JP4089326B2 - Refrigerant circuit and vending machine using the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a refrigerant circuit and a vending machine using the refrigerant circuit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Examples of vending machines that sell soft drinks include can vending machines and cup-type vending machines. The can vending machine sells canned water as a product, and the cup-type vending machine sells drinking water poured into the cup as a product. One vending machine can sell a wide variety of products, and provides cooled or heated products according to the purchaser's choice. For such products, a heat pump type cooling unit using a refrigerant is used for cooling, while an electric heater is used as a heat source for heating.
[0003]
In another prior art, heating or cooling is performed by disposing a secondary refrigerant circuit only in either the high temperature part or the low temperature part of the primary refrigerant circuit.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the heating method using the electric heater as described above, the energy efficiency cannot be improved, and the COP (coefficient of performance = 1 + (heat amount / work)) cannot be increased to 1 or more as the whole apparatus.
[0005]
In addition, when cooling and heating is performed by one heat exchanger disposed only in either the high temperature part or the low temperature part of the refrigerant in the primary refrigerant circuit, the cooling and heating are switched by switching between heat dissipation and heat absorption by the heat exchanger. When switching, it is necessary to change the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit to the opposite direction. This inevitably complicates the configuration of the refrigerant circuit.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The refrigerant circuit according to the present invention includes:
A primary refrigerant circuit in which a heating heat exchanger and a cooling heat exchanger are sequentially coupled to enable circulation of the primary refrigerant;
A secondary refrigerant circuit for heating in which a primary refrigerant for heating and a secondary refrigerant for heating that exchanges heat with the heat exchanger for heating are circulated;
A cooling secondary refrigerant circuit in which a primary refrigerant in the primary refrigerant circuit and a secondary cooling refrigerant that exchanges heat with the heat exchanger for cooling circulate;
Is provided.
[0007]
In addition, the problems disclosed by the present application and the solutions thereof will be clarified by the embodiments of the present invention and the drawings.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
At least the following will be clarified by the description of the present specification.
According to the refrigerant circuit, both the high temperature part and the low temperature part of the refrigerant of the primary refrigerant circuit are used for heat exchange of the secondary refrigerant circuit for heating and cooling. As a result, the cooling and heating can be easily performed without changing the refrigerant flow in the primary refrigerant circuit as in the prior art. Moreover, cooling and heating can be performed efficiently at the same time.
[0009]
In the primary refrigerant circuit,
A compressor for compressing the primary refrigerant is disposed on the upstream side of the heating heat exchanger,
A condenser for condensing the primary refrigerant is disposed on the downstream side of the heating heat exchanger, and
An evaporator for evaporating the primary refrigerant is disposed downstream of the cooling heat exchanger,
A decompressor for decompressing the primary refrigerant may be provided between the condenser and the cooling heat exchanger.
[0010]
Therefore, a heat exchanger is provided on the upstream side of each of the high temperature portion and the low temperature portion of the primary refrigerant circuit. Thereby, heat exchange of the refrigerant by the heat exchanger can be performed efficiently. That is, the primary refrigerant in the hottest state dissipates heat in the heating heat exchanger, and the primary refrigerant in the coldest state absorbs heat in the cooling heat exchanger, so that efficient heat exchange can be performed. .
[0011]
In the primary refrigerant circuit,
A bypass passage through which the primary refrigerant can flow, connecting the inlet side and the outlet side of the condenser;
First primary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means that selectively opens either the bypass passage or the inlet side of the condenser to selectively flow out the primary refrigerant that has passed through the heating heat exchanger;
A bypass passage through which the primary refrigerant can flow, connecting the inlet side and the outlet side of the evaporator;
A second primary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means that selectively opens either the bypass passage or the inlet side of the evaporator to selectively flow out the primary refrigerant that has passed through the cooling heat exchanger;
Can be provided.
[0012]
Therefore, the heat dissipation and heat absorption of the condenser and the evaporator of the primary refrigerant circuit can be controlled. For example, when the secondary refrigerant for heating circulates and heat exchange is performed by the heat exchanger for heating, the heat dissipation of the condenser is stopped. On the other hand, when the circulation of the heating secondary refrigerant is stopped to stop the heat exchange by the heating heat exchanger, the condenser is radiated. This makes it possible to control the heating by the heating secondary refrigerant circuit while stably dissipating heat from the high temperature portion of the primary refrigerant circuit. Further, when the cooling secondary refrigerant circulates and heat exchange is performed by the cooling heat exchanger, the heat absorption of the evaporator is stopped. On the other hand, when the circulation of the cooling secondary refrigerant is stopped and the heat exchange by the cooling heat exchanger is stopped, the evaporator absorbs heat. This makes it possible to control the cooling by the cooling secondary refrigerant circuit while stably performing heat absorption in the low temperature portion of the primary refrigerant circuit.
