JP7489099B2 - Water Server - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a water server that can limit the amount of water used by a user.

Traditionally, water servers have been used mainly in offices and hospitals, but in recent years, with growing awareness of water safety and health, water servers are becoming more common in ordinary households as well.

A water server generally comprises a housing, a cold water tank placed inside the housing, a replaceable water bottle filled with drinking water to be supplied to the cold water tank, a cold water outlet pipe that dispenses low-temperature drinking water from the cold water tank to the outside of the housing, a cold water outlet valve that opens and closes the cold water outlet pipe, and an operating unit that is operated by the user to dispense low-temperature drinking water from the cold water outlet pipe. By operating the operating unit, delicious cold water can be enjoyed at any time, making it highly convenient (e.g., Patent Documents 1 and 2).

The water bottles used by these water servers are purchased by the user from a vendor. In other words, when the drinking water in the water bottle set in the housing runs out, the user replaces the empty water bottle with a new water bottle that is full of water. The new water bottle is purchased by the user from a vendor and set in the housing by the user.

Also known as a water server is a water purification filter type that has a housing, a cold water tank arranged inside the housing, a water purification filter, a pump that sends drinking water to the cold water tank through the water purification filter, a cold water outlet pipe that pours low-temperature drinking water in the cold water tank to the outside of the housing, a cold water outlet valve that opens and closes the cold water outlet pipe, and an operating unit that is operated by the user to pour low-temperature drinking water from the cold water outlet pipe (Patent Document 3). Tap water filled in the tank can be used as the water supplied to the pump.

On the other hand, the main body of the water server (other than the water bottle) is generally rented by the user from the vendor. This has the advantage that the user can use the water server without having to make the initial investment of purchasing the main body of the water server. In the case of water servers with water purification filters, the water purification filter is also rented by the user from the vendor.

JP 2010-228807 A JP 2014-169120 A Patent No. 2542528

However, in water servers with water purification filters, the filters gradually become clogged as drinking water is used. Therefore, in order to maintain the performance of water servers with water purification filters, the business will generally deliver a new water purification filter to the user after a specified usable period has elapsed, and the user will replace the water purification filter in use with the new one.

On the other hand, the usage limit of a water purification filter does not depend on the passage of time, but on the total amount of water filtered. For this reason, if a user believes that purified drinking water can be used indefinitely for the specified usable period until the water purification filter is replaced, and consumes a large amount of drinking water, the water purification filter's usage limit will be reached early. In this case, even if the user thinks that they are consuming drinking water that has been sufficiently purified by the water purification filter, in reality, without the user realizing it, they are consuming drinking water that is insufficiently purified (drinking water that has passed through a water purification filter that has exceeded its usage limit). In addition, a filter that has reached its usage limit places a large load on the pump. This load significantly shortens the pump's lifespan, causing early malfunctions.

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a water server with a water purification filter that can prevent users from unknowingly consuming insufficiently purified drinking water and prevent the pump's lifespan from being shortened.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a water server having the following configuration.
A housing and
A temperature control tank disposed inside the housing;
A water filter,
A pump that sends drinking water to the temperature control tank through the water purification filter;
an outlet pipe for outletting the drinking water in the temperature control tank to the outside of a housing;
An injection valve for opening and closing the injection pipe;
an operating unit operated by a user to dispense drinking water from the dispensing tube;
A clock unit that outputs date and time data;
A water meter unit that directly or indirectly measures the amount of drinking water dispensed;
A memory unit for recording a preset upper limit value of the amount of drinking water dispensed per predetermined time and an amount of drinking water already dispensed per the predetermined time;
A water server having a control unit which executes a usage limit reaching determination means which determines whether the amount of already dispensed drinking water has reached the upper limit value, and a dispensing permission control means which, when the amount of already dispensed drinking water has not reached the upper limit value, sets the water dispensing permission state to allow the dispensing of drinking water when the user operates the operating unit, and, when the amount of already dispensed drinking water has reached the upper limit value, sets the water dispensing restriction state to restrict the dispensing of drinking water even when the user operates the operating unit.

In this way, when the usage limit reaching determination means determines that the amount of drinking water dispensed per predetermined time has not yet reached the upper limit, the dispense permission control means allows the dispensing of drinking water when the user operates the operation unit. On the other hand, when the usage limit reaching determination means determines that the amount of drinking water dispensed per predetermined time has reached the upper limit, the dispense permission control means restricts the dispensing of drinking water even when the user operates the operation unit. As the upper limit of the amount of drinking water dispensed per predetermined time, a value that allows the function of the water purification filter to be maintained even without replacing the water purification filter for a long period of time is set. For example, if a value equal to or less than the value obtained by dividing the specified usage limit of the water purification filter by 360 is set as the upper limit value corresponding to one day, the usage limit of the water purification filter will not be reached for at least one year. This makes it possible to stop dispensing before excessive use in a short period of time that would cause the usage limit of the water purification filter to be reached early. Even if dispensing is stopped once, dispensing is automatically enabled again after the set specified time has elapsed, so the user does not have to perform any special work on the water server. Furthermore, when dispensing stops, the user realizes that their usage has exceeded the recommended amount. Because the amount dispensed per specified time is moderately reduced, the period until the water purification filter reaches its usage limit can be secured for a long time. Even users such as elderly single-person households who find it difficult to replace the water purification filter can continue to use sufficiently purified drinking water at a moderate pace without having to replace the water purification filter for a long period of time.

