JP5917885B2 - Water server - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water server that supplies cold water and hot water, and relates to a water server that suppresses air intrusion.

  The water server cools or warms the drinking water provided in the water supply pack and provides it as drinking water. Since the drinking water led from the water supply pack provided aseptically is cooled and heated in the water server, it is essential to clean the tank for storing the drinking water and the piping system.

Regarding cleaning of the piping system and the tank on the cold water side, Patent Document 1 describes that sterilization is performed with the heat of hot water by natural circulation of hot water. Further, Patent Document 2 describes that a circulation pump is provided in a communication pipe line that communicates a cold water tank and a hot water tank, and the piping system and the cold water side tank are sterilized by forcibly circulating the hot water.

JP 2005-249266 A JP 2006-076662 A

  Since many kinds of germs are contained in the outside air, it is effective not to bring the drinking water into contact with the outside air in order to keep the water server tank and piping system clean.

Therefore, an object of the water server of the present invention is to suppress contact with outside air and maintain drinking water in a clean state based on the above knowledge.

  In order to achieve the above object, the water server of the present invention has a shrinkable water container that shrinks to a volume that satisfies the remaining amount of potable drinking water, and an exhaust port that discharges air in the tank. The drinking water is exhausted and filled with the drinking water, and a cold water tank for cooling the drinking water is connected to the shrinkable water container and the cold water tank, and the drinking water is transferred from the shrinkable water container to the cold water tank. According to the amount of water supplied to the cold water tank by opening and closing the open / close valve, the open / close valve for opening / closing the direct connect pipe, the water supply path for supplying the drinking water from the cold water tank to the outside, and the open / close valve Control means for controlling the inflow of the drinking water from the directly connected pipe line to the cold water tank.

  In such a configuration, when the drinking water is caused to flow out from the shrinkable water container that contracts to a volume that satisfies the remaining amount of the filled drinking water, the shrinkable water container contracts according to the outflow amount, and according to the remaining water amount. It becomes volume. That is, the shrinkable water container has a function of preventing outside air from entering even when drinking water is allowed to flow out.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the water server, more preferably, a hot water tank provided with a heating means for heating the drinking water filled in a full state from the shrinkable water container, and the hot water tank A hot water supply path for supplying the heated drinking water to the outside, the direct connection pipe is branched toward the hot water tank, and the drinking water is guided from the shrinkable water container to the hot water tank, and the control means May control the inflow of the drinking water from the direct pipe line to the hot water tank by opening and closing the open / close valve according to the amount of hot water supplied to the hot water tank.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the water server, more preferably, the control means controls the open / close valve to open in conjunction with a water supply request to the cold water tank or the hot water tank, and the water supply request The on-off valve may be controlled to be closed in conjunction with completion of the operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the water server, more preferably, the hot water tank may have a filter mechanism and may include a steam discharge pipe for discharging steam in the tank.

In order to achieve the above object, in the water server, more preferably, a first bypass pipe that connects the hot water tank and the cold water tank, and a second pipe that connects the water supply path and the hot water supply path. The control means includes a bypass pipe, a first bypass valve that controls water flow through the first bypass pipe, and a second bypass valve that controls water flow through the second bypass pipe. Controls the open / close valve to be closed and the first bypass valve and the second bypass valve to be in an open state, and the drinking water heated by the heating means is supplied to the hot water tank and the cold water tank. You may circulate between. The above object can also be achieved by such a configuration.

  According to the water server of the present invention, any of the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) By controlling the contraction of the shrinkable water container and the opening / closing valve, the drinking water is not brought into contact with the air in the cold water tank or the water supply pipeline, so it is possible to suppress contamination and breeding of germs from the outside, which is safe. It becomes possible to supply a sufficient amount of drinking water.

(2) Since the function of preventing contamination of the inside of the piping path is enhanced, the number of times of the cleaning process for the inside of the water supply pipe can be reduced, and the water server can be saved.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the cold / hot water supply apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the state of the cold / hot water supply apparatus at the time of water supply. It is a figure which shows the example of an external appearance structure of a cold / hot water supply apparatus. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the control function of a cold / hot water supply apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the water supply process of a cold / hot water supply apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of an internal structure of the cold / hot water supply apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a circulation process of high temperature water. It is a figure which shows the modification of a cold / hot water supply apparatus.

  [First Embodiment]

  The cold / hot water supply apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the cold / hot water supply device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state of the cold / hot water supply device during water supply. The configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an example, and is not limited to the configuration according to the present invention.

  The cold / hot water supply apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of the water server of this indication. A drinking water container 6 filled with drinking water 4 is installed on the upper side of the cold / hot water supply device 2, and the drinking water 4 is supplied from the drinking water container 6 to the cold water tank 8 through a direct connection line 10. . In this direct connection line 10, a water supply electromagnetic valve 12 is installed as an open / close valve that shuts off or opens the water supply of the drinking water 4 from the drinking water container 6. The drinking water 4 is supplied to, for example, a hot water tank 14 installed on the lower side of the cold water tank 8. The hot water tank 14 is provided with, for example, a water supply pipe 16 branched from the direct connection pipe 10 and supplied with drinking water 4.

