JP2000163643A - Cooling apparatus for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cooling apparatus for automatic vending machine which is reduced in power consumption without lowering the cooling performance. SOLUTION: A temperature-in-compartment detecting circuit 21 outputs an on-signal Son when the temperature in a compartment becomes higher than the upper limit temperature. An air circulating fan motor 8 is turned on based on the onsignal Son and, when a prescribed delay time elapses after the motor 8 is turned on, an air compressor 14 is turned on. After the motor 8 is turned, in addition, the motor 8 is continuously operated for a prescribed period of time (t) in disregard of the off-signal Soff from the intra-compartment temperature detecting circuit 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine cooling device, and more particularly, to a vending machine cooling device that reduces power consumption without lowering cooling performance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional vending machine, there is known a vending machine in which the temperature in a product storage is always kept within a set temperature range by repeating a cycle of compression, condensation and evaporation of a refrigerant. . The vending machine includes a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor, and a vending machine that is provided in a product storage and evaporates the refrigerant condensed by the condenser. An evaporator that cools the surroundings by the cold heat obtained at that time, and an air circulation fan motor that is provided in the product storage and rotates the air circulation fan to circulate the cool heat of the evaporator into the product storage,
An internal temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the product storage (internal temperature), and a compressor and air for maintaining the internal temperature within a set temperature range based on the internal temperature detected by the internal temperature sensor. A control unit for turning on / off the circulation fan motor.

In the vending machine configured as described above, the control unit turns on the compressor and the air circulation fan motor when the internal temperature rises above the set upper limit temperature,
When the inside temperature falls below the set lower limit temperature, the compressor and the air circulation fan motor are turned off. This allows
The temperature in the refrigerator can be kept within a set temperature range.

[0004]

However, according to a conventional vending machine, while the compressor is turned off, cold heat remains in the evaporator. Since the on-period of the compressor is reached, there is a problem that the operation time of the compressor requiring a large amount of power cannot be shortened, and the power consumption cannot be reduced.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device for a vending machine in which power consumption is reduced without lowering cooling performance.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vending machine cooling device for cooling the interior of a goods storage, which includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant and a compressor compressed by the compressor. A condenser that condenses the refrigerant, an evaporator that is provided in the product storage, evaporates the refrigerant condensed by the condenser to generate cold heat, and is provided in the product storage, and rotates a fan. A fan motor that supplies the cold of the evaporator into the product storage; a temperature detection unit that detects at least a temperature in the product storage; and a temperature in the product storage detected by the temperature detection unit. A signal output unit that compares the temperature with a preset temperature and outputs an ON signal or an OFF signal related to the ON / OFF operation of the fan motor according to the comparison result; The fan motor is turned on based on the signal, and the compressor is turned on after a lapse of a predetermined delay time from the turning on of the fan motor. Control means for ignoring an off signal and continuing the on operation of the fan motor for at least the predetermined time. A vending machine cooling device characterized by comprising: a vending machine cooling device. . According to the above configuration, when a motor having a small amount of heat generation such as a DC motor is used as the fan motor, when the fan is rotated, the temperature in the product storage falls below a preset temperature due to the cold heat of the evaporator, An off signal may be output from the signal output unit. At this time, if the fan motor is turned off based on the off signal, the on operation of the fan motor cannot be continued, and the on / off operation increases, thereby shortening the life of the motor and effectively utilizing the cold heat of the evaporator. I can not plan. Therefore, by ignoring the off signal for at least a predetermined time after turning on the fan motor, the compressor can be turned on after the on operation of the fan motor has continued for at least the predetermined time, thus requiring more power than the fan motor. Operating time of the compressor is reduced.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vending machine cooling device for cooling the inside of a goods storage, wherein the compressor compresses a refrigerant, and the condenser condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor. And provided in the product storage,
An evaporator that evaporates the refrigerant condensed by the condenser to generate cold heat, and a fan motor that is provided in the product storage and supplies a cool heat of the evaporator to the product storage by rotating a fan. And a temperature detecting means for detecting at least the temperature in the product storage, and comparing the temperature in the product storage detected by the temperature detecting means with a preset temperature, and according to the comparison result, After outputting an ON signal or an OFF signal related to the ON / OFF operation of the fan motor, and after outputting the ON signal, the ON state is maintained until the temperature in the product storage detected by the temperature detecting means falls below a predetermined temperature. A signal output unit that outputs a signal, and the fan motor is turned on based on the on signal from the signal output unit, and a predetermined delay time has elapsed since the fan motor was turned on. Wherein providing a cooling device for an automatic vending machine, characterized in that compressor and a on-controlling means. According to the above configuration, when a motor having a small amount of heat generation such as a DC motor is used as the fan motor, when the fan is rotated, the temperature in the product storage falls below a preset temperature due to the cold heat of the evaporator, An off signal may be output from the signal output unit. At this time, if the fan motor is turned off based on the off signal, the on operation of the fan motor cannot be continued, and the effective use of the cold heat of the evaporator cannot be achieved. Therefore, after the signal output means outputs the ON signal, the ON signal is output until the temperature in the product storage falls below the predetermined temperature, so that the compressor is turned ON after the fan motor ON operation continues for the predetermined time. The operation time of the compressor that requires more power than the fan motor is reduced.