When an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes in response to a user's operation of the operation unit is used as the pouring valve,
The dispensing permission control means can be adapted to, when the usage limit reaching determination means determines that the amount of already-drinking water dispensed has reached the upper limit value, keep the dispensing valve closed as the water dispensing restricted state even when a dispensing operation is performed on the operating unit, and, when the usage limit reaching determination means determines that the amount of already-drinking water dispensed has not reached the upper limit value, open the dispensing valve in response to the dispensing operation of the operating unit as the water dispensing permitted state.

In this way, when the usage limit reaching determination means determines that the amount of drinking water dispensed per predetermined time has already reached the upper limit, the dispensing valve remains closed even when the user operates the operating unit to dispense, so drinking water is not dispensed. Also, when the amount of drinking water dispensed per predetermined time exceeds the upper limit, it is possible to immediately restrict the use of drinking water.

The water server according to the present invention has a reading unit that reads use restriction change information from an external use restriction change key,
The control unit can also be configured to maintain the water dispensing allowed state without entering the water dispensing restricted state even when the amount of already dispensed drinking water has reached the upper limit value under conditions where the usage restriction change information is read.

The external use restriction change key can be provided separately by a company that provides the water purification filter and the water server. The effect of this water server is to prevent the user from using a large amount of drinking water in a short period of time and quickly reaching the limit of the use of the water purification filter, and to prevent the user from using drinking water that is insufficiently purified. However, if the user understands the need to replace the water purification filter appropriately according to the total amount of water to be filtered and can replace it by himself, the company only needs to deliver the water purification filter as needed. For such users who can replace it by themselves, the company provides a use restriction change key. Under the condition that the use restriction change information is read from this use restriction change key, the water dispensing allowable state continues to be maintained, so the user can use a relatively large amount of drinking water in a short period of time without worrying about the upper limit value of the predetermined time. This makes it possible to respond to cases where the user needs a large amount of drinking water without replacing the water server itself.

The usage restriction change key can be an information recording medium such as a USB memory, an SD card (registered trademark), or an IC card. The reading unit can be a USB terminal for a USB memory, a memory card reader for an SD card or other memory card, or a reader compatible with the standard for an IC card. Under conditions where the usage restriction change information can be read by these reading units, the program in the control unit changes the flow.

In another embodiment, the water server according to the present invention has a reading unit that reads the use restriction change information from an external use restriction change key,
The control unit may be configured to execute limit information update means for updating the upper limit value to a value greater than a default value under conditions in which the usage restriction change information is read.

Even if a user understands the need to replace the water purification filter from time to time, if there is no restriction on the use of the water server, there is a risk that the user will use more drinking water than originally expected if there is no restriction at all. If this happens, the water purification filter will exceed its usage limit sooner than the user expects, and even a user who understands the necessity may unknowingly use drinking water that is insufficiently purified. With this configuration, instead of allowing water to be dispensed without any restrictions, the upper limit value is updated to a value larger than the initial default value, and when the amount of drinking water dispensed per predetermined time reaches the large value, the state is changed to a water dispense restricted state, thereby preventing extremely excessive use. The business can keep track of the user who has provided the use restriction change key configured in response to a request, and can understand that the user must replace the water purification filter at an earlier timing than a user who has not provided the use restriction change key. This allows the business to deliver a water purification filter to the user at the timing when the water purification filter should be replaced if the water server is used up to the updated upper limit value with a large value. By replacing the filter, the user can continue to use an abundant amount of drinking water per hour that is larger than the original default value, while maintaining a sufficiently purified state.

The water server of this invention prevents excessive use that could cause the water purification filter to reach its usage limit early, and prevents the user from unknowingly using insufficiently purified drinking water, allowing the user to continue using sufficiently purified drinking water. Because it is possible to ensure a long time until the usage limit is reached, the water server can be used for a long period of time without replacing the water purification filter. In addition, because it is possible to prevent use after the usage limit is reached, which would increase the load on the pump, it is possible to extend the life of the pump and reduce the effort required to maintain the water server itself.

In addition, in response to a user's request, a company that provides water servers and water purification filters can send a usage restriction change key to increase the upper limit on the amount of drinking water that can be used at a specified time or to remove the upper limit. This allows the user to continuously use a sufficient amount of good quality drinking water by replacing the water purification filter when necessary, without having to replace the water server itself.

A functional block diagram of a control part of a water server according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Control flow diagram in the first embodiment A functional block diagram of a control part of a water server according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Control flow diagram in the second embodiment FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a water server according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a functional block diagram relating to the control of a water server according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A pump 6, a dispensing valve 19, and a temperature control device 18 are provided inside the water server housing 1. These components are controlled by a control unit 73, which is a computing device equipped with software. Signals are input to the control unit 73 from the operation unit (dispensing operation switch 61), water level sensor 24, water meter unit 65, temperature sensor 28, and clock unit 75.

The water server may also have a memory unit 74, which is a storage device that records and stores the upper limit L of the amount of drinking water dispensed per specified time, the amount n of drinking water already dispensed per specified time, the amount N of drinking water dispensed since the water purification filter was replaced, the time elapsed since the water purification filter was replaced, and other necessary information. It is desirable for this information to be recorded on a magnetic disk or non-volatile memory so that it is not reset due to a power outage or being unplugged. Non-volatile memory is particularly desirable from the standpoint of shock resistance.