  The cold / hot water supply device 2 is provided with a control board 18 for performing water supply operation input, temperature setting, opening / closing control of a solenoid valve, and the like.

  The drinking water container 6 is, for example, a so-called back-in-box type in which a shrinkable water container 22 that shrinks to a volume satisfying the remaining water amount of the filled drinking water 4 is accommodated inside an exterior box 20 formed in a cube. Consists of containers. The outer box 20 is a housing made of, for example, corrugated cardboard or synthetic resin, and protects the stored shrinkable water container 22 and has a certain shape retention. The shrinkable water container 22 shown in FIG. 2 is a molded body of a synthetic resin film having shrinkage, for example. The shrinkable water container 22 is deformed into a volume corresponding to the remaining amount of the enclosed drinking water 4, and as the drinking water 4 is used. Shrink. With such a structure, the shrinkable water container 22 does not take air into the interior even if the filled drinking water 4 decreases.

  In the drinking water container 6, for example, a water supply port 24 for taking out the drinking water 4 is formed on the lower side of the side surface, and a water supply pipe 26 is inserted into the water supply port 24. For example, the water supply pipe 26 may be integrally formed of the same material as the shrinkable water container 22. Further, the water supply pipe 26 is provided with a water tap 28 for controlling the outflow of the drinking water 4 from the shrinkable water container 22 and a connector 30 for connection with the direct connection pipe 10. The connector 30 is an example of a means for preventing air from flowing in from a connection portion between the water supply pipe 26 and the direct connection pipe 10.

  For example, a water supply port 32 is formed on the upper side of the cold water tank 8 and the direct connection pipe line 10 is connected thereto. And the inside of this cold water tank 8 is filled with the drinking water 4 so that an air layer may not be formed between the shrinkable water container 22 via the direct connection line 10 and the water supply pipe 26. The cold water tank 8 also has an evaporator 34 that cools the stored drinking water 4 to a set temperature, for example, 5 [deg.] C., and a cold water temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the drinking water 4. 36 is installed.

  The evaporator 34 is configured by, for example, a pipe wound around the cold water tank 8, and cools the cold water tank 8 and the drinking water 4 with the refrigerant flowed inside. The evaporator 34 is connected to a cooling device 40 configured on the bottom side of the cold / hot water supply device 2. In this cooling device 40, for example, a compressor 42, a dryer 44, a condenser 46, and a capillary tube 50 are connected by a refrigerant tube 48.

  The cold water temperature sensor 36 is constituted by a thermistor thermometer, for example, and this detection data is taken into a control unit constituted by the control board 18.

  In the cold water tank 8, for example, an exhaust pipe 60 for discharging air in the tank is formed on the upper side of the side surface, and an exhaust valve 62 is installed in the exhaust pipe 60 as an air purge valve for the cold water tank 8. Yes. In the cold water tank 8, for example, when the drinking water 4 is supplied, the exhaust valve 62 is opened so that air is discharged and the drinking water 4 is filled inside.

  Further, for example, a cold water supply pipe 64 is connected to the lower side or the bottom side of the cold water tank 8 as a water supply path to the outside of the device, and the drinking water 4 flows from the cold water inlet 66 according to the opening / closing of the cold water electromagnetic valve 68. Leaked. The cold water solenoid valve 68 is controlled to open and close based on, for example, pressing a water supply button installed on the control board 18. At this time, the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 outputs an opening / closing instruction from the control board 18 in conjunction with the opening / closing instruction of the cold water electromagnetic valve 68. Thereby, the cooled drinking water 4 (CW) flows out of the cold water supply pipe 64 from the cold water tank 8 by its own weight, for example.

  The cold water port 66 is disposed below the cold water tank 8 and the drinking water container 6, and as described above, the inside of the cold water tank 8 and the drinking water container 6 has drinking water so that no air layer is formed. 4 is filled. At this time, for example, the atmospheric pressure acts on the drinking water container 6 side. When the cold water solenoid valve 68 is opened, the cold water port 66 side is opened to the atmospheric pressure, and due to the height difference between the cold water port 66 and the water surface in the drinking water container 6, for example, based on the siphon principle, Drinking water 4 flows out.

  At this time, in the cold water tank 8 shown in FIG. 2, the drinking water 4 is supplied from the drinking water container 6 according to the amount of water supplied from the cold water tank 8 in conjunction with the drinking water 4 flowing out from the cold water port 66. Is done. At the same time, the drinking water container 6 contracts to a volume that the shrinkable water container 22 satisfies the remaining water amount of the drinking water 4. Thereby, the cold water tank 8 and the drinking water container 6 have a structure in which air is not taken into the interior even if the drinking water 4 flows out from the cold water port 66.

