Beverage supply device

Abstract

A beverage supply device 100 comprises: a beverage supply source 4; a beverage supply pipe L1; a cleaning liquid supply source 8; a supply connection part 11 provided to an upstream-side end part in the beverage supply pipe L1; a first connection part 12 provided to a downstream-side end part of a first supply pipe L0a from the beverage supply source 4, the first connection part 12 being formed so as to be connectable to the supply connection part 11 by fitting; a second connection part 13 provided to a downstream-side end part of a second supply pipe L0b from the cleaning liquid supply source 8, the second connection part 13 being formed so as to be connectable to the supply connection part 11 by fitting; and a switch 50 for selectively switching the connection destination of the supply connection part 11 between the first connection part 12 and the second connection part 13. The switch 50 includes: an operation part 20 to which external force is applied; and a conversion mechanism 30 that connects between the operation part 20 and the supply connection part 11 and converts motion of the operation part 20 based on the external force to switching motion for switching the connection destination of the supply connection part 11.

Description

beverage dispensing equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage supply device for supplying beverages.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an add-on device for supplying milk to a coffee maker, comprising a milk container, a milk supply pipe for guiding the milk supplied from the milk container to the coffee maker, and a cleaning system for cleaning the milk supply pipe. In this add-on device, a tube coupling is provided at the downstream end of a suction conduit extending from the milk container, and fittings are provided at the downstream end of a branch conduit extending from a cleaning container of the cleaning system and at the upstream end of the milk supply pipe. In this add-on device, when supplying milk to the coffee maker, the tube coupling of the suction conduit extending from the milk container and the fitting of the milk supply pipe are manually connected to each other, and when cleaning the milk supply pipe, the fitting of the branch conduit extending from the cleaning container and the fitting of the milk supply pipe are manually connected by a snap-in bridge type connecting component.

[0003] Patent No. 6771028

[0004] However, when cleaning the milk supply pipe, the administrator of the additional device described in Patent Document 1 must manually connect the joint of the branch conduit and the joint of the milk supply pipe using a connecting component. And when supplying milk, the administrator must remove the connecting component and then manually connect the tube coupling of the suction conduit and the joint of the milk supply pipe. Then, when cleaning the milk supply pipe again, the administrator must disconnect the connection between the tube coupling of the suction conduit and the joint of the milk supply pipe and manually connect the appropriate joints as described above using the connecting component. Thus, the administrator of the additional device described in Patent Document 1 must surely perform complicated operations such as connecting appropriate joints, disconnecting the connection between joints, connecting appropriate joints using a connecting component, removing the connecting component, and confirming the complete insertion (connection) of the connecting component during milk supply or when cleaning the milk supply pipe. Depending on the proficiency of the administrator, there is a risk that appropriate connection may not be made, resulting in connection errors or poor connections.

[0005] Therefore, in view of such a situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a beverage supply device having a structure that can be switched between a state where a beverage can be supplied and a state where a beverage supply pipe can be cleaned with a simple operation.

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

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a beverage supply device having a structure that allows switching between a state in which beverages can be supplied and a state in which the beverage supply pipe can be cleaned with simple operation.

[0008] This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a beverage supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic piping circuit diagram of the beverage supply device. This is a front view of the main part of the beverage supply device, including the supply connection and switch. This is a right side view of the main part. This is a left side view of the main part. This is a perspective view of the main part. This is an exploded perspective view of the main part. This is a conceptual diagram illustrating how the position of the supply connection changes. This is a bottom view of the outer movable body of the switch. This is a perspective view of the detection part of the switch. This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of the switch. This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of the switch.

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a beverage supply device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a piping circuit diagram of the beverage supply device 100.

[0010] Referring to Figure 1, in this embodiment, the beverage supply device 100 is installed adjacent to the coffee server 200 and is used as an optional device for the coffee server 200.

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

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

[0013] The beverage supply device 100 is configured to supply milk or a mixture of milk and air in either a heated or chilled state, and comprises a housing 1 forming the outer shell of the device, a control unit 2, and a main body 3 of the device.

[0014] The housing 1 is a box-shaped structure consisting of, for example, a roughly vertically elongated rectangular frame (not shown) and a plurality of outer covers attached to that frame. The control unit 2 and the main unit 3 of the device are located inside the housing 1. More specifically, the front of the housing 1, which is a box-shaped structure, is open. A door that can open and close the opening is attached to the front of the housing 1. The manager of the beverage supply device 100 can access the inside of the housing 1 by opening this door and perform maintenance work such as replacing the milk tank, which serves as the beverage supply source 4 (described later), and refilling the milk tank with milk.

