JP2009008329A - Ice supply device and beverage producing device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ice supply device and a beverage producing device capable of properly discriminating the amount of ice pieces supplied to an ice shaving portion and to smoothly supply the shaved ice. <P>SOLUTION: This ice supply device comprising an ice making portion 10 making ice, an ice storing portion 32 storing the ice produced at the ice making portion 10, an ice discharging shutter 34 opening and closing a discharge port 65 formed on the ice storing portion 32, and a control portion 8 discharging the ice in the ice storing portion 32 from the discharge port 65 by opening and closing the shutter 34, further comprises an ice detecting portion 73 detecting the ice discharged from the discharge port 65, and the control portion 8 controls the shutter 34 on the basis of the output of the ice detecting portion 73. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention stores ice generated in an ice making unit in an ice storage unit, and controls the opening and closing of a shutter provided at a discharge port of the ice storage unit, thereby controlling ice discharge, and the same. The present invention relates to a beverage production apparatus.

  In a beverage production apparatus that has been developed in the past, ice shavings are put into a container containing syrup and stirred, so that a sherbet-like beverage (in the following description, soft drinks including alcohol, alcoholic beverages, shaved ice, etc. (Refer to Patent Document 1, for example). Such a beverage is called a frozen beverage.

  The beverage manufacturing apparatus throws ice into the ice slicing unit, operates a propeller provided in the ice slicing unit, scrapes the ice with the ice slicing blade, and places the ice slicing into a container conveyed below the ice slicing unit. It is set as the structure which discharges. Thereafter, the container containing the syrup and the ice shave is transported to the agitation unit, and the syrup and the ice slab in the container are mixed in the agitation part, thereby producing a sherbet-like frozen beverage.

  However, in such a beverage production apparatus, the operator throws ice into the ice slicing section and also throws syrup into the sales container, sets the sales container into which the syrup is placed in the beverage production apparatus, Beverage is supplied by stirring. Therefore, the introduction of syrup that greatly contributes to the finished state of the frozen beverage is performed manually by the operator, resulting in a variation in the amount of each product, and a problem that a uniform beverage cannot be provided.

Therefore, in order to make the syrup and the ice slicing uniform, an apparatus equipped with these beverage ingredient supply units has been developed. Of the beverage raw material supply unit, the ice cutting supply unit for supplying ice cutting is an ice making unit composed of, for example, an auger type ice making machine, an ice storage unit for storing chip-shaped ice pieces generated by the ice making unit, The ice chute is provided with an ice chute that is connected to a discharge port formed in the ice storage portion, and an ice cutting portion that is connected to the other end of the ice chute. The ice-shaving part is to rotate the propeller provided in the ice-shaving tank and press the ice against the ice-shaving blade to generate the ice.
JP 2004-298016 A

  In this case, only the necessary ice pieces are supplied to the ice cutting unit, and when generating ice cuttings, the ice discharge shutter is opened / closed by timer control to supply the ice pieces from the ice storage unit. However, when ice pieces remain in the ice cutting portion, the amount of ice pieces supplied to the ice cutting portion as a whole cannot be controlled to be constant unless the remaining amount is taken into consideration. Since the amount of ice pieces remaining is not constant, it is not possible to supply a certain amount of ice pieces to the ice cutting portion only by changing the shutter opening time. Further, when the ice stored in the ice storage unit is empty, even if the discharge port is opened by the ice discharging shutter, the ice is not actually discharged.

  Further, the time required to generate a predetermined amount of ice by the ice removing unit is accommodated in an ice removing tank that constitutes the ice removing part, and further in an ice chute that is connected to the ice removing tank. It greatly affects the amount of ice pieces to be played, that is, the weight. Specifically, if the amount of ice is small just before the end of ice cutting, the force for pressing the ice against the ice cutting blade is reduced, and the ice generation efficiency is reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to perform supply control so that more ice is supplied to the ice cutting part than the amount of ice originally necessary to obtain a desired amount of ice removal, and the ice remains even after the completion of ice removal. However, if the timer is used to open the ice discharge shutter for a long time and control is performed to release a large amount of ice, the ice will accumulate in the ice chute and stick when the ice is released in a large amount within a certain period. There is a problem that causes clogging. Moreover, it is not preferable also in terms of hygiene.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the conventional technical problem, and appropriately determines the amount of ice pieces supplied to the ice cutting portion, thereby realizing a smooth supply of ice cutting. An ice supply device and a beverage production device using the same are provided.

  An ice supply device of the present invention includes an ice making unit that generates ice, an ice storage unit that stores ice generated in the ice making unit, a shutter that opens and closes a discharge port formed in the ice storage unit, and an opening and closing unit that opens and closes the shutter. And a control means for discharging the ice in the ice storage part from the discharge port, and further comprising an ice detection means for detecting the ice discharged from the discharge port. The shutter is controlled based on the output.

  An ice supply device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes, in the above invention, an ice cutting portion that is connected to the discharge port via a chute and generates ice using ice supplied from the ice storage portion via the chute, The control means repeats the control of opening the discharge port by the shutter for the next fixed period when the amount of ice detected by the ice detection means is less than the set value within a fixed period during the operation of the ice cutting unit. To do.

  A beverage production apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a beverage is produced using ice supplied from the ice supply device according to each of the above claims.

  According to the present invention, an ice making unit that generates ice, an ice storage unit that stores ice generated in the ice making unit, a shutter that opens and closes a discharge port formed in the ice storage unit, and the shutter that opens and closes And an ice supply device comprising a control means for releasing ice in the ice storage section from the discharge port, the ice supply device comprising an ice detection means for detecting the ice discharged from the discharge port, the control means at the output of the ice detection means By controlling the shutter based on this, it is possible to perform opening / closing control of the discharge port by the shutter by detecting the ice actually discharged.

  Therefore, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not ice has been released regardless of the amount and state of ice in the ice storage unit. Therefore, it becomes possible to supply a desired amount of ice, and an accurate ice supply can be realized.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the above invention, the apparatus further comprises an ice cutting part that is connected to the discharge port via a chute and that generates ice using the ice supplied from the ice storage part via the chute. If the amount of ice detected by the ice detecting means is less than the set value within a certain period during the operation of the ice shaving unit, the ice shaving unit is repeatedly controlled by opening the discharge port with the shutter for the next certain period. It becomes possible to add and supply ice during operation.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of ice clogging in the chute while maintaining the ice cutting generation efficiency. Thereby, it becomes possible to implement | achieve smooth ice supply.

  Moreover, according to the beverage manufacturing apparatus of the invention of claim 3, by producing the beverage using the ice supplied from the ice supply device according to each of the above claims, an appropriate amount of ice shave is obtained as a raw material of the beverage As a result, it is possible to contribute to the realization of a uniform quality beverage.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a beverage production apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention with the front door removed. FIG. 2 is a diagram of the beverage production apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 with the front door, side panel, and top panel removed. 3 is a side view of the beverage production apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 as viewed from the right side, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the beverage production apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is an AA view of the beverage production apparatus 1 of FIG. Sectional drawing and FIG. 6 have each shown BB sectional drawing of the drink manufacturing apparatus 1 of FIG.

  The beverage production apparatus 1 to which the ice shaving apparatus of the present invention is applied is a syrup that is installed in a restaurant or the like, for example, as a liquid ingredient, or a syrup and ice produced by dissolving a powdered beverage ingredient in hot water or water. Are mixed and stirred to provide a sherbet-like beverage.

  In the housing part 2 constituting the main body of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1, the beverage raw material supply part 3, the ice removing part 4 constituting the ice removing apparatus of the present invention, the stirring part 5, the container moving part 6, A cleaning unit 7, a control unit 8 that controls each of these devices, and a drip tray 37 that receives water dripping from the ice cutting unit 4 and the cleaning unit 7 and a liquid such as a beverage spilled from the sales container 9 are provided. In the present embodiment, the casing 2 further includes an ice making unit 10 for automatically supplying ice to the ice cutting unit 4, and a beverage ingredient powder (hereinafter referred to as a beverage ingredient powder) supplied to the sales container 9 in the beverage ingredient supply unit 3. In addition, a hot water tank 11 for supplying hot water for melting the raw material powder) and further supplying hot water for cleaning in the cleaning section 7 is provided.

