JP3927476B2 - Drain valve arrangement structure in beverage supply equipment, etc. - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement in an arrangement structure of a drain valve in a beverage supply device such as a tea dispenser.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the tea dispenser, in addition to the tea generation mechanism, a hot water storage tank for storing hot water is installed in, for example, an accommodation space on the back side of the main body. The drainage structure of this hot water storage tank is shown in FIG. It is like that. That is, a drain pan 3 for receiving overflow water from the hot water storage tank 2 is provided in the main body 1, and a drain pipe 4 is suspended from the drain pan 3 through the bottom surface of the main body 1. One end of a drainage valve 5 provided with a handle 5A for opening / closing operation is connected laterally to a connection port 4A projecting from a peripheral surface on the upper end side. On the other hand, a drain hose 2 </ b> A is drawn out from the bottom surface of the hot water storage tank 2 and connected to the other end of the drain valve 5. In addition, a front panel 6 (FIG. 12B) is stretched in front of the storage space such as the hot water storage tank 2 and the like, and an opening 6A is formed in the panel 6 so that the handle 5A of the drain valve 5 described above faces. It is out. In addition, a cup stage 7 in which a cup or the like is always placed is installed in front of the opening 6A.
When draining from the hot water storage tank 2, the cup stage 7 is removed outside the machine, the opening 6A of the panel 6 is opened forward, the handle 5A is picked from the opening 6A, and the drain valve 5 is opened. The water is drained from the hose 2A through the drain pipe 4 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
By the way, the structure of the part which connects the drain valve 5 to the connection port 4A of the drain pipe 4 was conventionally as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 12A, a tapered male screw 8A is cut at the connection port 4A, and a tapered female screw 8B is cut at one end of the drainage valve 5, and the seal tape 9 is attached to the male screw 8A. From the wound state, the drainage valve 5 is screwed with a torque wrench until it reaches a certain torque, and then the rotation posture is adjusted so that the handle 5A faces forward.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-278393
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the above connection structure employs a method of screwing in until a certain torque is reached, the connection position of the drainage valve 5 is caused by the amount of winding of the seal tape 9 or the dimensional error of the screws 8A and 8B. May vary in the axial direction (arrow line direction in FIG. 12A). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12B, the opening 6A of the panel 6 that faces the handle 5A of the drain valve 5 is formed to be large in consideration of the variation in the position. The fact that it is not located at the center of the opening 6A itself gives a sense of incongruity. In particular, if the position deviation is large, there is a concern that the operation may be difficult even if the handle 5A faces the opening 6A. Therefore, the position may be readjusted. There is a problem that it is necessary to screw or loosen the drain valve 5 while increasing or decreasing the winding amount of the tape 9, and the adjustment work is troublesome.
Further, since the opening 6A of the panel 6 is formed larger, there is a problem that the internal mechanism can be seen from the gap with the handle 5A and the appearance is not good.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to allow the drain valve to be properly positioned and connected.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 is characterized in that a handle for opening / closing operation is provided between a drain port such as a tank provided in the apparatus body and a drain pipe to the outside of the apparatus. The drain valve provided on the outer surface is connected, and the handle of the drain valve faces the opening formed in the panel of the device main body so that it can be operated. It is characterized in that it has a configuration in which a positioning portion that fits in is provided.
The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the positioning portion is formed so as to close the opening.
The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1 or 2, the drain valve can be connected to the connection port of the drain pipe by insertion.
[0007]
[Action and effect of the invention]
<Invention of Claim 1>
The drainage valve is positioned in the axial direction and the rotation direction by fitting a positioning portion provided on the handle into the opening of the panel. Therefore, even if it receives vibration during operation or the like, the drain valve is restricted from moving unnecessarily, and the handle can always be arranged facing the normal position in the opening.
<Invention of Claim 2>
Since the positioning portion closes the gap between the handle and the opening, it is possible to prevent the internal mechanism from being seen and improve the appearance.
<Invention of Claim 3>
When connecting the drain valve to the connection port of the drain pipe, the drain valve is inserted in the axial direction, and the turning posture is adjusted so that the handle faces a predetermined direction. Subsequently, when the positioning portion provided on the handle is fitted into the opening of the panel while finely adjusting as necessary, the drain valve is positioned in the axial direction and the rotational direction with respect to the opening of the panel. And connected to the connection port.
