Beverage supply apparatus

Abstract

To switch over a beverage supply apparatus between a beverage supply ready state and a cleaning ready state with a simple operation.SOLUTION: A beverage supply apparatus 100 comprises: a beverage supply source 4; a beverage supply pipe L1; a cleaning liquid supply source 8; a supply connection part 11 disposed in an upstream side end part in the beverage supply pipe L1; a first connection part 12 formed to be allowed to be connected by fitting to the supply connection part 11 and disposed in a downstream side end part of the first supply pipe L0a from the beverage supply source 4; a second connection part 13 formed to be allowed to be connected by fitting to the supply connection part 11 and disposed in a downstream side end part of a second supply pipe L0b from the cleaning liquid supply source 8; and a switcher 50 that selectively switches the connection destination of the supply connection part 11 between the first connection part 12 and the second connection part 13. The switcher 50 includes: an operation section 20 to which external force is applied; and a conversion mechanism 30 that connects the operation section 20 and the supply connection part 11 and converts the movement of the operation section 20 based on the external force to a switching movement that switches the connection destination of the supply connection part 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an additional device for supplying milk to a coffee maker, the additional device having a milk container, a milk supply pipe for guiding milk supplied from the milk container to the coffee maker, and a cleaning system for cleaning the milk supply pipe. In this additional device, a tube coupling is provided at the downstream end of a suction conduit extending from the milk container, and a joint is provided at each of a downstream end of a branch conduit extending from a cleaning container of the cleaning system and an upstream end of the milk supply pipe. In this additional device, when supplying milk to the coffee maker, the tube coupling of the suction conduit extending from the milk container and the joint of the milk supply pipe are manually connected to each other, and when cleaning the milk supply pipe, the joint of the branch conduit extending from the cleaning container and the joint of the milk supply pipe are manually connected by a fitting-type connecting part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6771028 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the manager of the additional device described in Patent Document 1 must manually connect the joint of the branch conduit and the joint of the milk supply pipe using the connecting part when cleaning the milk supply pipe. Then, when supplying milk, the manager must remove the connecting part and then manually connect the tube coupling of the suction conduit and the joint of the milk supply pipe. Then, when cleaning the milk supply pipe again, the manager must release the connection between the tube coupling of the suction conduit and the joint of the milk supply pipe and manually connect the appropriate joints to each other using the connecting part as described above. In this way, the manager of the additional device described in Patent Document 1 must reliably perform complex tasks such as connecting the appropriate joints to each other, releasing the connection between the joints to each other, connecting the appropriate joints to each other using the connecting part, removing the connecting part, and checking the complete insertion (connection) of the connecting part when supplying milk or cleaning the milk supply pipe, and depending on the skill level of the manager, etc., there is a risk that the appropriate connection will not be made, resulting in connection errors or poor connection.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a beverage supply device having a structure that can be switched, with a simple operation, between a state in which a beverage can be supplied and a state in which the beverage supply pipe can be cleaned. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beverage supply device having a beverage supply source, a beverage supply pipe that guides a beverage to a predetermined supply destination, and a cleaning liquid supply source for cleaning the beverage supply pipe. The beverage supply device includes a supply connection part provided at an upstream end of the beverage supply pipe, a first connection part provided at a downstream end of a first supply pipe extending from the beverage supply source and formed so as to be connectable to the supply connection part by fitting, a second connection part provided at a downstream end of a second supply pipe extending from the cleaning liquid supply source and formed so as to be connectable to the supply connection part by fitting, and a switch that selectively switches the connection destination of the supply connection part between the first connection part and the second connection part. The switch has an operation part to which an external force is applied, and a conversion mechanism that connects between the operation part and the supply connection part and converts the movement of the operation part based on the external force into a switching movement that switches the connection destination of the supply connection part. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a beverage supplying device having a structure that can be switched, with a simple operation, between a state in which a beverage can be supplied and a state in which the beverage supply pipe can be cleaned. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a beverage supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic piping circuit diagram of the beverage supply device. [Diagram 3] 3 is a front view of a main part including a supply connection portion and a switch of the beverage supply device. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the state of change in position of the supply connection portion. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the outer movable body of the switch. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a detection portion of the switch. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the switch. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the switch. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the switch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a beverage supplying device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a piping circuit diagram of the beverage supplying device 100.

[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a beverage supplying device 100 is provided adjacent to a coffee server 200 and is used as an optional device for the coffee server 200.

[0011] The coffee server 200 is a device that extracts coffee using, for example, coffee powder and supplies the extracted coffee into a cup C. The coffee server 200 is configured to be able to provide coffee of a customer's preference by adding liquid milk (hereinafter simply referred to as milk) as a liquid beverage, milk foam (i.e., a mixed beverage of milk and air with a relatively low viscosity), or whipped milk (i.e., a mixed beverage of milk and air with a high viscosity) to the extracted coffee according to the customer's request.

[0012] The beverage dispenser 100 is a device that dispenses a beverage to a predetermined destination. The predetermined destination is a cup C provided in a coffee server 200. In this embodiment, the beverage dispenser 100 is configured to dispense milk or a mixed beverage, i.e., a beverage containing milk, into the cup C provided in the coffee server 200 in response to a request from the coffee server 200 (in other words, a customer).

[0013] The beverage supply device 100 is configured to be capable of supplying milk or a mixed beverage of milk and air in a warm or cold state, and has a housing 1 forming the outer shell of the device, a control unit 2, and a device main body 3.

[0014] The housing 1 is, for example, a box made up of a generally vertically elongated rectangular parallelepiped frame (not shown) and a number of exterior covers attached to the frame. The control unit 2 and the device main body 3 are disposed inside the housing 1. More specifically, in the front-to-rear direction of the housing 1 made up of a box, for example, the front is open. A door is attached to the front of the housing 1, which can open and close the opening. By opening this door, a manager of the beverage supply device 100 can access the inside of the housing 1 and perform maintenance work such as replacing a milk tank as the beverage supply source 4 described below and refilling the milk tank with milk.

[0015] The control unit 2 controls the operation of the device main body 3. For example, the control unit 2 controls the operation of each device (such as the cooling device 5, heating device 6, pump 7, air supply device 9, on-off valve V1, and switching valve V2 described later) of the device main body 3 so as to supply milk or mixed beverage in a warm or cold state, based on a command from the coffee server 200. The beverage supply device 100 controls the operation of each device so as to supply warm milk when a command S1 to supply warm milk is input to the control unit 2, supply warm mixed beverage when a command S2 to supply warm mixed beverage is input to the control unit 2, supply cold milk when a command S3 to supply cold milk is input to the control unit 2, and supply cold mixed beverage when a command S4 to supply cold mixed beverage is input to the control unit 2. The beverage supply device 100 is in a standby state when none of the supply commands (S1 to S4) are input to the control unit 2.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the device main body 3 includes a beverage supply source 4, a cooling device 5, a heating device 6, a pump 7, a cleaning liquid supply source 8, and an air supply device 9.

[0017] The beverage supply source 4 is, for example, a tank for storing milk as a beverage (in other words, a beverage storage tank or milk tank). The beverage supply source 4 is accommodated in a cooling device 5 (more specifically, a chamber 5a described later) and is configured to be able to store milk at an appropriate low temperature. Here, the beverage supply source 4 (beverage storage tank) is made of a transparent resin material and is formed into a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape by injection molding.

[0018] The cooling device 5 has a compartment 5a partitioned by a partition wall 5a1 having a heat insulating structure, and cools the air in the compartment 5a. The beverage supply source 4 is accommodated in the compartment 5a of the cooling device 5, and the cooling device 5 is configured to be able to maintain the compartment temperature at an appropriate low set temperature. The compartment temperature of the cooling device 5 is controlled to be maintained, for example, below 10°C, specifically, in the range of 1 to 7°C. The cooling device 5 is disposed near the front (the door side) of the housing 1. Although not shown, the cooling device 5 has a machine room therein partitioned from the compartment 5a. Devices such as a cooling unit for cooling the interior of the compartment 5a are disposed in the machine room.

