Switching valve

Abstract

To prevent a valve shaft from coming off a valve case.SOLUTION: An air valve includes an air valve case with a plurality of ports 411a, etc. and an air valve shaft provided displaceably along an axial direction of the air valve case in a hollow part of the air valve case and switches a communication state of the plurality of ports 411a, etc. by the displacement of the air valve shaft. The air valve shaft includes a small-diameter part and a large-diameter part whose outer diameters differ from each other. The air valve case is configured by connecting a first air valve case configuration part 4111 in which an inner diameter of the hollow part is smaller than an outer diameter of the large-diameter part with a second air valve case configuration part 4112 arranged closer to a tip part side than the first air valve case configuration part 4111 in which an inner diameter of the hollow part is larger than the outer diameter of the large-diameter part. An inner surface of the second air valve case configuration part 4112 is provided with a support rib 417 that can slidably contact an O-ring provided in the large-diameter part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a switching valve. [Background technology]

[0002] A switching valve proposed in Patent Document 1 is known in the prior art. The switching valve proposed in Patent Document 1 includes a valve case and a valve shaft. The valve case is cylindrical, with multiple ports formed on its circumferential side. The valve shaft is disposed in the hollow portion of the valve case so as to be displaceable along the axial direction of the valve case. This type of switching valve switches the communication state of the multiple ports by displacing the valve shaft. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-212259 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the switching valve proposed in Patent Document 1, the inner diameter of the hollow portion of the valve case is formed to be larger than the maximum diameter of the valve shaft, which means there is a risk that the valve shaft may come out of the valve case.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a switching valve that can prevent a valve shaft from coming out of a valve case. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a switching valve according to the present invention comprises a valve case having a cylindrical shape with a closed tip and having a plurality of ports formed therein, and a valve shaft disposed in a hollow portion of the valve case so as to be displaceable along the axial direction of the valve case, and switching the communication state of the plurality of ports by displacement of the valve shaft, wherein the valve shaft is configured with a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion having different outer diameters, and the valve case is configured by connecting a first valve case component, the inner diameter of which is smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion, and a second valve case component, which is disposed closer to the tip than the first valve case component and has an inner diameter of the hollow portion larger than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion, and wherein a support rib is formed on the inner surface of the second valve case component so as to be in sliding contact with an annular sealing material disposed in the large diameter portion.

[0007] Furthermore, in the above-described switching valve according to the present invention, the tip end portion of the large diameter portion of the valve shaft is formed in an umbrella shape in which the cross-sectional area gradually decreases toward the tip.

[0008] Furthermore, in the switching valve according to the present invention, the support rib may have a notch formed in a portion spaced apart from the tip end portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the valve shaft is configured with a small-diameter portion and a large-diameter portion having different outer diameters, and the valve case is configured by connecting a first valve-case-constituting portion, the inner diameter of which is smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion, and a second valve-case-constituting portion, the inner diameter of which is larger than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion, thereby preventing the valve shaft from slipping out of the valve case. Furthermore, the inner surface of the second valve-case-constituting portion is formed with a support rib that can slide against the annular seal provided on the large-diameter portion. Therefore, when the valve shaft moves axially of the valve case, the seal always slides against the support rib, preventing damage or twisting of the seal due to eccentricity or the like caused by valve shaft displacement, and thereby achieving an extended service life. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a beverage dispenser to which a switching valve according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a beverage dispenser to which a switching valve according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing main components of a beverage dispenser to which a switching valve according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a beverage dispenser to which a switching valve according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, with some components not shown. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one raw material box. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing one raw material box. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing one raw material box. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing one raw material box. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view showing the state in which the storage unit shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 is attached to the dispensing unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the raw material box shown in FIGS. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the extractor shown in FIGS. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main part of the extractor shown in FIG. [Figure 13] 13(a) and 13(b) are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the passage forming member. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of the extractor shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the valve group shown in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the air valve shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the air valve shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the air valve shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the air valve case shown in FIGS. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the hot water valve shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the hot water valve shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the hot water valve shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the hot water valve shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the hot water valve case shown in FIGS. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the coffee valve shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the drainage valve shown in FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of the drain valve shown in FIG. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the procedure for extracting a beverage using the extractor shown in FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the procedure for extracting a beverage using the extractor shown in FIG. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the procedure for extracting a beverage using the extractor shown in FIG. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the procedure for extracting a beverage using the extractor shown in FIG. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the procedure for extracting a beverage using the extractor shown in FIG. [Figure 33] FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows the procedure for extracting a beverage using the extractor shown in FIG. [Figure 34] FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing cleaning of the stirring air line and the extraction air line by the extractor shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a switching valve according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] <General configuration of beverage supply device> Figures 1 to 4 each show a beverage supply device to which a switching valve according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, with Figure 1 being an oblique view showing the external configuration of the beverage supply device, Figure 2 being an oblique view showing the internal structure of the beverage supply device, Figure 3 being a schematic diagram showing the main components of the beverage supply device, and Figure 4 being an oblique view showing the internal structure of the beverage supply device, with some components not shown.

[0013] The beverage dispenser 1 illustrated here is a coffee machine installed in a store such as a convenience store, and performs processes such as grinding beans and brewing to dispense a beverage such as coffee into a container such as a cup C. The beverage dispenser 1 is configured with a main body cabinet 10 and a front door 20.

[0014] The main cabinet 10 is an apparatus main body having a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape with a front opening 10a (see Figure 4) on the front, and contains a brewing unit 11 for brewing a beverage (e.g., coffee) and a control unit 12 inside.

[0015] The front door 20 is a door body large enough to close the front opening 10a of the main cabinet 10. The front door 20 is provided on the left edge of the front side of the main cabinet 10 so as to be able to swing around the central axis of an axis part (not shown) extending in the vertical direction, and is capable of opening and closing the front opening 10a of the main cabinet 10. The front side of the front door 20 forms the customer service surface, and is provided with a display unit 21, a beverage supply unit 22, and an opening / closing door 23.

[0016] The display unit 21 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel, and displays various information in response to commands given from the control unit 12, and is also capable of input operations such as touch operations. When an input operation such as a touch operation is performed, the display unit 21 sends a sales signal to the control unit 12.

[0017] The beverage supply unit 22 is provided below the display unit 21 and includes a nozzle 22a and a stage 22b. The nozzle 22a ejects the beverage produced in the production unit 11 downward. The stage 22b is provided below the nozzle 22a. The cup C is placed on the stage 22b.

[0018] The opening / closing door 23 is made of a translucent material such as a transparent resin, and is large enough to cover the inlet 22c of the beverage supply unit 22. The left end of the opening / closing door 23 is pivotally supported by the front door 20, and the opening / closing door 23 is capable of swinging in the front-to-rear direction. That is, the opening / closing door 23 is capable of swinging in the front-to-rear direction toward and away from the beverage supply unit 22, and can close the inlet 22c of the beverage supply unit 22 when swinging rearward toward the beverage supply unit 22, and can open the inlet 22c of the beverage supply unit 22 when swinging forward away from the beverage supply unit 22.