Therefore, the drain valve handle can always be placed facing the normal position in the opening, and the drain valve connection is pluggable so that the position in both the axial and rotational directions can be easily adjusted. Can do.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a tea machine will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<First Embodiment>
A first 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. 1 to 3. The tea machine body 10 is a vertically long and has a box shape with a front opening, and is supported by legs 11 arranged at the four corners of the bottom surface. In addition, a door 12 is mounted on the front opening so as to be swingable. A front panel 14 is stretched at a position within a predetermined dimension from the front opening in the tea machine main body 10, and an accommodation space 15 in which a cold water tank 24, a hot water storage tank 32, etc. are accommodated is located behind the front panel 14. It is configured.
On the front surface on the bottom side of the front panel 14, a recess 16 for pouring that opens through the front surface through the door 12 is provided, and a cup stage 17 into which a cup or the like is inserted is accommodated therein. Yes. A spout 18 is provided on the ceiling surface of the cup stage 17, and a slat-like cradle 19 is provided on the bottom. A drain pan (not shown) is provided on the lower surface side of the cradle 19, and the drain port is connected to a drain port 20 provided on the bottom plate 10 </ b> A of the main body 10.
[0009]
A tank mount 22 is installed on the bottom surface of the inner side of the storage space 15, a cold water tank 24 is installed on the left side when viewed from the front on the tank mount 22, and a hot water storage tank 32 is lifted on the right side. is set up.
First, the cold water tank 24 side will be described briefly. Cooling water is cooled and stored in the cold water tank 24 by a refrigeration apparatus 25, and a cooling coil is immersed therein. Accordingly, when tap water is supplied from the first water supply pipe 26, cold water is generated while flowing through the cooling coil, and is supplied from the cold water supply unit 27 provided with the electromagnetic valve 28 to the tea generation unit or the like. It has become.
On the other hand, with respect to the drainage path, the drain hose 29 is drawn out from the bottom surface of the cold water tank 24 and is always supported by rising along the right edge of the front panel 14, and when cooling water in the cold water tank 24 is drained. The drain hose 29 is removed so that the tip of the drain hose 29 faces the cup cradle 19. An overflow hose 30 is also piped facing the cup cradle 19.
[0010]
Next, the hot water storage tank 32 side will be described. The bottom of the hot water storage tank 32 is equipped with an aluminum cast heater. When the water supply valve 33 is opened, tap water is supplied through the second water supply pipe 34 and a predetermined amount is stored. It is kept at a predetermined temperature by being heated at. When the water level falls to a predetermined water level, the water supply valve 33 is opened and the water level is automatically replenished to the predetermined water level. The stored hot water is supplied from a hot water supply unit 36 provided with a solenoid valve 37 to a tea production unit or the like.
[0011]
The drainage path on the hot water storage tank 32 side is as follows.
Another drain pan 40 is disposed on the front surface of the tank mount 22 described above, and a drain port 41 is opened at a position on the right side of the drain pan 40 as viewed from the front. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, a drain pipe 43 is erected at a position corresponding to the lower side of the drain port 41 in the bottom plate 10 </ b> A, and its upper end is connected to the drain port 41 in a watertight manner. The lower end of the drain pipe 43 protrudes below the bottom plate 10A. An overflow hose 38 provided in the hot water storage tank 32 faces the drain pan 40.
Further, a connection port 45 is provided on the outer peripheral surface at the upper end position of the drain pipe 43 so as to project sideways (rightward when viewed from the front), and is drawn out from the drain port 32 </ b> A at the center of the bottom surface of the hot water storage tank 32. The drain hose 39 thus connected is connected via a drain valve 50.
[0012]
Then, the structure of the part which connects the drain valve 50 to the connection port 45 of the drain pipe 43 is demonstrated.
The drain valve 50 is a ball valve type. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a ball-shaped valve body 52 having a through-hole 53 formed in the center is mounted in the main body pipe 51. The valve body 52 is rotated by the projecting rotation shaft 54 so that the through-hole 53 is oriented sideways along the axial direction as shown in FIG. The flow path is closed when 53 is in a vertical orientation perpendicular to the axial direction.
One end (the left end in FIG. 5) of the main body pipe 51 is a connection portion 56 to the drain pipe 43 and can be fitted almost tightly into the connection port 45 of the drain pipe 43, and an O-ring is provided on the outer periphery thereof. 57 is inserted. In addition, the inner periphery of the connection port 45 of the drain pipe 43 has a stepped shape with a reduced diameter on the back side, and the stepped surface serves as a stopper surface 46 that abuts the tip surface of the connection portion 56. .
Further, the other end of the main body pipe 51 is a connection portion 59 for connecting the drain hose 39 by external fitting.