[0019] The heating device 6 is a device for warming milk or a mixed beverage. The heating device 6 is arranged to surround a predetermined portion of the beverage supply pipe L1 that guides the beverage (milk or a mixed beverage) to a predetermined supply destination (here, a cup C provided in the coffee server 200).

[0020] Although not shown, the heating device 6 has a heat source section for heating the milk or mixed beverage flowing through the beverage supply pipe L1, and a bypass pipe for bypassing the heat source section. The heating device 6 is configured to be able to switch between an operation of discharging the inflowing milk or mixed beverage directly through the bypass pipe without heating it, and an operation of discharging the inflowing milk or mixed beverage through the heat source section and then heating it, based on a signal from the control section 2. The discharge pipe L2 is connected to a predetermined portion of the beverage supply pipe L1 between the heating device 6 and the beverage outlet 10 (a portion in FIG. 2 where a switching valve V2, which will be described later, is connected). The beverage outlet 10 is, for example, a nozzle section from which the milk or mixed beverage is discharged, and is disposed above the cup C.

[0021] The pump 7 is a device that mainly sucks and discharges milk from the beverage supply source 4, and is provided at a predetermined portion of the beverage supply pipe L1 upstream of the heating device 6 in the flow direction (on the beverage supply source 4 side).

[0022] The cleaning liquid supply source 8 is for cleaning the beverage supply pipe L1. The cleaning liquid supply source 8 is a device for supplying a cleaning liquid (rinse water) such as a cleaning agent or water for cleaning the inside of the beverage supply pipe L1 after supplying milk or a mixed beverage, to the beverage supply pipe L1. Although not shown, the cleaning liquid supply source 8 has a cleaning liquid storage tank for storing the cleaning agent or water as the cleaning liquid, a pump that is driven based on a signal from the control unit 2, and an electromagnetically driven opening and closing valve.

[0023] The air supply device 9 is a device for supplying air used for producing a mixed beverage or for purging the beverage supply pipe L1 through the air flow path L3. This air purging is performed for the purpose of blowing off liquid in the pipe such as the beverage supply pipe L1 by vigorously circulating air in the pipe. The air supply device 9 has an air supply pump with a variable discharge flow rate that is driven based on a signal from the control unit 2, an electromagnetically driven opening and closing valve that is driven based on a signal from the control unit 2, and the like. One end (upstream end) of the air flow path L3 is connected to the air supply device 9, and the other end (downstream end) of the air flow path L3 is connected to a predetermined portion (hereinafter referred to as a junction Z1) on the upstream side of the pump 7 in the beverage supply pipe L1. The air from the air supply device 9 flows through the air flow path L3 and is supplied into the beverage supply pipe L1 via the junction Z1.

[0024] Here, a supply connection part 11 is provided at the upstream end, which is the end of the beverage supply pipe L1 on the upstream side in the flow direction (i.e., the end of the beverage supply pipe L1 opposite the supply destination (cup C) of the beverage). The aforementioned beverage outlet 10 for discharging the beverage into the cup C is provided at the downstream end, which is the end of the beverage supply pipe L1 on the downstream side in the flow direction (i.e., the end of the beverage supply pipe L1 on the cup C side). In other words, the beverage supply pipe L1 extends from the supply connection part 11 to the beverage outlet 10. The beverage supply pipe L1 is made of piping that constitutes a flow path for mainly distributing milk and mixed beverages. At least a portion of the beverage supply pipe L1 having a predetermined length including the upstream end is flexible. The shape of the supply connection part 11 will be described later.

[0025] A first connection part 12 is attached to the upper part of the beverage supply source 4. The first connection part 12 is provided at a downstream end part, which is an end part on the downstream side in the flow direction, of the first supply pipe L0a extending from the beverage supply source 4, and is formed so as to be connectable to the supply connection part 11 by fitting. Specifically, the first supply pipe L0a is a pipe extending from a strainer S arranged inside the beverage supply source 4 to the first connection part 12 attached to the upper part of the beverage supply source 4. The first supply pipe L0a is flexible. The first connection part 12 has a first fitting part 12a which can be fitted to the supply connection part 11 at the upstream end part of the beverage supply pipe L1. The shape of the first connection part 12 will be described later.

[0026] A second connection part 13 is disposed near the first connection part 12 attached to the upper part of the beverage supply source 4. The second connection part 13 is provided at a downstream end part, which is an end part on the downstream side in the flow direction of the second supply pipe L0b extending from the cleaning liquid supply source 8, and is formed so as to be connectable to the supply connection part 11 by fitting. Specifically, the second supply pipe L0b is a pipe extending from the cleaning liquid supply source 8 to the second connection part 13. The second supply pipe L0b is flexible. The second connection part 13 has a second fitting part 13a which can be fitted with the supply connection part 11 provided at the upstream end part of the beverage supply pipe L1. Although not particularly limited, the second connection part 13 is configured of the same parts as the first connection part 12, for example.

[0027] The supply connection part 11 can be fitted and connected to the first connection part 12, and can also be fitted and connected to the second connection part 13. When the first connection part 12 and the supply connection part 11 are fitted and connected to each other (connected so that liquid can flow), the beverage supply device 100 is in a state where it can supply beverage to the cup C via the first supply pipe L0a and the beverage supply pipe L1, and when the second connection part 13 and the supply connection part 11 are fitted and connected to each other (connected so that liquid can flow), the beverage supply device 100 is in a state where it can supply cleaning liquid to the beverage supply pipe L1 via the second supply pipe L0b.

[0028] In this embodiment, the beverage supplying device 100 is configured to produce a mixed beverage of milk and air by operating the air supplying device 9 (more specifically, by further opening the on-off valve V1 described below) while connecting the first connection part 12 and the supply connection part 11, and to discharge this mixed beverage from the beverage discharge outlet 10 and supply it into the cup C.

[0029] Next, each device provided in the beverage supply pipe L1 and the air flow path L3 will be described in detail.

[0030] The beverage supply pipe L1 is provided with a supply connection part 11, a flow meter 14, an on-off valve V1, a pump 7, an expansion part 15, a heating device 6, and a switching valve V2 in this order from the beverage supply source 4 side (upstream side) to the beverage discharge outlet 10 (downstream side). The confluence part Z1 is located between the on-off valve V1 and the pump 7.

[0031] The flow meter 14 is, for example, a propeller rotation type flow meter, and is configured to output a pulse signal for each rotation to the control unit 2. The control unit 2 is configured to be able to monitor the volume of milk discharged by the pump 7, etc., based on the number of times this pulse signal is generated.

[0032] The on-off valve V1 is a valve that opens and closes the beverage supply pipe L1, and is, for example, a solenoid valve that is closed (NC) in the initial state (power OFF).

[0033] The switching valve V2 is a valve for selectively switching the destination of liquid such as milk flowing through the beverage supply pipe L1 between the beverage outlet 10 and the discharge pipe L2, and is, for example, an electromagnetically driven three-way valve. For example, in the initial state (power OFF), the switching valve V2 allows flow to the discharge pipe L2 side and blocks flow to the beverage outlet 10 side. In the energized state (power ON), the switching valve V2 operates to block flow to the discharge pipe L2 side and allow flow to the beverage outlet 10 side.

[0034] A check valve C1 is provided in the air flow path L3. The check valve C1 allows a flow from the air supply device 9 toward the junction Z1 and blocks a flow from the junction Z1 toward the air supply device 9.

[0035] 2, the beverage supply device 100 has a switch 50 in addition to the above-mentioned elements. During a beverage supply operation, the beverage supply device 100 is in a state in which the first connection part 12 and the supply connection part 11 are fitted and connected to each other (i.e., a beverage supply possible state, or more specifically, a beverage sales possible state), and during a cleaning liquid supply operation, the second connection part 13 and the supply connection part 11 are fitted and connected to each other (i.e., a washable state). The manager of the beverage supply device 100 can switch the beverage supply device 100 in a beverage sales possible state to a washable state and can switch the beverage supply device 100 in a washable state to a beverage sales possible state simply by operating the switch 50.

