JP4159034B2 - Drinking liquid serving table - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a beverage providing table for providing a beverage such as beer, and more particularly, to a beverage providing table that can be operated and measured by a customer himself / herself to measure and discharge the beverage. Is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A dispenser that provides a conventional beverage liquid is installed with a barrel filled with a carbon dioxide gas cylinder or a beverage liquid in a place other than a passenger seat, such as a kitchen.
When the clerk receives an order from a customer in the audience, he walks to the place where the dispenser is installed, injects the ordered number of beverages into the container (such as jockey) via the dispenser, and then places the container in the audience. I was carrying to.
[0003]
When an additional order is received from the customer, the user once returns to the place where the dispenser is installed by holding an empty container, where the beverage liquid is poured into a new washed jockey and then returned to the passenger seat again.
In particular, when customers' orders are concentrated at one time, a dispenser is shared by a plurality of shop assistants, so that the order can be waited and it is difficult to quickly respond to the orders.
On the other hand, the customer calls the store clerk and places an order, and then drinks the beverage delivered after a certain period of time. A waiting time occurs, and the customer cannot drink immediately when he wants.
[0004]
In addition, some customers may want to order a beverage liquid that is about half of the container, but usually they can only be ordered with a specified amount filled, which results in the beverage liquid being left unwashed, which is wasteful for the customer. It is uneconomical.
On the contrary, the result is that the order is refrained, and the store side does not lead to sales.
On the other hand, for the store side, a large number of salesclerks must be arranged in order to respond quickly to customer orders, resulting in a heavy labor cost.
[0005]
In addition, when paying for beverages, customers may not be aware of the amount of drinks, so sometimes there may be money troubles with the store regarding billing.
In order to solve such a problem, a table provided with a draft tower as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-115199 has been developed.
In this device, a draft tower for beer discharge is installed on the passenger seat table, and the amount discharged from the draft tower is measured and displayed on an accumulator provided near both the passenger seat and the store cash register.
[0006]
Therefore, it is not necessary to place an order with the store clerk when ordering the beverage, and the customer can immediately discharge the beverage as much as necessary when he wants to drink.
In addition, customers can enjoy the operation of discharging the beverage liquid, and they can drink while checking the discharge amount (beverage price) themselves, and they can check the amount they drink themselves. , Financial troubles are also prevented.
Further, it is not necessary for the store side to prepare a new cleaned container, and the arrangement of the store clerk is unnecessary, which is very efficient in terms of cost.
[0007]
However, such a conventional draft tower flowmeter has a simple principle and structure and is advantageous in terms of cost. Therefore, a so-called axial flow type flowmeter in which the impeller shaft is parallel to the flow is used. A flow meter is used.
In other words, this flow meter uses the fact that the impeller rotates at a speed proportional to the fluid flow speed by placing the shaft of the impeller and the fluid flowing in the flow passage in parallel, and detects the number of rotations. The flow rate is obtained.
[0008]
However, in such a conventional flow meter, since physical rotation by an impeller is used, when a beverage liquid containing carbon dioxide gas such as beer is used as a target, the liquid passage becomes a bubble and the flow passage is foamed. In the case of gas or gas, there was a problem that the impeller rotated and the flowmeter erroneously counted.
[0009]
In the draft tower installed in the table of the passenger seat, since the operation is entrusted by the customer himself, the injection amount of the drinking liquid needs to be measured extremely accurately.
If only the amount of liquid is counted despite the injection, and the beverage does not actually come out, it becomes a credit problem for the store.
For this reason, a draft tower that can accurately count the amount of beverage liquid has been desired.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in order to overcome the above-mentioned problems against the background of such a situation.
In other words, an object of the present invention is to provide a beverage liquid providing table capable of accurately measuring the amount of beverage liquid to be discharged.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Thus, as a result of intensive research on the background of such problems, the present inventor has a so-called sensor-like function for detecting whether or not liquid is present in addition to the impeller in the liquid passage of the measurement mechanism. It has been found that by providing a product, erroneous weighing of the beverage can be avoided, and the present invention has been completed based on this finding.
