JP2008186227A - Beverage vending device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a beverage vending device automatically adjusting the rotational speed of a motor of a raw material discharge part so as to synchronize discharge of raw material and dilution water or to bring the dilution ratio close to a reference value thereof whenever the need arises. <P>SOLUTION: This beverage vending device vending a prescribed amount of beverage obtained by diluting the raw material with the dilution water has: a raw material discharge part discharging the raw material by driving force of the motor; and a dilution water discharge part discharging the dilution water of a prescribed flow rate. The beverage vending device also has: a detection part detecting a time difference between when the raw material discharge part completes the discharge of the raw material and when the dilution water discharge part completes the discharge of the dilution water; and an adjustment part adjusting the rotational speed of the motor to reduce the time difference according to a detection result of the detection part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a beverage sales apparatus.

  Beverage sales that sells a certain amount of beverage obtained by diluting raw materials with dilution water, having a raw material discharge portion that discharges raw materials by the driving force of the motor and a dilution water discharge portion that discharges a constant flow of dilution water The device is known. In this beverage sales apparatus, for example, when a user presses the beverage sales button once, a predetermined amount of raw material is discharged to the cup, and a predetermined amount of diluted water is discharged to the cup. If the flow rate of the dilution water is constant, the discharge amount corresponds to, for example, the driving time of the pump for forming the flow rate. On the other hand, the discharge amount of the raw material corresponds to the number of pulses generated by, for example, a pulse generator in synchronization with the rotation of the motor. Therefore, in order to achieve the discharge amount of the raw material and the discharge amount of the dilution water having a predetermined dilution ratio, the raw material discharge unit operates so that, for example, the number of pulses becomes a predetermined value, and the dilution water discharge unit It operates so that the drive time of the pump becomes a predetermined time. Furthermore, the operations of the raw material discharge unit and the dilution water discharge unit also require matching of the start timings of discharge of the raw material and dilution water and matching of the discharge end timings of the raw material and dilution water. If there is a deviation in these timings, the density (taste) of the finished beverage will be different between the top and bottom of the cup, and as a result, the beverage taste may be impaired.

  There is also known a beverage sales apparatus that has the above-described raw material discharge section and dilution water discharge section and continuously sells beverages obtained by diluting raw materials with dilution water during a period when the beverage sales button is pressed. . In this beverage sales apparatus, for example, when a user presses a beverage sales button, an amount of raw material corresponding to the pressed period is discharged, and an amount of diluted water corresponding to the pressed period is discharged to the cup. . In this case, in order to discharge the raw material and dilution water at a predetermined dilution ratio, for example, the discharge rate of the raw material from the raw material discharge unit is equal to the discharge rate of the dilution water from the dilution water discharge unit (that is, a constant flow rate). It is set to have a predetermined dilution ratio.

As described above, in order for the beverage sales apparatus to sell the beverage of the predetermined quality while maintaining the timing alignment and the predetermined dilution ratio described above, it is particularly important to adjust the rotation speed of the motor of the raw material discharge unit. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). As a specific example, at the time of setting the beverage sales apparatus, the discharge rate of the raw material is measured by the predetermined measuring means disclosed in Patent Document 1, and the rotation speed of the motor is adjusted so that the measured discharge rate becomes a predetermined value. Set.
JP 2003-248863 A

  However, even if the rotational speed of the motor of the raw material discharge unit is adjusted based on the measurement result of the raw material discharge rate as described above, for example, the rotation of the motor due to aging deterioration or usage deterioration of the component parts after this measurement, etc. The speed may change gradually.

  In particular, when the raw material is, for example, syrup or the like, the rotation speed of the motor can change due to a change in viscosity accompanying a temperature change after the measurement. In particular, when the ingredient discharge unit of the beverage sales apparatus has, for example, the tube pump disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, the rotational speed of the motor can change due to the change in tube hardness after the measurement.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object of the present invention is to set the rotational speed of the motor of the raw material discharge unit, the direction in which the discharge timing of the raw material and dilution water are matched, or the dilution ratio as its reference value. It is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage sales apparatus that can be automatically adjusted whenever necessary in the direction of approaching the product.

The invention for solving the above-mentioned problems has a raw material discharge part that discharges a raw material by a driving force of a motor and a dilution water discharge part that discharges a constant flow of dilution water, and dilutes the raw material with the dilution water. A beverage sales apparatus that sells a certain amount of beverage obtained, the time at which the raw material discharge unit ends the discharge of the raw material, the time at which the dilution water discharge unit ends the discharge of the dilution water, And a adjusting unit that adjusts the rotational speed of the motor in a direction to reduce the time difference according to the detection result of the detecting unit.
According to this beverage sales apparatus, for example, when the raw material discharge unit and the dilution water discharge unit finish operation with a time difference, the adjustment unit adjusts the rotation speed of the motor in a direction to reduce the time difference detected by the detection unit. it can. As a result, the rotation speed of the motor of the raw material discharge unit is automatically adjusted in a direction that matches the discharge timing of the raw material and dilution water, and such adjustment is possible whenever necessary.

