JP2020135173A - vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow for a good adjustment of the temperature of a commodity to the target temperature without being affected by the ambient temperature, and the reduction of the power consumption.SOLUTION: A vending machine includes a compressor, a heater and a control unit 40. The compressor is driven when the inside temperature of a commodity storage 3 is equal to or higher than the cooling-on temperature, and stopped when the inside temperature is equal to or lower than the cooling-off temperature. The heater is driven when the inside temperature is equal to or lower than the heating-on temperature, and stopped when the inside temperature is equal to or higher than the heating-of temperature. The control unit 40 shifts the cooling-on temperature and cooling-off temperature in a manner that a target temperature is equal to or higher than the heating-on temperature and equal to or lower than the heating-off temperature, and the cooling-off temperature is higher than the heating-off temperature, in the event that the target temperature is higher than the ambient temperature, and shifts the heating-on temperature and heating-off temperature in a manner that a target temperature is equal to or higher than the cooling-off temperature and equal to or lower than the cooling-on temperature, and the heating-off temperature is lower than the cooling-off temperature, in the event that the target temperature is lower than the ambient temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a vending machine.

Conventionally, as a vending machine, it is common to provide a product storage for storing products inside a main body cabinet which is a heat insulating housing. In such a vending machine, cooling means such as a refrigerator for cooling the goods stored in the goods storage, and heating means such as a heater for heating the goods are provided (for example, heating means such as a heater is provided (). For example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-150673

By the way, in the vending machine, when the target temperature of the product storage is set to, for example, 20 ° C., the cooling means and the heating means are set with their respective on / off temperatures so that the temperature inside the storage is close to the target temperature. That is, the cooling means is driven when the temperature inside the refrigerator is, for example, 22 ° C. or higher, while the cooling on temperature is 22 ° C. and the cooling off temperature is set so as to stop the drive when the temperature inside the refrigerator is, for example, 18 ° C. or lower. It is set to 18 ° C. Further, the heating means is driven when the temperature inside the refrigerator is, for example, 18 ° C. or lower, while the heating on temperature is 18 ° C. and the heating off temperature is 22 so that the drive is stopped when the temperature inside the refrigerator is, for example, 22 ° C. or higher. Set to ° C.

According to this, even if the ambient temperature (for example, the outside air temperature) is separated from the target temperature such as 30 ° C. or 10 ° C., the temperature inside the product storage can be approximated to the target temperature.

However, if the on / off temperature of the cooling means and the heating means is set to, for example, the target temperature ± 2 ° C. in this way, when the ambient temperature is separated from the target temperature, the driving of the cooling means and the driving of the heating means are performed. Sometimes it was repeated alternately.

That is, when the internal temperature is 22 ° C. or higher, the cooling means is driven, and when the internal temperature is 18 ° C. or lower, the cooling means is stopped and the heating means is driven, and the internal temperature is 22. When the temperature exceeds ° C., the heating means may be stopped and the cooling means may be repeatedly driven.

If the driving of the cooling means and the driving of the heating means are repeated alternately in this way, the power consumption will increase as a result, which is not preferable.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a vending machine capable of satisfactorily adjusting a product to a target temperature without being affected by the ambient temperature and reducing power consumption. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, the vending machine according to the present invention is driven when the internal temperature of the product storage containing the product is equal to or higher than the cooling on temperature, while the internal temperature is the cooling on temperature. A cooling means that stops driving when the temperature is lower than the cooling off temperature, and a cooling means that is driven when the temperature inside the refrigerator is lower than the heating on temperature, while the temperature inside the refrigerator is higher than the heating on temperature. When the target temperature of the product storage exceeds the ambient temperature in the vending machine provided with the heating means for driving and stopping in the case of, the target temperature is in the range of the heating on temperature or more and the heating off temperature or less. When the cooling on temperature and the cooling off temperature are shifted in such a manner that the cooling off temperature is higher than the heating off temperature, while the target temperature is lower than the ambient temperature, the target temperature is the cooling. It is characterized by including a control unit that shifts the heating on temperature and the heating off temperature in a manner in which the heating off temperature is lower than the cooling off temperature while being included in the range of the off temperature or more and the cooling on temperature or less. To do.

