of the steps 214 to 218, each time the foam button 23c is turned on, the beer in the foamed state is repeatedly dispensed to the beer mug on the jug stand 13, and the time required for the dispensing is the same. It is sequentially added to the measurement time T2D, and the total time when the beer in the foam state is poured during the selection of the pouring amount setting mode is measured as the measurement time T2D.

As mentioned above, steps 214 through 21 above.
8 is repeatedly executed, the liquid button 23b or the bubble button 23
Each time the c is turned on, the pouring cock 11 is switched to the liquid pouring state or the foam pouring state and pours the beer in the liquid state or the foam state. As a result, the user further adds the beer in the liquid state and the beer in the liquid state to the beer in the liquid state poured out by the processing of steps 206 to 212 in FIG. Beer can be poured. In this case, since each of the above-mentioned pourings can be repeatedly executed in an arbitrary order, the amount of beer to be poured can be finely adjusted, and the desired amount of beer can be poured more easily. . Then, during this repeated pouring, each total time of pouring beer in a liquid state and a foam state is measured as measurement times T1D and T2D. Note that the jug stand 13 is kept upright during the additional pouring of beer in the liquid state and the pouring of beer in the foam state.

When the pouring button 23a is released from the ON state while the above steps 214 to 218 are repeatedly executed, the pouring control circuit 24 advances the program to step 240 based on the judgment in step 214, and Timer 24
Measurement time T1D, T2 measured by a and 24b
Dispensing time T that refers to each of D in the automatic dispensing mode
1 and T2 and stored in the memory 24c. At this time, if the pouring times T1 and T2 are already set and stored in the memory 24c, the stored pouring time T is stored.
1 and T2 are rewritten and updated. And step 242
Then, the process of setting the amount to be dispensed is finished, and the program is returned to step 102 of FIG.

By the way, when the power switch is turned on, the pressure regulation control circuit 25 also starts executing the program in step 400 of FIG. At the start of execution of the program, the pressure regulation control circuit 25 first executes initial setting in step 402 to set the control target pressure P0 and the initial value of the barrel temperature K. Specifically, the detected pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 22 is set as an initial value of the control target pressure P0, and the map shown in FIG. The barrel temperature K is set as the initial value of the barrel temperature K. Originally, the map shown in FIG. 8 gives an appropriate carbon dioxide gas supply pressure as the control target pressure P0 according to the detected barrel temperature K, and a specific description will be given later. At this time, the value of the flag FLG is set to "0". The flag FLG indicates that the pouring of liquid beer has started at the value “1”.

After the above initialization, the pressure adjusting control circuit 25 sets the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas from the gas cylinder 80 to the beer barrel 80 to the control target pressure P0 based on the detection by the pressure sensor 22 in step 404. The pressure regulating valve 21
Control the opening of. In step 406, it is determined whether the pouring control circuit 24 is about to start the automatic pouring of beer, which will be described later. If it is not the time to start automatic pouring at this time, it is determined to be "NO" and the program is executed in step 408.
Proceed to. In step 408, it is determined whether or not the flag FLG has the value "1". First, if the flag FLG remains set to the value "0" due to the initial setting in step 402, "NO" is given. The determination is made and the program proceeds to step 410. In step 410, it is determined whether or not the pouring cock 11 is about to start the pouring of beer in a liquid state under the control of the pouring control circuit 24. NO "
Then, the program is returned to step 404.

During the repeated execution of the steps 404 to 410, the pouring cock 11 is controlled by the pouring control circuit 24 depending on whether the liquid button 23b is turned on or an automatic pouring described later is instructed. If the beer in the liquid state is started by pouring the liquid into the liquid pouring state, the pressure regulation control circuit 25 determines “YES” in step 410 and advances the program to step 412 and thereafter. In step 412,
The temperature sensor 18 measures the temperature of beer in the supply pipe 15 at the start of pouring as the pre-pouring temperature ka. In step 414, the value of the flag FLG is set to the value "1" indicating that the pouring of liquid beer has started. In step 416, it is determined whether or not the pouring cock 11 is about to stop the beer in the liquid state that has started, under the control of the pouring control circuit 24. If not, the determination is “NO” and the program is returned to step 404.

Flag FLG in step 414 above
With the setting of, the pressure regulation control circuit 25 determines “YES” at the time of executing step 408 from the next time onward, and determines “step 41”.
Since the program proceeds to step 416 without executing the processing of 0 to 414, the processing in step 40
The processes of 4 to 408 and 416 are repeatedly executed. During this repeated execution, the pouring cock 11 is kept in the liquid pouring state and continues pouring the liquid beer. Then, depending on whether the liquid button 23b is released from the ON state or the automatic pouring is completed, the pouring cock 11 is returned to the neutral state under the control of the pouring control circuit 24, and the beer in the liquid state is returned. When the pouring is stopped, the pressure regulation control circuit 25 makes a “YES” determination at step 416 to advance the program to step 418 and thereafter. In step 418, the temperature sensor 18
Thus, the temperature of beer in the supply pipe 15 at the end of the pouring is measured as the post-pouring temperature kb. In step 420, the value of the flag FLG is set to the value "0" again.

