JP2013061849A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic vending machine capable of efficiently performing cooling operation and defrost operation of two commodity storage chambers using a compressor with a capability sufficient for cooling either one of two commodity storage chambers having a larger cooling load but insufficient for cooling both of the two commodity storage chambers at the same time.SOLUTION: An automatic vending machine 1 has a first commodity storage chamber 3 and a second commodity storage chamber 4 partitioned by a heat insulating board 2. Control means 14 controls first cooling medium channel open/close means 7 and second cooling medium channel open/close means 8 to open/close so that cooling medium flows selectively to either one of a first evaporator 5 for cooling the first commodity storage chamber 3 and a second evaporator 6 for cooling the second commodity storage chamber 4 when a compressor 9 operates. The control means 14 controls the first cooling medium channel open/close means 7 and the second cooling medium channel open/close means 8 to open/close, and controls a blower corresponding to an evaporator into which cooling medium does not flow in either a first evaporator blower 10 and a second evaporator blower 11 during the compressor 9 is in operation so as to remove frost from the evaporator into which the cooling medium does not flow.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine that cools and sells products.

  Among these types of vending machines in recent years, there is one that supplies refrigerant from two compressors to the evaporators of two commodity storage rooms (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The conventional vending machine will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional vending machine.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the conventional vending machine 1 is provided with a cooling-only product storage chamber 21 in which the first evaporator 5 is installed, a second evaporator 6 and a heating heater 23. Has a commodity storage room 22 configured to be switched.

  The first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 6 are connected to the compressor 9 by a separate circuit, and the first evaporator 5 is directly connected without passing through the electromagnetic valve, and the second evaporator 6 is connected to the electromagnetic valve 17b. The refrigerant pipes 24 are connected to each other.

  A room temperature sensor 25 is installed in the product storage chamber 21, and a room temperature sensor 26 is installed in the product storage chamber 22, so that the room temperatures of the product storage chambers 21 and 22 can be detected.

  The control means 14 controls the operation / stop of the compressor 9 and the opening / closing of the electromagnetic valve 17b from the temperatures detected by the room temperature sensor 25 and the room temperature sensor 26.

  The operation of the conventional vending machine 1 configured as described above will be described below.

  First, when cooling the product storage chamber 21 and the product storage chamber 22, the electromagnetic valve 17b is opened and the compressor 9 is operated.

  In this case, since the refrigerant flows through the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 6 simultaneously, the product storage chamber 21 and the product storage chamber 22 can be cooled simultaneously.

  Thereafter, when the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 26 installed in the product storage chamber 22 is equal to or lower than the set lower limit temperature, the solenoid valve 17b is closed to shut off the refrigerant supply to the second evaporator 6 and store the product. When the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 25 installed in the chamber 21 is equal to or lower than the set lower limit temperature, the compressor 9 is stopped and the cooling operation is stopped.

  Thereafter, when the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 25 exceeds the set upper limit temperature, the compressor 9 operates again, and the cooling temperatures of the product storage chamber 21 and the product storage chamber 22 are maintained within the range from the lower limit temperature to the upper limit temperature. Be drunk.

  In the recent vending machine, the reason why the main body is divided by the partition plates such as the product storage room 21 and the product storage room 22 is that only a specific storage room (product storage room 22) can be heated. This is because, in a vending machine dedicated to cooling that does not require heating, it is costly to install one evaporator for one product storage room, as with refrigerators and showcases. This is also normal.

JP-A-6-60262

  However, in the conventional vending machine, since the product storage chamber 21 and the product storage chamber 22 are cooled at the same time, the compressor 9 needs to be capable of cooling the total load of the product storage chamber 21 and the product storage chamber 22. However, it has a problem of large size and high cost.

  Further, since the cooling is performed at the same time, when the outside air is in a high temperature and high humidity condition, the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 6 are frosted at the same time, and the operation is performed while the cooling capacity is lowered. Moreover, when frosting occurred simultaneously, it had the subject that it was necessary to stop the compressor 9 and to defrost in a defrost operation.

  In addition, when the product storage chamber 21 and the product storage chamber 22 are simultaneously cooled, the refrigerant is used by being distributed by the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 6. Because of this tendency, the time for the refrigerant to flow through the evaporators 5 and 6 is long, and there is a problem that frosting tends to occur.

  Further, the reason why the main body is divided by the partition plates such as the product storage chamber 21 and the product storage chamber 22 is that only a specific storage chamber (for example, the product storage chamber 22) can be heated. It is not necessarily divided for each load consisting of the product capacity.

  When a large-capacity product (for example, a plastic bottle container beverage of 500 ml or more) and a small-capacity product (for example, a can container beverage of 350 ml or less) are contained in one product storage room, the large-capacity product has a small capacity. Compared to the products of, the temperature is less likely to drop, and there is a problem of missing sales opportunities.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and is sufficient to cool one of the two product storage rooms, which has a larger cooling load, but is not sufficient to cool both of the two product storage rooms at the same time. It is a first object of the present invention to provide a vending machine that can efficiently perform cooling operation and defrosting operation of two commodity storage rooms using a compressor having sufficient capacity.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine that can quickly cool products that are difficult to cool when storing products that differ in ease of cooling.

  In order to achieve the first object, the vending machine of the present invention has a first product storage chamber and a second product storage chamber partitioned by a heat insulating partition plate, and stores the first product storage during operation of the compressor. The refrigerant is selectively flowed to only one of the first evaporator for cooling the chamber and the second evaporator for cooling the second product storage chamber, and the first evaporation is performed during the operation of the compressor. The air blower corresponding to the evaporator in which the refrigerant has stopped flowing is operated so as to be able to defrost the evaporator in which the refrigerant has stopped flowing.

In the above configuration, the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber are insulated by the heat insulating partition plate, and the first evaporator and the second product storage chamber for cooling the first product storage chamber are cooled during operation of the compressor. Since the refrigerant is configured to selectively flow through only one of the second evaporators, it is sufficient to cool one of the two product storage chambers with the larger cooling load. It is possible to alternately cool the two product storage chambers using a compressor with insufficient capacity to simultaneously cool both storage chambers.

  Therefore, the cooling system including the compressor can be reduced in size and the cost can be reduced.

  Further, the conventional vending machine stops the blower when the product storage chamber is cooled to a predetermined temperature so that the refrigerant does not flow into the evaporator. And the defrosting was performed when the frost formation state of the evaporator was detected or when the predetermined condition expected to require defrosting was satisfied.

  On the other hand, in the vending machine of the present invention, the refrigerant corresponds to the blower corresponding to the evaporator in which the refrigerant stops flowing in either the first evaporator fan or the second evaporator fan during the operation of the compressor. Since the operation is performed so that the evaporator that has stopped flowing can be defrosted, it is not necessary to stop the compressor for defrosting, and during the cooling operation of one of the two product storage rooms, Frost operation can be performed.

  Moreover, since the air which exchanged heat with the frost adhering to an evaporator is ventilated until defrosting is complete | finished, the temperature rise of the goods storage chamber which has the evaporator in defrosting can be made moderate.

  Moreover, at the time of restarting the cooling operation of each evaporator, it is in a state after being defrosted by the defrosting operation by blowing before the cooling operation, and the cooling operation can be restarted by the evaporator in the frosted state. Since there is almost no property, it is possible to prevent a decrease in cooling capacity due to frost formation even in cooling under high temperature and high humidity conditions. Therefore, the cooling operation and the defrosting operation of the two product storage rooms can be performed efficiently.

  In order to achieve the second object, in the configuration for achieving the first object, a product that is relatively easy to cool is placed in one of the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber. A product that is stored and that is relatively difficult to cool is stored in either the first product storage chamber or the second product storage chamber.

  Then, in the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber, the cooling of the product storage chamber in which the relatively hard-to-cool product is stored is given priority over the cooling of the other product storage chamber, or the first Products that are relatively difficult to cool by lowering the set temperature of the product storage room of the product storage room and the second product storage room in which the product that is relatively difficult to cool is stored to be lower than the set temperature of the other product storage room Can be cooled quickly.

  According to the present invention, the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber are insulated by the heat insulating partition plate, and the first evaporator and the second product storage chamber for cooling the first product storage chamber during operation of the compressor are provided. Since the refrigerant is configured to selectively flow through only one of the second evaporators to be cooled, it is sufficient to cool one of the two commodity storage chambers with the larger cooling load. The two product storage chambers can be alternately cooled using a compressor having insufficient capacity to simultaneously cool both of the two product storage chambers.

  Therefore, the cooling system including the compressor can be reduced in size and the cost can be reduced in the vending machine that supplies the refrigerant to the evaporators of the two commodity storage chambers from one compressor. .

Further, during the operation of the compressor, it is possible to defrost the evaporator in which the refrigerant no longer flows through the blower corresponding to the evaporator in which the refrigerant no longer flows in either the first evaporator fan or the second evaporator fan. Therefore, it is not necessary to stop the compressor for defrosting, and during the cooling operation of either one of the two product storage rooms, the other defrosting operation can be performed.

  Moreover, since the air which exchanged heat with the frost adhering to an evaporator is ventilated until defrosting is complete | finished, the temperature rise of the goods storage chamber which has the evaporator in defrosting can be made moderate.

  Moreover, at the time of restarting the cooling operation of each evaporator, it is in a state after being defrosted by the defrosting operation by blowing before the cooling operation, and the cooling operation can be restarted by the evaporator in the frosted state. Since there is almost no property, it is possible to prevent a decrease in cooling capacity due to frost formation even in cooling under high temperature and high humidity conditions.

  Therefore, the cooling operation and the defrosting operation of the two product storage chambers can be efficiently performed in the vending machine that supplies the refrigerant to the evaporators of the two product storage chambers from one compressor.

  Further, when storing products with different easiness of cooling, products that are relatively easy to cool are stored in either the first product storage chamber or the second product storage chamber, and products that are relatively difficult to cool. Is preferably stored in one of the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber.

