JP6767111B2 - Water server and its operation control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to operation control of a water server that heats or cools drinking water to provide it.

The water server heats or cools the drinking water stored in the tank and provides it. Drinking water is supplied into the tank through, for example, ordinary tap water or a water bottle. A heating device or a cooling device is installed in this tank and is controlled to reach a set temperature. In such a water server, in order to start the operation of the heating means and the cooling means, for example, when the water server is installed at a predetermined position, a setting operation is performed by a user, a trader, or the like.

Regarding a device for supplying such drinking water, there is a device that adjusts heating by turning on / off a hot water heater when the power is turned on (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-032106

By the way, the water server requires setting operations such as a process of filling the server with drinking water from the water supply container and a heater heating start operation as an initial setting. Such initial settings are for the purpose of fully exerting the functions of the water server, ensuring hygiene, ensuring safety, etc., and are set to be performed artificially.

In many cases, this initial setting operation is set to be performed when the power is turned on. However, the opportunity to turn on the power is not limited to the initial installation or recovery from a state where it has not been used for a long period of time. It may be after dropping. In this case, since the power of the water server is restored shortly after the normal operation, it would be troublesome for the user to perform the initial setting operation again. Further, when it is necessary to call a contractor to perform the initial setting, there is a problem that the water server cannot be used immediately after the power is turned on again, and the convenience of the water server may be lost.

If the user does not know to perform the initial settings after turning on the power, or if he forgets to perform the work, some or all of the functions of the water server will be inactive, and the next time. There is a problem that cold water or hot water is not supplied at the time of use. Further, if the drinking water in the tank is stored at room temperature in the standby state without the initial setting, there is a problem that the standard for drinking may not be satisfied.

In addition, the water server has been simplified in order to reduce weight, size, and cost, and is not equipped with a function or memory for storing usage history and status information up to the previous time. Therefore, the water server has a problem that even if a power failure occurs for a short time, the initial operation is required again when the power is turned on again, and the water supply or the hot water supply process is not suitable.

With respect to such a problem, the configuration disclosed in Cited Document 1 does not disclose or suggest a solution.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable the provision of drinking water at an early stage and enhance the convenience of the water server when the operation is restarted in a short time from the stop.

And other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further clarified by reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments and examples.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the water server of the present invention, it is a water server that heats or cools drinking water and provides the heating means for heating the drinking water or cooling the drinking water. A tank provided with a cooling means, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the tank, threshold temperature information of drinking water in the tank, and an elapsed time from the start of heating by the heating means or the start of cooling by the cooling means. A storage unit that stores reference temperature change information indicating the temperature change of each drinking water,
When the power is turned on, the temperature information detected by the temperature detecting means is compared with the threshold temperature information, and if the temperature information is within the threshold temperature range, it is determined that the operation is restarted in a short time from the previous drive stop. Then, the heating means or the cooling means is automatically activated, and the beverage is generated for each elapsed time from the start of heating or cooling caused by the operation of the heating means or the cooling means detected by the temperature detecting means after the activation. The temperature change information indicating the temperature change of water is taken in, the taken- in temperature change information is compared with the reference temperature change information, and if the difference between the two is within a predetermined range, it is determined that there is no drinking water in the tank. It suffices to provide a control unit for the operation.

In the water dispenser, wherein, when the tank is provided with the heating means sets the threshold temperature information of the high-temperature, detected the temperature information is a case of more than a threshold temperature within the range of the threshold temperature If the determined and when the tank is provided with said cooling means sets the threshold temperature information of the low-temperature, it is determined that if there a case detected the temperature information is below the threshold temperature in the range of the threshold temperature Just do it.

In the water server, the control unit compares the temperature change information in the tank and the reference temperature change information grasped by the detected temperature information detected by the temperature detecting means with the beverage in the tank. The presence or absence of water may be determined, and if there is no drinking water in the tank based on the determination result, the operation of the heating means or the cooling means may be stopped.

In the water server, the operation start processing of the heating means or the cooling means may include the supply processing of the drinking water into the tank.

The water server further includes a display means for displaying the operating state of the heating means or the cooling means, and the control unit operates the display means on the display means when the detected temperature is not within a predetermined temperature range. Display processing that prompts the user may be performed.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the operation control program of the water server of the present invention, the operation control program is executed by a computer mounted on the water server that heats or cools drinking water. The temperature in the tank provided with the heating means for heating the drinking water or the cooling means for cooling the drinking water is detected by the temperature detecting means, and every elapsed time from the start of heating by the heating means or the start of cooling by the cooling means. The reference temperature change information indicating the temperature change of drinking water is stored in the storage unit, and when the power is turned on, the temperature information taken in from the temperature detecting means is compared with the threshold temperature information of drinking water in the tank. When the temperature information is within the threshold temperature range, it is determined that the operation is restarted in a short time from the previous drive stop, and the heating means or the cooling means is automatically started, and the temperature detecting means after the start is started. Temperature change information indicating the temperature change of the drinking water for each elapsed time from the start of heating or cooling caused by the operation of the heating means or the cooling means detected in the above is taken in, and the taken-in temperature change information and the reference temperature are taken in. It suffices to have a function of comparing with the change information and determining that there is no drinking water in the tank when the difference between the two is within a predetermined range .