[0036] The shape of each connection part (11, 12, 13) and the switch 50 will be mainly described below with reference to Figs. 2 to 10. Figs. 3 to 7 are diagrams for explaining the main parts including the supply connection part 11 and the switch 50 of the beverage dispenser 100, with Fig. 3 being a front view of the main parts, Fig. 4 being a right side view of the main parts, Fig. 5 being a left side view of the main parts, Fig. 6 being a perspective view of the main parts, and Fig. 7 being an exploded perspective view of the main parts. Fig. 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the manner in which the position of the supply connection part 11 changes. Fig. 9 is a bottom view of an outer movable body 33 of the switch 50, which will be described later, and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a detection part 40 of the switch 50, which will be described later.

[0037] As described above, a door is provided at the front (front side) of beverage dispenser 100, and Fig. 3 shows the state of the main parts when the door is open and viewed toward the front of beverage dispenser 100. For convenience, in the following, when viewed toward the front (the surface on the door side, the front face) of beverage dispenser 100 (the front view shown in Fig. 4) is used as a reference, one widthwise side of beverage dispenser 100 is defined as the right side, and the other widthwise side is defined as the left side.

[0038] In Figure 2, the state in which the supply connection part 11 is connected to the first connection part 12 (a state in which a beverage can be sold) is shown by a solid line, and the state in which the supply connection part 11 is connected to the second connection part 13 (a state in which it can be cleaned) is shown by a dashed line.

[0039] 3 to 5, each of the connection parts (11, 12, 13) has an internal flow path (111, 121, 131). The internal flow path 111 of the supply connection part 11 is always connected to the beverage supply pipe L1, the internal flow path 121 of the first connection part 12 is always connected to the first supply pipe L0a, and the internal flow path 131 of the second connection part 13 is always connected to the second supply pipe L0b. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the supply connection part 11 is fitted to the first connection part 12 or the second connection part 13 by being inserted into the inside of the first connection part 12 or the second connection part 13, and as a result, is connected to the first connection part 12 or the second connection part 13. The supply connection part 11 is removed from the first connection part 12 or the second connection part 13 by being pulled out from the first connection part 12 or the second connection part 13. That is, in this embodiment, the supply connection part 11 is a joint that is inserted into and removed from the first connection part 12 or the second connection part 13.

[0040] Specifically, referring to Figs. 3 to 6, the supply connection part 11 is a joint including an elbow pipe part 11a having an internal flow path 111 and bent at an obtuse angle, and a supported part 11b provided in the center of the elbow pipe part 11a and supported by a switch 50. One end of the elbow pipe part 11a of the supply connection part 11 is connected to the beverage supply pipe L1. The other end of the elbow pipe part 11a of the supply connection part 11 has a small diameter part 11a1 and a large diameter part 11a2 having a diameter larger than the small diameter part 11a1, and the entire small diameter part 11a1 and most of the large diameter part 11a2 are inserted into the first fitting part 12a of the first connection part 12 or the second fitting part 13a of the second connection part 13. Figs. 3 to 6 show the supply connection part 11 inserted into the first connection part 12.

[0041] The first fitting portion 12a of the first connection portion 12 and the second fitting portion 13a of the second connection portion 13 are each formed in a concave shape so that the other end of the elbow pipe portion 11a of the supply connection portion 11 can be fitted (inserted). Specifically, the first connection portion 12 and the second connection portion 13 are each made of a joint having an internal flow path (121, 131) bent at approximately 90°. Each fitting portion (12a, 13a) has a straight hole portion (12a1, 13a1) that communicates with the internal flow path (121, 131) and has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 11a1 of the elbow pipe portion 11a of the supply connection portion 11, and a tapered hole portion (12a2, 13a2) whose diameter increases from the straight hole portion (12a1, 13a1) toward the open end of the fitting portion (12a, 13a). The airtightness of the internal flow paths (121, 131) is ensured when the small diameter portion 11a1 of the elbow pipe portion 11a of the supply connection portion 11 is inserted into the straight hole portions (12a1, 13a1). When the small diameter portion 11a1 of the supply connection portion 11 is inserted into the fitting portion (12a, 13a), the tapered hole portions (12a2, 13a2) function as an insertion guide for the supply connection portion 11.

[0042] The first fitting portion 12a is formed continuously with one end of the internal flow path 121 of the first connection portion 12. The first nipple 12b is attached to the other end of the internal flow path 121 of the first connection portion 12, and the first connection portion 12 is connected to the first supply pipe L0a via the first nipple 12b. Similarly, the second fitting portion 13a is formed continuously with one end of the internal flow path 131 of the second connection portion 13. The second nipple 13b is attached to the other end of the internal flow path 131 of the second connection portion 13, and the second connection portion 13 is connected to the second supply pipe L0b via the second nipple 13b. The end of the first nipple 12b on the first supply pipe L0a side is located in the tank through a hole provided in the upper wall of the beverage storage tank as the beverage supply source 4. In addition, although not particularly limited, the second nipple 13b is formed integrally with a support plate 31 of the switch 50, which will be described later. It should be noted that the first nipple 12b has been removed in FIGS.

[0043] The switch 50 selectively switches the connection destination of the supply connection part 11 between the first connection part 12 and the second connection part 13. With reference to FIGS. 2 to 7, the switch 50 has an operation part 20 and a conversion mechanism 30. In this embodiment, the switch 50 further has a detection part 40.

[0044] The operation unit 20 is a part that is operated by a manager of the beverage supplying device 100 or the like and to which an external force is applied. For example, a force by the manager of the beverage supplying device 100 is applied to the operation unit 20 as an external force. The operation unit 20 is provided, for example, on an upper part of the front wall (front panel) of the partition wall 5a1 of the cooling device 5 (see FIG. 2). The manager can access and operate the operation unit 20 by opening a door (not shown) at the front of the housing 1.

[0045] 7, in this embodiment, the operating unit 20 has a lever 21 that is rotatably supported about an axis line X extending in one direction and is rotated by the external force, a disk portion 22 on which the lever 21 is provided, and a cylindrical operating shaft portion 23 that protrudes rearward from the back surface of the disk portion 22 coaxially with the axis line X of the lever 21. The axis line X extends in a direction parallel to the front-rear direction of the beverage dispenser 100 (housing 1) (the normal direction of the front wall of the partition wall 5a1).

[0046] The axis X of the lever 21, in relation to the first connection part 12, is parallel to the central axis of the straight hole part 12a1 and is located directly above said central axis, and in relation to the second connection part 13, is parallel to the central axis of the straight hole part 13a1 and is located diagonally above and to the right of said central axis when viewed from the front (see FIG. 3). In other words, the central axis of the straight hole part 12a1 of the first connection part 12 is located directly below the axis X of the lever 21, and the central axis of the straight hole part 13a1 of the second connection part 13 is located diagonally below and to the left of the axis X of the lever 21. The lever 21 is provided, for example, on the front wall side of the partition wall 5a1 so as to be exposed to the outside of the chamber 5a.

[0047] The disk portion 22 is provided along the front wall of the partition wall 5a1. The operating shaft portion 23 protrudes from the rear surface of the disk portion 22 toward the interior of the chamber 5a.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first fitting portion 12a of the first connection portion 12 and the second fitting portion 13a of the second connection portion 13 are opened so as to face the side opposite to the lever 21 side (the rear wall side of the partition wall 5a1) in the front-rear direction (extension direction of the axis X) in the chamber 5a. Specifically, the upstream end of the internal flow path 121 of the first connection portion 12 is directed downward, and the downstream end of the internal flow path 121 of the first connection portion 12 and the first fitting portion 12a are directed toward the rear wall of the partition wall 5a1. The upstream end of the internal flow path 131 of the second connection portion 13 is directed upward, and the downstream end of the internal flow path 131 of the second connection portion 13 and the second fitting portion 13a are directed toward the rear wall of the partition wall 5a1. In addition, the small diameter portion 11a1 and the large diameter portion 11a2 of the elbow pipe portion 11a of the supply connection portion 11 extend parallel to the axis X. The supply connection portion 11 is located on the opposite side to the lever 21 (the rear wall side of the partition wall 5a1) in the front-rear direction from the first connection portion 12 and the second connection portion 13. The small diameter portion 11a1 and the large diameter portion 11a2 of the elbow pipe portion 11a extend in the front-rear direction, and the small diameter portion 11a1 is located in front of the large diameter portion 11a2.