Further, in the vending machine, when the target temperature exceeds the ambient temperature, the control unit sets the cooling off temperature and the cooling on temperature to the heating off temperature and the heating on temperature, respectively. It is characterized by shifting in a manner of adding only the temperature difference.

Further, in the vending machine, when the target temperature is lower than the ambient temperature, the control unit sets the heating on temperature and the heating off temperature to the cooling on temperature and the cooling off temperature, respectively. It is characterized by shifting in a manner of subtracting only the temperature difference.

According to the present invention, the cooling means is driven when the internal temperature of the product storage containing the product is equal to or higher than the cooling on temperature, while the driving is stopped when the internal temperature is equal to or lower than the cooling off temperature. The heating means is driven when the temperature inside the refrigerator is below the heating on temperature, while it is stopped when the temperature inside the refrigerator is above the heating off temperature, so the target is the product in the product storage regardless of the ambient temperature. Can be maintained at temperature. Moreover, when the target temperature exceeds the ambient temperature, the control unit sets the cooling on temperature and the cooling off temperature in a manner in which the cooling off temperature is higher than the heating off temperature while the target temperature is included in the range of the heating on temperature or more and the heating off temperature or less. When the target temperature is lower than the ambient temperature while shifting the cooling off temperature, the heating off temperature is lower than the cooling off temperature while the target temperature is included in the range of the cooling off temperature or more and the cooling on temperature or less. Since the heating on temperature and the heating off temperature are shifted, it is possible to prevent the driving of the cooling means and the driving of the heating means from being repeated alternately. Therefore, the product can be satisfactorily adjusted to the target temperature without being affected by the ambient temperature, and the power consumption can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing the internal structure of the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a characteristic control system of the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the temperature setting process performed by the control unit shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a chart showing the transition of the temperature inside the refrigerator when the ambient temperature is 10 ° C. FIG. 5 is a chart showing the transition of the temperature inside the refrigerator when the ambient temperature is 10 ° C. FIG. 6 is a chart showing the transition of the temperature inside the refrigerator when the ambient temperature is 30 ° C.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the vending machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing the internal structure of the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 schematically shows a characteristic control system of the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram shown in. The vending machine illustrated here includes a main body cabinet 1, an internal temperature sensor 31, an ambient temperature sensor 32, and a control unit 40.

The main body cabinet 1 has a rectangular shape with an open front surface. The main body cabinet 1 is provided with a product storage 3 having a heat insulating structure inside. The product storage 3 is for storing products such as beverages contained in containers such as cans and PET bottles while maintaining a desired temperature.

An outer door 4 and an inner door 5 are provided on the front surface of the main body cabinet 1. The outer door 4 is for opening and closing the front opening of the main body cabinet 1, and the inner door 5 is for opening and closing the front of the product storage 3. The inner door 5 is divided into upper and lower parts, and the upper door 5a opens and closes when a product is replenished.

The product storage 3 is provided with a product storage rack 6, a unloading mechanism 7, and a shooter 8. The product storage rack 6 is for storing products in a manner of arranging them in the vertical direction. The unloading mechanism 7 is provided at the lower part of the product storage rack 6 and is for carrying out the products at the bottom of the product group stored in the product storage rack 6 one by one. The shooter 8 is for guiding the product carried out from the carry-out mechanism 7 to the product outlet 4a provided on the outer door 4.

An evaporator 24 and a heater 9 are arranged in the lower region of the shooter 8. The evaporator 24 is arranged on the front side of the back duct 10, and is sequentially connected to the compressor 21, the condenser 22, the expansion mechanism 23, and the refrigerant pipe 25 installed in the machine room 2 through a refrigerating cycle (cooling means). ) Is formed. The compressor 21 is driven in response to a command given from the control unit 40. When driving, the compressor 21 sucks the refrigerant through the suction port and compresses the sucked refrigerant into a high temperature and high pressure state (high temperature and high pressure refrigerant). It is discharged from the discharge port. The condenser 22 condenses the passing refrigerant. More specifically, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 and discharged from the discharge port and sent out through the refrigerant pipe 25 is heat-exchanged with the ambient air to be condensed. The expansion mechanism 23 decompresses the passing refrigerant to adiabatically expand it.

