JP2000210654A - Water supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sufficiently sterilize water in a tank and to preferentially ensure the water supply function for water supply requirement. SOLUTION: The water supply requirement from the water consuming side is monitored and also the sterilize circulation period for sterilizing the water in circulation in the tank 11 is watched by a monitoring means. The switching of water supply by a water supply switching means 26 and the sterilization in circulation by a sterilizing means 45 are controlled by a control means based on the monitoring by the monitoring means. At the time of sterilizing treatment, the water supply in the tank 11 is switched to the circulating sterilizing means 45 side by the water supply switching means 26, and the water is sterilized by the circulating sterilizing means 45 while circulating the water in the tank 11. At the time of the water supply requirement, the water supply of the water in the tank 11 is changed to a water supply means 42 side by the water supply switching means 26 and the water is supplied by the water supply means 42.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water supply apparatus for supplying water in response to a water supply request from a water supply load side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a beverage dispenser such as a tea dispenser, a transportable tank for storing water is used without being directly connected to a water supply pipe such as a water pipe, and this tank is loaded into the beverage dispenser. Water is supplied from the tank to a water heater or a cooler of the beverage dispenser (water supply includes water injection). However, since water is pumped in the tank, if the pumping period is long, the water quality may be degraded.

For this reason, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
As described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6, the water supply from the tank is prohibited after a predetermined period has elapsed since the detection of the loading of the tank storing the water, thereby preventing the supply of deteriorated water. . However, in this case, there is a problem that the water in the tank needs to be frequently replaced.

[0004] As described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 55-50602, a sterilizing device having an ultraviolet lamp inserted in a water supply line from a tank to a water heater is provided to sterilize water in the tank. Water is supplied to the water heater. However, there is a problem that the water cannot be sufficiently sterilized because it is a running water sterilization that sterilizes the water flowing only once in the sterilizing device of the water supply pipeline.

[0005]

However, when water is pumped in the tank, the water supply from the tank is prohibited when the pumping period becomes long, so that the water in the tank is frequently replaced. In addition to the necessity, even if there is water in the tank, there is a problem that water cannot be supplied, and there is a problem that a water supply function is impaired. Further, even when a sterilizer is used for the water supply line, the water cannot be sufficiently sterilized because the water is sterilized by flowing water only once in the sterilization device of the water supply line. Frequent replacement is required.

Further, when a water purifier for removing chlorine or the like is used in a water supply line from a tank, the water supply line including the water supply device is in a closed state closed from the air. Although the water in the water purifier is low, the water remaining in the water purifier remains the same even if the water in the tank is replaced when the period for storing the water in the tank becomes long.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a water supply device capable of sufficiently sterilizing water in a tank and keeping the water sanitary, as well as ensuring priority on a water supply function for a water supply request. The purpose is to do.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water supply apparatus for supplying water in response to a water supply request from a water supply load side, and a water supply tank for supplying water in the tank. Means, circulation sterilization means for sterilizing while circulating the water in the tank, and water flow switching means for switching the water flow in the tank to either the water supply means side or the circulation sterilization means side, While monitoring the water supply request from the water supply load side, monitoring means for monitoring the circulation sterilization cycle to circulate and sterilize the water in the tank, and based on the monitoring by this monitoring means, while prioritizing the water supply by the water supply means, Control means for controlling water flow switching by the water flow switching means and circulation sterilization by the circulation sterilization means.

The water in the tank is sterilized by periodically circulating the water in the tank with a circulating sterilizing means, whereby the water in the tank is sufficiently sterilized and kept sanitary, and the water supply by the water supply means is prioritized. Thus, water can be supplied in response to a water supply request from the water supply load side.

The water supply device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the water supply device according to the first aspect, further comprising a replenishment detecting means for detecting replenishment of water in the tank, and a water purification means for purifying water in the tank. The switching means enables the water in the tank to be switched between a side where water is passed from the water purification means to the water supply means and a side where water is passed from the water purification means to the circulation sterilization means, and the control means controls the water flow switching means. When the replenishment detecting means detects the replenishment of the water in the tank, the water is passed from the water purification means to the circulation sterilization means to perform the water purification and the circulation sterilization for a predetermined time, and the water is supplied through the water purification means when the water is supplied by the water supply means. .