In step 422, referring to a map preset and stored based on an experiment or the like based on the change rates of the pre-pouring temperature ka and the post-pouring temperature kb measured in steps 412 and 418, the beer barrel 80 is stored. The temperature K is estimated and calculated. In step 424, referring to the map shown in FIG. 8 from the calculated barrel temperature K,
An appropriate supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas to the beer barrel 80 is calculated as the control target pressure P0. The barrel temperature K and the control target pressure P0 have a proportional relationship in a region where the barrel temperature K is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature K1 (for example, 15 ° C.), and the control target pressure P0 is set to be higher as the barrel temperature K becomes higher. The amount of carbon dioxide in beer is always kept constant. On the other hand, in the region where the barrel temperature K is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature K1, the control target pressure P0 is kept constant without lowering even when the barrel temperature K becomes low, and the beer is surely poured. I am trying to pump up to 11.

In step 426, it is determined whether the beer server is in the dispensing amount setting mode and the dispensing control circuit 24 is executing the above-described dispensing amount setting process,
At this time, if the pouring amount is not being set, it is determined as "NO" and the program is returned to step 404. On the other hand, if the pouring amount is being set at this time, it is determined to be “YES”, and step 4
At 28, the control target pressure P0 calculated at step 424 is stored in the memory 25a as the setting pressure Ps.
At this time, if the preset pressure Ps is already stored in the memory 25a, the stored preset pressure Ps is stored.
To rewrite and update. And the program step 4
Returning to step 04, the processes of steps 406 to 410 are repeated again.

As described above, the pressure regulation control circuit 25, after the initial setting in step 402, executes steps 404-.
The circulation process consisting of 428 is repeatedly executed. At this time, irrespective of the operation mode of the beer server, every time the pouring cock 11 pours out beer in a liquid state, the pressure regulation control circuit 25 measures the pre-pouring temperature ka and the post-pouring temperature kb, The barrel temperature K is estimated and calculated based on the measured temperatures ka and kb. Then, the control target pressure P0 is calculated according to the calculated barrel temperature K, and the opening of the pressure regulating valve 21 is changed at any time so that the supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas to the beer barrel 80 becomes the calculated control target pressure P0. Control. Further, if the pouring amount is being set, the calculated control target pressure P0 is stored as the setting pressure Ps.

Next, the automatic pouring mode of the beer server will be described. When the pouring button 23a is turned on and the on state is released within a predetermined time during the standby in step 104 of FIG. 3, the pouring control circuit 24 advances the program to step 112 and proceeds to FIG. The execution of the automatic dispensing process shown in detail is started. At this time, the pressure regulation control circuit 25 determines “YES” in step 406 of FIG. 7, advances the program to step 430, and corrects the correction value α.
1 and α2 are calculated and output. The correction values α1 and α2 are
In the pouring amount setting mode, the pouring times T1 and T2 measured and set for the beer in the liquid state and the foam state are respectively corrected, and the beer in the liquid state and the foam state is actually poured in the automatic pouring mode. It is for calculating the pouring times T1 'and T2' to be poured out, and after considering the pressure difference of carbon dioxide gas, the same amount of beer as at the time of setting the pouring times T1 and T2 can be poured out. The value is determined.

Here, a method of calculating the correction values α1 and α2 and a method of using them will be specifically described. First, generally, the relationship between the pouring amount Q, the supply pressure P of carbon dioxide gas to the beer barrel 80, and the pouring time T is as shown in the following formula 1 under the condition that the supply pressure P is a predetermined pressure or more. expressed.

[0045]

## EQU1 ## Q = (a.P + b) .T In the above equation, a and b are constants which are obtained in advance by experiments. When the above formula 1 is applied when the beer is dispensed in the above-mentioned dispense amount setting mode, the following formulas 2 and 3 are established for the beer in the liquid state and the beer state in the foam state, respectively.

[0046]

[Expression 2] Q1 = (a1 · Ps + b1) · T1

[0047]

[Formula 3] Q2 = (a2 · Ps + b2) · T2 When determining a1, b1, a2, and b2, the reference pouring amounts Q1 and Q2 are the mass of liquid beer, and the beer in the foam state. Is a volume.

Next, when the beer is poured out in the automatic pouring mode and the same amount of pouring Q1 and Q2 as in the above-mentioned pouring amount setting mode is to be obtained, the pouring required for the pouring is required. At times T1 'and T2', the carbon dioxide supply pressure Px at that time
Is given by the following equations 4 and 5.

[0049]

## EQU00004 ## Q1 = (a1.Px + b1) .T1 '

[0050]

## EQU00005 ## Q2 = (a2.Px + b2) .T2 ' From the expressions 2 to 5, the following expressions 6 and 7 are established.

[0051]

[Equation 6] T1 ′ = {(a1 · Ps + b1) / (a1 · P
x + b1)} ・ T1

[0052]

[Equation 7] T2 ′ = {(a2 · Ps + b2) / (a2 · P
x + b2)} · T2 Here, the correction values α1 and α2 are determined as in the following equations 8 and 9.

[0053]

[Equation 8] α1 = (a1 · Ps + b1) / (a1 · Px + b1)

[0054]

Α2 = (a2 · Ps + b2) / (a2 · Px + b2) If Equations 8 and 9 are used, Equations 6 and 7 are expressed as Equations 10 and 11 below.

[0055]

[Expression 10] T1 '= α1 · T1

[0056]

[Equation 11] T2 ′ = α2 · T2 Thus, the pouring time T1 ′ required for pouring the same amount of beer as when the pouring times T1 and T2 were set after considering the pressure difference of carbon dioxide gas , T2 ′ can be calculated.

Based on the set pressure Ps stored in the memory 25a and the pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 22 at that time, the pressure adjusting control circuit 2 calculates the correction value α1 according to the equations (8) and (9). , Α2 are calculated and output to the pouring control circuit 24. At this time, the pouring control circuit 24 that started the automatic pouring process in step 300 of FIG.
At 02, based on the correction values α1 and α2 output from the pressure adjustment control circuit 25, the correction pouring times T1 ′ and T2 ′ are calculated according to the calculation formulas of the above-mentioned equations 10 and 11.