[0012]
That is, the present invention is (1) a beverage liquid providing table comprising a table, a liquid ejection server installed on the table, and a liquid storage tank for supplying the liquid liquid to the liquid ejection server. A metering mechanism for metering the amount of liquid to be discharged and a cooling mechanism for cooling the beverage liquid are provided between the server and the liquid storage tank, and the metering mechanism is a beverage liquid flowing through a liquid passage in the housing. The impeller that rotates by rotating the impeller, the impeller rotation detector that detects the rotation of the impeller, the liquid detector that detects whether or not the beverage liquid is full in the liquid passage, and the pulse signal that measures the amount of liquid. A rotation pulse generation unit, and measures the amount of liquid to be discharged by generating a pulse signal in the rotation pulse generation unit based on an impeller rotation signal from the impeller rotation detection unit and a liquid full signal from the liquid detection unit , The cooling mechanism is A container and a cooling plate, and a beverage liquid is circulated through the cooling plate and cooled, and the ice storage lid is placed on the same surface as the table upper surface on the ice storage container, and the liquid It exists in the drink liquid provision table provided under the discharge outlet of the server for discharge .
[0013]
And (2), it exists in the drink liquid provision table of (1 ) description which used the said lid | cover for ice insertion as a transparent lid | cover .
[0014]
And (3), a liquid storage tank exists in the drink liquid provision table of (1) description which is accommodated under the table.
[0015]
And (4), a liquid storage tank exists in the drink liquid provision table of (1) description provided with the caster and being movable.
[0016]
And (5) exists in the drink liquid provision table of the said (1) description which equips the counter separated from the table with the display part which detects and displays the liquid quantity measured by the measurement mechanism.
[0017]
As long as this invention meets this purpose, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which two or more selected from the above 1 to 5 are combined.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a beverage provision table provided with a liquid ejection server 2 in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019]
The present beverage liquid provision table includes a table 1, a liquid ejection server 2 installed on the table 1, a cooling mechanism 3 for supplying a cooled beverage liquid, and a liquid storage tank for supplying the cooling mechanism 3 with a beverage liquid. 4.
Further, in the beverage provision table 1, the amount of liquid discharged through the liquid ejection server 2 between the liquid ejection server 2 and the liquid storage tank 4, in other words, in the liquid path ahead to the liquid ejection server. A measuring mechanism 5 is provided for measuring
[0020]
The liquid volume of the beverage measured by the measuring mechanism 5 can be displayed on a display unit of a digital box 6 provided on a counter (not shown) separated from the table 1.
The table 1 is provided with a slave unit 7 that displays a flow rate value by a pulse signal from the digital box 6.
Furthermore, a liquid shortage detection mechanism 13 is provided for detecting the liquid shortage of the beverage.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid storage tank 4 is stored below the table 1. For example, a gas cylinder 8 that supplies pressurized carbon dioxide gas for discharging beverage such as beer is provided with a pressure reducing valve 9. Are connected by a communication pipe 10a.
The liquid storage tank 4 is connected by a communication pipe 10 b via a liquid shortage detection sensor 11 attached to the measurement mechanism 5 and the liquid shortage detection mechanism 13, and the measurement mechanism 5 is a cooling provided to the table 1. It is connected to the mechanism 3 through the communication pipe 10b.
[0022]
Further, the liquid storage tank 4 includes a caster 12 and can be moved by removing the communication pipes 10a and 10b connecting the liquid shortage detection sensor 11 and the pressure reducing valve 9. Can be exchanged for.
As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid shortage detection sensor 11 includes two electrodes installed in a cylindrical housing, and the electrodes are arranged in a state of being separated from each other.
[0023]
That is, the liquid breakage detection sensor 11 includes conductive connection pipes 15, 15 that are electrodes at both ends of the non-conductive tube 14, and each electrode is wired 17 and connected to the liquid breakage detection mechanism 13.
The liquid breakage detection mechanism 13 has a function of measuring a current flowing therethrough by applying a predetermined voltage between the electrodes via the wiring 17.
[0024]
In other words, the voltage applied between the conductive connecting pipes 15 and 15 causes an electric current to flow with the beverage liquid filled in the housing 16 as an electrical load, and the liquid outage detection is performed based on the measured current value. The mechanism 13 can detect whether or not the beverage liquid is filled in the liquid passage in the housing 16.
That is, when the beverage liquid is filled in the housing 16, a current flows by short-circuiting between the electrodes due to the conductivity of the beverage liquid.
[0025]
However, when the beverage liquid is not filled in the housing 16, that is, when the conductive beverage liquid is not filled between the electrodes, the current hardly flows.
Therefore, the liquid breakage detection mechanism 13 can detect whether the beverage liquid is filled in the housing 16 by measuring the current between the electrodes.
