JP6161186B2 - Pipe fittings and fluid pipe members - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pipe joint and a pipe member for fluid, and more particularly, to one that measures the temperature of a flowing fluid.

  The temperature measurement of the fluid flowing through the conventional pipe joint will be described using the food and drink fluid supply apparatus shown in FIG. The food / beverage fluid supply apparatus includes a food / beverage fluid storage container 1, a dispense head 2, a gas supply device 3, a cooler 4, a supply unit 5, and a control unit 15.

  The food / beverage fluid storage container 1 is for storing a food / beverage fluid inside. The dispensing head 2 is connected to the food / fluid outlet 6 of the food / fluid storage container 1. Further, the dispensing head 2 is provided with a gas supply port 7 that receives gas supply from a gas supply device 3 to be described later, and an extraction port 8 for extracting the food and beverage fluid from the food and beverage storage container 1 by gas pressure. It has been.

  The gas supply device 3 supplies gas to the gas supply port 7 of the dispense head 2. A regulator 9 for adjusting the gas pressure is provided at the gas outlet of the gas supply device 3, and is connected to the gas supply port 7 of the dispense head 2 via a pipe.

  The cooler 4 is used to cool the beer. In the cooler 4, a refrigerant container 10 containing a refrigerant is provided, and a spirally wound pipe 19 is disposed in the refrigerant container 10. A temperature sensor 14 made of a thermocouple is provided in the spirally wound pipe 19. In addition, one end of the spirally wound pipe 19 is connected to a pipe communicating with the extraction port 8 of the dispense head 2. A pinch valve 11 and an electronic pressure sensor 13 are provided in the middle of the pipe. On the other hand, the other end of the spirally wound pipe 19 is connected to a pipe communicating with the supply unit 5 provided on the outlet side of the cooler 4.

  The supply unit 5 is formed by a valve that is opened and closed by a lever 12, and is used to supply a cooled food or drink fluid to the outside.

  The control unit 15 includes a calculation unit 16 that calculates pressure and temperature from electric signals respectively input from the pressure sensor 13 and the temperature sensor 14, and a control unit 17 that performs control according to the calculated pressure and temperature. Yes. The arithmetic unit 16 includes a receiving circuit that receives electrical signals from the pressure sensor 13 and the temperature sensor 14 and an arithmetic circuit that calculates the pressure and temperature, respectively. The control unit 17 compares the measured pressure and temperature values output from the calculation unit 16 with the set pressure and temperature ranges, and a control for controlling the operation of the electropneumatic converter 18. Circuit.

  The electropneumatic converter 18 is composed of an electromagnetic valve that is electrically driven to adjust the operation pressure proportionally, and adjusts the operation pressure of the pinch valve 11 in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 15 (above, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-182250 A

  The aforementioned food and beverage supply apparatus has the following points to be improved. Although the temperature sensor 14 made of a thermocouple is disposed in the pipe 19 of the cooler 4, the specific structure of how the temperature sensor 14 is arranged with respect to the pipe 19 is not disclosed. .

  Here, in order to manage the quality of the beverage to be supplied, it is desirable to install a temperature sensor in the middle of the beverage supply pipe to accurately grasp the temperature of the beverage to be supplied.

  Moreover, in order to control the quality of the beverage to be supplied, it is desirable to clean and keep the tube supplying the beverage clean. Rather than washing with a liquid such as a cleaning solution, the tube that supplies the beverage is cleaned with a cleaning sponge (chemical solution, water, hot water, etc.) inside the tube that supplies the beverage. The method to do is desirable. By passing the sponge piece through the pipe supplying the beverage with the pressure of the cleaning liquid, the sponge piece passes through the inner surface of the pipe while being rubbed, and dirt that is difficult to remove with only the liquid can be removed.

