JP2009220826A - Water supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water supply device that can achieve enhancement of sterilization effect in addition to size reduction suitable for practical use. <P>SOLUTION: The water supply device can store a beverage 21 supplied from a supply tank 11 in a storage tank 12, and the stored beverage 21 is discharged from a discharging part 13 connected to the storage tank 12. The storage tank 12 is provided with a cooler 14 and a heater 15. This water supply device can be switched between a cooling mode for controlling the cooler 14, a heating mode for controlling the heater 15, and a sterilizing mode for controlling the heater 15 as in the heating mode. The heating mode controls the heater 15 so that the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 has a first heating temperature. The sterilizing mode controls the heater 15 so that the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 has a second heating temperature higher than the first heating temperature. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water supply apparatus having a sterilizing function.

The water supply apparatus is configured such that a supply tank is detachably attached to an upper portion of the main body, and a beverage in the supply tank flows into the storage tank by its own weight. Further, the water supply device is provided with a cock for discharging the beverage in the storage tank, and the beverage is discharged by opening and closing the cock. The storage tank of the water supply apparatus is provided with a cooler for cooling the beverage or a heater for heating the beverage. In such a water supply apparatus, the cooling tank and the heating tank are separately provided so that both the cooled beverage and the heated beverage can be used at the same time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). And the cooled drink and the heated drink are comprised so that it may discharge from the cock for cooling drinks, and the cock for heated drinks, respectively. Here, in the cooling tank, there is a problem that germs are likely to multiply as compared with the heating tank. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a configuration in which a heater is provided in the storage tank in order to suppress the growth of germs in the cooling tank. According to this configuration, the inside of the cooling tank can be sterilized by heating by operating the heater after stopping the operation of the cooler. On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a beverage in a cooling tank is circulated and sterilized with ultraviolet rays in the circulation process.
JP 2005-308332 A JP 2005-350067 A

  As described above, in the water supply apparatus, the cooling tank and the heating tank are provided as separate bodies. Here, for example, from spring to summer, when the usage frequency of the heated beverage is extremely reduced, the power consumption of the water supply apparatus can be reduced by stopping the heater. Thus, in actual use of the water supply apparatus, only one of the cooling tank and the heating tank may be used. And in the said conventional water supply apparatus, although the countermeasure against sterilization is made about the cooling tank, the countermeasure against sterilization is not made to the heating tank. In such a heating tank, when the heater is stopped, it becomes an environment in which miscellaneous bacteria are likely to grow. And even if the heating tank once stopped is operated, it only reaches a temperature suitable for a beverage (for example, about 85 ° C. to 90 ° C.), and therefore, there is a possibility that it is not efficiently sterilized by heating. In this regard, when heating of the heating tank is stopped, the proliferation of germs can be suppressed by extracting the beverage inside, but the operation of completely extracting the beverage in the tank is troublesome. In addition to the cooling tank, for the heating tank, for example, when the beverage in the storage tank is circulated and sterilized as in Patent Document 2, the circulation system becomes complicated, so the size of the apparatus is large. There is a risk that Thus, in the conventional water supply apparatus, there exists room for improvement about the miniaturization suitable for actual use, and the sterilization countermeasure suitable for actual use.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, and the objective is to provide the water supply apparatus which can heighten the sterilization effect in addition to achieving size reduction suitable for actual use.

  In order to achieve the above object, the water supply apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention stores the beverage supplied from the supply tank and discharges the beverage in the storage tank and the storage tank having the cooler and the heater. A cooling mode for controlling the cooler, a heating mode for controlling the heater so that the beverage in the storage tank is at a first heating temperature, and the beverage in the storage tank is the first The gist is that the sterilization mode for controlling the heater is configured to be switchable so that the second heating temperature is higher than the first heating temperature.

  In the present invention, for example, in the spring to summer, the cooled beverage can be discharged when necessary by setting the cooling mode. Further, for example, in the autumn to winter, the heated beverage can be discharged when necessary by setting the heating mode. Thus, according to the structure which switches a cooling mode and a heating mode according to the usage request of a cooling beverage or a heating beverage, it can be set as the structure which provided the single storage tank. And since the drink in a storage tank is heated until it becomes 2nd heating temperature higher than 1st heating temperature in sterilization mode, even when it is when using a water supply apparatus in heating mode, it is in sterilization mode. By switching, the heat sterilization effect in the storage tank can be enhanced.

