JPH0870996A - Constant temperature tank device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent drop of the water temp. resulting from water supply to a hot water storage tank using a heater having a small capacity. CONSTITUTION: A water supply tank is installed over a hot water storage tank which is equipped internally with a heater, and water is supplied from the water supply tank to the hot water storage tank by the action of the gravitational force. In the hot water storage tank, a refilling cup 37 is installed. which is consolidated with a float 38, and the cup 37 is arranged so as to swing in compliance with the water level in the hot water storage tank. The cup 37 is provided at the side face with an overflow edge 40 notched at a higher level side and a thin hole 41 which opens at a lower level than the edge, and thereby a slow water supply is made from the thin hole 41 when the level in the hot water storage tank lies near the reference level, while quick water supply is made from both the edge 40 and hole 41 when the level has sunk much under the reference level. Accordingly the heating is conducted while the supply water is received bit by bit under normal service condition, so that a steep temp. falling can be prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a constant temperature tank device which stores a liquid in a receiving side tank while maintaining the liquid at a predetermined temperature.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a beverage dispenser, a hot water storage tank is installed in the body of the dispenser, and a certain amount of hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank. When the user turns on the "tea" button, Tea can be extracted by supplying a certain amount of powdered tea from the canister to the mixing bowl and at the same time pouring hot water from the hot water storage tank into the mixing bowl. Since this type of device is intended for use by a large number of people, a sufficient amount of hot water must be kept in the hot water storage tank at a temperature suitable for drinking (about 65 to 90 ° C.). For example, considering the case where tea or hot water is frequently poured out within a short time, in this case, the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank decreases, and if the water level drops to a predetermined level, this Water is detected by water level detection means such as a sensor, and water is supplied from a water tank or tap water. Then, when the water level in the hot water storage tank is restored to the predetermined reference water level, the supply from the water supply tank or the like is stopped based on the signal from the water level detection means. When new water is supplied, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank drops, so the heater in the hot water tank is energized based on the signal from the water temperature sensor, and the water in the hot water tank is reheated to a predetermined temperature. .

[0003]

However, in the above configuration, when the water level in the hot water storage tank drops to a certain level, a large amount of water is replenished at once from here to the reference water level, so the water in the hot water storage tank is It drops rapidly. Therefore, even if the heater is reheated, it takes a considerable time to recover the temperature suitable for drinking. Therefore, the use of the device itself is restricted within the time required for recovery. If this problem is addressed by increasing the heating capacity of the heater, the power supply capacity and power consumption will increase, which is not a good idea. The present invention has been devised and devised in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a constant temperature tank which realizes prevention of liquid temperature decrease due to replenishment to the receiving side tank by a small heating or cooling means. It is to provide a device.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the structure of the invention of claim 1 is a supply side tank for storing a liquid and a receiving side for heating or cooling the liquid by a heating means or a cooling means. A constant temperature tank device comprising a tank and a replenishing device for supplying liquid from the supply side tank to the receiving side tank to restore the liquid level in the receiving side tank to a preset reference level. The replenishing device is set to be variable according to the liquid level in the receiving tank so that the liquid replenishing amount to the receiving tank is small when the liquid level is close to the reference level and large when the liquid level is far from the reference level. It is characterized by being.

Further, the invention of claim 2 is a supply side tank for storing liquid, a receiving side tank for heating or cooling the liquid by a heating means or a cooling means, and a receiving side tank by the action of gravity from the supply side tank. A constant temperature tank device comprising: a replenishing device that supplies liquid to the receiving side tank to restore the liquid level in the receiving side tank to a preset reference level, wherein the replenishing device is in the receiving side tank. The replenishment cup is disposed below the outlet of the supply side tank so as to be swingable in a vertical plane, and the replenishment cup is capable of increasing and decreasing the liquid replenishment amount according to the swing angle. And a float for detecting the liquid level in the receiving tank is attached to the replenishing cup.

Further, in the invention of claim 3, the supply side tank for storing the liquid, the receiving side tank for heating the liquid by the heating means, and the supply of the liquid from the supplying side tank to the receiving side tank by the action of gravity. A constant temperature tank device having a replenishing device for performing the operation to restore the liquid level in the receiving side tank to a preset reference level, wherein a heat shield is provided between the supply side tank and the receiving side tank. It is characterized in that the body is interposed.