According to the present invention, any of the following effects can be obtained.

(1) When the power is cut off for a short time, the initial operation can be omitted, so that the operation procedure can be reduced for the user.

(2) It is possible to set a simple initial operation that is differentiated according to the operation stop period without monitoring the operating state from power off to power on again, which enhances convenience for the user.

(3) When setting the restart operation according to the stop period by determining the stop period of the water server from the state of drinking water in the tank, it is not necessary to use a separate means for monitoring the stop state.

(4) By automatically restarting the operation of the heating means or the cooling means in response to the short-term operation stop, it is possible to prevent the situation where the setting operation is not performed and to secure the usage state of the water supply function or the hot water supply function.

It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of a water server. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation start process of a water server. The water server according to the first embodiment is shown. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation panel part of a water server. It is a figure which shows an example of the control part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation start process of a water server. It is a figure which shows the functional structure example of the server main body which concerns on Example 2. It is a figure which shows the state example of the temperature change by heating drinking water. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation start process of a water server.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the water server of the present invention. The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.

The water server 2 is provided with a server main body 4, and water supply W is provided to the server main body 4 side from a water supply unit 6 installed on the upper side of the server main body 4. The clean water W is, for example, drinking water. The water supply unit 6 may be either a water supply or a water supply bottle.

The server main body 4 is provided with a cold water tank 8 and a hot water tank 10, and the clean water W supplied from the water supply unit 6 is stored in the hot water tank 10 through the cold water tank 8. The cold water tank 8 and the hot water tank 10 are examples of the tanks of the present disclosure. The chilled water tank 8 is provided with, for example, a cooling means 12, which cools the clean water W and stores the chilled water LW. Further, the hot water tank 10 is provided with, for example, a heating means 16, and hot water HW obtained by heating the clean water W is stored.

The server main body 4, the cold water temperature sensor 14 is installed in the cold water tank 8 side, the hot water temperature sensor 1 8 is installed in the hot water tank 10, cold water LW each tank, to detect the temperature of the hot water HW Then, the operation is controlled by the cooling means 12 and the heating means 16. In addition, a drinking water supply mechanism (not shown) is installed in each of the cold water tank 8 and the hot water tank 10, so that cold water LW or hot water HW can be supplied according to the operation of the user.

The server body 4 is provided with a control unit 20 which is a control means for controlling the operation of the water server 2. For example, the control unit 20 is notified of the detected temperature information from the chilled water temperature sensor 14 and the hot water temperature sensor 18, and outputs an operation control instruction to the cooling means 12 and the heating means 16 so as to reach the set temperature. Further, the control unit 20 is connected to the operation input unit 22 and the power supply unit 24 provided in the server main body 4, and monitors the ON / OFF status of the power supply of the water server 2 and controls the operation according to the input operation from the user. Is done.

The operation input unit 22 is provided with an operation means for inputting, for example, a user's hot water supply, a water supply request operation, an initial setting operation, and a display means for displaying an operating state of a water server. When a hot water supply or water supply operation is performed, the control unit 20 grasps the input instruction, and the control unit 20 operates a drinking water supply mechanism (not shown) to allow the cold water LW or hot water HW from the cold water tank 8 or the hot water tank 10. Is supplied from the water supply port.

The power supply unit 24 is supplied with power from, for example, an external commercial AC power source, and includes a cooling means 12, a heating means 16, a chilled water temperature sensor 14, a hot water temperature sensor 18, a control unit 20, an operation input unit 22, a drinking water supply mechanism, and others. Supply the required power to the functional unit. Further, the control unit 20 monitors the connection state between the power supply unit 24 and the external power supply, that is, whether the power supply is ON or OFF, and when the power supply is turned from OFF to ON, for example, the operation start process is started.

In this operation start process, as well as to monitor the temperature condition of the drinking water in the cooling means 12 and heating means 1 of 6 operation start instruction of the output and the cold water storage tank 8 and the hot water tank 10, includes the determination processing of outage Is done. The control unit 20 uses, for example, the detected temperature of drinking water in the cold water tank 8 or the hot water tank 10 as a determination of the operation stop period. Then, the control unit 20 automatically performs the operation restart process according to the operation stop interval, or performs the operation restart process according to the input instruction of the user.

<About operation start processing>

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation start processing of the water server. The processing content and processing procedure shown in FIG. 2 are examples, and the present invention is not limited to such content.

