JP2007148787A - Automatic cup-type beverage vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a situation that a total use current of the whole automatic vending machine exceeds a capacity on a supply side to prevent a situation that hindrance to sales may be caused. <P>SOLUTION: In this automatic cup-type beverage vending machine, when the total use current of the whole automatic vending machine exceeds the supply power capacity to the automatic vending machine, a frequency of an inverter is reduced so that the total use current of the whole automatic vending machine becomes within the supply power capacity, and the operation of a cooling unit is continued. As a result, a situation that the use current of the automatic vending machine exceeds the supply power capacity is prevented, and ice making or the cooling of dilute water can be continuously performed without stopping the operation of a compressor, so that a situation that sales becomes impossible can be prevented even if a sales frequency increases. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cup-type beverage vending machine that supplies a product such as a cup and supplies the product, and relates to a cup-type beverage vending machine that controls a compressor of a cooling device that cools an ice maker, a cooling water tank, and the like. Is.

  Conventionally, as a cooling device of a vending machine, there is one that cools an ice making machine and a beverage cooler with a single compressor. The cooling device includes a first cooler that stores water in the cooling water tank as a beverage cooler to cool the beverage, a second cooler that creates ice as an ice making machine, a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, A first refrigerant valve for supplying refrigerant to the first cooler, and a second refrigerant valve for supplying refrigerant to the second cooler. Then, if necessary, the compressor is operated to operate the first refrigerant valve to cool the water with the beverage cooler, while operating the second refrigerant valve to make ice with the ice making machine. This cooling device is configured to return a refrigerant to the compressor after the downstream side of the first cooler and the second cooler is joined, and to connect the refrigerant to circulate the refrigerant, that is, a plurality of coolers (evaporators). ) Are connected in parallel to form a common path for the compressor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-287345

  By the way, it is a demerit for the customer who installs the vending machine that electric work is required to increase the capacity of the power source for connecting the vending machine. Therefore, assuming that the vending machine is connected to a general outlet and used, it is necessary to perform control so that the total use current of the entire vending machine does not exceed a predetermined current (for example, 15 A). However, devices other than the cooling unit provided in the vending machine have a current required for operation and cannot be easily changed. For this reason, in a conventional cup-type beverage vending machine that cools an ice making machine and a cooling water tank with a single constant speed compressor, the compressor must be stopped in the cooling unit to reduce the total current used.

  Specifically, depending on the combination of devices that operate, the total current consumed by the entire vending machine may exceed the capacity on the supply side. In this case, it is possible to reduce the total operating current by stopping the compressor. However, when the operation of the compressor is stopped, the protection circuit works for about 5 minutes, so that the operation of the compressor cannot be resumed during that time. As a result, when the sales frequency is high and the amount of current used is large, the operation of the compressor is not resumed for a long time, making it impossible to cool ice making or diluting water and making it impossible to sell.

  In addition, since manual operation is performed during maintenance, which device provided in the vending machine varies depending on the situation, and it is impossible to predict when to operate. Therefore, if the cooling unit is continuously operated during maintenance, the power capacity may be exceeded.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a cup-type beverage vending machine capable of preventing a situation in which the total use current of the entire vending machine exceeds the capacity on the supply side and preventing a situation that hinders sales. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a cup-type beverage vending machine according to claim 1 of the present invention has a cooling unit including a compressor whose operation is controlled by an inverter, and the inside of the vending machine main body. A cup-type beverage vending machine that provides cooked beverages, comprising: a working current detection means for sensing the total working current of the entire vending machine; and a control means for controlling the frequency of the inverter, Compare the operating current and the power supply capacity to the vending machine, and control the inverter frequency so that the total operating current of the entire vending machine is within the power supply capacity. Features.

  A cup-type beverage vending machine according to claim 2 of the present invention is the cup beverage vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the total vending machine total power consumption exceeds the supply power capacity to the vending machine. The operation of the cooling unit is continued by reducing the frequency of the inverter so that the current used is within the power supply capacity.

  A cup-type beverage vending machine according to claim 3 of the present invention is the cup-type beverage vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising input detecting means for detecting the input of money into the money identifying device, and receiving a detection signal from the input detecting means. In this case, the operation of the cooling unit is continued by reducing the frequency of the inverter.

  A cup-type beverage vending machine according to claim 4 of the present invention is the cup-type beverage vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising door opening detecting means for detecting opening of a door that opens and closes the front surface of the vending machine main body. When the detection signal is input, the frequency of the inverter is decreased and the operation of the cooling unit is continued.

  The cup type beverage vending machine according to claim 5 of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 4, carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant of the cooling unit.

  In the cup-type beverage vending machine according to the present invention, the total use current of the whole vending machine is compared with the power supply capacity supplied to the vending machine so that the total use current of the whole vending machine is within the supply power supply capacity. The operation of the cooling unit is continued by controlling the frequency of the inverter. That is, when the total operating current of the entire vending machine exceeds the power supply capacity to the vending machine, the inverter frequency is lowered to continue the operation of the cooling unit. On the other hand, when the total operating current of the entire vending machine is less than the power supply capacity for the vending machine, the inverter is increased in frequency to continue the operation of the cooling unit. As a result, while preventing the situation where the operating current of the vending machine exceeds the power supply capacity, the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 50 is improved as much as possible, and ice making and dilution water can be performed without stopping the operation of the compressor. Can be continuously cooled.

  In addition, when the total operating current of the entire vending machine exceeds the power supply capacity to the vending machine, the cooling unit is lowered by reducing the frequency of the inverter so that the total operating current of the entire vending machine is within the power supply capacity. Continue driving. As a result, it is possible to prevent the situation where the operating current of the vending machine exceeds the supply power capacity and to continuously cool the ice making and dilution water without stopping the operation of the compressor. Even if it becomes high, it can prevent the situation where sales are impossible.

