JP4972430B2 - Beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser, and more particularly to an ice storage type beverage dispenser that cools a beverage using latent heat of ice frozen around an evaporation tube disposed in a water tank.

  In the ice storage type beverage dispenser, the evaporating pipe of the refrigeration apparatus is immersed in the water tank, and a part of the cooling water stored in the water tank is frozen around the evaporating pipe, and the beverage is immersed in the cooling water. It is configured to allow the beverage to flow through the cooling pipe. And it connects so that the said drink cooling pipe may be connected to the extraction cock, and it is comprised so that the drink which distribute | circulated the drink cooling pipe may be poured by opening this cock. In addition, a cooling blade connected to a stirring motor is immersed in the cooling water, and the cooling water is circulated in the water tank by rotating the stirring blade to keep the cooling water temperature in the water tank uniform, thereby cooling the beverage. Heat exchange between the beverage flowing through the pipe and the cooling water can be performed efficiently.

  The beverage dispenser includes a control device that controls the ice thickness of an ice block generated in the water tank, and is configured to always maintain an ice block of a predetermined thickness by ON / OFF control of the refrigeration device by the control device. . This control device includes a pair of electrodes at least one of which is positioned at a desired ice thickness position, and if the electrical resistance value between the two electrodes is lower than a preset value, the thickness of the ice block frozen in the evaporator tube is reduced. When it is determined that the ice thickness is less than or equal to the desired ice thickness and the refrigeration unit is operated (ON state) and the electrical resistance value becomes higher than the set value, one electrode is covered with ice blocks and the thickness of the ice blocks is reduced. The refrigeration apparatus is set to stop (OFF control) when it is determined that the desired ice thickness has been reached. Thereafter, as time elapses, the ice block begins to melt as the temperature of the cooling water rises, and when the thickness of the ice block falls below the desired ice thickness, the electrode is exposed to the water. Due to the exposure of the electrodes, the electrical resistance value between the electrodes again becomes lower than the set value, so that the control device instructs the resumption of the operation of the refrigeration apparatus. In this way, the ice block thickness is always maintained at a desired ice thickness by performing ON / OFF control of the refrigeration system based on the level of the electric resistance value that changes between the two electrodes with respect to a preset setting value. It is like that.

Further, for example, in Patent Document 1, the pair of electrodes is installed at a position surrounded by ice, and an electric resistance value region when the pair of electrodes are immersed in cooling water, and the pair of electrodes is ice. When the resistance value between the measured electrodes is not in these areas, the refrigeration apparatus is stopped.
JP 2003-14341 A

By the way, tap water is generally used as the cooling water of the beverage dispenser, and the quality of the tap water is often different depending on the region and season, and the electric conductivity of the cooling water varies depending on the difference in water quality and temperature. . When the electric conductivity of the cooling water is high, the white turbid ice containing impurities around the evaporation pipe is frozen, and the electric conductivity of the ice itself is also increased. That is, when the electrical conductivity of the cooling water is extremely high, there is a problem that even if the electrode is covered with ice blocks, the electrical resistance value does not exceed the set value and the refrigeration apparatus cannot be operated properly. there's a possibility that.
Then, an object of this invention is to provide the drink dispenser which can control operation | movement of a freezing apparatus appropriately according to the electrical conductivity of the cooling water in a water tank.

In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems and achieve the intended purpose, a beverage dispenser according to claim 1 of the present application is provided.
A water tank in which cooling water is stored; an evaporation pipe disposed in the water tank; and a refrigeration apparatus connected to the evaporation pipe and circulatingly supplying a refrigerant to the evaporation pipe. In a beverage dispenser configured to freeze the cooling water of
Is immersed in the cooling water in the water tank, and a ground electrode in contact at all times the cooling water,
Is immersed in the cooling water in the water tank provided in a single base, and full ice electrode for detecting a maximum value of ice thickness was ice formation by being covered with the ice frozen around the evaporator tube,
It is provided on the base, and the projecting dimension from the base is set larger than the projecting dimension of the full ice electrode, and the full ice electrode detects that the thickness of ice around the evaporation tube reaches the maximum value. A reference electrode that contacts the cooling water even in
Control means that is connected to each of the ground electrode , the full ice electrode, and the reference electrode , and that presets an upper limit value and a lower limit value of electrical conductivity with which the cooling water can form ice,
Wherein, in a state in which the grounding electrode and the reference electrode is in contact with the cooling water, the ground electrode and the electric conductivity based on the potential between the reference electrode, preset ice capable of forming electrical conductivity When the electrical conductivity based on the potential exceeds the upper limit value or falls below the lower limit value, the gist is that the operation of the refrigeration apparatus is stopped.