  In this case, the cooling of the product storage room in which the product that is relatively difficult to cool is prioritized over the cooling of the other product storage room, or the product storage in which the product that is relatively difficult to cool is stored. By lowering the set temperature of the chamber below the set temperature of the other product storage chamber, it is possible to quickly cool products that are relatively difficult to cool.

The block diagram which shows the vending machine of Embodiment 1 of this invention The flowchart which shows an example of control of the control means of the vending machine of the embodiment The flowchart which shows Example 1 which gives priority to cooling of the 2nd goods storage chamber by the control means of the vending machine of the embodiment. The flowchart which shows Example 2 which gives priority to cooling of the 2nd goods storage chamber by the control means of the vending machine of the embodiment. The flowchart which shows Example 3 which gives priority to cooling of the 2nd goods storage chamber by the control means of the vending machine of the embodiment. The block diagram which shows the vending machine of Embodiment 2 of this invention Configuration of conventional vending machine

The first invention includes a first product storage chamber and a second product storage chamber partitioned by a heat insulating partition plate, a first evaporator for cooling the first product storage chamber, and a parallel connection with the first evaporator. The refrigerant to the first evaporator from the branch point of the second evaporator for cooling the second product storage chamber, the refrigerant flow path to the first evaporator and the refrigerant flow path to the second evaporator First refrigerant channel opening / closing means for opening / closing the channel, second refrigerant channel opening / closing means for opening / closing a refrigerant channel from the branch point to the second evaporator, the first evaporator, and the second evaporation. A compressor that circulates refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit connected in parallel to the evaporator, a first evaporator fan that blows air to the first evaporator, a second evaporator fan that blows air to the second evaporator, A first internal temperature detection means for detecting the internal temperature of the first product storage chamber, and the internal temperature of the second product storage chamber; A second internal temperature detection means, a detection temperature of the first internal temperature detection means, a detection temperature of the second internal temperature detection means, a set temperature of the first product storage chamber, and a second temperature of the second product storage chamber Control for controlling the opening / closing of the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means, the operation of the compressor, the operation of the first evaporator blower and the second evaporator blower based on a set temperature. And the control means opens and closes the first refrigerant flow path so that the refrigerant selectively flows only in one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator during operation of the compressor. And opening / closing of the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means, and opening and closing of the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means during the operation of the compressor. Or the second evaporator blower, the refrigerant does not flow And an automatic vending machine, characterized in that to operate the air blower corresponding to the evaporator to allow defrosting of the evaporator the refrigerant stops flowing.

  In the above configuration, the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber are insulated by the heat insulating partition plate, and the first evaporator and the second product storage chamber for cooling the first product storage chamber are cooled during operation of the compressor. Since the refrigerant is configured to selectively flow through only one of the second evaporators, it is sufficient to cool one of the two product storage chambers with the larger cooling load. It is possible to alternately cool the two product storage chambers using a compressor with insufficient capacity to simultaneously cool both storage chambers.

  Therefore, the cooling system including the compressor can be reduced in size and the cost can be reduced in the vending machine that supplies the refrigerant to the evaporators of the two commodity storage chambers from one compressor. .

  Further, the conventional vending machine stops the blower when the product storage chamber is cooled to a predetermined temperature so that the refrigerant does not flow into the evaporator. And the defrosting was performed when the frost formation state of the evaporator was detected or when the predetermined condition expected to require defrosting was satisfied.

  On the other hand, in the vending machine of the present invention, the refrigerant corresponds to the blower corresponding to the evaporator in which the refrigerant stops flowing in either the first evaporator fan or the second evaporator fan during the operation of the compressor. Since the operation is performed so that the evaporator that has stopped flowing can be defrosted, it is not necessary to stop the compressor for defrosting, and during the cooling operation of one of the two product storage rooms, Frost operation can be performed.

  Moreover, since the air which exchanged heat with the frost adhering to an evaporator is ventilated until defrosting is complete | finished, the temperature rise of the goods storage chamber which has the evaporator in defrosting can be made moderate.

  Moreover, at the time of restarting the cooling operation of each evaporator, it is in a state after being defrosted by the defrosting operation by blowing before the cooling operation, and the cooling operation can be restarted by the evaporator in the frosted state. Since there is almost no property, it is possible to prevent a decrease in cooling capacity due to frost formation even in cooling under high temperature and high humidity conditions.

  Therefore, the cooling operation and the defrosting operation of the two product storage chambers can be efficiently performed in the vending machine that supplies the refrigerant to the evaporators of the two product storage chambers from one compressor.

  Further, when storing products with different easiness of cooling, products that are relatively easy to cool are stored in either the first product storage chamber or the second product storage chamber, and products that are relatively difficult to cool. Is preferably stored in one of the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber.

  Then, priority is given to cooling of the product storage room of the first product storage room and the second product storage room in which products that are relatively difficult to cool are stored, over cooling of the other product storage room, or The first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber are relatively cooled by lowering the set temperature of the product store chamber in which the relatively hard-to-cool product is stored from the set temperature of the other product store chamber. Difficult products can be cooled quickly.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the first product stored in the first product storage chamber and the second product stored in the second product storage chamber are used as a beverage in a container, and the volume Alternatively, at least one of the material of the container and the shape of the container is made different from each other.

  Generally, a beverage in a container is a main product that is cooled and sold by a vending machine, and the capacity, the material of the container, and the shape of the container affect the ease of cooling the beverage in a container (the time required for cooling).

  For this reason, the first product and the second product stored in the first product storage room are products that are relatively difficult to cool based on at least one of the capacity of the beverage in the container, the material of the container, and the shape of the container. A second product stored in the storage room and a relatively easy-to-cool product selected based on at least one of the capacity of the beverage in the container, the material of the container, and the shape of the container, One of the first product stored in the one product storage chamber and the second product stored in the second product storage chamber is set as the other.

  Then, priority is given to cooling of the product storage room of the first product storage room and the second product storage room in which products that are relatively difficult to cool are stored, over cooling of the other product storage room, or The first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber are relatively cooled by lowering the set temperature of the product store chamber in which the relatively hard-to-cool product is stored from the set temperature of the other product store chamber. Difficult products can be cooled quickly.

  For example, when the first product in the first product storage room is divided into small volumes and the second product in the second product storage room is divided into large product volumes, the temperature of the product storage room has increased due to product replenishment, etc. If the second product storage room, which takes a long time to cool due to its large capacity, is preferentially cooled, the time required until the large-capacity second product can be quickly cooled and sold. Can be shortened.

  Further, if the set temperatures of the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber are different from each other, the storage temperatures of the small-capacity product and the large-capacity product can be stored at different temperatures.

  In the third invention, in particular, one of the first product and the second product in the second invention is a can beverage, and the other is a plastic bottle beverage.

  In general, there are two types of canned beverages: canned beverages and plastic bottled beverages, which occupy most of the beverages contained in containers. The canned beverages are aluminum cans or steel cans with a capacity of 350 ml or less. Is easier to cool than plastic bottle drinks that have a capacity of 500 ml or more.

  Therefore, the beverage in a container that is cooled and sold by the vending machine is a can beverage and a plastic bottle beverage, and the first product stored in the first product storage chamber and the second product stored in the second product storage chamber. And the other one of the first product stored in the first product storage chamber and the second product stored in the second product storage chamber.

  Then, cooling of the product storage room in which the plastic bottle drinks in the first product storage room and the second product storage room are stored has priority over cooling of the other product storage room, or the first product A plastic bottle beverage that is harder to cool than a can beverage by lowering the set temperature of the product storage chamber of the storage chamber and the second product storage chamber in which the plastic bottle beverage is stored to be lower than the set temperature of the other product storage chamber Can be cooled quickly.

For example, when the first product stored in the first product storage room is a can beverage having a capacity of 350 ml or less, and the second product stored in the second product storage room is a plastic bottle drink having a capacity of 500 ml or more,
If the second product storage room, which takes time to cool down, is preferentially cooled when the temperature of the product storage room rises due to product replenishment or the like, the PET bottle beverage that is harder to cool than the can beverage is cooled faster. Can shorten the time until it can be sold.

  In addition, even if the set temperature of the second product storage room is lower than the set temperature of the first product storage room, the PET bottle beverage that is harder to cool than the can drink can be cooled quickly, and can be sold. Time can be shortened.

  Further, if the set temperatures of the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber are different from each other, the storage temperatures of the can beverage and the plastic bottle beverage can be stored at different temperatures.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention use electromagnetic valves.

  Generally, since it is easy to electrically control the opening and closing of the solenoid valve from the outside, the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means can be realized by electromagnetic valves, respectively. .

  In this case, the control means includes an electromagnetic valve as a first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means so that the refrigerant selectively flows only in one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator during operation of the compressor. The opening and closing of the solenoid valve as the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means is controlled so that the other solenoid valve is closed when one solenoid valve is opened, and conversely, the other solenoid valve is opened when one solenoid valve is closed. To do.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention are constituted by a single three-way valve.

  In this case, the three-way valve has one inlet and two outlets, and when one of the two outlets is open, the other is closed and closed when the other outlet is closed. The outlet of the one that has been opened can be opened and the flow path can be switched by control from the outside, and the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means can be constituted by one three-way valve.

  One three-way valve has a simpler control circuit than when two solenoid valves are used, and opens and closes the refrigerant flow path from the branch point to the first evaporator, which is a problem when switching between the two solenoid valves. There is no possibility of deviation of the timing of opening and closing the refrigerant flow path from the branch point to the second evaporator.

  In a sixth aspect of the invention, particularly in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, the control means prioritizes cooling of one of the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber over the other.

  By the way, in the vending machine, one of the first product storage room and the second product storage room is stored in the first product storage room and the second product storage room due to the difference in size and arrangement. When the internal temperature is higher than the other, or when one of the cooling rates is slower than the other, or a product that is relatively easy to cool is stored in either the first product storage chamber or the second product storage chamber, A product that is relatively difficult to cool may be stored in one of the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber.

  In that case, the cooling of the one of the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber in which the internal temperature is higher than the other or the cooling rate of which is slower than the other is given priority over the other. Or priority is given to cooling of the goods storage room of the 1st goods storage room or the 2nd goods storage room which stores the goods which are comparatively hard to cool. Alternatively, a product that is relatively difficult to cool is stored in a product storage chamber in which cooling is given priority over the other of the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber.

