JP2019052004A - Ice discharge mechanism and ice discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ice discharge mechanism and an ice discharge device capable of eliminating necessity (indispensability) of providing a sensor used for acquiring an amount of ice in order to discharge ice of a set discharge amount.SOLUTION: A discharge mechanism 6 includes a discharge passage 42a having an ice temporary storage portion 21 in which an ice storage space 20 for storing temporarily ice K in an ice storage portion 3 is formed. A volume of the ice storage space 20 in the temporary ice storage portion 21 is set based on the set discharge amount of the ice discharged from a discharge port 42b at a downstream end of an ice flow direction ST in the discharge passage 42a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

  The present invention relates to an ice discharge mechanism and an ice discharge device, and more particularly to an ice discharge mechanism and an ice discharge device including a discharge passage through which ice supplied from an ice storage chamber is discharged.

  Conventionally, an ice discharge mechanism and an ice discharge device having a discharge passage through which ice supplied from an ice storage chamber is discharged are known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 1 discloses an ice making machine including an ice storage (ice storage chamber) for storing ice, a door for opening and closing an ice discharge port of the ice storage, and a temporary holding container (discharge passage) provided with an opening at a lower end. Is disclosed. The temporary holding container of the ice making machine is configured to open and close the opening with a shutter. In addition, the temporary holding container includes a sensor that is disposed at a position above the opening at the lower end, and whose output voltage changes in accordance with the accumulated height position of ice accumulated in the temporary holding container.

  In the ice making machine described in Patent Document 1, the accumulated height position of the ice in the temporary holding container is acquired based on the output of the sensor, and the ice is stored in accordance with the acquired accumulated height position of the ice in the temporary holding container. The amount of is acquired. And in the ice making machine of the said patent document 1, when the quantity of the ice in a temporary holding container is a setting discharge amount, ice is discharged from a temporary holding container.

Japanese Patent No. 3291344

  As described above, in the ice making machine described in Patent Document 1, in order to discharge a set amount of ice from the temporary holding container, it is indispensable (essential) to include a sensor used to acquire the amount of ice. There is a problem that there is.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a sensor used to acquire the amount of ice in order to discharge a set amount of ice. It is an object to provide an ice discharge mechanism and an ice discharge device capable of eliminating the necessity (essential necessity) of provision.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ice discharge mechanism according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a discharge passage having a temporary ice storage section in which an ice storage space for temporarily storing ice in an ice storage chamber is formed. The volume of the ice storage space in the ice temporary storage unit is set based on the set discharge amount of ice discharged from the discharge port at the downstream end of the discharge passage in the ice flow direction.

  In the ice discharge mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, the volume of the ice storage space in the ice temporary storage unit is set based on the set discharge amount of ice. Thereby, the discharge amount of ice discharged from the discharge port without using a sensor can be set to the set discharge amount. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the necessity (indispensability) of providing a sensor used to acquire the amount of ice in order to discharge a set amount of ice.

  In the ice discharging mechanism according to the first aspect, preferably, the ice temporary storage unit includes an opening / closing door that rotates between an open position and a closed position, and by adjusting a rotation angle of the opening / closing door, The volume of the ice storage space is adjusted according to the set discharge amount of ice. With this configuration, unlike the case where the amount of ice in the ice storage space is acquired based on the measured value of the sensor, the ice is simply adjusted by adjusting the rotation angle of the open / close door according to the set discharge amount of ice. By adjusting the volume of the storage space, the discharge amount of ice can be easily adjusted. Further, since it is not necessary to add a new configuration to adjust the ice discharge amount, an increase in the number of parts in the ice discharge mechanism can be suppressed even when the ice discharge amount is variable. it can.

  In the ice discharge mechanism including the open / close door, the open / close door is preferably provided at a downstream opening at a downstream end of the ice storage space in the ice flow direction and rotates between an open position and a closed position. A first opening / closing door including a first opening / closing door and a second opening / closing door provided at an upstream opening of an upstream end portion of the ice storage space in the ice flow direction and rotating between an open position and a closed position; The volume of the ice storage space is adjusted according to the set discharge amount of ice by adjusting the rotation angle of at least one of the second doors. If comprised in this way, only by adjusting the rotation angle of at least one of the 1st opening-and-closing door which supplies ice to ice storage space, and the 2nd opening-and-closing door which discharges ice from ice storage space, the discharge amount of ice is reduced. Can be adjusted appropriately.

  In this case, preferably, the first opening / closing door closes the downstream opening and the second opening / closing door opens the upstream opening so that ice is supplied into the ice storage space. If constituted in this way, ice of the set discharge amount can be reliably stored in the ice storage space.

  In the ice discharge mechanism provided with the first door and the second door, preferably, after the ice is supplied into the ice storage space, the first door is rotated to open the downstream opening and the second. The opening / closing door is rotated to close the upstream opening. With this configuration, it is possible to reliably discharge the set amount of ice from the discharge port of the discharge passage while suppressing the ice in the ice storage chamber from being discharged into the ice storage space. Moreover, since it can suppress that a part of ice in an ice storage chamber is discharged with the ice in an ice storage space, it can suppress that the actual discharge amount of ice becomes larger than expected.

  In the ice discharge mechanism provided with the first door and the second door, the first drive source for generating a driving force for rotating the first door and the first drive source are preferably provided separately. And a second driving source for generating a driving force for rotating the second opening / closing door. If comprised in this way, since each of a 1st opening-and-closing door and a 2nd opening-and-closing door can be adjusted independently with a 1st drive source and a 2nd drive source, a 1st opening-and-closing door and a 2nd opening-and-closing door are 1 The first opening / closing door and the second opening / closing door can be driven more stably than in the case of adjusting using one drive source.

