Carbonated water production device

Abstract

To suppress deterioration of gas strength of produced carbonated water while facilitating maintenance of the inside of a device.SOLUTION: A carbonated water production device has carbonated water generating means for generating carbonated water, and water pouring means for pouring the carbonated water generated by the carbonated water generating means into a container. The water pouring means is arranged in the lower vicinity of the carbonated water generating means. The carbonated water production device also has cooling means for cooling water, and a storage body for storing at least the carbonated water generating means, the cooling means and the water pouring means. The storage body is arranged in the order of the carbonated water generating means, the water pouring means and the cooling means from an upper part of the storage body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a carbonated water producing device that produces and pours carbonated water. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the need for sugar-free carbonated water (hereinafter referred to as carbonated water) has increased due to the refreshing effect and health consciousness. Carbonated water is used in a wide range of fields, such as drinking, washing the face, and taking a bath. Accordingly, various carbonated water makers for general household use are provided in addition to commercial carbonation makers.

[0003] A carbonated water production device dissolves carbon dioxide gas in cold water under pressure to generate carbonated water, and pours the generated carbonated water into a container. Such a carbonated water production device generally generates carbonated water by, for example, supplying cold water and carbon dioxide gas to a tank. The generated carbonated water varies depending on the temperature of the cold water supplied to the tank and the pressure in the tank when the carbon dioxide gas is supplied. In particular, when carbonated water is generated by supplying cold water with the tank filled with carbon dioxide gas, the quality of the generated carbonated water varies due to the fluctuation in the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas filled in the tank when the cold water is supplied. Therefore, it has been proposed to suppress the pressure fluctuation of the carbon dioxide gas in the tank by, for example, detecting the water level of the carbonated water generated in the tank and supplying cold water in accordance with the fluctuation in the water level of the carbonated water by injecting the carbonated water (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-132496 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The invention of Patent Document 1 maintains the quality (gas strength) of the produced carbonated water by suppressing fluctuations in the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the tank. However, while the invention of Patent Document 1 maintains the quality of the produced carbonated water, it does not disclose a configuration for preventing the carbon dioxide gas from escaping from the carbonated water in the process of pouring the carbonated water from the tank, resulting in a decrease in the gas strength of the carbonated water.

[0006] In addition, in the invention of Patent Document 1, the water supply unit, cold water generating unit (cold water tank), carbonation tank, and cooling mechanism unit are arranged in this order from the top of the device, and the liquid (water) in the cold water tank and carbonation tank is cooled by circulating the cooling water cooled in the cooling mechanism unit to evaporators installed in the cooling tank and carbonation tank. Since the above-mentioned evaporators generally use metal copper tubes, the cold water tank and carbonation tank are integrated with the cooling mechanism unit, making the arrangement of each part inside the device complicated. As a result, it becomes very difficult to remove and install each part during maintenance.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and its purpose is to provide a carbonated water production device that suppresses the decrease in gas strength of the produced carbonated water while at the same time making it easy to maintain the inside of the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the carbonated water production apparatus of the present invention has a carbonated water production means for producing carbonated water, and a water injection means for injecting the carbonated water produced by the carbonated water production means into a container, and is characterized in that the water injection means is arranged in the vicinity of and below the carbonated water production means. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The present invention has the advantageous effect of suppressing the decrease in the gas strength of the produced carbonated water while at the same time making it easier to perform maintenance inside the device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an oblique view showing one configuration of a carbonated water production device according to an embodiment with the front door closed. FIG. [Diagram 2] 2 is an oblique view showing the carbonated water production device with the front door open. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing one configuration of the water injection box. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing one configuration of the water injection box as viewed from below. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one configuration of the supply and exhaust paths and water paths of a carbonated water production device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view showing the arrangement on the front side of the carbonated water production device, and FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view showing the arrangement on the rear side of the carbonated water production device. [Figure 7] Figure 7(a) is a diagram showing the arrangement on the left side of the carbonated water production device, Figure 7(b) is a diagram showing the arrangement on the front of the carbonated water production device, and Figure 7(c) is a diagram showing the arrangement on the right side of the carbonated water production device. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the pressurized tank and the water injection box. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The carbonated water production device of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] The carbonated water production apparatus 10 of this embodiment is connected to an RO water production apparatus 200 (see FIG. 5) installed externally, produces carbonated water using RO water produced by the RO water production apparatus 200, and pours the produced carbonated water into, for example, a pressure-resistant bottle 210 (see FIG. 3). The RO water production apparatus 200 is an apparatus that produces pure water (RO water) by filtering, for example, tap water or natural water through an RO (Reverse Osmosis) membrane. Note that the carbonated water production apparatus 10 does not need to be connected to the RO water production apparatus 200, and may be connected to, for example, a water supply tank filled with tap water, natural water, or the above-mentioned RO water, or a water faucet.

