JP2919534B2 - Liquid sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid sterilizing apparatus used for a beverage dispenser or the like.

(B) Prior Art Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-283391 discloses a sterilizer for applying a DC voltage to tap water as a beverage to generate chlorine from chlorine ions contained in the tap water and sterilize the tap water. A beverage dispenser with is shown.

By the way, the chlorine concentration generated in drinking water for sterilization cannot be sufficiently sterilized for drinking water if it is too low,
Conversely, if it is too high, the chlorine odor becomes strong and it is not suitable for drinking. Therefore, when sterilization is performed by generating chlorine as described in the above-mentioned publication, the amount of generated chlorine must be controlled to an appropriate amount.

When chlorine is generated by applying a DC voltage to water containing chlorine ions, the amount of chlorine generation can be controlled by controlling voltage application conditions such as the DC voltage application time. However, even if the voltage application conditions are the same, the amount of chlorine generation changes if conditions such as the chlorine ion concentration of the water to be sterilized are different. Normally, the chloride ion concentration of tap water differs depending on the distance from the region or the water treatment plant. Therefore, in the beverage dispenser as disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, it is necessary to determine the optimum voltage application conditions individually according to the installation location and the like, and to set the conditions in the sterilizer. The calculation of the conditions and the work of setting the conditions in the sterilizer were very difficult and troublesome.

(C) Problems to be Solved by the Invention The present invention provides a liquid sterilizer that can perform sterilization under optimal conditions without performing difficult and troublesome operations such as calculation of optimal voltage application conditions and input setting of the conditions. An apparatus is provided.

(D) Means for Solving the Problems The liquid sterilization apparatus of the present invention includes a storage unit for storing a liquid,
An injection unit for injecting a liquid into the storage unit, a discharge unit for discharging the liquid from the storage unit, a voltage application unit for applying a voltage to the liquid in the storage unit, the injection unit, and the discharge unit And a control unit for controlling the voltage application unit. The control unit includes a desired amount input unit for inputting a desired chlorine generation amount, and a tentative setting unit for setting tentative energization conditions corresponding to the unit consumption of liquid. Stabilizing energizing means for discharging the liquid stored in the storage unit by a unit consumption amount, injecting the same amount and injecting the liquid under the provisional energizing condition corresponding to the unit consumption a predetermined number of times, A measurement amount input unit for inputting a measurement result of the chlorine concentration of the liquid in the storage unit after the operation of the stabilization energizing unit, a measurement amount input by the measurement amount input unit, and a measurement amount input by the desired amount input unit. Unit consumption from desired amount And having a present setting means for setting the energization condition corresponding to the liquid.

(E) Function The operation of discharging the liquid stored in the storage unit by the unit consumption amount and injecting the same amount by the stabilization energizing means, and performing the energization under the provisional energization condition corresponding to the unit consumption a plurality of times. By repeating, the chlorine concentration of the liquid in the storage section becomes stable, and the measurement result of the chlorine concentration at that time is input by the measurement amount input means. On the other hand, the desired amount of chlorine is inputted by the desired amount input means, and the main energizing condition corresponding to the unit consumption amount of liquid is set by the setting means from the measured amount and the desired amount.

(F) Embodiment The drawings show a beverage dispenser incorporating the liquid sterilizer of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a beverage supply device. 1 is a cistern that is a storage unit for storing liquid and is open to the atmosphere.
Is a water pipe, 3 is a water injection solenoid valve as an injection section for injecting tap water from the water pipe 2 to the cistern 1, 4 is a sales solenoid valve as a discharge section for discharging from the cistern 1, and 5 is a sales solenoid valve. 4 is a beverage production section that produces beverages such as coffee and carbonated beverages using the water supplied from 4. Reference numeral 6 denotes a pair of electrodes arranged so as to come into contact with water stored in the cistern 1, reference numeral 7 denotes a DC power supply, and reference numeral 8 denotes a voltage of the DC power supply 7
The electrode 6, the DC power supply 7, and the contact 8 constitute a voltage application unit 9 that applies a voltage to the liquid in the cistern 1. Reference numeral 10 denotes a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer) as a control unit that controls the water injection electromagnetic valve 3, the sales electromagnetic valve 4, the beverage production unit 5, and the contact 8.
Reference numeral 11 denotes a clock, reference numeral 12 denotes a storage device, reference numeral 13 denotes a keyboard, reference numeral 14 denotes a setting switch, which are attached to the microcomputer 10.

15 is a water level detector that detects the water level in systern 1, 16
Are temperature sensors for detecting the temperature of water in the cistern 1, and these are also connected to the microcomputer 10.

