JP2001325651A - Motor-driven change-over valve for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a cooling medium change-over valve for operating an automatic vending machine in plural modes while combining cold/hot plural storage parts by connecting/disconnecting the supply of a cooling medium for each of plural coolers in respective storage parts concerning the automatic vending machine provided with mutually independent plural storage parts. SOLUTION: The cooling medium change-over valve is composed of a rotary change-over valve 9 with a stepping motor as a driving source and a cooling medium inflow port A and plural valve ports B, C and D communicated to plural coolers are formed on a valve sheet surface 16. Then, the valve 9 is provided with valve element parts 17 and 18 for selecting any one of valve ports B, C and D to connect the cooling medium inflow port A corresponding to the rotating angle of the valve 9 and corresponding to the rotating angle of the valve 9, either a valve closing mode not to communicate the cooling medium inflow port A to all the valve ports or valve opening mode to communicate the inflow port A to one or plural valve ports can be selected. Thus, the automatic vending machine can be operated in plural modes by one valve.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine having a plurality of independent storage units for storing summer / winter products (beverages) in a warmed (cooled) state. The present invention relates to an electric switching valve for a vending machine for switching and supplying a refrigerant to a vending machine, and in particular, controls ON-OFF switching of a refrigerant supplied to each cooler of the plurality of storage units, and controls any one of the plurality of storage units. The present invention relates to an electric switching valve for a vending machine in which such a storage unit is set in a "cold" or "warm" state, and a combination thereof allows the vending machine to operate in a plurality of modes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, three storage units are turned on and off by switching refrigerant supplied to each cooler of the storage units to 8 storage units.
As a vending machine capable of operating in a mode, a vending machine having a refrigerant circuit as shown in a circuit diagram of FIG. 6 is known.

That is, in FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a compressor constituting a refrigerating cycle, 2 denotes a condenser, and refrigerant taken out of the condenser 2 is an evaporator 3 of a first storage unit and a second refrigerant. It is distributed to the evaporator 4 of the storage unit and the evaporator 5 of the third storage unit. For this purpose, three branch pipes 3a, 4a, 5
a, solenoid valves 3b, 4b, 5b are respectively attached to the branch pipes 3a, 4a, 5a, and the solenoid valves 3b, 4b, 5b are respectively connected to the capillary tubes 3a, 4b, 5b.
The evaporator 3 of the first storage unit, the evaporator 4 of the second storage unit, and the evaporator 5 of the third storage unit are respectively connected via c, 4c, and 5c.

[0004] In the above configuration, for the storage units (for example, the first storage unit and the second storage unit) that require cooling (refrigeration), the electromagnetic valves 3b and 4b are turned on to perform cooling.
On the other hand, for a storage unit (for example, a third storage unit) that requires heating (heating), the solenoid valve 5b is turned off to stop the flow of refrigerant, and an electric heater (heater, FIG. (Not shown), each storage section can be set to a desired temperature. Although not shown, each storage unit includes an evaporator and an electric heater (heater).
And a switch therefor, so that any storage can be selected between cooling and heating. Therefore, by combining the cooling and the heating of each storage unit in the vending machine, it becomes possible to operate the vending machine in eight modes.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned conventional vending machine, three electromagnetic valves are required since each cooler uses a dedicated electromagnetic valve. As a result, wiring and a control system for each solenoid valve are required, and at the time of securing the mounting space and opening the valve (= at the time of cooling), it always consumes current and contravenes the energy saving effect. ).

