WO2007138978A1

WO2007138978A1 - Pressure regulator for carbon dioxide gas

Info

Publication number: WO2007138978A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/060617
Authority: WO
Inventors: Katsuro Endo; Kenshi Shimizu
Original assignee: Acritech Corporation
Priority date: 2006-05-26
Filing date: 2007-05-24
Publication date: 2007-12-06

Abstract

A carbon dioxide gas pressure regulator for an effervescent beverage container, regulating the pressure in the effervescent beverage-containing container according to temperature of the beverage. The regulator has an electronic control unit, a stepping motor, and a pressure regulation plate. The electronic control unit has a control map where a relationship between temperature and supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas is inputted, calculates, based on the control map, the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas corresponding to the temperature detected by a temperature sensor, and outputs a signal corresponding to the supply pressure. The stepping motor is rotated corresponding to the signal outputted from the electronic control unit. The pressure regulation plate is driven by the rotation of the stepping motor and extends and retracts a pressure regulation spring. The pressure of the carbon dioxide gas is regulated to an optimum pressure according to the temperature of the effervescent beverage, so that the beverage has the same good taste every time it is dispensed.

Description

Specification

Carbon dioxide pressure regulator

Technical field

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a carbon dioxide gas pressure regulator for a sparkling beverage container that adjusts the pressure in the container for storing sparkling beverages according to the temperature of the sparkling beverage, and particularly stores sparkling beverages such as beer. The present invention relates to a carbon dioxide pressure regulator for a foamed beverage container that supplies carbon dioxide with a pressure adjusted according to the temperature of beer or the like to the container.

In this specification, the sparkling beverage includes a carbonated beverage.

Background art

[0003] Beer barrel power Carbon dioxide gas pressure (supply pressure) applied to beer barrels in a beer server system that depressurizes carbon dioxide gas in a high-pressure vessel with a pressure regulator and supplies the beer barrels in order to pour beer deliciously ) Is effective depending on the atmospheric temperature, beer temperature or beer barrel temperature. Generally, the supply pressure is changed by manually operating the pressure adjustment spring of the pressure regulator according to the atmospheric temperature or beer temperature. Recently, a method for automatically adjusting the supply pressure by expanding and contracting a pressure adjusting spring using thermowax that expands and contracts by sensing the temperature of the beer in the beer passage has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .)

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-128193

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] However, when manually operating the pressure adjustment handle by looking at a thermometer or other temperature and pressure table, the temperature must always be monitored in order to quickly respond to changes in beer temperature and room temperature. In reality, it is difficult to always maintain the best beer foam.

[0005] By the way, in the case of conventional manual operation, the pressure cannot be adjusted when there are no people, such as at night, so even though the beer temperature in the barrel has dropped due to the temperature drop, the carbon dioxide gas pressure in the barrel has decreased. Does not go down, the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in beer increases, There is also a problem of excessive bubbles.

[0006] Even in the case of an automatic pressure adjustment type in which the temperature and beer temperature are brought into contact with the thermowax to expand and contract the pressure adjustment spring, the response speed is slow and the target supply pressure can be accurately obtained. The power that could not be.

[0007] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a carbon dioxide pressure regulator that is accurate and highly reliable.

Means for solving the problem

[0008] The carbon dioxide pressure regulator of the present invention includes a temperature sensor that measures the temperature, the temperature of the sparkling beverage, and Z or the temperature of the sparkling beverage container and outputs a temperature signal, and the carbon dioxide supply pressure with respect to the temperature. An electronic control unit that has a control map that defines the relationship, inputs the temperature signal and outputs a carbon dioxide supply pressure signal, a stepping motor that rotates by inputting the carbon dioxide supply pressure signal, and a stepping motor A pressure adjusting plate that rotates, and a pressure adjusting spring that expands and contracts by rotation of the pressure adjusting plate to control a carbon dioxide supply pressure are provided.