[0015] The control unit 2 controls the operation of the main unit 3 of the device. For example, based on a command from the coffee server 200, the control unit 2 controls the operation of each component of the main unit 3 (such as the cooling device 5, heating device 6, pump 7, air supply device 9, on-off valve V1 and switching valve V2, which will be described later) to supply milk or mixed beverages in a heated or chilled state, respectively. The beverage supply device 100 controls the operation of each component so that when a command S1 for supplying hot milk is input to the control unit 2, it supplies hot milk; when a command S2 for supplying hot mixed beverages is input to the control unit 2, it supplies hot mixed beverages; when a command S3 for supplying cold milk is input to the control unit 2, it supplies cold milk; and when a command S4 for supplying cold mixed beverages is input to the control unit 2, it supplies cold mixed beverages. The beverage supply device 100 enters a standby state when no supply commands (S1 to S4) are input to the control unit 2.

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

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

[0018] The cooling device 5 has a storage compartment 5a partitioned by an insulating partition wall 5a1 and cools the air inside the storage compartment 5a. The beverage supply source 4 is housed inside the storage compartment 5a of the cooling device 5, and the cooling device 5 is configured to maintain the storage compartment temperature at an appropriate low set temperature. The storage compartment temperature of the cooling device 5 is controlled to be maintained, for example, below 10°C, more specifically, in the range of 1 to 7°C. The cooling device 5 is also positioned towards the front of the housing 1 (the side with the door). Although not shown, the cooling device 5 also has a machine room inside that is partitioned from the storage compartment 5a. The machine room contains equipment such as a cooling unit for cooling the inside of the storage compartment 5a.

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

[0020] Although not shown in the figures, the heating device 6 has a heat source section for heating the milk or mixed beverage flowing through the beverage supply pipe L1, and a bypass pipe that bypasses the heat source section. The heating device 6 is configured to switch between two operations based on a signal from the control unit 2: one in which the incoming milk or mixed beverage is discharged without heating via the bypass pipe, and the other in which the incoming milk or mixed beverage is heated via the heat source section before being discharged. The discharge pipe L2 is connected to a predetermined portion of the beverage supply pipe L1 between the heating device 6 and the beverage discharge port 10 (the portion to which the switching valve V2, described later in Figure 2, is connected). The beverage discharge port 10 is, for example, a nozzle section from which milk or mixed beverage is discharged, and is located above the cup C.

[0021] Pump 7 is a device primarily used to draw milk from the beverage supply source 4 and discharge it, and is installed in a predetermined portion of the beverage supply pipe L1 on the upstream side (beverage supply source 4 side) in the flow direction relative to the heating device 6.

[0022] The cleaning solution supply source 8 is for cleaning the beverage supply pipe L1. The cleaning solution supply source 8 is a device that supplies a cleaning solution (rinse water), such as a cleaning agent or water, to the beverage supply pipe L1 to clean the inside of the beverage supply pipe L1 after, for example, milk or mixed beverages have been supplied. Although not shown in the figure, the cleaning solution supply source 8 includes a cleaning solution storage tank for storing the cleaning agent or water, a pump driven based on a signal from the control unit 2, and an electromagnetically driven on / off valve.

[0023] The air supply device 9 is a device for supplying air used for generating mixed beverages and purging air in the beverage supply pipe L1 via the air passage L3. This air purging is performed with the aim of blowing out the liquid inside the pipe by forcefully circulating air through the pipe, such as the beverage supply pipe L1. The air supply device 9 has a variable discharge flow rate air supply pump that is driven based on a signal from the control unit 2, and an electromagnetically driven on-off valve that is driven based on a signal from the control unit 2. One end (upstream end) of the air passage L3 is connected to the air supply device 9, and the other end (downstream end) of the air passage L3 is connected to a predetermined upstream portion (hereinafter referred to as the confluence section Z1) of the beverage supply pipe L1 relative to the pump 7. Air from the air supply device 9 flows through the air passage L3 and is supplied into the beverage supply pipe L1 via the confluence section Z1.

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

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

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

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

[0028] In this embodiment, the beverage supply device 100 is configured to generate a mixed beverage of milk and air by operating the air supply device 9 (more specifically, by opening the on / off valve V1, which will be described later) with the first connection part 12 and the supply connection part 11 connected, supplying air into the beverage supply pipe L1 and driving the pump 7, and discharging this mixed beverage from the beverage outlet 10 into the cup C.

[0029] Next, we will describe in detail the equipment installed in the beverage supply pipe L1 and the air passage L3.