The present invention is intended to solve such a problem. In the prior art, the three solenoid valves are constituted by rotary switching valves having the same functions as those of the three solenoid valves. The switching is performed by the rotation of the stepping motor, and the stepping motor is energized only at the time of the valve switching operation, so that the electric switching valve for a vending machine enables energy saving and low noise. Is provided.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises a plurality of storage sections independent of each other, and a plurality of coolers respectively attached to the respective storage sections; In a vending machine having a refrigeration cycle capable of supplying a refrigerant to a cooler and a valve capable of disconnecting the supply of the refrigerant to each of the plurality of coolers, the valve includes a stepping motor as a driving source. A rotary switching valve having a main body and a valve rotated by the stepping motor. The main body has a valve seat surface facing the valve, and the rotary valve has a valve seat. A plurality of valve ports communicating with the plurality of coolers and a plurality of valve ports, respectively, on the port surface, and the coolant inlet port corresponding to the rotation angle of the valve; To select the valve port to be connected to Provided, depending on the rotation angle of the valve,
A valve-closed mode in which communication of the refrigerant inlet port to all valve ports of the valve port is shut off, and a valve-open mode in which the refrigerant inlet port communicates with one or more of the valve ports. By making it possible to select
The vending machine is configured to operate in a plurality of modes.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an electric rotary switching valve 2 according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a vending machine using 0, and also in this vending machine, three independent storage units for storing summer / winter products (beverages) in a warm (cool) state are provided. The compressor further comprises a compressor 1 and a condenser 2 constituting a refrigeration cycle, and the refrigerant taken out of the condenser 2 is evaporated by the evaporator 3 in the first storage section (room B) and the second storage section (room C). An electric rotary switching valve 20 is provided for distribution to the evaporator 4 and the evaporator 5 of the third storage unit (D chamber), respectively. Although not shown, each storage unit is provided with an electric heater (heater) and its switch in addition to the evaporator, and any storage unit can be selected from cooling and heating. . Then, by combining cooling and heating of each storage unit in the vending machine, the vending machine can be used in eight modes.

Next, the electric rotary switching valve 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, this electric rotary switching valve 20
Uses a stepping motor S as its driving source, and includes a main body 10 having a joint or the like, a rotor assembly 15 having a magnet 1, a rotor 2 and the like, a can (case) 3 for covering the rotor assembly 15, and The coil unit 13 includes a coil unit 13 attached to the outer periphery of the can 3.

In order to operate integrally with the magnet 1,
The rotor 2 is assembled as a key groove-like configuration to form a rotor assembly 15, and the upper portion of the rotor 2 is assembled concentrically by the concave portion 3a of the case 3 and the inner diameter portion 10a of the main body 10.

The valve body 6 is concentric with the rotor 2,
Is inserted in the center hole 10b of the main body 10 so as to be able to slide and rotate closely, and is inserted into the center of the rotor 2 as a hook structure. The valve 9 is fitted on the lower surface of the valve body 6, and the spring 9 is always pressed against the valve seat surface (valve seat surface) 16 of the body 10 to prevent valve leakage. , Provided between the lower portion of the rotor 2 and the valve body 6.

The stepping motor S includes a coil unit 1
The magnet 1 can be rotated forward and backward by performing specified excitation on the coil portion 13. The starting point and the rotation stop position of the magnet 1 are set by abutting the convex portion of the magnet 1 and the cap 4 made of an elastic material on the “L” portion 5 a formed on the lid 5. In particular, the base point (zero pulse) position is determined by the position of the reference excitation phase (for example, A phase) of the coil unit 13 and the valve body 10, that is, the spring pin 8 and the bracket 14.
It is designed to match the correlation with. When the cap 4 is made of rubber, noise when the magnet 1 comes into contact with the cap 4 can be reduced by 10 to 15 dB (at 15 cm).

The valve 9 is formed of a seal material so as to be mounted concentrically while maintaining the same positional (angular) relationship with the valve body 6, and to ensure valve leakage.

As shown in FIG. 3, an inlet A as a refrigerant inlet is opened at the center of the valve seat surface (valve seat surface) 16 of the main body 10, and the inlet A is concentric with the inlet A. Valve ports B, C and D serving as refrigerant outlets open counterclockwise. Refrigerant pipes a, b, c, and d are connected to the inlet A, the valve port B, the valve port C, and the valve port D, respectively, through the main body 10. In this embodiment, the refrigerant pipes a, b, and d are accommodated in a joint 12 extending below the main body 10, and the refrigerant pipe c is accommodated in a joint 11 extending to the side of the main body. .

An inlet A as a refrigerant inlet, a valve port B as a refrigerant outlet, a valve port C and a valve port D
Correspond to the reference signs A, B, C, and D of the electric switching valve 20 in the circuit diagram of FIG.