[0007]

In the first aspect of the invention, when the liquid level in the receiving side tank falls below the reference level, the replenishing device replenishes the receiving side tank with liquid from the supplying side tank.
In this case, if the difference between the current liquid surface level of the receiving side tank and the reference level is small, a small amount of replenishment is made, and the liquid temperature change in the receiving side tank can be small. Therefore, the liquid temperature in the water storage tank is quickly recovered by the heating means or the cooling means.

When the liquid level in the hot water storage tank is extremely low, such as in an empty state, a large amount of liquid is replenished from the replenishing device, so that the liquid can be replenished in a short time up to a certain level. . Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the float is integrally assembled to the supply cup, when the float rises and falls due to the change in the liquid level, the swinging posture of the supply cup changes in conjunction with this. . As a result, the liquid replenishing unit replenishes the hot water storage tank with an amount of liquid according to the swinging posture of the replenishing cup. Further, according to the invention of claim 3, since the heat shield is interposed between the supply side tank and the reception side tank, direct heat convection does not occur between both tanks.

[0009]

The effects of the present invention are as follows. According to the invention of claim 1, even if the liquid surface level of the receiving side tank fluctuates within a range close to the reference level, the replenishment is made according to the liquid surface level. Therefore, the liquid temperature fluctuation in the hot water storage tank Can be reduced, and thus the original liquid temperature can be quickly returned to by the small heating or cooling means. Further, according to the invention of claim 2, in addition to exhibiting the same effect as that of the invention of claim 1, the device for detecting the liquid level and adjusting the liquid supply amount is unitized. Therefore, it can be excellent in handling and cost.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, since the heat shield is interposed between both tanks, the heat loss from the receiving side tank is reduced, so that the thermal efficiency is improved.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the beverage dispenser of this example, which is used while being placed on a table (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, this beverage dispenser is composed of a dispenser body 1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as body 1) and a front door 2 which is mounted on the front surface of the dispenser body by a hinge so as to be openable and closable. As shown in FIG. 1, the front door 2 is provided with an operation panel 5 provided with buttons for pouring operation (the button 3 for tea and the button 4 for hot water in this example) or display lamps on the front upper part thereof. There is. Also, front door 2
A pouring portion 6 is formed in the lower part of the concave portion, and a receiving tray 7 on which a cup or the like can be placed is provided on the lower surface thereof. Saucer 7
The drain pan 8 is formed in the shape of a ladder and is detachably mounted below the drain pan 8.

A canister 9 for storing powdered tea is arranged in an upper portion of the main body 1, and a tip end side of a bottom portion of the canister 9 is attached so as to project toward the front door 2. The canister 9 is formed in a funnel shape that is narrow in the left-right direction toward the device and in the front-rear direction, and has a bottom portion that projects toward the front door 2 and an outlet (not shown) at the tip. Is normally covered with an opening / closing lid 10 which is opened / closed by a solenoid SOL. The opening / closing lid 10 has a heater H1 for drying the powdered tea in the canister 9.
(Flat heating element) is built in, and it is energized by turning on the power to the equipment. However, as the heater H1, a heater having a characteristic that the resistance value rapidly increases when the temperature exceeds a certain temperature due to a temperature rise accompanying energization is used.

The opening / closing lid 10 is the button 3 for tea described above.
Although it is not shown in detail, a screw device provided inside allows a certain amount of powdered tea to be dropped and supplied from the discharge port. However, the screw device is driven by the motor M in FIG. 13 and for the time (T1) time set in the timer T1M. On the other hand, a funnel-shaped guide 11 is attached to the central portion of the inner surface of the front door 2 and below the opening / closing lid 10, and the powder tea from a discharge port (not shown) of the canister 9 is supplied. It can be received and guided to the mixing bowl 12. The mixing bowl 12 is arranged on the inner surface of the front door 2 and directly below the guide 11. The tip of a hot water supply pipe 14 communicating with a hot water storage tank 13 to be described later faces here, and the canister 9 is passed through the guide 11 in the mixing bowl 12.
The powdered tea supplied from is dissolved and mixed in hot water. However, the opening area of the spout formed at the lower end of the mixing bowl 12 is narrowed, and the pouring speed from the spout is slower than the hot water supply speed from the hot water supply pipe 14.

