JP2010076814A - Water server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water server in which spreading of bacteria from a tank to a water bottle upon changing the water bottle can be prevented and restrained as much as possible. <P>SOLUTION: In the water server, an ultraviolet lamp is lit until a fixed time of a timer is up (YES at S1, NO at S2, S3), when removing of the water bottle is detected with a removing detecting means. The inside of a cool water tank is sterilized by the ultraviolet irradiation lighting. When the sterilization treatment is finished, the ultraviolet lamp is put out and voice guidance is generated that a new water bottle attachment can be started (YES at S3, S4). Detection of removing may be performed indirectly based on an output of an operation signal of a reset switch to count bottle using days instead of the removing detecting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water server that can supply water filled in a container such as a water bottle to a tank and supply it as drinking water, and more particularly, to a technology related to a lighting control of an ultraviolet lamp for sterilizing water in the tank. .

  Conventionally, a water server is also referred to as a “dispenser”, and water is supplied to a built-in tank from a water bottle that is replaceably mounted, and this is cooled and maintained in a cold water state by a user lever operation or cock operation. Some supply cold water for drinking.

  And in patent document 1, it is equipped with the sensor which detects that the water bottle was mounted | worn in a drink dispenser, and it makes it a display apparatus operate | move when three days pass after a water bottle mounting | wearing is detected, and It is stated that the water in the tank will be forcibly drained after 3 days, so that it can be easily confirmed that the same water bottle has been installed over a long period of time so that it can be replaced. It is described to do.

  Patent Documents 2, 3, and 4 describe that sterilization is performed using an ultraviolet lamp. Among them, Patent Document 2 describes that an ultraviolet lamp is blinked not by constantly lighting but by flowing water detection, and Patent Document 3 describes lighting for a predetermined time by detecting the flow of water in a tank. Document 4 describes that an ultraviolet sensor is turned on by detecting the approach of a user by an infrared sensor, and is turned off when the supply of water is finished.

JP 2007-91232 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 49-35562 JP-A-62-221485 JP 2000-128292 A

  By the way, in the water server, since the breeding of bacteria proceeds when the ultraviolet light is turned off, it is considered that the lighting is repeated periodically in order to limit the breeding of the bacteria to a certain number or less. Yes. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the number of bacteria in the built-in tank decreases to the minimum due to the previous lighting of the ultraviolet light, then increases in a sharp curve by turning off the light, and the next lighting of the ultraviolet light It increases to point A just before (ON). Although the number of bacteria decreases from point A to point B (minimum number) by re-lighting the ultraviolet light, it increases again to a point C by turning off the light and increases to point C. Point D (minimum number) by re-lighting the ultraviolet light However, it can be maintained within the upper limit number (point A, point D) that can be sterilized by regular lighting. In addition, the vertical axis | shaft showing the number of bacteria of FIG. 9 is a logarithmic scale.

  However, depending on the replacement timing of the water bottle, the bacteria will grow faster than usual in the water bottle. There is a possibility that a large amount of bacteria that cannot catch up may be replenished from the water bottle into the internal tank. In other words, a new water bottle to be replaced is originally supplied in a sterile state, but it is communicated with the built-in tank by exchanging it with an empty water bottle that has been installed so far. Bacteria will spread. For example, when the water bottle replacement timing is when a number of bacteria close to the upper limit number (for example, 1,000 cfu or more per mL) remain in the built-in tank as indicated by X in FIG. Bacteria diffuse to the side of the water bottle, and the breeding of bacteria progresses early in the water bottle that is exposed to a room temperature environment higher than that in the cooled internal tank. And it is thought that the bacteria of the number of bacteria (for example, 100,000 cfu or more per mL) which propagated in large quantities in the water bottle flows into the internal tank from the water bottle as the water in the internal tank is consumed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to prevent and suppress the diffusion of bacteria from the tank side to the water bottle side as much as possible when the water bottle is replaced. To provide a water server.

  In order to achieve the above object, a storage tank, a water source container that is pre-filled with water as drinking water, is detachably attached to the storage tank, and supplies water into the storage tank, and the above operation is performed. For a water server provided with a sterilizing means for sterilizing water in the storage tank and a control means for controlling the sterilization treatment of water in the storage tank by controlling the operation of the sterilizing means, The invention has the following specific items.

  That is, the invention according to claim 1 includes a removal detection unit that detects that the water source container has been removed from the storage tank, and when the control unit receives an output of the removal detection from the removal detection unit, The sterilization means is operated for sterilization treatment in the storage tank.

