JP2019052786A - Ice stirring mechanism and ice discharging device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ice stirring mechanism that can inhibit a driving source from being damaged due to load acting on the driving source when rotation of a stirring part is accidentally stopped, and to provide an ice discharge device.SOLUTION: When a stirring mechanism 4 is brought into a high-load state where a drive source 41 is subjected to load more than a predetermined level when force that suppresses rotation in a first direction D1 of a stirring part 43 is exerted, a drive force transmission part 42 idles relative to the stirring part 43 and which prevents the load more than the predetermined level from acting on the stirring part 43.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an ice stirring mechanism and an ice discharge device, and more particularly, to an ice stirring mechanism and an ice discharge device including a stirring portion for stirring ice.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ice stirring mechanism and an ice discharge device including a stirring unit that stirs ice are known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 1 discloses an ice making machine including an agitator main body (stirring unit) having a plurality of round bar-shaped agitators that stir ice stored in an ice storage. The ice making machine further includes a driving source, a rotating shaft (driving force transmitting unit) that rotates by the driving force of the driving source, and an auger that is rotationally driven by the rotating shaft and creates ice of a predetermined size. Here, in the ice making machine, the agitator body shares a rotating shaft with the auger and is driven to rotate by the rotating shaft.

  The ice making machine described in Patent Document 1 is configured to agitate ice by rotating the agitator main body so that the agitator pushes the ice in the rotation direction.

JP 2002-235773 A

  However, in the ice making machine described in Patent Document 1, when the rotation of the agitator main body is stopped unintentionally due to, for example, ice being sandwiched between the ice storage and the agitator, the load is applied to the driving force transmission unit and the driving source. As a result, the driving force transmission unit and the driving source may be broken or damaged.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a driving force transmission unit and a driving source when the rotation of the stirring unit is stopped unintentionally. It is an object to provide an ice agitation mechanism and an ice discharge device that can suppress the occurrence of breakage or damage to the driving force transmission unit and the driving source due to the load.

  In order to achieve the above object, an ice agitation mechanism according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a drive source, a drive force transmission unit that transmits a drive force from the drive source, and a drive force transmitted from the drive force transmission unit. And a stirring unit that stirs the ice by rotating in the first direction, and a force that suppresses the rotation of the stirring unit in the first direction is exerted on the drive source so that the load exceeds a predetermined level. In such a high load state, the driving force transmission unit rotates idly with respect to the agitation unit, so that a load exceeding a predetermined level is not applied to the driving source.

  When the ice stirring mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention is in a high load state as described above, the driving force transmission unit idles with respect to the stirring unit, so that the predetermined amount or more with respect to the driving source. It is configured so that no load is applied. Thereby, when it becomes a high load state, the driving force transmission unit rotates idly with respect to the stirring unit, so that the force that suppresses the rotation of the stirring unit in the first direction is applied to the driving force transmission unit and the driving source. It is possible to suppress the transmission. As a result, when the rotation of the agitation unit is stopped unintentionally, it is possible to prevent the drive source from being broken or damaged due to the load applied to the drive force transmission unit and the drive source.

  In the ice agitation mechanism according to the first aspect, preferably, when the driving force transmission unit idles, the agitation unit is configured to move in the vertical direction as the driving force transmission unit rotates. If comprised in this way, a driving force transmission part can be idled only by moving a stirring part to an up-down direction with the rotational drive of a driving force transmission part. Thereby, the structure which makes the driving force transmission part idle can be simplified.

  In the ice stirring mechanism according to the first aspect, preferably, the driving force transmission portion includes an engaging portion, and the stirring portion includes an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion, and is in a high load state. In this case, the driving force transmission unit is configured to idle with respect to the stirring unit by disengaging the engaging unit from the engaged unit. If comprised in this way, when it will be in a high load state, since a drive force transmission part will rotate idly by disengagement of an engaging part and a to-be-engaged part, the 1st direction of a stirring part will be carried out. It is possible to reliably suppress the force that suppresses rotation from being transmitted to the driving force transmission unit and the driving source.

  In the ice stirring mechanism including the engaging portion and the engaged portion, preferably, the engaging portion includes a first uneven shape portion having a first concave portion and a first convex portion, and the engaged portion is: Including a second concavo-convex shape portion having a second concave portion and a second convex portion, and when the stirring portion is not in a high load state, the first concavo-convex shape portion and the second concavo-convex shape portion are engaged with each other. The stirrer is configured to rotate in the first direction, and when the stirrer is in a high load state, the stirrer is vertically moved by disengaging the first concavo-convex shape portion and the second concavo-convex shape portion. Configured to move to. If comprised in this way, a 1st uneven | corrugated shaped part can be formed in an engaging part, and engagement and the cancellation | release of engagement with respect to a 1st uneven | corrugated shaped part can be made to a to-be-engaged part (engagement disengagement). By forming the second uneven shape portion, a mechanism for releasing the engagement between the engagement portion and the engaged portion in the case of a high load state is formed. It can suppress that a structure becomes complicated.

  In this case, preferably, the side surface of the first convex portion of the first uneven shape portion is formed by the first inclined surface, and the side surface of the second convex portion of the second uneven shape portion is relative to the first inclined surface. And the second inclined surface slides with respect to the first inclined surface when the driving force transmitting portion idles with respect to the agitating portion. Is configured to move in the vertical direction. If comprised in this way, a stirring part will be smoothly moved up and down only by sliding the 2nd inclined surface of a 2nd uneven | corrugated shaped part with respect to the 1st inclined surface of a 1st uneven | corrugated shaped part, and a stirring part In contrast, since the driving force transmission unit can idle, the structure for idling the driving force transmission unit can be simplified.

