JPS6323597B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a water supply cutoff device in the event of a water leak in a vending machine with a mechanism for diluting raw materials such as powder or concentrate with water and selling the diluted material as drinking water.

(Prior Art) A vending machine that dilutes powder with water and sells it as a soft drink has a mechanism that continuously supplies tap water, so water leakage accidents are likely to occur inside the machine.

In particular, water tanks that temporarily store tap water from outside are equipped with a water level detection device and a solenoid valve on the water supply side to keep the water level in the tank constant, so water leakage caused by malfunction or failure of these is a problem. This can easily lead to accidents.

Measures taken to prevent water leakage in vending machines include, for example, installing a detection device on the overflow pipe or its overflow container and activating a solenoid valve, or using a warning light or a warning buzzer to notify of an abnormality.

Additionally, as shown in Utility Model Publication No. 52555, when hot water is stored in the water supply tank, this steam must be released in order to prevent the above-mentioned detection device from malfunctioning due to the generated steam. A technique for adjusting the water level of a water tank by providing an air vent pipe is also disclosed.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, the causes of water leakage accidents are not only water overflowing from the water tank due to the above-mentioned malfunction of the solenoid valve, but also other factors such as loose piping around the water tank, corrosion, etc. Water may leak due to damage or malfunction of the solenoid valve installed between the water tank and the mixer.

However, current vending machines do not have maintenance and inspection equipment that incorporates all measures to address these causes, and at best, it is possible to prevent water leakage accidents by shortening the intervals between periodic inspections of the components, including the solenoid valves mentioned above. The reality is that we are working hard. For this reason, maintenance and inspection work for this type of vending machine is not only complicated, but also involves excessive labor costs.Also, in the unlikely event that a large amount of water leaks suddenly, or if a person is not present at night or on holidays, If water leaks when the machine is not in use, the amount of water leaking becomes large, and there is the problem that not only is the water was wasted, but products around the machine are flooded with water, causing great damage.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention prevents water leakage inside a vending machine, and when water leakage occurs due to some reason, it is promptly dealt with and the amount of water leakage is suppressed to an extremely small range. An object of the present invention is to provide a water supply cutoff device in the event of a water leak in a vending machine, which prevents flooding accidents caused by water leaks and improves the reliability of the vending machine.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vending machine with a mechanism for diluting raw materials with water and selling it as drinking water. A first water leakage detection mechanism that detects when the liquid level of the container exceeds a predetermined level and outputs a first water leakage signal; a second water leakage detection mechanism that detects water leakage and outputs a second water leakage signal; and when at least one of the first water leakage signal and the second water leakage signal is input, water is supplied for a certain period of time. a control section that outputs a cutoff signal; a water supply cutoff section that drives a ball valve to cut off water supply to the water tank while the water supply cutoff signal is output from the control section; and a water supply cutoff section that drives a ball valve to cut off water supply to the water tank; The present invention is characterized in that it includes a switch member that disconnects the circuit between the first and second water leak detection mechanisms and the control section.

(Function) When the water level in the overflow container reaches a predetermined level or higher, the first water leakage detection mechanism is activated and issues a detection signal, and the water supply cutoff section is activated to cut off the water supply to the water tank. This will prevent water leakage accidents, and even if the
Even if the water leakage detection mechanism does not operate or water leaks into the machine due to other reasons, a second water leakage detection mechanism installed along the bottom plate of the vending machine's casing will work to shut off the water supply as well. Since the main unit is operated, water leakage inside or outside the machine can be kept to a minimum in terms of quantity.

Moreover, since a ball valve is used in the water supply cutoff section, the water supply cutoff operation can be performed smoothly and with high reliability.

Additionally, since the door of the vending machine is equipped with a switch member that turns off the circuit between the first and second water leakage detection mechanisms and the control when the door is open, maintenance workers can Even if water is accidentally spilled, the first and second water leak detection mechanisms will not operate.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

1 and 2 schematically show a vending machine equipped with a device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Inside the casing 1 of this vending machine, coffee powder is first placed in the front part. , a raw material tank 2 containing raw materials such as concentrated soup, and a mixing mechanism 3 for receiving a predetermined amount of raw materials dropped from the lower end opening of this raw material tank 2, and a water supply tank 4 at the rear thereof.
is installed. The water supply tank 4 and the mixing mechanism 3 are communicated through an outflow pipe 6 having a solenoid valve 5.