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

[0031] The flow meter 14 is, for example, a propeller-type flow meter, and is configured to output a pulse signal to the control unit 2 with each rotation. The control unit 2 is configured to monitor the milk discharge volume from the pump 7 and other parameters based on the number of pulse signals.

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

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

[0034] A check valve C1 is provided in the air passage L3. The check valve C1 allows air to flow from the air supply device 9 to the confluence Z1, while blocking air to flow from the confluence Z1 back to the air supply device 9.

[0035] Referring to Figure 2, the beverage supply device 100 has a switch 50 in addition to the elements described above. When the beverage supply device 100 is in a beverage supply operation, the first connection part 12 and the supply connection part 11 are fitted together and connected (i.e., it is in a beverage supply-ready state, or more precisely, a beverage sales-ready state), and when the cleaning solution supply operation is in a cleaning solution supply operation, the second connection part 13 and the supply connection part 11 are fitted together and connected (i.e., it is in a cleaning-ready state). The manager of the beverage supply device 100 can switch the beverage supply device 100 from a beverage sales-ready state to a cleaning-ready state, and vice versa, simply by operating the switch 50.

[0036] In the following, the shapes of each connection part (11, 12, 13) and the switch 50 will be mainly described with reference to Figures 2 to 10. Figures 3 to 7 are diagrams illustrating the main parts of the beverage supply device 100, including the supply connection part 11 and the switch 50. Figure 3 is a front view of the main parts, Figure 4 is a right side view of the main parts, Figure 5 is a left side view of the main parts, Figure 6 is a perspective view of the main parts, and Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts. Figure 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating how the position of the supply connection part 11 changes. Figure 9 is a bottom view of the outer movable body 33 of the switch 50, which will be described later, and Figure 10 is a perspective view of the detection part 40 of the switch 50, which will be described later.

[0037] As mentioned above, the beverage supply device 100 has a door on its front side, and Figure 3 shows the main parts of the beverage supply device 100 as viewed from the front with the door open. For convenience, in the following, when viewing the beverage supply device 100 from the front (door side, front view) (as shown in Figure 3), one side in the width direction of the beverage supply device 100 will be referred to as the right side, and the other side in the width direction as the left side.

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

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

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

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

[0042] The first fitting portion 12a is formed continuously with one end of the internal flow path 121 of the first connecting portion 12. The other end of the internal flow path 121 of the first connecting portion 12 is fitted with a first nipple 12b, and the first connecting portion 12 is connected to the first supply pipe L0a via the first nipple 12b. Similarly, the second fitting portion 13a is formed continuously with one end of the internal flow path 131 of the second connecting portion 13. The other end of the internal flow path 131 of the second connecting portion 13 is fitted with a second nipple 13b, and the second connecting portion 13 is connected to the second supply pipe L0b via the second nipple 13b. The end of the first nipple 12b on the first supply pipe L0a side is located inside the tank through a hole provided in the upper wall of the beverage storage tank, which serves as the beverage supply source 4. Furthermore, although not particularly limited, the second nipple 13b is formed integrally with the support plate 31 of the switch 50, which will be described later. Note that in Figures 6 and 7, the first nipple 12b has been removed.

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

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

[0045] Referring to FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the operation part 20 includes a lever 21 that is rotatably supported about an axis X extending in one direction and is rotationally operated by the external force, a disk part 22 provided with the lever 21, and a cylindrical operation shaft part 23 that protrudes rearward from the back surface of the disk part 22 coaxially with the axis X of the lever 21. The axis X extends in a direction parallel to the front-rear direction of the beverage supply device 100 (housing 1) (the normal direction of the front wall of the partition wall 5a1).

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

[0047] The disk part 22 is provided along the front wall of the partition wall 5a1. The operation shaft part 23 protrudes from the back surface of the disk part 22 into the storage chamber 5a.

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

[0049] The conversion mechanism 30 is a mechanism that connects between the operation portion 20 and the supply connection portion 11 and converts the movement of the operation portion 20 based on the external force applied to the operation portion 20 into a switching movement that switches the connection destination of the supply connection portion 1 | 1. In this embodiment, the conversion mechanism 30 connects between the operation shaft portion 23 of the operation portion 20 and the supported portion 11b of the supply connection portion 11, and is configured to move the supply connection portion 11 (supported portion 11b) by the switching movement.

