JP2002068383A - Beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a beverage dispenser capable of consistently and correctly setting the spouting quantity of the beverage in an automatic spouting mode. SOLUTION: In this beverage dispenser, every time when a liquid button is turned on during the spouting quantity setting mode, a spouting cock is transferred to a liquid spouting condition (Steps 402-406), and beer in the liquid condition is spouted into a beer jug on a jug table. First and second setting timers measure the time in which the spouting cock is kept in a completely liquid spouting condition and spouts beer (Steps 408 and 414). When repeating the spouting and the measurement, a correction time α is added to the measured time T2D for every spouting and measurement in the second and subsequent spouting and measurement (Step 416). The measurement time T2D corrected by adding the correction time α is set and stored in a memory as the spouting time to be referred to in the automatic spouting mode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser for dispensing beverage such as beer, and more particularly to a beverage dispenser capable of automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of beverage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of device has been disclosed in, for example,
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 547843, a beverage container for storing a beverage, and a dispenser that is switched between an open state and a closed state by electrical control and that pours the beverage in the beverage container to the outside in the open state. The automatic dispensing mode for automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of beverage by keeping the cock and the dispensing cock open only for a predetermined dispensing time, and dispensing referred to in the automatic dispensing mode. Mode selection means for selecting a dispensing amount setting mode for setting time, and a dispensing instruction for instructing start and stop of dispensing of the beverage when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by the mode selecting means. Means, in response to an instruction by the pour instructing means, when the start of beverage pour is instructed, the pouring cock is shifted to an open state and when the stop of pour of the beverage is instructed, Move the spout cock to the closed state A spout cock control means for causing the spout cock to start timing when the spout cock shifts to the open state, stop the timing when the spout cock shifts to the closed state, and repeat start and stop of the timing. The time counting means for measuring the accumulated time during which the dispensing cock is kept open while the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by the mode selecting means, and the time measured by the time counting means is Storage means for setting and storing the dispensing time to be referred to in the automatic dispensing mode.

In the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by the mode selecting means, the dispensing cock control means controls the opening and closing of the dispensing cock and supplies the beverage to the outside each time the dispensing instruction means gives an instruction. To pour. At this time, the timer measures the accumulated time during which the beverage is dispensed, and the storage means sets and stores the measured time as the dispensing time. Then, when the automatic dispensing mode is selected by the mode selecting means, the dispensing cock is kept open for only the dispensing time set when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected, whereby the dispensing amount setting is performed. The same amount of beverage as when selecting the mode was automatically dispensed. This allows the user to
The desired amount of beverage is dispensed by operating the dispensing instruction means while visually adjusting the dispensed amount in the dispensing amount setting mode in advance, so that the desired amount is automatically set when the automatic dispensing mode is selected. Beverages.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, no consideration is given to the time required for the spout cock to shift between the open state and the closed state and the amount of the beverage to be spouted during that time. Realistically, the beverage is dispensed while increasing or decreasing its amount while the dispensing cock shifts between the open state and the closed state (see FIG. 11). Therefore, for example, when the open state and the closed state are intermittently repeated (the state in FIG. 11A) and when the open state is continuously continued (the state in FIG. 11B), the open state is temporarily set. Even if the accumulated time (t1 + t2 + t3) is equal to each other, the amount of beverage to be dispensed is only the amount dispensed while the dispensing cock shifts between the open state and the closed state (the area of the blackened portion in FIG. 11A). The latter is less. Thereby, when the dispensing cock is repeatedly opened and closed in the dispensing amount setting mode and the dispensing time is set, the dispensing amount of the beverage in the automatic dispensing mode is not equal to the dispensing amount in the dispensing amount setting mode. There was a problem that it would no longer work.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispenser capable of always accurately setting a dispensing amount of a beverage in an automatic dispensing mode.

[0006] The structural features of the present invention include the beverage container,
In a beverage dispenser including a dispensing cock, a mode selection unit, a dispensing instruction unit, a dispensing cock control unit, a timing unit, and a storage unit, the timing unit is interlocked with the control of the dispensing cock control unit. When the spout cock completes the transition to the open state, the timing is started and when the spout cock starts the transition to the closed state, the timing is stopped. Correction means for adding a predetermined correction time to the measurement time of the clocking means each time the processing is executed to correct the measurement time.

