JP4428492B2 - Beverage dispenser electrical control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser that dispenses sparkling beverages such as beer, and in particular, a beverage dispenser that can automatically dispense a predetermined amount of beverage.Electric control deviceAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Traditionally,A liquid pouring position for pouring the sparkling beverage supplied from the beverage container in a liquid state, a foam pouring position for pouring the sparkling beverage in a foam state, and a closing position for closing the pouring path for the sparkling beverage In the beverage dispenser with a dispensing cock that can be switched to, the sparkling beverage is dispensed in a liquid state and a foam state, respectively.The dispensing cock is only used for each set dispensing time.The liquid pouring position and foam pouring positionBy keeping onThe sparkling beverage in a liquid state and a foam stateAutomatic dispensing mode that automatically dispenses a predetermined amount of eachTheRefer in the automatic dispensing modeOf the sparkling beverageMode selection means for selecting a dispensing amount setting mode for setting each dispensing time;TheBy mode selection meansSaidWhen the dispensing amount setting mode is selected, the liquid dispensing instruction means for instructing the start and stop of the dispensing of the liquid sparkling beverage, and the mode selecting meansSaidWhen the dispensing amount setting mode is selected, the foam dispensing instruction means for instructing the start and stop of the dispensing of the foamed sparkling beverage, and the mode selecting meansMore selectedQuantity setting modeAtWhen the liquid dispensing instruction means instructs the start of the dispensing of the sparkling beverage in the liquid state, the dispensing cock isSwitch to liquid dispensing positionTogether with the aboveFoamWhen the stop of dispensing of drinks is instructed,Switch to the closed positionLiquid dispensing control means and the mode selection meansSelected byQuantity setting modeAtWhen the start of the pouring of the foamed sparkling beverage is instructed by the foam dispensing instruction means, the dispensing cock is set to the foam dispensing position.SwitchTogether with the aboveFoamWhen the stop of dispensing of drinks is instructed,Switch to the closed positionFoam dispensing control means;It is dispensed in a liquid state under the control of the liquid dispensing control means.Spouting time for sparkling beveragesAnd the pouring time of the sparkling beverage to be poured in the foam state under the control of the foam pouring control meansA timing means for measuring;The totalEach dispensing time measured by the hour means is the dispensing time referred to in the automatic dispensing mode.WriteWith memory means to rememberAn electrical control device is provided.
[0003]
  Electrical control device for beverage dispenser as described aboveWhen the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by the mode selection means, each dispensing control means shifts the dispensing cock to each dispensing state in response to an instruction from each dispensing instruction means. And foamed beveragesContainer for dispensingPour intoThe ThisWhen each timing meansLiquid and foamThe time for pouring the sparkling beverage is measured, and the storage means stores the time for each of the same. And, when the automatic dispensing mode is selected by the mode selection means, by keeping the dispensing cock in each dispensing state only during each dispensing time stored when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected,Liquid and foamEach of the sparkling beverages was automatically dispensed by the same amount as when the dispensing amount setting mode was selected. As a result, the user operates each dispensing instruction means while visually adjusting the dispensing amount in advance in the dispensing amount setting mode.Liquid state and foam stateEach desired amount of sparkling beverageFor dispensingYongIn a vesselBy dispensing, when automatic dispensing mode is selectedLiquid and foamEach of the sparkling beverages can be automatically dispensed by the desired amount.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  But aboveElectric control deviceIn the dispensing volume setting mode,Condition andNo consideration is given to the order of dispensing the foamed sparkling beverage, and when the foam dispensing instruction means is operated for the first time after the selection of the dispensing amount setting mode, the foamed sparkling beverage is firstFor dispensingIt was to be poured into the container. In this case, when the liquid sparkling beverage is later poured out,For dispensingSince the foamed beverage in a foam state is accumulated in the container,For dispensingWhen the foamed beverage in the container is mixed with the foamed beverage, the amount of foamed beverage in the foamed state is increased while the amount of foamed beverage in the same liquid state is less than the amount actually poured out. ThisLiquid and foamIt is no longer possible to properly set the dispensing time for sparkling beverages based on the visual quantity, and in automatic dispensing mode.Liquid and foamThere has been a problem that the amount of sparkling beverage cannot be set appropriately.
[0005]
Summary of the Invention
  The object of the present invention is to use the automatic dispensing mode.Liquid state andA beverage dispenser that allows the amount of foamed beverages to be always set appropriately.Electrical control deviceIs to provide.