  The hot water tank 14 is formed with a water supply port 70 to which the water supply pipe 16 is connected, for example, on the lower side or on the bottom side. On the side surface side of the hot water tank 14, a hot water heater 72, a hot water temperature sensor 74, and an empty safety device 75 are installed. A hot water supply pipe 76 and a steam discharge pipe 92 are installed on the ceiling side of the hot water tank 14. The hot water tank 14 is filled with drinking water 4 so that an air layer is not formed between the hot water tank 14 and the shrinkable water container 22 via the water supply pipe 16.

  The drinking water 4 in the hot water tank 14 is heated to, for example, 80 [° C.] as a set temperature by the hot water heater 72 based on the temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 74. The hot water temperature sensor 74 is constituted by, for example, a thermistor thermometer, and this detection data is taken into a control unit constituted by the control board 18 and used for heating control or the like.

  The emptying safety device 75 is composed of, for example, a bimetal sensor, and an emptying prevention temperature is set. Then, when the emptying prevention temperature is detected, the emptying safety device 75 releases the energization of the hot water heater 72 and prevents the emptying state. The hot water tank 14 may be provided with a temperature fuse or the like as a final safety device together with the empty safety device 75.

  A hot water supply pipe 76 is connected to the cold water tank 8 as a hot water supply path for supplying the drinking water 4 heated to the outside of the device, and the drinking water 4 flows out from the hot water port 78 in response to opening and closing of the hot water electromagnetic valve 80. Is done. The hot water solenoid valve 80 is controlled to open and close based on, for example, pressing of a water supply button installed on the control board 18. At this time, the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 outputs an opening / closing instruction from the control board 18 in conjunction with the opening / closing instruction to the hot water electromagnetic valve 80. Thereby, the heated drinking water 4 (HW) as shown in FIG. 2 flows out from the warm water port 78 through the warm water supply pipe 76 by, for example, its own weight from the warm water tank 14.

  In the cold / hot water supply device 2, the hot water port 78 is disposed below the drinking water container 6, and the inside of the hot water tank 14 and the drinking water container 6 is filled with the drinking water 4 so that an air layer is not formed. Has been. And like the outflow of the drinking water 4 from the cold water tank 8 mentioned above, when the hot water solenoid valve 80 will be in an open state, for example, the warm water port 78 will be open | released to atmospheric pressure, and the water surface in the warm water port 78 and the drinking water container 6 will be shown. The drinking water 4 heated from the hot water port 78 flows out.

  In the warm water tank 14 shown in FIG. 2, the drinking water 4 is supplied from the drinking water container 6 according to the amount of hot water supplied from the warm water tank 14 in conjunction with the outflow of the drinking water 4 from the warm water port 78. At the same time, the drinking water container 6 has a structure in which air is not taken into the hot water tank 14 and the drinking water container 6 by shrinking the shrinkable water container 22 to a volume that satisfies the remaining water amount of the drinking water 4.

  In addition, the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 is controlled to be in a closed state based on an instruction from the control board 18 in conjunction with, for example, the release of the water supply button being released. The water supply electromagnetic valve 12 is maintained in a closed state until, for example, an instruction to supply hot water or cold water is received, so that the drinking water 4 in the drinking water container 6 is cooled via the direct connection pipe 10 or the water supply pipe 16. Or it is prevented from being heated.

  The water supply solenoid valve 12 is not limited to being opened and closed simultaneously with the opening and closing operation of the cold water solenoid valve 68 or the hot water solenoid valve 80. For example, even when the water supply operation of the cold / hot water supply device 2 is finished, the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 may be maintained in the open state. Further, the control board 18 may open the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 prior to an opening instruction to the cold water electromagnetic valve 68 or the hot water electromagnetic valve 80 in response to pressing of the water supply button. Further, the control board 18 may close the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 after a close instruction to the cold water electromagnetic valve 68 or the hot water electromagnetic valve 80.

  The steam discharge pipe 92 is arranged, for example, from the ceiling side of the hot water tank 14 toward the outside on the upper side of the cold / hot water supply device 2. Then, steam and bubbles generated in the hot water tank 14 in the heating process of the drinking water 4 by the hot water heater 72 and the high temperature water circulation process to be described later are guided to the outside air from the upper side of the cold / hot water supply device 2 through the steam discharge pipe 92. .

  An exhaust top 94 provided with a filter mechanism is installed on the open end side of the vapor discharge pipe 92 at a portion open to the atmosphere. This filter mechanism is composed of a membrane filter made of a porous film such as a fluororesin that prevents inflow of outside air, moisture, germs and the like to the hot water tank 14 side.

  The cold / hot water supply device 2 is provided with a first bypass pipe 82 in which the cold water tank 8 and the hot water tank 14 are connected. The first bypass pipe 82 is provided with a first bypass valve 84 that opens or shuts off water flow between the cold water tank 8 and the hot water tank 14, for example, based on a control instruction from the control board 18. Opened and closed. The first bypass conduit 82 is connected, for example, between the bottom side of the cold water tank 8 and the ceiling side of the hot water tank 14.

