JP2004217262A - Apparatus for setting discharged amount - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for setting a discharged amount capable of easily and accurately setting an optional supplying amount in response to an actual flow rate even if a flow rate of beverage shows a certain variation without using a metering unit such as a graduated cylinder or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A pulse corresponding to a flow rate outputted from a flow rate meter 20A is counted in response to an operation of a sales button 10A. An amount of sales is set in response to the pulse counted value up to a time in which a finger is moved away from the sales button 10A. With such an arrangement as above, an optional amount of sales can be set accurately and easily through a visual inspection. Even if a flow rate of diluted liquid W<SB>A</SB>is varied by accident during operation of the sales button 10A, an error in the sales amount can be prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transmission amount setting device, and more particularly to a transmission amount setting device capable of accurately and easily setting a desired transmission amount.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a beverage supply device that supplies and sells a cup-type beverage, a delivery amount (amount of supply) of the beverage to be supplied to the cup is set as sales data in advance in the device according to a cup size such as S, M, and L and a type of the beverage. Is stored in the storage unit. However, even with the same type of equipment, there is an individual difference in the performance of the beverage delivery system, and it is necessary to adjust the supply amount of each beverage before actual sales in order to provide a beverage of constant quality. is there.
[0003]
In addition, there is also a demand from an apparatus administrator to arbitrarily set a supply amount of a beverage irrespective of the above-described cup size and beverage type. In such a case, it is necessary to set the supply amount so that the desired supply amount of the beverage is supplied.
[0004]
As a method of setting an arbitrary supply amount, for example, there is a method of visually setting a supply state. In this method, a cup is arranged in a beverage supply device so as to be able to receive a beverage, and a beverage supply operation to the cup is performed while visually checking a supply state of the beverage. Then, when the desired supply amount is reached, the beverage supply operation is stopped, for example, the beverage is transferred to a measuring device such as a measuring cylinder to measure the beverage, and the measured value is inputted to an input unit such as a keyboard provided in the beverage supply device. To enter. The beverage supply device calculates the supply time of the beverage according to the desired supply amount from the known flow rate per unit time of the beverage and the input weighing value, and stores it in the storage unit.
[0005]
Further, as another method, there is a delivery amount setting device having a mode setting means for counting the time during which the beverage discharge valve is open and setting the supply amount based on the count value (for example, see Patent Document 1). .
[0006]
FIG. 5 shows a transmission amount setting device disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this setting device for the amount of drink, a drink sales button 30 for inputting a sales signal and a sales stop signal of the beverage, a mode setting button 31 for inputting a signal for setting the sales amount, and a stop / addition signal for the sales of the drink are provided. The cancel / addition button 32 to be input, the storage button 33 to input a signal to execute the storage operation of the sales amount, the beverage selling button 30, the mode setting button 31, the stop / addition button 32, and the storage button 33 are connected. I / O unit 34, a discharge valve 35 which is opened and closed based on the discharge operation of the beverage, a CPU 36 having timers 36A and 36B to control the operation of each unit, and a discharge valve 35 for regulating a prescribed sales amount for the beverage. And a RAM 37 which stores the open time of the RAM.
[0007]
When the discharge valve 35 is opened based on the sale signal input from the beverage sale button 30, the timer 36A counts the opening time.
[0008]
The timer 36B accumulates the opening time of the discharge valve 35 measured by the timer 36A and counts the accumulated time as the total opening time of the discharge valve 35.
[0009]
In such an apparatus for setting the delivery amount, when the beverage selling button 30 is operated, the discharge valve 35 is opened to discharge the beverage, and the timers 36A and 36B start measuring time. When the stop / addition button 32 is operated during dispensing and the discharge valve 35 is closed, the timers 35A and 36B stop measuring time, and when the beverage selling button 30 is operated again, the timers 36A and 36B restart measuring time. . At this time, the timer 36A is reset and measures the time from the time when the discharge is restarted, and the timer 36B performs the time counting by accumulating the time before the discharge was interrupted. When the stop / add button 32 is operated and the beverage sale is finally ended, and the storage button 33 is operated, the time measured by the timer 36B is stored in the RAM 37 as the sale amount of the beverage sale button 30.
[0010]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-72992
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the conventional transmission amount setting device, there are the following problems.
(1) The visual setting of the supply state requires a measuring device such as a measuring cylinder for measuring the beverage, so that there is a problem that the receiving, transferring, measuring, and complicated operations of the beverage are required. In addition, a human error due to the above-described operation may be included in the weighed value, so that a desired supply amount cannot be accurately realized.