[0011] When the replenishment detecting means detects replenishment of the water in the tank, water purification by the water purifying means and circulation sterilization by the circulation sterilization means are executed for a predetermined time.
The water remaining in the water purification means is circulated and sterilized, and the water remaining in the water purification means is replaced with fresh water in the tank.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the water supply apparatus according to the second aspect, the water flow switching means is capable of switching the water in the tank to a side through which only water is circulated and sterilized. The water flow switching means is controlled to perform circulation sterilization without passing through the water purification means during the sterilization treatment by the circulation sterilization means.

[0013] By performing the circulation sterilization without passing through the water purification means during the sterilization treatment by the circulation sterilization means, the water purification function of the water purification means can be maintained for a long time.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a beverage dispenser such as a tea machine includes a water heater 1 and a water cooler 2 as a water supply load.
Alternatively, hot water or cold water is extracted from the water cooler 2 and mixed with a powdered beverage material or a liquid beverage material, or tea leaves, coffee powder, or the like is infused to provide a beverage.

The water heater 1 has a hot water tank (not shown) for storing hot water. The hot water stored in the hot water tank is heated to a predetermined temperature by a heater, and the hot water supply valve is opened by operating a drink selection button or the like. Hot water is supplied by the. The amount of hot water stored in the hot water tank is detected by the hot water amount detecting means.

The chiller 2 has a chill water tank (not shown) for storing the chilled water, and the chilled water stored in the chilled water tank is cooled by a cooling device. ) Is cooled by heat exchange with cooling water, and the chilled water valve is opened by operating a beverage selection button or the like, whereby chilled water passed through the chilled water coil is supplied.

The beverage dispenser is provided with a water supply device 3. The water supply device 3 is used when detecting a decrease in the amount of hot water by the hot water amount detecting means of the hot water device 1 or when supplying cold water from the water cooler 2. That is, when water supply is requested from the water supply load side such as the water heater 1 and the water cooler 2, water (drinking water) is supplied to the water heater 1 and the water cooler 2.

The water supply device 3 uses a transportable tank 11 for storing water (potable water) such as tap water.
The water in 11 is supplied to the water heater 1 and the water cooler 2. A tank mounting section 12 for mounting the tank 11 is provided. The tank mounting section 12 is provided with a weight detecting section 13 as a supply detecting means for detecting the weight of the mounted tank 11.
The tank 11 is detected by the weight detection unit 13.
Is detected, and the remaining amount of water in the tank 11 is detected. When the tank 11 becomes lighter than a predetermined weight, empty (water cutoff) is detected. Supply is detected by a change in the increase in weight.

A cap body 14 for closing an opening (not shown) of the tank 11 is detachably attached to the upper part of the tank 11, and a pair of insertion pipes 15 and 16 inserted into the tank 11 are attached to the cap body 14. Installed. One insertion tube 15
Is located in the bottom area of the tank 11 and the other insertion tube 16
Is set to be located in the middle height region of the tank 11.

A pipe 17 is connected to one of the insertion pipes 15, and a pump 18 for sucking water in the tank 11 and discharging the water to the downstream side of the pipe 17 is provided in the pipe 17.

The downstream part of the pipe 18 is connected via a three-way joint 19 to
The upstream portions of the two pipes 20 and 21 are respectively connected.

The pipe 20 is provided with a water purifier 22 as a water purification means for purifying water flowing through the pipe 20, and two pipes are provided at a downstream portion of the pipe 20 via a three-way joint 23. The upstream portions of the roads 24 and 25 are connected respectively.

A downstream portion of each of the pipelines 21 and 25 having an upstream portion connected to each of the three-way joints 19 and 23 has a three-way switching valve as a water flow switching means.
26 is connected to each port in two directions, and a pipe 27 is connected to the remaining one-way port of the three-way switching valve 26. The pipe 27 sterilizes water passing through the pipe 27. A sterilization device 28 is provided, and a downstream portion of the conduit 27 is connected to the other insertion tube 16. The sterilizing device 28 is provided with, for example, a sterilizing lamp, and is configured to irradiate ultraviolet light to water passing through the pipe 27 to perform a sterilizing process by turning on the sterilizing lamp.

