JP4379154B2 - Liquid mixing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid mixing apparatus that discharges a stock solution and a diluted solution from a nozzle and mixes them at a predetermined dilution ratio.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a liquid mixing device that mixes two or more types of liquids with each other, for example, a beverage supply device that provides a beverage such as juice is known. In this beverage supply device, a concentrated solution such as syrup and a diluted solution such as cold water or carbonated water are discharged from one beverage dispensing nozzle into one cup and mixed to a predetermined ratio (concentration). Made to drink.

  This type of liquid mixing apparatus includes a stock solution valve that adjusts the flow rate of the stock solution and a dilution solution valve that regulates the flow rate of the dilution solution in order to distribute the stock solution and the diluent to the beverage dispensing nozzle at a predetermined dilution ratio. And a stock solution flow meter that measures the flow rate of the stock solution, a dilution solution flow meter that measures the flow rate of the diluent, and a microcomputer that controls the opening and closing of each valve. The microcomputer controls the opening and closing of the undiluted solution and diluting solution valves while monitoring the undiluted solution and diluting solution flow rates based on the signals from each flowmeter, thereby discharging the undiluted solution and diluting solution from the beverage dispensing nozzle. The amount is to be controlled.

  Here, as a liquid mixing apparatus, there is an apparatus in which a mixed liquid having a predetermined dilution ratio is made by discharging a stock solution and a diluted liquid at a timing shown in the time chart of FIG. This time chart shows the timing of the pulse signal output from the stock solution flow meter and dilution solution flow meter and the number of pulses, indicating the opening and closing timing of the stock solution valve and dilution solution valve executed by the microcomputer. Yes. In this apparatus, the stock solution flow meter and the diluting solution flow meter output a number of pulse signals proportional to the liquid flow rate, with 1 pulse as 1 ml. Here, the target dilution ratio between the stock solution and the diluted solution is “1: 5”, the total discharge amount of the stock solution and the diluted solution is “198 ml”, of which the total amount of the stock solution is “33 ml” and the total amount of the diluted solution is “165 ml”. It is set to be. In order to discharge the diluted solution prior to the stock solution, the microcomputer opens the stock solution valve after opening the diluted solution valve. After that, the microcomputer continuously opens the diluent valve for a period corresponding to the total amount so that the flow rate per unit time is constant, while discharging the stock solution intermittently from the nozzle. Therefore, the stock solution valve is opened and closed intermittently. That is, the discharge amount for one time is an arbitrary amount (for example, “5 ml”), and the stock solution valve is opened and closed intermittently by the number of times determined from the total amount of the stock solution (“33 ml”). Here, “25 ml” of the diluting solution is discharged from the time when the undiluted solution is discharged once until the next discharging, and the dilution ratio between the undiluted solution and the diluting solution is “1: 5” as described above. It is set. However, the final volume (seventh) of the stock solution discharge is the remainder (3 ml) obtained by dividing the total volume (33 ml) by the previous discharge volume (5 ml), and the total volume of the diluent (165 ml) is “ By setting the remainder (15 ml) divided by “25 ml”, the dilution ratio of the stock solution and the diluted solution in the final round (seventh round) is set to “1: 5” (for example, Patent Document 1).

  As shown in FIG. 9, the mixed solution in which the stock solution and the diluted solution are discharged in this way has a uniform dilution ratio of “1: 5” in both the dilution ratio of the entire mixed liquid and the diluted ratio of the mixed liquid at each time. The dilution ratio can be set, and the situation where the stock solution adheres to the beverage dispensing nozzle and the situation where the stock solution remains on the bottom of the container can be avoided.

JP 2001-225899 A

  However, since the specific gravity of the stock solution is larger than the specific gravity of the diluted solution, the conventional liquid mixing device tends to precipitate the stock solution, and the mixed solution becomes thin at the top of the cup and thick at the bottom, resulting in poor quality of the mixed solution. It was.

  An object of this invention is to provide the liquid mixing apparatus which can provide the liquid mixture which has a uniform dilution ratio in view of the said situation.