[0049] The conversion mechanism 30 is a mechanism that connects the operating unit 20 and the supply connection unit 11, and converts the motion of the operating unit 20 based on the external force applied to the operating unit 20 into a switching motion that switches the connection destination of the supply connection unit 11. In this embodiment, the conversion mechanism 30 connects between the operating shaft portion 23 of the operating unit 20 and the supported portion 11b of the supply connection unit 11, and is configured to move the supply connection unit 11 (supported portion 11b) by the switching motion.

[0050] In this embodiment, the switching movement in the conversion mechanism 30 includes a first movement for inserting or removing (removing or inserting) the supply connection portion 11 into or from the first connection portion 12, a second movement for movement between the first connection portion 12 and the second connection portion 13, and a third movement for inserting or removing (removing or inserting) the supply connection portion 11 into or from the second connection portion 13.

[0051] That is, the first movement is a movement of moving the supply connection part 11 between a first position P1 (see dashed lines in Fig. 8(a) and Fig. 8(b)) which is a position of the supply connection part 11 connected to the first connection part 12, and a second position P2 (see solid lines in Fig. 8(b) and dashed lines in Fig. 8(c)) which is a position of the supply connection part 11 removed from the first connection part 12 and facing the first fitting part 12a of the first connection part 12. The second movement is a movement of moving the supply connection part 11 between the second position P2 and a third position P3 (see solid lines in Fig. 8(c) and dashed lines in Fig. 8(d)) which is a position of the supply connection part 11 removed from the second connection part 13 and facing the second fitting part 13a of the second connection part 13. The third movement is a movement that moves the supply connection part 11 between the third position P3 and a fourth position P4 (see solid line in Figure 8 (d)), which is the position of the supply connection part 11 in a state where it is connected to the second connection part 13.

[0052] In this embodiment, the conversion mechanism 30 is configured to connect the supply connection part 11 to the first connection part 12 at one end of the operating range (here, the rotational operating range) of the operating part 20, and to connect the supply connection part 11 to the second connection part 13 at the other end of the operating range of the operating part 20.

[0053] Specifically, although not particularly limited, the rotation operation range (rotation angle range) of lever 21 as the operation range of operation unit 20, centered on axis line X, is set to a range of 0° to 180°. When supply connection part 11 is located at first position P1, lever 21 is in a posture extending horizontally, and when this horizontal posture is taken as the reference (0°), lever 21 can rotate clockwise by 180° when viewed from the front.

[0054] The conversion mechanism 30 is configured to move the supply connection part 11 located at the first position P1 successively to the second position P2, the third position P3, and the fourth position P4 in the process of rotating the lever 21 clockwise from 0° to 180°, and to move the supply connection part 11 located at the fourth position P4 successively to the third position P3, the second position P2, and the first position P1 in the process of rotating the lever 21 in the reverse direction (counterclockwise) from 180° to 0°. That is, in this embodiment, the conversion mechanism 30 is configured to convert the rotational motion of the lever 21 into the switching motion. The conversion mechanism 30 completely connects the supply connection part 11 to the first connection part 12 when the lever 21 is at the angle position of 0°, and completely connects the supply connection part 11 to the second connection part 13 when the lever 21 is at the angle position of 180°.

[0055] Returning to FIGS. 4 to 7, in more detail, in this embodiment, the conversion mechanism 30 has a support plate 31, an inner movable body 32, an outer movable body 33, and an end movable body .

[0056] The support plate 31 rotatably supports the operating unit 20 and is fixed, for example, to a partition wall 5a1 of the cooling device 5. The support plate 31 is located, for example, in the chamber 5a of the cooling device 5 above a beverage storage tank serving as the beverage supply source 4, and also has a function of fixing the switch 50 to the partition wall 5a1.

[0057] Specifically, the support plate 31 has, for example, a front plate 311 , a rear plate 312 , an upper plate 313 , and a left side plate 314 .

[0058] The front plate 311 abuts against the back surface of the disc portion 22 of the operation unit 20. A front support hole 311a (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that rotatably supports the operation shaft portion 23 protruding from the back surface of the disc portion 22 is opened in the front plate 311. The enlarged diameter shaft portion 23a (see FIG. 7) on the disc portion 22 side of the operation shaft portion 23 is rotatably fitted into the front support hole 311a.

[0059] The rear plate 312 is spaced rearward from the front plate 311. A main mechanism of the conversion mechanism 30 is disposed in the area between the front plate 311 and the rear plate 312. The rear plate 312 is formed with a rear support hole 312a that rotatably supports an axis end 322a of a rear axis portion 322 (described later) of the inner movable body 32.

[0060] The upper plate 313 connects the upper end of the front plate 311 and the upper end of the rear plate 312. The detection unit 40 is attached to the upper plate 313. A plurality of protrusions 313a protrude upward from the upper plate 313 so as to surround the periphery of the detection unit 40. The detection unit 40 is fixed to the upper surface of the upper plate 313 by the plurality of protrusions 313a. Furthermore, detection holes 313b (see FIG. 6) for detection by the detection unit 40 are opened in the inner part of the plurality of protrusions 313a on the upper surface of the upper plate 313.

[0061] The left side plate 314 extends downward from the left end of the upper plate 313. A left flange portion 314a extending parallel (horizontally) to the upper plate 313 is formed at the lower end of the left side plate 314. A second nipple 13b for the second connection portion 13 is formed integrally with the left flange portion 314a of the support plate 31 on this left flange portion 314a. Therefore, the second connection portion 13 connected to the second supply pipe L0b via the second nipple 13b is fixed to the position of the second nipple 13b on the left side plate 314 of the support plate 31.

[0062] The inner movable body 32 is a portion to which the rotational motion of the operation shaft portion 23, which rotates in association with the rotational operation of the lever 21, is transmitted. The inner movable body 32 is coaxially connected to the operation shaft portion 23 of the operation unit 20, and can rotate together with the operation shaft portion 23 about the axis X.

[0063] Specifically, the inner movable body 32 has a cylindrical inner tube portion 321 with a bottom including a cylindrical portion 321a and a bottom portion 321b (see Figure 7), a rear shaft portion 322 extending rearward from the bottom portion 321b of the inner tube portion 321, a rotating protrusion 323 protruding radially outward from a predetermined angular position about the axis X on the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube portion 321 and rotating together with the inner tube portion 321 about the axis X, and a rotating piece 324 formed within a predetermined angular range about the axis X on the outer circumferential surface of the rear shaft portion 322 and rotating together with the rear shaft portion 322 about the axis X.

[0064] The inner tube portion 321 extends coaxially with the axis X. The operating shaft portion 23 is fitted into the front end opening of the cylindrical portion 321a of the inner tube portion 321, and in this state is connected (fixed) to the inner tube portion 321 by a screw or the like. A bottom portion 321b of the inner tube portion 321 closes the rear end opening of the cylindrical portion 321a. A flange portion 321c is formed around the front end of the cylindrical portion 321a.

[0065] The rear shaft portion 322 extends rearward from the bottom portion 321b of the inner cylindrical portion 321 coaxially with the axis X. The shaft end 322a of the rear shaft portion 322 is reduced in diameter, and is rotatably supported in the rear support hole 312a of the support plate 31 via a stepped sleeve 322b. In other words, the rotating body consisting of the operating portion 20 and the inner movable body 32 is rotatably supported at two locations, front and rear, of the enlarged diameter shaft portion 23a of the operating shaft portion 23 and the shaft end 322a of the inner movable body 32 by the support plate 31 (the front support hole 311a and the rear support hole 312a).