Among these, the upper limit value L of the amount of drinking water dispensed per predetermined time may be recorded in the memory unit 74 as a default value from the beginning. This upper limit value L may be changeable under certain conditions such as the second embodiment described later. The predetermined time for prescribing the upper limit value L of the amount of drinking water dispensed per predetermined time and the predetermined time for prescribing the amount of already dispensed drinking water n per predetermined time are common values for the water server. For example, when the upper limit value L is prescribing a value per month, the amount of already dispensed drinking water n is also prescribing a value per month. This predetermined time may be determined as necessary by the provider of the water server or as specified by the user. For example, a period that is easy for the user to understand as a division, such as one day, several days, one week, ten days, or one month, is desirable. However, if this predetermined time is more than two months, when water cannot be dispensed from the water server once, the waiting period until water can be dispensed again becomes too long, which is inconvenient. For this reason, the predetermined time is preferably within one month. On the other hand, if the predetermined time is half a day or less, it becomes difficult for the user to freely adjust the timing of use within one day. For this reason, the predetermined time is preferably one day or more.

The water server further has a clock unit 75 that outputs date and time data. Based on this date and time data, the control unit 73 determines the start time for starting the accumulation of the amount of drinking water already dispensed n for each predetermined time period. If the predetermined time period is about one day to several days, the start time may basically be midnight on that day. If the predetermined time period is on a weekly basis of one week or more, it is preferable that the start time be a timing that is easy for the user to understand, such as midnight on Monday. The start time of the predetermined time period may be changeable to suit the user's daily schedule. If the start time is changeable, the water server may have an input interface (not shown) connected to the clock unit 75 or the control unit 73 for changing the start time, and a display unit (not shown) for displaying the set value.

As an alternative form of accumulating the amount of dispensed drinking water n for each predetermined time based on the date and time data from the clock unit 75, the amount of dispensed drinking water over the predetermined time immediately preceding that point in time may be accumulated. When performing the process described below according to the amount of dispensed drinking water over the previous predetermined time, the control unit 73 stores the amount of dispensed drinking water together with the date and time data of the dispense in the memory unit 74 each time drinking water is dispensed. The next time drinking water is dispensed, the amount of dispensed drinking water for the previous predetermined time recorded in the memory unit 74 is accumulated, and a determination is made as to whether the upper limit value L has been reached.

The water server has a water meter unit 65 that directly or indirectly measures the amount of drinking water dispensed. Measuring directly means measuring the amount of water that actually flows and is dispensed from the water server. Measuring indirectly means measuring an amount of water equivalent to the amount of water dispensed, rather than the amount of water dispensed itself, or measuring data other than the amount of water that can be used to calculate the amount of water dispensed, thereby determining the actual amount of drinking water dispensed. For example, the amount of water at any point in the piping connected to the valve inside the water server that finally dispenses the water can be measured. As a method for determining the amount of water from data other than the amount of water, for example, the operating time of the pump 6, which has a constant amount of water dispensed per hour, or the time the valve is in use can be measured, and the amount of drinking water finally dispensed can be calculated by accumulating the time and the product of the amount of water dispensed per hour and the time.

In addition, when the water server has parallel sections in which the flow of drinking water is parallel, the water meter unit 65 provided in each of the parallel sections may be configured to measure the amount of drinking water flowing through each section. For example, when the dispensing pipe and dispensing valve are provided in parallel for cold water and hot water, the amount of already-dispensed drinking water n to be dispensed can be measured by adding up the amount of cold water dispensed through the cold water section and the amount of hot water dispensed through the hot water section. On the other hand, when the water meter unit 65 is provided in a section in which the flow is not parallel, one location is sufficient. For example, when there is only one pump that sends drinking water to the water purification filter, if one water meter unit 65 is provided at the pump or at a location before or after it, the amount equivalent to the amount of already-dispensed drinking water n to be dispensed can be measured. The amount of water measured by the water meter 65, which is located upstream of the dispensing valve and dispensing pipe, does not directly measure the amount of drinking water dispensed n, but because approximately the same amount of water passes through as the drinking water dispensed, it can indirectly measure the amount of drinking water dispensed n.

The amount of drinking water dispensed obtained by the water meter unit 65 is stored in the memory unit 74 as a total value from a reference point in time. This makes it possible to calculate the value of the amount of drinking water dispensed n for each predetermined time period and the amount of drinking water dispensed N from the time the water purification filter was replaced.

In the water server according to this embodiment, the control unit 73 executes a usage limit reaching determination means for determining whether the amount n of already dispensed drinking water for each predetermined time period has reached the upper limit value L. The value for each predetermined time period is, for example, a value obtained by accumulating the amount n of already dispensed drinking water from the start point to the end point of the predetermined time period, or a value obtained by summing the amount n of already dispensed drinking water for the predetermined time period immediately before the time of determination. It is easier for users to understand if the amount n is accumulated from the start point to the end point of the predetermined time period. It is preferable that the start point is an easy-to-understand time such as midnight. In this determination, the calculation method is not limited as long as a calculation equivalent to the value obtained by adding up the amount n of already dispensed drinking water reaches the upper limit value L. For example, the amount n of already dispensed drinking water may be determined to have substantially reached the upper limit value L by sequentially subtracting the amount n of already dispensed drinking water from the upper limit value L and determining whether it has reached 0.

When the amount n of dispensed drinking water per predetermined time has not reached the upper limit value L, the control unit 73 executes a dispense permission control means for setting the device to a water dispense permission state in which dispensing of drinking water is permitted when the user operates the operation unit, and when the amount n of dispensed drinking water per predetermined time has reached the upper limit value L, setting the device to a water dispense restriction state in which dispensing of drinking water is restricted even when the user operates the operation unit. The user can dispense drinking water from the water server within the limits of the upper limit value L per predetermined time, and dispensing of drinking water from the water server is temporarily disabled when the upper limit value L is reached.