In the beverage sales apparatus, the adjustment unit may adjust the rotation speed of the motor stepwise in a direction to reduce the time difference according to a detection result of the detection unit.
According to this beverage sales apparatus, every time the time difference (Δt) is detected, for example, the time difference is increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the rotation speed of the motor having a plurality of steps, for example, by Δm steps (Δm is an integer of 1 or more). Can be gradually reduced. For example, if Δt is a time difference corresponding to an increase or decrease in Δn steps (Δn is an integer of 2 or more), this is substantially eliminated after detection of approximately Δn / Δm times (where Δn / Δm is an integer). It will be. From the above, the rotational speed of the motor can be adjusted by a simple process.

In the beverage sales apparatus, the adjustment unit may adjust the rotation speed of the motor by an amount corresponding to the time difference in a direction to reduce the time difference according to a detection result of the detection unit. Good.
According to this beverage sales apparatus, when the time difference (Δt) is detected, for example, the time difference can be reduced by increasing or decreasing the rotational speed of the motor composed of a plurality of stages, for example. For example, if Δt is a time difference corresponding to an increase or decrease in Δn steps (Δn is an integer equal to or greater than 2), this will be substantially eliminated at once by an increase or decrease in Δn steps in the rotational speed of the motor. Further, if the rotational speed is increased or decreased by an amount corresponding to the time difference, for example, the time difference is reduced by a smaller number of times (for example, the above-described one time) than when the increase / decrease is repeated a plurality of times at a constant increment not related to the magnitude of the time difference. Can be small. From the above, the rotational speed of the motor can be adjusted efficiently.

In the beverage sales apparatus, the detection unit may include a first timing unit that counts a time from when the raw material discharge unit starts discharging the raw material to when the raw material discharge ends, and the dilution water discharge A second timing unit that counts the time from the start of the dilution water discharge to the end of the dilution water discharge, the time counting time of the first time counting unit, and the second time A calculating unit that calculates a time difference from the time measured by the time measuring unit, and the adjusting unit adjusts the rotation speed of the motor in a direction to reduce the time difference according to a calculation result of the calculating unit. It is preferable.
According to this beverage sales apparatus, for example, when the raw material discharge unit and the diluting water discharge unit end the discharge operation with a time difference, the calculation unit calculates the time from the start of discharge of the raw material measured by the first time measuring unit to the end of discharge. And the time difference between the discharge start time and the discharge end time measured by the second time measuring unit. Thereby, the detection part can detect the said time difference easily even if it is actual sale of a drink, for example.

In the beverage sales apparatus, the detection unit detects the time difference every time the fixed amount of beverage is sold, and the adjustment unit detects the detection result of the detection unit every time the fixed amount of beverage is sold. Accordingly, it is preferable to adjust the rotational speed of the motor in a direction to reduce the time difference.
Thereby, if the beverage is actually sold, the rotation speed of the motor of the raw material discharge unit is automatically adjusted whenever necessary in a direction to match the discharge timing of the raw material and the diluted water. .

The invention for solving the above-described problem has a raw material discharge part for discharging a raw material by a driving force of a motor and a dilution water discharge part for discharging a constant flow of dilution water, and the beverage sales button is pressed. A beverage sales apparatus for continuously selling a beverage obtained by diluting the raw material with the dilution water, and showing the dilution ratio of the raw material and the dilution water as a reference when selling the beverage Detecting a storage unit for storing information, an amount of the raw material discharged by the raw material discharge unit, and an amount of the diluted water discharged by the dilution water discharge unit during a period when the beverage sales button is pressed A first calculating unit that calculates an actual dilution ratio of the raw material and the diluted water when the beverage is actually sold, and the information in the storage unit and the first From the calculation result of the calculation unit, the dilution ratio and the A second calculation unit that calculates a difference from the dilution ratio; and an adjustment unit that adjusts the rotational speed of the motor in a direction to reduce the difference in accordance with a calculation result of the second calculation unit. .
According to this beverage sales apparatus, for example, when the raw material discharge unit and the dilution water discharge unit end the discharge operation at a dilution ratio that is deviated from the reference dilution ratio stored in the storage unit, the adjustment unit detects the detection unit. The rotation speed of the motor can be adjusted in a direction to reduce the difference obtained by the first calculation unit and the second calculation unit. As a result, the rotation speed of the motor of the raw material discharge unit is automatically adjusted to bring the dilution ratio closer to the reference value, and such adjustment is possible whenever necessary.