[0066] The rotating protrusion 323 constitutes a part of a mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the operating part 20 (lever 21) into the first motion and the third motion for inserting and removing the supply connection part 11. The rotating protrusion 323 is formed, for example, in a stepped cylindrical shape. A collar 323a is attached to the tip side part of the rotating protrusion 323. An E-shaped retaining ring 323b prevents the collar 323a from coming off the rotating protrusion 323.

[0067] The rotating piece 324 constitutes a part of a mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the operating part 20 (lever 21) into the second motion for movement between the first connection part 12 and the second connection part 13 of the supply connection part 11. The rotating piece 324 has a sector-shaped cross section and is formed over the entire longitudinal direction of the rear shaft part 322. The rotating piece 324 has a front end sector cross section part 324a, an intermediate sector cross section part 324b, and a rear end sector cross section part 324c, and extends in the longitudinal direction (extension direction of the axis X). Here, the sector central angle of the front end sector cross section part 324a is approximately 60°, and the sector central angle of the rear end sector cross section part 324c is approximately 180°. The intermediate sector cross section part 324b is formed so that the sector central angle gradually increases from the front side to the rear side, and smoothly connects between the front end sector cross section part 324a and the rear end sector cross section part 324c. In other words, the sector central angle of the intermediate sector cross-section portion 324b becomes continuously larger from the front side to the rear side. In addition, the sector radius of the sector cross-section of the rotating piece 324 about the axis X matches the radius of the inner cylindrical portion 321.

[0068] The outer movable body 33 cooperates with the rotating protrusion 323 and the like to form a mechanism for converting the rotational motion of the operation part 20 (lever 21) into the first motion and the third motion for inserting and removing the supply connection part 11. The outer movable body 33 surrounds the inner movable body 32 from the outside in the radial direction, and is disposed coaxially with the axis X of the operation part 20.

[0069] Relative movement of the outer movable body 33 with respect to the inner movable body 32 in the extension direction of the axis X (front-to-back direction) is permitted, but relative rotation of the outer movable body 33 with respect to the inner movable body 32 about the axis X is prevented.

[0070] The upper plate 313 is formed with a guide portion 313c that prevents the outer movable body 33 from rotating and guides the outer movable body 33 to move in the front-rear direction. A sliding portion 33a that slides along the guide portion 313c is formed on an outer cylinder portion 331 of the outer movable body 33, which will be described later. The sliding portion 33a of the outer movable body 33 abuts against the guide portion 313c, thereby preventing the outer movable body 33 from rotating. The sliding portion 33a of the outer movable body 33 slides along the guide portion 313c, thereby allowing the outer movable body 33 to move smoothly in the front-rear direction.

[0071] An electromagnetically driven stopper device 35 for preventing the outer movable body 33 from moving in the front-rear direction is provided on the upper surface of the upper plate 313. The stopper device 35 has an electromagnetically driven main body 35a and a cylindrical stopper 35b that can move up and down. An insertion hole is opened in the upper plate 313, through which the tip of the cylindrical stopper 35b can be inserted. A groove 33b for preventing front-rear movement is formed in an outer cylindrical part 331 of the outer movable body 33, which will be described later, with which the tip of the cylindrical stopper 35b can engage. In the stopper device 35, the cylindrical stopper 35b protrudes downward in the initial state (power OFF), and in this state, the tip of the cylindrical stopper 35b engages with the groove 33b for preventing front-rear movement of the outer movable body 33, thereby preventing the outer movable body 33 from moving in the front-rear direction. When the stopper device 35 is energized (powered ON), it pulls the cylindrical stopper 35b upward, thereby allowing the outer movable body 33 to move forward and backward. Although not particularly limited, the stopper device 35 is configured to be turned ON / OFF by, for example, a stopper device switch (not shown) provided inside the housing 1 of the beverage dispenser 100 or a signal output from the coffee server 200.

[0072] Specifically, the outer movable body 33 has an outer cylindrical portion 331 and a partition wall 332 (see FIG. 7) that partitions the space inside the outer cylindrical portion 331 into front and rear portions.

[0073] The outer tube portion 331 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape. The outer tube portion 331 is formed with a conversion groove portion 33c for converting the rotational motion (rotational displacement) of the operating shaft portion 23 of the operating portion 20 into a front-rear motion (front-rear displacement) of the outer tube portion 331 itself, and a rotation range defining groove portion 33d for defining the rotation range of the end movable body 34. The conversion groove portion 33c and the rotation range defining groove portion 33d each penetrate the peripheral wall of the outer tube portion 331, and the rotation protrusion 323 and the collar 323a of the inner movable body 32 are inserted into the conversion groove portion 33c, and the rotation range defining protrusion 34a of the end movable body 34 described later is inserted into the rotation range defining groove portion 33d. The rotation range defining groove portion 33d is provided symmetrically with respect to the axis X on the peripheral wall of the outer tube portion 331.

[0074] Specifically, referring to Figs. 4 to 7 and 9, the conversion groove portion 33c is formed in a portion of the outer cylinder portion 331 that is forward of the partition wall 332. The conversion groove portion 33c is composed of a first motion groove 33c1, a second motion groove 33c2, and a third motion groove 33c3, and these grooves (33c1, 33c2, 33c3) are continuously formed as one groove. The first motion groove 33c1 is on the right side of the outer cylinder portion 331, overlapping with the axis X in the vertical direction and extending from a portion located in front of the partition wall 332 in the front-rear direction, twisting away from the axis X as it moves forward. The third motion groove 33c3 is on the left side of the outer cylinder portion 331, overlapping with the axis X in the vertical direction and extending from a portion located in front of the partition wall 332 in the front-rear direction, twisting away from the axis X as it moves forward. The second movement groove 33c2 extends to connect the front end of the first movement groove 33c1 and the front end of the third movement groove 33c3. The front end position of the first movement groove 33c1 coincides with the front end position of the third movement groove 33c3 in the front-rear direction, and the rear end position of the first movement groove 33c1 coincides with the rear end position of the third movement groove 33c3 in the front-rear direction. The second movement groove 33c2 extends parallel to the disk portion 22 of the operating unit 20, i.e., along a virtual plane perpendicular to the axis X, and connects between the front end of the first movement groove 33c1 and the front end of the third movement groove 33c3.

[0075] The rotation range defining groove 33d is formed in a portion of the outer cylinder portion 331 that is rearward of the partition wall 332. The rotation range defining groove 33d is formed on the right and left sides of the outer cylinder portion 331. Like the second movement groove 33c2, each rotation range defining groove 33d extends parallel to the disk portion 22 of the operating portion 20, i.e., along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the axis X. A rotation range defining protrusion 34a (to be described later) of the end movable body 34 is inserted into the rotation range defining groove 33d via an end slit 33e that extends from the rear end of the outer cylinder portion 331 to the rotation range defining groove 33d.

[0076] A circular hole 332a (see FIG. 9) that rotatably supports the inner cylindrical portion 321 and the rotating piece 324 of the inner movable body 32 is opened in the radial center of the partition wall 332.

[0077] The end movable body 34 cooperates with the rotating piece 324 and the like to form a mechanism for converting the rotational motion of the operating part 20 (lever 21) into the second motion for movement between the first connection part 12 and the second connection part 13 of the supply connection part 11. The end movable body 34 is fitted into a part rearward of the partition wall 332 within the outer cylindrical part 331 of the outer movable body 33 so as to be rotatable about the axis X of the operating part 20.

[0078] Relative movement of the end movable body 34 in the front-to-rear direction with respect to the outer movable body 33 is prevented by the rotation range specifying protrusion 34a, which will be described later, being inserted into the rotation range specifying groove portion 33d, but relative rotation of the end movable body 34 with respect to the outer movable body 33 about the axis X is permitted within the range specified by the rotation range specifying groove portion 33d.

[0079] Specifically, the end movable body 34 has an end cylindrical portion 341 , a cylindrical bottom portion 342 , and a connecting piece 343 .

[0080] The end cylindrical portion 341 is formed in a cylindrical shape. A rotation range defining protrusion 34a to be inserted into the rotation range defining groove 33d is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the end cylindrical portion 341. The rotation range defining groove 33d is provided symmetrically with respect to the axis X on the outer circumferential surface of the end cylindrical portion 341.