The operating unit here refers to a part that the user operates to switch between a dispensing state in which drinking water is dispensed from a dispensing tube that dispenses drinking water outside the housing, and a dispensing stop state in which dispensing is stopped. Examples include a mechanical cock that starts dispensing water when pressed, and a switch (19, 61) that sends an electric signal to the control unit 73 when pressed to open a solenoid valve or solenoid lock. For example, the functional block diagram of Figure 1 shows a dispensing operation switch 61 and a dispensing valve 19 that is opened by the control unit 73 upon detecting that the switch has been operated. The figure shows one valve and one switch as an example, but is not limited to this. For example, there may be two switches, one for dispensing cold water and one for dispensing hot water.

In addition to the amount n of drinking water dispensed for each predetermined time, the amount N of drinking water dispensed since the water purification filter was replaced, and the upper limit L, the memory unit 74 records the start time of the predetermined time, information and logs for the control unit 73 to make a judgment, software for execution, and the like. Other information stored for managing the water server may include the common identification number of the casing 1 used by the user, the start date of use of the water server, the contract renewal date, the unique identification number and serial number of the usage restriction change key 71 described below, and the usage expiration date.

The temperature control device 18 is a device for keeping the temperature of the drinking water in the temperature control tank 7 constant. If the temperature control tank 7 is a cold water tank that stores cold water, it is a cooling device. If the temperature control tank 7 is a hot water tank that stores hot water, it is a heating device. The temperature control device 18 should continue to operate to keep a predetermined temperature in the temperature control tank constant, regardless of the operation of the operation unit. For this reason, the temperature control tank 7 should be provided with a temperature sensor 28 that measures the temperature in the temperature control tank 7 and outputs the temperature to the control unit 73. For the cold water tank, when the value from the temperature sensor 28 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the control unit 73 operates the temperature control device 18, which is a cooling device, or increases the output of the temperature control device 18. For the hot water tank, when the value from the temperature sensor 28 becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, the control unit operates the temperature control device 18, which is a heating device, or increases the output of the temperature control device 18.

The temperature control tank 7 is also fitted with a water level sensor 24. The water level sensor 24 measures the water level in the temperature control tank 7, or whether the water level has fallen below a predetermined value. When the control unit 73 detects that the water level input from the water level sensor 24 has fallen below the predetermined value, it drives the pump 6 to pump drinking water into the temperature control tank 7. This drinking water has been purified through a water purification filter.

In the first embodiment, an example of the processing flow performed by the control unit 73 is shown in FIG. 2. In the initial state (S100), the upper limit value L of the amount of drinking water dispensed per predetermined time remains at the default value. In the case of a general water purification filter, if the upper limit value L is set to 30 liters per month, it is possible to use sufficiently purified water for more than one year without exceeding the usage limit of the water purification filter. In addition, the initial values of the amount of drinking water dispensed n per predetermined time and the amount of drinking water dispensed N from the time the water purification filter is replaced are both 0 (S101). Although not shown in the flow, the start time of the amount of drinking water dispensed n per predetermined time may be changed. If no change is made, the default value will be used, and it is preferable that the counting of the predetermined time ends at midnight, such as midnight or 2 a.m. If it is a weekly unit, it is easy to understand if the counting of the predetermined time ends at midnight on a weekend or Sunday. If it is a monthly unit, it is easy to understand if the counting of the predetermined time ends at the end of the month. The flow in FIG. 2 shows an example in which one month is set as the predetermined time.

The control unit 73 executes the usage limit reaching determination means for determining whether the amount of drinking water dispensed per month n at that time has reached the upper limit value L of the amount of drinking water dispensed per month (S111). At the start point, n = 0 and no increment is made, so L > n (S111 → Yes), and the control unit 73 executes the dispensing permission control means for setting the water dispensing permission state (S112). If the dispensing operation switch 61, which corresponds to the operation unit, is not pressed (S113 → No), the state remains as it is (S116 → No). If the dispensing operation switch 61 is pressed (S113 → Yes), the water dispensing permission state is reached, so dispensing is performed (S114). At this time, the amount of water dispensed measured by the water meter unit 65 is added to the amount of drinking water dispensed per month n (S115). If one month has not passed at that point, the original flow is temporarily returned to (S116 → No → S111). At this stage, if the amount of drinking water dispensed per month n has not reached the upper limit L (S111→Yes), dispensing will be permitted again in the same way next time while maintaining the water dispensing permitted state (S112 to S116).

When the amount of drinking water dispensed per month n reaches the upper limit value L of the amount of drinking water dispensed per month (S111 → No), the control unit 73 executes the dispense permission control means to set the water dispense restricted state (S131). This state continues until the start of the month is reached (S132). During this time, drinking water will not be dispensed even if the dispense operation switch 61 is pressed.

Regardless of whether the water dispensing is permitted or restricted, when the time reaches the start of a month (S116→Yes, S132), the amount of drinking water dispensed per month n up to that point is added to the amount of drinking water dispensed since the water purification filter was replaced (N) (S121), and the value of the amount of drinking water dispensed per month n is reset (S122). When a new predetermined period (here, one month) begins again, the amount of drinking water dispensed per month n is reset. The control unit 73 determines by the usage limit reaching determination means that the amount of drinking water dispensed per month n has not reached the upper limit value L of the amount of drinking water dispensed per month (S111→Yes), and executes the dispensing permission control means to set the water dispensing permitted state (S113). The processing from S113 onwards is the same as above, and is repeated every month.

