JP2010260644A - Drinking water feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low-cost drinking water feeder capable of measuring the temperature of drinking water with favorable accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: The drinking water feeder is equipped with a cold water tank for storing the drinking water, a cooling section for cooling the drinking water in the cold water tank, a hot water tank for storing the drinking water, a heating section for heating the drinking water in the hot water tank, a sanitation indicating section for indicating the sanitation operation of the cold water tank, a sanitation executing section for supplying the drinking water in the hot water tank to the cold water tank based on the instructions from the sanitation indicating section, a temperature detecting section for detecting the temperature of the drinking water in the cold water tank, and a control section for controlling the cooling operation of the cooling section according to the detected temperature of the temperature detecting section when no instruction from the sanitation indicating section is given and for suspending the control of the cooling operation of the cooling section according to the detected temperature of the temperature detecting section when the instruction from the sanitation indicating section is given. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a drinking water supply device such as a water dispenser that cools a part of drinking water such as mineral water and supplies the other part by heating.

  For example, there is a drinking water supply device that cools a part of drinking water such as mineral water and supplies the other part by heating. This drinking water supply device mainly includes a cold water tank for cooling drinking water and supplying it as cold water, and a hot water tank for heating and supplying this drinking water as hot water (hot water). Configured. The drinking water supply device is, for example, a BIB (Bag In Box) type drinking water tank, piping for supplying drinking water from the drinking water tank to the cold water tank, and heat from the drinking water tank. And a pipe for supplying drinking water to the water tank, and the drinking water may be supplied from the drinking water tank to the cold water tank and the hot water tank through these two pipes. A thermistor is provided in each of the cold water tank and the hot water tank, and the cooling device for the cold water tank and the heating device for the hot water tank are controlled according to the temperature based on the resistance values of these thermistors.

  For example, a chilled water thermistor provided in a chilled water tank is connected in series with a predetermined resistance, and an input voltage Vin is applied to both ends of the chilled water thermistor and the predetermined resistance. The voltage Vout output to the predetermined resistance side and the temperature T in the cold water thermistor are associated in advance and stored in a memory or the like. That is, a predetermined range of Vout is read as a digital value in increments corresponding to the resolution of the A / D converter, and converted to T based on the association stored in the memory. Alternatively, the digital value of Vout may be converted to T based on a predetermined conversion formula. This is the same for the hot water thermistor provided in the hot water tank, but the predetermined range and increment of Vout are different from those of the aforementioned cold water thermistor due to the temperature characteristics of the thermistor.

  If each thermistor has Vout (voltage related to the thermistor) outside the specified range, the control unit with the CPU executes error processing such as not converting to temperature, assuming that the measurement accuracy of the thermistor is less than the specified level. It is supposed to be. Specifically, when the voltage related to the thermistor shows a value outside a predetermined range, the fact that a temperature error has occurred is stored in a memory or the like with the time. In addition, an alarm may sound for a predetermined time. The voltage relating to the thermistor when such error processing is performed is not used for controlling the cooling device and the heating device. That is, the temperature control of the drinking water is performed based only on the temperature measured with a predetermined level of measurement accuracy.

  On the other hand, in this drinking water supply apparatus, for example, the two pipes described above are in communication with each other, and the cold water tank and the hot water tank are connected by separate pipes. Then, the hot water in the hot water tank is circulated again to the hot water tank through the pipe, the cold water tank, and the two pipes by the circulation pump, so that a so-called sanitation operation is performed. By circulating the hot water inside the hot water tank through the cold water tank, piping, and the like in this way, it is possible to prevent propagation of germs in water stagnated in the cold water tank, piping, etc. (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .)

  In addition, the sanitation operation is an operation of flushing the inner wall with high temperature water for the purpose of sterilization / sterilization or removal of harmful chemical substances on the inner wall of a tank or a pipe or the like, and draining after the high temperature water is brought into contact with the inner wall. It means operation. In other words, in the sanitation operation, as described above, hot water in the hot water tank may be circulated to the cold water tank, piping, or the like. For example, hot water in the hot water tank is supplied to the cold water tank and then drained. In some cases.

Japanese Patent No. 3387526

  By the way, when performing the sanitation operation of circulating hot water in the hot water tank by the circulation pump described above, the voltage related to the cold water thermistor provided in the cold water tank shows a value outside the predetermined range described above. . That is, in the cold water thermistor, for example, in order to measure the low temperature region (for example, 0 ° C. to 50 ° C.) in order to control the temperature of the cold water having an appropriate temperature of 4 ° C. to 10 ° C., the predetermined range of the voltage related to the cold water thermistor is The voltage value increments are set in accordance with the resolution of the A / D converter within the predetermined range. For this reason, for hot water having an appropriate temperature of, for example, 80 ° C. to 90 ° C., the voltage related to the cold water thermistor shows a value outside the predetermined range described above. At this time, for example, an error process is performed in which the fact that a temperature error has occurred is stored in a memory or the like, or an alarm is sounded for a predetermined time. For example, when an operator who maintains and manages the drinking water supply apparatus confirms a temperature error stored in the memory when drinking water is replenished, for example, the cause must be investigated. This imposes a burden on the worker, so that the work efficiency is lowered, and eventually the maintenance cost may increase.

