JP3608947B2 - Tea machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a tea dispenser, and more particularly to an improved means for detecting a water shut-off state of a water supply cassette for supplying fresh water to a hot water storage tank.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As an example of a tea supply machine, a hot water storage tank that stores hot water at a substantially constant temperature is provided, and tea is discharged from the hot water supply port connected to the hot water storage tank toward the tea strainer that contains tea leaves. In addition, there is known a type in which fresh water stored in a water supply cassette is supplied to a hot water storage tank by a pump.
Here, since the storage amount of the water supply cassette is limited, when the water supply cassette becomes empty, it is necessary to quickly replenish the water supply cassette itself with fresh water. Conventionally, as a means for detecting water breakage of this water supply cassette, the water supply cassette is received and stored by a spring member, and when the amount of storage decreases, the water supply cassette is gradually lifted by the elasticity of the spring member, and is lifted to a predetermined position. When it was detected, it was determined that the water was cut off, and thus the pump was stopped and the water cut lamp was turned on.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional water breakage detection means, if the usage period is long, there is a possibility that accurate detection cannot be expected due to the spring member sagging, and the improvement has been desired.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to make it possible to accurately detect water breakage of a water supply cassette and to quickly resume water supply.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As means for achieving the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a water supply cassette storing fresh water is accommodated in the tea machine main body by opening and closing the door, and the fresh water in the water supply cassette is stored in hot water by a pump. In a tea machine in which a water supply mode for replenishing to a predetermined water level in a tank is executed, when the predetermined water level is not reached within a predetermined time after the water supply mode is started, the water supply mode is forcibly terminated and the pump And a control means for restarting the water supply mode when it is detected that the door switch for detecting the open / closed state of the door is switched from the open state to the closed state.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided warning means for issuing a warning signal when the water supply mode is forcibly terminated in the first aspect of the invention, and the warning means detects that the door switch has been switched from an open state to a closed state. It has a feature in that it has a function of stopping the warning signal in the case of the failure.
[0005]
[Action and effect of the invention]
<Invention of Claim 1>
If the hot water storage tank does not reach the predetermined water level even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the water supply mode is started, it is determined that the water supply cassette is in a water-off state, the water supply mode is forcibly terminated, and the pump is stopped. Replenishment of fresh water to the water supply cassette itself is performed by opening the door and taking out the water supply cassette from the machine, and the door is closed when the water supply cassette that has been refilled is stored in the machine. Along with this, it is detected that the door switch has been switched from the open state to the closed state, whereby it is determined that the replenishment of the water supply cassette has been completed, and the water supply mode is resumed.
Since the water breakage detection of the water supply cassette is performed electronically, accurate water breakage detection can be performed, and the water supply mode is resumed as soon as the replenished water supply cassette is stored, so the loss time is minimized. It is possible to keep the tea machine running.
<Invention of Claim 2>
When the water supply cassette is detected to be out of water, this is warned, and the warning is canceled when the water supply mode is resumed.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the overall structure of the tea machine will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the tea machine, which is formed in a vertically long box shape with the upper side projecting to the front surface, and supported by legs 2 provided at the four corners of the bottom surface. A door 3 is mounted via a hinge 4 so as to be opened and closed. In the main body 1, an L-shaped panel 5 is provided from the right front surface to the back surface, the inside (right side) of the panel 5 is a machine room, and the water supply cassette 7 is accommodated in the bottom of the outside. A storage space 8 is set. A hot water storage tank 9 for storing hot water is provided in the upper part on the far side of the machine room, and water is supplied from the water supply cassette 7 through the pump 31. It has become.
[0007]
The pump 31 is attached to the side surface portion 5B of the panel 5 described above. The pump 31 is a gear pump, for example, and as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a suction port 71 is formed on the lower surface of the main body, and a discharge port 72 is formed on the upper surface.
On the other hand, on the upper side of the peripheral surface of the hot water storage tank 9, as shown in FIG. 5, there is provided a joint 64 having an overflow port 63 around an L-shaped water supply port 36. As shown in FIG. 11, the lower end of the connected hose 37 is connected to the discharge port 72 of the pump 31, and the pump 31 is suspended by the hose 37. A hose 37A connected to the suction port 71 of the pump 31 is connected to the water supply cassette 7 side, and an overflow hose 38 is connected to the overflow port 63.