As the refrigerant circulates in these refrigeration cycles, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 21 is condensed by the condenser 22, and then adiabatically expanded by the expansion mechanism 23 and passes through the evaporator 24. When the refrigerant passes through the evaporator 24, heat exchange is performed with the internal air of the product storage 3 in which the evaporator 24 is arranged, and the refrigerant itself evaporates to cool the internal air. The evaporated refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 21.

The cooled internal air moves inside the product storage 3 by driving the air blower fan 11 in the storage, whereby the products stored in the product storage rack 6 of the product storage 3 are cooled to a desired temperature. become.

The heater 9 is arranged on the front surface side of the evaporator 24. The heater 9 is driven in response to a command given from the control unit 40, and is a heating means for heating the ambient air in an energized state when the heater 9 is driven.

The air heated by the heater 9 moves inside the product storage 3 by driving the air blower fan 11 in the storage, whereby the products stored in the product storage rack 6 of the product storage 3 are heated to a desired temperature. Will be done.

The internal temperature sensor 31 is provided inside the product storage 3, detects the internal temperature of the product storage 3, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 40.

The ambient temperature sensor 32 is provided outside the main body cabinet 1 and detects the ambient temperature of the vending machine and outputs the detection result to the control unit 40.

The control unit 40 comprehensively controls the temperature control of the vending machine according to the programs and data stored in the memory 41. The control unit 40 may be incorporated in a main control unit (not shown) that controls the basic operation of the vending machine, or may be provided independently of the main control unit. The control unit 40 includes an input processing unit 40a, a setting processing unit 40b, and an output processing unit 40c.

The control unit 40 may be realized by, for example, a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program, that is, by software, or by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit). Alternatively, it may be realized by using software and hardware together.

The input processing unit 40a inputs the detection results given by the internal temperature sensor 31 and the ambient temperature sensor 32. Further, the input processing unit 40a inputs an input signal from an input unit 33 such as a controller.

The setting processing unit 40b sets the target temperature (for example, 20 ° C.) of the product storage 3 input from the input unit 33 through the input processing unit 40a and stores it in the memory 41. Further, the setting processing unit 40b sets the cooling on temperature and the cooling off temperature, and the heating on temperature and the heating off temperature from the set target temperature and stores them in the memory 41. Here, the cooling on temperature and the cooling off temperature are, for example, a target temperature of ± 2 ° C., a cooling on temperature of 22 ° C., and a cooling off temperature of 18 ° C. The heating on temperature and the heating off temperature are, for example, a target temperature of ± 2 ° C., a heating on temperature of 18 ° C., and a heating off temperature of 22 ° C.

Further, the setting processing unit 40b compares the ambient temperature input from the ambient temperature sensor 32 through the input processing unit 40a with the target temperature, performs the temperature setting process described later, and shifts the cooling on temperature and the cooling off temperature. Alternatively, the heating on temperature and the heating off temperature are shifted.

The output processing unit 40c gives a drive command and a drive stop command to each of the compressor 21 and the heater 9. The compressor 21 is driven or the drive is stopped, and the heater 9 is energized or not. It is intended to be energized.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the temperature setting process performed by the control unit 40 shown in FIG. The operation of the vending machine according to the present embodiment will be described while explaining the processing contents.

When the control unit 40 in the temperature setting process waits for the input of the ambient temperature from the ambient temperature sensor 32 through the input processing unit 40a (step S101) and inputs the ambient temperature through the input processing unit 40a (step S101: Yes), the setting is made. The target temperature is read from the memory 41 through the processing unit 40b (step S102).

The control unit 40 that has read out the target temperature compares the target temperature with the ambient temperature through the setting processing unit 40b (step S103, step S104). When the target temperature exceeds the ambient temperature (step S103: Yes), the control unit 40 sets the cooling on temperature and the cooling off temperature through the setting processing unit 40b, respectively, and the temperature difference between the heating off temperature and the heating on temperature (for example, 4 ° C.). ) Is added (step S105). That is, the cooling on temperature and the cooling off temperature are shifted in such a manner that the cooling off temperature is higher than the heating off temperature while the target temperature is included in the range of the heating on temperature or more and the heating off temperature or less. Specifically, the cooling on temperature is shifted to 26 ° C. and the cooling off temperature is shifted to 22 ° C. After shifting the cooling on temperature and the cooling off temperature in this way, the control unit 40 returns the procedure and ends the current process.

