JPH02284692A - Drinking water sterilizing device for automatic drink vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent insufficient sterilization by providing a control means for energizing an electrode for a specified time based on the actuating signal of a counter for counting the frequency of sales of the drink. CONSTITUTION:City water is stored in a reservoir 2 in the vending machine main body, and the water in the reservoir 2 is sent to a cooler. A couple of electrodes 5 for electrochemically converting the chlorine ion in the stored water to chlorine by electrolysis are arranged in the reservoir 2. A DC voltage is impressed on the electrodes 5 from a power source 6. Each current applying time is set by a timer 7, and the frequency of sales is counted up by the actuating signal from the sale counter 9. Consequently, the excess or deficiency of chlorine is eliminated, and insufficient sterilization is obviated.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a drinking water sterilizer used for sterilizing drinking water in a beverage vending machine.

[Conventional technology]

In beverage dispensers, water supplied from the tap is stored in a reservoir, and this water is used to prepare drinks, but the chlorine concentration of the tap water in the reservoir decreases over time and the sterilizing effect is lost. begins to fade. Therefore, a sterilization method is known in which a pair of electrodes is placed in the reservoir and a DC voltage is applied to the electrodes to convert the chlorine ions contained in tap water into chlorine through electrolysis (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-2
(See Publication No. 83391). By the way, when converting chlorine ions in tap water into chlorine by electrolysis, it is necessary to appropriately select the number of times the electrode is energized and the duration of each energization, and if the energization becomes excessive, the amount of chlorine generated will increase. Too much water makes it taste bad,
Furthermore, if the current supply is insufficient, the amount of chlorine generated will be too small and the required sterilizing effect will not be obtained. Conventionally, to control the energization of the electrodes, there is a method in which a timer is used to energize the electrodes at regular intervals for a fixed period of time.
(Refer to Publication No. 1), ■ A method that starts energization in response to the water supply operation of the water supply valve that supplies tap water to the reservoir (Refer to Publication No. 1)
1-58689) is known.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, according to method (■) above, if sales occur frequently and a large amount of tap water enters in a short period of time, the sterilization effect will be insufficient; There is a problem that the water becomes smelly due to too much water. Also, -
According to the method (2) above, the electrodes are energized even when a small amount of water is supplied, causing the problem that the water smells as described above. Furthermore, the water supply valve is directly controlled on and off by a float switch in the reservoir, but if the tap water pressure is high and the amount of water supplied per unit time is large, the float switch will only work instantaneously (1), and in that case There is also the problem that the sterilizing effect is insufficient because the electricity is not applied. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a drinking water sterilization device for a beverage vending machine that energizes the electrodes in just the right amount and does not cause deterioration in the taste of drinking water or lack of sterilization. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method in which a pair of electrodes is arranged so as to be in contact with tap water stored in a beverage vending machine, and the electrodes are energized. In a drinking water sterilizer for a beverage vending machine that converts chlorine ions contained in tap water into chlorine by electrolysis, a constant voltage is applied to the electrode based on the operating signal of a counter installed to count the number of drinks sold. A control means is provided for energizing for a certain period of time.

[For use]

Beverage vending machines are generally equipped with a counter that counts the number of drinks sold. Therefore, energization to the electrodes is started based on the operation signal of this counter, and energization is continued for a certain period of time. Since the counter operates for each sale, by starting energizing the electrodes in response to the counter's operation signal, an appropriate amount of chlorine can be generated according to the sale, and there will be no excess or deficiency in the sterilizing effect.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, tap water is supplied through a water inlet valve 1 and stored in a reservoir 2 within the main body of the beverage vending machine. The water in the reservoir 2 is sent to a hot water tank, carbonator, or cooler (not shown) and is used as hot water, carbonated water, or chilled water to prepare drinks. (one cup) each. When the water level in the reservoir 2 thereby decreases, the float swine 4 operates to open the water inlet valve 1, thereby replenishing the reservoir 2 with tap water for one sale. A pair of electrodes 5 are disposed within the reservoir 2 to electrochemically convert chlorine ions contained in the stored tap water into chlorine through electrolysis. A DC voltage is applied to the electrode 5 from a power source 6, and the time for one energization is set in a timer 7. Reference numeral 8 denotes a counter for counting the number of sales, which is counted and amplified by an operation signal from the sales control device 9 every time a sale is made. This operation signal is simultaneously sent to the power source 6 to turn on the power source 6. In such a configuration, when a user presses a product selection button (not shown) of the beverage vending machine, a beverage is prepared according to a command from the vending control device 9 and poured into a cup carried out to a product outlet (not shown). Ru. Accordingly, the reservoir 2 is replenished with tap water for one sale as described above. When the sales operation is completed, the counter 8 is incremented by 1 in response to an operation signal from the sales control device 9, and at the same time, the power supply 6 starts energizing the electrode 5. When the time required to electrolyze one cup of tap water, for example 30 seconds, has elapsed, the timer 7 is activated and the electricity supply is stopped. By energizing the electrode 5, the chlorine ions CI− contained in the tap water stored in the reservoir 2 are converted to chlorine according to the following equation. 2C1-→C1z+2e As described above, in the illustrated embodiment, since energization to the electrode 5 is started by the operation signal of the counter 8, chlorine is generated appropriately according to the sales amount, and there is no excess or deficiency in the sterilizing effect. . Moreover, it can be considered that a counter is always provided in a beverage vending machine, and there is little need to newly provide a counter. [Effects of the Invention] According to this invention, chlorine is generated for a certain period of time each time it is sold, so water may become smelly due to excess or deficiency of chlorine.
On the contrary, there is no lack of bactericidal action.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Water inlet valve, 2...Reservoir, 3...Water pump, 4...Float switch, 5...Electrode, 6...
・Power supply, 7...Timer, 8...Counter, 9...
Sales control device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) A beverage vending machine in which a pair of electrodes are placed in contact with the tap water stored in the beverage vending machine, and when electricity is applied to the electrodes, chlorine ions contained in the tap water are converted to chlorine through electrolysis. A drinking water sterilization device for a beverage vending machine, characterized in that the beverage vending machine is equipped with a control means for energizing an electrode for a certain period of time based on an operation signal of a counter provided to count the number of drinks sold. Water sterilizer.