[0006]
  The structural features of the present invention are:Beverage storage container above, A dispensing cock, a mode selection means, a liquid dispensing instruction means, a foam dispensing instruction means, a liquid dispensing control means, a foam dispensing control means, a timing means, and a storage meansElectric control deviceIn the above, the bubble dispensing control means executes the transition control of the dispensing cock to the foam dispensing state only after the liquid dispensing control means has shifted the dispensing cock to the liquid dispensing state at least once. It is to be configured to do.
[0007]
  the aboveofHas characteristicsAccording to the inventionBeverage dispenserElectric control deviceIn the above, when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by the mode selection means, the liquid sparkling beverage is always dispensed first. Therefore,For dispensingSince it is avoided that the foamed beverage in the liquid state that has been poured out later in the container is foamed, the amount of the foamed beverage in each state and the amount visually Discrepancies with the amount ofLiquid and foamIt is possible to set the time for each of the sparkling beverages appropriately based on the amount of each visual inspection.Liquid and foamIt becomes possible to set the amount of sparkling beverages appropriately.
[0008]
  Another structural feature of the present invention is the beverage dispenser.Electric control deviceIn the above, each of the dispensing control means is configured so that the transition control to the liquid dispensing state of the dispensing cock and the transition control to the foam dispensing state can be executed a plurality of times, and the respective transition control is performed for the first time. Other than the transition control to the liquid pouring state, it can be executed in any order. According to this, when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by the mode selecting means, the liquid sparkling beverage is first added.For dispensingAfter pouring into the container, the liquidCondition andFoamed beverages are repeatedly dispensed in any order and the sameFor dispensingSince it is possible to add to the sparkling beverage in the liquid state in the container, the amount of sparkling beverage in each state to be poured out can be finely adjusted, and the desired amount of sparkling beverage can be easily poured out. At the same time, a more appropriate dispensing time can be set.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment employs the beer server shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a beverage dispenser according to the present invention. The beer server includes two extraction units 11 on the front surface of the main body 10. Each pouring unit 11 includes a pouring cock 20, a switching mechanism 30, a mug table 40, and an elevating mechanism 50.
[0010]
The dispensing cock 20 includes a valve mechanism (not shown) and is switched between a liquid dispensing state, a bubble dispensing state, and a neutral state (closed state) according to the tilting operation of the lever 21. When the lever 21 is tilted forward, the liquid is poured out, and the beer (foamed beverage) in the beverage container 12 accommodated in the main body 10 is poured out from the liquid nozzle 22 in a liquid state. When the lever 21 is tilted backward, the foam is poured out, and the beer in the beverage container 12 is poured out from the foam nozzle 23 in the foam state. When the lever 21 is standing at the intermediate position, the lever 21 is in a neutral state, and the beer flow path in the beverage container 12 is closed.
[0011]
The switching mechanism 30 is disposed above the pouring cock 20 and connected to the lever 21. The lever 21 is tilted by driving the pouring cock motor 31 (shown only in FIG. 3). The state is switched. The switching mechanism 30 also includes a dispensing cock sensor 32. The dispensing cock sensor 32 includes an encoder, and detects the state of the dispensing cock 20 by detecting the rotation angle of the dispensing cock motor 31.
[0012]
The mug stand 40 is disposed below the pouring cock 20 and is for placing a beer mug (not shown). The mug base 40 is assembled to the main body 10 at the upper end portion of the back plate 41 so as to be tiltable about an axis in the width direction. The elevating mechanism 50 is configured to tilt the mug table 40 by raising and lowering the lower part of the mug table 40 by driving a mug table motor 51 (shown only in FIG. 3). When the lifting mechanism 50 raises the lower part of the mug table 40, the mug table 40 tilts around the axis, and when the lifting mechanism 50 lowers the lower part of the mug table 40, the mug table 40 becomes vertical. Stand up (state shown). The elevating mechanism 50 also includes a mug stand sensor 52. The mug stand sensor 52 is constituted by a reed switch and detects the position of the lower part of the mug stand 40.