The gist of the invention according to claim 2 is that, in the water supply device according to claim 1, switching control is performed to the sterilization mode in the cooling mode or the heating mode.
According to this configuration, it is possible to sterilize miscellaneous bacteria that grow over time at an effective time. In addition, for example, by performing the switching control so as to be a time zone in which the beverage is not used frequently, the sterilization mode is unlikely to hinder the use of the beverage in the cooling mode or the heating mode.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the water supply device according to claim 2, wherein in the cooling mode or the heating mode, the operating time and the flow rate of the beverage discharged from the discharge unit are measured and the measured operating time is measured. On the other hand, the gist is that when the integrated value of the flow rate is equal to or less than the specified value, the sterilization mode is switched.

  If the beverage stays in the storage tank, there is a risk of promoting the growth of germs. On the other hand, when the beverage in the storage tank is frequently replaced, the germs tend to hardly grow. Here, the switching control to the sterilization mode can effectively sterilize the inside of the storage tank, but when the switching control is executed to the sterilization mode when the beverage usage is large, the use of the beverage There is a risk of hindrance. In addition, when a large amount of beverage is used, various germs hardly grow in the storage tank. At this time, even in the sterilization mode, unnecessary power consumption is caused. In this regard, in the above configuration, the operation time and the flow rate of the beverage are measured, and when the integrated value of the flow rate is equal to or less than a specified value with respect to the measured operation time, the control is switched to the sterilization mode. As a result, the sterilization mode is switched in an environment where the beverage is likely to stay in the storage tank, that is, an environment where germs are likely to grow. Therefore, it is possible to suppress as much as possible the use of the beverage accompanying sterilization, and to reduce the power consumption required for sterilization as much as possible.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the water supply device according to the second or third aspect, when a sterilization condition is established in the sterilization mode, a return control for returning to the cooling mode or the heating mode is executed. This is the gist.

According to this structure, since the stable sterilization effect can be exhibited, the reliability of a sterilization process increases.
The gist of the fifth aspect of the present invention is the water supply apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the sterilization condition is established by boiling the beverage in the storage tank for a predetermined time.

According to this configuration, the sterilization effect by the second heating temperature can be maximized.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the water supply device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the return control is delayed by a timer from the stop of the sterilization mode when returning to the cooling mode, and the cooling mode The gist is to start.

  According to this configuration, the beverage that has been heated in the sterilization mode is naturally radiated from when the sterilization mode is stopped. That is, the temperature of the beverage is lowered according to the delay time until the cooling mode is started. For this reason, since the temperature of the beverage at the start of the cooling mode is lower than the second heating temperature, the power consumption in the cooling mode for cooling the beverage to a predetermined temperature can be reduced.

The gist of the invention according to claim 7 is that in the water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the beverage is mineral water.
In recent years, water supply apparatuses for mineral water have been widely installed in general companies, restaurants, general households, and the like. In the use of such a water supply device, it is required to be able to be installed in a small space and to be sterilized reliably. In this respect, according to the above configuration, it is possible to sufficiently meet such a demand.

  According to the present invention, the sterilization effect can be enhanced in addition to the reduction in size suitable for actual use.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a water supply apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the water supply device stores the beverage 21 supplied from the supply tank 11 in the storage tank 12, and discharges the stored beverage 21 from the discharge unit 13 connected to the storage tank 12. It is configured. The supply tank 11 is connected so that the beverage 21 in the supply tank 11 is supplied to the storage tank 12 by being placed on an upper portion of a main body case (not shown). And when the drink 21 in the supply tank 11 becomes empty, it is set as the structure which can supply the drink 21 to the water supply apparatus by replacing the supply tank 11 with the new supply tank 11. Yes. The beverage 21 in the supply tank 11 is configured to be discharged from the discharge unit 13 through the storage tank 12 by its own weight. The beverage 21 in the supply tank 11 in the present embodiment is mineral water. Examples of the mineral water include mineral water, natural water, natural mineral water, bottled water and the like.

  A cooler 14 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the storage tank 12, and the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 can be cooled by the cooler 14. In this embodiment, the water supply device is downsized by using a Peltier cooler as the cooler 14. The storage tank 12 is provided with a heater 15, and the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 can be heated by the heater 15. In the present embodiment, a sheathed heater is used as the heater 15. The heating unit of the sheathed heater is configured such that a heat generating coil is disposed at the central portion of the metal pipe and a thermally conductive insulator is embedded in a gap between the metal pipe and the heat generating coil. The sheathed heater is installed so that the heating part is immersed in the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12. The outer wall of the storage tank 12 is surrounded by the heat insulating layer 16 so that the heat retaining property of the beverage 21 is enhanced. A lid 20 is provided on the upper portion of the storage tank 12. A sealing member 20 a that supports the heating portion of the sheathed heater and seals the gap between the heating portion and the hole of the lid 20 is provided at the insertion portion of the sheathed heater in the lid 20. The sealing member 20a is formed of a heat resistant material (for example, heat resistant resin, heat resistant rubber, etc.) that can withstand the heat of the sheathed heater. Such a sealing member 20 a prevents the heat of the sheathed heater from being directly transmitted to the lid body 20. The lid 20 is provided with a ventilation portion 20b so that the internal pressure in the storage tank 12 is adjusted.