  On the other hand, let us consider a case where the range including a high temperature region (for example, 50 ° C. to 100 ° C.) is expanded with respect to a low temperature region (for example, 0 ° C. to 50 ° C.) measured by a cold water thermistor. Due to the difference in the temperature characteristics of the chilled water thermistor between the low temperature region and the high temperature region, for example, even if the voltage increment associated with this chilled water thermistor corresponds to a predetermined level of temperature resolution in the low temperature region, the high temperature region Then, this temperature resolution may not be satisfied. In this case, hot water may not be maintained at an appropriate temperature.

  Therefore, if the voltage increments related to the thermistor for cold water are made smaller in order to set the temperature resolution in the high temperature region to a predetermined level, the temperature resolution in the low temperature region will be unnecessarily increased, and the low temperature region and the high temperature region will be increased. If combined, the resolution of the A / D converter may be exceeded. In this case, there is a risk that the equipment cost increases, such as using an A / D converter with higher resolution.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this subject, The place made into the objective is providing the low-cost drinking water supply apparatus which can measure the temperature of drinking water with a sufficient precision.

  The invention for solving the above problems includes a cold water tank for storing drinking water, a cooling unit for cooling drinking water in the cold water tank, a hot water tank for storing drinking water, and the hot water tank. Based on instructions from the heating unit for heating the drinking water in the tank, the sanitation instruction unit for instructing the sanitation operation of the cold water tank, and the sanitation instruction unit, the drinking water in the hot water tank When there is no instruction from the sanitation instruction unit, a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of drinking water in the cold water tank, and the temperature detection unit The cooling operation of the cooling unit is controlled according to the detected temperature of the cooling unit, and when there is an instruction from the sanitation instruction unit, the control of the cooling operation of the cooling unit according to the detected temperature of the temperature detection unit is stopped. And control unit, a water supply device including a.

  According to this drinking water supply device, the temperature of the drinking water in the cold water tank can be measured with high accuracy during, for example, standby for water supply other than during the sanitation operation. Thus, by measuring the temperature of drinking water with high accuracy, cold water (drinking water) is maintained at an appropriate temperature (for example, 4 ° C. to 10 ° C.) based on the temperature.

  Further, according to this drinking water supply device, the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is not used for controlling the cooling operation during the sanitation operation. For example, a temperature error occurs with respect to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit during the sanitation operation. There is no need for meaningless error handling such as As a result, for example, an operator who maintains and manages the drinking water supply device does not find the meaningless temperature error described above, and thus the work burden of investigating the cause of the temperature error is reduced. This leads to a reduction in the maintenance cost of the drinking water supply device.

  Furthermore, according to this drinking water supply apparatus, since it is not necessary to improve the resolution of the temperature detection unit that has already been used, such as an A / D converter, the equipment cost can be reduced.

  From the above, a low-cost drinking water supply device capable of measuring the temperature of drinking water with high accuracy has been provided.

  In the drinking water supply apparatus, the drinking water supply device further includes a time measuring unit that starts time measurement based on an instruction from the sanitation instruction unit, and the control unit measures a predetermined time after the time measuring unit starts time measurement. It is good also as stopping control of the cooling operation of the cooling part according to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting part until it does.

  By setting the predetermined time longer than, for example, the sanitation operation time, the period includes the time when the temperature of the drinking water has still exceeded the detection range of the temperature detection unit, for example, shortly after the end of the sanitation operation. You can Thereby, the temperature of the drinking water in the tank for cold water can be measured with higher accuracy, and the cold water (drinking water) is more effectively held at an appropriate temperature based on the temperature.

  A low-cost drinking water supply device that can measure the temperature of drinking water with high accuracy can be provided.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of the drinking water supply apparatus of 1st Embodiment. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows the flow of the drinking water at the time of supply of the cold water or hot water by the drinking water supply apparatus of 1st Embodiment, (b) is the drinking water supply of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of drinking water during sanitation operation in the apparatus 1. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition which controls control of drinking water supply device 1 of a 1st embodiment. (A) is a block diagram which shows the structural example of each thermistor etc. of 1st Embodiment, (b) shows the structural example of each temperature table memorize | stored in ROM of 1st Embodiment. It is a chart. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the process of the control part at the time of measuring the temperature inside the tank for cold water of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure which governs control of the drinking water supply apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. (A) is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of the control part at the time of measuring the temperature inside the tank for cold water of 2nd Embodiment, (b) is the cold water of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the procedure of the process of the control part at the time of measuring the temperature inside the tank for operation. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure which governs control of the drinking water supply apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. (A) is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the thermistor and the like of the third embodiment, and (b) is a curve (2) showing the relationship between the temperature and Vout / Vin of the thermistor of the third embodiment. 2 solid lines) and a conventional reference curve (dotted line).