[0019] The preparation unit 11 is configured to include an extractor (beverage preparation section) 30, an ingredient supply section 50, a hot water supply section 60, an air supply section 70, and a container bucket 80.

[0020] The extractor 30 extracts coffee, which is a beverage, from ingredients supplied from an ingredient supply unit 50 and hot water supplied from a hot water supply unit 60, and supplies the coffee to the beverage supply unit 22.

[0021] The ingredient supply unit 50 supplies coffee beans, which are a beverage ingredient, to the extractor 30, and is provided with an ingredient box 51. The ingredient box 51 contains roasted coffee beans, and is provided so that a portion of it protrudes upward from the top panel 13 of the main body cabinet 10. The ingredient box 51 is provided with an ingredient supply drive unit 51a. The ingredient supply drive unit 51a drives an ingredient supply motor 51b, which is a drive source, when a drive command is given from the control unit 12, and dispenses a predetermined amount of coffee beans included in the drive command through an ingredient supply chute 52.

[0022] The hot water supply unit 60 supplies hot water to the extraction machine 30, and is configured by sequentially connecting a hot water tank 61, a first hot water pump 62, a sub-tank 63, and a second hot water pump 64 to a hot water supply path 65 formed by hot water supply piping.

[0023] Hot water tank 61 heats supplied water, such as tap water, using a heater (not shown) and stores it as hot water. First hot water pump 62 is composed of, for example, a centrifugal pump, and when driven in response to a command given by control unit 12, delivers a fixed amount of hot water from hot water tank 61 to sub-tank 63. Sub-tank 63 has a smaller capacity than hot water tank 61 and temporarily stores the hot water delivered by first hot water pump 62. Second hot water pump 64 is composed of, for example, a gear pump, and when driven in response to a command given by control unit 12, delivers hot water from sub-tank 63.

[0024] The air supply unit 70 supplies pressurized air to the extractor 30. The air supply unit 70 is configured by providing an air pump 72 in an air supply path 71 formed by air supply piping. The air pump 72 is driven in response to a command given from the control unit 12, and compresses air and sends it out as pressurized air.

[0025] The collection bucket 80 is installed below the extractor 30 and is used to collect the extraction grounds K (see FIG. 32 and the like) that are generated when the extractor 30 extracts the beverage.

[0026] The control unit 12, in accordance with programs and data stored in a storage unit (not shown), comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the beverage dispenser 1. Note that the control unit 12 may be realized, for example, by causing a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a program, i.e., by software, or may be realized by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

[0027] <Raw material box 51> A plurality of raw material boxes 51 (three in the illustrated example) are provided, and are arranged side by side with other raw material boxes 51. Each of these raw material boxes 51 is installed in a manner that it passes through a top plate hole 13a formed in the top plate portion 13 of the main body cabinet 10. In other words, these raw material boxes 51 are arranged in a manner that a portion of them is exposed from the main body cabinet 10, which is the housing.

[0028] The raw material boxes 51 may contain different types of raw materials, or may contain multiple boxes containing the same type of raw material with some boxes containing different types of raw materials. Since each of these raw material boxes 51 has the same configuration, the following will explain the configuration of one raw material box 51, and will not explain the configurations of the other raw material boxes 51. is housed there.

[0029] 5 to 8 each show one raw material box 51, with Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 being perspective views and Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 being exploded perspective views. As shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 8, raw material box 51 is configured to include a dispensing section 511 and a storage section 512.

[0030] The dispensing unit 511 is installed inside the main body cabinet 10, i.e., below the top panel 13 of the main body cabinet 10, and is a box body in which the above-mentioned raw material supply drive unit 51a is arranged. The dispensing unit 511 is formed with a dispensing opening 5111, an inlet 5112, a locking protrusion 5113, an insertion opening 5114, and an operation unit 5115.

[0031] The dispensing outlet 5111 is provided at the lower front part of the dispensing unit 511, and is an opening for dispensing the raw material to the extractor 30 when the raw material supply driving unit 51a is driven. The inlet 5112 is an opening formed at the top of the dispensing unit 511.

[0032] Three locking protrusions 5113 are provided in the front-rear direction on each of the inside of the left and right opening edges of the introduction port 5112. These locking protrusions 5113 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction and are formed to protrude toward the inside of the introduction port 5112. The insertion opening 5114 is formed in the opening edge on the rear side of the introduction port 5112 and has an elongated hole shape with the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction.

[0033] Operating unit 5115 is composed of a pair of left and right protrusions 5115a formed on the upper front portion of dispensing unit 511 in a manner that protrudes forward. Operating unit 5115 is formed with locking protrusions 5115b that protrude outward. That is, left protrusion 5115a is formed with locking protrusion 5115b that protrudes leftward, and right protrusion 5115a is formed with locking protrusion 5115b that protrudes rightward.

[0034] The storage unit 512 is made of, for example, a light-transmitting material, so that the interior can be seen. The storage unit 512 has an inlet 5121 formed at the top and a communication port 5122 formed at the bottom, and the cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the inlet 5121 toward the communication port 5122. The inlet 5121 is an opening for introducing raw material, and is opened and closed by the lid 513. The inlet 5121 is normally closed by the lid 513. The communication port 5122 has approximately the same opening area as the inlet 5112 of the dispensing unit 511.

[0035] The accommodation section 512 is formed with an insertion piece 5123, a locking projection 5124, and a locking block 5125. The insertion piece 5123 is a flat plate formed in a manner that it protrudes rearward from the rear opening edge portion of the communication opening 5122. The insertion piece 5123 has a size that allows it to enter the insertion opening 5114.

[0036] The locked projections 5124 are formed in a manner to protrude outward from the outside of the left and right opening edges of the communication opening 5122. The locked projections 5124 are elongated and extend in the front-to-rear direction, and are provided with notches along the way that allow the locking projections 5113 to pass through.

[0037] The locked block 5125 is formed in the lower front portion of the accommodation portion 512. An entry recess 5125a that is open to the front, rear, and downward is formed in this locked block 5125. This entry recess 5125a allows the operation portion 5115 to enter.

[0038] As shown in Figure 9, such a storage section 512 approaches the dispensing section 511 from the front side, and with the engaging protrusion 5124 positioned below the engaging protrusion 5113, the insertion piece 5123 is inserted into the insertion opening 5114 from the front, and the operating section 5115 relatively enters the entry recess 5125a of the engaging block 5125 from the rear side, and the engaging protrusion 5115b engages with the front end surface of the entry recess 5125a, thereby engaging with the dispensing section 511 as shown in Figures 5 and 6 to form the raw material box 51.

[0039] In this case, rearward movement of storage unit 512 relative to dispensing unit 511 is restricted by inserting insertion piece 5123 into insertion opening 5114 from the front. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, locking projection 5124 is positioned below locking projection 5113 and locks with said locking projection 5113, thereby restricting upward movement of storage unit 512 relative to dispensing unit 511. Furthermore, locking projection 5115b of operation unit 5115 locks with the front end surface of locking block 5125, thereby restricting forward movement of storage unit 512 relative to dispensing unit 511.

