JP6944542B2 - Water server and water supply method to water server - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water server that dispenses cold water for drinking or hot water in addition to it at the request of a user.

A water server that produces cold water or hot water in addition to cold water from water filled in a container such as a water supply bottle, which is not tap water, and provides it to users is known. As an example of such a water server, Patent Document 1 The ones described can be mentioned. The water server of Patent Document 1 includes a cold water tank, a hot water tank, and a replaceable water supply bottle that supplies water to the cold water tank. Since the water bottle is not cooled, the water in it is at room temperature. Also, the water in the water bottle gradually decreases as it is poured out of the water server for drinking. The water bottle is usually transported to and replaced at the water server installation site by a professional contractor. At the time of replacement, the joint portion of the cold water tank connected to the water supply bottle is also usually cleaned.

In such a water server, it is necessary to regularly sterilize the cold water route including the cold water tank. This is because, for example, if the joint between the water bottle and the cold water tank is not sufficiently cleaned, the microorganisms attached to the water bottle invade the water bottle and proliferate in the water bottle at room temperature, resulting in microorganisms. This is because it is possible that the water containing the above water is supplied from the water supply bottle to the cold water tank. In this way, in order to sterilize the microorganisms that have flowed into the cold water tank from the water supply bottle at room temperature, sterilization of the cold water tank or the like must be carried out reliably at a predetermined frequency. Further, this sterilization is often performed by high-temperature water sterilization in which the high-temperature water obtained in the high-temperature tank is sent to the cold water tank, including the case of Patent Document 1.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-210467

On the other hand, the operation of the water server is restricted during and for several hours after the high temperature water sterilization, and the high temperature is consumed due to the high temperature water sterilization and the subsequent recooling of the cold water tank. It was also desired to reduce the frequency of water sterilization.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water server and a method of supplying water to the water server in which good sanitation is maintained for a long time.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a cold water tank in which cold water is stored, a water supply container in which water to be supplied to the cold water tank is sealed, and a water supply container connected to the cold water tank. It is provided with a tank capacity detecting means for detecting whether the capacity of the chilled water tank is larger than the internal capacity of the water supply container and the space capacity generated in the chilled water tank is larger or smaller than the internal capacity of the water supply container. A water server that supplies the entire amount of water in the water supply container connected to the chilled water tank to the chilled water tank when the tank capacity detecting means detects that the space capacity generated in the tank is larger than the content of the water supply container. Is provided.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, the stage of preparing a water supply container filled with water to be supplied to the chilled water tank provided in the water server and the space capacity generated in the chilled water tank are determined. At the stage of confirming that the amount of water in the water supply container is larger than the amount of water in the water supply container, the water supply container is connected to the inlet of the cold water tank, and the entire amount of water in the water supply container is supplied to the cold water tank through the inlet. A method of supplying water to the water server is provided, including the steps to be performed.

According to this, when the water supply container is replaced, all the water in the bottle is supplied to the cold water tank, so that the possibility that water containing microorganisms grown at room temperature is supplied from the water supply container to the cold water tank is completely eliminated. NS. As a result, good sanitation of the cold water tank can be maintained for a long period of time, and the frequency of performing high temperature water sterilization on the cold water tank can be reduced.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the water server by embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the water server 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The water server 10 according to the first embodiment is configured to discharge cold water and hot water for drinking from a tank provided inside in response to a user's request. Therefore, the water server 10 includes a cold water tank 11, a hot water tank 12 communicated with the cold water tank 11, a water supply bottle 14 connected to the inflow port at the tip of the inlet pipe 11a of the cold water tank 11 via a joint 13, and cold water. It includes a tank capacity detecting means 15 for detecting whether the space capacity generated in the tank 11 is larger or less than the internal capacity of the water supply bottle 14, a plurality of solenoid valves 16 to 19, a control unit 20, a housing (not shown), and the like. .. The control unit 20 is electrically connected to the plurality of solenoid valves 16 to 19 and the tank capacity detecting means 15 by electric wires (not shown). Further, although not shown, the water server 10 also includes a cooling device for cooling the cold water tank 11 and a heating device for heating the hot water tank 12.

The vertical arrangement of the water supply bottle 14, the cold water tank 11, and the hot water tank 12 is as shown in FIG. 1, and the water supply generated by the water server 10 is caused by the head difference. Further, in the water server 10 of the present embodiment, the water in the water supply bottle 14 is configured so that the entire amount of the water in the water supply bottle 14 is supplied to the cold water tank 11 when the water supply bottle 14 is connected to the cold water tank 11. An empty water supply bottle 14 is connected to the cold water tank 11.