[0013] 1 and 2, the carbonated water production device 10 has a rectangular storage body 11 with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction as an exterior body. The storage body 11 is composed of a front door 12 and an apparatus body 13. The front door 12 rotates around one end side in the width direction of the apparatus body 13 (the right side in FIG. 1) between a closed position that shields the inside of the apparatus body 13 and an open position that exposes the inside of the apparatus body 13.

[0014] The front door 12 has a touch panel 21, a QR (Quick Response) code reader 22, an IC (Integrated Circuit) card reader 23, and a water injection box 24. The water injection box 24 is disposed in the center of the front door 12 in the vertical direction (the up-down direction in FIG. 1), and the touch panel 21, the QR code reader 22, and the IC card reader 23 are disposed above the water injection box 24. The touch panel 21, the QR code reader 22, and the IC card reader 23 are attached from the back side of the front door 12. When the touch panel 21, the QR code reader 22, and the IC card reader 23 are attached from the back side of the front door 12, they are covered by a cover 30.

[0015] For example, when the front door 12 is rotated to the open position, the cover 30 is exposed above the water injection box 24 and to the left of the pressurized tank 36. Therefore, by rotating the front door 12 to the open position and then removing the cover 30 from the front door 12, the touch panel 21, the QR code reader 22, and the IC card reader 23 are exposed, making it possible to perform maintenance on these devices.

[0016] The touch panel 21 displays information based on the operating state of the carbonated water production device 10 and information read by the QR code reader 22 or the IC card reader 23. Furthermore, the touch panel 21 displays selection buttons (not shown) for selecting the gas strength (GV) or amount of carbonated water available for purchase as necessary, and accepts input operations based on the display.

[0017] The QR code reader 22 reads a QR code (registered trademark) displayed on a portable terminal device owned by a purchaser, or a QR code printed on a receipt, etc. The QR code indicates, for example, information about the carbonated water that the purchaser purchases (such as the amount of water and gas strength of the carbonated water).

[0018] The IC card reader 23 reads information stored in an IC chip embedded in an IC card. Instead of the IC card reader 23, a magnetic card reader that reads a magnetic card may be used.

[0019] In this embodiment, the carbonated water production device 10 having the QR code reader 22 and the IC card reader 23 will be described as an example, but the carbonated water production device may have at least one of the QR code reader 22 or the IC card reader 23.

[0020] The water filling box 24 has a pressure-resistant bottle 210 installed therein for filling carbonated water. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the water filling box 24 has a box body 25, a water filling door 26, and a drain tray 27. The box body 25 is a hollow box-shaped member with an open front. The box body 25 has an internal space large enough to store a dedicated pressure-resistant bottle 210 compatible with the carbonated water production device 10.

[0021] Box body 25 has an opening 31 on top surface 25a. A water filling pipe 112 (see FIG. 5) connected to a lower part of pressurized tank 36 described later is inserted through opening 31. Here, opening 31 is provided at a position shifted toward hinge portion 32 that rotatably connects water filling door 26 to box body 25, that is, at a position shifted toward the rotation center of water filling door 26 (a position shifted to the left in FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0022] Water filling door 26 is attached to box body 25 by a hinge portion 32 provided at the left end in Figure 3 and Figure 4. Therefore, water filling door 26 rotates between a closed position and an open position around the left end in Figure 3. When water filling door 26 is in the closed position, it shields the inside of box body 25.

[0023] The water filling door 26 is normally held in the closed position by a locking mechanism (not shown), and when the pressure-resistant bottle 210 is installed on the water filling door 26 or when the pressure-resistant bottle 210 is removed from the water filling door 26, the locking mechanism is released, allowing the door to rotate to the open position.

[0024] When water filling door 26 is in the open position, holding pieces 33 and support guides 34 arranged inside box body 25 and on inner surface 26a of water filling door 26 are exposed. Here, holding pieces 33 and support guides 34 function as a bottle holder that holds pressure-resistant bottle 210.

[0025] The holding piece 33 holds the neck portion 210b of the pressure-resistant bottle 210. The holding piece 33 has a notch portion 33a. The neck portion 210b of the pressure-resistant bottle 210 is inserted into the notch portion 33a when the pressure-resistant bottle 210 is held by the water filling door 26. When the neck portion 210b of the pressure-resistant bottle 210 is inserted into the notch portion 33a, a flange portion 210c provided on the neck portion 210b of the pressure-resistant bottle 210 abuts against the peripheral portion of the upper surface of the notch portion 33a. Therefore, the neck portion 210b of the pressure-resistant bottle 210 is prevented from falling off the holding piece 33.

[0026] The support guide 34 supports the lower side surface of the pressure-resistant bottle 210 with the neck portion 210b inserted into the notch portion 33a of the holding piece 33. As an example, the support guide 34 is a bar made of metal such as stainless steel that is bent multiple times so that both ends extend in the same direction and in parallel.

