Water server

Abstract

To provide a water server capable of suppressing breeding of saprophyte on a cold water discharge port of a cold water faucet.SOLUTION: A water server has a cold water faucet 2 which has a cold water flow path 17 in the faucet for introducing cold water from a cold water discharge port 13, a cold water on-off valve 18 provided at a midway of the cold water flow path 17 in the faucet, and a cold water discharge port 5 which opens to an outside at a downstream end of the cold water flow path 17 in the faucet, and further has a hot water path 27 for sterilizing the discharge port which merges into the part of the cold water flow path 17 in the faucet between the cold water on-off valve 18 and the cold water discharge port 5. The cold water discharge port 5 can be sterilized with hot water supplied from the hot water path 27 for sterilizing the discharge port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water server. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, water servers have been mainly used in offices and hospitals, but in recent years, water servers are becoming more common in ordinary homes due to growing interest in water safety and health. A water server generally has a housing, a cold water tank and a hot water tank arranged inside the housing, a cold water faucet and a hot water faucet arranged on the front side of the housing, a cold water outlet conduit that communicates between the cold water faucet and the cold water tank, and a hot water outlet conduit that communicates between the hot water faucet and the hot water tank, and by selectively opening the cold water faucet and the hot water faucet, delicious cold water or hot water can be used immediately at any time (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-166862 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-233937 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The cold water faucet of a water server has a cold water flow path within the faucet that introduces cold water from a cold water outlet conduit, a cold water on-off valve provided midway through the cold water flow path within the faucet, and a cold water outlet that opens to the outside at the downstream end of the cold water flow path within the faucet.

[0005] Here, the part of the cold water flow path in the faucet that is upstream of the cold water on-off valve is always filled with water, so it is not exposed to air and is difficult for bacteria to grow. In contrast, the part of the cold water flow path in the faucet that is downstream of the cold water on-off valve, especially the cold water outlet, is always exposed to air except when cold water is coming out, and may be splashed by a cup or the like placed below the cold water outlet. Therefore, the cold water outlet has the problem that bacteria are likely to grow.

[0006] On the other hand, with regard to bacterial growth, in the water server of Patent Document 2, in order to maintain hygiene in the cold water outlet conduit, a hot water circulation path passing through the cold water outlet conduit and a hot water tank is provided, and hot water from the hot water tank is circulated through the hot water circulation path, making it possible to sterilize the cold water outlet conduit.

[0007] However, even if hot water is circulated in a hot water circulation path that passes through a cold water outlet and a hot water tank as in Patent Document 2, the hot water does not pass through the cold water outlet of the cold water faucet, and therefore it is not possible to prevent bacteria from growing at the cold water outlet.

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a water server capable of preventing the propagation of bacteria at the cold water outlet of a cold water faucet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a water server having the following configuration. [Configuration 1] A housing and A cold water tank disposed inside the housing; A cold water faucet disposed on the front side of the housing; a cold water outlet conduit communicating between the cold water faucet and the cold water tank; The cold water faucet is a water server having a cold water flow path in the faucet that introduces cold water from the cold water outlet conduit, a cold water on-off valve provided in the middle of the cold water flow path in the faucet, and a cold water outlet that opens to the outside at the downstream end of the cold water flow path in the faucet, a hot water passage for outlet sterilization that is provided to merge with a portion of the cold water flow path in the faucet between the cold water on-off valve and the cold water outlet, and a hot water passage for outlet sterilization that is provided in the hot water passage for outlet sterilization, and the cold water outlet can be sterilized with hot water supplied from the hot water passage for outlet sterilization when the on-off valve for outlet sterilization is opened.

[0010] When this configuration is adopted, a hot water passage for sterilizing the outlet is provided which merges with the section of the cold water flow path in the faucet between the cold water on-off valve and the cold water outlet, and the cold water outlet can be sterilized with hot water supplied from the hot water passage for sterilizing the outlet, thereby making it possible to prevent the growth of bacteria at the cold water outlet of the cold water faucet.