  The first bypass pipeline 82 is installed at a certain distance from the cold water supply pipe 64 installed in the cold water tank 8. The bypass pipe 82 and the cold water supply pipe 64 may be installed at a distance facing each other through the center of the cold water tank 8, for example. Further, the first bypass pipe 82 is installed at a certain distance from the hot water supply pipe 76 in the hot water tank 14.

  The cold water supply pipe 64 and the hot water supply pipe 76 are provided with, for example, a second bypass pipe 86 that is partly branched and connected. The second bypass pipe 86 allows the drinking water 4 to flow between the cold water tank 8 and the hot water tank 14 via the cold water supply pipe 64 and the hot water supply pipe 76. The second bypass pipe 86 is provided with a second bypass valve 90 that restricts the flow of the drinking water 4 by opening and closing, and is opened and closed based on a control instruction from the control board 18. The second bypass pipe 86 is branched near the cold water electromagnetic valve 68 installed in the cold water supply pipe 64, for example, and is branched near the hot water electromagnetic valve 80 installed in the hot water supply pipe 76. ing.

  The first bypass valve 84 and the second bypass valve 90 are controlled to be closed in normal cold water and hot water supply operation, and are controlled to be opened during, for example, a high-temperature circulation process described later.

  In addition, the cold / hot water supply device 2 is provided with a discharge pipe 100 for discharging the internal drinking water 4 and the like. The discharge pipe 100 is branched from, for example, the water supply pipe 16, and a discharge valve 102 is installed in the vicinity of the discharge port. The discharge pipe 100 can forcibly discharge the drinking water 4 from the inside of the cold / hot water supply device 2. For example, when the washing process inside the cold water tank 8 or the hot water tank 14 is performed or the drinking water container 6 is replaced. It is used when doing.

  FIG. 3 illustrates an external configuration example of the cold / hot water supply device 2. The configuration shown in FIG. 3 is an example and is not limited to the configuration according to the present invention.

  In the cold / hot water supply apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 3, the exterior box 20 of the drinking water container 6 is arrange | positioned, for example in the top part side. And the cover part 104 is installed toward the main-body part 105 side of the cold / hot water supply apparatus 2 from the side surface side of this exterior box 20. As shown in FIG. Inside the cover portion 104, a water supply pipe 26, a water tap 28, a connector 30 and the like installed in the drinking water container 6 are accommodated.

  The main body portion 105 of the cold / hot water supply device 2 is formed of a housing made of resin or metal, for example. On the front side of the main body portion 105, for example, an operation display area 106 is formed in which the control board 18 is installed to expose the operation display panel surface. Moreover, the opening part 107 is formed in the center part of the main-body part 105 as a water supply area which supplies the drinking water 4, for example. On the bottom surface portion of the opening 107, for example, a placing portion 108 on which a cup or the like for containing heated drinking water 4 (HW) or cooled drinking water 4 (CW) can be placed. . The opening 107 is set to a predetermined height that is easy for a user who takes out the drinking water 4 to take it out, for example.

  On the control board 18, for example, a water supply button 110 that requests the drinking water 4, a hot water supply button 112, and operation buttons 114 that can set the cooling temperature, the heating temperature, etc. of the drinking water 4 and the timer function are installed. . Further, the control board 18 is provided with a display unit 124 that displays setting information, operation state information, warning information, and the like of the cold / hot water supply device 2. The display unit 124 may be configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, or may be configured by a light emitting display such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

  FIG. 4 shows a hardware configuration example of the control function of the cold / hot water supply device.

  In the cold / hot water supply device 2, for example, a control unit 120, an input unit 122, and a display unit 124 configured on the control board 18 are installed. The control unit 120 includes, for example, a microcomputer, and includes a processor 130, a storage unit 132, an I / O (Input / Output) 134, a timer 136, and the like.

  The processor 130 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and performs arithmetic processing of an OS (Operating System) stored in the storage unit 132, cooling control of the drinking water 4, heating control, valve opening / closing control, a high-temperature water circulation control program, and the like. To do. The storage unit 132 is configured by, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and the ROM stores an operation control program of the cold / hot water supply device 2, detected temperature data, and the like. The RAM also functions as a work area where the operation control program is calculated.

  The I / O 134 is an interface of the control unit 120, and is input information from the water supply button 110, the hot water supply button 112 and the operation button 114 of the drinking water 4 of the input unit 122, and the detected temperature from the cold water temperature sensor 36 and the hot water temperature sensor 74. Is captured. Based on the detected temperature signal, the control unit 120 outputs an ON / OFF instruction for the compressor 42 as ON / OFF control of the hot water heater 72 associated with the hot water tank 14 and control of the cooling device 40 associated with the cold water tank 8. . Thereby, the drinking water 4 in the hot water tank 14 and the cold water tank 8 is controlled to set temperature.