After calculating the above-mentioned corrected pouring times T1 'and T2', the pouring control circuit 24 shifts the pouring cock 11 to the liquid pouring state by the switching drive mechanism 12 at step 304 to make the beer in the liquid state. And the liquid pouring time measuring timer 24a starts counting time in step 306. Then, the determination process of step 308 is repeatedly executed. At this time, the pouring cock 11 is kept in the liquid pouring state to continue pouring the beer in the liquid state, and the liquid pouring time measurement timer 24a measures the elapsed time after the start of the pouring time T1.
Continue to measure as D.

When the corrected pouring time T1 'has elapsed from the start of the pouring and timing while the pouring and timing are continued, the pouring control circuit 24 executes a program based on the timing by the liquid pouring time measuring timer 24a. Proceeding to step 310, the switching drive mechanism 12 shifts the pouring cock 11 to a neutral state and stops the above-mentioned beer pouring. When the beer in the liquid state is poured out, the jug stand 13 is provided with a tilting drive mechanism 14.
Is tilted and driven to be held in a tilted state.

After the beer in the liquid state is poured out, the pouring control circuit 24 shifts the pouring cock 11 to the foam pouring state by the switching drive mechanism 12 in step 312 so that the beer in the foaming state is poured out. At the same time as the start, in step 314, the bubble pouring time measuring timer 24b starts counting time. And
The determination process of step 316 is repeatedly executed. At this time, the pouring cock 11 is kept in the foam pouring state to continue pouring the beer in the foam state, and the foam pouring time measurement timer 24b continues to measure the elapsed time after the start of the pouring as the measurement time T2D. .

When the corrected pouring time T2 'has elapsed from the start of the pouring and timing while continuing the pouring and timing, the pouring control circuit 24 executes a program based on the timing by the foam pouring time measuring timer 24b. Proceeding to step 318, the switching drive mechanism 12 shifts the pouring cock 11 to the neutral state and stops the beer pouring. When the beer in the foamed state is poured, the jug stand 13 is kept in the standing state. After the beer in the frothy state is dispensed, the dispensing control circuit 24 ends the automatic dispensing process in step 320 and returns the program to step 102 in FIG.

As described above, in the above embodiment,
When setting and storing the pouring times T1 and T2 in the pouring amount setting mode, the memory 25a of the pressure regulation control circuit 25 stores the control target pressure P0 of carbon dioxide gas at that time as the setting pressure Ps. Then, at the start of the automatic pouring mode, the pressure adjustment control circuit 25 is based on the detected pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 22 at the start of the automatic pouring mode and the set pressure Ps stored in the memory 25a. Is the correction value α1, α
2 is calculated, and the pouring control circuit 25 corrects the pouring times T1 and T2 based on the calculated correction values α1 and α2 to calculate the corrected pouring times T1 ′ and T2 ′. Then, the pouring cock 11 is shifted to the liquid pouring state and the foam pouring state only during the calculated corrected pouring times T1 ′ and T2 ′, and the liquid state and the foam state beer are poured out, respectively.

Therefore, when the automatic pouring mode is selected, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied by the gas cylinder 90 is different from that when the pouring amount setting mode is selected, and the beer is pumped from the beer barrel 80 to the pouring cock 11. Even if the pressures differ, the actual dispensing times T1 'and T2' are calculated by taking into account the pressure difference and correcting the dispensing times T1 and T2. You can pour as much beer as you can. As a result, a desired amount of beer can always be automatically dispensed.

Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described. The modification is the same as the modification in the above embodiment.
The change in the temperature K of the beer barrel 80 is also taken into consideration when calculating 1, α2, so that a desired amount of beer can be more reliably poured out during automatic pouring.

In this modification, the pressure regulation control circuit 25
Step 4 as shown in parentheses in FIG.
When the setting pressure Ps in 28 is stored, the barrel temperature K at that time is also stored in the memory 25a as the setting temperature Ks.
At this time, if the preset temperature Ks is already stored in the memory 25a, the stored preset temperature Ks is stored.
To rewrite and update. Then, when the pouring control circuit 24 executes the automatic pouring process, in step 430, the correction values α1 and α2 are calculated by also referring to the stored set temperature Ks.

Here, the correction value α1, in this modified example
A method of calculating and using α2 will be specifically described. The barrel temperature K is particularly problematic when the barrel temperature K is the predetermined temperature K when one or both of the setting of the dispensing times T1 and T2 in the dispensing amount setting mode and the automatic dispensing.
This is the case where it is 1 or less. In this case, since the control target pressure P0 is kept constant as in the map shown in FIG. 8 described above, the change in the barrel temperature K has a great influence on the pouring amount. Generally, under the condition that the supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas is constant, the relationship between the amount of pouring Q, the temperature K of the beer barrel 80, and the pouring time T is expressed by the following Expression 12.

[0067]

[Equation 12] Q = (c · K + d) · T In the above equation, c and d are constants which are obtained in advance by experiments. When the above formula 12 is applied when the beer is dispensed in the above-mentioned dispense amount setting mode, the following formulas 13 and 1 are applied to beer in the liquid state and the foam state, respectively.
4 holds.

[0068]

[Equation 13] Q1 = (c1 · Ks + d1) · T1

[0069]

[Equation 14] Q2 = (c2 · Ks + d2) · T2 When determining c1, d1, c2 and d2, the reference pouring amounts Q1 and Q2 are the mass of the beer in the liquid state and For beer, volume is recommended.