[0013]
Moreover, according to the heat exchange amount of the heat exchanger for heating and the heat exchanger for cooling, the heat radiation and heat absorption of each of the condenser and the evaporator can be controlled. For this reason, in the primary refrigerant circuit, it is possible to easily maintain a balance between the heat radiation amount at the high temperature portion and the heat absorption amount at the low temperature portion. For example, when the inside of the cabinet cooled by the secondary refrigerant circuit for cooling is two places and the inside of the warehouse heated by the secondary refrigerant for heating is one place, the primary refrigerant flows out of the bypass passage by flowing the primary refrigerant into the bypass passage. After the heat absorption of the evaporator is stopped, the heat of the condenser is radiated. This makes it possible to easily maintain a balance between the heat dissipation amount at the high temperature portion and the heat absorption amount at the low temperature portion in the primary refrigerant circuit.
[0014]
In the primary refrigerant circuit, the first primary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means and the second primary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means may be constituted by a three-way valve.
Accordingly, the first primary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means and the second primary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means can be easily configured.
[0015]
In the primary refrigerant circuit, the decompressor may be a throttle portion that can adjust a flow rate of the primary refrigerant.
Thus, by adjusting the flow rate of the primary refrigerant, the temperature and pressure states in the high temperature part and the low temperature part of the primary refrigerant circuit are controlled. As a result, even when the heat load state of heating and cooling changes, the temperature and pressure states of the primary refrigerant circuit can be controlled to predetermined states, and the refrigeration cycle can be performed stably.
[0016]
In the refrigerant circuit,
A first secondary refrigerant that can selectively flow out either the heating secondary refrigerant that has passed through the heating heat exchanger or the cooling secondary refrigerant that has passed through the cooling heat exchanger. Circuit opening and closing means;
A second secondary refrigerant that selectively allows either a secondary heating refrigerant to flow out to the heating heat exchanger or a secondary cooling refrigerant to flow out to the cooling heat exchanger. A secondary refrigerant circuit opening and closing means,
A refrigerant flow path connecting between the first secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means and the second secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means is shared by the heating secondary refrigerant circuit and the cooling secondary refrigerant circuit. Configure the refrigerant circuit section,
An internal heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the secondary refrigerant can be disposed in the refrigerant flow path constituting the common refrigerant circuit section.
As a result, a common internal heat exchanger is disposed in the cooling secondary refrigerant circuit and the heating secondary refrigerant circuit. Therefore, it is possible to easily switch between cooling and heating, and it is possible to reduce the size of a device using this circuit.
[0017]
In the refrigerant circuit,
The warming secondary refrigerant circuit includes forced circulation means for circulating the warming secondary refrigerant to enable circulation of the warming secondary refrigerant,
The cooling secondary refrigerant circuit may include forced circulation means for circulating the cooling secondary refrigerant so as to enable the circulation of the cooling secondary refrigerant.
Thus, by providing a forced circulation means (for example, a pressure feeding means) of the cooling secondary refrigerant and the heating secondary refrigerant, heat exchange of the secondary refrigerant can be performed efficiently.
[0018]
In the warming secondary refrigerant circuit, a reservoir is provided upstream of the forced circulation means, and the warming secondary refrigerant can be supplied to the forced circulation means in a liquid-only state.
By this reservoir, the refrigerant in a state where the gas contained in the cooling secondary refrigerant and the heating secondary refrigerant is removed is supplied to the forced circulation means. For this reason, the forced circulation means can reliably deliver the secondary refrigerant, and the circulation efficiency of the secondary refrigerant and the reliability of the forced circulation means can be improved. Further, a single reservoir tank may be provided in the secondary refrigerant circuit for cooling and heating. Conventionally, a total of two reservoir tanks provided in each of the secondary refrigerant circuits for cooling and heating can be combined into one, thereby simplifying the configuration.
[0019]
In the secondary refrigerant circuit, the first secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means and the second secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means may be constituted by a three-way valve.
Therefore, the first secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means and the second secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means can be easily configured.
[0020]
In the refrigerant circuit, either ammonia or hydrocarbon may be used as the primary refrigerant, and brine may be used as the heating secondary refrigerant and the cooling secondary refrigerant.
For this reason, a refrigerant circuit with little influence on the global environment such as an ozone layer can be provided. In addition, safe cooling and heating can be performed.
[0021]
In the primary refrigerant circuit, an accumulator is disposed upstream of the compressor, and the vaporized primary refrigerant can be supplied to the compressor.
[0022]
The vending machine includes the refrigerant circuit.
As a result, it is possible to provide a vending machine that has little influence on the global environment and that can safely cool and heat products.