  Further, the control instruction output from the control unit 120 is output to the display unit 124, the water supply electromagnetic valve 12, the cold water electromagnetic valve 68, the hot water electromagnetic valve 80, and the other electromagnetic valves 84 and 90 via the I / O 134. The

  The timer 136 is an example of a time measuring unit, acquires time information, counts elapsed time information, and functions as an abnormality determination timer for a high-temperature water circulation process described later. And based on these time information and elapsed time information, the control part 120 is utilized for monitoring abnormalities of the water supply continuation time, the heating time of the hot water heater 72, the processing execution time, and the like.

  FIG. 5 shows a water supply process of the cold / hot water supply apparatus. The processing contents and processing procedures shown in FIG. 5 are examples, and are not limited to the configuration according to the present invention.

  The water supply process shown in FIG. 5 is an example of the water supply control method of the water server of the present disclosure, and a process for causing the drinking water 4 to flow out from the cold water tank 8 or the hot water tank 14 without taking air into the piping system. included.

  For example, the control unit 120 monitors whether there is a water supply or hot water supply request from detection of pressing of the water supply button 110 or the hot water supply button 112 (S1). When a water supply or hot water supply request is detected (YES in S1), the process proceeds to water supply and hot water valve opening control (S2). The control unit 120 outputs an opening instruction to the cold water solenoid valve 68 when detecting the pressing of the water supply button 110, and issues an opening instruction to the hot water solenoid valve 80 when detecting the pressing of the hot water supply button 112. Output.

  In addition, the control unit 120 outputs a control instruction so that the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 is opened in conjunction with the opening instruction to the cold water electromagnetic valve 68 or the hot water electromagnetic valve 80 as the open / close valve opening control (S3). To do.

  The control unit 120 monitors whether or not the water / hot water supply request has been completed based on the detection of pressing of the water supply button 110 or the hot water supply button 112 (S4). When the water supply / hot water request is terminated by releasing the button (YES in S4), the control unit 120 performs the close control of the water supply (hot water) valve (S5) and performs the close control of the on-off valve 12 (S6).

  When the water supply / hot water supply is finished, the controller 120 monitors the temperature of the drinking water 4 in the cold water tank 8 and the hot water tank 14 from the detection information of the cold water temperature sensor 36 and the hot water temperature sensor 74 (S7). Based on the detection result, when the temperature of the drinking water 4 in the cold water tank 8 or the hot water tank 14 does not satisfy the set temperature, the control unit 120 outputs an operation instruction to the hot water heater 72 and the compressor 42. Then, heating or cooling control is performed (S8).

  According to such a configuration, the drinking water 4 is supplied from the drinking water container 6 into the cold water tank 8 or the hot water tank 14 as the drinking water flows out from the cold water port 66 or the hot water port 78, and the drinking water 4 As the drinking water container 6 contracts with the decrease, it is possible to prevent the air containing various germs from being mixed in the piping system. Further, the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 on the drinking water container 6 side is opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing of the water supply valve (cold water electromagnetic valve 68) and the hot water supply valve (hot water electromagnetic valve 80). Does not form an air layer. Furthermore, the drinking water 4 in the drinking water container 6 can be prevented from being cooled or heated by opening the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 only when the drinking water 4 is supplied.

  [Second Embodiment]

  FIG. 6 illustrates an internal configuration example of the cold / hot water supply device according to the second embodiment.

  In the cold / hot water supply device 2, as a cleaning process inside the internal piping system and the cold water tank 8, for example, a high-temperature water circulation process in which heated drinking water 4 is circulated between the hot water tank 14 and the cold water tank 8 is executed. The This cleaning process is executed based on, for example, the operation time of the cold / hot water supply device 2 and the accumulated time after installing or replacing the drinking water container 6 using the time measurement result of the timer 136. Further, the cleaning process may be executed based on setting information such as a start time by a user operation, for example.

  In the cleaning process by this high-temperature water circulation, heat convection generated by a temperature difference between the temperature of the drinking water 4 in the cold water tank 8 and the drinking water 4 in the hot water tank 14 is used. And the drinking water 4 in the cold water tank 8 is raised to the preset cleaning temperature by this heat convection. In the high-temperature water circulation treatment, the drinking water 4 in the cold water tank 8 is set to, for example, 85 [° C.] or more as the cleaning temperature Tw. Moreover, in this high temperature water circulation process, the state where the drinking water 4 in the cold water tank 8 is at the cleaning temperature Tw is maintained as the cleaning time X for 30 [min].

  The control unit 120 closes the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 and opens the first bypass valve 84 and the second bypass valve 90 at the set timing for starting the cleaning process. Thereby, in the cold / hot water supply apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 6, between the cold water tank 8 and the hot water tank 14, for example, the 1st bypass pipeline 82, the 2nd bypass pipeline 86, the direct connection pipeline 10, water supply A circulation path through the pipe line 16 is formed. The high-temperature drinking water 4 stored in the hot water tank 14 flows into the cold water tank 8 through the first bypass pipe 82 and the second bypass pipe 86, for example. At this time, the compressor 42 installed in the cold water tank 8 is controlled to be OFF. The low-temperature drinking water 4 in the cold water tank 8 flows into the hot water tank 14 through the direct connection pipe line 10 and the water supply pipe line 16 by, for example, heat convection.

