Beverage supply device

Abstract

To prevent a shaft from falling out of a case.SOLUTION: A beverage supply device is cylindrically shaped, including a switching valve case 421 in which a plurality of ports 421a, 421b, 421c, 421d are formed and a switching valve shaft 422 which is installed in a displaceable manner along the shaft direction of the switching valve case 421 in the hollow part of the case 421. The device is an air changeover valve 42a which changes over the communication state of the plurality of ports 421a, 421b, 421c, 421d by the displacement of the switching valve shaft 422. The switching valve shaft 422 is composed of a small diameter part 422a and a large diameter part 422b that are different in the outer diameter. The switching valve case 421 is structured by connecting a first case structure 4211 whose inner diameter of a hollow part 4211a is smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter part 422b with a second case structure 4212 whose inner diameter of the hollow part 4212a is larger than the outer diameter of the large diameter part 422b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a switching valve proposed in Patent Document 1 is known. The switching valve proposed in Patent Document 1 includes a case and a shaft. The case has a cylindrical form, and a plurality of ports are formed in the side peripheral portion. The shaft is provided in the hollow portion of the case so as to be displaceable along the axial direction of the case. Such a switching valve switches the communication state of a plurality of ports by the displacement of the shaft.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the switching valve proposed in Patent Document 1, since the inner diameter of the hollow portion of the case was formed to be larger than the maximum diameter of the shaft, there was a risk that the shaft would come out of the case.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a switching valve capable of preventing the shaft from coming out of the case.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the switching valve according to the present invention comprises a case having a cylindrical shape and having a plurality of ports formed therein, and a shaft provided in the hollow portion of the case so as to be displaceable along the axial direction of the case, wherein the switching valve switches the communication state of the plurality of ports by the displacement of the shaft, wherein the shaft is configured to have a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion with different outer diameters, and the case is configured to have a first case component in which the inner diameter of the hollow portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion, and a second case component in which the inner diameter of the hollow portion is larger than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion, connected to each other.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention provides a switching valve in which the shaft is displaceable between a first position and a second position, and when the shaft is positioned at the first position, the first port and the second port communicate with each other, and the third port and the fourth port communicate with each other, while when the shaft is positioned at the second position, the first port and the third port communicate with each other, and the second port and the fourth port do not communicate with each other.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned switching valve, the shaft is biased by a biasing means and positioned in the first position under normal conditions.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned switching valve, the first case component is formed in a tapered shape such that the inner diameter of the boundary portion with the second case component gradually decreases as it moves away from the second case component. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, the shaft is configured to have a small-diameter section and a large-diameter section with different outer diameters, and the case is configured by connecting a first case component, in which the inner diameter of the hollow section is smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter section, and a second case component, in which the inner diameter of the hollow section is larger than the outer diameter of the large-diameter section, to each other, thereby preventing the shaft from coming out of the case. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a beverage supply device to which a switching valve, which is an embodiment of the present invention, is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the main components of a beverage supply device to which a switching valve, an embodiment of the present invention, is applied. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the extraction machine shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the extraction machine shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the main components of the extraction machine shown in Figures 3 and 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the mounting state of the cylinder shown in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the main components of the extraction machine shown in Figures 2 and 3. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the extraction machine shown in Figure 7. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the filter block shown in Figures 2 and 3. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the main parts of the extraction machine shown in Figures 3 and 4. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the main components of the extraction machine shown in Figures 2 and 3. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the pinch mechanism shown in Figure 11 in operation. [Figure 13] Figures 13(a) and (b) are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the passageway components. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of the main components of the extraction machine shown in Figures 3 and 4. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the valve group shown in Figure 2. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the air switching valve shown in Figure 15. [Figure 17]Figure 17 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the air switching valve shown in Figure 15. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the air switching valve shown in Figure 15. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a bottom view showing the raw material chute section and the mixed hot water nozzle. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the coffee valve shown in Figure 15. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the joint part shown in Figure 2. [Figure 22] Figure 22 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the joint part shown in Figure 2. [Figure 23] Figure 23 is an explanatory view showing the external configuration of the cleaning liquid pump shown in Figure 2. [Figure 24] Figure 24 is an explanatory view showing the external configuration of the cleaning liquid pump shown in Figure 2. [Figure 25] Figure 25 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the joint part shown in Figure 2. [Figure 26] Figure 26 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the joint part shown in Figure 2. [Figure 27] Figure 27 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the joint part shown in Figure 2. [Figure 28] Figure 28 is an explanatory view schematically showing the beverage extraction procedure by the extractor shown in Figure 2. [Figure 29] Figure 29 is an explanatory view schematically showing the beverage extraction procedure by the extractor shown in Figure 2. [Figure 30] Figure 30 is an explanatory view schematically showing the beverage extraction procedure by the extractor shown in Figure 2. [Figure 31] Figure 31 is an explanatory view schematically showing the beverage extraction procedure by the extractor shown in Figure 2. [Figure 32] Figure 32 is an explanatory view schematically showing the beverage extraction procedure by the extractor shown in Figure 2. [Figure 33]Figure 33 is a schematic diagram illustrating the beverage extraction procedure using the extraction machine shown in Figure 2. [Figure 34] Figure 34 is a schematic diagram illustrating the beverage extraction procedure using the extraction machine shown in Figure 2. [Figure 35] Figure 35 is a schematic diagram illustrating the beverage extraction procedure using the extraction machine shown in Figure 2. [Figure 36] Figure 36 is a front view showing a modified example of the extraction machine shown in Figures 3 and 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the switching valve according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0013] <Outline configuration of a beverage supply system> Figures 1 and 2 show a beverage supply device to which a switching valve, which is an embodiment of the present invention, is applied. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the beverage supply device, and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the main components of the beverage supply device.

[0014] The beverage dispensing device illustrated here is, for example, a coffee machine installed in a store such as a convenience store, which, for example, grinds beans and performs brewing processes to supply a beverage such as coffee into a container called a cup C. Such a beverage dispensing device comprises a main unit 1.

[0015] The main unit 1 of the apparatus consists of a main cabinet 10 and a front door 20. The main cabinet 10 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape with an opening on the front (hereinafter also referred to as the front opening), and a production unit 11 for producing beverages (for example, coffee) and a control unit 12 are housed inside it.

[0016] The front door 20 is a door body large enough to close the front opening of the main cabinet 10. This front door 20 is pivotably mounted on the left front edge of the main cabinet 10, around the central axis of a shaft (not shown) that extends vertically, and is capable of opening and closing the front opening of the main cabinet 10. The front of this front door 20 constitutes the customer service surface and is equipped with a display section 21, a beverage supply section 22, and an opening / closing door 23.

[0017] The display unit 21 is configured, for example, as a liquid crystal touch panel, and displays various information in response to commands from the control unit 12, and also allows input operations such as touch operations. When an input operation such as a touch operation is performed on the display unit 21, it sends a sales signal to the control unit 12.