[0023]
In the vending machine, the refrigerant flow path connecting the first secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means and the second secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means is an interior in which sales objects of the vending machine are stored. It can be arranged passing through the space side.
For this reason, the goods of the said vending machine can be cooled or heated easily. The apparatus part for cooling and heating the vending machine can be miniaturized.
[0024]
The internal space of the vending machine is divided into a plurality of sections;
For each compartment,
A heat exchange system composed of the first secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means, the shared refrigerant circuit section, and the second secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means can be provided.
For this reason, the internal space of the vending machine divided | segmented into the some division can be each cooled or heated easily.
[0025]
At least the primary refrigerant circuit may be disposed outside the internal space of the vending machine.
[0026]
If ammonia or hydrocarbons as the primary refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant circuit due to an unexpected reason, the primary refrigerant can be discharged to the outside. For this reason, the primary refrigerant can be prevented from entering the internal space as much as possible, and the safety of the internal space can be improved.
[0027]
【Example】
As an embodiment of the present invention, a case where a refrigerant circuit is applied to a vending machine will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a block circuit including a conceptual arrangement of the refrigerant circuit as viewed from the front of the vending machine.
[0028]
===== Refrigerant circuit =====
<<< Primary refrigerant circuit configuration >>>
As shown in FIG. 1, the primary refrigerant circuit includes a heat-dissipating portion 1 a of a countercurrent heat exchanger for heating (hereinafter referred to as a heat exchanger for heating) 1 and a countercurrent heat exchanger for cooling ( (Hereinafter referred to as “cooling heat exchanger”) 2 and a heat absorbing portion 2a are sequentially connected by a pipe to form a closed circuit so that the primary refrigerant can be circulated. The heating heat exchanger 1 exchanges heat with a later-described heating secondary refrigerant, and the cooling heat exchanger 2 exchanges heat with a later-described cooling secondary refrigerant.
[0029]
In this primary refrigerant circuit, a condenser 3 that condenses the primary refrigerant is disposed on the outlet side of the heat radiating portion 1a of the heating heat exchanger 1, and the outlet side of the heat absorbing portion 2a of the cooling heat exchanger 2 is disposed. In addition, an evaporator 4 for evaporating the primary refrigerant is disposed. A decompressor (expansion valve or the like) 5 for decompressing the primary refrigerant is provided between the condenser 3 and the heat absorbing portion 2a of the cooling heat exchanger 2. The decompressor 5 is a throttle section (throttle valve) that can adjust the flow rate of the primary refrigerant. A compressor 6 that changes the state of the primary refrigerant to a high-temperature and high-pressure gas by compressing the primary refrigerant is disposed on the inlet side of the heat radiating portion 1a of the heating heat exchanger 1. As the compressor 6, it is preferable to use an inverter type compressor or the like with variable capacity. An accumulator (liquid receiver or the like) 7 is disposed at the inlet of the compressor 6. The accumulator 7 removes the liquid portion of the primary refrigerant that has passed through the evaporator 4 and supplies only the vaporized primary refrigerant to the compressor 6. This prevents liquid compression from occurring as a result of the partially liquefied primary refrigerant entering the compressor 6.
[0030]
In this embodiment, in configuring a heat pump in which the primary refrigerant circulates, the compressor 6, the heat radiating portion 1a of the heating heat exchanger 1, the condenser 3, the decompressor 5, and the heat absorbing portion 2a of the cooling heat exchanger 2 are used. The evaporator 4 and the accumulator 7 are sequentially connected by piping.
[0031]
In the primary refrigerant circuit, a bypass passage that connects the inlet side and the outlet side of the condenser 3 is provided. A three-way valve (first primary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means) 3 a that selectively opens either the bypass passage or the inlet side of the condenser 3 is provided on the inlet side of the condenser 3. The three-way valve 3 a selects either the inlet of the condenser 3 or a bypass passage that bypasses the condenser 3 when the primary refrigerant that has passed through the heat radiating portion 1 a of the heating heat exchanger 1 flows out.
[0032]
Further, in this primary refrigerant circuit, a bypass passage connecting the inlet side and the outlet side of the evaporator 4 is provided. A three-way valve (second primary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means) 4 a that selectively opens either the bypass passage or the inlet side of the evaporator 4 is provided on the inlet side of the evaporator 4. The three-way valve 4 a selects either the inlet of the evaporator 4 or a bypass passage that bypasses the evaporator 4 when the primary refrigerant that has passed through the heat absorbing portion 2 a of the cooling heat exchanger 2 flows out.
[0033]
When at least the primary refrigerant circuit is used in a vending machine, as shown in FIG. 1, it is housed in a machine room outside the warehouse exposed to the outside air. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vending machine having a small influence on the global environment by using ammonia, hydrocarbons (isobutane, propane), or the like as the primary refrigerant circulating in the primary refrigerant circuit. Moreover, COP can be raised by utilizing this kind of heat pump for heating.
