JP2006195858A - Soldout detection system in beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a soldout detection system in a beverage dispenser capable of accurately detecting soldout even if ingredients of beverage are stored in a predetermined container such as a BIB. <P>SOLUTION: The beverage dispenser 1 which feeds syrup by a fixed-volume type flow controller 8 driven by a rotor driving motor 10 is equipped with a control part 11 for controlling a voltage applied to the motor 10 based on a feed volume and a target value of the syrup obtained from the number of revolutions of the rotor driving motor 10. This control means implements a detection operation in which a correlation between the voltage applied to the motor 10 and the number of revolutions of the motor 10 is detected by applying a predetermined high voltage Vh and a low voltage Vl at the time of starting the rotor driving motor 10, and determines the soldout of the syrup based on the number of revolutions of the motor 10 during the detection operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for detecting the sellout of a beverage ingredient in a beverage dispenser that manufactures and supplies a target beverage using a beverage ingredient such as syrup filled in a syrup tank or BIB.

  Conventionally, this type of sold-out detection system uses a flow rate regulator driven by a rotor drive motor (see Patent Document 1). The flow regulator described in Patent Document 1 enables a constant volume of beverage ingredients to be continuously delivered into a pipeline, and includes a rotor drive motor and an energization unit that supplies power to the motor. And a pulse encoder that generates a pulse having a frequency corresponding to the rotation speed of the motor, and a control unit that outputs a control signal to the energization unit based on signals output from the motor and the pulse encoder. In addition, the energization of the motor of the flow regulator is controlled by operating an operation button provided on the front surface of the beverage dispenser, for example.

  With the above configuration, when the operation button is operated and a beverage raw material delivery signal (sales request signal) is input to the control unit, the control circuit of the control unit reads a predetermined target value and sends a control signal to the energization unit. Is output. The energization unit energizes the rotor drive motor based on a control signal from the control unit, and the motor is driven.

And a control part stops the applied voltage to a motor once in the process in which an electric current raises at the time of the drive of a flow regulator. Thereby, when the beverage raw material is sufficiently filled in the pipe line, the load based on the viscosity of the beverage raw material is increased, and as a result, the rotation of the motor is stopped, so that the current value is decreased. On the other hand, when the beverage ingredient is sold out, the load based on the viscosity of the beverage ingredient is reduced, so the motor keeps rotating due to inertia, so the current value does not change. Therefore, by monitoring the change in the current value when the motor is temporarily stopped, it has been detected that the beverage ingredients are sold out.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-296811

  In the conventional sold-out detection device as described above, the beverage raw material is filled in the beverage raw material tank, and the internal beverage raw material is pushed into the pipe by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder from the beverage raw material tank. Is effective. However, when the BIB is filled with the BIB and the sold-out detection device performs the sold-out detection, the BIB is vacuumed when sold out. Therefore, when the applied voltage is temporarily stopped in the process of increasing the rotational speed of the motor, the rotational speed of the motor is decreased as in the case where there is a beverage ingredient. Thus, since there is no difference between when beverage ingredients are present and when they are sold out, there is a problem that it is not possible to detect sold out beverage ingredients even if the change in the current value when the motor is temporarily stopped is monitored. .

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the conventional technical problems, and can be used to accurately detect sold-out beverages even when the beverage ingredients are contained in a predetermined container such as BIB. A dispenser sold-out detection system is provided.

  The sold-out detection system of the present invention is a beverage dispenser that delivers beverage ingredients by delivery means driven by the drive means, and that is based on the delivery amount and target value of the beverage ingredients obtained from the drive state of the drive means. A control unit that controls an operation amount to be applied, and the control unit detects a correlation between the operation amount and a driving state of the driving unit by applying a predetermined operation amount at the start of driving of the driving unit; And determining whether or not the beverage ingredients are sold out based on the drive state of the drive means during the detection operation.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the sold-out detection system is a beverage dispenser that delivers a beverage ingredient by a constant volume flow rate controller driven by a motor. Control means for controlling the applied voltage of the motor based on the control means, the control means, by applying a predetermined high voltage and low voltage at the start of driving of the motor, the voltage applied to the motor and the rotation speed of the motor A detection operation for detecting the correlation is executed, and it is determined whether the beverage ingredient is sold out based on the number of rotations of the motor during the detection operation.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the beverage dispenser sold-out detection system is such that the beverage ingredients are stored in a sealed container, and the beverage ingredients are supplied from the container to the delivery means or the flow rate regulator. It is characterized by.