In the beverage dispenser having the above characteristics, the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by the mode selecting means, and the dispensing cock control means controls the opening and closing of the dispensing cock for each instruction by the dispensing instruction means, and the beverage is dispensed externally. , The timer measures the accumulated time (t1 + t2 + t3) during which the spout cock is kept completely open (FIG. 1).
1). Also, at this time, the correction means is set to 2
Each time the second or later time measurement is executed, a predetermined correction time (α) is added to the measurement time of the time measurement means to correct the same measurement time.
Then, the measured time (t1 + t2 + α + t3 + α) corrected by adding the correction time is set and stored by the storage unit as the dispensing time to be referred to in the automatic dispensing mode. When the automatic dispensing mode is selected by the mode selecting means, the dispensing cock is continuously kept open for the dispensing time (t1 + t2 + α + t3 + α) set when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected. Dispense the beverage. Therefore, the correction time is set to the same amount as the amount (area of the blackened portion in FIG. 11A) that is poured during the transition of the spout cock from the closed state to the open state and during the transition from the open state to the closed state. (Area of the hatched portion in FIG. 11C)
If it is set to the time required for the dispensing cock in the fully open state to dispense the beverage, the same amount of beverage as the amount dispensed in the dispensing amount setting mode is set to the automatic dispensing mode. Will be automatically dispensed. This makes it possible to always accurately set the amount of beverage to be dispensed in the automatic dispensing mode.

[0008]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment employs the beer server shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a beverage dispenser according to the present invention. The beer server includes two pouring units 11 on the front of the main body 10. Each pouring unit 11 includes a pouring cock 20, a switching mechanism 30, a mug table 40, and an elevating mechanism 50, respectively.

The pouring cock 20 has a built-in valve mechanism (not shown) built therein. According to the tilting operation of the lever 21, the liquid pouring state (open state), the bubble pouring state (open state), and the neutral state (closed state). State). When the lever 21 is tilted forward, the beer (beverage) in the beverage container 12 housed in the main body 10 is poured out of the liquid nozzle 22 in a liquid state. When the lever 21 is tilted backward, the foam is in a foam pouring state, and the beer in the beverage container 12 is poured in a foam state from the foam nozzle 23. When the lever 21 is standing at the intermediate position, the lever 21 is in the neutral state, and the flow path of the beer in the beverage container 12 is closed.

The switching mechanism 30 is disposed above the pouring cock 20 and is connected to the lever 21. By driving a pouring cock motor 31 (only shown in FIG. 3), the lever 21 is tilted to perform pouring. The state of the cock 20 is switched. The switching mechanism 30 also includes a spout cock sensor 32. The spout cock sensor 32 is constituted by an encoder, and detects the state of the spout cock 20 by detecting the rotation angle of the spout cock motor 31.

The mug stand 40 is disposed below the pouring cock 20 and is for placing a beer mug (not shown). The mug stand 40 is attached to the main body 10 at the upper end of the back plate 41 so as to be tiltable around an axis in the width direction. The lifting mechanism 50 raises and lowers the lower part of the mug table 40 by driving a mug table motor 51 (only FIG. 3 is shown), and tilts the mug table 40. When the elevating mechanism 50 raises the lower part of the mug table 40, the mug table 40 inclines and tilts around the axis, and when the elevating mechanism 50 lowers the lower part of the mug table 40, the mug table 40 becomes vertically It stands up (illustrated state). The lifting mechanism 50 also includes a mug stand sensor 52. The mug stand sensor 52 is constituted by a reed switch, and detects the position of the lower part of the mug stand 40.

An operation panel 60 is provided on the front surface of the dispensing unit 11, respectively. The operation panel 60 includes a pouring button 61, a liquid button 62, and a foam button 63. The dispensing button 61 is a mode selection means, and is an automatic dispensing mode for automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of beer or a dispensing amount setting for setting dispensing times T1 to T3 to be referred to in the automatic dispensing mode. This is for selecting a mode.
The liquid button 62 is a dispensing instruction means for instructing the start and stop of dispensing liquid beer when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by the dispensing button 61. The foam button 63 is also a pouring instruction means, and the pouring button 6
When the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by 1, this is for instructing the start and stop of the dispensing of foamed beer. Each of the buttons 61 to 63 is a normally open switch that is always kept off when not operated.