This operation start process is an example of the operation control program of the water server of the present invention, and is executed by a computer constituting the control unit 20.

In the operation start process, when the power supply through the power supply unit 24 is started, the control unit 20 performs the start process (S1). In the start-up process, for example, in addition to reading the basic operation program of the water server 2, the operation stop interval determination process is started.

The temperature of the drinking water in the tank is detected on the drinking water supply function side for which the execution of the automatic operation restart process is set (S2). The automatic operation restart process is set on, for example, one or both of the cold water tank 8 side and the hot water tank 10 side, and the temperature sensor on the set tank side is operated to detect the temperature of the drinking water.

The control unit 20 acquires the detected temperature information from the set temperature sensor on the tank side, confirms the temperature of the drinking water in the tank (S3), and determines whether the temperature of the drinking water in the tank is within a predetermined range. Is determined (S4). The predetermined range of the temperature in the tank is a range representing a temperature state indicating that the water server 2 has been used until immediately before. In determining the temperature inside the hot water tank 10, for example, a temperature equal to or higher than a temperature set as a threshold value may be set as a predetermined range. Further, in determining the temperature inside the cold water tank 8, for example, a temperature equal to or lower than the temperature set as the threshold value may be set as the predetermined range. That is, the predetermined range of this temperature indicates the stop period of power supply from the heated state of the hot water HW or the cooled state of the cold water LW. As a result, if the temperature inside the tank is within a predetermined range, it can be determined that the operation is restarted in a short time from the heated or cooled state.

When the temperature of the drinking water in the tank is within a predetermined range (YES in S4), the control unit 20 determines to start the operation by automatic operation (S5), and one or both of the cooling means 12 and the heating means 16 and the like. , Operate the device in which the automatic operation restart process is set (S6).

Further, when the temperature of the drinking water in the tank is not within the predetermined range (NO in S4), the control unit 20 sets the operation start process by manual operation (S7), and sets the operation input standby state by the user or the operator. Becomes (S8).

When the automatic operation start processing is set on both the cold water tank 8 side and the hot water tank 10 side, the operation stop period may be determined by referring to the temperature in one of the tanks.

<Effect of one embodiment>

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) This water server 2 is more convenient because the initial setting operation can be omitted again when the power is restored in a short time due to the power cut caused by the work of the user or the worker. Be done.

(2) When the power is restored in a short time after a power failure that the user does not understand, the water server 2 cannot supply water or hot water because the operation start process is not completed because the initial setting operation is not performed. It can be prevented from becoming a state.

(3) When the power is restored in a short time from the power cut, the heating means 16 or the cooling means 12 is automatically restored to prevent waste of the energy already used for heating or cooling.

(4) Regardless of the state from power cut to power recovery, it is convenient for the user to start the operation by automatically determining whether the power is restored for a short period of time depending on the state of hot water HW or cold water LW in the tank. The sex is enhanced.

(5) Since the stop period of the water server 2 is determined based on the state of the hot water HW or cold water LW in the tank, it is not necessary to separately provide a power supply monitoring means, and automatic recovery processing can be performed, suppressing an increase in cost. Be done.

(6) If it takes a long time to restore the power from the state of the water in the tank, the safety is confirmed by the user and the operator by waiting until the specified initial operation is performed without automatically restoring. Can be secured.

<Configuration of water server 2>

FIG. 3 shows a water server according to the first embodiment. The configuration shown in FIG. 3 is an example.

The water server 2 is an example of a water supply unit 6 on the upper side of the device, and includes a water supply bottle 26 in which clean water W such as mineral water is stored. In the water supply bottle 26, a water supply nozzle portion 28 formed in a part thereof is inserted into a cold water tank 8 installed in the server main body 4. The water supply nozzle portion 28 can be opened and closed by a valve mechanism 30 formed in a part of the cold water tank 8. The valve mechanism 30 includes, for example, a float portion 32 and an opening / closing portion 34 arranged in the cold water tank 8. The float portion 32 moves up and down according to the water level in the cold water tank 8, and the opening and closing portion 34 moves toward the opening of the water supply nozzle portion 28 by this raising and lowering, thereby opening and closing the opening and closing portion 34. When the water level in the chilled water tank 8 drops, the opening / closing portion 34 moves away from the water supply nozzle portion 28 due to the lowering of the float portion 32, and the clean water W flows out from the water supply bottle 26. Further, when the water level in the cold water tank 8 rises and becomes full, the opening / closing portion 34 comes into contact with the opening of the water supply nozzle portion 28 to close the water supply bottle 26.