  In order to achieve the above object, a liquid mixing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention virtually has a plurality of discharge periods of a diluting liquid continuously discharged corresponding to each discharge of a stock solution discharged intermittently. In a liquid mixing apparatus that controls the discharge amount of the diluting liquid so as to have a predetermined dilution ratio with respect to the discharge amount of the stock solution in each partial period, a predetermined amount of dilution is performed prior to the first partial period. While the liquid is discharged as the previous amount, the remaining diluted liquid amount obtained by subtracting the previous amount from the diluted liquid amount obtained by multiplying the undiluted solution discharge amount in the last partial period by the dilution ratio is discharged in the last partial period. It is characterized by.

  The liquid mixing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, an orifice is disposed in the flow path through which the stock solution flows.

  A liquid mixing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the orifice diameter is switchable between a large diameter and a small diameter.

  Moreover, the liquid mixing apparatus which concerns on Claim 4 of this invention is the diluent flow volume which measures the flow volume of the undiluted solution flowmeter which measures the flow volume of the said undiluted solution, and the flow volume of the said diluted solution in any one of the said Claims 1-3 The meter is arranged in a predetermined cooling atmosphere.

  A liquid mixing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention virtually divides a discharge period of a diluting liquid continuously discharged corresponding to each discharge of a stock solution discharged intermittently into a plurality of partial periods, In a liquid mixing apparatus that controls a discharge amount of a diluent so as to have a predetermined dilution ratio with respect to a discharge amount of a stock solution in a partial period, a predetermined amount of the diluted liquid is discharged as an advance amount prior to the first partial period. On the other hand, since the remaining dilution volume obtained by subtracting the previous volume from the dilution volume obtained by multiplying the dilution volume by the dilution ratio in the last partial period is discharged in the last partial period, the specific gravity of the dilution is Even if the stock solution tends to precipitate because it is larger than the specific gravity, it is possible to suppress the tendency of the mixed solution to become thin at the upper part of the cup and to become thicker at the lower part and to provide a mixed solution having a uniform concentration.

  In the liquid mixing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the orifice is provided in the flow path through which the stock solution flows, the flow rate of the stock solution becomes slow, and the difference between the diluted solution discharge period and the stock solution discharge period becomes small. It is possible to obtain a mixed liquid with a proper dilution ratio.

  The liquid mixing apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention is configured so that the orifice diameter can be switched between a large diameter and a small diameter. Therefore, when discharging a stock solution having a large viscosity, a large diameter is discharged, and a stock solution having a small viscosity is discharged. In this case, if the diameter is small, even if the viscosity of the stock solution is greatly different, the stock solution can be discharged at a flow rate within a predetermined range.

  In the liquid mixing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention, the stock solution flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the stock solution and the diluent flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the diluent are disposed in a predetermined cooling atmosphere. There is an effect that an accurate measurement amount can be obtained without fluctuation of the viscosity.

  Exemplary embodiments of a liquid mixing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  The liquid mixing device described in the present embodiment is a beverage supply device applied to, for example, a commercial beverage dispenser, a cup-type vending machine, etc., and in particular, a stock solution such as concentrated syrup and cold water or carbonated water It is provided as a soft drink such as juice by mixing with dilution water. In addition, it is good also as a drink supply apparatus which provides a hot drink by using hot water instead of cold water or carbonated water as a diluent.

  First, based on FIGS. 1-5, the structure of the drink supply apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention is demonstrated. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a beverage supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the beverage supply apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is shown in FIGS. 4 is a side sectional view of the valve, FIG. 4 is a front view showing the flow rate detection mechanism of the valve shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line AA of the valve shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the beverage supply apparatus 1 has a beverage dispensing nozzle 2 disposed on a bend stage 1a. The beverage dispensing nozzle 2 in the present embodiment mixes and dispenses concentrated syrup as a stock solution and cold water or carbonated water as a diluent in the nozzle. Also, the beverage supply device 1 is different in the cooling water tank 3, the agitator 3a for cooling water stirring, the cooling unit 4 of the cooling water tank 3, the carbonator 5 for producing carbonated water, the water supply pump 6 connected to the water supply, the flavor, the color, etc. Syrup tanks 7 </ b> A to 7 </ b> D and a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 8 are provided as beverage liquid containers each containing various concentrated syrups by type (in this example, by 4 types).