  The ice stirring mechanism according to the first aspect preferably further includes a rotation detection unit that detects whether the stirring unit is rotating or stopped, and a control unit that controls the rotational drive of the drive source, The rotation unit rotates the agitation unit in a second direction opposite to the first direction based on the rotation detection unit detecting that the rotation of the agitation unit is stopped by the idling of the driving force transmission unit. It is comprised so that a drive source may be controlled. If comprised in this way, it can remove the cause by which rotation to the 1st direction of the stirring part was suppressed by rotating the stirring part in the 2nd direction opposite to the 1st direction. The stirring unit can be quickly returned from the high load state.

  In this case, preferably, the control unit detects the stop of the rotation of the stirring unit by the rotation detection unit, and then in a second direction opposite to the first direction based on the elapse of a predetermined time. The drive source is controlled so that the stirring unit is driven to rotate. If comprised in this way, since it controls so that a stirring part may be rotationally driven in a 2nd direction after predetermined time progress by a control part, when a stirring part returns from a high load state immediately, it is 2nd. It is possible to prevent the stirring unit from being rotated in the direction of. Thereby, useless driving of the drive source can be suppressed.

  In the ice agitation mechanism provided with the rotation detection unit, preferably, the rotation detection unit maintains a height position in the vertical direction even when the agitation unit moves in the vertical direction as the driving force transmission unit rotates freely. It is configured. If comprised in this way, the increase in the up-down direction of the space required in order to arrange | position a rotation detection part can be suppressed.

  An ice discharge device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an ice storage chamber for storing supplied ice, an ice discharge portion for discharging ice in the ice storage chamber, and an ice stirring mechanism for stirring ice in the ice storage chamber. The ice agitation mechanism includes a driving source, a driving force transmission unit that transmits a driving force from the driving source, and a driving force transmitted from the driving force transmission unit to rotate the ice in the first direction. A stirring unit that stirs, and when the force that suppresses the rotation of the stirring unit in the first direction is exerted, a high load is applied to the drive source. On the other hand, when the driving force transmission unit idles, the driving source is configured not to be loaded more than a predetermined amount.

  When the ice discharge device according to the second aspect of the present invention is in a high load state as described above, the driving force transmission unit idles with respect to the agitation unit, so that the driving source is more than a predetermined amount. Configure so that no load is applied. Thereby, when it becomes a high load state, when the driving force transmission unit rotates idly with respect to the stirring unit, the force that suppresses the rotation of the stirring unit in the first direction becomes the driving force transmission unit and the driving source. Can be prevented from being transmitted to As a result, when the rotation of the agitating unit is stopped unintentionally, it is possible to prevent the driving force transmitting unit and the driving source from being damaged or damaged due to the load applied to the driving force transmitting unit and the driving source. can do.

  According to the present invention, as described above, when the rotation of the stirring unit is stopped unintentionally, the driving force transmission unit and the driving source are damaged due to the load applied to the driving force transmission unit and the driving source. Alternatively, the occurrence of damage can be suppressed.

It is a perspective view of the ice discharging apparatus by one Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the ice discharge apparatus by one Embodiment. It is a front view of the state where the discharge mechanism of the ice discharge device by one embodiment was exposed. FIG. 4A is a side view in one direction of the discharge mechanism. FIG. 4B is a side view of the discharge mechanism in the other direction. It is a side view of the state where the stirring mechanism of the ice discharge device by one embodiment was exposed. It is a side view of the state which removed the stirring body and cover body of the ice discharging apparatus by one Embodiment, and exposed the stirring mechanism. It is a side view of the state where the stirring body of the ice discharge device by one embodiment was removed and the stirring mechanism was exposed. It is a top view of the stirring body of the ice discharge apparatus by one Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the state where the stirring mechanism which removed the stirring body and cover body of the ice discharging apparatus by one Embodiment was exposed. It is the side view which showed the normal state of the ice stirring by the stirring mechanism of the ice discharge apparatus by one Embodiment. It is the side view which showed the state which the stirring part moved to the upper direction in the high load state of the ice stirring by the stirring mechanism of the ice discharge apparatus by one Embodiment. It is the side view which showed the state which the stirring part moved below in the high load state of the ice stirring by the stirring mechanism of the ice discharge apparatus by one Embodiment. It is the side view which showed the reverse rotation state of the stirring of the ice by the stirring mechanism of the ice discharge apparatus by one Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the stirring process flow of the ice discharge apparatus by one Embodiment. It is a top view of the stirring body which has the stirring rod of the ice discharge apparatus by the modification of one Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the ice discharge apparatus by the modification of one Embodiment.

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

  With reference to FIGS. 1-14, 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 6. 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 2, a discharge mechanism 3, a stirring mechanism 4, and a control unit 5. Here, in the ice discharge device 1, the direction in which the ice storage unit 2 and the discharge mechanism 3 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 agitation mechanism 4 is an example of the “ice agitation mechanism” in the claims, the discharge mechanism 3 is an example of the “ice discharge part” in the claims, and the ice storage part 2 is the claim. It is an example of the “ice storage room” in the range of

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ice storage unit 2 is stored in the stocker 21 that stores the supplied ice K, the discharge port 21 a that discharges the ice K stored in the stocker 21 to the discharge mechanism 3, and the stocker 21. A contact member 22 that contacts the ice K; The stocker 21 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and has an internal space 21b for storing ice K. The stocker 21 has a bottom 23 and a side wall 24 protruding upward from the peripheral edge of the bottom 23. An attachment portion 25 for attaching the stirring mechanism 4 is provided at a substantially center in the horizontal direction of the bottom portion 23. The attachment portion 25 protrudes upward. The bottom 23 is formed with a through hole 25a that penetrates in the Z direction (vertical direction).

