Drinking water system, and method for controlling drinking water system

Abstract

A drinking water system (100) comprises: a drinking water machine (10) that discharges water from a discharge port (11); and a radiation measuring instrument (20) that is disposed over the discharge port and that measures the radiation level in the vicinity thereof. The radiation measuring instrument comprises: an opening portion that allows water discharged from the discharge port to pass through; a face detecting unit that detects the face (61) of a user (60) using the drinking water machine; and a radiation level detecting unit that detects the radiation level in the vicinity thereof. At least one of the drinking water machine and the radiation measuring instrument has a shutter for closing the discharge port, and a fan for feeding an airflow toward an area in the vicinity of the face of the user situated facing the discharge port.

Description

Drinking water system and method for controlling the drinking water system

[0001] The present invention relates to a drinking water system and a method for controlling a drinking water system.

[0002] For example, in workplaces where radioactive materials may be dispersed, workers perform various tasks wearing protective clothing (radiation protection suits). Because protective clothing is highly airtight, the temperature and humidity inside are likely to rise. Such protective clothing is less comfortable and makes it difficult to work in for long periods of time. Therefore, workers tend to have a strong desire to drink water after working for a while.

[0003] However, because it has been difficult to ensure the safety of water (drinking water) in work areas where radioactive materials may be dispersed, there has been no technology that makes it possible to install drinking water dispensers near such work areas.

[0004] Conventional techniques for allowing workers to drink water (drinking water) are as follows. For example, in order for a worker to drink water (drinking water), the worker first stops the work he or she is performing, moves from the work area to a clean room, removes his or her safety protective equipment and protective clothing, and places them in a desired storage location. Next, the worker moves from the clean room to a radiation dose measurement location and operates a measuring device (see, for example, Patent Document 1) to measure the whole-body radiation dose. Then, when the whole-body radiation dose is below a predetermined threshold, the worker moves from the radiation dose measurement location to a location where a drinking water dispenser is installed and operates the drinking water dispenser to drink water. Patent Document 1 also describes an apparatus for inspecting the surface contamination density of an object in a non-contact manner.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-43272

[0006] However, with the conventional technology, it takes a lot of time and effort for workers to drink water after stopping work. Therefore, the conventional technology places a burden on workers. Furthermore, the conventional technology requires a large amount of space, such as a clean room, a storage area for removed safety protective equipment and protective clothing, and a measurement area for measuring whole-body radiation dose. Furthermore, the conventional technology does not allow for the installation of drinking water dispensers near work areas where radioactive materials may be dispersed.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its main purpose is to provide a drinking water system and a control method for a drinking water system that reduces the time and effort required from when a worker (user) stops working until he or she drinks water.

[0008] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a drinking water system comprising a drinking water machine that releases water from a discharge port, and a radiation measuring device that is placed above the discharge port and that measures the amount of radiation in the surrounding area, the radiation measuring device having an opening that allows the water released from the discharge port to pass through, a face detection unit that detects the face of a user using the drinking water machine, and a radiation dose detection unit that detects the amount of radiation in the surrounding area, and at least one of the drinking water machine and the radiation measuring device has a shutter that closes the discharge port, and a fan that is placed opposite the discharge port and that blows air near the user's face. Other means will be described later.

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required for a worker (user) to drink water after stopping work.

[0010] It is an overall configuration diagram of the drinking water system according to the embodiment. It is a configuration diagram of the vicinity of the outlet of the drinking water system according to the embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the operation of the drinking water system according to the embodiment.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each drawing is merely a schematic illustration to allow a sufficient understanding of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. Furthermore, in each drawing, common or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0012] This embodiment provides a drinking water system 100 that can ensure the safety of water (drinking water) even in a work location where radioactive materials may be dispersed. The drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment has mechanisms such as a shutter 25 (FIG. 2) and a fan 26 (FIG. 2) to prevent radioactive materials from entering the inside of the outlet 11 or the water (drinking water). The shutter 25 (FIG. 2) is, so to speak, a lid for the outlet 11, and when the shutter 25 is opened, the outlet 11 is exposed.