  Syrup flow paths 9 </ b> A to 9 </ b> D are piped via the cooling water tank 3 between the beverage dispensing nozzle 2 and the syrup tanks 7 </ b> A to 7 </ b> D. In addition, a carbonated water passage 10 is piped between the beverage dispensing nozzle 2 and the carbonator 5 via the cooling water tank 3. Further, a cold water passage 11 is piped between the beverage pouring nozzle 2 and the water supply pump 6 via the cooling water tank 3.

  The syrup flow paths 9 </ b> A to 9 </ b> D and the cold water flow path 11 are provided with cooling coils in the middle, and the cooling coils are immersed in the water of the cooling water tank 3. Further, the cold water flow path 11 is piped so as to branch from the middle between the cooling coil and the beverage dispensing nozzle 2 to supply water to the carbonator 5. The carbonator 5 is immersed in the water of the cooling water tank 3.

  A syrup valve 12A is connected to each of the syrup flow paths 9A to 9D. A carbonated water valve 12 </ b> B is connected to the carbonated water flow path 10. A cold water valve 12 </ b> C is connected to the cold water passage 11. A carbonator water supply valve 13 is connected to the channel of the cold water channel 11 reaching the carbonator 5. Further, a carbon dioxide gas passage 14 is provided between the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 8 and each of the syrup tanks 7A to 7D and between the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 8 and the carbonator 5, and the syrup tanks 7A to 7D and the carbonator 5 are connected to each other. Carbon dioxide gas can be supplied under pressure. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a pressure type is adopted in which the concentrated syrup is pumped to the syrup flow paths 9A to 9D by supplying and sending carbon dioxide gas to the syrup tanks 7A to 7D containing the concentrated syrup.

  In the beverage supply apparatus 1 described above, a beverage is selected by pressing a beverage selection button (not shown) with the cup 15 placed on the bend stage 1a. Then, the valve corresponding to the selected beverage opens, and when a carbonated beverage is selected, the concentrated syrup and carbonated water are fed to the beverage dispensing nozzle 2 and mixed in the beverage dispensing nozzle 2. It is supplied to the cup 15. When a non-carbonated beverage is selected, concentrated syrup and cold water are fed to the beverage dispensing nozzle 2, mixed in the beverage dispensing nozzle 2, and supplied to the cup 15.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the syrup valve 12A has a syrup flow meter 12A1 for measuring the flow rate of the syrup, and a syrup valve 12A2 including an electromagnetic valve for adjusting the flow rate of the syrup. The syrup flow meter 12A1 is provided upstream of the syrup valve 12A2. Further, an orifice 16 whose diameter can be switched is disposed downstream of the syrup flow meter 12A1. The orifice 16 is intended to lengthen the discharge time of the syrup, and can be selected from a large diameter and a small diameter corresponding to the viscosity of the syrup. That is, when the viscosity of the syrup is high, the large diameter is selected, and when the viscosity of the syrup is small, the small diameter is selected, so that the syrup can be discharged at a flow rate within a predetermined range.

  The carbonated water valve 12B has a carbonated water flow meter 12B1 for measuring the flow rate of carbonated water and a carbonated water valve 12B2 made of an electromagnetic valve for adjusting the flow rate of carbonated water. The carbonated water flow meter 12B1 is provided on the upstream side of the carbonated water valve 12B2.

  The chilled water valve 12C includes a chilled water flow meter 12C1 for measuring the flow rate of chilled water and a chilled water valve 12C2 formed of an electromagnetic valve for adjusting the flow rate of the chilled water. This chilled water flow meter is provided upstream of the chilled water valve 12C2.