=== Drinking water supply device (first embodiment) ===
With reference to FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 4, the structural example of the drinking water supply apparatus 1 of this Embodiment (1st Embodiment) is demonstrated. Drawing 1 is a mimetic diagram showing the example of composition of drinking water supply device 1 of a 1st embodiment. Fig.2 (a) is a schematic diagram which shows the flow of the drinking water at the time of supply of the cold water or hot water by the drinking water supply apparatus 1 of 1st Embodiment. FIG.2 (b) is a schematic diagram which shows the flow of the drinking water at the time of the sanitation operation | movement in the drinking water supply apparatus 1 of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration that controls the drinking water supply device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the thermistors 350, 250, 260, and the like according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4B is a chart illustrating a configuration example of each temperature table 730a and 730b stored in the ROM 730 according to the first embodiment.

<<< Configuration Overview >>>
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the drinking water supply device 1 of the present embodiment is mainly configured to include a BIB (Bag In Box) container 100, a cold water tank 200, and a hot water tank 300. ing. The drinking water supply apparatus 1 includes a pipe 120 connecting the BIB container 100 and the cold water tank 200, a pipe 130 connecting the BIB container 100 and the hot water tank 300, a cold water tank 200, and a hot water tank. And a pipe 400 for connecting 300 separately. Here, a circulation pump 500 is provided in the middle of the pipe 400. The drinking water supply device 1 also includes a cooling device 600 for cooling the BIB container 100 and the cold water tank 200.

  The BIB container 100 is housed in the refrigerator 110 and kept cold. The main body 110b of the refrigerator 110 is provided with a door 110a that can be opened and closed, and the main body 110b is provided with an evaporator 110c and a fan 110d for cooling the interior. The BIB container 100 is connected to a connecting portion (a valve 125 described later) of the pipe 120 and the pipe 130 via a connector 100a. The BIB container 100 is normally fitted with a cap at a portion to be connected to the connector 100a, and an operator removes the cap from the BIB container 100 filled with drinking water and connects it to the valve 125. ing.

  The pipe 120 and the pipe 130 communicate with each other through a valve 125. The valve 125 is for connecting or blocking the BIB container 100 and the pipes 120 and 130 while maintaining communication between the two pipes 120 and 130.

  The cold water tank 200 accommodates the drinking water in the BIB container 100 while cooling it, and one end of a cold water supply pipe 220 is provided in the upper part in the vertical direction, and the other end of the pipe 220 has a cold water cock 230. Is provided. A supply port 230 a is formed on the lower surface of the cold water cock 230 in the vertical direction. Further, a discharge pipe 210 is provided at a lower portion in the vertical direction of the cold water tank 200 via a discharge cock 210a. Further, the cold water tank 200 is provided with an evaporator (cooling unit) 240 for cooling the internal drinking water.

  The hot water tank 300 accommodates drinking water in the BIB container 100 while heating, and one end of a hot water supply pipe 320 is provided at the upper part in the vertical direction, and the hot water cock is provided at the other end of the pipe 320. 330 is provided. A supply port 330 a is formed on the lower surface of the hot water cock 330 in the vertical direction. Further, a pipe 360 for venting steam is provided in the upper part of the hot water tank 300 in the vertical direction. Further, a discharge pipe 310 is provided at a lower portion in the vertical direction of the hot water tank 300 via a discharge cock 310a. Furthermore, the hot water tank 300 is provided with a heater (heating unit) 340 for heating the internal drinking water.

  The pipe 400 includes a pipe 410 that connects the discharge pipe 310 and the circulation pump 500 of the hot water tank 300, a pipe 420 that connects the circulation pump 500 and the circulation electromagnetic valve 425, the circulation electromagnetic valve 425, and the cold water tank 200. And a pipe 430 for connecting the two.

  The cooling device (cooling unit) 600 is specifically configured to include a compressor, a condenser, and the like, and has a function of cooling drinking water inside the refrigerator 110 and the chilled water tank 200 via the evaporators 110c and 240. It is what has.

  In the drinking water supply device 1 of the present embodiment, the cold water tank 200 is provided with a hot water thermistor (second temperature detection unit) 250 and a cold water thermistor (first temperature detection unit) 260. The hot water tank 300 is provided with a hot water thermistor 350. As will be described later, the hot water thermistors 250 and 350 of the present embodiment are for measuring the temperature in a high temperature region (for example, 50 ° C. to 100 ° C.), while the cold water thermistor 260 of the present embodiment. Is for measuring the temperature in a low temperature region (for example, 0 ° C. to 50 ° C.).

<<< Water supply and sanitation action >>>
As illustrated by the solid line arrow in FIG. 2A, in the drinking water supply apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, drinking water falls from the BIB container 100 to the cold water tank 200 and the hot water tank 300 by its own weight. Each tank 200, 300 is filled with water. When the cold water cock 230 is opened, cold water is supplied from the cold water tank 200 through the pipe 220 to the cold water cock 230 and supplied from the supply port 230a. When the hot water cock 330 is opened, as shown by the dotted arrow in the figure, hot water from the hot water tank 300 passes through the pipe 320 to the hot water cock 330, and from the supply port 330a. It comes to be supplied. As will be described later, in order to supply water (supply of cold water and hot water), the heater 340 and the cooling device 600 perform predetermined operations to keep the cold water and hot water at appropriate temperatures.

