JP2008114923A - Liquid supply unit and its system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid supply unit and its system, which can exert sufficient flexibility on operations by providing a flowmeter in such a manner that the quantity of actually supplied liquid can be measured, and providing its measurement in liquid supply piping connected to a storage vessel, so as to enable the replacement of the storage vessel, when the liquid is supplied from the storage vessel. <P>SOLUTION: This liquid supply unit comprises: the liquid supply piping which is connected to the vessel 2 for storing the liquid 41; a flow rate control valve 11 which is inserted into the liquid supply piping and opened/closed according to a control signal transmitted from the outside; and the flowmeter 12 which is inserted into the liquid supply piping so as to measure the flow rate of the liquid 41 flowing through the liquid supply piping. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply apparatus and a system for automatically supplying the liquid by connecting to a container storing the liquid, including a liquid used for measuring and selling drinking water, soft drinks or liquor. The present invention relates to a liquid supply apparatus capable of measuring the amount of liquid to be supplied and easy to maintain and prevent theft and a system thereof.

Conventionally, sales by vending machines are the most common sales methods for drinking water and soft drinks.
Currently, many cans and plastic bottles are sold, but a paper cup is taken out, and a certain amount of tea, carbon dioxide-containing soft drinks, or coffee are also sold. Many.
In addition, there are places such as izakayas and counter bars where liquors are stored in barrels and bowls and poured into glasses to serve customers.
In this way, in devices such as storing beverages in containers and pouring a fixed amount, open the valve by manually twisting the handle and check that the fixed amount has accumulated by pouring into a glass or cup In the case of a type that manually turns the handle again to close the valve, or in a vending machine, confirms the insertion of the coin, drops the cup, automatically opens the valve until a certain time elapses, and drinks water etc. There is a type that automatically closes the valve after water injection.
In addition, recently, electric pots have also been developed that can operate the switch to drive the pump for a certain period of time so that hot water or the like can be discharged quantitatively.

For example, the “electric pot” disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a hot water supply mode selection switch in addition to a hot water supply switch that supplies hot water in a pressed state. No, it is possible to select which discharge amount to use when quantitative discharge is performed. The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, the pot is configured such that the liquid container 62 is accommodated in the container main body 61 and the upper opening is closed by the lid 63, and the side of the liquid container 62 is along the outer peripheral surface thereof. A discharge pipe 64 is arranged in the vertical direction. A pump 65 is connected to the discharge pipe 64, and when a hot water supply switch (not shown) provided on an operation panel 67 disposed in front of the lid 63 is pressed, the pump 65 is driven and liquid is supplied from the water injection port 66. Hot water stored in the container 62 is injected. The ultrasonic sensor 68 transmits ultrasonic waves toward the liquid surface of the liquid stored in the liquid container 62, receives a reflected wave on the liquid surface, and calculates a water level based on a time difference from transmission to reception. However, the measurement of the discharge amount is calculated from the drive time of the pump 65.
In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 configured as described above, it is possible to select two hot water supply modes, that is, constant discharge and normal manual discharge. Furthermore, the control device 69 is provided to exert a function of forcibly stopping the discharge even during the fixed amount discharge, thereby further improving the safety.

The “electric pot” disclosed in Patent Document 2 also discloses a technique for driving a water supply motor only for a predetermined time by using a timer or the like together.
As described above, in the inventions disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the amount of liquid to be supplied is measured by driving the water supply pump for a certain period of time. For example, in Patent Document 1, even if the liquid water level in the liquid container 62 can be measured by an ultrasonic sensor, it is accurate to obtain the amount of liquid to be supplied using the difference in water level before and after the liquid is supplied. It is not desirable. Therefore, to measure a small amount of liquid supply such as an electric pot, it is usual to drive a pump or a water supply motor for a certain period of time.
However, in such a technique, it can be considered that the supply accuracy is changed due to the difference in the viscosity of the liquid due to the difference in temperature at the time of water supply, the head difference due to the difference in the remaining amount of liquid in the container, and the aging of the pump.

Therefore, Patent Document 3 discloses an “electric pot” in order to correct such a problem.
According to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 3, the duty ratio can be adjusted by providing pulse driving means for driving the DC electric hot water supply pump by a pulse control method.
By providing means for making the duty ratio variable and variably controlling the duty ratio of the pulse voltage, the discharge amount per unit time of the electric hot water supply pump can be adjusted to a predetermined discharge amount.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-97018 JP-A-8-66311 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-300968

In the inventions disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, the supply amount of liquid such as hot water is calculated according to the driving time of the pump. For example, the impeller of the pump is fixed and physically rotated. Even in a situation where the rotation speed cannot be reduced or the rotation speed is reduced, the liquid supply is recognized as long as it is energized, so the accuracy of the liquid supply may not be guaranteed. There was a problem.
Also, since the pump and water supply motor are built in the electric pot, it is not possible to replace only the liquid container, and the liquid container is damaged or has multiple liquid containers to store and store different liquids. In addition, there is a problem that a flexible operation such that a plurality of liquid containers and a plurality of pumps are exchangeably shared cannot be performed, such as supplying some of them with a plurality of pumps.

Further, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 3, a pulse driving unit that drives the hot water supply pump with a pulse voltage is provided, and the duty ratio of the pulse voltage is made variable so that the discharge amount per unit time is a predetermined discharge amount. However, in the case where the impeller is physically fixed or the frictional force is increased, there is a problem that a decrease in accuracy is inevitable as long as the adjustment or signal is received on the power source side.
Furthermore, similarly to Patent Documents 1 and 2, there is an operational problem caused by being built in the electric pot.
Further, the liquid cannot be sold while automatically supplying the money through money, and further, there is no idea of safe automatic sales while preventing theft during system operation. It has been difficult to apply the invention as it is to a system such as a vending machine.

  The present invention has been made in response to such a conventional situation, and when supplying liquid from a storage container, a flow meter is provided so that the amount of liquid actually supplied can be measured, and the measurement is applied to the storage container. By providing it in the connected liquid supply piping, it is possible to replace the storage container, and a liquid supply device that can exhibit sufficient flexibility in operation and theft that is likely to arise from the operational flexibility of this liquid supply device An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid supply system that can be operated safely.

The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is invented to solve the above-described problems, and includes a liquid supply pipe connected to a container for storing a liquid, and an interior of the liquid supply pipe. A flow control valve that is inserted and opened / closed by a control signal transmitted from the outside, and a flow meter that measures the flow rate of the liquid that is inserted into the liquid supply pipe and flows through the liquid supply pipe.
In the liquid supply apparatus configured as described above, the flow rate control valve has an action of opening so as to be able to supply the liquid stored in the container, and the flowmeter has an action of measuring the flow rate of the liquid. In addition, these flow control valves and flow meters are provided in the liquid supply pipe connected to the container, so that they can be independently maintained and repaired without being affected by the capacity or structure of the container. Have

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the liquid supply apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a pump is provided in the liquid supply pipe.
The liquid supply apparatus configured as described above can apply a discharge pressure by a pump, whereas the liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1 has a discharge pressure based on a static pressure by the liquid in the container. , Has the effect of increasing the amount of liquid that can be supplied per unit time.