  By doing so, one of the first product storage room and the second product storage room, which is harder to cool, or the product which is relatively hard to cool can be cooled quickly and can be sold. Time can be shortened.

  Here, the direction in which the cooling in the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber has priority over the other is determined in advance and fixed, or can be switched manually. Temporal transition of the internal temperature of each product storage room detected by the second internal temperature detection means or the internal temperature of each product storage room detected by the first internal temperature detection means and the second internal temperature detection means Based on the cooling rate of each product storage room calculated from the above, the control means may determine and determine.

  In a seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to sixth aspects of the invention, the set temperature of the first product storage chamber and the set temperature of the second product storage chamber can be set independently of each other.

  As a result, the first product (for example, a can beverage having a capacity of 350 ml or less) stored in the first product storage chamber is stored in the second product (for example, a plastic bottle beverage having a capacity of 500 ml or more) stored in the second product storage chamber. Can be stored at different temperatures.

  In an eighth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, a variable capacity compressor is used as the compressor, and the control means controls the capacity and operation / stop of the compressor. Yes, the control means has a variable capacity based on the detection temperature of the first internal temperature detection means, the detection temperature of the second internal temperature detection means, the set temperature of the first product storage room, and the set temperature of the second product storage room Since the capacity and operation / stop of the compressor are controlled, it is possible to operate with appropriate capacity against load fluctuations in each product storage room, and to save energy.

  In addition to any one of the first to eighth inventions, the ninth invention is a first evaporator temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the first evaporator and a temperature of the second evaporator. Second evaporator temperature detecting means, and the control means, based on the temperature detected by the first evaporator temperature detecting means or the second evaporator temperature detecting means, The operation of the blower corresponding to the evaporator in which the refrigerant no longer flows is performed between the first evaporator blower and the second evaporator blower during the operation of the compressor by opening and closing the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means. It is something to control.

  Normally, the temperature of the evaporator after the refrigerant stops flowing increases with time, but if the evaporator is frosted, the temperature does not exceed the freezing point of water until the frost has melted. Based on the temperature of the evaporator after no longer flows, the frosting state of the evaporator can be determined.

  Therefore, based on the temperature of the second evaporator detected by the second evaporator temperature detecting means when the refrigerant is flowing in the first evaporator (no refrigerant is flowing in the second evaporator), the second evaporator The frosting state can be determined, and similarly, the temperature of the first evaporator detected by the first evaporator temperature detecting means when the refrigerant flows through the second evaporator (no refrigerant flows through the first evaporator). Based on this, the frosting state of the first evaporator can be determined.

  In addition, the operation of the blower corresponding to the evaporator in which the refrigerant has stopped flowing is intended for defrosting, and it is desirable to finish the defrosting of the evaporator until the next time the refrigerant starts to flow. The operation of the blower after the frost that has frosted on the container has been melted is a waste of electric power.

Therefore, based on the temperature of the second evaporator detected by the second evaporator temperature detecting means when the refrigerant flows through the first evaporator (no refrigerant flows through the second evaporator), the control means 2 When it is determined that the evaporator has formed frost, it is determined that the frost that has formed on the evaporator has been melted based on the temperature of the second evaporator detected by the second evaporator temperature detecting means. Until the second evaporator blower is operated.

  Similarly, based on the temperature of the first evaporator detected by the first evaporator temperature detecting means when the refrigerant is flowing in the second evaporator (no refrigerant is flowing in the first evaporator), the control means, When it is determined that the first evaporator has formed frost, it is determined that the frost that has formed on the evaporator has been melted based on the temperature of the first evaporator detected by the first evaporator temperature detecting means. Until this is done, the first evaporator blower is operated.

  Thereby, when the cooling operation of each evaporator is resumed, it is in a state after being defrosted by the defrosting operation by the air blow before the cooling operation, and the case where the defrosting cannot be completed before the cooling operation is resumed. Since there is no possibility of resuming the cooling operation with the evaporator in the frosting state, it is possible to prevent the cooling capacity from being lowered due to frosting even in the cooling under the high temperature and high humidity conditions.

  In addition, after the control means determined that the frost formed on the evaporator based on the temperature of the evaporator has been thawed, the controller defrosted by stopping the operation of the blower for defrosting. It is possible to reduce wasteful power consumption due to the operation of the blower after the frost has melted.

  In addition to any one of the first to ninth inventions, the tenth aspect of the invention uses a rotation speed variable type blower for at least one of the first evaporator blower and the second evaporator blower, The said control means controls the rotation speed of the said rotation speed variable type blower.

  As a result, during the cooling operation in which the refrigerant flows into the evaporator of the product storage chamber of the product storage chamber having the variable rotation speed blower of at least one of the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber. If the internal temperature detected by the internal temperature detection means is higher than the set temperature and the temperature difference is large, or the internal temperature detected by the internal temperature detection means is higher than the set temperature and the internal temperature When the speed at which the inside temperature detected by the temperature detection means approaches the set temperature is slow, the control means can increase the rotation speed of the variable speed blower to quickly cool the product storage room to the set temperature. it can.

  In addition, with regard to the product storage chamber having at least one of the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber having a variable rotation speed blower, the refrigerant is flowing in an evaporator different from the product storage chamber. During frost operation, when it can be determined that there is frost formation over a predetermined amount based on the evaporator temperature detected by the evaporator temperature detection means, or the transition of the evaporator temperature detected by the evaporator temperature detection means When it can be determined that there is a possibility that the defrosting cannot be completed before the cooling operation is restarted, the control means can increase the rotational speed of the variable speed blower to shorten the defrosting time.

  In an eleventh aspect of the invention, particularly in any one of the first to tenth aspects of the invention, the capacity of the compressor is used to cool the one of the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber which has a larger cooling load This is sufficient for cooling both the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber at the same time.

  In any of the first to tenth aspects of the invention, the control means is configured so that the refrigerant selectively flows through only one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator during operation of the compressor. Since the opening / closing means and the opening / closing means of the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means are controlled, the compressor does not need the ability to cool both the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber at the same time. There is no problem as long as one of the second product storage chambers has the capacity to cool the one with the larger cooling load to the set temperature.

Therefore, the capacity of the compressor is sufficient to cool either the first product storage chamber or the second product storage chamber with the larger cooling load, but both the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber By making the capacity insufficient to simultaneously cool the compressor and condenser, it is possible to reduce the size of the compressor and condenser. As a result, the cooling system including the compressor can be reduced in size. The cost can be reduced.

  In addition, if the space created by downsizing the cooling system is used to expand the product storage room, the amount of products that can be stored in the product storage room can be increased, and the space created by downsizing the cooling system can be used as a compressor. If this is used to increase the wall thickness of the heat insulation wall between the machine room where the condenser is arranged and the room temperature higher than the outside air temperature and the product storage room where the products to be sold are stored, energy can be saved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a vending machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vending machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of control by the control means of the vending machine according to the embodiment.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing Example 1 in which cooling of the second commodity storage room is prioritized by the control unit of the vending machine of the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the control unit of the vending machine of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a third example in which cooling of the second product storage chamber is prioritized by the control unit of the vending machine according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main body of the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first product storage chamber 3 and a second product storage chamber in which a product storage chamber for storing products to be cooled and sold is insulated by a heat insulating partition plate 2. It is divided into four. A first evaporator 5 is installed in the first product storage chamber 3, and a second evaporator 6 is installed in the second product storage chamber 4.

  A cooling system 27 including a compressor 9 that circulates refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit in which the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 6 are connected in parallel is installed at the lower part of the main body of the vending machine 1. .

  In order to open and close the refrigerant flow path to the refrigerant flow path for introducing the refrigerant to the first evaporator 5 from the branch point of the refrigerant flow path to the first evaporator 5 and the refrigerant flow path to the second evaporator 6 The first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 is provided, and the refrigerant is guided to the second evaporator 6 from a branch point between the refrigerant channel to the first evaporator 5 and the refrigerant channel to the second evaporator 6. The refrigerant flow path for this purpose is provided with second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 for opening and closing the refrigerant flow path.

  In the present embodiment, an electromagnetic valve 17 a is used for the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 and an electromagnetic valve 17 b is used for the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8.

  A first product 15 is stored in the first product storage chamber 3, and a first evaporator blower 10 is installed in the vicinity of the first evaporator 5 to circulate the air in the first product storage chamber 3. Yes. The first internal temperature detection means 12 detects the internal temperature in the first product storage chamber 3.

  A second product 16 is stored in the second product storage chamber 4. A second evaporator blower 11 is installed in the vicinity of the second evaporator 6 to circulate the air in the second product storage chamber 4. Yes. Further, the internal temperature in the second product storage chamber 4 is detected by the second internal temperature detection means 13.

  The first evaporator 5 is provided with first evaporator temperature detecting means 19 for detecting the temperature of the first evaporator 5. The second evaporator 6 is provided with second evaporator temperature detecting means 20 for detecting the temperature of the second evaporator 6.

  Further, the control means 14 opens and closes the first refrigerant flow opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) and the second refrigerant flow opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17b), the operation of the compressor 9, the first evaporator blower 10, and the first. The operation of the two-evaporator blower 11 is controlled.