By using this type of control, the amount of drinking water that can be dispensed in a month can be limited to the upper limit value L at most, ensuring that the number of days until the water purification filter reaches its limit of use is extended. This allows the user to continue to use sufficiently purified drinking water without having to replace the water purification filter for a long period of time, and avoids unknowingly consuming insufficiently purified drinking water.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram relating to the control of a water server according to a second embodiment of the present invention. A pump 6, a dispensing valve 19, and a temperature control device 18 are provided inside the water server housing 1. These components are controlled by a control unit 73, which is a computing device equipped with software. Signals from a dispensing operation switch 61, a water level sensor 24, a water meter unit 65, a temperature sensor 28, a clock unit 75, and a reading unit 72 are input to the control unit 73.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has a reading unit 72. This reading unit 72 reads information from a usage restriction change key 71 that is supplied to the user by the provider. The usage restriction change key 71 is an information medium having a storage unit. This usage restriction change key 71 records usage restriction change information such as an identification file, batch file, program file, etc. that changes the flow of the control unit 73, and can be read by the reading unit 72.

Examples of combinations of the usage restriction change key 71 and the reading unit 72 include a combination of a USB memory and a USB terminal, a memory card such as an SD card (registered trademark, including miniSD card or microSD card) and a corresponding memory card reader, or a magnetic card or IC card and a card reader for these. It is preferable that the usage restriction change key 71 is a medium that can be easily delivered by mail, etc. This makes it easier for vendors to deliver it quickly in response to a user's request.

It is preferable to operate this usage restriction change key 71 while it is connected to the reading unit 72. When the usage restriction change information of the usage restriction change key 71 can be read via the reading unit 72, the control unit 73 changes the processing flow as described below.

Changes made by the use restriction change means of the control unit 73 in accordance with the information recorded in the use restriction change key 71 include a change to continue the water dispensing permitted state without restriction even if the amount of drinking water dispensed n per predetermined time reaches the upper limit value L per predetermined time, and a change to update the value of the upper limit value L per predetermined time to a value greater than the default value. This difference may be made in advance according to the program of the control unit 73, or may be made according to the content of the use restriction change information recorded in the use restriction change key 71.

Furthermore, in addition to the use restriction change information, the use restriction change key 71 may have a unique identification number that identifies each individual key. This makes it easier for the business to manage each individual use restriction change key 71. Furthermore, when the control unit 73 of the water server receives a use restriction change key 71 that is different from the use restriction change key 71 that was previously being used, this fact can be determined.

Furthermore, the usage restriction change key 71 may have a common identification number that is common to each water server used. In this case, the memory unit 74 stores collatable information, such as the common identification number itself or a hash value derived from the common identification number. The provider manages which common identification number is assigned to which water server under which user, and sends the usage restriction change key 71 having the common identification number corresponding to that water server to the relevant user. The common identification number is collated with the information in the memory unit 74, and if they match, it is treated as legitimate use, and if they do not match, it is treated as unauthorized use, thereby preventing unauthorized use of the usage restriction change key 71. This prevents a situation in which the water purification filter reaches its usage limit without the provider's knowledge, resulting in insufficient purification by the water purification filter.

Furthermore, the use restriction change key 71 may record the date and time of the usage limit and the period during which the use is permitted. In this case, when the date and time of the usage limit is reached or the period during which the use is permitted has elapsed, the control unit 73 executes a use restriction change end means for updating the upper limit value L to a larger value or not making a change to continue the water dispensing permitted state without restriction even if the control unit 73 recognizes the use restriction change key 71. If the use restriction change information is information for updating the upper limit value L to a larger value, it is preferable that the use limit and the period during which the use is permitted correspond to the replacement period expected for the updated upper limit value L of the water purification filter. In other words, it is preferable that the replacement of the water purification filter is recommended when the use restriction change end means is executed. For this reason, it is preferable that the device has a display unit (not shown) that displays the fact that the use restriction change end means has been executed using a liquid crystal or LED lamp. On the other hand, since the company knows the timing of the usage limit even without receiving a contact from the user, the company sends a new use restriction change key 71 to the user together with the water purification filter before that time.

Furthermore, the use restriction change key 71 may record a serial number. This serial number corresponds to the order of the use restriction change keys 71 used in each water server. For example, the serial number of the use restriction change key 71 used next to the use restriction change key 71 with serial number 1 may be set to 2, and the serial number of the use restriction change key 71 used next may be set to 3. If a use restriction change key 71 with a serial number out of sequence is recognized, it is treated as an illegal use and the dispensing of drinking water is restricted, thereby preventing illegal use of the use restriction change key 71. Note that the serial number does not need to start with 1, and may be any number or character string. Furthermore, the difference between the serial numbers of each use restriction change key 71 does not need to be an arithmetic progression of +1, but may follow a predetermined rule. For example, it may be an arithmetic progression with different values, or may be in a relationship of other number progressions such as a geometric progression, as long as it is a predetermined condition that can be specified.

In addition to the above-mentioned usage restriction change information, the reading unit 72 may also be capable of reading the unique identification number, common identification number, usage expiration date, available period, and serial number recorded in the usage restriction change key 71.

Figure 4 shows an example of a flow in this second embodiment. The same processes are carried out for steps that share the same numbers as in Figure 2. Processes S102 to S106 and S141 to S145 have been added depending on the reading unit 72 that reads the usage restriction change key 71. If the reading unit 72 does not recognize the usage restriction change key 71 (S102 → No), the flow is the same as in the first embodiment.