Furthermore, the liquid supply apparatus according to claim 3 is the liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid supply pipe is detachably connected to the container.
In the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the operation of the liquid supply apparatus described in claim 1 or 2, the liquid supply pipe can be replaced by connecting the liquid supply pipe to another container. And has the effect of exhibiting the flexibility of operation of the liquid supply apparatus.

A liquid supply system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the liquid supply device according to any one of the first to third aspects, a money receiving unit that receives money, and money inserted into the money receiving unit And a control panel that includes a control unit that transmits a control signal for opening operation to the flow control valve.
The liquid supply system includes the liquid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and a money receiving unit. The control unit detects that money has been inserted into the money receiving unit, and performs the control. The part transmits an opening operation control signal to open the flow control valve.
The invention described in claim 4 acts to enable the liquid stored in the container to be automatically sold by opening the flow control valve when money is inserted into the money receiving portion. .

The liquid supply system according to claim 5 is the liquid supply system according to claim 4, wherein the control panel includes a start switch, the money receiving unit senses the insertion of money, and the start switch is ON. In this case, the control unit transmits an opening operation control signal to the flow control valve.
The invention described in claim 5 does not immediately open the flow control valve when money is inserted into the money receiving part, but the flow control valve is operated under the condition that the separate start switch is ON. It acts to open, and has the effect of causing time for money input and opening operation of the flow control valve.

The liquid supply system according to claim 6, a liquid supply pipe connected to a container for storing liquid, a flow rate control valve that is inserted inside the liquid supply pipe and is opened and closed by a control signal transmitted from the outside, A liquid supply device provided with a flow meter that is inserted into the liquid supply piping and measures a flow rate of the liquid flowing through the liquid supply piping, and stores a first ID for identifying the liquid supply device. A liquid supply apparatus including one memory unit;
A second memory unit that stores a second ID that is matched to the first ID, a money receiving unit that accepts money, the second ID read from the first memory, and the second ID read from the second memory; And a control panel including a control unit that transmits a control signal for opening operation to the flow control valve when money is inserted into the money receiving unit. .
In the invention according to the sixth aspect, the first ID on the liquid supply device side and the second ID on the control panel side are collated, and the control signal for the opening operation is transmitted to the flow control valve only when they are matched. When only one of them is stolen, it has the effect that it cannot be used thereafter. Moreover, it has the effect | action that it cannot divert except an application like this invention. Further, the money receiving unit transmits the control signal for the opening operation to the flow rate control valve when the money is received, thereby having the function of automatic sales.
Note that the conformity between the first ID and the second ID may be such that two different IDs may be associated with each other, or the same ID may be adapted.

The liquid supply system according to claim 7 is the liquid supply system according to claim 6, wherein the control unit counts the number of transmissions of the transmitted control signal for opening the flow control valve and transmits the counted number to the second memory. The second memory stores the number of transmissions.
In the invention according to claim 7 configured as described above, the control unit counts the number of transmissions of the control signal for opening the flow control valve and stores it in the second memory, whereby the number of opening operations of the flow control valve is determined. Has the effect of recording. Moreover, it has the effect | action which detects the operating frequency of a flow control valve.

The liquid supply system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the liquid supply system according to the seventh aspect, wherein the second memory stores an allowable number of transmissions in advance, and the control unit determines that the number of transmissions is the allowable number of transmissions. The transmission of the control signal for the opening operation of the flow control valve is stopped.
In the liquid supply system according to claim 8 configured as described above, when the transmission of the control signal is stopped with the allowable number of transmissions as an upper limit, the liquid supply device and the control panel are simultaneously stolen. Also has an action of blocking an operation over a certain number of operations.

The liquid supply system according to claim 9, wherein the control panel sets the allowable number of transmissions and the set allowable transmission number can be stored in the second memory. It has a part.
In the liquid supply system according to the ninth aspect configured as described above, the setting unit has an operation of setting the allowable number of transmissions.

The liquid supply system according to claim 10 is the liquid supply system according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the control panel is connected to an external memory capable of connecting a second ID or an external memory storing the allowable number of transmissions. And the control unit can read out the second ID or the allowable number of transmissions from the external memory.
The liquid supply system according to claim 10 configured as described above has an operation of connecting the external memory storing the second ID or the allowable number of transmissions to the external memory connection unit and reading from the external memory.

The liquid supply system according to claim 11 is the liquid supply system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the control panel is capable of connecting to a communication network capable of receiving the second ID or the allowable number of transmissions. The control unit can read the second ID or the allowable number of transmissions from the communication network.
In the liquid supply system according to claim 11 configured as described above, the transmission / reception unit has an operation of reading the second ID or the allowable number of transmissions through the communication network.

A liquid supply system according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the liquid supply system according to any one of the fourth to eleventh aspects, wherein the controller is configured to determine a temperature of the liquid stored in the container in advance. Control of opening the flow control valve so that the liquid can be supplied at a predetermined time interval or at a predetermined flow rate when the temperature falls below a predetermined temperature or when the outside air temperature falls below a predetermined temperature. A signal is transmitted.
In the liquid supply system according to claim 12, configured as described above, in order to prevent freezing due to a decrease in liquid temperature or a decrease in outside air temperature, the liquid is periodically discharged or a small amount of liquid is not frozen. Has the effect of draining.

In the liquid supply apparatus of the present invention, the amount to be injected can be measured with high accuracy by a flow meter inserted in the liquid supply distribution connected to the container for storing the liquid. In addition, since the flow meter is provided in the liquid supply pipe, it can be performed separately from the container when performing maintenance or repairs for failure. Also, when replacing, it is sufficient to replace the entire liquid supply pipe, and even if the container is damaged, it is possible to replace only the container, so that the amount of waste can be reduced and there is no waste.
Furthermore, by storing the instrument in the liquid supply pipe, there are no protrusions in the container, and the connected container can be easily cleaned. It is also possible to simply configure the entire liquid supply apparatus.

  In particular, in the invention described in claim 2, by providing a pump, it is possible to increase the discharge pressure, energize the liquid supply, and to shorten the liquid injection time.

  In particular, in the invention described in claim 3, by providing the liquid supply pipe so as to be detachable, the liquid supply pipe can be connected to the same container, and the liquid supply pipe itself can be replaced. As a result, it is possible to use a plurality of containers, each storing and storing different liquids, and attaching a liquid supply pipe to necessary containers when supplying some liquids. In addition, it is possible to perform flexible operations such as using a sound one as appropriate while repairing separately, even if the container is broken or the liquid supply pipe and its insert are broken. This is particularly convenient when handling many types of liquids.

  In the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to carry out automatic sales.

  In the invention described in claim 5, when automatic sales are performed, when the user prepares a container to be supplied from the liquid supply piping, such as when the user prepares to receive the liquid supply at the time of money insertion, it is used. It is possible for the person to set the timing for starting the liquid supply. Therefore, there is no fear of spilling the liquid carelessly, and there is no worry of getting dirty around the liquid supply system.

