JP3941310B2 - Cup vending machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cup type vending machine, and more particularly to a cup type vending machine suitable for discharging hot water from a hot water tank.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, a cup vending machine for selling hot beverages combines a hot water tank for storing hot water kept at a constant temperature, a beverage generating unit for generating a plurality of types of hot beverages, and a hot water tank and a beverage generating unit. A plurality of hot water pipes. Then, when the customer presses one of the product selection buttons among a plurality of types of hot beverages, the beverage generation unit mixes the ingredients and hot water corresponding to the product selection buttons to generate hot beverages, Supplied to the cup. Such a conventional cup type vending machine is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-334337.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Now, an electromagnetic valve that opens when the hot water in the hot water tank is supplied to the beverage generation unit is disposed in the passage of the plurality of hot water pipes. In particular, in the case of having a function of extracting coffee drinks from ground beans after pulverizing coffee beans, a pump for supplying hot water from a hot water tank to the beverage production unit is also arranged in the passage of the hot water pipe for this extraction. Established. By the way, the solenoid valve and the pump are both consumables, so in consideration of the usage status, installation environment, secular change, etc. of the cup-type vending machine, it is necessary to replace them with new parts each time replacement is necessary. . Therefore, conventionally, the solenoid valve or the pump is exchanged after discharging a predetermined amount of hot water from the hot water tank so that the worker is not burned with hot water.
[0004]
Regarding hot water draining of hot water tanks, at present, a discharge nozzle is connected to the hot water discharge port provided in the hot water tank itself, and an operator manually operates the discharge nozzle to discharge hot water. is the current situation. However, this hot water draining method has a problem that the work efficiency of the worker is lowered and the amount of discharged hot water cannot be grasped because it depends on the feeling of the worker. In particular, if all the hot water stored in the hot water tank is discharged, the hot water tank must be filled with fresh water and the stored water in the hot water tank must be heated with a heater after the replacement of the solenoid valve or pump is completed. Therefore, it takes a lot of time to raise the stored water in the hot water tank to a certain temperature, and there is a problem that the electricity bill becomes high and the sales time zone of the cup type vending machine is restricted.
[0005]
Then, an object of this invention is to provide the cup type vending machine which can discharge | emit the appropriate amount of hot water from a hot water tank efficiently.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention was created to solve the above problems, and in the cup type vending machine according to claim 1 , the cup beverage is supplied by supplying the hot water from the hot water tank to the beverage production section through the hot water pipe. In the cup-type vending machine that can be sold, when there is an instruction to discharge the hot water in the hot water tank, the hot water in the hot water tank is discharged through the hot water pipe, and the hot water in the hot water tank discharges the hot water pipe. Control means for discharging hot water from the hot water tank until it can not pass is provided. According to the cup type vending machine of the first aspect, since the worker does not perform the hot water draining operation of the hot water tank, there is an effect that the work efficiency is improved.
[0007]
Further, the cup type vending machine according to claim 2 is dependent on claim 1, and when the hot water in the hot water tank is discharged until the hot water in the hot water tank does not pass through the hot water pipe, hot water remains in the hot water tank. to have characterized the Rukoto. According to the cup type vending machine of claim 2, since the hot water remains in the hot water tank even when the hot water is not discharged from the hot water pipe, the hot water tank is filled and the stored water in the hot water tank is kept at a constant temperature. A series of raising operations can be executed in a short time. Therefore, since the working time is shortened, the electricity bill is reduced, and there is an effect that the available time zone of the cup type vending machine is not restricted as compared with the conventional one.
[0008]
Moreover, the cup type vending machine according to claim 3 is dependent on claim 1 or 2, wherein the hot water pipe is provided with an electromagnetic valve for supplying hot water from the hot water tank to the beverage generating unit, The hot water is discharged from the hot water tank by opening the solenoid valve. A cup type vending machine according to claim 4 is dependent on claim 3, and an instruction for discharging hot water from the hot water tank is generated when the electromagnetic valve is replaced. According to the cup type vending machine of claims 3 and 4, the electromagnetic valve replacement work efficiency is improved, and there is an effect that an operator can be prevented from being accidentally burned with hot water.
