JPH11230618A - Hot drink dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To immediately feed high temperature water when necessary by raising the temperature of a liquid in a container with high speed through induction heating of a heating element, establishing a sealed state by closing a first valve through a process control unit, and promptly feeding high temperature water making use of vapor force or the like. SOLUTION: A heating element 101 consisting of a thin stainless plate having a small heat capacity is inductively heated by means of a heating coil 104. Thereafter, a process control unit 107 closes a first valve 103 at a given timing, followed by locating an outlet 2a of a second path 2 at a position upper than the upper end of a container 102. Thus, the temperature of water can be raised at a high speed, while discharging high temperature water by means of vapor energy. Accordingly, shortly after the instance a user instructed start of feeding a hot drink, boiled water is discharged from the outlet 2a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot drink dispenser for providing a hot beverage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a water heater is used as the hot drink supplier. This water heater, for example,
Water is boiled by energizing a sheath heater to drive a built-in motor, or to supply hot water to tea, coffee, black tea, etc. by boiling water.

[0003]

However, the water heater is
There is a problem that hot water cannot be supplied immediately when needed. That is, since the sheathed heater itself has a heat capacity, the electric power at the initial stage of energization is used for heating only the sheathed heater, and the heating of water is delayed.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a process control unit for inductively heating a heating element formed of a metal plate and having an electrically closed circuit housed in a container to heat the liquid in the container at a high speed. Closes the first valve to create a sealed state, utilizing the power of steam,
The hot drink supply device can supply hot water quickly.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a heating element formed of a metal plate that forms an electrically closed circuit and is housed in a container is induction-heated to rapidly raise the temperature of water in the container. Then, the stroke control unit closes the first valve to create a closed state, and the hot drink supply device can quickly supply high-temperature water using the power of steam.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hot drink supply system capable of extracting tea or coffee or tea at a high speed by passing high-temperature water along with steam through coffee or tea powder contained in an extract container. It is a container.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the stroke control section controls the cross-sectional area adjusting means to adjust the cross-sectional area of the path through which the water discharged from the container flows, so that it can be adjusted to the user's preference. It is a hot drink dispenser that can extract tea or coffee or black tea with high concentration at high speed.

According to the present invention, the scale component can be removed by the ion exchange resin provided in the path through which the water flowing into the container flows, the scale does not adhere to the heating element, and cleaning is easy. Has a hot drink dispenser.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, after the stroke control unit stops supplying the hot drink, the first valve is opened to the third path side and the second valve is closed, so that the third valve is closed. It is a hot drink supply device that can automatically supply normal-temperature water into the container from the channel and can supply hot drinks continuously.

[0010]

(Embodiment 1) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. Reference numeral 102 denotes a container through which water flows. In this embodiment, the container is made of a heat-resistant resin so as to withstand high temperatures. Container 10
The heating element 101 having the configuration shown in FIG. The heating element 101 has a thickness of 0.1 mm in this embodiment.
Uses a stainless steel plate. This stainless steel sheet is overlapped by an appropriate width to form a welded portion 101a.
・ Welded at 101b and 101c. This welding can achieve its purpose if the heating element 101 electrically forms a closed circuit, and partial spot welding is sufficient as described above. Also, there is no particular need to be concerned with welding. The heating element 1 is provided on the outer periphery of the container 101.
01 is provided with a heating coil 104 for induction heating.