Each motor 31, 51, sensor 32, 52,
A control circuit 70 is connected to the buttons 61 to 63 as shown in FIG. The control circuit 70 is constituted by a microcomputer, and executes the program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
0 and the operation of the lifting mechanism 50 are controlled. Control circuit 70
Is a memory 71, first to third setting timers 72 to 74,
And a timer 75 for automatic dispensing. Memory 71
Is a storage means for storing the pouring times T1 to T3. The first to third setting timers 72 to 74 are time measuring means. When the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by the dispensing button 61, the time set as the dispensing time T1 to T3 is measured time T1D to T3D. Is measured for each. The automatic dispensing timer 75 is for measuring the dispensing times T1 to T3 based on the measurement time TM when the automatic dispensing mode is selected by the dispensing button 61.

Next, the operation of the beer server configured as described above will be described. First, when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, the beverage container 1 is cooled by a cooling mechanism (not shown).
2 begins to cool, and the control circuit 70
Starts execution of the program in step 100 of FIG. The control circuit 70 first performs an initial setting in step 102. This initial setting is performed for each of the timers 72 to 75.
This is a process of resetting the measurement times T1D to T3D, TM measured by the above, and the count value CNT representing the number of times of foam ejection to a value “0”. After this processing, the control circuit 70 repeatedly executes the determination processing of step 104 and waits for the dispensing button 61 to be turned on.

During the repetition, when the beer mug is placed on the mug table 40 and the discharging button 61 is turned on, the control circuit 70 executes the program at step 106.
Then, the mug table motor 51 is driven in a direction to raise the lower part of the mug table 40, and the circulation processing of steps 108 and 110 is repeatedly executed. Step 108 is a process of determining whether or not the dispensing button 61 is on. Step 110 is a process for determining whether or not the lowering of the mug base 40 has been completed based on the detection by the mug base sensor 52. If the dispensing button 61 is released from the ON state before the lifting of the mug table 40 is completed during the circulation processing, the program proceeds to step 112 and thereafter based on the determination of “NO” in step 108, The beer server starts executing an automatic dispensing mode (described in detail later) for automatically dispensing beer.

On the other hand, if the dispensing button 61 is kept on until the lifting of the mug stand 40 is completed, the program proceeds to step 118 and thereafter based on the determination of "YES" in step 110. The beer server is advanced and the beer server refers to the dispensing time T1 in the automatic dispensing mode.
The execution of the dispensing amount setting mode for setting ~ T3 is started. In this case, the control circuit 70 stops the operation of the mug stand motor 51 in step 118, and then executes the dispensing amount setting process in step 120 shown in detail in FIG.

After starting the execution of the same processing in step 200, the control circuit 70 first executes steps 202 to 204.
Is repeated until the liquid button 62 is turned on. At this time, when the pouring button 61 is released from the ON state, based on the determination of “NO” in step 202, the processing of steps 206 to 210 is executed to bring the mug table 40 upright. After returning it,
In step 211, the dispensing amount setting process is completed, and the program returns to step 102 and subsequent steps in FIG.

On the other hand, if the liquid button 62 is turned on while the on state of the pouring button 61 is maintained during the circulation processing, the control circuit 70 determines "YES" in step 204 and executes the program. Proceed to 212 or later. In this case, first, at step 212, the pouring cock motor 31
Is driven in the direction of tilting the lever 21 forward, that is, in the direction of shifting the pouring cock 20 to the liquid pouring state.
Step 21 based on the detection by the discharge cock sensor 32
The determination process of step 4 is repeatedly executed to wait for the transition of the pouring cock 20 to the liquid pouring state to be completed. Then, upon completion of this, the operation of the spout cock motor 31 is stopped in step 216. As a result, the pouring cock 20 shifts to the liquid pouring state, and the mug base 4 in the inclined state is moved from the liquid nozzle 22.
Liquid beer starts to be poured into the beer mug on top of No. 0. At the same time, the control circuit 70 executes step 2
At 18, the first setting timer 72 starts counting time.
This time measurement is advanced by adding a value to the measurement time T1D every minute unit time.

After each of the above processes, the control circuit 70 repeatedly executes the circulation process of steps 220 and 222 while the pouring button 61 and the liquid button 62 are kept on. At this time, liquid beer continues to be poured from the liquid nozzle 22. At this time, if the dispensing button 61 is released from the ON state, the first setting timer 7 is determined in step 224 based on the determination of “NO” in step 220.
2 is stopped, the processing of steps 226 to 230 is executed to return the spout cock 20 to the neutral state, and then the program proceeds to the step 206 and thereafter to terminate the spout amount setting processing.