  The sold-out detection system for a beverage dispenser according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the control means is a drive state of the drive means during a detection operation within a predetermined number of times after container replacement or an average value of the number of rotations of the motor And selling out is determined from the difference between the average value and the current driving state or the rotational speed.

  The sold-out detection system for a beverage dispenser according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the system according to the first, second, or third aspect, wherein the control means is configured to detect the drive state of the drive means during the detection operation or the rotational speed of the motor. An average value is calculated, and sold-out is determined from a difference between the average value and the current driving state or the rotational speed.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the sold-out detection system for a beverage dispenser according to the first, second, or third aspect of the invention is characterized in that the control means controls the drive state of the drive means during the detection operation or the rotational speed of the motor. A moving average value is calculated, and sold-out is determined from a difference between the moving average value and the current driving state or the rotational speed.

  According to the sold-out detection system of the present invention, in the beverage dispenser that delivers the beverage ingredients by the delivery means driven by the drive means, the drive is performed based on the delivery amount and the target value of the beverage ingredients obtained from the drive state of the drive means. Control means for controlling the operation amount applied to the means, and the control means detects a correlation between the operation amount and the drive state of the drive means by applying a predetermined operation quantity at the start of driving of the drive means. In the case where the beverage ingredient is sold out based on the driving state of the driving means during the detection operation and the beverage ingredient is contained in the sealed container as in the invention of claim 3 Even if it is sold out, it is detected that the beverage ingredients that have been evacuated and flowed into the delivery means have decreased compared to the case where there is sufficient beverage ingredients. It is possible to detect based on the driving state of the drive means is changed in, reliably, and quickly so that it is possible to determine sold out beverage ingredients.

  Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the case where the beverage raw material is stored in a container having a certain volume, such as the BIB, for example, the beverage raw material is stored in the tank, and the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder is used. Even in the case of being pushed out, as in the case of being accommodated in the container, it is possible to reliably and quickly determine whether the beverage ingredients have been sold out.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the beverage dispenser that delivers the beverage ingredients by the constant volume type flow rate regulator driven by the motor, the beverage ingredient is fed based on the delivery amount and the target value obtained from the rotational speed of the motor. Control means for controlling the applied voltage of the motor is provided, and the control means applies a predetermined high voltage and low voltage at the start of driving of the motor to correlate the applied voltage to the motor and the rotation speed of the motor. Since the detection operation to detect is performed and it is determined whether or not the beverage ingredient is sold out based on the number of rotations of the motor during the detection operation, the beverage ingredient is accommodated in the sealed container as in the invention of claim 3. Even if it is a case, it is in a vacuuming state when sold out, the beverage ingredients flowing into the flow regulator are reduced compared with the case where there is enough beverage ingredients, during the detection operation It is possible to detect on the basis of the rotational speed of over motor is reduced, reliably, and quickly so that it is possible to determine sold out beverage ingredients.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the case where the beverage raw material is stored in a container having a constant volume such as the BIB, for example, the beverage raw material is stored in the tank and supplied from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder. Even when it is pushed out by carbon dioxide gas, it is possible to reliably and quickly determine whether the beverage ingredients have been sold, as in the case of being stored in the container.

  According to the invention of claim 4, in the invention of claim 3, the control means calculates the drive state of the drive means during the detection operation within the predetermined number of delivery after the container replacement, or the average value of the rotation speed of the motor. Since the sold-out is determined from the difference between the average value and the current driving state or the rotation speed, the accuracy of the sold-out determination can be further ensured.

  According to the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, the control means calculates the drive state of the drive means during the detection operation or the average value of the rotation speed of the motor. Since the sold-out is determined from the difference between the average value and the current driving state or the rotational speed, the accuracy of the sold-out determination can be further ensured.

  According to the invention of claim 6, in the invention of claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, the control means calculates the driving state of the driving means during the detection operation or the moving average value of the rotation speed of the motor. Then, since the sold-out is determined from the difference between the moving average value and the current driving state or the rotational speed, the accuracy of the sold-out determination can be further secured.