  In addition, it further includes an insertion detection means for detecting the insertion of money into the money identification device, and when a detection signal is input from the insertion detection means, the frequency of the inverter is lowered to continue the operation of the cooling unit. Here, at the time of sale, as the product selection button is pressed, the operation of the device for cooking the beverage is started and the current used by the vending machine increases. Therefore, it is conceivable to reduce the current by lowering the frequency of the inverter with the press of the product selection button as a trigger, but it takes about several seconds to change the frequency of the inverter. For this reason, immediately after the product selection button is pressed, the total operating current of the vending machine exceeds the power supply capacity, and the user feels that the button reaction is delayed and the waiting time is long for operational feeling. However, as described above, it is determined that the time when coins are inserted is the start of sales, and the frequency of the inverter is lowered prior to the operation of the device that cooks the beverage, thereby preventing the situation in which the operating current of the vending machine exceeds the power supply capacity. In addition, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the user feels an operational delay or a waiting time after the product selection button is pressed.

  In addition, a door opening detection means for detecting the opening of the door that opens and closes the front surface of the vending machine main body is further provided, and when a detection signal is input from the door opening detection means, the frequency of the inverter is lowered to reduce the cooling unit. Continue driving. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the operating current of the vending machine exceeds the power supply capacity even for an uncertain operation during maintenance.

  Further, when carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant of the cooling unit, the environmental load is small and safe. However, when carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant, the efficiency drops at ambient temperatures above the critical temperature (31 ° C), so the current used increases to ensure cooling capacity in summer and the like, and the current used by the entire vending machine is supplied. There may be frequent occurrences of exceeding the power capacity. Therefore, as described above, the frequency of the inverter is controlled so that the total use current of the entire vending machine is within the power supply capacity. In other words, the cup-type beverage vending machine of the present invention can obtain an effect by using carbon dioxide as the refrigerant of the cooling unit.

  Exemplary embodiments of a cup-type beverage vending machine according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, the drink supply apparatus employ | adopted for the cup-type drink vending machine of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a beverage supply device of a cup-type beverage vending machine according to the present invention.

  The beverage supply device 1 includes a cold beverage supply unit 2 for feeding a cold beverage to a cup C, which is a beverage container that is transported by a predetermined transport mechanism (not shown) and placed on the bend stage S, And a hot beverage supply unit 3 for feeding hot beverage.

  The cold beverage supply unit 2 includes a water reservoir 21, an ice making machine 22, and a cooling water tank 23.

  The water reservoir 21 stores water (tap water) supplied from the water supply.

  The ice making machine 22 is connected to the water reservoir 21 via an ice making water introduction pipe 21a. The ice making machine 22 produces ice using the water transferred from the water reservoir 21 through the ice making water introduction pipe 21a, and stores the ice. Although not clearly shown in the figure, the ice making machine 22 has a screw-shaped auger arranged inside a cylindrical pipe serving as an ice making unit, and cuts ice generated in the pipe cylinder by an auger rotated by a motor. While pushing up. A fixed blade is provided at the top of the pipe, and the ice pushed up by the auger by the fixed blade is compressed into chip-shaped ice. In addition, a stocker for storing the produced chip-shaped ice is provided above the pipe. Then, the ice produced by the ice making machine 22 is discharged from the ice discharge port 221 (see FIG. 3) of the stocker, and a necessary amount is put into the cup C through the ice supply pipe 22a.

  The cooling water tank 23 is mainly used to generate cooling water, and is a water tank that stores cooling water 23a. In the cooling water tank 23, a water cooling coil 24, a carbonator 25, and a part of the syrup supply pipe 26 a connected to the syrup container 26 are arranged so as to be immersed in the cooling water 23 a.

  The water cooling coil 24 is connected to the water reservoir 21 via a drinking water supply pipe 21c having a water pump 21b. The water cooling coil 24 cools the water transferred from the water reservoir 21 through the drinking water supply pipe 21c and generates cooling water. A necessary amount of the cooling water generated by the water cooling coil 24 is introduced into the cup C through the cooling water supply pipe 24b having the cooling water valve 24a.

  The carbonator 25 is connected to the carbon dioxide cylinder 27 via a carbon dioxide introduction pipe 27a, and is connected to the middle of the cooling water supply pipe 24b via a check valve 25a. The carbonator 25 mixes the carbon dioxide gas transferred from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 27 with the cooling water transferred from the water cooling coil 24 via the cooling water supply pipe 24b to generate carbonated water. A required amount of carbonated water generated by the carbonator 25 is introduced into the cup C through a carbonated water supply pipe 25c having a carbonated water valve 25b.

  The syrup container 26 stores various syrup raw materials. The syrup container 26 is connected to a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 27 via a carbon dioxide gas introduction pipe 27a. The syrup raw material stored in the syrup container 26 is charged into the cup C through the syrup supply pipe 26a having the syrup valve 26b by the pressure of carbon dioxide gas. A syrup sold-out detector 26c is provided in the middle of the syrup supply pipe 26a. In the present embodiment, the pressure type in which the syrup raw material stored in the syrup container 26 is charged into the cup C by the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas has been described. However, in addition to the pressure type, the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 27 is connected to the syrup container 26. There is also a pump type in which the syrup raw material stored in the syrup container 26 is put into the cup C by a pump (not shown) provided in the syrup supply pipe 26a. Although not shown in the figure, in the case of a pump type, a part of the syrup container 26 and the syrup supply pipe 26 a is immersed in the cooling water 23 a stored in the cooling water tank 23.