  The casing 2 is configured by surrounding the front and rear surfaces, both side surfaces, and the top surface with a front door, a back panel, a side panel, and a top panel, respectively. A sales container delivery port is formed so that the sales container 9 can be delivered to the beverage ingredient supply position S of the tray portion 55 constituting the. In addition, in each figure, in order to show arrangement | positioning, a structure, etc. of each apparatus in the housing | casing part 2, exterior panels, such as each front door, a back panel, a side panel, and a top panel, are abbreviate | omitting illustration.

  The sales container 9 is a container having an opening on at least the upper surface, and in this embodiment, a cup formed in a predetermined size is used in consideration of the appearance of the finished beverage.

  In the present embodiment, a beverage ingredient supply unit 3 is disposed on the front side of the casing unit 2, on the left side in FIG. In the beverage production apparatus 1, raw material powder, hot water and / or water for dissolving the raw material powder, and ice are used as beverage raw materials. Of these beverage ingredients, the beverage ingredient supply unit 3 supplies a predetermined amount of ingredient powder and hot water to the sales container 9. Below this beverage raw material supply part 3, it is set as the beverage raw material supply position S in which the sales container 9 is mounted.

  And the control panel 50 is arrange | positioned by the side of this drink raw material supply part 3 facing the front surface of the housing | casing part 2. As shown in FIG. The control panel 50 is provided with a plurality of operation buttons 51, a display 52 of a liquid crystal display, a power switch 53 for turning on / off the entire apparatus, and the like.

  In FIG. 1, an ice making unit 10 that constitutes an ice supply unit 62 of an ice shaving supply device, which will be described later, is disposed at the rear part on the left side of the housing unit 2. As will be described in detail later, the ice generated in the ice making unit 10 is once stored in the ice storage unit 32 and then sent to the subsequent ice cutting unit 4 according to the output from the control unit 8. Between the ice making unit 10 of the housing unit 2 and the beverage raw material supply unit 3, an ice cutting unit 4, a stirring unit 5, and a hot water tank 11 are arranged. The ice cutting portion 4 forms ice cutting by cutting the ice generated in the ice making portion 10 with a predetermined roughness as will be described in detail later, and is provided in the vicinity of the ice making portion 10. . Below this ice cutting part 4 is the ice cutting supply position U of the sales container 9.

  And the stirring part 5 is provided between this ice cutting part 4 and the drink raw material supply part 3. As shown in FIG. The agitation unit 5 mixes and agitates the acceptor received in the sales container 9, that is, the raw material powder used as the raw material of the beverage, hot water and / or water for dissolving the raw material powder, The syrup produced by the raw material powder and hot water, etc., and the crushed ice are pulverized, mixed and stirred. Below the stirring unit 5 is a stirring position T of the sales container 9.

  As described above, the beverage ingredient supply unit 3, the ice cutting unit 4 and the agitation unit 5 are provided at the front of the casing unit 2, and a container having a tray unit 55 at the lower part of each device. A moving unit 6 is provided. Here, the tray part 55 is provided on the upper part of the drip tray 37, and arrange | positions the sales container 9 so that a movement is possible. And the sales container receiving stand 56 which is provided in the tray part 55 and mounts the sales container 9 is moved in the horizontal direction by a horizontal movement part (not shown), and the beverage raw material supply position S formed in the tray part 55, While being able to move to the stirring position T and the ice-cutting supply position U, the sales container cradle 56 can be moved in the vertical direction at the stirring position T by a vertical movement unit (not shown).

  On the other hand, the cleaning unit 7 cleans the cutter (stirring member) 41 and the lid 42 that constitute the stirring unit 5. In this embodiment, the cleaning unit 7 faces the front corner portion of the housing unit 2, and in FIG. Are arranged at the front right corner. The cleaning unit 7 includes a cleaning hot water supply nozzle 20 that supplies cleaning hot water as cleaning water when the stirring unit 5 is cleaned, a cleaning cover 48 that covers the cutter 41 and the lid 42 from below during cleaning, and the cleaning unit 48. The cover has a cover driving section 49 that drives the cover 48 in a closed state covering the cutter 41 and the lid 42 and in an open state spaced apart from the cutter 41 and the lid 42. Therefore, the cleaning unit 7 is configured to advance / retreat from the corner portion to the stirring unit 5 by driving the cover driving unit 49.

  And the said hot water tank 11 is the position which is not interfered with arrangement | positioning of the said beverage raw material supply part 3, the stirring part 5, and the ice cutting part 4, and is a back of the drink raw material supply part 3 in a present Example, Comprising: Arranged forward. This hot water tank 11 is a tank capable of storing a predetermined volume of drinking water, and has a heater 49H (only shown in FIG. 36) and a temperature for heating and holding the stored drinking water at a predetermined temperature, for example, + 80 ° C. A sensor 49T (also shown only in FIG. 36) is provided.

  And the drinking water, such as a tap water, is supplied to the hot water tank 11 from the exterior through the water supply piping 22 in which the water supply electromagnetic valve 21 shown by FIG. 6 is interposed. The hot water tank 11 is connected with a hot water supply pipe 16 provided with a melting hot water supply electromagnetic valve 15 and a hot water supply pipe 18 provided with a cleaning hot water supply electromagnetic valve 17. The other end of one hot water supply pipe 16 is connected to a melting hot water supply nozzle 19 constituting the beverage raw material supply unit 3, and the other end of the other hot water supply pipe 18 is used for washing constituting the washing unit 7. A hot water supply nozzle 20 is connected.

  Next, a detailed configuration of each device arranged in the housing unit 2 will be described.

  First, the configuration of the beverage ingredient supply unit 3 will be described. The beverage raw material supply unit 3 includes a raw material powder supply unit composed of a canister 13 and a raw material chute 14, and a hot water supply nozzle 19 (dissolution) for supplying hot water for dissolving powder from the hot water tank 11 to the sales container 9. Water supply unit). The canister 13 is used for filling and storing raw material powder as a beverage raw material, and a powder discharge mechanism 24 for controlling discharge of the raw material is provided inside. The raw material chute 14 appropriately guides the raw material powder discharged from the canister 13 to the sales container 9 disposed at the beverage raw material supply position S.

  As shown in the vertical side view of the stirring unit 5 in FIG. 7, the stirring unit 5 includes a drive shaft 40 that rotates by being connected to a rotating shaft of a motor 40 </ b> M disposed in the upper portion, and a cutter that is configured by a metal blade. 41, a lid 42, and the like. The cutter 41 is fixed to the tip of the drive shaft 40 by a fixing member 45 together with a guard 44, and in the sales container 9, the cutter ingredient 41 is dissolved, crushed, mixed, and stirred by being driven to rotate. In this case, the beverage material includes not only liquid but also solid matter such as ice, and the cutter 41 performs dissolution, pulverization, stirring, and mixing of these beverage materials.

  The lid 42 is provided coaxially with the drive shaft 40 and is attached so as to be movable in the axial direction, that is, up and down, and closes the upper surface opening of the sales container 9 placed below by its own weight. The lower side of the lid 42 is the stirring position T of the sales container 9. Further, the lid 42 is formed with a cylindrical portion 43 that is lifted while surrounding the drive shaft 40 with a predetermined interval around the drive shaft 40 and whose upper and lower ends are opened. The upper end opening of the cylindrical portion 43 is a guide portion 43A formed to expand outward, and the cleaning portion 7 to be described later is in a state where the lower surface of the lid 42 and the cutter 41 are closest to each other. The hot water for washing from the hot water nozzle 20 for washing that constitutes the structure is appropriately guided to the guide portion 43A. In addition, in a state where the lower surface of the lid 42 and the cutter 41 are farthest from each other, dilution water from a dilution water supply nozzle (not shown) is appropriately guided to the guide portion 43A.