[0018] The beverage supply unit 22 is located below the display unit 21 and has a stage 22a. The stage 22a is for placing the cup C and is provided with an arc-shaped stopper (not shown). A nozzle 22b is detachably provided on this beverage supply unit 22. The nozzle 22b is detachably attached to a nozzle mounting section (not shown) provided on the front door 20. When the nozzle 22b is attached to the nozzle mounting section, it is positioned to face the beverage supply unit 22. In other words, the nozzle 22b is detachably positioned to face the beverage supply unit 22.

[0019] The opening / closing door 23 is made of a light-transmitting material such as transparent resin, and is large enough to cover the beverage supply unit 22. The left end of this opening / closing door 23 is pivotally supported on the front door 20 and is swingable along the front-rear direction. In other words, the opening / closing door 23 can swing along the front-rear direction in a manner that moves it closer to and further away from the beverage supply unit 22. When swinging backward in a manner that moves it closer to the beverage supply unit 22, it is possible to close the beverage supply unit 22, and when swinging forward in a manner that moves it away from the beverage supply unit 22, it is possible to open the beverage supply unit 22.

[0020] The production unit 11 is comprised of a beverage extraction device, an extraction machine (beverage production unit) 30, a raw material supply unit 50, a hot water supply unit 60, an air supply unit 70, and a storage bucket 75.

[0021] The extraction machine 30 extracts coffee, which is a beverage, from the raw materials supplied from the raw material supply unit 50 and the hot water supplied from the hot water supply unit 60, and supplies it to the beverage supply unit 22.

[0022] The raw material supply unit 50 supplies coffee beans, which are beverage raw materials, to the extraction machine 30 and is equipped with a raw material box 51. The raw material box 51 contains roasted coffee beans and is provided in such a manner that a portion of it protrudes upward from the top plate of the main cabinet 10. A raw material supply drive unit 51a is provided in this raw material box 51. The raw material supply drive unit 51a is driven 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 the raw material supply chute 52.

[0023] The hot water supply unit 60 supplies hot water to the extraction machine 30, and is configured by sequentially connecting the hot water tank 61, the hot water pump 62, and the joint unit 63 to the hot water supply path 64, which is made up of hot water piping.

[0024] The hot water tank 61 stores hot water by heating supplied tap water or other water with a heater (not shown). The hot water pump 62 is driven in response to commands given by the control unit 12, and when driven, it sends hot water from the hot water tank 61.

[0025] The joint 63 is located downstream of the hot water pump 62 in the hot water supply path 64. The cleaning fluid supply unit 80 is connected to this joint 63.

[0026] The cleaning solution supply unit 80 supplies cleaning solution to the extraction machine 30, and is configured such that a cleaning solution tank 81 and a cleaning solution pump 82 are sequentially connected to a cleaning solution supply path 83 which is made up of cleaning solution piping.

[0027] The cleaning fluid tank 81 stores the cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid pump 82 is driven in response to commands given by the control unit 12, and when driven, it discharges the cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank 81.

[0028] The air supply unit 70 supplies pressurized air to the extraction machine 30. This air supply unit 70 is configured with an air pump 72 installed in an air supply path 71, which is made up of air supply piping. The air pump 72 is driven in response to commands given by the control unit 12 and compresses air to deliver pressurized air.

[0029] The storage bucket 75 is installed in the area below the extraction machine 30 and is used to store the residue and other waste generated from the extraction of beverages by the extraction machine 30.

[0030] The control unit 12 comprehensively controls the operation of each part of the beverage supply device according to the program and data stored in a memory unit (not shown). The control unit 12 may be implemented by having a processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute a program, i.e., by software; by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit); or by using a combination of software and hardware.

[0031] <Extractor 30> Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views showing the external configuration of the extraction machine 30 shown in Figure 2, respectively. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the extraction machine 30 comprises an extraction machine body 31, which is equipped with a grinder 32, a brewing unit 34, a pinch mechanism 36, a filter housing 38, a paper roller section 40, and a valve group 42.

[0032] The crusher 32 is what is commonly referred to as a mill and is located on top of the extraction machine body 31. This crusher 32 is driven when a drive command is given to the crusher drive unit 32a, which is an actuator. This crusher 32 is installed in the area below the raw material box 51 and is connected to the raw material box 51 via the raw material supply chute 52.

[0033] The above-mentioned grinder 32, when driven, grinds the coffee beans guided by the raw material supply chute 52 and feeds the ground coffee beans (hereinafter also referred to as ground coffee beans) through the raw material chute section 33 to the brewing unit 34. This raw material chute section 33 has a raw material passage 331 (see Figure 8) for dropping the ground coffee beans. This raw material chute section 33 will be described later.

[0034] The brewer unit 34 comprises a cylinder 341, a lid 342, and a filter block 343. As shown in Figure 5, the cylinder 341 is detachably mounted through the outlet opening 311 on the front of the extraction machine body 31 and has a substantially cylindrical shape. Since this cylinder 341 is detachable from the extraction machine body 31, its orientation is not clearly defined, but in this specification, its configuration will be described according to the orientation when it is mounted on the extraction machine body 31.

[0035] The cylinder 341 has one opening on its lower surface (hereinafter also referred to as the lower opening) 341a, and two openings on its upper surface (hereinafter referred to as the first upper opening 341b on the front side and the second upper opening 341c on the rear side). The cylinder 341 is also provided with a pair of left and right ribs 341d that project outward from the upper part, and two guide pieces 341e that project rearward from the lower part.

[0036] Such a cylinder 341 is mounted in a mounting area 312 facing the extraction opening 311 in the extraction machine body 31. When mounted in the extraction machine body 31, it is pressed upward by the extraction door 313 that opens and closes the extraction opening 311, as shown in Figure 6.

[0037] More specifically, the retrieval door 313 has an axial portion 313a extending horizontally from its upper end, and this axial portion 313a is pivotally supported on both the left and right edges of the retrieval opening 311, allowing it to swing along the front-rear direction around the axis of the axial portion 313a. In other words, when the retrieval door 313 swings towards the rear, it closes a portion of the retrieval opening 311, while when it swings towards the rear, it opens the retrieval opening 311. A pair of left and right pressing protrusions 313b projecting towards the rear are formed on the rear surface of such a retrieval door 313.

[0038] When such an outlet door 313 blocks a portion of the outlet opening 311, the pressing projection 313b presses the corresponding rib 341d upward, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 6, thereby pressing the cylinder 341 upward. On the other hand, when the outlet door 313 swings forward, as shown by the solid arrow in Figure 6, the pressing projection 313b separates from the rib 341d, allowing the cylinder 341 to be displaced downward. In other words, when the outlet door 313 swings forward, the cylinder 341 becomes free and can be removed from the mounting area 312.