In the beverage sales apparatus, the adjustment unit may adjust the rotation speed of the motor stepwise in a direction to reduce the difference according to a calculation result of the second calculation unit.
According to this beverage sales apparatus, each time the difference is calculated, for example, the difference is gradually increased by increasing or decreasing the rotation speed of the motor including a plurality of stages, for example, by Δm stages (Δm is an integer of 1 or more). Can be small. For example, if Δt is a time difference corresponding to an increase or decrease in Δn steps (Δn is an integer of 2 or more), this is substantially eliminated after calculation of Δn / Δm times (where Δn / Δm is an integer). It will be. From the above, the rotational speed of the motor can be adjusted by a simple process.

In the beverage sales apparatus, the adjustment unit adjusts the rotation speed of the motor by an amount corresponding to the difference in a direction to reduce the difference according to a calculation result of the second calculation unit. It is good.
According to this beverage sales apparatus, when the difference is calculated, the difference can be reduced, for example, by increasing or decreasing the rotational speed of the motor composed of a plurality of stages, for example. For example, if Δt is a difference corresponding to an increase or decrease in Δn steps (Δn is an integer equal to or greater than 2), this is substantially eliminated at a time by increasing or decreasing the Δn steps in the rotation speed of the motor. Further, if the rotational speed is increased or decreased by an amount corresponding to the difference, for example, the difference is reduced by a smaller number of times (for example, the above-described one time) than when the increase / decrease is repeated a plurality of times at a constant increment not related to the magnitude of the difference. Can be small. From the above, the rotational speed of the motor can be adjusted efficiently.

In the beverage sales apparatus, the second calculation unit calculates the difference every time the beverage is continuously sold, and the adjustment unit calculates the second calculation every time the beverage is continuously sold. It is preferable to adjust the rotational speed of the motor in a direction to reduce the difference according to the calculation result of the part.
As a result, if the beverage is actually sold, the rotation speed of the motor of the raw material discharge unit is automatically adjusted whenever necessary in the direction in which the dilution ratio approaches the reference value.

  To provide a beverage sales apparatus that can automatically adjust the rotational speed of the motor of the material discharge unit automatically whenever necessary in the direction of matching the discharge timing of the material and dilution water, or in the direction of bringing the dilution ratio close to its reference value. .

=== Configuration of beverage sales device ===
With reference to FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 3, the structural example of the drink sales apparatus 1 of this Embodiment is demonstrated. In addition, FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the overall configuration of the beverage sales apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a sales mechanism including the tube pump 20 and the dilution water line 40 of the beverage sales apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example that controls the beverage sales apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

<<< Overall configuration >>>
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the beverage sales apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a raw material tank 10 and a tube pump 20 inside a main body 2 whose front door 3 can be opened and closed via a predetermined hinge (not shown). It is configured with. In addition, the beverage sales apparatus 1 of this Embodiment supplies raw materials, such as syrup, to the cup from the raw material tank 10 via the tube pump 20, and supplies dilution water, such as cold water, from a dilution water tank (not shown). It is a beverage dispenser that sells a cup beverage in which, for example, syrup is diluted with cold water by supplying it through the dilution water line 40.

  In the present embodiment, the raw material tank 10 is housed in a refrigerator 4 provided in the upper part of the main body 2, and a tube pump 20 is provided in the lower part of the raw material tank 10. The bottom of the main body 2 forms a cup mounting table 5.

  In the beverage sales apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the user places the cup on the mounting table 5 and presses the sales button 208 (FIG. 3) provided on the front surface of the front door 3. Beverages are now being sold. As will be described later, the beverage sales apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a mode in which a certain amount of beverage is sold by pressing the sales button 208 once through an input from a predetermined control panel (not shown), and sales. A setting for switching to a mode in which beverages are sold continuously at a time when the button 208 is pressed can be performed.

<<< Composition of sales organization >>>
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the tube pump (raw material discharge unit) 20 of the present embodiment has a known configuration disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-69551. The tube pump 20 illustrated in the figure includes a tube 21 extending substantially vertically on a frame 24, a rotor 23 rotatably supported on the frame 24, and a tube guide 22 fixed to the frame 24. And a motor 30. In the present embodiment, the tube 21 is a pipe that is connected to the bottom of the raw material tank 10 and has flexibility to pump the raw material in the raw material tank 10. The rotor 23 includes a plurality of rollers 23a that can rotate at equal intervals along the circumference thereof. The tube guide 22 has a shape for sandwiching the tube 21 between the roller 23 a provided on the rotor 23 and crushing the flexible tube 21 by the rotation of the rotor 23. The discharge port 26 of the tube 21 is fixed to the frame 24 by a tube fixing part 25.

