DE102022122874B3 - Dispensing head with sensor for a beverage keg - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispensing head arrangement (1) for connection to a beverage keg (2), wherein a dispensing head (3) is provided which can be placed on a beverage keg (2), characterized in that in the dispensing head (3) there is a sensor ( 20) for determining the flow and/or a pressure sensor (21) and/or an antenna (26) for reading out data is/are arranged.

Description

The present invention relates to a tap head arrangement for connection to a beverage keg according to the features in the preamble of patent claim 1.

The present invention also relates to a method for determining the filling status of a beverage keg.

It is known from the prior art to provide drinks in beverage barrels, especially in catering establishments. Common beverage barrel sizes are 10 liters, 20, 25, 30 liters, but also 50 liter beverage barrels. The beverage kegs are delivered through delivery logistics and are usually stored in an area away from the taproom or the tap that is not visible. This area usually also needs to be cooled so that the drink can be provided chilled. Beverage kegs are often stored in a beverage cellar.

There is a need to know the fill level of a struck beverage keg. Especially when different beverage kegs with different drinks are attached to a dispenser.

This knowledge is necessary in three ways. Especially at peak times, a corresponding keg change can take several minutes, which, however, a single owner, a single person operating a dispensing system, cannot spare.

A second need is to know the respective filling level in order to be able to order the quantities of drinks required for the next few days or weeks in an ordering process.

A third option is to use respective filling level tables to ultimately record how high the respective quantities taken from a respective beverage barrel were over a respective time period.

Various inline measuring systems are known from the prior art, for example from DE 202 07 334 U1 a measuring arrangement is known. A flow meter is used here, which makes it possible to read or reset the meter reading in a control unit and to read the amount of drinks drawn for certain periods of time. The disadvantage here is that such a flow rate sensor is operated, for example, via an impeller. The impeller engages directly in the beverage line. However, the beverage lines must be cleaned regularly, using so-called cleaning beads. Measuring systems that interfere with the beverage line are disadvantageous and require special cleaning.

A similar measuring arrangement is, for example, from DE 199 48 471 A1 known.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an option that is as low-maintenance and error-prone as possible in order to enable fill level monitoring and information about the contents of the tapped or struck beverage kegs with little use of measurement technology.

The aforementioned object is achieved according to the invention in the arrangement for detecting the flow rate and / or the filling state of a beverage keg with the features in claim 1.

Advantageous embodiment variants of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

The arrangement for detecting the flow rate and/or the filling state of a beverage keg has at least one tap head and one beverage keg. The tap head is connected or attached to the beverage keg. A sensor is assigned to the dispensing head, whereby the sensor detects at least the “flow” status or the “no flow” status.

The sensor itself is either integrated directly into the dispensing head or attached to the dispensing head.

According to the invention, it is now provided that the sensor detects the “flow” state or the “no flow” state. With the help of a stored database, which either consists of an algorithm and/or a stored table, a conclusion can be made based on the time in which flow is detected as to what amount of drink has flowed through the tap head or the line. This can then be used to calculate the remaining filling level of the beverage keg. For this purpose, the flow rate, for example in liters per minute, is preferably stored in the system at each measuring/tap point. This is preferably done by measuring/measuring by the system operator, e.g. B. by measuring the time during the withdrawal of a specific and known amount of drink. Alternatively, a learning program is conceivable using the electronics software in such a way that after the start the times of all tapping processes are added up and the operator then you can simply enter the total quantity removed. This in turn calculates the flow rate in liters per minute. With fixed control variables, this is usually constant for each beverage line/installation. The flow rate only needs to be re-determined if the operator makes changes to the installation (e.g. the delivery pressure or the compensator on the dispensing tap). This can also be done by adding up all the times to completely remove an entire barrel. Since the operator selects the barrel change in the software anyway by selecting the new volume, this is also possible semi-automatically.

If the system is then e.g. For example, if a flow rate of 2.5 l/min is stored and the tapping process takes 12 seconds, it can be converted that a volume of 0.5 liters was taken, which is subtracted from the total fill level of the barrel.

