JPH0441112Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Industrial application field This invention supplies liquid to a receiver from a liquid supply pipe system communicating with a liquid supply source by opening a solenoid valve, and the liquid in the receiver is In a liquid supply device configured to close the solenoid valve when it detects that the liquid level has reached a predetermined level, the means for detecting the liquid level can be easily cleaned and inspected to prevent conduction defects. The present invention relates to a proposal that can prevent malfunctions due to non-detection of liquid level.

Prior Art A liquid supply source, a solenoid valve interposed in the middle of a liquid supply pipe connected to the liquid supply source to open and close the pipe, and a solenoid valve disposed at the open end of the liquid supply pipe that hangs down through the solenoid valve. Therefore, a liquid supply device including a liquid level detection means for controlling the closing of the electromagnetic valve is widely used. For example, a sake container such as a one-sho bottle is set upside down, and the sake from the container is passed through a supply pipe to a heat exchanger to heat it, and the heated sake is opened by opening a solenoid valve to open the supply pipe. This is a sake brewer that supplies sake from a sake bottle to a sake container such as a sake bottle, and closes the electromagnetic valve when it detects that the sake supplied to the container reaches a certain level. .

In a liquid supply device such as this sake sake cup, the supply of liquid from the liquid supply pipe to the liquid receiver is stopped.
This is done by closing a solenoid valve inserted in the middle of the pipe, and as a means of detecting the liquid level, it is generally
The configuration disclosed in Publication No. 55-38132 and the like is adopted. For example, the liquid level detection means shown in FIG.
15 is connected to a liquid level detection circuit (not shown). Then, the socket 16a of the receptacle 16, such as a sake bottle, is inserted into the liquor pipe 9, and the liquor supply starting means is energized to open a solenoid valve (none of which is shown), thereby dispensing sake. When the liquid level in the receptor 16 gradually rises and the lower ends of the electrodes 15, 15 come into contact with the conductive material, a current flows between both electrodes, detecting that a predetermined liquid level has been reached; Commanding and controlling the closing of the electromagnetic valve.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the sake sake cup equipped with the liquid level detection means according to the above-mentioned configuration, since the sake comes into direct contact with the electrodes 15, 15, sugar and other components in the sake may adhere to the electrodes 15. , an electrical insulating film is formed over time. When such an electrical insulating film is formed on the electrode 15,
Even if alcohol comes into contact with both electrodes 15, 15, electricity flow between the electrodes is inhibited, making it impossible to detect the liquid level. If this condition is left unaddressed, detection will not be performed at the preset liquid level, and the liquid level in the receiver 16 will rise above the initial set level (no alcohol has come into contact with it until now, and the electrical insulation The liquid level is detected at the position where the membrane is not attached. In this way, the electrode 1 that comes into contact with alcohol
The detected liquid level at 5 gradually rises over time, and a problem is pointed out in which the liquor eventually overflows from the socket 16a of the receiver 16.

Therefore, in order to always perform detection at a constant liquid level,
It is necessary to periodically clean the electrode 15 with a cleaning tool such as a brush to remove the electrical insulating film adhering to the electrode 15. However, in the liquid level detection means having the above-mentioned configuration, the electrodes are fixedly arranged on the serving pipe of the sake sake maker, so cleaning work must be carried out in the narrow kitchen where the sake sake maker is placed. It forces people to perform extremely complicated work. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, since the electrodes 15, 15 are inserted into the liquor receptacle 16 together with the liquor pipe 9, the shape of the electrodes is almost limited to linear or narrow thin plate shapes. There is. An electrode having such a fundamentally fragile structure is easily deformed during cleaning with the brush or the like, resulting in a problem of reduced durability.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, in the sake dispensing nozzle structure described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-31127, the sake dispensing pipe is made up of an inner pipe 1 and an outer pipe 2 made of good electrical conductors, and an electrical insulator inserted between both pipe bodies. The inner tube 1 and the outer tube 2 function as electrodes to detect the liquid level. This makes it possible to ensure a large area of the electrodes that come into contact with the liquid, and to lengthen the period until the electrical insulating film adheres and inhibits the conductive function between the electrodes. However, there are only long and short periods in which the electrical insulating film is formed, and as a result, the receptacle 16a of the receptor 16
The above-mentioned problem of alcohol spilling out has not been resolved. Moreover, all of the electrical insulating film attached to the inside of the inner tube cannot be removed by cleaning in a small kitchen, and the remaining electrical insulating film can cause mold and other growth, making it extremely unsanitary. be.