[0027] When the pressure-resistant bottle 210 is held by the water filling door 26, the pressure-resistant bottle 210 is held by the above-mentioned holding pieces 33 and support guides 34 in a tilted state so that the water filling port 210a provided at one end in the extension direction is located on the hinge part 32 side. When the water filling door 26 is rotated to the closed position, the pressure-resistant bottle held by the water filling door 26 by the holding pieces 33 and support guides 34 has the water filling port 210a located below the water filling pipe 112 (see FIG. 8).

[0028] In this embodiment, the support guide 34 supports the lower side surface of the pressure-resistant bottle 210, but if the pressure-resistant bottle 210 can be held by the holding piece 33 alone, the configuration of the support guide 34 can be omitted. Also, the support guide 34 supports the lower side surface of the pressure-resistant bottle 210, but the position where the support guide 34 supports the pressure-resistant bottle 210 is not limited to this. Note that the configuration of the holding piece 33 and the support guide 34 is shown as an example, and any structure that can hold the pressure-resistant bottle 210 will do. Therefore, the holding piece 33 and the support guide 34 may be integrated.

[0029] The drain tray 27 collects the carbonated water or RO water drained into the water filling box 24 and drains it to the outside. The drain tray 27 also collects the carbonated water that leaks from the water filling port 210a of the pressure-resistant bottle 210 when a cap (not shown) is attached to the water filling port 210a of the pressure-resistant bottle 210 and drains it to the outside.

[0030] 2, when the front door 12 is rotated from the closed position to the open position, the front door 12 exposes the pressurized tank 36, the sterilization filter 37, etc. on the rear side. At the same time, the device main body 13 exposes the water tank 38, the cooler (chiller) 39, the intake duct 40, etc.

[0031] The pressurized tank 36 is supplied with RO water and carbon dioxide gas, and produces carbonated water inside the tank. Therefore, the pressurized tank 36 can store the supplied RO water and the carbonated water produced inside the tank. The sterilizing filter 37 filters the RO water cooled by the cooler 39 to sterilize the RO water and remove impurities.

[0032] The water storage tank 38 stores RO water sent from, for example, an RO water production device 200 connected to the carbonated water production device 10, and sends the stored RO water toward the pressurized tank 36. The cooler 39 exchanges heat with the RO water sent from the water storage tank 38, and cools the RO water flowing toward the pressurized tank 36.

[0033] Here, the pressurized tank 36 is disposed behind the front door 12 and in the vicinity of the upper part of the water injection box 24. In addition, a sterilization filter 37 is disposed to the right of the water injection box 24.

[0034] The water storage tank 38 is disposed in the vertical center of the device body 13. Here, the water storage tank 38 is disposed so as to be located lower than the pressurized tank 36 when the front door 12 is held in the closed position. Note that the water storage tank 38 only needs to be located lower than the pressurized tank 36 when the front door 12 is held in the closed position, and is preferably located at a position where it can be attached and detached (removed and installed) through the opening (front side) of the device body 13 with the front door 12 rotated to the open position.

[0035] Cooler 39 is disposed at the lower end of device body 13 of carbonated water production device 10. Although cooler 39 is described as being disposed at the lower end of device body 13, it is preferable that cooler 39 be disposed at a position where it can be detached (removed and installed) from the opening (front side) of device body 13 with front door 12 rotated to the open position.

[0036] Although not shown in the figure, an intake fan is provided in front of the cooler 39 and an exhaust fan is provided behind the cooler 39. The intake fan takes in air from the front side of the carbonated water production device 10 and sends it to the cooler 39. The exhaust fan sends the air sent toward the cooler 39 out from the rear side of the carbonated water production device 10 to the outside. By arranging the intake fan and the exhaust fan in front of and behind the cooler 39, more air is taken in from outside the carbonated water production device 10, improving the cooling efficiency of the RO water in the cooler 39.

[0037] The intake duct 40 is provided in front of the intake fan. An air filter (not shown) is installed in the intake duct 40. The air filter removes dust contained in the air taken into the inside of the carbonated water production device 10 from the intake duct 40 when the intake fan is driven. As described above, the air filter is exposed from the device body 13 when the front door 12 is rotated to the open position. In other words, the air filter is located in a position where it can be easily replaced.

[0038] Next, the configuration of the carbonated water producing device 10 described above will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the signal flow is indicated by dotted lines.

[0039] The carbonated water production device 10 has a cylinder unit 41, an air supply / exhaust unit 42, a water supply unit 43, a cooling unit 44, a sterilizing filter 37, a pressurized tank unit 45, a control unit 46, etc.