If the reading unit 72 recognizes the use restriction change key 71 (S102→Yes), the control unit 73 reads from the reading unit 72 information required by the standard, such as the unique identification number, the common identification number, and the serial number, in addition to the use restriction change information. The control unit 73 executes a genuine key determination means for determining whether the use restriction change key 71 is a genuine key from the read information (S103). For example, the specifications of the use restriction change information and the unique identification number are different or cannot be read at all, the common identification number cannot be matched with the information in the storage unit 74, or the serial number does not conform to a predetermined standard. If the information is not genuine as described above (S103→No), it is highly likely that the use restriction change key 71 was not issued in a genuine manner by the company that rents the water server, and the control unit 73 controls the water dispensing restriction state to restrict the dispensing of drinking water (S104).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the above information is legitimate (S103 → Yes), processing is performed according to the contents of the usage restriction change information (S105).

When the use restriction change information is an update of the upper limit value L (S105→Update), the control unit 73 executes a limit information update means for replacing the value of the upper limit value L recorded in the storage unit 74 with the updated value (S106). For example, the upper limit value L per day is changed from the default value of 1 liter to a value such as 5 liters or 10 liters. The upper limit value L per month is changed from the default value of 30 liters to a value such as 150 liters or 300 liters. It is advisable to leave the original upper limit value L, which is the default value, recorded in the storage unit 74 in a state in which it cannot be changed separately. When the use restriction change key 71 is no longer present, the original default value of the upper limit value L is returned to be used (S102→No). The flow itself of the process performed after updating the upper limit value L is the same as in the first embodiment (S111 onward). However, since the value of the upper limit value L is large, it is difficult for the water dispensing state to be restricted under normal use, and the amount of drinking water that can be dispensed while the water dispensing state is allowed increases (S111→Yes→S112). The water dispensing restriction state will only occur if an extremely large amount of drinking water is used during the specified time and exceeds the updated upper limit value L (S111 → No → S131).

On the other hand, if the usage restriction change information is the release of the upper limit value L (S105 → Release), even if the amount of drinking water dispensed n per predetermined time reaches the upper limit value L per predetermined time, the water dispense is not restricted and the water dispense permitted state is maintained (S141). That is, when the dispense operation switch 61 is pressed (S142 → Yes), drinking water is dispensed (S143) and the amount of drinking water dispensed n per predetermined time is counted (S144). No matter how much is used during the predetermined time (S145 → No), as long as the usage restriction change information of the usage restriction change key is recognized, there is no restriction according to the upper limit value L (S102 → Yes → S103 → Yes → S105 → Release → S141 to S145), and drinking water continues to be dispensed. Note that if the dispense operation switch 61 is not pressed (S142 → No), there is no difference from the case where there is no key. However, it is desirable to continue counting the amount of drinking water dispensed n per predetermined time. By accumulating the amount of drinking water dispensed n for each predetermined time, the amount of drinking water dispensed N from the time the water purification filter was replaced is calculated (S121), and this is used as a basis for determining whether or not the water purification filter needs to be replaced. Therefore, at the end of the predetermined time, the amount of drinking water dispensed n for each predetermined time is reset (S122).

In addition, the following authentication method can be adopted in determining whether the key is genuine in S103. The business assigns a unique identification number, a common identification number for identifying each water server, and a serial number to each use restriction change key 71, along with the use restriction change information recorded in the use restriction change key 71 sent to a specific user. Once the use restriction change key 71 is read and the use of the water server is started, the unique identification number, common identification number, and serial number are stored in the storage unit 74. The new use restriction change key 71 that the business next sends to the user is assigned a common identification number and a number changed from the previous serial number according to a predetermined condition. For example, the number is the previous serial number +1. When the control unit 73 recognizes that a use restriction change key 71 with a different unique identification number has been read, it executes a common identification number confirmation means for confirming whether the common identification number recorded in the new use restriction change key 71 is the same as the common identification number recorded in the storage unit 74. Furthermore, a serial number confirmation means is executed to confirm whether the serial number recorded in the new use restriction change key 71 satisfies a predetermined condition with respect to the serial number of the previous use restriction change key 71 recorded in the storage unit 74. If both the common identification number confirmation means and the serial number confirmation means confirm True, the water dispensing is permitted (S112, S141), and if False, the water dispensing is restricted as it has expired (S104). The state switching after the determination is the same as that of the dispensing permission control means. When this authentication method is adopted, even if an unauthorized use restriction change key 71 generated by a third party is read and the water server is illegally used, the common identification number and the serial number continuity are difficult to generalize, so that the common use restriction change key 71 cannot break through the authentication method, and only authorized use with the authorized use restriction change key 71 sent by the company can be made possible. Although a certain degree of security can be ensured by authenticating only one of the common identification number and the serial number continuity, a higher level of security can be ensured by using an authentication method that verifies both. This will prevent users from using an unauthorized key issued by an unsupported third party and continuing to use the water server without replacing the purification filter, which could result in a decline in the quality of the drinking water they consume.

The water server in this embodiment is a water purifier type that introduces water from a tap water tank filled with tap water into a water purification filter cartridge and pours out purified water. In the case of a water tank type that does not use a water purification filter and uses the water tank delivered by the vendor as is, there is no need to impose restrictions based on the assumed usage limit of the water purification filter, and the problem in this invention does not arise in the first place.

When the control unit 73 detects unauthorized use or determines that the amount of drinking water dispensed per predetermined time n has exceeded the upper limit value L, the control unit 73 can either control any part in the housing 1 necessary for dispensing so as not to function, or activate any part in the housing 1 to prevent dispensing of drinking water. However, even if the part is to be disabled, it is preferable to control the water server itself so that it is kept powered on. If the power is turned off, the next use restriction change key 71 cannot be confirmed, which is undesirable from the viewpoint of user convenience. Furthermore, by leaving the power on, parts related to drinking water quality control such as the temperature control device 18 can continue to operate, and the water dispense permission control means is executed to switch to a water dispense permission state, making it possible to quickly respond when use is resumed.