[0011] [Configuration 2] a portion of the faucet cold water flow path between the cold water on-off valve and the cold water outlet is formed by a cylindrical wall extending downward from the cold water on-off valve, The water server according to configuration 1, wherein the downstream end of the hot water passage for sterilizing the water outlet opens tangentially to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall so that the hot water supplied from the hot water passage for sterilizing the water outlet flows circumferentially along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall.

[0012] When this configuration is adopted, the downstream end of the outlet sterilization hot water passage opens tangentially to the inner surface of the cylindrical wall, and the hot water supplied from this opening flows in a spiral manner in the circumferential direction along the inner surface of the cylindrical wall, thereby enabling the inner surface of the cylindrical wall to be sterilized evenly and efficiently.

[0013] [Configuration 3] A hot water receiver for receiving hot water discharged from the cold water outlet when the cold water outlet is sterilized with hot water supplied from the hot water outlet sterilization conduit is detachably provided on the cold water faucet; The water server of configuration 1 or 2 is provided with a linkage means for opening the outlet sterilization on-off valve in conjunction with the attachment of the hot water receiver so that the outlet sterilization on-off valve does not open when the hot water receiver is not attached to the cold water faucet, and opens when the hot water receiver is attached to the cold water faucet.

[0014] When this configuration is adopted, a linking means is provided for opening the outlet sterilization on-off valve in conjunction with the attachment of the hot water receiver, so that it is possible to prevent the user from being burned by hot water being accidentally discharged from the cold water outlet when the hot water receiver is not attached.

[0015] [Configuration 4] The water outlet sterilization on-off valve is an electromagnetic on-off valve that opens when energized, The water server of configuration 3, wherein the interlocking means is composed of a hot water receiver detection sensor that detects whether the hot water receiver is attached to the cold water faucet, and a control unit that applies electricity to the water outlet sterilization on-off valve when the hot water receiver detection sensor detects that the hot water receiver is attached to the cold water faucet.

[0016] By adopting this configuration, the water outlet sterilization on-off valve can be opened in conjunction with the attachment of the hot water receiver with a simple configuration.

[0017] [Configuration 5] The hot water receiver detection sensor is composed of a first sensor that detects a first detectable portion of the hot water receiver when the hot water receiver is attached to the cold water faucet and turns ON, and a second sensor that detects a second detectable portion, which is a portion of the hot water receiver different from the first detectable portion, when the hot water receiver is attached to the cold water faucet and turns ON, The water server of configuration 4, wherein the control unit applies current to the water outlet sterilization on-off valve when both the first sensor and the second sensor are turned ON simultaneously, and does not apply current to the water outlet sterilization on-off valve when one of the first sensor and the second sensor is turned ON but the other is OFF.

[0018] When this configuration is adopted, the hot water receiving detection sensor is composed of a first sensor and a second sensor, and the water outlet sterilization opening / closing valve will not open unless both sensors are turned ON at the same time, making it possible to prevent the water outlet sterilization opening / closing valve from being opened accidentally due to children playing with it.

[0019] [Configuration 6] The water server of configuration 4 or 5, wherein the control unit energizes the water outlet sterilization on-off valve only for a predetermined period of time when the hot water receiver remains attached to the cold water faucet for a predetermined period of time or more, and stops energizing the water outlet sterilization on-off valve when the predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0020] By adopting this configuration, even if the hot water receiver is left attached to the cold water faucet, it is possible to prevent hot water from overflowing from the hot water receiver and causing burns to the user. Effect of the Invention

