JP2004053176A - Water cooling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water cooling machine in which a water level sensor is removed to reduce a cost by detecting the water level of cooling water in a cooling tank by an ice sensor for detecting a quantity of ice produced on the surface of a cooling coil. <P>SOLUTION: The cooling tank 5 for storing the cooling water is provided. The cooling coil 14 is disposed in the cooling water of the cooling tank 5 to form an ice layer on its surface. A water supply pipeline 27 has one end connected to a water supply source, the other end from which cold water spouts, and an intermediate part with a cooling coil 4 passing through the cooling tank. The ice sensors 25 are provided for detecting the quantity of ice 14 formed by the cooling coil 4. The ice sensors 25 are disposed at positions where the water level of the cooling tank and the quantity of ice can be detected. The ice sensors 25 detect both the water level of the cooling water in the cooling tank 5 and the quantity of ice 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
The present invention relates to a chiller that can detect a level of cooling water in a cooling tank by using an ice sensor that detects the amount of ice.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, in a liquid dispensing apparatus such as a tea dispenser or a cup-type beverage vending machine that pours and provides a beverage into a cup, a beverage that has been diluted by mixing and stirring a beverage ingredient and cold or hot water is used. To be poured out.
[0003]
In order to supply chilled water, a configuration having a cooling function of a water-cooled heat storage type for supplying cold water is known, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-31164. . That is, a refrigerant coil (cooling coil) is arranged in the cooling water in the cooling water tank (cooling tank), and the cooling water is cooled through the refrigerant coil by the operation of the refrigeration cycle. Is exchanged with tap water passing through a cooling coil (cold water coil) provided in the chiller, and is discharged as cold water.
[0004]
Further, in order to maintain the inside of the cooling water tank at a low temperature by utilizing the heat storage amount of the ice while the refrigeration cycle is stopped, ice of a predetermined thickness is stored on the surface of the refrigerant coil, and the thickness of the stored ice is reduced. An ice storage sensor (ice sensor) for detecting and maintaining ice of a predetermined thickness is provided.
[0005]
That is, the operation of the refrigeration cycle generates ice on the surface of the refrigerant coil via the refrigerant coil, and when the ice is detected by the ice storage sensor, the electric resistance between the ice storage sensors is larger than the electric resistance of water. The refrigeration cycle is stopped. Then, when the beverage is poured, heat is exchanged with the cooling water in the cooling water tank while the tap water passes through the cooling coil (cold water coil), cooled, instantaneously turned into cold water, and poured into the cup. . When the ice melts due to this pouring and the electric resistance value of the ice storage sensor decreases, the refrigeration cycle is operated to generate ice again.
[0006]
By the way, the supply of the cooling water into the cooling water tank of such a liquid discharging device is performed manually or at the time of the first water supply of the cooling water or the water supply after the drainage, or when the water level is lowered due to spontaneous evaporation or the like. This is done by any of the automatic methods. In the case of automatic water supply, the water level is stopped when the water level sensor provided in the cooling water in the cooling water tank detects that the water level has reached a predetermined position.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the water level is detected by the water level sensor provided in the cooling water in the cooling water tank (cooling tank), a dedicated water level sensor is required, and the mounting work of the water level sensor is required. No cost increase.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and the detection of the water level in the cooling water tank (cooling tank) is also performed by an ice sensor that detects the amount of ice generated on the surface of the refrigerant coil (cooling coil). Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a water cooler which can reduce the cost by eliminating the water level sensor.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The chiller according to claim 1 has a cooling tank for storing cooling water, a cooling coil arranged in the cooling water in the cooling tank to generate an ice layer on a surface, and one end connected to a water supply source. Cold water is poured out from the other end, a water supply line having a water supply pipe having a cold water coil passing through the cooling tank at an intermediate portion, and an ice sensor for detecting an amount of ice generated by the cooling coil. The ice sensor is mounted at a position where the level of the cooling water in the cooling tank and the amount of ice can be detected.
[0010]
According to the configuration, the ice sensor is mounted at a position where the water level of the cooling tank and the amount of ice can be detected, so that the ice sensor reaches a predetermined amount of ice and the electric resistance value between the ice sensors decreases. When it is detected that the electric resistance value has become larger than the electric resistance value in the case of water, control is performed to stop the operation of the refrigeration cycle. Further, when the ice sensor detects that the water level of the cooling tank is lower than the predetermined water level and is in the air by the electric resistance value between the ice sensors being close to infinity, the cooling water is supplied. . Therefore, the ice sensor can detect both the amount of ice and the water level in the cooling tank, and there is no need to provide a water level sensor dedicated to detecting the water level.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
【Example】
In FIG. 1, a cold water structure as a beverage dispensing device includes a cooling tank 5 for storing cooling water in a body (not shown) and a cooling coil 13 for generating an ice layer on the surface of the cooling water in the cooling tank. And a chilled water coil 4 passing through the cooling tank 5, a chilled water pipe 27 through which chilled water flows, and an agitator 21 as a stirring blade through an opening on the upper surface.