Thus, in the state where the ground electrode and the reference electrode are immersed in the cooling water, the electrical conductivity based on the potential between the ground electrode and the reference electrode is compared with the preset electrical conductivity, and the measured potential is obtained. If the electrical conductivity based on the temperature exceeds the upper limit value or falls below the lower limit value, the operation of the refrigeration system is stopped. Can be detected early. In addition, the cooling water abnormality can be detected before the ice detection electrode is covered with the ice frozen around the evaporation tube, and the occurrence of the freezing abnormality can be effectively prevented.

The invention according to claim 2 displays that the electric conductivity based on the electric potential between the reference electrode and the ground electrode is outside the electric conductivity setting range capable of forming ice set in the control means. The gist is that an abnormality display section is provided.

As described above, when the electrical conductivity based on the potential between the reference electrode and the ground electrode exceeds the upper limit value or falls below the lower limit value, the display unit displays the abnormality, so that the abnormality is early detected for the operator. Can let you know.

The invention of claim 3 is provided with a pre-Symbol Korizan amount electrodes for detecting a minimum value of ice thickness was frozen around the evaporator tube,
Frozen compares the potential between the full ice electrode and the reference electrode, the potential between Korizanryou electrode and a reference electrode, and the potential in a state where the corresponding full ice electrode and Korizan amount electrodes is covered with ice The gist is that the apparatus is configured to be ON / OFF controlled.

  Thus, by providing the full ice electrode for detecting the maximum value of the ice thickness and the remaining ice amount electrode for detecting the minimum value of the ice thickness frozen around the evaporator tube, the gap between the full ice electrode and the reference electrode is provided. It is possible to determine whether the full ice electrode is covered with ice or not by comparing the potential between the remaining ice amount and the reference electrode with the potential of the ice.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ice remaining amount display section for displaying that the ice thickness frozen around the evaporation tube is below a predetermined value based on the potential between the ice remaining amount electrode and the reference electrode. This is the summary.

  In this way, by providing an ice remaining amount display section that indicates that the thickness of ice formed around the evaporator tube has become a certain value or less, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the beverage can be dispensed. The timing of adding ice can be appropriately determined.

  According to the beverage dispenser according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately control the operation of the refrigeration apparatus according to the electrical conductivity of the cooling water in the water tank.

  Next, preferred embodiments of the beverage dispenser according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, an Example demonstrates the drink dispenser which pours out beer as a drink.

  FIG. 1 shows the overall structure of a beverage dispenser according to an embodiment. In the beverage dispenser 10, heat is applied to a gantry 20 disposed on an inner bottom plate 12 a of a housing 12 as an apparatus body that opens upward. A water tank 22 having a structure is placed, and cooling water (tap water) for heat exchange is stored in the water tank 22. Further, inside the water tank 22, the evaporation pipe 26 led out from the refrigeration apparatus 24 including the compressor 70 and the condenser 72 arranged in the housing 12 is wound in a rectangular coil shape along the inner peripheral surface of the water tank 22. In this state, the cooling water stored in the water tank 22 by the cooling operation of the refrigeration apparatus 24 is configured to freeze around the evaporation pipe 26.