A first path 1 formed by a pipe through which water to be supplied to the container 102 flows is formed at an upper portion of the container 102, and a first path 1 is formed by a pipe through which high-temperature water and steam supplied from the container 102 flow at a lower portion of the container 102. The second path 2 is connected. The first path 1 is provided with a first valve 101a. The position of the discharge port 2 a in the second path 2 is set to be higher than the upper end of the container 102.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a high-frequency power supply unit for supplying high-frequency power to the heating coil 104, and is controlled by a stroke control unit 107. The process control unit 107
In this embodiment, a microcomputer is used to control the high-frequency power supply means 105 and the first valve 103a.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. When the user instructs the supply of the hot drink using an operation means (not shown), the stroke control unit 107 operates.
That is, for example, the first valve 10 connected to the water supply
3a is opened for a predetermined time, and a predetermined amount of water is supplied into the container 101. In this embodiment, the predetermined amount is 180 cm.
^{About 3} are adopted. When confirming the supply of the predetermined amount of water, the stroke control unit 107 closes the first valve 103a,
The high frequency power supply means 105 is driven. When the high-frequency power supply unit 105 supplies high-frequency power to the heating coil 104, the heating coil 104 generates a high-frequency magnetic field. The high-frequency magnetic field is generated by the heating element 101 housed in the container 102.
Interlink with Since the heating element 101 is formed of a stainless steel plate forming a closed circuit, an eddy current flows due to linkage of a high-frequency magnetic field. Therefore, the heating element 1
01 generates Joule heat and heats a predetermined amount of water in the container.

At this time, in this embodiment, since the heating element 101 housed in the container 102 is induction-heated by the heating coil 104 and the heating element 101 is formed of a thin stainless steel plate, it has a very high thermal efficiency. Is high. That is, the stored water is always in contact with the heating element 101, and the amount of heat generated by the heating element 101 is directly transmitted to the water. Further, since the heating element 101 is made of a stainless steel plate,
The heat capacity is very small. Further, the first valve 103a is closed so that the position of the discharge port 2a of the second path 2 is higher than the upper end of the container 102. For this reason, the inside of the container 102 is in a sealed state. For these reasons, the water in the container 102 instantaneously reaches a high temperature. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the inside of the container 102 is brought into a high pressure state by the pressure of steam generated by water. Accordingly, high-temperature water is discharged from the discharge port 2a of the second path 2 together with the steam. That is, when a short time of 5 seconds elapses from the moment when the user instructs the start of the supply of the hot drink, the boiling water is discharged from the discharge port 2a.

At this time, a temperature measuring means 106 constituted by, for example, a thermistor is provided in the container 102,
If this temperature information is transmitted to the stroke control unit 107, water at a predetermined temperature can be easily discharged from the discharge port 2a.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a configuration in which the heating element 101 made of thin stainless steel having a small heat capacity is induction-heated by the heating coil 104, and the stroke control unit 1
07, the first valve 103a is closed at a predetermined timing, and the position of the discharge port 2a of the second path 2 is arranged above the upper end of the container 102, so that water can be discharged at high speed. And a hot drink dispenser capable of discharging high-temperature water using the energy of steam. In the present embodiment, the heating element 101 is induction-heated by the heating coil 105 in a non-contact manner, and has a structure suitable for disassembly and cleaning.

In this embodiment, the shape of the heating element 101 is cylindrical, but it goes without saying that the heating element 101 may have any shape as long as it forms an electric closed loop.

(Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment. In this embodiment, an extract container 301a and an extract container 301b are removably arranged below the discharge port 2a of the second path 2. The extract container 301a is capable of storing tea leaves or coffee or black tea powder. The upper portion is an opening for receiving water and steam supplied from the discharge port 2b of the second path 2. The lower part is an opening through which a hot drink that has passed through tea leaves or powder of coffee or tea passes. The extract container 301b is detachably disposed in this opening.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. When the user instructs the supply of the hot drink using the operating means (not shown), high-temperature water and steam are discharged from the discharge port 2a as in the first embodiment. The hot water and steam pass through the tea leaves or a layer of coffee or tea powder. Therefore, the hot drink supplied from the extract container 301a is tea or coffee or black tea. This hot drink is in the extract container 301
b.