[0013] <Configuration of drinking water system> The configuration of a drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of the vicinity of the outlet 11 of the drinking water system 100.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the drinking water system 100 of this embodiment includes a drinking water machine 10 that releases water (drinking water) from an outlet 11, and a radiation measuring device 20 that is placed above the outlet 11 and measures the surrounding radiation dose.

[0015] The outlet 11 is provided at the top of the drinking water machine 10. The outlet 11 is preferably provided at a height that allows an adult of average height to bend over and bring their face 61 (particularly their mouth) close to the outlet 11. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the outlet 11 is disposed at an angle from the horizontal to prevent water discharged from the outlet 11 from returning to the outlet 11 and entering the interior of the outlet 11. Similarly, the radiation measuring device 20 disposed above the outlet 11 is also disposed at an angle from the horizontal. This drinking water system 100 can prevent radioactive materials from entering the interior of the outlet 11 along with the water, even if there is a possibility that radioactive materials are floating around the drinking water system 100 and that the water discharged from the outlet 11 may ingest radioactive materials as it falls. Therefore, the drinking water system 100 can keep the interior of the outlet 11 and the water (drinking water) clean.

[0016] The drinking water machine 10 has a footboard 14 that is stepped on by the foot of a user 60, who is an operator, and a push button 15 that is pressed by the hand of the user 60. The footboard 14 and the push button 15 are water discharge instruction units that instruct the drinking water machine 10 to discharge water. When the footboard 14 or the push button 15 is operated, the drinking water machine 10 operates an internal pump (not shown) to discharge water. The drinking water machine 10 is supplied with power from an external source to operate the pump (not shown). The footboard 14 is provided at the bottom of the drinking water machine 10. The footboard 14 is preferably provided at a height close to the floor so that it is easy for the user 60 to step on. The push button 15 is provided at the top of the drinking water machine 10. The push button 15 is preferably provided near the discharge port 11 so that it is easy for the user 60 to press. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the drinking water machine 10 has both a footboard 14 and a push button 15, but it may have only one of them.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the drinking water system 100 includes a radiation measuring device 20 that is placed over the outlet 11 of the drinking water machine 10. Power for operating each part of the radiation measuring device 20 is supplied from the drinking water machine 10 or from an external source.

[0018] The radiation measuring device 20 has an opening 22 through which the water discharged from the outlet 11 passes, a face detection unit 23 that detects the face 61 of the user 60 using the drinking water machine 10, and a radiation dose detection unit 24 that detects the amount of radiation in the surrounding area. The face detection unit 23 is composed of an infrared sensor, an image sensor, or the like. The face detection unit 23 may also be configured to detect the face using ultrasound or capacitance, and the principle and type of the face detection unit 23 are not particularly limited. The radiation measuring device 20 also has a drinkable water display unit 27 that indicates whether the water is drinkable or not.

[0019] At least one of the drinking water machine 10 and the radiation measuring device 20 has a shutter 25 that closes the outlet 11 and a fan 26 that blows air toward the vicinity of the face 61 of the user 60 that is positioned opposite the outlet 11. In other words, the shutter 25 and the fan 26 can be provided in either the drinking water machine 10 or the radiation measuring device 20. The shutter 25 and the fan 26 can also be provided separately in the drinking water machine 10 and the radiation measuring device 20 (for example, the shutter 25 can be provided in the drinking water machine 10 and the fan 26 can be provided in the radiation measuring device 20). In this embodiment, a description will be given assuming that the shutter 25 and the fan 26 are provided in the radiation measuring device 20.

[0020] In addition, at least one of the drinking water machine 10 and the radiation measuring device 20 has a control unit 21 that controls the operation of any of the components. In this embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the control unit 21 is provided in the radiation measuring device 20.