[0008]

FIG. 1 shows a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This vending machine 1 has a substantially box-shaped vending machine main body 2 having an opening on the front surface, an outer door 3 for opening and closing the front surface of the vending machine main body 2, and a product storage room arranged in the vending machine main body 2. And 4.

The product storage 4 is provided in accordance with the type of the product, and a substantially box-shaped heat-insulating box 5 having an opening on the front surface, an inner door 6 having a heat-insulating structure for opening and closing the front surface of the heat-insulating box 5, A plurality of commodity columns 7 for accommodating a plurality of commodities and dropping the commodities from behind each time they are sold, and an air circulation fan motor 8 for circulating air in the commodity storage 4 by rotating an air circulation fan 8a. And an evaporator 9 for supplying cool air into the product storage 4 and a shooter 12 for discharging products falling from the rear of the product column 7 to the product outlet 11 to rotate the air circulation fan 8a. As a result, the evaporator 9 passes through the opening 12a provided in the shooter 12.
Is circulated in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. Further, inside the product storage 4, a temperature sensor 13 </ b> A for detecting the temperature inside the product storage 4 (inside temperature) and outputting a temperature detection signal inside the product, and the temperature of the evaporator 9 (evaporator temperature). ) And outputs an evaporator temperature detection signal. As the air circulation fan motor 8, a DC motor that generates a relatively small amount of heat, for example, is used.

The vending machine 1 has a compressor 14 for compressing a refrigerant and a compressor 1 at a lower portion of the main body 2 of the vending machine.
A condenser 15 that condenses the refrigerant compressed by the condenser 4 and a condenser fan motor 16 that rotates the condenser fan 16a and supplies cooling air to the condenser 15 are arranged.

FIG. 2 shows a control system of the vending machine 1. The vending machine 1 has a cooling control unit 20 for controlling the entire vending machine 1, and the cooling control unit 20 includes the compressor 14,
The condenser fan motor 16 and the air circulation fan motor 8 are connected to each other, and are further connected to an internal temperature sensor 13A and an evaporator temperature detecting circuit 22 via an internal temperature detecting circuit 21.
The evaporator temperature sensor 13B, a memory 23 for storing various kinds of information such as a preset time, and a timer 24 for measuring the elapsed time are connected to each other via the.

The internal temperature detection circuit 21 includes a differentiator and a comparator, and detects whether the internal temperature detection signal from the internal temperature sensor 13A is rising or falling by the differentiator. When detecting that the inside temperature detection signal is rising, the inside temperature indicated by the inside temperature detection signal is compared with a preset upper limit temperature by a comparator, and when the inside temperature is higher than the upper limit temperature, When the ON signal Son is lower than the upper limit temperature, an OFF signal Soff is output to the cooling control unit 20. Also, when detecting that the inside temperature detection signal is falling,
The internal temperature indicated by the internal temperature detection signal is compared with a preset lower limit temperature by a comparator. When the internal temperature is higher than the lower limit temperature, the ON signal Son is output. When the internal temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature. Outputs an off signal Soff to the cooling control unit 20.