  With the above configuration, for example, when the motor 30 rotates a predetermined number of rotations in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2, the rotor 23 rotates once via a gear (not shown), and the tube 21 is formed between the roller 23 a and the tube guide 22. In the meantime, the sheet is sequentially squeezed with a predetermined pressing force a number of times equal to the number of the rollers 23a. Thereby, the raw material in the raw material tank 10 is pumped downward in the tube 21. In the present embodiment, when the pumping of the raw material is stopped, the motor is arranged so that at least one roller 23a presses the tube 21 against the tube guide 22 so that the raw material in the tube 21 does not flow downward. 30 is stopped.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the dilution water line (dilution water discharge unit) 40 of the present embodiment is connected to a pipe 42 for conveying dilution water from a dilution water tank (not shown) to a nozzle 41 at a constant flow rate. , A flow rate regulator 43, solenoid valves 43 and 46, and a pump 45. Specifically, an electromagnetic valve 46, a pump 45, an electromagnetic valve 44, and a flow rate regulator 43 are provided in this order from the dilution water tank (not shown) to the nozzle 41 with respect to the pipe 42. The nozzle 41 is fixed to the frame 24 together with the tube pump 20.

  With the above configuration, for example, by driving the pump 45 in a state where the electromagnetic valves 44 and 46 are opened, the dilution water in the dilution water tank (not shown) is discharged from the nozzle 41. It is assumed that the flow rate regulator 43 is adjusted in advance so that the flow rate of the dilution water becomes a predetermined value according to the performance of the pump 45.

<<< Control configuration >>>
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the beverage sales apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a CPU (detection unit, adjustment unit, calculation unit, first calculation unit, second calculation unit) 200 as a configuration that controls the control. , ROM 202 and RAM (storage unit) 203. The CPU 200, based on a predetermined program stored in the ROM 202, via the input / output unit 201, the motor 30, the pulse generator (detection unit) 204, the pump 45, the electromagnetic valves 44 and 46, the first timer (detection unit). , A control signal, a detection signal, and the like are transmitted / received to / from the first timer unit 205, the second timer (second timer unit) 206, the counter (detector unit) 207, the sales button (beverage sales button) 208, and the like. Here, the pulse generator 204 is a known device that generates a number of pulse signals corresponding to the number of rotations of the motor 30. The counter 207 counts the number of pulses. The first timer 205 measures the drive time of the tube pump 20, that is, the drive time of the motor 30, and the second timer 206 operates the operation time of the dilution water line 40, that is, the drive time of the pump 45 or the solenoid valves 44 and 46. Time the opening time.

  The RAM 203 stores a discharge time of the tube pump 20 (actual measurement time or a predetermined time, t1), a predetermined discharge time (t2) of the dilution water line 40, a time difference (Δt) between t1 and t2, and a counter, which will be described later. Data such as a count value 207, an actual measurement value and a reference value (predetermined dilution ratio) of the dilution ratio of the raw material and dilution water, and the rotation speed of the motor 30 are stored in advance.

=== Operation of beverage sales device ===
With reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 7, the operation of selling beverages by the beverage sales apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with an example.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the CPU 200 when the beverage sales apparatus 1 of the present embodiment sells a certain amount of beverage. FIG. 5 is a time diagram showing one example of the change over time of the discharge rate and pulse signal of the tube pump 20 and the change over time of the discharge rate of the dilution water line 40 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the CPU 200 when the beverage sales apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment sells an amount of beverage according to the pressing time of the sales button 208. FIG. 7 is a time diagram illustrating another example of the change over time of the discharge rate and pulse signal of the tube pump 20 and the change over time of the discharge rate of the dilution water line 40 according to the present embodiment.

<<< A certain amount of beverage sales >>>
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the beverage sales apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment determines whether or not the sales button 208 has been pressed (S100).
If it is determined that the sales button 208 has been pressed (S100: YES), the beverage sales apparatus 1 starts driving the motor 30 of the tube pump 20 and opens the electromagnetic valves 44 and 46 of the dilution water line 40 to open the pump 45. Is started (S101). At the same time, the beverage sales apparatus 1 resets the counter 207 to start counting, and resets the first timer 205 and the second timer 206 to start timing (S102).
Note that the motor 30 of the present embodiment is driven at a predetermined rotational speed stored in a RAM 203 described later.

The beverage sales apparatus 1 determines whether the time (t2) timed by the second timer 206 has reached a predetermined time (S103). This predetermined time is a predetermined time corresponding to the amount of diluted water contained in one cup of beverage sold by the beverage sales apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. That is, when the discharge rate of the dilution water in the dilution water line 40 is set to a predetermined value in advance by the flow controller 43 or the like, the predetermined time is a value obtained by dividing the amount of the dilution water by the predetermined value.
When it is determined that t2 has reached the predetermined time (S103: YES), the beverage sales apparatus 1 closes the electromagnetic valves 44 and 46 and stops driving the pump 45 (S104).
In parallel with the processes of steps S103 and S104 described above, the beverage sales apparatus 1 executes the processes of steps S105 to S107 described below.