On the other hand, if only the liquid button 62 is released from the ON state while the ON state of the pouring button 61 is maintained during the circulation processing, the control circuit 70 determines "NO" in step 222. The program proceeds to step 232 and subsequent steps. In this case, first, in step 232, the counting by the first setting timer 72 started in step 218 is stopped. Thereby, the time from the completion of the transition of the pouring cock 20 to the liquid pouring state to the start of the transition to the neutral state in step 236 described later, that is, the pouring cock 20 is completely in the liquid pouring state. The time during which the liquid state beer is being poured into the inclined beer mug while being held at this time is measured as the measurement time T1D.

After the time stop, the control circuit 70 drives the mug table motor 51 in step 234 in a direction to lower the lower part of the mug table 40, that is, in a direction to return the mug table 40 to a vertically upright state. , The spout cock motor 31 is driven in a direction to raise the lever 21, that is, in a direction to shift the spout cock 20 to the neutral state. Then, the circulation process including steps 238 to 246 is repeatedly executed, and when the spout cock 20 has completed the transition to the neutral state, “YES” is determined in step 238 based on the detection by the spout cock sensor 32 and In step 240, the operation of the spout cock motor 31 is stopped. Thereby, the pouring cock 20 is returned to the neutral state, and stops pouring beer. Also, when the lowering of the lower part of the mug stand 40 is completed during the circulation processing, “YE” is determined in step 242 based on the detection by the mug stand sensor 52.
S ”and the mug stand motor 5 is determined in step 244.
1 is stopped. Thereby, the mug stand 40 is returned to the vertically upright state. And pouring cock 2
When both the state of 0 and the state of the mug stand 40 return to the original state, the control circuit 70 sets the additional dispensing amount in step 248 shown in detail in FIG. 6 based on the determination of “YES” in steps 242 and 246, respectively. Execute the process.

After starting the execution of the same processing in step 300, the control circuit 70 repeatedly executes the circulation processing in steps 302 to 306 to turn on the liquid button 62, turn on the foam button 63, and Wait for the release state of the output button 61 to be released. If the liquid button 62 is turned on during the circulation processing, the additional liquid discharge amount setting processing of step 308 shown in detail in FIG. 7 is executed.

After starting execution of the same processing in step 400, the control circuit 70 first executes step 212 in FIG.
Steps 402 to 406 similar to Steps 216 to 216 are executed to shift the spout cock 20 to the liquid pouring state. Thereby, the liquid beer starts to be poured again from the liquid nozzle 22 of the pouring cock 20 to the beer mug on the mug stand 40 in the upright state. Then, when the transition of the pouring cock 20 to the liquid pouring state is completed, in step 408, the second setting timer 73 starts counting time. This time measurement is advanced by adding a value to the measurement time T2D for each minute unit time similarly to the time measurement by the first setting timer 72. At the start of the time measurement in step 408, the measurement time T2D The time measurement is started from the previous value without resetting the value until. If it is the first time measurement, the time measurement starts from the value “0” set in step 102 of FIG.

After each of the above processes, the control circuit 70 repeats the circulation process of steps 410 and 412 while the pouring button 61 and the liquid button 62 are kept on. At this time, liquid beer continues to be poured from the liquid nozzle 22.

If the discharge button 61 or the liquid button 62 is released from the ON state during the circulation processing, the control circuit 70 determines "NO" in either of the steps 410 and 412, and changes the program from the step 414 onward. Proceed to. In this case, first, in step 414, the time counting by the second setting timer 73 started in step 408 is stopped.
Thereby, the time from the completion of the transition of the pouring cock 20 to the liquid pouring state to the start of the transition to the neutral state in Step 418 described later, that is, the pouring valve 20 is completely in the liquid pouring state. That is, the time during which the liquid state beer is being poured into the standing beer mug while being held is measured as the measurement time T2D. After the measurement is stopped, the control circuit 7
In step 416, a predetermined correction time α is added to the measurement time T2D measured by the timer 73 in step 416. The correction time α is preset to an average time (for example, 0.5 seconds) required for the pouring cock 20 to transition between the neutral state and the liquid pouring state or the foam pouring state.

After each of the above processes, the control circuit 70 drives the spout cock motor 31 in a direction to elevate the lever 21 in step 418, that is, to shift the spout cock 20 to the neutral state. The determination process of step 420 is repeatedly executed based on the detection by the control, and the transition to the neutral state of the pouring cock 20 is waited for. Then, upon completion of the same, the operation of the spout cock motor 31 is stopped in step 422. Thereby, the pouring cock 20
Is returned to the neutral state, and beer pouring is stopped. After this processing, the control circuit 70 ends this additional liquid discharge amount setting processing in step 424, and returns to step 3 in FIG.
The execution of the circulation processing of 02 to 306 is started.