  These syrup valve 12 </ b> A, carbonated water valve 12 </ b> B, and cold water valve 12 </ b> C are disposed in the cooling water tank 3. Therefore, the syrup flow meter 12A1, the carbonated water flow meter 12B2, and the cold water flow meter 12C2 are all disposed in a predetermined cooling atmosphere.

  This beverage supply apparatus includes a controller 20 for controlling the valves 12A, 12B, and 12C. The flow meters 12A1, 12B1, 12C1 and the valves 12A2, 12B2, 12C2 of the valves 12A, 12B, 12C are connected to the controller 20, respectively. The controller 20 is connected to a main control unit 21 for overall control of the beverage supply apparatus. The controller 20 is composed of a microcomputer, and includes a control unit 22, an input unit 23, an output unit 24, a storage unit 25, and an operation communication unit 26. The input unit 23 inputs measurement signals from the flow meters 12A1, 12B1, and 12C1. The output unit 24 outputs a control signal from the control unit 22 to the valves 12A2, 12B2, and 12C2. The storage unit 25 temporarily stores predetermined data required for the arithmetic processing of the control unit 22. The operation communication unit 26 exchanges data with the main control unit 21.

  This beverage supply apparatus includes a case (not shown) containing various devices and a selection switch arranged on the front surface of the case. Then, when the user selects the type of beverage and operates the corresponding selection switch, the selection signal is sent to the controller 20 via the main control unit 21. The controller 20 controls each valve 12A, 12B, 12C via the output unit 24 in accordance with a control program stored in the storage unit 25 by the control unit 22 in order to operate the beverage supply device in response to the selection signal. Output a signal. This beverage supply device selectively mixes cold water or carbonated water as a diluent with syrup as a stock solution. That is, the beverage supply device is adapted to produce a cold water beverage in which syrup is diluted with cold water or a carbonated beverage in which syrup is diluted with carbonated water, according to the user's selection. Accordingly, the controller 20 controls the combination of the syrup valve 12A and the cold water valve 12C or the carbonated water valve 12B when supplying the beverage.

  Next, the valves 12A, 12B, and 12C will be described. Since the configuration of each of the valves 12A, 12B, and 12C is the same, the syrup valve 12A will be described as an example here. As shown in FIG. 3, this valve 12A has a syrup flow meter 12A1 and a syrup valve 12A2 in a body 31 in which a flow path is formed.

  The body 31 is a rectangular parallelepiped block and has a flow path from the input port 32 formed on the bottom surface to the output port 33 formed on the side surface. The syrup flow meter 12 </ b> A <b> 1 is provided in the middle of the flow path, and is disposed on the side surface of the body 31 located on the back surface of the output port 33.

  As shown in FIG. 4, on the side surface of the body 31, an input side flow path 34 communicating with the input port 32 and a valve side flow path 35 communicating with the syrup valve 12A2 side are opened. And the syrup flowmeter 12A1 is provided in the aspect pinched between the input side flow path 34 and the valve side flow path 35.

  The syrup flow meter 12 </ b> A <b> 1 has a measurement chamber 36 having an oval shape formed to the depth of the opening portions of the input side flow path 34 and the valve side flow path 35. The measurement chamber 36 incorporates a pair of oval gears 37 and 38 meshing with each other, and the oval gears 37 and 38 are rotatably supported in the measurement chamber 36. These elliptical gears 37 and 38 mesh with each other like a gear pump and are configured to be rotatable while maintaining a minimum clearance from the inner wall of the measurement chamber 36. An O-ring 39 for sealing is fitted in an annular groove formed in the body 31 so as to surround the measurement chamber 36. As shown in FIG. 3, the lid 40 that closes the measurement chamber 36 is screwed to the body 31 so as to crush the O-ring 39.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a magnet 41 is embedded in one elliptical gear 37, and a magnetic sensor 42 is embedded in the lid 40. The syrup flow meter 12 </ b> A <b> 1 measures the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the elliptical gears 37 and 38 by counting the number of rotations of one elliptical gear 37.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a flow washer 43 is provided in the place where it enters the valve side flow path 35 from the measurement chamber 36. When the lid 40 is fixed, the flow washer 43 is sandwiched at a predetermined position by the pressing member 44 being pressed. The flow washer 43 is a ring-shaped member that keeps the flow rate of the liquid constant when the pressure fluctuation of the liquid flowing through the syrup flow meter 12A1 is large, and that has a liquid circulation nozzle at the center.