  In the ice discharge mechanism provided with the second opening / closing door, preferably, the temporary ice storage portion is a second opening / closing portion that is inclined downward as it goes to a front end side in a discharge direction in which the ice in the ice storage chamber is discharged into the ice storage space. It has an upper wall part constituted by a door. If comprised in this way, the length of the up-down direction of the position away from the discharge outlet considered that it is a place where it is hard to accumulate ice in ice storage space can be made small. Thereby, since the ice storage space is easily filled with ice, the accuracy of the amount of ice discharged from the discharge port of the discharge passage can be improved.

  An ice discharge device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an ice storage chamber for storing ice, an ice discharge mechanism for discharging ice in the ice storage chamber, and a stirring unit for stirring the ice in the ice storage chamber. The discharge mechanism includes a discharge passage having an ice temporary storage portion in which an ice storage space in which ice in the ice storage chamber is temporarily stored is formed, from a discharge port at a downstream end portion in the ice flow direction of the discharge passage. The volume of the ice storage space in the ice temporary storage unit is set based on the set discharge amount of ice to be discharged.

  In the ice discharge device according to the second aspect of the present invention, as described above, the volume of the ice storage space in the ice temporary storage unit is set based on the set discharge amount of ice. Thereby, the discharge amount of ice discharged from the discharge port without using a sensor can be set to the set discharge amount. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the necessity (indispensability) of providing a sensor used to acquire the amount of ice in order to discharge a set amount of ice.

  In the ice ejection device according to the second aspect, preferably, the agitation unit includes an agitation surface unit that agitates ice by rotating, and the agitation surface unit has an inclined surface that inclines downward as it moves away from the rotation axis. The ice temporary storage portion has an upper wall portion having an inner surface parallel to a direction along the inclined direction of the inclined surface. If comprised in this way, by making the inner surface of an upper wall part parallel to the direction in alignment with the inclination direction of an inclined surface, the position of the up-down direction of the position away from the discharge outlet considered that it is a place where it is hard to accumulate ice in ice storage space. The length can be reduced. Thereby, since the inside of the ice storage space is easily filled with ice, the accuracy of the amount of ice discharged from the discharge port of the discharge passage can be improved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the necessity (indispensability) of providing a sensor that is used to acquire the amount of ice in order to discharge a set amount of ice as described above.

It is a perspective view of the ice discharge device by a 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the ice discharge apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a front view of the state where the stirring mechanism of the ice discharge device by a 1st embodiment was exposed. It is a side view of the state where the stirring mechanism and discharge mechanism of the ice discharge device according to the first embodiment are exposed. It is a perspective view of the upper flapper and upper flapper drive mechanism of the ice discharge apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a side view of the upper flapper and upper flapper drive mechanism of the ice discharge apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is the side view which showed the operation | movement which opens and closes the upper flapper of the ice discharge apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the lower flapper and lower flapper drive mechanism of the ice discharge apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a side view of the lower flapper and lower flapper drive mechanism of the ice discharge apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is the side view which showed the operation | movement which opens and closes the lower flapper of the ice discharge apparatus by 1st Embodiment. FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view showing the maximum ice supply state of the ice storage space. FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view showing a state where ice is discharged from the maximum ice supply state. FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view showing a reduced ice supply state of the ice storage space. FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view showing a state where ice is discharged from the reduced ice supply state. It is the flowchart which showed the discharge processing flow of the ice discharge apparatus by 1st Embodiment. It is a front view of the state where the discharge mechanism of the ice discharge device by a 2nd embodiment was exposed. It is a perspective view of the upper flapper and upper flapper drive mechanism of the ice discharge apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. It is a side view of the upper flapper and upper flapper drive mechanism of the ice discharge apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. It is the side view which showed the operation | movement which opens and closes the upper flapper of the ice discharge apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the lower flapper and lower flapper drive mechanism of the ice discharge apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. It is a side view of the lower flapper and lower flapper drive mechanism of the ice discharge apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. It is the side view which showed the operation | movement which opens and closes the lower flapper of the ice discharge apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view of the stirring body which has the stirring main-body part of the ice discharge apparatus by the modification of 1st and 2nd embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the ice discharge apparatus by the modification of 1st and 2nd embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
With reference to FIGS. 1-13, the structure of the ice discharge apparatus 1 by one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

(Structure of ice discharge device)
As shown in FIG. 1, the ice discharge device 1 is a device that discharges the ice K supplied and stored from the ice making machine 2. The ice discharge device 1 is used for supplying ice K into a cup in a vending machine having a function of pouring a beverage into the cup.

  Specifically, the ice discharge device 1 includes an ice storage unit 3, a cover unit 4, a stirring mechanism 5, a discharge mechanism 6, and a control unit 7. Here, in the ice discharge device 1, the direction in which the ice storage unit 3 and the discharge mechanism 6 are arranged is the X direction (front-rear direction), the direction orthogonal to the X direction in the horizontal plane is the Y direction (left-right direction), and the X direction and A direction orthogonal to the Y direction is defined as a Z direction (up and down direction). The stirring mechanism 5 is an example of the “stirring unit” in the claims, the discharge mechanism 6 is an example of the “ice discharging mechanism” in the claims, and the ice storage unit 3 is the claim It is an example of a range “ice storage room”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ice storage unit 3 is stored in the stocker 11 for storing the supplied ice K, the discharge port 12 for discharging the ice K stored in the stocker 11 to the discharge mechanism 6, and the stocker 11. And a contact member 13 that contacts the ice K. The stocker 11 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and has an internal space for storing ice K. The stocker 11 has a bottom part 11a and a side wall part 11b protruding upward from the peripheral part of the bottom part 11a. An attachment portion 11c for attaching the agitation mechanism 5 is provided at substantially the center in the horizontal direction of the bottom portion 11a. The attachment portion 11c protrudes upward. Further, a through hole 11d penetrating in the Z direction (vertical direction) is formed in the bottom portion 11a.

