JP5875797B2 - Beverage cooler - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a beverage cooling apparatus for cooling a beverage by forming ice around a coiled evaporating tube standing in a water tank.

  Patent Document 1 is equipped with a cooler connected to a refrigeration apparatus in a cold water tank in which cooling water is stored, and whether or not ice is present by an ice storage sensor having a pair of electrodes provided inside the cooler. By controlling the drive of the refrigeration system based on the detection to cool the cooling water while forming an ice layer of a predetermined thickness around the cooler, and allowing the beverage to circulate through the extraction pipe immersed in the cooling water A cold beverage supply device that cools and supplies a cold beverage is disclosed. In this cold beverage supply device, the thickness of the ice layer around the cooler is controlled so that the ice around the cooler can cool the beverage without freezing the beverage passing through the dispensing pipe. . In this beverage cooling apparatus, when an ice layer having a predetermined thickness is formed and the pair of electrodes of the ice storage sensor are covered with ice, and the resistance value between the pair of electrodes rises to the upper reference value, the compressor of the refrigeration apparatus When the ice layer melts and the pair of electrodes of the ice storage sensor is exposed to the cooling water, and the resistance value between the pair of electrodes falls to the lower reference value, the compressor of the refrigeration apparatus is controlled to be driven. Has been.

  In such a cold beverage supply device, the quality of tap water used as cooling water varies depending on the region, etc., and the resistance value between the pair of electrodes of the ice storage sensor varies depending on the content of the conductive substance contained in the tap water. . Therefore, in this cold beverage supply device, as a reference value for controlling the driving and stopping of the compressor, a first reference value for normal tap water and a second reference value for water with a high content of conductive material Are stored in the storage unit. When normal water is used as the cooling water of this cold beverage supply device, the first reference value is taken into the comparison circuit based on the operation of the changeover switch of the operation unit or the detection of the quality of the cooling water by the water quality detection means, When the resistance value between the pair of electrodes of the ice storage sensor rises to the upper reference value of the first reference value, the compressor of the refrigeration apparatus is stopped, and when the resistance value falls to the lower reference value of the first reference value, the compressor of the refrigeration apparatus is driven. So that it is controlled.

JP 2003-176970 A

  In the cold beverage supply apparatus as described above, when the resistance value between the pair of electrodes of the ice storage sensor rises to the upper reference value, the compressor of the refrigeration apparatus is stopped, and when the resistance value falls to the lower reference value, the compressor of the refrigeration apparatus is driven. It is controlled to let you. At this time, two patterns of reference values for comparing resistance values between the pair of electrodes of the ice storage sensor are prepared according to the quality of tap water used as cooling water. Some values are not always appropriate. When trying to cope with the water quality of all kinds of tap water, it is necessary to store the reference values of a large number of patterns in the storage unit, and there is a problem that costs increase. The present invention aims to solve such problems.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention allows a coiled evaporating pipe constituting a refrigeration apparatus to be set up around a coiled beverage cooling pipe standing upright inside a water tank in which cooling water is stored. A beverage cooling apparatus for cooling a beverage passing through a beverage cooling pipe by forming an ice layer having a predetermined thickness around the evaporation pipe when the apparatus is operated. A first electrode that is provided in a range where an ice layer with a predetermined thickness is formed and is exposed to cooling water when the ice layer is formed to be thinnest, and an ice layer with a predetermined thickness around an evaporation pipe in the water tank A second electrode which is covered with ice when the ice layer is formed to be the thickest, and a ground which is provided at a position away from the evaporation pipe in the water tank and where no ice is formed. The electrode and the first electrode are covered with an ice layer formed around the evaporation tube If the potential difference between the first electrode and the ground electrode falls below the ON set value without being exposed to cooling water, the refrigeration unit is activated, and the second electrode is covered with an ice layer formed around the evaporation tube. Provided with a control device that controls to form ice of a predetermined thickness around the evaporation tube by stopping the operation of the refrigeration device when the potential difference between the second electrode and the ground electrode exceeds an off set value The apparatus is characterized in that the intermediate value between the potential difference between the first or second electrode and the ground electrode before being covered with ice formed around the evaporation tube and the OFF set value is set as the ON set value. A cooling device is provided.