  The valve-side flow path 35 communicates with a valve chamber 45 provided corresponding to the syrup valve 12A2, and also communicates with the output port 33 via a valve hole 47 of a valve seat 46 projecting from the valve chamber 45. The syrup valve 12 </ b> A <b> 2 has a plunger 49 that urges the valve body 48 toward the valve seat 46. The plunger 49 is excited by energizing the coil 50 and is attracted and held by the core 51.

  In this beverage supply device, the controller 20 controls the valves 12A2, 12B2, and 12C2 while monitoring the flow rates of syrup, cold water, and carbonated water measured by the flow meters 12A1, 12B1, and 12C1 of the valves 12A, 12B, and 12C. By doing so, these liquids are discharged from the beverage dispensing nozzle 2 to the cup 15 and mixed.

  Here, the flow of the liquid in each valve 12A, 12B, 12C is as follows. The syrup valve 12A will be described as an example. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, in the syrup valve 12A, the syrup that has flowed into the input port 32 flows to the measurement chamber 36 via the input-side flow path 34, and the measurement chamber 36 The elliptical gears 37 and 38 of the syrup flow meter 12A1 are rotated by the pressure of the syrup that has flowed into 36. Here, the pressure of the syrup flowing into the measuring chamber 36 is, for example, when the elliptical gears 37 and 38 are arranged in the state shown in FIG. The elliptical gear 38 that acts only in the counterclockwise direction and that is horizontally long acts in the same manner on the left and right of the rotation shaft from below. Therefore, the elliptical gears 37 and 38 meshed with each other are given a rotational force as indicated by arrows in FIG. 4, and the syrup flows outward along the wall surface of the measurement chamber 36. In this embodiment, since the elliptical gears 37 and 38 are used, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the gap between the elliptical gear 37 and the inner wall of the measurement chamber 36 can be made large, and the syrup feed amount can be further increased. Can do a lot.

  Even when the pressure fluctuation is large, the syrup that has passed through the measurement chamber 36 flows into the valve chamber 45 from the valve-side flow path 35 as a constant amount of flow by the flow washer 43. The syrup flowing into the valve chamber 45 is discharged from the output port 33 when the valve body 48 is separated from the valve seat 46.

  When the core 51 is excited by energizing the coil 50 in the syrup valve 12A2, the plunger 49 is attracted upward against the downward urging force, and as a result, the valve body 48 is separated from the valve seat 46, and the syrup The service valve 12A2 is opened. On the other hand, when the energization of the coil 50 is stopped, the plunger 49 is pushed downward, the valve body 48 contacts the valve seat 46, and the syrup valve 12A2 is closed.

  The syrup flowing through the syrup valve 12A adjusts the discharge amount from the beverage dispensing nozzle 2 by opening and closing the syrup valve 12A2, and the syrup flow meter 12A1 measures the discharge amount (flow rate). The syrup flowing through the syrup flow meter 12A1 is sent to the syrup valve 12A2 by the amount of rotation of the elliptical gears 37 and 38. The flow rate per rotation of the elliptical gears 37 and 38 is obtained in advance by calculation, and the flow rate is confirmed by the controller 20 based on the measurement result of the syrup flow meter 12A1. Therefore, in this syrup flow meter 12A1, the magnetic sensor 42 detects the passage of the magnet 41 accompanying the rotation of the elliptical gear 37, outputs a signal of one pulse per rotation, and the pulse signal is input to the controller 20. The syrup flow meter 12A1 outputs a pulse signal whose number is proportional to the syrup flow rate, with 1 pulse being 1 ml. The controller 20 calculates the flow rate of the syrup by counting the pulse signals.