[0013]
An operation panel 60 is provided on the front surface of the dispensing unit 11. The operation panel 60 includes a dispensing button 61, a liquid button 62, and a bubble button 63. The dispensing button 61 is a mode selection means, and an dispensing amount setting for setting the dispensing time T1 to T3 referred to in the automatic dispensing mode for automatically dispensing a predetermined amount of beer or the automatic dispensing mode. This is for selecting a mode. The liquid button 62 is liquid dispensing instruction means for instructing the start and stop of liquid beer dispensing when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by the dispensing button 61. The foam button 63 is foam dispensing instruction means for instructing the start and stop of the dispensing of foamed beer when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by the dispensing button 61. Each of the buttons 61 to 63 is a normally open switch that is always kept off when not operated.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 3, a control circuit 70 is connected to each of the motors 31 and 51, the sensors 32 and 52, and the buttons 61 to 63. The control circuit 70 is constituted by a microcomputer, and controls the operation of the switching mechanism 30 and the lifting mechanism 50 by executing a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The control circuit 70 includes a memory 71, first to third setting timers 72 to 74, and an automatic dispensing timer 75. The memory 71 is a storage means for storing the dispensing times T1 to T3. The first to third setting timers 72 to 74 are time measuring means. When the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by the dispensing button 61, the times set as the dispensing times T1 to T3 are measured times T1D to T3D. Are measured respectively. The automatic dispensing timer 75 is for measuring the dispensing times T1 to T3 by the measurement time TM when the automatic dispensing mode is selected by the dispensing button 61.
[0015]
Next, operation | movement of the said beer server comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated. Initially, when a power switch (not shown) is turned on, beer in the beverage container 12 starts to be cooled by a cooling mechanism (not shown), and the control circuit 70 starts executing the program in step 100 of FIG. First, the control circuit 70 executes initial setting in step 102. This initial setting is a process of resetting the measurement times T1D to T3D and TM measured by the timers 72 to 75 and the count value CNT indicating the number of bubbles to be dispensed to the value “0”. After this processing, the control circuit 70 repeatedly executes the determination processing in step 104 and waits for the dispensing button 61 to be turned on.
[0016]
During the repeated execution, when a beer mug is placed on the mug table 40 and the dispensing button 61 is turned on, the control circuit 70 advances the program to step 106 to move the mug table motor 51 to the lower part of the mug table 40. Is driven in the direction of increasing the speed, and the cyclic processing of steps 108 and 110 is repeatedly executed. Step 108 is a process for determining whether or not the dispensing button 61 is in an on state. Step 110 is a process for determining whether or not the lowering of the lower portion of the mug table 40 has been completed based on the detection by the mug table sensor 52. If the dispensing button 61 is released before the lifting of the mug 40 is completed during the circulation process, the program proceeds to step 112 and subsequent steps based on the determination of “NO” in step 108. The beer server starts execution of an automatic dispensing mode (described in detail later) for automatically dispensing beer.
[0017]
On the other hand, if the dispensing button 61 is kept on until the raising of the mug 40 is completed, the program proceeds to step 118 and subsequent steps based on the determination of “YES” in step 110. The beer server starts to execute the extraction amount setting mode for setting the extraction times T1 to T3 referred to in the automatic extraction mode. In this case, the control circuit 70 stops the operation of the mug stand motor 51 in step 118, and then executes the extraction amount setting process in step 120 shown in detail in FIG.
[0018]
After starting the execution of the process in step 200, the control circuit 70 first repeats the circulation process of steps 202 to 204 and waits for the liquid button 62 to be turned on. If the dispensing button 61 is released from the ON state at this time, the processing of steps 206 to 210 is executed based on the determination of “NO” in step 202 to bring the mug table 40 upright. After returning, in step 211, this extraction amount setting process is terminated, and the program is returned to step 102 and subsequent steps in FIG.
[0019]
On the other hand, if the liquid button 62 is turned on while the dispensing button 61 is kept on during the circulation process, the control circuit 70 determines “YES” in step 204 and the program proceeds to step 212 and subsequent steps. Proceed. In this case, first in step 212, the dispensing cock motor 31 is driven in a direction in which the lever 21 is tilted forward, that is, in a direction in which the dispensing cock 20 is shifted to the liquid dispensing state, and then detected by the dispensing cock sensor 32. Based on this, the determination process in step 214 is repeatedly executed to wait for the transition of the dispensing cock 20 to the liquid dispensing state. When the completion is completed, the operation of the dispensing cock motor 31 is stopped at step 216. Thereby, the pouring cock 20 shifts to the liquid pouring state, and liquid beer begins to be poured from the liquid nozzle 22 to the beer mug on the tilted mug table 40. At the same time, the control circuit 70 causes the first setting timer 72 to start measuring time in step 218. This timing is advanced by adding a value to the measurement time T1D every minute unit time.
[0020]
After each of the above processes, while the dispensing button 61 and the liquid button 62 are kept on, the control circuit 70 continues to repeatedly execute the circulation process of steps 220 and 222. At this time, liquid beer continues to be poured out from the liquid nozzle 22. If the dispensing button 61 is released from the ON state at this time, the time measurement by the first setting timer 72 is stopped in step 224 based on the determination of “NO” in step 220, and steps 226 to 230 are performed. After the process is performed and the dispensing cock 20 is returned to the neutral state, the program is advanced to the step 206 and the subsequent steps to complete the dispensing amount setting process.