  In the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to carry out automatic sales, and it does not operate even if either the liquid supply device or the control panel is stolen. It can be demonstrated. In addition, since any one of them can not be replaced by an original one, a pair of a regular liquid supply device and a control panel is required, which has the effect of being safe in managing vending.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the number of operation of the flow control valve can be known by checking the second memory, and is managed as information necessary for maintenance such as checking the life of the flow control valve and checking the failure frequency. At the same time, for example, when used as a vending machine, it can also be managed as information necessary for management such as operation status and sales.

  In the invention described in claim 8, it is possible to automatically stop the liquid supply device when it is desired to limit the number of operations of the liquid supply device for maintenance or when it is rented on condition of the number of operations. Further, even if the liquid supply device and the control panel are stolen at the same time, the liquid supply device and the control panel can be stopped after being actuated a certain number of times, and thus can be used for theft prevention.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the eighth aspect of the invention, the allowable number of transmissions can be freely set.

  In the invention described in claim 10, in addition to the effect of the liquid supply system described in claim 8 or claim 9, an external memory storing the second ID or the allowable number of transmissions is connected to the external memory connection unit. Can be read from external memory.

  In the invention described in claim 11, in addition to the effect of the liquid supply system described in claim 8 or claim 9, the second ID or the allowable number of transmissions can be read from the transmitter / receiver through the communication network.

  In addition to the effect of the liquid supply system according to any one of claims 4 to 11, the invention according to claim 12 can prevent freezing due to a decrease in liquid temperature.

Hereinafter, a liquid supply apparatus and a system thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The liquid supply system 1 according to the present embodiment is used particularly for an alcoholic beverage vending machine that enables the sale of sake such as sake and Western liquor.
FIG. 1A is a front view of a liquid supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
In FIG. 1, the liquid supply system 1 is provided with a liquid supply device 3 connected to a storage container 2 and a control panel 4 for operating by inserting coins around the liquid supply device 3.
In the storage container 2, sake is stored as a liquid.
The liquid supply system 1 according to the present embodiment is a liquor vending machine for measuring and selling liquor that is installed in a corner counter or the like provided in a pub or liquor store.
As the storage container 2, for example, a barrel container using cedar as a barrel material or a ceramic one is used. The control panel 4 also functions as a coin insertion device, and is provided with a coin insertion slot 5 at the top and a coin return slot 8 at the bottom. After confirming that the energizing lamp 7 is lit, the user inserts a predetermined amount of coins determined in advance by the installer from the coin insertion slot 5. After placing a container such as a bottle or glass under the liquid supply device 3, the start button 6 is pressed to pour the sake in the storage container 2 into the container. When the coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 5 cannot be properly recognized inside or when a coin other than the coin is inserted, it is returned from the coin return slot 8. The coin may be a coin that is actually distributed, or may be a dedicated coin that the store distributes only in the store.
A power cable 10 is connected to the control panel 4, and the energizing lamp 7 is lit when energized to notify the user that it can be used.
As will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, an electromagnetic valve and a flow meter are built in the liquid supply device 3, and signal cables 9 a and 9 b for transmitting and receiving signals between them and the control panel 4. Is connected.

Next, the interior of the liquid supply device 3 will also be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (c). 2A is an internal structural diagram of the liquid supply device 3, FIG. 2B is a structural diagram of an electromagnetic valve inserted into the liquid supply device 3, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a flow meter inserted in
The liquid supply device 3 has a faucet-shaped liquid supply device 3, that is, has a handle 21 as a whole so as to avoid a sense of incongruity to the user, and is designed to resemble a faucet and is detachably connected to the storage container 2. As shown, a threaded portion 18 and a flange 22 are provided. The liquid supply device 3 is installed in the storage container 2 by inserting the screwed portion 18 into the storage container 2 and screwing in until the flange 22 contacts the outer surface of the storage container 2. The screwed portion 18 is threaded, and the threaded portion 18 is also threaded so as to be screwed into the threaded portion 18. If sufficient frictional force and sealing with the storage container 2 are ensured, it is not necessary to screw the screws together, but the screws are cut to prevent the liquid supply device 3 from falling off. It is desirable.
A strainer 19 is provided at the end of the liquid supply device 3 on the storage container 2 side to prevent foreign matter from entering. As the strainer 19, for example, a fine mesh of mesh is used.
Inside the liquid supply apparatus 3, a flow meter 12 and an electromagnetic valve 11 are provided so as to be connected to the flow meter 12 from the upstream side. As shown in FIG. 2C, the flow meter 12 has a configuration in which an impeller 16 is provided inside a casing 17. Although not shown, the impeller 16 is made of a magnetic material, and a voltage pulse generated by the rotation of the impeller 16 is generated by a sensor embedded in the casing 17, and the voltage pulse is measured to measure the flow rate. Is to measure.

The electromagnetic valve 11 functions by inserting and removing the valve body 13 into and from the casing 15 by a solenoid 14. A supply pipe 20 is connected to the downstream end of the electromagnetic valve 11, and liquor is poured from the supply pipe 20 through the flow meter 12 and the electromagnetic valve 11 in the liquid supply device 3.
A signal cable 9 a is connected to the electromagnetic valve 11, receives an open signal from the control panel 4, drives the solenoid 14, and pulls up the valve body 13 existing in the casing 15 to form a flow path. Connected to the flow meter 12 is a signal cable 9 b for transmitting the aforementioned voltage pulse to the control panel 4.
The insertion of a coin from the coin insertion slot 5 by the user is detected by a coin insertion detection unit provided inside the control panel 4, and when the start button 6 is pressed on the coin insertion detection unit, an open signal is generated by the control panel 4. The electromagnetic valve 11 is generated and transmitted to the electromagnetic valve 11, and the electromagnetic valve 11 provided inside the liquid supply device 3 opens, and the liquor in the storage container 2 is injected into the container.
When the solenoid valve 11 is opened, sake is poured by the head pressure of the sake in the storage container 2.
In addition, the solenoid valve 11 may be provided with only two types of an open state and a closed state like a gate valve, or may be a valve whose degree of opening can be adjusted like a ball valve. When the opening degree can be adjusted, the opening degree may be adjusted in advance according to the type of liquid stored in the storage container 2, the viscosity, and the like. Further, the drive source is not limited to the electromagnetic valve 11 as long as the flow rate of the liquid flowing in the liquid supply device 3 can be controlled, and may be an air drive valve or the like.
A heater 23 is wound around the outer periphery of the supply pipe 20 provided at the outlet end of the liquid supply apparatus 3, and the supply pipe 20 may be heated to enter from outside while no liquor is poured. It functions to kill certain bacteria. Further, a faucet cover 24 is provided on the outer periphery of the outlet end portion of the liquid supply device 3 so that the user or the like cannot easily touch the end portion of the liquid supply device 3 or the supply pipe 20 provided therein. The faucet is kept hygienic. Therefore, it is desirable that the lower end of the faucet cover 24 is formed below the lower end portion of the liquid supply device 3 or the supply pipe 20.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, description will be added on the operation method of the liquid supply system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation method of the liquid supply system 1 according to the present embodiment.
First, when a user inserts a coin from the coin insertion slot 5 of the control panel 4, a coin insertion detection unit installed inside the control panel 4 detects whether or not a coin has been inserted in step S1. If the input is detected, it is further detected in step S2 whether the start button 6 provided on the control panel 4 is ON or OFF. If the start button 6 is ON, the flow rate is determined as step S3. The electromagnetic valve 11 which is a control valve is opened. In step S4, the amount of liquor supplied into the liquid supply device 3 is measured by the flow meter 12, and the flow meter 12 detects that a predetermined amount of liquor predetermined in step S5 has been supplied. In response to the signal, the electromagnetic valve 11 which is a flow control valve is closed in step S6.
If coin insertion cannot be detected in step S1, the process returns to the previous stage of step S1 so as to wait for coin insertion. Similarly, in step S2, if the start button is not ON, the process returns to the previous stage of step S2. Furthermore, when the supply of the predetermined amount in step S5 is not detected, the flow rate is measured by the flow meter 12 before the step S5, that is, continuously. The detection of the supply of the predetermined amount by the flow meter 12 may proceed to step S6 when the amount measured by the flow meter 12 exceeds the predetermined supply amount by periodically checking the amount measured by, for example, 100 ms. A signal may be transmitted from the flow meter 12 when the flow meter 12 detects a predetermined amount.
In this Embodiment, since the pump is not provided, the liquor in the storage container 2 flows out in the liquid supply apparatus 3 with the water head pressure. Accordingly, when the electromagnetic valve 11 is opened, the liquid supply device 3 automatically flows out.
In the present embodiment, the electromagnetic valve 11 is opened under the condition that the coin insertion sensor detects whether or not the coin has been inserted and the start button 6 is turned on. However, for example, when the liquid supply system 1 is installed as a vending machine. May not be provided with a start button 6 and alcohol may be supplied at the same time as coins are inserted, or if it is not installed as a vending machine, there is no need to insert coins. Only 6 may be provided, and the supply of liquor may be started on the condition that only ON is provided.