(2) In the invention of Patent Document 1, the sales amount of the beverage based on the push button operation is set based on the opening time of the discharge valve. If it does, it cannot be detected. As a result, an error occurs between the set value and the actual sales amount at the time of sale. Further, if a detector such as a sensor is separately provided for detecting a supply defect, there is a problem that the cost is increased.
[0012]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to easily and accurately set an arbitrary supply amount based on an actual flow rate even if a change in the flow rate of a beverage occurs without using a measuring device such as a measuring cylinder. An object of the present invention is to provide a device for setting a transmission amount.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a sending unit provided in a pipeline to start sending liquid and stop sending the liquid,
An operation unit for inputting an operation signal to start or stop sending the liquid to the sending unit,
A signal generator that is provided in the conduit and monitors a delivery state of the liquid based on the operation signal and outputs a flow signal according to an actual flow rate of the liquid,
A setting unit for setting a designated delivery amount based on the flow rate signal.
[0014]
According to such a configuration, since the signal input from the signal generation unit based on the operation of the operation unit is a signal based on the actual flow rate, the output amount can be easily and cumulatively monitored without providing a separate sensor, It is possible to prevent an erroneous sales volume from being set even if the delivery state such as a flow rate fluctuation changes.
[0015]
The operation unit may continue the liquid sending operation by continuing the input with the input of the push button as the start of sending, and may end the sending operation when the input of the push button is released. A signal when the input of the push button is released can be set as the sales amount.
[0016]
The operation unit may continue the liquid delivery operation with the first input of the push button as the start of delivery, and may end the delivery operation by the second input of the push button.
[0017]
The setting unit outputs an end signal of the selling operation when the sending amount based on the flow rate signal matches the set selling amount when the selling operation is performed. This can prevent an error between the set sales amount and the actual sales amount.
[0018]
The setting unit outputs an end signal of the selling operation when the sending amount based on the flow rate signal matches the sales amount set before the installation of the device at the time of executing the selling operation. As a result, it is possible to perform sales without errors in the sales volume without performing the adjustment work of the sales volume at the installation location of the device.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a beverage dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The beverage dispenser includes a sales control unit 1 including a delivery amount setting device, a machine unit 2 that mixes various liquids based on a predetermined dilution ratio and supplies the mixed beverage as a sales beverage, and a cup that receives the sales beverage. 3 and a cup tray 4 on which the cup 3 is mounted.
[0020]
The sales control unit 1 selects a plurality of operation modes and a sales button unit 10 having a sales button 10A having a sales amount S, a sales button 10B having a sales amount M, and a sales button 10C having a sales amount L. An operation mode input unit 11, a transmission amount setting unit 12, a memory 13, a driving unit 14, and an interface (I / F) unit 15 for inputting and outputting control signals to and from the machine unit 2, and the operation of each unit described above. It has a main control section 16 for controlling and a bus 17 for connecting the above-mentioned sections.
[0021]
The selling button unit 10 has a push button (not shown) operated by a beverage purchaser or an operator on the selling buttons 10A, 10B, and 10C described above, and transmits a sales request signal based on the operation of the push button via the bus 17. Output to the main control unit 16.
[0022]
The operation mode input unit 11 has a push button (not shown) operated by an operator to select a sales amount setting mode, a sales mode, or a maintenance / inspection mode. When the push button for the sales amount setting mode is pressed, a sales amount setting mode signal is input to the main control unit 16.
[0023]
The delivery amount setting unit 12 has a push button (not shown) for setting the sale beverage delivered based on the operation of the sale button 10A, 10B, or 10C in the sale amount setting mode as the sale amount.
[0024]
The memory 13 stores a predetermined dilution ratio, a type of liquid to be used, and a sales amount for each sales beverage, and also stores data of an arbitrary sales amount set in the sales amount setting mode described above.
[0025]
The drive unit 14 supplies electric power to an electromagnetic valve and a pump provided in the mechanical unit 2.
[0026]
The main control unit 16 has a calculation unit (not shown) for calculating the sales amount of each liquid (diluting water, carbonated water, and syrup) according to the sales beverage, the sales size, and the dilution ratio of the sales beverage.
[0027]
The mechanical unit 2 includes a dilution water supply unit 20 for supplying dilution water, a carbonated water supply unit 21 for supplying carbonated water, a syrup supply unit 22 for supplying syrup S, a gas cylinder 23 filled with carbon dioxide, and a dilution water. , Carbonated water, syrup, etc., mixed with liquid and supplied to the cup 3, an intake pipe 25 for supplying dilution water to the dilution water supply unit 20, and dilution water supplied from the dilution water supply unit 20 to the valve 24 A diluting water pipe 26A, a carbonated water pipe 26B for supplying carbonated water from the carbonated water supply section 21 to the valve 24, a syrup pipe 26C for supplying syrup as a liquid raw material from the syrup supply section 22, A branch pipe 27 for supplying dilution water to the water supply unit 21; a gas pipe 28A connected to the gas cylinder 23 for supplying carbon dioxide to the carbonated water supply unit 21; The scan and a gas pipe 28B for supplying the syrup supply 22.