  The vending machine 1 of the present embodiment includes a first product storage chamber 3 and a second product storage chamber 4 partitioned by a heat insulating partition plate 2, a first evaporator 5 that cools the first product storage chamber 3, A second evaporator 6 that is connected in parallel with the first evaporator 5 and cools the second product storage chamber 4, and a branch between the refrigerant flow path to the first evaporator 5 and the refrigerant flow path to the second evaporator 6 A solenoid valve 17a as first refrigerant flow opening / closing means 7 for opening and closing the refrigerant flow path from the point to the first evaporator 5, and a second refrigerant flow opening and closing the refrigerant flow path from the branch point to the second evaporator 6 The electromagnetic valve 17b as the path opening / closing means 8, the compressor 9 that circulates the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit in which the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 6 are connected in parallel, and the rotation that blows air to the first evaporator 5 Number-variable first evaporator blower 10, rotation-variable second evaporator blower 11 that blows air to second evaporator 6, and first product storage chamber 3 The first internal temperature detecting means 12 for detecting the internal temperature, the second internal temperature detecting means 13 for detecting the internal temperature of the second product storage chamber 4, and the first evaporator 5 for detecting the temperature of the first evaporator 5. 1 evaporator temperature detection means 19, 2nd evaporator temperature detection means 20 for detecting the temperature of the second evaporator 6, detection temperature of the first inside temperature detection means 12, and second inside temperature detection means 13 The detected temperature, the set temperature of the first product storage chamber 3 (thermo-on temperature and thermo-off temperature), the set temperature of the second product storage chamber 4 (thermo-on temperature and thermo-off temperature), the detected temperature of the first evaporator temperature detecting means 19 and the first temperature (2) On the basis of the temperature detected by the evaporator temperature detecting means 20, the first refrigerant flow opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) and the second refrigerant flow opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17b) are opened and closed, the compressor 9 is operated, Control the operation of the first evaporator blower 10 and the second evaporator blower 11 And a control unit 14 for.

  The control means 14 includes first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 (solenoid valve 17a) so that the refrigerant selectively flows only in one of the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 6 during operation of the compressor 9. ) And the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17b), and the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17b). During the operation of the compressor 9 by opening and closing, either the first evaporator blower 10 or the second evaporator blower 11 is defrosted from the evaporator in which the refrigerant has stopped flowing through the blower corresponding to the evaporator in which the refrigerant has stopped flowing. Drive so that you can.

  The capacity of the compressor 9 is sufficient to cool either the first product storage chamber 3 or the second product storage chamber 4 with the larger cooling load, but the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage Insufficient capacity to cool both storage chambers 4 simultaneously.

  The operation and action of the vending machine 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

  From the state in which the cooling system 27 including the compressor 9 is stopped (start in FIG. 2), first, the first internal temperature detecting means 12 and the second internal temperature detecting means 13 are used in the respective product storage chambers. The internal temperature is detected (STEP 1 in FIG. 2).

  And if the internal temperature detected by at least one of the 1st internal temperature detection means 12 and the 2nd internal temperature detection means 13 is more than the temperature (thermo-on temperature) higher than the goods preservation temperature by the predetermined temperature a (If STEP2 in FIG. 2 branches to the Y side, proceed to STEP3), the cooling of the product storage room with the higher detected internal temperature is given priority (STEP4 or STEP5 in FIG. 2).

For example, the temperature detected by the first internal temperature detection means 12 and the second internal temperature detection means 13 is equal to or higher than the temperature (thermo-on temperature) higher than the product storage temperature by a predetermined temperature a (STEP 2 in FIG. 2 is branched to the Y side) If the detected temperature of the first internal temperature detecting means 12 is higher than the detected temperature of the second internal temperature detecting means 13 (when STEP3 in FIG. 2 is branched to the Y side), the control means 14 Thus, the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is opened, the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17b) is closed, the cooling system 27 including the compressor 9, and the first evaporator blower 10 and the second evaporator blower 11 are operated (STEP 4 in FIG. 2).

  At this time, the first evaporator blower 10 and the second evaporator blower 11 rotate together to circulate the air in the respective product storage chambers. When the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is open and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17b) is closed, the refrigerant flows into the first evaporator 5, 2 Since it does not flow into the evaporator 6, only the 1st goods storage chamber 3 is cooled.

  And only the 1st goods storage chamber 3 is cooled, and eventually the detection temperature of the 1st inside temperature detection means 12 becomes lower than the detection temperature of the 2nd inside temperature detection means 13 (STEP6 of FIG. 2). Later, STEP7 is branched to the Y side).

  And, the temperature difference between the detected temperature of the second internal temperature detecting means 13 and the detected temperature of the first internal temperature detecting means 12 opens to a predetermined temperature c or more (STEP 8 in FIG. 2 branches to the Y side), Alternatively, cooling of only the first product storage chamber 3 continues for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) (STEP 9 in FIG. 2 is branched to the Y side), or the first internal temperature detecting means 12 and the second internal chamber Of the temperature detection means 13, only the detection temperature of the first internal temperature detection means 12 is equal to or lower than the temperature (thermo-off temperature) lower than the product storage temperature by a predetermined temperature b (STEP 10 in FIG. 2 is branched to the Y side, STEP 11 The first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is closed while the cooling system 27 including the compressor 9 is operated, and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic) Valve 17a) is opened (STEP1 in FIG. 2) ).

  When the first refrigerant passage opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is closed and the second refrigerant passage opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is opened, STEP 3 in FIG. 2 is branched to the N side and proceeds to STEP 5. As in the case, the refrigerant flows into the second evaporator 6 but does not flow into the first evaporator 5, so that only the second product storage chamber 4 is cooled.

  When the opening and closing of the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) are switched, the liquid refrigerant flowing in the first evaporator 5 before switching and the second refrigerant When the first evaporator 5 is frosted by heat exchange with the air around the first evaporator 5, the time when the refrigerant does not flow through the first evaporator 5 and the air blown by the first evaporator blower 10 are used. Then, the first evaporator 5 is defrosted.

  Usually, defrosting is possible if the temperature of the storage chamber is equal to or higher than the refrigeration temperature by the operation of the first evaporator blower 10, but the temperature of the first evaporator 5 detected by the first evaporator temperature detecting means 19 is around 0 ° C. It is saturating. Alternatively, when the temperature rise of the first evaporator 5 detected by the first evaporator temperature detecting means 19 is slow, it is determined that there is a large amount of frost formation and the first evaporator fan 10 is rotated at a high speed (STEP 13 in FIG. 2). ) To increase the defrosting capacity (the amount of heat exchange with the air passing through the first evaporator 5) to shorten the time required for defrosting.

  After STEP 13 in FIG. 2, the operation after STEP 14 is performed as in the case where STEP 3 in FIG. 2 is branched to the N side and proceeds to STEP 5.

The first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is closed, the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is opened, and only the second product storage chamber 4 is cooled. The detected temperature of the second internal temperature detecting means 13 becomes lower than the detected temperature of the first internal temperature detecting means 12 (STEP 15 is branched to the Y side after STEP 14 in FIG. 2).

  And the temperature difference between the detected temperature of the first internal temperature detecting means 12 and the detected temperature of the second internal temperature detecting means 13 opens to a predetermined temperature c or more (STEP 16 in FIG. 2 branches to the Y side), Alternatively, cooling of only the second product storage chamber 4 continues for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) (STEP 17 in FIG. 2 is branched to the Y side), or the first internal temperature detection means 12 and the second internal storage Of the temperature detection means 13, only the temperature detected by the second internal temperature detection means 13 is equal to or lower than the temperature (thermo-off temperature) lower than the product storage temperature by a predetermined temperature b (STEP 18 in FIG. 2 is branched to the Y side, STEP 19 The first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is opened while the cooling system 27 including the compressor 9 is operated, and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic) Valve 17a) is closed (STE in FIG. 2) 20).

  When the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is opened and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is closed, STEP 3 in FIG. 2 branches to the Y side and proceeds to STEP 4. As in the case, the refrigerant flows into the first evaporator 5 but does not flow into the second evaporator 6, so that only the first product storage chamber 3 is cooled.

  When the opening and closing of the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) are switched, the liquid refrigerant flowing in the second evaporator 6 before switching and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 are switched. When the second evaporator 6 is frosted by heat exchange with the air around the two evaporators 6, the time when the refrigerant does not flow through the second evaporator 6 and the air blown from the second evaporator blower 11 are used. Then, the second evaporator 6 is defrosted.

  Usually, defrosting is possible if the temperature of the storage chamber is equal to or higher than the refrigeration temperature by the operation of the second evaporator blower 11, but the temperature of the second evaporator 6 detected by the second evaporator temperature detecting means 20 is around 0 ° C. It is saturating. Alternatively, when the temperature rise of the second evaporator 6 detected by the second evaporator temperature detecting means 20 is slow, it is determined that there is a large amount of frost formation, and the second evaporator blower 11 is rotated at high speed (STEP 21 in FIG. 2). Thus, the defrosting capability (heat exchange amount with the air passing through the second evaporator 6) is increased, and the time required for defrosting is shortened.

  After STEP 21 in FIG. 2, the operation after STEP 6 is performed as in the case where STEP 3 in FIG. 2 is branched to the Y side and proceeds to STEP 4.

  In this manner, the cooling of one of the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 and the defrosting of the other are repeated alternately.

  Then, the detected temperatures of both the first internal temperature detecting means 12 and the second internal temperature detecting means 13 are simultaneously equal to or lower than a temperature (thermo-off temperature) lower than the product storage temperature by a predetermined temperature b (STEP 10 and STEP 11 in FIG. 2). Is branched to the Y side, or STEP 18 and STEP 19 are branched to the Y side), it is determined that cooling of the product storage chambers of both the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 is unnecessary. 9, the cooling system 27, the first evaporator blower 10 and the second evaporator blower 11 are stopped (STEP 22 in FIG. 2) to complete the cooling (return to the start from the end in FIG. 2).

  Thereafter, the detected temperature of either the first internal temperature detecting means 12 or the second internal temperature detecting means 13 becomes equal to or higher than a temperature (thermo-on temperature) higher than the product storage temperature by a predetermined temperature a (after STEP 1 in FIG. 2). , STEP2 is branched to the Y side), and the product storage room with the higher detected internal temperature is cooled.

At this time, if the detected temperature of the first internal temperature detecting means 12 is higher than the detected temperature of the second internal temperature detecting means 13, STEP 3 in FIG. 2 is branched to the Y side, and STEP 4 Cooling, conversely, if the detected temperature of the second internal temperature detecting means 13 is higher than the detected temperature of the first internal temperature detecting means 12, STEP 3 in FIG. 2 is branched to the N side, and the second commodity storage chamber in STEP 5 4 is cooled.