If the foam button 63 is turned on during the circulation processing of steps 302 to 306, the foam ejection amount setting processing of step 310 shown in detail in FIG. 8 is executed.
When the control circuit 70 starts execution of the same processing in step 500, first, in step 502, the injection cock motor 31 shifts the lever 21 in the direction of tilting the lever 21 backward, that is, shifts the injection cock 20 to the foam injection state. Then, based on the detection by the spout cock sensor 32, the determination process of step 504 is repeatedly executed to wait for the transition of the spout cock 20 to the foam pouring state to be completed. Then, upon completion of the same, the operation of the spout cock motor 31 is stopped in step 506. Thereby, the pouring cock 20 shifts to the foam pouring state, and the beer in the foam state starts to be poured from the foam nozzle 23 to the beer mug on the mug stand 40 in the upright state.

Further, when the transition of the pouring cock 20 to the foam pouring state is completed, the control circuit 70 causes the third setting timer 74 to start timing at step 508. This time counting is advanced by adding a value to the measuring time time T3D for each minute unit time similarly to the time counting by the timers 72 and 73. In this case, too, the second time in the step 408 in FIG. Similarly to the start of the time measurement by the setting timer 73, the measurement of the measurement time T3D is started without resetting the previous value. If it is the first time measurement, the time measurement starts from the value “0” set in step 102 of FIG.

After each of the above processes, the control circuit 70 repeatedly executes the circulation process of steps 510 and 512 while the pouring button 61 and the bubble button 63 are kept on. At this time, beer in a foam state is continuously poured out from the foam nozzle 23.

If the pouring button 61 or the bubble button 63 is released from the ON state during the circulation processing, the control circuit 70 determines "NO" in either of steps 510 and 512, and changes the program to step 514 and subsequent steps. Proceed to. In this case, first, in step 514, the time counting by the third setting timer 74 started in step 508 is stopped.
Thereby, the time from the completion of the transition of the pouring cock 20 to the foam pouring state to the start of the transition to the neutral state in step 522 described later, that is, the pouring valve 20 is completely in the foam pouring state. That is, the time during which the beer in the foamed state is being poured into the standing beer mug while being kept at this time is measured as the measurement time T3D. After the measurement is stopped, the control circuit 7
If the value is 0, the value “1” is added to the count value CNT indicating the number of foam ejections in step 516. Then, if the added count value CNT is equal to or more than the value “2”, that is, if the number of times the foam is poured out is two or more, “YE” in step 518
S ”, the timer 7 is determined in step 520.
The correction time α is added to the measurement time T3D measured in Step 4.

After each of the above processes, the control circuit 70 drives the spout cock motor 31 in the direction of raising the lever 21 in step 522, that is, the direction of shifting the spout cock 20 to the neutral state. The determination process of step 524 is repeatedly executed on the basis of the detection by, and the transition to the neutral state of the pouring cock 20 is completed. Then, upon completion of the same, the operation of the spout cock motor 31 is stopped in step 526. Thereby, the pouring cock 20
Is returned to the neutral state, and beer pouring is stopped. After this processing, the control circuit 70 ends this foam discharge amount setting processing in step 528, and again returns to step 302 in FIG.
The execution of the circulation process of Steps 306 is started.

As described above, steps 302 to 3 in FIG.
During the circulation process of 06, when the liquid button 62 is turned on,
By performing the additional liquid dispensing amount setting process in step 308,
Liquid beer is dispensed. When the foam button 63 is turned on, the beer in the foam state is poured by executing the foam dispensing amount setting process in step 310. Therefore, during this time, the user operates the buttons 62 and 63 to add beer in a liquid state and a foam state further to the beer poured out by operating the liquid button 61 during the circulation processing of steps 220 and 222 in FIG. By pouring, a desired amount of beer can be poured into the beer mug on the mug stand 40. In this case, since each of the above dispensing operations can be repeatedly executed, fine adjustment of the amount of the beer to be dispensed is also possible.

When the liquid or foam is added and poured out, the pouring cock 20 is completely kept in the liquid pouring state or the foam pouring state, and the liquid or foam state beer is poured into the standing beer mug. The periods of time are measured as measurement times T2D and T3D, respectively. Further, even when the operation of each of the buttons 62 and 63 is repeatedly performed and the ejection of the liquid or the foam is repeatedly performed intermittently, the second and third setting timers 73 and 63 may be used.
The reference numeral 74 indicates that the time starts continuously without resetting the values of the measurement times T2D and T3D each time, so that the accumulated time during which the liquid and the foam are poured out is measured time T2D and T3D.
Will be measured respectively. In addition, when the liquid is poured out, and when the bubbles are poured out for the second time and thereafter, the correction time α is further added to the measured measurement times T2D and T3D.