[0028]
The dilution water supply unit 20 has a flow meter 20A that monitors the flow rate of the dilution water supplied via the dilution water pipe 26A.
[0029]
The carbonated water supply unit 21 has a flow meter 21A that monitors the flow rate of the carbonated water supplied via the carbonated water pipe 26B.
[0030]
The syrup supply unit 22 has a flow meter 22A that monitors the flow rate of the syrup supplied via the syrup tube 26C.
[0031]
Each of the flow meters 20A, 21A, and 22A has a rotor such as a gear or an impeller that rotates by receiving liquid in a main body, and a pulse encoder that generates a pulse corresponding to the number of revolutions of the rotor. . The pulse encoder is a photo sensor including a light emitting element and a light receiving element, but is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the number of rotations of the rotor.
[0032]
The gas cylinder 23 has a valve 23A that connects the gas pipes 28A and 28B.
[0033]
Further, the dilution water supply unit 20, the carbonated water supply unit 21, the syrup supply unit 22, the gas cylinder 23, and the flow meters 20A, 21A, and 22A are connected to the I / F unit 15 of the sales control unit 1 by wires 15A to 15G. ing.
[0034]
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the mechanical unit. Dilution water supply unit 20 includes a water pump 20B for pumping the dilution water W _A provided intake pipe 25, and the electromagnetic valve 20C and 20D, the cooling water tank 20E which stores the cooling water W, is immersed in the cooling water W Cooling coil 20F and a solenoid valve 20G provided in a branch pipe 27 branched from the dilution water pipe 26A.
[0035]
Solenoid valves 20C and 20D supplies dilution water _{W A} to the valve 24 by opening the conduit on the basis of the energization.
[0036]
The cooling water tank 20E cools the cooling water W stored by a cooler (not shown) to a certain temperature (for example, 5 ° C.).
[0037]
Cooling coil 20F is cooled based on the dilution water W _A that passes through the tube to the temperature of the cooling water W.
[0038]
Solenoid valve 20G is opened when the water supply dilution water W _A for carbonated water carbonator described later provided in the carbonated water supply unit 21, it is closed after the water supply is complete.
[0039]
The carbonated water supply unit 21 includes a carbonator 21B, solenoid valves 21C and 21D, a cooling water tank 21E storing the cooling water W, and a cooling coil 21F immersed in the cooling water W.
[0040]
Carbonator 21B generates a carbonated water W _C by dissolving carbon dioxide gas supplied through the gas pipe 28A to the dilution water W _A which is filled into the container.
[0041]
The syrup supply unit 22 includes a syrup tank 22B that stores the syrup S, a syrup pump 22C that sends out the syrup S, an electromagnetic valve 22D, a cooling water tank 22E that stores the cooling water W, and cooling immersed in the cooling water W. And a coil 22F.
[0042]
The syrup tank 22B pressurizes the syrup S based on the pressure of the carbon dioxide supplied through the gas pipe 28B and sends out the syrup S to the syrup pipe 26C.
[0043]
The syrup pump 22C is a tube pump that sends out a certain volume of syrup S by elastically deforming a tube through which the syrup S passes by a roller in the sending direction. The pump may be, for example, a gear pump that sends out the syrup S in a constant volume based on the rotation of the pair of gears, other than the tube pump. When a gear pump is used, a configuration in which the flow meter 22A is provided on the rotating shaft of the gear may be adopted.
[0044]
Hereinafter, the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the above-described drawings and the flowchart of FIG.
[0045]
(Setting of sales volume)
The operator places the cup 3 to be used for actual sales on the cup tray 4. For example, the cup 3 is preferably transparent so that the beverage level in the cup can be confirmed from the side direction. When a sales amount setting mode push button provided on the operation mode input unit 11 is pressed (S1), a sales amount setting mode signal is input to the main control unit 16. The main control unit 16 reads the program of the sales amount setting mode from the memory 13 based on the input of the setting mode signal. In the following description, an operation of setting an arbitrary sales amount as the S size for a certain sales beverage (non-carbonated beverage) will be described.
