CN108883923B

CN108883923B - Water dispenser and exhaust valve

Info

Publication number: CN108883923B
Application number: CN201780019319.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 小野喜之; 桂谷祥太; 吉田正直; 吉原庆太; 原田尚志
Original assignee: Suntory Holdings Ltd; Purpose Co Ltd
Current assignee: Suntory Holdings Ltd; Purpose Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-05-30
Filing date: 2017-05-17
Publication date: 2020-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-17
Also published as: TWI720198B; KR102148813B1; CN108883923A; HK1257560A1; JPWO2017208816A1; WO2017208816A1; KR20180124988A; TW201742825A; JP6678237B2

Abstract

The water dispenser is provided with: a water tank (cold water tank 4) for storing water; and an exhaust valve (10) directly connected to the water tank. The exhaust valve is provided with: a valve housing (38) directly coupled to the tank; a vent part (vent port part 50) for venting the water tank through the valve housing; and a valve mechanism unit (40) that opens and closes the ventilation unit. According to the water dispenser, the exhaust valve directly connected with the water tank becomes high temperature by means of the circulating high temperature water when the high temperature water circulates, and the circulation effect of the high temperature water can be improved.

Description

Water dispenser and exhaust valve

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an exhaust technique for a water tank of a drinking water machine or the like that supplies cold water, warm water, carbonated water, or the like.

Background

In a water dispenser, a tank for storing cold water is provided separately from a tank for storing warm water. When water is supplied from the water tank to the cold water side tank, exhaust Air for discharging Air (Air) in the tank is required. Therefore, the water tank is provided with an air discharge mechanism.

In such a water dispenser, it is known that an exhaust pipe is provided in a lid portion of a tank, and an electromagnetic valve is provided in the exhaust pipe to open and close the exhaust pipe (patent document 1).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2015-40078

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In a conventional exhaust mechanism, an exhaust pipe is connected to a tank, and an electromagnetic valve is provided in the exhaust pipe. When water is supplied from the water tank to the water tank, the electromagnetic valve is opened and air is discharged from the air discharge pipe. The exhaust pipe does not directly contact with the cold water in the water tank and the water from the water container, and even if the pipe diameter is thin, the exhaust function is not hindered. However, since the exhaust pipe connected to the tank forms a closed space together with the tank, water may condense on the inner walls of the exhaust pipe and the solenoid valve and adhere to the inner walls depending on the humidity in the closed space.

In a water dispenser, high-temperature water is periodically circulated from a tank on a hot water side to a tank on a cold water side, and a so-called sterilization treatment is performed. The cold water in the cold water tank is heated to a high temperature by the circulation of the high-temperature water, and the portion not directly contacted with the high-temperature water is also heated to a high temperature by the high-temperature steam. However, there are problems such as: when the high-temperature steam returns to the water on the exhaust pipe and the solenoid valve side, water droplets are retained on the exhaust pipe and the solenoid valve side. Further, there is a problem that: when the solenoid valve is separated from the water tank on the cold water side by the exhaust pipe, the solenoid valve side is not as high-temperature as in the water tank, and the effect of high-temperature water circulation is not good.

There are such problems: if the circulation time of the high-temperature water is increased to make the inner wall side of the solenoid valve high in temperature, the supply time of the cold water is limited accordingly, which is inconvenient and reduces the energy saving effect. There are such problems: even if the high-temperature steam reaches the exhaust pipe and the solenoid valve, the condensed water droplets are retained as described above, and even if the circulation time of the high-temperature water is prolonged, the effect of circulating the high-temperature water through the exhaust pipe and the solenoid valve is poor.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to improve the effect of high-temperature water circulation.

In view of the above problems, another object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust valve suitable for a water dispenser or the like.

Means for solving the problems

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the water dispenser of the present invention, a water tank for storing water and an exhaust valve directly connected to the water tank are provided.

In the above water dispenser, it is also possible that: the valve housing of the exhaust valve is provided with a space portion, and the space portion is communicated with the water tank.

In the above water dispenser, it is also possible that: the exhaust valve includes an inclined wall surface portion that guides water droplets in the valve housing into the tank.

In the above water dispenser, it is also possible that: the water tank includes an exhaust port, and the exhaust valve includes a coupling portion coupled to the exhaust port.