[0021] The drinking water machine 10 or the radiation measuring device 20 also has a tray 12 that receives the water discharged from the discharge port 11 and a drain outlet 13 that drains the discharged water. In this embodiment, the tray 12 and the drain outlet 13 are described as being provided in the radiation measuring device 20. The tray 12 and the drain outlet 13 are provided below the discharge port 11 (opening 22).

[0022] The drinking water system 100 also includes a card reader 30 arranged around the outlet 11 of the drinking water machine 10. The card reader 30 is an information reading unit that reads ID information assigned to each user 60 from an ID card 31 carried by each user 60. The ID card 31 is composed of a storage medium such as an IC card or a magnetic card. In this embodiment, the drinking water system 100 will be described as being configured to open the shutter 25 when the ID card 31 reads ID information from the ID card 31, so that the shutter 25 does not open due to a malfunction.

[0023] The drinking water machine 10 is preferably configured to be able to lock the water discharge instruction unit (the footboard 14 and the push button 15) with an electromagnetic locking mechanism (not shown) or the like. In this case, the drinking water machine 10 may lock the water discharge instruction unit (the footboard 14 and the push button 15) when the drinkable water readiness display unit 27 of the radiation measuring device 20 is in a state where the water is not drinkable (a state where OK is not displayed). On the other hand, the drinking water machine 10 may unlock the water discharge instruction unit (the footboard 14 and the push button 15) when the drinkable water readiness display unit 27 of the radiation measuring device 20 is in a state where the water is drinkable (a state where OK is displayed).

[0024] <Operation of Drinking Water System> The operation of the drinking water system 100 will be described below with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the drinking water system 100. In this embodiment, the operation shown in Fig. 3 will be described as being controlled by the control unit 21.

[0025] The drinking water system 100 is configured so that the shutter 25 is closed and the fan 26 is stopped when the user 60 is not operating the drinking water machine 10. Then, when the user 60 operates the drinking water machine 10 by having the card reader 30 read the ID card 31, the drinking water system 100 turns on the fan 26 and opens the shutter 25 to enable the release of water. By turning on the fan 26 and opening the shutter 25 only when the user 60 operates the drinking water machine 10, the drinking water system 100 can prevent radioactive materials from entering the inside of the outlet 11, thereby keeping the inside of the outlet 11 and the water (drinking water) clean. This drinking water system 100 operates, for example, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0026] 3, first, when the user 60 causes the card reader 30 to read the ID card 31, the drinking water system 100 reads ID information from the ID card 31 (step S105). In response to this, the drinking water system 100 activates the face detection unit 23 and the radiation dose detection unit 24 of the radiation measurement device 20 (step S110). Such a drinking water system 100 can reduce power consumption by activating the face detection unit 23 and the radiation dose detection unit 24 only when the user 60 causes the card reader 30 to read the ID card 31.

[0027] After step S110, the user 60 brings the face 61 close to the outlet 11 and faces the outlet 11. At this time, the drinking water system 100 repeatedly determines whether the face of the user 60 has been detected by the face detection unit 23 until it is determined that the face 61 of the user 60 has been detected (step S115).

[0028] If it is determined in step S115 that the face of the user 60 has been detected (if "Yes"), the drinking water system 100 detects the radiation dose on the face 61 of the user 60 using the radiation dose detection unit 24 while rotating the fan 26 (step S120). Then, the drinking water system 100 determines whether the radiation dose on the face 61 of the user 60 is equal to or less than an arbitrarily set threshold value (step S125).

[0029] If it is determined in step S125 that the radiation dose on the face 61 of the user 60 is not equal to or less than the threshold (if "No"), the process returns to step S120. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S125 that the radiation dose on the face 61 of the user 60 is equal to or less than the threshold (if "Yes"), the drinking water system 100 causes the drinking water availability display unit 27 of the radiation measuring device 20 to display "drinkable water (OK)" (step S130).