  If the detected temperature of the first internal temperature detection means 12 and the detected temperature of the second internal temperature detection means 13 are the same, the priority product storage room is cooled. In the example of FIG. 2, the second product storage chamber 4 is prioritized.

  By repeating the above operation (control), the first product 15 in the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product 16 in the second product storage chamber 4 are products whose thermo-off temperature is the lower limit temperature and whose thermo-on temperature is the upper limit temperature. Can be stored within the storage temperature.

  Accordingly, since the operation is performed while the refrigerant is alternately supplied to the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 6, the second evaporator 6 may be defrosted while the refrigerant is being supplied to the first evaporator 5. Yes, and vice versa. Therefore, since the operation can always be started with the defrosted evaporator before the operation of flowing the refrigerant, it is possible to prevent the cooling capacity from being lowered due to frost formation even in the cooling under the high temperature and high humidity condition.

  In addition, when it is determined that frost is formed from the temperature detected by the evaporator temperature detecting means corresponding to the evaporator, the defrosting time is shortened by increasing the rotation speed of the evaporator fan corresponding to the evaporator. I can do it.

  In addition, since the operation is performed while the refrigerant is alternately supplied to the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 6 and the refrigerant is not supplied simultaneously, either the first product storage chamber 3 or the second product storage chamber 4 has a high load. The entire vending machine can be cooled with the capacity to cool only Therefore, the compressor 9 and the condenser can be reduced in size, and as a result, the entire cooling system 27 can be reduced in size, so that the cost can be reduced.

  By the way, if the door of the vending machine 1 is opened for a long time or the door of the vending machine 1 is opened to replenish a product storage room with an uncooled product, the temperature of each product storage room rises.

  And when the capacity | capacitance of the 2nd goods 16 is larger than the capacity | capacitance of the 1st goods 15 (for example, when the 1st goods 15 is 350 ml or less of can drinks, and the 2nd goods 16 are 500 ml or more of PET bottle drinks), the 2nd goods storage chamber. 4 is less likely to be lower than the temperature in the first product storage chamber 3, and the second product 16 is compared with the first product 15 due to the difference in product heat capacity even if the temperature in the cabinet is lowered to the product storage temperature. It takes a long time to reach the product storage temperature.

  When the capacity of the second product 16 is larger than the capacity of the first product 15, the cooling of the second product storage chamber 4 is prioritized as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first example prioritizing the cooling of the second product storage chamber 4 (Example 1) is the second internal temperature detection after the cooling of the second product storage chamber 4 is started. The cooling system 27 including the compressor 9 is operated with the first refrigerant passage opening / closing means 7 closed and the second refrigerant passage opening / closing means 8 open until the detected temperature of the means 13 becomes equal to or lower than the thermo-off temperature. Thus, the second product storage chamber 4 is cooled.

  Note that the flowchart of FIG. 3 corresponds to a flowchart in which STEP 15 to STEP 17 in the flowchart of FIG. 2 are omitted, and the subsequent STEP numbers are incremented by the omitted amount.

  As shown in FIG. 3, after STEP 14 in FIG. 3, the temperature detected by the second internal temperature detecting means 13 becomes equal to or lower than the thermo-off temperature (STEP 15 in FIG. 3 branches to the Y side and STEP 16 branches to the N side). The cooling system 27 including the compressor 9 is operated while the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 is closed and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 is open until the second product storage chamber 4 is cooled. .

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the second example (Example 2) in which cooling of the second product storage chamber 4 is prioritized, the second product storage chamber 4 is first cooled, and the second product storage chamber 4 is thermo-off. Unless the temperature is reached, until the temperature difference between the detected temperature of the first internal temperature detecting means 12 and the detected temperature of the second internal temperature detecting means 13 opens to a predetermined temperature d higher than the predetermined temperature c. The second product storage chamber 4 is continuously cooled.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  From the state where the cooling system 27 including the compressor 9 is stopped (start of FIG. 4), first, the internal temperature in the second product storage chamber 4 is detected by the second internal temperature detection means 13 ( STEP 1 in FIG.

  And if the internal temperature in the 2nd goods storage chamber 4 which the 2nd internal temperature detection means 13 detected is more than the temperature (thermo-on temperature) higher than the goods preservation temperature by the predetermined temperature a (STEP2 of FIG. 4). In the case of branching to the Y side), the control means 14 closes the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17b) to open the compressor 9 , The first evaporator blower 10 and the second evaporator blower 11 are operated (STEP 3 in FIG. 4).

  At this time, the first evaporator blower 10 and the second evaporator blower 11 rotate together to circulate the air in the respective product storage chambers. Further, since the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is closed and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17b) is open, the refrigerant flows to the second evaporator 6, Since the first evaporator 5 does not flow, only the second product storage chamber 4 is cooled.

  And only the 2nd goods storage chamber 4 is cooled, Eventually, the detection temperature of the 2nd inside temperature detection means 13 becomes lower than the detection temperature of the 1st inside temperature detection means 12 (STEP4 of FIG. 4). Then, STEP5 is branched to the Y side).

  Then, the temperature difference between the detected temperature of the first internal temperature detecting means 12 and the detected temperature of the second internal temperature detecting means 13 opens to a predetermined temperature d which is larger than the predetermined temperature c (STEP 6 in FIG. Or only the detected temperature of the second internal temperature detecting means 13 within the first internal temperature detecting means 12 and the second internal temperature detecting means 13 is a predetermined temperature b from the product storage temperature. When the temperature is lower than the low temperature (thermo-off temperature) (STEP 7 in FIG. 4 is branched to the Y side and STEP 8 is branched to the N side), the first refrigerant flow is maintained with the cooling system 27 including the compressor 9 operating. The passage opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is opened, and the second refrigerant flow opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is closed (STEP 9 in FIG. 4).

  When the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is opened and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is closed, the refrigerant flows into the first evaporator 5, but the second Since it does not flow into the evaporator 6, only the first product storage chamber 3 is cooled.

When the opening and closing of the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) are switched, the liquid refrigerant flowing in the second evaporator 6 before switching and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 are switched. When the second evaporator 6 is frosted by heat exchange with the air around the two evaporators 6, the time when the refrigerant does not flow through the second evaporator 6 and the air blown from the second evaporator blower 11 are used. Then, the second evaporator 6 is defrosted.

  Usually, defrosting is possible if the temperature of the storage chamber is equal to or higher than the refrigeration temperature by the operation of the second evaporator blower 11, but the temperature of the second evaporator 6 detected by the second evaporator temperature detecting means 20 is around 0 ° C. It is saturating. Alternatively, if the temperature rise of the second evaporator 6 detected by the second evaporator temperature detecting means 20 is slow, it is determined that there is a large amount of frost formation, and the second evaporator blower 11 is rotated at high speed (STEP 10 in FIG. 4). Thus, the defrosting capability (heat exchange amount with the air passing through the second evaporator 6) is increased, and the time required for defrosting is shortened.

  The first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is opened, the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is closed, and only the first product storage chamber 3 is cooled. The detected temperature of the first internal temperature detecting means 12 becomes lower than the detected temperature of the second internal temperature detecting means 13 (STEP 12 is branched to the Y side after STEP 11 in FIG. 4).

  Then, the temperature difference between the detected temperature of the second internal temperature detecting means 13 and the detected temperature of the first internal temperature detecting means 12 opens to a predetermined temperature c which is smaller than the predetermined temperature d (STEP 13 in FIG. Or the cooling of only the first product storage chamber 3 continues for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) (STEP 14 in FIG. 4 is branched to the Y side), or the second internal temperature detection Of the means 13 and the first internal temperature detection means 12, only the detected temperature of the first internal temperature detection means 12 is equal to or lower than a temperature (thermo-off temperature) lower than the product storage temperature by a predetermined temperature b (STEP 15 in FIG. 4). In the case of branching to the Y side and STEP 16 to the N side), the first refrigerant flow opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is closed while the cooling system 27 including the compressor 9 is operated, and the second refrigerant Channel opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) To open (STEP 17 in Fig. 4).

  When the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is closed and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is opened, STEP2 in FIG. 4 is branched to the Y side and proceeds to STEP3. As in the case, the refrigerant flows into the second evaporator 6 but does not flow into the first evaporator 5, so that only the second product storage chamber 4 is cooled.

  When the opening and closing of the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) are switched, the liquid refrigerant flowing in the first evaporator 5 before switching and the second refrigerant When the first evaporator 5 is frosted by heat exchange with the air around the first evaporator 5, the time when the refrigerant does not flow through the first evaporator 5 and the air blown by the first evaporator blower 10 are used. Then, the first evaporator 5 is defrosted.

  Usually, defrosting is possible if the temperature of the storage chamber is equal to or higher than the refrigeration temperature by the operation of the first evaporator blower 10, but the temperature of the first evaporator 5 detected by the first evaporator temperature detecting means 19 is around 0 ° C. It is saturating. Alternatively, when the temperature rise of the first evaporator 5 detected by the first evaporator temperature detecting means 19 is slow, it is determined that there is a large amount of frost formation, and the first evaporator fan 10 is rotated at a high speed (STEP 18 in FIG. 4). ) To increase the defrosting capacity (the amount of heat exchange with the air passing through the first evaporator 5) to shorten the time required for defrosting.

  After STEP 18 in FIG. 4, the operation after STEP 4 is performed as in the case where STEP 2 in FIG. 4 is branched to the Y side and proceeds to STEP 3.

  In this way, while cooling the second product storage chamber 4 is prioritized, one cooling of the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 and the other defrosting are repeated alternately.

Then, the detected temperatures of both the first internal temperature detecting means 12 and the second internal temperature detecting means 13 are simultaneously equal to or lower than the temperature (thermo-off temperature) lower than the product storage temperature by a predetermined temperature b (STEP 7 and STEP 8 in FIG. 4). Is branched to the Y side, or STEP 15 and STEP 16 are branched to the Y side), it is determined that cooling of the product storage chambers of both the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 is unnecessary. 9 is stopped (STEP 19 in FIG. 4), and the cooling is finished (returning to the start from the end in FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the third example (Example 3) in which cooling of the second product storage chamber 4 is prioritized, the second product storage chamber 4 is first cooled, and the second product storage chamber 4 is thermo-off. Except for the case where the temperature is reached, the time for which the cooling of only the second product storage chamber 4 is continued is longer than the time for the cooling of only the first product storage chamber 3.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  From the state where the cooling system 27 including the compressor 9 is stopped (start of FIG. 5), first, the internal temperature in the second product storage chamber 4 is detected by the second internal temperature detection means 13 ( STEP 1 in FIG. 5).