  Further, since the moving average value of the rotation speed of the motor is used, the amount of memory for storing the average value can be reduced as compared with the case where all the past average values are stored. Furthermore, since the average value is calculated from recent data, accuracy is further ensured.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a beverage dispenser 1 using the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the beverage dispenser 1, and FIG.

  Beverage dispenser 1 of an example is a BIB beverage dispenser used in restaurants, coffee shops, etc., and BIB units 4 and 4 that supply neutral beverages such as oolong tea and orange juice, or strong and non-carbonated target beverages, Similarly, the main body 2 has a tank unit (not shown) for supplying a strong and weak non-carbonated target beverage. In the structure of the beverage dispenser 1, the tank unit is disposed in the main body 2, and the BIB units 4 and 4 are connected to the outside of the main body. The tank unit is concealed by an openable / closable door 28 located on the front surface. Details of the BIB unit 4 will be described later.

  On the front surface of the opening / closing door 28, an operation unit 27 for operating the beverage supply from the tank unit and the BIB units 4 and 4 is provided, and a beverage supply amount or a beverage supply method is provided for each beverage supplied from each unit. For example, button S, button M, button L, button C / P and the like are provided. The buttons S, M, and L are buttons for operating the supply of a predetermined amount of beverage, and the button C / P is a button for supplying a beverage only while operating the button. In addition, the operation unit 27 is provided with a sold-out display lamp 23 particularly in a portion corresponding to the BIB units 4 and 4.

  A multi-valve 12 (only FIG. 3 is shown) for discharging each beverage from the tank unit or each BIB unit 4, 4 is provided behind the opening / closing door 28. A table 14 is provided below 12, and a cup can be placed on the table 14.

  On the other hand, the raw material of the beverage supplied by the BIB unit 4 is a syrup (beverage raw material) accommodated in a container in which a syrup as a beverage raw material is sealed, for example, a BIB 3 and diluted water. At this time, when cooling water is used as dilution water, a non-carbonated beverage is supplied, and when carbonated water is used, a strong and weak carbonated beverage is supplied. As shown in FIG. 3, the BIB unit 4 includes a so-called gas-driven pump 5 in a syrup supply line 6 for supplying syrup from the BIB 3, a syrup cooling coil 7, and a flow rate regulator as a delivery means driven by the drive means. 8 and a syrup solenoid valve 9 are provided. The multi-valve 12 is connected to the end of the syrup supply line 6 together with other supply lines, that is, the cooling water supply line 24 and the carbonated water supply line 46. This multi-valve 12 mixes syrup, dilution water, or carbonated water, and discharges it to the cup 50 as a target drink.

  The pump 5 to which the BIB 3 is connected via the lead-out tube 3A adopts the gas drive type as described above, and the carbon dioxide cylinder 20 is connected via the gas supply line 16 in which the gas regulator 15 is interposed. . Thereby, since the gas regulator 15 as the pressure reducing valve is always opened, the syrup solenoid valve 9 located on the downstream side of the syrup supply line 6 is opened, so that the pump 5 is supplied with a predetermined amount from the carbon dioxide cylinder 20. The pressure carbon dioxide gas is supplied, and the pump 5 sucks the syrup from the BIB 3 and sends the syrup to the syrup supply line 6 connected to the syrup cooling coil 7. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 5A denotes a gas vent pipe for discharging the carbon dioxide gas supplied into the pump 5 to the outside.

  The syrup cooling coil 7 cools the syrup flowing in the coil 7 by being immersed in a water tank 29 for storing cooling water. In this water tank 29, an evaporator 30 that constitutes a refrigerant circuit is arranged together with a cooling unit that is constituted by a compressor, a condenser, and the like (not shown) arranged in the main body 2. When the cooling unit is operated, the evaporator 30 exhibits a cooling action, ice is formed on the surface of the refrigerant pipe constituting the evaporator 30, and the cooling water in the water tank 29 is cooled based on the ice.