A check valve 29 that allows only water flow in the downstream direction of the pipe 24 is provided in the pipe 24 whose upstream portion is connected to the three-way joint 23. Two pipes 31 and 32 are connected via a joint 30, respectively, and valves 33 and 34 for opening and closing the pipes are disposed in each of the pipes 31 and 32.
Is connected to the hot water tank of the water heater 1, and the other pipeline 32 is connected to the cold water pipe of the water heater 2.

Then, the insertion pipe 15, the pipe 17, the pump 18, the three-way joint 19, the pipe 20, the water purifier 22, the three-way joint 23 and the pipe 24
Thus, a water supply channel (water supply / water injection channel) 41 is formed, and a water supply means 42 for supplying water in the tank 11 to the water supply load side such as the water heater 1 or the water cooler 2 through the water supply channel 41 is formed. Have been.

Insertion pipe 15, conduit 17, pump 18, three-way joint 1
9, the first circulation path 43 is formed by the pipe 21, the three-way switching valve 26, the pipe 27, the sterilizing device 28, the insertion pipe 16, and the like, or the insertion pipe 15, the pipe 17, the pump 18, Three-way joint 1
9, the pipe 20, the water purifier 22, the three-way joint 23, the pipe 25, the three-way switching valve 26, the pipe 27, the sterilizer 28, the insertion pipe 16 and the like,
Circulation path 44 is formed, and each of these circulation paths
A circulating sterilization means 45 for sterilizing while circulating the water in the tank 11 through 43 and 44 is formed.

The three-way switching valve 26 cleans the water in the tank 11 with a water purifier.
A side that switches between a side that passes water to the water supply means 42 through the water purifier 22, a side that passes water to the circulation sterilization means 45 through the water purifier 22, and a side that passes water only to the circulation sterilization means 45 without passing through the water purifier 22. It is configured as water switching means.

In FIG. 4, a water heater 1 and a water cooler 2 are connected to a control means 51 for controlling a beverage dispenser.
8. The three-way switching valve 26, the sterilizer 28, and the valves 33 and 34 are connected to each other.

The control means 51 monitors a water supply request from the water heater 1 and the water cooler 2 on the water supply load side, monitors the attachment / detachment of the tank 11 and the amount of remaining water in the tank 11, and circulates and sterilizes the water in the tank 11. It has a function of monitoring means 52 for monitoring the period.
That is, the monitoring means 52 has a timer function for measuring the circulation sterilization time. The circulating sterilization cycle is a cycle in which the circulating sterilization process is performed at predetermined time intervals from the time of mounting the tank 11 storing water, and the circulating sterilization cycle, the time for performing the circulating sterilization process, and the circulating sterilization before and after. The interval time of the cycle (interval time) is set in advance.

The control means 51 has a function of controlling the water flow switching by the three-way switching valve 26 and the circulation sterilization by the circulation sterilization means 45 based on the monitoring by the monitoring means 52. When water supply is detected
A function for performing a predetermined time of water purification by the water purifier and the circulation sterilization means 45, the water purifier 22 at the time of water supply by the water purifier 22.
And a function of circulating sterilization without passing through the water purifier 22 during the sterilization treatment by the circulation sterilization means 45. In addition, it has a priority function of giving priority to water supply by the water supply means 42 in response to a water supply request.

Next, the water supply operation by the control means 51 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

It is monitored whether or not the remaining water in the tank 11 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step 1). (Step 2), it is monitored whether the start time of the circulation sterilization cycle has come (Step 3).

When a water supply request is received from the water supply load side, the water heater 1
When the valve 33 of the water cooler 2 is opened, the three-way switching valve 26 is closed as shown in FIG.
3, 44 are closed and the water supply channel 41 is opened (step 4). When the switching of the water supply channel 41 is completed (step 5), the pump 18 is driven (step 6). As a result, the water in the tank 11 is purified by the water purifier 22 of the water supply channel 41 by removing, for example, chlorine contained in tap water, and is supplied (injected) to the water heater 1 or the water cooler 2.

Water supply (water injection) to the water heater 1 or the water heater 2
Is satisfied (step 7), the pump 18 is stopped (step 8), and the apparatus stands by while the water supply channel 41 is open. When the water supply (water injection) to the water heater 1 or the water cooler 2 satisfies the required amount, the valve 33 of the water heater 1 or the valve 34 of the water cooler 2 is closed, and the water supply is stopped.

