JP4466255B2 - Carbonated water production equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a carbonated water production apparatus applied to carbonated beverage supply devices such as cup-type beverage vending machines and beverage dispensers.

For example, a cup-type beverage vending machine that sells carbonated beverages is provided with a carbonated water production device. This carbonated water production apparatus has a cylindrical carbonator tank, and a water injection nozzle that injects pressurized water, a gas nozzle to which carbon dioxide gas is supplied at a predetermined pressure, and a carbonator tank in the upper part of the carbonator tank. A lower limit water level sensor for detecting the lower limit water level of carbonated water and an upper limit water level sensor for detecting the upper limit water level are attached, and a carbonated water discharge pipe is introduced in the lower part of the carbonator tank.
When the lower limit water level sensor detects the lower limit water level of carbonated water, the control unit opens (opens) the water supply valve (water electromagnetic valve) as shown in the timing chart of FIG. Drive). The water pump pressurizes and feeds drinking water (approximately 0.85 MPa), and in a carbon dioxide atmosphere at a predetermined pressure (approximately 0.55 MPa) from the water injection nozzle through the water supply valve and the check valve in the carbonator tank. When the pressurized water is sprayed on, carbon dioxide is entrained from the surrounding atmosphere by direct contact between the pressurized water and carbon dioxide, and the stirring effect of the pressurized water, and the carbon dioxide is dissolved in the water to produce carbonated water. Stored in. When the upper limit water level sensor detects the upper limit water level of carbonated water, the control unit closes (closes) the water supply valve, stops driving the water pump, and stops the injection of pressurized water into the carbonator tank. Thereafter, a required amount of carbonated water is discharged from the carbonator tank to the outside through the carbonated water discharge pipe (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-180064 (page 3, FIG. 3)

  In this way, the control unit opens the water supply valve and drives the water pump to send pressurized water, closes the water supply valve and stops driving the water pump to stop sending pressurized water. When this water supply valve is opened and the water pump is driven to send out pressurized water, the upstream pressure and downstream pressure of the water supply valve are equal to the water pump delivery pressure (approximately 0.85 MPa), and the water supply valve is closed. When the water pump stops water supply, the pressure on the upstream side of the water supply valve decreases to atmospheric pressure, but the pressure on the downstream side of the water supply valve, as shown in the check valve upstream side pressure (pressure on the downstream side of the water supply valve) in FIG. Has a delivery pressure (approximately 0.85 MPa), and thereafter gradually leaks from the downstream side to the upstream side of the water supply valve, so that the pressure from the same pressure (approximately 0.55 MPa) as the carbon dioxide atmosphere in the carbonator tank is approximately 0. It drops to about 4 MPa and stabilizes (according to data obtained from actual machine tests conducted by the inventor). Thus, the non-return valve upstream pressure (approximately 0.4 MPa to 0.55 MPa) and the non-return valve downstream pressure (approximately the same as the atmospheric pressure of carbon dioxide in the carbonator tank) communicated with the downstream side of the water supply valve. 55 MPa), the so-called check differential pressure becomes small. When the check differential pressure applied to the check valve is large, the check valve closing force for preventing the reverse flow is large, but when the check differential pressure is small, the check valve closing force is also reduced. In particular, when the check valve upstream pressure and the downstream pressure are substantially equal, the check valve closing force is only the spring pressing force (approximately 0.02 MPa), and the check valve ball or valve seat (rubber seat) If there is any wrinkle or distortion, the carbonator tank pressure gradually leaks from the downstream side of the check valve to the upstream side, and the carbon dioxide atmosphere pressure in the carbonator tank drops below a predetermined pressure (approximately 0.55 MPa). Thus, carbonated water having a low gas volume (small amount of carbon dioxide dissolved) is obtained.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a carbonated water production apparatus capable of preventing a decrease in the check valve closing force and producing carbonated water with a large amount of carbon dioxide, that is, high gas volume. The purpose is to do.