  The flow rate regulator 8 is a constant volume type regulator capable of continuously sending a fixed volume of syrup to the connected syrup supply line 6. As shown in FIG. 4, the flow rate regulator 8 includes a pair of rotors 32, 32 inside the regulator body 31, and an inflow portion 31 </ b> A through which pressurized syrup flows into the body 31, and a syrup Is formed. The rotors 32 and 32 are formed in a circular gear shape, and the syrup that flows into the main body 31 from the inflow portion 31 </ b> A by rotating meshingly with each other causes the teeth of the rotor 32 and the inner wall of the main body 31 to move. The syrup of a fixed volume is continuously sent to the syrup supply line 6 from the outflow part 31B.

  Further, on the upper portion of the adjuster main body 31, a rotor drive motor 10 constituted by a brushed DC motor is fixed by screws or the like. The rotor drive motor 10 is connected to the shaft 32A of one rotor 32, and is provided with a speed reducer that reduces the rotational torque generated by the motor 10 to a reduction ratio determined based on the viscosity of the syrup. ing. Therefore, the rotor 32 rotates in the direction of the arrow inside the main body 31 by transmitting the rotational torque generated by the rotor drive motor 10 via the speed reducer. A lid (not shown) is fixed to the lower part of the main body 31.

  A magnet encoder 33 that generates a pulse having a frequency corresponding to the rotational speed of the motor 10 is attached to the top of the rotor drive motor 10. This magnet encoder 33 has a structure (not shown), a shaft member connected to the shaft 32A, a semi-circular disk-shaped magnet having S and N poles fixed to the shaft member, and a magnetic pole. It has the Hall element which detects the change of. As a result, a pulse having a frequency corresponding to the rotational speed of the pair of rotors 32 is output.

  The magnet encoder 33 is connected to the input side of the control unit 11 as control means, and the rotor drive motor 10 is connected to the output side of the control unit 11. The control unit 11 is connected to the input side of a dilution water flow meter 22 provided in a dilution water supply line 24, which will be described later, and each operation button of the operation unit 27 for executing a syrup sending operation. Yes. Thereby, as will be described in detail later, the delivery state from the flow rate regulator 8, that is, the delivery amount (control amount) calculated by the rotation speed (number of pulses) of the motor 10 is monitored and based on a predetermined target value. When the control amount is abnormal, for example, when the control amount is less than a predetermined target value, the syrup is sold out.

  As described above, the energization of the syrup solenoid valve 9 and the rotor drive motor 10 of the flow rate regulator 8 is controlled by the control unit 11 described later, so that the BIB 3 connects to the end of the syrup supply line 6. The syrup is fed to the multi-valve 12 to control the supply. The gas regulator 15 provided in the gas supply line 16 is always open as a pressure reducing valve, and the pump 5 is driven by opening the syrup electromagnetic valve 9 located downstream of the syrup supply line 6. It is what is done.

  On the other hand, a tap water supply pipe 17 for supplying tap water such as city water as dilution water is disposed in the main body 2. A water inlet solenoid valve 18, a water pump 19, a dilution water cooling coil 21, a dilution water flow meter 22, and a dilution water supply line 24 are sequentially connected to the dilution water supply pipe 17.

  The dilution water cooling coil 21 is disposed in a water tank that stores the cooling water cooled to the predetermined temperature, like the syrup cooling coil 7, and cools the dilution water flowing through the dilution water cooling coil 21. I do. The dilution water flow meter 22 outputs a flow rate signal corresponding to the flow rate of the inflowing dilution water to the control unit 11. Further, the dilution water supply line 24 is provided with a dilution water electromagnetic valve 25, whereby opening / closing control of the dilution water supply line 24 is performed. The dilution water supply line 24 is also connected to the multi-valve 12 in the same manner as the syrup supply line 6. Accordingly, the dilution water electromagnetic valve 25 is controlled by the control unit 11 so that the supply of the dilution water sent to the multi-valve 12 is controlled.

  The dilution water supply line 24 is connected to a water branch line 38 interposed between the dilution water flow meter 22 and the dilution water electromagnetic valve 25 and having an electromagnetic valve 39 interposed therebetween. The water branch line 38 is connected to a carbonator 40 for producing carbonated water, and a gas supply line 42 having one end connected to the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 20 is connected to the carbonator 40. A gas regulator 41 is interposed in the gas supply line 42. Thus, the dilution water is supplied to the carbonator 40 via the water branch line 38 and the carbon dioxide gas is supplied via the gas supply line 42. By mixing these dilution water and carbon dioxide, the carbonate water Is generated.