  The discharge port 21a is formed on the Z2 side (lower side) of the X1 side (front side) portion of the stocker 21. The contact member 22 has a function of breaking the ice K in the stocker 21 and a function of limiting the amount of ice K discharged from the discharge port 21a. 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 22 includes an attachment portion 22a attached to the stocker 21 and a protruding portion 22b protruding from the attachment portion 22a into the stocker 21. The attachment portion 22a is attached to the upper portion of the stocker 21 above the discharge port 21a. The protruding portion 22b protrudes into the stocker 21 so as to incline to the Z2 side as it goes to the X2 side.

  The discharge mechanism 3 is configured to discharge ice K from the ice discharge device 1 at a predetermined timing using a plurality (two) of flappers 7. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the discharge mechanism 3 includes an upper flapper drive mechanism 31, an upper flapper 32 connected to the upper flapper drive mechanism 31, a lower flapper drive mechanism 33, and a lower flapper. And a lower flapper 34 connected to the drive mechanism 33.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A, the upper flapper drive mechanism 31 is configured to rotate the upper flapper 32 in order to open and close the discharge port 21a of the stocker 21. Specifically, the upper flapper drive mechanism 31 includes a motor 31a (see FIG. 3), a gear box 31b (see FIG. 3), an encoder 35, and a link 31c. Here, the encoder 35 is configured to detect the rotation direction, the rotation amount, and the rotation angle of the motor 31a. Specifically, the encoder 35 includes a photosensor 35a having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and a light shielding plate 35b having a plurality of slits SL1 through which light emitted from the light emitting element passes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the motor 31a rotates around a rotation axis extending in the Y direction. The gear box 31b is connected to each of the motor 31a and the light shielding plate 35b of the encoder 35, and transmits the driving force from the motor 31a to the light shielding plate 35b. The light shielding plate 35b rotates around the rotation axis extending in the Y direction by the driving force transmitted from the motor 31a. The encoder 35 is configured such that light emitted from the light emitting element is passed through the slit SL1 and received by the light receiving element by the rotating light shielding plate 35b.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, one end of the link 31c rotates around a rotation axis extending in the Y direction by being connected to the light shielding plate 35b. The other end of the link 31c is reciprocated in the X direction (front-rear direction) by being connected to a guide hole (not shown) extending in the X direction (front-rear direction). Thereby, since the upper flapper 32 is connected to the other end of the link 31c, the upper flapper 32 is rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the Y direction. Here, an upper flapper biasing member 36 for biasing the upper flapper 32 in the direction of closing the discharge port 21 a is attached to the upper flapper 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4B, the lower flapper drive mechanism 33 is configured to rotate the lower flapper 34 in order to open and close a discharge path DW (see FIG. 2) for discharging ice K. ing. Specifically, the lower flapper drive mechanism 33 includes a motor 33a (see FIG. 3), a gear box 33b (see FIG. 3), and a link 33c.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the motor 33a rotates around a rotation axis extending in the Y direction. The gear box 33b is connected to each of the motor 33a and the link 33c, and transmits the driving force from the motor 33a to the link 33c.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, one end portion of the link 33c rotates around a rotation axis extending in the Y direction by being connected to the gear box 33b. The other end of the link 33c is reciprocated in the Z direction (up and down direction) by being connected to a guide hole (not shown) extending in the Z direction (up and down direction). Thereby, since the lower flapper 34 is connected to the other end portion of the link 33c, the lower flapper 34 is rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the Y direction. Here, a lower flapper urging member 37 for urging the lower flapper 34 in the direction of closing the discharge port is attached to the lower flapper 34.

  In the ice discharge device 1, as shown in FIG. 2, when the lower flapper 34 is closed and the upper flapper 32 is opened by the discharge mechanism 3, the ice K is supplied to the discharge path DW. In the ice discharge device 1, after the ice K is supplied to the discharge path DW, the lower flapper 34 is opened to discharge the ice K from the discharge path DW and put it into the cup.

<Agitating mechanism>
The ice discharge device 1 is configured to stir the ice K in the stocker 21 by the stirring mechanism 4 and to discharge the ice K in the stocker 21 by the stirring mechanism 4 and the discharge mechanism 3. Here, when the ice K is moved in each case of stirring of the ice K and discharging of the ice K, the stirring mechanism 4 is stopped unintentionally due to the inhibition of the rotation of the stirring unit 43 due to the interference between the ices K. May end up. In this case, a larger load is applied to the drive source 41 of the stirring mechanism 4 than in a normal state (for example, stirring of ice K and discharging of ice K).

  Therefore, the stirring mechanism 4 according to the present embodiment performs idle rotation in the stirring mechanism 4 so that a large load is not applied to the drive source 41 of the stirring mechanism 4 when the stirring mechanism 4 stops unintentionally. It is configured to let you. Hereinafter, the configuration of the stirring mechanism 4 in the ice discharge device 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the stirring mechanism 4 includes a drive source 41, a driving force transmission unit 42, a stirring unit 43, and an encoder 44. The drive source 41 includes a motor 41a that rotates about a rotation axis that extends in the Z direction, and a gear box 41b that is connected to the motor 41a.