The valve 9 is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole, and is fitted in a cylindrical hole of the main body 10 so as to be able to slide and rotate closely. On the lower surface, that is, the surface opposite to the valve seat surface (valve seat surface) 16, in FIG.
Accordingly, a space P is formed between the lower surface of the valve 9 and the valve seat surface 16 and is surrounded by the two valve body portions 17 and 18 and the cylindrical inner wall of the main body 10. An inlet A is opened as a refrigerant inlet. Note that the projecting height of the valve element portion 17 and the projecting height of the valve element 18 are the same size,
Even if the valve 9 is pressed against the valve seat surface 16 by the spring 7, the valve 9 is configured not to be inclined.

The first valve body portion 17 is formed in an arc shape having a central angle of approximately 170 ° in its entire shape, and has a substantially arc-shaped continuous groove 17a formed therein. The second valve body 18 protrudes from a location away from the first valve body 17, is formed in a columnar shape as a whole, and has a circular recess 18a in the center.

When the motor operated switching valve 20 is assembled, the valve 9
Abuts on a valve seat surface (valve seat surface) 16 so as to be able to slide closely from above. FIG. 4 is an example showing the relative relationship between the two.

FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the rotational position of the valve 9 and the valve ports B, C and D when the pulse is supplied to the stepping motor S and the valve 9 rotates. The pulse time (mode 1) is shown. At this time, each of the valve ports B, C, and D of the valve seat surface (valve seat surface) 16 communicates with the groove 17a of the valve body portion 17; Does not communicate with the inlet A (refrigerant inlet). Therefore, at this time,
The refrigerant does not flow to each of the evaporators 3, 4 and 5, and the valve 9 is in the "valve closed" state. At this time, each storage unit (rooms B, C,
D) is automatically supplied with a heating current and each of these stores is in a "warm" mode.

In the "valve closed" state of FIG. 5A, when a pulse is supplied to the stepping motor S, the rotor 2 rotates counterclockwise. When 8 pulses are supplied (mode 2), the motor rotates 30 ° from the position (a), and (b)
In other words, only the valve port B communicates with the inlet A, and only the evaporator 3 enters the "cold" mode.

When a pulse is supplied to the stepping motor S, the rotor 2 rotates by 30 degrees with 8 pulses.
When the pulse is supplied (mode 3), the state shown in FIG.
That is, the valve ports B and C communicate with the inlet A, and the evaporators 3 and 4 enter a "cool" mode.

If pulses are continuously supplied to the stepping motor S, (d) when 24 pulses are supplied (mode 4)
(All evaporators 3, 4, and 5 communicate with inlet A)
Hereinafter, the state shown in (e) when 32 pulses are supplied (mode 5), the state shown in (f) when 40 pulses are supplied (mode 6), and when 48 pulses are supplied (mode 7)
(G), and the state shown in (h) when 56 pulses are supplied (mode 8). After that, the stepping motor S rotates reversely. The communication relationship between the valve ports B, C, and D to the inlet A during each of the above operations is as shown by arrows in FIG.

This is shown in Table 1 below.

[0025]

[Table 1]

The proportion of "hot (warm)" and "cool (cold)" of the beverage temperature of the vending machine varies greatly depending on the season and the installation location. For example, in the case of a vending machine on the shore in summer, the motor-operated switching valve 20 is set to mode 4 and
A refrigerant is caused to flow through all the evaporators 3, 4, and 5 to cool all the beverages in the B, C, and D chambers.

Conversely, when the temperature is cold, the motor-operated switching valve 20 is set to the mode 2 to flow the refrigerant only to the evaporator 3, cool only the room B, cool only a part of the beverage, and make the rest hot beverage. And so on, the "cold" and "warm" of the rooms B, C and D,
Switching can be performed by operating the electric switching valve 20, and the combination thereof enables the chambers B, C, and D to be set to eight kinds of cold and warm states.

Further, since the above operation can be performed by rotating one electric switching valve by the stepping motor S, three electromagnetic valves are not required unlike the conventional example. As a result, in this embodiment, the space-saving property is high, and the installation cost of wiring, piping, etc. can be suppressed,
It is advantageous in terms of cost. Further, since the stepping motor S is configured to be energized only when the rotor 2 is rotating,
Not only is it excellent in energy saving, but also because the valve is opened and closed by rotating the valve, the noise of opening and closing the valve can be reduced.