Next, a modified example of the liquid supply system according to the present embodiment will be described as Example 1 with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
Example 1 has more functions than the previous embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a system configuration diagram of the liquid supply system according to the present embodiment. 4, the same components as those of the liquid supply system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
In the storage container 2 of the liquid supply system 1a, liquor or drinking water is stored as the liquid 41 introduced from the liquid replenishing unit 37, and a heater 39 is incorporated in the inside thereof, for example, when drinking sake. ing. Of course, this may be a cooler for cooling or a device having both functions.
In addition, a liquid level sensor 38 for measuring the water level of the liquid 41 is provided inside the storage container 2, and a liquid temperature sensor 40 for measuring the temperature of the liquid 41 is also provided.
On the other hand, in addition to the coin insertion slot 5, the control panel 4 is provided with a coin insertion detection unit 26 for detecting that a coin has been inserted from here, and this detection signal can be transmitted to the electromagnetic valve 11. A signal cable 9a is provided. That is, the coin insertion detection unit 26 is an open / close signal generation unit for the electromagnetic valve 11, but the coin detection signal is transmitted to the supply amount control unit 28 and the coin detection signal is received. However, a control signal for opening / closing the electromagnetic valve 11 may be transmitted. Similarly, a signal cable 9 a ₂ is provided from the start button 6 to the electromagnetic valve 11.

In the present embodiment, the amount of liquid 41 supplied from the liquid supply device 3 can be set by the supply amount setting unit 27. The setting is performed using the increase button 31 and the decrease button 32, and the set supply amount is displayed on the display window 30 of the supply amount display unit 29. While confirming the supply amount displayed in the display window 30, the user or administrator presses the increase button 31 to increase the supply amount, increases the value, and decreases the value 32 to decrease the supply amount. Press to decrease the value. A signal relating to increase / decrease in the supply amount is transmitted to the supply amount setting unit 27 via the signal cables 46 a and 46, and information relating to the supply amount is displayed on the display window 30 of the supply amount display unit 29 via the signal cable 46. .
When the liquid 41 is supplied by the liquid supply device 3, the flow rate is measured by the flow meter 12, and a voltage pulse signal as a flow rate signal is transmitted to the supply amount control unit 28 via the signal cable 9b. Information regarding the supply amount previously set by the supply amount setting unit 27 is transmitted as a signal to the supply amount control unit 28 via the signal cable 45, and the supply amount based on the flow rate signal reaches the set supply amount. the supply amount control unit 28 transmits to the solenoid valve 11 via the signal cable 9a ₁ a signal for closing operation.
The temperature of the liquid 41 can be set in advance by the liquid temperature setting unit 51. Similarly to the setting of the supply amount of the liquid 41 from the liquid supply device 3, the user or the administrator confirms the temperature displayed on the display window 34 of the liquid temperature display unit 33 and increases or decreases the temperature by using the increase button 52 and the decrease button 52. This is executed by pressing the button 53. A signal related to the temperature increase / decrease from the increase button 52 and the decrease button 53 is transmitted to the liquid temperature setting unit 51 via the signal cables 54 a and 54, and information related to the liquid temperature is transmitted to the liquid temperature display unit 33 via the signal cable 54. Displayed on the display window 34.

  The liquid temperature control unit 35 receives the liquid temperature signal from the liquid temperature sensor 40 via the signal cable 47 and compares it with the preset liquid temperature received from the liquid temperature setting unit 51 via the signal cable 55. If it is high, a stop signal is transmitted to the heater 39 via the signal cable 49, and if it is low, a start signal is transmitted to the heater 39 via the signal cable 49. When a cooler is provided instead of the heater 39, a start signal is transmitted to the cooler via the signal cable 49 when the temperature is higher than the preset liquid temperature. A stop signal is transmitted to the cooler via the signal cable 49.

In the case where the cooler is provided, the liquid may freeze in the supply pipe 20 when the liquid temperature is set lower than a certain temperature and the liquid temperature falls or when the outside air temperature falls to a certain temperature. . Therefore, the liquid temperature control unit 35 transmits a control signal for preventing freezing to the supply amount control unit 28, and the supply amount control unit 28 that has received the control signal for preventing freezing opens the solenoid valve 11. Send control signals for operation.
Specifically, a control signal for maintaining an opening degree at which a minute amount can flow out is transmitted to the electromagnetic valve 11 independently of the control signal for opening the electromagnetic valve 11. Alternatively, an opening operation control signal is transmitted at regular intervals in order to obtain an opening that allows the minute amount to flow out.
By transmitting such a control signal to the electromagnetic valve 11, a certain amount of liquid flows through the supply pipe, and freezing of the liquid stored in the container 2 can be prevented.
In addition, you may start the heater 23 wound around the outer periphery of the supply piping 20 as freeze prevention. In this case, the liquid temperature control unit 35 may transmit an operation signal directly to the heater 23 without transmitting a control signal to the supply amount control unit 28. Since the heater 23 is originally installed for sterilization, it is installed in the vicinity of the end of the supply pipe 20. However, when this is also used to prevent freezing, the heater 23 is wound around the entire supply pipe 20. It is good to keep. Although not shown in FIG. 4, it is necessary to provide a thermometer for measuring the outside air temperature, and a temperature signal from this thermometer is transmitted to the liquid temperature control unit 35.