Next, the water supply tank 15 (supply side tank) and the hot water storage tank 13 (reception side tank) will be described. First, the hot water storage tank 13 will be described.
3 is formed of a stainless steel plate into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having an open top surface, and a bracket 13a is formed on the bottom surface of the main body 1.
Is fixed through. Further, the hot water storage tank 13 accommodates an electric heater H2 (immersion type sheathed heater) for heating the water in the tank 13 below the inside thereof. On the front surface of the tank 13, terminals for supplying power to the heater H2 and three thermostats TH1 to TH for detecting hot water temperature are shown.
The terminal corresponding to 3 is projected. These terminals are shown in Figure 1.
The heater H2 is connected to an electric circuit as shown in FIG. 3 to control the energization of the heater H2 according to the amount of water in the hot water storage tank 13, the hot water temperature, and the like. The above-mentioned three thermostats TH1 to TH3 are respectively for detecting the empty heating, for detecting the upper limit temperature, and for detecting the lower limit temperature. In this embodiment, the temperature is set to 105 ° C, 90 ° C, and 65 ° C, respectively.

Further, a limit switch S1 is mounted on the front surface of the hot water storage tank 13 via a mounting piece 16 so that the water level in the tank 13 becomes a constant level (a level slightly higher than the position where the heater H2 is provided). The contact is switched so that the heater H2 is energized when the temperature reaches (this point will be described in detail later). Although not shown in the drawing, the hot water storage tank 13 is covered with a heat insulating material except the upper surface side. Further, the lower rear side of the hot water storage tank 13 is cut out in a step shape, and a pump 17 for pumping up the hot water in the hot water storage tank 13 and guiding it to the mixing bowl 12 is attached to the hot water / tea The time set on the timer T2M (T2> T
It is designed to drive only 1). This pumping pump 1
7, the inflow port of the hot water storage tank 13 is opened, and the hot water supply pipe 14 is connected to the discharge port. The hot water supply pipe 14 is laid along the side wall of the main body 1, and is connected to the front door 2 by a hose 18 having flexibility and heat resistance and extends to the mixing bowl 12.

The upper surface of the hot water storage tank 13 is covered with a tank cover 19 and is fastened with screws or the like. A circular insertion hole 20 is opened at a position on the upper surface of the tank cover 19 and closer to the front, and a supporting frame 21 for supporting the water supply tank 15 side is attached so as to surround the insertion hole 20. The support frame 21 projects in a rectangular shape with a predetermined height and is formed to have substantially the same width as the tank cover 19. Further, a projecting plate 23 for fixing a tank cradle 22 described later is provided on the front edge of the support frame 21.
Is mounted so as to extend over its entire width and project forward.

As described above, the water supply tank 15 is supported on the support frame 21 via the tank cradle 22, that is, the water supply tank 15 is directly connected to the hot water storage tank 13 side by the tank cradle 22. Since it is not exposed to hot air (heat shield state) and a fixed heat insulating space is held by the support frame 21, the water supply tank 15 is as hard as possible to be affected by heat from the hot water storage tank 13. . Further, as a path for transmitting the hot air in the hot water storage tank 13 to the water supply tank 15 side, a path through the water supply cylinder 25 and the valve cap 27 can be considered, but in this example, this portion is covered with the replenishing cup 37. Therefore, this also improves the heat insulating property. Now,
The water supply tank 15 is also formed of a stainless steel plate into a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and a handle 24 for detaching operation is provided on the front surface thereof. On the front side of the bottom surface of the water supply tank 15, a water supply cylinder 25 communicating with the inside of the tank 15 is formed so as to hang down. A screw is engraved on the outer peripheral surface of the water supply cylinder 25, and a valve cap 27 having a valve 26 incorporated therein is screwed in a sealed state with a packing 28 interposed. The valve cap 27 is a tank cover 19
It is formed so that it can be inserted into the insertion hole 20 with sufficient clearance. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the central portion of the bottom surface of the valve cap 27 bulges into a cylindrical shape to stand upright as a convex portion 29, and an outlet 30 is concentrically opened on the upper surface of the convex portion 29. There is. A valve 26 for opening and closing the outlet 30 is housed in the valve cap 27. The valve 26 is composed of a valve body 26a and a valve shaft 26b that penetrates the valve body 26a coaxially. There is. Further, a spring 26c is fastened to the valve shaft 26b, and the spring 26c is interposed between a spring receiver 26d extending to the lower end of the valve shaft 26b and a portion around the outflow port 30 of the convex portion 29. 26
The whole is urged in the pull-down direction so that the outlet 30 is closed by a. The tank cradle 22 is formed so that the water supply tank 15 can be placed thereon, and a relief recess 31 for avoiding interference with the water supply cylinder 25 and the valve cap 27 is provided in the front portion of the tank cradle 22 to open the front edge of the tank cradle 22. The notch is formed as described above. The rear edge of the escape recess 31 is bent downward at a substantially right angle to form a hooking edge 32, which can be locked to the corresponding inner wall surface of the support frame 19. On the other hand, a pair of guide pieces 33 for guiding the attachment / detachment operation of the water supply tank 15 are erected on both sides of the escape recess 31 at the front edge of the tank cradle 22. Each of the guide pieces 33 is formed in an inverted U shape, and its free end side extends further downward than the lower surface position of the tank receiving base 22 and can be screwed to the above-mentioned overhanging plate 23 of the tank cover 19. Has become. Further, the tops of the two guide pieces 33 serve as guide surfaces 33a for sliding or pulling out the lower surface of the water supply tank 15 when the water supply tank 15 is attached or detached. Also,
The inner surface sides of both guide pieces 33 together with the stopper edge 34 formed by bending at the rear edge of the tank pedestal 22 are connected to the water tank 15.
And functions as a restriction surface 33b for positioning.