  In the beverage cooling apparatus configured as described above, it is provided in a range where an ice layer having a predetermined thickness is formed around the evaporation pipe in the water tank, and is exposed to the cooling water when the ice layer is formed to be the thinnest. A first electrode that is provided in a range where an ice layer having a predetermined thickness is formed around the evaporation pipe in the water tank, and is covered with ice when the ice layer is formed to be thickest; The first electrode is exposed to the cooling water without being covered with the ice layer formed around the evaporation tube and the ground electrode provided in the position where the ice is not formed in the position away from the evaporation tube in the first. When the potential difference between the electrode and the ground electrode becomes equal to or less than the on-set value, the refrigeration apparatus is activated, and the second electrode is covered with an ice layer formed around the evaporation tube, and between the second electrode and the ground electrode. When the potential difference exceeds the set off value, the operation of the refrigeration system is stopped to Is provided with a control device that controls to form ice having a predetermined thickness, and the control device sets the potential difference between the first or second electrode and the ground electrode before being covered with the ice formed around the evaporator tube and the OFF setting. Since the intermediate value between the values is set as the ON set value, a wide range of cooling water electrical conductivity can be obtained without previously setting multiple ON set values in the storage unit such as a memory according to the electrical conductivity of the cooling water. The operation of the refrigeration apparatus can be controlled using the ON set value corresponding to the degree.

In another embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problems, a coiled evaporation pipe constituting a refrigeration apparatus is spaced around a coiled beverage cooling pipe standing inside a water tank in which cooling water is stored. In the beverage cooling device, the water tank is configured to cool the beverage passing through the beverage cooling pipe so as to form an ice layer having a predetermined thickness around the evaporation pipe when the refrigeration apparatus is operated. A first electrode which is provided in a range where an ice layer having a predetermined thickness around the inner evaporation tube is formed and is exposed to the cooling water when the ice layer is formed to be the thinnest, and the periphery of the evaporation tube in the water tank A second electrode which is provided in a range where an ice layer having a predetermined thickness is formed and is covered with ice when the ice layer is formed thickest, and a position where an ice layer is not formed apart from the evaporation pipe in the water tank The third electrode and ground electrode provided on the first electrode are the evaporation tubes When the potential difference between the first electrode and the ground electrode falls below the ON set value by being exposed to the cooling water without being covered by the ice layer formed in the surroundings, the refrigeration apparatus is operated, and the second electrode is around the evaporation tube. When the potential difference between the second electrode and the ground electrode becomes equal to or greater than the off-set value, covered with an ice layer formed on the surface, ice of a predetermined thickness is formed around the evaporation tube by stopping the operation of the refrigeration apparatus. The beverage cooling device is characterized in that an intermediate value between the potential difference between the third electrode and the ground electrode and the off set value is set as the on set value. Is.

