JP3702215B2 - Beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, a sparkling beverage such as beer stored in a beverage container is pumped to the dispensing valve through the beverage supply pipe by the pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied by the gas supply means, and is poured outside in the opened state of the dispensing valve. In particular, the present invention relates to a beverage dispenser that enables automatic dispensing of a desired amount of beverage.
[0002]
In the utility model registration No. 2517824, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the sparkling beverage supplied from the beverage container through the beverage supply pipe when the sparkling beverage is poured out, and the inside of the beverage container based on the detected temperature of this temperature sensor . In-container temperature calculating means for estimating and calculating the temperature of the sparkling beverage, and a control target in which the supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas into the beverage container is determined according to the estimated temperature of the sparkling beverage calculated by the in-container temperature calculating means Pressure regulation control means for controlling a pressure regulating valve interposed in a gas supply pipe connected to the beverage container so as to become a pressure, and the supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas into the beverage container is maintained at the control target pressure A beverage dispenser is disclosed.
[0003]
In the Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 64-42299, determined dispensing time to determine the dispensing time in accordance with the supply pressure or control target pressure of the carbon dioxide gas into the drink container in response to the dispensing instruction foaming beverage means, and an automatic pouring control means for controlling so as to dispense the desired amount of foamed beverage by opening the spout valve only for the determined dispensing time, the magnitude of the supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas regardless, the beverage dispenser as a desired amount of foaming beverages is automatically dispensing is disclosed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the former beverage dispenser described above, the foamed beverage is not supplied through the beverage supply pipe immediately after the device is turned on or immediately after the beverage container is replaced. The estimated temperature of the sparkling beverage cannot be calculated. In order to cope with this, although the initial value of the control target pressure before the sparkling beverage is dispensed is set to an appropriate value in advance, this initial value is appropriate when the sparkling beverage is dispensed by the temperature calculation means in the container. There is a problem that the supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas to the beverage container cannot be appropriately controlled due to the fact that it is different from the control target pressure corresponding to the estimated temperature calculated. Also in the latter beverage dispenser, since the sparkling beverage is not supplied through the beverage supply pipe when the apparatus is turned on or immediately after the beverage container is replaced, the supply pressure or control target of carbon dioxide gas before the sparkling beverage is dispensed When the initial value of the pressure is set to an appropriate value in advance, the initial value is different from the actual supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas or the control target pressure determined according to the supply pressure. There is a drawback that the time cannot be determined appropriately and a desired amount of sparkling beverage cannot be poured out.
[0005]
In this case, specifically, when the pressure set as the initial value of the control target pressure is lower than the actual carbon dioxide supply pressure, the dispensing time determining means dispenses based on the actual gas pressure detected by the pressure sensor. If the time is determined, the gas pressure will decrease following the control target pressure as the sparkling beverage is dispensed after the dispensing time has been determined. Therefore, the desired amount of sparkling beverage is determined during the determined dispensing time. The amount of sparkling beverage to be dispensed is reduced. On the other hand, if the dispensing time determining means determines the dispensing time based on the control target pressure, the dispensing time is determined based on the pressure lower than the actual pressure. the will and that too out many Note, become a child would flood the foaming beverage from an external jug.
[0006]
On the other hand, in order to cope with the above problem, it is conceivable to set a sufficiently high pressure as the initial value of the control target pressure. In this case, the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas to the beverage container is controlled by the pressure control means. Under control, the control target pressure is tracked and temporarily maintained at a high pressure meaninglessly. Therefore, in this case, whether to wait for the gas pressure to drop by pouring the sparkling beverage, or to provide a separate mechanism for extracting the carbon dioxide gas from the beverage container and lower the gas pressure by controlling the mechanism since it must yield the like, it becomes the difficult be made to follow the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas to the beverage container to the control target pressure after.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispenser that accurately dispenses a desired amount of sparkling beverage even immediately after the power is turned on or the beverage container is replaced.