[0009] Further, the carbon dioxide pressure regulator of the present invention includes a temperature sensor that measures the temperature, the temperature of the sparkling beverage, and Z or the temperature of the foamed beverage container and outputs a temperature signal; A pressure sensor that measures the pressure and outputs a pressure signal, and a control map that defines the relationship between the carbon dioxide supply pressure and the temperature, and inputs the temperature signal and the pressure signal to supply the carbon dioxide pressure to be supplied. An electronic control unit that outputs a control signal for controlling the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied so as to be the carbon dioxide supply pressure specified in the control map for the temperature signal, a stepping motor that rotates by inputting the control signal, A pressure adjusting plate that is rotated by the stepping motor; and a pressure adjusting spring that is expanded and contracted by the rotation of the pressure adjusting plate to control the carbon dioxide supply pressure.

[0010] In addition, by providing a pressure increase / decrease switch for increasing / decreasing the pressure in the control map by a predetermined pressure of 0.02 MPa pressure or the like, the relationship between the temperature of the control map and the gas supply pressure is restored. By raising or lowering the carbon dioxide gas supply pressure without input, you can adjust the amount and taste of beer foam, so you can adjust the amount and taste of fine beer bubbles. . [0011] In addition, the control map has a monotonically increasing relationship that the carbon dioxide gas supply pressure also increases with an increase in temperature within a predetermined temperature range. Since the carbon dioxide supply pressure is a predetermined value and does not change, the gas supply pressure is too low, which hinders beer dispensing, or conversely, the supply pressure is too high and the pressure in the beer container becomes too high. Can be avoided.

The invention's effect

[0012] According to the present invention, the target supply pressure can be obtained more accurately than the response speed is increased.

This specification includes the contents described in the specification and Z or drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-146246 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-1 66976 which are the basis of the priority of the present application.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a sparkling beverage supply apparatus including a carbon dioxide pressure regulator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a carbon dioxide pressure regulator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a front view showing the configuration of the electronic control unit of the carbon dioxide pressure regulator according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the supply pressure of gas and the temperature adjusted by the carbon dioxide pressure regulator according to the present invention.

[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of carbon dioxide pressure adjustment in the embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of adjusting the carbon dioxide pressure in the embodiment of the second invention.

Explanation of symbols

[0014] 1 Sparkling beverage supply device

4 Power supply

5 Carbon dioxide pressure regulator

6 Temperature sensor 7 Temperature sensor

8 Beer passage

9 Carbon dioxide supply passage

10 Temperature sensor cord

11 Carbon dioxide cylinder

12 Beer barrel

13 Gas inlet

14 Gas outlet

15 Primary Banolev

16 Secondary valve

17 Relief port

18 Secondary diaphragm

19 Pressure spring

20 X5¾

21 Stepping motor

22 Connecting plate

23 pin

24 Bush

25 Pressure control plate

26 Position sensor

27 Fixed screw

28 Adjustment screw

29 Pressure sensor

30 Electronic control unit

32 Boost switch

33 Step-down switch

34 Secondary valve

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Example 1

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a sparkling beverage supply apparatus 1 including a carbon dioxide pressure regulator 5 according to the present invention.

[0017] The high-pressure carbon dioxide gas present in the upper portion of the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 11 containing liquid diacid-carbon is carbonated with the adjusted pressure reduced by the carbon dioxide pressure regulator 5 of the sparkling beverage container according to the present invention. The gas is supplied to the beer barrel 12 through the gas supply passage 9. The beer in the beer barrel 12 is supplied through the beer passage 8 from the outlet (not shown) provided in the lower portion of the beer barrel 12 by the pressure of carbon dioxide gas. Electricity for the carbon dioxide pressure regulator 5 is derived from a power source (AC adapter) 4.