The water server 10 is provided with a cold water spout 21 and a hot water spout 22, which are cold and hot water spouts, and is provided with a shelf (not shown) under which a cup or the like is placed. .. Further, a cold water button (not shown) and a hot water button (not shown) are arranged on the outer surface of the housing near the cold water injection port 21 and the hot water injection port 22. A cold water injection solenoid valve 16 and a hot water injection solenoid valve 17 are arranged on the upstream side of the cold water injection outlet 21 and the hot water injection outlet 22, respectively. When the cold water button is pressed by the user, the cold water injection solenoid valve 16 is opened and cold water is poured out from the cold water injection port 21. Similarly, when the hot water button is pressed by the user, the hot water injection solenoid valve 17 is opened and hot water is poured out from the hot water injection port 22.

The water supply bottle 14 in the present embodiment is made of synthetic resin, and contains water in a good sanitary state sealed in a factory of a beverage manufacturing company. When the water supply bottle 14 is connected to the cold water tank 11, all the water contained therein is supplied to the cold water tank 11. One member 13a of the joint 13 is fixed to the tip of the neck portion of the water supply bottle 14, and the water injection port at the tip of the neck portion is sealed by the one member 13a.

The water supply bottle 14 is filled with a smaller amount of water than the capacity of the cold water tank 11. In other words, the cold water tank 11 has a capacity capable of accommodating a larger amount of water than the amount of water filled in the water supply bottle 14.

The cold water tank 11 is provided with an inlet pipeline 11a extending upward so that the cold water tank 11 can be connected to the water supply bottle 14. The other member 13b of the joint 13 is fixed to the tip of the inlet pipe 11a. Since the joint 13 is of a known type, it will not be described in detail, but while one member 13a and the other member 13b of the joint 13 are mechanically connected by screwing each other, the other member 13 The pointed tip of the pipe-shaped puncture member (not shown) of the member 13b is fluidly connected by breaking through a fragile portion (not shown) provided on one member 13a of the water supply bottle 14. It is configured to be.

The inlet pipe 11a of the chilled water tank 11 is also provided with a water supply solenoid valve 18 for opening and closing the inlet pipe 11a. The water supply solenoid valve 18 is electrically connected to the control unit 20, and its operation is controlled by the control unit 20.

The chilled water tank 11 is provided with an outlet 11b at the bottom thereof, and a chilled water injection pipeline 23 is connected to the outlet 11b. A chilled water injection port 21 is provided at the tip of the chilled water injection pipe line 23, and a chilled water injection solenoid valve 16 for opening and closing the pipeline is arranged in the chilled water injection pipe line 23 on the upstream side of the chilled water injection port 21. .. The chilled water injection solenoid valve 16 is electrically connected to the control unit 20, and its operation is limited according to the amount of water stored in the chilled water tank 11. That is, when the amount of water stored in the cold water tank 11 is small, even if the cold water button is pressed, the control unit 20 does not allow the cold water injection solenoid valve 16 to be opened, and therefore the cold water injection solenoid valve 16 remains closed. Yes, cold water is not poured out.

The cold water tank 11 is provided with a vent 24 that opens the inside of the cold water tank 11 to the atmosphere in order to facilitate the inflow of water from the water supply bottle 14. A filter unit 25 is attached to the vent 24 in order to prevent dust and microorganisms from entering the cold water tank 11. A HEPA filter is used for the filter element of the filter unit 25.

The tank capacity detecting means 15 includes a first water level sensor 15a attached to the cold water tank 11. The first water level sensor 15a is arranged so as to detect whether the water level of the water stored in the cold water tank 11 is equal to or lower than the predetermined first water level. Therefore, the first water level sensor 15a is electrically connected to the control unit 20 and the water level indicator lamp (not shown) provided on the front surface of the housing of the water server 10. Note that FIG. 1 shows a state in which the water level of the cold water tank 11 is lower than the first water level.

The first water level is such that the space capacity generated in the cold water tank 11 when the water level stored in the cold water tank 11 is lower than the first water level is equal to or greater than the amount of water sealed in the water supply bottle 14. It is the water level set in. Therefore, when the first water level sensor 15a detects that the water level of the cold water tank 11 is lower than the first water level, the entire amount of water contained in the water supply bottle 14 is supplied to the cold water tank 11. Therefore, the control unit 20 opens the water supply solenoid valve 18.