[0040] By engaging the storage section 512 with the dispensing section 511 in this manner to form the ingredient box 51, a portion of the storage section 512 is positioned in a state of protruding upward from the top panel section 13 of the main body cabinet 10 through the top panel hole 13a of the top panel section 13. After that, the lid 513 is removed to open the insertion opening 5121, and ingredients such as coffee beans can be filled into the ingredient box 51. Then, the ingredient supply drive section 51a is driven in response to a command given by the control section 12, so that the ingredient box 51 can dispense a predetermined amount of ingredients from the dispensing opening 5111 to the brewer 30.

[0041] Incidentally, when removing storage section 512 from dispensing section 511, the procedure is as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 4 , after front door 20 is opened, a portion of top panel 13 is removed forward. Next, a pair of left and right protruding pieces 5115a of operation section 5115 are elastically deformed so as to approach each other, thereby releasing the engagement between locking protrusion 5115b and locked block 5125, and storage section 512 is displaced forward relative to dispensing section 511. As a result, insertion piece 5123 moves away from insertion opening 5114, and locked protrusion 5124 displaces the lower part of locking protrusion 5113 forward, allowing storage section 512 to be removed from dispensing section 511.

[0042] In this way, the raw material box 51 has the storage section 512 which can be freely engaged and disengaged with the dispensing section 511, and the operating section 5115 is formed in the dispensing section 511 which is positioned below the top panel section 13 of the main cabinet 10, so that the operating section 5115 is arranged inside the main cabinet 10.

[0043] <Extractor 30> Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the extractor 30 shown in Figures 3 and 4. As shown in Figure 11, the extractor 30 includes an extractor main body 31, which is provided with a crusher 32, a brewer unit 34, a pinch mechanism 36, a scraper 38, and a valve group 40.

[0044] The crusher 32 is what is called a mill, and is provided on the upper part of the extractor main body 31. The crusher 32 is driven when a drive command is given to a crusher drive unit 32a, which is an actuator. The crusher 32 is installed below the raw material box 51, and is connected to the raw material box 51 via the raw material supply chute 52.

[0045] When driven, the grinder 32 grinds the coffee beans guided by the ingredient supply chute 52 and feeds the ground coffee beans (hereinafter also referred to as ground coffee beans) into the brewer unit 34 through the ingredient chute section 33. As shown in Figure 12, this ingredient chute section 33 has an ingredient passage 331 through which the ground coffee beans fall. The ingredient chute section 33 will be described later.

[0046] The brewer unit 34 is configured to include a cylinder 341, a top seal portion 342, and a filter block 343. The cylinder 341 is detachably attached through the removal opening 311 on the front surface of the extractor main body 31 and has a generally cylindrical shape. Because the cylinder 341 is detachable from the extractor main body 31, its orientation is not clearly defined, but in this specification, the configuration will be described according to the orientation when attached to the extractor main body 31.

[0047] The cylinder 341 has an opening 341a on its bottom surface (hereinafter also referred to as a bottom opening) and an opening 341b on its top surface (hereinafter also referred to as a top opening). Such a cylinder 341 is attached to an attachment area 312 facing the extraction opening 311 of the extractor body 31, and when attached to the extractor body 31, is pressed upward by an attachment door 313 that opens and closes the extraction opening 311 shown in FIG. 4. When such an attachment door 313 closes a part of the extraction opening 311, the cylinder 341 is pressed upward. On the other hand, when the attachment door 313 swings forward, the cylinder 341 becomes free and can be removed from the attachment area 312.

[0048] The top seal portion 342 is provided on the extractor body 31 in a manner that constitutes the upper part of the mounting area 312. When the cylinder 341 is pressed upward by the removal door 313, the top seal portion 342 is pressed against the cylinder 341, and closes the top opening 341b of the cylinder 341.

[0049] 12, a cylindrical passageway forming member 35 is formed in such a top seal portion 342 so as to extend upward and communicate with the top opening 341b. This passageway forming member 35 is made of a resin material such as silicone, and has an elliptical cross section. A portion of the ingredient chute portion 33 is inserted from above into the hollow portion of such passageway forming member 35, and this hollow portion forms a passageway 351 through which the ground coffee beans and mixed water (hot water) pass, as will be described in detail below, and its inner wall surface is water-repellent.

[0050] Furthermore, a portion of the upper end of the hollow portion of the passage forming member 35 is connected to an exhaust duct 49 in a manner that separates it from the raw material chute section 33. The exhaust duct 49 not only communicates with the passage forming member 35, but also communicates with the interior of the cylinder 341 via the passage forming member 35 when the cylinder 341 is mounted in the mounting region 312. Such exhaust duct 49 is provided with an exhaust fan 46, as shown in Fig. 3. This exhaust fan 46 is driven by an exhaust fan drive section 46a, which is an actuator, in response to a command given from the control section 12, and when driven, exhausts the air inside the cylinder 341 through the exhaust duct 49 to the outside.

[0051] The filter block 343 is generally box-shaped and provided below the mounting area 312 so as to be movable up and down, with its upper surface being large enough to close the lower opening 341a of the cylinder 341. The filter block 343 is provided with a disk-shaped metal mesh member 343a having a plurality of holes formed therein, and is connected to a beverage supply path 48 which communicates with these holes. The beverage supply path 48 is configured by connecting a beverage supply pipe, and connects the filter block 343 to the nozzle 22a.

[0052] This filter block 343 moves in the up and down direction when filter block drive unit 343b, which is an actuator, is driven in response to a command given from control unit 12. In other words, it moves up and down while moving toward and away from cylinder 341 attached to attachment region 312. When filter block 343 moves up, it presses against bottom opening 341a of cylinder 341 to close it.

[0053] The pinch mechanism 36 is provided above the top seal portion 342. The pinch mechanism 36 has a first pinch component 361 and a second pinch component 362 that extend in the left-right direction and are arranged spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction, and a passage component 35 is arranged between the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362.

[0054] In the normal state, the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 are positioned at the furthest distance from each other, and the pinch mechanism 36 does not act on the passageway component 35, as shown in FIG. 13(a). However, when the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 are moved closest to each other by driving the pinch motor 36a, the pinch mechanism 36 elastically deforms the lower portion of the passageway component 35 to close a portion of the passageway 351, as shown in FIG. 13(b). By closing a portion of the passageway 351 in this manner, ground coffee beans and the like are restricted from passing through the passageway 351. The portion where the pinch mechanism 36 clamps the passageway component 35 to close a portion of the passageway 351 is the lower portion of the passageway component 35, i.e., the portion below the region where the ingredient chute section 33 is inserted.

[0055] 14, the scraper 38 is a flat plate-like member extending in the vertical direction, with a lower end portion 38a made of a resin material such as rubber. The upper end portion 38b of the scraper 38 is also made of a flexible soft material. The scraper 38 is connected to a scraper body 381.