[0039] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the extraction machine 30 shown in Figures 2 and 3. As shown in Figure 7, the lid 342 is provided on the extraction machine body 31 in such a manner that it constitutes the upper part of the mounting area 312. The lid 342 is pressed against the cylinder 341 when the cylinder 341 is pressed upward by the extraction door 313, and covers the upper openings of the cylinder 341 (first upper opening 341b and second upper opening 341c).

[0040] As shown in Figure 8, the lid 342 is formed such that a cylindrical passage component 35 extends upward, communicating with the interior of the second upper opening 341c. This passage component 35 is made of a resin material such as silicone, and its cross-section is elliptical. A part of the raw material chute 33 is inserted from above into the hollow portion of this passage component 35, and as a result, the hollow portion forms a passage 351 through which coffee grounds and mixed hot water (hot water) pass, as will be described in detail later, and its inner wall surface is water-repellent.

[0041] Furthermore, a portion of the upper end of the hollow section of the passage component 35 is connected to the exhaust duct 44 in a manner that separates it from the raw material chute section 33. The exhaust duct 44 not only communicates with the passage component 35, but also, when the cylinder 341 is mounted in the mounting area 312, communicates with the inside of the cylinder 341 via the passage component 35. As shown in Figure 2, an exhaust fan (exhaust means) 46 is provided in this exhaust duct 44. This exhaust fan 46 is driven in response to commands given by the control unit 12, and when driven, it discharges the internal air of the cylinder 341 to the outside through the exhaust duct 44.

[0042] The filter block 343 is a roughly box-shaped structure that is movable vertically in the lower part of the mounting area 312, and as shown in Figure 9, its upper surface is large enough to close the lower opening 341a of the cylinder 341. The filter block 343 is provided with a disc-shaped metal mesh material 343a having a plurality of holes, and a beverage supply path 48 is connected to these holes. This beverage supply path 48 is configured by connecting a beverage supply pipe and connects the filter block 343 to the nozzle 22b.

[0043] When the filter block drive unit 344, which is an actuator, is driven in response to a command from the control unit 12, the block gears 346 provided on both the left and right sides of the filter block 343 rotate around a central axis via a linkage gear 345 provided on the extraction machine body 31, as shown in Figure 10, and thereby move along the vertical direction. In other words, it moves up and down in a manner that moves closer to and further away from the cylinder 341 mounted in the mounting area 312. When the filter block 343 rises, it presses against and closes the lower opening 341a of the cylinder 341.

[0044] Incidentally, the block gear 346 has a radially protruding outer portion 346a formed thereon. As shown in Figure 9, the filter block 343 is in its highest position when the radially protruding outer portion 346a is facing upward, and the filter block 343 is in its lowest position when the radially protruding outer portion 346a is facing downward.

[0045] As shown in Figure 10, the extraction machine body 31 is provided with a stopper member 347b biased forward by a compression spring 347a, and this stopper member 347b can contact the radially outer 346a that protrudes upward.

[0046] As shown in Figure 11, the pinch mechanism 36 is provided on the upper side of the lid 342. This pinch mechanism 36 consists of a first pinch component 361 and a second pinch component 362 that extend in the left-right direction from each other and are spaced apart in the front-rear direction, with a passage component 35 positioned between the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362.

[0047] Pinions 361a are rotatably provided at both the left and right ends of the first pinch component 361, and racks 362a extending in the front-rear direction are provided at both the left and right ends of the second pinch component 362, with the racks 362a meshing with the pinions 361a.

[0048] An elongated hole 361b is formed at the rear end of the first pinch component 361, with the left-right direction being its longitudinal direction. The projection 363a of the cam component 363 is inserted through this elongated hole 361b from below. The cam component 363 is located below the first pinch component 361 and rotates around a rotation axis that extends in the vertical direction, when driven by a pinch motor 36a, which is an actuator, in response to a command from the control unit 12. The cam component 363 has a projection 363a that protrudes upward at an eccentric position from the rotation axis.

[0049] In the normal state, the pinch mechanism 36 has the projection 363a of the cam portion 363 positioned behind the rotation axis of the cam portion 363, so that the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 are at their greatest distance from each other. On the other hand, when the pinch motor 36a is driven, the cam portion 363 rotates so that the projection 363a is positioned in front of the rotation axis, causing the first pinch component 361 to move forward. As the first pinch component 361 moves forward in this way, the pinion 361a rotates, resulting in the meshing rack 362a being displaced backward, which in turn causes the second pinch component 362 to move backward. In other words, when the pinch motor 36a is driven, the pinch mechanism 36 moves in such a manner that the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 are in close proximity to each other, and when the projection 363a is positioned in front of the rotation axis, the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 are in the closest proximity, as shown in Figure 12.

[0050] In the normal state, the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 of the pinch mechanism 36 are furthest apart from each other, so as shown in Figure 13(a), they do not act on the passage component 35. On the other hand, when the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 are closest to each other due to the drive of the pinch motor 36a, the pinch mechanism 36 elastically deforms the lower part of the passage component 35, as shown in Figure 13(b), thereby closing off a portion of the passage 351 (hollow portion). By closing off a portion of the passage 351 in this way, the passage 351 is prevented from being passed by ground coffee beans or the like. The point where the pinch mechanism 36 grips the passage component 35 and closes off a portion of the passage 351 is the lower part of the passage component 35, that is, the part below the area into which the raw material chute 33 is inserted.

[0051] The filter storage section 38 is formed in the rear area of ​​the mounting area 312 of the extraction machine body 31, that is, in the inner area of ​​the mounting area 312. This filter storage section 38 is a part that rotatably supports and stores the filter roll 39. As shown in Figure 14, the filter roll 39 is constructed by winding a paper filter 392 around a roll core 391 which serves as the winding center, and a filter shaft portion 39a is detachably attached to the roll core 391.

[0052] In the mounting area 312, which is the front area of ​​the filter housing 38, guide portions 312a are formed on both the left and right sides to guide the filter shaft portion 39a, thereby allowing the filter roll 39 to be attached to and detached from the filter housing 38 through the mounting area 312 from which the cylinder 341 has been removed.

[0053] As shown in Figure 2, an encoder 38a and a distance measuring sensor 38b are installed in such a filter housing 38. The encoder 38a detects the rotation of the filter roll 39 and outputs the detection result to the control unit 12. The distance measuring sensor 38b is installed at a location radially outside the filter roll 39, detects the distance between itself and the filter roll 39, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 12.

[0054] The paper roller section 40 is installed in the area below the filter block 343 in the main body 31 of the extractor. This paper roller section 40 is pulled out from the filter roll 39 stored in the filter storage section 38 and grips the paper filter 392 that extends between the cylinder 341 and the filter block 343 while in contact with the guide piece 341e of the cylinder 341.

[0055] Such a paper roller section 40 is composed of a drive roller 40a and a driven roller 40b. The drive rollers 40a are a pair of disc-shaped left and right rollers connected to a common drive rotation shaft 41a with their inner surfaces facing each other. These drive rollers 40a have teeth (not shown) that protrude radially outward on their outer circumference. When a forward rotation drive command is given from the control unit 12 to the roller drive unit 40M, which is an actuator, the drive rollers 40a rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the right around the drive rotation shaft 41a, while when a reverse rotation drive command is given, they rotate clockwise when viewed from the right around the drive rotation shaft 41a.