  In the beverage cooling apparatus configured as described above, it is provided in a range where an ice layer having a predetermined thickness is formed around the evaporation pipe in the water tank, and is exposed to the cooling water when the ice layer is formed to be the thinnest. A first electrode that is provided in a range where an ice layer having a predetermined thickness is formed around the evaporation pipe in the water tank, and is covered with ice when the ice layer is formed to be thickest; A third electrode and a ground electrode provided at a position where an ice layer is not formed apart from the inner evaporation tube, and the first electrode is exposed to cooling water without being covered by the ice layer formed around the evaporation tube. When the potential difference between the first electrode and the ground electrode becomes equal to or less than the on-set value, the refrigeration apparatus is activated, and the second electrode is covered with an ice layer formed around the evaporation tube, and the second electrode and the ground electrode are When the potential difference between the two becomes more than the off-set value, the operation of the refrigeration system is stopped to A control device is provided for controlling the formation of ice having a predetermined thickness in the surroundings, and the control device sets the intermediate value between the potential difference between the third electrode and the ground electrode and the off set value as the on set value. As described above, without setting a plurality of ON setting values in advance in a storage unit such as a memory according to the electrical conductivity of the cooling water, the ON setting values corresponding to a wide electrical conductivity of the cooling water are used. The operation of the refrigeration apparatus can be controlled. Furthermore, even when the electrical conductivity of the cooling water changes after the ice layer covers the first and second electrodes around the evaporation tube, the third electrode provided at a position where the ice layer is not formed and the ground By using the potential difference between the electrodes, the operation of the refrigeration apparatus can be controlled using the ON set value corresponding to the change in the electrical conductivity of the cooling water.

1 is a schematic view of a beverage cooling device according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of a control apparatus. It is a figure which shows a detection circuit. It is a figure which shows the electrical potential difference between each electrode when the electrical conductivity of a cooling water is high. It is a figure which shows the electrical potential difference between each electrode when the electrical conductivity of a cooling water is low. It is the schematic of the drink cooling device of other embodiment by this invention. It is a block diagram of the control apparatus of other embodiment.

  Below, one Embodiment of the drink cooling device by this invention is described with reference to drawings. The beverage cooling apparatus 10 according to the present invention includes a water tank 11 for storing cooling water, and a coiled beverage cooling pipe 12 is erected in the water tank 11 in a state of being immersed in the cooling water. The beverage cooling pipe 12 is connected to a beverage supply source such as a beer barrel (not shown) on the introduction end side, and a pouring cock (not shown) is connected to the lead-out end side, and the beverage at the beverage supply source passes through the beverage cooling pipe 12. At this time, after being cooled by cooling water, it is poured out into a container such as a glass from the pouring cock. An evaporation pipe 14 of the refrigeration apparatus 13 is wound around the inner peripheral wall of the water tank 11 in a coil shape so as to surround the beverage cooling pipe 12. When the refrigeration apparatus 13 is operated, the refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor is cooled and liquefied by the condenser, and this liquefied refrigerant is led to the evaporation pipe 14 in the water tank 11 through the capillary tube and is cooled in the water tank 11. After being exchanged with heat and vaporized, it returns to the compressor again. By the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13, the cooling water in the water tank 11 is cooled by the refrigerant vaporized in the evaporation pipe 14 and is frozen around the evaporation pipe 14 to form an ice layer having a predetermined thickness.

  A motor 15 is provided in the upper part of the water tank 11, and a stirring blade 16 for stirring the cooling water is fixed to the tip of the output shaft of the motor 15 extending to the inner peripheral side of the coiled beverage cooling pipe 12. Yes. By rotating the stirring blade 16 by the motor 15, the cooling water in the water tank 11 is stirred, and the beverage passing through the beverage cooling pipe 12 is cooled by efficiently exchanging heat, and the ice around the evaporation pipe 14 is evenly iced. A layer is formed.

  In the water tank 11, the 1st electrode 21 which comprises the 1st detection circuit 31 mentioned later and the 2nd electrode which comprises the 2nd detection circuit 32 in the range in which the ice layer of predetermined thickness around the evaporation pipe 14 is formed. 22 are provided. The first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 are disposed on the inner peripheral side of the evaporation tube 14 and protrude toward the center of the coiled evaporation tube 14. The first electrode 21 has such a length that the tip is exposed to the cooling water when the ice layer formed around the evaporation tube 14 is formed to be the thinnest. The second electrode 22 has such a length that the tip is covered with the ice layer when the ice layer formed around the evaporation tube 14 is formed to be the thickest. Further, in the water tank 11, a ground electrode 23 constituting first and second detection circuits 31 and 32 described later is provided at a position where ice is not formed at a position away from the evaporation pipe 14. The metal beverage cooling pipe 12 may be used as the ground electrode 23 to reduce the number of parts.