[0056] The scraper 38 is moved in the front-rear direction by a scraper driving mechanism 382, ​​which is an actuator, being driven by a command given from the control unit 12, and power is transmitted to the scraper body 381.

[0057] More specifically, the scraper 38 is installed so that it can move forward and backward in the front-to-rear direction between a standby position behind the filter block 343 and an advanced position ahead of the filter block 343, and is normally positioned in the standby position as shown in Figure 14.

[0058] Here, a driving device 383 such as a scraper driving mechanism 382 is housed on the rear side of the filter block 343, and the standby position is a position close to the driving device 383, and the advanced position is a position away from the driving device 383.

[0059] When the scraper 38 advances from the standby position to the advanced position and when it retreats from the advanced position to the standby position, the lower end portion 38a can slide against the upper surface of the mesh member 343a of the filter block 343 that has moved to the lowest position, and when it advances from the standby position to the advanced position, it removes the extraction residue K placed on the mesh member 343a.

[0060] The vertical dimension of such a scraper 38 is slightly smaller than the distance between the cylinder 341 and the filter block 343 that has moved to the lowest position. That is, the scraper 38 has a vertical dimension such that the upper end portion 38b comes close to the bottom opening 341a of the cylinder 341 when moving back and forth between the standby position and the advanced position.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 11, the valve group 40 is installed at the upper rear side of the extractor body 31, and as also shown in FIG. 15, it is configured with an air valve (switching valve) 41, a hot water valve (switching valve) 42, and a coffee valve (valve) 43.

[0062] 16 to 18 are cross-sectional views showing the internal structure of air valve 41 shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 15. As shown in Fig. 16 to 18, air valve 41 is configured to include an air valve case 411 and an air valve shaft 412.

[0063] The air valve case 411 is formed by connecting a first air valve case component 4111 and a second air valve case component 4112. The first air valve case component 4111 is generally cylindrical. The second air valve case component 4112 is generally cylindrical with a closed end, and its internal hollow portion 4111a communicates with the hollow portion 4111a of the first air valve case component 4111. The inner diameter of the hollow portion 4112a of the second air valve case component 4112 is larger than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 4111a of the first air valve case component 4111. The first air valve case component 4111 is tapered such that the inner diameter of a boundary portion 4111b with the second air valve case component 4112 gradually decreases as the first air valve case component 4111 moves away from the second air valve case component 4112. The first air valve case component 4111 and the second air valve case component 4112 are connected via an O-ring 413 at a location not exposed to the hollow portions 4111a, 4112a, thereby maintaining airtightness between the hollow portions 4111a, 4112a.

[0064] A plurality of (four) ports, namely, an air inlet port 411a, an agitation air discharge port 411b, an extraction air discharge port 411c, and an opening port 411d, are formed in the air valve case 411. These ports communicate with the hollow portions 4111a and 4112a, respectively.

[0065] The air inlet port 411a is formed in the second air valve case component 4112 and is connected to the air supply path 71 of the air supply unit 70. The agitation air discharge port 411b is formed in the second air valve case component 4112 and is connected to the agitation air line 401. This agitation air line 401 is composed of a agitation air supply piping and is connected to the coffee valve 43.

[0066] The extracted air discharge port 411c is formed in the first air valve case component 4111, and is connected to the extracted air line 402. This extracted air line 402 is formed from extracted air supply piping, and is connected to the top seal portion 342. The release port 411d is formed in the first air valve case component 4111, and is an opening for opening the inside of the hollow portion 4111a.

[0067] Air valve shaft 412 is provided in hollow portions 4111a, 4112a of air valve case 411 so as to be displaceable along the axial direction of air valve case 411. Air valve shaft 412 is configured to have small diameter portion 412a and large diameter portion 412b with different outer shapes, and is provided with multiple O-rings (annular sealing materials) 414.

[0068] The small diameter portion 412a has a maximum diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 4111a of the first air valve case component 4111, and the large diameter portion 412b has an outer diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 4111a of the first air valve case component 4111 and smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 4112a of the second air valve case component 4112.

[0069] Such an air valve shaft 412 is positioned at a reference position by the biasing force of an air valve shaft spring 415, which is a biasing means. When positioned at the reference position, as shown in FIG. 16, one end of the small diameter portion 412a protrudes outward from the air valve case 411, and a part of the large diameter portion 412b contacts the boundary portion 4111b between the first air valve case component 4111 and the second air valve case component 4112.

[0070] When one end of the air valve shaft 412 is pressed and displaced against the force of the air valve shaft spring 415 to be positioned at the tip position, the tip portion 416 of the air valve shaft 412 abuts against the tip portion of the second air valve case component 4112, as shown in Figure 17.

[0071] In such an air valve 41, when the air valve shaft 412 is placed in the reference position, the air introduction port 411a and the agitation air discharge port 411b communicate with each other, and the extraction air discharge port 411c and the release port 411d communicate with each other.

[0072] On the other hand, when the air valve shaft 412 is positioned at the tip position, the air introduction port 411a and the extraction air discharge port 411c are in communication, and the agitation air discharge port 411b and the release port 411d are not in communication.

[0073] Incidentally, the air valve shaft 412 of the air valve 41 can also be positioned at an intermediate position between the reference position and the tip position, as shown in Figure 18. When the air valve shaft 412 is positioned at this intermediate position, the air inlet port 411a, the agitating air discharge port 411b, the extracted air discharge port 411c, and the release port 411d are all in a communicated state.

[0074] In the air valve 41 described above, the tip portion 416 of the air valve shaft 412, i.e., the tip portion 416 of the large diameter portion, is umbrella-shaped with a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases toward the tip. Also, in the air valve 41, as shown in Figure 19, a support rib 417 is formed on the inner surface of the second air valve case component 4112, which is capable of sliding contact with an O-ring 414 provided on the tip side of the air valve shaft 412. Such support rib 417 extends along the axial direction of the air valve case 411 and is formed along the circumferential direction of the air valve case 411, but a notch 418 is formed in a portion close to the air introduction port 411a, i.e., a portion spaced from the tip of the air valve case 411.

[0075] Figures 20 to 23 show the hot water valve 42 shown in Figures 3 and 15, respectively, where Figure 20 is an oblique view showing the external configuration of the hot water valve 42, Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the hot water valve 42, Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the hot water valve 42, and Figure 23 is an oblique view showing the external configuration of the hot water valve 42.

[0076] As shown in these FIGS. 20 to 23, the hot water valve 42 is configured to include a hot water valve case 421 and a hot water valve shaft 422.

[0077] The hot water valve case 421 is formed by connecting a first hot water valve case component 4211 and a second hot water valve case component 4212. The first hot water valve case component 4211 is generally cylindrical. The second hot water valve case component 4212 is generally cylindrical with a closed end, and its internal hollow 4212a is connected to the hollow 4211a of the first hot water valve case component 4211. The inner diameter of the hollow 4212a of the second hot water valve case component 4212 is larger than the inner diameter of the hollow 4211a of the first hot water valve case component 4211. The first hot water valve case component 4211 is tapered such that the inner diameter of the boundary portion 4211b with the second hot water valve case component 4212 gradually decreases as the distance from the second hot water valve case component 4212 increases. The first hot water valve case component 4211 and the second hot water valve case component 4212 are connected via an O-ring 423 at a location not exposed to the hollow portions 4211a, 4212a, thereby maintaining airtightness between the hollow portions 4211a, 4112a.