Purpose of the Invention The present invention was proposed in order to suitably solve the above-mentioned drawbacks inherent in the liquid level detection means of the liquid supply device, and to facilitate cleaning of the liquid level detection member. The object of the present invention is to provide a means for always performing detection at a constant liquid level.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems and achieve the intended purpose, the present invention provides a liquid supply source, a liquid supply pipe connected to the liquid supply source, and a liquid supply pipe. A liquid supply pipe connected to the electromagnetic valve via a solenoid valve, a liquid level detection circuit connected to the electromagnetic valve, and a pair of electrodes connected to the liquid level detection circuit and not in contact with each other,
In a liquid supply device configured to close a solenoid valve via the circuit when both electrodes come into contact with a conductive liquid and become energized, A liquid level detecting means is constituted by a cylindrical body which is detachably arranged in the cylindrical body, and a pair of electrodes which are disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical body without contacting each other, and which are adjacent to the liquid supply pipe. A pair of contact pieces connected to the liquid level detection circuit are disposed at the position, and when the liquid level detection means is arranged with respect to the liquid supply pipe via the engagement means, the pair of electrodes is connected to the liquid level detection circuit. It is characterized in that it comes into contact with the corresponding contact piece.

Operation When the liquid level detection means is disposed with respect to the liquid supply pipe via the engagement means, a pair of electrodes in the detection means come into contact with corresponding contact pieces connected to the liquid level detection circuit. When the lower end of the liquid level detection means comes into contact with the conductive liquid in this state, a current flows between the two electrodes to detect the liquid level, and the solenoid valve is closed via the liquid level detection circuit to supply the liquid. Stop the liquid supply from the liquid pipe.

When the liquid comes into contact with the electrode, an electrical insulating film is formed on the electrode over time, which may impede the conductivity between the electrodes in the liquid.
In this case, the liquid level detection means arranged with respect to the liquid supply pipe via the engagement means is removed. The electrode exposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical body of the removed liquid level detection means can be easily cleaned with a cleaning tool such as a brush to remove the electrical insulating film.

The liquid level detection means that has been cleaned is placed with respect to the liquid supply pipe via the engagement means, so that the electrode of the detection means comes into contact with the contact piece and the liquid level can be detected.

Embodiment Next, the liquid supply device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, using a sake sake maker as a preferred embodiment. Although the gist of the present invention lies in the mounting structure of the liquid level detection means that detects the liquid level and controls the closing of the solenoid valve, in order to contribute to the overall understanding, we will introduce the sake sake bottle shown in Fig. 1. First, the schematic structure of the vessel will be explained.

(About the general structure of the sake sake cup) The sake sake cup 1 has a main body 2 having a box-like exterior body,
This main body 2 is supported via a support 3 on a base (not shown). A circular opening 4a is formed in the top plate 4 of the main body 2, and a sake container 6, such as a one-sho bottle, is placed upside down in a truncated conical receiver 5 with an open top inserted into the opening 4a. It is now set according to the state.

At the bottom of the conical receiver 5 is a liquid supply pipe 7 made of a metal with good thermal conductivity, such as a stainless steel pipe.
One end 7a is connected for communication, and this liquid supply pipe 7
is spirally wound in a cylindrical closed container 8 during its extension to form a heat exchange coil 7b, and then led out from the closed container 8 and connected to a drinking pipe 9, which will be described later, at the other end 7c. It is connected. Inside the airtight container 8, there is a circular insulated electric heater 10 directly below the heat exchange coil 7b with its central axis aligned perpendicular to the heat exchange coil 7b.
is arranged, and by heating the water filled in the container with the heater 10, the liquor supplied from the liquor container 6 and passing through the liquid supply pipe 7 is heated at the heat exchange coil 7b. . Therefore, the closed container 8, the heat exchange coil 7b, and the electric heater 10 constitute a heat exchanger 11 using water as a medium.