[0021]
On the other hand, when only the liquid button 62 is released from the ON state while the ON state of the dispensing button 61 is maintained during the circulation process, the control circuit 70 determines “NO” in Step 222 and executes the program. In this case, first, at step 232, the time measurement by the first setting timer 72 started at step 218 is stopped. As a result, the time from when the dispensing cock 20 completes the transition to the liquid dispensing state to when the transition to the neutral state is started at step 236 described later, that is, the dispensing cock 20 is completely in the liquid dispensing state. The time during which liquid beer was poured into the beer mug in an inclined state was measured as the measurement time T1D.
[0022]
After stopping the timing, the control circuit 70 drives the mug table motor 51 in a direction to lower the lower part of the mug table 40 in step 234, that is, a direction to return the mug table 40 to a vertically upright state. The outlet cock motor 31 is driven in the direction in which the lever 21 is raised, that is, the direction in which the dispensing cock 20 is shifted to the neutral state. Then, the circulation process including steps 238 to 246 is repeatedly executed, and when the dispensing cock 20 completes the transition to the neutral state, it is determined as “YES” in step 238 based on the detection by the dispensing cock sensor 32. In step 240, the operation of the pouring cock motor 31 is stopped. Thereby, the pouring cock 20 is returned to the neutral state and stops pouring beer. Further, when the lowering of the lower portion of the mug table 40 is completed during the circulation process, “YES” is determined in step 242 based on the detection by the mug table sensor 52, and the operation of the mug table motor 51 is stopped in step 244. . As a result, the mug table 40 is returned to a vertically upright state. When both the pouring cock 20 and the mug stand 40 have returned to their original states, the control circuit 70 makes the determination of step 248 shown in detail in FIG. Perform additional dispensing volume setting processing.
[0023]
After starting the execution of the process in step 300, the control circuit 70 repeatedly executes the circulation process in steps 302 to 306 to turn on the liquid button 62, turn on the bubble button 63, and the dispensing button 61. Wait for the on-state to be released. When the liquid button 62 is turned on during the circulation process, the additional liquid dispensing amount setting process of step 308 shown in detail in FIG. 7 is executed.
[0024]
After starting the execution of the same processing at step 400, the control circuit 70 first executes the processing of steps 402 to 406 similar to steps 212 to 216 of FIG. 5 to put the dispensing cock 20 into the liquid dispensing state. Transition. Thereby, the beer in the liquid state starts to be poured out again from the liquid nozzle 22 of the pouring cock 20 to the beer mug on the standing mug table 40. Then, when the transition of the pouring cock 20 to the liquid pouring state is completed, in step 408, the second setting timer 73 starts measuring time. This time measurement is advanced by adding a value to the measurement time T2D every minute unit time as in the case of the time measurement by the first setting timer 72. At the start of the time measurement in this step 408, the time of the measurement time T2D is reached. The time is continuously started from the previous value without resetting the previous value. If it is the first time measurement, the time measurement starts from the value “0” set in step 102 of FIG.
[0025]
After each of the above processes, the control circuit 70 continues to repeatedly execute the circulation process of steps 410 and 412 while the dispensing button 61 and the liquid button 62 are kept in the ON state. At this time, liquid beer continues to be poured out from the liquid nozzle 22.
[0026]
When the dispensing button 61 or the liquid button 62 is released from the ON state during the circulation process, the control circuit 70 determines “NO” in either step 410 or 412 and advances the program to step 414 and subsequent steps. In this case, first, at step 414, the timing by the second setting timer 73 started at step 408 is stopped. Thus, the time from when the dispensing cock 20 completes the transition to the liquid dispensing state to when the transition to the neutral state is started at step 418 described below, that is, the dispensing valve 20 is completely in the liquid dispensing state. Thus, the time during which liquid beer was poured into the standing beer mug was measured as the measurement time T2D. After stopping the measurement, the control circuit 70 adds a predetermined correction time α to the measurement time T2D measured by the timer 73 in step 416. The correction time α is set in advance to an average time (for example, 0.5 seconds) required for the dispensing cock 20 to transition between the neutral state and the liquid dispensing state or the bubble dispensing state.
