JP3092265B2 - Energy saving control device for vending machines - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling energy-saving (abbreviated as energy saving) operation of a vending machine (abbreviated as vending machine). In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, energy-saving control devices for vending machines include fluorescent lamps, refrigerators (abbreviated as MC), heater operation stop times, and operating temperature shifts of cooling / heating devices (that is, the refrigerators and heaters). It is known that the amount can be set and controlled individually.

[0003]

[0005] Vending machines are increasing in size year by year, and their total power consumption is also increasing. Therefore, during the daytime when fluorescent lighting is not required for outdoor vending machines, or at midnight when cooling and heating are not required, the operation stop of fluorescent lamps and cooling / heating devices is individually set and controlled as an energy saving time zone. Was. However, in this case, it is difficult for the customer (administrator of the vending machine) to know how much energy saving effect is obtained, and at the same time, since the amount of data of the setting is large, such energy saving control tends to be hardly performed. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an energy saving control device for a vending machine which is easy for a customer to operate.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an energy-saving control device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of energy-saving devices (cooling / heating device 6, fluorescent lamp 7, etc.) in a vending machine. Means for determining the power-saving rate by the energy-saving operation according to the combination of the energy-saving target devices for each stage, and setting and storing the combination of the energy-saving devices for each stage as the energy-saving mode (such as the storage unit 2).
A unit (such as the data input device 3) for designating and inputting the energy-saving mode, and a unit (such as the main control unit 1) for controlling an energy-saving target device based on the designation of the energy-saving mode. I do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the energy saving control device according to the first aspect of the present invention, further comprising means for changing the predetermined energy saving operation setting content while specifying the energy saving mode. It shall be assumed.

In the energy saving control device according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the energy saving control device according to the first or second aspect, the energy saving mode designation input means is provided for each of the modes, and operates the mode designation. It is provided with means for inputting, and means for displaying the presence or absence of operation of at least a predetermined operation input means of the operation input means.

[0007]

The power saving ratio of the energy-saving operation of a plurality of energy-saving devices in a vending machine is determined in advance stepwise by the combination of the energy-saving devices, and the combination of the energy-saving devices is reduced for each stage. The energy saving mode is set and stored, and the energy saving operation of the energy saving target device in the corresponding combination is performed only by inputting the designation of the energy saving mode. Further, in order to make the operation easy to understand, a key for designating the energy saving mode is provided for each energy saving mode, and an indication of the presence or absence of the operation is provided for each key.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a vending machine control circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a main control unit including a CPU, 11 denotes a clock of the main control unit 1, 2 denotes a storage unit including a ROM and a RAM, and 3 denotes a data input device including a keyboard and the like.
Reference numeral 6 denotes a cooling / heating device (that is, a refrigerator or a heater) for keeping or cooling the product storage of a vending machine or the like. Reference numeral 4 denotes a cooling / heating control unit which directly controls the cooling / heating device 6 and is preset. Cooling so that the inside of the
In addition to starting and stopping the heating device 6, during the energy saving operation, the cooling / heating device is started and stopped by shifting the internal temperature by the operating temperature shift amount set by the main control unit 1, and also by the main control unit 1. The cooling / heating device 6 is stopped during the set energy saving time zone. Reference numeral 7 denotes a fluorescent lamp for illuminating a product display section and the like. Reference numeral 5 denotes a photo switch (that is, a switch that outputs an OFF signal and an ON signal in accordance with predetermined external brightness), and the like. The fluorescent lamp control unit directly turns on and off the lamp, and further turns off the fluorescent lamp 7 during the energy saving time period set by the main control unit 1. Reference numeral 12 denotes an energy saving mode table for each energy saving effect set in the ROM or the like of the storage unit 2.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the energy saving mode table 12 for each energy saving effect. That is, in this example, the values # 1, # 2, # 3, and # 4 of the energy saving mode number 13 are specified separately for the energy saving effects of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of the total power consumption. Separately, a combination of predetermined energy saving operation contents (for convenience, energy saving event 14) for each energy saving target device is defined by a circle. As the energy saving event 14, in this example, the fluorescent lamp is turned off in a predetermined energy saving time zone, the refrigerator is stopped in the predetermined energy saving time zone, the heating machine (heater) is stopped in the predetermined energy saving time zone, the product storage is stopped. A predetermined shift of the heat retention set temperature (that is, a predetermined amount of the cooling temperature is raised or a predetermined amount of the heating temperature is reduced) is determined.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the main part of the main controller 1 of FIG. Next, FIG. 3 will be described. Note that S1
Symbols S6C to S6C indicate steps in FIG. That is, the main control unit 1 controls the energy saving mode number 13 by the data input device 3.
Is determined (S1), and if there is a setting (branch Y), the energy saving mode number is determined (S2). Accordingly, data for executing the energy saving event 14 in the energy saving mode number 13 defined in the table 12 of FIG. 2 (the energy saving time zone and the operating temperature shift amount in this example) is transmitted to the cooling / heating control unit 00 fluorescent lamp control. Automatically set in the section 5 (S3A to S3C,...).