  Further, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, a control microprocessor 70 having both functions of the liquid temperature control unit 35 and the supply amount control unit 28 is provided. The control signal for preventing freezing transmitted from the liquid temperature control unit 35 to the supply amount control unit 28 is omitted, and the control microprocessor 70 transmits a control signal for opening operation to the electromagnetic valve 11. become. Also, the activation signal for the heater 23 may be generated and transmitted to the heater 23 when a decrease in temperature is detected by a temperature signal from a thermometer that measures the outside air temperature.

Further, the control panel 4 is provided with a liquid level display unit 36, and a signal related to the water level of the liquid 41 in the storage container 2 can be received and displayed via the liquid level sensor 38 and the signal cable 48. It is. The liquid level sensor 38 displays information for prompting attention or generates a sound in the liquid level display unit 36 in order to replenish the liquid from the liquid replenishing unit 37 when the predetermined minimum water level is reached. You may make it transmit a signal so that it may make it.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, a pump 50 is provided inside the liquid supply device 3. The pump 50 can increase the discharge pressure of the liquid 41 that relied on the water head pressure, and can supply the liquid 41 with a constant discharge pressure even if the water level decreases.

An operation method of the liquid supply system 1a according to the present embodiment including driving of the pump 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of the liquid supply system 1a according to the present embodiment.
For the same parts as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. In this embodiment, after the flow meter 12 starts measuring the amount of the liquid 41 supplied into the liquid supply device 3 in step S4, the pump 50 is started as step S5. The pump 50 is activated in the same manner as the opening / closing operation of the solenoid valve 11, and a signal indicating that a coin is inserted and an ON signal of the start button 6 are supplied via signal cables 9a, 9a ₂ and 9c. In addition, it is desirable that the activation is provided with a time delay with respect to the opening operation of the electromagnetic valve 11 in step S3 to prevent the flow meter 12 from being damaged by the discharge pressure before securing the flow path. However, if there is no particular problem with the flow meter 12 or the electromagnetic valve 11 even when the electromagnetic valve 11 is opened and closed, the pump is simultaneously opened and closed to shorten the time until the liquid 41 is supplied. 50 start / stop operations may be performed.
When the flow meter 12 detects that the supply of the predetermined amount of the liquid 41 determined in advance in step S6 is completed, and the supply amount control unit 28 receives the detection signal via the signal cable 9b, first, in step S7. The pump 50 stops. The reason for stopping the pump 50 in this way is to protect the flow meter 12 and the electromagnetic valve 11 from the discharge pressure as described above.

A signal for stopping the pump 50 is transmitted from the supply amount control unit 28 via the signal cables 9a ₁ , 9a, 9c. In addition, a signal for closing the electromagnetic valve 11 is transmitted from the supply amount control unit 28 to the electromagnetic valve 11 via the signal cables 9a ₁ and 9a.
Note that the opening / closing conditions of the electromagnetic valve 11 and the start / stop conditions of the pump 50 are set as the “and” condition, as described in the above-described embodiment, whether or not the coin insertion sensor 26 has inserted coins and the start button 6 is turned ON. In addition, only one of them may be used as a condition.
In FIG. 4, the power cable is omitted, but the solenoid valve 11, the flow meter 12, the pump 50, the coin insertion detection unit 26, the supply amount setting unit 27, the supply amount control unit 28, and the supply amount display unit 29. The liquid temperature setting unit 51, the liquid temperature control unit 35, the liquid temperature display unit 33, the liquid level sensor 38, the heater 39, the liquid temperature sensor 40, the liquid level display unit 36, etc. are almost all driven by electric power. is there. Further, in the present embodiment or the previous embodiment, it has been described that a signal cable is described to transmit a signal for starting and stopping each component, but among these, for example, an electromagnetic valve 11 or the like can be opened / closed with or without energization of the power cable without transmitting / receiving a signal for opening / closing the signal, and a signal for opening / closing may not necessarily be required. That is, the signal for opening and closing may include energization / cutoff of power.
In addition, the liquid level sensor 38 and the heater 39 are built in the storage container 2, and the built-in means that the liquid level sensor 38 and the heater 39 may be provided so as to be exposed in the storage container 2. It may be provided so as not to be exposed on the inner surface of the storage container 2.

In the liquid supply system 1a of the present embodiment configured as described above, the liquid 41 can be appropriately stored in the storage container 2 while managing the liquid level and the liquid temperature, and a coin is inserted from the coin insertion slot 5. When the start button 6 is pushed, a predetermined supply amount of the liquid 41 flows out from the liquid supply device 3. By starting the pump 50, the discharge amount per unit time increases, and the liquid 41 can be supplied in a short time.
By providing the heater 39 with a cooler, for example, beer or sake can be prepared as the liquid 41, and can be installed at a pub, a restaurant, a bar, a corner counter of a liquor store, and the like. It goes without saying that the interior of the storage container 2 may be partitioned by a heat insulating plate or the like, and a plurality of liquid supply devices 3 may be provided so as to be able to be supplied together with cold liquor and warm liquor or soft drink. Furthermore, when selling by weight, it is necessary to prepare various kinds of liquors, and there is a need to install a plurality of liquid supply systems 1a or the liquid supply systems 1 described above. In addition to this, for example, in a buffet-style restaurant, there is a high need when installing a drink bar and providing various types of soft drinks. There is a need to pour a certain amount of soft drink or soup into a predetermined glass or cup.
In addition, if the liquid supply apparatus 3 of the liquid supply system 1a which concerns on a present Example removes the part of the faucet provided in the existing storage container, and uses it as the storage container 2, the existing storage container will be used. Since it can be installed in the same shape as it is, it is possible to remodel a simple drink server into a liquid supply system for sale without a sense of incongruity. Furthermore, by adding a control panel 4, automatic sales are possible. It is also possible to modify the machine.

Furthermore, when storing and supplying a wide variety of drinking water and alcoholic beverages, the number of storage containers 2, liquid supply devices 3, and control panels 4 is large, and these must be maintained, replaced, or repaired separately. It is important that this is possible. In that respect, in the liquid supply system 1a according to the present embodiment, all of the electromagnetic valve 11, the flow meter 12, and the pump 50 are accommodated in the liquid supply device 3, so that any of these malfunctions. The liquid supply device 3 can be removed from the storage container 2 and repaired or exchanged. Also in this embodiment, it is desired that the screwed portion is provided as shown in FIG. 2A so that it can be detached and operated more flexibly. Since the liquid supply device 3, the storage container 2, or the control panel 4 can be exchanged among a plurality of liquid supply systems 1a, the liquid supply system 1a can be configured more flexibly and is easy to maintain. is there.
Each signal cable connecting the control panel 4 to the solenoid valve 11, the flow meter 12, the pump 50, the liquid level sensor 38, the heater 39, or the liquid temperature sensor 40 includes an interface such as a connector, and the control panel 4 and When exchanging the liquid supply device 3, the signal cable may be detachable. As a result, not only the liquid supply device 3 and the storage container 2 but also the control panel 4 can be mutually exchanged and operated, and more flexible use can be realized.