Note that a temperature sensing element 12 such as a thermostat is placed directly above the heat exchange coil 7b, and the heater 10
The water temperature in the heat exchanger 11 is maintained constant by monitoring the temperature of the water heated by the heat exchanger 11 and controlling the energization of the heater.

The liquor supply pipe 9 is made of a material having good electrical insulation properties, such as a ceramic pipe, and is connected to the other end 7c of the liquid supply pipe 7 via a heat exchanger 11 via a solenoid valve 13. . This drinking pipe 9
extends vertically downward and connects to the bottom plate 14 of the sake sake main body 2.
A drinking spout 9a opens at a position extending from a through hole 14a opened in the above. Also, the drinking port 9a of the drinking pipe 9
A circumferential groove is bored in the outer periphery slightly above the cylindrical body 21, and an O-ring 17, which will be described later and comes into sealing contact with the inner wall of the cylindrical body 21, is fitted into this circumferential groove.

(Liquid Level Detection Means According to First Embodiment) A pair of locking members 18, 18 are provided at a fixed portion on the lower surface of the bottom plate 14 and close to the through hole 14a, facing each other with the through hole 14a in between. placed in
They are each tightened and fixed with screws 19. The locking members 18, 18 are each composed of a "cross-shaped" bent piece, and a liquid level detecting means 20, which will be described later, is removably attached between the extending portions 18a, 18a and the bottom plate 14. It's summery. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the liquid level detection means 20 includes a cylindrical main body 21 made of an electrically insulating material, and a notch 2 that protrudes radially outward from one end of the main body 21 and has a notch 2 in a part.
8, 28 and formed into a fan-shape flange 2
2, 22, and a pair of electrodes 30, 30 extending parallel to the axis at an interval of 180° on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 21.

In other words, a pair of fan-shaped flanges 22, 22 are formed protrudingly at intervals of 180° about the axis, and are clamped and mounted between the bottom plate 14 and the locking members 18, 18 at the portions of the flanges 22, 22. It is becoming more and more common. In order to enable this clamping attachment, notches 28, 28 are provided between the flanges 22, 22.
are located therein, and each width of the notches 28, 28 is set larger than the width of the locking member 18. Then, the liquid level detecting means 20 is rotated in the circumferential direction, and the notches 28, 28 are connected to the locking member 18,
18, the liquid level detecting means 2
0 can be removed and installed. As is clear from FIG. 1, when the liquid level detection means 20 is attached to the locking member 18,
The drinking pipe 9 is inserted concentrically and faces the center through hole 20a. Note that during this installation, the extension portion 18 of the locking member 18
Of course, a is set to a size that does not make contact with the cylindrical main body 21.

Also, the center through hole 20a in the liquid level detection means 20
The inner diameter of the O-ring 17 disposed on the drinking pipe 9 is
It is set slightly smaller than the outer diameter of. As a result, the inner wall of the through hole of the cylindrical body 21 and the outer periphery of the drinking pipe 9 are vertically sealed via the O-ring 17, and the socket 16a of the receiver 16, such as a sake bottle, is inserted into the drinking pipe 9 from below. When sake is sampled in this manner, the sake does not leak above the liquid level detection means 20.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, fan-shaped grooves 22a, 22a are bored in the flanges 22, 22 of the cylindrical body 21, and electrodes 3 are formed on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 21.
Long groove 21a for correspondingly fitting 0, 30,
21a is bored in the axial direction. Also, fan-shaped groove 2
The sides 2a, 22a at the center and facing the cylindrical main body 21 are spatially connected to the long grooves 21a, 21a. And this long groove 21as fan-shaped groove 22a
The electrodes 30 having the shape shown in the drawing are respectively fitted into the fitting portions 29 formed by the above. That is, the electrode 30 is
It consists of a fan-shaped head 30a and a detection part 30b that extends and is bent at right angles to the head 30a, and is configured so that it can be inserted into the insertion part 29 formed in the liquid level detection means 20. . Note that when the electrode 30 is attached to the liquid level detecting means 20 by fitting into the fitting part 29, the head 30a of the electrode 30 is exposed on the surface of the flange 22, and the electrode The detection section 30b of 30 is the cylindrical main body 2
exposed on the outer peripheral surface of 1.