During the circulation process consisting of steps 302 to 310, when the pouring button 61 is released from the ON state, the control circuit 70 executes the storage process of step 312 shown in detail in FIG. After starting the execution of the same processing in step 600, the control circuit 70 determines in step 602 whether or not the measured time T3D is not the value “0”. During the circulation processing in steps 302 to 306, when the foam button 63 has been operated at least once and the beer in the foam state has been poured out into the beer mug on the mug stand 40 at least once, the measurement time T3D is as shown in FIG. Since the time at which the foamed beer is dispensed is updated from the value “0” initialized in step 102, the control circuit 70 determines “YES” and advances the program to step 604. Measurement time T1D-T3 measured by each timer 72-74
D is set as each of the pouring times T1 to T3 and stored in the memory 71. Then, the storage process is terminated in step 606, the additional dispensing amount setting process is terminated in step 314 in FIG. 6, and the dispensing amount setting process is terminated in step 250 in FIG. Step 102 of 4
Return to later.

If the beer button 63 has not been operated during the circulation processing in steps 302 to 306 and no beer in the beer state has been poured out into the beer mug on the mug stand 40, the measurement is performed. Since the time T3D remains at the value "0" initially set in step 102 of FIG. 4, the control circuit 70 sets the dispensing times T1 to T3 in step 604 based on the determination of "NO". Without executing, the storage process is terminated in the step 606, the additional dispensing amount setting process and the dispensing amount setting process are terminated, and the program returns to the step 102 in FIG.

When the dispensing times T1 to T3 are set in the dispensing amount setting mode as described above, the beer server executes the automatic dispensing mode with reference to the set dispensing times T1 to T3. It becomes possible. During the repetition of step 104 in FIG. 4, the beer mug is placed on the mug table 40, the discharging button 61 is turned on, and the beer is discharged before the lifting of the mug table 40 started in step 106 is completed. When the ON state of the button 61 is released, the control circuit 70 determines “NO” in step 108, advances the program to step 112 and thereafter, and the beer server starts executing the automatic dispensing mode. In this case, the control circuit 70 first executes step 1 based on the detection by the mug stand sensor 52.
The determination process of step 12 is repeatedly executed until the lower portion of the mug stand 40 is completely lifted.
After stopping the operation of the mug stand motor 51 in FIG.
The automatic dispensing process of step 116 shown in detail in FIG.

After starting the execution of the same processing in step 700, the control circuit 70 first executes step 20 in FIG.
7 to 216 and steps 706 to 710 similar to steps 402 to 406 in FIG.
0 is shifted to the liquid discharging state. Thereby, the liquid beer starts to be poured from the liquid nozzle 22 of the pouring cock 20 to the beer mug on the mug stand 40 in the inclined state. Then, when the transition of the pouring cock 20 to the liquid pouring state is completed, in step 710, the timer 75 for automatic pouring is started to measure time. This time measurement is advanced by adding a value to the measurement time TM for each minute unit time, similarly to the time measurement by the timers 72 to 74.

After each of the above processes, the control circuit 70 repeatedly executes the determination process of step 714, and waits until the measured time TM reaches the pouring time T1 stored in the memory 71. During this time, liquid beer continues to be poured from the liquid nozzle 22.

During the repetition, if the measuring time TM reaches the pouring time T1 after the pouring time T1 elapses from the completion of the transition of the pouring cock 20 to the liquid pouring state, the control circuit 70 sets "YES". The program proceeds to step 716, and the mug table motor 51 is driven in a direction to lower the lower part of the mug table 40, that is, in a direction to return the mug table 40 to a vertically upright state. Further, after resetting the measurement time TM to a value “0” in step 718, the timer 75 for automatic dispensing is started again in step 720.

After each of the above processes, the control circuit 70 proceeds to step 7
The circulation processing consisting of 22 to 734 is repeatedly executed. During the circulation process, when the lowering of the lower part of the mug table 40 is completed,
Step 72 based on the detection by the mug stand sensor 52
In step 724, the operation of the mug stand motor 51 is stopped. Thereby, the mug stand 40 is returned to the vertically upright state. At this time, the ejection time T2 stored in the memory 71 from the start of the lowering of the mug table 40 in the step 716 is described.
If the time has not elapsed, the liquid beer continues to be poured from the liquid nozzle 22.