[0027]
After each of the above processes, the control circuit 70 drives the extraction cock motor 31 in the direction in which the lever 21 is raised in step 418, that is, the direction in which the extraction cock 20 is shifted to the neutral state, and is detected by the extraction cock sensor 32. Based on this, the determination process of step 420 is repeatedly executed to wait for the transition to the neutral state of the dispensing cock 20 to be completed. When the completion is completed, the operation of the dispensing cock motor 31 is stopped at step 422. Thereby, the pouring cock 20 is returned to the neutral state, and the pouring of beer is stopped. After this processing, the control circuit 70 ends this additional liquid dispensing amount setting processing at step 424 and starts executing the circulation processing of steps 302 to 306 in FIG. 6 again.
[0028]
When the bubble button 63 is turned on during the circulation process of steps 302 to 306, the bubble extraction amount setting process of step 310 shown in detail in FIG. 8 is executed. When the control circuit 70 starts executing the same processing in step 500, first, in step 502, the control circuit 70 shifts the dispensing cock motor 31 to the direction in which the lever 21 is tilted backward, that is, the dispensing cock 20 is shifted to the bubble dispensing state. After driving in the direction to be discharged, the determination process of step 504 is repeatedly executed based on the detection by the extraction cock sensor 32, and the transition to the bubble extraction state of the extraction cock 20 is completed. When the completion is completed, the operation of the dispensing cock motor 31 is stopped in step 506. Thereby, the pouring cock 20 shifts to the foam pouring state, and the beer in the foam state starts to be poured from the foam nozzle 23 to the beer mug on the standing mug table 40.
[0029]
In addition, when the transition to the bubble dispensing state of the dispensing cock 20 is completed, the control circuit 70 causes the third setting timer 74 to start measuring time in step 508. This timing is advanced by adding a value to the measurement time T3D every minute unit time, as in the case of the timers 72 and 73. In this case as well, the second time in step 408 of FIG. Similarly to the start of the time measurement by the setting timer 73, the time measurement is continued from the previous value without resetting the previous value of the measurement time T3D. If it is the first time measurement, the time measurement starts from the value “0” set in step 102 of FIG.
[0030]
After each of the above processes, the control circuit 70 continues to repeatedly execute the circulation process of steps 510 and 512 while the dispensing button 61 and the bubble button 63 are kept on. At this time, the foamed beer continues to be poured out from the foam nozzle 23.
[0031]
When the dispensing button 61 or the bubble button 63 is released from the ON state during the circulation process, the control circuit 70 determines “NO” in either step 510 or 512 and advances the program to step 514 and the subsequent steps. In this case, first, at step 514, the time measurement by the third setting timer 74 started at step 508 is stopped. Thus, the time from when the dispensing cock 20 completes the transition to the foam dispensing state until the transition to the neutral state is started at step 522 described below, that is, the dispensing valve 20 is completely in the foam dispensing state. The time during which the beer in the foam state was poured out into the standing beer mug while being held in the position was measured as the measurement time T3D. After the stop of the measurement, the control circuit 70 adds a value “1” to the count value CNT representing the number of bubble extractions at step 516. If the added count value CNT is equal to or greater than the value “2”, that is, the number of times the bubble is dispensed is equal to or greater than 2, the timer is determined in step 520 based on the determination of “YES” in step 518. The correction time α is added to the measurement time T3D measured by 74.
[0032]
After each of the above processes, the control circuit 70 drives the extraction cock motor 31 in the direction in which the lever 21 is erected, that is, the direction in which the extraction cock 20 is shifted to the neutral state in step 522, and is detected by the extraction cock sensor 32. Based on this, the determination process of step 524 is repeatedly executed to wait for the transition to the neutral state of the dispensing cock 20 to be completed. When the completion is completed, the operation of the dispensing cock motor 31 is stopped at step 526. Thereby, the pouring cock 20 is returned to the neutral state, and the pouring of beer is stopped. After the processing, the control circuit 70 ends the bubble extraction amount setting processing at step 528 and starts executing the circulation processing of steps 302 to 306 in FIG. 6 again.
[0033]
As described above, when the liquid button 62 is turned on during the circulation process of steps 302 to 306 in FIG. 6, the beer in the liquid state is poured out by executing the additional liquid discharge amount setting process of step 308. In addition, when the foam button 63 is turned on, the foam beer is dispensed by executing the foam dispensing amount setting process in step 310. Therefore, during this time, the user operates the buttons 62 and 63 to add beer in a liquid state and a foamed state to the beer poured out by operating the liquid button 61 during the circulation process in steps 220 and 222 of FIG. A desired amount of beer can be poured into the beer mug on the mug table 40 by pouring. In this case, since each of the above-mentioned pouring can be repeatedly executed in an arbitrary order, the amount of beer to be poured can be finely adjusted, and a desired amount of beer can be poured out more easily. .