  Also, in the water tank 22, a beverage cooling pipe 28 is formed in a cylindrical close-wound coil shape that opens up and down at a position separated from the evaporation tube 26 formed in a rectangular coil shape by a predetermined distance inside. It is arranged. One end of the beverage cooling pipe 28 is connected to a beverage tank (not shown) provided outside the apparatus, and the other end of the beverage cooling pipe 28 is disposed at the front portion of the housing 12. The outlet cock 30 is connected in communication. An operation lever 32 that opens and closes the cock 30 is tiltably disposed in the pouring cock 30, and the beverage in the beverage tank is poured out via the beverage cooling pipe 28 by tilting the operating lever 32. It is supplied to the cock 30 and is poured out from the cock 30 into a container such as a cup (not shown). That is, the beverage is circulated through the beverage cooling pipe 28 in the cooling water cooled by the evaporation pipe 26 so that the cooled beverage is poured out. Further, at the front part of the casing 12, there is an ice remaining amount display unit 60 for displaying the presence or absence of ice frozen around the evaporation pipe 26 at the upper position of the pouring cock 30, and cooling in the water tank 22. A cooling water temperature display unit 64 that displays whether or not the water temperature is suitable for beverage dispensing, and a water quality adjustment display unit 66 (both described later) that displays abnormal water quality of the cooling water in the water tank 22 are provided. (See FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 1, on the ceiling surface 12b of the casing 12, an ice slot 14 is opened at a position above the beverage cooling pipe 28 formed in the cylindrical coil shape, and a lid member is opened. The ice inlet 14 can be opened and closed by 18. That is, ice can be poured into the water tank 22 through the ice inlet 14 with the lid member 18 removed. In addition, a cylindrical ice guide 16 extending downward (from the water tank 22 side) from the ice inlet 14 is formed on the ceiling surface 12b of the casing 12, and the ice to be introduced from the ice inlet 14 is formed. Is configured to be guided to drop toward the inner peripheral side of the beverage cooling pipe 28 formed in a coil shape.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gantry 20 is provided with a circulation pump 34 communicating with the inside of the water tank 22 through a cooling water suction port 36 and a cooling water discharge port 38. The cooling water in 22 is agitated (circulated). Here, the cooling water suction port 36 of the circulation pump 34 is formed on the bottom surface 22a of the water tank 22 so as to be positioned on the inner peripheral side of the beverage cooling pipe 28 formed in a cylindrical coil shape. A plurality (eight in the embodiment) of nozzles 40 projecting upward (in the water tank 22) are formed between the beverage cooling pipe 28 and the evaporation pipe 26 on the bottom surface 22a of the water tank 22. The cooling water discharge port 38 is opened at the tip of each nozzle 40. Here, the nozzle 40 is formed to extend upward from the lowermost end portion of the beverage cooling pipe 28 formed in a cylindrical coil shape, and the beverage is passed through the cooling water suction port 36 by the operation of the circulation pump 34. The cooling water on the inner peripheral side of the cooling pipe 28 is sucked, and the sucked cooling water is jetted between the beverage cooling pipe 28 and the evaporation pipe 26 via the cooling water discharge port 38.

  As shown in FIG. 1 or 2, a columnar filter (filter) 42 extending in the vertical direction is detachably attached to the cooling water suction port 36. The columnar filter 42 is spaced apart in the circumferential direction from a cylindrical main body 44 detachably disposed on a support portion (not shown) provided on the bottom surface 22 a of the water tank 22, and an upper end edge of the main body 44. A plurality of (four in the embodiment) support pillars 46 provided in the above-described manner, a disc-like lid 48 provided at the upper end of the support pillar 46, and a reinforcing part of the support pillar 46 50. That is, the cooling water in the water tank 22 is sucked into the circulation pump 34 from the cooling water suction port 36 through the opening (take-in port) 52 defined by the support pillars 46, the lid 48 and the reinforcing portion 50. It is supposed to be. An operation piece 48a protruding upward is provided on the upper surface of the lid 48, and the cylindrical filter 42 can be attached to and detached from the water tank 22 through the operation piece 48a. .

  Further, a holder 53 extending vertically along the inner peripheral side of the evaporation pipe 26 is attached to the front upper end surface of the water tank 22, and three ice detection electrodes 55, 56, 57 are attached to the holder 53. Also, a thermistor (water temperature sensor) 58 is provided. The holder 53 is configured to function as a ground electrode, and each of the electrodes 53, 55, 56, 57 and the thermistor 58 is connected to a control means 68 (see FIG. 6) for controlling the operation of the beverage dispenser 10. Based on the potential between the earth electrode (holder) 53 and the ice detection electrodes 55, 56, 57, the control means 68 controls the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 24 (ON / OFF control). .

