JP4524892B2 - Vending machine control method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control method of a vending machine that opens and closes a partition plate that divides an interior into a plurality of chambers and has different temperature zones at the time of sale of products, and more specifically, in conjunction with the setting of a heating operation mode or a cooling operation mode The present invention relates to a control method for a vending machine that automatically opens and closes a partition plate, closes the partition plate when performing a heating operation and a cooling operation, and opens the partition plate when performing only a cooling operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in order to urge the vending machine users to purchase products, the front door of the main body case and the insulated door are formed as perspective doors so that the products in the warehouse and their sales operations can be seen from the outside. Various vending machines are provided. As an example of such a vending machine, for example, the present applicant has disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-302140.
[0003]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a conventional vending machine according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-302140, and FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the inside of the main body case. First, the overall configuration of the vending machine will be described with reference to FIG. The main body case 1 stores and stores products and carries them out as necessary. The main body case 1 includes an outer door 2 having a transparent plate 2a and an inner door 3 having a transparent plate 3a so as to be freely opened and closed. . Further, the main body case 1 includes a product storage rack 4 in which racks 4a for storing products in a line in the front and rear are arranged in the upper and lower rows and the left and right rows.
[0004]
The product storage rack 4 includes a box rack 4a, a spiral rack (not shown), a conveyor rack (not shown), and the like that are formed so as to send out products forward based on a sales command. Each rack 4 a is mounted on a plurality of shelves 5 provided in the main body case 1.
[0005]
In addition, the interior of the main body case 1 is divided into an upper chamber 7 and a lower chamber by a partition plate 6 as a heat insulating panel in order to divide the storage temperature range of the product (for example, two chambers for hot beverage and cold beverage). Insulated into chamber 8. The partition plate 6 is closed in a normal sales standby state, and a bucket 10 of an XY transport mechanism 9 to be described later moves upward from the partition plate 6 in response to a sales command, and receives a product from the rack 4a. When the product is opened below the partition plate 6 after the product is received, the product is closed. Further, the partition plate 6 is opened and closed by a partition plate opening / closing mechanism (not shown), and the open / close state is detected at the time of sale by a detection switch (not shown).
[0006]
The temperature zones of the chambers 7 and 8 divided by the partition plate 6 are manually set by a hot / cold changeover switch (not shown). For example, when the upper chamber 7 is set as a hot chamber and the lower chamber 8 is set as a cold chamber, the partition plate opening / closing mechanism is operated by a manual operation such as a keyboard operation (not shown), and the partition plate 6 is closed to each chamber. In the case where the heat insulation sections 7 and 8 are divided into heat insulation and the chambers 7 and 8 are set as cold rooms, the partition plate 6 is opened to allow communication.
[0007]
Inside the inner door 3 is provided an XY transport mechanism 9 with the front surface of each rack 4a as the XY coordinate plane. The XY transport mechanism 9 is not shown in detail, but an X-axis transport mechanism that moves a bucket 10 that receives a product sent from the box rack 4a in the horizontal direction, and the X-axis transport mechanism in the vertical direction. And a Y-axis transport mechanism that moves to the center, and is controlled by a control unit.
[0008]
The bucket 10 that has received the product delivered from the rack is moved to the vicinity of the lower center by the XY transport mechanism 9 formed as described above, and the product of the outer door 2 is passed through the flapper 32 of the inner door 3. It is comprised so that goods may be carried out from the outlet 33. FIG.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional vending machine control method, when the upper chamber 7 is set as a hot chamber and the lower chamber 8 is set as a cold chamber, the partition plate opening / closing mechanism is operated by manual operation such as keyboard operation (not shown). When the partition plate 6 is closed and the chambers 7 and 8 are divided into heat insulation units and the chambers 7 and 8 are set as cold chambers, the partition plate 6 is opened and communicated by the manual operation. In addition to taking time and effort to set the opening and closing of the partition plate 6, there is a problem that if the setting is incorrect, the heat insulation of each chamber cannot be maintained and energy loss for heating or cooling occurs.
[0010]
In addition, even if the partition opening / closing mechanism does not operate completely for some reason and the desired opening / closing state is not obtained, operating the vending machine without noticing this can maintain the thermal insulation of each room. However, there is a problem that energy loss for heating or cooling occurs.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a control method for a vending machine capable of automatically opening and closing a partition plate in conjunction with setting of a heating operation mode or a cooling operation mode. To do.