[0030] At that time, if the drinking water machine 10 is configured to be able to lock the water discharge instruction unit (the footboard 14 and the push button 15), the drinking water machine 10 unlocks the water discharge instruction unit (the footboard 14 and the push button 15). The lock is released when the radiation measuring device 20 displays that the water is drinkable (OK) on the drinkable water readiness display unit 27, by sending an unlock instruction signal to the drinking water machine 10, and the drinking water machine 10 that has received the unlock instruction signal activates an electromagnetic locking mechanism (not shown) to unlock the lock.

[0031] Next, the drinking water system 100 opens the shutter 25 (step S135). After this, the drinking water system 100 receives a water discharge command when the user 60 operates the water discharge command unit (the footboard 14 and the push button 15) (step S140). In response to this, the drinking water machine 10 of the drinking water system 100 operates a pump (not shown) to start discharging water (step S145).

[0032] The drinking water system 100 detects the cancellation of the water discharge command when the user 60 stops operating the water discharge command unit (the footboard 14 and the push button 15) (step S150). In response to this, the drinking water machine 10 of the drinking water system 100 stops the pump (not shown) to stop water discharge (step S155).

[0033] After step S155, the user 60 moves the face 61 away from the outlet 11. At this time, the drinking water system 100 detects that the face 61 of the user 60 has become undetectable by the face detection unit 23 (step S160). In response to this, the drinking water system 100 turns off the display of "drinkable water OK" by the drinking water OK display unit 27 and closes the shutter 25 (step S165).

[0034] The drinking water system 100 then executes a stop process (step S170). At this time, the drinking water machine 10 locks the water discharge command unit (the footboard 14 and the push button 15). This ends the series of routine processes shown in FIG. 3.

[0035] <Main Features of the Drinking Water System> (1) As shown in Fig. 1, the drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment includes a drinking water machine 10 that discharges water from an outlet 11, and a radiation measuring device 20 that is disposed above the outlet 11 and that measures the amount of radiation in the surrounding area. As shown in Fig. 2, the radiation measuring device 20 has an opening 22 that allows the water discharged from the outlet 11 to pass through, a face detection unit 23 that detects the face 61 of a user 60 using the drinking water machine 10, and a radiation dose detection unit 24 that detects the amount of radiation in the surrounding area. At least one of the drinking water machine 10 and the radiation measuring device 20 has a shutter 25 that closes the outlet 11 and a fan 26 that blows air near the face 61 of the user 60 that is disposed opposite the outlet 11.

[0036] The drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment can prevent radioactive substances from entering the inside of the outlet 11 or adhering to the vicinity of the outlet 11 by closing the outlet 11 with the shutter 25, thereby ensuring the cleanliness of the water. Furthermore, even if radioactive substances are floating near or adhering to the face 61 of the user 60, the drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment can move the radioactive substances away from the face 61 of the user 60 by blowing air toward the face 61 of the user 60 with the fan 26. The drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment can prevent radioactive substances from entering the body of the user 60. Moreover, unlike conventional technology, the drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment can reduce the time and effort required between when a user (worker) stops working and when they drink water, thereby reducing the burden on the user (worker). Furthermore, unlike conventional technologies, the drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment does not require space for a clean room, a storage area for removed protective clothing, a measurement area for measuring whole-body radiation dose, etc., and therefore can reduce the space required for the facility. Furthermore, the drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment can prevent radioactive materials from entering the inside of the outlet 11 or the water (drinking water) by using mechanisms such as the shutter 25 (FIG. 2) and the fan 26 (FIG. 2), so the drinking water machine 10 can be installed near work locations where radioactive materials may be dispersed.