  The resistance between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 is inversely proportional to the electrical conductivity of the cooling water in the water tank 11, and the resistance between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 is the cooling water in the water tank 11. Increases as the electrical conductivity decreases. Similarly, the resistance between the second electrode 22 and the ground electrode 23 is inversely proportional to the electrical conductivity of the cooling water in the water tank 11, and the resistance between the second electrode 22 and the ground electrode 23 is in the water tank 11. It increases as the electrical conductivity of the cooling water decreases. Further, when the first electrode 21 is covered with an ice layer around the evaporation tube 14 as compared with the case where the first electrode 21 is exposed to the cooling water, the resistance between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 is growing. Similarly, when the second electrode 22 is covered with an ice layer around the evaporation tube 14 as compared to when the second electrode 22 is exposed to the cooling water, the resistance between the second electrode 22 and the ground electrode 23 is increased. Will grow.

  The beverage cooling device 10 includes a control device 30, and is connected to the refrigeration device 13 and the first and second detection circuits 31 and 32 as shown in FIG. 2. The control device 30 includes a microcomputer (not shown), and the microcomputer includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and a timer (all not shown) connected via a bus.

  The first detection circuit 31 detects a potential difference between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23. As shown in FIG. 3, the first detection circuit 31 is connected between the fixed resistor 31 b connected between the input terminal 31 a and the first electrode 21, and between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23. A first voltmeter 31c for detecting a potential difference is provided (a two-dot chain line in the figure indicates a water tank 11 in which the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 are immersed in cooling water). When a predetermined voltage (for example, a voltage of 5V) is applied to the input terminal 31a, the potential difference detected by the first voltmeter 31c is within a predetermined range (for example, 0V to 1V) between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23. The resistance increases as the resistance increases. As described above, the first detection circuit 31 detects the resistance between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 based on the potential difference detected by the first voltmeter 31c.

  The second detection circuit 32 detects a potential difference between the second electrode 22 and the ground electrode 23. As shown in FIG. 3, the second detection circuit 32 is connected between the fixed resistor 32b connected between the input terminal 32a and the second electrode 22, and between the second electrode 22 and the ground electrode 23. A second voltmeter 32c for detecting a potential difference is provided (a two-dot chain line in the figure indicates a water tank 11 in which the second electrode 22 and the ground electrode 23 are immersed in cooling water). When a predetermined voltage (for example, a voltage of 5V) is applied to the input terminal 32a, the potential difference detected by the second voltmeter 32c is within a predetermined range (for example, 0V to 1V) between the second electrode 22 and the ground electrode 23. The resistance increases as the resistance increases. As described above, the second detection circuit 32 detects the resistance between the second electrode 22 and the ground electrode 23 based on the potential difference detected by the second voltmeter 32c.

  The control device 30 has ice thickness control means for controlling the thickness of the ice layer formed around the evaporation pipe 14 in the water tank 11 based on detection by the first and second detection circuits 31 and 32. This ice thickness control means is for cooling the beverage passing through the beverage cooling tube 12 by the ice layer formed around the evaporation tube 14 without freezing. In this ice thickness control means, the first electrode 21 is detected by the first voltmeter 31c of the first detection circuit 31 when the first electrode 21 is exposed to the cooling water without being covered with the ice layer around the evaporation tube 14. When the potential difference between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 is equal to or lower than the on-set value, the refrigeration apparatus 13 (the compressor thereof) is operated, and the second electrode 22 is covered with an ice layer formed around the evaporation tube 14, When the potential difference between the second electrode 22 and the ground electrode 23 detected by the second voltmeter 32c of the second detection circuit 32 becomes equal to or greater than the OFF set value, the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 (the compressor thereof) is stopped. It is something to control. In this ice thickness control means, if the ON setting value is not appropriate, the potential difference between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 does not become the ON setting value or less, and the refrigeration apparatus 13 cannot be operated. As a result, the thickness of the ice layer around the evaporator tube 14 becomes thinner than a predetermined thickness. Further, in this ice thickness control means, if the off set value is not appropriate, the potential difference between the second electrode 22 and the ground electrode 23 does not exceed the off set value, and the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 can be stopped. As a result, the thickness of the ice layer around the evaporation tube 14 becomes thicker than a predetermined thickness.