On the other hand, when it is detected that the water level of the cold water tank 11 is equal to or higher than the first water level, the space capacity generated in the cold water tank 11 at that time is less than the content capacity of the water supply bottle 14, and therefore. The control unit 20 closes the water supply solenoid valve 18 so that water is not supplied from the water supply bottle 14 to the cold water tank 11. If the water level of the cold water tank 11 is equal to or higher than the first water level and water is supplied from the water supply bottle 14 to the cold water tank 11, the water overflows from the vent 24 of the cold water tank 11 or otherwise. For example, water at room temperature is left in the water supply bottle 14 as in the conventional case, and therefore the possibility of microbial growth is not eliminated. In the present embodiment, in order to prevent such a situation, the space capacity generated in the cold water tank 11 is detected by the first water level sensor 15a, and the entire amount of water in the water supply bottle 14 can be received in the cold water tank 11. The control unit 20 opens the water supply solenoid valve 18 only in a certain case.

The tank capacity detecting means 15 of the present embodiment further includes a second water level sensor 15b. The second water level sensor 15b is arranged so as to detect whether the water level of the water stored in the cold water tank 11 is higher or lower than the predetermined second water level lower than the first water level. The second water level is set to detect the drought state of the cold water tank 11. When the second water level sensor 15b detects that the water level of the water stored in the cold water tank 11 is lower than the second water level, the control unit 20 displays the drought state of the housing. Turn on the drought lamp (not shown) provided on the front. Further, in this case, even if the cold water button is pressed, the control unit 20 does not allow the cold water injection solenoid valve 16 to be opened. Further, in the present embodiment, when a predetermined time elapses after the drought lamp is turned on, the control unit 20 sounds an alarm sound for notifying the drought state.

Although not shown, a cooling pipe of a cooling device is wound around the outer periphery of the chilled water tank 11. The cooling device is a known type that utilizes the compression and expansion of the refrigerant, and the cooling pipe wound around the cold water tank 11 functions as an evaporator.

The cold water tank 11 and the hot water tank 12 arranged below the cold water tank 11 are communicated with each other by a first connecting pipe 26 having a flange-shaped portion at the upper end. Water is supplied from the cold water tank 11 to the hot water tank 12 through the first connecting pipe line 26. Further, the cold water tank 11 and the hot water tank 12 are also communicated with each other by a second connecting pipe line 27. However, the second connecting line 27 is provided with a thermal valve 19 that opens and closes the line, and the second connecting line 27 is normally closed by the thermal valve 19. When the thermal valve 19 is opened, the first connecting line 26 and the second connecting line 27 form a circulation path between the cold water tank 11 and the hot water tank 12. In the present embodiment, a downward flow flows through the first connecting line 26, and an upward flow flows through the second connecting line 27.

The hot water tank 12 is provided with an outlet 12b above the hot water tank 12, and a hot water injection pipe line 28 is connected to the hot water outlet 12b. A hot water injection port 22 is provided at the tip of the hot water injection pipeline 28. The hot water injection solenoid valve 17 is arranged in the hot water injection pipe line 28 on the upstream side of the hot water injection port 22 to open and close the pipe line.

An electric heater (not shown) is attached to the outer surface of the bottom surface of the hot water tank 12. The electric heater is intermittently operated by the control unit 20 so that the temperature of the hot water supplied to the drinker becomes a desired temperature. Further, in the present embodiment, the cold water tank 11 side is sterilized with high temperature water using the high temperature water of the hot water tank 12, and the electric heater is also operated at that time.

The high temperature water sterilization on the cold water tank 11 side is performed by replacing the cold water in the cold water tank 11 with hot water. Therefore, the second connecting pipe line 27 is opened by opening the thermal valve 19 in response to a command from the control unit 20, and the electric heater is continuously operated to continue heating the hot water in the hot water tank 12. Then, the hot water in the hot water tank 12 circulates between the cold water tank 11 by natural convection via the second connecting pipe line 27 and the first connecting pipe line 26. By continuously operating the electric heater for a certain period of time or longer, it is possible to raise the temperature of the water in the cold water tank 11 to, for example, 90 ° C or higher, which is suitable for sterilization. By carrying out high-temperature water sterilization of the cold water tank 11, not only the water in the cold water tank 11 is sterilized, but also the inner surface of the cold water tank 11 that comes into contact with the hot water and the inner surface of the pipeline extending from the cold water tank 11 are sterilized. Further, the portion of the cold water tank 11 where the heat of the hot water is conducted to become high temperature and the portion around the cold water tank 11 are also sterilized.