  The discharge port 12 is formed on the Z2 side (lower side) of the X1 side (front side) portion of the stocker 11. The contact member 13 has a function of breaking the ice K in the stocker 11 and a function of limiting the amount of ice K discharged from the discharge port 12. Note that the function of breaking the ice K indicates to release the attached state of the plurality of ices K attached to each other.

  Specifically, the contact member 13 has an attachment portion 13 a attached to the stocker 11 and a protrusion 13 b that protrudes from the attachment portion 13 a into the stocker 11. The attachment portion 13 a is attached to a portion above the discharge port 12 in the upper edge portion of the stocker 11. The protruding portion 13b protrudes into the stocker 11 so as to incline to the Z2 side as it goes to the X2 side.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover portion 4 includes a mechanism cover 41 that covers the discharge mechanism 6 and a passage cover 42 that is attached to the mechanism cover 41. The mechanism cover 41 is formed with an internal space for disposing the discharge mechanism 6 therein. In addition, a discharge passage 42 a that is a passage through which the ice K discharged from the discharge port 12 passes is formed between the passage cover 42 and the stocker 11. In the discharge passage 42a, the opening at the upstream end in the ice flow direction ST is the discharge port 12, and the opening at the downstream end in the ice flow direction ST is the discharge port 42b. The discharge passage 42 a communicates with the internal space of the stocker 11 via the discharge port 12.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the stirring mechanism 5 includes a drive source 51, a driving force transmission unit 52, a stirring unit 53, and an encoder 54. The drive source 51 includes a motor 51a that rotates around a rotation axis that extends in the Z direction, and a gear box 51b that is connected to the motor 51a.

  The driving force transmission unit 52 is configured to transmit the driving force from the driving source 51 to the stirring unit 53. Specifically, the driving force transmission unit 52 includes a first gear 52a connected to the gear box 51b and a second gear 52b connected to the first gear 52a. The first gear 52a rotates around the rotation axis extending in the Z direction by the driving force of the motor 51a transmitted through the gear box 51b. The second gear 52b rotates around the rotation axis extending in the Z direction by the driving force of the first gear 52a. The second gear 52b has an engaging portion 52c on the end face on the Z1 side.

  The agitating unit 53 is configured to agitate the ice K when the driving force of the driving force transmitting unit 52 is transmitted and rotated in the first direction D1. Specifically, the agitating portion 53 includes an engaged portion 53a that engages with the engaging portion 52c, and an urging member 53b (for example, a spring) that urges the engaged portion 53a toward the Z2 side (downward). And a stirring body 53c that stirs the ice K in the stocker 11.

  The stirrer 53c has a circular shape in a plan view, and includes a shaft portion 53d disposed at the center portion, and a stirring surface portion 53e that inclines in the Z2 direction (downward) from the shaft portion 53d toward the radially outer side. doing. That is, the upper surface of the stirring surface portion 53e is an inclined surface 153e that inclines in the Z2 direction (downward) as it goes radially outward from the shaft portion 53d. The radially outer end portion of the stirring surface portion 53e is located near the lower end portion of the discharge port 12 of the stocker 11. Further, the stirring surface portion 53e is formed with a triangular rib portion 53f protruding in a direction orthogonal to the surface direction in order to promote the stirring of the ice K.

  The stirrer 53c is configured such that the first gear 52a and the second gear 52b rotate when the drive source 51 is driven, and the engaged portion 53a engaged with the engaging portion 52c rotates. ing. Here, the encoder 54 is configured to detect the rotation direction, the rotation amount, and the rotation angle of the engaged portion 53 a of the stirring unit 53. Thus, in the stirring mechanism 5, the stirring body 53 c is rotated to stir the ice K on the stirring surface portion 53 e and the rotation of the stirring portion 53 is detected by the encoder 54.

(Discharge mechanism)
The discharge mechanism 6 is configured to discharge the ice K from the ice discharge device 1 at a predetermined timing after temporarily storing the ice K using a plurality (two) of flappers 60. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the discharge mechanism 6 includes an upper flapper drive mechanism 8, an upper flapper 61 connected to the upper flapper drive mechanism 8, a lower flapper drive mechanism 9, and a lower flapper. And a lower flapper 62 connected to the driving mechanism 9. Each of the flapper 60, the lower flapper 62, and the upper flapper 61 is an example of “opening / closing door”, “first opening / closing door”, and “second opening / closing door” in the claims.

  The upper flapper drive mechanism 8 is configured to rotate the upper flapper 61 provided at the discharge port 12 of the stocker 11 between an open position and a closed position, as shown in FIGS. Yes. Specifically, the upper flapper drive mechanism 8 includes a motor 81, a gear box 82, an encoder 83, and a link 84. Here, the encoder 83 is configured to detect the rotation direction, rotation amount, and rotation angle of the motor 81. Specifically, the encoder 83 includes a photo sensor 83a having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and a light shielding plate 83c having a plurality of slits 83b through which light emitted from the light emitting element passes. In the encoder 83, the rotation direction, the rotation amount, and the rotation angle of the motor 81 are detected based on a change in intensity of light emitted from the light emitting element and transmitted through the slit 83b and received by the light receiving element. The motor 81 is an example of the “first drive source” in the claims.