  Here, the ice detection electrodes 55, 56, 57 are attached to a reference electrode 55 and a full ice electrode 56 provided on a single base 54, and a first bracket 53 a provided to protrude forward from the holder 53. The control means 68 is configured to control the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 24 based on the potential between the reference electrode 55, the full ice electrode 56 and the ice residual quantity electrode 57. Here, the base 54 is detachably attached to the holder 53. When the base 54 is attached to the holder 53, the reference electrode 55 and the full ice electrode 56 are separated from the evaporation tube 26. It protrudes in the direction to do. In addition, the reference electrode 55 is set so that its protruding dimension from the base 54 is larger than the full ice electrode 56, and the reference electrode 55 is used as cooling water even when the full ice electrode 56 is covered with ice. It is configured to contact. Further, the full ice electrode 56 and the remaining ice electrode 57 are arranged so that the remaining ice electrode 57 is closer to the evaporation tube 26, and the full ice electrode 56 surrounds the evaporation tube 26. In addition, the maximum value of the ice thickness frozen on the surface is detected, and the minimum value of the ice thickness frozen around the evaporator tube 26 is detected by the ice remaining amount electrode 57.

  The thermistor 58 is attached to a second bracket 53 b provided at a position above the beverage cooling pipe 28 with respect to the holder 53. Here, the second bracket 53b is bent so as to extend to the beverage cooling pipe 28 side, and is configured so that the thermistor 58 is not covered with ice frozen around the evaporation pipe 26.

  Here, the control means 68 is preset with an upper limit value and a lower limit value of electric conductivity that can be allowed as cooling water (electric conductivity that can form hard ice), and each ice detection electrode The electrical conductivity of the cooling water based on the potential between the earth electrode 53 and each ice detection electrode 55, 56, 57 when a predetermined voltage (for example, an AC frequency voltage of 1 kHz to 10 kHz) is applied to 55, 56, 57. However, the control means 68 determines whether or not the electric conductivity is within the set electric conductivity range and controls the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 24. Specifically, when the electrical conductivity determination result exceeds the upper limit value or falls below the lower limit value, the refrigeration apparatus 24 is stopped. When the control means 68 determines that the upper limit value of the electrical conductivity is exceeded, the control means 68 turns on the lamp 62 corresponding to the upper limit abnormality in the water quality adjustment display part (abnormality display part) 66, and the upper limit of the electrical conductivity. When the value is below the value, the lamp 62 corresponding to the lower limit abnormality in the water quality adjustment display unit 66 is turned on.

  Further, the control means 68 has a potential range between the reference electrode 55 and the full ice electrode 56 and the remaining ice electrode 57 covered with ice. When the full ice electrode 56 is covered with ice and the potential between the full ice electrode 56 and the reference electrode 55 falls within a preset potential range between the full ice electrode 56 and the reference electrode 55, the evaporation tube 26 is used. The refrigeration apparatus 24 is stopped by determining that the ice thickness frozen around the maximum has reached the maximum value, and the potential between the full ice electrode 56 and the reference electrode 55 is preset by contacting the cooling water. When the potential range between the full ice electrode 56 and the reference electrode 55 is exceeded, the refrigeration apparatus 24 is controlled to start operating after a preset standby time T (set to 3 minutes in the embodiment) has elapsed. Further, the remaining ice amount electrode 57 is covered with ice and the potential between the reference electrode 55 and the reference electrode 55 becomes a preset potential range between the remaining ice amount electrode 57 and the reference electrode 55, thereby It is determined that a minimum amount of ice has been generated around the lamp, and the “normal” lamp 62 in the ice remaining amount display section 60 is turned on. Control is performed so that the lamp 62 of the remaining ice amount display unit 60 is turned off when the potential between the remaining ice amount electrode 57 and the reference electrode 55 is outside the preset potential range. Further, the control means 68 turns on the appropriate temperature lamp 65 of the cooling water temperature display section 64 when the cooling water temperature detected by the thermistor 58 reaches a set temperature (1 ° C. in the embodiment). Control is made so that the appropriate temperature lamp 65 is turned off when the detected coolant temperature reaches the upper limit temperature (5 ° C. in the embodiment).