[0021] The water server of this invention has a hot water passage for sterilizing the outlet that merges with the section of the cold water flow path in the faucet between the cold water on-off valve and the cold water outlet, and the cold water outlet can be sterilized with hot water supplied from the hot water passage for sterilizing the outlet, making it possible to prevent the growth of bacteria at the cold water outlet of the cold water faucet. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] A front view of a water server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] A perspective view of the hot water receiver removed from the cold water faucet of the water server in Figure 1, seen from the rear. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the hot water receiver shown in FIG. [Figure 4] Cross-section of the top of the water server in Figure 1, seen from the right side [Diagram 5] A partial cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the cold water faucet of the water server in FIG. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Enlarged cross-sectional view of the area around the cold water outlet in Figure 6 [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cold water faucet of the water server shown in FIG. 1 with the hot water receiver removed; [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view taken along line XX in Figure 6. [Figure 11] 11 is a perspective view of the first sensor shown in FIG. 10 from the inside of the housing; [Figure 12] A cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the first sensor shown in FIG. 11 as seen from the right side. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state immediately before the first claw portion of the hot water receiver shown in FIG. 12 is inserted into the slit of the housing. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a process of inserting the first claw portion of the hot water receiver shown in FIG. 13 into the slit of the housing. [Figure 15] Block diagram of the control unit that controls the operation of the water outlet sterilization solenoid valve shown in Figure 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Figure 1 shows a water server according to an embodiment of the present invention. This water server has a housing 1, a cold water faucet 2 and a hot water faucet 3 arranged on the front side of the housing 1, and a hot water receiver 4 (see Figures 2 and 3) detachably attached to the cold water faucet 2. The cold water faucet 2 has a cold water outlet 5 that dispenses cold water, and the hot water faucet 3 has a hot water outlet 6 located away from the cold water outlet 5 that dispenses hot water.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 4, a cold water tank 7 and a hot water tank 8 are disposed inside the housing 1. The cold water tank 7 and the hot water tank 8 are each fixed to a tank fixing plate 9 that is attached horizontally inside the housing 1. In addition, a cold water faucet 2 and a hot water faucet 3 (see Fig. 1) are each fixed to the front end of the tank fixing plate 9.

[0025] The cold water tank 7 is connected to a replaceable water bottle 11 (see FIG. 1) via a water supply pipe 10, so that when the amount of cold water in the cold water tank 7 decreases, drinking water is supplied from the water bottle 11 to the cold water tank 7 via the water supply pipe 10. A water supply pump (not shown) is provided midway along the water supply pipe 10.

[0026] A cooling device 12 that cools the drinking water contained in the cold water tank 7 is attached to the cold water tank 7. The drinking water in the cold water tank 7 is kept at a predetermined low temperature (for example, 10°C or lower) by the cooling device 12. The upstream end of a cold water outlet conduit 13 that communicates between the cold water tank 7 and the cold water faucet 2 is connected to the bottom surface of the cold water tank 7, and the cold water (low-temperature drinking water) in the cold water tank 7 is introduced into the cold water faucet 2 through this cold water outlet conduit 13.

[0027] The hot water tank 8 is disposed below the cold water tank 7. The hot water tank 8 and the cold water tank 7 are connected via a tank connecting pipe 14, and drinking water is introduced from the cold water tank 7 to the hot water tank 8 through the tank connecting pipe 14. A heating device 15 for heating the drinking water contained in the hot water tank 8 is attached to the hot water tank 8. The drinking water in the hot water tank 8 is kept at a predetermined high temperature (e.g., 80°C or higher) by the heating device 15. The upstream end of a hot water outlet conduit 16 that communicates between the hot water faucet 3 and the hot water tank 8 is connected to the upper surface of the hot water tank 8, and hot water (high-temperature drinking water) in the hot water tank 8 is introduced to the hot water faucet 3 through this hot water outlet conduit 16.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 6, the cold water faucet 2 has an in-faucet cold water flow path 17 that introduces cold water from the cold water outlet 13, a cold water on-off valve 18 provided midway through the in-faucet cold water flow path 17, and a cold water outlet 5 that opens to the outside at the downstream end of the in-faucet cold water flow path 17. The cold water outlet 5 is an opening that faces downward. The cold water on-off valve 18 is located directly above the cold water outlet 5.