[0034]
<<< Configuration of Heating Secondary Refrigerant Circuit and Cooling Secondary Refrigerant Circuit >>>
The heating secondary refrigerant circuit has a heat absorption part 1 b facing the heat radiation part 1 a of the heating heat exchanger 1. On the other hand, the cooling secondary refrigerant circuit has a heat dissipating part 2 b facing the heat absorbing part 2 a of the cooling heat exchanger 2.
[0035]
The warming secondary refrigerant circuit includes a pump (forced circulation means) 8a that pumps the warming secondary refrigerant to enable circulation of the warming secondary refrigerant. Further, the cooling secondary refrigerant circuit includes a pump (forced circulation means) 8b that pumps the cooling secondary refrigerant to enable circulation of the cooling secondary refrigerant.
[0036]
In the heating secondary refrigerant circuit, a reservoir 9 is disposed on the inlet side of the pump 8a. The reservoir 9 removes the gas from the heating secondary refrigerant and supplies it to the pump 8a in a liquid-only state. This prevents a problem that the partially vaporized refrigerant is sent to the pump 8a.
[0037]
The heating secondary refrigerant circuit and the cooling secondary refrigerant circuit include three-way valves (first secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means and second secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means) 10a and 10b provided at two locations. Have. A refrigerant circulation path connecting the two three-way valves 10a and 10b is a common refrigerant circuit section.
[0038]
This common refrigerant circuit section is multiplexed in accordance with the product storage structure in the vending machine used. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the can vending machine in which the product storage is divided into three rooms is divided into a left warehouse, a middle warehouse, and a right warehouse that require both a cooling effect and a heating effect as seen from the front. About each of these three chambers, the refrigerant | coolant distribution path which comprises a common refrigerant circuit part is piped one by one as a heat exchange system.
[0039]
This common refrigerant circuit section is piped to heat or cool the inside of the vending machine, for example. One three-way valve (first secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means) 10 a is disposed on the outlet side of the heat absorbing portion 1 b of the heating heat exchanger 1 and the heat radiating portion 2 b of the cooling heat exchanger 2. The other three-way valve (second secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means) 10 b is disposed on the inlet side of the heat absorbing portion 1 b of the heating heat exchanger 1 and the heat radiating portion 2 b of the cooling heat exchanger 2. By the switching operation of these two three-way valves 10a and 10b, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit section can be selected as either the heating secondary refrigerant or the cooling secondary refrigerant.
[0040]
The three-way valve 10a includes two inlets and one outlet, and executes a switching operation for selecting one of the two inlets. A heating heat exchanger 1 is coupled to one inflow port via a pipe. A cooling heat exchanger 2 is coupled to the other inlet through a pipe. A common refrigerant circuit unit is coupled to the outlet. By the switching operation of the three-way valve 10a, the secondary refrigerant for heating that has passed through the heat absorbing portion 1b of the heat exchanger 1 for heating and the heat radiating portion 2b of the heat exchanger 2 for cooling are passed toward the common refrigerant circuit portion. Any of the cooled secondary refrigerants is selectively discharged.
[0041]
The three-way valve 10b includes one inflow port and two outflow ports, and executes a switching operation for selecting one of the two outflow ports. A common refrigerant circuit unit through which the secondary refrigerant for heating or the secondary refrigerant for cooling selected by the three-way valve 10a flows is coupled to the inflow port. A heating heat exchanger 1 is coupled to one outlet through a pipe. A cooling heat exchanger 2 is coupled to the other outlet through a pipe. By this switching operation, the three-way valve 10b causes the secondary refrigerant for heating to flow out to the heat absorption part 1b side of the heat exchanger 1 for heating, or the heat dissipation of the secondary refrigerant for cooling to the heat exchanger 2 for cooling. Any one of the operations to flow out to the part 2b side is selectively executed.
[0042]
In addition, an internal heat exchanger 11 that cools or warms the product storage by exchanging heat with a secondary refrigerant for cooling or heating is disposed in the refrigerant flow path constituting the common refrigerant circuit section. The
[0043]
When the secondary refrigerant circuit for heating and the common refrigerant circuit part in the secondary refrigerant circuit for heating are used in a vending machine, as shown in FIG. In this case, it is piped in a hot water tank or a cold water tank. Therefore, as the secondary refrigerant circulating through the heating secondary refrigerant circuit and the cooling secondary refrigerant circuit, non-freezing, non-combustible, highly safe brine, or the like is used.