  A carbonated water flow meter 43, a carbonated water cooling coil 44, and a carbonated water supply line 46 provided with a carbonated water electromagnetic valve 45 are connected to the carbonator 40, and an end of the carbonated water supply line 46 is connected. The part is connected to the multi-valve 12.

  The carbonated water flow meter 43 outputs a flow rate signal corresponding to the flow rate of the infused carbonated water to the control unit 11. Like the syrup cooling coil 7, the carbonated water cooling coil 44 is disposed in a water tank that stores the cooled water cooled to the predetermined temperature, and cools the carbonated water flowing through the carbonated water cooling coil 44. I do. The carbonated water supply line 44 is controlled to open and close by a carbonated water solenoid valve 45 interposed in the carbonated water supply line 46. Since the carbonated water supply line 44 is also connected to the multi-valve 12 like the syrup supply line 6, the carbonated water electromagnetic valve 45 is controlled by the control unit 11, so The supply of carbonated water to be delivered is controlled.

  With the above configuration, the beverage supply operation of the beverage dispenser 1 will be described. The carbonator 40 is supplied with the carbon dioxide gas in the carbon dioxide cylinder 20 from the gas supply line 42 in advance and the dilution water from the water branch line 38 via the dilution water supply line 24. It is assumed that carbonated water having a carbonic acid concentration is manufactured and stored, and is in a standby state for sale.

  When any one of the operation buttons of the operation unit 27 is operated in the sales standby state, the beverage is supplied according to the button operation. Here, when the button for the non-carbonated beverage is operated, the control unit 11 first opens the water inlet solenoid valve 18 and dilutes the tap water supplied from the city water by the water pump 19 into the dilution water cooling coil. 21 and the diluting water flow meter 22 to the diluting water supply line 24. At this time, the dilution water electromagnetic valve 25 is controlled to open and close, whereby a predetermined amount of dilution water is discharged to the multi-valve 12. At this time, the dilution water flow meter 22 detects the flow rate of the dilution water that flows in, and outputs a flow rate signal corresponding to the flow rate to the control unit 11.

  Accordingly, the controller 11 opens the syrup solenoid valve 9 and energizes the rotor drive motor 10 that drives the flow rate regulator 8. At this time, as shown in the change of the motor voltage with respect to time in FIG. 5, the control unit 11 first has a predetermined high voltage Vh, for example, 100% duty, for a T1 period after the start of the rotor drive motor 10, for example, 100 ms. Apply a constant voltage of. Thus, the brush sludge of the motor 10 is blown off. In a subsequent T2 period, for example, a period of 500 ms, a predetermined low voltage Vl, for example, a constant voltage with a duty of about 25% is applied to the motor 10.

  The control unit 11 determines the number of pulses obtained from the magnet encoder 33 when a predetermined high voltage Vh is applied, that is, the amount of syrup sent and the number of pulses when a predetermined low voltage Vl is applied (syrup sent amount). A detection operation is performed to determine how much voltage is applied and how many pulses are generated, that is, how much syrup is sent out, and the correlation between the applied voltage and the syrup sending amount. Since the correlation between the applied voltage and the amount of syrup delivered varies depending on the viscosity of the syrup, the detection operation is executed for each sale.

  Then, after completing the detection operation, the control unit 11 takes in the number of pulses Pn when applying the voltage Vl obtained at T2 into a memory provided therein. In this embodiment, the number of pulses Pn to be taken into the memory is the one obtained during the period T2, but it may be the number of pulses when the voltage Vh obtained at T1 is applied. Alternatively, the number of pulses when the voltages Vh and Vl obtained over the entire period of T1 and T2 are applied, or the number of pulses in a predetermined period during the period may be taken into the memory. Thereby, the sold-out determination described later becomes more accurate.

  After that, the control unit 11 applies a predetermined start duty, for example, a voltage Vs of 40%, for example, 40% to the motor 10 for a period of T3, for example, 500 ms, after the period of T2, and prepares for correction. Sequential correction is performed based on the flow signal from 22.