  The cooler 14 and the heater 15 are controlled by an electronic control unit 17 provided in the water supply device. A temperature sensor 18 is provided in the storage tank 12, and the detected temperature of the beverage 21 is output to the electronic control unit 17. Further, a flow meter 19 is provided in a passage communicating the storage tank 12 and the discharge unit 13, and the measured flow rate is output to the electronic control unit 17.

  The electronic control unit 17 is set with a cooling mode for controlling the cooler 14 and a sterilization mode for controlling the heater 15 as well as a heating mode for controlling the heater 15. In the cooling mode, the cooler 14 is controlled so that the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 has a predetermined cooling temperature. In the heating mode, the heater 15 is controlled so that the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 reaches the first heating temperature. In the sterilization mode, the heater 15 is controlled so that the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 has a second heating temperature higher than the first heating temperature. The electronic control unit 17 is configured to switch between the cooling mode, the heating mode, and the sterilization mode.

  In the cooling mode, the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 is cooled so as to be in a temperature range of, for example, 6 ° C. to 12 ° C., so that the cooled beverage 21 is obtained from the discharge unit 13. In the heating mode, the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 is heated so as to be in a temperature range of, for example, 85 ° C. to 92 ° C., so that the heated beverage 21 is obtained from the discharge unit 13. In the sterilization mode, the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 and the inner wall of the storage tank 12 are sterilized by heating by heating so that the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 boils.

  The electronic control unit 17 incorporates a timer for special processing, and the special processing is executed every predetermined time in the cooling mode or the heating mode. The special processing includes switching control from the cooling mode or heating mode to the sterilization mode and return control for returning from the sterilization mode to the cooling mode or heating mode. The switching control of the present embodiment is based on the condition that the integrated value of the flow rate measured by the flow meter 19 is not more than a specified value with respect to the operating time. The operating time and the flow rate integrated value can be a value obtained by integrating the operating time per cycle in which the special processing is executed and the flow rate of the beverage 21. Such switching control stops the cooling mode or the heating mode and starts the sterilization mode.

  The return control is started on the condition that the sterilization condition is established in the sterilization mode. The electronic control unit 17 has a built-in timer for sterilization conditions. The sterilization conditions include, for example, an elapsed time after the sterilization mode is started, and the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 reaches a predetermined temperature by the sterilization mode. It is set according to the elapsed time etc. The sterilization conditions of the present embodiment are established when the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 is boiled for a predetermined time. The electronic control unit 17 has a built-in timer for return control, and the return control is delayed from the time when the sterilization mode is stopped when returning to the cooling mode, and the cooling mode is started. On the other hand, the return control switches from the sterilization mode to the heating mode when returning to the heating mode.

Next, the flow of control related to special processing will be described in detail.
When the special processing is started as shown in FIG. 2, first, in step S100, it is determined whether or not the integrated flow rate is equal to or less than the specified value D for the set operating time. If it is determined in step S100 that the integrated flow rate is equal to or less than the specified value D (step S100: YES), the process proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 100 that the integrated flow rate is not less than the prescribed value D (step S100: NO), the special process is terminated.

  The flow rate integrated value is a value indicating the usage amount of the beverage 21 during a predetermined operation time. Here, as the flow rate integrated value is larger, the amount of the beverage 21 used is larger, so that the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 is frequently replaced. That is, the larger the amount of beverage 21 used, the more difficult it is for bacteria to grow inside the storage tank 12. On the other hand, as the flow rate integrated value is smaller, the amount of the beverage 21 used is smaller, so that the beverage 21 staying in the storage tank 12 increases. That is, the smaller the amount of beverage 21 used, the more easily the inside of the storage tank 12 grows germs. Therefore, by setting the prescribed value D of the integrated flow rate value, it is possible to proceed to step S110 in step S100 when the inside of the storage tank 12 becomes an environment where germs can easily propagate. For example, one cycle in which the special processing is executed is set to 7 days, and the specified value D of the flow rate integrated value is set to be the capacity of the supply tank 11. Thereby, it progresses to step S110 on condition that the drink usage was below the capacity | capacitance of the supply tank 11 in seven days.