[0044]
===== Cooling and Heating Operation by Refrigerant Circuit =====
In the primary refrigerant circuit according to the present embodiment, as is well known, a series of refrigeration cycles (compression, condensation, decompression, and so on) are performed by the compressor 6, the condenser 3, the decompressor 5, and the evaporator 4. Evaporate).
[0045]
The high-temperature and high-pressure gas from the compressor 6 in this primary refrigerant circuit exchanges heat in a non-contact countercurrent via the heat dissipating part 1a and the heat-absorbing part 1b of the heating heat exchanger 1, and the heating secondary refrigerant circuit Heating the secondary refrigerant for heating. In the warming secondary refrigerant circuit, when the warming mode is selected and the three-way valves 10a and 10b are switched, the warming secondary refrigerant pumped by the pump is converted into the heat absorbing portion 1b of the warming secondary refrigerant circuit. And then flows into the common refrigerant circuit section via the three-way valve 10a. In the shared refrigerant circuit section, the secondary refrigerant for heating that has absorbed heat exchanges heat to heat the interior of each cabinet. The warming secondary refrigerant passing through the common refrigerant circuit section and passing through the three-way valve 10b is vented in the reservoir and returned to the pump.
[0046]
On the other hand, the primary refrigerant that has passed through the condenser 3 and the pressure reducer 5 in the primary refrigerant circuit exchanges heat in a non-contact countercurrent through the heat absorbing portion 2a and the heat radiating portion 2b of the cooling heat exchanger 2, and the cooling secondary refrigerant. The cooling secondary refrigerant circulating in the circuit is cooled. In the cooling secondary refrigerant circuit, when the cooling mode is selected and the three-way valves 10a and 10b are switched, the cooling secondary refrigerant pumped by the pump radiates heat at the heat radiating portion 2b of the cooling secondary refrigerant circuit, It flows into the common refrigerant circuit section through the three-way valve 10a. In the shared refrigerant circuit section, the radiated cooling secondary refrigerant exchanges heat to cool the interior of each cabinet. The internal heat exchanger 11 interposed in each system in the shared refrigerant circuit unit promotes the cooling effect in each cabinet. The secondary refrigerant for cooling that has passed through the common refrigerant circuit section and passed through the three-way valve 10b returns to the pump.
[0047]
In the primary refrigerant circuit of the refrigerant circuit that performs such cooling and heating operations, the heat radiating portion 1 a of the heating heat exchanger 1 performs a heat radiating function in the same manner as the condenser 3. With this dual heat dissipation function, a configuration that maximizes the heat dissipation function of both the heat dissipating part 1a and the condenser 3 of the heat exchanger 1 for heating, or the heat dissipating function of the primary refrigerant circuit is used for heat exchange for heating. A configuration in which the condenser 3 is omitted by concentrating on the heat radiating portion 1a of the condenser 1 is possible. That is, the three-way valves 3a and 3b are switched so that the primary refrigerant passes through the condenser 3, and the primary refrigerant circuit can be provided with a double heat dissipation function, or the heat dissipation function of the primary refrigerant circuit is heated. The three-way valves 3a and 3b are switched so as to be concentrated in the heat radiating portion 1a of the heat exchanger 1 for a circuit so that the primary refrigerant passes through the bypass passage and does not pass through the condenser 3, and the operation of the condenser 3 is stopped. be able to.
[0048]
Further, in the primary refrigerant circuit, the heat absorption part of the cooling heat exchanger 2 performs the heat absorption function in the same manner as the evaporator 4. By this double heat absorption function, the heat absorption function of the heat absorption part 2a of the cooling heat exchanger 2 and the heat absorption function of the evaporator 4 are maximized, or the heat absorption function of the primary refrigerant circuit is the heat exchanger 2 for cooling. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the evaporator 4 is omitted. That is, the three-way valves 4a and 4b are switched so that the primary refrigerant passes through the evaporator 4 and the primary refrigerant circuit can have a double heat absorption function, or the heat absorption function of the primary refrigerant circuit can be used for cooling. In order to concentrate on the heat absorption part 2a of the heat exchanger 2, the three-way valves 4a and 4b are switched so that the primary refrigerant passes through the bypass passage and does not pass through the evaporator 4, and the operation of the evaporator 4 is stopped. Can do.
[0049]
Regarding the control related to the operation of each component in the refrigerant circuit of FIG. 1 described so far, for example, the sales control unit 21 of the vending machine described later also serves as the control.