[0056] The driven rollers 40b are a pair of disc-shaped rollers, one on the left and one on the right, connected to a common driven rotation shaft 41b, with their inner surfaces facing each other, and located relatively below the drive roller 40a. These driven rollers 40b have teeth (not shown) that protrude radially outward on their outer circumference. Such driven rollers 40b rotate around their own central axis in conjunction with the rotation of the drive roller 40a by gripping the paper filter 392 with a portion of the teeth of the corresponding drive roller 40a.

[0057] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the valve group 42 is installed on the upper rear side of the extraction machine body 31, and as shown in Figure 15, it is composed of an air switching valve (switching valve) 42a, a hot water valve 42b, and a coffee valve 42c.

[0058] Figures 16 and 17 show the air switching valve 42a shown in Figure 15, respectively. Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the external configuration, and Figure 17 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the internal structure. As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the air switching valve 42a is composed of a switching valve case 421 and a switching valve shaft 422.

[0059] The switching valve case 421 is constructed by connecting a first case component 4211 and a second case component 4212. The first case component 4211 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The second case component 4212 has a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, and its internal hollow portion 4212a communicates with the hollow portion 4211a of the first case component 4211. Here, the inner diameter of the hollow portion 4212a of the second case component 4212 is larger than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 4211a of the first case component 4211. Furthermore, the first case component 4211 is formed in a tapered shape, where the inner diameter of the boundary portion 4211b with the second case component 4212 gradually decreases as it moves away from the second case component 4212. These first case components 4211 and second case components 4212 are connected via O-rings 4213 at locations not exposed to the hollow portions 4211a and 4212a, thereby maintaining airtightness between the hollow portions 4211a and 4212a.

[0060] The case 421 for such a switching valve has multiple (four) ports: an air inlet port (first port) 421a, a stirring air discharge port (second port) 421b, an extraction air discharge port (third port) 421c, and an open port (fourth port) 421d. These ports are in communication with hollow sections 4211a and 4212a, respectively.

[0061] The air inlet port 421a is formed in the second case component 4212 and is connected to the air supply path 71 of the air supply unit 70. The agitated air discharge port 421b is also formed in the second case component 4212 and is connected to the agitated air supply path 431. This agitated air supply path 431 is made up of agitated air supply piping and is connected to the coffee valve 42c.

[0062] The extraction air discharge port 421c is formed in the first case component 4211 and is connected to the extraction air supply path 432. This extraction air supply path 432 is composed of extraction air supply piping and is connected to the portion that covers the first upper opening 341b in the lid 342. The opening port 421d is formed in the first case component 4211 and is an opening for opening the inside of the hollow portion 4211a.

[0063] The switching valve shaft 422 is provided in the hollow portions 4211a and 4212a of the switching valve case 421 so as to be displaceable along the axial direction of the switching valve case 421. The switching valve shaft 422 is composed of a small diameter portion 422a and a large diameter portion 422b with different outer shapes, and is provided with multiple O-rings.

[0064] The small-diameter portion 422a has a maximum diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 4211a of the first case component 4211, and the large-diameter portion 422b has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 4211a of the first case component 4211 and smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 4212a of the second case component 4212.

[0065] Such a switching valve shaft 422 is positioned in a standby position (first position) by the biasing force of a switching valve shaft spring 422c, which is a biasing means (see Figure 17). When positioned in the standby position, one end of the small-diameter portion 422a protrudes outward from the switching valve case 421, and a part of the large-diameter portion 422b is in contact with the boundary portion 4211b between the first case component 4211 and the second case component 4212. When one end of the switching valve shaft 422 is pressed, causing it to displace against the biasing force of the switching valve shaft spring 422c and be positioned in an advanced position (second position), the other end of the switching valve shaft 422 comes into contact with the bottom portion 4212b of the second case component 4212, as shown in Figure 18.

[0066] In such an air switching valve 42a, when the switching valve shaft 422 is positioned in standby, the air inlet port 421a and the agitated air discharge port 421b are in communication, and the extraction air discharge port 421c and the open port 421d are in communication. On the other hand, when the switching valve shaft 422 is positioned in extended position, the air inlet port 421a and the extraction air discharge port 421c are in communication, while the agitated air discharge port 421b and the open port 421d are not in communication.

[0067] The hot water valve 42b, although its detailed configuration is omitted here, is configured similarly to the air switching valve 42a, with a hot water valve shaft 424 (see Figure 15) mounted in a hollow section (not shown) of the hot water valve case 423 so as to be displaceable along the axial direction of the hot water valve case 423. This hot water valve 42b has multiple (three) ports: a hot water inlet port 423a, a mixed hot water discharge port 423b, and an added hot water discharge port 423c.

[0068] The hot water inlet port 423a is connected to the hot water supply path 64 (hot water piping) of the hot water supply unit 60. The mixed hot water discharge port 423b is connected to the mixed hot water supply path 433. This mixed hot water supply path 433 is made up of mixed hot water supply piping and, as shown in Figure 7, is connected to the mixed hot water nozzle 434 formed in the raw material chute unit 33.

[0069] Here, as shown in Figure 19, the mixing nozzle 434 is positioned to face the raw material passage 331 in the raw material chute section 33, and discharges the mixing water in a fan shape diagonally downwards. More specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the mixing nozzle 434 discharges the mixing water in a manner that blocks a portion of the raw material passage 331 in the raw material chute section 33.

[0070] As a result, the extraction machine 30 mixes the ground coffee beans and mixed hot water in the air in the raw material chute section 33, and then causes this mixture to collide with the inner wall surface of the raw material passage 331 and fall downward along the inner wall surface, so as not to come into contact with the inner wall surface of the passage component 35.

[0071] Incidentally, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, in the extraction machine 30, an air intake port 45 for drawing in air is formed above the part where the ground coffee beans are discharged from the grinder 32 to the raw material chute 33.

[0072] The additive hot water discharge port 423c is connected to the additive hot water supply path 435. This additive hot water supply path 435 is composed of additive hot water supply piping and is connected to an additive hot water nozzle (not shown) formed in the portion of the cover 342 that covers the first upper opening 341b. The additive hot water nozzle here discharges the additive hot water supplied through the additive hot water supply path 435 downward in a shower-like manner.

[0073] In the normal state, such a hot water valve 42b has a hot water inlet port 423a and a mixed hot water discharge port 423b in communication, and when an external force is applied and the hot water valve shaft 424 is displaced, the hot water inlet port 423a and the added hot water discharge port 423c become connected.