[0029] The cold water on-off valve 18 has an annular valve seat 19 surrounding the cold water flow path 17 in the faucet, a valve element 20 that is movable between a closed position (position shown in FIG. 6) in which it seats on the valve seat 19 to close the cold water flow path 17 in the faucet and an open position (position shifted upward from the position shown in FIG. 6) in which it moves away from the valve seat 19 to open the cold water flow path 17 in the faucet, a valve stem 21 that is connected to the valve element 20 so as to move integrally with the valve element 20, and a valve spring 22 that biases the valve stem 21 to move the valve element 20 from the open position toward the closed position.

[0030] The valve rod 21 is connected to the cold water lever 24 via a connecting pin 23, and when the user swings the cold water lever 24, the valve rod 21 can be moved upward and the valve body 20 at the lower end of the valve rod 21 can be moved away from the valve seat 19.

[0031] 7, the portion between the valve seat 19 of the cold water on-off valve 18 and the cold water outlet 5 is formed by a cylindrical wall 25 extending downward from the valve seat 19 of the cold water on-off valve 18. A cover tube 26 that surrounds the cylindrical wall 25 is attached to the outside of the cylindrical wall 25. The cover tube 26 is a cylindrical member that extends downward beyond the lower end of the cylindrical wall 25, and by surrounding the cold water outlet 5 at the lower end of the cylindrical wall 25 from the outer periphery, it prevents the user from accidentally touching the cold water outlet 5 and causing bacteria to adhere to the cold water outlet 5.

[0032] A hot water passage 27 for outlet sterilization is provided so as to merge with the cold water passage 17 in the faucet at a portion between the cold water on-off valve 18 and the cold water outlet 5. The hot water passage 27 for outlet sterilization is a pipe provided in communication with the hot water tank 8 (see FIG. 4) so ​​that hot water stored in the hot water tank 8 shown in FIG. 4 can be supplied to the inside of the cylindrical wall 25 (i.e., the portion between the valve seat 19 of the cold water passage 17 in the faucet and the cold water outlet 5) through the hot water passage 27 for outlet sterilization as shown in FIG. 7.

[0033] 4, the hot water conduit 27 for outlet sterilization is provided by branching off from the hot water outlet conduit 16, so that hot water from the hot water tank 8 is supplied to the cold water faucet 2 through the hot water outlet conduit 16 and the hot water conduit 27 for outlet sterilization in that order. Here, the hot water conduit 27 for outlet sterilization is described as being branched off from the hot water outlet conduit 16, but the hot water conduit 27 for outlet sterilization may be provided by branching off from a hot water circulation pipe (not shown) for maintaining the hygiene of each pipe of the water server, or the upstream end of the hot water conduit 27 for outlet sterilization may be directly connected to the hot water tank 8.

[0034] The outlet sterilization hot water passage 27 is provided with an outlet sterilization on-off valve 28 that opens and closes the outlet sterilization hot water passage 27. The outlet sterilization on-off valve 28 is an electromagnetic on-off valve that opens when energized and closes when energization is stopped.

[0035] 8, the downstream end of the outlet sterilizing hot water passage 27 opens tangentially to the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall 25, and the hot water supplied from the outlet sterilizing hot water passage 27 to the inside of the cylindrical wall 25 flows in a constant circumferential direction (counterclockwise circumferential direction in the figure) along the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical wall 25. The inner diameter of the outlet sterilizing hot water passage 27 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall 25 and is set to be 1 / 2 or less of the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall 25.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the hot water receiver 4 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an open upper end and a closed lower end. A hot water guide member 29 for preventing hot water from splashing is detachably provided inside the hot water receiver 4. The hot water guide member 29 has a guide tube portion 30 extending downward from a position corresponding to the cold water outlet 5 of the cold water faucet 2, and a lid portion 31 extending horizontally from the outer periphery of the guide tube portion 30. The guide tube portion 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape with both upper and lower ends open. The outer periphery of the lid portion 31 is supported by a step portion 32 formed on the inner periphery of the hot water receiver 4.