  The motor 81 rotates around a rotation axis extending in the Y direction. The gear box 82 is connected to each of the motor 81 and the light shielding plate 83c of the encoder 83, and transmits the driving force from the motor 81 to the light shielding plate 83c. The light shielding plate 83c rotates around the rotation axis extending in the Y direction by the driving force transmitted from the motor 81. The encoder 83 is configured such that the light emitted from the light emitting element passes through the slit 83b and is received by the light receiving element by the rotating light shielding plate 83c.

  As shown in FIG. 6, one end of the link 84 rotates around a rotation axis extending in the Y direction by being connected to the light shielding plate 83c. The other end portion of the link 84 is provided with a protruding portion 84a that protrudes in the Y2 direction and is inserted into the guide hole 41a of the mechanism cover 41. Further, the protrusion 84a of the link 84 is slidably moved in the X direction (front-rear direction) by being connected to the guide hole 41a extending in the X direction (front-rear direction).

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper flapper 61 is configured to open and close the discharge port 12 of the stocker 11. Specifically, the upper flapper 61 has a rotation shaft 61a, a driven portion 61b, and an upper flapper main body 61c. The rotation shaft 61a is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the Y direction. Both ends of the rotation shaft 61a in the Y direction are supported by the mechanism cover 41. The rotation shaft 61a rotates about a rotation axis extending in the Y direction. The driven portion 61b extends from the end of the rotation shaft 61a on the Y2 direction side in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotation shaft 61a. The follower 61b has a sliding surface 161 on which the other end of the link 84 slides while the other end of the link 84 slides in the X direction (front-rear direction).

  The upper flapper drive mechanism 8 has an upper flapper urging member 85 for urging the upper flapper 61 in the direction of closing the discharge port 12. The upper flapper biasing member 85 has one end attached to the mechanism cover 41 and the other end attached to the driven portion 61 b of the upper flapper 61.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the motor 81 is driven and the other end of the link 84 slides in the X direction (front-rear direction), so that the other end of the link 84 is driven by the driven portion 61b. Slide on the surface. As a result, the upper flapper 61 is configured to be rotatable in the opening direction against the urging force of the upper flapper urging member 85.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lower flapper drive mechanism 9 is configured to rotate the lower flapper 62 in order to open and close the discharge passage 42 a that discharges the ice K. Specifically, the lower flapper drive mechanism 9 includes a motor 91, a gear box 92, a pulley 93, and a link 94. The motor 91 is an example of the “second drive source” in the claims.

  The motor 91 rotates around a rotation axis extending in the Y direction. The gear box 92 is connected to each of the motor 91 and the link 94, and transmits the driving force from the motor 91 to the link 94. The motor 91 is provided separately from the motor 91 of the upper flapper drive mechanism 8.

  As shown in FIG. 9, one end of the link 94 is connected to a pulley 93 connected to a gear box 92, thereby rotating around a rotation axis extending in the Y direction. The other end of the link 94 is slid in the Z direction (up and down direction) by being connected to the guide hole 41b of the mechanism cover 41 extending in the Z direction (up and down direction). That is, the other end portion of the link 94 is provided with a protruding portion 94a that protrudes in the Y1 direction and is inserted into the guide hole 41b. Further, the protrusion 94 a of the link 94 is connected to the lower flapper 62.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lower flapper 62 is configured to open and close the discharge passage 42a. Specifically, the lower flapper 62 has a rotating shaft 62a, a driven portion 62b, and a lower flapper main body 62c. The rotation shaft 62a is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the Y direction. Each of both ends in the Y direction of the rotation shaft 62a is supported by the mechanism cover 41. Then, the rotation shaft 62a rotates around a rotation axis extending in the Y direction. The driven portion 62b extends from the end of the rotation shaft 62a on the Y1 direction side in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotation shaft 62a. The driven portion 62b has a connection portion 62d to which the other end portion of the link 94 is connected.

  The lower flapper drive mechanism 9 has a lower flapper urging member 95 for urging the lower flapper 62 in the direction of closing the discharge passage 42a. The lower flapper urging member 95 has one end attached to the driven portion 62 b of the lower flapper 62 and the other end attached to the mechanism cover 41.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10, the lower flapper 62 is driven by the motor 91, and the other end of the link 94 is driven as the other end of the link 94 slides in the Z direction (vertical direction). Since it is connected to the part 62b, it can be rotated around a rotation axis extending in the Y direction.

  3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), a memory (not shown), and the like, and is a control circuit that controls the operation of the ice ejection device 1. The memory stores a discharge processing program based on a discharge processing flow including an operation of discharging a predetermined amount of ice K in the stocker 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 7 is electrically connected to a motor 51 a of the stirring mechanism 5 and an encoder 54 of the stirring mechanism 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 7 is electrically connected to a motor 81 of the upper flapper drive mechanism 8, an encoder 83 of the upper flapper drive mechanism 8, and a motor 91 of the lower flapper drive mechanism 9. ing.

(Ice temporary storage part)
The ice discharge device 1 is configured to temporarily store the ice K supplied from the stocker 11 by the discharge mechanism 6 and discharge the set amount of ice K when the set amount of ice K is stored. ing. Here, when a sensor for acquiring the height position of the temporarily stored ice K is used to discharge the set amount of ice K, a predetermined height position of the discharge passage 42a. It is necessary to arrange a sensor in For this reason, the sensor may have to be disposed at a position away from other electronic devices. In that case, the configuration of the discharge mechanism 6 becomes complicated due to wiring or the like.