[0013]
The drain valve 50 can be fixed to the drain pipe 43 by the mounting bracket 60. Therefore, a mounting cylinder 47 with a screw hole 48 cut out is provided at a position below the connection port 45 in the drain pipe 43. On the other hand, the mounting bracket 60 is formed by bending an upward plate 61 on the front side and a downward plate 63 on the back side, and an insertion hole 62 is formed in the upward plate 61, and the lip thereof is a drain valve. The main body 51 of the 50 main body 51 can contact the stepped portion 59 </ b> A on the back side of the connecting portion 59 on the drain hose 39 side, and a through-hole 64 for a screw 65 is opened in the downward plate 63.
[0014]
A handle 70 is attached to a rotating shaft 54 of the valve body 52 protruding from the outer surface of the main body pipe 51 of the drain valve 50 so as to rotate it. As shown in FIG. 7, the handle 70 has a shape in which an elongated knob 72 is projected from the center line of the surface of the disk 71, and an operation shaft 73 is projected from the center of the back surface of the disk 71. . The rotation shaft 54 on the drain valve 50 side is fitted to the connection hole 74 formed in the projecting end of the operation shaft 73 so as not to rotate, and is integrally fixed by a screw 73A.
For example, when the knob portion 72 of the handle 70 is vertically oriented, the drain valve 50 is closed, and when the handle 70 is turned 90 degrees counterclockwise when viewed from the front, the drain valve 50 is fully opened. It has become.
[0015]
The handle 70 is operated from the front of the front panel 14 stretched in the main body 10, so that the front panel 14 has a circular opening for operation as shown in FIG. 75 is formed. The opening 75 is formed at a position facing the handle 70 when the drain valve 50 is properly attached to the drain pipe 43. The cup stage 17 is accommodated in front of the position where the opening 75 is formed, and the opening 75 is always hidden by the back surface of the cup stage 17. is there.
[0016]
Now, as shown in FIG. 7, the opening 75 has a diameter that is a predetermined dimension longer than the length of the knob 72, and the cylindrical portion 76 extends from the lip of the opening 75 toward the back side. Is formed.
On the other hand, on the handle 70 side, a short hood portion 78 is formed from the peripheral edge of the disk 71 toward the front surface side, and this hood portion 78 is substantially tight and pivots outside the cylindrical portion 76 on the opening 75 side. It is designed to be fitted. The height of the hood part 78 is slightly lower than the knob part 72.
[0017]
Then, the effect | action of this embodiment is demonstrated.
The drain valve 50 attaches the handle 70 in a predetermined posture, and an O-ring 57 is fitted to the connection portion 56, and the connection portion 56 is inserted into the connection port 45 of the drain pipe 43 in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the insertion is stopped when the distal end surface of the connection portion 56 hits the stopper surface 46 in the connection port 45, and at this time, the position of the drain valve 50 in the axial direction is determined. In other words, as shown in FIG. 8, in the axial direction of the drain valve 50, the position of the center 70X of the handle 70 and the position of the center 75X of the opening 75 when the front panel 14 is stretched match.
At the same time, the drain valve 50 is rotated around the axis so that the handle 70 faces the front.
Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the insertion hole 62 of the upward plate 61 of the mounting bracket 60 is passed through the connection portion 59 of the drain valve 50 and hits the stepped portion 59 </ b> A, and at the insertion hole 64 of the downward plate 63. The drainage valve 50 is secured by screwing through the screw 65 and screwed into the screw hole 48 of the mounting cylinder 47.
[0018]
Next, the front panel 14 is stood at a position to be stretched. The drain valve 50 has already been positioned in the axial direction, but the rotation posture is also normal, that is, if the handle 70 is directly facing the front, the cylinder portion 76 on the back surface of the opening 75 is connected to the handle 70. It fits in the hood part 78.
If the handle 70 is swung up and down, it is determined that the cylinder portion 76 cannot be fitted into the hood portion 78. Here, since the drain valve 50 can be rotated around the axis, the handle 70 is turned to the front.
[0019]
When it is confirmed that the drain valve 50 is connected to the normal position in addition to the axial direction, the front panel 14 is raised again, and a screw is attached to a bracket 80 provided on the bottom plate 10A as shown in FIG. When stopped and fixed at 81, the hood portion 78 is fitted to the outside of the cylindrical portion 76, and the drain valve 50 is positioned so as to be immovable in the axial direction and in the rotational direction, as shown in FIG. The knob portion 72 of the handle 70 is positioned at the center in the opening 75.
[0020]
During operation, the drain hose 39 drawn out from the hot water storage tank 32 is connected to the connecting portion 59 on the opposite side of the drain valve 50, and the drain valve 50 is closed. A cup stage 17 is accommodated in front of the front panel 14 where the opening 75 is provided.