[0050]
===== Vending Machine Configuration =====
An example in which the above-described refrigerant circuit is applied to a vending machine will be described with reference to FIG. The vending machine in FIG. 2 shows an external appearance of an example of selling canned beverages as seen from the front. In FIG. 2, the front door 102 opens and closes using either the left or right side end of the vending machine as a support shaft, and is unlocked when setting a column for associating a product selection button with a column, refilling canned beverages, and the like. It is opened and locked for normal sales. The panel 104 is a transparent resin plate for confirming a plurality of types of can drink samples 106 displayed inside. That is, the user can select a can beverage to be purchased by looking over a plurality of types of can beverage samples 106 through the panel 104. The coin insertion slot 108 is a part where a user inserts coins, and the inserted coins are supplied to a coin identification device inside the vending machine. The bill insertion slot 110 is a portion into which a user inserts a bill, and the inserted bill is supplied to a bill recognition device inside the vending machine. The display unit 112 displays the column number in accordance with the operation of the remote controller 114 that is detachable on the back side of the front door 102 when setting the column, and indicates the amount of coins inserted, the amount of bills inserted, etc. To display. The display unit 112 can be configured using a display element such as an organic EL, LCD, or LED. The merchandise selection button 116 incorporates a sellable lamp 118 and a sold-out lamp 120, and is provided on the front side of the panel 104 corresponding to each can beverage sample 106. When the user inserts coins or inserts banknotes that allow the user to purchase at least one can drink, the sale ready lamp 118 corresponds to the can drink only when the can drink is stored in a column inside the vending machine. Things light up. As for the sold-out lamp 120, when a predetermined column in the vending machine becomes empty, the one corresponding to the can beverage is always lit. The display panel 122 is provided on the front side or the back side of the panel 104 corresponding to each of the product selection buttons 116, and information regarding canned beverages (characters “HOT” indicating that it is a heated beverage and Characters “COLD” indicating that the beverage is a cold drink are displayed by color. The display plate 122 is a transmissive resin panel. The selling lamp 124 lights up when the can beverage is normally sold. The sales stop lamp 126 is lit when all the can beverages are sold out or when a sales mechanism for selling can beverages breaks down. The change change lamp 128 is turned on when the total amount of change coins in the coin identification device is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. When the product selection button 116 with the sale ready lamp 118 lit is pressed, the can beverage corresponding to the can beverage sample 106 is carried out to the product outlet 130. The return lever 132 is used to return the inserted coin from the return slot 134 or to return the change obtained by subtracting the can beverage purchase amount from the inserted coin or the inserted bill from the return slot 134.
[0051]
===== Vending Machine Sales Control Operation =====
Next, the control operation of the vending machine using the refrigerant circuit of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the control operation of the vending machine of the present invention.
[0052]
In FIG. 3, a main control unit 202 controls the vending machine and includes a ROM, a CPU, a RAM, and peripheral circuits (I / O, timer, counter, etc.). More specifically, the ROM stores in advance program data for overall control of a plurality of sub-control units to be described later, and the CPU controls a plurality of sub-controls according to the result of decoding the program data read from the ROM. The RAM performs overall control of the units, and the RAM writes or reads out the calculation results by the CPU and various data from the plurality of sub-control units. On the hardware side, the ROM is a mask ROM that burns and fixes data in the manufacturing process, an EPROM that can repeatedly write and read data by erasing the data with ultraviolet light, or an EEPROM that can repeatedly write and read data by electrically erasing the data ( A nonvolatile memory such as a flash ROM). The CPU includes a program counter for designating an execution address of the ROM, an instruction decoder for decoding the contents read from the ROM, an arithmetic logic unit for performing a logical operation, an accumulator for temporarily storing operation data, and the like. The RAM is a volatile memory such as SRAM, and retains stored contents using a backup power source.
[0053]
The coin processing control unit 204, the banknote processing control unit 206, the customer service control unit 208, and the sales control unit 210 correspond to a plurality of sub control units, and in terms of hardware, the same ROM, CPU, and RAM as the main control unit 202 are provided. Built in.
[0054]
The coin insertion mechanism 212 includes a change change sensor for detecting change change, receives the input coin from the coin insertion slot 108, and returns change from the return slot 134 as necessary. The coin processing control unit 204 controls the coin insertion mechanism 212, and makes it possible to discriminate the denomination and correctness of inserted coins, calculate the number of denominations, store surplus coins in a safe, change payments, and the like. . Similar to the coin insertion mechanism 212, the bill insertion mechanism 214 includes a fishing bill out sensor for detecting the out of the bill, receives the inserted bill from the bill insertion slot 210, and inserts the bill into the bill as necessary. It may be returned from the mouth 110. The banknote processing control unit 206 controls the banknote insertion mechanism 214 to determine the inserted banknote denomination, correctness, etc., calculate the number of denominations, and pay out a bill. The coin processing control unit 204 and the banknote processing control unit 206 execute processing operations each time coin insertion and bill insertion are performed. Here, the coin processing control unit 204 and the coin insertion mechanism 212 constitute a coin identification device, and the bill processing control unit 206 and the bill insertion mechanism 214 constitute a bill identification device. In addition, the payment method of goods is not limited to said coin and banknote. For example, electronic payment may be performed using various cards or mobile terminals.