Further, since the valve 9 is constantly pressed against the valve seat surface 16 by the spring 7, there is no danger of liquid leakage for a long period of time, and the valve bodies 17, 18 are formed in a concave cross-sectional shape. Since the valve ports B, C, and D can be completely covered from above, the sealing performance against external pressure increases.

In the above embodiment, summer / winter products (beverages)
Vending machines provided with three independent storage units for storing in a heated (cooled) state and provided with an evaporator in each storage unit, but the number of storage units is not limited to three, and may be plural if desired. The vending machine can be used in a plurality of modes by combining cooling and heating of each storage unit in the vending machine.

[0031]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
The following effects can be obtained. (1) In a vending machine having a plurality of storage units independent of each other, a switching valve corresponding to a plurality of modes combined by a plurality of coolers attached to the plurality of storage units is connected to one electric switching device. Can be obtained with a valve. (2) Since the plurality of modes can be performed by rotating one electric switching valve by a stepping motor, compared with the conventional example requiring a plurality of solenoid valves,
This is advantageous in terms of cost because it is rich in space saving and can suppress the installation cost of wiring and piping. (3) Since the stepping motor is configured to be energized only when the rotor rotates, it is not only excellent in energy saving but also configured to rotate the valve to open and close the valve.
The opening and closing noise of the valve can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional one. (4) Since the valve is constantly pressed against the valve seat surface by the spring, there is no risk of liquid leakage for a long period of time, and since the valve body is formed in a concave cross-sectional shape, the valve is sealed against external pressure.
Characteristics can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a refrigeration cycle of a vending machine provided with an electric switching valve according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electric switching valve according to the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an upside-down projection view of the valve.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a correlation between the valve and a valve seat.

5 (a) to 5 (h) are the same plan views as FIG. 4 for explaining the operation.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a refrigeration cycle of a conventional vending machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Magnet 2 Rotor 3 Case 4 Cap 5 Lid 6 Valve body 7 Spring 8 Spring pin 9 Valve 10 Main body 11 Joint 12 Joint 13 Coil part 14 Bracket 15 Rotor assembly 16 Valve seat surface 17, 18 Valve body Part 17a Groove 20 Electric switching valve A Inlet as refrigerant inlet B, C, D Valve ports a, b, c, d Refrigerant pipe

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) F25B 41/00 F25B 41/00 C 41/04 41/04 A F25D 11/00 101 F25D 11/00 101H ( 72) Inventor Hiromasa Takada 535 Sasai, Sayama-shi, Saitama F-term (reference) 3E044 AA01 DB16 FB05 FB11 3H053 AA25 AA33 BA03 BA04 BB02 BB03 DA12 3H062 AA07 AA13 BB30 CC02 DD03 EE07 AH04 A03 BA01 CA09 DA02 HA03 HA07 JA14 PA04 PA05

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A vending machine having a plurality of storage units independent of each other, a plurality of coolers attached to each of the storage units, a refrigeration cycle capable of supplying a refrigerant to each of the coolers, A valve capable of disconnecting supply of the refrigerant to each of the plurality of coolers, the valve being a rotary switching valve driven by a stepping motor, and the rotary switching valve being a main body. And a valve rotated by the stepping motor, a valve seat surface facing the valve is formed on the main body, and the coolant inlet and the plurality of cooling units are formed on the valve seat surface. A plurality of valve ports respectively communicating with the vessel, wherein the valve is provided with a valve body for selecting the valve port to which the refrigerant inlet is to be connected in accordance with the rotation angle of the valve. Electric switching valve for vending machines. 2. A valve closing mode in which communication of an inlet of the refrigerant to all valve ports of the valve port is interrupted in accordance with a rotation angle of the valve; 2. The electric switching valve for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a valve opening mode communicating with one or a plurality of valve ports is selectively executed. 3. The electric switching valve for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the valve is constantly pressed against a valve seat surface of the main body by a spring.