[0009]
Further, the cup type vending machine according to claim 5 is dependent on claim 1, and includes a first hot water pipe for supplying pressurized water from the hot water tank to the beverage generation unit using a pump, and the hot water tank. A second hot water pipe disposed below the first hot water tank and supplying hot water from the hot water tank to the beverage generating unit , wherein the control means is configured to discharge the hot water from the hot water tank. When there is, the hot water in the hot water tank is discharged through the second hot water pipe. According to the cup type vending machine of claim 5, even if it has a function of extracting tea, coffee, etc., since the worker does not have to perform the draining operation of the hot water tank, the operational effect is improved that the work efficiency is improved. Play.
[0010]
A cup type vending machine according to claim 6 is dependent on claim 5, and the second hot water pipe is provided with an electromagnetic valve for supplying hot water from the hot water tank to the beverage generating unit. The control means opens the solenoid valve based on an instruction for discharging hot water from the hot water tank. According to the cup type vending machine of the sixth aspect, since the solenoid valve is opened when the hot water in the hot water tank is discharged, there is an effect that the hot water in the hot water tank can be reliably discharged through the second hot water pipe.
[0011]
A cup type vending machine according to claim 7 is dependent on claims 5 and 6, and when the hot water in the hot water tank is discharged until the hot water in the hot water tank does not pass through the second hot water pipe, hot water in the tank is characterized that you have remaining. According to the cup type vending machine of the seventh aspect, since hot water remains in the hot water tank even when the hot water is not discharged from the second hot water pipe, the hot water tank is filled to store the stored water in the hot water tank. A series of operations for raising the temperature to a certain temperature can be executed in a short time. Therefore, since the working time is shortened, the electricity cost is reduced, and the operational effect similar to that of claim 2 is achieved in that the available time zone of the cup type vending machine is not restricted as compared with the conventional one.
[0012]
Further, the cup type vending machine according to claim 8 is dependent on claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the instruction to discharge the hot water in the hot water tank is generated when the pump is replaced. To do. According to the cup type vending machine of the eighth aspect, the pump replacement work efficiency is improved, and there is an effect that an operator can be prevented from being accidentally burned with hot water.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Details of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an example of a cup type vending machine to which the present invention is applied.
[0015]
In FIG. 1, a cistern 1 stores water from a water intake pipe 2. The float switch 3 outputs a water level lowering signal when the cistern 1 falls below a predetermined water level. The intake valve 4 is disposed in the intake pipe 2 and controls the supply of water to the cistern 1. That is, the intake valve 4 is opened in response to the generation of a water level lowering signal, and causes the systern 1 to supply water from the intake pipe 2. As a result, the water level of cis turn 1 is kept constant.
[0016]
The hot water tank 5 heats the water supplied from the cistern 1 through the pipe 6 to a predetermined temperature and stores it as drinking water. The float switch 7 outputs a water level lowering signal when the hot water tank 5 falls below a predetermined water level. The electromagnetic valve 8 is disposed in the pipe 6 and controls the supply of water to the hot water tank 5. That is, the electromagnetic valve 8 opens based on the generation of the water level lowering signal, and supplies water from the pipe 6 to the hot water tank 5. Thereby, the water level of the hot water tank 5 is kept constant. The heater 9 is supplied with current from the power supply unit 10 and heats the stored water in the hot water tank 5. The hot water temperature sensor 11 outputs a hot water temperature detection signal corresponding to the hot water temperature of the hot water tank 5. Thus, the hot water temperature of the hot water tank 5 is maintained at a constant temperature based on the hot water temperature detection signal. For example, it is assumed that the amount of water stored in the hot water tank 5 is 5 liters, the output of the heater 9 is 1 KW, and the hot water temperature in the hot water tank 5 is maintained at 97 ° C.
[0017]
The pump 12 pressurizes the hot water in the hot water tank 5 to a predetermined pressure and outputs it. The bypass pipe 13 is connected between the hot water tank 5 and the pump 12, and a return valve 14 is disposed in the bypass pipe 13. That is, when the supply destination of the pressurized hot water from the pump 12 is in a state where it cannot receive the supply based on some factor, the return valve 14 is opened, and the hot water in the pump 12 is returned to the hot water tank 5 through the bypass pipe 13. It is.