[0040] The cylinder unit 41 vaporizes the liquefied carbon dioxide gas stored in the gas cylinder 51 and supplies it toward the supply and exhaust unit 42. The cylinder unit 41 has a gas cylinder 51 and a pressure reducing valve unit 52. The gas cylinder 51 stores the liquefied carbon dioxide gas therein. The gas cylinder 51 has a container valve 53 and is connected to the pressure reducing valve unit 52 via the container valve 53.

[0041] The pressure reducing valve unit 52 sends out the carbon dioxide gas sent out from the gas cylinder 51 to the supply and exhaust unit 42. The pressure reducing valve unit 52 has pressure gauges 55 and 56, a pressure reducing valve 57, and a manual valve 58 in the gas path 54. When the gas cylinder 51 side of the pressure reducing valve unit 52 is considered to be the upstream side, the pressure gauge 55, the pressure reducing valve 57, the pressure gauge 56, and the manual valve 58 are arranged in this order from the upstream side. The pressure gauge 55 measures the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas sent to the pressure reducing valve 57. The pressure gauge 56 measures the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas sent out from the pressure reducing valve 57.

[0042] The pressure reducing valve 57 adjusts the pressure reduction of the carbon dioxide gas to be supplied to the supply and exhaust unit 42 so that the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas is, for example, 1 MPa. The pressure reduction adjustment of the carbon dioxide gas is performed, for example, while an operator visually checks the measurement value of the pressure gauge 56. The manual valve 58 is connected to a gas path 60 that is arranged between the cylinder unit 41 and the supply and exhaust unit 42. The manual valve 58 is usually held in an open state.

[0043] The supply and exhaust unit 42 supplies carbon dioxide gas supplied from the pressure reducing valve unit 52 to the pressurized tank unit 45 when producing or pouring carbonated water. The supply and exhaust unit 42 also supplies carbon dioxide gas sent out from the pressurized tank unit 45 to the cooling unit 44 when producing carbonated water. The supply and exhaust unit 42 also discharges carbon dioxide gas sent out from the pressurized tank unit 45 when the pressure in the pressurized tank unit 45 is reduced or when the water is fully discharged. Furthermore, full discharge refers to discharging all of the RO water stored in the water storage tank 38, which will be described later.

[0044] The supply and exhaust unit 42 is disposed between the cylinder unit 41 and the pressurized tank unit 45. The supply and exhaust unit 42 has gas paths 61, 62, and 63 and exhaust paths 64 and 65.

[0045] When the cylinder unit 41 side is considered to be the upstream side, the gas path 61 is connected at its upstream end to the gas path 60, and is connected at its downstream end to the one-way valve 103 of the pressurized tank unit 45. The gas path 61 is arranged, from the upstream side, in this order: manual valve 67, gas filter 68, pressure switch (PS) 69, and control valve 70.

[0046] The manual valve 67 is disposed at the upstream end of the gas passage 61. The manual valve 67 is connected to the pressure reducing valve unit 52 via the gas passage 60. The manual valve 67 is normally held in an open state. The gas filter 68 removes impurities contained in the carbon dioxide gas flowing through the gas passage 61. The pressure switch 69 turns on when the pressure in the gas passage 61 reaches or exceeds a certain pressure (e.g., 0.8 MPa), and outputs an on signal to the control unit 46. The control valve 70 is open, for example, when producing carbonated water.

[0047] The gas line 62 has an upstream end connected to the gas line 61 and a downstream end connected to a one-way valve 105 of the pressurized tank unit 45. The gas line 62 is connected to the gas line 61 between the pressure switch 69 and the control valve 70, for example.

[0048] The gas passage 62 is arranged with a control valve 71 and a pressure reducing valve 72 from the upstream side. The control valve 71 is opened when pouring carbonated water, for example. The pressure reducing valve 72 reduces the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas supplied toward the pressurized tank unit 45.

[0049] The gas line 63 has an upstream end connected to the gas line 61. The gas line 63 has a downstream end inserted into a water tank of a cooler of the cooling unit 44. Like the gas line 62, the gas line 63 is connected to the gas line 61, for example, between the pressure switch 69 and the control valve 70.

[0050] In the gas passage 63, a control valve 73 and an orifice valve 74 are arranged from the upstream side. The control valve 73 opens, for example, when the cooling water stored in the cooling tank of the cooler 39 becomes supercooled. The orifice valve 74 adjusts the flow rate of carbon dioxide gas supplied toward the cooler 39.

[0051] In the exhaust path 64, when the pressurized tank unit side is defined as the upstream side, a water separator 75, a control valve 76, and a silencer 77 are arranged in this order from the upstream side.

[0052] The water separator 75 separates liquid contained in the carbon dioxide gas discharged from the pressurized tank 36. The separated liquid is drained via a drainage channel 78 connected to the water separator 75. The drainage channel 78 is connected on the downstream side to an overflow drainage channel 94 connected to the cooler 39. Therefore, the liquid drained from the water separator 75 flows into the overflow drainage channel 94 and then is drained to the outside.

