JP2021054474A - Heat exchanger for beverage - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a heat exchanger for a beverage capable of suppressing an increase in size of a device when applied to a beverage providing device, and whose maintenance work such as washing can be easily carried out.SOLUTION: The heat exchanger comprises: a beverage circulation pipe 31 in which a beverage passage having a beverage inflow port 31a for flowing the beverage therein is provided on an upper end side and a beverage outlet port 31b for flowing out the beverage provided on a lower end side is formed, for circulating the beverage spirally around a central axis S extending in a vertical direction; and a coolant circulation pipe 32 for circulating a coolant spirally along the beverage circulation pipe 31 on the central axis S side of the spirally extending beverage circulation pipe. The beverage circulation pipe 31 can be detached from the coolant circulation pipe 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a beverage heat exchanger used in a beverage providing device for injecting and providing a beverage into a container such as a glass or a cup, and for cooling or heating the provided beverage.

As a conventional beverage serving device, a bottle containing a beverage such as wine is held in a posture with the opening facing downward, and a glass-sized amount of beverage is injected from the bottle into a glass to serve the beverage. It is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3601823

When the beverage is served at a predetermined temperature, the beverage serving device cools the entire bottle containing the beverage, so that it is necessary to form a space for accommodating the bottle, and the device becomes large in size.

An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage heat exchanger that, when applied to a beverage serving device, can suppress the increase in size of the device and facilitate maintenance work such as cleaning. It is in.

The beverage heat exchanger of the present invention is a beverage heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a beverage and a heat medium in order to achieve the above object, and is provided with a beverage inlet for flowing the beverage on the upper end side. A beverage distribution pipe in which a beverage outlet for discharging beverages is provided on the lower end side and a beverage flow path is formed in which beverages are spirally distributed around a central axis extending in the vertical direction, and the beverage distribution pipe extending spirally. On the central axis side of the above, a heat medium flow tube that spirally flows a heat medium along the beverage flow tube is provided, and the beverage flow tube is removable with respect to the heat medium flow tube.

According to the present invention, when the beverage is circulated downward by its own weight, the beverage and the heat medium that circulate spirally can exchange heat with each other, so that the heat transfer area can be obtained without increasing the vertical dimension. It is possible to increase the size of the device, and it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the device. Further, since the heat medium distribution pipe is arranged on the central axis side with respect to the spiral beverage distribution pipe and the beverage distribution pipe is detachable from the heat medium distribution pipe, the beverage distribution pipe with respect to the heat medium distribution pipe It becomes easy to put on and take off, and maintenance work such as cleaning the beverage distribution pipe becomes easy.

It is the schematic of the beverage providing apparatus which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the heat exchanger for beverages. It is sectional drawing of the heat exchanger for beverages. It is an exploded perspective view of the heat exchanger for beverages.

1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention.

The beverage heat exchanger of the present invention holds a bottle B containing a beverage such as wine in a posture with the opening facing downward, and injects a full glass of beverage from the bottle B into the glass G. This is applied to the beverage providing device 1 provided in the above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the beverage providing device 1 includes a beverage extraction unit 10 for injecting a beverage from a bottle B into a glass G, and a beverage cooling unit 20 for cooling the beverage extracted by the beverage extraction unit 10. , Is equipped.

The beverage extraction unit 10 has a beverage flow passage 11 that communicates between the nozzle 10a for injecting the beverage into the glass G and the bottle B.

A beverage heat exchanger 30, which will be described later, of the beverage cooling unit 20 is connected to the beverage flow passage 11. A first on-off valve 11a for opening and closing the beverage flow path is provided on the upstream side of the beverage heat exchanger 30 in the beverage flow passage 11 in the beverage distribution direction. Further, on the downstream side of the beverage heat exchanger 30 in the beverage flow passage 11 in the beverage distribution direction, a second on-off valve 11b for opening and closing the beverage flow path is provided. Further, in order to supply nitrogen gas for pumping the beverage stored in the beverage heat exchanger 30 toward the nozzle 10a between the first on-off valve 11a and the beverage heat exchanger 30 in the beverage flow passage 11. One end of the gas supply path 11c as the pumping gas supply unit of the above is connected. Further, a nitrogen cylinder 12 as a pumping gas supply unit in which nitrogen gas is stored is connected to the other end of the gas supply path 11c. A three-way valve 11d is provided in the gas supply path 11c, and by switching the flow path of the three-way valve 11d, the communication destination on one end side of the gas supply path 11c can be the nitrogen cylinder 12 side, or the beverage flow passage 11 and the gas. It is switched to the installation space of the beverage providing device 1 outside the supply path 11c. Further, the three-way valve 11d regulates the inflow of air from the installation space to the gas supply path 11c in a state where one end side of the gas supply path 11c and the installation space of the beverage providing device 1 are communicated with each other, and the gas supply path is restricted. A check valve 11e that allows the outflow of gas from the 11c to the installation space is connected.