On the other hand, when the target temperature is lower than the ambient temperature (step S103: No, step S104: Yes), the control unit 40 sets the heating on temperature and the heating off temperature as the cooling on temperature and the cooling off temperature, respectively, through the setting processing unit 40b. (For example, 4 ° C.) is subtracted by the temperature difference (step S106). That is, the heating on temperature and the heating off temperature are shifted in such a manner that the heating off temperature is lower than the cooling off temperature while the target temperature is included in the range of the cooling off temperature or more and the cooling on temperature or less. Specifically, the heating on temperature is shifted to 14 ° C. and the heating off temperature is shifted to 18 ° C. After shifting the heating on temperature and the heating off temperature in this way, the control unit 40 returns the procedure and ends the current process.

On the other hand, when the target temperature matches the ambient temperature (step S103: No, step S104: No), the control unit 40 returns the procedure without performing the above-described processing and ends the current processing.

The control unit 40 that has performed the temperature setting process in this way can maintain the products stored in the product storage 3 at the target temperature as follows.

For example, when the ambient temperature is 10 ° C. and the target temperature (20 ° C.) exceeds the ambient temperature, as shown in FIG. 4, at the time point t1 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes the heating on temperature (18 ° C.) or less, the control unit 40 Makes the heater 9 energized through the output processing unit 40c. Then, at the time t2 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes the heating off temperature (22 ° C.) or higher, the control unit 40 causes the heater 9 to be de-energized through the output processing unit 40c. After that, at the time t3 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or lower than the heating on temperature, the control unit 40 energizes the heater 9, and at the time t4 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or higher than the heating off temperature, the control unit 40 does not turn on the heater 9. At the time t5 when the temperature inside the refrigerator is equal to or lower than the heating on temperature, the control unit 40 energizes the heater 9, and at the time t6 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or higher than the heating off temperature, the control unit 40 is the heater. 9 is de-energized. In this way, the heater 9 is driven at the time points t1 to t2, the time points t3 to t4, and the time points t5 to t6, and this is repeated thereafter to maintain the product stored in the product storage 3 at the target temperature (20 ° C.). can do.

By the way, even when the ambient temperature is 10 ° C. and the target temperature exceeds the ambient temperature, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, products having a temperature of 30 ° C. or higher are stored in the product storage rack 6 and inside the refrigerator. At the time point u1 when the temperature becomes the cooling on temperature (26 ° C.) or higher, the control unit 40 drives the compressor 21 through the output processing unit 40c. Then, at the time u2 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes the cooling off temperature (22 ° C.) or lower, the control unit 40 stops the compressor 21 from being driven through the output processing unit 40c. After that, at the time u3 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or lower than the heating on temperature, the control unit 40 energizes the heater 9, and at the time u4 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or higher than the heating off temperature, the control unit 40 does not turn on the heater 9. At the time u5 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or lower than the heating on temperature, the control unit 40 energizes the heater 9, and at the time u6 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or higher than the heating off temperature, the control unit 40 raises the heater. At the time u7 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or lower than the heating on temperature by turning 9 into the non-energized state, the control unit 40 turns on the heater 9 and at the time u8 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or higher than the heating off temperature. 40 causes the heater 9 to be de-energized. In this way, the cooling means (compressor 21) is driven at the time points u1 to u2, the heater 9 is driven at the time points u3 to u4, the time points u5 to u6, and the time points u7 to u8, and thereafter, the heater 9 is driven and driven. By repeating the stoppage, the product stored in the product storage 3 can be maintained at the target temperature (20 ° C.).