[0074] The coffee valve 42c is installed in the middle of the beverage supply path 48. As shown in Figure 20, the coffee valve 42c is constructed by inserting an inner member 426 into the hollow part of a bottomed cylindrical outer member 425. The outer member 425 has an agitated air introduction port 425a and a coffee introduction port 425b. The inner member 426 has a coffee discharge port 426a and an inlet 426b at its lower part that communicates with the coffee discharge port 426a. An O-ring is installed at the lower part of the inner member 426 in a manner that surrounds the inlet 426b, and a notch 426c is formed in the area excluding the inlet 426b.

[0075] The agitation air introduction port 425a is connected to the agitation air supply path 431. The coffee introduction port 425b is connected to the filter block 343 (brewer unit 34) through a portion of the beverage supply path 48. The coffee discharge port 426a is connected to the nozzle 22b of the beverage supply unit 22 through a portion of the beverage supply path 48.

[0076] In such a coffee valve 42c, when the inlet 426b of the inner member 426 is positioned opposite the coffee introduction port 425b, the coffee introduction port 425b and the coffee discharge port 426a are in communication. On the other hand, when the inner member 426 is rotated approximately 90° around its central axis, the notch 426c faces the coffee introduction port 425b and the agitated air introduction port 425a, thereby creating communication between the agitated air introduction port 425a and the coffee introduction port 425b.

[0077] As shown in Figure 15, such a valve group 42 consists of an air switching valve 42a, a hot water valve 42b, and a coffee valve 42c, all linked by a common valve actuator 42M. The valve actuator 42M is configured such that the communication state of each port of the air switching valve 42a, hot water valve 42b, and coffee valve 42c is switched by the rotation of cams and gears driven by the valve motor 42M1 that constitutes the valve actuator 42M.

[0078] Furthermore, a three-way valve 47 is provided in the beverage supply path 48 connecting the coffee valve 42c and the filter block 343. This three-way valve 47 has an inlet portion to which the beverage supply piping connected to the filter block 343 is connected, a first outlet portion to which the beverage supply piping connected to the coffee valve 42c is connected, and a second outlet portion to which the drainage path 471, which extends to the storage bucket 75, is connected. This three-way valve 47 switches selectively between a first delivery state in which the inlet portion and the first outlet portion are in communication, and a second delivery state in which the inlet portion and the second outlet portion are in communication, in response to a command given by the control unit 12.

[0079] <Joint section 63 and cleaning fluid pump 82> Figures 21 and 22 show the joint portion 63 shown in Figure 2, respectively. Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the joint portion 63, and Figure 22 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the joint portion 63. As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the joint portion 63 is composed of a joint body 631, a first flow path component 632, a blocking member 633, and a second flow path component 634.

[0080] The joint body 631 has a cylindrical shape and is provided with a supply port 631a and a discharge port 631b. The supply port 631a is connected to the hot water supply piping of the hot water supply route 64, and more specifically, to the hot water supply piping connected to the hot water valve 42b. The discharge port 631b is not shown in the figure, but is connected to a discharge route that extends, for example, to the storage bucket 75.

[0081] The first flow path component 632 is fixedly positioned in the hollow portion 631c of the joint body 631, and more specifically, it is fixedly positioned in the hollow portion 631c in such a manner that it closes the opening on one end side of the joint body 631. This first flow path component 632 has a raw hot water inlet (first inlet) 632a, a first discharge port 632b, and an inlet 632c.

[0082] The raw hot water inlet 632a is connected to the hot water supply piping of the hot water supply path 64, and more specifically, to the hot water supply piping connected to the hot water pump 62. The first discharge port 632b is provided in a manner that it is connected to the outlet port 631a. The inlet 632c is formed in a position that can face the second flow path component 634 and is normally closed by the first ball valve 632e which is biased by the first ball spring (first biasing means) 632d.

[0083] The closing member 633 is provided in such a manner that it closes the opening on the other end of the joint body 631. A cleaning fluid inlet (second inlet) 633a is formed in this closing member 633. The cleaning fluid inlet 633a is in communication with the cleaning fluid supply path 83 of the cleaning fluid supply unit 80, and more specifically, it is connected to the cleaning fluid supply piping so as to be downstream of the cleaning fluid pump 82.

[0084] The cleaning fluid pump 82 will now be described. As shown in Figures 23 and 24, the cleaning fluid pump 82 is a piston pump that repeatedly sucks in and discharges cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank 81 by moving a piston (see Figure 24) 821 up and down.

[0085] Such a cleaning fluid pump 82 is driven in response to commands from the control unit 12. For example, when a quantitative bottom dead center sensor 822, which is composed of an optical sensor or the like, detects that the piston 821 is at the bottom dead center, the piston 821 is moved upward. Conversely, when a quantitative top dead center sensor 823, which is composed of an optical sensor or the like, detects that the piston 821 is at the top dead center, the piston 821 is moved downward. In this way, the vertical stroke of the piston 821 is kept constant, and a fixed amount of cleaning fluid is discharged.

[0086] The second flow path component 634 is provided in the hollow portion 631c of the joint body 631, with its interior communicating with the cleaning fluid inlet 633a. This second flow path component 634 is provided in the hollow portion 631c in a manner that is adjacent to and separates from the first flow path component 632. This second flow path component 634 has a second discharge port 634a. The second discharge port 634a is formed in a position that can face the first flow path component 632, more specifically, in a position that can face the inlet 632c, and is normally closed by a second ball valve 634c biased by a second ball spring (second biasing means) 634b.

[0087] The second flow channel component 634 is biased in such a manner that it is separated from the first flow channel component 632 by a joint spring (third biasing means) 635 interposed between it and the first flow channel component 632, thereby determining its standby position.

[0088] In such a joint section 63, when the second flow path component 634 is separated from the first flow path component 632, the inlet 632c and the second discharge port 634a, which are closed off from each other, are separated from each other. In this case, when hot water is introduced from the raw hot water inlet 632a by the drive of the hot water supply pump 62, the hot water is circulated to the outlet 631a via the first discharge port 632b and discharged from the outlet 631a.

[0089] On the other hand, in the joint section 63, when the hot water pump 62 stops running and cleaning fluid is introduced from the cleaning fluid inlet 633a by the cleaning fluid pump 82, the second flow path component 634 moves closer to the first flow path component 632 against the biasing force of the joint spring 635, as shown in Figure 25. As the second flow path component 634 moves closer to the first flow path component 632 in this way, the protrusion 632f formed on the first flow path component 632 comes into contact with the second ball valve 634c, as shown in Figure 26. Then, as the second flow path component 634 moves even closer to the first flow path component 632, the second ball valve 634c is pressed against the protrusion 632f, causing it to retract against the biasing force of the second ball spring 634b and open the second discharge port 634a, thereby discharging the cleaning fluid, as shown in Figure 27. In this way, the cleaning liquid discharged from the second discharge port 634a causes the first ball valve 632e to retract against the biasing force of the first ball spring 632d, thereby opening the inlet 632c. As a result, the cleaning liquid that flows in from the inlet 632c flows through the first discharge port 632b to the outlet 631a and is discharged from the outlet 631a.