  And if the internal temperature in the 2nd goods storage chamber 4 which the 2nd internal temperature detection means 13 detected is more than the temperature (thermo-on temperature) higher than the goods preservation temperature by the predetermined temperature a (STEP2 of FIG. 5). In the case of branching to the Y side), the control means 14 closes the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17b) to open the compressor 9 , The first evaporator blower 10 and the second evaporator blower 11 are operated (STEP 3 in FIG. 5).

  At this time, the first evaporator blower 10 and the second evaporator blower 11 rotate together to circulate the air in the respective product storage chambers. Further, since the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is closed and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17b) is open, the refrigerant flows to the second evaporator 6, Since the first evaporator 5 does not flow, only the second product storage chamber 4 is cooled.

  And only the 2nd goods storage chamber 4 is cooled, Eventually, the detection temperature of the 2nd inside temperature detection means 13 becomes lower than the detection temperature of the 1st inside temperature detection means 12 (STEP4 of FIG. 5). Then, STEP5 is branched to the Y side).

  Then, cooling of only the second product storage chamber 4 continues for a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) (STEP 6 in FIG. 5 is branched to the Y side), or the first internal temperature detecting means 12 and the second internal storage Of the temperature detection means 13, only the temperature detected by the second internal temperature detection means 13 is equal to or lower than the temperature (thermo-off temperature) lower than the product storage temperature by a predetermined temperature b (STEP 7 in FIG. 5 is branched to the Y side, STEP 8 The first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is opened while the cooling system 27 including the compressor 9 is operated, and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic) The valve 17a) is closed (STEP 9 in FIG. 5).

  When the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is opened and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is closed, the refrigerant flows into the first evaporator 5, but the second Since it does not flow into the evaporator 6, only the first product storage chamber 3 is cooled.

When the opening and closing of the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) are switched, the liquid refrigerant flowing in the second evaporator 6 before switching and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 are switched. When the second evaporator 6 is frosted by heat exchange with the air around the two evaporators 6, the time when the refrigerant does not flow through the second evaporator 6 and the air blown from the second evaporator blower 11 are used. Then, the second evaporator 6 is defrosted.

  Usually, defrosting is possible if the temperature of the storage chamber is equal to or higher than the refrigeration temperature by the operation of the second evaporator blower 11, but the temperature of the second evaporator 6 detected by the second evaporator temperature detecting means 20 is around 0 ° C. It is saturating. Alternatively, when the temperature rise of the second evaporator 6 detected by the second evaporator temperature detecting means 20 is slow, it is determined that there is a large amount of frost formation, and the second evaporator blower 11 is rotated at high speed (STEP 10 in FIG. 5). Thus, the defrosting capability (heat exchange amount with the air passing through the second evaporator 6) is increased, and the time required for defrosting is shortened.

  The first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is opened, the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is closed, and only the first product storage chamber 3 is cooled. The detected temperature of the first internal temperature detecting means 12 becomes lower than the detected temperature of the second internal temperature detecting means 13 (STEP 12 is branched to the Y side after STEP 11 in FIG. 5).

  Whether the temperature difference between the temperature detected by the second internal temperature detecting means 13 and the temperature detected by the first internal temperature detecting means 12 is larger than the predetermined temperature c (STEP 13 in FIG. 5 is branched to the Y side). Alternatively, cooling of only the first product storage chamber 3 continues for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) (STEP 14 in FIG. 5 is branched to the Y side), or the second internal temperature detection means 13 and the first storage Of the internal temperature detection means 12, only the detection temperature of the first internal temperature detection means 12 is equal to or lower than the temperature (thermo-off temperature) lower than the product storage temperature by a predetermined temperature b (STEP 15 in FIG. 5 is branched to the Y side, When STEP 16 is branched to the N side), the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is closed while the cooling system 27 including the compressor 9 is operated, and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 ( The solenoid valve 17a) is opened (ST in FIG. 5). P17).

  When the first refrigerant passage opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is closed and the second refrigerant passage opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) is opened, STEP2 in FIG. 5 is branched to the Y side and proceeds to STEP3. As in the case, the refrigerant flows into the second evaporator 6 but does not flow into the first evaporator 5, so that only the second product storage chamber 4 is cooled.

  When the opening and closing of the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 (electromagnetic valve 17a) and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 (electromagnetic valve 17a) are switched, the liquid refrigerant flowing in the first evaporator 5 before switching and the second refrigerant When the first evaporator 5 is frosted by heat exchange with the air around the first evaporator 5, the time when the refrigerant does not flow through the first evaporator 5 and the air blown by the first evaporator blower 10 are used. Then, the first evaporator 5 is defrosted.

  Usually, defrosting is possible if the temperature of the storage chamber is equal to or higher than the refrigeration temperature by the operation of the first evaporator blower 10, but the temperature of the first evaporator 5 detected by the first evaporator temperature detecting means 19 is around 0 ° C. It is saturating. Alternatively, if the temperature rise of the first evaporator 5 detected by the first evaporator temperature detecting means 19 is slow, it is determined that there is a large amount of frost formation, and the first evaporator fan 10 is rotated at high speed (STEP 18 in FIG. 5). ) To increase the defrosting capacity (the amount of heat exchange with the air passing through the first evaporator 5) to shorten the time required for defrosting.

  After STEP 18 in FIG. 5, the operation after STEP 4 is performed as in the case where STEP 2 in FIG. 5 is branched to the Y side and proceeds to STEP 3.

  In this way, while cooling the second product storage chamber 4 is prioritized, one cooling of the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 and the other defrosting are repeated alternately.

And the detection temperature of both the 1st internal temperature detection means 12 and the 2nd internal temperature detection means 13 becomes below the temperature (thermo-off temperature) lower than the goods storage temperature by predetermined temperature b (thermo-off temperature) simultaneously (S of FIG. 5).
When TEP7 and STEP8 are branched to the Y side, or STEP15 and STEP16 are branched to the Y side), it is determined that cooling of the product storage chambers of both the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 is unnecessary. Then, the cooling system 27 including the compressor 9, the first evaporator blower 10, and the second evaporator blower 11 are stopped (STEP 19 in FIG. 5) to complete the cooling (return to the start from the end in FIG. 5).

  The first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment may be combined.

  As a result, when the temperature of the product storage room rises due to product replenishment, etc., it is possible to preferentially cool the product storage room, which takes time to cool due to the difference in container capacity, etc. , The time until it can be sold can be shortened. Further, since the heat insulating partition plate 2 is installed for each capacity of the stored product, the control means 14 controls the small capacity product (for example, can container beverage 350 ml or less) and the large capacity product (for example, plastic bottle container beverage 500 ml or more). Can be stored at different temperatures.

  As described above, the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 partitioned by the heat insulating partition plate 2 and the first evaporation for cooling the first product storage chamber 3. 5, a second evaporator 6 connected in parallel with the first evaporator 5 to cool the second commodity storage chamber 4, a refrigerant flow path to the first evaporator 5, and a refrigerant flow to the second evaporator 6 A first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 for opening / closing a refrigerant channel from the branch point to the first evaporator 5 and a second refrigerant channel for opening / closing the refrigerant channel from the branch point to the second evaporator 6. Opening / closing means 8, a compressor 9 that circulates refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit in which the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 6 are connected in parallel, and a first evaporator fan 10 that blows air to the first evaporator 5. The second evaporator blower 11 for blowing air to the second evaporator 6, the first internal temperature detection means 12 for detecting the internal temperature of the first commodity storage chamber 3, and the second commodity The second internal temperature detecting means 13 for detecting the internal temperature of the storage compartment 4, the detected temperature of the first internal temperature detecting means 12, the detected temperature of the second internal temperature detecting means 13, and the first commodity storage chamber 3. Of the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 based on the set temperature (thermo on temperature and thermo off temperature) and the set temperature (thermo on temperature and thermo off temperature) of the second product storage chamber 4. A control means 14 for controlling the operation of the compressor 9 and the operations of the first evaporator blower 10 and the second evaporator blower 11 is provided, and the control means 14 is connected to the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator during the operation of the compressor 9. The opening and closing of the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 is controlled so that the refrigerant selectively flows only in one of the evaporators 6, and the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means is controlled. 7 and the operation of the compressor 9 by opening and closing the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 In addition, the fan corresponding to the evaporator in which the refrigerant no longer flows is operated so as to be able to defrost the evaporator in which the refrigerant no longer flows, among the first evaporator fan 10 and the second evaporator fan 11. .

  In the above configuration, the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 are thermally insulated by the heat insulating partition plate 2, and the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 2 that cool the first product storage chamber 3 during operation of the compressor 9. Since the refrigerant is configured to selectively flow through only one of the second evaporators 6 that cool the product storage chamber 4, one of the two product storage chambers 3 and 4 is cooled with the larger cooling load. It is sufficient to cool both of the two product storage chambers 3 and 4 by using the compressor 9 having an insufficient capacity to simultaneously cool both of the two product storage chambers 3 and 4. I can do it.

  Therefore, the cooling system including the compressor can be reduced in size and the cost can be reduced in the vending machine that supplies the refrigerant to the evaporators of the two commodity storage chambers from one compressor. .

  Further, the conventional vending machine stops the blower when the product storage chamber is cooled to a predetermined temperature so that the refrigerant does not flow into the evaporator. And the defrosting was performed when the frost formation state of the evaporator was detected or when the predetermined condition expected to require defrosting was satisfied.

  On the other hand, the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment corresponds to an evaporator in which one of the first evaporator blower 10 and the second evaporator blower 11 does not flow during operation of the compressor 9. The blower is operated so that the evaporator can be defrosted so that the refrigerant does not flow. Therefore, it is not necessary to stop the compressor 9 for defrosting, and one of the two product storage chambers 3 and 4 is not required. Either one of the other defrosting operations can be performed during the cooling operation.