  As illustrated by the dotted arrows in FIG. 2B, in the drinking water supply device 1 of the present embodiment, the circulation electromagnetic valve 425 is opened and the circulation pump 500 is operated during the sanitation operation. It has become. At this time, hot water flows from the hot water tank 300 in the order of the pipe 410, the circulation pump 500, the pipe 420, the circulation electromagnetic valve 425, the pipe 430, the cold water tank 200, the pipe 120, and the pipe 130. Return to 300. Thereby, the hot water in the hot water tank 300 has the effect of sterilizing and disinfecting especially the inside of the cold water tank 200 and the inside of the pipes 120, 130, and 400. At this time, the above-described valve 125 (FIG. 1) at the connection portion between the pipe 120 and the pipe 130 blocks the flow of drinking water from the BIB container 100. As will be described later, during the sanitation operation, the heater 340 performs a predetermined operation to keep the hot water at an appropriate temperature. In the present embodiment, the direction in which hot water flows during the sanitation operation is a dotted arrow in FIG. 2B, but is not limited to this. Good.

  In addition, although the drinking water supply apparatus 1 mentioned above is equipped with the tank 120 for drinking water, and piping 120,130 for distributing this drinking water for cold water and hot water, etc., it is not limited to this. . The drinking water supply apparatus 1 may include at least a cold water tank 200, a hot water tank 300, and a pipe 400 that connects the two tanks 200 and 300 as tanks and pipes. In this case, the sanitation operation may be, for example, draining through the discharge pipe 310 after supplying hot water from the hot water tank 300 to the cold water tank 200.

<<< Control Outline >>>
As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the drinking water supply apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 700 having a CPU (not shown) performs cooling and heating, hot water circulation during sanitation operation, temperature measurement, and the like. It is configured to control.

  The control unit 700 of the present embodiment includes the above-described cooling device 600, the above-described heater 340, the above-described circulation solenoid valve 425, the above-described circulation pump 500, the A / D converter 351 of the hot water thermistor 350, and the hot water. The A / D converter 251 of the thermistor 250, the A / D converter 261 of the thermistor 260 for cold water, the timer 710, the alarm 720, the ROM 730, and the RAM 740 are integrated and managed. In the present embodiment, the control unit 700 corresponds to a sanitation instruction unit and a control unit. The control unit 700, the circulation electromagnetic valve 425, and the circulation pump 500 correspond to a sanitation execution unit.

  The timer 710 has a function of measuring the time when a temperature error described later occurs. The alarm 720 has a function of warning, for example, a customer or an operator that a temperature error described later has occurred.

  The ROM 730 includes a predetermined program for causing the control unit 700 to perform an operation described later, a hot water temperature table 730a indicating a relationship between a voltage and a temperature related to a hot water thermistor 350, 250 described later, and a cold water described later. The temperature table 730b for cold water which shows the relationship between the voltage concerning the thermistor 260 and temperature is memorize | stored.

  The RAM 740 includes hot water range data 740a indicating a predetermined range of voltage related to the hot water thermistors 350 and 250 described later, cold water range data 740b indicating a predetermined range of voltage related to the cold water thermistor 260 described below, and temperature. The error data 740c indicating the time when the error has occurred and the fact is stored.

<<<< Thermistor for Hot Water and Thermistor for Cold Water >>>>
As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the hot water thermistor 350 provided in the hot water tank 300 of the present embodiment is connected in series with a predetermined resistance R. The voltage Vin is applied to both ends of the hot water thermistors 350 and R, and the R voltage Vout is converted into a digital value by the A / D converter 351 and output to the control unit 700. For example, when the PBN-36 type of Shibaura Electronics Co., Ltd. is used as the hot water thermistor 350, R may be 0.36 kΩ, for example. Thus, as will be described later, in a temperature range of 50 ° C. to 100 ° C., for example, a predetermined increment of Vout based on the resolution of the A / D converter 351 corresponds to a substantially constant temperature resolution.

  Further, as illustrated in the figure, the cold water thermistor 260 provided in the cold water tank 200 of the present embodiment is connected in series with a predetermined resistance R. The voltage Vin is applied to both ends of the cold water thermistors 260 and R, and the R voltage Vout is converted into a digital value by the A / D converter 261 and output to the controller 700. For example, when using the PBN-36 type of Shibaura Electronics Co., Ltd. as the cold water thermistor 260, R may be set to 1.87 kΩ, for example. Thus, as will be described later, in a temperature range of 0 ° C. to 50 ° C., for example, a predetermined increment of Vout based on the resolution of the A / D converter 261 corresponds to a substantially constant temperature resolution.