[0053] The control valve 76 is opened, for example, when the pressure in the pressurized tank 36 is reduced or the tank is completely drained. The silencer 77 silences noise that is generated when the carbon dioxide gas is discharged from the pressurized tank 36.

[0054] The exhaust passage 65 has an upstream end connected to the exhaust passage 64 between the water separator 75 and the control valve 76. The exhaust passage 65 has a downstream end connected to the gas passage 63 downstream of the orifice valve 74.

[0055] A relief valve 79 is disposed in the exhaust passage 65. The relief valve 79 opens when the pressure in the exhaust passage 65 reaches, for example, 0.5 MPa during production of carbonated water. By opening the relief valve 79, the internal pressure of the pressurized tank 36 is maintained at a constant pressure.

[0056] The water supply unit 43 is a unit that receives RO water to be supplied to the carbonated water production apparatus 10 and supplies the received water to the pressurized tank unit 45 as necessary. The received RO water is supplied downstream, for example, when producing carbonated water, when rinsing, when draining, etc. Rinsing refers to washing the inside of the pressurized tank 36 with RO water stored in a water storage tank, for example.

[0057] The water supply unit 43 has a water passage 80 connected to the RO water production apparatus 200. When the RO water production apparatus 200 side is considered to be the upstream side, the water passage 80 has a control valve 81, a one-way valve 82, a flow meter 83, a pressure switch (PS) 84, and a control valve 85 arranged in this order from the upstream side.

[0058] The control valve 81 is open when RO water is supplied from the RO water generation device 200. The one-way valve 82 prevents the RO water from flowing back to the RO water generation device 200. The flow meter 83 measures the flow rate of the RO water flowing through the water passage 80 and outputs a measurement signal to the control unit 46. The pressure switch 84 is turned on when the pressure value of the RO water flowing through the water passage 80 is equal to or higher than a preset pressure value (e.g., 0.2 MPa), and outputs an ON signal to the control unit 46. The preset pressure value is the pressure value of the RO water when the RO water is supplied at a sufficient speed toward the pressurized tank 36. The control valve 85 is open, for example, when producing carbonated water, rinsing, and completely draining.

[0059] The water passage 80 connects water passages 86 and 87 between the one-way valve 82 and the flow meter 83. The water passage 86 is connected to the water storage tank 38. The water passage 86 has a manual valve 88. The manual valve 88 is normally in an open state, and is closed when the water storage tank 38 is replaced, for example.

[0060] Although not shown, the water storage tank 38 has a balloon therein that functions as a diaphragm. The water storage tank 38 functions as a carbonated water generating means as described in the claims. The water storage tank 38 stores RO water by contracting the balloon under the pressure of water sent to the water storage tank 38. The water storage tank 38 also discharges the stored RO water at a predetermined timing by expanding the deflated balloon. The predetermined timing is, for example, when carbonated water is generated, when rinsing, and when completely draining. The flow rate of the RO water when it is discharged from the water storage tank 38 is, for example, 1 to 2 L / min.

[0061] The water passage 87 is a drainage passage for draining, for example, the RO water in the water passage 80 or the RO water stored in the water storage tank 38. The water passage 87 has a manual valve 89. The manual valve 89 is usually held in a closed state.

[0062] The cooling unit 44 is disposed between the water supply unit 43 and the pressurized tank unit 45. The cooling unit 44 has a cooler 39. The cooler 39 cools the cooling water stored in a water tank by a compressor (not shown) and exchanges heat with the RO water flowing inside a water passage 91 inserted inside the cooler 39 to cool the RO water. The RO water is cooled, for example, from 25°C to 4°C by the cooler 39. The cooler 39 has a water thermometer 39a. The water thermometer 39a outputs a temperature signal indicating the temperature of the stored cooling water to the control unit 46. The water passage 91 is connected to the control valve 85 of the water supply unit 43 on the upstream side and to the sterilization filter 37 on the downstream side.

[0063] The cooler 39 is connected to a drainage passage 92. The drainage passage 92 has a manual valve 93. The manual valve 93 is usually kept in a closed state, and is switched to an open state, for example, when the cooling water stored in the water tank of the cooler 39 is to be discharged.

[0064] The cooler 39 is connected to an overflow drainage channel 94. The overflow drainage channel 94 drains the cooling water stored in the water tank of the cooler 39 when the amount of cooling water stored in the water tank of the cooler 39 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. The overflow drainage channel 94 has a drain trap 95. The drain trap 95 blocks unpleasant odors from the downstream side of the drainage path. The drain trap 95 may also be configured to prevent gas from leaking out of the drainage channel 94. The drainage channel 94 is connected to an air duct 96 on the upstream side of the drain trap 95. The air duct 96 smooths the flow of wastewater in the drainage channel 94 and protects the sealing water in the drain trap 95. The air duct 96 may be provided to allow fresh air to flow through the drainage channel 94 and ventilate the drainage channel 94. Moreover, the overflow drainage channel 94 connects to the drainage channel 78, which is connected to the water separator 75, on the upstream side of the position where the air passage 96 is connected.