[0037] 2 and 3, a first claw portion 33 and a second claw portion 34 are provided at the upper end of the hot water receiver 4, spaced apart from each other on the left and right. The hot water receiver 4 can be attached to the cold water faucet 2 by inserting the first claw portion 33 and the second claw portion 34 into a pair of slits 35 formed in the housing 1, as shown in Fig. 9. The pair of slits 35 are located at a distance from each other on both the left and right sides of the cold water outlet 5.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 10, a hot water receptacle detection sensor 36 is provided inside the housing 1 to detect whether the hot water receptacle 4 is attached to the cold water faucet 2. The hot water receptacle detection sensor 36 is composed of a first sensor 37 arranged inside one of a pair of slits 35, and a second sensor 38 arranged inside the other slit 35. The first sensor 37 is provided to detect the first claw portion 33 of the hot water receptacle 4 when the hot water receptacle 4 is attached to the cold water faucet 2 and turn ON, and the second sensor 38 is provided to detect the second claw portion 34 of the hot water receptacle 4 when the hot water receptacle 4 is attached to the cold water faucet 2 and turn ON.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, a slit cover 39 that opens and closes the slit 35 from inside the housing 1 is provided inside the housing 1. The slit cover 39 is supported so as to be swingable around a fulcrum shaft 40 provided in the housing 1, and closes the slit 35 before the first claw portion 33 (or the second claw portion 34) of the hot water receiver 4 is inserted into the slit 35 as shown in Fig. 13. When the first claw portion 33 (or the second claw portion 34) of the hot water receiver 4 is inserted into the slit 35 as shown in Fig. 14, the slit cover 39 is pressed by the first claw portion 33 (or the second claw portion 34) to swing and open the slit 35. The first sensor 37 (or the second sensor 38) is attached so as to be pressed by the slit cover 39 to switch between ON and OFF.

[0040] The water outlet sterilization on-off valve 28 is controlled by a control unit 41 shown in Fig. 15. The control unit 41 receives an ON / OFF signal from a first sensor 37 (a detection signal for detecting the presence or absence of a first claw portion 33 of the hot water receiver 4 shown in Fig. 10) and an ON / OFF signal from a second sensor 38 (a detection signal for detecting the presence or absence of a second claw portion 34 of the hot water receiver 4 shown in Fig. 10).

[0041] A control unit 41 shown in Fig. 15 performs control based on the outputs of the first sensor 37 and the second sensor 38 so that the outlet sterilization on-off valve 28 does not open when the hot water receiver 4 shown in Fig. 4 is not attached to the cold water faucet 2, and opens the outlet sterilization on-off valve 28 when the hot water receiver 4 is attached to the cold water faucet 2. An example of the control by the control unit 41 will be described.

[0042] When both the first sensor 37 and the second sensor 38 are ON at the same time, the control unit 41 shown in Fig. 15 determines that the hot water receiver 4 shown in Fig. 4 is properly attached to the cold water faucet 2, and energizes the outlet sterilization on-off valve 28. On the other hand, when one of the first sensor 37 and the second sensor 38 shown in Fig. 15 is ON but the other is OFF, it is considered that the hot water receiver 4 shown in Fig. 4 is not properly attached to the cold water faucet 2, and therefore does not energize the outlet sterilization on-off valve 28.

[0043] Furthermore, when the state in which both the first sensor 37 and the second sensor 38 are ON simultaneously continues for a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) or more, the control unit 41 shown in FIG. 15 energizes the water outlet sterilization opening / closing valve 28 only for that predetermined time, and after that predetermined time has elapsed, stops energizing the water outlet sterilization opening / closing valve 28 even if both the first sensor 37 and the second sensor 38 are ON simultaneously.