  In the case of the invention according to claim 1, when the removal detection means detects that the water source container is emptied and removed, the sterilization means is activated by the control means and the sterilization process in the storage tank is performed. Will be done. As a result, even if bacteria are propagated in the storage tank, the number of bacteria is reduced as much as possible by executing the above sterilization treatment, so that the water in the newly installed water source container is from the storage tank side. The spread of bacteria is prevented and suppressed as much as possible. As a result, the growth of bacteria in a new water source container filled with drinking water is prevented / suppressed, and the number of bacteria in the storage tank supplied with water from this water source container can be maintained below a predetermined level. .

  The water server according to claim 1 is further provided with notifying means for notifying the user, and as the control means, a new water source container is not mounted until the sterilization process in the storage tank by the sterilizing means is completed. A guidance processing unit that provides guidance and notification can be provided (claim 2). By doing in this way, it becomes possible to make the user easily recognize the mounting timing of a new water source container, and to more reliably prevent and suppress the diffusion of bacteria to the newly mounted water source container.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 3, the removal detection means which detects that the said water source container was removed from the storage tank, The sterilization operation means which act | operates the said sterilization means by manual operation for the sterilization process in the said storage tank, A notification means for performing notification to the user, and when the control means receives an output of the removal detection from the removal detection means, the sterilization for the sterilization processing in the storage tank to the user through the notification means A guidance processing unit that performs guidance notification that prompts the user to operate the sterilizing means by operating the operating means is provided.

  In the case of the invention according to claim 3, even if it is detected by the removal detection means that the water source container has been removed, the sterilization means is not automatically operated, but the sterilization means is operated by the operation of the sterilization operation means by the user. Will be. At that time, since the guidance notification by the guidance processing unit is performed through the notification means, the user can easily and reliably perform the sterilization process in the storage tank according to the guidance notification. As a result, as in the case of the invention according to claim 1, even if bacteria are propagated in the storage tank, the number of bacteria is reduced as much as possible by the execution of the sterilization treatment, so that it is newly installed. The diffusion of bacteria from the storage tank side to the water in the water source container is prevented and suppressed as much as possible. As a result, the growth of bacteria in a new water source container filled with drinking water is prevented / suppressed, and the number of bacteria in the storage tank supplied with water from this water source container can be maintained below a predetermined level. .

  Further, in the invention according to claim 4, the sterilization operation means for manually operating the sterilization means for the sterilization processing in the storage tank, and a notification means for informing the user, as the control means, A removal detection determination unit that indirectly determines and detects that the water source container has been removed from the storage tank by a user's switch operation executed in connection with the removal of the water source container, and the removal detection determination unit removes the water source container. When it is determined and detected, a guidance processing unit is provided that performs guidance notification for urging the user to operate the sterilization operation means to operate the sterilization means for sterilization processing in the storage tank through the notification means. It was.

  In the case of the invention according to claim 4, in place of the direct detection by the above-described removal detection means, the removal detection determination unit that detects and detects indirectly by the user's switch operation executed in connection with the removal of the water source container. Indirect detection at the water will determine and detect removal of the water source container. When this determination / detection is performed, guidance notification by the guidance processing unit is performed through the notification means, and the user can easily and reliably perform sterilization processing in the storage tank according to the guidance notification. As a result, as in the case of the invention according to claim 1, even if bacteria are propagated in the storage tank, the number of bacteria is reduced as much as possible by the execution of the sterilization treatment, so that it is newly installed. The diffusion of bacteria from the storage tank side to the water in the water source container is prevented and suppressed as much as possible. As a result, the growth of bacteria in a new water source container filled with drinking water is prevented / suppressed, and the number of bacteria in the storage tank supplied with water from this water source container can be maintained below a predetermined level. . In addition, the cost can be reduced by omitting the removal detecting means.

  In the water server of claim 3 or claim 4 as well, the guide processing unit is configured to guide and notify the new water source container so as not to be mounted until the sterilization process in the storage tank by the sterilization means is completed. It can be added (Claim 5). By doing in this way, it becomes possible to make the user easily recognize the mounting timing of a new water source container, and to more reliably prevent and suppress the diffusion of bacteria to the newly mounted water source container.

  In the above water server, as the sterilizing means, an ultraviolet lamp that sterilizes by irradiating ultraviolet rays by a lighting operation can be used. By doing in this way, the sterilization process of the water in a storage tank can be performed easily and reliably.