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

[0051] In other words, the first movement is the movement of the supply connection part 11 between a first position P1 (see dashed lines in Figures 8(a) and 8(b)), which is the position of the supply connection part 11 when it is connected to the first connection part 12, and a second position P2 (see solid line in Figure 8(b) and dashed line in Figure 8(c)), which is the position of the supply connection part 11 when it is detached from the first connection part 12 and facing the first fitting part 12a in the first connection part 12. The second movement is the movement of the supply connection part 11 between a second position P2 and a third position P3 (see solid line in Figure 8(c) and dashed line in Figure 8(d)), which is the position of the supply connection part 11 when it is detached from the second connection part 13 and facing the second fitting part 13a in the second connection part 13. The third movement is a movement of the supply connection part 11 between the third position P3 and the fourth position P4 (see solid line in Figure 8(d)), which is the position of the supply connection part 11 when it is connected to the second connection part 13.

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

[0053] Specifically, although not particularly limited, the rotational operating range (rotation angle range) of the lever 21, which is the operating range of the operating unit 20, is set to a range of 0° to 180°. When the supply connection unit 11 is in the first position P1, the lever 21 is in a horizontally extended position, and with this horizontal position as the reference (0°), the lever 21 can rotate 180° clockwise when viewed from the front.

[0054] The conversion mechanism 30 is configured such that, as the lever 21 is rotated clockwise from 0° to 180°, the supply connection part 11, which was in the first position P1, is continuously moved to the second position P2, the third position P3, and the fourth position P4 in that order, and as the lever 21 is rotated counterclockwise from 180° to 0°, the supply connection part 11, which was in the fourth position P4, is continuously moved to the third position P3, the second position P2, and the first position P1 in that order. In other words, in this embodiment, the conversion mechanism 30 is configured to convert the rotational motion of the lever 21 into the switching motion. The conversion mechanism 30 fully connects the supply connection part 11 to the first connection part 12 when the lever 21 is at an angle of 0°, and fully connects the supply connection part 11 to the second connection part 13 when the lever 21 is at an angle of 180°.

[0055] Returning to Figures 4 to 7, in more detail, in this embodiment, the conversion mechanism 30 includes a support plate 31, an inner movable body 32, an outer movable body 33, and an end movable body 34.

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

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

[0058] The front plate 311 is in contact with the back surface of the disc portion 22 of the operating section 20. The front plate 311 has a front support hole 311a (see Figures 4 and 5) which rotatably supports the operating shaft portion 23 that protrudes from the back surface of the disc portion 22. The enlarged diameter shaft portion 23a (see Figure 7) of the operating shaft portion 23 on the disc portion 22 side is rotatably fitted into the front support hole 311a.

[0059] The rear plate 312 is spaced rearward from the front plate 311. The main mechanism of the conversion mechanism 30 is located in the area between the front plate 311 and the rear plate 312. The rear plate 312 has a rear support hole 312a that rotatably supports the shaft end 322a of the rear shaft portion 322 of the inner movable body 32, which will be described later.

[0060] The top plate 313 connects the upper end of the front plate 311 and the upper end of the rear plate 312. The detection unit 40 is attached to the top plate 313. Multiple protrusions 313a protrude upward from the top plate 313, surrounding the detection unit 40. The detection unit 40 is fixed to the upper surface of the top plate 313 by the multiple protrusions 313a. In addition, detection holes 313b (see Figure 6) for detection by the detection unit 40 are opened in the inner portion of the multiple protrusions 313a on the upper surface of the top plate 313.

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

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

[0063] Specifically, the inner movable body 32 includes a bottomed cylindrical inner cylinder portion 321 including a cylindrical portion 321a and a bottom portion 321b (see Figure 7), a rear shaft portion 322 extending rearward from the bottom portion 321b of the inner cylinder portion 321, a rotating projection 323 that protrudes radially outward from a predetermined angular position about axis X on the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder portion 321 and rotates together with the inner cylinder portion 321 about axis X, and a rotating piece 324 formed in a predetermined angular range about axis X on the outer circumferential surface of the rear shaft portion 322 and rotates together with the rear shaft portion 322 about axis X.

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

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

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

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

[0068] The outer movable body 33, in cooperation with the rotating projection 323 and the like, constitutes a mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the operating section 20 (lever 21) into the first and third motions for inserting and removing the supply connection section 11. The outer movable body 33 surrounds the inner movable body 32 from the radially outer side and is arranged coaxially with the axis X of the operating section 20.

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

[0070] The upper plate 313 has a guide portion 313c formed thereon that prevents the rotation of the outer movable body 33 and guides its movement in the front-rear direction. The outer cylindrical portion 331 of the outer movable body 33, which will be described later, has a sliding portion 33a formed thereon that slides along the guide portion 313c. The rotation of the outer movable body 33 is prevented when the sliding portion 33a of the outer movable body 33 comes into contact with the guide portion 313c. As the sliding portion 33a of the outer movable body 33 slides along the guide portion 313c, the outer movable body 33 is able to move smoothly in the front-rear direction.