In order to achieve the above object, a carbonated water producing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a water injection nozzle provided above a carbonator tank in a carbon dioxide atmosphere in a carbonator tank pressurized with carbon dioxide gas. In the carbonated water production apparatus for producing carbonated water by injecting pressurized water, storing the carbonated water in the lower part of the carbonator tank, and discharging carbonated water to the outside with the gas pressure of carbon dioxide gas,
A water pump that pressurizes and feeds drinking water stored in a water reservoir, a water solenoid valve that allows passage of pressurized water sent by the water pump into the carbonator tank, and prevents backflow from the carbonator tank A check valve and
Simultaneously with the driving of the water pump, the water electromagnetic valve is opened to inject pressurized water into the carbonator tank, and simultaneously with the stop of the water pump, the water electromagnetic valve is closed. Control means for controlling to be opened for a while later is provided.

  Moreover, the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that, in claim 1 described above, the check valve is provided in the water injection nozzle.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the carbonated water production apparatus, a water pump that pressurizes and feeds drinking water stored in a water reservoir, and a passage of the pressurized water sent by the water pump into the carbonator tank. A water solenoid valve to allow and a check valve to prevent backflow from the carbonator tank are disposed, and simultaneously with the driving of the water pump, the water solenoid valve is opened to inject pressurized water into the carbonator tank, Since the water solenoid valve is closed at the same time as the water pump is stopped and the closed water solenoid valve is controlled to be opened for a while after a predetermined time has elapsed, the check valve closing force is prevented from being lowered. Since it is possible to prevent the leak of pressure in the notator tank, the carbon dioxide pressure in the carbonator tank will not drop below a predetermined pressure (approximately 0.55 MPa), and the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved will be large. , It is possible to provide the possibility and the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus to manufacture a highly carbonated water with gases Boryuumu.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the check valve is provided in the water injection nozzle, the check valve can be provided more compactly than the case where the check valve is provided alone.

  Exemplary embodiments of a carbonated water production 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.

First, a circuit configuration of a cup-type beverage vending machine to which a carbonated water production apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of a cup-type beverage vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cup-type beverage vending machine 1 exemplified here generates a hot beverage or a cold beverage according to a user's request after the insertion of money, and pours it into the cup 3 supplied to the bend stage 2, Ice maker 6, water reservoir 10, water pump 11, cooling water tank 15, water cooling coil 16, water supply valve 17, carbonator 40, water injection nozzle 50, hot water tank 60, coffee bean canister 66, mill 67, coffee brewer 68, etc. I have.
The diluent supply circuit 5 is for supplying cold water, carbonated water, hot water and the like, and has a water reservoir 10, a water pump 11, and a water supply valve 12. When the water supply valve 12 is opened, tap water is stored in the water reservoir 10 and is pumped from the water reservoir 10 by driving the water pump 11. The drinking water pumped by the water pump 11 is sent to the cold water circuit 13 or the hot water circuit 14. The drinking water sent to the cold water circuit 13 is cooled by passing through the water cooling coil 16 immersed in the cooling water tank 15.

A water supply valve 17 and a cold water pipe 18 are connected to the water cooling coil 16. Further, a carbonator 40 for supplying carbonated water to the cup 3 is connected to the water supply valve 17 via a water injection nozzle 50. When the water pump 11 is driven by opening the water supply valve 17, the carbonator 40 is connected from the water injection nozzle 50. Cold water (drinking water) is pressurized and supplied (pressurized water).
A chilled water discharge nozzle 21 is connected to the chilled water pipe 18 via a chilled water valve 20, and when the cold beverage is dispensed (at the time of sales), when the chilled water valve 20 is opened and the water pump 11 is driven, the chilled water injection is performed. Cold water is poured into the cup 3 from the outlet nozzle 21.
The carbonator (carbonated water production apparatus) 40 is immersed in the cooling water tank 15. Carbon dioxide is supplied from the carbon dioxide cylinder 22 to the carbonator 40, and the carbon dioxide is dissolved in cold water, so that the cold water becomes carbonated water. A carbonated water pouring nozzle 24 is connected to the carbonator 40 through a carbonated water valve 23. When the carbonated water valve 23 is opened, the carbonator 40 is pushed out of the carbonator 40 by the pressure of carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 22. Carbonated water is poured into the cup 3.