[0081] The cylindrical bottom portion 342 is formed on the rear end side of the end cylindrical portion 341. A semicircular hole 342a that rotatably supports the rear shaft portion 322 of the inner movable body 32 and a sectorial hole 342b into which the rotating piece 324 of the inner movable body 32 can be inserted are integrally opened in the cylindrical bottom portion 342. The center of the semicircular hole 342a and the sector center of the sectorial hole 342b pass through the axis X.

[0082] The connecting piece 343 is a part that is connected to the supported part 11b of the supply connection part 11 and supports the supported part 11b, and protrudes radially outward from the end cylindrical part 341. That is, the conversion mechanism 30 connects between the operating part 20 (operating shaft part 23) and the supply connection part 11 (supported part 11b) by the inner cylindrical part 321 of the inner movable body 32 and the connecting piece 343 of the end movable body 34.

[0083] The detection unit 40 is a sensor that detects the connection position of the supply connection unit 11. In this embodiment, the control unit 2 is configured to control the beverage supply operation and the cleaning liquid supply operation based on the detection result by the detection unit 40.

[0084] In this embodiment, the detection unit 40 has a first sensor 41 that detects whether the supply connection unit 11 is connected to the first connection unit 12, and a second sensor 42 that detects whether the supply connection unit 11 is connected to the second connection unit 13. Specifically, the detection unit 40 (the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42) are attached to the upper surface of the upper plate 313 of the support plate 31 by a plurality of protrusions 313a, as described above. The same components are used as the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42. The first sensor 41 is disposed to the right of the second sensor 42 when viewed from the front (see FIG. 3, etc.).

[0085] 10, each sensor (41, 42) has, for example, a sensor body 40a, a sensor section 40b that can move up and down from the lower surface of the sensor body 40a, and a detection lever section 40c that is rotatably supported at one end in the longitudinal direction on the lower surface of the sensor body 40a and can abut against the sensor section 40b. The detection lever section 40c extends in the front-rear direction within a detection hole 313b formed in the upper plate 313 (see FIG. 6). The end movable body 34 is formed with a first protruding piece 344a and a second protruding piece 344b for allowing the detection section 40 to detect the position of the supply connection section 11. The first protruding piece 344a and the second protruding piece 344b each protrude from a radially outer portion on the rear surface of the cylindrical bottom section 342 of the end movable body 34, and are bent so as to face a radially outer portion of the rear end section of the outer cylindrical section 331 of the outer movable body 33. The first protruding piece 344a and the second protruding piece 344b are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the outer tubular portion 331. When the supply connection portion 11 is connected to the first connection portion 12 and located at the first position P1, the tip of the detection lever portion 40c of the first sensor 41 is pressed upward by the first protruding piece 344a, and the sensor portion 40b of the first sensor 41 is pressed upward via the detection lever portion 40c. At this time, the first sensor 41 outputs a first connection signal, which is a signal indicating that the supply connection portion 11 is connected to the first connection portion 12 (located at the first position P1), to the control portion 2. Similarly, when the supply connection portion 11 is connected to the second connection portion 13 and located at the fourth position P4, the tip of the detection lever portion 40c of the second sensor 42 is pressed upward by the second protruding piece 344b, and the sensor portion 40b of the second sensor 42 is pressed upward via the detection lever portion 40c. At this time, the second sensor 42 outputs to the control unit 2 a second connection signal which is a signal indicating that the supply connection portion 11 is connected to the second connection portion 13 (located at the fourth position P4).

[0086] Next, the operation of the switch 50 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0087] 11 to 13 are conceptual diagrams of the main parts for explaining the operation of the switch 50, and in each diagram, the supply connection part 11 is located at a first position P1 in (a), at a second position P2 in (b), at a third position P3 in (c), and at a fourth position P4 in (d). The support plate 31 has been removed in Figs. 11 to 13, and Fig. 11 is a front view of the main parts, Fig. 12 is a right side view of the main parts, and Fig. 13 is a rear view of the main parts.

[0088] When the lever 21 of the operating part 20 is in an angle position of 0° (see FIG. 11(a)), the supply connection part 11 is connected to the first connection part 12 and is located at the first position P1. At this time, referring to FIG. 12(a), the rotation protrusion 323 of the inner movable body 32 is located at the rear end of the first movement groove 33c1 of the conversion groove part 33c of the outer movable body 33, and the outer movable body 33 advances to a position (advance end) near the rear surface of the disk part 22 of the operating part 20. In addition, the right rotation range defining protrusion 34a of the end movable body 34 abuts against the upper end of the inner wall of the right rotation range defining groove part 33d of the outer movable body 33, and the left rotation range defining protrusion 34a of the end movable body 34 abuts against the lower groove wall of the left rotation range defining groove part 33d of the outer movable body 33. 12(a) and 13(a), the first protruding piece 344a presses the sensor part 40b upward via the detection lever part 40c of the first sensor 41 of the detection part 40, and at this time, the first sensor 41 outputs a first connection signal. In addition, in the initial state, the above-mentioned stopper device switch is turned OFF, and the stopper device 35 prevents the outer movable body 33 from moving in the front-rear direction by engaging the tip part of the cylindrical stopper 35b with the front-rear movement prevention groove part 33b of the outer cylindrical part 331 of the outer movable body 33 (see Figs. 12(a) and 13(a)). As a result, the rotation of the lever 21 of the operation part 20 is also locked. When the control unit 2 receives a first connection signal from the detection unit 40 (first sensor 41) and does not receive a second connection signal from the detection unit (second sensor 42), the control unit 2 is in a state in which it permits the start of control of the beverage supply operation and prohibits the start of control of the cleaning liquid supply operation.

[0089] 11(a) to 13(a), when supply commands S1 to S4 are input from the coffee server 200 to the control unit 2, the control unit 2 starts to control a beverage supply operation to supply a beverage containing milk (milk or a mixed beverage of milk and air) to the cup C in response to the supply commands. The details of this beverage supply operation will be described in detail later.

[0090] Then, the manager of the beverage supply device 100 periodically performs maintenance such as cleaning the beverage supply pipe L1. At this time, when the manager turns on the stopper device switch described above, the cylindrical stopper 35b of the stopper device 35 retracts upward, thereby releasing the rotation lock of the lever 21 of the operation unit 20. Then, when the lever 21 is rotated from 0° to 60° by the manager or the like, the supply connection part 11 is pulled out (removed) from the first connection part 12 (see Figs. 11(b) to 13(b)).

[0091] Specifically, when the lever 21 is rotated from 0° in one direction (here, clockwise when viewed from the front), the rotation protrusion 323 presses the lower groove wall of the first movement groove 33c1 downward, and as a result, the outer movable body 33 is slid backward by the rotation protrusion 323. At this time, the end movable body 34 moves backward together with the outer movable body 33. Then, when the lever 21 of the operating part 20 rotates to an angle position of 60° (see FIG. 11(b)), the supply connection part 11 moves backward and is detached (pulled out) from the first connection part 12 and positioned at the second position P2. At this time, referring to FIG. 12(b), the rotation protrusion 323 is located at the right end of the second movement groove 33c2 beyond the front end of the first movement groove 33c1 of the conversion groove part 33c. As a result, the pressure applied by the rotating protrusion 323 to the lower groove wall of the first movement groove 33c1 is released, and the rearward movement of the outer movable body 33 and the end movable body 34 is stopped. Then, the rear end sectorial cross section 324c of the rotating piece 324 of the inner movable body 32 fits into the sectorial hole 342b of the cylindrical bottom part 342 of the end movable body 34, and the inner movable body 32 is connected to the end movable body 34 so as to be able to transmit the rotational movement of the lever 21 (operation part 20) to the end movable body 34. At this time, the supply connection part 11 is separated rearward to the maximum extent from the first connection part 12, is completely removed from the first connection part 12, and is located at the second position P2. Then, referring to FIG. 12(b) and FIG. 13(b), the first protruding piece 344a retreats to the rear end of the detection lever part 40c of the first sensor 41, and the sensor part 40b of the first sensor 41 returns to the lower position. At this time, the first sensor 41 stops outputting the first position signal.