[0065] The sterilization filter 37 has an upstream end connected to the water channel 91 and a downstream end connected to the water channel 97. The sterilization filter 37 filters the RO water cooled by the cooler 39 to remove bacteria and the like contained in the RO water. The sterilization filter 37 is a filter having a hollow fiber membrane bundle in which hollow fiber membranes having a plurality of openings with a diameter of, for example, 0.2 μm are bundled into a cylindrical shape. The size of the openings provided in the hollow fiber membrane does not need to be limited to 0.2 μm, and may be, for example, 0.45 μm or less, which is generally considered to have a sterilization effect.

[0066] The pressurized tank unit 45 produces carbonated water from the RO water and carbon dioxide gas supplied to the pressurized tank 36. The pressurized tank unit 45 has air supply passages 99 and 100, a water supply passage 101, and an exhaust passage 102.

[0067] The air supply passage 99 is connected to a one-way valve 103 on the upstream side and to an ejection nozzle 104 installed inside the pressurized tank 36 on the downstream side. The one-way valve 103 is connected to the gas passage 61 of the air supply / exhaust unit 42 and prevents the carbon dioxide gas flowing through the air supply passage 99 from flowing back.

[0068] The air supply path 100 is connected to a one-way valve 105 on the upstream side and to the pressurized tank 36 on the downstream side. The one-way valve 105 is connected to the gas path 62 of the air supply / exhaust unit 42 and prevents backflow of the carbon dioxide gas flowing through the air supply path 100. The air supply path 100 is provided with an orifice valve 106. The orifice valve 106 adjusts the flow rate of the carbon dioxide gas flowing through the air supply path 100.

[0069] The water supply passage 101 is connected to a one-way valve 107 on the upstream side and to a jet nozzle 108 installed in the lower part of the pressurized tank 36 on the downstream side. The one-way valve 107 is connected to the water passage 97.

[0070] When the pressurized tank 36 side is defined as the upstream side, the exhaust path 102 has an upstream side connected to the top of the pressurized tank 36 and a downstream side connected to a one-way valve 109. The one-way valve 109 prevents backflow of carbon dioxide toward the supply and exhaust unit 42. The one-way valve 109 is connected to the water separator 75 of the supply and exhaust unit 42 via an exhaust path 110.

[0071] The pressurized tank 36 has ejection nozzles 104, 108 therein. The ejection nozzle 104 is disposed on the upper part of the pressurized tank 36. The ejection nozzle 104 may be disposed, for example, at a position where the ejection outlet of the ejection nozzle 104 is submerged in the RO water stored inside the pressurized tank 36. The ejection nozzle 104 ejects carbon dioxide gas supplied from the cylinder unit 41 into the RO water stored inside the pressurized tank 36. Here, the ejection nozzle 104 functions as a carbonated water generating means and a nozzle as recited in the claims.

[0072] The ejection nozzle 108 is disposed at the bottom of the pressurized tank 36. The ejection nozzle 108 ejects the RO water supplied from the water supply unit 43 inside the pressurized tank 36, toward the top of the pressurized tank 36. Here, the flow rate of the RO water fed into the pressurized tank 36 is, for example, 1 to 2 L / min.

[0073] The pressurized tank 36 has a pressure switch (PS) 111 in addition to the ejection nozzle 104 and the ejection nozzle 108. The pressure switch 111 turns on when the pressure in the pressurized tank 36 reaches or exceeds a certain value, and outputs an on signal to the control unit 46.

[0074] A water injection pipe 112 is connected to the lower part of the pressurized tank 36. The water injection pipe 112 discharges the RO water or carbonated water stored in the pressurized tank 36. The water injection pipe 112 has a control valve 113. The control valve 113 is opened, for example, during rinsing, full drainage, and injection of carbonated water. When the control valve 113 is opened, the RO water or carbonated water stored in the pressurized tank 36 flows out from the water injection pipe 112. Here, when a pressure-resistant bottle 210 is set on the water injection door 26 of the water injection box 24 when injecting carbonated water, the carbonated water is injected into the pressure-resistant bottle 210 through the water injection pipe 112. When the control valve 113 is opened during rinsing or full drainage, the RO water flowing out from the water injection pipe 112 is received by the drainage tray 27 arranged at the lower part of the water injection box 24 and is drained to the outside.