  In the warm water tank 14, the warm water heater 72 is operated, and the low temperature drinking water 4 that has flowed in is heated. At this time, in order to set the temperature of the drinking water 4 in the cold water tank 8 to the cleaning temperature Tw, the control unit 120 sets the set temperature Th of the drinking water 4 in the hot water tank 14 to a temperature higher than the cleaning temperature Tw. For example, the temperature is set to 93 [° C.] or higher. Steam generated by heating by the hot water heater 72 is released to the outside air through the steam discharge pipe 92.

  The temperature of the drinking water 4 that has flowed into the cold water tank 8 is detected by the cold water temperature sensor 36, and this detected temperature information is taken into the control unit 120. Further, the temperature of the drinking water 4 in the hot water tank 14 is detected by the hot water temperature sensor 74 and is taken into the control unit 120. The control unit 120 issues an ON / OFF control instruction to the hot water heater 72 so that the cold water tank 8 is filled with the drinking water 4 having the cleaning temperature Tw based on the detected temperature result taken in.

  In the cold water tank 8, the cold water temperature sensor 36 is desirably installed at a position away from the direct connection pipe line 10 on the outlet side, for example. Thus, even when a so-called short cycle occurs in which the circulating hot drinking water 4 circulates only in a part of the cold water tank 8 and a layer of the hot water part and the cold water part is formed in the cold water tank 8, for example. The unit 120 can detect a circulatory abnormality from a change in measurement time and detected temperature.

  The water supply electromagnetic valve 12 is set in a closed state during the execution of the cleaning process, and the water supply pipe 26 is cut off from a piping system that supplies the drinking water 4 inside the cold / hot water supply device 2. Thereby, the drinking water 4 in the drinking water container 6 stored at normal temperature can be prevented from being heated by the circulating hot drinking water 4 and causing a temperature change.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the direction of circulation of the drinking water 4 by heat convection flows into the cold water tank 8 through the first bypass pipe 82 and the second bypass pipe 86, and the direct connection pipe 10 and the water supply pipe. It is not limited to flowing into the hot water tank 14 through the path 16. For example, you may circulate in the reverse direction to the circulation path shown in FIG. Even in such a case, the drinking water 4 in the cold water tank 8 can be cleaned.

  For example, the control unit 120 may perform the high-temperature water circulation process at midnight or when the cold / hot water supply device 2 is used less frequently.

  FIG. 7 shows a flowchart showing an example of circulation processing of high-temperature water. The processing procedure and processing contents shown in FIG. 7 are examples, and the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.

  This high-temperature water circulation process is an example of a water server operation control method according to the present disclosure, and includes monitoring of a high-temperature water circulation abnormality using the time measurement result of the timer 136.

  The control unit 120 resets the timer 136 for use in the abnormality determination process (S11) and starts it (S12). Further, the control unit 120 outputs an OFF instruction to the compressor 42 (S13), and as a preparatory process for the cleaning process, the power supply control to the hot water heater 72 is turned on to supply the drinking water 4 in the hot water tank 14. Heat (S14).

  Based on the temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 74, it is determined whether or not the drinking water 4 in the hot water tank 14 is, for example, 90 [° C.] or higher as the predetermined temperature Tb (S15). The predetermined temperature Tb is an example of a high-temperature side preparation temperature for generating thermal convection. The determination in S15 may confirm that the hot water heater 72 functions as a heating means for the high temperature water circulation process.

  When the temperature of the drinking water 4 in the hot water tank 14 is equal to or higher than the temperature Tb (YES in S15), the process proceeds to the high temperature water circulation process. The control unit 120 outputs a control instruction so that the first bypass valve 84 and the second bypass valve 90 are opened (S16). Then, in order to measure the circulation time X of the cleaning process, the circulation timer configured in the timer 136 is reset (S17), and the time measurement is started (S18).

  Based on the temperature information detected by the hot water temperature sensor 74, the control unit 120 determines whether or not the drinking water 4 in the hot water tank 14 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature Th (S19), and if it is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature Th (YES in S19). Then, the hot water heater 72 is stopped (S20). When the detected temperature does not reach the temperature Th (NO in S19), the control unit 120 maintains the hot water heater 72 in the ON state (S21).

  The control unit 120 refers to the time measurement result of the timer 136 and determines whether, for example, 2 [h] has elapsed as the time Xe by the abnormality determination timer (S22). When the time Xe has not elapsed (NO in S22), the abnormality determination time has not been reached. The control unit 120 determines whether the temperature of the drinking water 4 in the cold water tank 8 is equal to or higher than the cleaning temperature Tw from the detection result of the cold water temperature sensor 36 (S23). When the drinking water 4 in the cold water tank 8 has not reached the temperature Tw (NO in S23), the process returns to S17, and the temperature determination is performed until the abnormality determination time Xe elapses.