[0018]
The hot water pipe 15 (first hot water pipe) is connected between the pump 12 and an extractor described later, and supplies pressurized hot water from the pump 12 to the extractor. The hot water pipe 15 includes a pressure sensor 16 that outputs a pressure detection signal corresponding to the pressure in the hot water pipe 15, a flow rate sensor 17 that outputs a flow detection signal corresponding to the flow rate in the hot water pipe 15, and hot water upstream. A check valve 18 is provided in series to prevent backflow. Further, the hot water pipe 15 is provided with a discharge hot water valve 19 for diverting the hot water from the hot water tank 5 from the extractor. The hot water pipe 19 is connected between the upstream branch point of the pressure sensor 16 in the hot water pipe 15 and the hot water tank 5, and the hot water pipe 19 is provided with an extraction hot water valve 20. The extraction hot water valve 20 opens when the hot water in the hot water pipe 15 is returned to the hot water tank 5. At this time, the pressure of the pump 12 is controlled so as not to pass through the check valve 18 based on the pressure detection signal and the flow rate detection signal in the hot water pipe 15. For example, when a product selection button that uses an extractor is pressed after money is inserted, if the hot water valve 15 is opened and the hot water in the hot water pipe 15 is refluxed for about 3 seconds, the temperature in the hot water pipe 15 is increased. Since it becomes temperature equivalent to the hot water tank 5, hot water can be supplied to an extractor.
[0019]
The bean storage container 21 stores coffee beans, and the mill 22 has a crushing blade (not shown) that rotates at high speed by driving a mill motor 23, and crushes the coffee beans with a crushing blade to produce ground beans. It is. The measuring device 24 measures the amount of ground beans for one cup from ground beans in the mill 22 based on the volume. The chute 25 is arranged on the upper part of the extractor 26 for extracting coffee, and appropriately guides the ground beans held in the measuring device 24 to the extractor 26.
[0020]
The extractor 26 includes, for example, a cylinder 27, a piston 28, a piston motor 29, a torque transmission unit 30, a cap 31, a cap motor 32, a gear 33, and a beverage supply pipe 34. In the cylinder 27, ground beans are supplied through the chute 25. The piston 28 is configured such that the rotational driving torque of the piston motor 29 is transmitted via the torque transmission unit 30 to move up and down in the cylinder 27 to change the pressure in the cylinder 27. The cap 31 is connected to the hot water pipe 15 and supplies hot water into the cylinder 27. The cylinder 27, the piston 28, the piston motor 29, and the torque transmission unit 30 are integrally formed to constitute a cylinder unit 35. The gear 33 receives the driving force of the cap motor 32 and rotates around the fulcrum 36 to rotate the cylinder unit 35 between the chute 25 and the cap 31 around the fulcrum 37. The beverage supply pipe 34 is connected to the cylinder unit 35 and supplies the extracted coffee beverage to the cup 38. The operation from the supply of the ground beans in the extractor 26 to the extraction of the coffee beverage is described in Japanese Patent Application No. 11-193792 filed by the applicant of the present application. Since it is not directly related, description of the operation is omitted. Further, the extractor 26 is not limited to the above configuration. That is, the extractor 26 may be any configuration as long as it can extract a coffee beverage using pressurized hot water from the hot water pipe 15.
[0021]
The koji bucket 39 receives the extracted koji produced when the coffee beverage is extracted by the extractor 26.