Next, when the beer is poured out in the automatic pouring mode, if the same amount of pouring Q1 and Q2 as in the above-mentioned pouring amount setting mode is to be obtained, the pouring required for the pouring is required. The times T1 'and T2' are given by the following equations 15 and 16 using the barrel temperature K at that time.

[0071]

## EQU15 ## Q1 = (c1.K + d1) .T1 '

[0072]

## EQU16 ## Q2 = (c2.K + d2) .T2 ' From Expressions 13 to 16, the following Expressions 17 and 18 are established.

[0073]

[Expression 17] T1 ′ = {(c1 · Ks + d1) / (c1 ·
K + d1)} ・ T1

[0074]

[Equation 18] T2 ′ = {(c2 · Ks + d2) / (c2 ·
K + d2)} · T2 Here, the correction values α1 and α2 are determined as shown in the following equations 19 and 20 in consideration of the equations 6 and 7.

[0075]

[Expression 19] α1 = {(c1 · Ks + d1) / (c1 · K
+ D1)} · {(a1 · Ps + b1) / (a1 · Px +
b1)}

[0076]

[Expression 20] α2 = {(c2 · Ks + d2) / (c2 · K
+ D2)} · {(a2 · Ps + b2) / (a2 · Px +
b2)} In this case, the barrel temperature Ks at the time of setting the pouring amount and at the time of automatic pouring,
When the temperature K is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature K1, the pressures Ps and P
Since the influence of the difference in x becomes large, the temperature may be approximated to the predetermined temperature K1. As a result, after considering the temperature difference of the beer barrel 80 and the pressure difference of carbon dioxide, the pouring time T required for pouring the same amount of beer as when the pouring times T1 and T2 are set.
1 ′ and T2 ′ can be calculated.

The pressure adjusting control circuit 2 calculates the setting temperature Ks and the setting pressure Ps stored in the memory 25a and the barrel temperature K calculated at that time based on the detection by the temperature sensor 18.
And the pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 22 at that time, and a correction value α
1, α2 is calculated and output to the pouring control circuit 24.
At this time, the pouring control circuit 24, as described above,
In step 302 of the above, based on the correction values α1 and α2 output from the pressure regulation control circuit 25,
Calculate the corrected pouring time T1 ', T2' according to the formula
The beer in the liquid state and the foam state is caused to be poured out from the pouring cock 11 only during the calculated corrected pouring times T1 ′ and T2 ′.

As described above, in the above modification, the pressure adjusting control circuit 25 also refers to the set temperature Ks stored when the pouring times T1 and T2 in the pouring amount setting mode are set and stored, and the correction value α1 is also referred to. , Α2 is calculated. Therefore, even when the temperature of beer in the beer barrel 80 is different from that in the pouring amount setting mode when the automatic pouring mode is selected and the beer viscosity or the like is changed, the pouring time is adjusted in consideration of the change. Actual dispensing time T by correcting T1 and T2
Since 1'and T2 'are calculated, the same amount of beer as the beer poured at the time of selecting the pouring amount setting mode can be poured. In particular, when the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas to the beer barrel 80 is constant and only the temperature of the beer is different, it is possible to make a subtle correction. Accurate correction is possible over a wider temperature range including the case where the temperature is maintained. As a result, a desired amount of beer can always be automatically dispensed.

In the above embodiment and modification, the control target pressure P0 is stored as the setting pressure Ps when setting the dispensing times T1 and T2 in the dispensing amount setting mode. As Ps, the pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 22 at that time may be stored. Further, when the correction values α1 and α2 are calculated when the automatic dispensing mode is selected, the pressure Ps detected by the pressure sensor 22 at that time is referred to together with the setting pressure Ps stored in the memory 25a. Instead of
The correction values α1 and α2 may be calculated by referring to the control target pressure P0 at that time together with the setting pressure Ps.
The pressure stored as the setting pressure Ps and the pressure referred to together with the setting pressure Ps when calculating the correction values α1 and α2 are the liquid pressure of beer supplied to the pouring cock 11, respectively. May be.

In the above-described embodiment and modification, the temperature sensor 18 measures the pre-pouring temperature ka and the post-pouring temperature kb each time the liquid beer is poured out, and changes in the measured temperatures ka and kb. Although the temperature K of the beer barrel 80 is estimated and calculated based on the rate, instead of this, a sensor or the like is separately provided to directly detect the temperature K of the beer barrel 80, and the detected barrel temperature is detected. The control target pressure P0 may be calculated at any time based on K.

B. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment employs the programs shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 instead of the programs shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as the dispensing amount setting process in the first embodiment, and the automatic dispensing process shown in FIG. Figure 1 instead of the program shown
The programs shown in Nos. 2 and 13 are adopted. Note that the pressure regulation control circuit 25 controls the pressure regulation valve 21 by executing the program shown in FIG. 7 also in this embodiment, but in this case, steps 404, 430, 426, and 26.
The processing of 428 may be omitted. In the same embodiment, the pouring control circuit 24, during the beer pouring in each mode, the amount Q1D, Q2 of the beer poured out at every predetermined unit time t.
D is calculated each time based on the pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 22 at that time.