Inside the sake sake body 2, the through hole 1 of the bottom plate 14
A pair of contact pieces 15, 15 are disposed above 4a, located substantially directly above the locking members 18, 18, and facing each other across the through hole 14a. The contact piece 15 is made of a metal material that is highly elastic and has good conductivity, such as phosphor bronze, and is made of a metal material such as phosphor bronze.
It is connected to a liquid level detection circuit (not shown) that performs closing control of No. 3, and its end 15a is curved into a U-shape. In the disposed state of the contact piece 15, the U-shaped curved end 15a has its outer curved surface directed downward. In other words, Figure 1~
As shown in FIG. 3, the U-shaped curved end 15a of the contact piece 15 faces inside the through hole 14a,
When the liquid level detection means 20 is installed between the bottom plate 14 and the locking members 18, 18, it comes into elastic contact with the fan-shaped head 30a of the electrode 30. As a result, when sake is dispensed into the receptor 16 such as a sake bottle and the surface of the sake comes into contact with the electrodes 30, 30 disposed on the liquid level detection means 20, it is detected that the dispensing of sake at a predetermined liquid level has ended. The closing of the electromagnetic valve 13 is commanded and controlled.

(Liquid Level Detection Means According to Second Embodiment) FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the liquid level detection means 20 is directly connected to the drinking pipe 9. Regarding the configuration obtained. That is, the liquid level detecting means 20 is configured as a cylindrical main body 21 having the same diameter as the drinking pipe 9, and a threaded part 20b having a small diameter and having a male thread is formed at the upper end thereof. In addition, in the drinking port 9a of the drinking pipe 9,
A female threaded portion 9b that allows the threaded portion 20b to be screwed is threaded.

A pair of electrodes 30, 30 extending in the longitudinal direction are disposed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 21, and the lower ends of the electrodes 30, 30 are aligned with the lower end of the cylindrical body 21. . Further, each electrode 30 is formed in a T-shape, and a tongue piece 30c extending horizontally on both sides at the top thereof is tightly wound and fixed in an arc shape around the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 21. and two electrodes 3
The height of each tongue piece 30c of 0 and 30 relative to the cylindrical body 21 is changed so that they do not come into contact with each other.

Above the bottom plate 14 and at a position facing the through hole 14a, contact pieces 15, 15 connected to a liquid level detection circuit (not shown) are arranged at different heights. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the threaded portion 20b of the liquid level detection means 20 is directly connected by screwing into the female threaded portion 9b of the drinking pipe 9, the contact pieces 15 arranged at different heights can be connected directly. ,15 is
Conductivity is ensured by contacting the tongues 30c, 30c, respectively. Thereby, the liquid level detection means 20 including the two electrodes 30, 30 is detachably attached to the liquor pipe 9.

(Regarding the accessory structure of the sake warmer) A support rod 23 made of, for example, a square rod is hung down and fixed to the lower surface of the bottom plate 14 of the sake warmer main body 2, and a receptor 16 such as a sake bottle is attached to the support rod 23. A mounting plate 24 for mounting is inserted through a boss 25 formed integrally with the mounting plate 24 so as to be movable up and down.
Further, an adjustment member 26 is provided near the lower end of the support rod 23.
However, the height can be adjusted freely by a fixing screw 27 screwed into this. In this case, the mounting plate 24 is located directly below the through hole 14a formed in the bottom plate 14 of the sake sake brewer main body 2. And the distance between the mounting plate 24 and the lower end of the liquid level detection means 20
H ₁ is set to be greater than the height H ₂ of the receptor 16 such as a sake bottle (H ₁ > H ₂ ), and by fixing the adjusting member 26 with the screw 27 in this state, the receptor 16 can be adjusted. It can be easily placed on the mounting plate 24.