  And the groove | channel 42A which accommodates the upper surface opening edge of the sales container 9 made into stirring position T inside, and seals the inside of the sales container 9 and the cutter 41 are located in the lower surface periphery of the lid | cover 42. A convex wall 42B protruding into the sales container 9 is formed.

  As shown in the sectional view of the cleaning unit 7 and the stirring unit 5 in FIG. 8, the cleaning unit 7 includes the cleaning hot water supply nozzle 20 that supplies cleaning hot water as cleaning water when the stirring unit 5 is cleaned. The cleaning cover 48 that covers the cutter 41, the guard 44, and the lid 42 of the stirring unit 5 from the lower side at the time of cleaning, and the cleaning cover 48 that is in a closed state that covers the cutter 41, the guard 44, and the lid 42, are separated from these. It is comprised from the cover drive part 49 which drives to an open state.

  The hot water supply nozzle 20 for cleaning is provided so as to be able to supply hot water for cleaning toward the upper end opening of the cylindrical portion 43 provided in the lid 42 of the stirring unit 5. In the present embodiment, a dilution water supply nozzle (not shown) as a water supply unit may be provided above the cleaning hot water supply nozzle 20. This diluting water supply nozzle is provided in the agitating section 5 and dilutes drinking water such as tap water from the outside through a water supply pipe provided with a water supply electromagnetic valve 47 (only FIG. 36 is shown). Can be supplied as.

  The cleaning cover 48 is a container member that opens upward and has a predetermined volume in a state where the lid 42 of the stirring unit 5 is closed, and the upper surface opening is formed to have a size that can cover the lower surface opening edge of the lid 42. Has been. A drain outlet 48A is formed at, for example, approximately the center of the bottom surface of the cleaning cover 48 with the lid 42 closed. The dimensions of the drain port 48A are the hot water supply flow rate and flow rate from the hot water supply nozzle 20 for cleaning, the distance between the cylindrical portion 43 and the drive shaft 40, the volume of the cleaning cover 48, and the size of the cutter 41 during the cleaning operation. Considering the rotational speed and the like, while the cutter 41 is rotating, the cleaning hot water can stay in the cleaning cover 48 and the cutter 41 is stopped so that the cleaning hot water in the cleaning cover 48 can be quickly discharged. It is desirable that the dimensions be such that they can be discharged to the outside.

  The cover drive unit 49 includes an arm 58 having one end connected to the cleaning cover 48 and the other end connected to the rotation shaft 57, and a motor 49M that drives the rotation shaft 57 to rotate. The arm 58 drives the motor 49M according to the cleaning operation of the stirring unit 5 by the control unit 8 described later, and moves the cleaning cover 48 from the corner portion of the housing unit 2 to the stirring unit 5. At this time, the rotation drive of the motor 49M is controlled based on detection of the micro switches 60A and 60B operated by the operation piece 59 provided at the other end of the arm 58. The micro switch 60A detects a state in which the stirring unit 5 is closed by the cleaning cover 48, and the micro switch 60B detects a state in which the cleaning cover 48 opens the stirring unit 5.

  Next, the configuration of the ice cutting supply device will be described. The ice cutting supply device includes an ice cutting unit 4 as an ice cutting device of the present invention, an ice supply unit 62 as an ice supply device, and a buffer device 63. Hereinafter, the ice cutting unit 4 and the ice supply unit 62 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. 9 is a partial perspective view of the ice cutting unit 4 and the ice supply unit 62 constituting the ice cutting supply device, FIG. 10 is a view seen from the ice detection unit 73 side of the ice cutting unit 4, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a vertical side view of the ice cutting portion 4 as viewed from the right side.

  The ice supply unit 62 includes an ice making unit 10 configured by an auger type ice making unit that generates ice pieces as a beverage ingredient, an ice storage unit 32 that stores the generated ice pieces, and a discharge port formed in the ice storage unit 32. The ice payout shutter 34 that opens and closes the 65 and the control part 8 that controls the discharge of the ice pieces in the ice storage part 32 from the discharge port 65 by opening and closing the ice payout shutter 34 are configured.

  The ice making unit 10 includes a cooler (not shown) for generating ice from the ice making water. The compressor 26, the condenser 27, the expansion valve 66, and the dehydrator 67, which constitute a refrigeration cycle together with the cooler, are connected by refrigerant piping. The cooling device is configured by sequentially connecting. Note that these cooling devices are also arranged in the housing 2 similarly to the ice making unit 10.

  Further, in order to supply ice making water (tap water) to the ice making unit 10, a water pipe is connected from the outside through a water supply pipe 69 provided with a water supply electromagnetic valve 68, and a systern 28 for storing tap water is provided. Is provided. The water stored in the cistern 28 is introduced into the ice making unit 10 through the water supply pipe 29. The systern 28 is installed behind the control panel 50 and above the ice-cutting tank 35 and the stirring unit 5 of the ice-cutting unit 4 for the convenience of equipment arrangement in the housing unit 2.

  In the ice making unit 10, an auger (rotary blade) 31 is inserted concentrically and rotatably into a stainless steel cooling cylinder 30 whose inner surface is a smooth cylindrical inner surface, and a pipe shape is formed on the outer wall of the cooling cylinder 30. The cooler is closely wound in a spiral manner. The auger 31 is supported at its lower part by a lower bearing (not shown) and at its upper part by an upper bearing (not shown) constituting an ice compression path. Further, the ice pieces compressed by the upper bearing are led to a discharge port (not shown) formed in the upper portion and an ice storage unit 32 provided in the discharge port. The ice storage unit 32 has a predetermined volume, and an ice discharge shutter 34 is provided at a discharge port 65 formed on a side surface, and an ice chute 33 is connected to the ice discharge shutter 34.

  The ice payout shutter 34 is controlled to be opened and closed by a solenoid (drive means comprising an electromagnetic solenoid) 34A attached to the front surface of the ice storage unit 32, an opening / closing mechanism 70, and the control unit 8 that controls energization of the solenoid 34A. .

  That is, when the coil of the solenoid 34A is in a non-excited state, the solenoid 34A descends due to the weight of the member constituting the opening / closing mechanism 70, and the ice discharging shutter 34 is always closed by a spring member (not shown) that similarly constitutes the opening / closing mechanism 70. When pressed in the direction (the direction in which the discharge port 65 is closed), the ice payout shutter 34 closes the discharge port 65. When the coil of the solenoid 34 </ b> A is in an excited state, the member of the opening / closing mechanism 70 is pulled up by suction, whereby the ice dispensing shutter 34 opens the discharge port 65.

  An ice cutting tank 35 constituting the ice cutting portion 4 is connected to the lower end of the ice chute 33. The ice-cutting tank 35 includes a main body 35A that has an opening in the upper part and has a mortar shape, and a cover portion 35B that covers the opening. The cover portion 35B is formed with an opening at the upper end for communicating with and connected to the lower end of the ice chute 33. In this embodiment, the cover portion 35B is continuous from the top by closing the upper end of the main body 35A. The ice chute 33 is formed to extend obliquely upward toward the lower end of the ice chute 33. Thereby, the ice pieces supplied via the ice chute 33 can be received by the cover portion 35B in the ice cutting tank 35 formed together with the main body 35A.

  A propeller 71 is rotatably accommodated inside the main body 35A, and the propeller 71 is rotationally controlled by a propeller driving motor 71M attached to the main body 35A. Further, the main body 35A is provided so as to protrude inside the main body 35A, so that the main body 35A is housed inside, stirred by the propeller 71, and pressed to scrape the ice pieces to generate and discharge ice. An ice blade 72 is attached. In this embodiment, the ice cutting blade 72 is used as means for generating the ice cutting from the ice pieces. However, in addition to this, the ice pieces are crushed to a predetermined size to generate and discharge the ice. If it is a thing, there can exist the same effect.