[0018] The beer temperature immediately after coming out of the beer barrel 12 is detected by the temperature sensor 6, and is sent to the carbon dioxide pressure regulator 5 through the temperature sensor code 10 as a signal. The temperature of the beer barrel 12 is detected by a temperature sensor 7 provided at the lower portion of the beer barrel 12, and is sent as a signal to the carbon dioxide pressure regulator 5 through the temperature sensor cord 10. A thermistor element can be used as the temperature sensor.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the carbon dioxide pressure regulator 5 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a front view showing the configuration of the electronic control unit 30 of the carbon dioxide pressure regulator 5 according to the present invention. is there.

[0020] The high-pressure carbon dioxide gas enters from the high-pressure gas inlet 13, is reduced to an intermediate pressure by the primary valve 15, is adjusted to the supply pressure by the secondary valve 16, and is then supplied from the gas outlet 14 to the beer barrel 12. Is done. The supply pressure is adjusted by rotating the pressure adjusting plate 25 to expand and contract the pressure adjusting spring 19. The pressure adjusting plate 25 is rotated by a connecting plate 22 fixed to the shaft of the stepping motor 21. The connecting plate 22 is provided with a plurality of pin 23 forces, and the pressure adjusting plate 25 slides along the pin 23 through the bush 24 in the axial direction. That is, when the stepping motor 21 rotates, the connecting plate 22 rotates, so that the pin 23 provided on the connecting plate 22 rotates the pressure adjusting plate 25. Since the pressure adjusting plate 25 operates in the axial direction at the thread while rotating, the pressure adjusting plate 25 As the ring 19 expands and contracts, the secondary valve 34 is adjusted, and the supply pressure of carbon dioxide gas is adjusted.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the supply pressure of gas and the temperature adjusted by the carbon dioxide pressure regulator 5 according to the present invention. This control map shows the relationship between the temperature and pressure controlled by the carbon dioxide pressure regulator 5 as the optimum carbon dioxide supply pressure for each temperature, and the relationship is input to the electronic control unit 30 in advance. . Here, there is a monotonically increasing relationship in which the carbon dioxide supply pressure increases with an increase in temperature within a predetermined temperature range, and outside this range, the carbon dioxide supply pressure has a predetermined value with respect to a change in temperature. However, it is supposed not to change. As a result, it is possible to prevent the gas supply pressure from being too low and hindering beer dispensing, or conversely, the supply pressure from being too high and the pressure in the beer container to be too high.

The electronic supply unit 30 incorporated in the carbon dioxide pressure regulator 5 reads the optimum supply pressure Po at the temperature of the beer or the beer barrel detected by the temperature sensor 6 or 7 from the control map camera. When the gas supply pressure P is higher than the read supply pressure Po, the electronic control unit 30 drives the stepping motor 21 in the direction in which the pressure adjustment spring 19 is extended in FIG. As a result, the secondary diaphragm 18 moves upward due to the high pressure in the beer barrel, the relief port 17 moves away from the secondary valve 34, and the carbon dioxide gas also passes through the relief port 17 on the side of the beer barrel, and the atmospheric port 20 The pressure in the beer barrel 12 is reduced by being released into the atmosphere.

[0023] When the gas supply pressure P is lower than the read supply pressure Po, the electronic control unit 30 drives the stepping motor 21 so as to contract the pressure adjusting spring 19, whereby the secondary diaphragm 18 Press lev 34 to increase carbon dioxide supply pressure.

In this embodiment, the electronic control unit 30 is integrally assembled in the carbon dioxide pressure regulator 5 to form a compact carbon dioxide pressure regulator 5 for a sparkling beverage container, but it is physically separated from the place. It is also possible to provide it.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of adjusting the carbon dioxide pressure in the embodiment of the first invention.

In step S21, the electronic control unit 30 detects a signal from the temperature sensor 6 or 7. Next, in step S22, based on the control map, the optimum supply pressure Po corresponding to the signal power beer or the temperature of the beer barrel 12 is read, and the number of nozzles (N) necessary to obtain this optimum supply pressure Po. Is sent to the stepping motor 21 as a signal.

