JPH02307021A - Liquid level measuring instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow the easy viewing of a liquid level and to decrease the generation of errors in measurement by measuring the liquid level in a liquid container by the gas-liquid boundary level in a gas-liquid piping. CONSTITUTION:A label 20 is stuck as a back ground to the range of nearly half the outer peripheral surface of a display tube 17 and is drawn with black diagonal stripe patterns on a yellow ground. The stripe patterns of the label 20 are visible uniformly as shown in (a) when there is no raw material in the display tube 17. The stripe patterns of the label 20 are visible in such a manner that the patterns on the lower side (raw material side) are larger than the patterns on the upper side (gas side) with the liquid level shown by an alternate long and short dash line as a boundary, as shown in (b), when there is the raw material in the display tube 17. The position of the boundary itself is explicit and more easily visible by the difference in the sizes of these patterns. Such difference arises from the lens effect by the raw material.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention mainly relates to a liquid level measuring device for liquid raw materials contained in a container of a beverage vending machine.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 6 is a system diagram of a raw material supply system to which a conventional example is applied. As is clear from FIG. 6, in this conventional example, the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 1 is reduced to a preset pressure by the regulator 2, and the gas distribution pipe 3
The raw material is injected into the raw material container 5 through the gas pipes 4a+4b. The liquid raw material 6 pressurized with carbon dioxide gas in the raw material container 5 is fed under pressure through the raw material pipes 7a and 7b, and enters the sold-out detection device 8. This sold-out detection device 8 has a gas-liquid separation function, and prevents air bubbles from being mixed into the raw material supplied to the beverage cup 16 during normal sales. In addition, the raw material container 5
When the raw materials in the container run out, it will perform an out-of-stock detection function. That is, carbon dioxide gas flows into the sold-out detection device 8 and gas accumulates above, so by detecting this with the pair of sold-out detection electrodes 9, it is possible to detect a state in which approximately one cup of raw material remains, that is, a sold-out state. You can know the previous state. The raw material separated into gas and liquid by the sold-out detection device 8 is passed through the flow control valve 1
Pass through 0. The flow rate control valve 10 ensures that the discharge flow rate of the raw material does not change due to variations in the pressurizing force of carbon dioxide gas. The raw material pushed out from here passes through the cooling coil 11 immersed in the cooling water 13 in the water tank 12, passes through the solenoid valve 14 for discharge control attached to one end of the downstream side, and is discharged from the discharge nozzle 15 into the beverage. It is supplied to cup 16. The solenoid valve 14 is controlled by a microcomputer and is opened and closed at a preset discharge time during normal sales. In addition, an indicator pipe 17 and each branch pipe 18a, 18b are installed between the gas pipe 4 (4a, 4b) and the raw material pipe 7 (7a, 7b).
, a valve mechanism 19 is provided. In addition, the valve mechanism 19
is a check valve that blocks only the flow from the display pipe 17 toward the raw material pipes 7a and 7b. Each branch pipe 18a, 18b communicates in three directions inside, and the branch pipe 18a and 18b communicate with each other in three directions.
The branch pipe 18b branches the carbon dioxide gas, and the branch pipe 18b branches the raw material liquid to the display pipe 17. The display tube 17 is a transparent tube installed substantially vertically, through which each gas pipe 4a, 4b and each raw material pipe 7a, 7b are connected. By adopting such a configuration, each raw material pipe, pipe 7a
, 7b and subsequent parts are filled with raw material 6, and a solenoid valve 1 for discharge control
4 is closed, the pressure balance between the carbon dioxide gas and the raw material liquid in the display tube 17 can be maintained in the same state as inside the raw material container 5, and the liquid level height H in the raw material container 5 can be maintained.