However, if there is some inconvenience in the setting of the energy saving mode of FIG. 2 due to the customer's convenience (for example, when the vending machine is installed indoors and the fluorescent lamp needs to be turned on at all times), individual setting is required. The energy saving mode can be further set by the data input device 3. That is, when the main control unit 1 determines that there is the individual mode setting via the data input device 3 (S4, branch Y), the main control unit 1 determines the energy saving event 14 related to the setting (S5), and the corresponding energy saving event 14 The setting of the change data such as the energy saving time zone is performed on the control unit 4 or 5. For example, when a fluorescent lamp is targeted, a new extinguishing time zone is set (S6A), and when a refrigerator (MC) is targeted, a new stopping time zone is set (S6B). If so, the new stop time zone is set (S6C). Thereby, the cooling / heating control unit 4 and the fluorescent lamp control unit 5 respectively stop the cooling / heating device 6 and turn off the fluorescent lamp 7 based on the set data. Steps S1 to S in FIG.
Even if the energy saving mode is not set by the 3C, the energy saving data can be set in the individual mode by the steps S4 to S6C in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a vending machine control circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 4, the energy saving control box 3A as a dedicated data input device is used in place of the keyboard 3 in order to make the setting operation of the energy saving control easier than in FIG. The point is that the energy saving mode table 12A is used. The energy saving control box 3A has an energy saving mode key 31 (31A to 31K) corresponding to a dedicated key for each mode for designating the energy saving mode number 13 in FIG. 2 and an indicator 32 (32A to 32A) for displaying the presence or absence of the operation. 32C) is provided. Here, 31A as the energy saving mode key 31 is a "slight key" for designating a little energy saving,
Is a "pretty key" which designates more (considerable) energy savings. Similarly, the 31C designates the maximum energy saving within a range that does not hinder the sales operation (in this case, fuzzy control is adopted). And 31K is a "release key" for designating release of the energy saving mode. And 32A, 32B, 32C as the indicator 32
Are lamps for displaying the presence / absence of operation of the energy saving mode keys 31A, 31B, 31C, respectively.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the energy saving mode table 12A for each energy saving effect. In FIG. 5, table 1 of FIG.
The difference from 2 is that the combination mode of the energy saving event 14 is indicated by a circle for each of the energy saving mode keys 31 (31K to 31C), and that the energy saving cancellation is added as one of the energy saving modes.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the main part of FIG. Next, FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, reference numerals S11 to S14K indicate steps in FIG. That is, any one of the energy saving mode keys 31A to 31K is
If N (S11, branch Y), the main control unit 1 determines what the mode key is (S12), and if it determines that the "slight key" 31A is ON, the main control unit 1 displays the indicator. 32A is turned on (S13A), and predetermined control data of the energy saving event 14 (in this example, turning off the fluorescent lamp and stopping the refrigerator) shown in FIG. This is set for the heating control unit 4 (S14A). Similarly, the main control unit 1 has a “quite key” 31
When it is determined that B is ON, the indicator 32B is turned ON.
Then, predetermined control data of the energy saving event 14 (in this example, turning off the fluorescent lamp, stopping the refrigerator, stopping the heater) shown in FIG.
(S14B). The same applies when the "maximum key" 31C is ON. In this case, the point where the indicator 32C is turned on (S13C) and the point where the operating temperature shift is added to the data setting of the energy saving event 14 compared to when the "quite key" 31B is ON. (S14C) is different. "Release key" 31K
Is turned on, the main controller 1 clears the set data for energy saving control (S14K).

[0015]

According to the present invention, the saving rate of the power consumption by the energy saving operation is designated based on the energy saving mode, and the energy saving by each energy saving target device predetermined according to the designated mode. Since the operation is performed, the energy saving effect amount becomes clear to the customer, and the data setting of the energy saving operation of the vending machine can be set in one procedure, so that the data setting operation is simplified. Further, individual energy-saving settings can be made at the convenience of the customer, so that more detailed data settings can be made. In addition, if necessary, it is possible to see at a glance whether or not energy saving is being performed, and the energy saving mode can be specified with a single key operation, making it easier for customers to save energy. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a vending machine control circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an energy saving mode table for each energy saving effect of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a main part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a vending machine control circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an energy saving mode table for each energy saving effect of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a main part in FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main control part 2 Storage part 3 Data input device 3A Energy saving control box 4 Cooling / heating control part 5 Fluorescent lamp control part 6 Cooling / heating device 7 Fluorescent lamp 11 Clock 12 Energy saving mode table according to energy saving effect 12A Energy saving mode table according to energy saving effect 13 Energy saving mode number 14 Energy saving event 31 (31A to 31K) Energy saving mode key 31A Slight key 31B Pretty key 31C Maximum key 31K Release key 32 (32A to 32C) Indicator

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Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] An energy saving operation rate of a plurality of energy-saving devices in a vending machine is determined for each stage by a combination of energy-saving devices, and a combination of energy-saving devices is determined for each stage. A vending machine, comprising: means for setting and storing as a mode; means for designating and inputting the energy saving mode; and means for controlling energy saving target equipment based on the designation of the energy saving mode. Energy saving control device. 2. A vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising means for changing and inputting a predetermined setting of said energy saving operation together with designation of said energy saving mode. Energy saving control device. 3. The energy saving control device according to claim 1, wherein said energy saving mode designation input means is provided for each mode, and means for operating and inputting the mode designation, and said operation input. Means for displaying at least presence or absence of operation of a predetermined operation input means of the means.