  Moreover, since the air which exchanged heat with the frost adhering to an evaporator is ventilated until defrosting is complete | finished, the temperature rise of the goods storage chamber which has the evaporator in defrosting can be made moderate.

  Moreover, at the time of restarting the cooling operation of each evaporator, it is in a state after being defrosted by the defrosting operation by blowing before the cooling operation, and the cooling operation can be restarted by the evaporator in the frosted state. Since there is almost no property, it is possible to prevent a decrease in cooling capacity due to frost formation even in cooling under high temperature and high humidity conditions.

  Therefore, the cooling operation and the defrosting operation of the two product storage chambers can be efficiently performed in the vending machine that supplies the refrigerant to the evaporators of the two product storage chambers from one compressor.

  In addition, when storing products with different easiness of cooling, products that are relatively easy to cool are stored in either the first product storage chamber 3 or the second product storage chamber 4 and are also relatively cooled. It is desirable to store difficult products in either the first product storage chamber 3 or the second product storage chamber 4.

  Then, priority is given to cooling of the product storage room of the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 in which the relatively hard-to-cool product is stored over cooling of the other product storage chamber, Alternatively, by lowering the set temperature of the product storage chamber of the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 in which products that are relatively difficult to cool are stored, to be lower than the set temperature of the other product storage chamber, Products that are relatively difficult to cool can be quickly cooled.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, while making the 1st goods 15 accommodated in the 1st goods storage chamber 3 and the 2nd goods 16 accommodated in the 2nd goods storage chamber 4 into a drink containing a container, a capacity | capacitance or a container of At least one of the material and the shape of the container is made different from each other.

  Generally, a beverage in a container is a main product that is cooled and sold by a vending machine, and the capacity, the material of the container, and the shape of the container affect the ease of cooling the beverage in a container (the time required for cooling).

  Therefore, the first product 15 and the first product 15 stored in the first product storage chamber 3 are items that are relatively difficult to cool and are selected based on at least one of the capacity of the beverage in the container, the material of the container, and the shape of the container. The second product 16 stored in the two-product storage chamber 4 is relatively easy to cool while being selected based on at least one of the capacity of the beverage in the container, the material of the container, and the shape of the container. The product is set as one of the first product 15 stored in the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product 16 stored in the second product storage chamber 4.

  Then, priority is given to cooling of the product storage room of the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 in which the relatively hard-to-cool product is stored over cooling of the other product storage chamber, Alternatively, by lowering the set temperature of the product storage chamber of the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 in which products that are relatively difficult to cool are stored, to be lower than the set temperature of the other product storage chamber, Products that are relatively difficult to cool can be quickly cooled.

For example, when the first product 15 in the first product storage chamber 3 is divided into a small capacity and the second product 16 in the second product storage chamber 4 is divided into a large capacity and the capacity of the products to be stored, the product storage chamber is provided by product replenishment or the like. If the second product storage chamber 4 that takes a long time to cool due to its large capacity is preferentially cooled when the temperature of the product rises, the large-capacity second product 16 can be quickly cooled, The time until it can be sold can be shortened.

  Further, if the set temperatures of the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 are different from each other, the storage temperatures of the small-capacity product and the large-capacity product can be stored at different temperatures.

  In the present embodiment, one of the first product 15 and the second product 16 is a can beverage, and the other is a plastic bottle beverage.

  In general, there are two types of canned beverages: canned beverages and plastic bottled beverages, which occupy most of the beverages contained in containers. The canned beverages are aluminum cans or steel cans with a capacity of 350 ml or less. Is easier to cool than plastic bottle drinks that have a capacity of 500 ml or more.

  Therefore, the beverages contained in the containers to be cooled and sold by the vending machine are canned beverages and plastic bottle beverages, and the canned beverages are stored in the first product storage chamber 3 and the first product storage chamber 4. Either one of the second products 16 and the other one of the first product 15 stored in the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product 16 stored in the second product storage chamber 4. To do.

  Then, the cooling of the product storage chamber in which the plastic bottle beverages in the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 are stored has priority over the cooling of the other product storage chamber, By cooling the set temperature of the product storage room of the one product storage room 3 and the second product storage room 4 in which the plastic bottle drinks are stored, lower than the set temperature of the other product storage room, it is cooled more than the can drink Difficult plastic bottle drinks can be cooled quickly.

  When the first product 15 stored in the first product storage chamber 3 is a can beverage having a capacity of 350 ml or less, and the second product 16 stored in the second product storage chamber 4 is a plastic bottle beverage having a capacity of 500 ml or more, If the second product storage chamber 4 that takes time to cool down is preferentially cooled when the temperature of the product storage chamber rises due to replenishment or the like, the PET bottle beverage that is harder to cool than the can beverage is cooled faster. Can shorten the time until it can be sold.

  Moreover, even if the set temperature of the second product storage chamber 4 is lower than the set temperature of the first product storage chamber 3, the PET bottle beverage that is harder to cool than the can beverage can be cooled quickly and can be sold. Can be shortened.

  In addition, if the set temperatures of the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 are different from each other, the storage temperatures of the can beverage and the plastic bottle beverage can be stored at different temperatures.

  In the present embodiment, electromagnetic valves 17a and 17b are used for the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8, respectively.

  In general, since it is easy to electrically control the opening and closing of the solenoid valve from the outside, the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8 must be realized by electromagnetic valves, respectively. Can do.

In this case, the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 is arranged so that the control means 14 selectively allows the refrigerant to flow only in one of the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 6 during operation of the compressor 9. On the contrary, when opening one electromagnetic valve 17a, the other electromagnetic valve 17b is closed when the one electromagnetic valve 17a is opened and closed. When closing, the other solenoid valve 17b is controlled to open.

  3 to 5 of the present embodiment, the control means 14 cools one of the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 (second product storage chamber 4). Priority is given to (the 1st goods storage room 3).

  By the way, in the vending machine, whichever of the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 is different between the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 due to the difference in size and arrangement. Either one of the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 has a higher internal temperature than the other, or one of the cooling rates is slower than the other, or a product that is relatively easy to cool. A product that is stored in one side and that is relatively difficult to cool may be stored in either the first product storage chamber 3 or the second product storage chamber 4.

  In that case, either the first product storage chamber 3 or the second product storage chamber 4 has a higher internal temperature or the cooling rate of the product storage chamber with a slower cooling speed than the other has priority over the other. To do. Or priority is given to cooling of the goods storage room of the 1st goods storage room 3 or the 2nd goods storage room 4 which stores the goods which are comparatively hard to cool. Alternatively, a product that is relatively difficult to cool is stored in the product storage chamber in which cooling is given priority over the other one of the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4.

  By doing so, one of the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 which is difficult to cool or the product which is relatively difficult to cool can be quickly cooled and sold. Can be shortened.

  Here, if the cooling of the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 is prioritized over the other, the first chamber temperature detection is performed even if it is fixed in advance or can be switched manually. The product storage chambers detected by the means 12 and the second storage temperature detection means 13 or the product storage chambers 3 detected by the first storage temperature detection means 12 and the second storage temperature detection means 13. The control means 14 may determine and determine based on the cooling rate of each product storage room calculated from the temporal transition of the internal temperature of 4.

  The set temperature of the first product storage chamber 3 and the set temperature of the second product storage chamber 4 may be set independently of each other.

  In this case, the first product 15 (for example, a can beverage having a capacity of 350 ml or less) stored in the first product storage chamber 3 is stored in the second product 16 (for example, a capacity of 500 ml or more) stored in the second product storage chamber 4. Can be stored at a temperature different from that of plastic bottle drinks.

  Further, a variable capacity compressor may be used as the compressor 9 and the control means 14 may control the capacity and operation / stop of the compressor 9.

  In this case, the control means 14 detects the detected temperature of the first internal temperature detection means 12, the detected temperature of the second internal temperature detection means 13, the set temperature of the first product storage chamber 3, and the second product storage chamber 4. Since the capacity and the operation / stop of the capacity variable compressor 9 are controlled based on the set temperature, the compressor 9 can be operated with an appropriate capacity against load fluctuations of the product storage chambers 3 and 4 and can save energy.

Further, the present embodiment includes a first evaporator temperature detecting means 19 for detecting the temperature of the first evaporator 5 and a second evaporator temperature detecting means 20 for detecting the temperature of the second evaporator 6. Based on the temperature detected by the first evaporator temperature detecting means 19 or the second evaporator temperature detecting means 20, the control means 14 opens and closes the first refrigerant channel opening / closing means 7 and the second refrigerant channel opening / closing means 8. During the operation of the compressor 9, the operation of the blower corresponding to the evaporator in which the refrigerant no longer flows is controlled among the first evaporator blower 10 and the second evaporator blower 11.

  Normally, the temperature of the evaporator after the refrigerant stops flowing increases with time, but if the evaporator is frosted, the temperature does not exceed the freezing point of water until the frost has melted. Based on the temperature of the evaporator after no longer flows, the frosting state of the evaporator can be determined.

  Therefore, based on the temperature of the second evaporator 6 detected by the second evaporator temperature detecting means 20 when the refrigerant flows through the first evaporator 5 (no refrigerant flows through the second evaporator 6), The frosting state of the two evaporators 6 can be determined. Similarly, the refrigerant is detected by the first evaporator temperature detecting means 19 when the refrigerant flows through the second evaporator 6 (no refrigerant flows through the first evaporator 5). The frosting state of the first evaporator 5 can be determined based on the temperature of the first evaporator 5 that has been performed.

  In addition, the operation of the blower corresponding to the evaporator in which the refrigerant has stopped flowing is intended for defrosting, and it is desirable to finish the defrosting of the evaporator until the next time the refrigerant starts to flow. The operation of the blower after the frost that has frosted on the container has been melted is a waste of electric power.