  The driving force transmission unit 42 is configured to transmit the driving force from the driving source 41 to the stirring unit 43. Specifically, the driving force transmission unit 42 includes a first gear 42a connected to the gear box 41b and a second gear 42b connected to the first gear 42a. The first gear 42a rotates around the rotation axis extending in the Z direction by the driving force of the motor 41a transmitted through the gear box 41b. The second gear 42b rotates around the rotation axis extending in the Z direction by the driving force of the first gear 42a. Moreover, the 2nd gearwheel 42b has the engaging part 8 in the end surface by the side of Z1, as shown in FIG. The engaging portion 8 includes first uneven shape portions 80 in which a plurality of first concave portions 81 and a plurality of first convex portions 82 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. The first protrusion 82 protrudes in the Z1 direction (upward direction). The 1st convex part 82 has the upper surface 82a and the side surface 82b provided in each of the both ends in the circumferential direction of the upper surface 82a. The side surface 82b of the first convex portion 82 is formed by a first inclined surface SP1 that is inclined in a direction away from the upper surface 82a of the first convex portion 82 in the circumferential direction as it goes in the Z2 direction (downward direction). . The first recess 81 is recessed in the Z2 direction (downward direction). The first concave portion 81 has a bottom surface 81a provided between the Z2 side (lower side) end portions of the side surfaces 82b of the first convex portion 82.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the agitating unit 43 agitates the ice K when the driving force of the driving force transmitting unit 42 is transmitted and rotated in the first direction D1 (see FIG. 5). It is configured. Specifically, the stirring unit 43 includes a rotation shaft portion 43a connected to the second gear 42b, a cover body 43c having an insertion hole 51a into which the rotation shaft portion 43a is rotatably inserted, and a rotation shaft portion 43a. And a stirring body 43d to be connected.

  The rotating shaft 43a includes an engaged portion 9 that engages with the engaging portion 8, an urging member 43e (for example, a spring) that urges the engaged portion 9 toward the Z2 side (downward), and an engaged portion. And a shaft portion 43 f provided integrally with the joint portion 9. Each of the engaged portion 9 and the shaft portion 43f is formed in an annular shape in a plan view, and the shaft portion 43f is smaller than the engaged portion 9 in a plan view.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the rotation shaft portion 43 a is formed with an insertion hole 43 b that opens upward. A shaft portion 43f of a stirring member 43d described later is inserted into the insertion hole 43b. The engaged portion 9 includes a plurality of second concave-convex shape portions 90 in which a plurality of second concave portions 91 and a plurality of second convex portions 92 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of portions protruding radially outward from the peripheral surface portion. The ridge part 93 is included. The second protrusion 92 protrudes in the Z2 direction (downward). The 2nd convex part 92 has the lower surface 92a and the side surface 92b provided in each of the both ends in the circumferential direction of the lower surface 92a. The side surface 92b of the second convex portion 92 is formed by a second inclined surface SP2 that is inclined in a direction away from the lower surface 92a of the second convex portion 92 in the circumferential direction as it goes in the Z1 direction (upward direction). . Here, the second inclined surface SP2 is formed to be slidable with respect to the first inclined surface SP1. The second recess 91 is recessed in the Z1 direction (upward direction). The second concave portion 91 has an upper surface 91a provided between the end portions on the Z1 side (upper side) of the side surfaces 92b of the second convex portion 92. The urging member 43e is attached to the shaft portion 43f so that the lower end portion contacts the upper surface portion of the engaged portion 9 and the upper end portion contacts the lower surface portion of the stocker 21.

  2 and 7, the cover body 43c includes a cylindrical portion 51 in which an insertion hole 51a penetrating in the Z direction (vertical direction) is formed, and a Z2 direction ( And an inclined surface portion 52 inclined downward. The shaft portion 43f of the stirring member 43d is inserted into the insertion hole 51a.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the stirring body 43d includes a shaft portion 61 that is rotatably attached to the rotation shaft portion 43a, and a Z2 direction (downward) as it goes radially outward from an intermediate portion of the shaft portion 61. And an agitating surface portion 62 inclined toward the surface. The stirring surface portion 62 is superimposed on the inclined surface portion 52. Further, the radially outer end portion of the stirring surface portion 62 is located near the lower end portion of the discharge port 21 a of the stocker 21.

  The stirring surface portion 62 is formed with a triangular rib portion 62a that protrudes in a direction orthogonal to the surface direction. The rib portion 62 a is provided in a straight line from the shaft portion 61 to the outer peripheral edge portion of the stirring surface portion 62. The rib portion 62a is inclined in the Z2 direction (downward) as it goes from the shaft portion 61 to the outer peripheral edge portion of the stirring surface portion 62. As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of (12) rib portions 62 a are arranged in the circumferential direction on the stirring surface portion 62 at equal intervals. That is, the plurality of rib portions 62a are arranged radially in plan view.

  The plurality of ribs 62a rotate the ice K located at the lower end in the first direction D1 among the plurality of ices K stacked in the Z direction (vertical direction) and also remove the ice K located at the lower end. Move in the direction of Z1. In this way, the plurality of rib portions 62a agitate the plurality of ices K stacked in the Z direction (vertical direction). Thereby, the load applied to the plurality of rib portions 62a is reduced as compared with the case where the plurality of ices K are stirred using an agitator (stirring bar) that rotates the ice K located in the central portion in the first direction D1. Therefore, damage to the stirring unit 43 can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the encoder 44 is configured to detect the rotation direction, the rotation amount, and the rotation angle of the engaged portion 9 of the rotation shaft portion 43 a of the stirring portion 43. Specifically, it includes a photosensor 44a provided with a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and a light shielding plate 44b formed with a plurality of slits SL2 through which light emitted from the light emitting element is transmitted. In the encoder 44, based on the change in the intensity of the light emitted from the light emitting element and transmitted through the slit SL2 and received by the light receiving element, the rotation direction and amount of rotation of the engaged portion 9 of the rotating shaft portion 43a of the stirring portion 43 And the rotation angle is detected.