[0022]
The sugar container 40 stores sugar. The mixing bowl 41 passes a predetermined amount of sugar supplied from the sugar container 40 via the chute 42 from the hot water tank 5 through the hot water pipe 71 (second hot water pipe) with the hot water valve 43 (electromagnetic valve) opened. It is melted with a predetermined amount of hot water to be supplied and supplied to the cup 38 through the pipe 44. On the other hand, the cream container 45 stores a cream raw material. The mixing bowl 46 applies a predetermined amount of cream material supplied from the cream container 45 via the chute 47 from the hot water tank 5 to the hot water pipe 72 (second hot water pipe) with the hot water valve 48 (solenoid valve) open. It is melted with a predetermined amount of hot water supplied through the pipe 49 and supplied to the cup 38 through the pipe 49. From this, coffee beverages (black, with sugar, with cream, with sugar cream) according to customer preferences can be sold. In addition, the extractor 26, the sugar container 40, the cream container 45, the mixing bowls 41 and 46, and the chutes 42 and 47 constitute a beverage generation unit.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example inside the pump. The gears 50 and 51 are arranged in mesh with each other inside the housing 69 of the pump 12, and the gear 50 rotates counterclockwise around the fulcrum 52 and the gear 51 rotates clockwise around the fulcrum 53. Thus, the hot water from the hot water tank 5 is pressurized through the gap between the gears 50 and 51 and the housing 69 and sent to the hot water pipe 15 side. The pressure applied to the pump 12 increases as the rotational speed of the gears 50 and 51 increases, and increases as the gap between the gears 50 and 51 and the housing 69 decreases. And the gears 50 and 51 rotate by transmitting the rotational force of the motor 70 to the fulcrum 53 of the gear 51, for example. Therefore, the pump 12 can be set to a desired pressure by controlling the rotational speed of the motor 70 based on the pressure detection signal of the pressure sensor 16 and the flow rate detection signal of the flow sensor 17. In addition, the internal temperature of the pump 12 will rise from the hot water temperature (for example, 97 degreeC) of a hot water tank with the pressurization operation | movement. Therefore, when the hot water from the hot water tank 5 is supplied to the hot water pipe 15, the pump 12 is cooled and the gears 50 and 51 are lubricated.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the control operation of the cup type vending machine of the present invention.
[0025]
In FIG. 3, a main control unit 54 controls the control of the cup type vending machine, and includes a ROM 54a, a CPU 54b, and a RAM 54c. The ROM 54a is a non-volatile memory in which program instructions for controlling a plurality of subordinate control units to be described later are stored in advance, a mask ROM that burns and fixes data in the manufacturing process, and data is repeated by erasing the data with ultraviolet rays. Either an EPROM that can be written and read, or an EEPROM (including a flash ROM) that can repeatedly write and read data by electrically erasing the data may be used. The CPU 54b is a PC (program counter) that designates an execution address of the ROM 54a, an IDEC (instruction decoder) that decodes a read instruction from the ROM 54a, an ALU (arithmetic logic unit) that performs logical operations, and an ACC (accumulator) that temporarily stores arithmetic data. Etc., and a plurality of sub-control units are controlled in accordance with the result of decoding the read command from the ROM 54a. The RAM 54c is a volatile memory such as an SRAM in which the calculation results of the CPU 54b, various data from a plurality of slave control units, and the like are stored.
[0026]
The input control unit 55, the coin processing control unit (money processing control unit) 56, the banknote processing control unit (money processing control unit) 57, the customer service control unit 58, and the sales control unit 59 correspond to a plurality of sub control units. Like the control unit 54, a ROM, a CPU, and a RAM are incorporated.
[0027]
The terminal device 60 includes a keyboard and a liquid crystal display unit, and is used for price setting, column setting, and the like. The input control unit 55 is connected to the terminal device 60 and controls data input / output between the main control unit 54 and the terminal device 60.
[0028]
The coin discriminating machine (coin mechanism) 61 is provided with a change change sensor for detecting change change, receives coins inserted from the coin insertion slot, and returns change from the change return slot as necessary. The coin processing control unit 56 controls the coin discriminator 61 to perform selection such as denomination and correctness of input coins, calculation of the number of denominations, storage in a safe, and change change. The bill validator (bill validator) 62 is provided with a bill-out sensor that detects when the bill is out, as with the coin discriminator 61, receives bills inserted from the bill insertion slot, and changes the bill as needed. Returned from the return port. The banknote processing control unit 57 controls the banknote discriminator 62 to perform the selection of the denomination and correctness of inserted banknotes, the calculation of the number of denominations, the storage in a safe, the withdrawal of a bill, and the like. The coin processing control unit 56 and the banknote processing control unit 57 execute a processing operation each time coins are inserted and banknotes are inserted.