The beverage cooling unit 20 includes a compressor 21, a condenser 22, an expansion valve 23, and a beverage heat exchanger 30 of the present invention that functions as an evaporator. A compressor 21, a condenser 22, an expansion valve 23, and a beverage heat exchanger 30 are connected to the beverage cooling unit 20 in this order by a copper tube, and the compressor 21 is driven to drive a refrigerant such as chlorofluorocarbons, alternative chlorofluorocarbons, and carbon dioxide. The refrigeration cycle is constructed by circulating.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the beverage heat exchanger 30 includes a beverage distribution pipe 31 in which a beverage flow path for distributing a beverage is formed, and a refrigerant distribution pipe 32 as a heat medium distribution pipe for distributing a refrigerant. , A heat transfer plate 33 provided between the beverage distribution pipe 31 and the refrigerant distribution pipe 32 is provided.

The beverage distribution pipe 31 is made of, for example, a pipe member such as a stainless steel pipe or a silicon resin, and is formed so as to spirally extend around a central axis S extending in the vertical direction. The beverage distribution pipe 31 is provided with a beverage inflow port 31a for inflowing beverages on the upper end side and a beverage outlet 31b for flowing out beverages on the lower end side. In the beverage distribution pipe 31, adjacent beverage flow paths in the vertical direction extend spirally at predetermined intervals from each other. The beverage distribution pipe 31 is detachable from the beverage flow passage 11 of the beverage extraction unit 10 via, for example, a one-touch type joint (not shown) that can be separated and connected.

The refrigerant flow pipe 32 is made of, for example, a copper pipe, and is formed so as to spirally extend along the beverage flow pipe 31 on the radial inner side (central axis S side) of the beverage flow pipe 31 extending spirally, and is formed on the lower end side. The refrigerant flows from to the upper end side. The refrigerant inflow side end portion 32a of the refrigerant flow pipe 32 extends radially inside (central axis S side) of the refrigerant flow pipe 32 extending spirally from the lower end side upward. Further, the refrigerant outflow side end portion 32b of the refrigerant flow pipe 32 extends upward from the upper side of the refrigerant flow pipe 32 adjacent to the refrigerant inflow side end portion 32a.

The heat transfer plate 33 is made of, for example, a member formed by forming a copper plate or a stainless steel plate in a cylindrical shape, and is integrally formed with the refrigerant flow pipe 32 by, for example, brazing, in a state where the refrigerant flow pipe 32 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface. Has been done. Further, the beverage distribution pipe 31 abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the heat transfer plate 33 as a separate body that can be separated from the heat transfer plate 33.

The operation of providing a beverage in the beverage providing device 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in order to enter the standby state before serving the beverage, the first on-off valve 11a is opened, the second on-off valve 11b is closed, and one end side of the gas supply path 11c and the beverage serving device 1 are provided by the three-way valve 11d. It is assumed that it is in a state of being communicated with the installation space of. As a result, the gas in the beverage flow passage 11 is discharged into the installation space, and the beverage flowing out of the bottle B flows into the beverage flow passage 11. After that, a glass G of beverage is allowed to flow from the bottle B into the beverage flow passage 11, and the first on-off valve 11a is closed. As a result, the beverage distribution pipe 31 of the beverage heat exchanger 30 is in a state in which a glass G of beverage is stored. Here, the beverage stored in the beverage distribution pipe 31 measures the time for the beverage to flow into the beverage flow passage 11, or directly measures the flow rate of the beverage with a flow meter provided in the beverage flow passage 11. As a result, the amount of one glass G is measured.

The beverage stored in the beverage distribution pipe 31 is cooled by exchanging heat with the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant distribution pipe 32 of the beverage heat exchanger 30.

Next, when serving a beverage, the second on-off valve 11b is opened with the first on-off valve 11a closed, and the three-way valve 11d communicates one end side of the gas supply path 11c with the nitrogen cylinder 12 side. Let it be in the state of being made. As a result, the beverage stored in the beverage distribution pipe 31 circulates in the beverage distribution pipe 31 by its own weight and is pumped by the nitrogen gas flowing into the beverage flow passage 11 via the gas supply path 11c. It circulates through the distribution pipe 31 and is injected into the glass G from the nozzle 10a.

When the injection of the beverage into the glass G is completed, the first on-off valve 11a is opened, the second on-off valve 11b is closed, and the three-way valve 11d separates one end side of the gas supply path 11c from the installation space of the beverage providing device 1. The beverage is communicated with each other, and a glass G of beverage is allowed to flow into the beverage flow passage 11 from the bottle B, the first on-off valve 11a is closed, and the standby state is established.