(Regarding the operation of the embodiment) Next, the actual use of the sake warmer according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be explained. When a predetermined amount of water is poured into the airtight container 8 and the heater 10 is energized, the water temperature gradually rises, and the temperature sensing element 12 reaches a predetermined temperature.
The heater 10 is operated to cut off the current supply to the heater 10, and the temperature is maintained at a substantially constant temperature. In this state, when a sake container 6 such as a 1-sho bottle is uncorked and placed upside down on the receiver 5, the sake in the sake container 6 flows down the liquid supply pipe 7, and the heat exchange coil 7b in the sealed container 8 flows. The water is heated by exchanging heat with the heated water.
Note that, of course, the solenoid valve 13 is closed at this time.

Next, the receptor 16 such as a sake bottle is placed on the mounting plate 24, but as described above, the mounting plate 24 and the liquid level detection means 2
The distance H ₁ between the lower edge of 0 and the lower edge of the receptor 16 is
Since it is set to be larger than H ₂ (H ₁ >H ₂ ), the receiver 16 can be easily placed on the mounting plate 24 . Next, when the mounting plate 24 is lifted, the liquid level detection means 20 is inserted into the socket 16a of the receiver 16. Since the liquor supply opening 9a of the liquor supply pipe 9 is located concentrically in the center passage hole 20a of the liquid level detection means 20, the liquor supply start switch (not shown) is operated to 0N, and the solenoid valve 13 is activated. When opened, the heated sake is supplied to the receiver 16 by a drop.

When the liquid is supplied to the receptor 16, the liquid level gradually rises and the electrode 3 inserted into the liquid level detecting means 20
When it comes into contact with the lower end of 0,30, a minute current flows between both electrodes, and the liquid level detection circuit detects the end of drinking at a predetermined liquid level. As a result, the solenoid valve 1
At the same time, the end of the serving is indicated by a display means such as a lamp. Next, the receiver 16 is lowered vertically downward and taken out horizontally from the mounting plate 24, thereby completing the brewing process.

If the above-mentioned procedure is repeated, as mentioned above, the detection parts 30b, 30b, which are the parts of the electrodes 30, 30 that come into direct contact with the liquor, will inevitably be exposed to electricity from sugar and other components in the liquor. An insulating film is then formed. Such an electrical insulating film is the electrode 3
If it is formed at 0, it will interfere with liquid level detection at the initial set liquid level. Therefore, in the present invention, the period until the electrical insulating film is formed on the electrodes 30, 30 and the conductivity between the electrodes in the liquid is inhibited is determined in advance from experience, and the electrodes 30 are removed before the period elapses. It is designed so that it can be removed from the sake sake body 2 for cleaning.

That is, the locking member 1 holds the liquid level detection means 20 and rotates it by 90° in the circumferential direction to fix the notches 28, 28 in the cylindrical body 21 to the bottom plate 14.
8 and 18 and are brought into alignment with the extension portions 18a and 18a. At this time, the width dimension of each notch 28 is
Since the width is set larger than the width dimension a, the liquid level detection means 20 can be easily removed from the sake sake body 2 by pulling it down (see FIG. 3). The electrode 30 of the liquid level detection means 20 removed in this manner can be easily cleaned with a cleaning tool such as a brush.
It is possible to completely remove the electrically insulating film attached to the surface.
Note that as shown in FIG. 4, the electrode 30 itself can be removed from the liquid level detection means 20 if necessary.
A more thorough cleaning is also possible.

After the cleaning of the electrode 30 is completed, as shown in FIG. The portions 28, 28 are aligned with the locking members 18, 18. Next, when the liquid level detecting means 20 is lifted vertically, the drinking pipe 9 is inserted into the center through hole 20a of the liquid level detecting means 20, and the extending portions 18a correspond to each other between the notches 28. It turns out. Therefore, the liquid level detection means 20 is
When rotated by 90 degrees, the flanges 22, 22 enter between the bottom plate 14 and the locking members 18, 18 and are mounted in a pinching manner. At this time, the contact pieces 15, 15, which are disposed inside the main body 2 and located substantially directly above the locking members 18, 18, are elastically attached to the electrode heads 30a, 30a exposed on the surfaces of the flanges 22, 22. A conductive path is formed between the liquid level detecting circuit and a liquid level detection circuit (not shown) to wait for the next liquid level detection.