The evaporator temperature detection circuit 22 compares the evaporator temperature indicated by the evaporator temperature detection signal from the evaporator temperature sensor 13B with a preset compressor start temperature, and determines whether the evaporator temperature is at the compressor start level. When the temperature rises, the trigger signal St
Is output to the cooling control unit 20.

The cooling control unit 20 controls on / off of the compressor 14, the condenser fan motor 16 and the air circulation fan motor 8 so that the temperature inside the refrigerator is kept within the set temperature range.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3 shows a compressor 14 and a fan for air circulation.
The operation of the motor 8 will be described. The cooling control unit 20 is not illustrated.
Timer 24 based on the input of the start signal from the main control unit.
Clear the value of. The internal temperature detection circuit 21 calculates the internal temperature.
Based on the inside temperature detection signal from the sensor 13A,
When it is detected that the temperature is decreasing, the temperature in the refrigerator becomes the lower limit temperature T. _L
If the temperature is higher, the ON signal Son is set to the lower limit temperature T._LLower
At this time, an off signal Soff is output to the cooling control unit 20. cold
The recirculation control unit 20 is turned on / off from the internal temperature detection circuit 21.
Based on the signals Son and Soff.
Fan motor 16 and air circulation fan motor 8 on
/ Off. While the internal temperature is decreasing, the internal temperature is lower than the lower limit temperature T.
_LIf it becomes lower, the compressor 14, the fan motor for the condenser
16 and the air circulation fan motor 8 are turned off,
The internal temperature and the evaporator temperature gradually increase.

The internal temperature rises and the internal temperature detecting circuit 21
When There detecting the rising of the internal temperature, an OFF signal Soff when the inside temperature is lower than the upper limit temperature T _U, the upper limit temperature T _U
If it is higher, an ON signal Son is output to the cooling control unit 20. The cooling control unit 20 turns on the air circulation fan motor 8 based on the ON signal Son from the internal temperature detection circuit 21, and the timer 24
The elapsed time of ON is counted. When the inside of the article storage 4 is cooled by the rotation of the air circulation fan 8a due to the turning on of the air circulation fan motor 8 and the inside temperature falls below the upper limit temperature T _U , the inside temperature detection circuit 21 outputs the off signal Soff. Output to the cooling control unit 20. The cooling control unit 20 ignores the off signal Soff from the internal temperature detection circuit 21 until the time elapsed by the timer 24 reaches the set time t stored in the memory 23. When the elapsed time set by the timer 24 reaches the set time t and the off signal Soff is output from the internal temperature detection circuit 21, the cooling control unit 20 turns off the air circulation fan motor 8 and detects the internal temperature. When the ON signal Son is output from the circuit 21, the air circulation fan motor 8 is turned on. When the inside temperature and the evaporator temperature rise and the evaporator temperature reaches the compressor starting temperature Tt, the evaporator temperature detection circuit 22 outputs a trigger signal St to the cooling control unit 20. When the trigger signal St is output from the evaporator temperature detection circuit 22 while the ON signal Son is being output from the internal temperature detection circuit 21, the cooling control unit 20
Then, the condenser fan motor 16 is turned on.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the effect of the first embodiment described above. FIG. 4 shows a case of Comparative Example 1 in which an AC motor is used as the air circulation fan motor 8. FIG. 5 shows a case of Comparative Example 2 in which a DC motor is used as the fan motor 8 for air circulation. In the case of Comparative Example 1, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, after the internal temperature becomes higher than the upper limit temperature T _U , the amount of heat generated by the AC motor is relatively large, and thus the time during which the internal temperature is higher than the upper limit temperature T _U is long (for example, 2).
Therefore, the air circulation fan motor is not turned off until the compressor 14 is turned on, or the off time is short. Accordingly, in the case of Comparative Example 1, the air circulation fan motor does not cause chattering, but uses an AC motor that generates a larger amount of heat than a DC motor. Another drawback is that the fan motor also needs to be cooled, and the cooling efficiency in the product storage 4 is poor. Further, the efficiency of the AC motor itself is low, and a large amount of power is consumed. On the other hand, in the case of Comparative Example 2, as shown in FIG. 5, after the inside temperature is higher than the upper limit temperature T _U, the boundary for the heat generation of the DC motor is relatively small, the internal temperature is the maximum temperature T _U The ON signal Son and the OFF signal Soff are output in a short cycle (for example, 10 seconds).
The motor may be damaged by chattering for 15 minutes. Therefore, as shown in the present embodiment, since the off signal Soff is ignored for a predetermined time after the air circulation fan motor 8 is turned on, chattering of the air circulation fan motor 8 can be prevented, and the fan motor 8 can be avoided. As a result, the cooling air remaining in the evaporator 9 is used to turn on the air circulation fan 8a prior to turning on the compressor 14.
Can be rotated to cool the inside of the product storage 4, so that the operation time of the compressor 14, which requires electric power from the fan motor 8, is reduced, and energy saving can be achieved. Further, since a DC motor having high efficiency is used for the air circulation fan motor 8, power consumption can be reduced.