In the chilled water tank 8, for example, an evaporator 38 connected to the cooling device 36 is installed on the outer peripheral portion thereof, and chilled water LW in which the clean water W in the chilled water tank 8 is cooled can be obtained. The cooling device 36 and the evaporator 38 are examples of the cooling means of the present disclosure. The cooling device 36 includes a compressor 39, a capillary tube for flowing the refrigerant to the evaporator 38, and the like, and constitutes a cooling cycle by heat exchange using the refrigerant. The chilled water tank 8 is provided with a temperature sensor 40 that detects the temperature inside the tank, and the detected temperature of the chilled water LW is input to the control unit 20. Based on this detected temperature, the control unit 20 controls the temperature of the cold water LW.

The cold water LW in the cold water tank 8 is guided from the bottom side of the tank to the cold water port 46 side through the cold water supply path 44, for example. The chilled water supply path 44 is provided with a chilled water solenoid valve 48 that opens and closes based on an operation instruction from the control unit 20 to discharge or stop the chilled water LW.

In the server main body 4, the hot water tank 10 is arranged below the cold water tank 8. A hot water heater 50, which is an example of the heating means of the present disclosure, is installed on the outer peripheral portion of the hot water tank 10. Further, the hot water tank 10 is supplied with the clean water W in the cold water tank 8 through a water supply channel 52 connected to a water supply hole opened in the central portion of the separation plate 54 arranged on the central side of the cold water tank 8. The separation plate 54 is an example of means for separating the clean water W stored in the upper side of the cold water tank 8 and the cold water LW on the lower side. Therefore, in the cold water tank 8, for example, the evaporator 38 may be installed around the lower side of the arrangement position of the separation plate 54.

A temperature sensor 41 for detecting the internal temperature is installed in the hot water tank 10, and the detected temperature of the hot water HW is input to the control unit 20. As a result, the control unit 20 controls the heating of the hot water heater 50, and heats and keeps the clean water W supplied in the hot water tank 10 to a predetermined temperature.

The hot water HW in the hot water tank 10 is guided to the hot water port 58 from the hot water supply path 56 installed on the ceiling side of the tank. The hot water supply path 56 is provided with a hot water solenoid valve 60 that opens and closes based on an operation instruction from the control unit 20 to discharge or stop the hot water HW.

A bypass path 62 is provided between the bottom side of the cold water tank 8 and the ceiling portion of the hot water tank 10, for example, in addition to the water supply channel 52, and the bypass path 62 is provided with a bypass valve 64. The bypass path 62 is an example of a means for sterilizing by circulating high temperature water in a tank and a pipeline on the server body 4 side, for example.

<About the configuration of the operation panel unit 70>

FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation panel unit 70 of the water server 2.

The operation panel unit 70 is arranged on the exterior side of the server body 4, for example, and is connected to the control unit 20. The operation panel unit 70 is an example of the operation input unit 22 and the display means of the present disclosure, and as an example of the switch group 72, the lock release switch 72-1, the cold water switch 72-2, the hot water switch 72-3, and the energy saving switch 72- 4 is installed. The unlock switch 72-1 is used for unlocking. A child lock function is assigned to the unlock switch 72-1, and a child lock is set for hot water supply by pressing and holding for 3 seconds, for example, as a fixed time. The unlock switch 72-1 is provided with an unlock indicator lamp 74-1, and the unlock indicator lamp 74-1 blinks during unlocking, and its emission color is, for example, green. Lights during child lock to indicate that child lock is in progress. In the upper part of the unlock display lamp 74-1, it is displayed as a guide display that "a child lock is set by continuously pressing for 3 seconds".

The cold water switch 72-2 is used not only for supplying cold water but also for initial setting operation when the power is turned on. The cold water supply can be switched between supplying normal cold water LW and supplying weak cold water mLW having a temperature higher than that of cold water LW. Regarding the use of cold water, the supply of these cold water LW and weak cold water mLW is hereinafter determined as the use of cold water LW.

The hot water switch 72-3 is used not only for hot water supply but also for initial setting operation when the power is turned on. The hot water supply can be switched between supplying normal hot water HW and supplying hot water VHW having a temperature higher than that of hot water HW. Regarding the use of hot water, the supply of these hot water HW and high temperature water VHW is hereinafter determined to be the use of hot water HW.

The energy-saving switch 72-4 is used to turn on and off the energy-saving operation, and the energy-saving setting is set by pressing and holding for 3 seconds, for example, for a certain period of time. In this case, the energy-saving operation saves power by suppressing the heating temperature of the hot water HW during the time when it is not used. In this example, the unlock switch 72-1 is arranged in the center, and the cold water switch 72-2 and the hot water switch 72-3 are arranged with the unlock switch 72-1 in between.

A hot water indicator lamp 74-2 and a high temperature indicator lamp 74-3 are provided above the hot water switch 72-2, and the hot water indicator lamp 74-2 is lit during hot water setting, and its emission color is, for example, green or orange. is there. The high temperature indicator lamp 74-3 lights up during the high temperature setting, and its emission color is, for example, green or orange. A cold water indicator lamp 74-4 and a weak cold indicator lamp 74-5 are provided on the upper side of the cold water switch 72-2, and the cold water indicator lamp 74-4 lights up during the cold water setting, and its emission color is green or orange. .. The weak cold indicator lamp 74-5 lights up during the low cold setting, and its emission color is green or orange.