In the above water dispenser, it is also possible that: the water dispenser further includes:

a water level sensor that detects a water level of the water tank; and

and a control unit for opening the exhaust valve according to the water level detected by the water level sensor and supplying water from the water container to the water tank by exhausting the water tank.

In the above water dispenser, it is also possible that: the water dispenser is also provided with a control part which closes the exhaust valve when high-temperature water circulates and enables the high-temperature water to circulate in the water tank.

In the above water dispenser, it is also possible that: the air release valve is provided in a lid portion of the water tank, the water tank includes a water filling portion for filling water into the water tank, and the air release valve is disposed between the water container for filling water into the water filling portion and the lid portion.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an exhaust valve for exhausting a water tank storing water, includes: a valve housing directly coupled to the water tank; a vent part passing through the valve housing to perform air discharge of the water tank; and a valve mechanism unit that opens and closes the ventilation unit.

In the exhaust valve, the following may be provided: the exhaust valve is provided with: a valve operation space portion in the vent portion of the valve housing; a plunger guide supported by the valve housing and disposed in the valve operation space portion; a valve body attached to a plunger that advances and retreats guided by the plunger guide; and an opening that is opened and closed by the operation of the valve body.

In the exhaust valve, the following may be provided: an inclined wall surface portion is provided around the ventilation portion, and the inclined wall surface portion guides water droplets in the valve housing into the tank.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, any of the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The exhaust valve directly connected to the water tank is heated to a high temperature by the circulating high temperature water when the high temperature water circulates, and thus the circulation effect of the high temperature water can be improved.

(2) Since the exhaust valve is directly connected to the tank, it is possible to suppress the retention of water droplets by the conventional exhaust pipe, and to suppress the water droplets generated inside the exhaust valve from flowing from the exhaust valve to the tank and being retained on the exhaust valve side.

(3) Even if water droplets temporarily remain in the housing of the exhaust valve, the water droplets can be heated to a high temperature during the circulation of high-temperature water.

(4) Since the exhaust valve directly connected to the water tank is heated to a high temperature simultaneously with the water tank during the high temperature water circulation, the circulation time of the high temperature water does not need to be increased in consideration of the time for the exhaust valve to reach a high temperature, and rapid high temperature water circulation can be realized, thereby saving energy.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a cold water tank of a water dispenser of an embodiment.

Fig. 2 a is a view showing a discharge mechanism portion of a cold water tank of the water dispenser according to embodiment 1, and B is a view showing a joint portion between a lid portion and a discharge valve of the cold water tank.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an open state of the discharge valve at the time of discharging the cold water tank.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a water dispenser of embodiment 2.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a control section of the water dispenser.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the control of the water dispenser.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the circulation control of high-temperature water.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a cold water tank and a water container side of a water dispenser of one embodiment.

In the water dispenser 2, since the cold water tank 4, which is an example of a tank in which water is stored, and the water tank 6 are communicated with each other via the water filling portion 8 to maintain a sealed state, when the water W in the water tank 6 is supplied to the cold water tank 4, it is necessary to exhaust air from the cold water tank 4. The exhaust valve 10 may be used for this exhaust. The exhaust valve 10 is directly connected to the cold water tank 4, and the housing of the exhaust valve 10 communicates with the cold water tank 4. The cold water tank 4 includes a tank portion 12 for storing cold water LW and a lid portion 14. The exhaust valve 10 is directly connected to the lid 14 which is a part of the cold water tank 4, but may be directly connected to the tank 12. The vent valve 10 directly connected to the container portion 12 is disposed between the water container 6 and the lid portion 14.

The exhaust pipe 16 is connected to the exhaust valve 10. The exhaust pipe 16 extends to the top surface of the water tank 6, and has a filter 17 at its open end. Since the exhaust pipe 16 communicates with the outside air, the filter 17 protects the exhaust pipe 16 from the intrusion of foreign matter from the outside air.

The cold water tank 4 is provided with a water level sensor 18 for detecting the level of the cold water LW. When the detected water level is lower than the reference water level, the discharge valve 10 is opened and the cold water tank 4 is discharged, whereby the water W is replenished from the water container 6 into the cold water tank 4 through the water filling portion 8. If the exhaust valve 10 is closed, the water supply is stopped. Therefore, as long as there is water W in the water tank 6, the cold water tank 4 can maintain the cold water LW in the cold water tank 4 at the reference level.