  As described above, according to the water server according to any one of claims 1 to 6, even when bacteria are propagated in the storage tank when the water source container is replaced, the water source container is removed. The sterilizing means can be operated at the timing, and thereby the number of sterilization in the storage tank can be reduced as much as possible. For this reason, the spreading | diffusion of the bacteria from the storage tank side with respect to the water in the newly installed water source container can be prevented and suppressed as much as possible. As a result, it is possible to prevent and suppress the growth of bacteria in a new water source container filled with drinking water, and to maintain the number of bacteria in a storage tank supplied with water from this water source container at a predetermined level or less. It becomes like this.

  In particular, according to claim 1 and claim 2, it can be directly detected by the removal detection means that the water source container is emptied and removed, and according to claim 2, to the user, The installation timing of a new water source container can be easily recognized, and the diffusion of bacteria into the newly installed water source container can be prevented and suppressed more reliably.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is detected that the water source container has been removed by direct detection by the removal detection means, and as a result of providing guidance to the user, the user is prompted to operate the sterilization operation means to activate the sterilization means. Will be able to.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, instead of the direct detection by the removal detection means, indirect in the removal detection determination unit that detects and detects indirectly by the user's switch operation executed in connection with the removal of the water source container. With detection, it becomes possible to determine and detect removal of the water source container. As a result of notifying the user based on this determination / detection, the user can operate the sterilizing means by prompting the user to operate the sterilizing operation means. In addition, since the removal detecting means can be dispensed with, it is possible to reduce the cost increase associated with the installation of the removal detecting means.

  According to the fifth aspect, the user can easily recognize the mounting timing of a new water source container, and the diffusion of bacteria to the newly mounted water source container can be more reliably prevented and suppressed.

  Further, according to the sixth aspect, by using the ultraviolet lamp as the sterilizing means, the water in the storage tank can be sterilized easily and reliably.

  Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows an apparatus configuration of a water server according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an example of an external configuration of the water server. In both figures, reference numeral 1 denotes a housing as an exterior, 2 (shown only in FIG. 1) is a cold water tank as a storage tank, 3 is detachably mounted on the upper side of the cold water tank 2 and water to the cold water tank 2 is attached. A water bottle as a water source container serving as a supply source, 4 (appears only in FIG. 1) is a refrigeration circuit for cooling the water in the cold water tank 2, 5 (appears only in FIG. 1) is water supply via the cold water tank 2 6 (shown only in FIG. 1) is a heater that heats the water in the hot water tank 5, and 7 (shown only in FIG. 1) is an on / off switch for ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 as sterilizing means described later. It is a controller as a control means which performs operation control of the water server including control.

  A connecting recess 11 for attaching the water bottle 3 is formed in the central portion of the upper surface of the housing 1. This connection recessed part 11 is provided with the communication cylinder part 12 (refer FIG. 1) which protrudes upwards along the central axis while it has the inner surface shape which can be fitted in the state which reversed the neck part 31 of the water bottle 3 upside down. Yes. By inserting the neck portion 31 from the top to the bottom with the water bottle 3 upside down with respect to the connecting recess 11, the communicating tube portion 12 is inserted upward into the neck portion 31 of the water bottle 3, so that the water The water bottle 3 and the cold water tank 2 are connected to each other with the bottle 3 and the cold water tank 2 being in communication with each other. Further, a cup storage place 13 (shown only in FIG. 2) for receiving two kinds of drinking water and cold water is formed in the middle position on the front surface of the housing 1, and each of the cold water and the hot water is located above the cup storage place 13. Water intake ports 271 and 521 are arranged. An operation panel 14 for a user to perform various input operations is disposed in front of the upper position of the cup storage 13.

  The operation panel 14 is installed so that its lower end edge rotates around the horizontal axis Y and can be converted between a closed state (shown in FIG. 2) and an open state (not shown). On the upper surface, a hot water intake switch 15 for taking out hot water and a cold water intake switch 16 for taking out cold water are arranged. When the cover is opened, an internal operation switch 17 (FIG. 2 (b) )), And various switches such as an operation switch 18 relating to the number of days of use of the bottle and a sterilization switch 19 serving as a sterilization operation means are disposed so as to be exposed to the outside. That is, in the normal use state, the operation panel 14 is maintained in the closed state, and if the operation panel 14 is converted to the open state at the start of operation or replacement of the water bottle, the various switches 17 to 19 can be operated. It is like that. The operation switch 18 relating to the number of days in which the bottle has been used displays the clock display that is always displayed on the display unit 10a (see FIG. 2A) on the front surface of the housing 1 every time the button is pressed once (short press). To serve both as a display switching switch that can be switched to display or reset, and as a reset switch that resets the count of the number of days the bottle has been used if it is continuously pressed for a predetermined time. It has become. Further, the sterilization switch 19 is turned on forcibly for a predetermined time by the UV lamps 28 and 29 being turned on.