  Next, the content of the beverage supply control executed by the controller 20 will be described. FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the syrup and dilution liquid discharge procedure, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the partial dilution ratio and the total dilution ratio in the cup.

  The time chart shown in FIG. 6 shows the opening / closing timing (on / off timing) of the syrup valve 12A2 and the carbonated water valve 12B2 or the cold water valve 12C2 executed by the controller 20, and the syrup flow meter 12A1 and the carbonated water flow meter. The timing of the pulse signal output from 12B1 or the chilled water flow meter 12C1 is represented by the number of pulses.

  In this embodiment, cold water and carbonated water are selectively mixed as a diluent with respect to the syrup of the stock solution. Therefore, for convenience of explanation, cold water and carbonated water are collectively referred to as a “diluent” below. Both the water valve 12B2 and the cold water valve 12C2 will be referred to as diluent valves 12B2 and 12C2. Further, both the carbonated water flow meter 12B1 and the cold water flow meter 12C1 will be referred to as diluent liquid flow meters 12B1 and 12C1. In this embodiment, the syrup flow meter 12A1 and the diluting liquid flow meters 12B1 and 12C1 output one number of pulse signals in proportion to the liquid flow rate with 1 pulse as 1 ml.

  In this embodiment, the total amount of syrup and diluent is “198 ml”, of which the total amount of syrup is “33 ml”, the total amount of diluent is “165 ml”, and the total dilution ratio between the total amount of syrup and the total amount of diluent is “ 1: 5 ".

  Further, in this embodiment, the controller 20 opens and closes the syrup valve 12A2 and the diluent valves 12B2 and 12C2 based on the pulse signal which is the measurement result of the liquid flow rate in the syrup flow meter 12A1 and the diluent liquid meters 12B1 and 12C1. By controlling, the total amount of syrup and diluent is discharged from the beverage dispensing nozzle 2 to the cup 15 and mixed at the total dilution ratio (1: 5).

  When the controller 20 starts mixing the syrup and the diluent, as shown in FIG. 6, in order to discharge the diluent from the beverage dispensing nozzle 2 before the syrup by an amount corresponding to the “first amount”, The diluent valves 12B2 and 12C2 are opened before the syrup valve 12A2. That is, the controller 20 first opens the diluent valves 12B2 and 12C2 prior to the syrup valve 12A2, and counts “9” pulse signals from the diluent flow meters 12B1 and 12C1 when the syrup valve is counted. 12A2 is in an open state.

  Thereafter, the controller 20 continuously opens the diluent valves 12B2 and 12C2 by the total amount (165 ml) so that the flow rate per unit time of the diluent is constant. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the controller 20 opens the diluent valves 12B2 and 12C2 and then starts the diluent valve until it counts “165” pulse signals from the diluent flow meters 12B1 and 12C1. The open state of 12B2 and 12C2 is maintained. As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the period during which the diluent valves 12B2 and 12C2 are in the open state is referred to as “all periods”.

  On the other hand, the controller 20 is configured to open the syrup valve 12A2 intermittently seven times so that the total amount (33 ml) of syrup is discharged from the beverage dispensing nozzle 2 in seven times. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the controller 20 counts “5” pulse signals from the syrup flow meter 12A1 so that the first to sixth discharges are each “5 ml”. Only the syrup valve 12A2 is opened.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the discharge period of the dilution liquid virtually divided corresponding to each syrup discharge is defined as the “partial period” corresponding to the above “all periods”, and the first syrup is discharged. The partial period corresponding to the second discharge is referred to as a “first period”, and the partial period corresponding to the second discharge of the syrup is referred to as a “second period”. Hereinafter, similarly, they are referred to as “third period”, “fourth period”, “fifth period”, “sixth period”, and “seventh period”.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, after a predetermined amount of diluent is discharged as a first amount prior to the first period (first partial period), the first period to the sixth period (each partial period). In FIG. 5, the discharge amount of the diluent is set to “25 ml” from the time when the syrup is discharged once until the next time it is discharged. That is, the controller 20 responds to the syrup discharge from the first period to the sixth period, from the opening of the syrup valve 12A2 until the next opening, and the pulse signals from the diluent flow meters 12B1 and 12C1. Are counted “25” respectively. The partial dilution ratio between the syrup and the diluent during this period is made equal to the total dilution ratio (1: 5).