[0008]
In order to achieve this object, the present invention pumps the sparkling beverage stored in the beverage container through the beverage supply pipe to the dispensing valve by the pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied by the gas supply means, and opens the dispensing valve in the open state. The pumped sparkling beverage is poured out and sealed in a closed state of the dispensing valve, indicating means for instructing the dispensing of the sparkling beverage, and when the indicating means is operated, A temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the sparkling beverage supplied from the beverage container to the dispensing valve through the beverage supply pipe, and a supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas that is supplied to the beverage container via the gas supply means A pressure sensor, a container temperature calculation means for estimating and calculating the temperature of the sparkling beverage in the beverage container based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, and the gas supply means interposed in the beverage container. A pressure regulating valve that adjusts the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas, and the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas to the beverage container is a control target pressure determined according to the estimated temperature of the sparkling beverage calculated by the temperature calculation means in the container Pressure adjustment control means for controlling the opening of the pressure regulating valve, a dispensing time determining means for determining a dispensing time of the sparkling beverage according to the control target pressure, and in response to an operation of the indicating means In a beverage dispenser comprising automatic dispensing control means for controlling so as to dispense a desired amount of sparkling beverage by opening the dispensing valve for the dispensing time determined by the dispensing time determining means, the indicating means is The carbon dioxide supply pressure detected by the pressure sensor before the operation is set as an initial value of the control target pressure referred to by the pressure adjustment control means, and the injection of the sparkling beverage is based on the initial value. Out There is provided a beverage dispenser which is characterized in that a correction means for correcting between.
[0009]
In the beverage dispenser having the above-described configuration, for example, immediately after the power is turned on or the beverage container is replaced, the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas detected by the pressure sensor before the operation of the instruction unit is adjusted. Is set as an initial value of the control target pressure referred to in the above, and an automatic dispensing of the sparkling beverage is instructed by the instructing means by correcting the pouring time of the sparkling beverage based on the initial value. In this case, even if the dispensing time determining means determines the dispensing time based on either the pressure detected by the pressure sensor or the control target pressure, both pressures are equal, so that the stable supply pressure of the actual carbon dioxide gas is obtained. Based on this, an appropriate dispensing time is determined, and a desired amount of sparkling beverage is accurately dispensed.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment employs the beer server shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a beverage dispenser according to the present invention. In this beer server, a beer (foamed beverage) stored in a beer barrel 80 (beverage container) is disposed on the front surface of the main body 10 by the pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied by a gas cylinder 90 (gas supply means). The pump is pumped to (pumping valve) and poured out as appropriate.
[0011]
The dispensing cock 11 is configured to incorporate a valve mechanism (not shown), and in response to the tilting operation of the lever 11a by the switching drive mechanism 12, the beer fed from the beer barrel 80 is in a liquid state from the liquid nozzle 11b. A liquid pouring state (open state) for pouring, a foam pouring state (open state) for pouring the beer from the foam nozzle 11c in a foam state, and a neutral state (closed state) for sealing the beer Can be switched with. Below the pouring cock 11, a mug table 13 for placing a beer mug is disposed. The mug stand 13 is driven by the tilt drive mechanism 14 in accordance with the beer pouring state from the pouring cock 11 and is kept in the standing state or the inclined state.
[0012]
In the main body 10, a beer supply pipe 15 that guides the beer fed from the beer barrel 80 through the siphon pipe 81, the dispenser head 82, and the beer supply hose 83 to the pouring cock 11 is accommodated. The coiled intermediate portion 15 a of the beer supply pipe 15 is accommodated in a cooling water tank 17 that stores cooling water cooled by the cooling device 16, and the supply pipe intermediate portion 15 a is cooled by the cooling water in the cooling water tank 17. The beer inside is cooled before being supplied to the pouring cock 11. A temperature sensor 18 for detecting the temperature of the beer at the same position is accommodated in the upstream position of the coiled intermediate portion 15a of the beer supply pipe 15.
[0013]
A gas supply pipe 19 (gas supply means) is also accommodated in the main body 10. The gas supply pipe 19 reduces the carbon dioxide gas supplied 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, and the beer barrel 80 through the gas supply hose 84 and the dispenser head 82. It is to be supplied inside. The gas supply pipe 19 is provided with a pressure regulating valve 21 for adjusting the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas that is electrically opened and closed and supplied to the beer barrel 80, and a pressure sensor 22 for detecting the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas. Yes. Opening adjustment valves 21 a and 22 a for adjusting the opening of the gas supply pipe 19 are interposed downstream of the pressure regulating valve 21 and upstream of the pressure sensor 22, respectively.