  Next, an on set value for operating the refrigeration apparatus 13 and an off set value for stopping the operation in the ice thickness control means will be described. The potential difference between the second electrode 22 and the ground electrode 23 detected by the second voltmeter 32c when the second electrode 22 is covered with an ice layer around the evaporation tube 14 is related to the electrical conductivity of the cooling water. Regardless, it becomes higher so as to approach the upper limit (for example, 1 V) abruptly. Therefore, the off set value for stopping the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 is set to, for example, 0.9 V as a value close to the upper limit value.

  On the other hand, the potential difference between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 when the first electrode 21 is exposed to the cooling water without being covered by the ice layer around the evaporation tube 14 is the cooling in the water tank 11. It depends on the electrical conductivity of water. For example, when the cooling water in the water tank 11 has high electrical conductivity (for example, 180 μS / cm), the first voltmeter 31c is at the timing of turning on the power supply in FIG. 4 (0 hours in the figure). Shows a low value of 0.1V. On the other hand, when the electrical conductivity of the cooling water in the water tank 11 is low (for example, 5 μS / cm), the first voltage is at the timing when the power supply of FIG. 5 is turned on (0 hours in the figure). The potential difference detected by the total 31c is as high as 0.7V. As described above, the potential difference between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 varies greatly depending on the electric conductivity of the cooling water, and the ON set value for operating the refrigeration apparatus 13 cannot be made constant. Calculate the ON setting value.

  The control device 30 is detected by the first voltmeter 31c when the beverage cooling device 10 is turned on, assuming that the first electrode 21 is not covered with an ice layer formed around the evaporation tube 14. The potential difference between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 is used, and an average value of the detected potential difference and 0.9 V defined as the off set value are stored in the memory as the on set value. The operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 is controlled using the ON set value. When determining the ON set value, instead of the potential difference between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 detected by the first voltmeter 31c, the second electrode 22 detected by the second voltmeter 32c and A potential difference with respect to the ground electrode 23 may be used.

  The operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 of the beverage cooling apparatus 10 described above will be described first when the electrical conductivity of the cooling water is high (180 μS / cm). Before the beverage cooling device 10 is turned on, the cooling water in the water tank 11 has no ice layer formed around the evaporation pipe 14. When the beverage cooling device 10 is turned on, the control device 30 sets a preset off-set value of 0.1 V, which is a potential difference between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 detected by the first voltmeter 31c. Is stored in the memory as an ON set value. Next, when the control device 30 operates the refrigeration device 13, the cooling water in the water tank 11 is cooled by the refrigerant vaporized in the evaporation pipe 14 and is frozen around the evaporation pipe 14. Ice around the evaporation tube 14 is formed in a range covering the first electrode 21 and then in a range covering the second electrode 22. The entire second electrode 22 is covered with ice, and the potential difference between the second electrode 22 and the earth electrode 23 detected by the second voltmeter 32c of the second detection circuit 32 is 0.9 V, which is an off set value. If it goes up above, the control apparatus 30 will stop the action | operation of the freezing apparatus 13. FIG. Thus, the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 is controlled so that the ice layer around the evaporation tube 14 does not exceed the predetermined thickness range.