Thus, the tap water supplied to the cistern 1 from the water pipe 2 is sterilized by mixing chlorine (Cl ₂ ) during the production process, and the chlorine is stored while stored in the cistern 1. Chlorine is lost due to escape into the air, conversion to chlorine ions (Cl ⁻ ), or the effect of an activated carbon filter provided for the purpose of removing the odor of chlorine, and the sterilizing action is lost. However, in the present beverage dispenser, when the water in the cistern 1 is used by the unit consumption, the voltage application unit 9 is operated according to the unit consumption, and the cistern 1 is used.
By applying a voltage to the water in the chamber and generating chlorine from chlorine ions contained therein, the water in the cistern 1 is sterilized. The voltage application condition by the voltage application unit 9 in such a case is as follows when the beverage supply device is installed at the installation location.
It is determined as follows.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a control program executed by the control unit 10 when the present beverage dispenser is installed at an installation location in order to obtain an optimum voltage application condition for generating an appropriate amount of chlorine at the installation location. Is shown. The operation will be described below. In the present embodiment, the unit consumption of water is 150 cc corresponding to one cup of drinking water, the amount of water stored at the standby water level of cistern 1, that is, the capacity of cistern 1 is 900 cc (cup-type drinking water). The applied DC voltage is assumed to be a constant value, and the energization condition is changed by changing the energization time.

After the beverage dispenser is installed at the installation location and after cleaning the inside of the cistern 1 and the piping, when the setting switch 14 is pressed in order to obtain the optimal voltage application condition, the execution of the program is started.

After pressing the setting switch 14, the installer first sets the keyboard
By operating 13, a temporary power-on time (for example, 30 seconds in this case) corresponding to a unit consumption of liquid which is considered appropriate for obtaining a desired chlorine generation amount is input and set as a temporary power-on condition (S 1
Steps). That is, this S1 step corresponds to temporary setting means.

When such an input is made, all the water in the cistern 1 is drained (step S2), and then the water injection solenoid valve 3 is opened and new water is injected from the water pipe 2 to the standby position (step S3).

When the water injection is completed, the control unit 10 performs pre-energization according to the capacity of the cistern 1. In this preliminary energization, N1 is set to 6 because the amount of water stored in the cistern 1 is six times the unit consumption, and 6 × 30 seconds =
Energization is performed for 180 seconds. (Steps S4 and S5) Subsequently, the sales solenoid valve 4 is controlled to discharge the water stored in the cistern 1 by a unit consumption (Step S6), and then the water injection solenoid valve 3 is controlled to discharge water. Water is injected by the amount (step S7), and energization is performed for only 30 seconds, which is the temporary energization condition (step S8). The operation is repeated N2 times (N2 is the number of times until the water in the cistern 1 is agitated by the operation of water injection and drainage, almost replaced, and the concentration of generated chlorine becomes uniform and stable. , For example, 10 times).
That is, steps S6 to S9 correspond to the stabilization energizing means.

When the S6 to S9 steps are completed, the installer sets Systern 1
The water inside is extracted with a dropper, and its chlorine concentration is measured using ortho-tolidine (reagent) or the like. Then, the measured value is input from the keyboard 13 (S10 step). That is, the step S10 and the keyboard 13 correspond to a measured amount input unit.

Subsequently, the installer operates the keyboard 13 to input a desired chlorine generation amount in units of concentration (for example, 0.3 ppm) (S1).
1 step). That is, this step S11 corresponds to the desired amount input means.

Next, the measured amount input in step S10 and S11
In step S12, an optimal energizing time corresponding to the unit consumption amount of liquid is calculated from the desired amount (step S12). This calculation is calculated by the following equation. The optimal energizing time corresponds to the main energizing condition, and the step S12 corresponds to the main setting unit.

Optimal energizing time = provisional energizing time x desired amount / measured amount For example, if the desired amount is 0.3 ppm and the measured amount when the provisional energizing time is 30 seconds is 0.9 ppm, the optimal energizing time, that is, the main energizing condition is 10 seconds. Becomes

This completes the setting of the main energizing conditions. After that, the entire amount of water in the cistern 1 is drained (step S13), water is injected to the water standby position (step S14), and then the stored water is discharged by the unit consumption (step S15). (Step S16), the energization under the energization condition corresponding to the unit consumption (Step S17) is repeated N2 times (Step S18), and the chlorine concentration of water in cistern 1 is stabilized. Then, the installation operation is completed, and the beverage dispenser enters a standby state for sale.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a control program executed by the control unit 10 at the time of sales execution.

At the time of sales execution, the keyboard 13 and the microcomputer 10
When the sales command signal is sent to the beverage control unit, the sales solenoid valve 4 is controlled and water of one unit consumption (150 cc) is sent to the beverage production unit 5 (step S19), and the beverage production and supply is performed by the operation of the beverage production unit. (Step S20). On the other hand, the water in the cistern 1 has decreased by one unit consumption,
Immediately after the supply of water to the water, the water injection solenoid valve 3 is opened to supply the same amount of water (step S21). Then, when the replenishment operation is completed, the contact 8 is subsequently controlled, and a DC voltage is applied to the electrode 6 for the time of the main energizing condition set at the time of installation (S22 step). With this operation, a voltage is applied to the water, and chlorine is generated from the chlorine ions contained in the water, and the amount of chlorine generated by the energization for the time set in this condition is an optimal amount for sterilization and drinking. It is controlled to the amount of the set value only.