[0092] Furthermore, when the lever 21 of the operating unit 20 is rotated from 60° to 120° by an administrator or the like, the supply connection portion 11 is moved along an arc trajectory centered on the axis X from the second position P2 to the third position P3 (see Figures 11(c) to 13(c)).

[0093] Specifically, when the lever 21 is rotated from 60° in one direction (here, clockwise when viewed from the front), the rotation protrusion 323 moves in the second movement groove 33c2, and the end movable body 34 starts to rotate around the axis X together with the inner movable body 32 connected to the supply connection part 11 so as to rotate the supply connection part 11 toward the second connection part 13. When the rotation protrusion 323 moves in the second movement groove 33c2, the outer movable body 33 does not move in the front-rear direction and stops at the rear end position, and the end movable body 34 rotates relative to the outer movable body 33 together with the inner movable body 32. Then, when the lever 21 of the operation part 20 rotates to an angle position of 120° (see FIG. 11(c)), the supply connection part 11 is located at the third position P3 where it is separated rearward from the second connection part 13 and detached from the second connection part 13 (see FIG. 12(c)). At this time, the right rotation range defining projection 34a of the end movable body 34 abuts against the upper end of the inner wall of the right rotation range defining groove 33d of the outer movable body 33 (see FIG. 12(c)), and the left rotation range defining projection 34a of the end movable body 34 abuts against the lower end of the inner wall of the left rotation range defining groove 33d of the outer movable body 33 (not shown), preventing the rotation of the end movable body 34, that is, the further clockwise rotation of the operating unit 20. As a result, the supply connection part 11 stops at the third position P3. Then, referring to FIG. 12(c) and FIG. 13(c), although the second protruding piece 344b has rotated to a position below the detection lever part 40c of the second sensor 42, the second sensor 42 does not press the detection lever part 40c of the second sensor 42 upward, and therefore the second sensor 42 does not output the second connection signal.

[0094] Then, when the lever 21 is further rotated from 120° to 180°, the supply connection part 11 is inserted into and connected to the second connection part 13 (see Figs. 11(d) to 13(d)).

[0095] Specifically, when the lever 21 is rotated from 120° in one direction (here, clockwise), the rotation protrusion 323 presses the upper groove wall of the third movement groove 33c3 upward, and as a result, the outer movable body 33 is slid forward by the rotation protrusion 323. At this time, the clockwise rotation of the end movable body 34 is prevented by the rotation range regulating protrusion 34a, and the engagement between the rear end sectorial cross section 324c of the rotating piece 324 and the sectorial hole 342b of the cylindrical bottom 342 of the end movable body 34 is released. Therefore, the end movable body 34 rotates relative to the inner movable body 32, but moves forward together with the outer movable body 33 without rotating relative to the outer movable body 33. When the lever 21 of the operating unit 20 rotates to an angle position of 180° and the outer movable body 33 advances to a position (advance end) near the rear surface of the disk portion 22 of the operating unit 20 (see FIG. 12(d)), the supply connection portion 11 is inserted into the second connection portion 13 and is located at the fourth position P4. At this time, the rotation protrusion 323 is located at the rear end of the third movement groove 33c3 of the conversion groove portion 33c. Then, referring to FIG. 12(d) and FIG. 13(d), the second protruding piece 344b presses the sensor portion 40b upward via the detection lever portion 40c of the second sensor 42 of the detection unit 40, and at this time, the second sensor 42 outputs a second connection signal. When the control unit 2 receives a second connection signal from the detection unit 40 (second sensor 42) and does not receive a first connection signal from the detection unit 40 (first sensor 41), the control unit 2 prohibits the start of control of the beverage supply operation and allows the start of control of the cleaning liquid supply operation.

[0096] In the above, the lever 21 of the operation unit 20 is rotated from 0° to 180°, thereby moving the supply connection unit 11 in the order of the first position P1, the second position P2, the third position P3, and the fourth position P4. When the lever 21 of the operation unit 20 is rotated from 180° to 0°, the switch 50 operates in the opposite direction to the above-mentioned operation, and the supply connection unit 11 moves in the order of the fourth position P4, the third position P3, the second position P2, and the first position P1.

[0097] Next, a beverage dispensing operation of the beverage dispensing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0098] First, the control unit 2 operates the switching valve V2 to block flow to the discharge pipe L2 side and to allow flow to the beverage outlet 10 side, opens the on-off valve V1, and further operates the pump 7. Then, (1) when a command to supply cold milk (supply command S3) is input, the control unit 2 causes the cold milk cooled by the cooling device 5 to flow through the bypass pipe in the heating device 6. As a result, the device main body 3 discharges a predetermined amount of cold milk sucked from the beverage supply source 4 from the beverage outlet 10 and supplies it into the cup C. (2) When a command to supply a cold mixed beverage (supply command S4) is input, the control unit 2 operates the air supply device 9 to mix air with the milk cooled by the cooling device 5 to generate a cold mixed beverage and causes it to flow through the bypass pipe in the heating device 6. As a result, the device main body 3 supplies a predetermined amount of cold mixed beverage directly from the beverage outlet 10 into the cup C. That is, in response to the supply command S3 and the supply command S4, the beverage supply device 100 supplies to the outside a beverage (milk or a mixed beverage of milk and air) containing milk cooled by the cooling device 5. (3) When a command to supply warm milk (supply command S1) is input, the control unit 2 heats the cold milk cooled by the cooling device 5 with the heating device 6 and causes it to flow toward the beverage outlet 10. As a result, the device main body 3 heats the cold milk sucked from the beverage supply source 4 with the heating device 6, thereby discharging a predetermined amount of warm milk from the beverage outlet 10 and supplying it into the cup C. (4) When a command to supply a warm mixed beverage (supply command S2) is input, the control unit 2 operates the air supply device 9, and heats the cold mixed beverage generated by mixing air with the milk cooled by the cooling device 5 with the heating device 6 and causes it to flow toward the beverage outlet 10. As a result, the device main body 3 supplies a predetermined amount of warm mixed beverage from the beverage outlet 10 into the cup C. That is, in response to the supply command S1 and the supply command S2, the beverage supplying device 100 supplies a beverage containing milk heated by the heating device 6 (milk or a mixed beverage of milk and air) to the outside.

[0099] Next, the cleaning liquid supplying operation of the beverage supplying device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The switching valve V2 is in an initial state in which it allows flow to the discharge pipe L2 side and blocks flow to the beverage outlet 10 side, the first connection signal is not input from the detection unit 40 (first sensor 41) to the control unit 2, and the second connection signal is input from the detection unit 40 (second sensor 42) to the control unit 2. Although not particularly limited, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal operation panel is provided on the front of the coffee server 200. The beverage supplying device 100 is configured so that when cleaning the beverage supply pipe L1, the manager can select switching from the beverage supply mode to the cleaning liquid supply mode via the liquid crystal operation panel.

[0100] For example, when the first connection signal is not input from the detection unit 40 (first sensor 41) and the second connection signal is input from the detection unit 40 (second sensor 42), and a signal indicating that the mode has been switched to the cleaning liquid supply mode is input from the liquid crystal operation panel, the control unit 2 opens the on-off valve V1 and activates the cleaning liquid supply source 8. This causes the cleaning liquid to flow into the beverage supply pipe L1, cleaning the beverage supply pipe L1, and then the cleaning liquid is discharged to the outside via the discharge pipe L2.