[0044] This water server is normally used with the hot water receiver 4 shown in Fig. 1 removed from the cold water faucet 2. In this case, the part of the cold water flow path 17 in the faucet shown in Fig. 7 upstream of the valve seat 19 of the cold water on-off valve 18 is always filled with water, so it is not exposed to air and bacteria are unlikely to grow. In contrast, the part downstream of the valve seat 19 of the cold water on-off valve 18, especially the cold water outlet 5, is always exposed to air except when cold water is being discharged, and may be subject to splashing water from a cup or the like placed below the cold water outlet 5. Therefore, the cold water outlet 5 has the problem that bacteria are likely to grow.

[0045] To address this problem, this water server is capable of sterilizing the cold water outlet 5 by periodically attaching the hot water receiver 4 shown in Fig. 1 to the cold water faucet 2. That is, when the hot water receiver 4 shown in Fig. 1 is attached to the cold water faucet 2, the outlet sterilization on-off valve 28 shown in Fig. 4 opens, and hot water is supplied from the outlet sterilization hot water passage 27 as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, making it possible to sterilize the cold water outlet 5 with the hot water.

[0046] In addition, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, in this water server, the downstream end of the outlet sterilization hot water passage 27 opens tangentially to the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 25, so that the hot water supplied from this opening flows in a spiral manner in the circumferential direction along the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 25, making it possible to sterilize the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 25 evenly and efficiently.

[0047] In addition, this water server detects whether or not the hot water receptacle 4 is attached to the cold water faucet 2 using the first sensor 37 and second sensor 38 (hot water receptacle detection sensor 36) shown in Figure 10, and opens the outlet sterilization on-off valve 28 in conjunction with the attachment of the hot water receptacle 4, thereby making it possible to prevent the user from being burned when hot water is accidentally discharged from the cold water outlet 5 when the hot water receptacle 4 shown in Figure 1 is not attached.

[0048] Furthermore, in this water server, unless both first sensor 37 and second sensor 38 shown in FIG. 10 are turned ON simultaneously, water outlet sterilization on-off valve 28 shown in FIG. 4 will not open, making it possible to prevent the water outlet sterilization on-off valve 28 from being opened accidentally due to children playing with it.

[0049] Furthermore, when the hot water receptacle 4 shown in Figure 1 remains attached to the cold water faucet 2 for a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) or more, this water server energizes the water outlet sterilization on-off valve 28 shown in Figure 4 for only the predetermined time, and stops the flow of electricity to the water outlet sterilization on-off valve 28 after the predetermined time has elapsed.Therefore, even if the hot water receptacle 4 shown in Figure 1 is left attached to the cold water faucet 2, it is possible to prevent hot water from overflowing from the hot water receptacle 4 and causing burns to the user.

[0050] In the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 15, the first sensor 37 and the second sensor 38 are individually connected to the control unit 41, but the first sensor 37 and the second sensor 38 may be wired in series and connected to the control unit 41. That is, a switch (i.e., an a-contact switch) that closes when the first claw portion 33 of the hot water receiver 4 shown in Fig. 10 is inserted into one of the pair of slits 35 may be used as the first sensor 37, and a switch (a-contact switch) that closes when the second claw portion 34 of the hot water receiver 4 is inserted into the other of the pair of slits 35 may be used as the second sensor 38, and both switches may be wired in series and connected to the control unit 41 shown in Fig. 15. In this way, when both the first sensor 37 and the second sensor 38 are ON at the same time, electricity is applied to the water outlet sterilization opening / closing valve 28, and when one of the first sensor 37 and the second sensor 38 is ON but the other is OFF, electricity is not applied to the water outlet sterilization opening / closing valve 28. This control can be realized with a simple device configuration and at low cost.