7 is a first detection mechanism for detecting water leakage from the water supply tank 4; Container 9
, a float 10 provided in the overflow container 9,
It is composed of a drainage sensing switch 11 that opens and closes according to the vertical movement of the float 10, and the drainage sensing switch 11 establishes a connected state when more than a predetermined amount of water accumulates in the overflow container 9, and the water supply switch 11, which will be described later, A signal is output to the control section 18.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a water leakage detection line that detects water leakage by reading changes in current value when wet with water. This constitutes the water leakage detection mechanism.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a supply pipe that supplies drinking water to the water supply tank 4, and a solenoid valve 5a that opens and closes in conjunction with the solenoid valve 5 of the outflow pipe 6 is attached to this supply pipe 14.
A water supply cutoff part 1 is located in the water source side pipe line than the solenoid valve 5a.
6 is provided. This water supply cutoff section 16 is normally in an open state, and includes a ball valve 13 that repeatedly cuts off water flow every time a ball with a water flow path is rotated 90 degrees, and a motor 15 that rotationally drives the ball valve 13.
It is composed of.

Further, reference numeral 17 in the figure is a switch section 17 attached to the door 1a of the casing 1 for detecting the open/closed state of the door.

The circuit configuration of the first and second water leakage detection mechanisms 7 and 12, the water supply cutoff section 16, and the switch section 17 described above is as shown in FIG. A water leakage detection section whose contacts are closed based on an output signal from either one of the first and second water leakage detection mechanisms 7 and 12; 21 is a control section 21 of the water supply cutoff section 16;
The above-mentioned ball valve 13 has a normally closed cam switch 19 connected in series with the water leak detection section 18, a normally open cam switch 20 connected in parallel with this, and a function of simultaneously operating both switches 19 and 20. The switches 19 and 20 are always in opposite states. Therefore, the operational relationship between the ball valve 13, the normally closed cam switch 19, and the normally open cam switch 20 is as shown in FIG. That is, while the ball of the ball valve 13 rotates from 0 degrees to 90 degrees, the normally closed cam switch 19 (CT1) is in the connected state (a);
The normally open cam switch 20 (CT2) is in the disconnected state (b), and while the ball valve 13 is rotating from 90 degrees to 180 degrees, the normally closed cam switch 19 (CT1) is in the disconnected state (c), and the normally open cam switch 20 is in the disconnected state (c). (CT2) forms connection state (d). However, both switches 19, 20
In order to prevent the motor 15 from becoming disconnected at the same time and unable to rotate, both switches 19 and 20 are temporarily connected when the switch is switched.

The switch 17 is connected in series with the water leak detection section 18, and is configured to form a connected state when the door 1a is closed, and to form a disconnected state when the door 1a is open. .

Incidentally, reference numeral 22 in the figure is a return switch, and this switch 22 is connected in series with the normally open switch 20. A neon lamp 23 is connected in parallel with the return switch 22 and the motor 15. 24 again
is a power source that uses a normal external commercial power source.

Next, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be explained. A common cause of water leakage is the supply pipe 14.
If the solenoid valve 5a on the side malfunctions and cannot completely shut off the water even after supplying drinking water, the water supply tank 4
The liquid level of the drinking water continuously supplied inside rises, and the overflow water flows into the overflow container 9 through the overflow pipe 8.

When the water level in the overflow container 9 rises and reaches a predetermined level, the drainage sensing switch 11 is activated to output a first water leakage prevention signal. When the contacts of the water leak detection section 18 are closed based on this water leak prevention signal,
Once the connection is established, the motor 15 is driven and the ball of the ball valve 13 is rotated 90 degrees to cut off the water supply.

At the same time as the water supply is cut off, that is, the ball valve 13 is rotated 90 degrees, the normally closed cam switch 19 is disconnected and the motor 15 is stopped. At this time, the normally open cam switch 20 is closed and the neon lamp 23 is turned on, indicating that an accident has occurred.
It is even more effective if the alarm is activated at the same time as the neon lamp 23 is turned on.

After that, if the water in the overflow container 9 is removed and the solenoid valve 5a is repaired, an accident due to a malfunction of the solenoid valve 5a can be stopped one step before water leaks.

After the above work, close the door 1a and turn the return switch 22.
When turned ON, the motor 15 is driven to further rotate the ball valve 3 by 90 degrees. By this,
The normally closed switch 19 returns to the connected state, and the normally open switch 20 returns to the disconnected state, and the motor 15
At the same time that the operation of the neon lamp 23 is stopped, the water supply mechanism operates normally, and the vending machine returns to its normal state.