A valve opener 35 for holding the valve 26 in an open state is fixed near the insertion hole 20 on the lower surface of the tank cover 19. The valve opener 35 is formed in a substantially L-shape as a whole, and its tip is bent upward to form a push-up piece 35a. As shown in FIG. 9, the push-up piece 35a serves to push up the valve 26 as a whole so as to push up the spring bearing 26d of the valve 26 to open the outlet 30 as shown in FIG. is there. Further, a water supply amount adjusting unit 36 with a float as shown in FIG. 8 is attached to the valve opener 35.

The water supply amount adjusting unit 36 with a float is provided with a replenishing cup 37 as a replenishing device for replenishing water from the water supply tank 15 to the hot water storage tank 13, and the replenishing cup 37 opens upward and flows. This is for once receiving the water dropped from the outlet 30 and supplying the water into the hot water storage tank 13 while adjusting the flow rate. That is, one end of the arm 38a, to which the float 38 is attached, is fixed to the lower surface of the replenishing cup 37, and the support pin 39 swings against the side surface of the valve opener 35 with the valve opener 35 accommodated therein. It is movably supported. As a result, the replenishing cup 37 is in a balance setting in which one side of the upper edge of the replenishing cup 37 is in contact with the lower surface of the tank cover 19 when the hot water storage tank 13 is empty. Further, of the upper edge of the replenishing cup 37, the side opposite to the side in contact with the tank cover 19 is cut out in a substantially U-shape to form an overflow edge 40. The overflow edge 40 overflows the water in the replenishing cup 37 when the water level in the hot water storage tank 13 is below a certain level, and enables rapid water supply together with the pores 41 described below. On the surface on the side where the overflow edge 40 is provided, the pores 41 penetrating lower than the overflow edge 40 enable slow water supply when the water level in the hot water storage tank 13 is within a certain level range. This is to prevent the temperature from dropping sharply. Further, in the replenishing cup 37, a support shaft 42 projects from the surface on the side opposite to the side where the support pin 39 is inserted, and the support pin 39 is hooked in the locking groove 43 cut out at the upper edge of the hot water storage tank 13. It also supports the replenishing cup 37. The tip of the support shaft 42 projects to the outside of the hot water storage tank 13, and a movable piece 44 is attached to the tip. The movable piece 44 extends obliquely forward along the side surface of the hot water storage tank 13,
The limit switch S1 can be opened and closed depending on the swinging posture of the hot water storage tank 13, that is, at a position where the water level of the hot water storage tank 13 is slightly higher than the height at which the heater H2 is provided.

When the water supply tank 15 is set as described above, the water supply cylinder 25 (valve cap 27)
The tip end of the is inserted into the supply cup 37. Then, until the water level in the hot water storage tank 13 rises to the level (L2 level) shown in FIG. 11, the height position of the overflow edge 40 is lower than the height position of the lower end of the water supply pipe 25. Therefore, due to the water head difference during this period, water is supplied to the hot water storage tank 13 by the overflow edge 40 and the pores 41. Then, after the head difference between the overflow edge 40 and the water supply cylinder 25 side disappears, the water supply operation from the overflow edge 40 stops, and thereafter, the pores 41 up to the L3 level shown in FIG.
Water will be supplied through. In other words, this L3
This means that the level is the standard water level that should be restored. Also L
Level 2 means that the beverage dispenser is expected to be used in the most severe conditions (for example, at the beginning of the morning, at least 20 continuous cups are dispensed at a speed of about 4 cups per minute, and later thereafter). When a constant amount is poured at a certain speed), water is supplied from the pores 41 while a constant amount (in the above example, a continuous amount of 20% at the above speed) is supplied.
It is the level that will drop to here even if the amount of the cup poured out) is poured.