According to the water server 10 according to the first embodiment, when the water supply bottle 14 is replaced, all the water in the bottle is supplied to the cold water tank 11. Therefore, the possibility that water containing microorganisms grown in a normal temperature environment is supplied from the water supply bottle 14 to the cold water tank 11 is completely eliminated. As a result, good hygiene of the cold water tank 11 can be maintained for a long period of time, and the frequency of high-temperature water sterilization of the cold water tank 11 can be reduced. Conventionally, the frequency of high-temperature water cleaning is often set to be once a day, but according to the water server 10 of the present embodiment, even if the high-temperature water sterilization is performed once a week, it is dispensed. It has been confirmed that the sanitary condition of cold water is maintained well.

Next, a method of supplying water to the water server 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, it will be described assuming that the water server 10 according to the first embodiment is used.

First, a water supply bottle 14 filled with water to be supplied to the cold water tank 11 is prepared.
Next, it is confirmed that the space capacity generated in the cold water tank 11 is larger than the amount of water in the water supply bottle 14. In this embodiment, the control unit 20 performs this based on the signal from the first water level sensor 15a of the tank capacity checking means of the water server 10. Then, the control unit 20 opens the water supply solenoid valve 18 arranged in the inlet pipeline 11a extending from the cold water tank 11.

Next, the empty water supply bottle 14 connected to the cold water tank 11 is removed from the inflow port at the tip of the inlet pipe 11a of the cold water tank 11. At this time, it is desirable to clean the joint 13 at the inflow port.

Next, the prepared new water supply bottle 14 is inverted, and the tip of the neck portion of the water supply bottle 14 is connected to the inflow port portion of the tip of the inlet pipe 11a of the cold water tank 11. This connection is made by screwing one member 13a of the joint 13 fixed to the tip of the neck portion of the water supply bottle 14 into the other member 13b of the joint 13 fixed to the inflow port portion of the cold water tank 11. Further, in the present embodiment, according to the structure of the joint 13 described above, the water supply bottle 14 is opened by connecting, and when the water supply bottle 14 is opened, the water in the water supply bottle 14 is supplied to the cold water tank 11. Further, since it has been confirmed that the space capacity generated in the cold water tank 11 is larger than the content capacity of the water supply bottle 14, the total amount of water in the water supply bottle 14 is approximately within 60 minutes in the present embodiment. It is supplied to the cold water tank 11. This completes the supply of water to the cold water tank 11.

It will be understood that the time required for the entire amount of water in the water supply bottle 14 to be supplied to the cold water tank 11 varies depending on the capacity of the water supply bottle 14 and the diameter of the pipe-shaped puncture member of the joint 13. For example, it is possible to shorten the time required for supplying water within a few minutes by increasing the diameter of the puncture member of the joint 13 or providing an air hole in the joint 13.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the water supply method to the water server according to the second embodiment maintains a good sanitary condition of the cold water tank 11 for a long period of time, and the frequency of performing high temperature water sterilization on the cold water tank 11 is maintained. It will be understood that it will be possible to reduce.

Other Embodiment The water server 10 according to the first embodiment is configured such that the control unit 20 controls the opening and closing of the water supply solenoid valve 18 based on the signal from the first water level sensor 15a of the tank capacity checking means. However, there is also an embodiment in which the water supply solenoid valve 18 is not provided and the signal from the first water level sensor 15a is displayed only on the water level indicator lamp. In this case, the person who replaces the water supply bottle 14 can determine whether or not to replace the water supply bottle 14 based on the information of the water level indicator lamp.

Further, an embodiment in which a simple visual type water level gauge is provided in the cold water tank 11 instead of the first water level sensor 15a is also possible.

In the water supply method to the water server according to the second embodiment, the water server 10 provided with the control unit 20 and the water supply solenoid valve 18 was used, but the water server not provided with the control unit 20 or the water supply solenoid valve 18 was used. Embodiments of the water supply method are also possible. In that case, the space capacity generated in the cold water tank 11 is confirmed by the water bottle replacement person confirming the display of the water level indicator lamp or the like, and as a result of the confirmation, the water supply bottle can be replaced. If so, the replacer may connect the water bottle to the cold water tank.