[0037] (2) As shown in Fig. 2, in the drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment, at least one of the drinking water machine 10 and the radiation measuring device 20 has a control unit 21 that controls the operation of any of the components. The control unit 21 preferably operates the fan 26 when the face detection unit 23 detects that the face 61 of the user 60 is placed facing the outlet 11, and then opens the shutter 25 when the radiation dose detection unit 24 detects that the radiation dose near the face 61 of the user 60 is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold.

[0038] In the drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment, when the face detection unit 23 detects that the face 61 of the user 60 is placed facing the discharge port 11, the fan 26 is activated, thereby making it possible to move radioactive substances away from the face 61 of the user 60, even if the radioactive substances are floating near or attached to the face 61 of the user 60. Furthermore, the drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment closes the shutter 25 until it detects that the radiation dose near the face 61 of the user 60 is below a threshold, thereby preventing the radioactive substances from entering the inside of the discharge port 11 or the water (drinking water).

[0039] (3) As shown in Fig. 2, in the drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment, at least one of the drinking water machine 10 and the radiation measuring device 20 has an information reading unit (card reader 30) that reads information from a storage medium (ID card 31). As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 21 may activate the face detection unit 23 and the radiation dose detection unit 24 when the information reading unit reads information from the storage medium.

[0040] The drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment can reduce power consumption by activating the face detection unit 23 and the radiation dose detection unit 24 only when the user 60 has the ID card 31 read by the card reader 30. The drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment can achieve long-term operation when the drinking water machine 10 and the radiation measuring device 20 are operated using a storage battery (not shown) or the like as a power source.

[0041] (4) As shown in Fig. 3, in the drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment, the control unit 21 may keep the shutter 25 open while the face detection unit 23 continues to detect that the face 61 of the user 60 is positioned facing the outlet 11. In other words, the drinking water system 100 may be in a state in which water is drinkable while the face detection unit 23 continues to detect that the face 61 of the user 60 is positioned facing the outlet 11.

[0042] The drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment remains drinkable as long as the face detection unit 23 continues to detect that the face 61 of the user 60 is positioned facing the outlet 11. Therefore, even if the water discharge command by the water discharge command unit (the footboard 14 and the push button 15) is once canceled, the drinking water system 100 can immediately discharge water when the water discharge command is issued again, as long as the face 61 of the user 60 is positioned facing the outlet 11.

[0043] (5) As shown in FIG. 2, at least one of the drinking water machine 10 and the radiation measuring device 20 may have a drinking water availability indicator 27 that identifiably indicates whether the water is drinkable or not.

[0044] The drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment can inform the user 60 that the conditions for discharging water are not met when the drinking water availability display unit 27 does not indicate that the water is drinkable. For example, the conditions for discharging water may not be met when the radiation dose on the face 61 of the user 60 is higher than a threshold.

[0045] (6) As shown in FIG. 2, the emission port 11 and the radiation measuring device 20 are preferably disposed at an angle from the horizontal direction.

[0046] The drinking water system 100 of this embodiment can prevent radioactive substances from entering the inside of the outlet 11 along with the water, even if there is a possibility that radioactive substances are floating around the drinking water system 100 and that the water released from the outlet 11 may pick up radioactive substances as it falls.

[0047] (7) As shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable that a tray 12 for receiving water discharged from the discharge port 11 and a drain port 13 for draining the discharged water are provided below the discharge port 11.

[0048] The drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment can receive water discharged from the outlet 11 in the tray 12 and discharge it to the outside through the drain outlet 13. The drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment can prevent the water discharged from the outlet 11 from returning to the outlet 11, thereby keeping the inside of the outlet 11 and the water (drinking water) clean.

[0049] (8) As shown in Figure 3, the control method of the drinking water system 100 of this embodiment may include a step (step S120) of activating the fan 26 when the face detection unit 23 detects that the face 61 of the user 60 is positioned facing the outlet 11 (if the judgment in step S115 is "Yes"), and a step (step S135) of opening the shutter 25 when the radiation dose detection unit 24 detects that the radiation dose near the face 61 of the user 60 is below a predetermined threshold (if the judgment in step S125 is "Yes").

