Water cooled draft beer machine

Abstract

A water cooled draft beer machine comprises a cabinet, and there is a refrigeration circuit inside the cabinet, including a compressor, a condenser and refrigeration tubes. A water tank is arranged inside the cabinet, and the refrigeration tubes are coiled inside the water tank. Inside the cabinet, there is a cold storage chamber. A beer pipe is arranged inside the cabinet, and a beer tap is connected to the outside of the cabinet. The beer pipe coils inside the water tank, and is connected to the beer tap. A refrigeration box is arranged in the cold storage chamber, and the cold water tube coils inside the refrigeration box. The inlet end and the outlet end of the cold water tube are both connected to the water tank. An air inlet and an air outlet are set up on the refrigeration box. A fan is arranged inside the refrigeration box.

Claims

1. A water cooled draft beer machine, comprising: a cabinet (1); a refrigeration circuit (2) inside the cabinet (1), the refrigeration circuit (2) including a compressor (21), a condenser (22), and refrigeration tubes (23); a water tank (17) arranged inside the cabinet (1), and the refrigeration tubes (23) coiled inside the water tank (17); a cold storage chamber (16)inside the cabinet (1), the cold storage chamber (16)used to hold a cask (8); a beer pipe (14) arranged inside the cabinet (1) to connect to the cask (8), the beer pipe (14) coiled inside the water tank (17); a beer tap (13) connected to an outside of the cabinet (1); an outlet end of the beer pipe (14) connected to the beer tap (13); a refrigeration box (3) arranged in the cold storage chamber (16); a cold water tube (4) coiled inside the refrigeration box (3); an inlet end and an outlet end of the cold water tube (4), both the inlet end and the outlet end of the cold water tube (4) are connected to the water tank (17); a power mechanism arranged in the cabinet (1) capable of driving water from the water tank (17) into the cold water tube (4); an air inlet (31) and an air outlet (32) on the refrigeration box (3), both the air inlet (31) and the air outlet (32) are connected to the cold storage chamber (16); and a fan (6) arranged inside the refrigeration box (3) to drive air to circulate between the refrigeration box (3) and the cold storage chamber (16); wherein the cold water tube (4) bends and coils in the refrigeration box (3), forming several horizontal refrigeration sections (41) in a strip shape; wherein the refrigeration sections (41) are parallel to each other and the refrigeration sections (41) are arranged in a vertical direction and in two columns; and wherein the fan (6) is located above two columns of the refrigeration sections (41).

2. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the power mechanism comprises a stirring motor (5) with an impeller (52) and a volute (51), the impeller (52) is located in the volute (51), and the inlet end of the cold water tube (4) is connected to the volute (51).

3. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: a partition (15) fixed to an inside of the cabinet (1); wherein an outside of the partition (15) forms the cold storage chamber (16); wherein an inside of the partition (15) and the cabinet (1) form a closed space; wherein the water tank (17) is arranged inside the closed space; wherein the refrigeration box (3) is flat; and wherein a first side of the refrigeration box (3) is fixed to an outer side face of the partition (15), while the air inlet (31) and the air outlet (32) are on a second side of the refrigeration box (3).

4. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: a beer tower (12) connected to a top of the cabinet (1); wherein the beer tap (13) is connected to an upper end of the beer tower (12); wherein the beer pipe (14) passes through the beer tower (12) and connects the beer tap (13); wherein the cold water tube (4) enters the beer tower (12) from a lower end of the beer tower (12), folds, and then extends from the lower end of the beer tower (12); and wherein a section of the cold water tube (4) entering the beer tower (12) abuts the beer pipe (14); and wherein the cold water tube (4) extends from the beer tower (12) and coils inside the refrigeration box (3).

5. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fan (6) comprises a shaft (61) rotatably connected to an inside of the refrigeration box (3); wherein the air inlet (31) and the air outlet (32) are both in a long stripped shape; wherein a lengthwise direction of the air inlet (31) and a lengthwise direction of the air outlet (32) are both along a transversal direction of the refrigeration box (3); wherein a lengthwise direction of the shaft (61) is the same as the lengthwise direction of the air outlet (32); wherein the shaft (61) is opposite the air outlet (32); wherein there are several blades (62) on an outer wall of the shaft (61); and wherein one end of the shaft (61) is connected to the drive motor (63).

6. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 5 wherein two plate shaped connecting brackets (33) are fixed to the inside of the refrigeration box (3); wherein two ends of the shaft (61) are connected to the two connecting brackets (33) through bearings, respectively; and wherein the drive motor (63) is fixed to one of the connecting brackets (33).

7. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fan (6) comprises a shaft (61) rotatably connected to an inside of the refrigeration box (3); wherein the air inlet (31) and the air outlet (32) are both in a long stripped shape; wherein a lengthwise direction of the air inlet (31) and a lengthwise direction of the air outlet (32) are both along a transversal direction of the refrigeration box (3); wherein a lengthwise direction of the shaft (61) is the same as the lengthwise direction of the air outlet (32); wherein the shaft (61) is opposite the air outlet (32); wherein there are several blades (62) on an outer wall of the shaft (61); and wherein one end of the shaft (61) is connected to the drive motor (63).

8. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein two plate shaped connecting brackets (33) are fixed to the inside of the refrigeration box (3); wherein two ends of the shaft (61) are connected to the two connecting brackets (33) through bearings, respectively; and wherein the drive motor (63) is fixed to one of the connecting brackets (33).

9. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein two ends of the refrigeration sections (41) extend in a transversal direction, to two edges of the refrigeration box (3), respectively.

10. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 9 wherein the air inlet (31) is opposite the lower refrigeration sections (41) or below the lower refrigeration sections (41), and the air outlet (32) is opposite the upper refrigeration section (41) or above the upper refrigeration sections (41).

11. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: a beer tower (12) connected to a top of the cabinet (1); wherein the beer tap (13) is connected to an upper end of the beer tower (12); wherein the beer pipe (14) passes through the beer tower (12) and connects the beer tap (13); wherein the cold water tube (4) enters the beer tower (12) from a lower end of the beer tower (12), folds, and then extends from the lower end of the beer tower (12); and wherein a section of the cold water tube (4) entering the beer tower (12) abuts the beer pipe (14); and wherein the cold water tube (4) extends from the beer tower (12) and coils inside the refrigeration box (3).

12. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the power mechanism comprises a water pump (7) fixed to an inside of the water tank (17); and wherein the cold water tube (4) is connected to the water pump (7).

13. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 12, further comprising: a beer tower (12) connected to a top of the cabinet (1); wherein the beer tap (13) is connected to an upper end of the beer tower (12); wherein the beer pipe (14) passes through the beer tower (12) and connects the beer tap (13); wherein the cold water tube (4) enters the beer tower (12) from a lower end of the beer tower (12), folds, and then extends from the lower end of the beer tower (12); and wherein a section of the cold water tube (4) entering the beer tower (12) abuts the beer pipe (14); and wherein the cold water tube (4) extends from the beer tower (12) and coils inside the refrigeration box.

14. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 12 wherein the fan (6) comprises a shaft (61) rotatably connected to an inside of the refrigeration box (3); wherein the air inlet (31) and the air outlet (32) are both in a long stripped shape; wherein a lengthwise direction of the air inlet (31) and a lengthwise direction of the air outlet (32) are both along a transversal direction of the refrigeration box (3); wherein a lengthwise direction of the shaft (61) is the same as the lengthwise direction of the air outlet (32); wherein the shaft (61) is opposite the air outlet (32); wherein there are several blades (62) on an outer wall of the shaft (61); and wherein one end of the shaft (61) is connected to the drive motor (63).

15. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 14 wherein two plate shaped connecting brackets (33) are fixed to the inside of the refrigeration box (3); wherein two ends of the shaft (61) are connected to the two connecting brackets (33) through bearings, respectively; and wherein the drive motor (63) is fixed to one of the connecting brackets (33).

16. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a beer tower (12) connected to a top of the cabinet (1); wherein the beer tap (13) is connected to an upper end of the beer tower (12); wherein the beer pipe (14) passes through the beer tower (12) and connects the beer tap (13); wherein the cold water tube (4) enters the beer tower (12) from a lower end of the beer tower (12), folds, and then extends from the lower end of the beer tower (12); and wherein a section of the cold water tube (4) entering the beer tower (12) abuts the beer pipe (14); and wherein the cold water tube (4) extends from the beer tower (12) and coils inside the refrigeration box (3).

17. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 16 wherein the inlet end of the cold water tube (4) either coils inside the refrigeration box (3), or enters into the beer tower (12).

18. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein several plates (34) are arranged in the refrigeration box (3) in the vertical direction and at intervals, the refrigeration sections (41) are secured in the plates (34).

19. The water cooled draft beer machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein a partition (15) fixed to an inside of the cabinet (1) and an outside of the partition (15) forms the cold storage chamber (16); wherein a step (151) is provided on the outside of the partition (15); and wherein the refrigeration box (3) is located on the step (151).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is the perspective view of one embodiment of the water cooled draft beer machine with the casks in place.

(2) FIG. 2 is the perspective view of one embodiment of the water cooled draft beer machine.

(3) FIG. 3 is the sectional view of one embodiment of the water cooled draft beer machine.