  Therefore, the control is performed based on the temperature of the second evaporator 6 detected by the second evaporator temperature detecting means 20 when the refrigerant flows through the first evaporator 5 (no refrigerant flows through the second evaporator 6). When the means 14 determines that the second evaporator 6 is frosted, the frost frosted on the evaporator based on the temperature of the second evaporator 6 detected by the second evaporator temperature detecting means 20 The second evaporator blower 11 is operated until it is determined that the melting has ended, and similarly, when the refrigerant flows through the second evaporator 6 (no refrigerant flows through the first evaporator 5), When the control means 14 determines that the first evaporator 5 is frosted based on the temperature of the first evaporator 5 detected by the one evaporator temperature detecting means 19, the first evaporator temperature detection is performed. The frost that has formed on the evaporator based on the temperature of the first evaporator 5 detected by the means 19 has finished melting. Until it is determined, operating the first evaporator blower 10.

  Thereby, when the cooling operation of each evaporator is resumed, it is in a state after being defrosted by the defrosting operation by the air blow before the cooling operation, and the case where the defrosting cannot be completed before the cooling operation is resumed. Since there is no possibility of resuming the cooling operation with the evaporator in the frosting state, it is possible to prevent the cooling capacity from being lowered due to frosting even in the cooling under the high temperature and high humidity conditions.

  Further, the control is performed based on the temperature of the second evaporator 6 detected by the second evaporator temperature detecting means 20 when the refrigerant flows through the first evaporator 5 (no refrigerant flows through the second evaporator 6). When the means 14 determines that the evaporator has no frost formation based on the temperature of the second evaporator 6 or when it is determined that the frost has completely melted, the second evaporator blower 11 is stopped. In addition, control is performed based on the temperature of the first evaporator 5 detected by the first evaporator temperature detecting means 19 when the refrigerant flows through the second evaporator 6 (no refrigerant flows through the first evaporator 5). When the means 14 determines that the evaporator has no frost formation based on the temperature of the first evaporator 5 or determines that the frost has melted, the first evaporator blower 10 may be stopped. desirable.

  As described above, after the control means determines that the frost formed on the evaporator has been melted based on the temperature of the evaporator, the control means stops the operation of the blower for defrosting, so that it reaches the evaporator. It is possible to reduce wasteful power consumption due to the operation of the blower after the frost is completely melted.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, a rotation speed variable type blower is used for the 1st evaporator air blower 10 and the 2nd evaporator air blower 11, and the control means 14 controls the rotation speed of a rotation speed variable air blower.

Thus, the first product storage chamber 3 (or the second product storage chamber 4) is in the first compartment during the cooling operation in which the refrigerant flows into the first evaporator 5 (or the second evaporator 6). When the internal temperature detected by the temperature detection means 12 (or the second internal temperature detection means 13) is higher than the set temperature and the temperature difference is large, the first internal temperature detection means 12 (or the second internal temperature) The speed at which the internal temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 13) is higher than the set temperature and the internal temperature detected by the first internal temperature detecting means 12 (or the second internal temperature detecting means 13) approaches the set temperature. When it is late, the control means 14 increases the rotation speed of the first evaporator blower 10 (or the second evaporator blower 11) to make the first product storage chamber 3 (or the second product storage chamber 4) faster. Cool to set temperature.

  Also, during defrosting operation, if it can be determined that there is frosting of a predetermined amount or more based on the evaporator temperature, it is determined that there is a possibility that defrosting may not be completed from the transition of the evaporator temperature until restart of cooling operation If possible, the control means 14 can increase the rotational speed of the first evaporator blower 10 (or the second evaporator blower 11) to shorten the defrosting time.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control means 14 causes the first refrigerant flow so that the refrigerant selectively flows only in one of the first evaporator 5 and the second evaporator 6 when the compressor 9 is operated. Since the opening / closing of the path opening / closing means 7 and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8 is controlled, the compressor 9 does not need the ability to cool both the first product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 at the same time. There is no problem as long as one of the product storage chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4 has the capacity to cool the one with the larger cooling load to the set temperature.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the capacity of the compressor 9 is sufficient to cool either the first product storage chamber 3 or the second product storage chamber 4 which has a larger cooling load. The capacity of the compressor 9 and the condenser can be reduced by making the capacity insufficient to simultaneously cool both the chamber 3 and the second product storage chamber 4, and as a result, the cooling system 27 including the compressor 9 can be reduced. Since the size can be reduced, the cost of the cooling system 27 can be reduced.

  In addition, if the space created by downsizing the cooling system 27 is utilized for expanding the product storage room, the amount of products that can be stored in the product storage room can be increased. If the compressor 9 and the condenser are arranged to increase the wall thickness of the heat insulation wall between the machine room where the temperature is higher than the outside air temperature and the product storage room where the products to be sold are stored, energy saving can be achieved.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means are configured by a single three-way valve 18, and as the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 7 of the first embodiment, Instead of the electromagnetic valve 17a and the electromagnetic valve 17b as the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 8, a three-way valve 18 is used. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  When the refrigerant is allowed to flow through the first evaporator 5, the first evaporator 5 side of the three-way valve 18 is opened and the second evaporator 6 side is closed. On the other hand, when the refrigerant is allowed to flow through the second evaporator 6, the first evaporator 5 side of the three-way valve 18 is closed and the second evaporator 6 side is opened.

  When the electromagnetic valves 17a and 17b are used as in the first embodiment, two are always required. However, since the three-way valve 18 requires only one, the cost can be reduced.

The three-way valve 18 according to the present embodiment has one inlet and two outlets, and when one of the two outlets is open, the other is closed, and the other outlet is closed. The outlet that is sometimes closed is opened, and the flow path can be switched by external control. The first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means are connected to one three-way valve 18. Can be configured.

  Further, the single three-way valve 18 has a simpler control circuit than the case where the two electromagnetic valves 17a and 17b are used as in the first embodiment, and becomes a problem when the two electromagnetic valves 17a and 17b are switched. There is no risk of deviation between the timing for opening and closing the refrigerant flow path from the branch point to the first evaporator 5 and the timing for opening and closing the refrigerant flow path from the branch point to the second evaporator 6.

  As described above, the vending machine according to the present invention is sufficient for cooling one of the two product storage rooms, which has a larger cooling load, but is not suitable for cooling both of the two product storage rooms at the same time. Using a compressor with sufficient capacity, the cooling operation and the defrosting operation of the two product storage rooms can be performed efficiently, and it can be applied to uses such as showcases and refrigerators.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine 2 Thermal insulation partition plate 3 1st goods storage room 4 2nd goods storage room 5 1st evaporator 6 2nd evaporator 7 1st refrigerant | coolant flow path opening / closing means 8 2nd refrigerant flow path opening / closing means 9 Compressor 10 1st evaporator blower 11 2nd evaporator blower 12 1st inside temperature detection means 13 2nd inside temperature detection means 14 Control means 15 1st goods 16 2nd goods 17a Solenoid valve 17b Solenoid valve 18 Three-way valve 19 1st Evaporator temperature detection means 20 Second evaporator temperature detection means

Claims (11)

A first product storage chamber and a second product storage chamber partitioned by a heat insulating partition plate; a first evaporator for cooling the first product storage chamber; and the second product storage connected in parallel with the first evaporator. A first evaporator that opens and closes a refrigerant flow path to the first evaporator from a branch point of a second evaporator that cools the chamber, a refrigerant flow path to the first evaporator, and a refrigerant flow path to the second evaporator. 1 refrigerant flow path opening / closing means, 2nd refrigerant flow path opening / closing means for opening / closing a refrigerant flow path from the branch point to the second evaporator, and the first evaporator and the second evaporator are connected in parallel. A compressor for circulating the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit, a first evaporator fan for blowing air to the first evaporator, a second evaporator fan for blowing air to the second evaporator, and the first product storage chamber. A first internal temperature detecting means for detecting the internal temperature, and a second internal temperature for detecting the internal temperature of the second commodity storage chamber. Based on the detection means, the detection temperature of the first internal temperature detection means, the detection temperature of the second internal temperature detection means, the set temperature of the first product storage chamber, and the set temperature of the second product storage chamber Control means for controlling the opening and closing of the first refrigerant flow path opening and closing means, the second refrigerant flow path opening and closing means, the operation of the compressor, the operation of the first evaporator blower and the second evaporator blower, The control means includes the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means and the second refrigerant so that the refrigerant selectively flows through only one of the first evaporator and the second evaporator during operation of the compressor. The opening and closing of the refrigerant flow path opening / closing means is controlled, and the opening and closing of the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means causes the first evaporator blower and the second evaporation during operation of the compressor. One of the air blowers for the evaporator where the refrigerant has stopped flowing Vending machine, characterized in that the evaporator defrosting the blower the refrigerant stops flowing to the driving as possible. The first product stored in the first product storage chamber and the second product stored in the second product storage chamber are beverages in a container, and are at least one of a capacity, a material of the container, or a shape of the container. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein one of them is different from each other. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein one of the first product and the second product is a can beverage and the other is a plastic bottle beverage. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an electromagnetic valve is used for each of the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first refrigerant flow path opening / closing means and the second refrigerant flow path opening / closing means are configured by a single three-way valve. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit prioritizes cooling of one of the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber over the other. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a set temperature of the first product storage chamber and a set temperature of the second product storage chamber can be set independently of each other. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the compressor is a variable capacity compressor, and the control means controls the capacity and operation / stop of the compressor. . The first evaporator temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the first evaporator and the second evaporator temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the second evaporator, wherein the control means includes the first evaporator Based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means or the second evaporator temperature detecting means, the first refrigerant passage opening and closing means and the second refrigerant passage opening and closing means are opened and closed during the operation of the compressor. 9. The automatic operation according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the blower corresponding to the evaporator in which the refrigerant has stopped flowing is controlled. Vending machine. A rotation speed variable type blower is used for at least one of the first evaporator blower and the second evaporator blower, and the control means controls the rotation speed of the rotation speed variable blower. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The capacity of the compressor is sufficient to cool the one of the first product storage chamber and the second product storage chamber which has a larger cooling load, but the first product storage chamber and the second product storage 11. A vending machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vending machine has insufficient capacity to cool both chambers simultaneously.

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