The present invention has many advantages over variants known from the prior art. First of all, only a minimal use of sensor technology is required, which is therefore cost-effective, simple and not prone to failure. Because the data is recorded and processed, it is stored in an external server or in a cloud and can therefore be accessed. It is therefore possible for the operator of the dispensing system to call up the individual fill level for one or more beverage kegs at any time, so that he is warned about a keg change. A forecast can also be created for the ordering of beverage kegs required in the future, as the withdrawal quantities are logged over time.

The sensor is integrated directly into the tap head. The sensor is designed as a reed sensor or reed switch or reed contact and/or capacitive sensor and/or inductive sensor. There is a tap head plunger in the tap head. There is usually a non-return safety device inside the tap head plunger. This kickback protection is designed, for example, as a magnetic rod or ball, in particular made of a metallic material. This can therefore be used to switch a magnetic contact and thus detect the “flow” or “no flow” status.

In the sense of the invention, a first sensor is therefore designed in such a way that a signal body, in particular as a magnetic rod or ball, but in other design variants, is integrated into the beverage line. This signal body is moved into a different position when the beverage flows through, in particular in relation to the vertical direction. The signal body comes into the position of a sensor, in particular a reed sensor, which thus detects the “flow” state of beverages or fluid in the beverage line. The signal body can be cleaned together with the dispensing head or can simply be removed for cleaning and then reinserted. Furthermore, such backflow preventers are known on the tap heads.

For this purpose, in particular, the tap head itself can be made of a plastic material. Such a tap head is, for example, from the EP 2 730 537 A2 known, the entire disclosure content of which is included here.

It can now happen in applications that if the tap head is broken, for example when changing a barrel, the tap head is not stored vertically, but rather lying horizontally. The “flow” contact can be accidentally triggered. To avoid this, a second sensor is preferably arranged which detects that the dispensing head is properly placed on the barrel and locked. This can be done, for example, by a second sensor which detects that the tap head lock is lowered and thus detects that the tap head is attached to the barrel. This can also be done via a reed contact. Only when the sensor detects that the tap head has hit the barrel does the actual first sensor also recognize the “flow” status.

Furthermore, an inductive or capacitive sensor is conceivable, arranged in the dispensing head in such a way that it detects the metallic fitting of the beverage keg as soon as the dispensing head is struck. In a preferred embodiment variant, the flow signal from the tap head is validated in the electronics or the web app with the flow signal from the dispensing tap.

Additionally or alternatively, a pressure sensor is provided in the dispensing head. The pressure sensor and/or capacitive sensor and/or inductive sensor is designed in particular as a plug-in sensor. The pressure sensor is thus sealed fluid-tight and/or gas-tight with an O-ring, for example. Due to the plug connection, it is possible to rotate the wired sensor completely around its own axis.

In a preferred embodiment variant, it is also possible to determine a flow using two pressure sensors connected in series in the axial direction according to the Venturi principle.

The pressure sensor can be arranged in the dispensing head, preferably in the gas output. To To determine a flow, two pressure sensors can be arranged in series in the gas line. When tension gas is introduced into the gas, it automatically means that extraction is taking place elsewhere. In the case of a flow meter, formed by two pressure sensors, these can also be arranged in the beverage line of the tap head.

Particularly preferred is an electronic unit that is assigned to the dispensing head or is arranged directly on the dispensing head or is integrated into the dispensing head. In particular, if the dispensing head is made of a plastic material, an electronic circuit board can be arranged directly on the dispensing head. The pressure sensor and reed sensor can then be wired directly to the electronic unit. The electronic unit can either be connected to a higher-level evaluation unit via a cable connection. The electronic unit could also communicate with a higher-level evaluation unit via wireless communication.

In a further, particularly preferred or additional design variant, the dispensing head has an antenna for reading out information. This is integrated in particular at the bottom or the foot of the tap head. In particular, this antenna is designed as an NFC antenna or RFID in any frequency range. This makes it possible to read out information that is present on a barrel or in particular a fitting of a barrel and here again preferably on a data carrier in a fitting of a barrel. For example, data on the filling date, contents and type of beverage of the barrel can be stored on such a data carrier of the fitting, which in turn is designed, for example, as NFC or RFID in any frequency range. This data could then be read by the antenna of the tap head and transmitted to the electronic unit and in turn transmitted to a higher-level evaluation unit.