[0078] A hot water introduction port 421a, a mixed hot water discharge port 421b, and an added hot water discharge port 421c are formed in the hot water valve case 421. These ports communicate with the hollow portions 4211a and 4112a, respectively.

[0079] The hot water inlet port 421a is connected to the hot water supply path 65 of the hot water supply unit 60. The mixed hot water outlet port 421b is connected to the mixed hot water supply path 403. This mixed hot water supply path 403 is composed of a mixed hot water supply pipe, and as shown in Figure 12, is connected to the mixed hot water nozzle 404 formed in the raw material chute unit 33.

[0080] Here, the mixed hot water nozzle 404 is provided in a manner facing the raw material passage 331 in the raw material chute section 33, and discharges the mixed hot water in a fan shape diagonally downward. More specifically, the mixed hot water nozzle 404 discharges the mixed hot water in a manner that blocks a part of the raw material passage 331 in the raw material chute section 33.

[0081] As a result, the extractor 30 mixes the ground coffee beans and mixed water in the air in the ingredient chute section 33, and then causes this mixture to collide with the inner wall surface of the ingredient passage 331 and then drop downward along said inner wall surface, without coming into contact with the inner wall surface of the passage component 35.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 12, the extractor 30 has an intake port 45 for sucking in air above the point where the ground coffee beans are discharged from the grinder 32 into the raw material chute section 33.

[0083] The added hot water discharge port 421c is connected to an added hot water supply path 405. This added hot water supply path 405 is composed of an added hot water supply pipe, and is connected to an added hot water nozzle (not shown) formed in the top seal portion 342. Here, the added hot water nozzle discharges the added hot water supplied through the added hot water supply path 405 downward in a shower-like manner.

[0084] The hot water valve shaft 422 is provided in hollow portions 4211a, 4212a of the hot water valve case 421 so as to be displaceable along the axial direction of the hot water valve case 421. The hot water valve shaft 422 is configured to have a small diameter portion 422a and a large diameter portion 422b with different outer shapes, and is provided with multiple O-rings (annular sealing materials) 424.

[0085] The small diameter portion 422a has a maximum diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 4211a of the first hot water valve case component 4211, and the large diameter portion 422b has an outer diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 4211a of the first hot water valve case component 4211 and smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 4212a of the second hot water valve case component 4212.

[0086] Such a hot water valve shaft 422 is positioned at a reference position by the biasing force of the hot water valve shaft spring 425, which is a biasing means, and when positioned at the reference position, as shown in Figure 21, one end of the small diameter portion 422a protrudes outward from the hot water valve case 421, and a part of the large diameter portion 422b contacts the boundary portion 4211b between the first hot water valve case component 4211 and the second hot water valve case component 4212.

[0087] When one end of the hot water valve shaft 422 is pressed and displaced against the spring force of the hot water valve shaft spring 425 to be positioned at the tip position, the tip portion 426 of the hot water valve shaft 422 abuts against the tip portion of the second hot water valve case component 4212, as shown in Figure 22.

[0088] In such a hot water valve 4242a, when the hot water valve shaft 422 is positioned at the reference position, the hot water inlet port 421a and the mixed hot water outlet port 421b are in communication with each other. On the other hand, when the hot water valve shaft 422 is positioned at the tip position, the hot water inlet port 421a and the added hot water outlet port 421c are in communication with each other.

[0089] In the hot water valve 42 described above, the tip portion 426 of the hot water valve shaft 422, i.e., the tip portion 426 of the large diameter portion, is umbrella-shaped with a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases toward the tip. Also, in the hot water valve 42, as shown in Figure 24, a support rib 427 is formed on the inner surface of the second hot water valve case component 4212, which is able to slide against an O-ring 424 provided on the tip side of the hot water valve shaft 422. Such a support rib 427 extends along the axial direction of the hot water valve case 421 and is formed along the circumferential direction of the hot water valve case 421, but a notch 428 is formed in the portion close to the hot water inlet port 421a, i.e., in the portion away from the tip of the hot water valve case 421.

[0090] The coffee valve 43 is disposed midway along the beverage supply path 48. As shown in Figure 25, the coffee valve 43 is configured by inserting an inner member 432 into a hollow portion 431f of a cylindrical outer member 431 with a bottom.

[0091] A coffee introduction port 431a and a stirring air introduction port 431b are formed in the outer member 431. An opening (first opening) 4311 constituting the coffee introduction port 431a and an opening (second opening) (not shown) constituting the air introduction port 411a face each other, and a guide rib 431c is formed in the opening 4311 constituting the coffee introduction port 431a, dividing it into upper and lower sections.

[0092] A coffee discharge port 432a is formed in the inner member 432, and an inlet portion 432b communicating with this coffee discharge port 432a is formed in the lower portion. An O-ring (annular sealing material) 433 is disposed in the lower portion of this inner member 432 so as to surround the inlet portion 432b, and a notch portion 432c is formed in the area excluding the inlet portion 432b.

[0093] The coffee introduction port 431a is connected to the filter block 343 (brewer unit 34) through a portion of the beverage supply path 48. The stirring air introduction port 431b is connected to the stirring air line 401. The coffee discharge port 432a is connected to the nozzle 22a of the beverage supply unit 22 through a portion of the beverage supply path 48.

[0094] In such a coffee valve 43, the coffee introduction port 431a and the coffee discharge port 432a communicate with each other when the inlet portion 432b of the inner member 432 is positioned opposite the opening 4311 that constitutes the coffee introduction port 431a. On the other hand, when the inner member 432 is rotated approximately 90° around its own central axis, the cutout portion 432c faces the opening 4311 of the coffee introduction port 431a and the opening of the agitating air introduction port 431b, thereby communicating with the agitating air introduction port 431b and the coffee introduction port 431a.

[0095] 15, in such a valve group 40, an air valve 41, a hot water valve 42, and a coffee valve 43 are linked by a common valve actuator 40a. The valve motor 40b constituting the valve actuator 40a is driven to rotate cams and gears, thereby switching the communication state of each port of the air valve 41, the hot water valve 42, and the coffee valve 43.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 3, a drain valve 44 is provided in the beverage supply path 48 connecting the filter block 343 and the coffee valve 43.

[0097] Figures 26 and 27 show the drainage valve 44 shown in Figure 3, with Figure 26 being a perspective view showing the external configuration and Figure 27 being an exploded perspective view. As shown in Figures 26 and 27, the drainage valve 44 is configured by inserting an inner component part 442 into a hollow part 441a of a cylindrical outer component part 441.