(4) FIG. 4 is the sectional view of one embodiment of the water cooled draft beer machine from another perspective.

(5) FIG. 5 is the perspective view of one embodiment of the cold water tube and the water tank.

(6) FIG. 6 is the detailed view of place A in FIG. 3.

(7) FIG. 7 is the detailed view of place B in FIG. 4.

(8) FIG. 8 is the detailed view of place C in FIG. 4.

(9) FIG. 9 is the perspective view of the inside of one embodiment of the water cooled draft beer machine.

(10) FIG. 10 is the perspective view of the cold water tube and the water tank of a second embodiment.

(11) FIG. 11 is the sectional view of the water cooled draft beer machine of a third embodiment.

(12) FIG. 12 is the sectional view of the water cooled draft beer machine of a fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(13) The embodiments of this invention will be described below and the technical solutions of the invention will be further illustrated in connection with the accompanying figures. However, the present invention shall not be limited to these embodiments.

(14) First Embodiment

(15) As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, a water cooled draft beer machine comprises a cabinet (1). A door (11) is hinged to one side of the cabinet (1), and a beer tap (13) is connected to the top of the cabinet (1). Inside the cabinet (1), there is a beer pipe (14) used to connect to the cask (8), and the outlet end of the beer pipe (14) is connected to the beer tap (13). A partition (15) is fixed to the inside of the cabinet (1), and the partition (15) is opposite the door (11). The outside of the partition (15) forms a cold storage chamber (16). The cold storage chamber (16) is used to hold the cask (8), and the inlet end of the beer pipe (14) is connected to the cask (8). The inside of the partition (15) and the cabinet (1) form a closed space. The water tank (17) is fixed to the inside of the closed space, and the water tank (17) is located inside the partition (15). A refrigeration circuit (2) is arranged inside the cabinet (1), and the refrigeration circuit (2) includes a compressor (21), a condenser (22) and refrigeration tubes (23). The refrigeration tubes (23) coil in the water tank (17). When the compressor (21) is in operation, the cooling medium in the refrigeration tubes (23) circulates, and refrigerates water in the water tank (17). The beer pipe (14) coils in the water tank (17), so beer needs to pass by the water tank (17) first, and hence the refrigeration to beer is achieved. A refrigeration box (3) is arranged in the cold storage chamber (16), and the refrigeration box (3) is fixed to the partition (15). The cold water tube (4) coils inside the refrigeration box (3). The inlet end and the outlet end of the cold water tube (4) are both connected to the water tank (17). A stirring motor (5) is connected to the water tank (17), and power generated by the stirring motor (5) can drive water in the water tank (17) to circulate in the cold water tube (4) and refrigerate the air in the refrigeration box (3). An air inlet (31) and an air outlet (32) are set up on the refrigeration box (3), and both of the air inlet (31) and the air outlet (32) are connected to the cold storage chamber (16). A fan (6) is arranged inside the refrigeration box (3), and the fan (6) can drive air to circulate between the refrigeration box (3) and the cold storage chamber (16).

(16) Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a volute (51) is fixed to the inside of the water tank (17). A water inlet and a water outlet are set up on the volute (51). The motor shaft of the stirring motor (5) passes through the volute (51), and the extending end is fixed with the stirring blades (53), to stir water in the water tank (17). An impeller (52) is also fixed to the motor shaft of the stirring motor (5). The impeller (52) is located inside the volute (51), and the impeller (52) is opposite the water inlet. The inlet end of the cold water tube (4) is connected to the water outlet of the volute (51). The impeller (52) pumps water from the water tank (17) into the volute (51) and the water circulates in the cold water tube (4). Cold water enters the water tank (17) again after passing by the refrigeration box (3), forming a circulation of water.

(17) As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the refrigeration box (3) is flat, and the partition (15) is bent into a shape of a step. The bottom of the refrigeration box (3) presses against the step face, and the inner side of the refrigeration box (3) adheres to and is fixed to the outer side of the partition (15). The water tank is located inside the partition (15), so the water tank (17) is opposite the refrigeration box (3). The cold water tube (4) bends and coils in the refrigeration box (3), forming several refrigeration sections (41) in a strip shape. These refrigeration sections (41) are parallel to each other, and these refrigeration sections (41) are arranged in the vertical direction, and in two columns. The top refrigeration section (41) is connected to the water inlet of the cold water tube (4), while the bottom refrigeration section (41) is connected to the water outlet of the cold water tube (4). Two ends of the refrigeration sections (41) extend in the transversal direction, to the two edges of the refrigeration box (3) respectively. The air inlet (31) and the air outlet (32) are both in a long stripped shape, and the lengthwise direction of both of the air inlet (31) and the air outlet (32) are along the transversal direction of the refrigeration box (3). The air outlet (32) is located in the upper part of the outer side wall of the refrigeration box (3) and the air outlet (32) is above the upper refrigeration sections (41). The air inlet (31) is located in the lower part of the outer side wall of the refrigeration box (3) and the air inlet (31) is below the lower refrigeration sections (41). Of course, during the real machining process, the air inlet (31) may be opposite the lower refrigeration sections (41), and the air outlet (32) may be opposite the upper refrigeration sections (41).