Whether or not the battery is full is determined by selecting a reference current value.
[0026]
When a liquid shortage (a state where the liquid is not full) is detected, the liquid shortage detection mechanism 13 outputs a liquid shortage signal through the wiring 33 for controlling lighting of a liquid shortage lamp provided in the digital box 6.
In addition, this liquid out signal can also sound a warning buzzer provided in the digital box 6.
[0027]
It should be noted that a sufficient interval is provided between the electrodes of the liquid breakage detection sensor so as not to cause a short circuit with the remaining beverage liquid when the beverage liquid is not full.
In addition, it is possible to prevent the residual liquid from being generated as much as possible by performing a water repellent treatment in the housing 16.
[0028]
Next, the measuring mechanism 5 will be described.
The measuring mechanism 5 includes an impeller that is rotated by the beverage flowing through the liquid passage on the inner surface of the housing 16, and can measure the amount of the beverage that is discharged based on the rotational speed of the impeller.
[0029]
FIG. 3A schematically shows the measuring mechanism.
As shown in the figure, the measuring mechanism 5 includes a non-conductive cylindrical housing 18, an impeller 19, a pickup coil 20, conductive connection pipes 21 and 21, and a rotation pulse generator 22.
The impeller 19 is installed in parallel with the direction A in which the beverage liquid flows in the cylindrical housing 18.
The impeller 19 is rotatably arranged by a bearing 23 supported at a central position in the housing 18.
[0030]
Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, a magnetic body 26 is attached to the outer end portion of the wing 25 of the impeller 19 by embedding or the like.
In this example, the impeller 19 has twelve wings 25, but the magnetic body 26 is attached to a total of four locations (90 ° units) with two wings 25 flying away.
On the other hand, the pickup coil 20 is provided at a housing position corresponding to the outer peripheral side of the impeller 19 and is arranged so as to detect a rotating magnetic field when the impeller 19 rotates.
[0031]
That is, the pickup coil 20 is configured to generate a peak signal that periodically changes with the peak when the magnetic body 26 of the impeller 19 is closest to the pickup coil 20.
Further, in the housing 18, conductive connecting pipes 21 and 21 that are two electrodes for detecting the presence or absence of a beverage are provided at positions separated from each other.
[0032]
The conductive connection pipes 21 and 21 have a function as a liquid detection sensor for detecting whether the beverage liquid is filled in the housing 18.
This liquid detection sensor has the same liquid detection principle as that of the conductive connection pipes 15 and 15 of the liquid breakage detection sensor 11 described above.
[0033]
The rotation pulse generation unit 22 includes an impeller rotation detection unit D1, a liquid detection unit D2, and a logical product unit G (see FIG. 4).
An analog peak signal generated by the pickup coil 20 is input to the impeller rotation detection unit D1 through the wiring 27.
The peak signal is converted into an impeller rotation signal which is a digital rectangular signal by a conversion circuit (not shown).
[0034]
The liquid detection unit D2 has a function of applying a voltage to the two conductive connecting pipes 21 and 21 via the wiring 28 and a function of measuring a current flowing according to the applied voltage. The measured current value is converted into a liquid full signal indicating whether or not the beverage liquid is full through a conversion circuit for converting it into a high or low digital signal at a predetermined value.
[0035]
The rotation pulse generator 22 has a function of controlling the generation of a pulse signal based on the impeller rotation signal detected by the impeller rotation detector D1 and the liquid full signal detected by the liquid detector D2.
That is, the rotation pulse generation unit 22 prohibits generation of a pulse signal by inputting the impeller rotation signal and the liquid full signal to the logical product unit G.
For example, the AND unit G has two inputs and one output, and acts so that the output is in a high state only when the two inputs are in a high state at the same time.
[0036]
Next, the operation of the weighing mechanism 5 will be described using the timing chart shown in FIG.
The impeller rotation signal is normally generated when the beverage liquid filled in the housing 18 flows and the impeller 19 rotates.
On the other hand, the liquid full signal appears in a high state as shown in the T1 period when the housing 18 is filled with the beverage liquid.
[0037]
Now, when the housing is filled with beverage liquid, as shown in the period T1 in FIG. 5A, the liquid full signal is in a high state, and the impeller rotation signal is also a rectangular signal as shown in the figure.
Accordingly, the rotation pulse generator 22 generates a pulse signal synchronized with the impeller rotation signal because the liquid full signal is in the high state.