  In addition, an ice detecting unit (ice detecting means) 73 for detecting ice in the ice cutting tank 35 is attached to the cover part 35B of the ice cutting tank 35. The ice detection unit 73, together with the control unit 8 described later in detail, constitutes an ice amount determination means. Hereinafter, the configuration of the ice detection unit 73 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 22. 13 is a perspective view of the ice detector 73, FIG. 14 is a transparent side view of the ice detector 73, FIG. 15 is a transparent top view of the ice detector 73, FIG. 16 is a front view of the ice detector 73, and FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the ice detector 73, FIG. 19 is a transparent side view of the ice detector 73, FIG. 20 is a transparent top view of the ice detector 73, and FIG. FIG. 22 is a front view, and FIG. 13 to 17 show a state in which the actuator 77 of the ice detecting unit 73 is lowered by its own weight, and FIGS. 18 to 22 show ice detected by the collision of the ice piece by the actuator 77 of the ice detecting unit 73. It shows the state.

  The ice detection unit 73 includes a main body 74, an actuator 77 and a sealing material 78 that constitute an action unit, and a displacement detection unit 79 that detects the displacement of the actuator 77. Note that only the cross-sectional view of FIG.

  The main body 74 is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section, and an attachment piece 75 is formed on the lower edge of the main body 74 so as to extend outward and to be fixed to the outer surface of the cover portion 35B. The actuator 77 is made of a plate material that is bent upward in a substantially U-shaped cross section that opens upward, and one end of the facing surface is located in the main body 74 and is rotated by the rotation shaft 76 to the main body 74. It is provided so as to be freely rotatable. The lower end on the side facing the opening of the actuator 77 has an end portion on which the rotation shaft 76 is provided and an end portion on the side facing the end portion cut away upward. A projecting portion 77A having a lower surface is formed while projecting downward. In the present embodiment, the lower surface of the protruding portion 77A is an inclined surface in which one side surface having a substantially U-shaped cross section extends longer downward than the other side surface as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, a through-hole 35D is formed in advance in the cover part 35B of the ice smashing tank 35 to which the ice detection part 73 is attached. As a result, the protruding portion 77A of the actuator 77 that is rotatably provided in the main body 74 is caused to enter the ice cutting tank 35 through the through hole 35D formed in the ice cutting tank 35, and the ice pieces that are stirred inside collide with each other. It is possible to move forward and backward to reach the position. Further, at this time, since the protruding portion 77A is formed by cutting out both side portions of the lower end of the actuator 77, the protruding portion 77A can be easily advanced to the lower side of the main body 74, that is, into the ice cutting tank 35.

  A sealing material 78 is provided on the upper surface of the through hole 35D so as to be located between the actuator 77 and the space inside the ice smashing tank 35. The sealing material 78 is made of a flexible material in which a concave shape is formed in a shape that is substantially the same as the outer shape of the protruding piece 77A that has advanced into the ice-cutting tank 35. With the sealing material 78 interposed, the main body 74 of the ice detection unit 73 is fixed by screwing or the like so as to cover the through hole 35D of the ice cutting tank 35.

  As a result, the projecting piece 77A of the actuator 77 can be advanced and retracted into the ice-cutting tank 35 through the through-hole 35D while the through-hole 35D of the ice-cutting tank 35 is sealed with the sealing material 78. Become. In the present embodiment, the ice detection unit 73 employs a configuration in which the actuator 77 descends and enters the ice slicing tank 35 by its own weight, and rises (withdraws) due to the collision of ice pieces. The through hole 35 </ b> D to which the portion 73 is attached is preferably formed on the inclined upper surface of the ice cutting tank 35.

  The main body 74 constituting the ice detection unit 73 is provided with a displacement detection unit 79 located on the outer surface side. The displacement detector 79 in the present embodiment is configured by an optical sensor in which a pair of light emitting elements 79A and light receiving elements 79B are arranged so as to sandwich the U-shaped cross section of the main body 74. A through hole 74A for transmitting light is formed at a position where the light emitting element 79A and the light receiving element 79B of the main body 74 are opposed to each other. Similarly, an actuator 77 provided movably in the main body 74 is also provided. The through holes 77B are formed respectively.

  The through hole 77B formed in the actuator 77 is formed at a position where the light from the light emitting element 79A of the optical sensor can be received by the light receiving element 79B in a state where the actuator 77 has advanced into the ice smashing tank 35 by its own weight. It is assumed that As a result, only when the actuator 77 has advanced into the ice slicing tank 35 due to its own weight, the light receiving element 79B of the optical sensor can receive light from the light emitting element 79A (state of FIG. 14), and the ice In a state where the actuator 77 is raised (retracted) due to a collision of a piece or the like, light from the light emitting element 79A is blocked by a portion where the through hole 77B of the actuator 77 is not formed (FIG. 19). State).

  With this configuration, the ice detection unit 73 can detect the displacement due to the vertical movement of the actuator 77 based on the light reception detection state (transmission state detection) in the light receiving element 79B. The detection of the transmission state by the ice detection unit 73 is output to the control unit 8 described later.

  Next, the configuration of the buffer device 63 will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 is a perspective view of the buffer device 63, FIG. 24 is a front view of the buffer device 63, FIG. 25 is a right side view of FIG. 24, FIG. 26 is a top view of FIG. FIG. 29 is a front view of the buffer device 63, FIG. 30 is a right side view of FIG. 29, FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the buffer device 63, FIG. 32 is a front view of the buffer device 63, and FIG. Is a right side view of FIG. 32, FIG. 34 is a top view of FIG. 32, and FIG. 35 is a bottom view of FIG. 23 to 27 show a state in which the buffer tank 36 is empty, and FIGS. 28 to 30 show a state in which a predetermined amount of cutting ice is accumulated in the buffer tank 36. Further, FIGS. 31 to 35 show a state in which the shutter 85 is opened.

  The buffer device 63 is disposed below the ice cutting blade 72 of the ice cutting tank 35, and includes a buffer tank 36 for temporarily storing the ice discharged from the ice cutting tank 35, and a side of the buffer tank 36. And an ice cutting weight measuring unit (ice cutting weight measuring means) 82 for measuring the weight of ice cutting in the buffer tank 36.

  In this embodiment, the buffer tank 36 is constituted by a cylindrical member having openings at the top and bottom, and the upper end opening is a chute 83 (only FIG. 23 is shown) addressed below the ice cutting blade 72 of the ice cutting tank 35. ) And is detachably attached to a mounting member 92 fixed to one end of each of the first arm member 91A and the second arm member 91B constituting the ice cutting weight measuring unit 82. It is suspended. Below the lower end discharge port 36 </ b> A of the buffer tank 36 is an ice cutting supply position U on which the sales container 9 is placed.

  And the lower end discharge port 36A of this buffer tank 36 is obstruct | occluded so that opening and closing is openable by the discharge apparatus 84 which controls discharge | emission of the shaved ice stored in the buffer tank 36. FIG. The discharge device 84 includes a shutter 85 that closes the lower end discharge port 36 </ b> A of the buffer tank 36 so as to be freely opened and closed, and a drive mechanism 86 that controls the rotation of the shutter 85. The shutter 85 is formed integrally with the bottom surface 85A for closing the lower end discharge port 36A of the buffer tank 36 and the bottom surface 85A, and is attached to the side surface of the buffer tank 36 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 85C. And have. Thereby, the shutter 85 can be rotated with respect to the side surface of the buffer tank 36, so that the lower end discharge port 36 </ b> A of the buffer tank 36 can be opened and closed. In the present embodiment, in FIG. 24, the shutter 85 is movable back and forth, that is, in a direction that does not interfere with the icing weight measuring unit 82 disposed on the side of the buffer tank 36.

  In addition, an action piece 87 protruding toward the ice cutting weight measuring unit 82 is formed on the arm 85B of the shutter 85 provided on the ice cutting weight measuring unit 82 side. On the other hand, the drive mechanism 86 as described above is disposed below the ice cutting weight measuring unit 82. The drive mechanism 86 includes a drive motor 88, a cam 89 that is rotationally controlled by the drive motor 88, and an operation unit 90 that is provided on the cam 89 and operates the action piece 87.