  The beverage sales apparatus 1 determines whether or not the count value counted by the counter 207 has reached a predetermined number (S105). This predetermined number is a predetermined number of pulses corresponding to the amount of ingredients contained in one cup of beverage sold by the beverage sales apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. That is, when the discharge rate of the raw material for one pulse in the tube pump 20 is set to a predetermined value in advance, the predetermined number is a value obtained by dividing the amount of the raw material by the predetermined value. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the amounts of raw materials and dilution water constituting the beverage are uniquely determined in advance based on the total amount of one beverage and the dilution ratio.

  When it is determined that the count value has reached the predetermined number (S105: YES), the beverage sales apparatus 1 refers to the time (t1) timed by the first timer 205 and stores t1 in the RAM 203 (S106). At the same time, the beverage sales apparatus 1 stops driving the motor 30 of the tube pump 20 (S107).

Next, the beverage sales apparatus 1 reads the two times t1 and t2 described above from the RAM 203, calculates the time difference Δt (= t1−t2) (S108), and determines the magnitude relationship between Δt and 0 (S109). ).
When it is determined that Δt> 0 (S109: Δt> 0), the beverage selling device 1 increases the rotation speed of the motor 30 stored in the RAM 203 by a predetermined value (S110), and executes the process of step S100 again.
When it is determined that Δt = 0 (S109: Δt = 0), the beverage sales apparatus 1 executes the process of step S100 again.
When it is determined that Δt <0 (S109: Δt <0), the beverage sales apparatus 1 decreases the rotation speed of the motor 30 stored in the RAM 203 by a predetermined value (S111), and executes the process of step S100 again.

  The predetermined value that is increased or decreased in steps 110 and S111 described above may be a constant value or a value corresponding to the absolute value of Δt. Hereinafter, each case will be described in detail.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, when Δt = 0, the discharge time t1 of the raw material corresponding to the predetermined number of pulses matches the discharge time t2 of the dilution water.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, in step S110 (Δt> 0), the material discharge time t1 ′ corresponding to the predetermined number of pulses is longer than the dilution water discharge time t2. This means that the rotation speed of the motor 30 is slower than when Δt = 0. In other words, the pulse signal interval when Δt> 0 is widened by the slower rotational speed of the motor 30 than when Δt = 0, so that it takes an extra time Δt to reach the predetermined number of pulses. .

If the rotational speed is increased by a value of a (small enough) constant step in step S110, the absolute value of Δt should be smaller in the next sale performed at a new rotational speed. Therefore, Δt goes to 0 by repeatedly executing the processes of steps S100 to S109 and S110.
When the rotation speed is increased by a value corresponding to the absolute value of Δt in step S110, for example, if the rotation speed is increased so as to be (t2 + Δt) / t2 times (where Δt> 0), this new rotation speed is obtained. At the next sale performed at, Δt should be approximately zero.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, in step S <b> 111 (Δt <0), the raw material discharge time t <b> 1 ″ corresponding to the predetermined number of pulses is shorter than the diluted water discharge time t <b> 2. This means that the pulse signal interval at Δt <0 is narrower by the higher rotational speed of the motor 30 than at Δt = 0. Therefore, the predetermined number of pulses is reached earlier by Δt.

When the rotational speed is decreased by a value (in a sufficiently fine) step by step in step S111, the absolute value of Δt should be smaller in the next sales performed at the new rotational speed. Therefore, Δt goes to 0 by repeatedly executing the processes of steps S100 to S109 and S111.
When the rotational speed is decreased by a value corresponding to the absolute value of Δt in step S111, for example, if the rotational speed is decreased so as to be (t2 + Δt) / t2 times (where Δt <0), this new rotational speed is obtained. At the next sale performed at, Δt should be approximately zero.

  Note that the rotation speed data of the motor 30 stored in the RAM 203 is, for example, data indicating which of the rotation levels of the motor 30 has a plurality of stages. For example, in the case of the motor 30 having 64 rotation levels, the rotation speed data corresponding to the rotation level of the 32nd step is “32”. In this case, the above-mentioned constant increment may be for one step, or may be for Δm steps (Δm is an integer of 2 or more). However, as described above, Δm needs to be set to a value that is sufficiently fine so that the absolute value of Δt can be made smaller by a single increase / decrease. Hereinafter, a specific example will be described. It is assumed that the time difference Δt is detected when the rotation level of the motor 30 is in the 32nd stage in a certain sale. In order to minimize this Δt, if it is necessary to increase the rotation level by 6 steps to reach the 38th step, increase it by 1 step (or 2 steps, 3 steps) and start the next sale. Finally, the rotation level may be set at the 38th stage, or it may be increased by 6 stages at a time for the next sale. The relationship between Δt and the rotation level increment may be obtained based on table data or the like stored in advance in the RAM 203, or may be determined based on data relating to the motor 30 stored in the RAM 203 and Δt. You may obtain | require by calculation.