When the water W in the water tank 6 is not available, the used water tank 6 is removed from the water filling unit 8 and replaced with a new water tank 6. At this time, since the water filling unit 8 is inserted into the water tank 6 maintained in the sealed state and the water tank 6 and the cold water tank 4 are maintained in the sealed state, the air release valve 10 is opened when the water level sensor 18 does not detect the water level at the time of replacement of the water tank 6, and the water W in the water tank 6 can be supplied to the cold water tank 4 when the air release is performed on the cold water tank 4 side.

The water dispenser 2 includes a function of cooling water by cooling water W in the cold water tank 4, a function of warming up water, a function of circulating high-temperature water for sterilization, and the like, but the description thereof will be omitted in this embodiment and the following examples will be mentioned.

< effects of one embodiment >

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) In the water dispenser 2, the exhaust valve 10 is directly connected to the cold water tank 4 side, and specifically, the exhaust valve 10 can be integrated with the lid portion 14 or the container portion 12 of the cold water tank 4.

(2) The exhaust valve 10 directly connected to the cold water tank 4 is disposed in the vicinity of the cold water LW of the cold water tank 4 so that the interior of the valve housing communicates with the inside of the cold water tank 4, that is, the interior space of the valve housing is opened into the cold water tank 4. Therefore, when high-temperature water is circulated to the cold water tank 4, the exhaust valve 10 can be set to a high temperature by the circulated high-temperature water, and the circulation effect of the high-temperature water can be improved.

(3) Even if water droplets are retained in the valve housing of the exhaust valve 10 due to dew condensation or the like, the water droplets can be heated to a high temperature during circulation of high-temperature water.

(4) Since the exhaust valve 10 in the valve housing directly connected to the cold water tank 4 communicates with and opens into the space on the cold water tank 4 side, water droplets generated on the valve housing side of the exhaust valve 10 can flow toward the cold water tank 4 side and return to the cold water LW, and the water droplets can be prevented from being accumulated.

(5) In the high-temperature water circulation, the exhaust valve 10 and the cold water tank 4 can be simultaneously heated to high temperatures, and the circulation time of the high-temperature water can be extended without considering the time for which the exhaust valve 10 side is heated to high temperatures. As a result, rapid high-temperature water circulation can be achieved, and energy saving of the water dispenser 2 can be achieved.

Example 1

Fig. 2 a shows the exhaust mechanism section 20 of the water dispenser 2 of embodiment 1. In a of fig. 2, the same portions as those of fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As described above, the air discharge mechanism 20 is a mechanism for discharging air from the cold water tank 4 in a closed state and supplying water to the cold water tank 4 when water is supplied from the water tank 6 (fig. 1) side to the cold water tank 4, and is disposed in the vicinity of the cold water tank 4. The exhaust mechanism 20 includes the exhaust port 22 and the exhaust valve 10 described above.

The air outlet 22 is provided in the lid 14 of the cold water tank 4. The lid portion 14 is provided on the container portion 12 with an O-ring 26 interposed between the circumferential curved portions 24. The exhaust port 22 may be disposed on the container portion 12 side instead of the lid portion 14.

A through hole 28 is formed in the lid 14, and an exhaust funnel 30 is integrally attached to the through hole 28. The exhaust pipe 30 has a flange portion 32 at the top, a large diameter portion 34 at the middle, and an O-ring 36 between the large diameter portion 34 and the flange portion 32. The O-ring 36 is an example of a sealing member that seals between the exhaust cylinder 30 and the exhaust valve 10.

The exhaust valve 10 uses a solenoid valve as an example. The exhaust valve 10 includes a valve housing 38 and a valve mechanism 40. The valve housing 38 includes a space portion 42 and a coupling portion 44. The space portion 42 is a cavity portion formed inside the valve housing 38, and includes the exhaust port portion 22, the straight tube portion 46, the inclined surface portion 48, and the vent port portion 50.

The coupling portion 44 is a cylindrical portion that couples the valve housing 38 to the exhaust port portion 22. The exhaust funnel 30 is included in the exhaust port portion 22. In this example, the coupling portion 44 is fitted to the exhaust pipe 30, and the O-ring 36 on the exhaust pipe 30 side is held in a compressed state on the inner wall of the coupling portion 44.