  The cold water tank 2 is a container opened upward, and a lid 21 that also serves as a light shielding plate is fitted into the upper end opening of the container via a packing or the like and sealed. A substantially central portion of the lid 21 is a recess 22 that can be fitted to the connection recess 11 from below, and a through-hole through which the communication tube portion 12 is inserted is formed at the center of the recess 22. . The recess 22 is provided with a removal detecting means 81 for detecting that the mounted water bottle 3 has been removed. The removal detecting means 81 is configured by a contact type sensor configured to detect the removal by removing the contact with the neck 31 of the water bottle 3 by removing the water bottle 3. In this case, when the new water bottle 3 is mounted after being removed, it is brought into contact with the neck portion 31 of the new water bottle 3 by the internal fitting based on the mounting. The removal detecting means 81 may be constituted by an electrostatic switch sensor that detects the removal of the water bottle 3 by a change in electrostatic capacity. In this case, for example, the removal of the water bottle 3 is detected by detecting a change in capacitance between the state in which the neck 31 of the water bottle 3 is present on the front surface and the state in which the neck 31 is not present due to removal and the space is expanded. May be configured to be detected in a non-contact manner.

  Further, a baffle plate 23 that extends in the horizontal direction is disposed at a predetermined level position in the cold water tank 2, and a connection pipe 24 is connected to the central position of the baffle plate 23 so that the upstream end is opened. The downstream end of the connection pipe 24 communicates with the bottom of the hot water tank 5. And the cold water intake pipe 26 is extended from the reservoir part 25 formed concavely with respect to the bottom part of the cold water tank 2 to the upper position of the cup storage place 13 of the housing 1, and was installed in the downstream end side of the cold water intake pipe 26. When the cold water intake valve 27 as an open / close switching valve is opened, cold water in the cold water tank 2 is discharged from the intake port 271. The cold water intake valve 27 is constituted by an electromagnetic open / close control valve. Normally, the cold water intake valve 27 is maintained in a closed state. When the user performs an ON operation (pressing operation) on the intake switch 16, the controller 7 receives an output of the operation signal. When the water intake switch 16 is turned off (press release), it is switched to the original closed state. Further, a plurality of ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 are installed in the cold water tank 2 as sterilizing means, and the water stored therein is sterilized by irradiating ultraviolet rays by turning on the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29. Yes. The lower end of one of the ultraviolet lamps 28 extends into the pool 25 so that it can illuminate the inside of the cold water intake pipe 26.

  If it demonstrates in detail, as shown in FIG. 3, the cold water intake pipe 26 which is a water intake path is extended in the straight line from the accumulation part 25 to the cold water intake valve 27 to the side. The upstream end 261 of the cold water intake pipe 26 opens and communicates with the reservoir 25 from the side, and the downstream end 262 constitutes a valve seat on which the valve body 272 is seated opposite to the valve body 272 of the cold water intake valve 27. is doing. Then, the lower end portion of the ultraviolet lamp 28 is inserted into the reservoir 25 from the top to the bottom, and the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet lamp 28 extend in a straight line through the internal space of the cold water intake pipe 26 and the valve body of the cold water intake valve 27. The positional relationship between the ultraviolet lamp 28, the cold water intake pipe 26, and the cold water intake valve 27 is set so as to hit the 272. That is, when the ultraviolet lamp 28 is turned on, not only the cold water stored in the internal space of the cold water tank 2 but also the valve body of the cold water intake valve 27 from the upstream end 261 in the cold water intake pipe 26 by the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet lamp 28. The cold water existing in the internal space of the cold water intake pipe 26 by being irradiated over the entire internal space up to the downstream end 262 (position near the cold water intake 271) at the position 272 is also sterilized.

  The water bottle 3 is also referred to as a “gallon bottle” and is provided in a state in which drinking water is filled and contained therein. And this water bottle 3 is mounted | worn with respect to a water server as mentioned above, and whenever the drinking water in the mounted water bottle 3 is consumed and it becomes empty, it is exchanged for the new water bottle 3. .