[0101] In the beverage supply device 100 according to this embodiment, a first connection part 12 provided at a downstream end of a first supply pipe L0a extending from a beverage supply source 4 is formed so as to be connectable by fitting to a supply connection part 11 provided at an upstream end of a beverage supply pipe L1 that guides a beverage to a cup C as a predetermined supply destination, and a second connection part 13 provided at a downstream end of a second supply pipe L0b extending from a cleaning liquid supply source 8 is formed so as to be connectable by fitting to the supply connection part 11. A switch 50 that selectively switches the connection destination of the supply connection part 11 between the first connection part 12 and the second connection part 13 has an operation part 20 to which an external force is applied, and a conversion mechanism 30 that connects between the operation part 20 and the supply connection part 11 and converts the movement of the operation part 20 based on the external force into a switching movement that switches the connection destination of the supply connection part 11. Therefore, when the manager of beverage supply device 100 operates operation unit 20 of switch 50, the motion of operation unit 20 based on an external force applied to operation unit 20 by the operation is converted into a switching motion that switches the connection destination of supply connection unit 11 by conversion mechanism 30 that connects operation unit 20 and supply connection unit 11. As a result, the manager of beverage supply device 100 can switch beverage supply device 100 from a beverage sales-ready state to a washable state, and can switch beverage supply device 100 from a washable state to a beverage sales-ready state, simply by operating switch 50. In this way, beverage supply device 100 has a structure that can be switched between a state in which a beverage can be supplied and a state in which the beverage supply pipe can be washed, with a simple operation.

[0102] In this embodiment, the conversion mechanism 30 of the switch 50 can move the supply connection part 11 between the first position P1 and the second position P2 by the first movement, can move the supply connection part 11 between the second position P2 and the third position P3 by the second movement, and can move the supply connection part 11 between the third position P3 and the fourth position P4 by the third movement. Therefore, the manager can continuously move the supply connection part 11 between the first position P1 and the fourth position P4 via the switch 50.

[0103] In this embodiment, the control unit 2 is configured to control the beverage supply operation and the cleaning liquid supply operation based on the detection result by the detection unit 40 that detects the connection position of the supply connection unit 11. This can reliably prevent the occurrence of malfunctions such as, for example, the cleaning liquid supply operation being started when the supply connection unit 11 is connected to the first connection unit 12 on the beverage supply source 4 side, or the beverage supply operation being started when the supply connection unit 11 is connected to the second connection unit 13 on the cleaning liquid supply source 8 side.

[0104] In this embodiment, the detection unit 40 has a first sensor 41 that detects whether the supply connection unit 11 is connected to the first connection unit 12, and a second sensor 42 that detects whether the supply connection unit 11 is connected to the second connection unit 13. Therefore, the connection position of the supply connection unit 11 and a state in which it is not connected to both the first connection unit 12 and the second connection unit 13 can be detected more reliably and with a simple structure.

[0105] In this embodiment, the conversion mechanism 30 is configured to connect the supply connection part 11 to the first connection part 12 at one end of the operation range of the operation part 20 and to connect the supply connection part 11 to the second connection part 13 at the other end of the operation range of the operation part 20, so that the supply connection part 11 switches from a state connected to the first connection part 12 to a state connected to the second connection part 13 simply by operating the operation part 20 from one end to the other end of the operation range, and the supply connection part 11 switches from a state connected to the second connection part 13 to a state connected to the first connection part 12 simply by operating the operation part 20 from the other end to one end of the operation range. Therefore, the beverage supply device 100 can be quickly switched between a beverage supply possible state (beverage sale possible state) and a washable state.

[0106] In this embodiment, the conversion mechanism 30 is configured to convert the rotational motion of the lever 21, which is supported rotatably about an axis line X extending in one direction and rotated by the external force, into the switching motion. Therefore, the manager can easily switch the beverage supply device 100 between the beverage supply ready state and the washable state by simply performing a simple operation such as rotating the lever 21.

[0107] In this embodiment, the rotation operation range of the operation unit 20 is set to 180°, but is not limited thereto, and may be smaller or larger than 180°. The rotation direction of the operation unit 20 from the first position P1 to the fourth position P4 is clockwise, but may be counterclockwise. In addition, the operation unit 20 is not limited to the front wall (front panel) of the partition wall 5a1.

[0108] In the present embodiment, the operation unit 20 (lever 21) is rotated, and the conversion mechanism 30 converts the rotational motion of the operation unit 20 (lever 21) into the switching motion, but the operation form of the operation unit 20 is not limited to this. The conversion mechanism 30 may be configured to convert the motion of the operation unit 20 based on the external force into a switching motion that selectively switches the connection destination of the supply connection unit 11 between the first connection unit 12 and the second connection unit 13, and the operation form of the operation unit 20 may be set appropriately. For example, the operation unit 20 may be configured to be operated in any of the operation directions of the up-down direction along the front wall (hereinafter referred to as the front panel) of the partition 5a1 of the cooling device 5, the left-right direction along the front panel, and the normal direction (front-rear direction) to the front panel, and the conversion mechanism 30 may be configured to convert the movement of the operation unit 20 in the operation direction based on the external force into the switching motion. The operation of the operation unit 20 is not limited to any of the up-down, left-right, and front-rear operations, and may be, for example, a combination of any of these operations with rotation. In these cases, the positions and orientations of the first connection portion 12 and the second connection portion 13 are set in accordance with the operation mode.

[0109] In this embodiment, the operation unit 20 is directly operated by an administrator of the beverage dispenser 100, and a human force (human power) is applied to the operation unit 20 as an external force, but this is not limited to this. For example, the external force may be a power generated by a drive unit such as a motor or a solenoid. In this case, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal operation panel may be provided on the front of the coffee server 200, and the beverage dispenser 100 may be configured to operate the drive unit according to an instruction from the administrator via the liquid crystal operation panel.

[0110] Although the preferred embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 2...Control unit, 4...beverage source; 8...cleaning fluid supply source, 11...supply connection, 12...first connection part, 12a...first fitting part, 13...Second connection part, 13a...second fitting portion, 20...Operation unit, 21…Lever, 30...Conversion mechanism, 40…detection unit, 41…first sensor, 42...second sensor, 50…switch, 100...Beverage supply device, L0a...first supply pipe, L0b…Second supply pipe, L1...Beverage supply pipe, P1: first position, P2: second position, P3: third position, P4: 4th position, X…Axis line

Claims

1. A beverage supply device having a beverage supply source, a beverage supply pipe for leading the beverage to a predetermined supply destination, and a cleaning liquid supply source for cleaning the beverage supply pipe, a supply connection portion provided at an upstream end of the beverage supply pipe; a first connection portion provided at a downstream end of a first supply pipe extending from the beverage supply source and configured to be connectable to the supply connection portion by fitting; a second connection portion provided at a downstream end of a second supply pipe extending from the cleaning liquid supply source, the second connection portion being formed to be connectable to the supply connection portion by fitting; a switch that selectively switches a connection destination of the supply connection part between the first connection part and the second connection part; Including, The switch is The device includes an operating unit to which an external force is applied, and a conversion mechanism that connects the operating unit and the supply connection unit and converts a motion of the operating unit based on the external force into a switching motion that switches a connection destination of the supply connection unit. Beverage dispensing equipment.

2. The switching motion in the conversion mechanism is a first movement of moving the supply connection portion between a first position in which the supply connection portion is connected to the first connection portion and a second position in which the supply connection portion is removed from the first connection portion and positioned relative to a first mating portion of the first connection portion that is matable with the supply connection portion; a second movement of the supply connection between the second position and a third position that positions the supply connection removed from the second connection portion and in opposition to a second mating portion that is matable with the supply connection portion of the second connection portion; a third movement of moving the supply connection between the third position and a fourth position that positions the supply connection in a connected state to the second connection; The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 1 , comprising:

3. A detection unit that detects a connection position of the supply connection unit; a control unit that controls an operation of supplying the beverage and an operation of supplying the cleaning liquid based on a detection result by the detection unit; The beverage dispenser of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. The beverage supply device of claim 3, wherein the detection unit has a first sensor that detects whether the supply connection unit is connected to the first connection unit, and a second sensor that detects whether the supply connection unit is connected to the second connection unit.

5. The beverage supply device of claim 1, wherein the conversion mechanism is configured to connect the supply connection portion to the first connection portion at one end of the operating range of the operating portion and to connect the supply connection portion to the second connection portion at the other end of the operating range of the operating portion.

6. the operation unit has a lever that is rotatably supported about an axis extending in one direction and is rotated by the external force, The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the conversion mechanism is configured to convert a rotational movement of the lever into the switching movement.

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