  In this sequential correction, the dilution ratio is calculated based on the flow rate signal from the dilution water flow meter 22 and the amount of syrup sent up to that point in a predetermined sampling period T4, for example, 200 ms, and the deviation from the target value is If it occurs, the voltage Vp in the direction to eliminate it is applied to the motor 10 in the next period T4. At this time, the amount of syrup sent up to the point of entering the period T4 is based on the number of pulses based on the correlation between the number of syrups sent during the correction preparation and the number of pulses determined in the above-described detection operation. Is used. Further, the voltage Vp is also calculated and determined from the correlation with the above-described delivery amount.

  Regardless of which of the operation buttons S, M, L, C / P is operated, the control is repeated thereafter until the supply of dilution water is stopped. This is because the dilution water is sent out when the button C / P is continuously operated in addition to the buttons S, M, and L, and the syrup is sent out until the operation is completed.

  As a result, tap water normally supplied by city water or the like is not supplied at a constant flow rate, but the amount of dilution water flowing in is accurately detected by the dilution water flow meter 22, and the flow rate signal is controlled. By outputting to the part 11 and performing the said sequential correction | amendment based on the said flow signal, a drink can be provided with a suitable dilution ratio.

  In the detection operation during the delivery operation as described above, the number of pulses obtained from the magnet encoder 33 is initially changed with a new BIB3 as shown in the number of pulses in FIG. 6 and the number of drinks to be supplied. The value is within a predetermined range. However, when the beverage is supplied a plurality of times, the syrup in the BIB 3 disappears and becomes empty, a vacuuming state occurs, and the rotor drive motor 10 becomes difficult to rotate. Thereby, even if the voltage Vl (predetermined low voltage) or the voltage Vh (predetermined high voltage) is applied to the motor 10 in the detection operation described above, the number of pulses rapidly decreases.

  Therefore, the control unit 11 calculates the average number of rotations of the motor 10, that is, the number of pulses during the detection operation within a predetermined number of times after the BIB 3 is replaced with a new one, for example, 5 to 10 cups, When the difference between the average value and the current pulse number is reduced by a certain value, it is determined that it is sold out, the sold-out display lamp 23 of the operation unit 27 is turned on, and the user is notified of the sold-out. Inform.

  As a result, even when the syrup is contained in a sealed container such as BIB 3 as in this embodiment, the syrup that is in a vacuumed state when sold out and flows into the flow rate regulator 8 has sufficient syrup. Since it is possible to detect the decrease compared to the case based on the decrease in the rotation speed of the motor 10 during the detection operation, it is possible to reliably and quickly determine whether the syrup is sold out. become.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 calculates the average value of the rotation speed of the motor 10 during the detection operation within the predetermined number of transmissions after the replacement of the BIB 3, and calculates the difference between the average value and the current rotation speed. Since the sold-out is determined, the accuracy of the sold-out determination can be further secured.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 11 determines whether the motor 10 is sold out based on the average value of the number of rotations of the motor 10 during the detection operation within the predetermined number of transmissions after the replacement of the BIB 3. In addition, the control unit 11 may calculate the average value of all the rotation speeds of the motor 10 during the detection operation, and may determine whether the motor is sold out from the difference between the average value and the current rotation speed. This also ensures the accuracy of the sold-out determination.

  Furthermore, the control unit 11 may calculate the moving average value of the rotation speed of the motor 10 during the detection operation, and determine whether the motor is sold out from the difference between the moving average value and the current rotation speed. This can also ensure the accuracy of the sold-out determination. Further, in this case, since the moving average value of the rotation speed of the motor 10 is used, the amount of memory for storing the average value can be reduced as compared with the case where all the past average values are stored. Furthermore, since the average value is calculated from recent data, accuracy is further ensured.

  In addition, although the above demonstrated the case where the button of a non-carbonated drink was operated, when the button of a carbonated drink was operated, the control part 11 opens the water inlet solenoid valve 18 first. Then, the tap water supplied from the city water by the water pump 19 is caused to flow into the dilution water supply line 24 via the dilution water cooling coil 21 and the dilution water flow meter 22. Further, by opening and closing the solenoid valve 39 and the carbonated water solenoid valve 45, a predetermined amount of carbonated water is discharged from the carbonator 40 to the multi-valve 12. At this time, as in the case of a non-carbonated beverage, the amount of carbonated water supplied to the multi-valve 12 is detected by the dilution water flow meter 22 by the flow rate of the dilution water flowing into the flow meter 22. This can be grasped. Therefore, even when a carbonated beverage is provided, the supply amount of syrup and detection of sold-out can be detected as in the case of providing the non-carbonated beverage.