[0075] Finally, the structure of the carbonated water production device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. When manufacturing the carbonated water production device 10, the water filling box 24 is placed approximately in the center of the front door 12 in the vertical direction of the carbonated water production device 10. In other words, by placing the water filling box 24 approximately in the center of the front door 12 in the vertical direction, it becomes easier for the purchaser to open and close the water filling door 26 and to install the pressure-resistant bottle 210 in the water filling door 26.

[0076] Accordingly, the pressurized tank 36 is disposed near the top of the water injection box 24 on the rear side of the front door 12. The pressurized tank 36 is disposed from the rotation center side of the front door 12 to the free end side, that is, at a position shifted to the left from the center in the width direction of the front door 12. By disposing the pressurized tank 36 shifted from the center in the width direction of the front door 12 to the free end side, it becomes possible to arrange other components (in this embodiment, the touch panel 21, the QR code reader 22, and the IC card reader 23) on the rear side of the front door 12. In addition, the width of the water injection box 24 in the short direction is set to be narrower than the width of the front door 12. Therefore, it becomes possible to arrange the sterilization filter 37 on the right side of the water injection box 24, that is, on the end on the rotation center side of the front door 12 on the rear side of the front door 12.

[0077] As described above, the pressurized tank 36 is disposed near the upper part of the water injection box 24. This is to prevent the carbon dioxide gas from escaping from the carbonated water when the carbon dioxide gas generated in the pressurized tank 36 is injected into the pressure-resistant bottle 210. For example, the carbonated water generated in the pressurized tank 36 is pressed by the carbon dioxide gas supplied to the pressurized tank 36 and injected into the pressure-resistant bottle 210 through the water injection tube 112. As shown in FIG. 8, it is desirable to make the length L1 of the water injection tube 112 as short as possible so that the gas strength of the carbonated water is not reduced in the process of injecting the carbonated water into the pressure-resistant bottle 210, that is, so that the carbon dioxide gas is not escaped from the carbonated water. In addition, the inner diameter D1 of the water injection tube 112 is set to be, for example, 10 mm or more and smaller than the inner diameter of the water injection port 210a of the pressure-resistant bottle 210.

[0078] The cooler 39 is disposed at the lower end of the device body 13. The cooler 39 cools the cooling water stored in the water tank by a compressor, so the cooler 39 is heavy and there is a risk of leakage of the cooling water. Therefore, by disposing the cooler 39 at the lower end of the device body 13, the center of gravity of the carbonated water production device 10 is lowered, and the carbonated water production device 10 can be prevented from falling over. Even if the cooling water leaks due to damage to the cooler 39, other units will not be submerged by the cooling water. Furthermore, the cooler 39 has the advantage that it can be removed from the opening of the device body 13 while the front door 12 is held in the open position, making maintenance easier.

[0079] The water storage tank 38 is disposed above the cooler 39 and below the pressurized tank 36 disposed on the front door 12 when the front door 12 is held in the closed position. This has the advantage that the pressurized tank 36 is exposed when the front door 12 is rotated to the open position, making maintenance easier.

[0080] In the device main body 13, an electrical box 115 in which the control unit 46 is stored and a valve holder 116 for holding various valves provided in the carbon dioxide gas supply and exhaust paths are disposed above the water tank 38. By disposing the electrical box 115 and the valve holder 116 above the cooler 39 and the water tank 38, the leaked cooling water or RO water is prevented from getting on the electrical box 115 or the valve holder 116 in the event of leakage due to damage to the cooler 39 or the water tank 38. In addition, since the electrical box 115 and the valve holder 116 are disposed in the upper space of the device main body 13, they are exposed when the front door 12 is rotated to the open position. That is, maintenance of the various valves held in the electrical box 115 and the valve holder 116 is easily performed.

[0081] In this way, in the carbonated water production device 10, the pressurized tank 36, the water storage tank 38, the sterilizing filter 37, and the cooler 39 are arranged in this order from the top in the vertical direction of the carbonated water production device 10. At this time, the pressurized tank 36, the water injection box 24, and the sterilizing filter 37 are arranged on the front door 12, and the water storage tank 38 and the cooler 39 are arranged on the device body 13. Therefore, the piping constituting the water passage 97 between the cooler 39 and the sterilizing filter 37, the piping constituting the gas passages 61, 62 provided in the supply and exhaust unit 42, and the piping constituting the exhaust passage 110 are arranged across the front door 12 and the device body 13. According to this, when the front door 12 is opened, each of the above-mentioned units is exposed. At this time, the number of pipings arranged across the front door 12 and the device body 13 is minimized. As a result, when the front door 12 is opened to perform maintenance on the units of the carbonated water production device 10, the target unit can be accessed without removing other units, making the maintenance work easier.

[0082] <Overview of the embodiment> The present invention relates to a carbonated water producing device that produces and pours carbonated water.