At this time, according to the present embodiment, the extract container 3
The water flowing into 01a has steam at high temperature and has pressure. Therefore, the layer of the tea leaves or the powder of coffee or tea contained in the extract container 301a is a component that is extracted by high-temperature water having pressure while being steamed by steam. That is, the components are extracted at a high speed, and a hot drink having a high concentration can be obtained by the effect of steam. In this embodiment, the extract container 301a for storing tea leaves or coffee or tea powder and the extract container 301b for receiving the hot drink passed through the extract container 301a are used separately. It can be easily used as a goods container.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the discharge port 2
By arranging the extract container in a, it is possible to obtain a favorite hot drink at high speed by utilizing the pressure of steam.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. In the present embodiment, a path cross section adjusting means 401 for changing the path cross section is provided in the middle of the second path 2. The path cross-sectional area adjusting means 401 is formed of, for example, a faucet, and adjusts the cross-sectional area of the path by advancing the faucet. This adjustment is performed by a signal from the stroke control unit 107.

The operation of the embodiment will be described below. It is generally known that an extract such as coffee is extracted at a higher temperature and at a higher pressure. Therefore, in this embodiment, an operation means (not shown) is provided with an item for designating, for example, the concentration of the extract. That is,
When the user instructs the coffee having a high density, the stroke control unit 107 drives the path cross-sectional area adjusting means 401 to reduce the cross-sectional area of the second path 2 and is discharged from the discharge port 2a. It increases the pressure of hot water. Thus, the user can obtain a strong coffee.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the discharge pressure of water passing through the extract can be adjusted by using the path cross-sectional area adjusting means 401, and the density of the water according to the user's preference can be adjusted. A hot drink dispenser capable of providing a beverage is realized.

(Embodiment 4) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the ion exchange resin 501 is disposed in the first path 1. That is, container 1
Water supplied to 02 is ion-exchanged water that has passed through the ion-exchange resin 501.

Calcium carbonate dissolved in water precipitates when the solubility of water decreases and adheres as a scale to a pipe wall or the like in a flow path. According to this embodiment, since water which has been ion-exchanged using the ion-exchange resin 501 in advance is used, calcium dissolved in water in the form of ions is removed. It can prevent the scale from depositing and adhering.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the heating element 1
01 can prevent the scale from depositing and adhering,
It is possible to provide a hot drink dispenser with a configuration that is easy to clean.

(Embodiment 5) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the first valve 103 is a three-way valve, and the third path 3 is connected to this three-way valve. The end of the third path 3 is immersed in a container 4 containing a liquid such as tap water. That is, the first valve 103
The route can be switched between a water supply route, a route closed, and a route opened. The third path 3 is connected to a water supply path. The first path 1 to be supplied to the container 102 described in the first embodiment is connected to the path open side.

The operation of the embodiment will be described below. The present embodiment has a configuration in which the supply of the hot drink described in the first to fourth embodiments can be continuously performed any number of times. That is, when a predetermined time of about 5 seconds elapses after the process control unit 107 instructs the supply of the hot drink, the high-frequency power supply unit 107 is stopped, the second valve 601 is closed, and the first valve 601 is closed. The valve 103
Is controlled to the liquid supply side. When the operation of the high-frequency power supply means 105 is stopped, the steam in the container 102 is cooled and returns to water. Therefore container 1
The pressure in 02 drops sharply and approaches vacuum. At this time, when the stroke control unit 107 simultaneously switches the first valve 103 to the liquid supply side instead of the path closed side, the third path 3 sucks the normal-temperature water contained in the container 4 and 102.

In this state, when the user again instructs the supply of the hot drink using the operating means (not shown),
The hot drink is discharged from the discharge port 2a in the same manner as described in each embodiment.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a hot drink dispenser capable of continuously supplying hot drinks any number of times.

[0032]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a container connecting the first path into which water flows in and the second path through which water flows out, and an electrically closed circuit housed in the container are formed. A heating element formed of a metal plate, a heating coil provided outside the container for induction heating the heating element, a first valve provided in the first path, and a high-frequency power supply to the heating coil High-frequency power supply means, comprising a high-frequency power supply means and a stroke control unit for controlling the operation timing of the first valve and the second valve, the position of the outlet of the pipe constituting the second path of the container A hot drink dispenser that can quickly supply high-temperature water by utilizing the power of steam is realized as a configuration that is higher than the upper end.