First, the case where the dispensing amount setting mode is selected will be described. The dispensing control circuit 24 starts the execution of the dispensing amount setting process in step 200 of FIG.
When the liquid button 23b is turned on while the ON state is maintained, the steps 202 to 206 similar to those in FIG. 4 are executed and the switching drive mechanism 12 shifts the pouring cock 11 to the liquid pouring state. Together with the liquid pouring time measurement timer 2
4a starts timing. At this time, in step 502, the unit dispensing amount q1 is calculated. Unit pouring amount q1
Is the amount of beer in liquid state per unit time t, and is calculated according to the following formula 21 based on the pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 22 at that time.

[0083]

[Mathematical formula-see original document] q1 = e1.Px + f1 In the above equation, e1 and f1 are constants obtained in advance by experiments. It should be noted that the amount of pouring q1 used as a reference when setting the value may be the mass of beer in a liquid state.
After the calculation of the unit pouring amount q1, the pouring amount control circuit 24
In step 504, the calculated unit pouring amount q1 is set as the total pouring amount Q1D of beer in the first liquid state.

After each of the above processes, the pouring control circuit 24 keeps the step 20 while the liquid button 23b is kept on.
Based on the determination in step 8, the process including steps 506 to 514 is repeatedly executed. Step 506 is a process of determining whether or not the time measured by the liquid pouring time measuring timer 24a has reached the unit time t. At this time, if the time measured by the liquid pouring time measuring timer 24a has not reached the unit time t, it is determined to be "NO" and the program proceeds to step 208 without executing the processing of steps 508 to 514. On the other hand, if the time measured by the liquid pouring time measuring timer 24a has reached the unit time t at this time, it is determined to be "YES" and the program proceeds to step 508 and thereafter.

In step 508, the unit dispensing amount q1 is calculated as in step 502. In step 510, the calculated unit pouring amount q1 is added to the value of the total pouring amount Q1D up to that point to update the total pouring amount Q1D. In step 512, the value measured by the liquid pouring time measuring timer 24a is temporarily reset to "0".
Then, in step 514, the resetting of the liquid pouring time measuring timer 24a restarts the time counting.
By repeatedly executing the processing including these steps 506 to 514, 208, the dispensing control circuit 24 causes the liquid button 2
While the liquid 3b is kept in the ON state, while continuously pouring the liquid beer by the pouring cock 11, the pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 22 is input every unit time t, and the input pressure Px is obtained. Based on this, the unit pouring amount q1 is calculated, and the calculated unit pouring amount q1 is cumulatively added to obtain the total pouring amount Q1D.
Is continuously measured (see FIG. 14).

While the above-mentioned pouring and measurement are continued, the liquid button 23
When the ON state of b is released, the pouring control circuit 24 executes steps 210 and 212 similar to those in FIG. 4 based on the determination in step 208 to stop the beer pouring and The time measured by the liquid pouring time measuring timer 24a is stopped. As a result, the pouring of the beer in the liquid state by the pouring cock 11 is once completed, and the amount of the beer in the liquid state in the pouring is measured as the total pouring amount Q1D.

After the completion of the beer pouring, the pouring control circuit 24 repeatedly executes the determination processing of steps 214 to 218 in FIGS. 10 and 11 to perform the same processing as in the first embodiment. Liquid button 23b and bubble button 23c
Waits for the ON operation of and the release of the ON state of the pouring button 23a. Then, at this time, when the liquid button 23b is turned on again with the pouring button 23a kept on,
Based on the determination in step 216, the same processing of steps 220, 222, 516 to 524, 224 similar to steps 204, 206, 506 to 514, 208 of FIG. 9 is executed to additionally pour out beer in a liquid state. I do.

At the time of the additional pouring, the pouring control circuit 24 holds the pouring cock 11 in the liquid pouring state and pours the beer in the liquid state only while the liquid button 23b is kept in the ON state. Measure the total amount of beer dispensed Q1D. in this case,
The total dispensing amount Q1D is continuously restarted from the value measured up to that point without resetting the value measured up to that point. Therefore, while the above steps 214 to 218 are repeatedly executed, every time the liquid button 23b is turned on, the beer in the liquid state is additionally poured into the beer jug on the jug stand 13, and the beer additionally poured is The amount is added to the total dispensed amount Q1D sequentially, and the total amount of beer in the liquid state that is poured out during the selection of this dispensed amount setting mode is the total dispensed amount Q1.
It will be measured as 1D.

On the other hand, when the bubble button 23c is turned on while the pouring button 23a is kept on during the repeated execution of the steps 214 to 218, the pouring control circuit 2
4 executes steps 230 and 232 similar to the above-mentioned FIG. 5 based on the determination in step 218, and causes the switching drive mechanism 12 to shift the pouring cock 11 to the foam pouring state and pouring the beer in the foam state. At the same time when the dispensing is started, the bubble pouring time measuring timer 24b is caused to start the time counting. At this time, in step 526, the unit dispensing amount q2 is calculated. The unit pouring amount q2 is the pouring amount of beer in a foam state per unit time t, and the pressure P detected by the pressure sensor 22 at that time is P.
It is calculated according to the following formula 22 based on x.

[0090]

[Equation 22] q2 = e2 · Px + f2 In the above equation, e2 and f2 are constants obtained in advance by experiments. In addition, it is preferable that the reference pouring amount q2 at the time of setting is the volume of beer in a foam state.
After the calculation of this unit dispensing amount q2, the dispensing amount control circuit 24
In step 528, the calculated unit pouring amount q2 is set as the total pouring amount Q2D of the beer in the first foam state.