  In step S110, it is determined whether or not the current setting is the cooling mode. If it is determined in step S110 that the cooling mode is set (step S110: YES), the process proceeds to step S120. When the cooling mode is stopped in step S120, the process proceeds to step S140. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S110 that the mode is not the cooling mode (step S110: NO), the process proceeds to step S130. In step S130, when the heating mode is stopped, the process proceeds to step S140.

  When the sterilization mode is started in step S140, the process proceeds to step S150. In step S150, it is determined whether the sterilization condition is satisfied. If it is determined in step S150 that the sterilization condition is satisfied (step S150: YES), the process proceeds to step S160. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S150 that the sterilization condition is not satisfied (step S150: NO), step S150 is repeated. By such step S150, since the stable sterilization effect can be exhibited, the reliability of the sterilization treatment is increased.

In step S160, the return control for returning from the sterilization mode to the cooling mode or the heating mode is executed, whereby a series of special processing is completed.
When the return control is started as shown in FIG. 3, first, in step S200, the sterilization mode is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S210. In step S210, it is determined whether or not to return to the cooling mode. If it is determined in step S210 that the cooling mode is restored (step S210: YES), the process proceeds to step S220. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S210 that the cooling mode is not restored (step S210: NO), the process proceeds to step S230.

  In step S220, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the stop of the sterilization mode has exceeded a specified value T. If it is determined in step S220 that the elapsed time from the stop of the sterilization mode has exceeded the specified value T (step S220: YES), the process proceeds to step S240. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S220 that the elapsed time since the stop of the sterilization mode has not exceeded the specified value T (step S220: NO), step S220 is repeated. By such step S220, the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 is radiated naturally. That is, the temperature of the beverage 21 decreases according to the specified value T in step S220.

  In step S230, the return control is terminated by starting the heating mode. In step S240, the return control is completed by starting the cooling mode. When starting the cooling mode in step S240, the temperature of the beverage 21 is lower than the second heating temperature in step S220. That is, by providing the step S220, it is possible to reduce power consumption when the beverage 21 is cooled to a predetermined temperature rather than simply switching control from the sterilization mode to the cooling mode.

The effects exhibited by this embodiment will be described below.
(1) The water supply apparatus is configured to be switchable between a cooling mode for controlling the cooler 14, a heating mode for controlling the heater 15, and a sterilization mode for controlling the heater 15. The sterilization mode controls the heater 15 so that the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 has a second heating temperature higher than the first heating temperature. According to this configuration, by switching between the cooling mode and the heating mode, it is possible to meet the usage request of the cooled beverage or the heated beverage and to equip the single storage tank 12, which is suitable for actual use. Miniaturization can be achieved. And since the drink 21 in the storage tank 12 is boiled by switching to sterilization mode, even when using the water supply apparatus in heating mode, the heat sterilization effect in the storage tank 12 can be improved. it can.

  Moreover, since the water supply apparatus is equipped with the single storage tank 12, the propagation source of germs is reduced compared with the case where the conventional two storage tanks 12 are equipped. Also in this point, the water supply apparatus of this embodiment is advantageous in suppressing the proliferation of various bacteria.

  (2) Since the water supply device is controlled to be switched to the sterilization mode in the cooling mode or the heating mode, it is possible to sterilize miscellaneous bacteria that grow with time at an effective time. For example, by performing switching control so that it becomes a time zone when the usage frequency of the beverage 21 is low, it becomes difficult for the sterilization mode to hinder the use of the beverage 21 in the cooling mode or the heating mode.

  (3) The water supply device of the present embodiment measures the operating time and the flow rate of the beverage 21 discharged from the discharge unit 13 in the cooling mode or the heating mode, and the integrated value of the flow rate measured with respect to the operating time is a specified value. When it is the following, switching control to the sterilization mode is performed. As a result, the sterilization mode is switched to in an environment in which germs easily grow in the storage tank 12. That is, since it can be controlled to switch to the sterilization mode according to the necessity of sterilization, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced. In addition, since the normal cooling mode or heating mode cannot be used while the inside of the storage tank 12 is sterilized in the sterilization mode, the beverage 21 is switched to the sterilization mode when the usage amount of the beverage 21 is large. May interfere with the use of. In this respect, by using the integrated flow rate as a reference, it is possible to control to switch to the sterilization mode when the usage frequency of the beverage 21 is low. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the use of the beverage 21 with sterilization as much as possible, and to reduce the power consumption required for sterilization as much as possible.

  (4) The water supply device of the present embodiment executes return control for returning to the cooling mode or the heating mode when the sterilization condition is established in the sterilization mode. For example, by setting the sterilization conditions based on the confirmation experiment of the heat sterilization effect, a stable sterilization effect can be exhibited, and thus the reliability of the sterilization treatment can be improved.