[0046]
Next, the operator checks the water supply state of the intake pipe 25 and presses the selling button 10A with a finger (S2). The main control unit 16 energizes the water pump 20B, the solenoid valves 20C, and 20D of the dilution water supply unit 20 based on the operation of the selling button 10A. Solenoid valves 20C and 20D are dilution water _{W A} via the dilution water pipe 26A by opening the conduit on the basis of the current is sent from the valve 24 into the cup 3 (S3).
[0047]
The operator, dilution water W _A from the valve 24 to the cup 3 is sent by pressing to continue to sell button 10A. Flowmeter 20A is a pulse corresponding to the flow rate of the diluting water W _A generated as a flow rate signal, and outputs to the I / F section 15 through the wiring 15B. The I / F unit 15 outputs the input flow rate signal to the main control unit 16 via the bus 17. The main control unit 16 causes the transmission amount setting unit 12 to count pulses while the sale button 10A is being pressed (S4).
[0048]
While confirming the beverage level of the cup 3, the operator releases his / her finger from the sale button 10A when the desired sales volume is reached (S5), and the main control unit 16 controls the water pump 20B, the solenoid valves 20C, and 20D. The energization ends. Solenoid valves 20C and 20D, the transmission of the dilution water W _A is stopped by closing the conduit based on the power distribution end.
[0049]
The main control unit 16 temporarily stores the pulse count value of the pulse input until the release of the push button operation of the selling button 10A in the memory as a new small-sized sales amount (S6), and based on the dilution ratio of the selling beverage. the exact amount of dilution water W _a and syrups S Te is computed by the computing unit. The calculation result is stored in the memory 13 as a parameter of the sold beverage in the new sales size of the small size (S7).
[0050]
When no pulse is output from the flow meter 20A even though the operator operates the sales button 10A, the main control unit 16 determines that the dilution water pipe 26A or the water intake pipe 25 is abnormal, and performs an error in the setting operation of the sales volume. The process ends (S8).
[0051]
Further, the setting operation of the sales amount as described above, after sent to sales volume to the desired dilution water W _A, but to determine the amount of dilution water W _A and syrups S based on the dilution ratio, the sales beverage The sales amount may be set by causing the supply button 10A to supply the cup to the cup 3 while visually checking the supply state of the sales beverage based on the operation of the sales button 10A. the amount of dilution water W _a and syrups S by removing the finger may also be set in the memory 13, respectively.
[0052]
FIG. 4 shows the operation pattern of the sale button and the energized state of the solenoid valve. As described above, while the selling button 10A is continuously depressed as shown in (a), the setting operation of the sales amount is to continue energizing the water pump 20B, the solenoid valves 20C, and 20D. ), When the selling button 10A is operated when the water pump 20B, the solenoid valves 20C, and 20D are not energized, energization of the water pump 20B, the solenoid valves 20C, and 20D is started as a first input, When the selling button 10A is operated while the water pump 20B, the solenoid valves 20C, and 20D are energized, the energization of the water pump 20B, the solenoid valves 20C, and 20D may be stopped as a second input.
[0053]
The selling operation of the cup-type beverage by the beverage dispenser described above is performed by pressing the selling button 10A (assuming that the S size is selected) of the selling beverage (non-carbonated beverage) selected by the purchaser. Outputs to the drive unit 14 an energization signal of the water pump 20B, the solenoid valves 20C, and 20D of the dilution water supply unit 20, and the syrup pump 22C and the solenoid valve 22D of the syrup supply unit 22. The drive unit 14 supplies electric power via the I / F unit 15 based on the energization signal, so that the water pump 20B, the solenoid valves 20C, 20D, 22D, and the syrup pump 22C are energized and the dilution water W _A and syrup S are sent out. The dilution water W _A and syrups S is supplied to the cup 3 as a sales beverage is mixed with the valve 24. The sending amount setting unit 12 inputs the pulses output from the flow meters 20A and 22A via the I / F unit 15 and the bus 17, and when the specified sales amount is reached, the main control unit 16 receives a signal indicating the end of the sales operation. Is output. The main control unit 16 outputs an energization signal to the drive unit 14 by inputting the end signal. The drive unit 14 stops supplying power to the water pump 20B, the solenoid valves 20C, 20D, 22D, and the syrup pump 22C when the power supply signal is input. Thus, the selling operation ends.
[0054]
According to the above-described first embodiment, a pulse corresponding to the flow rate output from the flow meter 20A is counted based on the operation of the selling button 10A, and the pulse count value until the finger is released from the selling button 10A is calculated. Since the sales amount is set based on the sales button, the operation of setting an arbitrary sales amount can be performed accurately and easily based on visual observation without using a measuring device such as a measuring cylinder and the sales button 10A. the flow rate of the diluting water W _a during operation can be prevented that an error occurs in even sales volume as varied accidentally.