Although not described in the flow, when the amount N of drinking water dispensed since the time the water purification filter was replaced reaches the design limit of the water purification filter, a display unit (not shown) provided on the outside of the housing 1 may be used to notify the user of this fact. After the water purification filter is replaced, the control unit 73 may reset the amount N of drinking water dispensed.

The parts of the water server in this embodiment where the control unit 73 executes control to put the water dispensing restricted state are exemplified by taking an embodiment of the water server. Note that the following explanation is merely an example, and does not prevent control of parts not shown in these explanations. Furthermore, even in embodiments other than those described below, as long as the water server dispenses drinking water purified by a water purification filter outside the housing 1, it can basically be controlled in the same way.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a water server that performs the above-mentioned control in the second embodiment. This water server has a vertically elongated housing 1, a tap water tank 12 that stores tap water, a replaceable water purification filter cartridge 50, a raw water pipe 51 that connects the tap water tank 12 and the water purification filter cartridge 50, a pump 6 installed midway along the raw water pipe 51, a temperature control tank 7 that stores purified water filtered by the water purification filter cartridge 50, a temperature control device 18 that keeps the purified water in the temperature control tank 7 warm, a purified water pipe 57 that connects the water purification filter cartridge 50 and the temperature control tank 7, and an outlet pipe 8 that pours drinking water in the temperature control tank 7 that has been kept warm by the temperature control device 18 to the outside of the housing 1.

The housing 1 has a cylindrical wall 13 extending in the vertical direction, a top plate 14 provided at the upper end of the cylindrical wall 13, and a bottom plate 15 provided at the lower end of the cylindrical wall 13.

The tap water tank 12 is removably attached to the housing 1. The top plate 14 of the housing 1 is provided with a tank accommodation recess 14a for accommodating the tap water tank 12. A raw water inlet 52 is provided on the inner surface of the tank accommodation recess 14a at the upstream end of the raw water pipe 51.

The tap water tank 12 is composed of a tank body 53 that contains tap water, and a lid 54 that opens and closes a water supply opening formed in the tank body 53. The tank body 53 has a tank opening/closing valve 55 at a position corresponding to the raw water inlet 52 when the tap water tank 12 is attached to the tank housing recess 14a. The tank opening/closing valve 55 is an opening/closing valve that blocks communication between the inside and outside of the tap water tank 12 when the tap water tank 12 is removed from the tank housing recess 14a, and that connects the inside of the tap water tank 12 to the raw water inlet 52 when the tap water tank 12 is attached to the tank housing recess 14a.

The pump 6 draws in tap water from the tap water tank 12 side and discharges it to the water purification filter cartridge 50 side, thereby transferring the tap water in the raw water pipe 51 from the tap water tank 12 side to the water purification filter cartridge 50 side.

The water purification filter cartridge 50 is a replacement cartridge with a built-in water purification filter that removes substances contained in tap water by filtering the tap water. As the water purification filter, a hollow fiber membrane filter, an activated carbon filter, an ion exchange resin filter, etc. can be used. The water purification filter cartridge 50 is detachable from the cartridge head 56. Water purified through the water purification filter is supplied to the temperature control tank 7 through the water purification pipe 57.

The temperature control tank 7 is equipped with a temperature control device 18 that controls the temperature of the water in the temperature control tank 7. In FIG. 5, a cold water tank is shown as an example of the temperature control tank 7, but it may be a hot water tank, or it may have both a cold water tank and a hot water tank. If the temperature control tank 7 is a cold water tank, the temperature control device 18 is a cooling device, and if the temperature control tank 7 is a hot water tank, the temperature control device is a heating device. In addition, the temperature control tank 7 is equipped with a temperature sensor 28 that detects the temperature of the drinking water inside. For example, if the temperature control tank 7 is a cold water tank, the temperature control device 18, which is a cooling device, is activated when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 28 exceeds a predetermined upper limit temperature, and the drinking water in the temperature control tank 7 is kept at a low temperature (about 5°C). In addition, if the temperature control tank 7 is a hot water tank, the temperature control device, which is a heating device, is activated when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 28 falls below a predetermined lower limit temperature, and the drinking water in the temperature control tank 7 is kept at a high temperature (e.g., 80°C or higher). These controls are performed by the control unit 73, which receives a signal from the temperature sensor 28.

An outlet pipe 8 is connected to the bottom of the temperature control tank 7. An outlet valve 19 is provided on the outlet pipe 8, and by opening this outlet valve 19, the temperature-controlled drinking water can be poured from the temperature control tank 7 into a cup or the like.

The control unit 73 can also count the time that the dispensing valve 19 is open, and can be used as the water meter unit 65. In this case, the amount of water delivered can be calculated by multiplying the amount of water delivered per hour by the valve opening time of the dispensing valve 19.

The temperature control tank 7 is provided with a water level sensor 24 that detects the water level in the temperature control tank 7. When the water level sensor 24 detects that the water level in the temperature control tank 7 has dropped to a preset lower limit, the electric motor 30 that drives the pump 6 is activated, and the water pumped up by the pump 6 is introduced into the temperature control tank 7 through the raw water pipe 51, the water purification filter cartridge 50, and the purified water pipe 57 in that order.

The operating time of the pump 6 can also be measured, and used indirectly as a water meter 65. The amount of water delivered can be calculated by multiplying the operating time by the amount of water delivered per hour by the pump 6. This amount of water delivered is essentially the entire amount dispensed, so although there is a slight time lag, it is roughly the same amount as the amount dispensed from the water server.