[0029]
The customer service unit 63 includes a plurality of product selection buttons provided corresponding to a plurality of types of sales beverages, a sales enable lamp and a sold-out lamp provided on each of the product selection buttons to display whether the sales beverages can be sold or sold out. , A display window for displaying sale, sale suspension, and change of money, and a money amount display window for displaying the total amount of coins inserted and bills inserted and the amount of change. Normally, a plurality of product selection buttons are assigned coffee beverages, syrup beverages, etc. extracted from ground beans, but in the embodiment of the present invention, only extracted coffee beverages are assigned for convenience of explanation. To do. The customer service control unit 58 controls the customer service unit 63. The customer service control unit 58 displays the total amount of the coin insertion amount and the bill insertion amount calculated by the main control unit 54 based on the money type number data from the coin processing control unit 56 and the banknote processing control unit 57 in the amount display window. Or which of the plurality of product selection buttons is pressed, a detection signal at this time is transmitted to the main control unit 54, and the change amount obtained by subtracting the beverage sales amount from the total amount is displayed in the amount display window. In the display window, the sales stop lamp or the sold-out lamp for each beverage to be sold is turned on. Further, the customer service control unit 58 generates an external interrupt request signal and transmits it to the main control unit 54 when detecting that the product selection button corresponding to the extracted coffee beverage is pressed.
[0030]
The sales unit 64 includes a sales mechanism for extracting the coffee beverage shown in FIG. The sales control unit 59 controls the sales unit 64 to supply the coffee beverage desired by the customer to the cup 38 in accordance with the sales instruction from the main control unit 54.
[0031]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control relationship between the sales control unit 59 and the sales unit 64.
[0032]
In FIG. 4, the sales control unit 59 includes a ROM 65, a CPU 66, and a RAM 67 as well as a main control unit 54 and other sub control units, and also includes a timer 68. The ROM 65 stores various table information such as hot water temperature, pressure, and flow rate in addition to program instructions for controlling the sales mechanism of FIG. The timer 68 counts a one-second signal obtained by dividing the self-running or other-running oscillation clock by a predetermined frequency.
[0033]
Specifically, the sales control unit 59
(1) Open / close control of intake valve 4 according to ON / OFF of float switch 3,
(2) Open / close control of the solenoid valve 8 according to the on / off state of the float switch 7,
(3) ON / OFF control of the power supply unit 10 according to the temperature detected by the hot water temperature sensor 11
(4) Pressure control of the pump 12 according to the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 16 and the detected flow rate of the flow sensor 17;
(5) Open / close control of the return valve 14 when the detected pressure of the pressure sensor 16 and the detected flow rate of the flow sensor 17 exceed the pressure control range of the pump 12;
(6) Open / close control of the discharge hot water valve 19, the extraction hot water valve 20, and the hot water valves 43 and 48 based on an instruction from the main control unit 54,
(7) Weighing control of the measuring device 24 based on the sales instruction from the main control unit 54,
(8) On / off control of the mill motor 23, piston motor 29, and cap motor 32 based on the sales instruction from the main control unit 54,
{Circle over (9)} A predetermined amount discharge control of sugar in the sugar container 40 and cream raw material in the cream container 45 based on the sales instruction from the main control unit 54,
A series of sales control is executed.
[0034]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control operation when the pump 12 is replaced.
[0035]
First, when the operator operates the terminal device 60 disposed on the back surface of the customer service door of the cup-type vending machine and performs key input for pump replacement while checking the display content on the liquid crystal display unit, input control is performed. The unit 55 generates an external interrupt request signal for pump replacement in accordance with this key input, and is supplied to the main control unit 54. Then, after determining what the external interrupt request signal is, the main control unit 54 transmits an instruction signal for executing pump replacement to the sales control unit 59 [S1].
[0036]
When the instruction signal is supplied, the sales control unit 59 does not respond to the detection output of the float switch 7. Then, the sales control unit 59 turns off the power supply unit 10 to stop the heating of the heater 9, closes the electromagnetic valve 8, stops the supply of water from the cistern 1 to the hot water tank 5, and closes the extraction hot water valve 20. The reflux of hot water in the hot water tank 5 is stopped. Further, the hot water valve 19 is opened to make it possible to discharge hot water in the hot water pipe 15 [S2].