  (5) The sterilization condition is set to be established by boiling the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 for a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes), thereby maximizing the sterilization effect by the second heating temperature. To be able to.

  (6) Since the return control is delayed from the time when the sterilization mode is stopped when returning to the cooling mode, the beverage 21 heated in the sterilization mode is naturally radiated from the time when the sterilization mode is stopped. It becomes like this. For this reason, since the temperature of the beverage 21 at the start of the cooling mode is lower than the second heating temperature, the power consumption in the cooling mode for cooling the beverage 21 to a predetermined temperature can be reduced.

  (7) In recent years, water supply devices for mineral water have been widely installed in general enterprises, restaurants, homes, and the like. In the use of such a water supply device, it is required to be able to be installed in a small space and to be sterilized reliably. In this regard, according to the water supply device of the present embodiment, such a request can be sufficiently met.

The embodiment may be modified as follows.
The return control is configured to start the cooling mode with a delay from the stop of the sterilization mode when returning to the cooling mode, but in the cooling mode without delaying from the sterilization mode as with the heating mode. You may comprise so that switching control may be carried out.

  The sterilization condition is set to be established by boiling the beverage 21 in the storage tank 12 for a predetermined time. The sterilization condition may be set to be established by setting the second heating temperature to a temperature lower than the boiling point of the beverage 21 and heating at that temperature for a predetermined time.

  The flow rate measured by the flow meter 19 is configured to be integrated by the electronic control unit 17. By changing the flow meter to an integrated flow meter, the integrated value of the flow rate may be measured, and the integrated flow rate value per predetermined time may be calculated by the electronic control unit 17.

The flow rate integrated value is an integrated value per cycle in which special processing is executed, but the integrated time of the flow rate integrated value may be set without relating to the cycle of special processing.
-Switching control to the said sterilization mode is performed on condition that the flow volume of the drink 21 discharged from the discharge part 13 is measured, and the integrated value of the measured flow volume is below a regulation value. By omitting this condition, it may be set so that the switching control to the sterilization mode is executed every predetermined time.

-You may comprise so that each mode of the said cooling mode, heating mode, and sterilization mode can be switched by manual operation of a switch.
The heater 15 is not limited to a sheathed heater, and may be changed to, for example, a carbon heater, an IH (induction heating) heater, or the like.

-The said cooler 14 is not limited to a Peltier cooler, For example, you may change to the cooler 14 using a compressor and a refrigerant | coolant.
For example, a storage tank is provided in the sterilization mode by providing a lock mechanism that disables the operation of the discharge unit 13 or by providing an electromagnetic valve that closes a flow path that connects the storage tank 12 to the discharge unit 13. It is preferable to configure so that the beverage 21 in 12 is not discharged from the discharge unit 13.

  The beverage 21 in the supply tank 11 may be changed to a beverage other than mineral water. Examples of the beverage include tea beverages, sports drinks, coffee beverages, and cocoa beverages. Examples of the tea beverage include barley tea beverage, green tea beverage, oolong tea beverage, and black tea beverage.

The schematic sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the water supply apparatus of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of a series of processes which concern on a special process. The flowchart which shows the flow of a series of processes concerning return control.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Supply tank, 12 ... Storage tank, 13 ... Discharge part, 14 ... Cooler, 15 ... Heater, 21 ... Beverage.

Claims (7)

A storage tank for storing the beverage supplied from the supply tank and a discharge tank for discharging the beverage in the storage tank and a storage tank having a cooler and a heater;
A cooling mode for controlling the cooler; a heating mode for controlling the heater so that the beverage in the storage tank is at a first heating temperature; and a beverage in the storage tank is lower than the first heating temperature. A water supply apparatus configured to be switchable between a sterilization mode for controlling the heater so that the second heating temperature is high. The water supply device according to claim 1, wherein switching control to the sterilization mode is performed in the cooling mode or the heating mode. In the cooling mode or the heating mode, when the operation time and the flow rate of the beverage discharged from the discharge unit are measured, the integrated value of the flow rate is less than or equal to a specified value with respect to the measured operation time. The water supply device according to claim 2, wherein the water supply device is controlled to be switched. The water supply device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when the sterilization condition is established in the sterilization mode, return control for returning to the cooling mode or the heating mode is executed. The water supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sterilization condition is established by boiling the beverage in the storage tank for a predetermined time. 6. The water supply device according to claim 4, wherein the return control starts the cooling mode with a timer delayed from when the sterilization mode is stopped when returning to the cooling mode. The water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the beverage is mineral water.

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