[0098] A waste liquid discharge port 441b is formed in the outer component 441. This waste liquid discharge port 441b is connected to a drainage path 471 that is provided in a manner extending to the containing bucket 80. An opening 4411 that constitutes this waste liquid discharge port 441b is formed with a guide rib 441c that divides it into two.

[0099] The inner component 442 has a first inner port 442a and a second inner port 442b formed therein, and also has an inlet portion 442c communicating with the first inner port 442a and the second inner port 442b formed therein. An O-ring (annular sealing material) 443 is disposed in the inner component 442 so as to surround the inlet portion 442c.

[0100] The first inner port 442a is connected to the filter block 343 (brewer unit 34) through a part of the beverage supply path 48. The second inner port 442b is connected to a beverage supply pipe connected to the coffee valve 43.

[0101] In such a drain valve 44, the outer component 441 rotates about its own central axis in conjunction with the up and down movement of the filter block 343. When the filter block 343 is lowered, the inlet portion 442c of the inner component 442 is disposed opposite the opening 4411 that constitutes the drain discharge port 441b, and the first inner port 442a and the drain discharge port 441b communicate with each other. The first inner port 442a and the second inner port 442b also communicate with each other.

[0102] On the other hand, when the filter block 343 is raised, the outer component 441 rotates about 90° about its own central axis, eliminating the opposing arrangement of the inlet 442c and the opening 4411 that constitutes the waste liquid discharge port 441b, and the inlet 442c is closed by the inner surface of the outer component 441. This places the first inner port 442a and the second inner port 442b in communication.

[0103] <Supplying Operation of Beverage Supply Device 1> As shown in Figures 28 to 33, the beverage dispenser 1 described above can dispense coffee into a cup C placed on the stage 22b of the beverage dispenser 22. As a prerequisite, hot water is stored in the hot water tank 61, and the air valve shaft 412 of the air valve 41 is positioned at a reference position, with the air inlet port 411a and the stirring air discharge port 411b communicating with each other and the extraction air discharge port 411c and the release port 411d communicating with each other. Furthermore, the hot water valve 42 has the hot water inlet port 421a and the mixed hot water discharge port 421b communicating with each other, and the coffee valve 43 has the stirring air inlet port 431b and the coffee inlet port 431a communicating with each other.

[0104] When the user touches the display unit 21, the control unit 12 receives a sales signal for the selected beverage and issues a command to the filter block drive unit 343b to move the filter block 343 upward, as shown in Fig. 28. When the filter block 343 moves upward in this manner, in the drainage valve 44, the opposing arrangement between the inlet portion 442c of the inner component 442 and the opening 4411 that constitutes the drainage discharge port 441b is dissolved, and the inlet portion 442c is closed by the inner surface of the outer component 441. In other words, in the drainage valve 44, only the first inner port 442a and the second inner port 442b are in communication.

[0105] Thereafter, a drive command is given to the ingredient supply drive unit 51a to cause the grinder 32 to dispense an amount of coffee beans corresponding to the beverage. After the predetermined amount of coffee beans has been dispensed to the grinder 32, the control unit 12 stops driving the ingredient supply drive unit 51a.

[0106] Then, control unit 12 issues a drive command to first hot water supply pump 62 and second hot water supply pump 64, while also issuing a drive command to grinder drive unit 32a. As a result, as shown in Fig. 29, hot water in hot water tank 61 is supplied to mixed hot water nozzle 404 through hot water valve 42 and mixed hot water supply path 403, and mixed hot water is discharged from mixed hot water nozzle 404. At the same time, coffee beans are ground by grinder 32, and ground coffee beans are discharged into ingredient chute 33. As a result, as shown in Fig. 12, ground coffee beans fall in ingredient chute 33 and mix with the mixed hot water in mid-air, and the mixture hits the inner wall surface of ingredient passage 331 before being thrown into cylinder 341. Note that control unit 12 stops driving grinder drive unit 32a after a predetermined amount of ground coffee beans has been discharged, and stops driving first hot water supply pump 62 and second hot water supply pump 64 after a predetermined amount of mixed hot water has been discharged.

[0107] Thereafter, the control unit 12 drives the air pump 72, and pressurized air is sent in the following order to stir the mixture: air valve 41 (air inlet port 411a-stirring air outlet port 411b), stirring air line 401, coffee valve 43, beverage supply path 48, drain valve 44 (inner second port 442b-inner first port 442a), and brewer unit 34, as shown in Fig. 29. The pressurized air sent to brewer unit 34 and used to stir the mixture is then sent in this order to extraction air line 402 and air valve 41 (extraction air outlet port 411c-release port 411d), and then released from release port 411d.

[0108] After stirring the mixture in this way, the control unit 12 issues a drive command to the valve actuator 40a to displace the hot water valve shaft 422 of the hot water valve 42, thereby connecting the hot water inlet port 421a and the added hot water outlet port 421c.

[0109] Then, by issuing a drive command to the first hot water supply pump 62 and the second hot water supply pump 64, the control unit 12 supplies hot water from the hot water tank 61 to the hot water supply nozzle through the hot water valve 42 and the hot water supply path 405, and the hot water is sprayed from the hot water supply nozzle in a shower-like manner, as shown in FIG. 30. Pressurized air is then sent in the following order: air valve 41 (air inlet port 411a-stirring air outlet port 411b), stirring air line 401, coffee valve 43, beverage supply path 48, drain valve 44 (inner second port 442b-inner first port 442a), and brewer unit 34, to further stir the mixture. The pressurized air sent to the brewer unit 34 and used to stir the mixture is then sent in the following order: extraction air line 402, air valve 41 (extraction air outlet port 411c-open port 411d), and released from the open port 411d. After a predetermined amount of added hot water is discharged, the control unit 12 stops driving the first hot water supply pump 62 and the second hot water supply pump 64.

[0110] After discharging a predetermined amount of added hot water, the control unit 12 drives the pinch motor 36a to move the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 closer to each other, as shown in Figure 31, thereby elastically deforming the lower part of the passage component 35 and closing a part of the passage 351. This allows the interior of the cylinder 341 to be sealed.

[0111] The control unit 12 also issues a drive command to the valve actuator 40a to displace the air valve shaft 412 of the air valve 41 to the tip position, thereby connecting the air inlet port 411a and the extraction air outlet port 411c, and connecting the coffee inlet port 431a and the coffee outlet port 432a of the coffee valve 43.

[0112] As a result, as shown in Figure 31, pressurized air from the air pump 72 is sent in order through the air valve 41 (air inlet port 411a-extracted air outlet port 411c), the extraction air line 402, and the brewer unit 34, thereby extracting coffee, and the extracted coffee is supplied to the nozzle 22a via the beverage supply path 48 and dispensed into the cup C from the nozzle 22a.

[0113] When a predetermined amount of coffee has been supplied by being dispensed into cup C, the control unit 12 issues a drive command to the valve actuator 40a to displace the air valve shaft 412 of the air valve 41 to a reference position, connecting the air inlet port 411a to the stirring air discharge port 411b, connecting the extraction air discharge port 411c to the release port 411d, and connecting the stirring air inlet port 431b of the coffee valve 43 to the coffee inlet port 431a, and then stops driving the air pump 72.