o and the liquid level height H in the display tube 17 can be made equal. Note that the valve mechanism 19 is open in a static state where normal sales are not performed, and the display tube 17 and each raw material pipe 7a, 7
b and each gas pipe 4a, 4b are in communication with each other. However, when the pressure on the raw material piping side decreases during sales, etc., the valve mechanism 19 prevents the raw material liquid or gas in the display tube 17 from flowing out into each raw material piping 7a, 7b. For example, when selling without the valve mechanism 19, the solenoid valve 14 opens (thereby, the pressure inside the cooling coil 11, sold-out detection device 8, and each raw material pipe ?a, 7b decreases, and the raw material inside the display tube 17 When the liquid is sent to the raw material pipe side, the relationship between the liquid level becomes H<Ho.At this time, if the initial liquid level in the display tube 17 is low, the liquid level has completely fallen down the display tube 17. Even carbon dioxide gas may flow into each raw material pipe 7a, 7b.If this carbon dioxide gas is sent to the sold-out detection device 8, it may cause malfunction of the sold-out detection device 8, and the pressure on the raw material side will increase. When it decreases, valve mechanism 1
9 is closed to prevent gas from flowing out from the display tube 17. Further, a similar phenomenon may occur when the raw material container 5 is replaced, and this is prevented by the valve mechanism 19. Note that the valve mechanism 19 mentioned earlier has another function, that is, a function to assist in smoothly filling the raw material pipes 7a and 7b with the raw material 4 when there is no raw material in these pipes. . That is, if there is no raw material in each of the raw material pipes 7a and 7b, the resistance from the distribution pipe 3 to the raw material container 5 is large, so that carbon dioxide gas passes from the gas pipe 4a through the display tube 17 to each of the raw material pipes 7a and 7b. 7b, and the raw material is no longer pushed out from the raw material container 5. Therefore, when more than a certain amount of carbon dioxide gas flows through the display tube 17, the valve mechanism 19 closes to prevent carbon dioxide gas from flowing out from the display tube side 17, making it easier to fill the raw material pipes 7a and 7b. I have to. In the above description, the valve mechanism 19 is defined as each branch pipe 18.
a, 18b and the display tube 17, but it goes without saying that they may be provided anywhere between the branch tubes 18a, 18b.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The conventional technology has the following problems. (1) If the display tube 17 is installed in a dark place or if the raw material is a transparent liquid, it is difficult to visually check the liquid, which may lead to errors in measurement. (2) This is inconvenient when instructions and various controls are performed using a separate indicating device or control device based on measurement of the liquid level. (3) When replacing the raw material container 5 or cleaning the raw material pipes 7a, 7b and the display 17, there is a risk that the raw material will flow back into the gas pipe side, but this cannot be countered. The objects of this invention are to solve the problems of the conventional technology, to make it easy to visually check the liquid level, to be able to measure the liquid level remotely, and to prevent gas from flowing into the liquid piping side. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid level measuring device that is improved in that it prevents the liquid from flowing to the gas piping side and controls the liquid's outflow to the atmosphere side reliably by electric signals.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve this problem, a liquid level measuring device according to a first invention includes a liquid container that is sealed except for a piping part; a pressurizing means that communicates with a space in contact with the liquid in the liquid container via a gas pipe; Liquid piping that has a location: A predetermined location of the gas piping located above the highest possible liquid level in the liquid container and a lower location of the liquid piping are connected so that the internal gas-liquid boundary can be visually observed. a gas-liquid pipe having transparency and a patterned background; a valve mechanism provided in the gas-liquid pipe to prevent a flow from the gas-liquid pipe side to the liquid pipe side; a gas-liquid boundary in the gas-liquid pipe; The liquid level in the liquid container is measured by the level. A liquid level measuring device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a liquid container that is sealed except for a piping portion; and a liquid level measuring device that is in contact with the liquid in the liquid container in order to pressurize the liquid contained in the liquid container with pressurized gas. a pressurizing means that communicates with the space via a gas pipe; a liquid pipe that is provided on the way to lead out the liquid in the liquid container to a predetermined location and has a low point located at a level below the bottom surface of the liquid container; a gas-liquid piping that connects a predetermined portion of the gas piping located above the highest possible liquid level in the liquid container and a lower portion of the liquid piping and is equipped with a liquid level detector; the gas-liquid piping; and a valve mechanism provided in the gas-liquid piping to prevent the flow from the gas-liquid piping side to the liquid piping side, and measures the liquid level in the liquid container based on a signal from the detector. A liquid level measuring device according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a liquid container that is sealed except for a piping portion; and a liquid level measuring device that is in contact with the liquid in the liquid container in order to pressurize the liquid contained in the liquid container with pressurized gas. a pressurizing means communicating with the space via a gas pipe; and a liquid pipe having a low point located at a level below the bottom surface of the liquid container, which is provided on the way to lead out the liquid in the liquid container to a predetermined location; A gas-liquid piping that connects a predetermined portion of the gas piping located above the highest possible liquid level in the liquid container and a lower portion of the liquid piping and has transparency that allows the internal gas-liquid boundary to be visualized: A solenoid valve (Am) that is provided at each side end of the liquid piping and gas piping of the gas-liquid piping and can be opened and closed by an electric signal, and a solenoid valve that can be switched between the gas piping side and the atmosphere side:
and measuring the liquid level in the liquid container by visually observing the gas-liquid boundary level in the gas-liquid pipe.