  When the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 stops, the thickness of the ice layer formed around the evaporation pipe 14 gradually decreases. The tip of the first electrode 21 is exposed to the cooling water without being covered with the ice layer around the evaporation tube 14, and the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 detected by the first voltmeter 31 c of the first detection circuit 31. The control device 30 operates the refrigeration apparatus 13 when the potential difference between the voltage and the voltage drops to 0.5 V or less, which is the ON setting value. As a result, the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 is controlled so that the ice layer around the evaporation tube 14 does not become thinner than a predetermined thickness range.

  Next, the case where the electrical conductivity of the cooling water in the water tank 11 is low (5 μS / cm) will be described. Before the beverage cooling device 10 is turned on, the cooling water in the water tank 11 has no ice layer formed around the evaporation pipe 14. When the beverage cooling device 10 is turned on, the control device 30 sets a preset off setting value of 0.7 V, which is a potential difference between the first electrode 21 and the earth electrode 23 detected by the first voltmeter 31c. Is stored in the memory as an ON setting value. Next, when the control device 30 operates the refrigeration device 13, the cooling water in the water tank 11 is cooled by the refrigerant vaporized in the evaporation pipe 14 and is frozen around the evaporation pipe 14. Ice around the evaporation tube 14 is formed in a range covering the first electrode 21 and then in a range covering the second electrode 22. The entire second electrode 22 is covered with ice, and the potential difference between the second electrode 22 and the earth electrode 23 detected by the second voltmeter 32c of the second detection circuit 32 is 0.9 V, which is an off set value. If it goes up above, the control apparatus 30 will stop the action | operation of the freezing apparatus 13. FIG. Thus, the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 is controlled so that the ice layer around the evaporation tube 14 does not exceed the predetermined thickness range.

  When the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 stops, the thickness of the ice layer formed around the evaporation pipe 14 gradually decreases. The tip of the first electrode 21 is exposed to the cooling water without being covered with the ice layer around the evaporation tube 14, and the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 detected by the first voltmeter 31 c of the first detection circuit 31. The control device 30 operates the refrigeration apparatus 13 when the potential difference between the voltage and the voltage drops to 0.8 V or less, which is the ON setting value. As a result, the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 is controlled so that the ice layer around the evaporation tube 14 does not become thinner than a predetermined thickness range.

  In the beverage cooling apparatus 10 configured as described above, the first electrode 21 is exposed to the cooling water without being covered with the ice layer formed around the evaporator tube 14, and is detected by the first voltmeter 31c. When the potential difference between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 becomes equal to or less than the ON set value, the refrigeration apparatus 13 is activated, and the second electrode 22 is covered with an ice layer formed around the evaporation tube 14, and the second When the potential difference between the electrode 22 and the ground electrode 23 becomes equal to or greater than the off-set value, the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 is stopped so that ice having a predetermined thickness is formed around the evaporation tube 14. In this beverage cooling apparatus 10, the first electrode 21 (or the second electrode 22) detected by the first voltmeter 31c (or the second voltmeter 32c) before being covered with ice formed around the evaporation tube 14 As an intermediate value between the potential difference between the ground electrode 23 and the ground electrode 23 and the OFF set value, an average value of these values was set as the ON set value. Thereby, the potential difference between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23 when the first electrode 21 is exposed to the cooling water without being covered with ice varies depending on the water quality (electric conductivity) of the cooling water in the water tank 11. However, by using the potential difference between the first electrode 21 (or the second electrode 22) and the ground electrode 23 before being covered with ice, an ON set value is obtained corresponding to a wide range of cooling water quality (electrical conductivity). be able to. Thereby, the ON setting value corresponding to the wide electric conductivity of the cooling water is used without setting a plurality of ON setting values in the storage unit such as a memory in advance according to the water quality (electrical conductivity) of the cooling water. Thus, the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 can be controlled.