[0050] In the control method of the drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment, when the face detection unit 23 detects that the face 61 of the user 60 is placed facing the discharge port 11, the fan 26 is activated, thereby making it possible to move radioactive substances away from the face 61 of the user 60, even if the radioactive substances are floating near or attached to the face 61 of the user 60. Furthermore, the control method of the drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment closes the shutter 25 until it is detected that the radiation dose near the face 61 of the user 60 is below a threshold, thereby preventing the radioactive substances from entering the inside of the discharge port 11 or the water (drinking water).

[0051] As described above, the drinking water system 100 according to this embodiment can reduce the time and effort required for a worker (user) to drink water after stopping work.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0053] For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail to clearly explain the gist of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to an embodiment including all of the components described. Furthermore, the present invention may include some components by adding other components to them, or by replacing some components with other components. Furthermore, the present invention may also include some components by deleting them.

[0054] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 drinking water dispenser 11 outlet 12 tray 13 drain outlet 14 footboard (water discharge instruction unit) 15 push button (water discharge instruction unit) 20 radiation measuring device 21 control unit 22 opening 23 face detection unit 24 radiation amount detection unit 25 shutter 26 fan 27 drinking water availability display unit 30 card reader (information reading unit) 31 ID card (storage medium) 60 user 61 face 100 drinking water system

Claims

1. A drinking water system comprising: a drinking water machine that releases water from an outlet; and a radiation measuring device that is placed above the outlet and that measures the amount of radiation in the surrounding area, wherein the radiation measuring device has an opening that allows the water released from the outlet to pass through, a face detection unit that detects the face of a user using the drinking water machine, and a radiation amount detection unit that detects the amount of radiation in the surrounding area, and at least one of the drinking water machine and the radiation measuring device has a shutter that closes the outlet, and a fan that is placed opposite the outlet and that blows air near the user's face.

2. A drinking water system as described in claim 1, wherein at least one of the drinking water machine and the radiation measuring device has a control unit that controls the operation of any component, and the control unit operates the fan when the face detection unit detects that the user's face is placed facing the outlet, and thereafter opens the shutter when the radiation dose detection unit detects that the amount of radiation near the user's face is below a predetermined threshold.

3. A drinking water system as described in claim 2, wherein at least one of the drinking water machine and the radiation measuring device has an information reading unit that reads information from a storage medium, and the control unit activates the face detection unit and the radiation dose detection unit when the information reading unit reads information from the storage medium.

4. A drinking water system as described in claim 2, characterized in that the control unit keeps the shutter open as long as the face detection unit continues to detect that the user's face is placed facing the outlet.

5. A drinking water system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the drinking water machine and the radiation measuring device has a drinking water suitability display unit which identifiably displays whether the water is drinkable or not.

6. A drinking water system according to claim 1, characterized in that the outlet and the radiation measuring device are arranged at an angle from the horizontal.

7. The drinking water system according to claim 6, characterized in that a tray for receiving water discharged from the outlet and a drain for draining the discharged water are provided below the outlet.

8. A method for controlling a drinking water system comprising: a drinking water machine that releases water from an outlet; and a radiation measuring device that is placed above the outlet and that measures the amount of radiation in the surrounding area, wherein the radiation measuring device has an opening that allows the water released from the outlet to pass through, a face detection unit that detects the face of a user using the drinking water machine, and a radiation dose detection unit that detects the amount of radiation in the surrounding area, and at least one of the drinking water machine and the radiation measuring device has a fan that blows air to the face of the user that is placed facing the outlet, and a shutter that closes the outlet, comprising the steps of: operating the fan when the face detection unit detects that the face of the user is placed facing the outlet; and opening the shutter when the radiation dose detection unit detects that the amount of radiation near the user's face is below a predetermined threshold.

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