  However, when a temperature sensor is installed in the middle of a pipe for supplying beverage, irregularities due to the temperature sensor are generated inside the pipe for supplying beverage, and the sponge piece cannot be passed. For this reason, the temperature control of the beverage to be supplied does not directly measure the temperature of the beverage flowing through the inside of the tube supplying the beverage, but the cooling temperature of the barrel storing the beverage or the cooling for cooling the supplied beverage The temperature of the aquarium was measured, that is, the temperature of the beverage was indirectly measured.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the pipe joint and fluid pipe member which can measure the temperature of the fluid which is flowing through the flow path.

  Means for solving the problems in the present invention and the effects of the invention will be described below.

  The pipe joint according to the present invention includes a first pipe connection portion connected to a first pipe through which a fluid flows, a second pipe connection portion connected to a second pipe through which the fluid flows, and the first pipe connection portion. And the second pipe connecting portion, a fluid passage hole through which the fluid flows, a fluid passage hole formed by a passage hole forming surface inside the body portion, and the fluid passage hole A temperature measurement unit having a temperature measurement end for measuring the temperature of the fluid flowing through the pipe, wherein the main body unit is connected to the fluid passage hole, and the temperature measurement unit is disposed The temperature measurement end is arranged substantially without a step at an intersection between the fluid passage hole and the temperature measurement unit arrangement space.

  Thereby, the temperature of the fluid flowing through the fluid passage hole can be measured in real time. Moreover, the flow path formed by the first tube, the second tube, and the fluid passage hole can be washed with a sponge piece.

  The pipe joint according to the present invention is characterized in that the temperature measuring end has a distal end surface constituted by a smooth curved surface.

  Accordingly, the flow path can be washed with the sponge piece while measuring the temperature of the fluid flowing through the flow path formed by the first pipe, the second pipe, and the fluid passage hole in real time.

  In the pipe joint according to the present invention, the passage hole forming surface is substantially stepless with the inner surface of the first pipe in a state where the first pipe is connected to the first pipe connecting portion. And / or, in a state where the second pipe is connected to the second pipe connecting portion, there is substantially no step with the inner surface of the second pipe.

  Thereby, the flow path formed by the first tube, the second tube, and the fluid passage hole can be cleaned using the sponge piece.

  The pipe joint according to the present invention is characterized in that the temperature measuring unit can be removed. Thereby, even if a deposit occurs in the temperature measurement unit due to a fluid or the like, the temperature measurement unit can be easily replaced. Therefore, the temperature of the fluid flowing through the flow path formed by the first tube, the second tube, and the fluid passage hole can always be accurately measured.

  In the pipe joint according to the present invention, the temperature measurement unit arrangement space has a temperature measurement unit insertion hole for inserting the temperature measurement unit, and has a temperature measurement unit insertion hole connected to the outside of the main body unit. .

  Thereby, a temperature measurement part can be easily removed and replaced | exchanged.

  The fluid pipe member according to the present invention is a fluid pipe member through which a fluid flows, a fluid passage hole formed by a passage hole forming surface inside the fluid pipe member, and the fluid flowing through the fluid passage hole. A temperature measuring unit having a temperature measuring end for measuring temperature, a temperature measuring unit arrangement space formed in the fluid pipe member, connected to the fluid passage hole, and the temperature measuring unit arranged with the temperature measuring unit The temperature measurement end is arranged substantially without a step at an intersection between the fluid passage hole and the temperature measurement unit arrangement space.