[0027] In step S23, the timer starts, and then in step S24, the stepping motor 21 rotates by an amount corresponding to the N pulses transmitted from the electronic control unit 30.

[0028] In step S25, it is determined whether or not the force has passed for a fixed time since the timer started.

If no, go back to step S25 again. If “yes”, the process returns to step S21 and the cycle of steps S21 to S25 is repeated.

[0029] The timer is set to set the frequency of adjusting the gas supply pressure and to prevent hunting, and is set to 60 seconds, for example.

[0030] The carbon dioxide pressure regulator 5 of the container for sparkling beverages of the present embodiment can be used for a beer server, particularly for mass merchandisers that frequently change beer barrels such as beer halls and taverns. Even when the beer temperature in the beer barrel that is frequently changed varies, the gas supply pressure is automatically and optimally adjusted according to the temperature of the beer or the beer barrel, so that beer with the same taste is always poured out. be able to.

Example 2

[0031] An embodiment of the second invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, in order to detect the pressure inside the beer barrel 12, a pressure sensor 29 is provided at the top of the beer barrel 12, and this pressure is sent to the carbon dioxide pressure regulator 5 as a signal. The rest is the same as in Example 1.

In the electronic control unit 30 shown in FIG. 2A, the optimum supply pressure Po at the temperature of the beer or the beer barrel detected by the temperature sensor 6 or 7 is read out in the control map force shown in FIG. When the differential pressure δ P (= P-Po) between the pressure P detected by the pressure sensor 29 and the optimum supply pressure Po is greater than or equal to the predetermined differential pressure (δ Po), the pressure regulation spring 19 is Stepping motor 21 is driven in the extending direction. As a result, the secondary diaphragm 18 moves upward due to the high pressure in the beer barrel, the relief port 17 moves away from the secondary knob 34, and the carbon dioxide gas passes through the relief port 17 from the beer barrel side. Atmospheric port 20 Force is also released to the atmosphere, and the pressure in the beer barrel 12 decreases. [0034] When δ P is equal to or less than a predetermined differential pressure (one δ Ρο), the electronic control unit 30 drives the stepping motor 21 in a direction that causes the pressure regulating spring 19 to contract, whereby the secondary diaphragm 18 Press the secondary valve 34 to increase the carbon dioxide supply pressure.

[0035] In this embodiment, since the actual pressure in the beer barrel is fed back to the carbon dioxide pressure regulator 5, the electronic control unit 30 is configured to provide the optimum supply pressure in which the pressure in the beer barrel is input to the control map. If there is a difference, the pulse signal sufficient to give the necessary rotation amount to the stepping motor 21 is sent so that the supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas approaches the optimum supply pressure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of adjusting the carbon dioxide pressure in the embodiment of the second invention.

[0037] In step S31, the temperature sensor 6 or 7 temperature output and the pressure sensor 29 pressure の output are detected. Next, in step S32, the electronic control unit 30 reads the optimum supply pressure 温度 ο corresponding to the temperature of the temperature sensor 6 or 7 based on the control map.

Next, in step S33, if the pressure difference δ と between the pressure の of the pressure sensor 29 and the optimum supply pressure Ρο is greater than or equal to a preset pressure δ Ρο, the process proceeds to step S34. For example, set δ Ρο to 0. OlMPa. In step S34, the stepping motor 21 rotates by an amount equivalent to 1 pulse, and then returns to step S31.

In step S33, if δP force S δΡο or less, the process proceeds to step S35. In step S35, the stepping motor 21 rotates by one pulse, and then returns to step S31.

[0040] If δ Ρο <δ Ρ <δ Ρο in step S33, the process proceeds to step S36 and the timer 1 starts. In step S37, it is determined whether or not a fixed time has elapsed since the timer was started. If no, return to step S37 again. If yes, return to step S31 and repeat this cycle.