[0071] Furthermore, an electromagnetically driven stopper device 35 is provided on the upper surface of the upper plate 313 to prevent the outer movable body 33 from moving in the front-rear direction. The stopper device 35 has an electromagnetic drive unit body 35a and a cylindrical stopper 35b that can move back and forth in the vertical direction. The upper plate 313 has an insertion hole through which the tip of the cylindrical stopper 35b can be inserted. The outer cylindrical portion 331 of the outer movable body 33, which will be described later, has a groove portion 33b formed therein for preventing front-rear movement in which the tip of the cylindrical stopper 35b can engage. In the initial state (power OFF), the stopper device 35 has the cylindrical stopper 35b protruding downward, and in this state, the tip of the cylindrical stopper 35b engages with the groove portion 33b for preventing front-rear movement of the outer movable body 33, thereby preventing the outer movable body 33 from moving in the front-rear direction. When the stopper device 35 is energized (power turned ON), it pulls the cylindrical stopper 35b upward, thereby allowing the outer movable body 33 to move in the front-rear direction. Although not particularly limited, the stopper device 35 is configured to be turned ON / OFF by a stopper device switch (not shown) provided inside the housing 1 of the beverage supply device 100, or by a signal output from the coffee server 200.

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

[0073] The outer cylindrical portion 331 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape. The outer cylindrical portion 331 has a conversion groove 33c for converting the rotational motion (rotational displacement) of the operating shaft portion 23 of the operating portion 20 into forward and backward motion (forward and backward displacement) of the outer cylindrical portion 331 itself, and a rotation range defining groove 33d for defining the rotation range of the end movable body 34. The conversion groove 33c and the rotation range defining groove 33d each penetrate the peripheral wall of the outer cylindrical portion 331. The rotating projection 323 and collar 323a of the inner movable body 32 are inserted through the conversion groove 33c, and the rotation range defining projection 34a of the end movable body 34, which will be described later, is inserted through the rotation range defining groove 33d. The rotation range defining groove 33d is provided symmetrically on the left and right sides with respect to the axis X on the peripheral wall of the outer cylindrical portion 331.

[0074] Specifically, referring to Figures 4 to 7 and Figure 9, the conversion groove 33c is formed in the outer cylindrical portion 331 in front of the partition wall 332. The conversion groove 33c consists of a first motion groove 33c1, a second motion groove 33c2, and a third motion groove 33c3, and these grooves (33c1, 33c2, 33c3) are continuously formed as a single groove. The first motion groove 33c1 extends on the right side of the outer cylindrical portion 331, overlapping with the axis X in the vertical direction and located in front of the partition wall 332 in the front-rear direction, twisting away from the axis X as it extends forward. The third motion groove 33c3 extends on the left side of the outer cylindrical portion 331, overlapping with the axis X in the vertical direction and located in front of the partition wall 332 in the front-rear direction, twisting away from the axis X as it extends forward. The second motion groove 33c2 extends to connect the front end of the first motion groove 33c1 and the front end of the third motion groove 33c3. The front end position of the first motion groove 33c1 coincides with the front end position of the third motion groove 33c3 in the longitudinal direction, and the rear end position of the first motion groove 33c1 coincides with the rear end position of the third motion groove 33c3 in the longitudinal direction. The second motion groove 33c2 extends along a virtual plane parallel to the disc portion 22 of the operating section 20, that is, perpendicular to the axis X, and connects the front end of the first motion groove 33c1 and the front end of the third motion groove 33c3.

[0075] The rotation range defining groove 33d is formed in the outer cylindrical portion 331 on the portion behind the partition wall 332. The rotation range defining groove 33d is formed on the right and left sides of the outer cylindrical portion 331. Each rotation range defining groove 33d extends along a virtual plane parallel to the disc portion 22 of the operating portion 20, that is, perpendicular to the axis X, similar to the second motion groove 33c2. The rotation range defining projection 34a of the end movable body 34, which will be described later, is inserted into the rotation range defining groove 33d via an end slit 33e that extends from the rear end of the outer cylindrical portion 331 to the rotation range defining groove 33d.

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

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

[0078] While relative movement of the end movable body 34 with respect to the outer movable body 33 in the front-rear direction is prevented by the insertion of the rotation range defining projection 34a (described later) into the rotation range defining groove 33d, relative rotation of the end movable body 34 with respect to the outer movable body 33 about axis X is permitted within the range defined by the rotation range defining groove 33d.