Next, another modification of the liquid supply system according to the present embodiment will be described as Example 2 with reference to FIG.
Example 2 also has more functions than the previous embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a system configuration diagram of the liquid supply system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, the same components as those of the liquid supply system shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
In FIG. 6, the liquid supply apparatus 3 in the present embodiment includes a faucet memory 84 in addition to the electromagnetic valve 11 and the flow meter 12, and a unique ID for identifying the liquid supply apparatus 3 is stored therein. ing. In addition, a unique ID can be stored in the faucet part memory 84 via the transmission / reception part 85, and the unique ID in the faucet part memory 84 can be read from the transmission / reception part 85.
Although not shown in FIG. 6, other components may include a pump as shown in FIG. Although the container 2 is omitted in FIG. 6, the liquid supply device 3 is connected to the container 2. Similarly, what is shown in FIG. 6, although not shown in FIG. 4, may be added to the system of FIG.

In the present embodiment, the liquid supply device 3 and the control panel 4 exchange data and signals through the transmission / reception units 78 and 85, but the transmission / reception units 78 and 85 may be wired or wireless. . That is, as shown in FIG. 4, it may be connected by a signal cable.
The control panel 4 stores a control microprocessor 70 therein and executes various calculations and controls in combination with other devices. The control unit memory 75 has a unique ID for identifying the control panel 4, the number of transmissions of the control signal for the opening operation transmitted from the control microprocessor 70 to the electromagnetic valve 11 of the liquid supply device 3 via the transmission / reception unit 78 Further, any one or a combination of the permissible transmission times is stored. The unique ID capable of identifying the control panel 4 is collated by the control microprocessor 70 with the unique ID of the liquid supply device 3 stored in the faucet memory 84 of the liquid supply device 3, and the two unique IDs are matched. Only in such a case, the control microprocessor 70 generates a control signal for opening the electromagnetic valve 11 and transmits it to the electromagnetic valve 11.
The two unique IDs may be the same ID or a pair of different IDs having relevance. In addition, these two IDs may be automatically generated by the control microprocessor 70. In such a case, the control microprocessor 70 and the transmission / reception units 78 and 85 are respectively controlled by the control microprocessor 70. And stored in the faucet memory 84. Further, it is not generated by the control microprocessor 70, but is generated by an external server computer 89, for example, and transmitted to the control panel 4 via the Internet 86 and the transmission / reception unit 80. Further, the liquid is transmitted via the transmission / reception units 78 and 85. The data may be transmitted to the supply device 3, or the data stored in the memory card 82 may be read from the card connection terminal 81 and stored in the control unit memory 75 via the control microprocessor 70. Further, it may be stored in the faucet part memory 84 via the transmission / reception parts 78 and 85.
The operation permission signal of the control microprocessor 70 is stored in the memory card 82, and the control microprocessor 70 is operated only when the memory card 82 is inserted into the card connection terminal 81. Also good. Furthermore, the operation permission signal may be transmitted from the server computer 89 to the control microprocessor 70 from the transmission / reception unit 80 via a communication network such as the Internet 86 so that it can be remotely operated.
As described above, the liquid supply system 1b is activated only when the memory card 82 is inserted or when the operation permission signal is transmitted from the server computer 89 via the Internet 86 and the transmission / reception unit 80. It becomes possible to manage the liquid supply system 1b. In particular, when the server computer 89 and the Internet 86 are used, it is convenient to construct a system that enables remote operation and charges while renting the liquid supply system 1b.

In addition, the liquid supply system 1b according to the present embodiment includes a money receipt unit 71 in the control panel 4, and when money receipt is detected, a money receipt signal is transmitted to the control microprocessor 70, The control microprocessor 70 generates a control signal for the opening operation and transmits it to the electromagnetic valve 11 via the transmission / reception units 78 and 85.
The money receiving unit 71 includes a money input device 72 for inputting money, includes a money identification device 73 for identifying the inserted money, and further, a price for purchasing a preset liquid, A change return device 74 is provided for calculating change by deducting from the identified money and returning the change.
When the money recognition device 73 identifies the receipt of money, the money recognition device 73 transmits a previous money receipt signal to the control microprocessor 70.
The money inserted by the user is displayed on the display device 76. Further, the display device 76 indicates whether or not the liquid supply system 1b is in an operating state, the contents of the container to which the liquid supply device 3 is connected, the liquid temperature, the amount of contents, or the state that can be purchased. In addition, when a plurality of liquid supply devices 3 are provided and a plurality of liquids are sold, a display such as a lineup of liquids to be sold is displayed.

The switch 77 has a function similar to the start button in FIG. 4, and liquid may be poured automatically immediately after the money is inserted, but in consideration of a user who is out of timing, The switch 77 may be pressed to transmit a control signal for opening operation from the control microprocessor 70 to the solenoid valve 11. At that time, the unique IDs of the liquid supply device 3 and the control panel 4 are collated in advance to confirm the conformity, and it has been confirmed that the monetary receipt signal has been received from the monetary receipt unit 71. It is necessary.
When the liquid supply system 1b does not have such a start button function, it may be a power switch for starting the liquid supply system 1b.
When the liquid is supplied by the liquid supply device 3, the flow rate is measured by the flow meter 12 and a voltage pulse signal as a flow rate signal is transmitted and received in the same manner as the liquid supply system 1a described with reference to FIG. The data is transmitted to the control microprocessor 70 via the unit 85 and the transmission / reception unit 78. Similar to the liquid supply system 1a, information on the supply amount set by the control microprocessor 70 is stored in the control unit memory 75 or the faucet unit memory 84, and is read out by the control microprocessor 70 and supplied by the flow rate signal. When the supply amount reaches the set supply amount, the control microprocessor 70 transmits a control signal for causing the electromagnetic valve 11 to be closed via the transmission / reception unit 78 and the transmission / reception unit 85.

A setting switch 79 is connected to the control microprocessor 70, and the setting switch 79 is used to store the ID unique to the control panel 4 for storing in the control unit memory 75 and the faucet unit memory 84. The ID unique to the liquid supply device 3, the number of transmissions of the control signal for the opening operation of the electromagnetic valve 11 transmitted from the control microprocessor 70 to the electromagnetic valve 11, and the supply amount by the flow rate signal are set. Is to do.
When these data are set using the setting switch 79, the data can be set while displaying data such as each ID and the allowable number of transmissions on the display device 76.
The setting switch 79 may be a switch such as the increase buttons 31 and 52 and the decrease buttons 32 and 53 shown in FIG. 4 or may be a knob. Furthermore, it may be a touch sensor, and the setting means and form are not particularly limited. Although not described in this embodiment, the setting switch 79 may function as a supply amount or a liquid temperature as described with reference to FIG. In this case, the control microprocessor 70 has the functions of the supply amount control unit and the liquid temperature control unit shown in FIG.