  The hot beverage supply unit 3 includes a hot water storage tank 31, an instant beverage cooking unit 32, and a regular coffee beverage cooking unit 33.

  The hot water storage tank 31 is branched from the drinking water supply pipe 21c and connected to the water reservoir 21 via an additional hot water introduction pipe 31b having a check valve 31a. The hot water storage tank 31 has a heater 311 (see FIG. 3) as a heating source, and heats and stores the water transferred from the water reservoir 21.

  The instant beverage cooking unit 32 includes a raw material canister 321 and a mixing ball 322. The raw material canister 321 contains various powder raw materials such as instant coffee, cocoa, tea, sugar and milk. The mixing ball 322 is connected to the raw material canister 321 via a shooter 321a, and is connected to the hot water storage tank 31 via an added hot water supply pipe 31d having an added hot water valve 31c. The mixing ball 322 mixes and stirs various powder raw materials introduced from the raw material canister 321 through the shooter 321a and the added hot water transferred from the hot water storage tank 31 through the added hot water supply pipe 31d. The required amount of the instant beverage that is stirred and mixed by the mixing ball 322 is put into the cup C through the hot beverage supply pipe 322 a connected to the mixing ball 322.

  The regular coffee beverage cooking unit 33 includes a regular coffee extraction unit 331, a raw material canister 332, and a mixing ball 333.

  The regular coffee extraction unit 331 includes a coffee bean canister 331a, a mill 331b, and a coffee beverage extractor 331c. The coffee bean canister 331a accommodates coffee beans. The mill 331b is disposed below the coffee bean canister 331a and grinds the coffee beans input from the coffee bean canister 331a. The coffee beverage extractor 331c is disposed below the mill 331b, and is connected to the hot water storage tank 31 via the added hot water supply pipe 31d. The coffee beverage extractor 331c extracts regular coffee beverage from ground beans introduced from the mill 331b and added hot water transferred from the hot water storage tank 31 through the added hot water supply pipe 31d.

  The raw material canister 332 contains various powder raw materials such as sugar, milk, and topping raw materials (for example, cinnamon). The mixing ball 333 is connected to the raw material canister 332 via the shooter 332a, is connected to the coffee beverage extractor 331c via the coffee beverage supply pipe 331d, and is further connected via the additive hot water supply pipe 31d. The hot water storage tank 31 is connected. The mixing ball 333 mixes and stirs various powder raw materials charged from the raw material canister 332 through the shooter 332a and regular coffee beverages transferred from the coffee beverage extractor 331c through the coffee beverage supply pipe 331d. The regular coffee beverage agitated and mixed by the mixing ball 333 is charged into the cup C through the hot beverage supply pipe 333 a connected to the mixing ball 333.

  The ground bean mash after the regular coffee beverage is extracted by the coffee beverage extractor 331c is put into the strawberry bucket B.

  Next, the cooling unit employed in the cup type beverage vending machine of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a cooling unit of a cup-type beverage vending machine according to the present invention.

  A cooling unit 50 shown in FIG. 2 is applied to the ice making machine 22 and the cooling water tank 23 in the beverage supply apparatus 1. The cooling unit 50 includes a refrigerant circulation path L. The refrigerant circulation path L is composed of a compressor 51, a gas cooler (heat radiator) 52, an internal heat exchanger 53, an electronic expansion valve (expansion mechanism) 54 and evaporators 55 and 56, and a path connecting them. Circulate. Here, carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant, which has non-flammability, safety and non-corrosion properties, and has little influence on the ozone layer.

  The compressor 51 compresses the refrigerant (carbon dioxide) from the internal heat exchanger 53 into a high temperature and high pressure state. The compressor 51 is a two-stage compressor that performs a compression operation in two steps. More specifically, the compressor 51 includes a first compressor 51a that performs a first (first) compression operation and a second compressor 51b that performs a second (last) compression operation. An intermediate heat exchanger 57 is provided between them. The intermediate heat exchanger 57 cools the refrigerant compressed by the first compression operation by the first compressor 51a, that is, releases the heat to return the refrigerant to the second compressor 51b.

  As described above, the compressor 51 can perform the compression operation once through the intermediate heat exchanger 57, thereby compressing the refrigerant to a desired high temperature and high pressure state with low power consumption. In the present embodiment, the refrigerant is compressed to about 5 MPa by the first compression in the first compressor 51a, and the refrigerant is compressed to about 10 MPa by the second compression in the second compressor 51b. The compressor 51 includes a reciprocating compressor, a rotary compressor, a scroll compressor, and the like, and is not limited to a two-stage compressor. Then, a compressor that is suitable for the object, environment, or cost required for the entire apparatus in which the cooling unit 50 is disposed may be applied as appropriate.

  The gas cooler 52 radiates the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 51 into a high temperature and high pressure state. The gas cooler 52 includes a fin tube type composed of, for example, a copper tube and an aluminum fin.

  The internal heat exchanger 53 exchanges heat between the high-pressure refrigerant from the gas cooler 52 and the low-pressure refrigerant from the evaporators 55 and 56. More specifically, inside the internal heat exchanger 53, there are a refrigerant pipe 53a through which the refrigerant radiated by the gas cooler 52 moves, and a refrigerant pipe 53b through which the refrigerant evaporated by the evaporators 55 and 56 moves. However, they are arranged in a non-contact counterflow manner with a distance allowing heat exchange with each other.

  The electronic expansion valve 54 adiabatically expands the refrigerant heat-exchanged by the internal heat exchanger 53, that is, the refrigerant is decompressed and adjusted to a low temperature and low pressure state. The electronic expansion valve 54 is an example of an expansion mechanism, and a capillary tube, a temperature expansion valve, or the like may be used.