[0037]
And the sales control part 59 supplies the signal showing that the prior preparation for performing hot water discharge of the hot water tank 5 was complete | finished to the main control part 54, and the main control part 54 responded to this supply signal, An instruction signal for announcing the start of hot water discharge from the hot water tank 5 is supplied to the input control unit 55. Then, in accordance with this instruction signal, the input control unit 55 displays “Yukonkara Oyuga Demas Chuui Shikitesai” or the like on the liquid crystal display unit of the terminal device 60, and informs the worker that hot water is discharged from the hot water tank 5 [S3]. .
[0038]
Thereafter, the sales control unit 59 opens the hot water valves 43 and 48. As a result, the hot water in the hot water tank 5 is discharged through two passages of the hot water pipe 71 and the pipe 44 through the mixing bowl 41 and the hot water pipe 72 and the pipe 49 through the mixing bowl 46. It will be accommodated in the hot water bucket 74 [S4].
[0039]
At this time, the sales control unit 59 supplies a signal indicating that the hot water discharge from the hot water tank has started to the main control unit 54, and the main control unit 54 responds to the supply signal to the hot water in the hot water tank 5. An instruction signal for announcing the discharge is supplied to the input control unit 55. Then, in accordance with this instruction signal, the input control unit 55 displays “Yutank High Stutu” or the like on the liquid crystal display unit of the terminal device 60 and informs the worker that hot water is being discharged from the hot water tank 5 [S5. ].
[0040]
In addition, when the hot water valves 43 and 48 are opened, that is, when hot water discharge from the hot water tank 5 is started, the sales control unit 59 resets the timer 68 and starts counting the 1 second signal [S6].
[0041]
Then, the sales control unit 59 determines whether or not the timer 68 has finished counting time T1 (for example, 40 seconds). Here, the time T <b> 1 is the minimum time required for the hot water in the hot water tank 5 to not pass through the hot water pipes 71 and 72, and is a time uniquely determined according to the volume of the hot water tank 5. That is, the sales control unit 59 determines whether or not the remaining hot water amount in the hot water tank 5 has been reduced to the maximum hot water amount in the hot water amount range that does not pass through the hot water pipes 71 and 72 [S7].
[0042]
If the sales control unit 59 determines that the timer 68 has not finished counting the time T1, the sales control unit 59 repeats this determination operation [S7: NO].
[0043]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the timer 68 has finished counting the time T1 [S7: YES], the sales control unit 59 drives the motor 70 for a time T2 (for example, 3 seconds) to drive the pump 12 under pressure. . Here, the time T <b> 2 is the minimum time required for the accumulated hot water in the hot water pipe 15 to be discharged to the hot water discharge bucket 74 through the pipe 73 with the pressure of the pump 12. At this time, the pump 12 is driven to pressurize without supplying hot water, but there is no fear that it will fail in about 3 seconds. Thus, the inside of the hot water pipe 15 is emptied after 3 seconds [S8].
[0044]
When the sales control unit 59 determines that the timer 68 has not finished counting the time T1 + T2, the sales control unit 59 continues to drive the motor 70 and continues to pressurize the pump 12 [S9: NO].
[0045]
On the other hand, if the sales control unit 59 determines that the timer 68 has finished counting time T1 + T2 [S9: YES], the motor 70 is turned off to stop the pressurization drive of the pump 12 [S10], and further Then, the counting of the 1-second signal by the timer 68 is stopped [S11].
[0046]
At this time, the sales control unit 59 supplies a signal indicating that the hot water discharge from the hot water tank has ended to the main control unit 54, and the main control unit 54 discharges the hot water from the hot water tank 5 in response to the supply signal. An instruction signal for announcing the end is supplied to the input control unit 55. Then, in accordance with this instruction signal, the input control unit 55 causes the liquid crystal display unit of the terminal device 60 to display “Dengen Otsutsudanshi te ku te kan te ku te sei”, etc., that the operator has discharged the hot water from the hot water tank 5, that is, the pump Inform the fact that it is possible to exchange [S12].