After each of the above processes, the pouring control circuit 24, while the bubble button 23c is kept in the ON state, the step 23
Based on the determination in step 4, the process including steps 530 to 538 is repeatedly executed. Step 530 is a process of determining whether or not the time measured by the bubble pouring time measuring timer 24b has reached the unit time t. At this time, if the time measured by the bubble pouring time measuring timer 24b has not reached the unit time t, it is determined to be "NO" and the program proceeds to step 234 without executing the processing of steps 532 to 538. On the other hand, if the time measured by the bubble pouring time measuring timer 24b has reached the unit time t at this time, it is determined to be "YES" and the program proceeds to step 532 and thereafter.

In step 532, the unit pouring amount q2 is calculated as in step 526. In step 534, the calculated unit pouring amount q2 is added to the value of the total pouring amount Q2D up to that point to update the total pouring amount Q2D. In step 536, the value measured by the bubble pouring time measuring timer 24b is once reset to "0".
Then, at step 538, the resetting of the bubble pouring time measuring timer 24b restarts the time counting.
By repeatedly executing the processing including these steps 530 to 538, 234, the dispensing control circuit 24 causes the bubble button 2
While the 3c is kept in the ON state, while continuously pouring the beer in the foam state by the pouring cock 11, the pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 22 is input at every unit time t, and the input pressure Px is obtained. Based on the calculated unit pouring amount q2, the calculated unit pouring amount q2 is cumulatively added and the total pouring amount Q2D is calculated.
Is continuously measured (see FIG. 14).

During the continuation of the above-mentioned pouring and measurement, the bubble button 23
When the on state of c is released, the pouring control circuit 24 executes the steps 236 and 238 similar to FIG. 5 based on the determination in step 208 to stop the beer pouring and The time measured by the bubble pouring time measuring timer 24b is stopped. As a result, the pouring of the beer in the foam state by the pouring cock 11 is once completed, and the amount of beer in the foam state in the pouring is measured as the total pouring amount Q2D.

In the above case, the total dispensed amount Q2D is continuously restarted from the value measured up to that point without resetting the value measured up to that point. Therefore, during the repeated execution of the above steps 214 to 218, the bubble button 2
Each time 3c is turned on, beer in a foam state is repeatedly poured out to the beer mug on the jug stand 13, and the amount of beer repeatedly poured out is the total amount Q2D.
Is sequentially added to, and the total amount of beer in the foam state poured out during the selection of the pouring amount setting mode is measured as the total pouring amount Q2D.

When the pouring button 23a is released from the ON state during the repeated execution of the steps 214 to 218, the pouring control circuit 24 advances the program to the step 540 based on the judgment in the step 214, and measures it. The total dispensed amounts Q1D and Q2D are set as the dispensed amounts Q1 and Q2 to be referred to in the automatic dispensing mode, and stored in the memory 24c. At this time, the pouring amount Q1, already in the memory 24c
When Q2 is set and stored, the stored pouring amounts Q1 and Q2 are rewritten and updated. Then, in step 242, this pouring amount setting processing is ended, and the program is returned to step 102 in FIG.

Next, the case where the automatic dispensing mode is selected will be described. After the execution of the automatic dispensing process in step 300 of FIG. 12, the dispensing control circuit 24 performs steps 204, 206, 502, 5 of FIG. 9 during the dispensing amount setting process.
Steps 304, 306, 602, 604 similar to 04
Process is executed to shift the pouring cock 11 to the liquid pouring state by the switching drive mechanism 12, and the liquid pouring time measuring timer 2
4a is started, and the unit pouring amount q1 is calculated and set as the total pouring amount Q1D of the beer in the first liquid state. Then, after that, steps 506 to 5 of FIG.
The process including steps 606 to 614 similar to that of step 14 is repeatedly executed, and while the beer in the liquid state is continuously poured out by the pouring cock 11, the pressure sensor 22 is supplied every unit time t.
By inputting the detected pressure Px by, the unit pouring amount q1 is calculated based on the input pressure Px, the calculated unit pouring amount q1 is cumulatively added, and the total pouring amount Q1D is continuously measured (FIG. 14). reference).

When the total pouring amount Q1D being measured reaches the pouring amount Q1 set in the pouring amount setting mode while the above-mentioned pouring and measuring are continued, the pouring control circuit 24 causes the pouring control circuit 24 to proceed to step 616.
Based on the determination in step 310, the pouring cock 11 is moved to the neutral state by the switching drive mechanism 12 in step 310 to stop the pouring of the beer in the liquid state, and then the program proceeds to step 312 and subsequent steps. Start pouring beer in state. In this case, the pouring control circuit 24 causes the steps 230, 232, 5 of FIG.
Steps 312, 314, 61 similar to 26, 528
8 and 620, the switching drive mechanism 12 shifts the pouring cock 11 to the foam pouring state, causes the foam pouring time measuring timer 24b to start counting, and calculates the unit pouring amount q2. Total beer amount of beer in the first foam state Q2
Set as D. Then, after that, the process including steps 622 to 630 similar to steps 530 to 538 of FIG. 11 is repeatedly executed, and while the beer in the foam state is continuously poured out by the pouring cock 11, the pressure is increased every unit time t. The pressure Px detected by the sensor 22 is input, the unit pouring amount q2 is calculated based on the input pressure Px, and the calculated unit pouring amount q2 is cumulatively added to continuously measure the total pouring amount Q2D ( (See FIG. 14).

When the total pouring amount Q2D being measured reaches the pouring amount Q2 set in the pouring amount setting mode while the above-mentioned pouring and measuring are continued, the pouring control circuit 24 makes a step 632.
Based on the determination in step 318, the switching drive mechanism 12 shifts the pouring cock 11 to the neutral state in step 318 to stop the pouring of the beer in the foam state, and then in step 32.
At 0, this automatic pouring process is terminated, and the program is returned to step 104 in FIG.