  When the drinking water 4 has reached the cleaning temperature Tw (YES in S23), it is determined whether the cleaning time X has elapsed in the circulation timer (S24). This high-temperature circulation process is repeatedly executed until the drinking water 4 at the temperature Tw in the cold water tank 8 has passed the time X (NO in S24).

  When the cleaning time X elapses (YES in S24), the first bypass valve 84 and the second bypass valve 90 are closed as an end process of the high temperature water circulation process (S25).

  In order to measure the time until the next high-temperature water circulation process is executed, the timer 136 is set as an initial value, for example, 72 [h] as an interval timer (S26), and the countdown is started (S27).

  If the temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 74 is lower than the predetermined temperature Tb (NO in S15) in the preparatory stage for the high-temperature circulation process, it is determined whether the time Xe has elapsed with reference to the abnormality determination timer (S28). If the time Xe has not elapsed (NO in S28), the process returns to S15 and monitoring of heating by the hot water heater 72 is continued.

  When the time Xe has already elapsed (YES in S28), for example, it is determined that the drinking water 4 cannot be heated to a temperature required for the high temperature water circulation process due to an abnormality in the hot water heater 74, and the control unit 120 determines the high temperature water circulation abnormality notification process. Is performed (S29). In this abnormality notification process, for example, a display indicating an abnormal state may be performed on the display unit 124, or a sound notification may be performed.

  Further, in the high-temperature water circulation process, the control unit 120 determines an abnormality before the cleaning process for time X is completed due to a state where the temperature of the drinking water in the cold water tank 8 does not reach the cleaning temperature Tw (NO in S23). When the time Xe has elapsed (YES in S22), the process proceeds to the hot water circulation abnormality notification process (S29). This occurs, for example, when an abnormality occurs in the hot water heater 72, the bypass pipes 82 and 86, and the bypass valves 84 and 90, or when a short cycle occurs in the cold water tank 8.

  And after performing abnormality notification, the control part 120 transfers to S25 and the completion | finish process of a high temperature water circulation process is performed.

  <Effects of Second Embodiment>

  (1) This water server has a structure that prevents air from entering the cold water tank, hot water tank, and piping system, while minimizing the contamination of germs and improving the cleaning function through high-temperature water circulation treatment, making it safer Drinking water can be provided.

  (2) By providing the second bypass pipe on the cold water supply pipe and the hot water supply pipe side, it is possible to perform a cleaning process on the pipe side that may come into contact with air when drinking water is supplied. High drinking water can be supplied.

  (3) In the high-temperature water circulation treatment, the drinking water container side and the direct connection pipe line are blocked by the water supply electromagnetic valve, so that no temperature change is caused in the drinking water in the drinking water container, so that propagation of various germs can be prevented.

  (4) By providing the steam discharge pipe line provided with the membrane filter on the hot water tank side, it is possible to prevent the formation of an air layer due to steam in the hot water tank.

  (5) Since the function of preventing contamination of bacteria in the piping path is enhanced, the number of cleaning processes in the water supply pipeline can be reduced, and the water server can be saved.

  [Other Embodiments]

  (1) In the cold / hot water supply device 2, the drinking water 4 is supplied from the drinking water container 6 in conjunction with the decrease in the drinking water 4 in the cold water tank 8 or the hot water tank 14, and the shrinkable water container 22 is the drinking water 4. By contracting in accordance with the capacity, air is prevented from being taken into the cold water tank 8 and the hot water tank 14 or the piping system. Therefore, when the remaining amount of the drinking water 4 in the drinking water container 6 runs out, the control unit 120 may stop the supply of the drinking water 4. In this case, as means for monitoring the remaining amount of the drinking water 4 in the drinking water container 6, for example, a running water sensor is installed on the water supply pipe 26 or the direct connection pipe 10 to monitor the supply state of the drinking water 4. Good. Further, a water level sensor may be installed in the cold water tank 8 or the hot water tank 14.

  And when the control part 120 judges that the drinking water 4 has run out in the drinking water container 6, the water supply electromagnetic valve 12, the cold water electromagnetic valve 68, and the hot water electromagnetic valve 80 are closed to stop the supply of drinking water. You may let them. At the same time, the control unit 120 may notify the display unit 124 that the drinking water 4 has been emptied.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent air from being mixed into the cold water tank 8, the hot water tank 14, the drinking water container 6 and the piping system with the outflow of the drinking water 4 from the cold water port 66 or the hot water port 78. It is possible to suppress the propagation of germs in the water 4.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the drinking water 4 has been shown to flow out due to the height difference between the cold water port 66 or the hot water port 78 and the water surface in the drinking water container 6 or the weight of the drinking water 4. Not limited. For example, the potable water container 6 shown in FIG. 8 may be provided with a pressurizing device 150 that pressurizes the shrinkable water container 22 in the compression direction. The pressurizing device 150 includes, for example, a contact portion 152 that comes into contact with the ceiling side of the shrinkable water container 22 and pushes down evenly, and an urging means 154 that urges the contact portion 152. For example, the contact portion 152 is formed in accordance with the width of the shrinkable water container 22. The urging means 154 is composed of, for example, a spring and urges the pressure P against the contractible water container 22.