  The refrigeration circuit 4 includes a cooling pipe 42 constituting an evaporator on a circulation path 41 in which a refrigerant is sealed. The cooling pipe 42 is wound around the cold water tank 2, and the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 43 is radiated by the radiator 44 to be liquefied. It takes heat from the water and cools it. The refrigeration circuit 4 is operated by cooling operation control by the controller 7. This cooling operation control is started when the power is turned on and the water server is used, and the refrigeration circuit 4 is operated to operate the chilled water. After the water in the tank 2 is cooled to a predetermined temperature, a cold insulation operation is performed so as to maintain a certain cold water temperature range.

  The hot water tank 5 is a hermetic container disposed below the cold water tank 2, and therefore below the water bottle 3, and has a heater 6 disposed therein. Water is poured into the hot water tank 5 from the inside of the cold water tank 2 (or the water bottle 3) through the connecting pipe 24 based on the water head difference, and the hot water tank 5 is replenished by the amount reduced by the water intake. Accordingly, when viewed from the hot water tank 5, not only the water bottle 3 but also the cold water tank 2 constitutes a water source container. Further, the hot water intake pipe 51 is extended from the top of the hot water tank 5 to a position above the cup storage place of the housing 1, and the hot water intake valve 52 interposed on the downstream end side of the hot water intake pipe 51 is opened. Accordingly, the hot water in the hot water tank 5 is discharged from the hot water intake port 521. This hot water intake valve 52 is also constituted by an electromagnetic opening / closing control valve, like the cold water intake valve 27, and is normally maintained in a closed state, and when the user turns on the intake switch 15 (press operation), the operation signal In response to this output, the controller 7 performs open switching control to discharge hot water from the water inlet 521, and when the water intake switch 15 is turned OFF (press release), the original closed state is switched. Reference numeral 241 in FIG. 1 is a drain pipe, which drains from the connection pipe 24 and extends to the housing 1, and is connected to the inside of the cold water tank 2 from the downstream connection port. The cold water and the hot water in the hot water tank 5 can be discharged to drain water from the water server. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 53 is an overheat prevention device, 54 is a temperature sensor, and the overheat prevention device 53 uses a bimetal to cut off the power supply to the heater 6 by detecting the temperature immediately before boiling (for example, 95 ° C.). It is like that.

  The heater 6 is activated by the heating operation control by the controller 7, and this heating operation control is started when the power is turned on and the water server is used. After the water is heated to a predetermined temperature (for example, 90 ° C.), the heat retaining operation is performed so as to maintain a constant warm water temperature (for example, 80 ° C. to 90 ° C.). Therefore, the hot water in the hot water tank 5 is subjected to heat sterilization.

  The controller 7 supplies cold power or hot water based on power supply to an electrically driven element such as the heater 6, control related to the cooling operation by the refrigeration circuit 4 and the heating operation by the heater 6, and the output from the cold water switch 16 or the hot water switch 15. In addition to the control related to the supply operation of the battery and the execution of the elapsed days guidance control for counting the elapsed days after the water bottle replacement by the timer based on the reset operation and the display switching operation by the operation switch 18 and displaying them on the display unit 10a. As the control, control including the following periodic lighting control and bottle replacement control is executed. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the controller 7 periodically illuminates the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 to irradiate ultraviolet rays, and illuminates the ultraviolet rays by illuminating the bottles during replacement. And a bottle replacement control unit 72 that prompts the user to install a new water bottle.

  The regular lighting control unit 71 counts the extinguishing time value for maintaining the extinguished state, that is, the time interval for regular lighting (for example, 120 minutes) and the lighting time value (for example, 10 minutes) for maintaining the illuminated state at the time of regular lighting. And a timer 711 for outputting a time-up signal. Then, after the water bottle 3 is first attached and the operation switch 17 (see FIG. 2B) is turned on, the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 are periodically turned on based on the time-up signal from the timer 711. ing. In the above example, after maintaining for 120 minutes, the lighting state is repeatedly maintained for 10 minutes.

  The bottle replacement control unit 72 counts a replacement lighting time value (for example, 10 minutes) for turning on the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 for sterilization at the time of bottle replacement, and outputs a time-up signal. And a guide processing unit 722 for guiding the start of the installation of a new water bottle 3 after the sterilization process is completed. The guidance processing unit 722 includes an audio processing circuit, and provides guidance to the user or worker that the user has finished sterilization when replacing the bottle and that the user is prompted to attach the new water bottle 3 when sterilization is completed. This is performed by voice guidance from the speaker 10b (see FIG. 2A). That is, guidance to the user is executed so that the new water bottle 3 is mounted after the sterilization process by the ultraviolet irradiation from the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 is performed. The above-mentioned speaker 10b constitutes an informing means for informing the user. In addition to voice guidance by the speaker 10b, or instead of voice guidance by the speaker 10b, guidance by displaying character information or the like may be performed on the display unit 10a configured by, for example, liquid crystal. In such a case, the speaker 10b and / or the display unit 10a constitutes a notification unit.