  Therefore, when the cam 89 is rotated forward by the drive motor 88, the operation unit 90 moves in the direction in which the operation piece 87 is moved rearward in synchronization with this, whereby the operation piece 87 is centered on the rotation shaft 85C. The bottom surface 85A opens the lower end discharge port 36A of the buffer tank 36. On the other hand, when the cam 89 is reversely rotated by the drive motor 88, the operation unit 90 moves in a direction in which the operation piece 87 moves forward in synchronization with this, whereby the action piece 87 is centered on the rotation shaft 85C. The bottom surface 85 </ b> A closes the lower end discharge port 36 </ b> A of the buffer tank 36.

  On the other hand, the ice-cutting weight measuring unit 82 includes a first arm member 91A, a second arm member 91B, a base 91C, and these arm members that are arranged substantially in parallel in the vertical direction and have a substantially U-shaped cross section. The mounting member 92 is fixed to one end of 91A and 91B, and the adjustment member 93 and 93 is detachably attached to the other end. The first arm member 91A is attached to the base 91C around the fulcrum 91D, and the second arm member 91B is attached to the base 91C around the fulcrum 91E.

  In the present embodiment, the adjustment member 93 uses a spring member, and is detachably attached to one end of the first arm member 91A. The other end of the adjustment member 93 is fixed in the casing 2 of the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1. A plurality of attachment holes 93A are formed in the end of the arm member 91B to which the adjustment member 93 is attached, and the buffer tank 36 is changed by changing the attachment hole 93A to which the adjustment member 93 is attached. The amount of ice to be stored inside can be changed.

  Then, the other end of each arm member 91A, 91B, that is, the side opposite to the side on which the adjustment member 93 is attached, is an attachment member 92 formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section across each arm member located in the front and rear. Is fixed. The mounting member 92 allows the buffer tank 36 to be detachably mounted from the opening side, and in this embodiment, the front and rear of the buffer tank 36 are formed in a groove 92A formed at the front and back and formed vertically. The locking member 81 provided on the surface is locked by being able to be inserted and removed. Accordingly, the buffer tank 36 and the shutter 85 provided in the buffer tank 36 can be removed from the buffer device 63 and separately cleaned.

  In addition, a light shielding plate 92 </ b> B extending upward is formed on the upper surface of the mounting member 92. On the other hand, the housing part 2 is provided with an optical sensor 94 for detecting the presence or absence of the light shielding plate 92B at a position corresponding to the light shielding plate 92B of the mounting member 92. This optical sensor 94 is disposed in such a manner that a pair of light emitting element 94A and light receiving element 94B sandwich an attachment member 95 formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section. The light shielding plate 92B is formed with a through hole 92C, and the light sensor 94 transmits light through the through hole 92C in an empty state in which the cutting ice is not accumulated in the buffer tank 36. Shall be able to.

  With this configuration, when a predetermined amount of ice is supplied into the buffer tank 36 through the chute 83 in a state where the lower end opening of the buffer tank 36 is closed by the shutter 85, each arm member is caused by its own weight. The attachment member 92 attached to one end of 91A, 91B, the buffer tank 36, and the shutter 85 are lowered, and the other end to which the adjustment member 93 of the arm member 91A is attached is raised. As a result, the light shielding plate 92B of the mounting member 92 is also lowered, and the optical sensor 94 is shielded from light by the portion of the light shielding plate 92B where the through hole 92C is not formed.

  Next, a control circuit including the control unit 8 will be described with reference to a circuit block diagram showing a control circuit of the control unit 8 in FIG. The control circuit includes motors and valve devices that operate the above parts, sensors and switches that detect the operations, inputs of initial values and arbitrary set amounts in sales operations, inputs of operation instructions, and controls for display A panel 99 is connected to the memory 99 for storing various data such as data necessary for the operation of each unit, a program for executing a sales operation, and sales data arbitrarily set by an operator. A control unit 8 that controls the operation and performs the time measuring operation is connected via the bus 100.

  Specifically, the control unit 8 configures the data and programs stored in the memory 99, the displacement detection unit 79 constituting the ice detection unit 73 of the ice cutting unit 4, and the ice cutting weight measurement unit 82 of the buffer device 63. Hot water supply for controlling the hot water supply to the hot water supply nozzle 19 of the beverage raw material supply unit 3 according to the outputs of the optical sensor 94, the micro switches 60A and 60B of the cleaning unit 7 and the sensors of the container moving unit 6 The electromagnetic valve 15, the powder discharge mechanism 24 constituting the raw material discharge unit, the water supply electromagnetic valve 68 for controlling the water supply to the compressor 26 and the cistern 28 of the ice making unit 10, the motor 31M for driving the auger 31, and the ice supply unit 62 Ice discharge shutter 34, motor 71M for driving the propeller 71 of the ice cutting unit 4, drive motor 88 for the buffer device 63, motor 40M for rotating the cutter 41 of the stirring unit 5, and dilution A dilution electromagnetic valve 47 for controlling the supply of dilution water from the water supply nozzle, a cleaning hot water supply electromagnetic valve 17 for controlling the hot water supply to the cleaning hot water supply nozzle 20 of the cleaning unit 7, a motor 49M of the cover driving unit 49, Each motor of the container moving part 6 is controlled.

  Hereinafter, the operation | movement which manufactures a frozen drink with the beverage manufacturing apparatus 1 of this Embodiment is demonstrated. First, as shown in FIG. 1, in the sales standby state, the sales container cradle 56 is in the beverage raw material supply position S. It is assumed that the ice making unit 10 manufactures a predetermined amount of ice pieces in advance as described above in detail and the ice storage unit 32 stores ice while the sales container cradle 56 is in the standby position. The hot water tank 11 is energized and controlled by the heater 49H based on the output of the temperature sensor 49T, and a predetermined amount of hot water is maintained at a predetermined temperature, for example, + 80 ° C. Note that the control unit 8 is allowed to sell beverages on the condition that a predetermined amount of ice is stored in the ice storage unit 32 of the ice making unit 10 and that the hot water in the hot water tank 11 has reached a predetermined temperature. Operation of a selection button (not shown) that is in a possible state and indicates that the sale is suspended on the display 52 in the control panel 50 and instructs the beverage production when the condition is not met. Is invalid.

  After the sales stop state is released and the sales standby state is set, the operator places an empty sales container 9 on the sales container receiving base 56 and selects the selection button according to the type of beverage to be manufactured. Operate the button. Based on this, the control part 8 performs a drink raw material supply process by the input of the sales start signal based on operation of a selection button.

(Beverage ingredient supply process)
In the beverage raw material supply step, the control unit 8 drives the powder discharge mechanism 24 of the canister 13 filled with the raw material powder for a predetermined time, and the amount of the raw material powder in the canister 13 corresponding to one drink from the discharge port 13B. Discharge only (predetermined amount). Thereby, raw material powder is discharged | emitted in the sales container 9 mounted in the drink raw material supply position S. FIG.

  Further, the control unit 8 opens the melting hot water supply electromagnetic valve 15 for a predetermined time at the same time as or delays the supply operation of the raw material powder from the canister 13 constituting the powder supply unit, and the melting hot water supply nozzle 19, a predetermined amount of hot water for dissolving the raw material powder is supplied into the sales container 9 placed at the beverage raw material supply position S. Above, a drink raw material supply process is complete | finished and the control part 8 transfers to a powder dissolution process.