  The evaporators 55 and 56 evaporate the refrigerant adiabatically expanded to a low temperature and low pressure state by the electronic expansion valve 54, and are arranged as the respective cold heat sources of the ice making machine 22 and the cooling water tank 23. More specifically, on the ice making machine 22 side, the evaporator 55 is disposed by spirally winding an evaporation tube around the outer peripheral surface of the above-described cylindrical pipe (not shown). On the cooling water tank 23 side, an evaporator 56 is arranged by placing an evaporation pipe in a coil shape inside the cooling water tank 23. These evaporators 55 and 56 are connected to respective paths branched in two directions from the electronic expansion valve 54. In each branched path, an electromagnetic valve 58 is provided on the upstream side of the evaporator 55, and an electromagnetic valve 59 is provided on the upstream side of the evaporator 56. Then, by opening the electromagnetic valve 58, the refrigerant adiabatically expanded by the electronic expansion valve 54 is sent to the evaporator 55, and by opening the electromagnetic valve 59, the evaporator 56 is adiabatically expanded by the electronic expansion valve 54. The refrigerant will be sent out. Further, the downstream paths of the evaporators 55 and 56 are gathered together and connected to the first compressor 51a.

  The operation of the cooling unit 50 will be described. When the ice making machine 22 is cooled, the electromagnetic valve 58 in the path of the evaporator 55 is opened, and the electromagnetic valve 59 in the path of the evaporator 56 is closed. Therefore, the refrigerant circulation path L is configured by the compressor 51, the gas cooler 52, the internal heat exchanger 53, the electronic expansion valve 54 and the evaporator 55, and a path connecting them, and the refrigerant is sent to the evaporator 56. There is no.

  The refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation path L is compressed by the compressor 51 in two steps. That is, the refrigerant is compressed (compressed to about 5 MPa) by the first compressor 51 a and then sent to the intermediate heat exchanger 57. The refrigerant sent to the intermediate heat exchanger 57 is cooled by releasing heat from the intermediate heat exchanger 57. The refrigerant cooled by the intermediate heat exchanger 57 is sent to the second compressor 51b and is compressed (compressed to about 10 MPa) by the second compressor 51b to be in a high temperature and high pressure state.

  The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is sent to the gas cooler 52 and is radiated and cooled by the gas cooler 52. The refrigerant cooled by the gas cooler 52 is sent to the electronic expansion valve 54 through the internal heat exchanger 53, is decompressed by the electronic expansion valve 54, is adiabatically expanded, and becomes a low temperature and low pressure state.

  The low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant is sent to the evaporator 55 through the electromagnetic valve 58 in the open state. The refrigerant sent to the evaporator 55 evaporates by being given heat from a pipe (not shown) of the ice making machine 22 where the evaporator 55 is disposed. In other words, the pipe (not shown) of the ice making machine 22 is cooled by removing heat from the evaporation of the refrigerant. As a result, ice is generated inside a pipe (not shown) of the ice making machine 22, and an auger (not shown) driven by a motor (not shown) cuts the ice to produce chip-like ice. Will be.

  The refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 55 is sent to the internal heat exchanger 53 and subjected to heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger 53, and then sent to the compressor 51 (first compressor 51a) and compressed by the compressor 51. Then, the above movement is repeated and circulated.

  When cooling the cooling water tank 23, the electromagnetic valve 59 in the path of the evaporator 56 is opened, and the electromagnetic valve 58 in the path of the evaporator 55 is closed. Therefore, the refrigerant circulation path L is configured by the compressor 51, the gas cooler 52, the internal heat exchanger 53, the electronic expansion valve 54 and the evaporator 56, and a path connecting them, and the refrigerant is sent to the evaporator 55. There is no.

  In such a case, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation path L is compressed by the compressor 51 in two steps in the same manner as described above to be in a high temperature and high pressure state, and then is radiated and cooled by the gas cooler 52. Then, the refrigerant cooled by the gas cooler 52 is sent to the electronic expansion valve 54 through the internal heat exchanger 53, is depressurized by the electronic expansion valve 54, is adiabatically expanded, and becomes a low temperature and low pressure state. The low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant is sent to the evaporator 56 through the open solenoid valve 59. The refrigerant sent to the evaporator 56 is evaporated by receiving heat from the cooling water 23a of the cooling water tank 23 where the evaporator 56 is disposed. In other words, the cooling water 23a is deprived of heat and cooled as the refrigerant evaporates. As a result, the water cooling coil 24 immersed in the cooling water 23a, the carbonator 25, the syrup supply pipe 26a connected to the syrup container 26, and the like are cooled. Then, the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator 56 is sent to the internal heat exchanger 53 and subjected to heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger 53, and then sent to the first compressor 51a to repeat the above movement and circulate. become.

  When the ice making machine 22 and the cooling water tank 23 are cooled, the electromagnetic valve 59 in the path of the evaporator 56 is opened, and the electromagnetic valve 58 in the path of the evaporator 55 is opened. Therefore, the refrigerant circulation path L is configured by the compressor 51, the gas cooler 52, the internal heat exchanger 53, the electronic expansion valve 54, the evaporator 55 and the evaporator 56, and a path connecting them.