[0008]
A pair of L-shaped mounting plates 73 protrude from the side surface of the main body of the pump 31 in a back-to-back posture. Further, a bracket 75 for attaching the pump 31 to the side surface portion 5B of the panel 5 is provided. The bracket 75 is made of rubber, and a pair of upper and lower insertion grooves 76 into which the L-shaped mounting plate 73 can be inserted are formed on one side, and a hook portion 77 is formed on the upper side of the other side. A pushing projection 78 is formed in the lower part. On the other hand, the side surface portion 5B of the panel 5 is formed with a locking hole 79 through which the hook portion 77 can be hooked and a fitting hole 79A into which the pressing projection 78 can be elastically pressed and locked.
[0009]
When mounting, first, the L-shaped mounting plate 73 is inserted into the insertion groove 76 and the bracket 75 is mounted on the pump 31. Then, as shown by the arrow in FIG. The pump 31 is attached to the side surface portion 5 </ b> B of the panel 5 by being hooked on 79 and further pushing the pushing protrusion 78 into the fitting hole 79 </ b> A.
Since the pump 31 is suspended by the hose 37 as described above, the burden of the fixing force on the side plate 5B of the pump 31 can be reduced. When the above mounting structure is adopted, the pump 31 is attached to the side surface portion 5B via the rubber bracket 75, so that the vibration of the pump 31 is hardly absorbed by the bracket 75 and transmitted to the side surface portion 5B. The generation of abnormal noise is prevented. Moreover, it can attach with one touch, without using a screw, and can improve work efficiency.
[0010]
A canister 11 for storing tea leaves is provided at an upper position of the front surface portion 5 </ b> A of the panel 5. At the bottom of the canister 11, a tea leaf supply unit 13 having a fixed quantity drum that can be rolled up and dropped by a predetermined amount is provided, and a tea leaf supply port 14 at the lower end thereof is covered with a shutter 15 that can be opened and closed. . A hot water supply pipe 16 provided with an electromagnetic valve 33A is drawn out from the outlet 32 of the hot water storage tank 9 and protrudes from the front surface portion 5A of the panel 5, and a shower type hot water supply port 17 is attached to the protruding end, It is arranged alongside the tea leaf supply port 14.
[0011]
Below the tea leaf supply port 14 and the hot water supply port 17 on the front surface portion 5A of the panel 5, a tea strainer 19 for accommodating tea leaves is attached to the funnel 20 and can be reversed to the left side of FIG. It is said that. A mounting table 22 on which a container A such as a cup is placed is attached below the funnel 20, and a tea discarding container 23 is provided on the front surface of the water supply cassette 7. In addition, a drive mechanism for performing reverse driving of the funnel 20, rotational driving of the metering drum of the tea leaf supply unit 13, and opening / closing of the shutter 15 is provided at the front side position in the machine room.
[0012]
When a tea switch 25A provided on the operation panel 61 on the front surface of the door 3 is operated, a predetermined amount of hot water is discharged from the hot water supply port 17 toward the tea strainer 19 in which tea leaves are put, and tea is poured out. Placed in container A. When tea is poured out a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times), the funnel 20, that is, the tea strainer 19 is driven in reverse to the tea discarding container 23 side, and the tea husk is discarded in the tea discarding container 23. Subsequently, while the tea strainer 19 returns to the original position, the tea strainer 19 stops in an oblique posture immediately below the tea leaf supply port 14, and a predetermined amount of new tea leaves are supplied into the tea strainer 19. After that, the tea strainer 19 returns to the original position, and the next tea can be dispensed. An auxiliary hot water supply pipe 27 drawn out from the hot water storage tank 9 faces to the side of the outlet 20A of the funnel 20, and when the hot water switch 25B is operated, the electromagnetic valve 33B interposed in the auxiliary hot water supply pipe 27 is opened. A predetermined amount of white hot water is poured into the container A. Hereinafter, the tea switch 25A and the hot water switch 25B are collectively referred to as a dispensing switch 25.
[0013]
The structure of the tea switch 25A and the hot water switch 25B will be described in detail as shown in FIGS. In the portion corresponding to the position where both switches 25A and 25B are arranged, the portion constituting the operation panel 61 of the door 3 is injection-molded or injection-molded, so that it is counterclockwise from the upper left portion as shown in FIG. An operation piece 80 having a rectangular spiral shape is formed. In detail, as shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 15, the operation piece 80 is such that the left arm 81 is gradually lowered, the arm 82 bent at a right angle assumes a horizontal posture on the lower surface side of the plate surface, and then the right arm. 83 gradually rises, and finally the central portion 84, which has a large area, is formed in a state where it is in a horizontal posture with the plate surface and is raised by a predetermined dimension (about 0.5 mm) from the plate surface. As shown in FIG. 14, a pressing portion 85 that presses the actuator 87 of the operation switch 86 protrudes from the back surface of the central portion 84 of the operation piece 80. Two such operation pieces 80 are formed side by side, and a resin-made label 90 printed with, for example, “tea” and “hot water” is affixed to the upper surface thereof.