  Therefore, the discharge mechanism 6 of the first embodiment adjusts the volume of the ice storage space 20 that temporarily stores the ice K without using a sensor that acquires the height position so that the configuration is not complicated. It is configured. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, a configuration for discharging a set discharge amount of ice K in the ice discharge device 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the discharge mechanism 6 has an ice storage part 21 in which an ice storage space 20 in which the ice K in the ice storage part 3 is temporarily stored is formed. In the temporary ice storage part 21, the upper wall part is constituted by an upper flapper 61 rotated in the opening direction, and the lower wall part is constituted by a lower flapper 62 rotated in the closing direction. In the temporary ice storage part 21, the side wall part is constituted by the passage cover 42 and the side wall part 11 b of the stocker 11. That is, the ice storage space 20 is an internal space surrounded by the upper flapper 61, the lower flapper 62, the passage cover 42, and the side wall 11 b of the stocker 11. Here, the upper wall portion is configured to incline downward as it goes to the tip end side in the X1 direction by the upper flapper 61 rotated in the opening direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper wall portion is configured by the upper flapper 61 to have an inner surface parallel to the direction along the inclination direction of the inclined surface 153 e of the stirring surface portion 53 e. Thus, the cross-sectional area of the ice storage space 20 decreases in the Z direction as it goes in the X1 direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the ice temporary storage unit 21 includes a flapper 60 that rotates between an open position and a closed position. The upper flapper 61 rotates between the open position and the closed position, and opens and closes the upstream opening 20a at the upstream end of the ice storage space 20 in the ice flow direction ST. The lower flapper 62 rotates between the open position and the closed position, and opens and closes the downstream opening 20b at the downstream end of the ice storage space 20 in the ice flow direction ST.

<Discharge of ice>
In the ice discharge device 1, the discharge amount of the ice K discharged from the discharge port 42b of the discharge passage 42a is set in advance as a set discharge amount, and the volume of the ice storage space 20 is set based on the set discharge amount. ing. The control unit 7 is configured to adjust the volume of the ice storage space 20 according to the set discharge amount of the ice K by adjusting the rotation angle of the upper flapper 61.

  Specifically, when the set discharge amount of ice K is the maximum, the control unit 7 rotates the lower flapper 62 in the closing direction as shown in FIG. The downstream opening 20b is closed, and the upper flapper 61 is configured to be in an ice supply state rotated to a predetermined angle DG. Here, the predetermined angle DG is an angle at which the lower flapper 62 rotates until it contacts the inner surface of the upper wall portion of the passage cover 42 in the opening direction.

  Accordingly, the discharge mechanism 6 is in a state where the maximum amount of ice K corresponding to the volume of the ice storage space 20 is temporarily stored (maximum ice supply state). Then, after the ice K is supplied into the ice storage space 20 in the maximum ice supply state, the control unit 7 rotates the lower flapper 62 to open the downstream side opening 20b as shown in FIG. Is configured to do. Thereby, the ice K temporarily stored in the ice storage space 20 is discharged from the discharge port 42b. Further, the ice K can be prevented from being discharged into the ice storage space 20 by rotating the upper flapper 61 in the closing direction to close the discharge port 42b. As a result, the discharge amount of ice K discharged from the discharge port 42b is substantially the set discharge amount.

  Specifically, when the set discharge amount of ice K is decreased from the maximum discharge amount, the control unit 7 rotates the lower flapper 62 in the closing direction as shown in FIG. By moving, the downstream opening 20b of the ice storage space 20 is closed, and the upper flapper 61 is configured to be in an ice supply state rotated to a predetermined angle DG. Here, the predetermined angle DG is an angle at which the lower flapper 62 rotates in the opening direction to an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position.

  Thereby, the discharge mechanism 6 will be in the state (ice reduction supply state) in which the ice K reduced more than the maximum amount corresponding to the volume of the ice storage space 20 was temporarily stored. Then, after the ice K is supplied into the ice storage space 20 in the reduced ice supply state, the control unit 7 rotates the lower flapper 62 to open the downstream side opening 20b as shown in FIG. It is configured to let you. Thereby, the ice K temporarily stored in the ice storage space 20 is discharged from the discharge port 42b. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the ice K from being discharged into the ice storage space 20 by rotating the upper flapper 61 in the closing direction and closing the discharge port 42b. As a result, the discharge amount of ice K discharged from the discharge port 42b is substantially the set discharge amount.

  The predetermined angle DG of the upper flapper 61 corresponding to the predetermined discharge amount is stored in the memory of the control unit 7.

(Flowchart of discharge process)
With reference to FIG. 13, the discharge process flow in the ice discharge apparatus 1 is demonstrated.

  In step S <b> 1, the control unit 7 determines whether there is an instruction to start discharging ice K. If there is an instruction to start discharging ice K, the control unit 7 proceeds to step S2. When there is no instruction to start discharging ice K, the control unit 7 returns to step S1. In step S2, the control unit 7 acquires a set ejection amount. In step S <b> 3, the control unit 7 acquires a predetermined angle DG that is a rotation angle of the upper flapper 61 according to the set discharge amount.