  Furthermore, as illustrated in the figure, the hot water thermistor 250 provided in the cold water tank 200 of the present embodiment is connected in series with a predetermined resistance R. The voltage Vin is applied to both ends of the hot water thermistors 250 and R, and the R voltage Vout is converted into a digital value by the A / D converter 251 and output to the control unit 700. When the PBN-36 type of Shibaura Electronics Co., Ltd. is used as the hot water thermistor 250, for example, R may be 0.36 kΩ. Thus, as will be described later, in a temperature range of 50 ° C. to 100 ° C., for example, a predetermined increment of Vout based on the resolution of the A / D converter 251 corresponds to a substantially constant temperature resolution.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4B, in the ROM 730 of the present embodiment, the above-described Vout and the temperature in each thermistor 350, 250, 260 are stored in association with each other. In the present embodiment, the cold water temperature table 730b is configured such that Vout is associated with each temperature in a predetermined increment at 0 ° C. to 50 ° C., and the hot water temperature table 730a is at 50 ° C. to 100 ° C. Vout is associated with each temperature in predetermined increments. Thus, each temperature table 730a, 730b is unique to each thermistor 350, 250, 260, Vin, and R.

  The hot water range data 740a (FIG. 3) stored in the RAM 740 of the present embodiment indicates, for example, a predetermined voltage or temperature range (second temperature range) determined in the above-described hot water temperature table 730a. is there. 4B, the hot water range data 740a is, for example, 0.40V to 0.80V in the case of voltage, and is, for example, 50 ° C to 100 ° C in the case of temperature.

  The cold water range data 740b (FIG. 3) stored in the RAM 740 of the present embodiment indicates, for example, a predetermined voltage or temperature range (first temperature range) determined in the above-described cold water temperature table 730b. According to the illustration of FIG. 4B, the cold water range data 740b is, for example, 0.08V to 0.40V in the case of voltage, and 0 ° C to 50 ° C in the case of temperature.

  In the present embodiment, the temperature corresponding to Vout relating to each thermistor 350, 250, 260 is obtained with reference to each temperature table 730a, 730b, but is not limited to this. . For example, the temperature may be obtained by performing a predetermined calculation on Vout.

  Further, a predetermined range of voltage or temperature (second temperature range) determined in the aforementioned hot water temperature table 730a, and a predetermined range of voltage or temperature (first temperature range) determined in the aforementioned cold water temperature table 730b, The relationship between the second temperature range and the second temperature range (50 ° C. to 100 ° C.) and the first temperature range (0 ° C. to 50 ° C.) The temperature was higher than the temperature in the first temperature range. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the relationship between the second temperature range (75 ° C. to 100 ° C.) and the first temperature range (0 ° C. to 25 ° C.), a predetermined temperature range (25 ° C. to 25 ° C. 75 ° C) as a boundary, the temperature in the second temperature range may be higher than the temperature in the first temperature range. Or, for example, both include a predetermined temperature range (40 ° C. to 60 ° C.) in common, such as the relationship between the second temperature range (40 ° C. to 100 ° C.) and the first temperature range (0 ° C. to 60 ° C.). On the other hand, the second temperature range may be above the first temperature range.

=== Temperature Measurement Operation of Drinking Water Supply Device (First Embodiment) ===
With reference to FIG. 5, an example of the temperature measurement operation inside the cold water tank 200 by the drinking water supply apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the control unit 700 when measuring the temperature inside the cold water tank 200 according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in the figure, the control unit 700 determines in a timely manner whether or not the solenoid valve for circulation 425 or the circulation pump 500 is turned on and the sanitation operation is performed (S100). Here, the circulation solenoid valve 425 being in an on state means that this is an open state, and the piping 420 and the piping 430 are in communication with each other for hot water circulation, and the circulation pump 500 is in an on state. Means that this is working for hot water circulation.

  When it is determined that the circulation solenoid valve 425 or the circulation pump 500 is in the ON state (S100: YES), the control unit 700 reads the voltage Vout relating to the hot water thermistor 250 provided in the cold water tank 200. (S102), the process of step S103 is executed. That is, in this embodiment, when there is an instruction for sanitation operation, the temperature is measured by the hot water thermistor 250.

  When it is determined that the circulation solenoid valve 425 or the circulation pump 500 is not turned on (is turned off) (S100: NO), the control unit 700 uses the cold water thermistor provided in the cold water tank 200. The voltage Vout according to 260 is read (S101). That is, the temperature is measured by the cold water thermistor 260 during water supply.

  The control unit 700 determines whether or not the Vout read in step S101 is within a predetermined voltage range determined in the cold water range data 740b stored in the RAM 740. Alternatively, the control unit 700 refers to the cold water temperature table 730b and converts Vout into a temperature, and then determines whether or not this temperature is within a predetermined range of the temperature set in the cold water range data 740b. Good. On the other hand, when Vout is read in step S102, the control unit 700 determines whether or not this Vout is within a predetermined range of voltage determined in the hot water range data 740a. Alternatively, the control unit 700 refers to the hot water temperature table 730a, converts Vout into a temperature, and determines whether or not this temperature is within a predetermined range of the temperature set in the hot water range data 740a. (S103).