Therefore, the heater H2 of the hot water storage tank 13
The heat supply amount due to is set so that this condition can be cleared. That is, the amount of heat supplied by the heater H2 of the hot water storage tank 13 is the average amount of replenished water per unit time from the pores 41 (strictly, the amount of water replenished from the pores 41 changes depending on the inclination angle of the replenishing cup 37). .) Is not set to raise the temperature to a temperature suitable for drinks, and is set smaller than this. Specifically, the temperature range suitable for empirically known beverages is about 65 to 90 ° C., and water is supplied from the pores 41 in the initial state where the water temperature is maintained at about 90 ° C. at the reference water level. While doing the above 2
Even if the water is poured out under the condition of 0 cup, the water temperature of at least 65 ° C or higher is secured after pouring 20 cups.

Next, the function and effect of the present example configured as described above will be specifically described. First, when the device is powered on, the power lamp L1 is turned on and the drying heater H1 in the canister 9 is energized.
The powdered tea near the outlet of the canister 9 is kept dry. At this time, the water level in the hot water storage tank 13 is shown in FIG.
If the L1 level shown in 0, that is, lower than the heater H2, the replenishing cup 37 is in the most inclined state and the movable piece 44 is in contact with the limit switch S1, that is, the limit switch S1 is in the open state. is there. Therefore, since the relay X1 does not operate and the contact X11 is in the open state, the heater H2 in the hot water storage tank 13 is not energized. However, when the water level in the hot water storage tank 13 exceeds the L1 level, the movable piece 44 separates from the limit switch S1, so the relay X1 is excited and the contact X is reached.
Since 11 is closed, the heater H2 is energized and the water in the hot water storage tank 13 is heated.

The water temperature in the hot water storage tank 13 is about 65.
When reaching ℃, thermostat TH3 for lower limit temperature detection
The appropriate temperature lamp L2 lights up. After that, heater H2
However, when the water temperature in the hot water storage tank 13 reaches about 90 ° C., the energization of the heater H2 is stopped by the operation of the thermostat TH2 for detecting the upper limit temperature. By the way, in a normal state, the inside of the hot water storage tank 13 is maintained at the reference water level and at a water temperature of about 90 ° C. At this time, when the brown button 3 is operated to close the switch S2, the relay X3 is excited and the contact X31 is closed, so that the relay X3 is kept in the excited state. As a result, the solenoid SOL is excited, so that the opening / closing lid 10 rotates upward and the discharge port is opened. At the same time, since the motor M of the canister 9 is driven, a certain amount of powdered tea dropped from the outlet passes through the guide 11 and the mixing bowl 12
Is supplied to.

When the relay X3 is excited, the contact X3 is simultaneously released.
Since No. 2 is closed, the pumping pump 17 starts driving.
As a result, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 13 is pumped up and poured into the mixing bowl 12 through the hot water supply pipe 14. Then, when the timer T1M times out, the switch S4 is opened, the motor M of the screw device is stopped, the solenoid SOL is demagnetized, and the opening / closing lid 10 closes the discharge port. However, even if the timer T1M has timed out, the timer T2M has not yet timed up and the hot water supply operation by the pump 17 is still continuing. Therefore, the powdered tea in the mixing bowl 12 is completely dissolved and mixed, and is used for beverages. It becomes tea and is extracted. Then, when the timer T2M also times out, the timer contact T2M1 is opened and the energization of the pump 17 is stopped to complete the tea pouring operation. In addition, since the timer contact T2M2 is closed and the relay X4 is excited by the time-out of the timer T2M, the contact X41 is opened and the relay X4 is opened.
Degauss 3.