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

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

[0081] The cylindrical bottom portion 342 is formed on the rear end side of the end cylindrical portion 341. The cylindrical bottom portion 342 integrally has a semicircular hole 342a that rotatably supports the rear shaft portion 322 of the inner movable body 32, and a fan-shaped hole 342b through which the rotating piece 324 of the inner movable body 32 can be inserted. The center of the semicircular hole 342a and the center of the fan of the fan-shaped hole 342b pass through the axis X.

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

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

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

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

[0086] Next, the operation of the switch 50 will be explained with reference to Figures 11 to 13.

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

[0088] When the lever 21 of the operating unit 20 is at an angle of 0° (see Figure 11(a)), the supply connection unit 11 is connected to the first connection unit 12 and is in the first position P1. At this time, referring to Figure 12(a), the rotation projection 323 of the inner movable body 32 is located at the rear end of the first motion groove 33c1 of the conversion groove 33c of the outer movable body 33, and the outer movable body 33 has advanced to a position near the back surface of the disc portion 22 of the operating unit 20 (advancing end). Also, the rotation range defining projection 34a on the right side of the end movable body 34 abuts against the upper end of the inner wall of the rotation range defining groove 33d on the right side of the outer movable body 33, and the rotation range defining projection 34a on the left side of the end movable body 34 abuts against the lower groove wall of the rotation range defining groove 33d on the left side of the outer movable body 33. Referring to Figures 12(a) and 13(a), the first protruding piece 344a presses the sensor portion 40b upward via the detection lever portion 40c of the first sensor 41 of the detection unit 40, and at this time, the first sensor 41 outputs a first connection signal. Also, in the initial state, the aforementioned stopper device switch is OFF, and the stopper device 35 prevents the outer movable body 33 from moving in the front-rear direction by engaging the tip of the cylindrical stopper 35b with the groove portion 33b for preventing front-rear movement of the outer cylindrical portion 331 of the outer movable body 33 (see Figures 12(a) and 13(a)). As a result, the rotation of the lever 21 of the operation unit 20 is also locked. When the control unit 2 receives a first connection signal from the detection unit 40 (first sensor 41) and no second connection signal from the detection unit (second sensor 42), the control unit 2 is in a state where it permits the start of control of the beverage supply operation and prohibits the start of control of the cleaning solution supply operation.

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

[0090] The manager of the beverage supply device 100 then performs maintenance, such as cleaning the beverage supply pipe L1 periodically. When the manager turns on the aforementioned stopper device switch, the cylindrical stopper 35b of the stopper device 35 retracts upward, thereby releasing the rotation lock of the lever 21 of the operating unit 20. When the lever 21 is rotated from 0° to 60° by the manager or the like, the supply connection part 11 is removed from the first connection part 12 (see Figures 11(b) to 13(b)).

[0091] Specifically, when the lever 21 is rotated from 0° in one direction (clockwise in this case when viewed from the front), the rotating projection 323 presses downward against the lower groove wall of the first movement groove 33c1, and as a result, the outer movable body 33 slides backward by the rotating projection 323. At this time, the end movable body 34 moves backward together with the outer movable body 33. Then, when the lever 21 of the operating unit 20 is rotated to an angular position of 60° (see Figure 11(b)), the supply connection unit 11 moves backward and is detached (removed) from the first connection unit 12 and positioned in the second position P2. At this time, referring to Figure 12(b), the rotating projection 323 is located beyond the front end of the first movement groove 33c1 of the conversion groove unit 33c and at the right end of the second movement groove 33c2. As a result, the pressure applied by the rotating projection 323 against the lower groove wall of the first motion groove 33c1 is released, and the backward movement of the outer movable body 33 and the end movable body 34 stops. Then, the rear end fan-shaped section 324c of the rotating piece 324 of the inner movable body 32 fits into the fan-shaped hole 342b of the cylindrical bottom 342 of the end movable body 34, and the inner movable body 32 is connected to the end movable body 34 so that the rotational movement of the lever 21 (operating part 20) can be transmitted to the end movable body 34. At this time, the supply connection part 11 is maximally separated rearward from the first connection part 12, completely detached from the first connection part 12, and is in the second position P2. Referring to Figures 12(b) and 13(b), the first protruding piece 344a retracts to the rear end of the detection lever part 40c of the first sensor 41, and the sensor part 40b of the first sensor 41 returns to the lower position. At this time, the first sensor 41 stops outputting the first position signal.