(Powder dissolution process)
In the powder dissolving step, first, the control unit 8 moves the sales container 9, which has been placed at the beverage raw material supply position S by the container moving unit 6, to the stirring position T. Next, the control unit 8 causes the container moving unit 6 to move the sales container 9 to a predetermined high position. As a result, the sales container 9 placed on the sales container cradle 56 is raised in the direction of the stirring unit 5 provided above the stirring position T of the tray unit 55, whereby the cutter 41 of the stirring unit 5 is moved to the sales container. Enter 9

  Further, since the lid 42 of the stirring unit 5 is positioned above the cutter 41 and is attached to the drive shaft 40 so as to be movable up and down, when the sales container cradle 56 is in a low position, it is caused by its own weight. Although it is located near the cutter 41 attached to the tip of the drive shaft 40, the lid 42 is applied to the upper end of the sales container 9 in the process in which the sales container receiving table 56 is raised to the high position by the container moving unit 6. Then, it is pushed up together with the sales container 9. Therefore, the upper surface opening of the sales container 9 is sealed by the weight of the lid 42.

  Thereafter, the control unit 8 drives the motor 40M of the stirring unit 5. The motor 40M rotates the cutter 41 at a low speed through the drive shaft 40 for a predetermined time. Thereby, the raw material powder in the sales container 9 melted by the hot water for melting supplied at the beverage raw material supply position S is further improved in dissolution efficiency by stirring by the rotation of the cutter 41.

  After stopping the motor 40M, the control unit 8 opens the electromagnetic on-off valve 47 for a predetermined time and supplies a predetermined amount of dilution water from the dilution water supply nozzle in this state. Since the dilution supply nozzle is configured to supply dilution water toward the guide portion 43A of the cylinder portion 43 formed on the lid 42 of the stirring portion 5, the supplied dilution water is supplied from the guide portion 43A to the cylinder. It passes through the portion 43 and is discharged into the sales container 9 placed under the lid 42.

  Thereafter, the sales container 9 is moved from the high position to the low position by the container moving unit 6. As a result, the cutter 41 of the stirring unit 5 comes out of the sales container 9 placed on the sales container cradle 56, and the lid 42 is restricted from moving downward by the cutter 41. The top opening of the container 9 is opened.

  Thereby, even if powder is used as a beverage ingredient, it is possible to maintain the quality of the finished beverage without causing undissolved powder. With the above, the powder melting step is finished, and the control unit 8 shifts to the ice cutting supply step.

(Ice cutting supply process)
In this ice cutting supply process, the control unit 8 moves the sales container 9 that has been set to the stirring position T by the container moving unit 6 to the ice cutting supply position U, and the control unit 8 supplies the ice cutting to the sales container 9. Execute.

  At this time, it is assumed that the control unit 8 is executing ice cutting before entering the ice cutting supply process. In the present embodiment, taking into account the time required for the predetermined amount of ice removal, the ice removal operation is started together with the start of the beverage raw material supply step.

  First, the control unit 8 constituting the ice amount discrimination means energizes the solenoid 34A provided in the ice storage unit 32 for a certain period (unit time) for 2 seconds in the present embodiment at the start of the beverage raw material supply process, The ice discharge shutter 34 is opened with the coil 34A in an excited state. As a result, ice pieces are supplied from the ice storage unit 32 through the ice chute 33 into the ice cutting tank 35 of the ice cutting unit 4. At the same time, the control unit 8 rotates the propeller driving motor 71M to drive the propeller 71 provided in the ice smashing tank 35 to rotate. Note that the drive control of the motor 71A is continuously driven until a stop output is output from the control unit 8 as described later, regardless of the unit time.

  During the operation of the propeller 71, the control unit 8 takes in the detection output of the displacement detection unit 79 in a predetermined unit time every predetermined time, for example, every 50 ms, and calculates the sensor detection rate per unit time.

  In the present embodiment, the actuator 77 constituting the ice detecting unit 73 is lowered by its own weight through the through hole 35 </ b> D formed in the ice-cutting tank 35 and enters the ice-cutting tank 35. Therefore, when ice pieces are supplied into the ice slicking tank 35 and stirred by the propeller 71, the ice pieces in the ice slicking tank 35 are applied to the projecting portion 77A of the actuator 77 entering the ice slicking tank 35. Colliding and pushing up the actuator 77 upward. Accordingly, the light from the light emitting element 79A is blocked by the portion where the through hole 77B is not formed from the state where the through hole 77B formed in the actuator 77 allows the light from the light emitting element 79A to pass therethrough. It becomes.

  Therefore, it is possible to grasp the kinetic energy of the ice pieces existing in the ice-cutting tank 35 by detecting that the optical sensor is shielded every time the ice pieces collide with the protruding portion 77A of the actuator 77. Since the kinetic energy of the ice pieces is proportional to the amount of ice pieces stirred in the ice slicking tank 35, the transmission state of the optical sensor per unit time (in this embodiment, the probability of being shielded from light) ), It is possible to determine the amount of ice present in the ice-cutting tank 35.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, the sensor detection rate by the optical sensor detected every predetermined time (for example, 50 ms) is calculated every predetermined unit time (here, 2 seconds) (specifically, Based on this, the opening / closing control of the ice discharge shutter 34 provided at the discharge port 65 of the ice storage unit 32 is executed. (Sensor detection rate = number of sensor detections per unit time / total number of detections per unit time)

  Specifically, the control unit 8 has a predetermined set value of the sensor detection rate, and as described above, the sensor detection rate per unit time X while the ice payout shutter 34 is initially opened is the set value. If the value is equal to or greater than the value, it is determined that the amount of ice pieces in the ice smashing tank 35 is large, and the control unit 8 sets the coil of the solenoid 34A in a non-excited state for the next unit time, and the ice discharge shutter 34. To close the discharge port 65.

  Next, when the sensor detection rate per unit time X that passes with the ice discharge shutter 34 closed is less than the set value, it is determined that the amount of ice pieces in the ice slicking tank 35 is small, and control is performed. The unit 8 opens the discharge port 65 by the ice discharge shutter 34 with the coil of the solenoid 34 </ b> A being excited for the next unit time.

  Thereafter, according to the sensor detection rate per unit time X in the previous time, the opening / closing of the discharge port 65 is controlled by the ice payout shutter 34 in the next unit time.

  In addition, when the control unit 8 continuously detects that the sensor detection rate per unit time X is less than the set value a plurality of times, for example, about 10 times, the ice storage unit 32 is appropriately installed in the ice cutting tank 35. It is determined that the ice pieces are not discharged, and the display 52 etc. displays that the “no-ice error” has occurred, and the rotation of the propeller 71 is stopped.

  The set values of the unit time, the detection timing by the sensor, and the sensor detection rate are not limited to the above, and can be arbitrarily set.

  As a result, even if the amount and state of the ice pieces in the ice storage unit 32 are not constant due to the occurrence of sticking of the ice pieces in the ice storage unit 32, such as when a long sales waiting time has elapsed, the inside of the ice storage unit 32 Regardless of the amount and state of the ice pieces, it is possible to reliably determine whether or not the ice pieces have been released. Therefore, it is possible to accurately supply a desired amount of ice into the ice cutting tank 35.

  In this embodiment, the ice amount determination means detects the sensor detection rate of the optical sensor 79 per unit time, and based on this, repeats the opening / closing control of the discharge port 65 by the ice discharge shutter 34 in the next unit time. Thus, the opening / closing control of the discharge port 65 by the ice discharging shutter 34 can be executed based on the ice pieces actually discharged from the ice storage unit 32. Therefore, even if the ice pieces in the ice cutting tank 35 are reduced by the ice cutting operation, the ice pieces can be appropriately added and supplied into the ice cutting tank 35 during the operation of the propeller 71.

  As a result, in a state where ice pieces in a certain range are present in the ice cutting tank 35, the ice pieces are appropriately pressed against the ice cutting blade 72 by stirring by the propeller 71 to generate smooth ice cutting. It becomes possible. Therefore, an appropriate amount of ice piece weight can be continuously added to the ice cutting blade 72, so that the ice generation efficiency can be maintained at a high level. Further, by performing control so that ice pieces are not supplied into the ice cutting tank 35 more than necessary, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of ice clogging in the ice chute 33 including the cover portion 35B of the ice cutting tank 35. Thereby, the smooth ice supply from the ice storage part 32 to the ice cutting part 35 is realizable.