(Effects of Example)
Next, the operation of the beverage dispenser according to the above-described embodiment will be described. In the beverage dispenser 10, when the refrigeration apparatus 24 starts a cooling operation, the refrigerant is circulated and supplied to the evaporation pipe 26. When the refrigerant is circulated and supplied, the evaporation pipe 26 is gradually cooled, and a part of the cooling water stored in the water tank 22 starts to freeze from the surface of the evaporation pipe 26. The ice that freezes on the surface of the evaporation pipe 26 is connected to each other to form a cylindrical ice block, and cools the cooling water stored in the water tank 22 by latent heat. When the circulation pump 34 is operated at a predetermined timing from the start of the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 24, the cooling water stored in the water tank 22 circulates around the ice and is efficiently cooled. The beverage in the beverage cooling pipe 28 is cooled by the cooling water.

  Here, the cooling water suction port 36 of the circulation pump 34 is provided on the inner peripheral side of the beverage cooling pipe 28 formed in a coil shape, and the cooling water discharge port 38 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the beverage cooling pipe 28. The cooling water sprayed from the cooling water discharge port 38 moves upward between the beverage cooling pipe 28 and the evaporation pipe 26 and moves from the upper end of the beverage cooling pipe 28 to the inner peripheral side. To do. That is, it is possible to prevent the cooling water blown from the cooling water discharge port 38 by the operation of the circulation pump 34 from being short-circuited to the cooling water suction port 36, and thus the cooling water can be efficiently circulated in the water tank 22. The cooling water is cooled by efficiently exchanging heat with the ice frozen around the evaporation pipe 26 by the circulation. Here, a cooling water discharge port 38 of the circulation pump 34 is provided at the tip of the nozzle 40 provided on the bottom surface 22a of the water tank 22 so as to extend above the lowermost end of the beverage cooling pipe 28 formed in a coil shape. By providing this, it is possible to more reliably prevent the cooling water sprayed from the cooling water discharge port 38 from moving from the lower side of the beverage cooling pipe 28 to the cooling water suction port 36 side.

  Further, in the embodiment, the evaporation pipe 26 is wound in a rectangular coil shape, and the beverage cooling pipe 28 is wound in a circular coil shape, so that there is a space between the evaporation pipe 26 and the beverage cooling pipe 28. A large distribution area of the cooling water can be secured. Therefore, even if the cooling water is jetted between the evaporation pipe 26 and the beverage cooling pipe 28, the cooling water can be efficiently circulated in the water tank 22.

  Here, in the beverage dispenser 10 of the embodiment, an ice slot 14 is formed on the ceiling surface 12b of the housing 12, and the ice slot 14 is closed by a detachable lid member 18. Therefore, when the beverage is continuously poured out and the ice frozen around the evaporator tube 26 melts and heat exchange between the cooling water and the ice becomes insufficient, the lid member 18 is removed. Since the cooling water can be cooled by putting ice into the water tank 22 from the ice inlet 14, the beverage can be poured out at an appropriate temperature. At this time, by making the ice inlet 14 face the inner peripheral side of the beverage cooling pipe 28 formed in a coil shape, the ice introduced from the ice inlet 14 can be input to the inner peripheral side of the beverage cooling pipe 28. In addition, it is possible to prevent the charged ice from coming into contact with the evaporation pipe 26. Further, in the embodiment, the ice guide 16 is provided in the ice inlet 14, and the ice introduced from the ice inlet 14 is guided to the inner peripheral side of the beverage cooling pipe 28. It is possible to more reliably prevent ice from coming into contact with the evaporator tube 26.

  Here, as described above, the cooling water in the water tank 22 is stirred and circulated by the operation of the circulation pump 34. That is, since a stirring member such as a stirring blade is not provided in the cooling water, it is not necessary to worry about the trouble caused by the contact of the ice introduced from the ice inlet 14 with the stirring member, and the workability is improved. .

  Furthermore, since the cylindrical filter 42 having an intake port on the peripheral surface is attached to the cooling water suction port 36, the introduced ice does not block the cooling water suction port 36 of the circulation pump 34. Therefore, even if the ice is put into the water tank 22, the circulation pump 34 can stably circulate the cooling water in the water tank 22, so that the cooling water temperature in the water tank 22 is kept uniform. In addition, by arranging the cylindrical filter 42 on the inner peripheral side of the beverage cooling pipe 28, the cylindrical filter 42 can be attached and detached via the ice inlet 14, and the cylindrical filter 42 can be easily attached. Can be maintained. In particular, in the embodiment, since the operation piece 48a is provided at the upper end portion of the columnar filter 42, there is an advantage that the detachability of the filter 42 is further improved.