  Moreover, this pressurization apparatus 150 should just be the structure which can apply the pressure P, for example, may be a weight provided with the predetermined load. Furthermore, the pressurizing device 150 is not limited to the configuration in which the pressure P is applied to the shrinkable water container 22 from the ceiling side. For example. You may pressurize upward from the bottom face side of the shrinkable container 22, or you may pressurize from the left-right direction. Furthermore, the pressurizing device 150 may be configured to press the shrinkable water container 22 from above and below and from the left and right.

  According to such a configuration, the cold / hot water supply device 2 supplies a certain amount or more of water to the cold water port 66 and the hot water port 78 regardless of the amount of remaining water in the drinking water container 6 due to the pressure P by the pressurizing device 150. You can get pressure.

  (3) Moreover, you may comprise the shrinkable container 22 of the drinking water container 6 with a resin material with strong shrinkage | contraction like a balloon etc., for example. Thereby, the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 is opened, the opening of the shrinkable container 22 is opened, and the contracting force of the predetermined pressure P may be used for the water supply pressure from the cold water port 66 and the hot water port 78.

  (4) Moreover, about the water supply means of the drinking water 4 from the cold / hot water supply apparatus 2, the pump for pumping the drinking water 4 to the hot water inlet 78 or the cold water inlet 66 side on the hot water supply pipe 76 or the cold water supply pipe 64, for example May be installed.

As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above description, and is described in the claims or disclosed in the specification. It goes without saying that various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art based on the gist, and such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present invention.

The present invention fills drinking water in a piping system, a cold water tank, and a hot water tank in a water server, supplies drinking water from the drinking water container in conjunction with a decrease in drinking water by water supply, and the drinking water container By contracting to a volume that satisfies the remaining amount of drinking water and preventing air contamination, contamination and breeding of drinking water are minimized, and safer drinking water is provided. Can be useful.

2 Cold / Hot Water Supply Device 4 Drinking Water 6 Drinking Water Container 8 Cold Water Tank 10 Direct Connection Line 12 Water Supply Solenoid Valve (Open / Close Valve)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Hot water tank 16 Water supply line 18 Control board 20 Exterior box 22 Shrinkable water container 24, 32 Water supply port 34 Evaporator 36 Cold water temperature sensor 40 Cooling device 60 Exhaust pipe 64 Cold water supply pipe 66 Cold water port 68 Cold water solenoid valve 70 Water supply Port 72 Warm water heater 74 Warm water temperature sensor 76 Warm water supply pipe 78 Warm water port 80 Warm water solenoid valve 82 First bypass conduit 84 First bypass valve 86 Second bypass conduit 90 Second bypass valve 92 Steam exhaust conduit 92 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Discharge pipe 102 Discharge valve 106 Operation display area 110 Water supply button 112 Hot water supply button 114 Operation button 120 Control part 124 Display part 150 Pressurizer 152 Contact part 154 Energizing means

Claims (5)

A shrinkable water container that shrinks to a volume that fills the remaining amount of potable drinking water;
A cold water tank that has an exhaust port for discharging air in the tank, is filled with the drinking water exhausted from the exhaust port, and cools the drinking water;
Connecting the shrinkable water container and the cold water tank, and a direct connection conduit for guiding the drinking water from the shrinkable water container to the cold water tank;
An on-off valve that opens and closes the directly connected pipeline;
A water supply channel for supplying the drinking water to the outside from the cold water tank;
Control means for controlling the inflow of the drinking water from the directly connected pipe line to the cold water tank according to the amount of water supplied to the cold water tank by opening and closing the on-off valve;
Water server equipped with. Furthermore, a hot water tank provided with a heating means for heating the drinking water filled in a full state from the shrinkable water container,
A hot water supply path for supplying the drinking water heated from the hot water tank to the outside;
With
The direct connection pipe is branched toward the hot water tank, and the drinking water is led from the shrinkable water container to the hot water tank,
The control means controls the inflow of the drinking water from the direct pipe line to the hot water tank according to the amount of hot water supplied to the hot water tank by opening and closing the on-off valve.
The water server according to claim 1. The control means controls the open / close valve to an open state in conjunction with a water supply request to the cold water tank or the hot water tank, and controls the open / close valve to a closed state in conjunction with completion of the water supply request. ,
Water server according to 請 Motomeko 2. The hot water tank has a filter mechanism, and has a steam discharge pipe for discharging steam in the tank.
The water server according to claim 2. A first bypass pipe connecting the hot water tank and the cold water tank;
A second bypass pipe connecting the water supply path and the hot water supply path;
A first bypass valve that controls water flow through the first bypass line;
A second bypass valve that controls the flow of water through the second bypass line;
With
The control means closes the on-off valve and controls the first bypass valve and the second bypass valve to an open state, and the drinking water heated by the heating means is supplied to the hot water tank and the Circulating between the cold water tank,
The water server according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

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