  In step S <b> 4, the control unit 7 closes the downstream opening 20 b of the ice storage space 20 with the lower flapper 62. In step S5, the control unit 7 rotates the upper flapper 61 in the opening direction. In step S6, the control unit 7 determines whether or not the rotation angle of the upper flapper 61 has reached a predetermined angle DG. Here, the rotation angle of the upper flapper 61 is measured by the encoder 83. When the rotation angle of the upper flapper 61 is the predetermined angle DG, the control unit 7 proceeds to step S7. When the rotation angle of the upper flapper 61 is not the predetermined angle DG, the control unit 7 returns to step S5.

  In step S <b> 7, the control unit 7 rotates the stirring unit 53. Thereby, the ice K in the stocker 11 is supplied into the ice storage space 20. In step S <b> 6, the control unit 7 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of rotation of the stirring unit 53. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 7 determines that the discharge of the ice K from the stocker 11 has been completed, and proceeds to step S9. When the predetermined time has not elapsed, the control unit 7 returns to step S7. In step S9, the lower flapper 62 is rotated in the opening direction and the upper flapper 61 is rotated in the closing direction. Thereby, the discharge of the ice K from the ice storage space 20 is completed. Then, the discharge process flow is repeated by returning to step S1.

(Effect of 1st Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the volume of the ice storage space 20 in the ice temporary storage unit 21 is set in the discharge mechanism 6 based on the set discharge amount of ice K. Thereby, the discharge amount of the ice K discharged from the discharge port 42b without using a sensor can be set to the set discharge amount. As a result, since the set amount of ice K is discharged, it is possible to eliminate the necessity (indispensability) of providing a sensor used for acquiring the amount of ice K.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the temporary ice storage unit 21 includes the flapper 60 that rotates between the open position and the closed position. By adjusting the rotation angle of the flapper 60, The volume of the ice storage space 20 is adjusted according to the set discharge amount of K. Thus, unlike the case where the amount of ice K in the ice storage space 20 is acquired based on the measured value of the sensor, the ice storage is performed only by adjusting the rotation angle of the flapper 60 according to the set discharge amount of the ice K. By adjusting the volume of the space 20, the discharge amount of the ice K can be easily adjusted.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, since it is not necessary to add a new configuration in order to adjust the discharge amount of ice K, the discharge amount of ice K can be changed even when the discharge amount is variable. An increase in the number of parts in the mechanism 6 can be suppressed.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the flapper 60 includes the lower flapper 62 provided in the downstream opening 20b and the upper flapper 61 provided in the upstream opening 20a. In the ice discharge device 1, the control unit 7 is controlled so as to adjust the volume of the ice storage space 20 according to the set discharge amount of ice K by adjusting the rotation angle of at least one of the lower flapper 62 and the upper flapper 61. Configure. As a result, the amount of ice K discharged can be appropriately adjusted only by adjusting the rotation angle of at least one of the upper flapper 61 that supplies the ice K to the ice storage space 20 and the lower flapper 62 that discharges the ice K from the ice storage space 20. Can be adjusted to.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the control unit 7 is placed in the ice storage space 20 with the lower flapper 62 closing the downstream opening 20b and the upper flapper 61 opening the upstream opening 20a. It is configured so that ice K is supplied. Thereby, the set amount of ice K can be reliably stored in the ice storage space 20.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, after the ice K is supplied into the ice storage space 20, the control unit 7 rotates the lower flapper 62 to open the downstream opening 20 b and the upper flapper 61. And the upstream opening 20a is closed. Thereby, it is possible to reliably discharge the set amount of ice K from the discharge port 42b of the discharge passage 42a while preventing the ice K in the ice storage chamber from being discharged into the ice storage space 20. Moreover, since it can suppress that a part of ice K in the ice storage part 3 is discharged with the ice K in the ice storage space 20, it suppresses that the discharge amount of actual ice K becomes larger than expected. can do.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the discharge mechanism 6 is provided separately from the motor 81 for generating the driving force for rotating the lower flapper 62 and the motor 81, and the driving for rotating the upper flapper. And a motor 91 for generating a force. Thereby, since each of the lower flapper 62 and the upper flapper 61 can be adjusted independently by the motors 81 and 91, the lower flapper 62 can be adjusted rather than adjusting the lower flapper 62 and the upper flapper 61 using one motor. And the upper flapper 61 can be made stable.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the temporary ice storage unit 21 is inclined downward as it goes to the front end side in the discharge direction in which the ice K in the ice storage unit 3 is discharged to the ice storage space 20. An upper wall portion constituted by the flapper 61 is provided. Thereby, the length of the up-down direction of the position away from the discharge outlet 42b considered as the location where the ice K is hard to accumulate in the ice storage space 20 can be made small. As a result, since the ice storage space 20 is easily filled with ice K, the accuracy of the amount of ice K discharged from the discharge port 42b of the discharge passage 42a can be improved.

  In the first embodiment, since the volume of the ice storage space 20 can be adjusted by an easy method of adjusting the rotation angle of the flapper 60, the method of adjusting the volume of the ice storage space 20 is complicated. Is possible.

  In the first embodiment, the ice storage space 20 can be adjusted using the lower flapper 62 and the upper flapper 61 provided at the downstream end and the upstream end of the ice storage space 20, respectively. As compared with the case where the lower flapper 62 and the upper flapper 61 are not provided at the downstream end portion and the upstream end portion of the ice storage space 20, respectively, the ice storage space 20 can be effectively used throughout. .