The straight tube portion 46 is a wall surface continuous to the joint portion 44, and an outer wall portion of the vent port portion 50 protrudes from a part of the wall portion. The inclined surface portion 48 is a wall surface that extends from the middle region of the space portion 42 across the straight tube portion 46 and is inclined toward the joint portion 44. The inclination may be an angle to the extent that water droplets generated by condensation flow down.

The vent port portion 50 is a passage that branches from the valve housing 38 and opens the space 42 of the valve housing 38 to the outside air, and is opened and closed by the valve mechanism portion 40. The valve mechanism 40 includes a valve body 52 and a coil 54 as a driving unit. A valve operation space 51 for operating a valve body 52 of the valve mechanism 40 is formed in a part of the inside of the vent port 50.

The valve body 52 includes a plunger 56 that applies an electromagnetic force and a spring force of the coil 54. The plunger 56 is supported so as to be capable of advancing and retreating within the hollow portion of the coil 54, guided by a plunger guide 58. The plunger guide 58 is provided between the plunger guide support portion 60 and the coil support frame 62 of the space portion 42, specifically, the valve operation space portion 51 located at a part of the vent port portion 50. An O-ring 64 is provided between the plunger guide support portion 60 and the plunger guide 58. The coil support frame 62 is fixedly secured to the valve housing 38 by means of set screws 66.

A spring 68 is inserted in a compressed state between the plunger 56 and the coil support frame 62, and the valve body 52 is pressed against a valve seat surface set at an opening end of the opening portion 69 of the vent port portion 50 by a restoring force of the spring 68, and the valve body 52 is maintained in a closed state as a normal state. At the time of air discharge, the electromagnetic force against the restoring force of the spring 68 is applied to the plunger 56 by the excitation of the coil 54 to separate the valve body 52 from the valve seat surface of the vent port portion 50, and the space portion 42 is opened to the outside air through the opening portion 69. This allows the cold water tank 4 to be exhausted. The vent port 50 includes an air pipe connection portion 70 protruding toward the valve housing 38, and the exhaust pipe 16 is connected to the air pipe connection portion 70.

In embodiment 1, the exhaust pipe 30 is a separate member from the lid 14, and may be integral with the lid 14 and be a part of the lid 14.

B of fig. 2 shows an example of the fixing structure of the exhaust funnel 30 and the exhaust valve 10. The discharge valve 10 is directly connected to the cold water tank 4 side, but in this example, the joint 44 of the discharge valve 10 is detachably fitted to the discharge pipe 30. In contrast to such a fitting structure, the exhaust cylinder 30 and the exhaust valve 10 are maintained in close contact with each other, and therefore the O-ring 36 is maintained in a compressed state. Further, as a fixing member to be connected by elasticity of metal, for example, a clip 72 is attached to the connection portion 44 between the exhaust cylinder 30 and the exhaust valve 10. Thereby, the exhaust cylinder 30 is integrated with the joint portion 44 of the exhaust valve 10, and a strong fixing structure is obtained.

Fig. 3 shows the exhaust valve 10 in an open state. When water is supplied to the cold water tank 4, the exhaust valve 10 is opened. When current is caused to flow to the coil 54 and the coil is excited, the electromagnetic force generated in the coil 54 acts on the plunger 56, and the valve body 52 is separated from the vent portion 50. As a result, as shown in fig. 3, the valve body 52 is separated from the opening seat surface of the vent port portion 50, and the Air of the cold water tank 4 flows from the exhaust port portion 22 into the space portion 42 of the valve housing 38, flows from the vent port portion 50 to the exhaust pipe 16, and is discharged to the atmosphere through the filter 17.

With this air discharge, the water W in the water tank 6 flows into the cold water tank 4. At this time, the water container 6 contracts by an amount corresponding to the volume of the water W flowing into the cold water tank 4, and maintains a sealed state with the cold water tank 4.

< effects of example 1 >

According to embodiment 1, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) In the water dispenser 2, as described in the embodiment, the exhaust valve 10 is integrated with the cold water tank 4 side, specifically, the lid 14 or the container 12. In embodiment 1, the clip 72 is removed to remove the exhaust valve 10 from the cold water tank 4, so that maintenance such as cleaning of the cold water tank 4 or the exhaust valve 10 can be easily performed.