  In addition, for the syrup discharge amount “3 ml” in the seventh period (last partial period), the preceding amount “9 ml” and the discharge amount “6 ml” in the seventh period (last partial period) were added together. The dilution ratio is set to “1: 5”. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the controller 20 calculates the preceding amount “9 ml” from the dilution amount “15 ml” obtained by multiplying the final syrup discharge amount “3 ml” by the total dilution ratio (1: 5). The remaining diluted liquid amount “6 ml” is discharged. When this is converted into the number of pulses, the discharge amount of the diluent “6 pulses” is counted with respect to the discharge amount “3 pulses” of the syrup.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the beverage supply device according to this embodiment, when mixing of the syrup and the diluent (cold water, carbonated water) is started, the diluent valves 12B2 and 12C2 are more than the syrup valve 12A2. First, the opened state is reached, and the diluting solution is discharged from the beverage dispensing nozzle 2 to the cup 15 before the syrup. Accordingly, the beverage dispensing nozzle 2 is first washed with the diluent only, and then the diluent and syrup are discharged from the beverage dispensing nozzle 2. As a result, it is possible to prevent the syrup from adhering to the beverage dispensing nozzle 2 and to smoothly discharge the syrup and the diluted solution from the beverage dispensing nozzle 2. Further, no syrup clumps remain on the bottom of the cup 15, and it is possible to prevent the syrup from partially thickening at the bottom of the cup 15 without particularly aggressively stirring the liquid mixture contained in the cup 15. The concentration quality of the mixed solution can be ensured.

  According to the beverage supply apparatus according to this embodiment, after the mixing of the syrup and the diluent, the diluent valves 12B2 and 12C2 are continuously opened for the entire period of 165 pulses, and the diluent is 165 ml. The total amount is continuously discharged from the beverage dispensing nozzle 2. In parallel with this, the syrup valve 12A2 is intermittently opened, and 33 ml, which is the total amount of syrup, is divided into seven times and is intermittently discharged from the beverage dispensing nozzle 2.

  Here, the controller 20 controls the opening and closing of the syrup valve 12A2 in order to adjust the dilution ratio or the actual dilution ratio between the syrup and the diluent. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6, in correspondence with the syrup being intermittently discharged 1 to 7 times, the entire period of the continuously discharged diluent is virtually the first period. Divided into partial periods of the seventh period, the partial dilution ratio of the diluted liquid discharge amount (25 ml) and the corresponding syrup discharge amount (5 ml) in the first to sixth periods is the total amount of syrup This corresponds to “1: 5” which is the total dilution ratio between (165 ml) and the total amount of the diluted solution (33 ml).

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, for the first to sixth discharges, the partial dilution ratio between the syrup and the diluting liquid is equalized to “1: 5” depending on the position in the cup 15, and the seventh With respect to the second discharge, the partial dilution liquid becomes darker than “1: 5”. As a result, even if the syrup is precipitated by specific gravity, the syrup density difference can be reduced depending on the position in the cup 15. For this reason, after the discharge of the syrup and the diluting liquid is finished, the concentration of the syrup can be made uniform at each position of the cup 15 without particularly positively stirring the mixed liquid. Quality can be ensured.

  In each partial period, there are a mixed discharge period for discharging both the diluent and syrup and a single discharge period for discharging only the diluent, but the syrup channel 9 is provided with an orifice 16. Therefore, by reducing the flow rate of the syrup, it is possible to lengthen the mixed discharge period while shortening the single discharge period. As a result, a mixed solution having a uniform dilution ratio can be obtained in each partial period. In the conventional liquid mixing apparatus, if the syrup discharge period is lengthened, there may be a case where the syrup discharge is not completed in the first period. Then, an overlapping portion (wrapped portion) is generated with the syrup discharge period in the second period, and thus a mixed liquid having a uniform dilution ratio cannot be obtained in the partial period after the second period.