[0014]
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, a bubble button 23c, and a washing button 23d (shown only in FIG. 2). The dispensing button 23a is used in the automatic dispensing mode for automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of beer or the dispensing amount setting mode for setting the amount of beer to be dispensed in the automatic dispensing mode. This is for selecting the operation mode of the server. The liquid button 23b and the foam button 23c are for instructing the start and stop of the pouring of beer in the liquid state and the foam state, respectively, during selection of the dispensing amount setting mode by the dispensing button 23a. Each button 23a-23c is a normally open switch that is always kept off when not operated. The washing button 23d is a change-over switch that is switched between an on state and an off state for each operation, and is for setting the operation mode of the beer server to a washing mode for washing the flow path of beer.
[0015]
A dispensing control circuit 24 is connected to each drive mechanism 12, 14 and the operation panel 23. The dispensing control circuit 24 is constituted by a microcomputer, and controls the operation of the drive mechanisms 12 and 14 by executing a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. The dispensing control circuit 24 has a memory 24a for storing the reference dispensing times T1 and T2 measured in the dispensing amount setting mode, and a liquid for measuring the dispensing time of beer in a liquid state and a foam state, respectively. A dispensing timer 24b and a bubble dispensing timer 24c are incorporated.
[0016]
A pressure regulation control circuit 25 is connected to each of the sensors 18 and 22 and the pressure regulation valve 21. The pressure regulation control circuit 25 is also constituted by a microcomputer, and controls the operation of the pressure regulation valve 21 by executing a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The pressure adjustment control circuit 25 has a built-in memory 25a that stores the supply pressure Ps of carbon dioxide gas to the beer barrel 80 when the reference dispensing times T1 and T2 are set and stored in the dispensing amount setting mode. The control circuits 24 and 25 are connected to each other so that their control information can be input and output with each other.
[0017]
Next, operation | movement of the said beer server comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated along the flowchart of FIGS. Initially, when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the cooling device 16 begins to cool the water in the cooling water tank 17, and the control circuits 24 and 25 execute the program at steps 100 and 200 in FIGS. Start execution. First, the dispensing control circuit 24 repeatedly executes each determination process in steps 102 to 108 and waits for any button 23a to 23d to be turned on.
[0018]
When the beer mug is placed on the mug table 13 and the liquid button 23b is turned on during the repeated execution, the dispensing control circuit 24 advances the program to step 110 based on the determination in step 102, and the liquid state Beer dispensing begins. At this time, the pouring control circuit 24 keeps the pouring cock 11 in the liquid pouring state while the liquid button 23 b is kept on, and the beer fed from the beer barrel 80 is liquidated by the pouring cock 11. Pour out in state.
[0019]
On the other hand, when the foam button 23c is turned on during the repeated execution of the above steps 102 to 108, the dispensing control circuit 24 advances the program to step 112 based on the determination in step 104 to dispense the foamed beer. To start. 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 the beer pumped from the beer barrel 80 is foamed from the pouring cock 11. Pour out in state.
[0020]
On the other hand, if the dispensing button 23a is turned on and the on state is maintained for a predetermined time or more during the repeated execution of the above steps 102 to 108, the beer server enters the dispensing amount setting mode, and the dispensing control circuit 24 Advances the program to step 116 based on the determination of steps 108 and 114 to execute the extraction amount setting process. During the same process, the dispensing control circuit 24 switches the dispensing cock 11 to the liquid dispensing state or the foam dispensing state every time the liquid button 23b or the foam button 23c is turned on, and the beer in the liquid state or the foam state. Pour out. Then, each total time when the beer in each state is poured out is measured as the reference dispensing times T1 and T2 using the liquid dispensing timer 24b and the foam dispensing timer 24c, respectively, and stored in the memory 24a. Thereby, a desired amount of beer is poured into the beer mug on the mug table 13, and the time required for the dispensing is set and stored as the reference dispensing times T1 and T2. During the beer pouring, the mug table 13 is driven by the tilt drive mechanism 14 and appropriately maintained in the tilted state and the standing state. When the dispensing button 23a is released from the on state after the dispensing is completed, the dispensing control circuit 24 terminates the dispensing amount setting process and returns the program to step 102 and subsequent steps.