Next, for example, when the ambient temperature is 30 ° C. and the target temperature (20 ° C.) is lower than the ambient temperature, as shown in FIG. 6, at the time point v1 when the internal temperature becomes the cooling on temperature (22 ° C.) or higher, The control unit 40 drives the compressor 21 through the output processing unit 40c. As a result, the air is cooled by the evaporator 24, and the air cooled by the drive of the blower fan 11 in the refrigerator can circulate in the product storage 3 to lower the temperature inside the refrigerator. Then, at the time v2 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or lower than the cooling off temperature (18 ° C.), the control unit 40 stops the compressor 21 from being driven through the output processing unit 40c. After that, at the time v3 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or higher than the cooling on temperature, the control unit 40 drives the compressor 21, and at the time v4 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or lower than the cooling off temperature, the control unit 40 moves the compressor 21. At the time v5 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or higher than the cooling on temperature, the control unit 40 drives the compressor 21, and at the time v6 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or lower than the cooling off temperature, the control unit 40 moves. , The compressor 21 is stopped. In this way, at the time points v1 to v2, the time points v3 to v4, and the time points v5 to v6, the compressor 21 is driven, and thereafter, by repeating this, the product stored in the product storage 3 is brought to the target temperature (20 ° C.). Can be maintained at.

As described above, according to the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 40 drives the compressor 21 when the temperature inside the refrigerator becomes equal to or higher than the cooling on temperature, while the temperature inside the refrigerator rises. The compressor 21 is stopped when the temperature is below the cooling off temperature, and the heater 9 is driven when the temperature inside the refrigerator is below the heating on temperature, while the heater 9 is driven when the temperature inside the refrigerator is above the heating off temperature. Since the drive 9 is stopped, the product in the product storage 3 can be maintained at the target temperature regardless of the ambient temperature. Moreover, when the target temperature of the product storage 3 exceeds the ambient temperature, the control unit 40 makes the cooling off temperature higher than the heating off temperature while the target temperature is included in the range of the heating on temperature or more and the heating off temperature or less. While shifting the cooling on temperature and the cooling off temperature in the embodiment, when the target temperature is lower than the ambient temperature, the heating off temperature is the cooling off temperature while being included in the range of the cooling off temperature or more and the cooling on temperature or less. Since the heating on temperature and the heating off temperature are shifted in a manner lower than the temperature, it is possible to avoid repeating the driving of the compressor 21 and the driving of the heater 9 alternately. Therefore, the product can be satisfactorily adjusted to the target temperature without being affected by the ambient temperature, and the power consumption can be reduced.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made.

In the above-described embodiment, the heater 9 is used to heat the internal air of the product storage 3, but in the present invention, the heating is not limited to the heating by the heater, and the condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor. The internal air may be heated by disposing the above in the corresponding product storage. That is, heat pump operation may be applied.

1 Main body cabinet 3 Product storage 6 Product storage rack 9 Heater 21 Compressor 22 Condenser 23 Expansion mechanism 24 Evaporator 31 Internal temperature sensor 32 Ambient temperature sensor 40 Control unit 40a Input processing unit 40b Setting processing unit 40c Output processing unit 41 memory

Claims (3)

A cooling means that drives when the temperature inside the product storage that houses the product is equal to or higher than the cooling on temperature, while driving and stopping when the temperature inside the storage is lower than the cooling on temperature and lower than the cooling off temperature. ,
It is a vending machine equipped with a heating means that drives when the temperature inside the refrigerator is below the heating on temperature and stops when the temperature inside the refrigerator is above the heating off temperature higher than the heating on temperature. hand,
When the target temperature of the product storage exceeds the ambient temperature, the cooling off temperature is higher than the heating off temperature while the target temperature is included in the range of the heating on temperature or more and the heating off temperature or less. While shifting the cooling on temperature and the cooling off temperature, when the target temperature is lower than the ambient temperature, the heating off temperature is included in the range of the cooling off temperature or more and the cooling on temperature or less. A vending machine comprising a control unit that shifts the heating on temperature and the heating off temperature in a manner lower than the cooling off temperature. When the target temperature exceeds the ambient temperature, the control unit shifts the cooling off temperature and the cooling on temperature by adding the temperature difference between the heating off temperature and the heating on temperature, respectively. The vending machine according to claim 1, which is characterized. When the target temperature is lower than the ambient temperature, the control unit shifts the heating on temperature and the heating off temperature by subtracting the temperature difference between the cooling on temperature and the cooling off temperature, respectively. The vending machine according to claim 1, which is characterized.

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