[0090] When the amount of cleaning fluid introduced decreases due to the stopping of the cleaning fluid pump 82, the inlet 632c is closed by the first ball valve 632e, and the second discharge port 634a is closed by the second ball valve 634c. Then, the second flow path component 634 moves away from the first flow path component 632 due to the biasing force of the joint spring 635 and is positioned in a standby position.

[0091] In this manner, when hot water is introduced from the raw hot water inlet 632a by the operation of the hot water supply pump 62, the joint section 63 allows the hot water to flow through the first discharge port 632b to the outlet port 631a and be discharged from the outlet port 631a. On the other hand, when cleaning liquid is introduced from the cleaning liquid inlet 633a by the operation of the cleaning liquid pump 82, the cleaning liquid flows through the second discharge port 634a → inlet 632c → first discharge port 632b to the outlet port 631a and is discharged from the outlet port 631a.

[0092] <Beverage dispensing operation> In the beverage supply device described above, coffee can be supplied to a cup C placed on the stage 22a of the beverage supply unit 22 in the following manner. As a prerequisite, hot water is stored in the hot water tank 61, and in the air switching valve 42a, the switching valve shaft 422 is positioned in the standby position, with the air introduction port 421a and the stirring air discharge port 421b in communication, and the extraction air discharge port 421c and the open port 421d in communication. In addition, in the hot water valve 42b, the hot water introduction port 423a and the mixed hot water discharge port 423b are in communication, and in the coffee valve 42c, the stirring air introduction port 425a and the coffee introduction port 425b are in communication. Furthermore, the three-way valve 47 is in the first discharge state.

[0093] When the user touches the display unit 21, the control unit 12 receives a sales signal for the selected beverage. As shown in Figure 28, the control unit 12 issues a command to the filter block drive unit 344 to move the filter block 343 upward, and then issues a drive command to the raw material supply drive unit 51a to dispense an amount of coffee beans corresponding to the beverage into the grinder 32. The control unit 12 then stops the raw material supply drive unit 51a after a predetermined amount of coffee beans has been dispensed into the grinder 32.

[0094] The control unit 12 then issues a drive command to the hot water pump 62 and the grinder drive unit 32a. As a result, as shown in Figure 29, the hot water from the hot water tank 61 is supplied to the mixed hot water nozzle 434 through the joint 63, hot water valve 42b, and mixed hot water supply path 433, and is discharged as mixed hot water from the mixed hot water nozzle 434. At the same time, the grinder 32 grinds the coffee beans and discharges the ground coffee beans into the raw material chute 33. As a result, as shown in Figure 8, in the raw material chute 33, the ground coffee beans fall and mix with the mixed hot water in the air, and the mixture collides with the inner wall surface of the raw material passage 331 before being fed into the cylinder 341. The control unit 12 also stops the grinder drive unit 32a after a predetermined amount of ground coffee beans has been discharged, and stops the hot water pump 62 after a predetermined amount of mixed hot water has been discharged.

[0095] Subsequently, the control unit 12 drives the air pump 72, and pressurized air is sent in the following order, as shown in Figure 29: air switching valve 42a (air inlet port 421a - stirring air discharge port 421b), stirring air supply path 431, coffee valve 42c, beverage supply path 48, and brewing unit 34, to stir the mixture. The pressurized air that has been sent to the brewing unit 34 and used to stir the mixture is then sent in the following order: extraction air supply path 432, air switching valve 42a (extraction air discharge port 421c - open port 421d), and released from the open port 421d.

[0096] Having stirred the mixture in this manner, the control unit 12 gives a drive command to the valve actuator 42M, displacing the hot water valve shaft 424 of the hot water valve 42b to connect the hot water inlet port 423a and the added hot water discharge port 423c.

[0097] The control unit 12 then issues a drive command to the hot water pump 62, causing the hot water from the hot water tank 61 to be supplied to the additive hot water nozzle via the joint 63, hot water valve 42b, and additive hot water supply path 435, as shown in Figure 30, and discharged as additive hot water in a shower-like manner from the additive hot water nozzle. Pressurized air is also sent in the following order to further agitate the mixture: air switching valve 42a (air introduction port 421a - agitation air discharge port 421b), agitation air supply path 431, coffee valve 42c, beverage supply path 48, and brewing unit 34. The pressurized air that has been sent to the brewing unit 34 and used to agitate the mixture is then sent in the following order to the extraction air supply path 432 and air switching valve 42a (extraction air discharge port 421c - open port 421d), and released from the open port 421d. The control unit 12 then stops the hot water pump 62 after a predetermined amount of additive hot water has been discharged.

[0098] As shown in Figure 31, the control unit 12, having discharged a predetermined amount of added hot water, drives the pinch motor 36a to bring the first pinch component 361 and the second pinch component 362 closer together, thereby elastically deforming the lower part of the passage component 35 and closing off a portion of the passage 351. This seals the inside of the cylinder 341.

[0099] Furthermore, the control unit 12 provides a drive command to the valve actuator 42M, thereby displacing the switching valve shaft 422 of the air switching valve 42a to the extended position, connecting the air introduction port 421a and the extraction air discharge port 421c. It also connects the coffee introduction port 425b and the coffee discharge port 426a of the coffee valve 42c.

[0100] As a result, as shown in Figure 31, pressurized air from the air pump 72 is delivered in the following order: air switching valve 42a (air inlet port 421a - extraction air discharge port 421c), extraction air supply path 432, and brewing unit 34, thereby extracting coffee. The extracted coffee is supplied to nozzle 22b via beverage supply path 48 and discharged from nozzle 22b into cup C.

[0101] When a predetermined amount of coffee is supplied to cup C by being dispensed, the control unit 12 stops the drive of the air pump 72 and gives a drive command to the valve actuator 42M to displace the switching valve shaft 422 of the air switching valve 42a to the standby position, connecting the air introduction port 421a and the stirring air discharge port 421b, as well as connecting the extraction air discharge port 421c and the open port 421d, and connecting the stirring air introduction port 425a and the coffee introduction port 425b of the coffee valve 42c. As a result, the user can swing the opening / closing door 23 in the direction of opening to remove cup C from the beverage supply unit 22. The pressurized air used for extraction is sent in the order of extraction air supply path 432 and air switching valve 42a (extraction air discharge port 421c - open port 421d), and is released from the open port 421d, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the brewer unit 34. Furthermore, the control unit 12 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 back to its original state and releasing the closed state.

[0102] Subsequently, the control unit 12 issues a command to the filter block drive unit 344 to lower the filter block 343. At this time, the extracted residue K is placed on the paper filter 392 positioned above the filter block 343.

[0103] As shown in Figure 32, the control unit 12, which has lowered the filter block 343, gives a forward rotation drive command to the roller drive unit 40M, causing the drive roller 40a to rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the right, thereby driving the paper roller unit 40 to rotate in the forward direction, and thereby unwinding the paper filter 392 from the filter roll 39.