[0051] In each of the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 , an exchangeable bottle type water server has been described as an example in which water from an exchangeable water bottle 11 filled with drinking water is introduced into the cold water tank 7 and hot water tank 8 for use. However, the present invention can also be applied to a purified water type water server in which raw water such as tap water is filtered through a water purification filter cartridge to produce purified water, and the purified water is introduced into the cold water tank 7 and hot water tank 8 for use. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 Case 2 cold water faucet 4 Hot water receiver 5 Cold water outlet 7. Cold Water Tank 13 Cold water outlet 17 Cold water flow path inside the faucet 18. Chilled water on-off valve 25 Cylinder wall 27 Hot water outlet for sterilization 28 Outlet sterilization valve 33 First claw portion (first detected portion) 34 Second claw portion (second detected portion) 36 Hot water receiving detection sensor (interlocking means) 37 First Sensor 38 Second Sensor 41 Control section (interlocking means)

Claims

1. A housing (1), A cold water tank (7) disposed inside the housing (1); A cold water faucet (2) arranged on the front side of the housing (1); a cold water outlet (13) communicating between the cold water faucet (2) and the cold water tank (7); The cold water faucet (2) is a water server having a cold water flow path (17) in the faucet that introduces cold water from the cold water outlet (13), a cold water on-off valve (18) provided midway along the cold water flow path (17) in the faucet, and a cold water outlet (5) that opens to the outside at the downstream end of the cold water flow path (17) in the faucet, The water server further comprises a hot water passage for outlet sterilization (27) that is provided to merge with a portion of the cold water flow path (17) in the faucet between the cold water on-off valve (18) and the cold water outlet (5), and an outlet sterilization on-off valve (28) that is provided in the hot water passage for outlet sterilization (27), and is characterized in that the cold water outlet (5) can be sterilized with hot water supplied from the hot water passage for outlet sterilization (27) when the outlet sterilization on-off valve (28) is opened.

2. a portion of the faucet cold water flow path (17) between the cold water on-off valve (18) and the cold water outlet (5) is formed by a cylindrical wall (25) extending downward from the cold water on-off valve (18); 2. The water server according to claim 1, wherein a downstream end of the hot water passage for sterilization at the water outlet (27) opens tangentially to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall (25) so that the hot water supplied from the hot water passage for sterilization at the water outlet (27) flows circumferentially along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall (25).

3. a hot water receiver (4) for receiving hot water discharged from the cold water outlet (5) when the cold water outlet (5) is sterilized with hot water supplied from the hot water outlet sterilization channel (27) is detachably provided on the cold water faucet (2); 3. The water server according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a linking means for opening the outlet sterilization on-off valve (28) in conjunction with the attachment of the hot water receiver (4) so ​​that the outlet sterilization on-off valve (28) does not open when the hot water receiver (4) is not attached to the cold water faucet (2), and opens when the hot water receiver (4) is attached to the cold water faucet (2).

4. The water outlet sterilization on-off valve (28) is an electromagnetic on-off valve that opens when energized, The water server of claim 3, wherein the interlocking means is composed of a hot water receiver detection sensor (36) that detects whether the hot water receiver (4) is attached to the cold water faucet (2) or not, and a control unit (41) that energizes the water outlet sterilization opening / closing valve (28) when the hot water receiver detection sensor (36) detects that the hot water receiver (4) is attached to the cold water faucet (2).

5. The hot water receiver detection sensor (36) is composed of a first sensor (37) that detects a first detectable portion (33) of the hot water receiver (4) when the hot water receiver (4) is attached to the cold water faucet (2) and turns ON, and a second sensor (38) that detects a second detectable portion (34), which is a portion of the hot water receiver (4) different from the first detectable portion (33), when the hot water receiver (4) is attached to the cold water faucet (2) and turns ON, 5. The water server according to claim 4, wherein the control unit (41) energizes the water outlet sterilization on-off valve (28) when both the first sensor (37) and the second sensor (38) are turned ON simultaneously, and does not energize the water outlet sterilization on-off valve (28) when one of the first sensor (37) and the second sensor (38) is turned ON but the other is OFF.

6. 5. The water server according to claim 4, wherein the control unit (41) energizes the water outlet sterilization on-off valve (28) for only a predetermined time when the hot water receiver (4) remains attached to the cold water faucet (2) for a predetermined time or more, and stops energizing the water outlet sterilization on-off valve (28) when the predetermined time has elapsed.

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