[Operation] In the liquid level measuring device according to the first aspect of the invention, the size of the background pattern changes above and below the gas-liquid boundary and is visually observed, so the position of the gas-liquid boundary can be clearly seen. In the liquid level measuring device according to the second aspect of the invention, the gas-liquid boundary level can be measured remotely using a signal from the detector. . In the liquid level measuring device according to the third aspect of the invention, each solenoid valve is opened and closed by an electric signal automatically or manually inputted when the liquid is drawn out from the liquid container, when the liquid container is replaced, when cleaning the piping, etc. completely and reliably prevents the gas from flowing into the liquid piping side and the liquid from flowing into the gas piping side, as well as allowing the liquid to flow out to the atmosphere as necessary, allowing liquid removal, container replacement, and piping cleaning. You can do things like. [Example] Example of the liquid level measuring device according to the first invention (hereinafter referred to as
The first embodiment) will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows the main parts of this example, Figure (a) is a front view without the raw material, Figure (b) is a front view with the raw material, and Figure 2 is the same (the same). FIG.
In the figures and FIG. 2, a label 20 is attached as a background to approximately half of the outer peripheral surface of the display tube 17, and has a black diagonal striped pattern drawn on a yellow background. When there is no raw material 6 inside the display tube 17, the label 20
The striped pattern appears uniform as shown in FIG. 1(a). On the other hand, when the raw material 6 is inside the display tube 17, the striped pattern on the label 20 is on the upper side (gas side) with the liquid level indicated by the dashed line as the boundary, as shown in FIG. ) The pattern on the lower side (raw material side) appears larger than the pattern on the bottom (raw material side), and the difference in size of the pattern makes the position of the boundary itself clear and easy to see. This is due to the lens effect caused by the raw material 6. The position of the boundary itself becomes clear and easily visible, especially when the raw material 6 is a transparent liquid. Example of the liquid level measuring device according to the second invention (hereinafter referred to as
The second embodiment) will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a front view of the main part of the second embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view thereof. In Figure 3, 21.22.2
Reference numeral 3 designates the same counter electrode for detecting the presence or absence of the raw material 6. Each counter electrode 21, 22, 23 is connected to the display tube 17.
It is placed at the required position over the measurement range. In FIG. 4, a representative counter electrode 2I is screwed into the peripheral wall of the display tube 17, with its axis aligned with the diameter direction of the display tube 17. Based on the signals from each of the counter electrodes 21, 22, 23, the level of the raw material 6 is remotely measured at the bottom position. Furthermore, when continuous measurement of the range of change in the level of the raw material is required, a continuous level detector for the range of change is provided. Signals from each counter electrode or continuous level detector are transmitted, for example, to a separate indicating device or control device (not shown) for instructions and various controls. Example of the liquid level measuring device according to the third invention (hereinafter referred to as
A third embodiment) will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a system diagram of a raw material supply system to which the third embodiment is applied. In FIG. 5, this raw material supply system is different from that in FIG. Solenoid valve 2 that can be switched to the atmosphere side
4B, a connection joint 27 equipped with a joint switch 27a is used at the connection point of the gas pipe 4b of the raw material container 5, and a control circuit 25 is newly installed, with a sales signal input terminal 26 on the input side. , the aforementioned joint switch 27a, and the operation switch 28 are respectively connected, and the discharge solenoid valve 14 and each solenoid valve 2 are connected to the output side.
4^ and 24B are connected to each other. In FIG. 5, when the sales signal is turned on to the input terminal 26, the solenoid valve 14 is opened via the control circuit 25, and the solenoid valve 24A is closed to discharge the raw material. Next, when the sales signal is turned off, the solenoid valve 14 is closed via the control circuit 25, the solenoid valve 248 is opened, and the solenoid valve 24B is switched to the gas piping 4a, 4b side, and the raw material 6
The discharge of the raw material will stop and the amount of raw material can be measured. In addition, when replacing the raw material container 5, the joint switch 27 can be removed by removing the connecting joint 27 before replacing the raw material container 5.
a is automatically turned on. By turning on this joint switch 27a, each solenoid valve 14.24 is controlled via the control circuit 25.
Both A are closed. In this way, not only the discharge of the raw material 6 but also the backflow of the raw material 6 into the gas pipes 4a+4b or the backflow of gas into the raw material pipes 7a and 7b are reliably prevented. When cleaning the raw material pipes 7a and 7b, the operation switch 28 is turned on after the raw material container 5 is replaced with a cleaning liquid container (not shown). With this, control i! 11 circuits 25
Each solenoid valve 14.24A is opened via the solenoid valve 24.