  In this embodiment, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cooling water is further provided in the water tank 11, and the temperature detected by this temperature sensor is, for example, a predetermined temperature when 5 ° C. or more is detected continuously for a predetermined time. An intermediate value between the potential difference between the first electrode 21 (or the second electrode 22) detected by the 1 voltmeter 31c (or the second voltmeter 32c) and the ground electrode 23 and the off set value may be used as the on set value. Good. In this case, even after the ice layer having a predetermined thickness is formed around the evaporation tube 14 and the power is temporarily cut off due to a power failure or the like, the cooling water in the water tank 11 is, for example, 5 ° C. or more. If there is, the ice layer around the evaporator tube 14 melts to such an extent that the first voltmeter 31c (or the second voltmeter 32c) is exposed to the cooling water, and the first electrode 21 in a state where the cooling water is exposed. A potential difference between (or the second electrode 22) and the ground electrode 23 is detected by the first voltmeter 31c (or the second voltmeter 32c), and an on set value is obtained from an intermediate value between the detected value and the off set value. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the first electrode 21 (or the second electrode 22) detected by the first voltmeter 31c (or the second voltmeter 32c) before being covered with ice formed around the evaporation tube 14; These average values are set to ON as an intermediate value between the potential difference with the ground electrode 23 and the OFF setting value. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first electrode 21 (or the second electrode 22) is not limited thereto. As long as it is a value between the potential difference between the ground electrode 23 and the off-set value, it can be changed within a range close to the average value thereof.

  In the above-described embodiment, the intermediate value between the potential difference between the first electrode 21 (or the second electrode) and the ground electrode 23 before being covered with ice formed around the evaporation tube 14 and the off-set value is set. Although it is set as the ON set value, as shown in the beverage cooling device 10A of another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, in addition to the configuration of the beverage cooling device 10 described above, it is separated from the evaporation pipe 14 in the water tank 11. A third electrode 24 is further provided at a position away from the ground electrode 23 at a position where no ice layer is formed, and the resistance between the third electrode 24 and the ground electrode 23 is detected by the control device 30A as shown in FIG. The third detection circuit 33 is connected.

  The third detection circuit 33 detects a potential difference between the third electrode 24 and the ground electrode 23. As shown in FIG. 3, the third detection circuit 33 is connected between the fixed resistor 33b connected between the input terminal 33a and the third electrode 24, and between the first electrode 21 and the ground electrode 23. A third voltmeter 33c for detecting a potential difference is provided (the two-dot chain line in the figure indicates the water tank 11 in which the third electrode 24 and the ground electrode 23 are immersed in cooling water). When a predetermined voltage (for example, a voltage of 5V) is applied to the input terminal 33a, the potential difference detected by the third voltmeter 33c increases in proportion to the resistance between the third electrode 24 and the ground electrode 23. As described above, the third detection circuit 33 detects the resistance between the third electrode 24 and the ground electrode 23 based on the potential difference detected by the third voltmeter 33c.

  In this beverage cooling apparatus 10A, the potential difference between the third electrode 24 and the ground electrode 23, which is not always covered with ice, detected by the third voltmeter 33c is used, and the detected potential difference and the off set value are used. These average values are stored in the memory as an on set value as an intermediate value with respect to 0.9 V defined as, and the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 is controlled using the on set value. The on-set value may be obtained as a predetermined time, for example, every hour, every several hours, every day, or every few days, or may be obtained continuously.

  In the beverage cooling apparatus 10A configured as described above, the above-described operational effects can be obtained, and the electrical conductivity of the cooling water in the water tank 11 is reduced, and the cooling water becomes dirty. Even when the electrical conductivity changes due to a subsequent factor that increases the electrical conductivity, the ON setting value corresponding to this change is obtained, and the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 can be controlled based on this. it can. Moreover, when the power supply is turned on again after the power supply is temporarily cut off due to a power failure or the like using the beverage cooling apparatus 10 described above, the first or second electrodes 21 and 22 are disposed around the evaporation tube 14. When covered with ice, the potential difference between the first or second electrode 21, 22 and the earth electrode 23 detected by the first or second voltmeter 31c, 32c is greater than when exposed to the cooling water. However, when the beverage cooling apparatus 10A is used, the third electrode is always on ice even when the power is temporarily cut off due to a power failure or the like. Since it is not covered, it is possible to always obtain an appropriate ON setting value regardless of the thickness of the ice around the evaporator tube 14 and to control the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 13 based on this.