(2) The space portion 42 of the valve housing 38 of the discharge valve 10 directly connected to the cold water tank 4 is open in the vicinity of the space inside the cold water tank 4, that is, is disposed in the vicinity of the cold water LW filled in the cold water tank 4. Therefore, when the high-temperature water in the cold water tank 4 circulates, the inside of the exhaust valve 10 can be heated to a high temperature by the circulating high-temperature water VHW, and the circulation effect of the high-temperature water VHW can be improved.

(3) Even if water droplets are generated in the space 42 of the exhaust valve 10 due to dew condensation or the like, the valve housing 38 of the exhaust valve 10 is opened toward the cold water tank 4 and is guided toward the cold water tank 4 by the inclined surface portion 48 and the straight tube portion 46, so that the water droplets accumulated on the exhaust valve 10 side can be reduced.

(4) Even if water droplets are accumulated in the straight pipe portion 46 of the space portion 42 of the exhaust valve 10 or the like due to dew condensation, the water droplets can be heated to a high temperature during the circulation of high-temperature water.

(5) Since the valve case 38 of the exhaust valve 10 is opened toward the cold water tank 4 side and the area in contact with the high-temperature steam is enlarged, the high-temperature steam generated from the high-temperature water VHW can be sufficiently distributed in the space 42 of the valve case 38 when the high-temperature water VHW circulates, and the circulation effect of the high-temperature water VHW can be enlarged in the valve case 38 of the exhaust valve 10.

(6) As in example 1, if the exhaust valve 10 is directly connected to the cold water tank 4, the exhaust valve 10 and the cold water tank 4 can be heated to high temperatures at the same time during the high-temperature water circulation, and there is no need to increase the circulation time of the high-temperature water for the high-temperature heating of the exhaust valve 10 side, so that the high-temperature water circulation and the energy saving of the water dispenser 2 can be realized quickly.

Example 2

Fig. 4 shows an example of the water dispenser of embodiment 2. In fig. 4, the same portions as those in fig. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

A water tank 6 is provided at an upper portion of the housing 74, and the water tank 6 is, for example, a synthetic resin tank having elasticity, and when water is supplied to the cold water tank 4, the water tank 6 contracts by an amount of water W flowing out, and is deformed by reducing a volume. The water container 6 is accommodated, for example, in a cubic corrugated paper box.

The water tank 6 is detachable from the cold water tank 4, and the water tank 6 is connected to the cold water tank 4 by inserting the needle portion 76 on the water injection portion 8 side.

The cold water tank 4 is provided with a separation plate 78, and water W supplied from the cold water LW side of the cold water tank 4 and the water tank 6 is separated by the separation plate 78. A water supply pipe 82 is connected to the center of the separation plate 78, and the water supply pipe 82 guides the water W toward the hot water tank 80.

An evaporator (evaporator)84 is provided as a cooling device on an outer wall portion of the cold water tank 4. In the evaporator 84, a refrigerant is circulated by a compressor 86, and heat is taken from the cold water tank 4 side. The temperature of the cold water LW in the cold water tank 4 is detected by the temperature sensor 88-1. The compressor 86 is controlled based on the detected temperature, and the cold water LW is controlled to a constant cold water temperature. The control of the compressor 86 is executed by the controller 90.

The supply of cold water LW to the cold water tank 4 is performed from the cold water port 92. The cold water port 92 is supplied with water from the bottom surface side of the cold water tank 4 through a cold water supply passage 94, and the supply of water or the release thereof is performed by opening and closing a cold water solenoid valve 96-1. The cold water solenoid valve 96-1 is controlled by the control unit 90 to be opened when the cold water switch 100 on the operation panel unit 98 is pressed, and to be closed by releasing the pressing.

A hot water heater 102 is provided as heating means on an outer wall portion of the hot water tank 80. The hot water heater 102 is, for example, an electric heater, and heats the hot water tank 80 by heat generation. The temperature of the warm water HW in the warm water tank 80 is detected by the temperature sensor 88-2. The warm water heater 102 is controlled according to the detected temperature, and the warm water HW is controlled to a constant warm water temperature. The control of the hot water heater 102 is executed by the control unit 90.