B is switched to the atmosphere side. Next, the cleaning liquid pressurized by the gas flows out from the discharge nozzle 15 through the raw material pipes 7a and 7b, and passes through the display H7 and the solenoid valve 24.
It flows out from B to the atmosphere, during which time the inside of the piping is cleaned. By the way, in the third embodiment, the display tube 17 only has transparency to the extent that the raw material level inside can be visually observed. However, first. As in each of the second embodiments, the display tube 1
7 can be pasted with a diagonal striped label as a background, or the display tube 17 can be fitted with three sets of counter electrodes.

【Effect of the invention】

Therefore, the present invention has the following superior effects compared to the conventional technology. (1) According to the first invention, the liquid level is easily visible (,
The risk of measurement errors is reduced. This is advantageous when the liquid level measuring device is installed in a dark and narrow host device or when the liquid is transparent. (2) According to the second invention, remote measurement of the liquid level becomes possible, This is particularly advantageous when the liquid level measuring device is installed in a dark and narrow host device, when the liquid is transparent, and when instructions and various controls are provided by a separate indicating device or control device. ( 3) According to the third invention, not only the prevention of gas leakage to the liquid piping side, but also the prevention of liquid leakage to the gas piping side, and the leakage of liquid to the atmosphere side are ensured by automatic or manual electric signals. This is convenient when discharging liquid, replacing liquid containers, cleaning liquid piping, etc.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows the main part of an embodiment according to the first invention, and FIG.
) is a front view without the raw material, FIG. 2(b) is a front view with the raw material, FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view thereof, FIG. 5 is a system diagram of a raw material supply system to which the embodiment according to the third invention is applied, and FIG. 6 is a diagram of a raw material supply system to which the conventional example is applied. It is a system diagram. Code explanation 4a, 4b: gas piping, 5: raw material container, 6: raw material, 7a
, 7b: Raw material pipe, 17: Display tube, 18a, 18b
: Branch pipe, 19: Valve mechanism, 20 Nilabel, 21,2
2.23: Counter electrode, 24A, 248: Solenoid valve, 2
5: Control circuit, 26: Input terminal, 27: Connection joint, (see) (b) Fig. 2 Ryo 4 Fig. 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) A liquid container that is sealed except for the piping; gas piping in a space in contact with the liquid in the liquid container in order to pressurize the liquid contained inside the liquid container with pressurized gas; a pressurizing means that communicates through; a liquid pipe that is provided on the way to lead out the liquid in the liquid container to a predetermined point and has a low point located at a level below the bottom surface of the liquid container; A gas-liquid piping that connects a predetermined point of the gas piping located above the highest possible liquid level and a lower point of the liquid piping, and has a transparent and patterned background that allows visualizing the internal gas-liquid boundary; ; a valve mechanism provided in the gas-liquid piping to prevent a flow from the gas-liquid piping side to the liquid piping side; A liquid level measuring device characterized by being configured to measure. 2) A liquid container that is sealed except for the piping; a pressurizer that communicates with the space in contact with the liquid in the liquid container via a gas piping in order to pressurize the liquid contained in the liquid container with pressurized gas; pressure means; a liquid pipe provided on the way to lead out the liquid in the liquid container to a predetermined point and having a low point located at a level below the bottom surface of the liquid container; the highest possible liquid level in the liquid container; a gas-liquid pipe that connects a predetermined location of the gas pipe and a lower location of the liquid pipe and is provided with a liquid level detector;
a valve mechanism provided on the gas-liquid piping to prevent flow from the gas-liquid piping side to the liquid piping side; and a liquid level in the liquid container is measured by a signal from the detector. A liquid level measuring device characterized by: 3) A liquid container that is sealed except for the piping; a pressurizer that communicates with the space in contact with the liquid in the liquid container via a gas piping in order to pressurize the liquid contained in the liquid container with pressurized gas; pressure means; a liquid pipe provided on the way to lead out the liquid in the liquid container to a predetermined point and having a low point located at a level below the bottom surface of the liquid container; the highest possible liquid level in the liquid container; a gas-liquid piping which connects a predetermined part of the gas piping and a lower part of the liquid piping and has transparency that allows the internal gas-liquid boundary to be seen; a solenoid valve provided at each side end of the piping that can be opened and closed by an electric signal, and a solenoid valve that can be switched between the gas piping side and the atmosphere side; A liquid level measuring device characterized in that it measures a liquid level in a liquid container.