In the water server 10 according to the first embodiment, the water supply bottle 14 that has been emptied after the water supply is finished is still connected to the cold water tank 11, but the water supply bottle 14 that is emptied when the water supply is finished is still connected. An embodiment is also possible in which a lid is provided to close the inflow port of the chilled water tank 11 so that the chilled water tank 11 can be separated from the chilled water tank 11.

Similarly, with respect to the water supply method to the water server according to the second embodiment, when the supply of the entire amount of water is completed, the water supply bottle 14 is separated from the cold water tank 11, and the inflow port portion of the cold water tank 11 is closed with a lid or the like. It is also possible to carry out an embodiment in which the above is added.

In the second embodiment, the water supply bottle 14 is opened while being inverted and connected to the inflow port portion of the inlet pipe 11a of the cold water tank 11, but the water supply bottle 14 is opened in an upright state. The form is also possible. In that case, a joint with a flexible tube that communicates the inlet of the water supply bottle 14 and the inlet of the cold water tank 11 is prepared, and the inlet of the water bottle 14 and the cold water tank 11 opened in an upright position are joined to the joint. After connecting with, the water supply bottle 14 may be lifted above the cold water tank 11 and inverted.

The water server of the first embodiment is configured to selectively dispense cold water and hot water upon request, but an embodiment of a water server that dispenses only cold water is also possible. The water server in that case does not have a hot water tank and associated pipelines or solenoid valves. Further, the cold water tank is equipped with not only a cooling conduit but also an electric heater for performing high temperature water sterilization.

10 Water server 11 Cold water tank 12 Hot water tank 13 Fitting 14 Water supply bottle 15 Capacity detection means 16 Cold water injection solenoid valve 17 Hot water injection solenoid valve 18 Water supply solenoid valve 20 Control unit

Claims (7)

A cold water tank that stores cold water and
A water supply container in which water to be supplied to the cold water tank is sealed, and a water supply container connected to the cold water tank.
The capacity of the cold water tank is larger than the content of the water supply container.
A tank capacity detecting means for detecting whether the space capacity generated in the cold water tank is larger or smaller than the internal capacity of the water supply container, and
Control unit and
A water supply solenoid valve arranged at an inflow port of the cold water tank into which water from the water supply container flows is provided.
When the tank capacity detecting means detects that the space capacity generated in the cold water tank is larger than the content capacity of the water supply container, the total amount of water in the water supply container connected to the cold water tank is the cold water. Supplied to the tank ,
The control unit opens the water supply solenoid valve when the space capacity generated in the chilled water tank, which is detected by the tank capacity detecting means, is larger than the internal capacity of the water supply container, and when the space capacity is smaller than the internal capacity of the water supply container, the water supply solenoid valve is opened. A water server characterized by closing the solenoid valve. The tank capacity detecting means includes a first water level sensor that detects whether the water level of the water stored in the cold water tank is equal to or lower than a predetermined first water level.
The first water level is determined so that the space capacity generated in the chilled water tank is equal to or more than the content capacity of the water supply container when the water level of the water stored in the chilled water tank is lower than the first water level. The water server according to claim 1 , which is the water level. A chilled water pouring solenoid valve arranged at the chilled water spout of the water server is further provided.
The tank capacity detecting means further includes a second water level sensor that detects whether the water level of the cold water tank is equal to or lower than a predetermined second water level lower than the first water level.
The control unit permits the opening of the cold water injection solenoid valve when the water level of the water stored in the cold water tank detected by the second water level sensor is equal to or higher than the second water level. The water server according to claim 2 , wherein when the water level is lower than the second water level, the opening of the cold water injection solenoid valve is disallowed. The control unit issues an alarm when a predetermined time elapses when the second water level sensor detects that the water level of the water stored in the cold water tank is lower than the second water level, according to claim 3 . The listed water server. The water server according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the water supply container remains connected to the cold water tank even after the water supply from the water supply container to the cold water tank is finished. .. Further provided with a lid for closing the inflow port of the cold water tank,
Any of claims 1 to 4 , wherein after the water supply container has finished supplying water to the chilled water tank, the water supply container is separated from the chilled water tank and the inflow port is closed by the lid. The water server described in one item. In order to selectively pour hot water in addition to cold water, a hot water tank communicating with the cold water tank is further provided.
The water server according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein hot water is supplied from the hot water tank to the cold water tank for sterilization.

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