In addition, a plurality of syrup cooling coils 32 are immersed in the cooling water tank 15, and a plurality of syrup containers 30 each storing various syrups as a syrup beverage stock solution are connected via a syrup selling device 36. It is. Carbon dioxide gas is supplied to each syrup container 30 from a carbon dioxide cylinder 22, and a syrup pouring nozzle 34 is connected to the syrup cooling coil 32 via a syrup valve 33. When the syrup valve 33 is opened, the syrup stored in the syrup container 30 is pushed out by the pressure of carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 22, and the syrup flowing from the syrup selling device 36 through the syrup cooling coil 32 is It is cooled and poured out into the cup 3 from the syrup pouring nozzle 34.
The ice making machine 6 has an ice making unit and an ice storage, ice is made from water supplied from the water reservoir 10 and stored in the ice storage, and ice stored in the ice storage when selling iced beverages. Is supplied to the cup 3 from an ice duct (not shown).

The drinking water supplied to the hot water circuit 14 through the water supply valve 25 is stored in the hot water tank 60 and is boiled by the heater (not shown) in the hot water tank 60 to become hot water. The hot water tank 60 is provided with a plurality of hot water valves 61. Each hot water valve 61 is connected to the mixing ball 63, the coffee brewer 68, or the mixing ball 70 by a hot water pipe 62, and hot water is supplied through the hot water pipe 62 by opening the hot water valve 61.
After mixing the powder raw material supplied from the raw material canister 64 and the hot water supplied from the hot water tank 60 into a hot beverage, the mixing ball 63 is poured out from the hot beverage dispensing nozzle 65 into the cup 3.
The coffee brewer 68 extracts the coffee beverage by pouring hot water supplied from the hot water tank 60 into ground beans obtained by grinding the coffee beans supplied from the coffee bean canister 66 with a mill 67. In addition, the coffee beverage extract is discarded in the coffee bucket 72.

The mixing ball 70 connected to the coffee brewer 68 agitates the powdered raw material such as sugar and cream supplied from the raw material canister 69 and the coffee beverage, and then pours it into the cup 3 from the coffee beverage dispensing nozzle 71. Alternatively, the American coffee in which the powder raw material supplied from the raw material canister 69, the coffee beverage, and the hot water supplied from the hot water tank 60 are stirred is poured out.
In the cup-type beverage vending machine 1 described above, when a carbonated beverage is poured into the cup 3 supplied to the bend stage 2, ice is first supplied from the ice making machine 6 to the cup 3. Next, the syrup valve 33 and the carbonated water valve 23 connected to the syrup container 30 which is the raw material of the carbonated beverage to be poured out are opened. Then, the syrup stored in the syrup container 30 is pushed out by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbon dioxide cylinder 22 and supplied to the cup 3 from the syrup pouring nozzle 34 through the syrup selling device 36 and the syrup cooling coil 32. Is done. On the other hand, the carbonated water in the carbonator 40 is pushed out by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbon dioxide cylinder 22 and supplied to the cup 3 from the carbonated water dispensing nozzle 24. Thus, the syrup, carbonated water, and ice supplied to the cup 3 are mixed in the cup 3 to become a carbonated beverage.