The system is preferably constructed in such a way that an electronic unit or an electronic evaluation system is present. This is particularly preferably connected by cable to the sensors in the tap heads. The sensors in the tap heads then send the signal “flow” or “no flow” to the electronic evaluation unit. The electronic evaluation unit can then directly calculate the flow rate, in particular based on the time window in which the sensor reports “flow”. If necessary, the incorrect measurement when the tap head is lying down can also be avoided by means of an additional temperature sensor in the dispensing tap in such a way that the flow measurement is validated by measuring the temperature drop as the drink flows through. A pressure sensor on the so-called Gas pressure reducer of the dispensing system delivers by validating the measurement of the flow through the expected pressure drop. However, the electronic evaluation unit can only record the raw data.

The raw data and/or the calculated flow rates are then preferably passed on to an external database. In particular, this is a cloud. The required data can then be retrieved from the cloud, for example via a mobile device, in particular a tablet or a smartphone. This can be arranged at the host himself or near the dispensing system, so that the operator of the dispensing system is informed about the respective filling level of a beverage keg. However, the data can also be forwarded to a central evaluation point in a larger hospitality chain with several geographically distant branches or similar, so that a central ordering process can be carried out from here. Furthermore, the data collected is very helpful for breweries' marketing purposes, for example, because it can then be seen which brands are served well or poorly in which places and at what times.

Particularly preferably, an algorithm and/or data table or a data matrix can be stored in the evaluation unit. The “flow” or “no flow” signal as well as the respective time window can then be readjusted if the measured values differ from the real values. This can be the case, for example, if an existing tapping infrastructure enables an increased or lower flow, so that a respective readjustment is necessary.

In particular, the system can also be designed to be self-learning. By specifying in the data matrix or entering the respective filling quantity of a beverage keg, a self-learning process can then take place, so that, for example, when any keg is connected, the flow rate is determined by recording and adding up all the flow times, since the system starts from an almost completely empty keg when changing a keg and the measured delivery value of the beverage quantity then correlates with the real barrel change, i.e. the barrel used.

The sensors of the dispensing heads are connected to the electronic evaluation unit in particular by cable. However, wireless data transmission is also possible. However, wired makes it possible to use electronic evaluation The unit can then be centrally connected to a permanent energy supply, for example an existing power grid. This then feeds the sensors in the tap heads with energy.

The data from the evaluation unit can in turn be passed on wirelessly, for example via a WiFi connection or a GSM connection, so that no data line to another external evaluation unit or the cloud is necessary. A wired Internet connection (Ethernet) is also possible.

The present invention therefore also relates to a method for operating the arrangement described above. In particular, the method can be used to determine the flow rate and/or the filling state of the beverage barrel.

For this purpose, the method is operated in such a way that the above-described sensor system is used to detect whether a drink is being taken from a respective beverage barrel, i.e. whether “flow” or “no flow” has been established. The quantity withdrawn from the beverage barrel is calculated via a stored database, whereby the database can be an algorithm or a database table, based on the time window for which the sensor reports that there is a flow. This can then be used to determine or calculate the remaining fill level of the beverage keg.

• 1 eine vereinfachte Darstellung der Anordnung sowie des Verfahrens zum Betreiben dieser,
• 2 und 3 einen Zapfkopf mit integriertem Sensor, welcher „Durchfluss“ signalisiert gemäß 2 und welcher „kein Durchfluss“ signalisiert gemäß 3,
• 4 einen Zapfkopf mit Drucksensor,
• 5 ein Zapfkopf mit Gasadapter, befestigt über Federzungen,
• 6 einen Drucksensor, befestigt über Rasthaken und
• 7a und b einen Zapfkopf mit Antenne zum Auslesen von Daten.