  In addition, since the orifice 16 can be switched between a large diameter and a small diameter, the diameter can be selected from a large diameter and a small diameter corresponding to the viscosity of the syrup. That is, when the viscosity of the syrup is high, a large diameter is selected, and when the viscosity of the syrup is low, a small diameter is selected, so that the syrup flow rate is set within a predetermined range, and the syrup is discharged in each partial period. Since it is completed, there is no occurrence of an overlapping portion (wrap portion) with the syrup ejection period in the next period (for example, the second period relative to the first period).

  As a result of arranging the syrup valve 12A, the carbonated water valve 12B, and the cold water valve 12C in the cooling water tank 3, the syrup flow meter 12A1, the carbonated water flow meter 12B2, and the cold water flow meter 12C2 are all arranged in a predetermined cooling atmosphere. Therefore, the syrup flow meter 12A1 can obtain an accurate measurement amount without particularly changing the viscosity of syrup among syrup, cold water, and carbonated water.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the distribution method of the second period to the sixth period for the diluent is the same as the distribution of the first period, the control program is shared between the first period and the sixth period. The efficiency of program creation can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, the liquid mixing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a beverage supply apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the liquid mixing apparatus is applied to a chemical liquid supply apparatus in which a chemical solution as a predetermined stock solution is diluted with a diluent. You can also.

  As described above, the liquid mixing apparatus according to the present invention is useful for a liquid mixing apparatus that uniformly mixes a stock solution and a diluent, and is particularly suitable for a beverage supply apparatus that uniformly mixes beverages.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the drink supply apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the drink supply apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the valve shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is a front view which shows the flow volume detection mechanism of the valve | bulb shown in FIG. It is AA sectional drawing of the valve | bulb shown in FIG. It is a time chart which shows the discharge procedure of a syrup and a dilution liquid. It is explanatory drawing which shows the partial dilution ratio and total dilution ratio in a cup. It is a time chart which shows the discharge procedure of the syrup and dilution liquid of the conventional drink apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the partial dilution ratio and the total dilution ratio in the cup of the conventional drink apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

3 Cooling water tanks 9A to 9D Syrup flow channel 10 Carbonated water flow channel 11 Cold water flow channel 12A Syrup valve 12A1 Syrup flow meter (raw solution flow meter)
12A2 Syrup valve (stock solution valve)
12B Carbonated water valve 12B1 Carbonated water flow meter (Diluent flow meter)
12B2 Carbonated water valve (diluent valve)
12C cold water valve 12C1 cold water flow meter (diluent flow meter)
12C2 Cold water valve (Diluent valve)
15 Cup 16 Orifice 20 Controller 21 Main Control Unit 22 Control Unit 23 Input Unit 24 Output Unit 25 Storage Unit

Claims (4)

The dilute solution discharge period that is continuously discharged corresponding to each discharge of the stock solution that is intermittently discharged is virtually divided into a plurality of partial periods, and a predetermined dilution ratio with respect to the discharge amount of the undiluted solution in each partial period In the liquid mixing apparatus that controls the discharge amount of the diluent so that
While discharging a predetermined amount of dilution liquid as a first-out amount prior to the first partial period,
A liquid mixing apparatus, characterized in that a remaining diluted liquid amount obtained by subtracting a previous amount from a diluted liquid amount obtained by multiplying a stock solution discharge amount in a final partial period by a dilution ratio is discharged in a final partial period.   The liquid mixing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an orifice is disposed in the flow path through which the stock solution flows.   The liquid mixing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the orifice has a diameter that can be switched between a large diameter and a small diameter.   The stock solution flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the stock solution and the diluent flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the diluent are disposed in a predetermined cooling atmosphere. Liquid mixing equipment.

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