  In the present embodiment, these average values are set to ON as an intermediate value between the potential difference between the third electrode 24 and the ground electrode 23 detected by the third voltmeter 33c and the OFF setting value. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any value between the potential difference between the third electrode 22 and the ground electrode 23 and the OFF set value can be changed within a range close to the average value thereof.

  In addition, each electrode 21-24 of this embodiment is being fixed to the water tank 11 by the supporting member which consists of an insulating member which is not illustrated in the state which is not electrically connected mutually.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Beverage cooling device, 11 ... Water tank, 12 ... Beverage cooling pipe, 13 ... Freezing device, 14 ... Evaporating pipe, 21 ... 1st electrode, 22 ... 2nd electrode, 23 ... Ground electrode, 24 ... 3rd electrode, 30 …Control device.

Claims (2)

A coiled evaporating pipe constituting a refrigeration apparatus is set up separately around a coiled beverage cooling pipe erected inside a water tank that stores cooling water, and the evaporation is performed when the refrigeration apparatus is operated. In the beverage cooling apparatus configured to cool the beverage passing through the beverage cooling tube so as to form an ice layer having a predetermined thickness around the tube,
A first electrode which is provided in a range where an ice layer having a predetermined thickness around the evaporation pipe in the water tank is formed and is exposed to the cooling water when the ice layer is formed to be thinnest; A second electrode which is provided in a range where an ice layer of a predetermined thickness around the evaporation tube is formed and is covered with ice when the ice layer is formed to be thickest, and the evaporation tube in the water tank An earth electrode provided at a position where ice is not formed at a position away from the first electrode, and the first electrode is exposed to cooling water without being covered with an ice layer formed around the evaporator tube, When the potential difference between the ground electrode and the ground electrode is equal to or less than an on-set value, the refrigeration apparatus is operated, and the second electrode is covered with an ice layer formed around the evaporation tube, and the second electrode and the ground electrode The operation of the refrigeration system is stopped when the potential difference between A control device for controlling so as to form ice of a predetermined thickness around the evaporator tube by causing,
The control device sets an intermediate value between a potential difference between the first or second electrode and the ground electrode before being covered with ice formed around the evaporation tube and the off set value as the on set value. A beverage cooling device characterized by that. A coiled evaporating pipe constituting a refrigeration apparatus is set up separately around a coiled beverage cooling pipe erected inside a water tank that stores cooling water, and the evaporation is performed when the refrigeration apparatus is operated. In the beverage cooling apparatus configured to cool the beverage passing through the beverage cooling tube so as to form an ice layer having a predetermined thickness around the tube,
A first electrode which is provided in a range where an ice layer having a predetermined thickness around the evaporation pipe in the water tank is formed and is exposed to the cooling water when the ice layer is formed to be thinnest; A second electrode which is provided in a range where an ice layer having a predetermined thickness around the evaporation tube is formed and is covered with ice when the ice layer is formed to be thickest, and the evaporation tube in the water tank. A third electrode and a ground electrode provided at a position where no ice layer is formed apart from each other, and the first electrode is exposed to the cooling water without being covered with an ice layer formed around the evaporation pipe and exposed to the first water. When the potential difference between the electrode and the ground electrode is equal to or less than the ON set value, the refrigeration apparatus is operated, and the second electrode is covered with an ice layer formed around the evaporation tube and the second electrode and the ground electrode The operation of the refrigeration system when the potential difference between the ground electrode and the ground electrode exceeds the set value A control for controlling devices so as to form ice of a predetermined thickness around the evaporation pipe by stopping,
The beverage cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the control device sets an intermediate value between a potential difference between the third electrode and the ground electrode and the off set value as the on set value.

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