[0033] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heating element formed of a metal plate housed in a container and constituting an electrically closed circuit, and a heating coil provided outside the container for inductively heating the heating element. A first path through which water connected to the container flows, a second path through which water flows out with the position of the discharge port connected to the container above the upper end of the container, and the first path. A first valve provided in the path, a high-frequency power supply unit for supplying high-frequency power to the heating coil, a stroke control unit for controlling operation timing of the high-frequency power supply unit and the first valve, and the second control unit; A hot drink dispenser capable of extracting tea or coffee or black tea at a high speed is realized as a configuration including an extract container for storing tea leaves or coffee or black tea powder provided below a discharge port of a passage.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the second path is provided with a path cross-sectional area adjusting means for adjusting a cross-sectional area of the second path, so that the tea or tea having a concentration suitable for the user's preference is provided. It is intended to realize a hot drink dispenser that can extract coffee and tea at high speed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hot drink dispenser in which the scale is not attached to the heating element and the cleaning is easy, in which the ion exchange resin is provided in the first path. It is.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container having a first path through which water flows in and a second path through which water flows out, and a metal plate which is housed in the container and forms an electrically closed circuit. A heating element formed on the outside of the container for induction heating the heating element, a first valve provided on the first path, and a second valve provided on the second path. A valve, a high-frequency power supply unit that supplies high-frequency power to the heating coil, a stroke control unit that controls operation timings of the high-frequency power supply unit, the first valve, and the second valve; and As a configuration having a third path connected thereto, a hot drink supply device capable of continuously supplying hot drink is realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a hot drink dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the heating element.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a hot drink dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a hot drink dispenser according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a hot drink dispenser according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a hot drink dispenser according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st path 2 2nd path 2a Discharge port 3 3rd path 4 Container 101 Heating element 102 Container 103 First valve 104 Heating coil 105 High frequency power supply means 106 Temperature measuring means 107 Process control unit 201 Stainless steel plate Heating element 301a Extraction container 301b Extraction container 401 Path cross-sectional area adjusting means 501 Ion exchange resin 601 Second valve

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Hidekazu Yamashita 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A container connecting a first path into which water flows in and a second path through which water flows out, a heating element formed of a metal plate constituting an electrically closed circuit and housed in the container; A heating coil provided outside the container for induction heating the heating element, a first valve provided in the first path, and high-frequency power supply means for supplying high-frequency power to the heating coil;
A hot drink dispenser comprising the high-frequency power supply means and a stroke control unit for controlling operation timing of a first valve, wherein a discharge port of a pipe constituting a second path is positioned above an upper end of a container. 2. A heating element formed of a metal plate constituting an electrically closed circuit housed in a container, a heating coil provided outside the container for inductively heating the heating element, and connected to the container. A first path through which water flows in, a second path through which water flows out with the position of the discharge port connected to the container above the upper end of the container, and a first path provided in the first path. A valve, a high-frequency power supply for supplying high-frequency power to the heating coil, a stroke control unit for controlling the operation timing of the high-frequency power supply and the first valve, and a lower portion of the discharge port of the second path. A hot drink dispenser equipped with an extract container for holding tea leaves or coffee or tea powder provided. 3. The hot drink dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the second path includes a path cross-sectional area adjusting means for adjusting a cross-sectional area of the second path. 4. The hot drink dispenser according to claim 1, wherein an ion exchange resin is provided in the first path. 5. A container connecting a first path into which water flows in and a second path through which water flows out, and a heating element formed of a metal plate that forms an electrically closed circuit and is housed in the container. A heating coil provided on the outside of the container for induction heating the heating element, a first valve provided on the first path, a second valve provided on the second path, High-frequency power supply means for supplying high-frequency power, a stroke control unit for controlling the operation timing of the high-frequency power supply means and the first valve and the second valve, and a third path connected to the first valve Hot drink dispenser with.