[0014]
When the portion indicated as “tea” or “hot water” is pressed, the pressing portion 85 functions to turn on the actuator 87 of the operation switch 86 while the operation piece 80 is bent and deformed to the back side. In such a switch structure, since the operation piece 80 is formed in a spiral shape, for example, as compared with a conventional case where the operation piece is simply punched and formed in a cantilever shape, the portion that is bent and deformed is dispersed. As a result, it is excellent in durability, and a predetermined amount of sinking can be obtained even when pressed over a relatively wide range. Further, by forming the operation piece 80 in a stepped shape having a height, the spring property is further obtained, and the center portion 84 is lifted from the plate surface of the operation panel 61, so that the label 90 is also depressed. Can be prevented.
[0015]
The structure of the water supply portion from the water supply cassette 7 to the hot water storage tank 9 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 5, hoses 37 and 37 </ b> A provided with a pump 31 are connected to the water supply port 36 of the hot water storage tank 9, and the tip of the hose 37 </ b> A protrudes through the side surface portion 5 </ b> B of the panel 5. As shown in FIG. The overflow hose 38 drawn out from the hot water storage tank 9 also passes through the side surface portion 5B and is connected to the connection tool 39. Further, in the hot water storage tank 9, a water level sensor 41 such as a float switch for detecting the full water level X is provided, and a temperature sensor 42 for detecting the temperature of the stored hot water is provided. Based on the detected temperature. Thus, power interruption to the heater 30 is controlled so that the hot water temperature is maintained at the set temperature.
[0016]
On the other hand, the water supply cassette 7 can be stored in the above-described storage space 8 while opening and closing the door 3, and as shown in FIG. 6, a replenishing port is opened on the front side of the upper surface, and the suction pipe 44 is suspended here. A cap 45 provided in a shape is attached, and the connection tool 39 is detachably attached to the cap 45. When the pump 31 is driven, the water in the water supply cassette 7 is pumped up and replenished to the hot water storage tank 9. The hot water overflowed from the hot water storage tank 9 is returned to the water supply cassette 7 by the overflow hose 38.
[0017]
In this embodiment, water is supplied from the water supply cassette 7 to the hot water storage tank 9 in the manner shown in FIG. First, when the power is turned on, the pump 31 is activated to start water supply. When the water level sensor 41 detects that the water level sensor 41 has reached the full water level X, the pump 31 is stopped. After that, when a predetermined amount (for example, 90 cc) of hot water is discharged by opening the corresponding solenoid valves 33A and 33B by operating the dispensing switch 25, the pump 31 is activated and the same amount of fresh water is replenished. The water level of the hot water storage tank 9 is maintained at the full water level X. However, during this time, if the hot water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 42 is equal to or higher than “set temperature −10 ° C.”, the above water supply is performed, and if the hot water temperature is lower than that, the water supply is not performed.
[0018]
For example, during the busy season when tea or white water is frequently poured out, if the fresh water is replenished each time, the heating by the heater 30 is not in time, and the temperature of the hot water gradually decreases, so Only white water can be poured out. Therefore, during this time, when the hot water temperature is lower than “set temperature −10 ° C.” as described above, the supply of fresh water is stopped, and delicious tea can be poured out at the expense of securing the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 9. Water supply control that gives priority to hot water temperature is performed to maintain the minimum hot water temperature.
On the other hand, in the off-season when the pouring is rare, specifically, if there is no next pouring operation after a certain time (5 minutes) from the previous pouring operation, Water supply control is performed so that the amount of hot water is given priority, so that the amount of hot water is recovered to the full water level X and prepared for the next busy season.
[0019]
By the way, during the above-described water supply operation, there is a possibility that the water supply cassette 7 may be in a water cutoff state, and it is necessary to quickly detect this and replenish fresh water to the water supply cassette 7 itself. Hereinafter, the control part regarding the water cutoff detection of the water supply cassette 7 is demonstrated.
For this reason, in this embodiment, the control device 50 shown in FIG. 8 is provided, and this control device 50 has a built-in timer 51 and executes a program as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0020]
On the input side of the control device 50, a pump activation detection unit 52 that outputs a detection signal when the pump 31 is activated, and a door switch 53 are connected. The above-described timer 51 functions to time the time since the pump 31 is started each time a detection signal is issued from the pump activation detection unit 52. The door switch 53 detects the open / closed state of the door 3 of the main body 1 and is constituted by a reed switch. As shown in FIG. 2, two upper and lower magnets 55 are attached to the swinging end of the door 3, and the magnet 55 is attracted to a flange 57 formed on the front edge of the left side plate 56 of the main body 1. The door 3 is held in a closed state, and a door switch 53 including a reed switch is provided in the vicinity of the attracting portion 58 (for example, the upper side) of the magnet 55 so that the open / closed state of the door 3 is detected. It can be done.