FIG. 6 shows a control system of a vending machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This vending machine has a cooling control unit 20 for controlling the whole of the vending machine 1. The cooling control unit 20 includes the compressor 14, the fan motor 16 for the condenser, the fan motor 8 for the air circulation, The inside temperature sensor 13A is connected via a temperature detection circuit 21, the evaporator temperature sensor 13B via an evaporator temperature detection circuit 22, and a memory 23 for storing various kinds of information such as preset temperatures. In the first embodiment, when the fan motor 8 is turned on while the compressor 14 is turned off, the internal temperature detection circuit 21 operates so that the on operation of the fan motor 8 continues for the set time t. Is ignored, but in the second embodiment, the compressor 1
When the fan motor 8 is turned on while the switch 4 is off, the off-state signal Soff is not output from the in-compartment temperature detection circuit 21 until the in-compartment temperature falls to the set temperature. The configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 shows the operation of the compressor 14 and the fan motor 8 for air circulation. When a start signal is input from a main control unit (not shown), the cooling control unit 20 is based on the on / off signals Son and Soff from the internal temperature detection circuit 22 and the trigger signal St from the evaporator temperature detection circuit 22. On / off control of the compressor 14, the condenser fan motor 16 and the air circulation fan motor 8 is performed so that the temperature in the product storage 4 is maintained at the set temperature. That is, the internal temperature detection circuit 21 is turned on when the internal temperature is higher than the lower limit temperature _TL when detecting that the internal temperature is decreasing based on the internal temperature detection signal from the internal temperature sensor 13A. a signal Son, is lower than the lower limit temperature T _L and outputs an oFF signal Soff to the cooling control unit 20. Cooling control unit 20
Are the on / off signals Son,
Compressor 14, condenser fan motor 1 based on Soff
6 and the air circulation fan motor 8 are turned on / off.
If the inside temperature becomes lower than the lower limit temperature _TL while the inside temperature is decreasing, the inside temperature and the evaporator temperature gradually rise due to the turning off of the compressor 14, the condenser fan motor 16 and the air circulation fan motor 8. I do.

The internal temperature rises and the internal temperature detecting circuit 21
When There detecting the rising of the internal temperature, an OFF signal Soff when the inside temperature is lower than the upper limit temperature T _U, the upper limit temperature T _U
If it is higher, an ON signal Son is output to the cooling control unit 20. The cooling control unit 20 turns on the air circulation fan motor 8 based on the ON signal Son from the internal temperature detection circuit 22. By turning on the air circulation fan motor 8a and turning on the air circulation fan 8a, the inside of the commodity storage 4 is cooled, and the temperature in the storage falls below the upper limit temperature T _U. The internal temperature detection circuit 21 outputs an ON signal Son to the cooling control unit 20 until the internal temperature decreases to a predetermined temperature T _X. The cooling control unit 20 continues the ON operation of the air circulation fan motor 8 based on the ON signal Son from the internal temperature detection circuit 21. The cooling control unit 20 turns off the air circulation fan motor 8 when the internal temperature decreases to the predetermined temperature T _X and outputs the off signal Soff from the internal temperature detection circuit 21, and the internal temperature detection circuit When the ON signal Son is output from 21, the air circulation fan motor 8 is turned on. When the internal temperature and the evaporator temperature rise and the evaporator temperature reaches the compressor starting temperature Tt, the evaporator temperature detection circuit 22 outputs a trigger signal St.
Is output to the cooling control unit 20. When the trigger signal St is output from the evaporator temperature detection circuit 22 while the ON signal Son is output from the internal temperature detection circuit 21, the cooling control unit 20 controls the compressor 14 and the condenser fan motor 16. Turn on.