  According to the beverage sales apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, if the discharge of the raw material and the discharge of the dilution water are finished with a time difference Δt in a certain sale, the rotation speed of the motor 30 is set so as to reduce this Δt in the next sale. Is automatically adjusted. As a result, the rotation speed of the motor 30 is automatically adjusted in a direction that matches the discharge timing of the raw material and dilution water, and such adjustment is possible each time the product is sold. By matching the discharge timing of the raw material and dilution water, the density (taste) of the finished beverage is uniform between the top and bottom of the cup, and the beverage flavor can be maintained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the time difference Δt is obtained as the difference between the raw material discharge times t1 ′ and t1 ″ and the dilution water discharge time t2, but is not limited thereto. For example, when t1 ′> t2 (FIG. 5), Δt may be a time difference directly detected from the end of the discharge of the dilution water to the end of the discharge of the raw material, or t1 ″ <t2 In this case (FIG. 5), it may be a time difference directly detected from the end of the discharge of the raw material to the end of the discharge of the dilution water.

  In the above-described embodiment, the rotational speed of the motor 30 is adjusted so that the time difference Δt is substantially zero after one or more sales. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In short, what is necessary is just to adjust the rotational speed of the motor 30 in a direction to decrease the detected absolute value of Δt.

  In the above-described embodiment, the time difference Δt is detected at a certain sale, and the rotation speed of the motor 30 is adjusted so that the Δt becomes smaller at the next sale. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something. The detection of Δt is not limited to actual sales. For example, Δt may be automatically detected as a test sale in a time zone when the number of users decreases. As a result, Δt can be made substantially zero for all beverages that are actually sold.

<<< Beverage sales according to the time the sales button is pressed >>>
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the beverage sales apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment determines whether or not the sales button 208 has been pressed (S200).
When it is determined that the sales button 208 has been pressed (S200: YES), the beverage sales apparatus 1 starts driving the motor 30 of the tube pump 20 and opens the electromagnetic valves 44 and 46 of the dilution water line 40 to open the pump 45. Is started (S201). At the same time, the beverage sales apparatus 1 resets the counter 207 to start counting, and resets the first timer 205 to start timing (S202).
Note that the motor 30 of the present embodiment is driven at a predetermined rotational speed stored in a RAM 203 described later.

The beverage sales apparatus 1 determines whether or not the pressed sales button 208 is released (S203).
When it is determined that the pressed sales button 208 is released (S203: YES), the beverage sales apparatus 1 stores the time t1 counted by the first timer 205 and the count value counted by the counter 207 in the RAM 203, The driving of the motor 30 and the driving of the pump 45 are stopped (S204).

  Next, the beverage sales apparatus 1 reads t1 and the count value from the RAM 203, calculates the discharge amount of the dilution water by multiplying the preset discharge rate of the dilution water per unit time by t1, and sets the preset value in advance. The raw material discharge rate is calculated by multiplying the count of the one-pulse raw material discharge rate, and a dilution ratio of, for example, (dilution water discharge amount) / (raw material discharge amount) is obtained (S205). .

  Next, the beverage sales apparatus 1 calculates the difference between the actual dilution ratio obtained in step S205 and the reference dilution ratio (reference value) stored in the RAM 203 (S206). This difference is, for example, the ratio of the actual dilution ratio to the reference value. In this case, if the reference value is 4, for example, and the actual dilution ratio is, for example, 4.2, the difference is 1.05 (= 4.2 / 4).

Next, the beverage sales apparatus 1 determines the magnitude relationship between the actual dilution ratio and the reference value (S207).
When it is determined that the actual dilution ratio is larger than the reference value (S207: (actual dilution ratio)> (predetermined ratio)), the beverage sales apparatus 1 increases the rotation speed of the motor 30 stored in the RAM 203 by a predetermined value ( S208), the process of step S200 is executed again.

When it is determined that the actual dilution ratio is equal to the reference value (S207: (actual dilution ratio) = (predetermined ratio)), the beverage sales apparatus 1 executes the process of step S200 again.
When it is determined that the actual dilution ratio is smaller than the reference value (S207: (actual dilution ratio) <(predetermined ratio)), the beverage sales apparatus 1 decreases the rotation speed of the motor 30 stored in the RAM 203 by a predetermined value ( S209), the process of step S200 is executed again.

  The predetermined value that is increased or decreased in steps 208 and S209 described above may be a constant value or a value corresponding to the difference. Hereinafter, each case will be described in detail.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the actual dilution ratio is equal to the reference value, the ratio (r2 / r1) between the discharge rate of the raw material and the discharge rate of the dilution water that gives the actual dilution ratio is also the raw material and the dilution water. It should be kept at the reference value during the discharge time (t1).
As illustrated in FIG. 7, in step S <b> 208 (the actual dilution ratio is larger than the reference value), the raw material discharge rate r <b> 1 ′ is smaller than the above-described raw material discharge rate r <b> 1. This means that the rotation speed of the motor 30 is slower than when the actual dilution ratio is equal to the reference value. Note that the pulse signal interval when the actual dilution ratio is larger than the reference value is wider by the slower rotation speed of the motor 30 than when the actual dilution ratio is equal to the reference value.