On the other hand, a motor 31 </ b> A of the pump 31 and a water cutoff lamp 60 are connected to the output side of the control device 50. As shown in FIG. 1, the water cutoff lamp 60 is provided on the operation panel 61 on the front surface of the door 3.
[0021]
The present embodiment has the structure as described above, and the operation thereof will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the water supply mode is started when the power supply is turned on, the pouring operation at a predetermined hot water temperature or more is performed, or the hot water amount priority control is performed in the off-season, the pump 31 is turned on in step S1. When activated, fresh water is supplied from the water supply cassette 7 to the hot water storage tank 9. At this time, the time from the start of the pump 31 is timed by the timer 51, and if the hot water storage tank 9 reaches the full water level X within 5 minutes (YES in step S2), the pump 31 is stopped in step S4. Water supply is stopped and the timer 51 is reset at the same time. Here, “5 minutes” indicates the drive time of the pump 31 sufficient to fill the empty hot water storage tank 9 and is appropriately set according to the capacity of the hot water storage tank 9, the output of the pump 31, and the like. Is. With this water supply operation, when the power is turned on, the water level is replenished to the full water level X, and every time the dispensing operation is performed, only the discharge amount is replenished and maintained at the full water level X. To be done.
[0022]
If the water supply cassette 7 is in a water cut state during the above water supply operation, the hot water storage tank 9 does not reach the full water level X even after 5 minutes have passed since the pump 31 is started (step S2 is NO). Step S3 is YES). Then, in step S5, the pump 31 is stopped, the water supply mode is forcibly terminated, and the timer 51 is reset. At the same time, the water cutoff lamp 60 is turned on in step S6.
[0023]
When it is determined that the water supply cassette 7 has been turned off by turning on the water stop lamp 60 or the like, the door 3 is opened, then the connector 39 is removed and the water supply cassette 7 is taken out of the apparatus. Refill it with fresh water. After that, the water supply cassette 7 is put in the storage space 8, the connection tool 39 is connected to the cap 45, and the door 3 is closed. Thereby, it is detected that the door switch 53 is switched from the open state to the closed state, step S7 becomes YES, the water stop lamp 60 is turned off in step S8, the pump 31 is started in step S1, and the water supply Water supply from the cassette 7 to the hot water storage tank 9 is resumed.
[0024]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the water breakage detection of the water supply cassette 7 is electrically performed, so that accurate water breakage detection can be performed. Moreover, if the water supply cassette 7 that has been replenished with fresh water is stored and the door 3 is closed, the water supply to the hot water storage tank 9 is immediately resumed, so that the tea machine is operated with a minimum loss time. Can do.
In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment described with the said description and drawing, A various change can be implemented in the range which does not deviate from the summary.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tea dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view with a door opened. FIG. 3 is a front view with a door removed. FIG. 4 is a side view with a side plate removed. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the structure of a water supply and hot water supply part. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a water supply cassette and a tea disposal container. FIG. 7 is a time chart of water supply operation. Flowchart of water supply routine [FIG. 10] Exploded perspective view showing the mounting structure of the pump [FIG. 11] Cross-sectional view thereof [FIG. 12] Front view with the switch part label removed [FIG. 13] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y of FIG.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tea machine main body 3 ... Door 7 ... Water supply cassette 8 ... Storage space 9 ... Hot water storage tank 31 ... Pump 41 ... Water level sensor 50 ... Control device 51 ... Timer 52 ... Pump start detection part 53 ... Door switch 60 ... Water cut lamp X ... full water level

Claims (2)

In the tea machine main body, a water supply cassette storing fresh water is stored by opening and closing the door, and a water supply mode is executed in which a fresh water in the water supply cassette is supplied to a predetermined water level in a hot water storage tank by a pump. ,
When the predetermined water level is not reached within a predetermined time after the water supply mode is started, the water supply mode is forcibly terminated to stop the pump, and the door switch for detecting the open / closed state of the door is opened. A tea dispenser comprising control means for resuming the water supply mode when it is detected that the water supply mode has been switched to a closed state. A warning unit that issues a warning signal when the water supply mode is forcibly terminated has a function of stopping the warning signal when it is detected that the door switch has been switched from an open state to a closed state. The tea dispenser according to claim 1, wherein:

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