  In this embodiment, the sold-out syrup supplied from the BIB 3 of the BIB unit 4 is detected by the number of revolutions of the motor 10 that drives the flow rate regulator 8, but is stored in a sealed container such as the BIB 3. It is not limited to things. Therefore, like the tank unit in the present embodiment, by supplying carbon dioxide gas from a carbon dioxide cylinder to the syrup tank, even if the syrup in the tank is pushed out to the syrup supply line 6, the sold out syrup is controlled by the flow regulator. 8 can be detected by the number of rotations of the motor 10 that drives the motor 8. In this case, when there is no syrup supplied from the tank, only carbon dioxide gas flows into the flow rate regulator 8, but only the carbon dioxide gas flows, so that the rotational speed of the rotor 32 is reduced. It rises compared to some cases. As a result, it is possible to detect a sold out syrup.

  In the above embodiment, the flow rate regulator 8 is used as the delivery means driven by the drive means. However, other than this, a pump such as a so-called rotary, reciprocating, scroll, screw type compressor, solenoid, The same effect as described above can be obtained even when the number of rotations and the period of reciprocating motion change depending on the applied voltage and suction load, such as a reciprocating pump using a spring.

It is a front view of the drink dispenser using this invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the beverage dispenser of FIG. 1. It is a schematic block diagram of the drink dispenser of FIG. It is sectional drawing of a flow regulator. It is a figure which shows the change of the motor voltage of the flow regulator with respect to time. It is a figure which shows the pulse change accompanying a drink supply.

Explanation of symbols

1 Beverage dispenser 3 BIB
5 Pump 6 Syrup supply line 8 Flow rate regulator (delivery means)
9 Syrup solenoid valve 10 Motor (drive means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Control part 12 Multi valve 22 Dilution water flow meter 23 Sell-out indicator lamp 24 Dilution water supply line 25 Dilution water solenoid valve 27 Operation part 32 Rotor 33 Magnet encoder 40 Carbonator 45 Carbonated water solenoid valve 46 Carbonated water supply line 50 Cup

Claims (6)

In a beverage dispenser for delivering beverage ingredients by delivery means driven by drive means,
Control means for controlling the operation amount to be applied to the drive means based on the delivery amount and target value of the beverage ingredients obtained from the drive state of the drive means;
The control means executes a detection operation for detecting a correlation between the operation amount and the driving state of the driving means by applying a predetermined operation amount at the start of driving of the driving means,
A sold-out detection system for a beverage dispenser, wherein the beverage ingredient is sold out based on a drive state of the drive means during the detection operation. In a beverage dispenser that delivers beverage ingredients by a constant volume flow controller driven by a motor,
Control means for controlling the applied voltage of the motor based on the amount of the beverage ingredient obtained from the rotational speed of the motor and the target value;
The control means performs a detection operation of detecting a correlation between the voltage applied to the motor and the rotation speed of the motor by applying a predetermined high voltage and low voltage at the start of driving of the motor,
A sold-out detection system for a beverage dispenser, wherein the beverage ingredient is sold out based on the number of rotations of the motor during the detection operation.   The sold-out detection in the beverage dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the beverage ingredient is stored in a sealed container, and the beverage ingredient is supplied from the container to the delivery means or the flow regulator. system.   The control means calculates the driving state of the driving means during the detection operation within a predetermined number of delivery after the container replacement, or an average value of the rotation speed of the motor, the average value and the current driving state, Alternatively, a sold-out detection system for a beverage dispenser according to claim 3, wherein sold-out is determined from a difference from the rotation speed.   The control means calculates an average value of the driving state of the driving means or the rotational speed of the motor during the detection operation, and sells out from the difference between the average value and the current driving state or the rotational speed. The sold-out detection system in the beverage dispenser according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the determination is made.   The control means calculates a moving average value of the driving state of the driving means or the rotational speed of the motor during the detection operation, and calculates a difference between the moving average value and the current driving state or the rotational speed. 4. The sold-out detection system in the beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the sold-out is determined.

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