[0047]
Thereafter, the sales control unit 59 stops the control operation, and does not accept the instruction signal from the main control unit 54. That is, the sales unit 64 (the sales mechanism in FIG. 1) does not respond to any input signal, and does not operate unless the power is turned on again [S13].
[0048]
In this state, the worker confirms the display contents for prompting pump replacement in the liquid crystal display unit of the terminal device 60, and then turns off the power and replaces the pump. At this time, since the hot water in the hot water tank 5 does not flow through any of the hot water pipes 15, 71, 73, it is possible to avoid a danger that a worker may get burned when replacing the pump. Further, since the power is turned off, it is possible to avoid the danger of an electric shock when an operator replaces the pump.
[0049]
Furthermore, the worker only needs to turn on the power after completing the pump replacement. Then, the main control unit 54, the input control unit 55, the coin processing control unit 56, the banknote processing control unit 57, the customer service control unit 58, and the sales control unit 59 are initialized. In particular, the sales mechanism in FIG. It is set to the initial state according to the instruction when is initialized. Specifically, until the float switch 7 is turned on, that is, until the hot water tank 5 is full, the water of the cistern 1 is supplied to the hot water tank 5 through the electromagnetic valve 8, the power supply unit 10 is turned on, and the heater 9 is turned on. Is supplied with electric current, and the water stored in the hot water tank 5 is heated by the heater 9. At this time, the stored water in the hot water tank 5 is in a state in which the heated hot water before the pump replacement is mixed with the water supplied from the cistern 1, so that it takes time to fill the hot water tank 5 and heat it to a certain temperature. Can be shortened. Therefore, the electricity bill required for pump replacement is reduced, and the sales time zone of the cup type vending machine is not restricted as much as in the past.
[0050]
As described above, the embodiment of the present invention can improve the work efficiency of the pump replacement. However, instead of discharging the hot water in the hot water tank 5 on the basis of time, it can be discharged on the basis of the amount of hot water. Good. In this case, a flow rate sensor (not shown) may be provided in the hot water pipes 71 and 72, and the sales control unit 59 may determine the detection output of the flow rate sensor. Further, the embodiment of the present invention has been described by taking the pump replacement as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is performed when the discharge hot water valve 19, the extraction hot water valve 20, and the hot water valves 43 and 48 are replaced. The same effect can be obtained.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, in the cup type vending machine according to claim 1, in the cup type vending machine capable of selling cup beverages by supplying the hot water in the hot water tank to the beverage production part through the hot water pipe, When there is an instruction to discharge the hot water in the tank, the hot water in the hot water tank is discharged through the hot water pipe, and the hot water in the hot water tank is discharged until the hot water in the hot water tank does not pass through the hot water pipe . Since the control means is provided, the worker does not perform the hot water draining operation of the hot water tank, so that the work efficiency can be improved.
[0052]
Further, the cup type automatic vending machine according to claim 2, when discharging the hot water of the hot water tank to the hot water of the hot water tank will not pass through the hot water pipe, and features that you have hot water remains in the hot water tank To do. And since hot water remains even when hot water is no longer discharged from the hot water pipe inside the hot water tank, a series of operations for filling the hot water tank and raising the stored water in the hot water tank to a certain temperature can be executed in a short time. . Therefore, since the work time is shortened, the electricity bill is reduced, and the sales time zone of the cup type vending machine is not restricted as compared with the conventional one.
[0053]
Further, in the cup type vending machine according to claim 3, the hot water pipe is provided with a solenoid valve for supplying hot water from the hot water tank to the beverage generating unit, The operation is performed by opening the electromagnetic valve. The cup type vending machine according to claim 4 is characterized in that an instruction for discharging hot water from the hot water tank is generated when the electromagnetic valve is replaced. And the efficiency of exchanging solenoid valves can be improved, and accidents such as burns caused by hot water can be prevented in advance.