[0013]
The cooling coil 13 is formed by winding a pipe through which a refrigerant passes, in a coil shape, and both ends thereof are connected to a refrigeration cycle 28 disposed in the machine body. The refrigeration cycle 28 includes a compressor 15, a condenser 16, a dryer 17, and a capillary tube 18. The condenser 16 is provided with a cooling fan 19 driven by a cooling motor 20. The operation of the refrigeration cycle 28 cools the cooling water in the cooling tank 5 via the cooling coil 13 and stores a predetermined amount of ice on the surface of the cooling coil 13. Cooling water is maintained at a low temperature by heat storage.
[0014]
The chilled water pipe 27 is formed by winding a pipe in a coil shape and passes through the cooling tank 5. The chilled water coil 4 is directly connected to an upstream end of the chilled water coil 4 to a water supply source serving as a water supply source. Water supply pipe 2, a water supply solenoid valve 1 for opening and closing the flow path of the water supply pipe 2, a flow rate sensor 3 for detecting the discharge amount of the cold water, and a cold water branch joint at the other end on the downstream side of the cold water coil 4. 6 and a cold water pipe 8 for drinking water such as tea or tea through a cold water solenoid valve 7 through a cold water coil 4 through a cold water coil 4 through the cold water branch joint 6. It is composed of When the cold water is to be poured, the cold water is supplied directly from the cold water pipe 8 to the cup 9. In addition, drinks such as tea are supplied in a required amount by operation of a raw material motor 12 with cold water from a cold water pipe 8 and beverage raw materials stored in a canister 11, mixed in a funnel 10, and supplied to a cup 9. A cooling water supply pipe 30 having a cooling water solenoid valve 29 branched from the water supply pipe 2 is connected to supply cooling water into the cooling tank 5.
[0015]
The agitator 21 is rotated by the stirring motor 22 and rotated so as to generate a downward water flow in the cooling water, thereby uniformly cooling the entire cooling water in the cooling tank 5.
[0016]
Reference numeral 25 denotes a pair of ice sensors. The ice sensor 25 is located near the cooling coil 13 and at a position where the level of the cooling water in the cooling tank 5 and the amount of ice generated on the surface of the cooling coil 13 can be detected. It is arranged to output a detection signal based on the electric resistance difference between the electrodes of the ice sensor 25 in water, ice, and air, respectively, to perform both the water level control of the cooling water in the cooling tank 5 and the operation control of the refrigeration cycle. It has become.
[0017]
Reference numeral 23 denotes a water temperature sensor, which is provided in the cooling tank 5 and measures the temperature of the cooling water in the cooling tank 5 and manages the temperature of the cold water.
[0018]
Reference numeral 26 denotes a control unit. The control unit 26 receives signals output from the ice sensor 25, the water temperature sensor 23, the flow rate sensor 3, and the like, and receives a water supply solenoid valve 1, a cold water solenoid valve 7, a cooling water solenoid valve 29, a raw material It controls the motor 12, the compressor 15, the cooling motor 20, and the like.
[0019]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0020]
First, the supply of the cooling water into the cooling tank 5 is detected when a water supply switch (not shown) is operated at the time of the first supply of the cooling water or the supply of water after the drainage, or a decrease in the water level is detected by the ice sensor 25. At times, water is automatically supplied manually or under the control of a control device.
[0021]
That is, in the case of automatic water supply, the cold water solenoid valve 7 is closed by the control device 26, the water supply solenoid valve 1 and the cooling water solenoid valve 29 are opened, and tap water is supplied by the water supply pressure to the water supply pipe 2 and the cooling water supply pipe. Water is supplied into the cooling tank 5 through 30. Then, when the ice sensor 25 is in the air and the electric resistance value between the ice sensors 25 detects near infinity which is larger than the electric resistance values of water and ice, water supply is continued. Then, when the ice sensor 25 is immersed in the cooling water, the electric resistance value between the ice sensors 25 decreases, and this detection signal is input to the control device 26, the water supply electromagnetic valve 1 and the cold water electromagnetic valve 7 are closed, and the water supply is stopped. Is done. Therefore, the water level can be controlled by the ice sensor 25 without providing a dedicated water level sensor, and the cost can be reduced. In the case of manual water supply, water is supplied by a kettle or the like, and water is supplied from the ohabber flow pipe 31 until excess water starts flowing. .