When the rotation speed is increased by a value (in a sufficiently fine) step at step S208, the difference should be smaller in the next sales performed at the new rotation speed. Therefore, by repeatedly executing the processes of steps S200 to S207 and S208, the difference is resolved.
When the rotational speed is increased by a value corresponding to the difference in step S208, for example, if the rotational speed is increased so as to be r1 / r1 ′ times, in the next sale performed at this new rotational speed, the difference is Should be almost eliminated. When the difference is, for example, the ratio of the actual dilution ratio to the reference value, the multiple (r1 / r1 ′) is equal to the ratio (the reference value is r2 / r1 and the actual dilution ratio is r2 / r1 ′). The ratio is r1 / r1 ′).

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, in step S <b> 209 (the actual dilution ratio is smaller than the reference value), the raw material discharge rate r <b> 1 ″ is larger than the above-described raw material discharge rate r <b> 1. This means that the actual dilution ratio and the reference value are faster than when the actual dilution ratio is equal, and the pulse signal interval when the actual dilution ratio is smaller than the reference value is when the actual dilution ratio is equal to the reference value. In comparison, the motor 30 is narrowed by the higher rotational speed.

If the rotational speed is decreased by a (satisfactory) constant value in step S209, the difference should be smaller in the next sale performed at the new rotational speed. Accordingly, by repeatedly executing the processes of steps S200 to S207 and S209, the difference is resolved.
In the case where the rotational speed is decreased by a value corresponding to the difference in step S209, for example, if the rotational speed is decreased so as to be r1 / r1 ″ times, in the next sale performed at this new rotational speed, the difference is If the difference is, for example, the ratio of the actual dilution ratio to the reference value, the multiple (r1 / r1 ″) is equal to the ratio (the reference value is r2 / r1, Since the actual dilution ratio is r2 / r1 ″, the ratio is r1 / r1 ″).

  Note that the rotation speed data of the motor 30 stored in the RAM 203 is, for example, data indicating which of the rotation levels of the motor 30 has a plurality of stages. For example, in the case of the motor 30 having 64 rotation levels, the rotation speed data corresponding to the rotation level of the 32nd step is “32”. In this case, the above-mentioned constant increment may be for one step, or may be for Δm steps (Δm is an integer of 2 or more). However, as described above, Δm needs to be set to a value that is sufficiently fine so that the absolute value of Δt can be made smaller by a single increase / decrease. Hereinafter, a specific example will be described. It is assumed that the difference is calculated when the rotation level of the motor 30 is in the 32nd stage in a certain sale. If it is necessary to increase the rotation level by 6 steps to reach the 38th step in order to substantially eliminate this difference, increase it by 1 step (or 2 steps, 3 steps) before starting the next sale. Finally, the rotation level may be set at the 38th stage, or it may be increased by 6 stages at a time for the next sale. The relationship between the difference and the increase in the rotation level may be obtained based on table data or the like stored in advance in the RAM 203, or based on the data relating to the motor 30 stored in the RAM 203 in advance and the difference. May be obtained by a predetermined calculation.

  According to the beverage sales apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, if the discharge of raw materials and the discharge of beverages are completed with an actual dilution ratio that deviates from a reference dilution ratio (reference value) in a certain sale, The rotational speed of the motor 30 is automatically adjusted so as to reduce the difference between the reference value and the actual dilution ratio. As a result, the rotational speed of the motor 30 is automatically adjusted in a direction to achieve a reference dilution ratio, and such adjustment is possible each time the product is sold.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ratio of the actual dilution ratio to the reference value is given as an example of the difference between the reference value and the actual dilution ratio. However, the present invention is not limited to this. This difference may be, for example, the difference between the actual dilution ratio and the reference value. Depending on whether the difference is positive or negative, the process of either step S208 or S209 described above is performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the rotational speed of the motor 30 is adjusted so that the difference is substantially eliminated by one or more sales. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In short, what is necessary is just to adjust the rotational speed of the motor 30 in a direction to reduce the detected difference.

  In the above-described embodiment, the difference is calculated at a certain sale and the rotation speed of the motor 30 is adjusted so that the difference becomes smaller at the next sale. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something. The calculation of the difference is not limited to the actual sales. For example, the difference may be automatically calculated as a test sale in a time zone when the number of users decreases. This makes it possible to substantially eliminate the difference for all beverages that are actually sold.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention.

  In the beverage sales apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the tube pump 20 is used for the raw material discharge unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in short, means for discharging the raw material by the driving force of the motor 30. Any means may be used.

  Further, the data for setting the rotation speed of the motor 30 described above is a discrete rotation level composed of a plurality of stages, but is not limited to this. The data for setting the rotation speed may indicate a continuous value.