The energy-saving switch 72-4 is provided with a repeat setting indicator lamp 74-6 and an energy-saving intermediate indicator lamp 74-7. The repeat setting indicator lamp 74-6 lights up at the time of repeat setting, and its emission color is green. The energy-saving indicator lamp 74-7 lights up during the energy-saving operation, and its emission color is green.

A high temperature circulation indicator lamp 74-8 is installed on the right side of the cold water switch 72-2. The high temperature circulation indicator lamp 74-8 is lit during the circulation of the high temperature water circulation, and its emission color is green. The use of hot or cold water is prohibited while the high temperature circulation indicator lamp 74-8 is lit.

<About the configuration of the control unit 20>

FIG. 5 shows an example of the control unit 20. The control unit 20 performs, for example, an operation start operation when the power is turned on, normal cold / hot water control, and the like.

A computer is used in the control unit 20, and a processor 80, a memory unit 82, a multi-timer 84, and an input / output unit (I / O) 86 are included.

The processor 80 is an example of a calculation means for executing an operation control program for controlling a water supply operation and a hot water supply operation of the water server 2 stored in the memory unit 82. This operation control includes operation start control when the power of the water server 2 is turned on.

The memory unit 82 is an example of the storage means, and stores the operation control program executed by the processor 80, and also stores the set temperature information 88 which is a determination reference in the operation start control. Further, the memory unit 82 stores the temperature information in the cold water tank 8 and the hot water tank 10 detected by the temperature sensors 40 and 41.

The multi-timer 84 is, for example, an example of a means for measuring the time when the power is turned on, counting up the clock in the system, and continuously measuring the elapsed time from the time when the power is turned on.

The I / O 86 is an example of an interface for electrically connecting the control unit 20, the operation panel unit 70, and other functional units, for example. The control unit 20 includes, for example, input signals from the unlock switch 72-1 of the operation panel unit 70, the cold water switch 72-2, the hot water switch 72-3, and the energy saving switch 72-4, and detection from the temperature sensors 40 and 41. Information is entered. Further, the control unit 20 outputs an operation instruction to the cold water solenoid valve 48, the hot water solenoid valve 60, the hot water heater 50, and the cooling device 36, and also outputs the unlocking indicator lamp 74-1 and the hot water indicator lamp 74- of the operation panel unit 70. 2. For high temperature indicator lamp 74-3, cold water indicator lamp 74-4, weak cold indicator lamp 74-5, repeat setting indicator lamp 74-6, energy saving indicator lamp 74-7, high temperature circulation indicator lamp 74-8, etc. And output the display instruction.

<About operation start processing>

FIG. 6 shows an example of the operation start processing of the water server. This operation start process is an example of the operation control program of the present disclosure.

In the water server 2 shown in this embodiment, the target of automatic recovery in the operation start process after the power is turned on is set on the hot water tank 10 side, and the hot water heater 50 is automatically set according to the detected temperature in the hot water tank 10. It is determined whether or not to restart the operation, and the operation is controlled.

In the operation start process, when the power is turned on, for example, the device input / output data is initialized to the memory unit 82, the temperature sensors 40, 41, and the like (S11). The control unit 20 takes in the hot water temperature detection information of the temperature sensor 41 set as the target side for automatic recovery (S12), and determines whether the hot water temperature detection value is, for example, 50 [° C.] or higher as the predetermined temperature (S13). .. When the temperature in the hot water tank 10 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature (YES in S13), the process shifts to automatic recovery. That is, since the temperature inside the hot water tank 10 is high, the elapsed time from the previous power cutoff to the current power on is short, so it is judged that the water server 2 is not initially installed or installed after a long period of time, and hot water is used. The heater 50 is automatically restored.

The control unit 20 turns on, for example, the hot water indicator lamp 74-2 (S14) and activates the hot water heater 50 (S15). Then, the change information of the hot water temperature detection value of the temperature sensor 41 is acquired (S16), and whether or not there is drinking water in the hot water tank 10 is confirmed (S17). For the determination of whether or not there is drinking water, for example, the detected change information of the hot water temperature may be used.

In determining whether or not there is drinking water in the hot water tank 10, for example, it may be determined whether or not there is clean water W in the water supply bottle 26, or the water level information in the hot water tank 10 or the hot water tank 10 or water supply. The water pressure in the road 52 may be detected and determined.

When it is determined that there is drinking water in the hot water tank 10 (YES in S17), the processing of the initial operation of the water server 2 is terminated (S18), and the server management by normal operation is started (S19).