On the other hand, when only hot water is desired, the hot water button 4 is operated. As long as this button operation is continued, the switch S3 is closed and the hot water pump 17 performs the hot water supply operation, and hot water is continuously discharged through the hot water supply pipe 14 and the mixing bowl 12. At this time, in this embodiment, since the resistance R is connected in series to the pumping pump 17, the capacity of the pumping pump 17 is suppressed more than when the tea is extracted. This is because when the powdered tea is dissolved in the mixing bowl 12, it is desirable that the rate of hot water supply to the mixing bowl 12 is faster. Since hot water is continuously supplied while this is operating the hot water button 4, if hot water is flowing out for a relatively long time, the hot water will flow out of the mixing bowl 12 beyond the outflow capability of the mixing bowl 12. There is concern that it will overflow. In order to prevent this, the capacity of the pump 17 is reduced.

Now, from the state where the inside of the hot water storage tank 13 is maintained at about 90 ° C. and the reference water level (L3 level), 20 cups are continuously poured out at a rate of 4 cups per minute as described above. When such a hot water supply operation is performed, the water level in the hot water storage tank 13 immediately begins to drop with the start of pouring. Along with this, the float 38 is lowered, so that the supply cup 37 is tilted in conjunction with it. Then, a water head difference occurs between the pore 41 and the water supply cylinder 25 side, so that the water in the replenishing cup 37 flows out through the pore 41. In this case, since the average water supply speed from the pores 41 exceeds the pouring speed lost from the hot water storage tank 13 as described above, the water level in the hot water storage tank 13 is gradually increased when the pouring operation continues. It decreases. However, unlike the conventional case, the water supply operation is performed as soon as the water level in the hot water storage tank 13 starts to drop below the reference water level, and since the water is slowly supplied from the pores 41, the decrease in the water temperature in the hot water storage tank 13 is suppressed as much as possible. ing. Therefore, even if the heating capacity of the heater H2 provided in the hot water storage tank 13 is small as in this example, the water temperature after pouring 20 continuous cups is lower than the initial temperature (about 90 ° C). However, at least within the range suitable for beverages (about 6
It can be kept at about 5 ° C). Therefore, if the settings are set so that the severe conditions for such a beverage dispenser can be cleared, it is possible to recover the temperature suitable for the beverage in a short time under normal usage conditions, and maintain the standard water level. Therefore, it is in a situation where continuous supply can be supported from the normal time.

Since the capacity of the heater H2 is small in this way, it is possible to use a general household power source. Further, in this embodiment, since the tank pedestal 22 is interposed between the water supply tank 15 and the hot water storage tank 13, this functions as a shield against the heat from the hot water storage tank 13, so that the heat from the hot water storage tank 13 Losses are mitigated. Therefore, also by this, the heat capacity of the heater H2 can be made small, and power saving can be expected by improving the thermal efficiency. In addition, water tank 1
Since the heat transfer to 5 is suppressed, the surface temperature of the tank surface and the handle 24 and the like can be suppressed to a low level, which improves the usability for the user. When the water level in the hot water storage tank 13 falls below the L2 level, the replenishment cup 3
The inclination angle of 7 becomes larger, the overflow edge 40 and the water bottle 2
There is a level difference between the 5th side and the 5th side. Then, this becomes a water head difference, and the water in the replenishing cup 37 flows out not only from the pores 41 but also from the overflow edge 40, so that rapid water supply is performed. In such a situation, the water temperature in the hot water storage tank 13 is expected to fall below the optimum temperature, but since the optimum temperature lamp L2 is turned off by the optimum temperature detection thermostat TH3, the user is required to wait for the dispenser. Recognize.

From the water supply tank 15 to the hot water storage tank 13
In the case of setting the water supply tank 15 when the hot water storage tank 13 is empty, the lower surface of the water supply tank 15 is placed on the guide surfaces 33a of both guide pieces 33 and pushed in as it is. During this time, the water supply tank 15 is pushed in with its rear end supported on the tank pedestal 22 and its lower front surface on the guide surface 33a, with the front side lifted as a whole. When the rear edge of the water tank 15 reaches the stopper edge 34, the water tank 1
Since 5 passes through both guide pieces 33, the water supply tank 15 is positioned by these tank holders 22
Therefore, the water supply cylinder 25 and the valve cap 27 are automatically fitted into the insertion hole 20 and inserted into the inside. When the water supply tank 15 is set in this manner, the valve is pushed up by the push-up piece 35a of the valve opener 35 and the outlet 30 is opened, so that the water supply tank 15
The water inside flows out to the replenishment cup 37 in the hot water storage tank 13 through the outflow port 30.