  When it is determined that Vout is within the predetermined range described above (S104: NO), the control unit 700 converts this Vout as a fixed temperature. Alternatively, when it is determined that the temperature based on Vout is within the above-described predetermined range, the control unit 700 sets this temperature as the fixed temperature. The determined temperature is used for controlling the cooling device 600 in the case of water supply, and is used for controlling the heater 340 when there is an instruction for sanitation (S107). That is, based on this determined temperature, cold water is maintained at an appropriate temperature (for example, 4 ° C. to 10 ° C.), while hot water during the sanitation operation is also maintained at an appropriate temperature (for example, 80 ° C. to 100 ° C.).

  When it is determined that Vout is outside the above-described predetermined range (S104: YES), the control unit 700 refers to the time measured by the timer 710, and notifies the RAM 740 that the temperature error has occurred at this time as error data 740c. While writing (S105), the alarm 720 is sounded for a predetermined time (S106).

  As described above, by providing the hot water thermistor 250 in the cold water tank 200, during the sanitation operation, the error processing that is expected to occur in advance such as the above-described steps S104: YES, S105, and S106 is executed meaninglessly. Can be avoided.

=== Second Embodiment ===
A configuration example of the drinking water supply device 1 ′ according to the second embodiment and an example of a temperature measurement operation inside the cold water tank 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration that governs control of the drinking water supply device 1 ′ according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the control unit 700 when measuring the temperature inside the cold water tank 200 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7B is a flowchart illustrating another example of a processing procedure of the control unit 700 when measuring the temperature inside the cold water tank 200 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 6, the same number is assigned to the same configuration as the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the drinking water supply device 1 ′ of the second embodiment, similarly to the drinking water supply device 1 of the first embodiment, a control unit 700 having a CPU (not shown). However, it is configured to control cooling and heating, hot water circulation during sanitation operation, temperature measurement, and the like. However, in the drinking water supply apparatus 1 ′ according to the second embodiment, only the cold water thermistor (temperature detection unit) 260 is provided for the cold water tank 200 and there is no hot water, but a predetermined time (for example, described later) A timer (timer unit) 715 is further provided for measuring the sanitation operation time.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the control unit 700 appropriately determines whether or not the circulator solenoid valve 425 or the circulation pump 500 is on and the sanitation operation is performed (S200). ).

  When it is determined that the circulation solenoid valve 425 or the circulation pump 500 is in the ON state (S200: YES), the control unit 700 does not read the voltage Vout related to the chilled water thermistor 260 provided in the chilled water tank 200. (S207), the process of step S200 is executed again. That is, in the present embodiment, the temperature is not measured when there is a sanitation operation instruction.

  When it is determined that the circulation solenoid valve 425 or the circulation pump 500 is not turned on (is turned off) (S200: NO), the control unit 700 is a chilled water thermistor provided in the chilled water tank 200. The voltage Vout related to 260 is read (S201). That is, the temperature is measured by the cold water thermistor 260 during water supply.

  The control unit 700 determines whether or not Vout read in step S201 is within a predetermined voltage range determined in the cold water range data 740b stored in the RAM 740. Alternatively, the control unit 700 refers to the cold water temperature table 730b and converts Vout into a temperature, and then determines whether or not this temperature is within a predetermined range of the temperature set in the cold water range data 740b. Good (S202).

  When it is determined that Vout is within the predetermined range described above (S203: NO), the control unit 700 converts this Vout as a fixed temperature. Alternatively, when it is determined that the temperature based on Vout is within the above-described predetermined range, the control unit 700 sets this temperature as the fixed temperature. This determined temperature is used to control the cooling device 600 (S206). That is, based on this fixed temperature, the cold water is maintained at an appropriate temperature (for example, 4 ° C. to 10 ° C.).

  When it is determined that Vout is outside the above-described predetermined range (S203: YES), the control unit 700 refers to the time measured by the timer 710, and notifies the RAM 740 that the temperature error has occurred at this time as error data 740c. While writing (S204), the alarm 720 is sounded for a predetermined time (S205).

  As described above, the temperature is not measured by the cold water thermistor 260 during the sanitation operation, thereby avoiding the meaningless execution of the error processing expected to occur in advance such as the above-described steps S203: YES, S204, and S205. it can.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the control unit 700 does not execute the process of step S201 within a predetermined time counted by the timer 715 instead of the process of step S207 described above. It is good also as performing the process of step S201 for the first time after progress. This predetermined time is set to a time longer than at least a predetermined time required for the sanitation operation. As a result, even when the temperature is still high immediately after the end of the sanitation operation, the processing of step S201 is refrained and errors such as the above-described steps S203: YES, S204, and S205 are expected to occur in advance. It is possible to avoid the processing being executed meaninglessly. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the predetermined time may be set to a predetermined time required for the sanitation operation. Thereby, the process of step S201 can be prohibited at least during the sanitation operation.