[0104] In this way, as shown in Figure 33, when the extracted residue K is detached from the upper area of ​​the filter block 343 and discharged into the collection bucket 75, the control unit 12, as shown in Figure 34, gives a reverse rotation drive command to the roller drive unit 40M, causing the drive roller 40a to rotate clockwise when viewed from the right, thereby driving the paper roller unit 40 in reverse rotation. As a result, the paper filter 392 is loosened as shown in Figure 35.

[0105] Incidentally, although not mentioned in the coffee extraction section above, the control unit 12 drives the exhaust fan 46 during coffee extraction. As described above, an air intake 45 is formed above the part where the coffee grounds are discharged from the grinder 32 to the raw material chute 33. Therefore, when the exhaust fan 46 is driven, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 8, the air drawn in from the air intake 45 passes through the raw material passage 331 and is then discharged to the outside through the exhaust duct 44. At the same time, the air inside the cylinder 341 is discharged to the outside via the exhaust duct 44 without passing through the raw material passage 331. This prevents steam from being sent to the part of the grinder 32 where the coffee grounds are discharged. The control unit 12 also reduces the rotation speed of the exhaust fan 46 when the coffee grounds are discharged from the grinder 32.

[0106] When cleaning the brewing unit 34, etc., after the coffee extraction described above, the control unit 12 drives the valve actuator 42M to set each valve to a predetermined state, and then drives the cleaning fluid pump 82. This drives the cleaning fluid pump 82 to discharge a fixed amount of cleaning fluid, which is sent from the joint 63 to the hot water supply path 64, and then sent to the brewing unit 34 for cleaning. The cleaning fluid discharged from the brewing unit 34 in this manner flows through the drainage path 471 via the three-way valve 47, which is in a second discharge state, and is discharged into the storage bucket 75. After the discharge of the cleaning fluid, the control unit 12 drives the hot water pump 62 to send hot water from the hot water tank 61 from the joint 63 to the hot water supply path 64, and then sent to the brewing unit 34 as rinse water. The water that is sent out as rinse water in this manner flows through the drainage path 471 via the three-way valve 47, which is in the second discharge state, and is discharged into the collection bucket 75.

[0107] The beverage supply system described above provides the following effects and benefits.

[0108] The air switching valve 42a, which constitutes the beverage supply device, is configured such that the switching valve shaft 422 has a small diameter section 422a and a large diameter section 422b with different outer diameters, and the switching valve case 421 is configured such that the first case component 4211 has hollow sections 4211a and 4212a with inner diameters smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter section 422b, and the second case component 4212 has hollow sections 4211a and 4212a with inner diameters larger than the outer diameter of the large diameter section 422b, are connected to each other, thereby preventing the switching valve shaft 422 from coming out of the switching valve case 421.

[0109] When the switching valve shaft 422 is positioned in standby mode, the air inlet port 421a and the agitated air discharge port 421b are in communication, as is the extraction air discharge port 421c and the open port 421d. However, when the switching valve shaft 422 is positioned in extended mode, only the air inlet port 421a and the extraction air discharge port 421c are in communication. Therefore, when used to supply pressurized air, a dedicated valve for releasing the pressurized air sent to the brewer unit is not required, as in conventional designs. This reduces manufacturing costs by decreasing the number of parts.

[0110] Furthermore, since the air switching valve 42a is driven by a common valve actuator 42M along with the hot water valve 42b and the coffee valve 42c, this also reduces manufacturing costs by decreasing the number of parts.

[0111] Furthermore, the air switching valve 42a is formed in a tapered shape, where the inner diameter of the boundary portion 4211b between the first case component 4211 and the second case component 4212 gradually decreases as it moves away from the second case component 4212. This allows the switching valve shaft 422 to absorb the impact when it makes contact.

[0112] Furthermore, the air switching valve 42a maintains airtightness between the hollow sections 4211a and 4212a by connecting the first case component 4211 and the second case component 4212 via an O-ring 4213 at a point not exposed to the hollow sections 4211a and 4212a, thereby ensuring sufficient flow path in the hollow sections 4211a and 4212a.

[0113] The joint section 63 constituting the beverage supply device comprises a cylindrical joint body 631 provided with an outlet 631a and an outlet 631b, a first flow path component 632 fixedly positioned in the hollow section 631c of the joint body 631 and having a raw water inlet 632a, a first discharge port 632b communicating with the outlet 631a, and an inlet 632c that is normally closed by a first ball valve 632e biased by a first ball spring 632d, and a washing liquid guide provided in such a manner that it closes the opening on the other end of the joint body 631, and a washing liquid guide A blocking member 633 having an inlet 633a, a second flow path component 634 having a second discharge port 634a which is normally closed by a second ball valve 634c biased by a second ball spring 634b, and which is provided in the hollow portion 631c of the joint body 631c in a manner that moves in close to and away from the first flow path component 632 with its interior communicating with the cleaning fluid inlet 633a, and interposed between the first flow path component 632 and the second flow path component 634, and which biases the second flow path component 634 in a manner that separates it from the first flow path component 632 The valve is equipped with a second ball valve 634c. When hot water is introduced from the raw hot water inlet 632a, the hot water is routed through the first discharge port 632b to the outlet 631a and then discharged from the outlet 631a. When cleaning fluid is introduced from the cleaning fluid inlet 633a, the second flow path component 634 moves closer to the first flow path component 632 against the biasing force of the joint spring 635, causing the second ball valve 634c to be pressed against the protrusion 632f formed on the first flow path component 632, and to retract against the biasing force of the second ball spring 634b. As a result, the second discharge port 634a opens and the cleaning liquid is discharged, and the discharged cleaning liquid causes the first ball valve 632e to retract against the biasing force of the first biasing means, opening the inlet 632c. The cleaning liquid that flows in from the inlet 632c is then routed through the first discharge port 632b to the outlet 631a and discharged from the outlet 631a. Therefore, as in the conventional method, there is no need to selectively choose and install either the stock connector or the cleaning connector, and cleaning work such as the hot water supply path 64 can be easily performed.

[0114] Moreover, since the first flow path component 632 and the second flow path component 634 are normally separated from each other, there is no risk of the cleaning fluid entering the hot water supply path 64 unless the cleaning fluid is introduced from the cleaning fluid inlet 633a with sufficient pressure. Furthermore, even if the closure of the second discharge port 634a by the second ball valve 634c is insufficient due to some malfunction, the cleaning fluid discharged from the second discharge port 634a will be discharged to the outside from the outlet 631b, and there is no risk of the internal pressure of the second flow path component 634 being reduced and approaching the first flow path component 632 against the biasing force of the joint spring 635.

[0115] In the beverage supply device, the extraction machine 30 has a passage component 35 arranged so as to communicate internally with the second upper opening 341c of the cylinder 341. This passage component 351 is a passage through which coffee grounds and mixed hot water pass, and the passage 351 can be closed by elastic deformation due to external force, thereby suppressing the scattering of raw materials such as coffee grounds from the cylinder 341.