Thereby, the temperature of the fluid flowing through the fluid passage hole can be measured in real time. Further, the fluid passage hole can be cleaned with a sponge piece.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the pipe joint 100 which is one Example of the pipe joint which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the partial cross section of the pipe joint 100 in FIG. It is an expanded sectional view near intersection part 117 of fluid passage hole 115 and temperature sensor arrangement space 113H. It is the figure which abbreviate | omitted a part of component from sectional drawing in FIG. It is a figure which shows the prior art regarding the temperature measurement of a fluid.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The pipe joint 100 which is an example of the pipe joint which concerns on this invention is demonstrated using FIGS. 1-3. The pipe joint 100 connects two independent pipes used in a beverage dispenser. The pipe joint 100 can be installed later on the way to the beverage supply pipe of the existing dispenser. Therefore, the temperature of the beverage flowing through the beverage supply pipe can be measured at low cost by using the pipe joint 100 without replacing all of the beverage supply pipe.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the pipe joint 100, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the vertical center plane in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view in which some components are omitted from FIG. . A first pipe T <b> 1 and a second pipe T <b> 2 are connected to the pipe joint 100. A flow path R is formed by the pipe joint 100, the first pipe T1, and the second pipe T2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pipe joint 100 includes a first pipe connection part 101, a second pipe connection part 102, and a main body part 103. The first pipe connection part 101 and the second pipe connection part 102 are arranged in a straight line via the main body part 103.

  A first tube T1 is connected to the first tube connection portion 101. When the first tube T1 is inserted to a predetermined position of the first tube connection portion 101, the first tube T1 and the first tube are fixed by fixing the first tube T1 at the position. T1 is connected. The same applies to the second pipe connection portion 102. However, the second pipe connection portion 102 is connected to the second pipe T2.

  The main body 103 is located between the first pipe connection part 101 and the second pipe connection part 102.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main body unit 103 includes a housing 111, a temperature sensor 121, and a temperature sensor fixing unit 123. In FIG. 2, the description of a specific connection mechanism between the first pipe connecting portion 101 and the first pipe T1 is omitted. The same applies to the connection mechanism between the second pipe connecting portion 102 and the second pipe T2.

  The casing 111 has a fluid passage hole 115 through which the fluid flowing from the first tube T1 or the second tube T2 flows. The fluid passage hole 115 is formed by a passage hole forming surface 115 </ b> P inside the housing 111. When the first tube T1 is connected to the first tube connecting portion 101, the passage hole forming surface 115P is connected to the inner surface P1 of the first tube T1 without substantially causing a step. Since the fluid passage hole 115 has the same diameter D115 as the inner diameter D1 of the first tube T1, the fluid passage hole 115 is connected to the inner surface P1 of the first tube T1 with substantially no step. The same applies to the second tube T2.

  Thus, even if the cleaning sponge piece is passed through the flow path R, the sponge piece is not caught in the middle of the flow path R. Therefore, the sponge piece is caught in the middle of the flow path R, and subsequent cleaning cannot be performed. Further, a step is generated in the flow path R, and a portion where the sponge piece does not contact, that is, a portion that cannot be cleaned occurs. Thus, it is possible to reliably clean the flow path R.

  In addition, the sponge piece used with the dispenser for drinks has a spherical shape or a cylindrical shape. If the sponge piece is spherical, its outermost diameter portion is the inner surface P1 of the first tube T1, the inner surface P2 of the second tube T2, and the passage hole forming surface 115P of the fluid passage hole 115 (described later) of the pipe joint 100 ( A cleaning effect is exhibited in contact with the flow path forming surface (described later). If the sponge piece is cylindrical, the outer peripheral surface is in contact with the flow path forming surface and exhibits a cleaning effect. The sponge piece has a diameter of 2 mm to 3 mm larger than the inner diameter of the flow path forming surface (such as the inner diameter D1 of the first tube T1) if it is a spherical shape and the diameter of the circumferential portion is a cylindrical shape. Is used. With this size, the sponge piece and the flow path forming surface are in contact with each other at an appropriate pressure and exhibit a cleaning effect, while the first pipe T1, the second pipe T2, and the pipe joint 100 are within the pressure of the liquid. Can be moved. When the diameter of the sponge piece is 2 mm to 3 mm or more larger than the inner diameter of the flow path forming surface, the sponge piece is easily caught by the first tube T1 or the like. Moreover, when the diameter of the sponge piece is the same as or smaller than the inner diameter of the flow path forming surface, the sponge piece and the flow path forming surface are not properly in contact with each other, and the cleaning effect is reduced. Furthermore, the shape of a cube or the like is not preferable because the contact between the sponge piece and the flow path forming surface may be uneven.