On the other hand, during the circulating process, step 71
6 from the start of the lowering of the mug table 40 at the time T2
Has elapsed and the measurement time TM reaches the dispensing time T2, the control circuit 70 advances the program to step 730 based on the determinations of "YES" and "NO" in steps 726 and 728, respectively, and Motor 31 with lever 2
The spout 20 is driven in a direction to raise the spout 1, that is, in a direction to shift the spout cock 20 to the neutral state. Then, when the transition is completed, the operation of the spout cock motor 31 is stopped in step 732 based on the determination of “YES” in step 728. Thereby, the pouring cock 20 is returned to the neutral state, and the pouring of the beer is stopped.

If both the spout cock 20 and the mug stand 40 return to their original states during the circulation processing, the control circuit 70 executes the program from step 736 onward based on the determination of "YES" in steps 728 and 734, respectively. Proceed to. In this case, first, steps 502 to 50 in FIG.
The processing of steps 736 to 740 similar to step 6 is executed to shift the pouring cock 20 to the foam pouring state. This allows
The beer in the foam state starts to be poured from the foam nozzle 23 of the pouring cock 20 to the beer mug on the mug stand 40 in the upright state. When the transition of the pouring cock 20 to the foam pouring state is completed, the measuring time TM is reset to a value “0” in step 742, and the timer 75 is again counted in the automatic pouring timer 75 in step 744. To start.

After the above processes, the control circuit 70 repeatedly executes the determination process of step 746 and waits until the measured time TM reaches the pouring time T3 stored in the memory 71. During this time, beer in a foam state is continuously poured out from the foam nozzle 23.

During the repetition, if the measuring time TM reaches the pouring time T3 after the pouring time T3 has elapsed from the completion of the transition of the pouring cock 20 to the foam pouring state, the control circuit 70 sets "YES". In step 522 in FIG.
The processing of steps 748 to 752 similar to steps 〜 to 526 is executed to return the spout cock 20 to the neutral state. Then, in step 754, the automatic dispensing process is completed, and the program returns to step 102 and subsequent steps in FIG.

As described above, in the above embodiment,
First, during execution of the dispensing amount setting mode, each time the liquid button 62 is turned on, the dispensing cock 20 shifts to the liquid dispensing state, and dispenses liquid beer to the beer mug on the mug table 40. I do. At this time, the first and second setting timers 7
Reference numerals 2 and 73 respectively denote the time during which the pouring cock 20 is completely kept in the liquid pouring state and the beer is pouring out, the measuring time T1.
Measured as D, T2D. The first setting timer 72 includes:
The dispensing time (corresponding to “t1” in FIG. 11) at the time of the first dispensing is measured as the measurement time T1D. The second setting timer 73 measures, as the measurement time T2D, the accumulation of the dispensing time (corresponding to “t2 + t3”) at each second and subsequent dispensing.

During the repetition of the above-mentioned dispensing and measurement, at the time of the second and subsequent dispensing and measurement, each of the same dispensing and measurement is performed as shown in FIG.
In step 416, the correction time α is further added to the measured measurement time T2D. And the measurement time TD1
(“T1”) and the measured time T2D (“t2 + α + t3 + α”) corrected by adding the correction time α are set by the memory 71 as the dispensing times T1 and T2 referred to in the automatic dispensing mode. Is memorized. Then, when the automatic dispensing mode is selected by the dispensing button 61, the dispensing cock 20 sets the dispensing time T1 and the dispensing time T2.
The liquid beer is continuously kept in the liquid pouring state only during the sum (“t1 + t2 + α + t3 + α”) of the liquid state beer.
In this case, the correction time α is an average time required for the pouring cock 20 to transition between the neutral state and the liquid pouring state,
In other words, the same amount as the amount (area of the blackened portion in FIG. 11A) that is poured while the pouring cock 20 transitions from the neutral state to the liquid pouring state and during the transition from the liquid pouring state to the neutral state. The time required for the pouring cock 20 in the completely liquid pouring state to beer (the area of the hatched portion in FIG. 11 (c)) is set to be discharged. Beer in a liquid state equivalent to the dispensed amount is automatically dispensed in the automatic dispensing mode. This makes it possible to always accurately set the amount of liquid beer to be dispensed in the automatic dispensing mode.