[0021]
By the way, when the power switch is turned on, the pressure regulation control circuit 25 also starts executing the program in step 200 of FIG. At the start of program execution, the pressure adjustment control circuit 25 first executes initial setting in step 202 to set initial values of the control target pressure P0, the target lower limit pressure P0 ′, and the target upper limit pressure P0 ″. Specifically, the supply pressure Px of the carbon dioxide gas to the beer barrel 80 detected by the pressure sensor 22 is set as an initial value of the control target pressure P0, and only a predetermined pressure (for example, 0.005 MPa) is set from the control target pressure P0. A low pressure is set as the target lower limit pressure P0 ′, and a pressure higher than the control target pressure P0 by a predetermined pressure (for example, 0.015 MPa) is set as the target upper limit pressure P0 ″. However, when the detected pressure Px is higher than a predetermined maximum target pressure Pmax (for example, 0.39 MPa), the maximum target pressure Pmax is set as an initial value of the control target pressure P0, and the detected pressure Px is set to a predetermined minimum target pressure Pmin. When it is lower than (for example, 0.2 MPa), the minimum target pressure Pmin is set as the initial value of the control target pressure P0. At this time, the value of the flag FLG is set to “0”. The flag FLG indicates that the dispensing of beer in the liquid state is started with the value “1”.
[0022]
After the initial setting, the pressure adjustment control circuit 25 repeatedly executes the circulation process including steps 204 to 232 to control the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas from the gas cylinder 90 to the beer barrel 80.
[0023]
Steps 204 to 208 are processes for maintaining the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the vicinity of the control target pressure P0. In this case, the pressure adjustment control circuit 25 firstly supplies the carbon dioxide supply pressure Px to the beer barrel 80 detected by the pressure sensor 22 in step 204 and the target lower limit pressure P0 set in step 202 or step 228 described later. In this case, if the detected pressure Px is lower than the target lower limit pressure P0 ', the program proceeds to step 206, the pressure regulating valve 21 is opened, and the carbon dioxide supply pressure is increased. On the other hand, if the detected pressure Px is higher than the target upper limit pressure P0 ″ at this time, the program proceeds to step 208 to close the pressure regulating valve 21 and stop the increase in the gas pressure. At this time, if the detected pressure Px is in the vicinity of the control target pressure P0 and is between the target lower limit pressure P0 ′ and the target upper limit pressure P0 ″, the program is stepped while maintaining the state of the pressure regulating valve 21 so far. The process proceeds to 210. During the circulation process, the process consisting of these steps 204 to 208 is repeatedly executed, whereby the pressure regulating valve 21 is appropriately controlled to be opened and closed, and the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas to the beer barrel 80 is usually as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the pressure is kept between the target lower limit pressure P0 ′ and the target upper limit pressure P0 ″ while repeating the increase due to the opening of the pressure regulating valve 21 and the decrease due to beer dispensing.
[0024]
In step 210, it is determined whether or not the pouring control circuit 24 is about to start automatic beer pouring described later. At this time, if the automatic pouring start is not started, “NO” is determined and the program is executed in step 212. Proceed to In step 212, it is determined whether or not the flag FLG has a value “1”. First, if the flag FLG remains set to the value “0” by the initial setting in step 202, “NO” is determined. Determine and advance the program to step 213. In step 213, it is determined whether or not the cleaning button 23d is in an on state. If the cleaning button 23d is in an off state at this time, the determination is “NO” and the program proceeds to step 214. In step 214, it is determined whether or not the pouring cock 11 is about to start pouring liquid beer under the control of the pouring control circuit 24. The determination is “NO” and the program returns to step 204.
[0025]
During the repeated execution of the processing consisting of the above steps 204 to 214, the dispensing cock 11 is under the control of the dispensing control circuit 24 by turning on the liquid button 23b or instructing automatic dispensing described later. When the transition to the liquid pouring state is started and the pouring of liquid beer is started, the pressure adjustment control circuit 25 determines “YES” in step 214 and advances the program to step 216 and thereafter. In step 216, the temperature sensor 18 measures the temperature of the beer in the beverage supply pipe 15 at the start of the dispensing as the temperature ka before dispensing. In step 218, the value of the flag FLG is set to a value “1” indicating that the dispensing of liquid beer has started. In step 220, it is determined whether or not the pouring cock 11 is about to stop pouring the beer in the liquid state started under the control of the pouring control circuit 24. If not, “NO” is determined and the program is returned to step 204.