(Second Embodiment)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 14-20, the structure of the ice discharge apparatus 201 by 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, an example in which the upper flapper 61 and the lower flapper 62 are driven by one motor 211 will be described. Note that in the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

(Discharge mechanism)
As shown in FIG. 14, the discharge mechanism 206 includes an upper flapper drive mechanism 208, an upper flapper 61 connected to the upper flapper drive mechanism 208, a lower flapper drive mechanism 209, and a lower flapper drive mechanism 209. And a lower flapper 62 connected thereto. Here, upper flapper drive mechanism 208 and lower flapper drive mechanism 209 share motor 211, gear box 212 connected to motor 211, drive gear 213 connected to gear box 212, and encoder 214. doing. Here, the encoder 214 is configured to detect the rotation direction, rotation amount, and rotation angle of the motor 211. Specifically, the configuration of the encoder 214 is the same as that of the encoder 83 of the discharge mechanism 206 of the first embodiment.

  The upper flapper drive mechanism 208 is configured to rotate the upper flapper 61 only when the motor 211 rotates forward. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the upper flapper drive mechanism 208 includes a motor 211, a gear box 212, a drive gear 213, an encoder 214, a gear 281, an arm 282, and a link. 283.

  The motor 211 rotates about a rotation axis extending in the Y direction. The gear box 212 is connected to the motor 211 and also connected to the drive gear 213. Thus, the gear box 212 transmits the driving force from the motor 211 to the driving gear 213. The drive gear 213 is connected to the gear 281. As a result, the driving force of the motor 211 is transmitted to the gear 281 via the driving gear 213. The gear 281 has a one-way clutch (not shown) that rotates only in one direction and does not rotate in the other direction. The one-way clutch is configured to rotate only in the second direction D2 corresponding to the forward rotation of the motor 211. The arm 282 is connected to the gear 281 via a one-way clutch and a first rotating shaft 284 connected to the one-way clutch. As a result, the arm 282 transmits the driving force only when the gear 281 rotates in the second direction D2 and the one-way clutch rotates in the second direction D2, and rotates in the second direction D2.

  Since one end of the link 283 is connected to the arm 282, the link 283 rotates only in the second direction D2. The other end of the link 283 is slidably moved in the X direction (front-rear direction) by being connected to a guide hole 241a (see FIG. 16) extending in the X direction (front-rear direction). That is, the other end portion of the link 283 is provided with a protruding portion 283a that protrudes in the Y2 direction and is inserted into the guide hole 241a. The upper flapper 61 rotated by the other end of the link 283 has the same configuration as the upper flapper 61 of the first embodiment.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 17, the upper flapper 61 has the other end of the link 283 in the X direction (front-rear direction) when the motor 211 is driven and the one-way clutch rotates in the second direction D2. Since the slide movement is performed and the other end portion of the link 283 slides on the sliding surface 161 of the driven portion 61b, the link 283 can rotate around the rotation axis extending in the Y direction.

  The lower flapper drive mechanism 209 is configured to rotate the lower flapper 62 only when the motor 211 rotates in the reverse direction. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the lower flapper drive mechanism 209 includes a motor 211, a gear box 212, a drive gear 213, an encoder 214, a plurality of (three) gears 291, 292, 293 and a link 294.

  The motor 211 rotates about a rotation axis extending in the Y direction. The gear box 212 is connected to the motor 211 and also connected to the drive gear 213. Thus, the gear box 212 transmits the driving force from the motor 211 to the driving gear 213. The drive gear 213 is connected not only to the gear 281 described above but also to the gear 291. As a result, the driving force of the motor 211 is transmitted to the gear 291 via the driving gear 213. The gear 291 has a one-way clutch 295 that rotates only in one direction and does not rotate in the other direction. The one-way clutch 295 corresponds to the reverse rotation of the motor 211 and is configured to rotate only in the third direction D3 opposite to the one-way clutch of the gear 281. The gear 292 is connected to the gear 291 via a one-way clutch 295 and a second rotating shaft 296 connected to the one-way clutch 295. As a result, the gear 292 transmits the driving force only when the gear 291 rotates in the third direction D3 and the one-way clutch 295 rotates in the third direction D3, and is rotated in the third direction D3.

  Since the gear 293 is connected to the gear 292, the gear 293 rotates only in the fourth direction D4. Since one end of the link 283 is connected to the gear 293, the link 283 rotates only in the fourth direction D4. The other end of the link 283 slides in the Z direction (up and down direction) by being connected to a guide hole 241b (see FIG. 19) extending in the Z direction (up and down direction). That is, the other end portion of the link 283 is provided with a protruding portion 294a that protrudes in the Y2 direction and is inserted into the guide hole 241b. The lower flapper 62 rotated by the other end of the link 283 has the same configuration as the lower flapper 62 of the first embodiment.

  In this way, as shown in FIG. 20, when the motor 211 is driven and the one-way clutch 295 rotates in the third direction D3, the lower flapper 62 has the other end of the link 283 in the Z direction (vertical direction). Since the other end portion of the link 283 is connected to the driven portion 62b in accordance with the sliding movement to the Y direction, the link 283 can rotate around the rotation axis extending in the Y direction.

  Therefore, in the discharge mechanism 206, when the motor 211 rotates forward, the driving force is not transmitted to the lower flapper 62 but is transmitted to the upper flapper 61, and the upper flapper 61 rotates. On the other hand, in the discharge mechanism 206, when the motor 211 rotates in the reverse direction, the driving force is not transmitted to the upper flapper 61 but is transmitted to the lower flapper 62 and the lower flapper 62 rotates. As a result, each of the upper flapper 61 and the lower flapper 62 can be driven by one motor 211. The remaining configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.