When the foam button 63 is turned on during execution of the pouring amount setting mode, the pouring cock 20 shifts to the foam pouring state every time the foam button 63 is turned on, and the beer Pour foamed beer into the mug. At this time, the third setting timer 74 indicates the accumulated time when the pouring cock 20 is completely kept in the foam pouring state and the beer in the foam state is being poured into the beer mug on the mug stand 40 (FIG. 11). Of “t1 + t2 + t3”) for the measurement time T3D
Measured as

During the repetitive execution of the above-mentioned dispensing and measurement, at the time of the second and subsequent dispensing and measurement, each of the same dispensing and measurement is performed as shown in FIG.
In step 520, the correction time α is further added to the measured measurement time T3D. Then, the measurement time T3D (“t1 + t2 +
α + t3 + α ″) is set and stored by the memory 71 as the dispensing time T3 referred to in the automatic dispensing mode. When the automatic dispensing mode is selected by the dispensing button 61, the dispensing cock 20 is set. Is the pouring time T3 (“t
1 + t2 + α + t3 + α ″) is continuously maintained in the foam pouring state to pour the foamed beer. In this case,
The correction time α is an average time required for the pouring cock 20 to transition between the neutral state and the foam pouring state, that is,
The same amount as the amount (area of the blackened portion in FIG. 11A) of the pouring cock 20 during the transition from the neutral state to the foam pouring state and during the transition from the foam pouring state to the neutral state (FIG. 11A). Since the time required for the pouring cock 20 in the completely foam pouring state to pour out the beer of the shaded area in FIG. 11 (c) is set, the beer is poured in the above-mentioned pouring amount setting mode. The amount of beer in a foam state equivalent to the amount of beer is automatically dispensed in the automatic dispensing mode. This makes it possible to always accurately set the amount of foamed beer to be dispensed in the automatic dispensing mode.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a beverage dispenser according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the beverage dispenser.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric control unit of the beverage dispenser.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart corresponding to a program executed by the control circuit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of a dispensing amount setting process of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of an additional dispensing amount setting process of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of an additional liquid discharge amount setting process of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of a foam discharge amount setting process of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating details of a storage process in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the automatic dispensing process of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams showing a relationship between the dispensing amount of the dispensing cock and time, in which FIG. 11A is a graph when opening and closing of the dispensing cock are intermittently repeated, and FIG. It is a graph when the opening state of the pouring cock is continuously continued in the beverage dispenser, and (c) is a graph when the open state of the pouring cock is continuously continued in the beverage dispenser according to the present invention. .

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Main body, 20 ... Outlet cock, 30 ... Switching mechanism, 40
... mug stand, 50 ... elevating mechanism, 60 ... operation panel, 6
1 ... pouring button, 62 ... liquid button, 63 ... bubble button, 7
0: control circuit, 71: memory, 72: first setting timer, 73: second setting timer, 74: third setting timer.

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Koji Shuto 3rd-16 Sakaemachi Minami-kan, Toyoake-shi, Aichi F-Term in Hoshizaki Electric Co., Ltd. 3E082 BB03 CC01 DD01 FF09

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A beverage container for storing a beverage, a pouring cock which is switched between an open state and a closed state by electrical control and which pours out the beverage in the beverage container to the outside in an open state, An automatic dispensing mode for automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of beverage by keeping the dispensing cock open only during the dispensing time, and a dispensing time to be referred to in the automatic dispensing mode. Mode selection means for selecting a dispensing amount setting mode; dispensing instruction means for instructing start and stop of dispensing of a beverage when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by the mode selecting means; In response to an instruction from the instruction means, the start of the beverage is shifted to the open state when the start of the dispensing of the beverage is instructed, and the dispensing cock is closed when the stop of the dispensing of the beverage is instructed. Cock control means to shift to The mode selection means by starting timing when the pouring cock shifts to the open state, stopping the timing when shifting the pouring cock to the closed state, and repeating start and stop of the timing. A timer means for measuring the accumulated time during which the dispensing cock is kept open while the dispensing amount setting mode is selected, and the time measured by the timer means is set in the automatic dispensing mode. In a beverage dispenser comprising a storage means for setting and storing as a dispensing time to be referred to, wherein the timing means, the dispensing cock has completed the transition to the open state in conjunction with the control of the dispensing cock control means. A timer is configured to start timing and stop the timing when the spout cock starts shifting to a closed state. A beverage dispenser characterized in that a correction means for correcting the measurement time by adding the correction time to the measurement time of the clock means is provided.