When the coffee beverage is poured into the cup 3, the ground beans obtained by grinding the coffee beans of the coffee bean canister 66 with the mill 67 are supplied to the coffee brewer 68, while the hot water valve 61 connected to the coffee brewer 68 is opened. Then, hot water stored in the hot water tank 60 is supplied to the coffee brewer 68 through the hot water pipeline 62. Then, coffee components are extracted from the ground beans, and a coffee drink is supplied to the mixing ball 70. In the mixing ball 70, powder raw materials such as sugar and cream are added from the raw material canister 69, and depending on the type of beverage, hot water stored in the hot water tank 60 is added and stirred and mixed, and then the coffee beverage pouring nozzle 71 is added to the cup 3. Pour out coffee drinks.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the structure of the carbonator 40 of the cup-type beverage vending machine 1 shown in FIG. 41 is a carbonator tank (sealed container), into which a gas nozzle 42 for introducing carbon dioxide gas 46 from the outside and a water injection nozzle 50 for injecting pressurized water 47 downward from the upper part of the tank 41 are fitted. A base 43, a carbonated water discharge pipe 44 for discharging carbonated water 48 stored in the tank 41 to the outside, a tray 45 disposed in the middle of the tank 41 facing the lower side of the water injection nozzle 50, and a carbonated carbon (not shown) An upper limit water level sensor 93 that detects the upper limit water level of the water and outputs an upper limit water level signal, and a lower limit water level sensor 94 (see FIG. 4) that detects the lower limit water level of carbonated water and outputs the lower limit water level signal are provided. 1), the pressurized water 47 is injected from the water injection nozzle 50 into the atmosphere of the carbon dioxide gas 46 supplied into the tank 41 through the gas nozzle 42, and the carbonated water 48 is added. Prepared, for discharging carbonated water valve 23 carbonated water 48 stored in the open (see FIG. 1) tank 41 through the carbonated water discharge pipe 44.

  FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the structure of the water injection nozzle 50 in which a check valve for preventing the backflow of water is provided. FIG. 3A shows a state in which the flow path in the water injection nozzle 50 is closed by a check valve. The connection end 51 has inflow portions 51 a and 51 b through which pressurized water flows, and the connection end 51 is screwed. By connecting, a valve case 56 having a spring 55 that presses the ball 54 against the rubber sheet 52 to prevent the backflow of water is screwed to the valve case 56 and flows out from the outflow portion 56a and the outflow hole 56b. A nozzle 57 having an injection hole 57 a for injecting pressurized water and a washer 53 for mounting the rubber sheet 52 are included, and a check valve is configured by the rubber sheet 52, the ball 54, and the spring 55 that presses the ball 54 against the rubber sheet 52. . Further, an O-ring 58 for preventing carbon dioxide leakage from between the water injection nozzle 50 and the nozzle base 43 and an O-ring 59 for preventing pressurized water leakage from between the valve case 56 and the nozzle 57 are provided.

When the pressurized water is pumped from the connection end 51, as shown in FIG. 3B, the ball 54 is pushed down by the pressurized water pressure into which the ball 54 flows (downward in the figure), and between the rubber sheet 52 and the ball 54 The pressurized water that has flowed in through the gap formed in the nozzle is sprayed from the spray hole 57a of the nozzle 57 through the outflow hole 56b. As described above, when the check valve is provided alone by providing the spring 55 that presses the ball 54 against the rubber sheet 52 to prevent the backflow of water in the valve case 56 that is screw-connected to the connection end 51. In comparison, it can be provided compactly.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of the cup-type beverage vending machine 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the cup-type beverage vending machine 1 includes a vending machine control unit 90 and a control unit (control means) 91. The vending machine control unit 90 controls operations of the product selection button D and the coin processing unit N. Specifically, when a coin is inserted from the coin slot of the cup-type beverage vending machine 1, the vending machine control unit 90 determines whether the coin is true or not through the coin processing unit N. Recognize the input amount. The vending machine control unit 90 activates the product selection button D when coins of an amount necessary for product sales are inserted, and further controls the product selection signal when the activated product selection button D is pressed. To give. When the product selection signal is given from the vending machine control unit 90, the control unit 91 performs beverage supply control of each part of the cup-type beverage vending machine 1 according to programs and data stored in the memory 92 in advance.