A dispensing operation switch 61 is provided on the front of the main body. This corresponds to the operation unit. When the user presses this operation unit, a signal indicating that the switch has been pressed is transmitted to the control unit 73, and a command to open the valve is transmitted from the control unit 73 to the dispensing valve 19, causing drinking water to be dispensed.

Although not shown, an embodiment may also be used in which the spout valve 19 is opened by a physically operated cock.

In this embodiment, the water server reads the use restriction change key 71, which is a USB memory type or memory card, into the reading unit 72, which is a USB terminal or memory card slot, and the control unit 73 recognizes the use restriction change information. By referring to the information in the memory unit 74 and the clock unit 75, if the amount of drinking water dispensed per predetermined time n reaches the upper limit value L, the control unit 73 instructs the server to enter a water dispense restricted state.

In the water server according to this embodiment, the water dispensing restriction state can be achieved by prohibiting the opening of the dispensing valve 19 and keeping it closed. This is an electromagnetic on-off valve that opens and closes in response to the operation of the dispensing switch 61 by the user. By keeping this electromagnetic on-off valve closed, dispensing is not possible even when the user operates the dispensing switch 61. When the usage limit reaching determination means S111 determines that the usage limit has already been reached, the dispensing valve 19 is kept closed, so drinking water is not dispensed even when the user operates the dispensing switch 61 to dispense. When the amount of drinking water used by the user exceeds the upper limit value L, it is possible to immediately restrict the dispensing of drinking water.

Another form of water discharge restriction state is a method in which the electrically operated pump 6 is not driven even when the water level sensor 24 reaches a predetermined lower limit water level. In this way, when the usage limit reaching determination means S111 determines that the usage limit has already been reached, the pump 6 remains stopped even when the water level in the temperature control tank 7 falls below the predetermined lower limit water level, so drinking water is not replenished to the temperature control tank 7. Therefore, although the water that has passed through the water purification filter cartridge 50 can be used, the water purification filter is not used excessively beyond that.

It is preferable to control the temperature control device 18 of the temperature control tank 7 to operate when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 28 exceeds a predetermined upper limit temperature, regardless of whether the use limit reaching determination means S111 determines that the user's use limit has been reached. If the temperature control tank 7 is a cold water tank, it is preferable to control the cooling device, which is the temperature control device 18, to operate when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 28 exceeds a predetermined upper limit temperature. In this way, even when the use limit reaching determination means S111 determines that the amount of drinking water already dispensed n has reached the upper limit value L and the user's use of drinking water is restricted, the temperature of the drinking water in the temperature control tank 7 is maintained at a low temperature below a predetermined temperature if it is cold water. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the proliferation of bacteria in the temperature control tank 7 while the user's use of drinking water is restricted. In addition, when the user has the reading unit 72 read the use limit change information newly recorded in the use limit change key 71, low-temperature drinking water can be quickly used when the water dispensing restricted state is switched to the water dispensing permitted state.

Reference Signs List 1: Housing 6: Pump 7: Temperature control tank 8: Outlet pipe 12: Tap water tank 14: Top plate 15: Bottom plate 18: Temperature control device 19: Outlet valve 24: Water level sensor 28: Temperature sensor 30: Electric motor 50: Purified water filter cartridge 51: Raw water pipe 57: Purified water pipe 61: Outlet operation switch 65: Water meter unit 71: Usage restriction change key 72: Reading unit 73: Control unit 74: Memory unit 75: Clock unit

Claims (4)

A housing and
A temperature control tank disposed inside the housing;
A water filter,
A pump that sends drinking water to the temperature control tank through the water purification filter;
an outlet pipe for outletting the drinking water in the temperature control tank to the outside of a housing;
An injection valve for opening and closing the injection pipe;
an operating unit operated by a user to dispense drinking water from the dispensing tube;
The clock section and
A water meter unit that directly or indirectly measures the amount of drinking water dispensed;
A control unit that calculates an amount of drinking water already dispensed for each preset time period based on an output of the clock unit and an output of the water meter unit;
A memory unit that records the upper limit of the amount of drinking water dispensed per predetermined time and the amount of drinking water already dispensed,
The control unit is configured to execute a usage limit reaching determination means for determining whether the amount of already dispensed drinking water has reached the upper limit value, and a dispensing permission control means for executing a water dispensing permission state that allows the dispensing of drinking water when the user operates the operating unit when the amount of already dispensed drinking water has not reached the upper limit value, and a water dispensing restriction state that restricts the dispensing of drinking water even when the user operates the operating unit when the amount of already dispensed drinking water has reached the upper limit value. The pouring valve is an electromagnetic opening/closing valve that opens and closes in response to a pouring operation of the operating unit by a user,
The water server of claim 1, wherein when the usage limit reaching determination means (S111) determines that the amount of already-drinking water dispensed has reached the upper limit value, the dispensing permission control means (S112, S131) keeps the dispensing valve closed as the water dispensing restricted state even when a dispensing operation is performed on the operating unit, while when the usage limit reaching determination means (S111) determines that the amount of already-drinking water dispensed has not reached the upper limit value, the water dispensing permission state is set and the dispensing valve is opened in response to the dispensing operation of the operating unit. a reading unit for reading use restriction change information from an external use restriction change key;
The water server of claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit, under conditions in which the usage restriction change information is read, maintains the water dispensing permitted state without entering the water dispensing restricted state even when the amount of already dispensed drinking water has reached the upper limit value. a reading unit for reading use restriction change information from an external use restriction change key;
The water server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit executes a limit information update means for updating the upper limit value to a value greater than a default value under a condition in which the use restriction change information is read.

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