[0026]
By setting the flag FLG in step 218, the pressure adjustment control circuit 25 determines “YES” at the time of execution of step 212 and advances the program to step 220 without executing the processing of steps 213 to 218 after the next time. Therefore, thereafter, the process consisting of steps 204 to 208 and the determination processes of steps 210, 212, and 220 are repeatedly executed. During this repeated execution, the pouring cock 11 is kept in the liquid pouring state and continues to pour liquid beer. Then, the dispensing button 11 is returned to the neutral state under the control of the dispensing control circuit 24 so that the liquid button 23b is released or the automatic dispensing is finished. When the dispensing is stopped, the pressure adjustment control circuit 25 determines “YES” in step 220 and advances the program to step 222 and subsequent steps. In step 222, the temperature sensor 18 measures the temperature of beer in the beverage supply pipe 15 at the end of pouring as the post-pouring temperature kb. In step 224, the value of the flag FLG is set to the value “0” again.
[0027]
In step 226, the temperature K of the beer barrel 80 is determined by referring to a map previously set and stored based on an experiment or the like from the rate of change of the temperature before pouring ka and the temperature kb after pouring measured in steps 216 and 222, respectively. Estimate and calculate. In step 228, an appropriate supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas to the beer barrel 80 is determined as the control target pressure P0 with reference to the map shown in FIG. When the barrel temperature K is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature K1 (for example, 15 ° C.) and equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature K2 (for example, 34 ° C.), the control target pressure P0 is lower than the minimum target pressure Pmin. In the range that is not higher than the maximum target pressure Pmax, the control target pressure P0 is set to a higher value as the barrel temperature K increases, so that the amount of carbon dioxide in beer is always suitable for drinking. I keep it at a predetermined amount. On the other hand, in the region where the barrel temperature K is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature K1, even if the barrel temperature K decreases, the control target pressure P0 is maintained at the minimum target pressure Pmin without lowering the barrel temperature K. Pressure is fed to the dispensing cock 11. Further, in the region where the barrel temperature K is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature K2, the beer barrel 80 is configured so as to keep the control target pressure P0 at the maximum target pressure Pmax without increasing the control target pressure P0 even when the barrel temperature K increases. We try to avoid swelling and excessively high flow rates of beer. Then, the pressure adjustment control circuit 25 sets, as the target lower limit pressure P0 ′, a pressure lower than the determined control target pressure P0 by a predetermined pressure, as in the initial setting of the step 202, and the predetermined pressure from the control target pressure P0. Is set as the target upper limit pressure P0 ″.
[0028]
In step 230, it is determined whether the beer server is in the dispensing amount setting mode and the dispensing control circuit 24 is executing the aforementioned dispensing amount setting process. At this time, the dispensing amount is being set. If not, “NO” is determined and the program is returned to step 204. On the other hand, if the dispensing amount is being set at this time, “YES” is determined, and the control target pressure P0 determined in step 228 in step 232 is stored in the memory 25a as the setting pressure Ps. At this time, if the setting pressure Ps is already stored in the memory 25a, the stored setting pressure Ps is rewritten and updated. Then, the program is returned to step 204, and the process consisting of steps 206 to 214 is repeated.
[0029]
As described above, the pressure adjustment control circuit 25 repeatedly executes the circulation processing including steps 204 to 232 after the initial setting in step 202. At this time, every time the pouring cock 11 pours liquid beer regardless of the operation mode of the beer server, the pre-pouring temperature ka and the post-pouring temperature kb are measured, and the measured temperatures ka and kb are measured. Based on this, the barrel temperature K is estimated and calculated. Then, the control target pressure P0 is determined according to the calculated barrel temperature K, and the control target determined by keeping the supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas to the beer barrel 80 between the target lower limit pressure P0 ′ and the target upper limit pressure P0 ″. The pressure regulating valve 21 is appropriately controlled to be kept close to the pressure P0, and if the dispensing amount is being set, the determined control target pressure P0 is stored as the setting pressure Ps.
[0030]
Next, the automatic dispensing mode of the beer server that automatically dispenses the amount of beer set in the dispensing amount setting mode will be described. When the dispensing button 23a is turned on and the on-state is released within a predetermined time during the repeated execution of steps 102 to 108 in FIG. Based on this, the program is advanced to step 118 and subsequent steps to start automatic beer dispensing. At this time, the pressure adjustment control circuit 25 determines “YES” in step 210 of FIG. 4 and advances the program to step 234 to calculate correction values α1 and α2. The correction values α1 and α2 are actually liquid values in the automatic dispensing mode by correcting the reference dispensing times T1 and T2 set by measuring and setting the beer in the liquid state and the foam state in the dispensing amount setting mode. This is for determining the pouring times T1 ′ and T2 ′ for pouring the beer in the state and the foamed state, and taking into account the pressure difference of the carbon dioxide gas, the same amount as when setting the standard pouring times T1 and T2 The value is determined so that beer can be poured out.