The supply of the warm water HW from the warm water tank 80 is performed from the warm water port 104. Water is supplied from the top surface side of the hot water tank 80 to the hot water port 104 through the hot water supply passage 106, and the water supply or the release thereof is performed by opening or closing the hot water solenoid valve 96-2. The hot water solenoid valve 96-2 is controlled by the control unit 90 to be opened when the hot water switch 108 is pressed, and to be closed by releasing the pressing.

A bypass line 110 is connected between the cold water tank 4 and the hot water tank 80 in parallel with the water supply pipe 82. The bypass line 110 is provided with a bypass valve 96-3. When the high-temperature water circulates, the bypass valve 96-3 is controlled to be opened, and the high-temperature water VHW circulates from the hot water tank 80 side to the cold water tank 4 side using the water supply pipe 82 and the bypass line 110 as a high-temperature water circulation line. During the high-temperature water circulation, the controller 90 controls the hot water heater 102 to increase the temperature of the hot water HW in the hot water tank 80 to the high-temperature water VHW.

Fig. 5 shows an example of the control section 90. The control unit 90 is constituted by a computer. The control unit 90 includes a processor 112, a storage unit 114, a super timer 116, and an input/output unit (I/O) 118.

The processor 112 executes the program stored in the storage unit 114, and performs the control of the cold and hot water, while performing the control of the high-temperature water circulation described above. The program includes a high temperature water circulation program.

The storage unit 114 is an example of a storage unit, and stores data such as a program executed by the processor 112, a start time of a high-temperature water cycle assigned to a switch, and a high-temperature water cycle time. The storage unit 114 includes a ROM (Read-Only Memory) and a RAM (Random-Access Memory), and may be a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor Memory.

The super timer 116 measures time from the time of power supply access, for example, and adds up clocks in the system to continuously measure the elapsed time from the time of power supply access.

The I/O118 receives detection signals from the water level sensor 18 and the temperature sensors 88-1 and 88-2, and ON/OFF signals from the lock release switch 120, the cold water switch 100, the warm water switch 108, and the economizer switch 122 on the operation panel 98. The I/O118 outputs display to the exhaust valve 10, the compressor 86, the cold water solenoid valve 96-1, the warm water solenoid valve 96-2, the bypass valve 96-3, the warm water heater 102, the cold water tank warning lamp 124-1 at the operation panel section 98, the lock release display lamp 124-2, the warm water display lamp 124-3, the high temperature display lamp 124-4, the cold water display lamp 124-5, the weak cold display lamp 124-6, the repeated setting display lamp 124-7, the energy saving middle display lamp 124-8, and the high temperature water circulation display lamp 124-9. The cold water tank warning lamp 124-1 generates a display for promoting the supply of water to the cold water tank 4, starts a short-period blinking by the OFF of the water level sensor 18, transits to a long-period blinking by the simultaneous long press of the cold water switch 100 and the warm water switch 108, and turns OFF the lamp by the ON of the water level sensor 18.

< control of the Water fountain 2 >

Fig. 6 shows the processing steps of the control action of the water dispenser 2.

In this processing step, power supply is started by the connection of the power switch. The initialization of the water dispenser 2 is executed with the start of the power supply as a starting point (S101), and after the initialization, whether the water level sensor 18 is on or not is determined (S102).

If the water level sensor 18 is not turned on (NO in S102), the cold water tank warning lamp 124-1 blinks (S103). In this case, the blinking is set to a short cycle to urge the user to perform the next operation.

The simultaneous pressing of the cold water switch 100 and the warm water switch 108 for a predetermined time allocated to the simultaneous pressing is determined (S104). When the cold water switch 100 and the warm water switch 108 are simultaneously pressed for more than a predetermined time (YES in S104), the long-cycle blinking of the cold water tank warning lamp 124-1 is started (S105).

The detection temperature T of the temperature sensor 88-2 is acquired from this point (S106), and it is determined whether or not the detection temperature T is equal to or higher than the reference temperature Tr (S107). Tr may be 50[ ° C ], for example.