[0022]
Next, if the water level in the cooling tank 5 is confirmed by the ice sensor 25, the refrigeration cycle 28 is operated to cool the cooling water through the cooling coil 13, and a predetermined amount of ice 14 Let ice accumulate. At the same time, the stirring motor 22 is driven to rotate the agitator 21 to circulate the cooling water in the cooling tank 5, thereby enhancing the cooling effect of the chilled water coil 4.
[0023]
That is, the operation of the refrigeration cycle 28 is as follows. The refrigerant gas is compressed by the compressor 15 and turned into a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas which can be easily liquefied even when cooled with normal-temperature air, sent to the condenser 16 and cooled by the condenser 16. It is liquefied by releasing heat of condensation. The amount of heat dissipated in the condenser 16 is the sum of the evaporation heat of the refrigerant taken by the cooling coil 13 functioning as an evaporator and the work added to compress the refrigerant, and this is the cooling fan driven by the cooling motor 20. It is forcibly taken away by sending air at 19. The high-pressure refrigerant liquefied in the condenser 16 removes moisture in the refrigerant by passing through a dryer 17 and expands while passing through a capillary tube 18 to become a low pressure and easily evaporate. Next, the low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant liquid is released to the low-pressure cooling coil 13 to remove heat from the cooling coil 13 to evaporate and gasify, so that the cooling coil 13 is cooled. Thereafter, this cycle is repeated, and ice 14 is generated around the cooling coil 13 serving as an evaporator. When the ice 14 is stored and reaches the position of the ice sensor 25, the electric resistance between the ice sensors 25 becomes higher than that of water. When a value larger than the air is detected, the operation of the refrigeration cycle is stopped, assuming that the ice 14 has a predetermined amount. The cooling water is kept at a low temperature by utilizing the heat storage amount of the ice 14 even during the stop of the refrigeration cycle.
[0024]
Next, at the time of dispensing the beverage, by operating a not-shown dispensing button, the raw material motor 12 is driven from the canister 11 for a predetermined time to pour a predetermined amount of the beverage raw material into the funnel 10, and the beverage raw material and the cold water are discharged. The beverage is prepared by mixing and supplied to the cup 9. When only cold water is to be poured, the cold water is supplied directly from the water supply pipe 8 to the cup 9.
[0025]
The cold water is discharged from the cold water pipe 27 by opening the water supply solenoid valve 1 and the cold water solenoid valve 7 while the cooling water solenoid valve 29 is closed, so that the tap water is supplied by its water supply pressure as indicated by an arrow. The water is poured into the cup 9 through the water supply pipe 2, the cold water coil 4 and the cold water pipe 8, and is cooled by exchanging heat with the cooling water in the cooling tank 5 while passing through the cold water coil 4.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
According to the water cooler of the first aspect, the ice sensor is mounted at a position where the water level of the cooling water in the cooling tank and the amount of ice can be detected. The installation work of the water level sensor is unnecessary, and the cost is reduced.
[0027]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a water cooler showing one embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water supply solenoid valve 2 Water supply pipe 3 Flow rate sensor 4 Cold water coil 5 Cooling tank 6 Cold water branch joint 7 Cold water solenoid valve 8 Cooling water solenoid valve 9 Cup 10 Roto 11 canister 12 Raw material motor 13 Cooling coil 14 Ice 15 Compressor 16 Condenser 17 Dryer 18 Capillary tube 19 Cooling fan 20 Cooling motor 21 Agitator 22 Stirring motor 23 Water temperature sensor 25 Ice sensor 26 Controller 27 Water supply line 28 Refrigeration cycle 29 Cooling water solenoid valve 30 Cooling water supply pipe

Claims (1)

A cooling tank that stores cooling water, a cooling coil that is arranged in the cooling water in the cooling tank and generates an ice layer on the surface, one end is connected to a water supply source and cold water is poured out from the other end, In a chiller equipped with a water supply pipe having a chilled water coil passing through the inside of the cooling tank at an intermediate portion, and an ice sensor for detecting an amount of ice generated by the cooling coil, a cooling position of the ice sensor is cooled. A water cooler characterized by being located at a position where the level of cooling water and the amount of ice in a storage tank can be detected.

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