  When the lower limit water level sensor 94 detects the lower limit water level of carbonated water and outputs a lower limit water level signal, the controller 91 opens the water supply valve 17 (water electromagnetic valve) as shown in the timing chart of FIG. And the water pump 11 is driven. The water pump 11 pumps drinking water stored in the water reservoir 10 (approximately 0.85 MPa), and is supplied from the water injection nozzle 50 through the water supply valve 17 into the carbon dioxide atmosphere in the carbonator tank 41 (approximately 0.55 MPa). When the pressurized water is injected into the water, the carbon dioxide is entrained from the surrounding atmosphere by the direct contact between the pressurized water and the carbon dioxide gas, and the stirring effect of the pressurized water, and the carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in the cold water to produce the carbonated water. Stored at the bottom. Then, when the upper limit water level sensor 93 detects the upper limit water level of carbonated water and outputs an upper limit water level signal, the controller 91 closes (closes) the water supply valve 17 and stops the water pump 11 to drive the carbonator tank. The injection of pressurized water into 41 is stopped. In addition, when the specification example of the carbonator 40 is expressed by a numerical value, the water supply amount is set to 200 ml / 10 sec for the carbonator tank 41 having an internal volume of 2 liters, and the water level is lowered due to the carbonated water discharge from the carbonator tank 41. In accordance with this, carbon dioxide gas and cold water are replenished and controlled so that a fixed amount of carbonated water is always stored.

  When the water supply valve 17 is opened and the water pump 11 is driven to supply pressurized water, the upstream pressure and the downstream pressure of the water supply valve 17 are equal to the supply pressure of the water pump 11 (approximately 0.85 MPa). When 17 is closed and the water pump 11 stops water supply, the pressure on the upstream side of the water supply valve 17 decreases to atmospheric pressure, but as shown in FIG. 5B, the pressure on the upstream side of the check valve (pressure on the downstream side of the water supply valve 17). In addition, the downstream pressure of the water supply valve 17 remains the delivery pressure (approximately 0.85 MPa), and then the internal pressure gradually decreases due to a pressure leak from the downstream side of the water supply valve 17 to the upstream side. After the water supply valve 17 is closed and a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) has elapsed, the water supply valve 17 is opened for a while (for example, 0.5 second). If the water supply valve 17 is opened again after closing the water supply valve 17 in this way, the downstream pressure of the water supply valve 17 is diffused to the water pump 11 side, so that the pressure can be forcibly reduced to about 0.2 MPa. . In addition, if the time during which the water supply valve 17 is opened to reduce the atmospheric pressure is lengthened, the life of the water supply valve 17 is shortened. However, if the opening time is 0.5 seconds from the actual machine test conducted by the inventors, It has been confirmed that it has little effect on life.

Thus, by opening the water supply valve 17 again for a while, the pressure of the inflow part 51b of the connection end 51 equal to the downstream pressure of the water supply valve 17 is reduced to about 0.2 MPa, so that the check valve closing force is Since the pressing force (approximately 0.02 MPa) plus the non-return differential pressure of approximately 0.35 MPa is applied, the force that presses the ball 54 against the rubber sheet 52 increases, and the balls 54 and the rubber sheet 52 are wrinkled and distorted. Even if there is, the pressure in the carbonator tank 41 will not leak, so the carbon dioxide pressure in the carbonator tank 41 will not drop below a predetermined pressure (approximately 0.55 MPa), and the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved will be large. That is, carbonated water having a high gas volume can be produced.
Thereafter, the control unit 91 repeatedly executes the above-described operation every time a lower limit water level signal of carbonated water is given from the lower limit water level sensor 94 to produce carbonated water.