[0114] This allows the user to swing the door 23 in the opening direction to remove the cup C from the beverage supply unit 22. The pressurized air used for extraction is sent in this order through the extraction air line 402 and the air valve 41 (extraction air discharge port 411c-open port 411d), and is released from the open port 411d, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the brewer unit 34. The control unit 12 also drives the pinch motor 36a to separate the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 from each other, thereby elastically deforming the passage component 35 to its original state and releasing the closed state.

[0115] 32, the control unit 12 issues a command to the filter block driving unit 343b to lower the filter block 343. At this time, the extraction residue K is placed above the filter block 343.

[0116] After lowering the filter block 343, the control unit 12 issues a forward rotation drive command to the scraper drive mechanism 382 to move the scraper 38 forward from the standby position to the advanced position, as shown in Figure 33. This allows the extracted residue K to be removed from the upper region of the filter block 343 and discharged into the collection bucket 80. Thereafter, the control unit 12 issues a reverse rotation drive command to the scraper drive mechanism 382 to move the scraper 38 backward from the advanced position to the standby position.

[0117] Although not mentioned in the coffee extraction described above, the control unit 12 drives the exhaust fan 46 during coffee extraction. As described above, the air intake 45 for drawing air is formed above the portion where the ground coffee beans are discharged from the grinder 32 into the ingredient chute 33. Therefore, when the exhaust fan 46 is driven, as shown by the two-dot chain arrow in FIG. 12 , the air drawn in through the air intake 45 passes through the ingredient passage 331 and is then discharged to the outside through the exhaust duct 49. At the same time, the air inside the cylinder 341 is discharged to the outside via the exhaust duct 49 without passing through the ingredient passage 331. This prevents steam from being blown out toward the portion of the grinder 32 where the ground coffee beans are discharged. The control unit 12 also reduces the rotation speed of the exhaust fan 46 when the ground coffee beans are discharged from the grinder 32.

[0118] Thereafter, although a detailed description will be omitted, the hot water is supplied to the brewer unit 34 etc. as cleaning hot water to clean the brewer unit 34 etc. When the filter block 343 is lowered, the hot water (cleaning hot water) used to clean the brewer unit 34 etc. flows through the drainage path 471 after the drainage valve 44 connects the first inner port 442a to the drainage discharge port 441b, and is discharged into the storage bucket 80. Note that in the drainage valve 44, the first inner port 442a and the second inner port 442b are connected, but because the coffee valve 43, which is connected to the second inner port 442b through the beverage supply path 48, connects the stirring air introduction port 431b to the coffee introduction port 431a, the cleaning hot water introduced from the first inner port 442a is not discharged from the second inner port 442b.

[0119] In the beverage dispenser 1, the stirring air line 401 and the extraction air line 402 are cleaned at predetermined intervals (for example, every year or every six months) as follows.

[0120] When a command to clean the stirring air line 401 and the extraction air line 402 is issued, the control unit 12 raises the filter block 343 and then issues a drive command to the valve actuator 40a to move the air valve shaft 412 of the air valve 41 from the reference position to an intermediate position, thereby connecting the air inlet port 411a, the stirring air outlet port 411b, the extraction air outlet port 411c, and the release port 411d. The control unit 12 also moves the hot water valve shaft 422 to the distal end position, connecting the hot water inlet port 421a and the added hot water outlet port 421c in the hot water valve 42. Furthermore, the control unit 12 connects the coffee inlet port 431a and the stirring air inlet port 431b in the coffee valve 43. In other words, the extractor 30, the stirring air line 401, and the extraction air line 402 are connected via a portion of the beverage supply path 48.

[0121] Then, the control unit 12 drives the first hot water supply pump 62 and the second hot water supply pump 64 to supply hot water to the brewer unit 34 through the added hot water supply path 405. As a result, as shown in Fig. 34, the hot water supplied to the brewer unit 34 flows from the beverage supply path 48 into the stirring air line 401, and also flows from the brewer unit 34 into the extraction air line 402, and is discharged from the open port 411d of the air valve 41. This allows the stirring air line 401 and the extraction air line 402 to be cleaned.

[0122] <Beverage supply device 1 and effects of each part of beverage supply device 1> The beverage dispenser 1 as described above provides the following advantages.

[0123] According to the beverage supply device 1, ingredient box 51 is composed of dispensing section 511 and storage section 512, and operation section 5115 for engaging and disengaging storage section 512 with dispensing section 511 is disposed inside main body cabinet 10, so that operation section 5115 can be prevented from being operated by an unintended person. Moreover, when storage section 512 is detached from dispensing section 511, storage section 512 can be easily cleaned. Therefore, ingredient box 51 can be easily cleaned while preventing ingredients from being stolen.

[0124] Moreover, operation unit 5115 is disposed in dispensing unit 511, and when an operating force is applied to operation unit 5115, it is disengaged from locked block 5125, thereby disengaging dispensing unit 511 from storage unit 512 and allowing storage unit 512 to be removed from dispensing unit 511. Therefore, the operation of operation unit 5115 and the operation to remove storage unit 512 from dispensing unit 511 must be performed with different hands and cannot be performed with one hand. Therefore, it is possible to prevent storage unit 512 from being removed from dispensing unit 511 due to unintentional operation of operation unit 5115 during cleaning, etc., and as a result, it is possible to prevent the raw material stored in storage unit 512 from overflowing to the outside.

[0125] Furthermore, since the container 512 can be detached from the dispensing section 511 by sliding it back and forth relative to the dispensing section 511, it is possible to prevent a large amount of raw material from overflowing.

[0126] According to the beverage supply device 1, the scraper 38 is normally positioned in a standby position behind the filter block 343 and close to the driving equipment 383 such as the scraper drive mechanism 382, ​​and when it moves back and forth between the standby position and the advanced position, the upper end portion 38b has a vertical dimension that is close to the bottom opening 341a of the cylinder 341. Therefore, even if poor extraction by the extractor 30 causes the filter block 343 to descend with beverage inside, causing the beverage to splash, it is possible to prevent the beverage from splashing onto the driving equipment 383.

[0127] In the above-mentioned switching valve (air valve 41 and hot water valve 42), the valve shaft (air valve shaft 412 and hot water valve shaft 422) is configured to have small diameter portions 412a, 422a and large diameter portions 412b, 422b with different outer diameters, and the valve case (air valve case 411 and hot water valve case 421) is configured by connecting together a first valve case component (first air valve case component 4111, first hot water valve case component 4211) in which the inner diameter of the hollow portions 4111a, 4211a is smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portions 412b, 422b, and a second valve case component (second air valve case component 4112, second hot water valve case component 4212) in which the inner diameter of the hollow portions 4112a, 4212a is larger than the outer diameter of the large diameter portions 412b, 422b, thereby preventing the valve shaft from coming out of the valve case.