If T < Tr (no in S107), the bypass valve 96-3 is switched to the open state (S108), and the exhaust valve 10 is switched to the open state (S110) in standby for a predetermined time (e.g., 90[ sec ]) until the switching of the bypass valve 96-3 is completed (S109). If T ≧ Tr (YES in S107), S108 and S109 are skipped, and the process proceeds to S110. The Air in the cold water tank 4 and the warm water tank 80, which are maintained in a sealed state together with the water container 6, is discharged to the outside Air through the exhaust valve 10 by the open state of the exhaust valve 10. At this time, the water W in the water container 6 is supplied into the cold water tank 4 and the warm water tank 80.

In this state, it is determined whether or not the water level sensor 18 is on (S111). If the water level sensor 18 is turned on (yes in S111), the cold water tank warning lamp 124-1 is turned off (S112). Thereby, the end of water supply is notified.

The bypass valve 96-3 is switched to the closed state (S113), and the exhaust valve 10 is closed (S114). When the air release valve 10 is closed, the cold water tank 4 and the hot water tank 80 are restored to the closed state together with the water tank 6, and the water supply from the water tank 6 is stopped.

As a result, the cold water tank 4 and the warm water tank 80 are maintained at the reference water level, and the process shifts to the normal control (S115).

In S102, when the water level sensor 18 is turned on (yes in S102), the process from S103 to S114 is skipped, the routine proceeds to the normal control in S115, and the normal control is continued.

The normal control includes temperature control of the cold water tank 4 and the warm water tank 80, and high-temperature water circulation control for sterilization performed in a predetermined time unit.

< control of high-temperature Water circulation >

Fig. 7 shows the processing steps of the high temperature water circulation control. In the temperature control of the high-temperature water circulation, the detection temperature of the temperature sensor 88-1 is set to be T1, the high-temperature water base temperature is set to be TVH, and the high-temperature water base duration is set to be tref. As an example, TVH 85[ ° c ] and tref 30[ min ].

In this processing step, after the operation shifts to the high-temperature water circulation mode, the compressor 86 is stopped (S201), the hot water heater 102 is turned on, and heating of the hot water HW is started (S202).

The bypass valve 96-3 is opened, and high-temperature water circulation is performed to circulate the high-temperature water VHW from the hot water tank 80 to the cold water tank 4 (S203).

In the high temperature water cycle, the temperature of the high temperature water and the duration of the high temperature water are monitored. That is, it is determined whether the detected temperature T1 of the high temperature water VHW is T1 ≧ TVH, and whether the duration of this state, i.e., the high temperature water duration T, is T ≧ tref (S204).

Even if T1< TVH, or T1 ≧ TVH, if T < tref (NO at S204), the process returns to S203 and proceeds to S203 and S204. If T1 is more than or equal to TVH and T is more than or equal to tref (S204 is yes), the high temperature water circulation is ended. The bypass valve 96-3 is thereby closed, the normal operation state is shifted to (S205), and the temperature control of the cold water tank 4 and the hot water tank 80 described above is executed.

< effects of example 2 >

According to embodiment 2, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) According to the water dispenser 2 of example 2, the same effects as those of the above-described one embodiment and example 1 can be obtained.

(2) The exhaust valve 10 directly connected to the cold water tank 4 may be an electromagnetic valve, and such an electromagnetic valve can exhaust the cold water tank 4 by the same control as the conventional control.

(3) Since the interior of the valve housing 38 of the exhaust valve 10 directly connected to the cold water tank 4 communicates with the interior of the cold water tank 4, that is, the interior space of the valve housing 38 is opened into the cold water tank 4, a sufficient circulation effect of the high-temperature water can be obtained even in the same time as in the conventional case, and a rapid circulation process and energy saving of the water dispenser 2 can be realized without requiring a process such as lengthening the circulation time.

[ other embodiments ]

(1) In the above embodiment and example 1, the cold water tank 4 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to the cold water tank 4 as long as the tank stores water.

(2) In the above embodiment and example 1, the exhaust pipe 30 is provided on the cold water tank 4 side, but the exhaust pipe 30 may be omitted and the coupling portion 44 of the exhaust valve 10 may be directly connected to the cold water tank 4, or the exhaust pipe 30 may be provided on the coupling portion 44 side. With this configuration, the effect of circulating the high-temperature water can be improved.

(3) In the above embodiment, a water dispenser supplying cold water or warm water is described, but a carbonated water generating function including a carbonated water supply source and a carbonated water tank may be provided, and carbonated water may be generated and supplied by supplying cold water LW from the cold water tank side to the carbonated water tank and supplying carbonated water from the carbonated water supply source.