  The contents of the bottle replacement control by the bottle replacement control unit 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. First, it is determined whether or not a removal detection signal is output by the removal detection means 81 (step S1). If there is a detection output, the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 are turned on (YES in step S1, step S2). This lighting is maintained until the time-up signal from the timer 721 is output (until the timer is up) (NO in step S3). If the timer is up (disinfection is finished), the guidance processing by the guidance processing unit 722 is started simultaneously with the ultraviolet ray. The lights 28 and 29 are turned off and the process returns to step S1 (YES in step S3, step S4). And it returns to step S1 and repeats each process of step S1-S4.

  As the guidance processing by the guidance processing unit 722, for example, voice guidance may be given from the speaker 10b, for example, "Since sterilization processing has been completed, please install a new water bottle." In addition, when the removal detection signal is output in step S1, for example, “Because sterilization processing will be executed from now on, please install a new water bottle after sterilization processing is completed”. You may make it increase the certainty of attaching a new water bottle after completion | finish of a sterilization process by adding audio | voice guidance to the guidance process by the guidance process part 722. FIG.

  By the sterilization process based on the bottle replacement control of the bottle replacement control unit 72 described above, the sterilization in the cold water tank 2 is diffused with respect to the water filled in the aseptic state of the new water bottle 3 to be newly installed by replacement. It is possible to prevent / suppress the occurrence of accidents as much as possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the water bottle 3 is removed for replacement at a time point X when the number of bacteria is close to the upper limit number (for example, point C) immediately before the next periodic lighting by the periodic lighting control unit 71. Even if it is broken, the UV lamps 28 and 29 are turned on by the bottle replacement control when the removal is detected, and the number of bacteria is reduced to the lower limit value (for example, less than 10 cfu per mL) to the point E, and then the new water bottle 3 Since the attachment is performed, the diffusion of bacteria from the cold water tank 2 immediately after the new water bottle 3 is attached to the new water bottle 3 can be suppressed to a minimum. As a result, the number of bacteria in the cold water tank 2 can be reliably limited and maintained below a certain number. In FIG. 6, the vertical axis representing the number of bacteria is a logarithmic scale.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of bottle replacement control according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This bottle replacement time control is executed by the bottle replacement time control unit 72a (see FIG. 4) based on the removal detection output from the removal detection means 81 and the operation signal of the sterilization switch 19 operated by the user. is there.

  In addition, since the other component of said 2nd Embodiment is the same structure as the thing of 1st Embodiment (refer FIGS. 1-3), the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the bottle replacement control of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, first, it is determined whether or not a removal detection signal is output by the removal detection means 81 (step S11), and the guidance processing unit 722a. To notify the user to turn on the sterilization switch 19 (YES in step S11, step S12). That is, for example, a voice guidance saying “Since the water bottle has been removed, turn on the sterilization switch for sterilization” is output from the speaker 10b. If the user performs an ON operation of the sterilization switch 19 based on this guidance process (YES in step S13), the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 are turned on (step S14). This guidance process is repeated until an ON operation signal is output from the sterilization switch 19 (NO in step S13, step S12), and the display lamp 19a (see FIG. 2B) may be turned on or blinked. . The lighting of the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 is maintained until the time-up signal from the timer 721 is output (until the timer is up) (NO in step S15), and if the timer is up (disinfection is finished), the guidance processing unit 722a. At the same time as the guidance process is started, the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 are turned off and the process returns to step S11 (YES in step S15, step S16). And it returns to step S11 and repeats each process of step S11-S16.

  As the guidance processing by the guidance processing unit 722a, there is guidance for mounting the new water bottle 3, and, similar to the one described in the first embodiment, for example, “Since sterilization processing has been completed, Please wear a voice prompt. "

  In this case, instead of the sterilization process at the time of bottle replacement based on all automatic control as in the first embodiment, only a direct lighting operation of the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 is a part of the manual operation of the user turning on the sterilization switch 19. As in the first embodiment, when the new water bottle 3 is mounted, the bacteria in the cold water tank 2 are sterilized and reduced to a predetermined lower limit number, as in the first embodiment. You will be able to get an effect.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of bottle replacement control according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In this bottle replacement control, instead of detecting the removal detection directly by the removal detection means 81 as in the first or second embodiment, the user can reset the operation switch 18 in order to reset the count of the bottle usage days. The second embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that indirect detection is performed. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the removal detecting means 81 is not necessary in the block diagram of FIG. The bottle replacement control is performed using a later-described removal detection determination unit.