  The light shielding plate 44b has an insertion hole 44c through which the rotation shaft portion 43a is inserted, and guide holes 44d formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of protrusions 93 of the engaged portion 9 in the rotation shaft portion 43a. Yes. Here, the rotation shaft portion 43a is inserted into the light shielding plate 44b so as to be movable in the vertical direction by inserting the protrusion 93 of the rotation shaft portion 43a into the guide hole 44d of the light shielding plate 44b. As shown in FIG. 2, the light shielding plate 44 b is rotatably supported by a cover 42 c that covers the driving force transmission unit 42. Further, the light shielding plate 44b is disposed at a height position where it can pass between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the photosensor 44a attached to the cover 42c that covers the driving force transmitting portion 42.

  The control unit 5 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 an agitation processing program based on an agitation processing flow including an operation of agitating the ice K in the stocker 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 5 is electrically connected to a motor 31 a of the upper flapper drive mechanism 31, an encoder 35 of the upper flapper drive mechanism 31, and a motor 33 a of the lower flapper drive mechanism 33. ing. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 5 is electrically connected to a motor 41 a of the stirring mechanism 4 and an encoder 44 of the stirring mechanism 4.

(Rotation drive of stirring unit)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13, a description will be given of the rotational drive of the stirring unit 43 of the stirring mechanism 4 in the ice discharge device 1.

<Normal state>
First, as shown in FIG. 10, the case of the normal state in which the motor 41a is driven to rotate (forward rotation) in the first direction D1 will be described. In the normal state, the stirring unit 43 is configured to rotate in the first direction D1 when the first uneven shape portion 80 and the second uneven shape portion 90 engage (engage) with each other. Yes.

  Specifically, in the normal state, the first gear 42a rotates in the second direction D2 by the driving force transmitted from the driving source 41. As the first gear 42a rotates in the second direction D2, the second gear 42b rotates in the first direction D1. Since the engaging portion 8 is provided integrally with the second gear 42b, the engaging portion 8 also rotates in the first direction D1. As the engaging portion 8 rotates in the first direction D1, the engaged portion 9 engaged with the engaging portion 8 rotates in the first direction D1. Since the shaft portion 43f of the rotation shaft portion 43a is provided integrally with the engaged portion 9, the shaft portion 43f also rotates in the first direction D1 when the engaged portion 9 rotates in the first direction D1. To do. The stirrer 43d is rotated by rotating the shaft portion 43f of the rotating shaft portion 43a in the first direction D1 and rotating the shaft portion 61 of the stirring body 43d attached to the rotating shaft portion 43a in the first direction D1. 1 direction D1. Thus, in the stirring mechanism 4, the stirring body 43d is rotated, and the ice K on the stirring surface portion 62 is stirred.

  In the encoder 44, the light shielding plate 44b is brought into contact with the protrusion 93 of the engaged portion 9 and the guide hole 44d of the light shielding plate 44b as the engaged portion 9 rotates in the first direction D1. Thereby, it rotates in the first direction D1 while maintaining the height position HP.

<High load state>
Next, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the force that suppresses the rotation of the stirring body 43d in the first direction D1 while the motor 41a is driven to rotate (forward rotation) in the first direction D1. A description will be given of a case where a high load state in which a load greater than a predetermined load is applied to the motor 41a by working. In this case, the agitation mechanism 4 is configured so that the motor 41a is not subjected to a load exceeding a predetermined level when the driving force transmission unit 42 idles relative to the agitation unit 43.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, in the case of a high load state, the first gear 42a is rotated in the second direction D2 by the driving force transmitted from the driving source 41, thereby engaging the second gear 42b. The joint 8 rotates in the first direction D1. However, in the case of a high load state, the engagement of the first concavo-convex shape portion 80 and the second concavo-convex shape portion 90 is disengaged, so that the driving force transmission portion 42 idles with respect to the stirring portion 43.

  Specifically, the engaged portion 9 is stopped without rotating in the first direction D1 as in the normal state because the rotation of the stirring body 43d in the first direction D1 is suppressed. . At this time, since the first inclined surface SP1 of the first convex portion 82 in the engaging portion 8 and the second inclined surface SP2 of the second convex portion 92 in the engaged portion 9 are in contact, the first inclined surface SP1. , The second inclined surface SP2 slides obliquely upward, and the engaged portion 9 moves upward. The engaged portion 9 is idled by moving upward together with the engaging portion 8 of the second gear 42b without rotating in the first direction D1. That is, the agitation unit 43 moves upward as the driving force transmission unit 42 rotates when the driving force transmission unit 42 idles. Thus, when the driving force transmission unit 42 idles with respect to the stirring unit 43, the second inclined surface SP2 slides with respect to the first inclined surface SP1, so that the stirring unit 43 moves upward. .

  Further, when the first gear 42a rotates in the second direction D2 and the second gear 42b rotates in the first direction D1, the upper surface 82a of the first protrusion 82 in the engaging portion 8 and the engaged portion 9 Since the lower surface 92a of the second convex portion 92 is in contact, the lower surface 92a of the second convex portion 92 slides along the upper surface 82a of the first convex portion 82. 6 and 12, the first inclined surface SP1 of the first convex portion 82 in the engaging portion 8 and the second inclined surface SP2 of the second convex portion 92 in the engaged portion 9 come into contact with each other. Therefore, the second inclined surface SP2 slides obliquely downward along the first inclined surface SP1, and the engaged portion 9 moves downward. The engaged portion 9 rotates idly by moving downward together with the engaging portion 8 of the second gear 42b without rotating in the first direction D1. That is, the agitation unit 43 moves downward as the driving force transmission unit 42 rotates when the driving force transmission unit 42 idles. As described above, when the driving force transmission unit 42 idles with respect to the stirring unit 43, the second inclined surface SP2 slides with respect to the first inclined surface SP1, so that the stirring unit 43 moves downward. .