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

[0093] Specifically, when the lever 21 is rotated from 60° in one direction (clockwise in this case when viewed from the front), the rotating projection 323 moves within the second motion groove 33c2, and the end movable body 34 begins to rotate around axis X together with the inner movable body 32, which is connected to rotate the supply connection part 11 toward the second connection part 13. While the rotating projection 323 is moving within the second motion groove 33c2, the outer movable body 33 does not move in the front-rear direction and stops at its rear end position, and the end movable body 34 rotates relative to the outer movable body 33 together with the inner movable body 32. Then, when the lever 21 of the operating unit 20 is rotated to an angular position of 120° (see Figure 11(c)), the supply connection part 11 is located in the third position P3, separated from the second connection part 13 and detached from the second connection part 13 (see Figure 12(c)). At this time, the rotation range defining projection 34a on the right side of the end movable body 34 abuts against the upper end of the inner wall of the rotation range defining groove 33d on the right side of the outer movable body 33 (see Figure 12(c)), and the rotation range defining projection 34a on the left side of the end movable body 34 abuts against the lower end of the inner wall of the rotation range defining groove 33d on the left side of the outer movable body 33 (not shown), thus preventing the rotation of the end movable body 34, that is, preventing further clockwise rotation of the operating unit 20. As a result, the supply connection unit 11 stops at the third position P3. Referring to Figures 12(c) and 13(c), although the second protruding piece 344b has rotated to a position below the detection lever portion 40c of the second sensor 42, it is not pressing the detection lever portion 40c of the second sensor 42 upward, so the second sensor 42 is not outputting the second connection signal.

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

[0095] Specifically, when the lever 21 is rotated in one direction (clockwise in this case) from 120°, the rotating projection 323 presses upward against the upper groove wall of the third movement groove 33c3, and as a result, the outer movable body 33 slides forward by the rotating projection 323. At this time, the clockwise rotation of the end movable body 34 is blocked by the rotation range defining projection 34a, and the engagement between the rear end fan-shaped section 324c of the rotating piece 324 and the fan-shaped hole 342b of the cylindrical bottom 342 of the end movable body 34 is released. Therefore, the end movable body 34 rotates relative to the inner movable body 32, but moves forward together with the outer movable body 33 without rotating relative to the outer movable body 33. When the lever 21 of the operating unit 20 rotates to a 180° angle position and the outer movable body 33 moves forward to a position near the back surface of the disc portion 22 of the operating unit 20 (forward end) (see Figure 12(d)), the supply connection portion 11 is inserted into the second connection portion 13 and is positioned in the fourth position P4. At this time, the rotating projection 323 is located at the rear end of the third motion groove 33c3 of the conversion groove portion 33c. Then, referring to Figures 12(d) and 13(d), the second protruding piece 344b presses the sensor portion 40b upward via the detection lever portion 40c of the second sensor 42 of the detection unit 40, and at this time, the second sensor 42 outputs a second connection signal. When the control unit 2 receives a second connection signal from the detection unit 40 (second sensor 42) and no first connection signal from the detection unit 40 (first sensor 41), the control unit 2 is in a state where it prohibits the start of control of the beverage supply operation and permits the start of control of the washing liquid supply operation.

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

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

[0098] First, the control unit 2 activates the switching valve V2 to block flow to the discharge pipe L2 side and allow flow to the beverage outlet 10 side, opens the on / off valve V1, and also activates the pump 7. Then, (1) when a command to supply cold milk (supply command S3) is input to the control unit 2, the cold milk cooled by the cooling device 5 is circulated through the bypass pipe in the heating device 6. As a result, the main unit 3 dispenses a predetermined amount of cold milk drawn from the beverage supply source 4 through the beverage outlet 10 and supplies it into the cup C. (2) When a command to supply a cold mixed beverage (supply command S4) is input to the control unit 2, the air supply device 9 is activated, and the cold mixed beverage produced by mixing air with the milk cooled by the cooling device 5 is circulated through the bypass pipe in the heating device 6. As a result, the main unit 3 supplies a predetermined amount of cold mixed beverage directly into the cup C from the beverage outlet 10. In other words, in response to supply commands S3 and S4, the beverage supply device 100 supplies a beverage containing milk cooled by the cooling device 5 (milk or a mixture of milk and air) to the outside. (3) When a command to supply warm milk (supply command S1) is input to the control unit 2, the cold milk cooled by the cooling device 5 is heated by the heating device 6 and discharged toward the beverage outlet 10. As a result, the main unit 3 of the device heats the cold milk sucked from the beverage supply source 4 with the heating device 6 and discharges a predetermined amount of warm milk from the beverage outlet 10 into the cup C. (4) When a command to supply a warm mixed beverage (supply command S2) is input to the control unit 2, the air supply device 9 is activated, and the cold mixed beverage produced by mixing air with the milk cooled by the cooling device 5 is heated by the heating device 6 and circulated toward the beverage outlet 10. As a result, the main unit 3 of the device supplies a predetermined amount of warm mixed beverage from the beverage outlet 10 into the cup C. In other words, in response to supply commands S1 and S2, the beverage supply device 100 supplies a beverage containing milk (milk or a mixture of milk and air) heated by the heating device 6 to the outside.