  Note that the standards such as the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the first tube T1 and the second tube T2 are usually determined in advance depending on the relationship with other devices to be connected. For example, when the first tube T1 and the second tube T2 are beverage dispenser tubes, standards are defined for each dispenser manufacturer. Therefore, if information about the standard is obtained in advance regarding the first pipe T1 and the second pipe T2, the first pipe connection portion 101 and the second pipe connection portion 102 of the pipe joint 100 are respectively connected to the first pipe T1 and the second pipe T2. It can be easily designed so that it can be connected to the tube T1 and the second tube T2 without substantially any step.

  In addition, the housing 111 has a convex housing fixing portion 113 at the substantially center of the upper surface. The case fixing unit 113 will be described later.

  The temperature sensor 121 measures the temperature of the fluid flowing through the fluid passage hole 115. The temperature sensor 121 can be detached from the housing 111. Thereby, at the time of failure of the temperature sensor 121, replacement | exchange of only the temperature sensor 121 or replacement | exchange of the whole pipe joint 100 can be selected arbitrarily according to a condition.

  The temperature sensor 121 has a flange portion 121a having a diameter larger than that of other portions near the center. The temperature sensor 121 has a measurement unit that measures temperature at a measurement end 121T that is a tip. The measurement end 121T is arranged in the vicinity of an intersection 117 (see FIG. 3) between the fluid passage hole 115 and a temperature sensor arrangement space 113H (described later).

  FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view near the intersection 117 (see FIG. 3) between the fluid passage hole 115 and the temperature sensor arrangement space 113H (described later). A tip surface 121S that is an outer surface of the measurement end 121T has a smooth curved surface. Further, the front end surface 121S is positioned so as to protrude slightly from the temperature sensor arrangement space 113H toward the fluid passage hole 115 without causing a step difference from the passage hole formation surface 115P of the fluid passage hole 115. . That is, since the measurement end 121T is slightly disposed in the fluid passage hole 115, the temperature of the liquid flowing through the fluid passage hole 115 can be measured.

  Note that the protrusion of the measurement end 121T into the fluid passage hole 115 does not hinder the passage of the sponge piece in the fluid passage hole 115. In addition, since the tip surface 121S is a smooth curved surface, the tip surface 121S is cleaned by the passage of the sponge piece as well as does not hinder the passage of the sponge piece during cleaning.

  Here, “substantially no level difference” is formed between the passage hole forming surface 115P of the fluid passage hole 115 and the measurement end 121T when the temperature sensor 121 is arranged in the temperature sensor arrangement space 113H. This means that the step formed by the concave or convex portions does not hinder the passage of the sponge piece during cleaning. Therefore, even if the passage hole forming surface 115P and the tip surface 121S of the measurement end 121T do not form the same plane completely, even if a slight convex or concave portion is formed between them, This includes the case where the sponge piece can be passed while its shape is deformed by the pressure of a liquid (chemical solution, water, hot water, etc.) flowing simultaneously with the piece.

  More specifically, “substantially no level difference” means that the level difference is caused by a convex portion formed between the passage hole forming surface 115P of the fluid passage hole 115 and the measurement end 121T. Is 1.5 mm or less with respect to the passage hole forming surface 115P, and when a step is formed by the recess, it means that the depth of the recess is 2.0 mm or less with respect to the passage hole forming surface 115P. . In addition, if the height of the convex part which is a level | step difference is 1.5 mm or less, the sponge piece for washing | cleaning will deform | transform and can pass a sponge piece through the flow path R. FIG. When the height of the convex portion is larger than 1.5 mm, there is a high possibility that the sponge piece will be caught.