[0055]
The customer service surface 216 includes a display unit 112, a product selection button 116, a sale lamp 124, a sale stop lamp 126, and a change change lamp 128. The customer service control unit 208 controls the customer service surface 216. That is, the customer service control unit 208 turns on the sales lamp 124, the sales stop lamp 126, and the change-out lamp 128 according to the customer service instruction regarding the sale of canned beverages from the main control unit 202, the sales possible lamp 118 for each beverage sold, or The sold-out lamp 120 is turned on, and further, it is detected which of the plurality of product selection buttons 116 is pressed, and a detection signal at this time is transmitted to the main control unit 202.
[0056]
The sales mechanism 218 pays out the canned drink remaining at the bottom of the designated column and carries it out to the product outlet 130. The sales control unit 210 controls the sales mechanism 218 and carries out the can beverage desired by the user to the product outlet 130 in accordance with the sales instruction from the main control unit 202 in response to the detection signal from the customer service control unit 208. Is.
[0057]
The sales controller 210 also controls the operation of the refrigerant circuit of FIG. The main control unit 202 and the sales control unit 210 may have the function of the control unit of the refrigerant circuit separately.
[0058]
The remote controller 114 is provided with a function key, numeric keys, and a display unit (organic EL, LCD, etc.) for displaying contents related to the operation of these keys on the front surface. The remote controller 114 is detachably disposed on the back surface of the front door 102, and is operated when performing column setting, price setting, maintenance, and the like for associating the product selection button 116 with a column. Transmit to the main control unit 202. Based on this operation information, the main control unit 202 instructs each of the coin processing control unit 204, the banknote processing control unit 206, the customer service control unit 208, and the sales control unit 210.
[0059]
The communication between the main control unit 202 and the sub control units 204, 206, 208, and 210 is a polling method in which the main control unit 202 has a preferential transmission right, or the main control unit 202 and the sub control unit 204. , 206, 208, 210 may be any of the contention systems having equal transmission rights.
[0060]
=== Vending machine heating and cooling ===
In the refrigerant circuit of FIG. 1 described above, the primary refrigerant circuit, the reservoir 9 in the heating secondary refrigerant circuit, the pump 8a, the heating heat exchanger 1, and the cooling secondary refrigerant circuit pump 8b and the cooling circuit. The heat exchanger 2 is disposed in a machine room inside the vending machine. This machine room is outside the storage of goods to be heated or cooled and is exposed to the outside air. On the other hand, the two common three-way valves 10a and 10b in FIG. 1 and the common refrigerant circuit portion serving as a refrigerant flow path between the three-way valves 10a and 10b are in the left warehouse, the middle warehouse, and the right warehouse. One line is piped for each.
[0061]
By providing a heat exchange system for each chamber, the three-way valves 10a and 10b are switched as appropriate, and a cooling operation is performed in one chamber while a heating operation is performed in another chamber at the same time. Is possible. In addition, the configuration of the secondary refrigerant circuit system can be changed as appropriate so that only one of cooling and heating is performed in a certain chamber.
[0062]
When the refrigerant circuit is in the cooling mode, the product in the vending machine compartment is cooled by a fan (not shown) installed in the compartment to cool the air around the internal heat exchanger 11 of the secondary refrigerant circuit for cooling. It is cooled effectively by feeding it into On the other hand, in the warming mode, the products in the vending machine compartment are effectively heated by sending warm air around the internal heat exchanger 11 connected to the secondary refrigerant circuit for heating into the compartment. Be warmed.
[0063]
Further, in order to promote the heat radiation of the compressor 6 and the condenser 3 constituting the refrigerant circuit of FIG. 1 disposed in the machine room, the slit 138 of FIG.
[0064]
Note that the refrigerant circuit of FIG. 1 can also be applied to vending machines other than canned beverage vending machines. For example, the refrigerant circuit of FIG. 1 may be applied to a vending machine for cup beverages to cool the water stored in the tank for the cooled beverage or to warm the water stored in the tank for the heated beverage.
[0065]
===== Others =====
The embodiments described above are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The technical scope of the present invention includes equivalents.
[0066]
<Applicable refrigerant circuit>
In the present embodiment, the refrigerant circuit is applied to a vending machine, but is not limited to this. For example, the refrigerant circuit can be applied to commercial and household refrigerators, commercial freezer showcases, and the like. In addition, in a beverage dispenser that dispenses a beverage stored in a tank to a container such as a cup via a dispensing cock, the present invention can also be applied to cooling and heating of a beverage.