  In the present embodiment, the amount of ice pieces supplied into the ice slicking tank 35 is detected by an ice detection unit 73 provided in the ice slicking tank 35, and the control unit 8 determines the ice amount. In this case, the main body 35 </ b> A and the cover portion 35 </ b> B of the ice smashing tank 35 are made of a translucent material, and a light sensor is provided in the part, and the ice slick tank 35 is supplied to the ice slick tank 35. Based on the detection of the ice pieces, or by directly detecting the ice pieces that have been released from the ice storage unit 32 and falling, the opening / closing control of the discharge port 65 by the ice discharge shutter 34 may be performed.

  In particular, in this embodiment, the kinetic energy of ice in the ice smashing tank 35 stirred by the propeller 71 can be easily grasped by the ice detection unit 73 and the control unit 8 constituting the ice amount discrimination means as described above. Can do. Therefore, the movement of the ice indirectly takes advantage of the fact that the displacement state of the actuator 77 constituting the ice detection unit 73 due to the collision of the ice pieces is proportional to the state of accumulation of the ice supplied into the ice-cutting tank 35. It is possible to grasp the energy and accurately determine the amount of ice pieces in the ice smashing tank 35 based on the energy.

  Therefore, the amount of ice in the ice slicking tank 35 can be determined regardless of the accumulation state of the ice supplied into the ice slicking tank 35, and an accurate amount of ice is transferred from the ice storage unit 32 to the ice slicking tank 35. It becomes possible to supply.

  Further, in this embodiment, the amount of ice pieces in the ice smashing tank 35 can be accurately determined by the simple structure as described above, and the cost can be reduced and the assembly workability can be improved. Is possible.

  Furthermore, the actuator 77 constituting the action means of the ice detection unit 73 can be displaced by the collision of ice pieces stirred in the ice smashing tank 35 of the actuator 77, and the actuator 77 and the ice smashing tank by the sealing material 78. It is possible to reliably seal the interior space of the water 35. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that ice pieces provided as food and drink directly come into contact with members such as the actuator 77, which is also preferable in terms of hygiene.

  In this embodiment, the kinetic energy of the ice pieces in the ice slicking tank 35 is detected by using an optical sensor that detects the light transmission state as the displacement detecting means of the actuator 77 as the action means, and thereby the ice slicing is performed. Although the ice amount in the tank 35 is determined, the ice amount in the ice cutting tank 35 may be determined by other methods. That is, by simply attaching an action means such as an actuator 77 in the ice smashing tank 35, the displacement information is electrically extracted to the outside, thereby detecting the kinetic energy of the ice pieces in the ice slicking tank 35, and removing the ice. The displacement of the actuator 77 and the like is detected by a method for determining the amount of ice in the tank 35, a switch having an ON / OFF contact instead of an optical sensor, and the kinetic energy of the ice pieces in the ice cutting tank 35 is thereby detected. May be detected and the amount of ice in the ice smashing tank 35 may be determined.

  The method for detecting kinetic energy is not limited to this. For example, the amount of displacement of the entire ice smashing tank 35 that vibrates when the ice pieces are agitated by the rotation of the propeller 71 is detected. The amount of ice may be judged.

  By using an optical sensor that detects the light transmission state as the displacement detection means of the actuator 77 as in the present embodiment, it is possible to realize displacement detection with higher reliability than the contact type. Thereby, it becomes possible to discriminate the amount of ice even more precisely.

  Further, in this embodiment, the actuator 77 is used which descends due to its own weight, rises due to the collision of ice, and can detect the displacement. Is attached, the actuator 77 cannot be protruded into the ice-cutting tank 35 due to its own weight. Therefore, an elastic body such as a spring member may be used so that the actuator 77 can protrude forward and backward in the ice-cutting tank 35. . However, in the case where the ice detecting unit 73 is provided in the upper part of the ice smashing tank 35 as in the present invention, by using the actuator 77 that descends by its own weight, the resistance is less than when a spring type is adopted, Responsiveness becomes good, and it becomes possible to more accurately determine the amount of ice.

  On the other hand, as described above, the ice cut generated by being supplied into the ice cutting tank 35 and being cut by the ice cutting blade 72 by the stirring and pressing force of the propeller 71 is a chute addressed below the ice cutting blade 72. It is received in the buffer tank 36 of the buffer device 63 through 83. At the beginning of ice cutting, the lower end discharge port 36 </ b> A of the buffer tank 36 is closed by the shutter 85 of the discharge device 84.

  Therefore, when the ice cutting is gradually accumulated in the buffer tank 36, each arm member 91A, 91B of the ice cutting weight measuring unit 82 has an attachment member 92 side to which the buffer tank 36 is attached at one end. The spring member of the adjustment member 93 provided at the other end is extended in accordance with the weight of the ice cutting inside. As a result, one end of the buffer tank 36 suspended through the attachment member 92 descends around the fulcrums 91D and 91E of the arm members 91A and 91B, and the ice removal in the buffer tank 36 is predetermined. The light shielding plate 92B of the mounting member 92 that descends with the movement of the buffer tank 36 shields the optical sensor 94 provided in the housing portion 2, and the ice removal in the buffer tank 36 reaches a predetermined amount. It detects that it was deposited. In the present embodiment, since the balance method using the arm members 91A and 91B is adopted, the buffer tank 36 that moves up and down in accordance with the amount of shavings accumulated in the buffer tank 36 is substantially vertical. It can be moved up and down in the direction.

  Based on the detection by the optical sensor 94, the control unit 8 determines that a predetermined amount of ice cutting has accumulated in the buffer tank 36, and stops the rotation of the propeller 71 of the ice cutting unit 4. At the same time, the control unit 8 drives the drive motor 88 that constitutes the drive mechanism 86 of the discharge mechanism 84 to rotate the cam 89. Due to the rotational movement of the cam 89, the operation portion 90 of the cam 89 causes the action piece 87 of the shutter 85 to move rearward about the rotation shaft 85C, specifically, in the present embodiment, diagonally forward of the buffer tank 36. It is made to rotate to the opposite side to the stirring part 5 arrange | positioned by this. As a result, the bottom surface 85A of the shutter 85 opens the lower end discharge port 36A of the buffer tank 36 without interfering with peripheral devices.

  Accordingly, the ice cutting in the buffer tank 36 falls from the lower end discharge port 36A into the sales container 9 placed at the ice cutting supply position U by its own weight. As a result, a predetermined amount of icing is supplied into the sales container 9, and the icing supply process is thus completed, and the control unit 8 proceeds to the beverage agitation process.

  The controller 8 drives the drive motor 88 to open the lower end discharge port 36A of the buffer tank 36 for a predetermined time, and then drives the drive motor 88 again to rotate the cam 89. As a result, by the rotational movement of the cam 89, the operation portion 90 causes the action piece 87 of the shutter 85 to be disposed forwardly around the rotation shaft 85C, and in this embodiment, the stirring portion disposed obliquely forward of the buffer tank 36. Turn toward 5 side. Thereby, the top surface 85 </ b> A of the shutter 85 closes the lower end discharge port 36 </ b> A of the buffer tank 36. The opening / closing operation may be continuously performed a plurality of times, for example, twice. As a result, it becomes possible to smoothly discharge the ice scraps accumulated in the buffer tank 36 into the sales container 9.

  Accordingly, in this embodiment, the weight of the ice shave in the buffer tank 36 is measured by the balance method as described above, and the operation of the propeller 71 of the ice slicing unit 4 is stopped when the weight reaches a predetermined amount. Then, since the ice removal in the buffer tank 36 is discharged into the sales container 9, it is possible to discharge an accurate amount of ice removal each time with a simple structure, and the accuracy of the apparatus can be improved. It becomes possible. Therefore, since it is possible to supply a certain amount of icing into the sales container 9 without being affected by the remaining amount of ice in the ice storage unit 32 or the icing unit 4, Therefore, it is possible to make the amount of ice removal constant, and to achieve uniform beverage quality.