  In addition, since the other component of said 3rd Embodiment is the same structure as the thing of 1st or 2nd Embodiment (refer FIGS. 1-3), the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the bottle replacement control by the bottle replacement control unit 72b of the third embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not a reset output signal based on a reset operation using the operation switch 18 has been output. If it is determined (step S21) and a reset output signal is output, the guidance processing unit 722b informs the user to turn on the sterilization switch 19 (YES in step S21, step S22). That is, for example, a voice guidance saying “Since the water bottle has been removed, turn on the sterilization switch for sterilization” is output from the speaker 10b. If the sterilization switch 19 is turned on by the user based on this guidance process (YES in step S23), the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 are turned on (step S24). This guidance process is repeated until an ON operation signal is output from the sterilization switch 19 (NO in step S23, step S22), and the display lamp 19a (see FIG. 2B) may be turned on or blinked. . The lighting of the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 is maintained until a time-up signal is output from the timer 721 (until the timer is up) (NO in step S25), and if the timer is up (end of sterilization), the guidance processing unit 722b. At the same time as the guidance process is started, the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 are turned off and the process returns to step S21 (YES in step S25, step S26). And it returns to step S21 and repeats each process of step S21-S26. As the guidance processing by the guidance processing unit 722b, as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, for example, the speaker 10b says, “Since sterilization processing is completed, please install a new water bottle.” You should guide them. In addition, the determination process of said step S21 comprises the removal detection determination part which indirectly determines and detects that the water bottle 3 was removed by the user's switch operation performed in connection with removal of the water bottle 3. To do.

  In this case, the difference between whether the water bottle 3 removal detection is directly detected by the removal detection means 81 as in the first embodiment or indirectly detected by a user operation (reset operation of the operation switch 18) as in this embodiment is the difference. However, as in the first embodiment, when the new water bottle 3 is mounted, the bacteria in the cold water tank 2 can be sterilized and reduced to a predetermined lower limit number, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. It becomes like this. In addition, as described above, it is possible to eliminate the necessity of installing the removal detecting means 81 and contribute to cost reduction.

  In this embodiment, if there is an output of the reset output signal in step S21, it is considered that the water bottle 3 has been removed, and the UV lamp 28 is used for the sterilization process without waiting for the sterilization switch 19 to be turned on. , 29 may be lit. By doing in this way, the total time which the sterilization process at the time of bottle replacement | exchange can be shortened, and mounting | wearing of the new water bottle 3 can be performed at an early stage.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments described above, but includes other various embodiments. That is, if the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 are turned on based on the control at the time of bottle replacement, the control at the time of bottle replacement is performed so that counting of the turn-off time value of the timer 711 of the regular lighting control unit 71 is newly started from the timing of the turn-off. The timer count reset signal may be output from the units 72, 72a, 72b to the timer 711 of the periodic lighting control unit 71. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the durability of the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 by avoiding excessive ultraviolet irradiation.

  As the removal detection means 81, in principle, there are many devices that can detect not only the removal but also the attachment, but at least a device that can detect the removal can also be applied.

  Further, when one ultraviolet lamp 28 is used for water interlocking and the other ultraviolet lamp 29 is used for regular lighting (use setting), the controller 7 causes the ultraviolet lamp 28 to light in conjunction with cold water intake. It is also possible to provide an interlocking control unit at the time of intake for executing the interlocking control so that both the ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 are controlled to light according to the role of each other. In this case, the ultraviolet lamp 29 may be turned on at the time of lighting based on the periodic lighting control or the bottle replacement control, while the ultraviolet lamp 28 may be maintained in the off state.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, an example in which the hot water tank 5 is provided in addition to the cold water tank 2 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention may be a water server configured to include at least the cold water tank 2. Can be applied. Therefore, a water server that does not include the hot water tank 5 may be used. Further, when the hot water tank 5 is also provided, the connection state of the connection pipe 24 may be changed to an arrangement state in which the connection pipe 24 is connected to the hot water tank 5 through the outside of the cold water tank 2 in addition to the above embodiment. Good. In each of the above embodiments, drinking water is stored in the water bottle 3 and water is supplied to the cold water tank 2 from now on. However, “drinking water” or “water” here is It contains drinking water such as tea and juice.