[0067]
<Primary refrigerant circuit method>
In the present embodiment, various refrigerant circuits such as a Stirling refrigerator can be employed in addition to the heat pump system.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
Efficient and safe cooling and heating can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram including a conceptual arrangement of a refrigerant circuit as viewed from the front of a vending machine.
FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example of the front surface of the vending machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control operation of the vending machine according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Heat exchanger for heating
1a Heat dissipation part
1b Heat absorption part
2 Heat exchanger for cooling
2a Endothermic part
2b Heat radiation part
3 Condenser
3a Three-way valve
3b Three-way valve
4 Evaporator
4a Three-way valve
4b Three-way valve
5 Pressure reducer
6 Compressor
7 Accumulator
8a pump
8b pump
9 Reservoir
10a Three-way valve
10b Three-way valve
11 Internal heat exchanger
202 Main control unit
210 Sales Control Department
220 Refrigerant circuit

Claims (12)

A compressor that compresses the primary refrigerant; a heat exchanger for heating disposed downstream of the compressor; a condenser that is disposed downstream of the heating heat exchanger and condenses the primary refrigerant; A decompressor disposed downstream of the compressor to decompress the primary refrigerant, a cooling heat exchanger disposed downstream of the decompressor, a downstream side of the cooling heat exchanger, and an upstream side of the compressor A primary refrigerant circuit having an evaporator disposed between and evaporating the primary refrigerant;
A first pump that circulates a heating secondary refrigerant that exchanges heat with the primary refrigerant by the heating heat exchanger, and disposed on the upstream side of the first pump. A secondary refrigerant circuit for heating having a reservoir to be supplied to the first pump in a state ;
A cooling secondary refrigerant circuit having a second pump for circulating a cooling secondary refrigerant to exchange heat with the primary refrigerant by the cooling heat exchanger ;
A refrigerant circuit comprising: A first bypass passage connecting the inlet side and the outlet side of the condenser;
Select either the first bypass passage or the inlet side of the condenser so that the primary refrigerant that has passed through the heating heat exchanger flows out to the inlet side of the first bypass passage or the condenser. First primary refrigerant circuit opening and closing means that opens to
A second bypass passage connecting the inlet side and the outlet side of the evaporator;
Select either the second bypass passage or the inlet side of the evaporator so that the primary refrigerant that has passed through the cooling heat exchanger flows out to the inlet side of the second bypass passage or the evaporator. A second primary refrigerant circuit opening and closing means that opens;
A refrigerant circuit according to claim 1, further comprising a. The refrigerant circuit according to claim 2, wherein the first primary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means and the second primary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means are constituted by a three-way valve . The decompressor, the refrigerant circuit of claim 1, wherein the an adjustable throttle portion the flow of the primary coolant. In the heating heat exchanger, either the heating secondary refrigerant that has passed through the heating heat exchanger or the cooling secondary refrigerant that has passed through the cooling heat exchanger flows out. First secondary refrigerant circuit opening and closing means for selectively opening the outlet side or the outlet side of the cooling heat exchanger;
The inlet side of the heating heat exchanger or the above-mentioned so that the secondary cooling refrigerant flows out into the heating heat exchanger and the secondary cooling refrigerant flows out into the cooling heat exchanger A second secondary refrigerant circuit switching means for selectively opening the inlet side of the cooling heat exchanger;
A refrigerant circuit section shared between the secondary refrigerant circuit for heating and the secondary refrigerant circuit for cooling, which connects between the first secondary refrigerant circuit open / close means and the second secondary refrigerant circuit open / close means;
An internal heat exchanger that is disposed in the refrigerant flow path of the common refrigerant circuit section and exchanges heat with the secondary refrigerant;
A refrigerant circuit according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a. It said first secondary refrigerant circuit switch means and the second secondary coolant circuit closing means, the refrigerant circuit according to claim 5 Symbol mounting, characterized in that consists of a three-way valve. As the primary refrigerant, either ammonia or hydrocarbon is used,
A refrigerant circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the brine is used for the heating for the secondary refrigerant and the cooling secondary refrigerant. An accumulator which is disposed between the downstream side of the evaporator and the upstream side of the compressor and which supplies the compressor with the primary refrigerant vaporized ;
A refrigerant circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a. A vending machine comprising the refrigerant circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . The refrigerant flow path of the refrigerant circuit of the common vending machine according to claim 9 Symbol mounting, characterized in that the sale of the vending machine is disposed through the inner space side to be stored. The internal space is divided into a plurality of compartments;
The heat exchange system configured by the first secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means, the second secondary refrigerant circuit opening / closing means, and the shared refrigerant circuit section is provided for each of the sections. 10 Symbol vending machine placement. The vending machine according to claim 10 or 11, wherein at least the primary refrigerant circuit is disposed outside the internal space .

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