A predetermined period of time has elapsed since the tank 11 storing the water was mounted on the tank mounting section 12 (after the tank 11 storing the water was detected by the weight detecting section 13), and the cycle sterilization cycle was started. When the start time has come, the sterilizing lamp of the sterilizing device 28 is turned on, and as shown in FIG.
The 25 side (second circulation path 44) is closed, and the first circulation path 43 that connects the pipes 21 and 27 is opened, and the pump
18 is driven (step 9). This allows the tank 11
The water in the tank 11 is passed through the first circulation path 43 and is sterilized by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays when passing through the sterilizer 28.
Therefore, the water in the tank 11 is sterilized while being circulated.

During the circulation sterilization process, it is monitored whether the circulation sterilization time has expired (step 10) or whether there is a water supply request from the water heater 1 or the water cooler 2 on the water supply load side (step 11).

When the circulation sterilization time is over, the sterilization lamp of the sterilization device 28 is turned off, the pump 18 is stopped, and the three-way switching valve 26 is closed as shown in FIG.
The water supply passage 41 is opened while the water supply passages 3 and 44 are closed, and the apparatus is on standby so that the water supply operation can be immediately started (step 12).

When there is a water supply request from the water supply load side during the circulation sterilization process, the sterilization lamp of the sterilization device 28 may be turned off, but the pump 18 is temporarily stopped while the sterilization lamp remains lit.
As shown in FIG. 3, the three-way switching valve 26 is closed and
After 43 and 44 are closed and water supply channel 41 is opened,
The pump 18 is driven again (step 13). This allows
The water in the tank 11 is supplied to the water heater 1 through the water purifier 22 in the water supply channel 41.
Alternatively, water is supplied (cooled) to the water cooler 2.

In the water supply, whether the water supply (water injection) to the water heater 1 or the water cooler 2 satisfies the required amount (step 14),
It is monitored whether the remaining water in Step 11 is equal to or more than a predetermined value (Step 15). When the remaining water in the tank 11 has become equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the process proceeds to step 17 described later.

Water supply (water injection) to the water heater 1 or the water heater 2
Satisfying the required amount, the pump 18 is stopped, and as shown in FIG. 2, the pipe 25 side (second circulation path 44) of the three-way switching valve 26 is closed, and the pipes 21 and 27 are closed. Is opened, the pump 18 is driven again (step 16). Thus, the circulation sterilization of the water in the tank 11 is restarted, and it is monitored in step 10 whether the circulation sterilization time has ended or whether there is a water supply request from the water heater 1 or the water cooler 2 on the water supply load side.

If it is determined in step 1 or 15 that the remaining water in the tank 11 is less than a predetermined amount,
The reception of the water supply operation and the circulation sterilization operation is stopped (step 17), and water supply (water cut) to the tank 11 is displayed on a display (not shown) of the beverage dispenser (step 17).
18).

When the tank 11 storing water is mounted on the tank mounting section 12 and replenishment is detected by the weight detecting section 13 (step
19), the display of water replenishment (water cutoff) is released, the sterilization lamp of the sterilization device 28 is turned on, and as shown in FIG.
26, the pipe 21 side (first circulation path 43) is closed, the second circulation path 44 connecting the pipes 25 and 27 is opened, the pump 18 is driven, and forced circulation operation is performed. Performed (step 20). As a result, the water in the tank 11
The water is passed through the circulation path 44, is purified when passing through the water purifier 22, is irradiated with ultraviolet rays when passing through the sterilizer 28, is sterilized, is returned into the tank 11, and therefore, the water in the tank 11 is Is circulated and purified and sterilized. At this time, the water remaining in the water purifier 22 (water at the time of the last replenishment) is circulated and sterilized, and the water remaining in the water purifier 22 and the new water in the tank 11 are replaced.

After the forced circulation operation has been performed for a predetermined time (step 21), the sterilizing lamp of the sterilizing device 28 is turned off, the pump 18 is stopped, and the three-way switching valve 26 is closed as shown in FIG. The circulation passages 43 and 44 are closed and the water supply passage 41 is opened, and the system stands by so as to be ready for the water supply operation (step 22).

As described above, the water in the tank 11 is sterilized while the water in the tank 11 is periodically circulated by the circulation sterilizing means 45, so that the water in the tank 11 can be sufficiently sterilized without replacing the water in the tank 11. Since the water supply by the water supply means 42 is prioritized, water can be reliably supplied as long as there is water in the tank 11 in response to a water supply request from the water supply load side.