Further, when it is determined that there is no drinking water in the hot water tank 10 (NO in S17), the hot water heater 50 is stopped (S20) in order to prevent the hot water tank 10 from being heated empty. This is because, for example, when the clean water W in the water supply bottle 26 is emptied after the power supply of the water server 2 is cut off, or when the power is turned on again while the water supply bottle 26 is being replaced, the air in the hot water tank 10 is turned on. It can be assumed that the temperature of is detected. In that case, since the clean water W to be supplied next is at a low temperature, the mode is shifted to the normal manual initial setting mode instead of the automatic recovery.

When the hot water temperature detection value in the hot water tank 10 is less than a predetermined temperature (NO in S13) or when there is no drinking water in the hot water tank 10 (NO in S17), the control unit 20 is set as a normal manual initial setting. , The hot water indicator lamp 74-2 is blinked (S21) to prompt the user or the worker to supply water.

The control unit 20 monitors whether or not the unlock switch 72-1 is turned on (S22), and if it is not turned on (NO in S22), the hot water switch 72-3 is set as a predetermined time, for example, 3 [S. ] Detects whether or not the button is held down (S23). Since the operation start process is performed without the user requesting hot water supply, the operation of the hot water supply request by pressing the lock release switch 72-1 is monitored.

When the hot water switch 72-3 is pressed and held (YES in S23), the process shifts to the automatic operation start process for the hot water heater 50. That is, the hot water switch 72-3 is set as an instruction input means for starting the operation start process after the water supply of the water server 2 is completed. When the hot water switch 72-3 is not pressed (NO in S23), the hot water tank 10 side set as the target of automatic recovery is in a standby state until there is an operation instructing the operation start process.

When the unlock switch 72-1 is pressed (YES in S22), the unlock indicator lamp 74-1 indicating the unlocked state is blinked (S24) in order to shift to the hot water supply capable state, and the hot water switch 72-3. Monitor the pressing of (S25).

If the hot water switch 72-3 is not pressed (NO in S25), the hot water solenoid valve 60 is maintained in the closed state (S26), and the process shifts to the pressing monitoring of the unlock switch 72-1 (S27). Then, when the unlock switch 72-1 is not pressed (NO in S27), it is confirmed whether the unlocked indicator lamp 74-1 is within the blinking time, that is, the set time of the unlocked state remains (S28). If the unlocking indicator lamp 74-1 is within the blinking time (YES in S28), the pressing monitoring of the hot water switch 72-3 (S25) is continued. Further, when the unlock switch 72-1 is pressed again (YES in S27) or when it is not within the blinking time of the unlock indicator lamp 74-1 (NO in S28), the unlock indicator lamp 74-1 is turned off. (S29), and the press release monitoring (S22) of the unlock switch 72-1 is repeated.

When the hot water switch 72-3 is pressed (YES in S25), the hot water solenoid valve 60 is opened to supply hot water from the hot water tank 10 (actually, since there is no water in the hot water tank at the beginning, air is bleeded). (S30). At this time, the operation panel unit 70 extends the blinking time, that is, the unlocked state time with respect to the unlocked indicator lamp 74-1 (S31).

<Effect of Example 1>

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The operation start processing on the hot water tank 10 side provided with the hot water heater 50 as a heating means is set to be performed under the confirmation of the user or the operator in order to ensure a high degree of safety. When recovering from a power failure in a short time due to a specific movement, etc., it is possible to prevent the troublesome work of the operation start process and forgetting to execute the setting operation by automatically recovering.

(2) If the hot water supply operation is performed before the operation start process is completed, the hot water can be supplied from the hot water tank 10 side, so that the convenience of the user can be ensured.

(3) By determining the presence or absence of drinking water in the hot water tank 10, it is possible to prevent the inside of the tank from being emptied, so that safety is enhanced.

(4) When the power is restored in a short time from the power cut, the hot water heater 50 is automatically restored to prevent waste of heat energy.

(5) Regardless of the state from power cut to power recovery, it is convenient for the user to automatically determine whether the power is restored for a short period of time based on the state of the hot water HW in the hot water tank 10 and start the operation operation. Is enhanced.

In the water server 2 of the first embodiment, when the recovery process is not performed for the tank in which the automatic recovery is set, it is determined whether or not there is drinking water in the hot water tank 10, and if there is no drinking water in the hot water tank 10. When the determination is made, the hot water heater 50 is stopped, whereas in the second embodiment, a specific configuration of the determination process for determining the presence or absence of drinking water in the tank will be described.

Figure 7 shows an example of the functional configuration of the server main body 4 according to the second embodiment.

The server main unit 4 of the water server 2 is provided with temperature change information 92 stored in the determination unit 90 and the memory unit 82 in the control unit 20, for example, and is automatically restored in the operation start process when the power is turned on. It has a function of automatically determining whether or not there is drinking water in the hot water tank 10 in which the above is executed.