  In the processing illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the temperature is not measured by the cold water thermistor 260 during the sanitation operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even if the voltage related to the chilled water thermistor 260 is read during the sanitation operation, the control of the cooling operation corresponding to the temperature based on this voltage may be stopped. This means that when the control unit 700 causes the cooling device 600 to perform a cooling operation, the control unit 700 does not execute, for example, feedback processing or the like according to the temperature based on the voltage related to the cold water thermistor 260. Thereby, for example, there is no possibility that the cooling operation is performed according to an inaccurate temperature during the sanitation operation. Specifically, at the time of the sanitation operation, the control unit 700 keeps the cooling device 600 from cooling the chilled water tank 200.

=== Third embodiment ===
A configuration example of the drinking water supply device 1 ″ of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 illustrates the control of the drinking water supply device 1 ″ of the third embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure which manages. FIG. 9A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the thermistor 270 and the like according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9B is a graph showing a curve (two solid lines) showing the relationship between the temperature and Vout / Vin of the thermistor 270 of the third embodiment and a conventional reference curve (dotted line). In FIG. 8, the same components as those illustrated in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, the drinking water supply device 1 ″ according to the third embodiment also has a CPU (not shown) having a CPU (not shown) as in the drinking water supply device 1 according to the first embodiment. However, it is configured to control the cooling and heating, the circulation of hot water during the sanitation operation, the temperature measurement, etc. However, in the drinking water supply device 1 ″ of the third embodiment, the cold water tank 200 On the other hand, a thermistor 270 and a transistor (Tr) 750 configured to read both the low temperature region and the high temperature region are provided, and the RAM 740 is expanded more than the cold water range data 740b of the first embodiment. Range data 740d is stored.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9A, in the drinking water supply apparatus 1 ″ of the third embodiment, the thermistor 270 provided in the cold water tank 200 is connected in series with predetermined resistors R1 and R2. Further, the collector side and the emitter side of Tr 750 are connected in parallel to R2. A voltage Vin is applied to both ends of the thermistors 270, R1, and R2, and the voltage Vout of R1 and R2 is applied by the A / D converter 271. It is converted into a digital value and output to the control unit 700. On the other hand, the output from the control unit 700 turns the current on and off to the base side of the Tr 750.

  Based on the above configuration, the controller 700 turns off the current to the base side of the Tr 750 at the time of water supply, and sets the resistance to be connected in series with the thermistor 270 as R1 and R2, while at the time of sanitation operation, the control unit 700 The current to the base side is turned on, and the resistance to be connected in series with the thermistor 270 is R1.

  In this way, the resistance value of the thermistor 270 becomes relatively large during water supply because the temperature in the vicinity of the thermistor 270 is relatively lower than during sanitation operation. When the resistance value of the thermistor 270 is relatively large, the resistance connected in series with the thermistor 270 is also relatively large due to the above operation. Therefore, Vout / Vin is the same during water supply and during sanitation operation. The value of the degree will be shown.

  For example, when using the PBN-36 type of Shibaura Electronics Co., Ltd. as the thermistor 270, R1 may be 0.36 kΩ and R2 may be 1.51 kΩ, for example.

  The resistance value 0.36 kΩ of R1 described above is obtained, for example, by performing a so-called linearization process in the range of 50 ° C. to 100 ° C. for a PBN-36 type thermistor 270. Generally, the resistance value of the thermistor 270 at a temperature 55 ° C. which is 10% higher than the lower limit temperature 50 ° C. is R (55 ° C.), and the thermistor at a temperature 95 ° C. which is 10% lower than the upper limit temperature 100 ° C. Assuming that the resistance value of 270 is R (95 ° C.) and the resistance value of the thermistor 270 at an intermediate temperature of 75 ° C. between 50 ° C. and 100 ° C. is R (75 ° C.), these resistance values and R 1 are described later. It is assumed that the equation of “Expression 1” is established.

ここで、R(55℃)に0.775ｋΩを代入し、R(75℃)に0.423ｋΩを代入し、R(95℃)に0.245ｋΩを代入すれば、「式１」に基づいて、R1を0.36ｋΩと求めることができる。

Here, substituting 0.775 kΩ for R (55 ° C), substituting 0.423 kΩ for R (75 ° C), and substituting 0.245 kΩ for R (95 ° C), R1 can be calculated based on Equation 1. It can be obtained as 0.36 kΩ.

  The resistance value 1.51 kΩ of R2 described above is obtained, for example, by performing a so-called linearization process in the range of 0 ° C. to 50 ° C. for a PBN-36 type thermistor 270. Generally, the resistance value of the thermistor 270 at a temperature of 5 ° C. which is 10% higher than the lower limit temperature of 0 ° C. is R (5 ° C.), and the thermistor at a temperature of 45 ° C. which is 10% lower than the upper limit temperature of 50 ° C. If the resistance value of 270 is R (45 ° C.) and the resistance value of the thermistor 270 at an intermediate temperature of 25 ° C. between 0 ° C. and 50 ° C. is R (25 ° C.), these resistance values and R1 + R2 are Is assumed to hold the equation of “Expression 2” described later.