Note that the input of the measurement amount in the measurement amount input means is not limited to inputting a value measured by the installer using a reagent or the like from the keyboard 13 as shown in the embodiment, and for example, a sensor for detecting chlorine concentration may be used. It may be provided in the system 1, and the detection result may be directly input to the microcomputer 10. Further, the main energizing condition to be set is not limited to changing the energizing time, but may be, for example, changing the applied voltage or current. Furthermore, if necessary, after execution of step S17, the optimum energization time calculated there may be used as the provisional energization time, and steps S4 to S9 may be repeated again to check the amount of chlorine generated by the optimal energization time. Also,
At the time of selling standby, chlorine in the cistern 1 is lost as time elapses even when the selling operation is not performed. May be configured to compensate for the consumption.

According to this configuration, the chlorine concentration of the liquid in the storage section is stabilized by the stabilizing current supply means, and the measurement result of the chlorine concentration at that time is input by the measurement amount input means. The amount is inputted, and the main energization condition corresponding to the unit consumption amount of liquid is set by the setting means from the measured amount and the desired amount. Moreover, the operation of the stabilizing energizing means is performed while the electrode 6 is kept in contact with the water in the cistern 1, and the operation of discharging and injecting a unit amount of liquid performed during the selling operation is performed repeatedly. The measurement of the chlorine concentration is performed in the same state as when the liquid sterilizer actually operates. Therefore, the electrode surface is more likely to be in a stable state, and the measurement is performed in a state close to the time of actual use, as compared to a method in which the installer inserts the electrode in a beaker or the like and repeats the measurement performed, and the results are averaged. Good measurement accuracy. Therefore, the calculation of the optimum voltage application condition is performed with high accuracy. In addition, difficult and troublesome operations such as setting the conditions in the liquid sterilizing apparatus can be easily performed with only a few operations such as pressing the setting switch 14.
Therefore, the installation operation of the beverage dispenser provided with the liquid sterilizing apparatus can be easily performed.

In the above operation, the pre-energization performed in steps S4 and S5 has the effect of stabilizing the chlorine concentration in cis-turn 1 as early as possible before the stabilization energizing means in steps S6 to S9. The energizing means is made more effective. Also, N1 and N2 in the program are set to appropriate predetermined values in advance according to the size of the cistern 1, and the like.

(G) Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, the chlorine concentration of the liquid in the reservoir is brought into a stable state by the stabilization energizing means, and the measurement result of the chlorine concentration at that time is input by the measurement amount input means, while the desired amount is obtained. The desired amount of chlorine is input by the input means, and the main energizing condition corresponding to the unit consumption of liquid is set by the setting means from the measured amount and the desired amount. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform operations such as calculation of the optimum voltage application condition and setting of the condition in the liquid sterilization apparatus, and it is possible to provide a liquid sterilization apparatus capable of performing sterilization under the optimum condition.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a beverage dispenser incorporating a liquid sterilizer of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a control program executed by a control unit when the beverage dispenser is installed, and FIG. 3 is a beverage dispenser. 3 is a flowchart of a control program executed by the control unit when a beverage is sold according to the first embodiment. 1 ... cistern, 3 ... water injection solenoid valve, 4 ... sale solenoid valve, 6 ... electrode, 7 ... DC power supply, 8 ... contact, 9 ...
Voltage application unit, 10 microcomputer, 13 keyboard, 14 setting switch.

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) C02F 1/46-1/48 C02F 1/76

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A storage section for storing a liquid, an injection section for injecting the liquid into the storage section, a discharge section for discharging the liquid from the storage section, and applying a voltage to the liquid in the storage section. And a control unit that controls the injection unit, the discharge unit, and the voltage application unit, the control unit includes a desired amount input unit that inputs a desired chlorine generation amount, and a unit consumption amount. Provisional setting means for setting provisional energization conditions corresponding to the liquid, and discharging the liquid stored in the storage unit by a unit consumption amount, injecting the same amount, and energizing under the provisional energization condition corresponding to the unit consumption amount Power supply means for repeating the operation of performing the predetermined number of times, a measurement amount input means for inputting a measurement result of the chlorine concentration of the liquid in the storage unit after the operation of the stabilization power supply means, and an input by the measurement amount input means Input means for inputting the measured quantity and the desired quantity Liquid sterilization apparatus characterized by having a present setting means for setting the energization condition corresponding to the unit consumption of the liquid from the more input desired amount.