The determination unit 90 is an example of a function unit that determines the presence or absence of drinking water based on the temperature change information detected in the designated tank. The determination unit 90 refers to the temperature change information 92 in which the temperature change of the drinking water is detected in advance by an experiment or the like, and refers to the temperature change information 92 regarding the temperature change in the hot water tank 10 detected by the current temperature sensor 41. If the amount is significantly different, it is determined that there is no drinking water in the hot water tank 10.

Then, the control unit 20 instructs the hot water heater 50 to stop based on the determination result of the determination unit 90.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a state of temperature change due to heating of drinking water. The content shown in FIG. 8 is an example.

As shown in FIG. 8, for example, the determination unit 90 has previously acquired the temperature change information 92 in the hot water tank 10 due to heating in the case of “with water”. When there is drinking water in the hot water tank 10, the temperature change information X1 due to heating gradually rises with the passage of time. On the other hand, when drinking water runs out in the hot water tank 10, the internal temperature rises sharply, for example, when t3 (min) elapses from the start of heating, as shown in the temperature change information X2 of "no water". After that, it is characterized by a gradual rise. Therefore, for example, the determination unit 90 captures the temperature change of the drinking water in the hot water tank 10 for each elapsed time after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of heating, and compares it with the stored temperature change information X1 in the case of "with water". Then, it may be determined whether or not there is drinking water in the hot water tank 10.

In the determination process, for example, the difference between the temperature change information X1 of "with water" and the temperature change information of the drinking water in the detected hot water tank 10 is calculated, and when the ratio of the difference is within a predetermined range, It may be determined that there is no drinking water in the hot water tank 10.

In the determination process, the presence or absence of drinking water may be determined by using the temperature change information X2 in the case of "no water".

<Judgment of the presence or absence of drinking water>

FIG. 9 is an example of the operation start process of the water server, and shows the process of determining the presence or absence of drinking water in the tank. The processing content and processing procedure shown in FIG. 9 are examples.

The determination of the presence or absence of drinking water in the tank is an example of the determination of the presence or absence of drinking water in the tank in the above-described operation start process.

In this determination process, the change information of the hot water temperature detection value detected from the hot water tank 10 is acquired (S41), and the reference temperature change information 92 stored in the memory unit 82 is read out (S42). A determination based on the temperature change is performed using these temperature change information (S43).

As a result of this determination, when it is determined that there is drinking water in the hot water tank 10 (YES in S44), the automatic operation start process is continued (S45), and the hot water heater 50 is operated. If it is determined that there is no drinking water (NO in S44), the hot water heater 50 is stopped as an automatic operation stop process (S46).

In this embodiment, when there is no drinking water in the hot water tank 10, the control unit 20 indicates a case where the hot water heater 50, which is the heating means 16, is instructed to stop, but the present invention is not limited to this. The control unit 20 may give an instruction to, for example, the heating means 16 to reduce the heating capacity. Then, the control unit 20 may decide that the drinking water is not completely supplied and stop the heating when the temperature change is large even when the heating capacity is lowered, for example.

As a result, the water server 2 can continue the automatic restoration of the hot water tank 10 side even when the flow rate from the cold water tank 8 to the hot water tank 10 is small with respect to the heating capacity of the hot water heater 50, for example. , Convenience is enhanced.

<Effect of Example 2>

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) It is possible to detect the temperature of the air in the hot water tank 10 and avoid the automatic operation of the hot water heater 50 by turning on the power.

(2) It is possible to prevent the inside of the hot water tank 10 from becoming empty, and it is possible to enhance the safety of the water server 2 by automatic operation.

(3) The convenience of the water server 2 is enhanced by eliminating the need for confirmation by users and workers when restarting operation.

[Other Embodiments]

(1) In the first and second embodiments, the case where the function on the hot water tank 10 side is set as the target of the automatic operation start when the power is turned on is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the function on the cold water tank 8 side may be set as the target for starting the automatic operation. In this case, the control unit 20 may set the detected temperature information in the chilled water tank 8 to automatically perform the operation start process when the temperature is lower than the threshold temperature as a predetermined range.

(2) In the above embodiment, the case where the target of automatic operation start is only one of the hot water tank 10 and the cold water tank 8 side is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the water server 2, the cold water tank 8 and the hot water tank 10 may be automatically operated based on the temperature of the drinking water in the tanks.

(3) Further, the control unit 20 may start the automatic operation when, for example, the drinking water in the hot water tank 10 and the cold water tank 8 are both within a predetermined range. By determining the temperatures of the two drinking waters, it is possible to determine the elapsed time from the previous power cutoff to the restart of the current operation without being affected by the outside air temperature or the like.