  In the embodiment, the remaining amount of ice electrode 57 is provided in the water tank 22 so as to detect the minimum amount of ice frozen around the evaporation pipe 26, and the ice frozen around the evaporation pipe 26 is detected. When the ice remaining amount electrode 57 detects that the ice thickness has become a certain value or less (that is, the ice remaining amount electrode 57 is in contact with the cooling water and the potential between the ice remaining amount electrode 57 and the reference electrode 55 is set in advance) And the thermistor 58 for detecting the temperature of the cooling water in the water tank 22 and displaying on the ice remaining amount display section 60 provided at the front of the housing 12. Thus, the cooling water temperature display unit 64 provided at the front of the housing 12 is configured to display whether or not the cooling water is at an appropriate temperature. Therefore, when the beverage is dispensed from the beverage dispenser 10, it is possible to recognize the ice charging timing into the water tank 22 by checking the display of the remaining ice amount display unit 60 and the cooling water temperature display unit 64. Become.

  That is, when the remaining amount of ice display section 60 is turned off and the display of the cooling water temperature display section 64 exceeds the appropriate temperature, it is recognized that it is necessary to put ice into the water tank 22, and the remaining amount of ice is displayed. When the appropriate temperature lamp 65 of the cooling water temperature display unit 64 is turned on in a state where the unit 60 is turned off, it is appropriately determined whether to put ice into the aquarium 22 in accordance with the frequency and amount of beverage dispensing. be able to. In this way, by appropriately determining the ice charging timing according to the display of the remaining ice amount display unit 60 and the cooling water temperature display unit 64, it is possible to pour out a beverage at an appropriate temperature without checking the amount of ice in the water tank 22. The work load can be reduced, and the dispensed beverage can be prevented from being wasted.

  Next, a specific control mode of the beverage dispenser 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the control means 68 operates the refrigeration apparatus 24 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the beverage dispenser 10 was turned on, and the cooling water temperature detected by the thermistor 58 is set to a set temperature (1 in the embodiment). When the temperature is lower than (° C.), the appropriate temperature lamp 65 of the cooling water temperature display section 64 is turned on. The ice remaining amount electrode 57 is covered with ice frozen around the evaporation pipe 26 by the operation of the refrigerating device 24, and the potential between the ice remaining amount electrode 57 and the reference electrode 55 is set between the two electrodes 55, 57. When the potential range is reached, the lamp 62 corresponding to the remaining ice amount display section 60 is turned on. When the full ice electrode 56 is covered with ice frozen around the evaporation tube 26 and the potential between the full ice electrode 56 and the reference electrode 55 falls within a preset potential range between the electrodes 55 and 56, the ice It is determined that the thickness has reached the maximum value, and the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 24 is stopped. Thereafter, when the ice melts and the full ice electrode 56 comes into contact with the cooling water and the potential between the full ice electrode 56 and the reference electrode 55 falls outside the preset potential range between the electrodes 55 and 56, the full ice electrode The operation of the refrigeration apparatus 24 is resumed after a predetermined time T (for example, 3 minutes) has passed since the 56 comes into contact with the cooling water, and ice is frozen around the evaporation pipe 26 again. When the ice around the evaporation pipe 26 melts and the cooling water temperature detected by the thermistor 58 exceeds the upper limit temperature (5 ° C. in the embodiment), the control means 68 turns off the appropriate temperature lamp 65 and then freezes it. When the cooling water temperature is lowered to the set temperature (1 ° C.) due to the operation of the device 24, control is performed so that the appropriate temperature lamp 65 is turned on.