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

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

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

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

[0103] In this embodiment, the control unit 2 is configured to control the beverage supply operation and the cleaning solution supply operation based on the detection result from the detection unit 40, which detects the connection position of the supply connection unit 11. Therefore, problems such as the cleaning solution supply operation starting when the supply connection unit 11 is connected to the first connection unit 12, which is on the beverage supply source 4 side, or the beverage supply operation starting when the supply connection unit 11 is connected to the second connection unit 13, which is on the cleaning solution supply source 8 side, can be reliably prevented.

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

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

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

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

[0108] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operating unit 20 (lever 21) is rotated, and the conversion mechanism 30 converts the rotational motion of the operating unit 20 (lever 21) into the switching motion, but the operating mode of the operating unit 20 is not limited to this. The conversion mechanism 30 is configured to convert the motion of the operating unit 20 based on the external force into a switching motion that selectively switches the connection destination of the supply connection unit 11 between the first connection unit 12 and the second connection unit 13, and the operating mode of the operating unit 20 can be set as appropriate. For example, the operating unit 20 may be configured to be operated in one of the following operating directions: vertically along the front wall (hereinafter referred to as the front panel) of the partition wall 5a1 of the cooling device 5, horizontally along the front panel, or in the direction normal to the front panel (front-back direction), and the conversion mechanism 30 may be configured to convert the movement of the operating unit 20 in the aforementioned operating direction based on the external force into the switching motion. Also, the operation of the operating unit 20 is not limited to vertical, horizontal, or front-back operations, but may be a combination of any of these and rotation, for example. In these cases, the position and orientation of the first connection part 12 and the second connection part 13 are set according to the operation mode.

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

[0110] Although preferred embodiments and variations thereof of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and variations, and various modifications and changes are possible based on the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0111] 2...Control unit, 4...Beverage supply source, 8...Cleaning liquid supply source, 11...Supply connection part, 12...First connection part, 12a...First fitting part, 13...Second connection part, 13a...Second fitting part, 20...Operation part, 21...Lever, 30...Conversion mechanism, 40...Detection unit, 41...First sensor, 42...Second sensor, 50...Switch, 100...Beverage supply device, L0a...First supply pipe, L0b...Second supply pipe, L1...Beverage supply pipe, P1...First position, P2...Second position, P3...Third position, P4...Fourth position, X...Axis

Claims

1. A beverage supply device comprising a beverage supply source, a beverage supply pipe for guiding a beverage to a predetermined supply destination, and a cleaning liquid supply source for cleaning the beverage supply pipe, the beverage supply device comprising: a supply connection portion provided at the upstream end of the beverage supply pipe; a first connection portion provided at the downstream end of a first supply pipe extending from the beverage supply source and formed to be connectable by fitting to the supply connection portion; a second connection portion provided at the downstream end of a second supply pipe extending from the cleaning liquid supply source and formed to be connectable by fitting to the supply connection portion; and a switch for selectively switching the connection destination of the supply connection portion between the first connection portion and the second connection portion, wherein the switch comprises: an operating portion to which an external force is applied; and a conversion mechanism that connects the operating portion and the supply connection portion and converts the movement of the operating portion based on the external force into a switching movement to switch the connection destination of the supply connection portion.

2. The beverage supply device according to claim 1, wherein the switching motion in the conversion mechanism includes: a first motion of moving the supply connection between a first position, which is the position of the supply connection when it is connected to the first connection, and a second position, which is the position of the supply connection when it is detached from the first connection and facing a first fitting portion at the first connection that can be fitted with the supply connection; a second motion of moving the supply connection between the second position and a third position, which is the position of the supply connection when it is detached from the second connection and facing a second fitting portion at the second connection that can be fitted with the supply connection; and a third motion of moving the supply connection between the third position and a fourth position, which is the position of the supply connection when it is connected to the second connection.

3. The beverage supply device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a detection unit for detecting the connection position of the supply connection unit; and a control unit for controlling the beverage supply operation and the cleaning liquid supply operation based on the detection result by the detection unit.

4. The beverage supply device according to claim 3, wherein the detection unit comprises a first sensor for detecting whether the supply connection unit is connected to the first connection unit, and a second sensor for detecting whether the supply connection unit is connected to the second connection unit.

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

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

Images