According to the second embodiment described above, the first
As in the embodiment, since the operation time of the compressor 14 is reduced, energy can be saved, and the air circulation fan motor 8
Of the fan motor 8 can be avoided.

In addition to the air circulation fan motor 8 arranged near the evaporator 9, one or more air circulation fan motors are arranged in the air circulation path so that each air is turned on before the compressor is turned on. The circulation fan motor may be turned on at the same time.

[0025]

As described above, according to the vending machine cooling device of the present invention, the fan motor is turned on before the compressor is turned on, so that the merchandise can be stored by utilizing the cold heat remaining in the evaporator. The interior of the refrigerator can be cooled, and the operating time of the compressor, which requires more power than the fan motor, can be shortened. Therefore, power consumption can be reduced without lowering the cooling performance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a vending machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the vending machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation of the first embodiment. It is.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of Comparative Example 1.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of Comparative Example 2.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control system of a vending machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine 2 Vending machine main body 3 Outer door 4 Commodity storage 5 Insulation box 6 Inner door 7 Commodity column 8 Air circulation fan motor 8a Air circulation fan 9 Evaporator 11 Commodity outlet 12 Shooter 12a Opening 13A Warehouse temperature Sensor 13B Evaporator temperature sensor 14 Compressor 15 Condenser 16 Condenser fan motor 16a Condenser fan 20 Cooling control unit 21 Internal temperature detection circuit 22 Evaporator temperature detection circuit 23 Memory 24 Timer Son On signal Soff Off signal St Trigger signal T _L the lower limit temperature T _U maximum temperature T _X predetermined temperature t a predetermined time

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A cooling device for a vending machine for cooling an interior of a commodity storage, wherein a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor, and provided in the commodity storage. And an evaporator that evaporates a refrigerant condensed by the condenser to generate cold heat, and is provided in the product storage, and supplies a cold of the evaporator to the product storage by rotating a fan. A fan motor, at least a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature in the product storage, and a temperature in the product storage detected by the temperature detecting means and a preset temperature, and according to the comparison result, Signal output means for outputting an ON signal or an OFF signal related to the ON / OFF operation of the fan motor, and turning on the fan motor based on the ON signal from the signal output means. The compressor is turned on after a predetermined delay time has elapsed from the turning on of the motor, and after the fan motor is turned on, the turning on operation of the fan motor is ignored at least for a predetermined time ignoring the off signal from the signal output means. A cooling device for a vending machine, comprising: a control unit for continuing the at least a predetermined time. 2. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising a timer for counting an elapsed time after the fan motor is turned on, and ignoring the off signal until the elapsed time measured by the timer reaches the predetermined time. The cooling device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein 3. An evaporator temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the evaporator, wherein the temperature detection means includes an evaporator temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the evaporator when the signal output means outputs the ON signal. The vending machine cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the compressor is turned on when a temperature of the evaporator detected by a sensor rises above a predetermined temperature. 4. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the fan motor includes a first fan motor disposed near the evaporator, and a second fan motor disposed at a predetermined position away from the first fan motor. 2. The vending machine cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said control means turns on / off said first fan motor and said second fan motor simultaneously. 5. A cooling device for a vending machine for cooling an inside of a commodity storage, comprising: a compressor for compressing a refrigerant; a condenser for condensing the refrigerant compressed by the compressor; And an evaporator that evaporates a refrigerant condensed by the condenser to generate cold heat, and is provided in the product storage, and supplies a cold of the evaporator to the product storage by rotating a fan. A fan motor, at least a temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature in the product storage, and a temperature in the product storage detected by the temperature detecting means and a preset temperature, and according to the comparison result, And outputs an ON signal or an OFF signal related to ON / OFF operation of the fan motor, and after outputting the ON signal, the temperature in the product storage detected by the temperature detecting means is a predetermined value. Signal output means for outputting the ON signal until the temperature falls below a predetermined value, the fan motor is turned on based on the ON signal from the signal output means, and the compressor is turned on after a predetermined delay time has elapsed since the fan motor was turned on. A cooling device for a vending machine, comprising: a control unit for turning on the vending machine.