  In each of the above embodiments, as the ultraviolet lamp 28, an example has been shown in which the lower end portion is extended to the reservoir portion 25 so as to be able to irradiate the downstream end of the cold water intake pipe 26 with ultraviolet rays. 25 may be omitted. In this case, if the cold water intake pipe is opened at a side position near the lower end of the intake water-linked ultraviolet lamp, the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet lamp extends in a straight line into the cold water intake pipe and is irradiated. Good.

  In the above embodiments, two ultraviolet lamps 28 and 29 are shown in FIG. 1 in particular. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be only one ultraviolet lamp or three or more.

  In the above embodiment, the cold water intake valve 27 is configured by an electromagnetic opening / closing control valve, and is configured to open and convert by ON operation of the intake switch 16, but is not limited thereto, and is manually opened and closed based on a user's manual operation. A type of cold water intake valve may be employed.

It is a schematic diagram which shows each embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance structural example of each embodiment. It is the elements on larger scale of FIG. It is a block diagram concerning sterilization control. It is a flowchart of the control at the time of bottle exchange. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the change of the number of bacteria in a cold water tank, and lighting of an ultraviolet lamp. FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 of the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a tendency of the relationship between the change of the number of bacteria in a built-in tank, and the regular lighting of an ultraviolet lamp.

Explanation of symbols

2 Cold water tank (storage tank)
3 Water bottle (water source container)
7 Controller (control means)
18 Operation switch (reset switch, removal detection judgment part)
19 Sterilization switch (sterilization operation means)
28, 29 UV light (sterilization means)
81 Detachment detection means 72, 72a, 72b Control unit for bottle replacement (control means)
722, 722a, 722b guidance processing unit

Claims (6)

A storage tank, a water source container that is pre-filled with water as drinking water, is detachably attached to the storage tank, and supplies water into the storage tank, and is operated to sterilize the water in the storage tank. A water server comprising sterilization means and control means for controlling the sterilization treatment of water in the storage tank by controlling the operation of the sterilization means,
A removal detecting means for detecting that the water source container has been removed from the storage tank;
The control means is configured to operate the sterilization means for sterilization processing in the storage tank when receiving an output of removal detection from the removal detection means.
A water server characterized by that. The water server according to claim 1,
A notification means for performing notification to the user;
The said control means is a water server provided with the guidance process part which carries out guidance notification so that a new water source container may not be mounted | worn until the sterilization process in the storage tank by the said sterilization means is complete | finished. A storage tank, a water source container that is pre-filled with water as drinking water and is detachably attached to the storage tank and supplies water into the storage tank, and is operated to sterilize the water in the storage tank A water server comprising sterilization means and control means for controlling the sterilization treatment of water in the storage tank by controlling the operation of the sterilization means,
Detachment detection means for detecting that the water source container has been removed from the storage tank, sterilization operation means for manually operating the sterilization means for sterilization processing in the storage tank, and notification means for informing the user And
The control means operates the sterilization means by operating the sterilization operation means for the sterilization process in the storage tank to the user through the notification means when receiving the output of the removal detection from the removal detection means. A guidance processing unit for performing guidance notification to prompt
A water server characterized by that. A storage tank, a water source container that is pre-filled with water as drinking water, is detachably attached to the storage tank, and supplies water into the storage tank, and is operated to sterilize the water in the storage tank. A water server comprising sterilization means and control means for controlling the sterilization treatment of water in the storage tank by controlling the operation of the sterilization means,
Sterilization operation means for manually operating the sterilization means for sterilization treatment in the storage tank, and a notification means for informing the user,
The control means includes a removal detection determination unit that indirectly determines and detects that the water source container has been removed from the storage tank by a user's switch operation executed in connection with the removal of the water source container, and the removal detection. When removal is determined / detected by the determination unit, guidance is provided for prompting the user to operate the sterilization operation means to activate the sterilization means for sterilization processing in the storage tank through the notification means. Equipped with a processing unit,
A water server characterized by that. The water server according to claim 3 or claim 4,
The water guidance server is configured to provide guidance and notification so that a new water source container is not mounted until the sterilization process in the storage tank by the sterilization means is completed. The water server according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The sterilization means is a water server, which is an ultraviolet lamp that sterilizes by irradiating ultraviolet rays by lighting operation.

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