[0034]
When the liquid or foam is added and poured, the time during which the beer in each state is poured into the standing beer mug while the pouring cock 20 is completely kept in the liquid pouring state or the foam pouring state is measured. Measured as times T2D and T3D. Further, even when the operation of the buttons 62 and 63 is repeatedly performed and the liquid or foam is repeatedly dispensed repeatedly, the second and third setting timers 73 and 74 each time. Since the time measurement is continuously started without resetting the values of the measurement times T2D and T3D, the accumulated times when the liquid and the bubbles are dispensed are measured as the measurement times T2D and T3D, respectively. In addition, when the liquid is dispensed and when the bubbles are dispensed for the second and subsequent times, the correction time α is added to the measured measurement times T2D and T3D.
[0035]
When the dispensing button 61 is released from the ON state during the circulation process including the above steps 302 to 310, the control circuit 70 executes the storage process of step 312 shown in detail in FIG. After starting the execution of the process in step 600, the control circuit 70 determines in step 602 whether or not the measurement time T3D is not a value “0”. When the foam button 63 is operated even once during the circulation process of the above steps 302 to 306 and the beer in the foam state is poured out into the beer mug on the mug table 40, the measurement time T3D is calculated as shown in FIG. Since it represents the time when the foamed beer has been poured out, updated from the value “0” initially set in step 102, the control circuit 70 determines “YES” and advances the program to step 604. The measurement times T1D to T3D measured by the timers 72 to 74 are set as extraction times T1 to T3, respectively, and stored in the memory 71. Then, the storage process is terminated at step 606, the additional dispensing amount setting process is terminated at step 314 in FIG. 6, the dispensing amount setting process is terminated at step 250 in FIG. 4. Return to step 102 and subsequent steps.
[0036]
If the foam button 63 has never been operated during the circulation process in steps 302 to 306 and the beer mug on the mug table 40 has never been poured out, the measurement time T3D is calculated. Since the value initially set at step 102 in FIG. 4 remains “0”, the control circuit 70 executes the setting of the dispensing times T1 to T3 in step 604 based on the determination of “NO”. In step 606, the storage process is terminated, the additional extraction amount setting process and the extraction amount setting process are terminated, and the program is returned to step 102 in FIG.
[0037]
When the dispensing times T1 to T3 are set in the dispensing amount setting mode as described above, the beer server can execute the automatic dispensing mode with reference to the set dispensing times T1 to T3. . During the repeated execution of step 104 in FIG. 4, the beer mug is placed on the mug table 40, the dispensing button 61 is turned on, and the dispensing is started before the raising of the mug table 40 started in step 106 is completed. When the on state of the button 61 is released, the control circuit 70 determines “NO” in step 108 and advances the program to step 112 and the subsequent steps, and the beer server starts executing the automatic dispensing mode. In this case, the control circuit 70 first repeats the determination process of step 112 based on the detection by the jog stand sensor 52 and waits for the lowering of the lower portion of the jog stand 40 to be completed. After the operation of the base motor 51 is stopped, the automatic dispensing process of step 116 shown in detail in FIG. 10 is executed.
[0038]
After starting the execution of the process in step 700, the control circuit 70 first executes the processes of steps 706 to 710 similar to steps 202 to 216 of FIG. 5 and steps 402 to 406 of FIG. The outlet cock 20 is shifted to the liquid dispensing state. Thereby, the beer in the liquid state starts to be poured out from the liquid nozzle 22 of the pouring cock 20 to the beer mug on the tilted mug table 40. Then, when the transition of the dispensing cock 20 to the liquid dispensing state is completed, in step 710, the automatic dispensing timer 75 starts timing. This timing is advanced by adding a value to the measurement time TM for every minute unit time, similarly to the timing by the timers 72 to 74.
[0039]
After each of the above processes, the control circuit 70 repeatedly executes the determination process of step 714 and waits for the measurement time TM to reach the dispensing time T1 stored in the memory 71. During this time, liquid beer continues to be poured out from the liquid nozzle 22.
[0040]
During the repetition, when the dispensing time T1 has elapsed from the completion of the transition of the dispensing cock 20 to the liquid dispensing state and the measurement time TM reaches the dispensing time T1, the control circuit 70 determines “YES”. Then, the program is advanced to step 716, and the mug table motor 51 is driven in a direction in which the lower part of the mug table 40 is lowered, that is, in a direction in which the mug table 40 is returned to a vertically upright state. In step 718, the measurement time TM is reset to the value “0”, and then in step 720, the automatic dispensing timer 75 starts measuring time again.