[0038]
However, when the beverage liquid in the liquid storage tank 4 runs out, since the beverage liquid is not filled in the housing 18, bubbles of the beverage liquid or compressed gas (from the gas cylinder) flows.
In this case, although the impeller 19 is not filled with the beverage, the impeller 19 rotates as shown in the period T2 in FIG.
Further, since the beverage liquid is not filled and filled, that is, the beverage liquid is foamed or compressed gas flows, the liquid filling signal appears in a low state as shown in the figure.
[0039]
Here, the rotation pulse generation unit 22 inhibits generation of a pulse signal based on the low-level liquid full signal from the liquid detection unit D2.
That is, the rotation pulse generator 22 can generate a pulse signal only when the beverage liquid fills the housing and flows, and as a result, the flow rate of the beverage liquid can be accurately measured.
[0040]
Thus, the measuring mechanism of the present invention has a function of measuring the liquid amount only when the beverage liquid is filled by the rotation pulse generator 22, and erroneous measurement like the prior art is reliably avoided.
This pulse signal can update the flow rate display value of the digital box 6 through the wiring 29.
By the way, the reliability of the measuring mechanism 5 is further improved by duplication of the liquid breakage detecting mechanism 13 and the liquid detecting unit D2 provided in the measuring mechanism 5.
[0041]
That is, the clerk monitoring the digital box 6 determines that the liquid detection unit D2 is out of order when the flow rate display value is updated when the liquid shortage lamp of the liquid shortage detection mechanism 13 is lit. be able to.
In this case, after that, the beverage liquid discharge operation is performed with the help of the liquid running out lamp.
[0042]
On the other hand, if the liquid out lamp does not turn on even though the flow rate display value is not updated, it can be determined that the liquid out detection mechanism 13 has failed.
In this case, thereafter, the liquid detection unit D2 is believed to perform the beverage liquid discharge operation without relying on the liquid-running lamp.
[0043]
The beverage liquid is measured by the measurement mechanism 5 and then flows into the cooling mechanism 3 through the communication pipe.
The cooling mechanism 3 is for cooling the beverage liquid discharged from the liquid discharge server 2 via the communication pipe from the liquid storage tank 4 to an appropriate temperature before the liquid discharge server 2.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 6, the cooling mechanism 3 normally includes an ice storage container 30 for containing ice and a cooling plate 31 disposed therein.
The cooling plate 31 has a built-in serpentine tube connected to the communication pipe, and is cooled by being in contact with ice or water containing ice.
The ice storage container 30 is provided with a lid 32 for putting ice therein, and this lid is preferably flush with the upper surface of the table and transparent.
[0045]
That is, the inside of the ice storage container 30 can be easily visually observed through the lid, and the replenishment time of ice can be recognized appropriately.
The beverage is circulated through the cooled cooling plate 31 to be quickly cooled to a temperature around drinking.
In addition, the ice storage container 30 is provided with a drain tank (not shown) for melting the ice and discharging water.
[0046]
The liquid discharge server 2 is installed on the upper surface of the table 1 and opens and closes and discharges the beverage liquid cooled to an optimum temperature via the cooling mechanism 3.
Therefore, the customer can discharge as much beverage liquid as he / she desires by freely operating the liquid ejection server 2 when he / she wants to drink the beverage, and the metering mechanism 5 ensures accurate metering.
[0047]
On the upper surface of the table 1, a slave unit 7 for displaying a beverage amount or a beverage amount is installed with a display unit on the top, and a pulse count value is displayed on the display unit based on a pulse signal from the digital box 6. The
Further, the display value is counted up when the number of pulses of the pulse signal reaches a preset value.
[0048]
Further, the reset signal from the digital box 6 acts to reset the display value of the slave unit 7 to zero.
As described above, the slave unit 7 holds the set value in the nonvolatile memory even if the power is turned off, based on the above basic functions, the money amount display function, the flow rate display function, the count-up unit setting function and the set value holding function. Function) or the like.
[0049]
Although the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made as long as the purpose is met.
For example, the shape and structure of the impeller including the bearing are not limited to those shown in FIG. 3 as long as the principle is the same.
For example, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another modification of the impeller.
The impeller 19 is rotated as shown in the figure by the liquid flowing in the space in the housing 18, and the flow and the axis are vertical.
A magnetic material is embedded in the wing to detect the amount of liquid as in the above-described impeller.