(4) Judgment criteria for the temperature of drinking water in the tank are not fixed and may be changed. The control unit 20 may change the reference temperature used for starting the automatic operation, for example, based on the installation environment and the outside air temperature of the water server 2, the season of use, the area of use, and the like.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, Examples 1 and 2, the case where the target for starting the automatic operation and the tank for determining the start of the automatic operation are the same is shown, but the case is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 20 may set the target for starting automatic operation to the function on the hot water tank 10 side, and determine whether or not to perform automatic operation based on the temperature of the drinking water in the cold water tank 8 and vice versa. It may be.

As described above, the most preferable embodiment of the technique of the present invention has been described. The present invention is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the form for carrying out the invention. Needless to say, such modifications and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention.

According to the present invention, by automatically activating the heating means and the cooling means based on the temperature of the drinking water stored in the tank at the start of the operation of the water server, the operation is restarted in a short period of time or the operation is unknown to the user. Manual start-up operation is not required when restarting, and convenience at the start of operation is improved.

2 Water server 4 Server body 6 Water supply unit 8 Cold water tank 10 Hot water tank 12 Cooling means 14 Cold water temperature sensor 16 Heating means 18 Hot water temperature sensor 20 Control unit 22 Operation input unit 24 Power supply unit 26 Water supply bottle 28 Water supply nozzle unit 30 Valve mechanism 32 Float part 34 Opening and closing part 36 Cooling device 38 Evaporator 40 Temperature sensor 41 Temperature sensor 50 Hot water heater 54 Separation plate 60 Hot water electromagnetic valve 70 Operation panel 72-1 Unlock switch 72-2 Cold water switch 72-3 Hot water switch 72-4 Energy saving switch 74-1 Unlock indicator lamp 74-2 Hot water indicator lamp 74-3 High temperature indicator lamp 74-4 Cold water indicator lamp 74-5 Weak cold indicator lamp 80 Processor 82 Memory unit 84 Multi-timer 86 Input / output unit (I / O) )
88 Set temperature information 90 Judgment unit 92 Temperature change information

Claims (6)

A water server that heats or cools drinking water and provides it.
A tank provided with a heating means for heating the drinking water or a cooling means for cooling the drinking water.
A temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the tank and
A storage unit that stores threshold temperature information of drinking water in the tank and reference temperature change information indicating a temperature change of drinking water for each elapsed time from the start of heating by the heating means or the start of cooling by the cooling means .
When the power is turned on, the temperature information detected by the temperature detecting means is compared with the threshold temperature information, and if the temperature information is within the threshold temperature range, it is determined that the operation is restarted in a short time from the previous drive stop. Then, the heating means or the cooling means is automatically activated, and the beverage is generated for each elapsed time from the start of heating or cooling caused by the operation of the heating means or the cooling means detected by the temperature detecting means after the activation. The temperature change information indicating the temperature change of water is taken in, the taken- in temperature change information is compared with the reference temperature change information, and if the difference between the two is within a predetermined range, it is determined that there is no drinking water in the tank. Control unit and
A water server characterized by being equipped with. When the tank is provided with the heating means, the control unit sets the high temperature threshold temperature information, and determines that the detected temperature information is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature within the threshold temperature range. Further, when the tank is provided with the cooling means, the low temperature threshold temperature information is set, and the case where the detected temperature information is equal to or lower than the threshold temperature is determined to be within the threshold temperature range. , The water server according to claim 1. The control unit compares the temperature change information in the tank and the reference temperature change information grasped by the detected temperature information detected by the temperature detecting means and determines the presence or absence of drinking water in the tank. The water server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation of the heating means or the cooling means is stopped when there is no drinking water in the tank based on the determination result. The water server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation start processing of the heating means or the cooling means includes a supply process of the drinking water into the tank. Further, a display means for displaying the operating state of the heating means or the cooling means is provided.
The control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the detected temperature is not within the predetermined temperature range, the control unit performs a display process for prompting the display means to perform an operation. The listed water server. An operation control program that is executed by a computer installed in a water server that heats or cools drinking water.
The temperature detecting means is made to detect the temperature in the tank provided with the heating means for heating the drinking water or the cooling means for cooling the drinking water.
A reference temperature change information indicating a temperature change of drinking water for each elapsed time from the start of heating by the heating means or the start of cooling by the cooling means is stored in the storage unit.
When the power is turned on, the temperature information taken in from the temperature detecting means is compared with the threshold temperature information of the drinking water in the tank, and if the temperature information is within the threshold temperature range, the previous drive stop is performed. It is determined that the operation is restarted in a short time, and the heating means or the cooling means is automatically started.
The temperature change information indicating the temperature change of the drinking water for each elapsed time from the start of heating or cooling caused by the operation of the heating means or the cooling means detected by the temperature detecting means after the start-up was taken in and taken in. The temperature change information is compared with the reference temperature change information, and if the difference between the two is within a predetermined range, it is determined that there is no drinking water in the tank.
An operation control program characterized by causing the computer to execute a function.