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the encoder 44 holds the height position HP in the vertical direction even when the stirring unit 43 moves in the vertical direction as the driving force transmission unit 42 idles. Specifically, even if the engaged portion 9 moves upward, the protrusion 93 of the engaged portion 9 only moves upward along the guide hole 44d of the light shielding plate 44b, so that the rotation is detected. The light shielding plate 44b of the part is stopped while maintaining the height position HP.

<Reverse rotation state>
Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 5 reversely rotates the motor 41 a from the rotation in the first direction D1 to the rotation in the second direction D2 for a predetermined time, and the gap between the stirring unit 43 and the stocker 21. The case of the reverse rotation state where the ice K sandwiched between the two is removed will be described. In this case, the control unit 5 determines that the first direction D1 is based on the fact that the driving force transmission unit 42 is idle and the stop of the rotation of the stirring unit 43 in the first direction D1 is detected by the encoder 44. Is configured to control the motor 41a so that the stirring unit 43 rotates in the second direction D2 which is the reverse direction.

  Specifically, the control unit 5 detects the stop of the rotation of the stirring unit 43 by the encoder 44 and then, based on the elapse of a predetermined time, the second direction opposite to the first direction D1. The motor 41a is controlled so that the stirring unit 43 rotates to D2. In the case of a high load state, when the stirring unit 43 rotates in the first direction D1, the stirring unit 43 is stirred by disengaging the first uneven shape portion 80 and the second uneven shape portion 90. Since the driving force transmission part 42 rotates idly with respect to the part 43, it does not rotate in the first direction D1 and stops (see FIG. 11). Therefore, the stirring unit 43 stops while the high load state continues. When a predetermined time has elapsed in the high load state, the control unit 5 switches the motor 41a from the rotation in the first direction D1 to the rotation in the second direction D2. Here, in the high load state, the rotation of the stirring unit 43 in the first direction D1 is suppressed, but the rotation of the stirring unit 43 in the second direction D2 is not suppressed.

  In the case of the reverse rotation state, the first gear 42a rotates in the first direction D1 by the driving force transmitted from the driving source 41. As the first gear 42a rotates in the first direction D1, the second gear 42b rotates in the second direction D2 and the engaging portion 8 also rotates in the second direction D2. When the engaging portion 8 rotates in the second direction D2, the engaged portion 9 engaged with the engaging portion 8 rotates in the second direction D2, and the shaft portion 43f also rotates in the first direction D1. Rotate to. The stirrer 43d is rotated by rotating the shaft part 43f of the rotating shaft part 43a in the second direction D2 and rotating the shaft part 61 of the stirring body 43d attached to the rotating shaft part 43a in the second direction D2. Rotate in direction D2. In this way, the stirring member 43d is rotated in the reverse direction. Thereby, it is possible to remove the ice K pinched in the gap between the stirring unit 43 and the stocker 21.

  In the encoder 44, the light shielding plate 44b is brought into contact with the protrusion 93 of the engaged portion 9 and the guide hole 44d of the light shielding plate 44b as the engaged portion 9 rotates in the second direction D2. Thereby, it rotates in the second direction D2 while maintaining the height position HP.

(Flow chart of stirring process)
With reference to FIG. 14, the agitation processing flow in the ice discharging apparatus 1 will be described.

  In step S <b> 1, the control unit 5 determines whether there is an instruction to start rotation of the stirring unit 43. If there is an instruction to start rotation of the stirring unit 43, the control unit 5 proceeds to step S2. When there is no instruction to start the rotation of the stirring unit 43, the control unit 5 returns to Step S1. In step S2, the control unit 5 rotates the stirring unit 43 in the first direction D1 by the motor 41a. That is, the control unit 5 issues an instruction to rotate the motor 41a in the second direction D2. In step S <b> 3, the control unit 5 determines whether there is an instruction to stop the rotation of the stirring unit 43. The control unit 5 ends the agitation processing flow when there is an instruction to stop the rotation of the agitation unit 43. When there is no instruction to stop the rotation of the stirring unit 43, the control unit 5 proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the control unit 5 determines whether the rotation of the stirring unit 43 is stopped. When the rotation of the stirring unit 43 is not stopped, the control unit 5 returns to step S2. If the rotation of the stirring unit 43 is stopped, the control unit 5 proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the control unit 5 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotation of the stirring unit 43 stopped. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 5 proceeds to step S6. When the predetermined time has not elapsed, the control unit 5 returns to step S4. In step S6, the control unit 5 causes the motor 41a to reversely rotate the stirring unit 43 in the second direction D2, and returns to step S4. Thereby, the reverse rotation of the motor 41a is performed.