  According to the cup-type beverage vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment described above, even if the ball 54 or the rubber sheet 52 of the water injection nozzle 50 fitted to the carbonator 40 is wrinkled or distorted, the water reservoir 10 A water pump 11 that pressurizes and discharges stored drinking water, a water supply valve 17 that allows passage of pressurized water sent by the water pump 11 into the carbonator tank 41, and a reverse that prevents backflow from the carbonator tank 41. A water injection nozzle 50 having a stop valve is provided, the water supply valve 17 is opened simultaneously with the driving of the water pump 11, and pressurized water is injected into the carbonator tank 41. Since the control unit 91 is provided to control the valve 17 so that the closed water supply valve 17 is opened for a while (for example, 0.5 seconds) after a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) has elapsed. Since the pressure of the inflow portion 51b of the connection end 51 equal to the side pressure can be reduced to approximately 0.2 MPa, the check valve closing force is reduced to the spring pressing force (approximately 0.02 MPa), and the check differential pressure is approximately 0. Since the pressing force applied with .35 MPa is applied, the force for pressing the ball 54 against the rubber sheet 52 is increased, and the pressure in the carbonator tank 41 does not leak, so the carbon dioxide pressure in the carbonator tank 41 is a predetermined pressure. Since it does not drop below the pressure (approximately 0.55 MPa), it is possible to provide a carbonated water production apparatus that can produce carbonated water with a large amount of carbon dioxide, that is, high gas volume.

It is a conceptual diagram explaining the circuit structure of the cup-type drink vending machine provided with the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows the structure of the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. It is side sectional drawing which shows the structure of the water injection nozzle which installs the nonreturn valve which prevents the back flow of the water of the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the cup-type drink vending machine shown in FIG. It is a timing chart which shows the carbonated water manufacturing apparatus which is embodiment of this invention, and a non-return valve upstream pressure figure. It is a timing chart which shows the conventional carbonated water manufacturing apparatus, and a non-return valve upstream pressure figure.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cup-type drink vending machine 2 Bend stage 3 Cup 5 Dilution water supply circuit 6 Ice machine 10 Water reservoir 11 Water pump 13 Chilled water circuit 15 Cooling water tank 16 Water cooling coil 17 Water supply valve 22 Carbon dioxide gas cylinder 23 Carbonated water valve 24 Carbonated water injection Outlet nozzle 40 Carbonator 41 Carbonator tank 42 Gas nozzle 43 Nozzle base 44 Carbonated water discharge pipe 45 Receptacle 46 Carbon dioxide gas 47 Pressurized water 48 Carbonated water 50 Water injection nozzle 51 Connection end 52 Rubber sheet 53 Washer 54 Ball 55 Spring 56 Valve case 57 Nozzle 60 Hot water tank 66 Coffee bean canister 67 Mill 68 Coffee brewer 90 Vending machine control unit 91 Control unit 92 Memory 93 Upper water level sensor 94 Lower water level sensor D Product selection button N Coin processing unit

Claims (2)

Carbonated water is produced by injecting pressurized water from a water injection nozzle provided above the carbonator tank into the carbon dioxide atmosphere in the carbonator tank pressurized with carbon dioxide, and the carbonated water is produced in the lower part of the carbonator tank. In the carbonated water production apparatus that discharges carbonated water to the outside with the gas pressure of carbon dioxide gas,
A water pump that pressurizes and feeds drinking water stored in a water reservoir, a water solenoid valve that allows passage of pressurized water sent by the water pump into the carbonator tank, and prevents backflow from the carbonator tank A check valve and
Simultaneously with the driving of the water pump, the water electromagnetic valve is opened to inject pressurized water into the carbonator tank, and simultaneously with the stop of the water pump, the water electromagnetic valve is closed. An apparatus for producing carbonated water, characterized in that it is provided with control means for controlling to be opened for a while later. The carbonated water manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the check valve is installed in the water injection nozzle.

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