On the other hand, when draining from the hot water storage tank 32, the cup stage 17 is removed outside the machine, the opening 75 of the front panel 14 is opened forward, the knob 72 of the handle 70 is picked from the opening 75, and the drain valve 50 is set. When opened, drainage is performed through the drain hose 39, the drain valve 50 and the drain pipe 43.
[0021]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the hood portion 78 provided on the handle 70 side is substantially tightly fitted to the cylindrical portion 76 provided at the lip of the opening 75 of the front panel 14. The drain valve 50 can be connected to the drain pipe 43 while being positioned in the axial direction and the rotational direction. As a result, the handle 70 of the drainage valve 50, in particular, the knob portion 72 can always be arranged in the center of the opening 75, so that it does not feel strange and is easy to rotate. In addition, since the connection of the drain valve 50 is a plug-in type, the rotation posture can be adjusted without accompanying movement in the axial direction.
Moreover, since the hood part 78 blocks the inside of the opening part 75 from the disk 71 of the handle 70, the inside of the accommodation space 15 is prevented from being seen, and the appearance is good.
[0022]
Second Embodiment
FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment should be called a modification of the positioning structure, and the opening 75A provided in the front panel 14 is formed to be slightly larger than the opening 75 of the first embodiment. The outer peripheral surface of the hood portion 78 provided on the handle 70 side is configured to be fitted inside the cylinder portion 76 provided on the back surface of the opening 75A of the front panel 14.
Other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment, and almost the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0023]
<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, it is a modification of the positioning structure, in which the front panel 14 is only formed with an opening 75B and the rear surface is not provided with a cylindrical portion, whereas on the handle 70A side, the knob portion 72A Around, an inner hood portion 83 having the same height as the knob portion 72A and an outer hood portion 84 having a shorter height are formed in a double manner.
Then, the protruding end side of the inner hood portion 83 is fitted into the opening 75B so that positioning is performed. Since the protruding end of the outer hood portion 84 hits the edge of the back surface of the opening 75B, the handle 70A is also prevented from coming out in front of the opening 75B.
[0024]
<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention other than the following. Various modifications can be made.
(1) The mounting bracket 60 illustrated in the above embodiment functions to prevent the drainage valve 50 from coming off, but the hood portion 78 of the handle 70 is fitted to the cylindrical portion 76 of the opening 75 of the panel 14. After that, since this functions as a retainer, the mounting bracket 60 as a retainer is not necessary. Therefore, the drain pipe 43, the drain valve 50, and the handle 70 are sub-assembled using the mounting bracket 60, and after the handle 70 is fitted into the opening 75 of the panel 14 as described above, the mounting bracket 60 is removed. It may be.
Further, the provision of the mounting bracket 60 may be omitted.
[0025]
(2) It is not always necessary to provide the stopper surface 46 for restricting the insertion of the drain valve 50 in the connection port 45.
(3) The positioning part of the handle fits into the opening of the panel, so that, for example, when receiving vibration during operation, the drain valve can be restricted from moving unnecessarily in the axial direction and the rotational direction. Considering this, the present invention is also applicable to those in which the drain valve is connected by screwing.
(4) Moreover, this invention is widely applicable to the whole provided with drainage mechanisms, such as a drink supply apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a tea machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an internal structure. FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the front of the opening is opened. FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional plan view of the front panel in the vicinity of the extending portion. FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view showing the positioning structure according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the positioning structure according to the third embodiment. 11] Schematic front view showing a drainage system of a conventional example [FIG. 12] (A) An exploded perspective view of a drain valve connecting portion, (B) A side sectional view showing a positional relationship between the drain valve and the opening of the panel Explanation of]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Tea machine main body 10A ... Bottom plate 14 ... Front panel 32 ... Hot water storage tank 32A ... Drain port 39 ... Drain hose 43 ... Drain pipe 45 ... Connection port 50 ... Drain valve 56, 59 ... Connection part 70, 70A ... Handle 71 ... Disc 72 ... Knob 75, 75A, 75B ... Opening 76 ... Cylindrical part 78 ... Hood part (positioning part) 83 ... Inner hood part (positioning part)

Claims (3)

A drainage valve with a handle for opening / closing operation is connected between the drainage port of the tank etc. provided in the equipment body and the drainage pipe to the outside of the machine. A beverage supply device, wherein the drain valve handle is provided with a positioning portion that fits into the opening of the panel, wherein the drain valve handle faces the opening formed in the panel of the main body. Arrangement structure of drainage valve in etc. The arrangement structure of the drain valve in the beverage supply device or the like according to claim 1, wherein the positioning portion is formed so as to close the opening. 3. The drain valve arrangement structure in a beverage supply device or the like according to claim 1, wherein the drain valve is connectable to the connection port of the drain pipe by insertion.

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