  In such a case, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation path L is compressed by the compressor 51 in two steps in the same manner as described above to be in a high temperature and high pressure state, and then is radiated and cooled by the gas cooler 52. Then, the refrigerant cooled by the gas cooler 52 is sent to the electronic expansion valve 54 through the internal heat exchanger 53, is depressurized by the electronic expansion valve 54, is adiabatically expanded, and becomes a low temperature and low pressure state. The refrigerant in the low-temperature and low-pressure state is sent to the evaporator 55 through the electromagnetic valve 58 in the open state, and is sent to the evaporator 56 through the electromagnetic valve 59 in the open state. The refrigerant sent to the evaporators 55 and 56 is supplied from the pipe (not shown) of the ice making machine 22 where the evaporator 55 is disposed and the cooling water 23 a of the cooling water tank 23 where the evaporator 56 is disposed. Evaporates when given heat. As a result, ice is generated inside a pipe (not shown) of the ice making machine 22, and an auger (not shown) driven by a motor (not shown) cuts the ice to produce chip-like ice. The Furthermore, the water cooling coil 24 immersed in the cooling water 23a, the carbonator 25, the syrup supply pipe 26a connected to the syrup container 26, and the like are cooled. The refrigerant evaporated in the evaporators 55 and 56 is sent to the internal heat exchanger 53 and subjected to heat exchange in the internal heat exchanger 53, and then sent to the first compressor 51a to repeat the above movement and circulate. Will do.

  Next, the control system of the cup type beverage vending machine of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a cup-type beverage vending machine according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the control system of the cup type beverage vending machine, the vending machine control unit 61 includes a bill validator 611 and a coin mechanism 612 as a currency identification device, a return lever 613, a display panel 614, a product selection button 615, Lighting 616, door opening detection unit (door opening detection unit) 617, keyboard 618, heater 311, ice making machine 22, use current detection unit (use current detection unit) 619, beverage supply control unit 62, cooling control unit 63, etc. are connected. It is. These are directly controlled by the vending machine control unit 61.

  The bill validator 611 is for identifying the legitimacy and amount of the inserted bill. The bill validator 611 includes a bill insertion detection unit (insertion detection means) 611a that detects that a bill has been inserted. When a bill is inserted into the bill validator 611, the bill insert detector 611a outputs an operation signal for operating the bill validator 611 to the vending machine controller 61 as a detection signal. The coin mechanism 612 is for identifying the correctness and amount of coins inserted. The coin mechanism 612 includes a coin insertion detection unit (insertion detection means) 612a that detects that a coin has been inserted. When a coin is inserted into the coin mechanism 612, the coin insertion detection unit 612a outputs an operation signal for operating the coin mechanism 612 to the vending machine control unit 61 as a detection signal. The return lever 613 is for returning the money put into the bill validator 611 and the coin mechanism 612.

  The display panel 614 is for displaying the amount of money inserted into the bill validator 611 and the coin mechanism 612, the presence / absence of change, and the like.

  The product selection button 615 is for selecting the presence or absence of each beverage, sugar, milk, topping ingredients, and the like. That is, in the cup-type beverage vending machine, a desired beverage is placed on the bend stage S from the cold beverage supply unit 2 or the hot beverage supply unit 3 of the beverage supply device 1 by operating the product selection button 615. Each beverage is provided by being put in the cup C.

  The illumination 616 is installed on a door (not shown) that opens and closes the front opening of the vending machine main body (not shown) in which the beverage supply device 1 and the cooling unit 50 described above are arranged. It is intended to illuminate a sample showing the type of.

  The door opening detection unit 617 is for detecting the open state of the door (not shown), and includes, for example, a switch provided on the vending machine main body side or the door side. When the door is opened, the beverage supply device 1 and the cooling unit 50 provided mainly inside the vending machine main body, the bill validator 611 provided on the door, the coin mechanism 612, the return lever 613, and the display panel 614 are provided. The maintenance of the product selection button 615, the illumination 616, etc. is performed.

  The keyboard 618 has an operation key and a display unit which are not explicitly shown in the drawing, and is for performing various settings, various tests, sales totalization, or inspection at the time of failure, for example.

  The used current detector 619 is for detecting the used current in each device connected to the vending machine controller 61.

  When a bill is inserted into the bill validator 611 or a coin is inserted into the coin mechanism 612, the vending machine control unit 61 displays the total amount on the display panel 614, and the total amount exceeds the sales amount of the beverage to be sold. If there is, the product selection button 615 for the corresponding beverage is activated. Then, the vending machine control unit 61 inputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the product selection button 615 and outputs a sales command to the beverage supply control unit 62. Further, when the vending machine control unit 61 inputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the product selection button 615, it sends a refund signal to the coin mechanism 612 so as to return the amount obtained by subtracting the sales amount of the selected beverage as change. Output. The vending machine control unit 61 obtains the total use current of the vending machine from the detection signal from the use current detection unit 619 and outputs an operation signal to the cooling control unit 63 according to the total use current. Further, the vending machine control unit 61 detects a detection signal from the bill insertion detection unit 611a based on the insertion of bills into the bill validator 611 or a detection signal from the coin insertion detection unit 612a based on the insertion of coins into the coin mechanism 612. And an operation signal is output to the cooling control unit 63. Furthermore, the vending machine control unit 61 inputs a detection signal from the door opening detection unit 617 that detects the door open state, and outputs an operation signal to the cooling control unit 63.

  The beverage supply control unit 62 includes a cup supply mechanism 621, an ice discharge port 221, a cooling water valve 24 a, a carbonated water valve 25 b, a syrup valve 26 b, an added hot water valve 31 c, a raw material canister 321, a mixing ball 322, A coffee bean canister 331a, a mill 331b, a coffee beverage extractor 331c, a raw material canister 332, and a mixing ball 333 are connected. These are indirectly controlled by the vending machine control unit 61 via the beverage supply control unit 62.