[0041]
After each of the above processes, the control circuit 70 repeatedly executes a cyclic process consisting of steps 722 to 734. When the lowering of the lower portion of the mug table 40 is completed during the circulation process, “YES” is determined in step 722 based on the detection by the mug table sensor 52, and the operation of the mug table motor 51 is stopped in step 724. As a result, the mug table 40 is returned to a vertically upright state. At this time, if the pouring time T2 stored in the memory 71 has not elapsed since the start of the lowering of the mug table 40 in the step 716, liquid beer is continuously poured out from the liquid nozzle 22. continuing.
[0042]
On the other hand, during the circulation process, when the pouring time T2 has elapsed from the start of the lowering of the mug table 40 in the step 716 and the measurement time TM reaches the pouring time T2, the control circuit 70 determines "YES" ”,“ NO ”, the program proceeds to step 730, and the dispensing cock motor 31 is driven in the direction in which the lever 21 is raised, that is, in the direction in which the dispensing cock 20 is shifted to the neutral state. When the transition is completed, the operation of the dispensing cock motor 31 is stopped in step 732 based on the determination of “YES” in step 728. Thereby, the pouring cock 20 is returned to the neutral state, and the pouring of beer is stopped.
[0043]
When both the pouring cock 20 and the mug table 40 return to the original state during the circulation process, the control circuit 70 advances the program to step 736 and subsequent steps based on the determination of “YES” in steps 728 and 734, respectively. In this case, first, the processing of Steps 736 to 740 similar to Steps 502 to 506 of FIG. 8 is executed to shift the dispensing cock 20 to the bubble dispensing state. Thereby, the beer in the foamed state starts to be poured out from the foam nozzle 23 of the pouring cock 20 to the beer mug on the standing mug table 40. When the transition to the bubble dispensing state of the dispensing cock 20 is completed, the measurement time TM is reset to the value “0” in step 742, and then the automatic dispensing timer 75 counts again in step 744. To start.
[0044]
After each of the above processes, the control circuit 70 repeatedly executes the determination process of step 746 and waits for the measurement time TM to reach the dispensing time T3 stored in the memory 71. During this time, foamed beer continues to be poured out from the foam nozzle 23.
[0045]
During the repetition, when the dispensing time T3 has elapsed from the completion of the transition of the dispensing cock 20 to the bubble dispensing state and the measurement time TM reaches the dispensing time T3, the control circuit 70 determines “YES”. Then, the processing of Steps 748 to 752 similar to Steps 522 to 526 of FIG. 8 is executed to return the dispensing cock 20 to the neutral state. In step 754, the automatic dispensing process is terminated, and the program is returned to step 102 and subsequent steps in FIG.
[0046]
As described above, in the above-described embodiment, first, during the execution of the dispensing amount setting mode, the dispensing cock 20 shifts to the liquid dispensing state and the bubble dispensing state in response to the operation of each button 62, 63. Liquid and foam beer are poured into a beer mug on the mug table 40. At this time, the setting timers 72 to 74 measure the beer pouring times in the respective states, and the respective pouring times measured are stored in the memory 71. When the automatic dispensing mode is selected by the dispensing button 61, the dispensing cock 20 is kept in each dispensing state for each of the measured and stored dispensing times, and the beer in each state is poured. Put out. Accordingly, the beer in each state is dispensed by a desired amount into the beer mug on the mug table 40 by operating the buttons 62 and 63 while visually adjusting the dispensing amount in advance in the dispensing amount setting mode. Thus, the liquid and the beer in the foamed state are automatically dispensed in the desired amounts when the automatic dispensing mode is executed.
[0047]
In the above-described case, each of the dispensings in the dispensing amount setting mode initially dispenses liquid beer in response to the ON operation of the liquid button 62 (steps 204, 212 to 216, 220, 222, FIG. 5). 236 to 240), and after the dispensing, the liquid or foam beer is dispensed in response to the operation of the buttons 62 and 63 (steps 302, 304, 306, and 308 in FIG. 6). It has become. In other words, liquid beer is always poured out at the beginning, so it is avoided that the liquid beer poured out later by the foam beer in the beer mug becomes foamed. The discrepancy between the amount of beer actually dispensed and the amount visually observed can be avoided, and it is possible to appropriately set the respective dispensing times of beer in each state based on each visual amount. As a result, the amount of beer dispensed in each state in the automatic dispensing mode can always be set appropriately.