As described above, in the above embodiment,
While the dispensing amount setting mode is selected, the dispensing control circuit 24 calculates the dispensing amounts Q1 and Q2 of beer dispensed by the dispensing cock 11 based on the pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 22 at that time, and stores the memory. It is stored in 24c. Then, when the automatic pouring mode is selected, while the pouring cock 11 is pouring out the beer in the liquid state and the foam state, the amount Q1 of the beer poured out.
D and Q2D are calculated each time a predetermined unit time t elapses based on the pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 22 at that time, and the calculated pouring amounts Q1D and Q2D are stored in the memory 24c. When the pouring amounts Q1 and Q2 when the mode is selected are reached, the pouring cock 11 is returned to the neutral state, and the pouring of beer is completed.

Therefore, when the automatic pouring mode is selected, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied by the gas cylinder 90 is different from that when the pouring amount setting mode is selected, and the beer is pumped from the beer barrel 80 to the pouring cock 11. Even if the pressures are different, the pouring cock 11 is controlled to open and close so that the pouring amounts calculated based on the supply pressure of carbon dioxide match.
It is possible to pour the same amount of beer as the pour beer when the pour amount setting mode is selected. Especially, for example, in FIG.
Even if the carbon dioxide gas supply pressure changes during the pouring, such as when the actual carbon dioxide gas supply pressure greatly differs from the control target pressure P0 as shown in FIG.
Calculates the total amount of beer dispensed Q1D and Q2D based on the detected pressure Px input at each time for each unit of time t. Beer can be dispensed. As a result, the desired amount of beer can always be automatically dispensed.

In the above embodiment, the detected pressure Px is referred to when calculating the unit dispensing amounts q1 and q2 in the dispensing amount setting mode and the automatic dispensing mode, respectively. Then, the unit dispensing amounts q1 and q2 may be calculated based on the control target pressure P0. Alternatively, a separate sensor or the like may be provided to detect the liquid pressure of beer supplied to the pouring cock 11, and the unit pouring amounts q1 and q2 may be calculated based on the detected liquid pressure. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a beer server according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electric control unit of the beer server.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart corresponding to a program executed by the pouring control circuit of FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of a first half portion of the pouring amount setting process of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of a latter half of the pouring amount setting process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the automatic dispensing process of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart corresponding to a program executed by the pressure regulation control circuit of FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing a relationship between a barrel temperature and a control target pressure in the beer server.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing details of a first half portion of the pouring amount setting process of FIG. 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of an intermediate portion of the dispensing amount setting process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of a latter half of the dispensing amount setting process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of a first half portion of the automatic dispensing process of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the details of the latter half of the automatic dispensing process.

FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b) are graphs showing the relationship between the pressure and the pouring amount in the beer server according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Beer server main body, 11 ... Pour out cock, 18 ... Temperature sensor, 21 ... Pressure regulating valve, 22 ... Pressure sensor, 23
a ... pouring button, 23b ... liquid button, 23c ... foam button, 24 ... pouring control circuit, 24a ... liquid pouring time measuring timer, 24b ... foam pouring time measuring timer, 24c ... memory,
25 ... Pressure control circuit, 25a ... Memory, 80 ... Beer barrel, 90 ... Gas cylinder.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A sparkling beverage stored in a beverage container is pressure-fed to a pouring valve by the pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied by a gas supply means, and the pouring valve is sealed outside when the pouring valve is open when the pouring valve is open. A beverage dispenser configured to do, and an automatic pouring mode for automatically pouring the sparkling beverage and a pouring amount setting mode for setting the amount of the sparkling beverage to be poured in the automatic pouring mode. Selecting means for selecting, and a pouring instructing means for instructing start and stop of pouring of the sparkling beverage during selection of a pouring amount setting mode by the mode selecting means, and the pouring instructing means By manual pouring control means for closing the pouring valve when opening the pouring valve when instructed to start pouring of the sparkling beverage and closing the pouring valve when instructed to stop pouring of the sparkling beverage, and the pouring amount Manual operation while selecting setting mode Under the control of the pouring control means, the time measuring means for measuring the time when the pouring valve is opened, and the time measured by the time measuring means is set and stored as the pouring time referred to in the automatic pouring mode. And a time storage means for controlling the opening and closing of the dispensing valve with reference to the dispensing time stored in the time storing means when the automatic dispensing mode is selected by the mode selecting means, and the sparkling beverage is dispensed. In the beverage dispenser with the automatic dispensing control means so as to, a pressure storage means for storing the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage to the dispensing valve at the time of storing the setting of the dispensing time during the selection of the dispensing amount setting mode, and When the automatic dispensing mode is selected by the mode selecting means, the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage to the dispensing valve at the time of selecting the automatic dispensing mode and the pressure storing means are stored. Providing correction means for correcting the pouring time stored in the time storage means based on the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage when the pouring amount setting mode is selected, the automatic pouring control means, the automatic pouring mode At the time of selecting, the pouring valve is opened only during the pouring time corrected by the correcting means, so that the same amount of the sparkling beverage as the sparkling beverage poured at the time of selecting the pouring amount setting mode is poured. A beverage dispenser characterized by the above. 2. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the gas supply means is provided with pressure detection means for detecting the pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied into the beverage container, and the pressure storage means stores the pressure. At least one of the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage at the time of selecting the dispensed amount setting mode referred to by the correcting means, or the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage at the time of selecting the automatic dispensing mode referred to by the correcting means, A beverage dispenser characterized in that it is the pressure of carbon dioxide detected by the pressure detecting means. 3. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the sparkling beverage in the beverage container, and the beverage container based on the temperature of the sparkling beverage detected by the temperature detecting means. Target pressure calculating means for calculating the control target pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied to the inside of the beverage container, and the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied by the gas supplying means into the beverage container becomes the control target pressure calculated by the target pressure calculating means. And a pressure regulation control means for controlling a pressure regulation valve interposed in the gas supply means, and the supply of the sparkling beverage at the time of selection of the dispensing amount setting mode stored in the pressure storage means and referred to by the correction means. At least one of the pressure or the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage at the time of selecting the automatic pouring mode referred to by the correction means is determined by the target pressure calculation means. A beverage dispenser characterized in that it is a control target pressure of carbon dioxide calculated by 4. A sparkling beverage stored in a beverage container is pressure-fed to a spout valve by the pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied by a gas supply means, and is spouted outside when the spout valve is open and sealed in a closed state. A beverage dispenser configured to do, and an automatic pouring mode for automatically pouring the sparkling beverage and a pouring amount setting mode for setting the amount of the sparkling beverage to be poured in the automatic pouring mode. Selecting means for selecting, and a pouring instructing means for instructing start and stop of pouring of the sparkling beverage during selection of a pouring amount setting mode by the mode selecting means, and the pouring instructing means By manual pouring control means for closing the pouring valve when opening the pouring valve when instructed to start pouring of the sparkling beverage and closing the pouring valve when instructed to stop pouring of the sparkling beverage, and the pouring amount Manual operation while selecting setting mode Under the control of the pouring control means, the time measuring means for measuring the time when the pouring valve is opened, and the time measured by the time measuring means is set and stored as the pouring time referred to in the automatic pouring mode. And a time storage means for controlling the opening and closing of the dispensing valve with reference to the dispensing time stored in the time storing means when the automatic dispensing mode is selected by the mode selecting means, and the sparkling beverage is dispensed. In a beverage dispenser having an automatic pouring control means configured to do, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the foamed beverage in the beverage container, and when storing the setting of the pouring time during the selection of the pouring amount setting mode. Temperature storage means for storing the temperature of the sparkling beverage detected by the temperature detection means, and the automatic pouring detected by the temperature detection means when the automatic pouring mode is selected by the mode selection means Correction means for correcting the pouring time stored in the time storage means on the basis of the temperature of the sparkling beverage when the mode is selected and the temperature of the sparkling beverage stored in the temperature storage means when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected And the automatic pouring control means opens the pouring valve only during the pouring time corrected by the correcting means when the automatic pouring mode is selected, thereby pouring when the pouring amount setting mode is selected. A beverage dispenser, wherein the same amount of the sparkling beverage as the dispensed sparkling beverage is poured out. 5. A sparkling beverage stored in a beverage container is pressure-fed to a spout valve by the pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied by a gas supply means, and is spouted outside when the spout valve is open and sealed in a closed state. A beverage dispenser configured to do, and an automatic pouring mode for automatically pouring the sparkling beverage and a pouring amount setting mode for setting the amount of the sparkling beverage to be poured in the automatic pouring mode. Selecting means for selecting, and a pouring instructing means for instructing start and stop of pouring of the sparkling beverage during selection of a pouring amount setting mode by the mode selecting means, and the pouring instructing means By manual pouring control means for closing the pouring valve when opening the pouring valve when instructed to start pouring of the sparkling beverage and closing the pouring valve when instructed to stop pouring of the sparkling beverage, and the pouring amount Manual operation while selecting setting mode A pouring amount calculating means for calculating the pouring amount of the sparkling beverage that has been poured by opening the pouring valve under the control of the pouring control means, based on the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage to the pouring valve; The pouring amount calculated by the pouring amount calculation means is set as the pouring amount to be referred to in the automatic pouring mode and stored therein, and the automatic pouring mode is selected by the mode selecting means. At this time, the pouring valve is opened, and the pouring amount of the sparkling beverage that has been poured out thereafter is calculated based on the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage to the pouring valve at every predetermined time, and the calculated pouring amount is the pouring amount. A beverage dispenser, comprising: automatic dispensing control means for closing the dispensing valve when the dispensing amount of the sparkling beverage reached when the dispensing amount setting mode stored in the volume storage means is selected. 6. The beverage dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the gas supply means is provided with pressure detection means for detecting the pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied into the beverage container, and the dispense amount calculation means is provided. At least one of the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage at the time of reference of the pouring amount setting mode selected, or the supply pressure of the foamed beverage at the time of automatic pouring mode selection referred to by the automatic pouring control means,
A beverage dispenser characterized in that it is the pressure of carbon dioxide detected by the pressure detecting means. 7. The beverage dispenser according to claim 5, wherein temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the sparkling beverage in the beverage container, and the beverage container based on the temperature of the sparkling beverage detected by the temperature detecting means. Target pressure calculating means for calculating the control target pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied to the inside of the beverage container, and the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied by the gas supplying means into the beverage container becomes the control target pressure calculated by the target pressure calculating means. Provided with a pressure control means for controlling the pressure regulating valve interposed in the gas supply means, the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage at the time of selecting the spout amount setting mode referred to by the spout amount calculation means, or the At least one of the supply pressure of the sparkling beverage at the time of selecting the automatic pouring mode referred to by the automatic pouring control means,
A beverage dispenser characterized by being the control target pressure of carbon dioxide gas calculated by the target pressure calculation means.