[0041] The timer is set to set the frequency of adjusting the gas supply pressure and to prevent hunting, and is set to 60 seconds, for example.

Example 3

In the first and second embodiments, by providing the electronic control unit 30 with a boost switch 32 and a step-down switch 33 as shown in FIG. 2B, each of the control maps is controlled by these switches. It is possible to raise or lower the supply pressure with respect to temperature uniformly at a pressure arbitrarily set between 0.02 MPa and 0. IMPa.

[0043] This adjusts the foam amount and taste of beer by raising or lowering the overall supply pressure of the carbon dioxide gas without re-inputting the relationship between the temperature in the control map and the gas supply pressure. As a result, it is possible to further adjust the amount of beer foam and the taste.

Example 4

[0044] In the first and second embodiments, once the power is turned off and then turned on again, the shaft position of the stepping motor 21 shown in Fig. 2A is reset with the predetermined position as the reference position. can do.

A position sensor 26 is provided for correcting the axial position. As the position sensor 26, a non-contact Hall element can be used. This Hall element recognizes a predetermined position of the pressure adjusting plate 25 and transmits a signal. The position of the pressure adjusting plate 25 (the predetermined position as the reference position) is adjusted in advance by manual operation so that the supply pressure becomes a constant value, for example, 0.15 MPa, and the adjusting screw 28 is screwed in. It is determined by tightening the fixing screw 27 at a position where the output changes by sliding the position sensor 26 which has been lowered downward.

The electronic control unit 30 normally recognizes the shaft position due to the rotation of the stepping motor 21. However, due to overload or inertia of the stepping motor 21, the electronic control unit 30 may recognize and the actual position of the shaft may deviate. This is effective in eliminating this misalignment.

Industrial applicability

[0047] As described above, according to the present invention, the adjustment of the carbon dioxide supply pressure according to the temperature can be made quickly and finely, so it can be used as a carbon dioxide pressure regulator for beer barrels such as beer halls and taverns. In addition to beer, it can be used as a carbon dioxide pressure regulator for carbonated beverage vending machines.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] a temperature sensor that measures the temperature, the temperature of the sparkling beverage, and the temperature of Z or the sparkling beverage container and outputs a temperature signal;

An electronic control unit that has a control map that defines the relationship of carbon dioxide gas supply pressure to temperature, and that inputs the temperature signal and outputs a carbon dioxide gas supply pressure signal;

A stepping motor that rotates by inputting the carbon dioxide supply pressure signal;

A pressure adjusting plate rotated by the stepping motor;

A pressure regulating spring that expands and contracts by the rotation of the pressure regulating plate to control the carbon dioxide supply pressure;

A carbon dioxide pressure regulator, comprising:

[2] a temperature sensor that measures the temperature, the temperature of the sparkling beverage, and the temperature of Z or the sparkling beverage container and outputs a temperature signal;

It has a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the supplied carbon dioxide gas and outputs a pressure signal, and a control map that defines the relationship between the carbon dioxide gas supply pressure and the temperature. An electronic control unit that outputs a control signal for controlling the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied so that the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas becomes the carbon dioxide gas supply pressure specified in the control map for the temperature signal;

A stepping motor that rotates by inputting the control signal;

A pressure adjusting plate rotated by the stepping motor;

A carbon dioxide pressure regulator, comprising:

[3] The carbon dioxide gas pressure regulator according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a pressure increase / decrease switch for increasing and decreasing the pressure of the control map by a predetermined pressure of 0.02 MPa force and IMPa.

[4] The control map has a monotonically increasing relationship in which the carbon dioxide supply pressure increases as the temperature increases within a predetermined temperature range, and outside the range, the carbon dioxide supply corresponds to a change in temperature. The pressure is a predetermined value and should not change. Carbon dioxide pressure regulator as described above.