As described above, the most preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art in light of the spirit of the invention as described in the claims and/or disclosed in the modes for carrying out the invention, and such modifications and changes are certainly within the scope of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

The present invention is advantageous in that the exhaust valve is directly connected to the water tank to open the inner space of the valve housing toward the water tank, the area of contact with the air heated by the high-temperature water circulation is enlarged, the retention of water droplets and the like can be prevented, and the enlargement of the high-temperature water circulation effect and the energy saving of the water dispenser can be realized.

Description of the reference symbols

2 drinking machine

4 cold water tank

6 Water container

8 water injection part

10 exhaust valve

12 container part

14 cover part

16 exhaust pipe

17 Filter

18 water level sensor

20 exhaust mechanism part

22 exhaust port

24 buckling part

26O-ring

28 through hole

30 exhaust pipe

32 flange part

34 large diameter part

36O-ring

38 valve housing

40 valve mechanism part

42 space part

44 junction

46 straight pipe portion

48 inclined plane part

50 vent port

51 valve operation space part

52 valve core

54 coil

56 plunger

58 plunger guide

60 plunger guide support

62 coil support frame

64O-ring

66 set screw

68 spring

69 opening part

70 air pipe connection part

72 clip

74 casing

76 needle part

78 separation plate

80 warm water tank

82 water supply pipe

84 evaporator

86 compressor

88-1, 88-2 temperature sensor

90 control part

92 Cold water port

94 cold water supply path

96-1 cold water electromagnetic valve

96-2 warm water electromagnetic valve

96-3 bypass valve

98 operation panel section

100 cold water switch

102 Warm water heater

104 warm water tap

106 hot water supply path

108 warm water switch

110 bypass line

112 processor

114 storage unit

116 super timer

118 input/output unit

120 lock release switch

122 energy-saving switch

124-1 cold water tank warning lamp

124-2 unlocking display lamp

124-3 warm water display lamp

124-4 high-temperature display lamp

124-5 cold water display lamp

124-6 weak cold display lamp

124-7 repeated setting display lamp

124-8 energy-saving middle display lamp

124-9 high-temperature water circulation display lamp

Claims

1. A water dispenser, which is characterized in that,

the water dispenser is provided with:

a water tank for storing water; and

an exhaust valve directly connected with the water tank,

the exhaust valve is provided with:

a valve housing having a space portion communicating with the water tank;

a ventilation portion provided in the space portion, the ventilation portion opening the space portion to outside air;

a valve mechanism portion including a valve element, and opening and closing an opening portion of the ventilation portion by the valve element; and

an inclined wall surface portion provided in the space portion and guiding water droplets in the valve housing into the water tank,

the inclined wall surface portion is provided around the ventilation portion, and the opening of the ventilation portion is disposed above a lowest end of the inclined wall surface portion.

2. The water dispenser of claim 1,

the water tank includes an exhaust port, and the exhaust valve includes a coupling portion coupled to the exhaust port.

3. The water dispenser of claim 1,

the water dispenser further includes:

a water level sensor that detects a water level of the water tank; and

4. The water dispenser of claim 1,

the water dispenser is also provided with a control part which closes the exhaust valve when high-temperature water circulates and enables the high-temperature water to circulate in the water tank.

5. The water dispenser of claim 3,

the air release valve is provided in a lid portion of the water tank, the water tank includes a water filling portion for filling water into the water tank, and the air release valve is disposed between the water container for filling water into the water filling portion and the lid portion.

6. An exhaust valve used for exhaust of a water tank storing water, the exhaust valve being characterized in that,

the exhaust valve includes:

a valve housing directly connected to the water tank;

a vent part passing through the valve housing to perform air discharge of the water tank;

a valve mechanism unit that opens and closes the ventilation unit;

a valve operation space portion in the vent portion of the valve housing;

a plunger guide supported by the valve housing and disposed in the valve operation space portion; and

a valve body attached to a plunger that advances and retreats guided by the plunger guide,

the ventilation portion has an opening that is opened and closed by the operation of the valve element.

7. The discharge valve according to claim 6,

an inclined wall surface portion is provided around the ventilation portion, and the inclined wall surface portion guides water droplets in the valve housing into the tank.