Further, the beverage providing device 1 may attach / detach the beverage distribution pipe 31 for performing maintenance work such as cleaning the beverage distribution pipe 31 of the beverage heat exchanger 30. When the beverage distribution pipe 31 is removed from the beverage providing device 1, the connection of the beverage inflow port 31a and the beverage outflow port 31b of the beverage distribution pipe 31 to the beverage flow passage 11 is disconnected, and as shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerant distribution pipe is disconnected. The beverage distribution pipe 31 is moved downward with respect to the 32 and the heat transfer plate 33, and the beverage distribution pipe 31 is removed from the refrigerant flow pipe 32 and the heat transfer plate 33. Further, the beverage distribution pipe 31 in the removed state is attached to the refrigerant flow pipe 32 and the heat transfer plate 33 by fitting from the lower side of the refrigerant flow pipe 32 and the heat transfer plate 33 and moving upward. Be done.

As described above, according to the beverage heat exchanger of the present embodiment, the beverage inflow port 31a for flowing the beverage is provided on the upper end side, and the beverage outlet 31b for flowing out the beverage is provided on the lower end side in the vertical direction. A beverage distribution pipe 31 in which a beverage flow path is formed spirally around the extending central axis S and a beverage distribution pipe 31 extending spirally on the central axis S side, spiraling along the beverage distribution pipe 31. A beverage flow pipe 32 for circulating the refrigerant in a shape is provided, and the beverage flow pipe 31 is removable from the refrigerant flow pipe 32.

As a result, when the beverage is circulated downward by its own weight, the beverage and the refrigerant that circulate spirally can exchange heat with each other, so that the heat transfer area can be increased without increasing the vertical dimension. This makes it possible to suppress the increase in size of the device. Further, since the refrigerant distribution pipe 32 is arranged on the central axis side with respect to the spiral beverage distribution pipe 31 and the beverage distribution pipe 31 is detachable from the refrigerant distribution pipe 32, the beverage distribution to the refrigerant distribution pipe 32 The pipe 31 can be easily attached and detached, and maintenance work such as cleaning of the beverage distribution pipe 31 becomes easy.

Further, a tubular heat transfer plate 33 is provided between the beverage distribution pipe 31 and the refrigerant distribution pipe 32, and the beverage distribution pipe 31 is in contact with one surface and the refrigerant flow pipe 32 is in contact with the other surface. ing.

As a result, when the beverage distribution pipe 31 is attached to the refrigerant flow pipe 32 and the heat transfer plate 33, even if the beverage distribution pipe 31 is misaligned with respect to the refrigerant flow pipe 32 in the central axis S direction. It is possible to reliably exchange heat between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow pipe 32 and the beverage flowing through the beverage distribution pipe 31, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in heat exchange efficiency.

Further, the heat transfer plate 33 is integrally formed with the refrigerant flow pipe 32.

As a result, the refrigerant flow pipe 32 and the heat transfer plate 33 can be handled as one component, so that the assembly man-hours can be reduced.

Further, nitrogen gas is supplied to the beverage distribution pipe 31 to pump the beverage in the beverage distribution pipe 31.

As a result, the beverage in the beverage distribution pipe 31 can be discharged from the nozzle 10a by nitrogen gas in addition to the weight of the beverage, so that the time for providing the beverage can be shortened.

Further, in the beverage distribution pipe 31, adjacent beverage flow paths in the vertical direction extend spirally at intervals from each other.

As a result, the gradient of the beverage flow path extending spirally in the beverage distribution pipe 31 can be increased, and the beverage flowing through the beverage distribution pipe 31 can be reliably and quickly injected into the glass G.

Further, both end portions 32a and 32b of the refrigerant flow pipe 32 are arranged on the upper end side, and the beverage distribution pipe 31 is attached and detached from the lower end side of the refrigerant flow pipe 32.

As a result, when the beverage distribution pipe 31 is removed, both ends of the beverage distribution pipe 31 can be separated from the beverage flow passage 11 and moved downward with respect to the refrigerant distribution pipe 32 to remove the beverage distribution pipe 31. Therefore, it is possible to improve the work efficiency of the maintenance work.