  The cup supply mechanism 621 is for storing a plurality of cups C into which beverages are put in a stacked state, cutting out one cup C and supplying it to the bend stage S. Some cup-type beverage vending machines have a cup transport device (not shown) that transports the cup C delivered from the cup supply mechanism 621 to the bend stage S. The cup conveyance device conveys the cup C to the bend stage S while receiving the cooked beverage with the cup C.

  The beverage supply control unit 62 operates the cup supply mechanism 621 based on the sales command input from the vending machine control unit 61 to supply the cup C to the bend stage S. Next, the beverage supply control unit 62 includes the ice discharge port 221, the cooling water valve 24a, the carbonated water valve 25b, the syrup valve 26b, the added hot water valve 31c, the raw material canister 321, the mixing ball 322, the coffee bean canister 331a, the mill 331b, the coffee. Necessary devices among the beverage extractor 331c, the raw material canister 332, and the mixing ball 333 are operated to cook the selected beverage and put it into the cup C.

  The cooling control unit 63 is connected to an inverter 631, an electromagnetic valve 58, and an electromagnetic valve 59 related to the cooling unit 50. These are indirectly controlled by the vending machine control unit 61 via the cooling control unit 63.

  The inverter 631 is connected to the compressor 51 and controls the operation of the compressor 51 at a predetermined frequency.

  The cooling control unit 63 receives an operation signal from the vending machine control unit 61, outputs a control signal to the inverter 631 based on the operation signal, and controls the operation of the compressor 51 at a predetermined frequency. Further, the cooling control unit 63 receives an operation signal from the vending machine control unit 61 and outputs a control signal to the electromagnetic valves 58 and 59 based on the operation signal.

  Note that an ice amount sensor (not shown) is attached to the ice making machine 22. The ice amount sensor is connected to the vending machine control unit 61, and the vending machine control unit 61 that has received the ice amount signal of the ice amount sensor outputs an operation signal to the cooling control unit 63 as necessary. The cooling control unit 63 outputs a control signal to the inverter 631 and the electromagnetic valve 58 based on the operation signal. For example, when the amount of ice stored in the stocker of the ice making machine 22 decreases, an operation signal is output to the cooling control unit 63 according to the ice amount signal input to the vending machine control unit 61, and based on this operation signal. Ice making is performed by outputting control signals from the cooling control unit 63 to the inverter 631 and the electromagnetic valve 58. Further, a temperature sensor (not shown) is attached to the cooling water tank 23. This temperature sensor is connected to the vending machine control unit 61, and the vending machine control unit 61 that receives the temperature signal of the temperature sensor outputs an operation signal to the cooling control unit 63 as necessary. The cooling control unit 63 outputs a control signal to the inverter 631 and the electromagnetic valve 59 based on the operation signal. For example, when the water temperature of the cooling water 23a in the cooling water tank 23 is higher than the installation temperature, an operation signal is output to the cooling control unit 63 according to the temperature signal input to the vending machine control unit 61, and the operation signal is Based on this, the cooling water tank 23 is cooled by outputting a control signal from the cooling control unit 63 to the inverter 631 and the electromagnetic valve 59.

  The cooling control unit 63 also receives signals from the vending machine control unit 61 regarding the ambient temperature of the vending machine and the load state (during ice making) of the ice making machine 22. The vending machine control unit 61 selects an optimal control parameter from a control table set in advance based on these pieces of information, and outputs an operation signal to the inverter 631. The compressor 51 starts operation by the control signal output from the inverter 631 and cools until the water temperature of the cooling water 23a reaches a predetermined temperature.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation pattern of the cooling unit according to the operating current of the entire vending machine. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the vending machine control unit 61, the bill validator 611, coin mechanism 612, return lever 613, display panel 614, product selection button 615, illumination 616, keyboard 618, heater 311, ice making machine 22, cup supply mechanism 621, ice discharge port 221, cooling water valve 24a, carbonated water valve 25b, syrup valve 26b, additive hot water valve 31c, raw material canister 321, mixing ball 322, coffee bean canister 331a, mill 331b, coffee beverage extractor 331c, raw material canister A plurality of operation patterns of the cooling unit 50 are set in advance according to the currents assumed when the devices (shown as devices A, B, C, D, and E in FIG. 4) such as 332 and the mixing ball 333 are operated. It is.

  The operation pattern 0 shown on the left side in FIG. 4 indicates the current used (Imax) of the cooling unit 50 during the maximum capacity operation where the frequency of the inverter 631 is maximized. Then, the vending machine control unit 61 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the devices A to D operated as shown by the operation patterns 1 to 4 to the cooling control unit 63. The cooling control unit 63 changes the control signal (that is, frequency) output to the inverter 631 based on each operation signal and outputs it to the compressor 51 to operate the cooling unit 50.

  Here, in the operation pattern 1, when the devices A and D are operated, if the cooling unit 50 is operated at the maximum capacity, the total use current of the entire vending machine exceeds the power supply capacity. For this reason, the frequency of the inverter 631 is lowered to reduce the operating current of the cooling unit 50 to I1, and the continuous operation is performed so that the total operating current of the entire vending machine is within the supply power capacity. Similarly, in the operation pattern 2, even when the devices B, C, and E are operated, the frequency of the inverter 631 is lowered and the operating current of the cooling unit 50 is lowered to I2, so that the vending machine is continuously operated. Keep the total current used within the power supply capacity. Similarly, in the operation pattern 3, even when the devices A and C are operated, the frequency of the inverter 631 is lowered and the operating current of the cooling unit 50 is lowered to I3 to continuously operate the vending machine. The total operating current is within the power supply capacity. On the other hand, in the operation pattern 4, when only the device B is operated, the total use current of the entire vending machine does not exceed the supply power capacity even when the cooling unit 50 is operated at the maximum capacity. It is possible to continuously operate the cooling unit 50 with the current used by the cooling unit 50 being set to Imax, so that the total current used by the entire vending machine is within the power supply capacity.