(Effect of 2nd Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, as described above, the discharge mechanism 206 includes the upper flapper drive mechanism 208 and the lower flapper drive mechanism 209 that are driven by the common motor 211. Thereby, the number of parts of the discharge mechanism 206 can be reduced. The remaining effects of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[Modification]
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications (modifications) within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the first and second embodiments, the example in which the volume of the ice storage space 20 is adjusted using the upper flapper 61 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the volume of the ice storage space may be adjusted only by the lower flapper instead of the upper flapper, or the volume of the ice storage space may be adjusted by both the upper flapper and the lower flapper. Moreover, you may adjust the volume of ice storage space using methods other than an upper flapper and a lower flapper.

  In the first and second embodiments, the ice storage space 20 is formed using the upper flapper 61 and the lower flapper 62. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the ice storage space may be formed by a method other than the upper flapper and the lower flapper.

  In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the discharge port 12 is closed when the ice K is discharged from the discharge port 42b is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the discharge port does not have to be closed when ice is discharged from the discharge port.

  Moreover, in the said 1st and 2nd embodiment, although the stirring part 53 showed the example which has the stirring body 53c in which the some rib part 53f was formed, this invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in the modification shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the stirring portion 353 may include a shaft portion 53d and a plurality of (four) stirring body portions 363 extending from the shaft portion 53d. . The stirring main body 363 has an extruding part 363a for moving ice in the stocker and a closing part 363b for closing the discharge port. The pushing portion 363a extends radially outward from the shaft portion 53d. The blocking portion 363b extends from the distal end portion of the pushing portion 363a to one side in the circumferential direction. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 22, even when the upper flapper 61 is open, the discharge port can be closed by the closing portion 363b.

  Moreover, in the said 1st and 2nd embodiment, although the example whose ice K is hexahedron shape was illustrated, this invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the ice may be a long and thin hexahedron shape, or it may be a flake-shaped small ice.

  Moreover, in the said 1st and 2nd embodiment, the ice discharge apparatus 1 shows the example used in order to supply the ice K in a cup in the vending machine etc. which have the function to pour a drink in a cup. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, it may be used for other vending machines using ice.

  In the first and second embodiments, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the control process of the control unit 7 has been described with respect to the example described using the flow-driven flowchart in which the process is performed in order along the process flow. The present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control processing of the control unit may be performed by event-driven (event-driven) processing that executes processing in units of events. In this case, it may be performed by a complete event drive type or a combination of event drive and flow drive.

1,201 Ice discharging device 3 Ice storage part (ice storage room)
6,206 Discharge mechanism (ice discharge mechanism)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Ice storage space 21 Ice temporary storage part 20a Upstream side opening 20b Downstream side opening 42a Discharge passage 42b Discharge port 53 Stirring part 53e Stirring surface part 60 Flapper (opening / closing door)
61 Upper flapper (second door)
62 Lower flapper (first door)
81, 91, 211 Motor (drive source)
153e Inclined surface K Ice ST Ice flow direction

Claims (9)

An ice storage space in which an ice storage space in which ice in the ice storage chamber is temporarily stored is formed, and a discharge passage having an ice temporary storage portion formed therein;
An ice discharge mechanism in which the volume of the ice storage space in the ice temporary storage unit is set based on a set discharge amount of ice discharged from a discharge port at a downstream end portion in the ice flow direction of the discharge passage. . The ice temporary storage unit is
Including an open / close door that pivots between an open position and a closed position;
The ice discharge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the ice storage mechanism is configured to adjust a volume of the ice storage space according to a set discharge amount of the ice by adjusting a rotation angle of the door. The door is
A first opening / closing door provided at a downstream opening at a downstream end of the ice storage space in an ice flow direction and rotating between an open position and a closed position;
A second opening / closing door provided at the upstream opening of the upstream end portion in the ice flow direction of the ice storage space and rotating between an open position and a closed position;
The volume of the ice storage space is adjusted according to a set discharge amount of the ice by adjusting a rotation angle of at least one of the first door and the second door. Item 3. The ice discharge mechanism according to Item 2.   The ice is supplied into the ice storage space in a state where the first opening / closing door closes the downstream opening and the second opening / closing door opens the upstream opening. 3. The ice discharge mechanism according to 3.   After ice is supplied into the ice storage space, the first opening / closing door is rotated to open the downstream opening, and the second opening / closing door is rotated to close the upstream opening. The ice discharging mechanism according to claim 3 or 4. A first driving source for generating a driving force for rotating the first opening and closing door;
The ice of any one of Claims 3-5 further provided with the 2nd drive source provided separately from the said 1st drive source, and generating the drive force which rotates the said 2nd opening-and-closing door. Discharge mechanism.   The ice temporary storage part has an upper wall part constituted by the second opening / closing door that inclines downward as it goes to the front end side in the discharge direction in which the ice in the ice storage chamber is discharged into the ice storage space. Item 7. The ice discharge mechanism according to any one of Items 3 to 6. An ice storage room for storing ice,
An ice discharge mechanism for discharging ice in the ice storage chamber;
A stirring section for stirring the ice in the ice storage chamber,
The ice discharge mechanism is
Including a discharge passage having an ice temporary storage part formed inside an ice storage space in which ice in the ice storage chamber is temporarily stored;
An ice discharge device in which a volume of the ice storage space in the ice temporary storage unit is set based on a set discharge amount of ice discharged from a discharge port at a downstream end of the discharge passage in the ice flow direction. The stirring unit includes a stirring surface unit that stirs ice by rotating;
The stirring surface portion has an inclined surface that inclines downward as the distance from the rotation axis increases.
The ice ejection device according to claim 8, wherein the temporary ice storage unit has an upper wall portion having an inner surface parallel to a direction along an inclination direction of the inclined surface.

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