In the above embodiment, wine is shown as a beverage to be cooled by a beverage heat exchanger, but the present invention is not limited to this. The beverage cooled by the beverage heat exchanger may be a beverage such as sake, coffee, or black tea.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the beverage is cooled by exchanging heat between the beverage and the refrigerant in the beverage heat exchanger. However, by dissipating the refrigerant in the beverage heat exchanger, the refrigerant is dissipated. The beverage may be heated.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a refrigerant such as freon, alternative freon, or carbon dioxide is shown as a heat medium for heat exchange with the beverage in the beverage heat exchanger, but if the beverage can be cooled or heated, for example, water. Or a liquid such as a coolant may be used as a heat medium.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, nitrogen gas is used as the gas for pumping the beverage from the beverage distribution pipe, but the present invention is not limited to nitrogen gas. The gas for pumping the beverage from the beverage distribution pipe is effective in maintaining the quality of the beverage provided by the gas which is inert to the beverage and can prevent the deterioration of the beverage, and is not limited to nitrogen gas. Further, as long as the gas can prevent the deterioration of the beverage, a gas obtained by mixing a plurality of types of gases may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, both ends 32a and 32b of the refrigerant flow pipe 32 are arranged on the upper end side, and the beverage distribution pipe 31 is attached and detached from the lower end side of the refrigerant flow pipe 32. It is not limited. Both ends of the refrigerant flow pipe may be arranged on the lower end side, and the beverage flow pipe may be attached / detached from the upper end side of the refrigerant flow pipe.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a glass G of beverage is stored in the beverage distribution pipe 31 while removing the gas in the beverage flow passage 11 through the three-way valve 11d provided in the gas supply path 11c. However, it is not limited to this. In the case of the beverage extraction unit that does not have the three-way valve 11d in the gas supply path 11c, the second opening / closing provided on the lower end side of the beverage flow passage 11 while the beverage for a glass is flowing into the beverage distribution pipe 31. By opening the valve 11b, the first on-off valve 11a and the second on-off valve 11b are closed at the same time when a glass G of beverage flows into the beverage flow pipe 31 while removing the gas in the beverage flow passage 11. The beverage may be stored in the beverage distribution pipe 31. Here, the beverage distribution pipe 31 is formed to have an inner diameter and a total length that are larger than one glass G (for example, 100 ml) to prevent leakage of the beverage.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the refrigerant distribution pipe 32 that spirally flows the refrigerant along the beverage distribution pipe 31 is arranged on the central axis S side of the beverage distribution pipe 31 extending in a spiral shape. A beverage flow pipe extending spirally may be arranged on the central axis side of the refrigerant flow pipe extending in a shape. In this case, since it is possible to increase the gradient of the beverage flow path in the beverage distribution pipe, it is possible to reliably and quickly inject the beverage flowing through the beverage distribution pipe into the glass. Further, when the beverage flow pipe extending spirally is arranged on the central axis side of the refrigerant flow pipe, it is considered that the spiral winding diameter becomes small and the capacity of the beverage that can be stored in the drink flow pipe becomes small. However, it is possible to secure the required capacity of the beverage by increasing the number of turns of the beverage distribution pipe. In this case, it is possible to improve the heat retention property for maintaining the temperature of the beverage by locating it on the central axis side of the refrigerant flow pipe.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the beverage is stored in the beverage distribution pipe 31, and the beverage is cooled by exchanging heat between the beverage stored in the beverage distribution pipe 31 and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant distribution pipe 32. However, it is not limited to this. The beverage is cooled by exchanging heat between the beverage circulating in the beverage distribution pipe 31 and the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant distribution pipe 32 without storing the beverage in the beverage distribution pipe 31. May be good.

10 ... Beverage extraction unit, 11 ... Beverage flow passage, 11c ... Gas supply path, 11d ... Three-way valve, 12 ... Nitrogen cylinder, 30 ... Beverage heat exchanger, 31 ... Beverage distribution pipe, 31a ... Beverage inflow port, 31b ... Beverage outlet, 32 ... Refrigerant flow pipe, 32a ... Refrigerant inflow side end, 32b ... Refrigerant outflow side end, 33 ... Heat transfer plate, S ... Central axis.

Claims (7)

A beverage heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a beverage and a heat medium.
A beverage inlet for flowing beverages is provided on the upper end side, a beverage outlet for flowing beverages is provided on the lower end side, and a beverage flow path for circulating beverages spirally around a central axis extending in the vertical direction is formed. Beverage distribution pipe and
On the central axis side of the beverage distribution pipe extending spirally, a heat medium distribution pipe that spirally flows a heat medium along the beverage distribution pipe is provided.
The beverage distribution pipe is a heat exchanger for beverages that is removable from the heat medium distribution pipe. A tubular heat transfer plate is provided between the beverage distribution pipe and the heat medium distribution pipe, and the beverage distribution pipe is in contact with one surface and the heat medium distribution pipe is in contact with the other surface. The beverage heat exchanger according to claim 1. The beverage heat exchanger according to claim 2, wherein the heat transfer plate is integrally formed with the heat medium flow tube. The beverage heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a pumping gas supply unit that supplies gas to the beverage distribution pipe and pumps the beverage in the beverage distribution pipe. The beverage heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the beverage distribution pipe has the beverage flow paths adjacent to each other in the vertical direction spirally extending at intervals from each other. Both ends of the heat medium flow tube are arranged on one end side in the vertical direction.
The beverage heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the beverage distribution pipe is attached / detached from the other end side of the heat medium distribution pipe in the vertical direction. A beverage providing device including the beverage heat exchanger according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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