  Further, the control means 68 determines whether or not the determination result of the electric conductivity based on the potential between the full ice electrode 56 and the reference electrode 55 is within a preset electric conductivity range, and performs measurement. When the determination result of the electrical conductivity based on the measured potential exceeds the upper limit value or falls below the lower limit value, the refrigeration apparatus 24 is stopped (see FIG. 5). At this time, if it is determined that the electrical conductivity based on the measured potential exceeds the upper limit value of the set electrical conductivity, the lamp 62 corresponding to the upper limit abnormality in the water quality adjustment display unit 66 is turned on, and the measured potential is measured. When the electrical conductivity based on the value is lower than the lower limit value of the electrical conductivity, the lamp 62 corresponding to the lower limit abnormality in the water quality adjustment display unit 66 is turned on.

  Here, when the full ice electrode 56 is covered with ice by forming the reference electrode 55 longer than the full ice electrode 56 for detecting the maximum value of the ice thickness (that is, ice ice frozen around the evaporation tube 26). Even when the thickness is maximum), the reference electrode 55 is in contact with the cooling water (see FIG. 4B). That is, since at least the reference electrode 55 is in contact with the cooling water, the electrical conductivity based on the potential between the ground electrode 53 and the reference electrode 55 is compared with the preset electrical conductivity, so that the cooling water itself The electrical conductivity can be accurately grasped. Therefore, if the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 24 is stopped when the electrical conductivity of the cooling water based on the potential between the ground electrode 53 and the reference electrode 55 exceeds the upper limit value or lower than the lower limit value, the difference in water quality, temperature change, Even if there is a difference in the electrical conductivity of the cooling water due to impurities or the like, it can be detected early. In addition, when the electrical conductivity based on the measured potential is outside the range of the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the set electrical conductivity, the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 24 is stopped, so that inappropriate electrical conductivity and Ice making with the cooling water thus formed is not performed, and only hard and tight ice can be frozen around the evaporation pipe 26.

  Further, when the electrical conductivity of the cooling water exceeds the upper limit value or falls below the lower limit value, the control means 68 controls to display an abnormality on the water quality adjustment display unit 66 provided at the front of the apparatus. , The operator can be notified of the abnormality at an early stage. At this time, an abnormality exceeding the upper limit value of the electrical conductivity and an abnormality lower than the lower limit value of the electric conductivity are distinguished and displayed, so that it is possible to cope with the situation. Specifically, when the electrical conductivity is below the lower limit of the electrical conductivity, the electrical conductivity of the cooling water can be recovered within an appropriate range by appropriately adding an electrolyte such as baking soda to the cooling water, When the electric conductivity exceeds the upper limit, the cooling water can be restored to an appropriate electric conductivity range by replacing the cooling water or by introducing ice into the cooling water to reduce the impurity concentration. .

[Example of change]
The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and other configurations can be appropriately employed.
For example, in the embodiment, the electric conductivity based on the electric potential between the earth electrode and the ice detection electrode is always compared to determine whether or not the electric conductivity is in the predetermined electric conductivity range. After the detected coolant temperature falls below a preset temperature (for example, 3 ° C or below), or after the remaining ice electrode is covered with ice, the measurement and comparison of the potential by the control means are temporarily stopped and fully filled. The refrigeration apparatus may be stopped when the ice electrode is covered with ice. Further, when the cooling water temperature detected by the water temperature sensor is equal to or lower than a certain temperature (for example, 1.5 ° C. or lower), the water quality adjustment display unit may be set not to be lit.

  In the embodiment, the holder for supporting the ice detection electrode is used as the ground electrode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a dedicated electrode as the ground electrode may be provided at a position that is always immersed in the cooling water.

  In the embodiment, the sensor integrally including the reference electrode and the full ice electrode is used as the ice detection electrode. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be provided separately.

  In the embodiment, the beverage cooling pipe is configured to be wound in a cylindrical tightly wound coil shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a gap is formed between adjacent pipes at the upper position of the beverage cooling pipe formed in a coil shape. You may make it form. In this case, since the circulation space for the cooling water is secured, the stirring efficiency of the cooling water in a state where ice is put into the water tank can be further improved.

  In the embodiment, a cylindrical ice guide is provided for the ice inlet. However, if the ice guide is formed in a bowl shape that decreases in diameter toward the water tank side, the ice introduced from the ice inlet is reduced. It can be stably guided to the inner peripheral side of the beverage cooling pipe.