  As described above, when the cooling unit 50 is operated at the maximum capacity and the total use current of the entire vending machine exceeds the power supply capacity, the frequency of the inverter 631 is lowered to reduce the use current in the cooling unit 50. By continuing the operation, the cooling unit 50 is continuously operated without stopping the compressor 51. Conventionally, since the cooling unit 50 must be stopped when the operation patterns 1 to 3 are obtained, the protection circuit works for 5 minutes and the operation cannot be resumed immediately. However, by continuously operating the cooling unit 50 without stopping the compressor 51 by the above control, ice making and dilution water can be cooled, so that it becomes possible to prevent a situation in which the sales cannot be performed.

  Note that, when the above control is performed, the cooling unit 50 may not be operated at the maximum capacity, and therefore the ice making amount decreases approximately in proportion to the decrease in the current value as shown in FIG. However, since the operation of the cooling unit 50 is continued without stopping, the ice is accumulated, and even if the sales frequency increases to some extent, the sales can be continued without any trouble.

  By the way, the trigger signal for starting the beverage cooking of the vending machine is the pressing of the product selection button 615, and the vending machine control unit 61 that has received this is the product selection button 615 pressed against the beverage supply control unit 62. The operation signal corresponding to the is output. For example, when the regular coffee product selection button 615 is pressed, the beverage supply control unit 62 outputs a control signal to the mill 331b, so that the mill 331b starts its operation. At this time, the usable current of the cooling unit 50 cannot take the maximum capacity, but the cooling unit 50 cannot be stopped for the reason described above. For this reason, the current may be reduced by lowering the frequency of the inverter 631.

  However, since it takes about several seconds to change the frequency of the inverter 631, if the control is started simultaneously with other devices (for example, the mill 331b), the power supply capacity is reduced immediately after the product selection button 615 is pressed. May exceed. Therefore, in the present invention, as a trigger signal for lowering the frequency of the inverter 631, it is determined that the time of money insertion is the start of sales, and the frequency of the inverter 631 is lowered prior to the operation of the device during beverage preparation.

  That is, a detection signal from the bill insertion detection unit 611a based on the operation of the bill validator 611 in which a bill is inserted, or a detection signal from the coin insertion detection unit 612a based on the operation of the coin mechanism 612 in which a coin is inserted, The vending machine control unit 61 inputs the sales start trigger. The vending machine control unit 61 outputs an operation signal to the cooling control unit 63 in response to an input of a detection signal from the bill insertion detection unit 611a or the coin insertion detection unit 612a. And the cooling control part 63 outputs the control signal (frequency) corresponding to the operation mode supposing the apparatus which operate | moves at the time of a drink preparation to the inverter 631. FIG.

  In addition, a cup-type beverage vending machine is a device that requires maintenance such as replenishment of raw materials such as syrup and coffee beans and internal cleaning. During maintenance, manual operation mode is set, and service personnel manually operate each device. Therefore, it is impossible to predict at which timing the device is to be operated, and there is a possibility that an operation other than the assumed operation mode is performed. For this reason, there exists a possibility that the total operating current of a vending machine may exceed supply power supply capacity. Therefore, in the present invention, it is determined that the maintenance starts when the door for opening and closing the front opening of the vending machine body is opened, and the frequency of the inverter 631 is lowered at that time.

  That is, when the door is opened, the vending machine control unit 61 inputs a detection signal from the door opening detection unit 617 that detects the opened state of the door as a maintenance start trigger. The vending machine control unit 61 outputs an operation signal to the cooling control unit 63 in response to the detection signal input from the door opening detection unit 617. Then, the cooling control unit 63 outputs a control signal (frequency) corresponding to when the door is opened to the inverter 631. Note that during maintenance, it is not possible to predict whether the device will be operated at the timing, and there is a possibility that the operation will be performed in a mode other than the assumed operation mode. Therefore, the cooling control unit 63 causes the compressor 51 to correspond to when the door is opened. The cooling unit 50 may be stopped by outputting a control signal to stop the inverter 631.

  As described above, in the above-described cup-type beverage vending machine, when the total operating current of the entire vending machine exceeds the supply power capacity of the vending machine, the total operating current of the entire vending machine is the supply power capacity. The frequency of the inverter 631 is lowered so as to be within the range, and the operation of the cooling unit 50 is continued. As a result, it is possible to prevent the situation where the operating current of the vending machine exceeds the supply power capacity and to continuously cool the ice making and dilution water without stopping the operation of the compressor 51. It becomes possible to prevent the situation where sales are impossible even if the price increases.

  In addition, it further includes insertion detection means 611a and 612a for detecting the insertion of money into the currency identification device (bill validator 611 and coin mechanism 612), and when the detection signal from the insertion detection means 611a and 612a is input, the inverter The frequency of 631 is lowered and the operation of the cooling unit 50 is continued. Here, at the time of sale, as the product selection button 615 is pressed, the cooking of the beverage starts and operations such as rotation of the mill 331b and hot water supply are started, and the current used by the vending machine increases. Therefore, it is conceivable to reduce the current by lowering the frequency of the inverter 631 using the depression of the product selection button 615 as a trigger. However, it takes about several seconds to change the frequency of the inverter 631. For this reason, immediately after the product selection button 615 is pressed, the power supply capacity is exceeded, and the user feels that the button reaction is delayed or the waiting time is long in terms of operation. However, it is determined that the time when money is inserted is the start of sales, and the frequency of the inverter 631 is lowered prior to the operation of the device for cooking the beverage, thereby preventing the situation where the operating current of the vending machine exceeds the supply power capacity, and Thus, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling an operational delay or a waiting time after the product selection button 615 is pressed.