(18) As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the fan (6) comprises a shaft (61). There are long stripped blades (62) on the outer wall of the shaft (61). The blades (62) are arranged in the circumferential direction, and the lengthwise direction of the blades (62) is the same as that of the shaft (61). Two plate shaped connecting brackets (33) are fixed to the inside of the refrigeration box (3). Two ends of the shaft (61) are connected to the two connecting brackets (33) through bearings respectively. The lengthwise direction of the shaft (61) is the same as the lengthwise direction of the air outlet (32), and the shaft (61) is opposite the air outlet (32). A drive motor (63) is fixed to one of the connecting brackets (33), and the drive motor (63) is fixed to the shaft (61).

(19) Second Embodiment

(20) The structure of the water cooled draft beer machine is basically the same as that of the First Embodiment. The differences are shown in FIG. 10:

(21) A water pump (7) is fixed to the inside of the water tank (17), and the cold water tube (4) is connected to the water pump (7). A water pump (7) is a relatively common fluid power unit, which can pump cold water from the water tank (17) into the cold water tube (4) and hence forms the circulation of water.

(22) Third Embodiment

(23) The structure of the water cooled draft beer machine is basically the same as that of the First Embodiment. The differences are shown in FIG. 11:

(24) A beer tower (12) is connected to the top of the cabinet (1), and the beer tap (13) is connected to the upper end of the beer tower (12). The beer pipe (14) passes through the beer tower (12) and connects the beer tap (13). A section of the inlet end of the cold water tube (4) enters the beer tower (12) from the lower end of the beer tower (12), folds and then extends from the lower end of the beer tower (12). The section of the cold water tube (4) entering the beer tower (12) abuts the beer pipe (14). The cold water tube (4) has a relatively low temperature and water from the water tank (17) and just entering the cold water tube (4) has a relatively low temperature, so the cold water tube (4) can also refrigerate the beer pipe (14) inside the beer tower (12), and hence the refrigeration effect to beer is further improved.

(25) Fourth Embodiment

(26) The structure of the water cooled draft beer machine is basically the same as that of the First Embodiment. The differences are shown in FIG. 12:

(27) A beer tower (12) is connected to the top of the cabinet (1), and the beer tap (13) is connected to the upper end of the beer tower (12). The beer pipe (14) passes through the beer tower (12) and connects the beer tap (13). A section of the cold water tube (4) enters the beer tower (12) from the lower end of the beer tower (12), folds and then extends from the lower end of the beer tower (12). The section of the cold water tube (4) entering the beer tower (12) abuts the beer pipe (14). Water in the cold water tube (4) still has some cooling capacity after passing by the refrigeration box (3), and it can refrigerate the beer pipe inside the beer tower (12) before entering the water tank (17). Hence, the refrigeration effect of the cold water tube (4) is fully exerted, and the refrigeration effect to beer is further improved.

(28) The description of the preferred embodiments thereof serves only as an illustration of the spirit of the invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes or supplements in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

(29) Although the terms of Cabinet (1), Door (11), Beer tower (12), etc. are often used herein, it does not exclude the possibility to use any other terms. Using such terms is only to describe or explain the nature of the present invention more conveniently. Any additional restrictions are contrary to the spirit of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(30) 1 Cabinet

(31) 11 Door

(32) 12 Beer Tower

(33) 13 Beer Tap

(34) 14 Beer Pipe

(35) 15 Partition

(36) 16 Cold Storage Chamber

(37) 17 Water Tank

(38) 2 Refrigeration Circuit

(39) 21 Compressor

(40) 22 Condenser

(41) 23 Refrigeration Tube

(42) 3 Refrigeration Box

(43) 31 Air Inlet

(44) 32 Air Outlet

(45) 33 Connecting Bracket

(46) 4 Cold Water Tube

(47) 41 Refrigeration Section

(48) 5 Stirring Motor

(49) 51 Volute

(50) 52 Impeller

(51) 53 Stirring Blade

(52) 6 Fan

(53) 61 Shaft

(54) 62 Blade

(55) 63 Drive Motor

(56) 7 Water Pump

(57) 8 Cask