  In addition, if the depth of the concave portion which is a step is 2.0 mm or less, there is almost no portion where the sponge pieces do not contact and cannot be cleaned, and thus the possibility of problems in terms of hygiene can be minimized. When the depth of the concave portion is larger than 2.0 mm, there is a high possibility that a portion that cannot be cleaned because the sponge piece does not come into contact with each other, which may cause a sanitary problem due to insufficient cleaning.

  Returning to FIG. 2, a signal line 121 </ b> L that transmits information detected by the temperature sensor 121 is connected to an end portion of the temperature sensor 121 that is different from the measurement end 121 </ b> T.

  The temperature sensor fixing unit 123 fixes the temperature sensor 121 to the casing 111. The temperature sensor fixing portion 123 has a U-shaped cross section.

  The housing fixing part 113 and the temperature sensor fixing part 123 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the temperature sensor 121 in FIG. 2 is omitted. The housing fixing part 113 has a screw part 113a, a temperature sensor insertion hole 113c, and a temperature sensor arrangement space 113H. The screw part 113 a is formed on the outer surface of the housing fixing part 113.

  The temperature sensor insertion hole 113 c is formed near the center of the housing fixing portion 113. In addition, although the O-ring for waterproofing is arrange | positioned in the temperature sensor insertion hole 113c, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The temperature sensor arrangement space 113 </ b> H forms a space integrated with the fluid passage hole 115 inside the housing 111 including the housing fixing portion 113. Since the temperature sensor arrangement space 113H has substantially the same shape as the temperature sensor 121, the fluid flowing into the temperature sensor arrangement space 113H hardly enters. The temperature sensor arrangement space 113H communicates with the outside of the housing 111 through the temperature sensor insertion hole 113c.

  The temperature sensor fixing portion 123 has a screw portion 123a and a signal line passage hole 123c. The screw part 123 a is formed on a part of the inner surface of the temperature sensor fixing part 123. The temperature sensor 121 is fixed to the housing 111 by screwing the screw portion 123 a of the temperature sensor fixing portion 123 and the screw portion 113 a of the housing fixing portion 113. When the screw portion 123a and the screw portion 113a of the housing fixing portion 113 are screwed together, the inner surface 123P of the top plate of the temperature sensor fixing portion 123 moves the upper surface 121P (see FIG. 2) of the temperature sensor 121 to the housing. Since the upper surface 113P of the body fixing portion 113 comes into pressure contact with the lower surface of the flange portion 121a of the temperature sensor 121, the temperature sensor 121 can be firmly fixed.

  The pipe joint 100 measures the temperature of a liquid that requires temperature management, such as beer supplied by a beer server that is a beverage supply dispenser, in the liquid supply process. That is, by using the pipe joint 100, the temperature of the liquid flowing through the first pipe T1 and the second pipe T2 can be measured in real time.

  The pipe joint 100 is a so-called union type. Therefore, the first pipe T1 and the second pipe T2 can be connected to the pipe joint 100 and separated from the pipe joint 100 without rotating the first pipe T1 and the second pipe T2.

[Other embodiments]
(1) Shape of the casing 111: As for the shape of the casing 111, if the fluid passage hole 115 and the temperature sensor arrangement space 113H can be formed and the temperature sensor 121 can be fixed to the temperature sensor arrangement space 113H, the usage situation Therefore, the selection may be made as appropriate, and is not particularly limited.

  (2) Connection mechanism between the first tube connection portion 101 and the first tube T1: In the first embodiment, the connection mechanism between the first tube connection portion 101 and the first tube T1 is particularly Although not mentioned, when the first tube T1 is inserted into the first tube connecting portion 101, both are automatically connected, one using a union nut, union screw, one connected by a flange, etc. If it is a connection mechanism which can connect both, it will not specifically limit.

  (3) Temperature sensor 121: In the above-described first embodiment, the temperature sensor 121 is removable, but the temperature sensor 121 may be integrated with the casing 111 so that it cannot be removed.