Further advantages, features and aspects of the present invention are the subject of the following description. Preferred design variants are shown in schematic figures. These serve to make the invention easier to understand. Show it:

• 1 a simplified representation of the arrangement and the procedure for operating it,
• 2 and 3 a tap head with an integrated sensor, which signals “flow” according to 2 and which signals “no flow” according to 3 ,
• 4 a tap head with pressure sensor,
• 5 a nozzle head with gas adapter, attached via spring tongues,
• 6 a pressure sensor, attached via snap hooks and
• 7a and b a tap head with an antenna for reading out data.

In the figures, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar components, even if a repeated description is omitted for reasons of simplicity.

1 shows an arrangement 1 according to the invention for detecting the flow rate and / or the filling state of a beverage keg 2. For this purpose, a dispensing head 3 is arranged on the keg 2 and a sensor, not shown, is integrated in the dispensing head 3. The tap head 3 is connected to a tap 5 via a beverage line 4. The beverage barrel 2 is, shown here, in a cellar 6 of a building 7. The tap 5 is located in a taproom 8. The cellar 6 and the taproom 8 can then be separated from each other by a floor ceiling 9. It is now desirable that the operator of the tap 5 is aware of the individual filling level 10 or the filling level 10 of the beverage barrel 2 shown. Several beverage barrels 2 can be arranged to provide different beverages at different taps 5, but this is no longer shown here. The sensor of the dispensing head 3 is now connected to an electronic evaluation unit 12. This can be done wirelessly, but also wired 11. The electronic evaluation unit 12 preferably communicates via a wireless signal with an external database, shown here in the form of a cloud 14. Either only raw data is transmitted, so that the filling level 10 is calculated via an algorithm of a web-based program within the cloud 14. However, the calculation can also take place in the electronic evaluation unit 12. From there or from the cloud 14, the filling level 10 can be queried or displayed via a terminal 15, for example a tablet or a PDA or smartphone. This then enables the necessary information to be provided for the further organizational process, for example for re-ordering drinks or the upcoming barrel change. The barrel change is then entered by the operator either on the unit 12 or via a terminal 15 if the equipment variant with the NFC antenna is not available and a barrel with a tag can be read. For example, an alarm signal can also be given when a barrel change is imminent or when the temperature sensor on the dispensing tap 5 or when the pressure sensor on the pressure reducer detects a deviation. At peak times in taproom 8, it can be ensured that all guests are provided with drinks without major downtime.

The advantage described is that the measurement technology can be reduced to a minimum, so that the cleaning of beverage line 4 and the provision of food-compliant measurement technology is also optimized.

A preferred embodiment is in the 2 and 3 shown. Here a tap head 3 is shown, which in 2 is shown in the attached and locked state, in 3 in the open state. The dispensing head 3 itself has a lever 16. If the lever 16 is pressed down and locked, a tap head plunger 17 is moved downwards in the axial direction onto the image plane into a fitting (not shown) of a beverage keg 2. The drink can then be directed in the direction of arrow 18 through the beverage line 4 towards the tap 5, not shown. For this purpose, a non-return safety device is designed in particular as a magnetic rod 19, or magnetic rod 19 with a food-compliant casing, arranged in the tap head plunger 17. The magnetic rod 19 is moved upwards in the axial direction, in particular due to the fluid flowing through. A sensor 20 is arranged here in the form of a reed sensor 20 in or on the dispensing head 3. This detects the position of the magnetic rod 19 and can therefore emit the “flow” sensor signal. In 3 The magnetic rod 19 is arranged downwards in relation to the vertical direction and not near the reed sensor 20. The signal “no flow” is therefore given. Optionally, a sensor (not shown) which is arranged in the area of the lever 16 or detects the lever position can be used to ensure that, for example, horizontal storage of the dispensing head 3 and thus an inadvertent upward sliding of the magnetic rod 19 still produces the signal “no Flow” because in this state, for example when changing a barrel, there is no flow of fluid.