The control panel 4 includes a transmission / reception unit 80 that transmits and receives signals and data to and from the outside, in addition to the transmission and reception unit 78 that transmits and receives signals and data to and from the liquid supply device 3. Other server computers 89 and client computers 87 can be connected to the transmission / reception unit 80 via the Internet 86, and the client computer 87 can be directly connected to the transmission / reception unit 80 without going through the Internet 86. Good. The communication network is not particularly limited as long as it is not the Internet 86 but can be connected to a wide area.
Further, the control microprocessor 70 may be connected to the transmission / reception unit 80 through the line of the telephone 88 or may receive data or signals stored in an external recording medium such as the memory card 82 via the card connection terminal 81. Good. Conversely, for example, data stored in the control unit memory 75 may be transmitted to the external client computer 87, the telephone 88, or the server computer 89 via the control microprocessor 70 and the transmission / reception unit 80.
The control microprocessor 70 is provided with a power backup device 83, which can cope with a power failure for a certain time.

The liquid supply system 1b configured as described above is used and operated particularly for selling sake and whiskey, or alcoholic beverages such as shochu and beer, and drinking water such as coffee and juice. In particular, the utility value is high when a company rents or rents a vending machine, or when managing a vending machine in a remote place.
In such a case, an ID unique to the control panel 4 stored in the control unit memory 75 and an ID unique to the liquid supply device 3 are generated by the server computer 89 at a remote location that manages the vending machine, Data relating to the allowable number of transmissions for limiting the number of actuations of the solenoid valve 11 and further the amount of liquid supplied by the solenoid valve 11 in one opening operation is generated.
While the client computer 87 is installed in a user who rents or leases the liquid supply system 1b or, for example, in a store where the liquid supply system 1b is franchised, the head office manages the sales thereof. If installed in the store. On the other hand, the server computer 89 is a computer provided in the head office having a company that manages the rental or lease for a user who rents or leases the liquid supply system 1b, or in a franchised store. is there.
These data generated by the server computer 89 are stored in the memory card 82 and mailed to a user or the like, or the transmitter / receiver 80 of the control panel 4 via a wide area communication network such as the Internet 86, or the like is not shown. May be read from the transmission / reception unit 85 via the Internet 86 or the like.
Of course, the data may be read from the transmission / reception unit 80 or the transmission / reception unit 85 via the client computer 87 or read via the telephone 88.

Data may be read collectively by the transmission / reception unit 80 and data related to the liquid supply device 3 may be transmitted to the transmission / reception unit 85 via the control microprocessor 70 and the transmission / reception unit 78 of the control panel 4.
The ID unique to the control panel 4 and the allowable number of transmissions related to the control signal of the electromagnetic valve 11 are stored in the control unit memory 75 via the transmission / reception unit 80, the card connection terminal 81, and the control microprocessor 70.
The ID unique to the liquid supply device 3 is stored in the faucet memory 84.

The liquid supply system 1b in such a state can be installed in a pub, a restaurant, a bar, a corner counter of a liquor store, or a drink bar of a buffet restaurant.
As preparations for automatic sale using the liquid supply system 1b, the unique ID stored in the control unit memory 75 of the control panel 4 and the unique ID stored in the faucet unit memory 84 of the liquid supply device 3 are used. The control microprocessor 70 checks the ID and confirms that it is compatible.
The user inputs money into the money input device 72 of the money receiving unit 71 in order to drink the drink stored in the container. Then, the money identifying device 73 identifies the money and detects the amount, and when it is equal to or exceeds the price of the drink, the money identifying device 73 transmits a money receipt signal to the control microprocessor 70. The change returning device 74 calculates the difference as change when the inserted money exceeds the price of the drink, and returns the change.
The display device 76 displays the amount of money inserted and the amount of change. The type of drink sold is also displayed.

The user designates a desired drink and presses the switch 77. When this switch 77 is pressed, the control microprocessor 70 opens the solenoid valve 11 when the control microprocessor 70 receives a monetary receipt signal on condition that the unique IDs of the control panel 4 and the liquid supply device 3 match. An operation control signal is generated and transmitted to the electromagnetic valve 11 of the liquid supply apparatus 3 via the transmission / reception unit 78, and the electromagnetic valve 11 performs an opening operation. Although the inside of the control panel 4 or another place may be sufficient, the hold | maintained cup is arrange | positioned under the spout of the liquid supply apparatus 3, and the desired drink is poured into the cup. The cup may be held, but each user may bring it in and place it.
Each time the control signal transmitted by the control microprocessor 70 is transmitted, the number of times is stored in the control unit memory 75. When transmitting a control signal to the solenoid valve 11, the control microprocessor 70 reads the number of transmissions from the control unit memory 75 and compares it with the allowable number of transmissions stored in the control unit memory 75. When the number of transmissions is the same value, the control signal is not transmitted. Alternatively, after the control signal is transmitted every time, the number of transmissions is stored in the control unit memory 75, and the control microprocessor 70 reaches the display device 76 to reach the allowable number of transmissions when compared with the allowable number of transmissions. A signal to that effect may be transmitted to display that effect. In that case, since it is displayed on the display device 76 as soon as the allowable number of transmissions is reached, the next user will not accidentally insert money.

Of course, when the number of transmissions of the control signal reaches the allowable number of transmissions, the control microprocessor 70 transmits to the external client computer 87 and server computer 89 via the communication network such as the transmission / reception unit 80 and the Internet 86. Also good. By transmitting a signal to an external computer, there is an effect that management of the liquid supply system 1b is facilitated.
The client computer 87 or the server computer 89 that has received the fact that the allowable number of transmissions has been reached further generates and retransmits the allowable number of transmissions, and maintains the relationship of rental, lease, or franchise, and continues automatic sales or vice versa. In addition, since the allowable number of transmissions has been reached, it is possible to terminate further rental, lease, or franchise relationships.
Note that data related to the number of transmissions of the control signal for the opening operation to the solenoid valve 11 and the allowable number of transmissions is stored in the faucet memory 84, and the transmission / reception unit 85 receives the control signal for the opening operation transmitted from the control microprocessor 70. When reading, the data of the number of transmissions so far and the data of allowable transmission times are read from the faucet memory 84 and compared, and only when the number of transmissions is less than the allowable number of transmissions, a control signal is transmitted to the solenoid valve 11 If the value is equal to or greater than the value, the transmission / reception unit 85 may block transmission of the control signal to the electromagnetic valve 11.
Furthermore, centralized collective management can be performed by storing data of the number of transmissions and the number of allowable transmissions in the memory card 82 so that the number of operations of the solenoid valve 11 can be managed by the memory card 82. The allowable number of times of transmission is also updated by storing new allowable number of times of transmission data in the memory card 82, so that the memory card 82 can be managed from the outside as long as it is handed over to the user at the time of rental or lease. Can be easily performed.

  The control microprocessor 70 may transmit a signal to the client computer 87 or the server computer 89 via the transmission / reception unit 80 each time an open operation control signal for the electromagnetic valve 11 is transmitted. The number of transmissions of the control signal stored in the memory 75 may be transmitted to the client computer 87 and the server computer 89 via the transmission / reception unit 80. By transmitting such a signal to the client computer 87 and the server computer 89, the operating status of the solenoid valve 11 can be grasped externally, and a company that manages rentals and leases, a head office that manages franchise stores, etc. In addition, the necessity of maintenance of the liquid supply device 3 and the control panel 4 can be managed. In other words, management and maintenance management can be easily performed.