[0031]
Here, the calculation method and usage of the correction values α1 and α2 will be specifically described. First, in general, the relationship between the extraction amount Q, the supply pressure P of carbon dioxide gas to the beer barrel 80, and the extraction time T is as shown in the following equation 1 under the condition that the supply pressure P is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. expressed.
[0032]
[Expression 1]
Q = (a · P + b) · T
In the above formula, a and b are constants obtained in advance by experiments. When the above formula 1 is applied at the time of beer pouring in the above-described pouring amount setting mode, the following formulas 2 and 3 are established for the beer in the liquid state and the foam state, respectively.
[0033]
[Expression 2]
Q1 = (a1 · Ps + b1) · T1
[0034]
[Equation 3]
Q2 = (a2 · Ps + b2) · T2
When determining a1, b1, a2, and b2, the reference dispensing amounts Q1 and Q2 are preferably mass for liquid beer and volume for foamed beer.
[0035]
Next, at the time of beer extraction in the automatic extraction mode, if an extraction amount Q1, Q2 of the same amount as that in the extraction amount setting mode is to be obtained, the extraction time T1 ′ required for the extraction , T2 ′ is given by the following equations 4 and 5 using the carbon dioxide supply pressure P at that time.
[0036]
[Expression 4]
Q1 = (a1 · P + b1) · T1 ′
[0037]
[Equation 5]
Q2 = (a2 · P + b2) · T2 ′
From Equations 2-5, the following Equations 6 and 7 hold.
[0038]
[Formula 6]
T1 ′ = {(a1 · Ps + b1) / (a1 · P + b1)} · T1
[0039]
[Expression 7]
T2 ′ = {(a2 · Ps + b2) / (a2 · P + b2)} · T2
Here, the correction values α1 and α2 are determined as in the following equations 8 and 9.
[0040]
[Equation 8]
α1 = (a1 · Ps + b1) / (a1 · P + b1)
[0041]
[Equation 9]
α2 = (a2 · Ps + b2) / (a2 · P + b2)
If Expressions 8 and 9 are used, Expressions 6 and 7 are expressed as Expressions 10 and 11 below.
[0042]
[Expression 10]
T1 '= α1 · T1
[0043]
[Expression 11]
T2 '= α2 · T2
Thereby, after considering the pressure difference of carbon dioxide gas, it is possible to calculate the dispensing times T1 ′ and T2 ′ required to dispense the same amount of beer as when the reference dispensing times T1 and T2 are set. .
[0044]
When calculating the correction values α1 and α2 in the step 234, the pressure adjustment control circuit 25 firstly detects the pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 22 and the target upper limit pressure P0 ″ as shown in detail in FIG. (Step 302) At this time, the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas to the beer barrel 80 sufficiently follows the control target pressure P0 by the repeated execution of the processing consisting of Steps 204 to 208 in FIG. If the pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 22 is equal to or lower than the target upper limit pressure P0 ″, the program is advanced to step 304 and controlled as the carbon dioxide supply pressure P in the above equations 8 and 9. Correction values α1 and α2 are calculated according to the following formulas 12 and 13 using the target pressure P0. Thus, the desired amount of beer set in the dispensing amount setting mode without determining an inappropriate dispensing time based on the unstable actual carbon dioxide pressure during beer dispensing as shown in FIG. Is being poured out accurately.
[0045]
[Expression 12]
α1 = (a1 · Ps + b1) / (a1 · P0 + b1)
[0046]
[Formula 13]
α2 = (a2 · Ps + b2) / (a2 · P0 + b2)
On the other hand, the gas supply pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 22 does not sufficiently follow the control target pressure P0 because the power switch is turned on or the beer barrel 80 has just been replaced. If larger, the program proceeds to step 306, and correction values α1 and α2 are calculated according to the following formulas 14 and 15 using the detected pressure Px as the carbon dioxide supply pressure P in the above formulas 8 and 9. This avoids determining a pour time that is too long based on a pressure lower than the actual supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas, so that too much beer is poured out and overflows from an external mug, etc. ing.