(Effect of this embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when the agitation mechanism 4 is in a high load state, the driving force transmission unit 42 idles with respect to the agitation unit 43, so that the predetermined amount or more with respect to the drive source 41. Configure so that no load is applied. Thereby, when it becomes a high load state, the driving force transmission part 42 idles with respect to the stirring part 43, whereby the force for suppressing the rotation of the stirring part 43 in the X1 direction is transmitted to the drive source 41. This can be suppressed. As a result, when the rotation of the agitating unit 43 is stopped unintentionally, the driving force transmitting unit 42 and the driving source 41 are damaged or damaged due to the load applied to the driving force transmitting unit 42 and the driving source 41. Generation | occurrence | production can be suppressed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the driving force transmission unit 42 idles, the stirring unit 43 is configured to move upward as the driving force transmission unit 42 rotates. Thereby, the driving force transmission part 42 can be made to idle by only moving the stirring part 43 upward in accordance with the rotational driving of the driving force transmission part 42. As a result, it is possible to simplify the structure in which the driving force transmission unit 42 is idled.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the driving force transmission portion 42 includes the engaging portion 8, and the stirring portion 43 includes the engaged portion 9 that engages with the engaging portion 8, and is in a high load state. In this case, the engagement between the engaging portion 8 and the engaged portion 9 is disengaged, so that the driving force transmitting portion 42 is idled with respect to the stirring portion 43. Thereby, when it becomes a high load state, since the engagement part 8 and the to-be-engaged part 9 disengage, the driving force transmission part 42 idles, Therefore In the 1st direction D1 of the stirring part 43 It is possible to reliably suppress the transmission of the force that suppresses the rotation to the driving force transmission unit 42 and the driving source 41.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when the agitation unit 43 is not in a high load state, the first concavo-convex shape portion 80 and the second concavo-convex shape portion 90 are engaged with each other. It is configured to rotate in the direction D1. Moreover, the stirring part 43 is comprised so that it may move to an up-down direction by disengaging the 1st uneven | corrugated shaped part 80 and the 2nd uneven | corrugated shaped part 90 in the case of a high load state. Thereby, the first concave / convex shape portion 80 is formed in the engaging portion 8, and the engaged portion 9 can be engaged with and released from the first concave / convex shape portion 80 (disengagement). By forming the second concavo-convex shape portion 90, a mechanism for releasing the engagement between the engagement portion 8 and the engaged portion 9 in a high load state is formed. It can suppress that each structure of 9 becomes complicated.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the stirring mechanism 4 is configured such that the second inclined surface SP2 slides with respect to the first inclined surface SP1 when the driving force transmission unit 42 idles with respect to the stirring unit 43. By doing so, the stirring unit 43 is configured to move in the vertical direction. As a result, the stirring unit 43 is smoothly moved in the vertical direction by simply sliding the second inclined surface SP2 of the second uneven shape portion 90 with respect to the first inclined surface SP1 of the first uneven shape portion 80, and stirring. Since the driving force transmission part 42 can be idled with respect to the part 43, the structure for making the driving force transmission part 42 idle can be simplified. Moreover, the driving force transmission part 42 can be formed compactly.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the stirring mechanism 4 includes the encoder 44 that detects whether the stirring unit 43 is rotating or stopped, and the control unit 5 that controls the rotational drive of the drive source 41. It has more. Based on the fact that the rotation of the agitating unit 43 is detected by the encoder 44 due to the idling of the driving force transmitting unit 42, the control unit 5 moves in the second direction D2 opposite to the first direction D1. The drive source 41 is controlled to rotate the stirring unit 43. Thereby, the cause by which the rotation to the 1st direction D1 of the stirring part 43 was suppressed can be removed by rotating the stirring part 43 to the 2nd direction D2 opposite to the 1st direction D1. Therefore, the stirring unit 43 can be quickly returned from the high load state.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 5 determines that the first direction D1 is based on the elapse of a predetermined time after the encoder 44 detects the stop of the rotation of the stirring unit 43. The drive source 41 is controlled so that the stirring unit 43 is rotationally driven in the second direction D2 opposite to the reverse direction. As a result, the control unit 5 controls the stirring unit 43 to rotate in the second direction D2 after a predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, when the stirring unit 43 immediately returns from the high load state, It is possible to prevent the stirring unit 43 from being rotated in the direction D2. Thereby, useless driving of the drive source 41 can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the encoder 44 is configured to maintain the height position HP in the vertical direction even when the stirring unit 43 moves in the vertical direction as the driving force transmission unit 42 rotates idly. Has been. Thereby, an increase in the vertical direction of a space necessary for arranging the encoder 44 can be suppressed.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the drive source 41 and the drive force transmission mechanism are arrange | positioned under the stocker 21 as mentioned above, it is possible to utilize the space in the ice discharge apparatus 1 effectively. Therefore, the ice discharge device 1 can be made compact.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when the driving force transmission unit 42 idles, the stirring unit 43 is configured to move in the vertical direction as the driving force transmission unit 42 rotates. Accordingly, when the driving force transmission unit 42 is idled, the stirring unit 43 moves in the vertical direction, so that the ice K on the stirring surface unit 62 can be vibrated. It can be resolved.

[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, although the stirring part 43 has shown the example which has the stirring body 43d in which the some rib was formed in the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, as in the modification shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the stirring portion 243 may include a shaft portion 61 and a plurality of (four) stirring body portions 263 extending from the shaft portion 61. . The stirring main body 263 has an extruding part 263a for moving ice in the stocker and a closing part 263b for closing the discharge port 21a. The pushing portion 263a extends radially outward from the shaft portion 61. The blocking portion 263b extends from the distal end portion of the pushing portion 263a to one side in the circumferential direction. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 16, even when the upper flapper is open, the discharge port 21a can be closed by the closing portion 263b.

  In the above-described embodiment, in the high load state, a force that suppresses the rotation of the stirring body 43d in the first direction D1 works while the motor 41a is driven to rotate (forward rotation) in the first direction D1. Thus, an example of a state in which a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the motor 41a has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the high load state is predetermined for the motor by a force that suppresses the rotation of the stirrer in the second direction while the motor is driven to rotate in the second direction (reverse rotation). It may be in a state where the above load is applied.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the mechanism in which the driving force transmission part 42 idles with respect to the stirring part 43 is comprised by the engaging part 8 of the 2nd gearwheel 42b, and the to-be-engaged part 9 of the rotating shaft part 43a. Although an example is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mechanism in which the driving force transmission unit idles with respect to the stirring unit may be a mechanism using a general torque limiter.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, when the control part 5 was a high load state, the example which reversely rotated the motor 41a to the rotation to the 2nd direction D2 from the rotation to the 1st direction D1 was shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control unit may be configured not to reversely rotate the motor from the rotation in the first direction to the rotation in the second direction in a high load state.