[0055]
The above-described operation of setting the sales amount is effective not only for the sales amount of the non-carbonated beverage but also for beverages such as carbonated beverages and weakly carbonated beverages, and is also effective regardless of the type of the beverage sold.
[0056]
In the above-described first embodiment, the case where the sales volume is set based on the operation of the operator has been described. However, the operation of the operator is not limited to the operation performed at the installation location, and may be performed before shipping the beverage dispenser to the factory. You may make it perform at the stage before installation.
[0057]
Hereinafter, as a second embodiment, a case where the sales amount is set before shipment from the factory will be described. Since the configuration of the beverage dispenser has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, a duplicate description of each part will be omitted.
[0058]
After assembling the beverage dispenser, the operator performs a setting operation of the sales amount based on the sales amount (Aml) of each beverage specified based on the use conditions at the shipping destination. The sales volume setting operation is performed based on the steps S1 to S8 described in FIG. 3 to set the sales volume for each beverage. The sales control unit 1 stores the set sales amount in the memory 13 for each beverage.
[0059]
According to the above-described second embodiment, by performing the specified sales volume of each beverage before the installation of the beverage dispenser, it is necessary for the user or the device administrator to perform a cumbersome operation of setting the sales volume at the installation location. It is possible to sell each beverage without adjustment after installation. In addition, the beverage dispenser manufacturer can set the sales volume according to the usage conditions of the shipping destination before shipping, so that the delivery characteristics according to the equipment failure and the usage conditions can be grasped, and a highly reliable beverage dispenser can be obtained. Can be provided.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the delivery amount setting device of the present invention, the flow rate signal corresponding to the flow rate of the liquid delivered at the time of setting the sale amount is counted, and the pulse count value when the desired sale amount is reached is obtained. Since the sales amount is set based on the integrated value, any supply amount can be easily and accurately determined based on the actual flow amount without using a measuring device such as a measuring cylinder, even if the flow amount of the beverage fluctuates. Can be set to
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a transmission amount setting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a piping configuration diagram showing a configuration of a mechanical unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a transmission amount operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing a push button operation of a sell button (S) and an opening / closing operation of a solenoid valve based on the push button operation in a delivery amount setting operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional transmission amount setting device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, sales control unit 2, machine unit 3, cup 4, cup tray 10, sales button unit 10A, sales button 10B, sales button 10C, sales button 11, operation mode input unit 12, transmission amount setting unit 13, memory 14, Drive unit 15, I / F units 15A to 15G, wiring 16, main control unit 17, bus 20, dilution water supply unit 20A, flow meter 20B, water pump 20C, solenoid valve 20D, solenoid valve 20E, cooling water tank 20F, cooling Coil 20G, solenoid valve 21, carbonated water supply unit 21A, flow meter 21B, carbonator 21C, solenoid valve 21D, solenoid valve 21E, cooling water tank 21F, cooling coil 22, syrup supply unit 22A, flow meter 22B, syrup tank 22C, syrup Pump 22D, solenoid valve 22E, cooling water tank 22F, cooling coil 23, gas cylinder 23A, valve 24, valve 25, intake pipe 26A, dilution water pipe 26B, carbonated water pipe 26C, syrup pipe 27, branch pipe 28A, gas pipe 28B, gas pipe 30, beverage selling button 31, mode setting button 32, stop / addition button 33, storage button 34 , I / O unit 35, discharge valve 36, CPU 36A, timer 36B, timer 37, RAM

Claims (5)

A delivery unit provided in the pipeline to start delivery of the liquid and stop delivery of the liquid,
An operation unit for inputting an operation signal to start or stop sending the liquid to the sending unit,
A signal generator that is provided in the conduit and monitors a delivery state of the liquid based on the operation signal and outputs a flow signal according to an actual flow rate of the liquid,
A setting unit for setting a designated delivery amount based on the flow rate signal. 2. The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the input operation of the push button is started and the input is continued to continue the input operation of the liquid by continuing the input, and the input operation of the push button is terminated when the input is released. 3. A device for setting the amount of transmission. 2. The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the first input of the push button is used as the start of the delivery to continue the delivery operation of the liquid, and the second input of the push button terminates the delivery operation. A device for setting the amount of transmission. 2. The transmission according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit outputs an end signal of the selling operation when the sending amount based on the flow rate signal matches a set selling amount during execution of the selling operation. 3. Quantity setting device. The setting unit outputs the end signal of the selling operation when the sending amount based on the flow rate signal matches the sales amount set before the installation of the device when the selling operation is performed. An apparatus for setting a transmission amount according to claim 1.

Images