ここで、R(5℃)に4.84ｋΩを代入し、R(25℃)に2.19ｋΩを代入し、R(45℃)に1.08ｋΩを代入すれば、「式２」に基づいて、R1+R2を1.87ｋΩと求めることができ、よって、R2は1.51（=1.87-0.36）ｋΩとなる。

If 4.84 kΩ is substituted for R (5 ° C), 2.19 kΩ is substituted for R (25 ° C), and 1.08 kΩ is substituted for R (45 ° C), then R1 + R2 can be obtained as 1.87 kΩ, and therefore R2 is 1.51 (= 1.87-0.36) kΩ.

  As exemplified by the solid line in FIG. 9B, in the temperature range of 0 ° C. to 50 ° C., the predetermined increment of Vout based on the resolution of the A / D converter 271 corresponds to a substantially constant temperature resolution. In addition, as exemplified by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 9B, even in the temperature range of 50 ° C. to 100 ° C., the same step as described above corresponds to a substantially constant temperature resolution.

  On the other hand, as illustrated by the dotted line in FIG. 9B, for example, in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4A, the resistance value of R is fixed to 0.73 kΩ and the temperature range from 0 ° C. to 100 ° C. is measured. In this case, the predetermined increment of Vout based on the resolution of the A / D converter is unlikely to correspond to a substantially constant temperature resolution over the entire temperature range.

  In the third embodiment, the thermistors 270, R1, and R2 correspond to the first temperature detector, and the thermistors 270 and R1 correspond to the second temperature detector.

=== Measure the temperature of drinking water accurately and at low cost ===
According to the drinking water supply devices 1, 1 ′, 1 ″ of the above-described embodiment, meaningless error processing such as a temperature error occurring based on the measurement result of the cold water thermistor during the sanitation operation is not executed. In addition, the temperature of the drinking water can be accurately measured for each of the low temperature region (for example, 0 ° C. to 50 ° C.) and the high temperature region (for example, 50 ° C. to 100 ° C.) By measuring accurately, cold water is maintained at an appropriate temperature (for example, 4 ° C to 10 ° C) based on this temperature, while hot water during sanitation operation is also maintained at an appropriate temperature (for example, 80 ° C to 100 ° C). .

  For example, an operator who maintains the drinking water supply devices 1, 1 ′, 1 ″ does not find the meaningless temperature error in the error data 740c stored in the RAM 740. This is a burden on the operator. And the work efficiency is improved. As a result, the maintenance cost of the drinking water supply devices 1, 1 ′, 1 ″ is reduced.

  In addition, for example, the A / D converter 271 already used is not required to improve the resolution, which leads to a reduction in the equipment cost of the drinking water supply devices 1, 1 ′, 1 ″.

  As described above, the low-cost drinking water supply devices 1, 1 ', 1 "capable of measuring the temperature of drinking water with high accuracy are provided.

  The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention.

1, 1 ′, 1 ″ Drinking water supply device 100 BIB container 100a Connector 110 Refrigerator 110a Door 110b Main body 110c Evaporator 110d Fan 120, 130 Piping 125 Valve 200 Cold water tank 220 Piping 210 Drain pipe 230 Cold water cock 240 Evaporator 310 Discharge pipes 210a and 310a Discharge cocks 230a and 330a Supply port 250 Thermistor for hot water 260 Thermistor for cold water 270 Thermistors 251, 261, 271 A / D converter 300 Tank for hot water 330 Hot water cock 320, 360 Piping 340 Heater 350 Hot water Thermistor 351 A / D converter 400, 410, 420, 430 Piping 425 Circulating solenoid valve 500 Circulating pump 600 Cooling device 700 Control unit 710, 715 Timer 720 Alarm 730 ROM
730a Temperature table for hot water 730b Temperature table for cold water 740 RAM 740a Range data for hot water 740b Range data for cold water 740c Error data 740d Range data 750 Transistor (Tr)

Claims (2)

A cold water tank for storing drinking water;
A cooling unit for cooling drinking water in the cold water tank;
A hot water tank for storing drinking water;
A heating unit for heating the drinking water in the hot water tank;
A sanitation instruction unit for instructing the sanitation operation of the cold water tank;
Based on an instruction from the sanitation instruction unit, a sanitation execution unit that supplies drinking water in the hot water tank to the cold water tank;
A temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the drinking water in the cold water tank;
When there is no instruction from the sanitation instruction unit, the cooling operation of the cooling unit is controlled according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit, and when there is an instruction from the sanitation instruction unit, detection of the temperature detection unit A control unit that stops control of the cooling operation of the cooling unit according to temperature;
A drinking water supply device comprising: Further comprising a timing unit that starts timing based on an instruction from the sanitation instruction unit,
The control unit stops the control of the cooling operation of the cooling unit according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit during a period from when the time measurement unit starts to measure time to a predetermined time.
The drinking-water supply apparatus of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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