[0054]
In the cup type vending machine according to claim 5, a first hot water pipe that pressurizes and supplies the hot water in the hot water tank to the beverage production unit using a pump, and the first hot water tank in the hot water tank. A second hot water pipe that is disposed in a lower position and supplies hot water from the hot water tank to the beverage generation unit, and the control means is configured to discharge the hot water from the hot water tank when instructed to discharge the hot water from the hot water tank. The hot water in the tank is discharged through the second hot water pipe. And even if it has the function to extract tea, coffee, etc., since an operator does not need to perform the draining operation of a hot water tank, work efficiency can be improved.
[0055]
In the cup-type vending machine according to claim 6, the second hot water pipe is provided with an electromagnetic valve for supplying hot water from the hot water tank to the beverage generation unit, and the control means includes The electromagnetic valve is opened based on an instruction for discharging hot water from the hot water tank. Since the solenoid valve is opened when the hot water in the hot water tank is discharged, the hot water in the hot water tank can be reliably discharged through the second hot water pipe.
[0056]
Further, the cup type automatic vending machine according to claim 7, wherein when the hot water of the hot water tank to discharge the hot water of the hot water tank until no pass through the second water pipe, the hot water remains in the hot water tank Rukoto It is characterized by. And since hot water remains inside the hot water tank even when hot water is no longer discharged from the second hot water pipe, a series of operations for raising the hot water tank to a certain temperature by filling the hot water tank for a short time are performed. It can be executed with. Therefore, as in the second aspect, the work time is shortened, so that the electricity bill is reduced and the available time zone of the cup type vending machine is not restricted as compared with the conventional one.
[0057]
Furthermore, in the cup type vending machine according to claim 8, the instruction to discharge the hot water in the hot water tank is generated when the pump is replaced, so that the replacement work efficiency of the pump is improved. It is possible to prevent accidents such as burns caused by high temperature hot water.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an example of a sales mechanism to which a cup type vending machine according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example inside the pump of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a portion for controlling the cup type vending machine of the present invention.
4 is a block diagram showing control between the sales control unit and the sales unit in FIG. 4; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a pump replacement operation.
[Explanation of symbols]
5 Hot water tank 12 Pump 15, 71, 72 Hot water pipe 43, 48 Hot water valve 54 Main control unit 55 Input control unit 56 Coin processing control unit 57 Banknote processing control unit 58 Customer service control unit 59 Sales control unit 68 Timer

Claims (8)

In a cup-type vending machine capable of selling cup beverages by supplying hot water from a hot water tank to a beverage production unit through a hot water pipe, when there is an instruction to discharge the hot water from the hot water tank, the hot water tank A cup-type vending machine comprising control means for discharging hot water through the hot water pipe and discharging hot water in the hot water tank until hot water in the hot water tank does not pass through the hot water pipe . When hot water of the hot water tank to discharge the hot water of the hot water tank until no pass through the hot water pipe, a cup type automatic vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the water is characterized that you have remained in the hot water tank.   The hot water pipe is provided with an electromagnetic valve for supplying hot water from the hot water tank to the beverage generating unit, and the hot water from the hot water tank is discharged by opening the electromagnetic valve. Item 3. A cup vending machine according to item 1 or 2.   The cup type vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the instruction to discharge the hot water in the hot water tank is generated when the electromagnetic valve is replaced. A first hot water pipe that pressurizes and supplies the hot water in the hot water tank to the beverage production unit using a pump; and the hot water tank is disposed below the first hot water tank, and the hot water in the hot water tank is supplied to the beverage. A second hot water pipe to be supplied to the generator , and the control means discharges the hot water in the hot water tank through the second hot water pipe when instructed to discharge the hot water in the hot water tank. The cup type vending machine according to claim 1, wherein:   The second hot water pipe is provided with an electromagnetic valve for supplying hot water from the hot water tank to the beverage generating unit, and the control means is based on an instruction for discharging hot water from the hot water tank. 6. The cup type vending machine according to claim 5, wherein the electromagnetic valve is opened. When hot water of the hot water tank to discharge the hot water of the hot water tank until no pass through the second water pipe, according to claim 5 or 6 cups according hot water to the hot water tank is characterized that you have remained vending machine.   The cup type vending machine according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the instruction for discharging the hot water in the hot water tank is generated when the pump is replaced.

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