[0116] In the beverage supply device, the extractor 30 has a filter storage section 38 located in the rear area of ​​the mounting region 312 of the cylinder 341, and when the cylinder 341 is removed, the filter roll 39 can be attached to and detached from the filter storage section 38 through the mounting region 312. Therefore, unlike conventional devices, there is no need to provide a dedicated replenishment port and replenishment door for the filter roll, and the filter roll 39 can be easily replaced while suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0117] In particular, since a guide portion 312a is formed in the mounting area 312 to guide the filter shaft portion 39a, when attaching or detaching the filter roll 39, it is sufficient to ensure that the filter shaft portion 39a passes through the guide portion 312a, making the replacement of the filter roll 39 even easier.

[0118] Furthermore, the extraction machine body 31 is provided with a stopper member 347b biased forward by a compression spring 347a, and since this stopper member 347b can contact the radially outer 346a that protrudes upward, when coffee is extracted with the filter block 343 closing the lower opening 341a of the cylinder 341, a downward pressure is generated on the filter block 343, but the stopper member 347b contacts the radially outer 346a, which prevents the filter block 343 from descending.

[0119] The extractor 30, which constitutes the beverage supply device, comprises a cylinder 341, a filter block 343 that is provided to be able to move up and down in a manner that moves in close to and away from the cylinder 341, and a paper roller section 40 that extends between the cylinder 341 and the filter block 343, holds the paper filter 392 drawn out from the filter roll 39, and when driven in the forward direction, feeds out the paper filter 392 from the filter roll 39. The paper roller section 40 is driven in the forward direction when the filter block 343 is lowered to discharge the extraction residue K generated by the extraction, and then driven in the reverse direction to loosen the paper filter 392. This suppresses the feeding of new paper filters 392 from the filter roll 39 when the filter block 343 is raised for the next extraction, thereby reducing the amount of paper filters 392 used in beverage extraction and lowering extraction costs.

[0120] Furthermore, by allowing the paper filter 392 to slacken, it is possible to prevent the paper filter 392 and the filter block 343 from sticking together due to drying of the extracted residue K.

[0121] Incidentally, the filter storage unit 38, which rotatably houses the filter roll 39, is equipped with an encoder 38a that detects the rotation of the filter roll 39 and a distance measuring sensor 38b that detects the distance between itself and the filter roll 39, so that the remaining amount of paper filter 392 can be detected with high accuracy.

[0122] The extraction machine 30, which constitutes the beverage supply device, mixes the mixed hot water with the coffee grounds in the air in the raw material chute section 33 before introducing it into the cylinder 341. This reduces the time required to mix the coffee grounds and the mixed hot water, thereby shortening the time required to extract the coffee.

[0123] In particular, the mixing nozzle 434 that discharges the mixed water discharges the mixed water diagonally downward in such a manner that it blocks a portion of the raw material passage 331 in the raw material chute section 33, so that the mixed water can be reliably mixed in the air with the coffee grounds falling through the raw material passage 331. Moreover, since the mixing nozzle 434 causes the mixed water to collide with the inner wall surface of the raw material passage 331, the mixed water and coffee grounds are further mixed by the collision with the inner wall surface, and then further mixed by colliding with the filter block 343 (paper filter 392) that falls along the inner wall surface and blocks the lower opening 341a of the cylinder 341. Furthermore, because it falls along the inner wall surface, there is no risk of it coming into contact with the side surface of the cylinder 341.

[0124] In the extraction machine 30 described above, when the exhaust fan 46 is driven, the air from the cylinder 341 is discharged via an exhaust duct 44 that is connected to the inside of the cylinder 341 without going through the raw material passage 331. This prevents steam from being sent to the part of the grinder 32 where the ground coffee beans are discharged, and thus prevents the ground coffee beans from sticking together.

[0125] Furthermore, since the control unit 12 reduces the rotation speed of the exhaust fan 46 when the coffee grounds are discharged from the grinder 32, it is possible to prevent fine powder and other particles generated by the discharge before grinding from being discharged to the outside through the exhaust duct 44.

[0126] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made.

[0127] Although not specifically mentioned in the embodiments described above, as shown in Figure 36, the dispenser body 31 may be detachably provided with a cutter 49 for cutting the paper filter 392. By providing the cutter 49 in this detachable manner, only the cutter 49 can be removed from the dispenser body 31 for cleaning, and even in this case, as long as the dispenser body 31 is installed, beverage dispensing can be continued, preventing the loss of opportunities to supply beverages.

[0128] Although not specifically mentioned in the embodiments described above, a component for detecting the conductivity of the passing liquid may be installed downstream of the joint 63 in the hot water supply path 64. By installing such a component, the concentration of the cleaning solution can be calculated, and corrections can be made to the discharge of the cleaning solution, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0129] 1...Main unit, 10...Main cabinet, 11...Generating unit, 12...Control unit, 20...Front door, 22...Beverage supply unit, 30...Extractor, 50...Raw material supply unit, 60...Hot water supply unit, 70...Air supply unit, 75...Storage bucket, C...Cup.

Claims

[Claim 1] A beverage supply device comprising an extractor for extracting a beverage from crushed raw materials and hot water, located inside the main body of the device, and supplying the beverage extracted by the extractor to a container located in a beverage supply section provided in the main body of the device, The aforementioned extraction machine is A brewing unit into which crushed raw materials and hot water are added, A group of valves having multiple valves, each valve switching the communication state of the respective paths to which it is connected, thereby supplying hot water to the brewing unit, supplying pressurized air to the brewing unit to stir the raw materials and the hot water, and extracting the beverage. Equipped with, The valve group is configured such that the multiple valves are linked by a common valve actuator, and the communication state of each path in the multiple valves is switched by driving the valve motor that constitutes the valve actuator. The aforementioned group of valves A first valve is connected to an air supply path equipped with an air pump, an agitation air supply path that supplies pressurized air generated by the operation of the air pump as agitation air, and an extraction air supply path that supplies pressurized air generated by the operation of the air pump as extraction air, and switches between a state in which the air supply path and the agitation air supply path are connected and a state in which the air supply path and the extraction air supply path are connected. A second valve is connected to a hot water supply path equipped with a hot water tank, a mixed hot water supply path that supplies the hot water from the hot water tank as mixed hot water, and an additive hot water supply path that supplies the hot water from the hot water tank as additive hot water, and switches between a state in which the hot water supply path and the mixed hot water supply path are connected and a state in which the hot water supply path and the additive hot water supply path are connected. A third valve is provided in the middle of the beverage supply path connecting the brewing unit and the nozzle constituting the beverage supply section, and is connected to the stirring air supply path, and switches between a state in which the stirring air supply path and a part of the beverage supply path connected to the brewing unit are in communication, and a state in which a part of the beverage supply path connected to the brewing unit and a part of the beverage supply path connected to the nozzle are in communication. A beverage supply device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

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