The 4 shows the dispensing head with a pressure sensor 21, which is arranged in a gas line 22 or the dispensing head 3 contained in the gas tap. The pressure sensor 21 is coupled via a cable 23 to an electronic unit 24 arranged on the dispensing head 3. Furthermore, the reed sensor 20 is also connected to the electronics unit 24 via a connecting cable and the antenna 26, further described in the following figures, is also coupled to the electronics unit 24. The electronics unit 24 can be integrated directly into a dispensing head made of plastic material, in particular. For example, a lockable cover can then only be clipped onto the electronics unit 24 or, preferably, the electronics are cast using resin after assembly in order to protect them.

Also shown are two spring tongues 27. The spring tongues 27 enable a gas adapter 28 to be plugged onto the dispensing head in the axial direction A. Furthermore, 28 locking hooks 29 for receiving the pressure sensor 21 are arranged on the gas adapter. A screw thread for connecting a receptacle of the pressure sensor 21 of a gas adapter 28 can be omitted. Easier handling is therefore possible.

The 5 and 6 show this again. In 5 A gas adapter 28 is inserted via the spring tongues 27 on the gas side. For this purpose, the gas adapter 28 can simply be inserted and locked in the axial direction A. This is then sealed gas-tight via an O-ring 30.

6 shows a pressure sensor 21. This is inserted into the gas adapter 28. For this purpose, locking hooks 28 are arranged and the pressure sensor 21 is sealed via a further O-ring 30. The cable 23 of the pressure sensor 21 can thus rotate about its own axis, so that assembly is simplified and a pressure sensor 21 would not cause a corresponding twisting of the cable via a thread.

7a and b show a further advantageous embodiment variant of the invention. Here, in the area of an underside of the tap head 2, an antenna 26 is integrated into it. The antenna 26 is used to read out data that is arranged on the data carrier of a fitting or a barrel that is not specified. The antenna 26 is connected to the electronic unit. This can be used to read out the data from the data carrier of the barrel and/or the data from the data carrier of the fitting, for example the filling location, filling date, contents of the barrel or barrel volume and the type of beverage contained in the barrel. The 7b shows a detailed sectional view of 7a .

Reference symbol:

1

arrangement

2

Drink barrel

3

tap head

4

Beverage management

5

tap

6

basement, cellar

7

Building

8th

taproom

9

floor ceiling

10

Filling level/filling height

11

wired

12

electronic evaluation unit

13

wireless

14

Cloud

15

mobile device

16

lever

17

Nozzle head plunger

18

Arrow direction

19

Magnetic bar

20

Sensor/reed sensor

21

Pressure sensor

22

Gas pipe

23

Cable to 21

24

Electronics unit

25

20 cables

26

antenna

27

spring tongues

28

Gas adapter

29

Latching hook

30

O-ring

A

Axial direction

Claims (9)

Dispensing head arrangement (1) for connection to a beverage keg (2), a dispensing head (3) being provided which can be placed on a beverage keg (2), characterized in that in the dispensing head (3) there is a sensor (20) for determining the Flow and / or a pressure sensor (21) and / or an antenna (26) for reading out data is / are arranged, the sensor (20) for determining the flow as a reed sensor and / or as a capacitive sensor and / or inductive sensor (20 ) is trained. Tap head arrangement (1). Claim 1 , characterized in that the antenna (26) is an NFC antenna and / or RFID, which is intended in particular to read data from a memory of a fitting of a beverage keg (2). Tap head arrangement (1). Claim 1 or2, characterized in that the pressure sensor (21) is integrated directly into the dispensing head (3) in the gas line or that the pressure sensor (21) is arranged in a beverage line (4) of the dispensing head (3). Dispensing head arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing head (3) is assigned an electronics unit which is arranged directly on the dispensing head (3). Dispensing head arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a check valve element is arranged in the dispensing head (3) as a magnetic rod (19), preferably a food-safe coated magnet, which activates the reed sensor. Dispensing head arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure sensor (21) is inserted into the dispensing head (3) and can preferably be arranged by means of locking hooks. Dispensing head arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow sensor is formed by two pressure sensors (21) arranged one behind the other in a row. Dispensing head arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a gas adapter (28) is connected directly to the dispensing head (3), in particular with a plug connection. Dispensing head arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing head (3) is at least partially made of a plastic material.

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