  Further, it further includes door opening detection means 617 for detecting the opening of the door that opens and closes the front surface of the vending machine body, and when the detection signal from the door opening detection means 617 is inputted, the frequency of the inverter 631 is lowered. The operation of the cooling unit 50 is continued. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the operating current of the vending machine exceeds the power supply capacity even for an uncertain operation during maintenance.

  By the way, in the cup-type beverage vending machine described above, when the total use current of the entire vending machine exceeds the supply power capacity of the vending machine, the total use current of the entire vending machine is within the supply power capacity. The frequency of the inverter 631 is lowered to continue the operation of the cooling unit 50. However, in the state where the frequency of the inverter 631 is lowered, the ice making capacity or the cooling capacity of the dilution water is lowered. Therefore, when the operation of equipment other than the cooling unit 50 is stopped in a state where the frequency of the inverter 631 is lowered, the total current used by the entire vending machine is lower than the power supply capacity for the vending machine. The control unit 63 continues the operation of the cooling unit 50 by increasing the frequency of the inverter 631 so that the total use current of the entire vending machine is within the power supply capacity. Specifically, for example, in the operation pattern 2 shown in FIG. 4, the operation stop timing of the devices C and E is used as a trigger, the operation pattern 4 is shifted to increase the frequency of the inverter 631, and the current used by the cooling unit 50 To Imax and continue operation. As a result, it becomes possible to improve the ice making capacity or the cooling capacity of the dilution water as much as possible. Even if the operation stop timing of the device is not used as a trigger, the use current detecting unit 619 detects the use current in each device connected to the vending machine control unit 61, and the total use current of the entire vending machine and the vending machine are detected. The operation of the cooling unit 50 is continued by controlling the frequency of the inverter 631 to be increased or decreased so that the total operating current of the entire vending machine is within the power supply capacity compared with the power supply capacity of It is possible to improve the cooling capacity of the cooling unit 50 as much as possible while preventing a situation where the operating current of the vending machine exceeds the power supply capacity.

  In the embodiment described above, the refrigerant circulation path L of the cooling unit 50 uses carbon dioxide as the refrigerant. When carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant, the ozone depletion coefficient is zero, the global warming coefficient is 1/1000 or less of hydrocarbon refrigerants containing fluorine and chlorine, and the environmental load is small. It is safe without toxicity and flammability. However, when carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant, the efficiency drops at ambient temperatures above the critical temperature (31 ° C), so the current used increases to ensure cooling capacity in summer and the like, and the current used by the entire vending machine is supplied. There may be frequent occurrences of exceeding the power capacity. Therefore, as described above, the frequency of the inverter 631 is controlled so that the total use current of the entire vending machine is within the power supply capacity. That is, the cup-type beverage vending machine described above is more effective when carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant of the cooling unit 50.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the drink supply apparatus of the cup-type drink vending machine which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the cooling unit of the cup-type drink vending machine which concerns on this invention. 1 is a block diagram of a cup-type beverage vending machine according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement pattern of the cooling unit according to the working current of the whole vending machine. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the amount of ice making of an ice making machine, and use electric current.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Beverage supply device 22 Ice making machine 221 Ice discharge port 23 Cooling water tank 23a Cooling water 24a Cooling water valve 25b Carbonated water valve 26b Syrup valve 31c Addition hot water valve 311 Heater 321 Raw material canister 322 Mixing ball 331a Coffee bean canister 331b Coffee extraction Unit 332 Raw material canister 333 Mixing ball 50 Cooling unit 51 (51a, 51b) Compressor 58, 59 Solenoid valve 61 Vending machine controller 611 Bill validator (money identification device)
611a Bill insertion detection unit (insertion detection means)
612 Coin mechanism (money identification device)
612a Coin insertion detection unit (insertion detection means)
613 Return lever 614 Display panel 615 Product selection button 616 Illumination 617 Door open detector (door open detector)
618 Keyboard 619 Current usage detection unit 62 Beverage supply control unit 621 Cup supply mechanism 63 Cooling control unit 631 Inverter

Claims (5)

In a cup-type beverage vending machine that has a cooling unit equipped with a compressor whose operation is controlled by an inverter and provides beverages cooked inside the vending machine body,
Use current detection means for detecting the total use current of the entire vending machine,
Control means for controlling the frequency of the inverter, and the total current used by the entire vending machine is compared with the power supply capacity supplied to the vending machine. The cup type beverage vending machine is characterized in that the operation of the cooling unit is continued by controlling the frequency of the inverter.   When the total operating current of the entire vending machine exceeds the power supply capacity for the vending machine, the cooling unit is operated by reducing the inverter frequency so that the total operating current of the entire vending machine is within the power supply capacity. The cup-type beverage vending machine according to claim 1, wherein   It further comprises an insertion detection means for detecting the insertion of money into the money identification device, and when the detection signal from the insertion detection means is inputted, the operation of the cooling unit is continued by reducing the frequency of the inverter. The cup-type beverage vending machine according to claim 1.   Further comprising door opening detection means for detecting the opening of the door that opens and closes the front surface of the vending machine body, and when the detection signal from the door opening detection means is input, the frequency of the inverter is lowered to operate the cooling unit. The cup-type beverage vending machine according to claim 1, wherein   The cup-type beverage vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant of the cooling unit.

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