  (4) Fixing of the temperature sensor 121: In the above-described first embodiment, the temperature sensor 121 is fixed to the casing 111 using the temperature sensor fixing unit 123. It is not limited to things. For example, without using the temperature sensor fixing part 123, a screw may be inserted from the upper surface of the collar part 121a of the temperature sensor 121 to fix both.

  (5) Signal line 121L: In the first embodiment, the temperature information about the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 121 is transmitted using the signal line 121L. However, the signal line 121L is exemplified as long as the temperature information can be transmitted. It is not limited. For example, a predetermined wireless circuit may be arranged in the pipe joint 100 and temperature information may be transmitted by a wireless signal.

(6) Fluid pipe member: In the above-described first embodiment, the temperature of the flowing fluid is measured in the pipe joint, but it is not limited to the example as long as the temperature of the flowing fluid is measured. For example, the housing fixing portion 113 is directly formed on a fluid pipe member that is a pipe for supplying a fluid such as a beverage such as the first pipe T1 and the second pipe T2, and the temperature sensor 121 is disposed. As appropriate, the temperature sensor 121 may be fixed using the temperature sensor fixing unit 123. The fluid pipe member is a concept including soft and hard.

The pipe joint according to the present invention can be used for, for example, a beverage dispenser and a beer server that require temperature management.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Pipe joint 101 ... 1st pipe connection part 102 ... 2nd pipe connection part 103 ... Main-body part 111 ... Case 113- ··· Case fixing portion 113a · Screw portion 113c · Temperature sensor insertion hole 113H · · · Temperature sensor placement space 115 · · · Fluid passage hole 115P · · · Passing hole forming surface 117 ··· ... Intersection 121 ... Temperature sensor 121a ... Flange part 121L ... Signal line 121T ... Temperature measurement end 121S ... Tip surface 123 ... Temperature sensor fixing part 123a ..Screw part 123c ... Signal line passage hole

Claims (4)

A pipe joint for connecting two independent first beverage supply pipes and a second beverage supply pipe for use in a beverage dispenser for supplying a liquid of beverage fluid,
The pipe joint is
A first pipe connecting portion connected to a first beverage supply pipe through which the beverage fluid flows;
A second pipe connecting portion for connecting to a second beverage supply pipe through which the beverage fluid flows;
A main body located between the first pipe connecting portion and the second pipe connecting portion;
A fluid passage hole through which the beverage fluid flows, the fluid passage hole formed by a passage hole forming surface inside the main body,
A temperature measuring unit having a temperature measuring end for measuring the temperature of the beverage fluid flowing through the fluid passage hole;
Have
The main body is
A temperature measurement unit arrangement space connected to the fluid passage hole and in which the temperature measurement unit is arranged,
Have
The temperature measuring end is
Does not obstruct the passage of the sponge piece during cleaning , has a tip surface composed of a smooth curved surface,
At the intersection between the fluid passage hole and the temperature measurement portion arrangement space, it protrudes slightly from the temperature measurement portion arrangement space toward the fluid passage hole without substantially interfering with the passage of the sponge piece. Being placed in,
Pipe fittings characterized by In the pipe joint according to claim 1,
The passage hole forming surface is
In the state where the first beverage supply pipe is connected to the first pipe connection portion, there is substantially no step with the inner surface of the first beverage supply pipe and / or the second beverage supply pipe. In the state where it is connected to the second pipe connection portion, there is substantially no step with the inner surface of the second beverage supply pipe,
Pipe fittings characterized by Either of the pipe joints according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The temperature measuring unit is
Can be removed,
Pipe fittings characterized by In the pipe joint according to claim 3,
The temperature measurement unit arrangement space is
A temperature measurement part insertion hole for inserting the temperature measurement part, wherein the temperature measurement part insertion hole is connected to the outside of the main body part,
Pipe fittings with

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