[0083] Although there are devices that vary the quality (gas strength) of the carbonated water produced by suppressing fluctuations in the pressure of carbon dioxide gas in a tank, no configuration has been disclosed for preventing the carbon dioxide gas from escaping from the carbonated water during the process of pouring the carbonated water from the tank, resulting in a decrease in the gas strength of the carbonated water.

[0084] Furthermore, if the device is configured so that the water supply unit, cold water generating unit (cold water tank), carbonation tank, and cooling mechanism unit are arranged in this order from the top, and the cooling water cooled by the cooling mechanism unit is circulated to evaporators installed in the cooling tank and carbonation tank to cool the liquid (water) in the cold water tank and carbonation tank, the following problems arise. For example, because evaporators generally use metallic copper pipes, the cold water tank and carbonation tank are integrated with the cooling mechanism unit, making the arrangement of each part inside the device complex. As a result, it becomes very difficult to remove and install each part during maintenance.

[0085] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to suppress the decrease in gas strength of the produced carbonated water while at the same time making it easier to maintain the inside of the device.

[0086] The carbonated water production device 10 described above has a pressurized tank 36 that produces carbonated water, and a water injection pipe 112 that injects the carbonated water produced in the pressurized tank 36 into a pressure-resistant bottle 210, and the water injection pipe 112 is arranged near the lower side of the pressurized tank 36.

[0087] According to this configuration, the path for injecting the carbonated water produced inside the pressurized tank 36 can be shortened, the escape of carbon dioxide gas when the carbonated water is injected can be prevented, and a decrease in the gas strength of the carbonated water injected into the pressure-resistant bottle 210 can be prevented.

[0088] It also has a cooler 39 that cools the water, and a storage body 11 that stores at least the pressurized tank 36, the cooler 39, and the water injection pipe 112, and the storage body 11 has the pressurized tank 36, the water injection pipe 112, and the cooler 39 arranged in this order from the top of the storage body 11.

[0089] According to this configuration, the cooler 39, which is heavy and unlikely to be replaced, is disposed at the bottom of the storage body 11, and the pressurized tank 36 and the sterilization filter 37, which are frequently maintained and replaced, are disposed above it, making maintenance easier.

[0090] The storage body 11 also has an apparatus main body 13 with an open front, and a front door 12 that rotates between a closed position that shields the inside of the apparatus main body 13 and an open position that exposes the inside of the apparatus main body 13, and the cooler 39 is disposed in the apparatus main body 13, and the pressurized tank 36 and the water injection pipe 112 are disposed in the front door 12.

[0091] According to this configuration, by arranging the relatively light pressurized tank 36 and sterilizing filter 37 on the front door 12 and the heavy cooler 39 on the device body 13, the front door 12 of the carbonated water production device 10 can be rotated stably between the open and closed positions.

[0092] In addition, by disposing the cooler 39 in the device body 13 and the pressurized tank 36 and the water injection pipe 112 in the front door 12, the cooler 39, the pressurized tank 36, and the water injection pipe 112 are each exposed when the front door 12 is rotated to the open position. In this state, for example, it becomes easy to remove the cooler 39 from the device body 13 and to install it in the device body 13. As a result, maintenance work on the cooler 39 becomes easier to perform. At the same time, since the pressurized tank 36 and the water injection pipe 112 can be easily attached and detached from the back side of the front door 12, maintenance work on the pressurized tank 36 and the water injection pipe 112 also becomes easier to perform. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 10… Carbonated water maker 11…Storage unit 12…Front door 13...Device body 24…Water injection box 25…Box body 26...Water filling door 36…Pressurized tank 37…Bacteria removal filter 38…Water tank 39...Cooler 112…Water injection pipe 210…Pressure-resistant bottle

Claims

1. A carbonated water generating means for generating carbonated water; A water pouring means for pouring the carbonated water produced by the carbonated water producing means into a container; A water storage means for storing water supplied from an outside source; A cooling means for cooling the water sent from the water storage means to the carbonated water generating means; A housing for housing the carbonated water generating means, the water pouring means, the water storage means, and the cooling means; having The water injection means is disposed adjacent to and below the carbonated water production means, The carbonated water generating means, the water storage means, and the cooling means are arranged in this order from above the storage body. A carbonated water production device characterized by the above.

2. The carbonated water producing apparatus according to claim 1, The water storage device further includes a storage unit for storing a control unit for controlling the water storage means. The storage section is disposed above the water storage means. A carbonated water production device characterized by the above.

3. The carbonated water producing apparatus according to claim 2, The container is A main body having an opening at the front; a front door that rotates between a closed position that shields the inside of the main body and an open position that exposes the inside of the main body; the storage section, the water storage means and the cooling means are disposed in the main body, The carbonated water generating means and the water pouring means are disposed on the front door. A carbonated water production device characterized by the above.

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