[0047]
[Expression 14]
α1 = (a1 · Ps + b1) / (a1 · Px + b1)
[0048]
[Expression 15]
α2 = (a2 · Ps + b2) / (a2 · Px + b2)
After calculating the correction values α1 and α2 in step 304 or step 306, the pressure adjustment control circuit 25 outputs the correction values α1 and α2 calculated in step 236 of FIG. 4 to the dispensing control circuit 24. At this time, the dispensing control circuit 24, based on the correction values α1 and α2 input from the pressure regulation control circuit 25, in step 118, the dispensing times T1 ′ and T2 ′ according to the formulas 10 and 11 above. To decide. In step 120, the dispensing cock 11 is in the liquid dispensing state and bubble pouring only during the dispensing times T1 ′ and T2 ′ determined while measuring the time with the liquid dispensing timer 24b and the bubble dispensing timer 24c. By keeping each in a discharged state, liquid and foamed beer is sequentially poured out. During the beer pouring, the mug table 13 is driven by the tilt drive mechanism 14 and appropriately maintained in the tilted state and the standing state. When the automatic dispensing is completed, the dispensing control circuit 24 returns the program to Step 102 and the subsequent steps and waits for any of the buttons 23a to 23d to be operated again.
[0049]
Next, the case where the flow path of beer is washed in the beer server will be described. Instead of the beer barrel 80, the washing water tank (not shown) stored washing water is mounted to the dispenser head 82, when it is cleaned button 23 d Gao down operation, the beer server becomes cleaning mode, pouring control circuit 24, during the repeated execution of steps 102 to 108 in FIG. 3, based on the determination in step 106, the dispensing amount setting and automatic dispensing processes in steps 114 to 120 are prohibited. Thereafter, steps 102 to 106 are performed. Only the determination processes are repeatedly executed.
[0050]
When the liquid button 23b is turned on during the repeated execution, the dispensing control circuit 24 advances the program to step 110 based on the determination in step 102 and switches the dispensing cock 11 to the liquid dispensing state. While the liquid button 23b is kept on, the pouring cock 11 is kept in the liquid pouring state, and the washing water in the washing water tank is continuously poured out from the liquid nozzle 11b. On the other hand, if the bubble button 23c is turned on during the repeated execution, the dispensing control circuit 24 advances the program to step 112 based on the determination in step 104, and puts the dispensing cock 11 into the bubble dispensing state. Switch. And while the foam button 23c is kept on, the pouring cock 11 is kept in the foam pouring state, and the washing water in the washing water tank is continuously poured out from the foam nozzle 11c of the pouring cock 11. By each of these processes, the flow path of beer is washed.
[0051]
On the other hand, when the washing button 23d is turned on, the pressure adjustment control circuit 25 advances the program to step 238 based on the determination of “YES” in step 213 in FIG. The process continues to be executed repeatedly. At this time, in step 238, pressure adjustment control for cleaning is executed. This process is a process for controlling the opening and closing of the pressure regulating valve 21 based on the detection by the pressure sensor 22 to keep the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas to the cleaning water tank in the vicinity of the predetermined cleaning target pressure. The cleaning target pressure is set in advance to a pressure (for example, 0.15 MPa) lower than the minimum target pressure Pmin. This process is repeatedly executed during the circulation process in steps 238 and 240 without stopping the progress of the program. In step 240, it is determined whether or not the cleaning button 23d is in the on state. If the cleaning button 23d is in the on state at this time, the determination is “YES” and the program returns to step 234.
[0052]
After the completion of the washing, when the beer barrel 80 is assembled again into the dispenser head 82 instead of the washing water tank and the washing button 23d is switched to the off state, the dispensing control circuit 24 determines in step 106 of FIG. Then, the program again proceeds to step 114 and the subsequent steps, and the prohibition of the processing for setting the extraction amount and automatic extraction is canceled. Further, the pressure adjustment control circuit 25 returns the program to step 202 based on the determination of “NO” in step 240 of FIG. 4 and executes initialization again, and the detected pressure Px detected by the pressure sensor 22 is set as the control target pressure. Set as the initial value of P0.