  In the embodiment, the evaporator tube is wound in a rectangular coil shape. However, the evaporator tube may be wound in a circular coil shape, or may be provided in a meandering manner at a position away from the outer periphery of the beverage cooling pipe. Is possible.

  In the embodiment, the filter attached to the cooling water suction port of the circulation pump is formed in a cylindrical shape, but is not limited to this, and has a shape having a length dimension extending from the bottom surface of the water tank to a predetermined height position. If it exists, it can be formed into an arbitrary shape. In addition, the opening shape of the filter inlet is not limited to that of the embodiment, and may be formed so as to open in a mesh shape, as long as the cooling water in the water tank can flow therethrough. Good.

  In the embodiment, the beverage dispenser configured to dispense beer has been described as an example, but the type of beverage to be dispensed is not limited at all. The present invention can also be suitably applied to a beverage dispenser configured to separately supply a concentrated beverage or the like to a dispensing cock and dilute the concentrated beverage with cooled drinking water.

It is a vertical side view which shows the drink dispenser which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a cross-sectional top view of the water tank concerning an example. It is the schematic which shows the display part which concerns on an Example. The reference electrode and full ice electrode which concern on an Example are shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view. It is a timing chart figure which shows the operation state of each member in the drink dispenser which concerns on an Example. It is a block diagram which shows the relationship between the control means which concerns on an Example, and each member.

Explanation of symbols

22 water tank, 24 refrigeration unit, 26 evaporating tube, 53 ground electrode , 54 base 55 reference electrode (ice detection electrode), 56 full ice electrode (ice detection electrode)
57 Ice remaining electrode (ice detection electrode), 60 Ice remaining amount display part 66 Water quality adjustment display part (abnormality display part), 68 Control means

Claims (4)

A water tank (22) storing cooling water, an evaporation pipe (26) disposed in the water tank (22), and connected to the evaporation pipe (26) to circulate and supply refrigerant to the evaporation pipe (26). A beverage dispenser comprising a refrigeration apparatus (24), and configured to freeze cooling water in the water tank (22) around the evaporation pipe (26) by operation of the refrigeration apparatus (24).
Is immersed in the cooling water in the water tank (22), a ground electrode in contact at all times the cooling water (53),
Is immersed in the coolant of a single base the provided (54) a water tank (22), detects the maximum value of ice thickness was ice formation by being covered with the ice frozen around the evaporator tube (26) Full ice electrode (56)
Provided on the base (54), the projecting dimension from the base (54) is set larger than the projecting dimension of the full ice electrode (56), the full ice electrode (56) is the evaporation tube (26) A reference electrode (55) that is in contact with the cooling water even when it has been detected that the thickness of the ice around the maximum has become,
The ground electrode (53) is connected to each of the full ice electrode (56) and the reference electrode (55) , and the upper limit value and lower limit value of the electrical conductivity with which the cooling water can form ice are set in advance. Means (68),
Wherein said control means (68), in a state where the ground electrode (53) and a reference electrode (5 5) is in contact with the cooling water, based on the potential between the ground electrode (53) and the reference electrode (5 5) As a result of comparing the electrical conductivity with the electrical conductivity capable of forming ice that is set in advance, and the electrical conductivity based on the potential exceeds the upper limit value or lower than the lower limit value, the refrigeration apparatus ( A beverage dispenser characterized by being configured to stop the operation of 24). The electrical conductivity based on the electric potential between the reference electrode (55 ) and the ground electrode (53) is outside the electric conductivity setting range capable of forming ice set in the control means (68). The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising an abnormality display section (66) for displaying. Comprising a Korizan amount electrodes for detecting a minimum value of ice thickness was frozen (57) around the front Symbol evaporation pipe (26),
The potential between the full ice electrode (56) and said reference electrode (55), and a potential between Korizanryou electrode (57) and the reference electrode (55), the corresponding full ice electrode (56) and Korizanryou The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the refrigeration apparatus (24) is controlled to be turned on and off as compared with a potential in a state where the electrode (57) is covered with ice.   Based on the potential between the ice remaining amount electrode (57) and the reference electrode (55), an ice remaining amount display section for displaying that the ice thickness frozen around the evaporator tube (26) is below a certain value ( The beverage dispenser according to claim 3, wherein 60) is provided.

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