[0050]
The number of impellers and the number of feathers to which a magnetic material is attached can be appropriately selected according to the desired measurement accuracy of the beverage.
Further, for example, the control of the rotation pulse generation unit and the slave unit may be configured by a microprocessor system. In this case, the control process is processed according to a processing procedure of a program mounted on a ROM (Read Only Memory). The
[0051]
For example, various signal lines such as a current drive by an open collector via wiring and an optical signal by an inexpensive plastic fiber are adopted as a signal line to the digital box.
In addition, for example, the cooling mechanism structure may employ other cooling means such as using liquid nitrogen in addition to direct cooling with ice.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the beverage liquid providing table of the present invention is economical because the customer himself / herself can perform a discharge operation to the container on the spot, so that no waiting time occurs and the liquid amount desired can be injected. It is.
On the other hand, the store can reduce the number of clerk to respond to customer orders, the labor cost is low, and the customer can recognize the measurement result of the discharge amount, thereby preventing financial trouble.
[0053]
Because it has a measuring mechanism for measuring the amount of liquid to be discharged, it has an impeller rotation detector that detects the rotation of the impeller, and a liquid detector that detects whether or not the beverage liquid is full in the liquid passage The weighing is performed only when the liquid is full, and it is possible to reliably avoid the erroneous weighing of the beverage liquid as in the past, and the accurate weighing becomes possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a beverage liquid provision table.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid shortage detection sensor constituting a liquid shortage detection mechanism.
3A and 3B are diagrams schematically showing a measuring mechanism, in which FIG. 3A is a perspective view with a part broken away, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing an arrangement of magnetic bodies provided on an impeller. .
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a rotation pulse generator.
FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the timing of pulse signal generation of the measuring mechanism in relation to the liquid full signal and the impeller rotation signal.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic views showing the arrangement of the cooling mechanism, the liquid ejection server, and the slave unit, where FIG. 6A is a side view and FIG. 6B is a top view.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modification of the impeller.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Table 2 ... Server for liquid discharge 3 ... Cooling mechanism 4 ... Liquid storage tank 5 ... Metering mechanism 6 ... Digital box 7 ... Slave unit 8 ... Gas cylinder 9 ... Pressure reducing valve 10a, 10b ... Communication pipe 11 ... Liquid out detection sensor 12 ... Caster 13 ... Liquid breakage detection mechanism 14 ... Non-conductive tube 15, 21 ... Conductive connection pipe 16, 18 ... Housing 17, 27, 28, 29, 33 ... Wiring 19 ... Impeller 20 ... Pickup coil 22 ... Rotation pulse Generating part 23 ... Bearing 25 ... Wings 26 ... Magnetic body 30 ... Ice storage container 31 ... Cooling panel 32 ... Plate-like lid A ... Direction of flow of beverage D1 ... Impeller rotation detection part D2 ... Liquid detection part G ... Logical product Part

Claims (5)

A drinking liquid providing table comprising a table, a liquid discharging server installed on the table, and a liquid storage tank for supplying the liquid discharging server to the liquid discharging server;
A measuring mechanism for measuring the amount of liquid to be discharged and a cooling mechanism for cooling the beverage liquid are provided between the server for discharging liquid and the liquid storage tank, and the measuring mechanism has a liquid passage in the housing. An impeller that is rotated by the flowing beverage, an impeller rotation detector that detects the rotation of the impeller, a liquid detector that detects whether or not the beverage is full in the liquid passage, and a pulse signal that measures the amount of liquid A rotation pulse generator for controlling the rotation, and a pulse signal is generated in the rotation pulse generator by the impeller rotation signal by the impeller rotation detector and a liquid full signal by the liquid detector, and the amount of liquid discharged is measured The cooling mechanism includes an ice storage container and a cooling plate, and is cooled by circulating a beverage liquid through the cooling plate, and a lid for charging ice is placed on the ice storage container. The same surface as the table top and a liquid discharge support Beverage liquid providing table, characterized in that provided below the bars of the discharge port. The beverage liquid providing table according to claim 1 , wherein the ice-filling lid is a transparent lid . Liquid storage tank is characterized in that it is intended to be housed under the table, according to claim 1 beverage liquid providing table according. Liquid storage tank, characterized that it is movable with casters, according to claim 1 beverage liquid providing table according. By detecting the amount of liquid metered by the metering mechanism, characterized in that it comprises a counter spaced from the display section table that displays, drinking liquid providing table according to claim 1, wherein.

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