[0053]
As mentioned above, in the said embodiment, the pressure regulation control circuit 25 estimates and calculates the temperature K of the beer in the beer barrel 80 every time beer is dispensed (steps 214 to 226). The pressure regulating valve 21 is appropriately controlled to open and close so as to keep the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the vicinity of the control target pressure P0 determined according to the barrel temperature K calculated in the same way (steps 204 to 208). Thereby, the temperature K of the beer in the beer barrel 80 is estimated without directly attaching a temperature sensor or the like, and the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas to the beer barrel 80 is always kept at an appropriate size according to the barrel temperature K. I am doing so.
[0054]
On the other hand, the pouring control circuit 24 keeps the pouring cock 11 in the liquid pouring state and the bubble pouring state only during the pouring times T1 ′ and T2 ′ in accordance with the ON operation of the pouring button 23a. The beer in the liquid state and the foam state is automatically and sequentially poured out (step 120). Here, the dispensing times T1 ′ and T2 ′ are the reference dispensing times T1 and T2 set in advance and the correction values α1 and α2 calculated based on the detected pressure Px by the pressure sensor 22 or the control target pressure P0. (Step 118). Thus, when the dispensing button 23a is turned on, a desired amount of beer is always automatically dispensed regardless of the magnitude of the supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas into the beer barrel 80.
[0055]
By the way, in the above-described case, before the first beer pouring immediately after the power switch is turned on and the end of the cleaning mode, that is, before the temperature K of the beer in the beer barrel 80 is calculated by executing the processes of steps 214 to 226. Is configured to set the supply pressure Px of the carbon dioxide gas to the beer barrel 80 detected by the pressure sensor 22 as the initial value of the control target pressure P0 by executing the initial setting in step 202. Therefore, when automatic dispensing of beer is instructed by the dispensing button 23a at this time, the dispensing times T1 ′ and T2 ′ are determined based on either the detected pressure Px by the pressure sensor 22 or the control target pressure P0. However, since both pressures Px and P0 are equal, appropriate dispensing times T1 ′ and T2 ′ are determined based on a stable actual supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas, and a desired amount of beer is accurately dispensed.
[Brief description of the 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 dispensing control circuit of FIGS.
4 is a flowchart corresponding to a program executed by the pressure regulation control circuit of FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of calculation of correction values in FIG. 4;
6 is a time chart showing the relationship between the state of the pressure regulating valve in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas. FIG.
7 is a graph showing the relationship between the temperature of the beer barrel of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the control target pressure. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Beer server body, 11 ... Dispensing cock, 15 ... Beverage supply pipe, 18 ... Temperature sensor, 19 ... Gas supply pipe, 21 ... Pressure regulating valve, 22 ... Pressure sensor, 23a ... Discharge button, 24 ... Dispensing Control circuit, 25 ... pressure regulation control circuit, 80 ... beer barrel, 90 ... gas cylinder.

Claims (1)

Note out the foaming beverage pumped foaming beverage stored in the beverage container at the open state of the pumping and infusion exit valve to spout valve through the beverage supply pipe by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied by the gas supply means to the outside It is configured to seal when the dispensing valve is closed,
Instruction means for instructing the dispensing of the sparkling beverage;
A temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the sparkling beverage supplied from the beverage container to the dispensing valve through the beverage supply pipe when the instruction means is operated ;
A pressure sensor for detecting a supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied to the beverage container via the gas supply means;
Before SL and container temperature calculation means for calculating and estimating the temperature of the foaming beverage in the beverage container based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor,
A pressure regulating valve for adjusting the pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied into the beverage container via the gas supply means;
Pressure regulation for controlling the opening of the pressure regulating valve so that the supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas to the beverage container becomes a control target pressure determined according to the estimated temperature of the sparkling beverage calculated by the temperature calculation means in the container Control means;
A dispensing time determining means for determining the dispensing time of the foamed beverage in response to the control target pressure,
Out automatic Note controls to the desired amount of foamed beverage Open Note between it only said spout valve during left as determined by pre-Symbol dispensing time determining means in response to operation of said instruction means is dispensed A beverage dispenser comprising a control means,
The supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas detected by the pressure sensor before the instruction means is operated is set as an initial value of the control target pressure referred to by the pressure adjustment control means, and based on this initial value, the A beverage dispenser provided with a correction means for correcting the dispensing time of sparkling beverages .

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