At this time, if the hot water storage tank 13 is empty, the supply cup 37 is in the most inclined state as shown in FIG. Rapid water supply is provided through the holes 41.
As a result, when the water level in the hot water storage tank 13 rises to the L1 level, that is, when the water level exceeds the heater H2, the limit switch S1 is switched by the movable piece 44, as described above. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the replenishing cup 37 is capable of adjusting the flow rate in two steps. Therefore, by supplying water quickly when the water level is below a certain level, the timing at which the heater H2 can be energized is shortened. It is possible to shorten the time until the device becomes usable as a dispenser. In case of a sudden increase in the frequency of tea supply or hot water supply, such as in the morning or at mealtime, the temperature is usually kept at the upper limit of the optimum temperature range and continuous pouring is performed. During this period, the slow water supply is continued below the pouring amount and slightly exceeding the capacity of the heater H2, so that a predetermined number of cups can be continuously poured out within an appropriate temperature range. That is, since the continuous pouring capacity can be increased as compared with the conventional hot water storage tank having the same capacity, conversely, the hot water storage tank 13 can be downsized. Further, the capacity of the heater H2 in the hot water storage tank 13 can be made small, and power saving can be achieved. This effect becomes more effective by interposing the tank cradle 22 between both tanks so as to shield the heat.

Further, in this example, by integrating the replenishing cup 37 and the float 38, it is possible to directly perform the operation of switching the replenishing flow rate in association with the floating and sinking of the float 38, and in terms of handling and manufacturing cost. It is also advantageous from. The present invention can be modified in various ways, and the following modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In this embodiment, the case where the heater H2 is provided in the tank is shown, but the present invention can also be applied to the case where the cooling device is mounted. Although the flow rate adjustment of the replenishing cup 37 can be switched in two stages in this embodiment, the replenishment location may be set in multiple stages so that the replenishment cup 37 can be switched in more stages.

[Brief description of drawings]

1] Front view of a beverage dispenser

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the internal structure.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state in which a front door is omitted.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which a front door is opened.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a water supply tank.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a tank pedestal.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a hot water storage tank and a cover plate.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a water supply adjusting unit with a float.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the periphery of the valve.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a partially broken operation of the float when the hot water storage tank is at the L1 level.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a partially broken operation of the float when the hot water storage tank is at the L2 level.

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing a partially broken operation of the float when the hot water storage tank is at the L3 level.

FIG. 13 is an electric circuit diagram.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart for explaining a hot water supply operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

13 ... Hot water storage tank 14 ... Hot water supply piping 15 ... Water supply tank 17 ... Pumping pump 22 ... Tank cradle 36 ... Floating water supply amount adjusting unit 37 ... Replenishing cup 38 ... Float 40 ...
Overflow edge 41 ... Pore H2 ... Heater

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Nobutaka Naruse 16-3 Hoshizaki South Building, Sakaemachi South Building, Toyoake City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Hoshizaki Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A supply side tank for storing a liquid, a receiving side tank for heating or cooling the liquid by a heating means or a cooling means, and a receiving side for supplying the liquid from the supply side tank to the receiving side tank. A constant temperature tank device comprising a replenishing device for recovering a liquid level in a tank to a preset reference level, wherein the replenishing device is a replenishing amount of liquid to a receiving side tank,
A constant temperature tank device, which is variably set according to the liquid level in the receiving tank so that the liquid level is small when the liquid level is close to the reference level and large when the liquid level is far from the reference level. 2. A supply side tank for storing a liquid, a receiving side tank for heating or cooling the liquid by a heating means or a cooling means, and a liquid supply from the supply side tank to the receiving side tank by the action of gravity. A constant temperature tank device having a replenishing device for recovering the liquid level in the receiving side tank to a preset reference level, wherein the replenishing device is a flow of the supply side tank in the receiving side tank. The replenishing cup is arranged below the outlet so as to be swingable in a vertical plane, and the replenishing cup is formed with a liquid replenishing portion capable of increasing or decreasing the liquid replenishing amount according to the swing angle. A constant temperature tank device, wherein a float for detecting the liquid level in the receiving side tank is attached to the replenishing cup. 3. A supply side tank for storing a liquid, a receiving side tank for heating the liquid by a heating means, and a receiving side tank for supplying the liquid from the supply side tank to the receiving side tank by the action of gravity. A constant temperature tank device having a replenishing device for recovering the liquid surface level of the tank to a preset reference level, wherein a heat shield is interposed between the supply side tank and the receiving side tank. A constant temperature tank device characterized in that