[0048]
Furthermore, each dispensing in the dispensing volume setting mode can be repeated in any order except for the first liquid beer, so that the amount of beer to be dispensed can be finely adjusted. Thus, a desired amount of beer can be poured out more easily. As a result, a more appropriate extraction time can be set.
[0049]
In addition, during the repeated execution of each of the above-described dispensing and timing, in the second and subsequent dispensing and timing of each beer in each state, step 416 in FIG. 7 or FIG. In step 520, the correction time α is further added to the measured measurement times T2D and T3D. In this case, the correction time α is an average time required for the dispensing cock 20 to transition between the neutral state and each dispensing state, that is, the dispensing cock 20 shifts from the neutral state to each dispensing state. It is set to the time required for the pouring cock 20 in each pouring state to completely dispense an amount of beer that is equivalent to the amount that is being dispensed during the transition from the pouring state to the neutral state. . Thereby, the amount of beer that is poured out while the dispensing cock 20 transitions between the neutral state and each dispensing state is also taken into account, and each dispensing is repeated intermittently in the dispensing amount setting mode. Even when executed, it is possible to accurately match the dispensing amount in the automatic dispensing mode with the dispensing amount in the dispensing amount setting mode.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a beverage dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the beverage dispenser.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric control unit of the beverage dispenser.
4 is a flowchart corresponding to a program executed by the control circuit of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of a dispensing amount setting process in FIG. 4;
6 is a flowchart showing details of an additional extraction amount setting process in FIG. 5. FIG.
7 is a flowchart showing details of an additional liquid dispensing amount setting process in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the foam dispensing amount setting process of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of the storage process of FIG. 6;
10 is a flowchart showing details of the automatic dispensing process of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Main body, 20 ... Dispensing cock, 30 ... Switching mechanism, 40 ... Mug stand, 50 ... Lifting mechanism, 60 ... Operation panel, 61 ... Discharge button, 62 ... Liquid button, 63 ... Bubble button, 70 ... Control circuit , 71 ... Memory, 72 ... First setting timer, 73 ... Second setting timer, 74 ... Third setting timer.

Claims (2)

A liquid pouring position for pouring the sparkling beverage supplied from the beverage container in a liquid state, a foam pouring position for pouring the sparkling beverage in a foam state, and a closing position for closing the pouring path for the sparkling beverage In a beverage dispenser with a dispensing cock that can be switched to
By keeping the pouring cock at the liquid pouring position and the foam pouring position only during each predetermined pouring time set to pour the sparkling beverage in a liquid state and a foam state, respectively. Note volume for setting the foam respective dispensing time of beverage that reference frothed beverage in the liquid state and foam state at each predetermined amount automatically dispense automatically dispense mode and the automatic dispense mode Mode selection means for selecting a setting mode;
Liquid dispensing instruction means for instructing the start and stop of dispensing of the sparkling beverage in a liquid state when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by the mode selection means;
Foam dispensing instruction means for instructing the start and stop of dispensing of the foamed sparkling beverage when the dispensing amount setting mode is selected by the mode selection means;
The dispensing cock is switched to the liquid dispensing position when the liquid dispensing instruction means is instructed to start dispensing the sparkling beverage in the liquid state in the dispensing amount setting mode selected by the mode selection means. Liquid dispensing control means for switching the dispensing cock to a closed position when an instruction to stop the dispensing of the sparkling beverage is given;
When the start of dispensing the foamed beverage is instructed by the foam dispensing instruction means in the dispensing amount setting mode selected by the mode selection means, the dispensing cock is switched to the foam dispensing position. Foam dispensing control means for switching the dispensing cock to a closed position when an instruction to stop dispensing the sparkling beverage is given;
The dispensing time of the sparkling beverage to be poured out in the liquid state under the control of the liquid dispensing control means and the dispensing time of the sparkling beverage to be poured out in the foam state under the control of the foam dispensing control means A timing means for measuring;
Storage means for storing each dispensing time measured by the time measuring means as a dispensing time referred to in the automatic dispensing mode,
The discharging cock is configured to be switched to the bubble discharging position only after the discharging cock is switched to the liquid discharging position at least once under the control of the liquid discharging control means. Beverage dispenser electrical control device.   2. The beverage dispenser electrical control device according to claim 1, wherein each of the dispensing control means is configured to perform switching control of the dispensing cock to the liquid dispensing position and switching control to the foam dispensing position a plurality of times. An electric control device for a beverage dispenser configured to be executed, and configured to be able to execute each switching control in an arbitrary order other than the switching control to the first liquid dispensing position.

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