Also in the second embodiment described above, the liquid level detecting means 20 can be similarly removed from the drinking pipe 9, the electrode 30 can be cleaned, and it can be attached to the drinking pipe 9 again after cleaning is completed. Although the embodiment has been described with reference to a sake sake brewer, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be suitably used as a liquid level detection means in various other liquid supply devices.

Effects of the Invention As explained above, according to the liquid supply device according to the present invention, the liquid level detection means is removably attached to the main body of the device, so that the electrodes disposed on the liquid level detection means are electrically insulated over time. In the event that the membrane adheres to the device and causes a malfunction in which liquid level is not detected due to poor electrical conductivity, the liquid level detecting means can be easily removed from the device and cleaned. Moreover, since a pair of electrodes are arranged on the outer surface of the cylindrical body that constitutes the liquid level detection means, there is no need to clean the inside of the narrow liquid passage, and the electrical insulating film can be completely removed. . Further, there is no risk of accidentally deforming or damaging the electrode during cleaning, and even if the electrode is deformed or damaged, it can be easily replaced.

Furthermore, the pair of electrodes arranged on the cylindrical body can be brought into contact with the contact piece connected to the liquid level detection circuit by simply attaching the cylindrical body to the liquid supply pipe, so a separate liquid level detection circuit is required. This provides beneficial effects such as eliminating the need to connect a conductive path with the

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a sake sake maker according to a preferred embodiment of the liquid supply device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the sake sake maker shown in FIG. 1.
3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the liquid level detecting means shown in FIG. 2 is removed, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which an electrode is removed from the liquid level detecting means, and FIG. In the embodiment, a perspective view showing a state in which the liquid level detection means is removed, and FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway side view showing a state in which the liquid level detection means is directly connected to the drinking pipe in the embodiment shown in FIG. , FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a liquid level detection means according to the prior art. 6...Liquid supply source, 7...Liquid supply pipe, 9...
Liquid supply pipe, 9b... Female threaded part, 13... Solenoid valve, 1
5... Contact piece, 18... Locking member, 20... Liquid level detection means, 21... Cylindrical body, 22... Flange, 30... Electrode.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] [1] A liquid supply source 6, a liquid supply pipe 7 connected to the liquid supply source 6, and this liquid supply pipe 7
A liquid supply pipe 9 connected to the electromagnetic valve 13 via a solenoid valve 13, a liquid level detection circuit connected to the electromagnetic valve 13, and a pair of electrodes connected to the liquid level detection circuit but not in contact with each other. , in a liquid supply device configured to close the solenoid valve 13 via the circuit when both electrodes come into contact with a conductive liquid and become energized; Means 18, 22,
A cylindrical body 21 detachably arranged via 9b and 20b, a pair of electrodes 30 disposed on the outer surface of the cylindrical body 21 without contacting each other,
30 constitutes a liquid level detecting means 20, and a pair of contact pieces 15, 1 connected to the liquid level detecting circuit is provided at a position close to the liquid supply pipe 9.
5 is arranged, and when the liquid level detecting means 20 is arranged with respect to the liquid supply pipe 9 via the engaging means 18, 22, 9b, 20b, the pair of electrodes 30, 30 make corresponding contact. A liquid supply device characterized in that the pieces 15, 15 are in contact with each other. [2] The liquid level detection means 20 engages the flanges 22, 22 formed integrally with the cylindrical main body 21 with locking members 18, 18 disposed at fixed portions close to the liquid supply pipe 9. Claim 1 of the utility model registration, characterized in that the utility model is worn by
Liquid supply device as described in section. [3] The liquid level detection means 20 is directly screwed and connected to the liquid supply pipe 9 via a screwed part 20b formed in the cylindrical main body 21, as described in claim 1 of the utility model registration claim. liquid supply device.