Further, when the weight detector 13 detects that the water in the tank 11 has been replenished, the water purifier 22 and the circulating sterilization by the circulating sterilizer 45 are executed for a predetermined time, so that the water remaining in the water purifier 22 is removed. It can be circulated and sterilized, and the water purifier 22
The water remaining in the tank 11 and the new water in the tank 11 can be exchanged.

Further, during the sterilization treatment by the circulation sterilization means 45, circulation sterilization is performed without passing through the water purifier 22, so that the water purification function of the water purifier 22 can be maintained for a long time.

In the normal use, the water supply passage 41 including the water purifier 22 is closed from the air, so that the water supply passage 41 has less influence on the propagation of various germs than the inside of the tank 11 with air circulation. As long as the supply of water is not interrupted for a long time, for example, 2
There is no practical problem on holidays of about 3 days.

The sterilizer 28 may be an ozone generator that generates ozone and sterilizes water, in addition to the sterilizer lamp.

The replenishment detecting means is not limited to the weight detecting part for detecting the weight of the tank 11, but may be a float switch for detecting the water level of the tank 11.

[0051]

According to the water supply apparatus of the first aspect, the water in the tank is sterilized while being periodically circulated by the circulating sterilization means, so that the water in the tank can be sufficiently sterilized and kept hygienic. Since the water supply by the water supply means is prioritized, water can be reliably supplied in response to a water supply request from the water supply load side.

According to the water supply device of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the water supply device of the first aspect, when the replenishment detection means detects the replenishment of the water in the tank, the water purification means and the circulating sterilization means. Is performed for a predetermined time, the water remaining in the water purification means can be circulated and sterilized, and the water remaining in the water purification means can be replaced with fresh water in the tank.

According to the water supply device of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the water supply device of the second aspect, at the time of the sterilization treatment by the circulation sterilization means, the water is sterilized by circulation without passing through the water purification means.
The water purification function of the water purification means can be maintained for a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a water supply device at the time of circulation sterilization during water supply showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a water supply device during normal circulation sterilization according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a water supply device at the time of water supply.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the water supply device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the water supply device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart following FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Water heater as water supply load 2 Water cooler as water supply load 3 Water supply device 11 Tank 13 Weight detector as replenishment detection means 22 Water purifier as water purification means 26 Three-way switching valve as water flow switching means 42 Water supply means 45 Circulation Sterilization means 51 Control means 52 Monitoring means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G07F 13/00 G07F 13/00 A (72) Inventor Shuichi Sakaguchi 180 Furuichi-cho, Maebashi-shi, Gunma Toshiba Equipment Co., Ltd. In-house F term (reference) 3E047 AA01 AA02 BA01 BA02 DA08 DC04 DC06 DC08 DC06 GA06

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A water supply device for supplying water in response to a water supply request from a water supply load side, a tank for storing water, a water supply means for supplying water in the tank, and sterilization while circulating the water in the tank. Circulating sterilization means for processing, water flow switching means for switching water flow in the tank to one of a water supply means side and a circulation sterilization means side, and monitoring a water supply request from the water supply load side, Monitoring means for monitoring a circulation sterilization cycle for circulating and sterilizing the water in the tank; based on the monitoring by the monitoring means, while prioritizing water supply by the water supply means, water flow switching by the water flow switching means, and the circulation Control means for controlling circulation sterilization by the sterilization means. 2. A replenishment detection means for detecting replenishment of water in a tank, and a water purification means for purifying water in the tank, wherein the water passage switching means switches the water in the tank from the water purification means to the water supply means. It is possible to switch between the water passing side and the water passing side from the water purification means to the circulation sterilizing means, and the control means controls the water passing switching means, and when the supply detecting means detects the replenishment of the water in the tank. 2. The water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the water is passed from the water purification means to the circulation sterilization means to perform the water purification and the circulation sterilization for a predetermined time, and the water is supplied through the water purification means when water is supplied by the water supply means. 3. The water-flow switching means enables the water in the tank to be switched to a side where only water is passed through the circulation sterilization means, and the control means controls the water-flow switching means so that the water can be switched during sterilization by the circulation sterilization means. The water supply device according to claim 2, wherein the water is sterilized by circulation without passing through the water purification means.