In addition to being able to deal with conventional water leakage accidents as described above, the first drainage detection switch 11 does not operate normally and does not output a water leakage signal, causing water to leak from the overflow container 9, or from other causes. If a water leakage accident occurs for reasons other than failure of the solenoid valve 5a of the water supply pipe 14, for example, due to breakage of the outflow pipe 6, the leaked water flows onto the bottom plate of the casing 1, and the second water leakage detection is performed. The detection wire 12, which is a mechanism, detects the water leakage state, and in the same way as above, the water leakage prevention signal closes the contacts of the water leakage detection part 18, drives the motor 15, and rotates the ball of the ball valve 13 to cut off the water supply. .

At the same time, by rotating the ball valve 13 by 90 degrees, the normally closed cam switch 19 is disconnected and the motor 15 is stopped (see FIG. 4), while the normally open cam switch 20 is connected and the neon lamp 23 is turned off. Turn on the light to notify a water leakage accident inside casing 1.

Then, when the neon lamp 23 lights up, the maintenance worker opens the door 1a and removes the water leakage inside the casing 1, and repairs each malfunctioning part, so that the amount of water leakage is small and the products placed around the vending machine etc. There is no possibility of flooding.

If the door 1a is opened here, the switch 17 forms a disconnection state, so the motor 15 is not driven regardless of the presence or absence of a signal to the water leak detection section 18, and therefore the detection line 12 and the first There is no possibility of the worker erroneously operating the drain detection switch 11.

Note that the return switch 22 is activated with the door 1a closed after all repair work is completed.

Although the water leak detection line 12 is provided on the bottom plate inside the casing 1 in this embodiment, it may be provided on the outer periphery of the bottom plate of the casing 1. Further, the water leakage detection line 12 may be provided around the ball valve 13 or along the supply pipe 14, and it goes without saying that the second water leakage detection mechanism may be a mat-shaped one instead of a detection line.

FIG. 5 shows various embodiments of the arrangement position of the water supply cutoff part 16, and when a plurality of vending machines are installed in parallel, the above-mentioned Similar to the example,
It may be provided at branch pipes 14a and 14b of the drinking water supply pipe 14 communicating with the main bodies A and B (16a and 16b in the figure), or at each branch point of the supply pipe 14 (16c and 16d in the figure), Supply pipe 14
It may be arranged at the source (16e in the figure).

(Effects of the present invention) As described above, according to the present invention, the first and second water leakage detection mechanisms are provided, and the water supply cutoff section is controlled based on the detection signal of at least one of the detection mechanisms. Therefore, water leakage is checked in two stages, and water leakage in the vending machine can be automatically and reliably prevented. Furthermore, the first water leakage detection mechanism is configured to issue a detection signal based on the water level of the overflow container that communicates with the water supply tank via the overflow pipe, so the water supply can be cut off in advance before water leaks into the cabin. In addition, the second water leakage detection mechanism is located along the periphery of the casing bottom plate, so not only when water overflows from the overflow container, but also when water leaks due to other causes, the leakage is detected inside the aircraft. Alternatively, the amount outside the machine can be kept to a minimum, and equipment, products, etc. placed around the vending machine can be completely prevented from being flooded with water, thereby eliminating damage caused by water leakage.

Furthermore, in the present invention, since a ball valve is used as a component of the water supply cutoff section, it has excellent durability and can smoothly operate to cut off the water supply by outputting a cutoff signal from the control section. is possible,
It has excellent operability and reliability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a vending machine incorporating a water supply shutoff mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a perspective view of the switch attached to the door, Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of the device, and Figure 4 shows the operating status of the quantity switch in the control unit as the ball valve of the device opens and closes. The figure shown in FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the installation position of the water supply cutoff part of the same device. In the figure, 1 is the casing, 4 is the water tank, 7
8 is the first water leakage detection mechanism, 8 is the overflow pipe,
9 is a water overflow container, 10 is a float, 11 is a discharge detection switch, 12 is a water leakage detection line, 13 is a ball valve, 14 is a supply pipe, 15 is a motor, 16 is a water supply cutoff part, 18 is a water leakage detection part, and 19 is a regular close switch,
20 is a normally open switch, 21 is a control section, and 22 is a return switch.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a vending machine with a mechanism for diluting raw materials with water and selling it as drinking water, the system detects when the liquid level of an overflow container communicating with a water supply tank via an overflow pipe reaches a predetermined level or higher. a first water leakage detection mechanism that detects water leakage in the casing and outputs a second water leakage signal; a second water leakage detection mechanism that outputs a water supply cutoff signal for a certain period of time when at least one of the first water leakage signal and the second water leakage signal is input; a water supply cutoff section that drives a ball valve to cut off the water supply to the water tank while the water supply cutoff signal is being output; and a water leakage detection mechanism that operates when the door of the vending machine is opened. 1. A water supply cutoff device for a vending machine in the event of a water leak, characterized by comprising a switch member that disconnects a circuit between control sections.