  In the above embodiment, the light shielding plate 44b is configured to hold the height position HP in the vertical direction even when the stirring unit 43 moves in the vertical direction as the driving force transmission unit 42 rotates idle. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the light shielding plate may move in the vertical direction as the stirring unit moves in the vertical direction as the driving force transmission unit idles.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the rib part 62a showed 12 examples arrange | positioned in the circumferential direction at the stirring surface part 62, this invention is not limited to this. In this invention, 1-11 pieces and 13 or more rib parts may be sufficient.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the some rib part 62a showed the example arrange | positioned along with equal intervals, this invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the intervals between the plurality of rib portions may be different.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the ice K has a hexahedral shape is illustrated, but the present 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 embodiment, although the drive force transmission part 42 showed the example which has the 1st gearwheel 42a and the 2nd gearwheel 42b, this invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the driving force transmission unit may be configured such that the gear box is directly connected to the second gear.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the ice discharge apparatus 1 showed in the vending machine etc. which have a function which pours a drink in a cup, the example used for supplying ice in a cup was shown, this invention is shown. It is not limited to this. In the present invention, it may be used for other vending machines using ice.

  In the above embodiment, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the control processing of the control unit 5 has been described with respect to an example described using a flow-driven flowchart in which processing is performed in order along the processing flow. Not limited. 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 Ice discharge device 2 Ice storage part (ice storage room)
3 Discharge mechanism (ice discharge part)
4 Stirring mechanism (ice stirring mechanism)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Control part 8 Engagement part 9 Engagement part 41 Drive source 42 Drive force transmission part 43 Stirring part 44 Encoder (rotation detection part)
80 1st uneven | corrugated shaped part 81 1st recessed part 82 1st convex part 90 2nd uneven | corrugated shaped part 91 2nd recessed part 92 2nd convex part D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction K ice SP1 1st inclined surface SP2 2nd Inclined surface

Claims (9)

A driving source;
A driving force transmission unit for transmitting a driving force from the driving source;
A stirring unit that stirs ice by being transmitted in the first direction by transmitting a driving force from the driving force transmitting unit;
When the force that suppresses the rotation of the stirring unit in the first direction is applied and the driving source is in a high load state in which a predetermined load or more is applied, the driving of the stirring unit is performed. An ice agitation mechanism configured such that a load greater than a predetermined load is not applied to the drive source when the force transmission unit idles.   2. The ice stirring mechanism according to claim 1, wherein when the driving force transmission unit idles, the stirring unit is configured to move in the vertical direction as the driving force transmission unit is rotationally driven. The driving force transmission part includes an engagement part,
The stirring portion includes an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion,
When the high load state is reached, the engagement portion and the engaged portion are disengaged, whereby the driving force transmission portion is configured to idle with respect to the stirring portion. The ice stirring mechanism according to claim 1 or 2. The engaging portion includes a first concavo-convex shape portion having a first concave portion and a first convex portion,
The engaged portion includes a second concavo-convex shape portion having a second concave portion and a second convex portion,
When the stirring portion is not in the high load state, the first uneven portion and the second uneven portion are engaged with each other so that the stirring portion rotates in the first direction. In addition, when the stirring unit is in the high load state, the stirring unit is configured to move in the vertical direction by disengaging the first uneven shape portion and the second uneven shape portion. The ice stirring mechanism according to claim 3. A side surface of the first convex portion of the first uneven shape portion is formed by a first inclined surface,
A side surface of the second convex portion of the second uneven shape portion is formed by a second inclined surface that is slidable with respect to the first inclined surface,
When the driving force transmission unit idles with respect to the stirring unit, the stirring unit moves in the vertical direction by sliding the second inclined surface with respect to the first inclined surface. The ice stirring mechanism according to claim 4. A rotation detection unit for detecting whether the stirring unit is rotating or stopped;
A control unit for controlling the rotational drive of the drive source,
The control unit is configured to move in a second direction opposite to the first direction, based on the fact that the rotation detection unit detects that the stirring unit has stopped rotating due to the idling of the driving force transmission unit. The ice stirring mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the driving source is controlled so as to rotate the stirring unit.   The control unit detects the stirring in a second direction opposite to the first direction based on a lapse of a predetermined time after the rotation detecting unit detects that the stirring unit has stopped rotating. The ice stirring mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the drive source is controlled so that the unit is rotationally driven.   The rotation detection unit is configured to maintain a height position in the vertical direction even when the stirring unit moves in the vertical direction as the driving force transmission unit idles. Ice stirring mechanism. An ice storage room for storing supplied ice,
An ice discharge section for discharging ice in the ice storage chamber;
An ice stirring mechanism for stirring the ice in the ice storage chamber,
The ice stirring mechanism is
A driving source;
A driving force transmission unit for transmitting a driving force from the driving source;
A stirring unit that stirs ice by being transmitted in the first direction by transmitting a driving force from the driving force transmitting unit;
When the force that suppresses the rotation of the stirring unit in the first direction is applied and the driving source is in a high load state in which a predetermined load or more is applied, the driving of the stirring unit is performed. An ice discharge device configured such that a load greater than a predetermined load is not applied to the drive source when the force transmission unit idles.

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