  Further, in this embodiment, the control unit 8 has a function that makes it possible to add and supply ice removal. By operating the operation button 51, a predetermined amount of ice removal is added. It may be possible to supply. In this case, the control unit 8 detects (recognizes) that ice having a predetermined weight has been stored in the buffer tank 36 as described above, based on an operation input for adding ice, and then removes ice for a predetermined additional time. The propeller 71 of the unit 4 is continuously operated. After the additional time has elapsed, the operation of the propeller 71 is stopped and the shutter 85 is opened in the same manner as described above. Note that the opening operation of the shutter 85 is not limited to this embodiment, and may be always open.

  As a result, it is possible to supply into the sales container 9 the ice cut produced by the additional time rather than the predetermined weight of the ice cut. For this reason, it is possible to adjust the ice supply amount to increase by a fixed amount by simply executing an arbitrary operation, so it is possible to discharge different ice supply amounts with a single ice supply device. It is possible to expand.

  Note that a plurality of operation buttons (operation means) for executing the ice cutting addition operation may be provided, and the period during which the ice cutting unit 4 is continuously operated can be changed by arbitrarily selecting the operation button. Thus, a plurality of intended ice cutting supply amounts can be discharged. It becomes possible to further expand versatility.

  As described above, even if the operation of supplying the ice shave in addition to the predetermined amount is performed, the remaining ice pieces in the ice slicking tank 35 at the time when the predetermined amount is supplied into the buffer tank 36 are stored. Since the amount is adjusted to a certain range by executing the above control, it is possible to make the icing generation efficiency in the additional time constant, and to control the supply amount with high accuracy with respect to the additional amount. It becomes possible.

  Therefore, even in such a case, it becomes possible to supply an appropriate amount of slicing ice as a beverage ingredient, which can contribute to the realization of a uniform quality beverage.

  In the above-described embodiment, a certain range of ice pieces is present in the ice smashing tank 35, and predetermined ice scum is accumulated in the buffer tank 36 based on detection by the ice slicing weight measuring unit 82. At this time, the control for stopping the operation of the propeller 71 is adopted, but in addition to this, ice pieces necessary for generating a full amount of ice removal are supplied from the ice storage unit 32 into the ice removal tank 35 in advance. Thereafter, when it is detected by the ice amount determination means that there is no remaining ice piece, it is also possible to perform control to stop the operation of the propeller 71.

  After executing the ice cutting supply process as described above, the control unit 8 proceeds to the beverage stirring process.

(Beverage stirring process)
In the beverage stirring step, first, the control unit 8 returns the sales container 9 that has been set to the ice cutting supply position U by the container moving unit 6 to the stirring position T. After the sales container cradle 56 is set to the stirring position T, the control unit 8 then moves the sales container 9 from the low position to the high position by the container moving unit 6 in the same manner as the powder dissolving step. Then, the motor 40M is driven at a timing when the cutter 41 contacts the accumulated ice.

  As a result, the sales container 9 placed on the sales container cradle 56 is raised in the direction of the stirring unit 5 provided above the stirring position T of the tray unit 55, so that the cutter 41 of the stirring unit 5 is sold. It enters into the shaved ice accumulated in the container 9 while stirring. The upper surface opening of the sales container 9 is closed by the weight of the lid 42 that is movable up and down. As a result, in the sales container 9, the ice cutting and the beverage raw material (syrup) are mixed while being crushed to produce a sherbet-like beverage.

  Thereafter, the control unit 8 stops the motor 40M, and then moves the sales container 9 from the high position to the low position by the container moving unit 6. As a result, the cutter 41 of the stirring unit 5 comes out of the sales container 9 placed on the sales container cradle 56, and the lid 42 is restricted from moving downward by the cutter 41. The top opening of the container 9 is opened.

  Next, the control unit 8 returns the sales container 9 that has been set to the stirring position T by the container moving unit 6 to the beverage raw material supply position S. Thereby, it becomes possible to take out the sales container 9 in the beverage raw material supply position S from the outside.

  The control unit 8 moves the sales container 9 from the stirring position T to the beverage raw material supply position S by the container moving unit 6, then proceeds to the cleaning process, and the lower surface of the lid 42 of the stirring unit 5 by the cleaning unit 7 The cutter 41, the guard 44, the drive shaft 40, etc. are cleaned.

It is a front view of the state which removed the front door of the beverage manufacturing apparatus concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the state which removed the front door, the side panel, and the top panel of the beverage manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is the side view which looked at the drink manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1 from the right side. It is a top view of the drink manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is AA sectional drawing of the drink manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of the drink manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is a vertical side view of a stirring part. It is sectional drawing of a washing | cleaning part and a stirring part. It is a partially transparent perspective view of the ice cutting part and ice supply part which comprise an ice cutting supply apparatus. It is the figure seen from the actuator side of the ice cutting part. It is the figure of the state which looked at FIG. 10 from the right side. It is a vertical side view of an ice cutting part. It is a perspective view of an ice detection part. It is a see-through | perspective side view of an ice detection part. It is a see-through | perspective top view of an ice detection part. It is a front view of an ice detection part. It is a bottom view of an ice detection part. It is a perspective view of an ice detection part. It is a see-through | perspective side view of an ice detection part. It is a see-through | perspective top view of an ice detection part. It is a front view of an ice detection part. It is a bottom view of an ice detection part. It is a perspective view of a buffer apparatus. It is a front view of a buffer apparatus. It is a right view of FIG. FIG. 26 is a top view of FIG. 25. It is a bottom view of FIG. It is a perspective view of a buffer apparatus. It is a front view of a buffer apparatus. FIG. 30 is a right side view of FIG. 29. It is a perspective view of a buffer apparatus. It is a front view of a buffer apparatus. It is a right view of FIG. FIG. 33 is a top view of FIG. 32. It is a bottom view of FIG. It is an electrical block diagram of a control part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Beverage production apparatus 2 Case part 3 Beverage raw material supply part 4 Ice removal part (ice removal apparatus)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Stirring part 6 Container moving part 7 Washing part 8 Control part 9 Sale container 10 Ice making part 11 Hot water tank 13 Canister 32 Ice storage part 33 Ice chute 34 Ice discharge shutter 34A Solenoid 35 Deicing tank 35A Main body 35B Cover part 35D Through-hole 36 Buffer Tank 36A Lower end discharge port 50 Control panel 51 Operation button 52 Display 56 Sales container pedestal 62 Ice supply unit 63 Buffer device 65 Release port 66 Expansion valve 71 Propeller 72 Ice cutting blade 73 Ice detection unit (light sensor)
74 Body 74A Through-hole 75 Mounting piece 77 Actuator (action means)
77A Protruding piece 77B Through-hole 78 Sealing material (action means)
79 Displacement detector (optical sensor)
81 Locking member 82 Ice cutting weight measuring section (ice cutting weight measuring means)
83 Chute 84 Discharge device 85 Shutter 88 Drive motor 91A, 91B Arm member 91D, 91E Support point 92 Mounting member 92B Light shielding plate 93 Adjustment member (spring member)
94 Optical sensor

Claims (3)

An ice making unit for generating ice, an ice storage unit for storing ice generated in the ice making unit, a shutter for opening and closing a discharge port formed in the ice storage unit, and opening and closing the shutter, thereby opening the inside of the ice storage unit In an ice supply device comprising control means for discharging ice from the discharge port,
An ice supply device comprising ice detection means for detecting ice discharged from the discharge port, wherein the control means controls the shutter based on an output of the ice detection means. The ice outlet is connected to the discharge port via a chute, and generates ice cutting using ice supplied from the ice storage part via the chute,
The control means controls the opening of the discharge port by the shutter for the next fixed period when the amount of ice detected by the ice detection means is less than a set value within a predetermined period during the operation of the ice cutting portion. The ice supply device according to claim 1, wherein the ice supply device is repeated.   A beverage production apparatus for producing a beverage using ice supplied from the ice supply device according to claim 1.

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