  Furthermore, although the motor 30 described above is a DC motor, it is not limited to this, and may be a stepping motor, for example. When the stepping motor is used, the pulse generator 204 for counting the rotational speed of the DC motor is not an essential configuration. The data stored in the RAM 203 for setting the rotation speed of the stepping motor is, for example, the input pulse frequency.

It is a front view which shows the example of whole structure of the drink sales apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the sales mechanism provided with the tube pump and dilution water line of the beverage sales apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example which governs control of the drink sales apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of processing of CPU when the drink sales apparatus of this Embodiment sells a fixed quantity of drink. It is a time diagram which shows one example of the time change of the discharge rate of the tube pump of this Embodiment, a pulse signal, and the time change of the discharge rate of a dilution water line. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process of CPU when the drink sales apparatus of this Embodiment sells the quantity of drink according to the pressing time of the sales button. It is a time diagram which shows another example of the time change of the discharge rate of the tube pump of this Embodiment, a pulse signal, and the time change of the discharge rate of a dilution water line.

Explanation of symbols

1 beverage sales device, 2 main body, 3 front door, 4 refrigerator, 5 mounting table,
10 raw material tank, 20 tube pump, 21 tube,
22 Tube guide, 23 rotor, 23a roller, 24 frame,
25 tube fixing part, 26 discharge port, 30 motor, 40 dilution water line,
41 nozzle, 42 piping, 43 flow controller, 44, 46 solenoid valve,
45 pump, 200 CPU, 201 input / output unit, 202 ROM,
203 RAM, 204 pulse generator, 205 first timer,
206 Second timer, 207 counter, 208 sales button

Claims (9)

Selling a certain amount of beverage obtained by diluting the raw material with the dilution water, having a raw material discharge portion that discharges the raw material by the driving force of the motor and a dilution water discharge portion that discharges a constant flow of dilution water In beverage sales equipment,
A detection unit that detects a time difference between a time at which the raw material discharge unit ends discharge of the raw material and a time at which the dilution water discharge unit ends discharge of the dilution water;
An adjustment unit that adjusts the rotation speed of the motor in a direction to reduce the time difference according to a detection result of the detection unit;
A beverage sales apparatus comprising: The adjustment unit adjusts the rotation speed of the motor stepwise in a direction to reduce the time difference according to a detection result of the detection unit.
The beverage sales apparatus according to claim 1. The adjustment unit adjusts the rotation speed of the motor by an amount corresponding to the time difference in a direction to reduce the time difference according to a detection result of the detection unit.
The beverage sales apparatus according to claim 1. The detection unit includes a first timing unit that measures a time from when the raw material discharge unit starts discharging the raw material to when the discharge of the raw material ends, and when the dilution water discharge unit simultaneously discharges the raw material. A time difference between the time measured by the second time measuring unit and the time measured by the second time measuring unit from the second time measuring unit that measures the time from the start of the dilution water discharge to the end of the dilution water discharge. A calculation unit for calculating
The adjustment unit adjusts the rotation speed of the motor in a direction to reduce the time difference according to a calculation result of the calculation unit.
The beverage sales apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The detection unit detects the time difference every time the certain amount of beverage is sold,
The adjustment unit adjusts the rotation speed of the motor in a direction to reduce the time difference according to the detection result of the detection unit every time the fixed amount of beverage is sold.
The beverage sales apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein A raw material discharge unit that discharges the raw material by a driving force of the motor, and a dilution water discharge unit that discharges a constant flow of dilution water, and dilutes the raw material with the dilution water while the beverage sales button is pressed. In a beverage sales device that continuously sells beverages obtained through
A storage unit for storing information indicating a dilution ratio of the raw material and the dilution water, which is a reference for selling the beverage;
A detection unit for detecting an amount of the raw material discharged by the raw material discharge unit and an amount of the dilution water discharged by the dilution water discharge unit in a period in which the beverage sales button is pressed;
From the detection result of the detection unit, a first calculation unit that calculates an actual dilution ratio of the raw material and the dilution water when the beverage is actually sold;
A second calculation unit that calculates a difference between the dilution ratio and the actual dilution ratio from the information in the storage unit and the calculation result of the first calculation unit;
An adjustment unit that adjusts the rotation speed of the motor in a direction to reduce the difference according to a calculation result of the second calculation unit;
A beverage sales apparatus comprising: The adjustment unit adjusts the rotation speed of the motor stepwise in a direction to reduce the difference according to a calculation result of the second calculation unit.
The beverage sales apparatus according to claim 6. The adjustment unit adjusts the rotation speed of the motor by an amount corresponding to the difference in a direction to reduce the difference according to a calculation result of the second calculation unit.
The beverage sales apparatus according to claim 6. The second calculation unit calculates the difference each time the beverage is continuously sold,
The adjustment unit adjusts the rotation speed of the motor in a direction to reduce the difference according to the calculation result of the second calculation unit every time the beverage is continuously sold.
The beverage sales apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

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