In such a liquid supply system 1b, it is possible to easily configure a vending machine by including the liquid supply device 3 and the control panel 4 and simply connecting to the container, and performing a remote operation. It is possible to sell and manage the vending machine. Furthermore, even if only the liquid supply device 3 or only the control panel 4 is stolen, it is not operated because the collation of the unique IDs provided for each other is an operating condition, and the effect of preventing theft can be exhibited. . Further, due to the limitation on the allowable number of transmissions, it is possible to reduce damage even when the liquid supply device 3 and the control panel 4 are stolen at the same time.
In the present embodiment, information related to the number of transmissions of the control signal of the solenoid valve 11 is stored in the control unit memory 75, or the number of transmissions by the control microprocessor 70 is limited by the allowable number of transmissions. For example, “generation” may be used, and the number of generations of the control signal generated by the control microprocessor 70 may be stored in the control unit memory 75 or the allowable number of generations may be limited. Furthermore, in the present application, it may be considered that “transmission” includes the concept of “generation”.

The liquid supply apparatus and its system according to the present invention are installed in restaurants, pubs, bars, liquor stores, square corners, etc. that handle multiple types of alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, and sell and measure alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. Even if not, it can be used in the case where a certain amount is automatically supplied without spilling.
Furthermore, it can be used as a vending machine to quantitatively sell various beverages at unmanned stores, convenience stores, and highway service areas.
In the description of the embodiments and examples, the description is limited to drinking, but in principle, it can be used as various liquid supply devices and systems. It can be used.

(A) is a front view of the liquid supply system which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (b) is a side view. (A) is an internal structure figure of the liquid supply apparatus of the liquid supply system which concerns on this Embodiment, (b) is a structure figure of the solenoid valve inserted in the inside of a liquid supply apparatus, (c) is the same FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a flow meter inserted inside the liquid supply apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement method of the liquid supply system which concerns on this Embodiment. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a liquid supply system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of the liquid supply system according to the first embodiment. 6 is a system configuration diagram of a liquid supply system according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the conventional liquid supply apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1a, 1b ... liquid supply system 2 ... reservoir 3 ... liquid supply device 3 4 ... control panel 4 5 ... coin insertion slot 6 ... Start button 7 ... energizing lamp 8 ... coin return opening _9a, 9a _1, 9a _{2, 9b,} 9b 1, 9c ... the signal cable 10 ... power cable 11 ... solenoid valves 11 12 ... flow meter 12 13 ... valve body 14 ... solenoid 15 ... casing 16 ... impeller 17 ... casing 18 ... screwed portion 19 ... the strainer 20 ... supply piping DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Handle 22 ... Flange 23 ... Heater 24 ... Faucet cover 26 ... Coin insertion detection part 27 ... Supply amount setting part 28 ... Supply amount control part 29 ... Supply amount display part 30 ... Display window 31 ... Increase button 32 ... Decrease button 33 ... Liquid temperature display section 34 ... Display window 35 ... Liquid temperature control section 36 ... Liquid level display section 37 ... Liquid replenishment section 38 ... Liquid level sensor 39 ... Heater 0 ... Liquid temperature sensor 41 ... Liquid 45 ... Signal cable 46, 46a ... Signal cable 47 ... Signal cable 48 ... Signal cable 49 ... Signal cable 50 ... Pump 51 ... Liquid temperature setting part 52 ... Increase button 53 ... Decrease button 54,54a ... Signal cable 55 ... Signal cable 61 ... Container body 62 ... Liquid container 63 ... Cover body 64 ... Discharge pipe 65 ... Pump 66 ... Water injection port 67 ... Operation panel 68 ... Ultrasonic sensor 69 ... Control device 70 ... Control microprocessor 71 ... Money receiving unit 72 ... Money input device 73 ... Money identification device 74 ... Change change device 75 ... Control unit memory 76 ... Display device 77 ... Switch 78 ... Transmission / reception unit 79 ... Setting switch 80 ... Transmission / reception unit 81 ... Card connection terminal 82 ... Memory card 83 ... Power backup device 84 ... Faucet part memory 85 ... Transmission / reception part 86 ... Internet 87 ... client computer 88 ... Phone 89 ... server computer

Claims (12)

  A liquid supply pipe connected to a container for storing liquid, a flow rate control valve which is inserted in the liquid supply pipe and opened / closed by a control signal transmitted from the outside, and the liquid inserted in the liquid supply pipe And a flow meter for measuring a flow rate of the liquid flowing in the supply pipe.   The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pump in the liquid supply pipe.   The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply pipe is detachably connected to the container. A liquid supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A control panel comprising a money receiving unit for receiving money, and a control unit that transmits a control signal for opening operation to the flow control valve when money is inserted into the money receiving unit;
A liquid supply system comprising:   The control panel includes a start switch, and when the money receiving unit senses the insertion of money and the start switch is turned on, the control unit transmits an opening operation control signal to the flow control valve. The liquid supply system according to claim 4. A liquid supply pipe connected to a container for storing liquid, a flow rate control valve which is inserted in the liquid supply pipe and opened / closed by a control signal transmitted from the outside, and the liquid inserted in the liquid supply pipe A liquid supply device including a flow meter for measuring a flow rate of the liquid flowing in the supply pipe, and a liquid supply device including a first memory unit that stores a first ID for identifying the liquid supply device;
A second memory unit that stores a second ID that is matched to the first ID, a money receiving unit that accepts money, the second ID read from the first memory, and the second ID read from the second memory; A control panel comprising: a control unit that sends a control signal for opening operation to the flow control valve when money is inserted into the money receiving unit,
A liquid supply system comprising:   The said control part counts the transmission frequency of the transmitted control signal of the said flow control valve opening, and transmits to said 2nd memory, The said 2nd memory stores the said transmission frequency. Liquid supply system.   The second memory stores an allowable number of transmissions in advance, and the control unit stops transmitting a control signal for opening the flow control valve when the number of transmissions is the same as the allowable number of transmissions. The liquid supply system according to claim 7.   The liquid supply system according to claim 8, wherein the control panel includes a setting unit configured to set the allowable number of transmissions and store the set allowable number of transmissions in the second memory.   The control panel includes an external memory connection unit to which an external memory storing a second ID or the allowable number of transmissions can be connected, and the control unit can read the second ID or the allowable number of transmissions from the external memory. The liquid supply system according to claim 8, wherein the liquid supply system is a liquid supply system.   The control panel includes a transmission / reception unit connectable to a communication network capable of receiving a second ID or the allowable number of transmissions, and the control unit can read the second ID or the allowable number of transmissions from the communication network. The liquid supply system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein   When the temperature of the liquid stored in the container is lower than a predetermined temperature or when the outside air temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control unit is configured to set a predetermined time interval or a predetermined time. The liquid supply according to any one of claims 4 to 11, wherein an open control signal is transmitted to the flow control valve so that the liquid can be supplied at a predetermined flow rate. system.