[0128] In the above-mentioned switching valves (air valve 41 and hot water valve 42), support ribs 417, 427 are formed on the inner surface of the second valve case component so that they can slide against O-rings 414, 424 provided on the tip side of the valve shaft.As a result, when the valve shaft is displaced along the axial direction of the valve case, the O-rings 414, 424 are always in sliding contact with the support ribs 417, 427, which prevents the O-rings 414, 424 from becoming eccentric or being damaged or twisted when the valve shaft is displaced, thereby extending the service life.

[0129] In particular, the tip portions 416, 426 of the valve shafts are umbrella-shaped, and notches 418, 428 are formed in the support ribs 417, 427 at portions spaced apart from the tip of the valve case, thereby reducing the piping resistance of the valve case due to the formation of the support ribs 417, 427.

[0130] In the coffee valve 43, the opening 4311 constituting the coffee introduction port 431a in the outer member 431 is formed with a guide rib 431c that separates it into upper and lower halves, so that when the inner member 432 inserted into the outer member 431 rotates, a portion of the O-ring 433 surrounding the inlet portion 432b slides against the guide rib 431c, and the elastic restoring force prevents the O-ring 433 from sliding against the edge of the opening 4311. This prevents damage to the O-ring 433 caused by the rotation of the inner member 432, and extends its service life.

[0131] In the beverage dispenser 1, after a predetermined amount of coffee is dispensed into cup C, coffee introduction port 431a and agitating air introduction port 431b of coffee valve 43 are brought into communication with each other, and then driving of air pump 72 is stopped. Therefore, when coffee valve 43 switches from a state in which coffee introduction port 431a and coffee discharge port 432a are in communication with each other to a state in which coffee introduction port 431a and agitating air introduction port 431b are in communication with each other, coffee remaining inside can be prevented from entering agitating air line 401.

[0132] According to the beverage supply device 1, the control unit 12, when a cleaning command is given, brings the extractor 30, the stirring air line 401, and the extraction air line 402 into communication and fills them with hot water, so that the stirring air line 401 and the extraction air line 402 can also be cleaned well, which was previously difficult.

[0133] In the beverage supply device 1, the drain valve 44 is linked to the up and down movement of the filter block 343. When the filter block 343 rises, the inlet portion 442c of the inner component 442 is blocked by the inner surface of the outer component 441, and when the filter block 343 descends, the inlet portion 442c of the inner component 442 faces the opening 4411 that constitutes the drain discharge port 441b, thereby achieving the following effects.

[0134] That is, when performing cleaning by supplying cleaning hot water to the brewer unit 34 or the like, the filter block 343 is lowered, and the inlet portion 442c of the inner component 442 is made to face the opening 4411 of the waste liquid discharge port 441b, thereby discharging the cleaning hot water into the storage bucket 80 through the drainage path 471. After that, the filter block 343 is raised again, hot water is again introduced into the cylinder 341, and then the filter block 343 is lowered, and the newly introduced hot water passes through the waste liquid discharge port 441b, thereby cleaning the waste liquid discharge port 441b.

[0135] <Modifications of the beverage supply device 1> Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this and various modifications can be made.

[0136] In the beverage dispenser 1 of the present invention, ingredient chute 33 can be cleaned as follows: First, pinch mechanism 36 elastically deforms the lower portion of passageway component 35 to close a portion of passageway 351, and then first hot water pump 62 and second hot water pump 64 are driven to supply hot water into ingredient chute 33 and allow it to remain there, thereby cleaning ingredient chute 33. The hot water used to clean ingredient chute 33 can then be discharged into brewer unit 34 or the like by releasing the closed state of passageway component 35 by pinch mechanism 36.

[0137] Alternatively, without closing passageway component 35 with pinch mechanism 36, filter block 343 may be raised and first hot water supply pump 62 and second hot water supply pump 64 may be driven to store hot water in cylinder 341 and passageway component 35. In this case, air may be sent in the following order by driving air pump 72: air valve 41 (air inlet port 411a-stirring air outlet port 411b), stirring air line 401, coffee valve 43, beverage supply path 48, drain valve 44 (inner second port 442b-inner first port 442a), and brewer unit 34, to stir the stored hot water.

[0138] Although not mentioned in the above embodiment, a strainer may be provided near the outlet of the extraction air line in the top seal portion, which can prevent extraction residue and the like from entering the extraction air line.

[0139] In the above-described embodiment, hot water supply unit 60 includes first hot water pump 62, sub-tank 63, and second hot water pump 64. However, in the present invention, first hot water pump 62, which is a centrifugal pump, and sub-tank 63 may be omitted, and only a second hot water pump, which is a gear pump, and a flow meter may be provided. This makes it possible to suppress a temperature drop caused by temporarily storing hot water in sub-tank 63.

[0140] Although not specifically mentioned in the above-described embodiment, after coffee has been delivered from the brewer unit 34 to the nozzle 22a, hot water can be added to the brewer unit 34 to extract the coffee. When adding hot water in this way, it is preferable to drive the air pump 72 to deliver air in the following order: air valve 41 (air inlet port 411a-stirring air outlet port 411b), stirring air line 401, coffee valve 43, beverage supply path 48, drain valve 44 (inner second port 442b-inner first port 442a), and brewer unit 34, thereby stirring again. This makes it possible to break down the ground coffee beans that have been compacted during the initial extraction, allowing a large volume of coffee to be supplied satisfactorily. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 1...beverage supply device, 10...main cabinet, 11...production unit, 12...control unit, 20...front door, 22...beverage supply unit, 30...extractor, 50...ingredient supply unit, 60...hot water supply unit, 70...air supply unit, 80...storage bucket, C...cup.

Claims

1. a valve case having a cylindrical shape with a closed tip and having a plurality of ports formed therein; a valve shaft provided in the hollow portion of the valve case so as to be displaceable between a reference position and a tip position along the axial direction of the valve case; Equipped with a switching valve that switches the communication states of the plurality of ports by displacement of the valve shaft, the valve shaft is configured to have a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion having different outer diameters, the valve case is configured by connecting together a first valve case constituent part, the inner diameter of the hollow part being smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter part, and a second valve case constituent part, the second valve case constituent part being disposed closer to the tip part than the first valve case constituent part and the inner diameter of the hollow part being larger than the outer diameter of the large diameter part, an inner surface of the second valve case constituent portion is provided with support ribs formed at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction so as to extend along the axial direction of the valve case, and capable of sliding contact with an annular sealing material provided on the large diameter portion; a switching valve characterized in that the sealing material is in constant sliding contact with either the support rib or the inner surface of the second valve case component, so that the sealing material is in contact with the support rib when the valve shaft is positioned at the reference position, and the sealing material is in contact with the inner surface of the second valve case component when the valve shaft is positioned at the tip position.

2. 2. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve shaft has an umbrella-shaped tip portion in the large diameter portion that is close to the tip portion of the valve case, the cross-sectional area of ​​which gradually decreases as the tip portion approaches the tip portion.

3. 3. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the support rib has a notch formed in a portion spaced apart from the tip end portion.

Images