[0012]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a control method for a vending machine capable of determining a failure state when a desired opening / closing state of the partition plate cannot be obtained.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, a control method for a vending machine according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a partition plate formed to be freely opened and closed by dividing the interior into a plurality of chambers, and each partition partitioned by the partition plate. An operation mode switching means for switching the chamber to a heating operation or a cooling operation, and in the vending machine control method for opening and closing the partition plate at the time of product sales, the partition is linked to the setting of the operation mode by the operation mode switching means. to so that is opening and closing the plate, even when the inner door is open, while you close the partition plate when the heating operation and cooling operation, to open the partition plate when the cooling operation only It is a thing.
[0014]
When the operation mode switching means is a heating operation input to the upper chamber, it is determined whether or not the partition plate is in a closed state based on the output of the open / close detection means. When the partition plate is closed, the upper chamber in the warehouse is set to the heating operation and the lower chamber is set to the cooling operation to be in a standby state.
[0015]
If the partition plate is in the open state, energization of the open / close motor is started to close the partition plate, and it is determined again by the open / close detection means whether or not the partition plate is in the closed state. If it is determined that the partition plate is completely closed, the energization to the open / close motor is stopped, the upper chamber is set to the heating operation, the lower chamber is set to the cooling operation, and the standby state is set.
[0016]
When the operation mode switching means is not a heating operation input, the open / close detection means determines whether or not the partition plate is in an open state. If the partition plate is open, the upper chamber and the lower chamber are put into a cooling operation to be in a standby state.
[0017]
If the partition plate is closed, energization to the open / close motor is started to open the partition plate, and it is determined again by the open / close detection means whether or not the partition plate is completely open. When it is confirmed that the partition plate is completely open, the energization to the open / close motor is stopped, the upper chamber and the lower chamber are cooled, and the standby state is set.
[0018]
In this way, the open / close state of the partition plate can be automatically set in accordance with switching the operation mode of the upper chamber to heating or cooling by the operation mode switching means. That is, when the upper chamber is set to heating operation and the lower chamber is set to cooling operation by the switching setting of the operation mode switching means, the partition plate is automatically closed to insulate the inside of the chamber, and the upper chamber and the lower chamber are cooled. In the case of driving, the partition plate can be opened automatically. Therefore, the setting operation for opening and closing the partition plate is not time-consuming and the setting is not mistaken, so that it is not possible to maintain the heat insulating property of each room and avoid an energy loss due to heating or cooling. it can.
[0019]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the partition plate is opened and closed in conjunction with the operation mode setting by the operation mode switching means, the open / close state of the partition plate is detected by the open / close detection means. This is detected, and a failure state is determined when a desired open / close state cannot be obtained within a preset time .
[0020]
Therefore, when the opening / closing operation of the partition plate is not completed within a predetermined time, it is determined that the partition plate opening / closing mechanism has failed, and a warning is given. Can be prevented.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a control method for a vending machine according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views schematically showing a configuration inside a main body case, and FIG. 4 is a vending machine. It is a flowchart which shows this control operation. In the following description, members that are the same as or correspond to those already described are assigned the same reference numerals and redundant description is omitted, and only different points will be described.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the open detection switch 40 and the close detection switch 41 are for detecting the open / closed state of the partition plate 6. The H / C switch 42 is for switching the temperature zone of the upper chamber 7 or the lower chamber 8 to hot or cold. The inner door switch 43 is for detecting the open / closed state of the inner door 3.
[0024]
Further, the hot air heated by the heating device 44 circulates in the upper chamber 7 by the internal fan 45, and the temperature of the upper chamber 7 is detected by the internal temperature sensor 46. Below the main body case 1, a condenser 47, a solenoid valve 48, an evaporator 49, an internal fan 50, and the like constituting the refrigeration cycle equipment are provided. The temperature of the evaporator 49 is detected by the evaporator temperature sensor 51, and the temperature of the lower chamber 8 is detected by the internal temperature sensor 52.
[0025]
The partition plate opening / closing mechanism 60 detects an open / close motor 61 that drives a drive mechanism (not shown) of the partition plate 6, an open detection switch 40 that detects an open state of the partition plate 6, and a closed state of the partition plate 6. And a close detection switch 41. The partition plate opening / closing mechanism 60, the H / C changeover switch 42, and the inner door switch 43 are connected to a main body control unit 58 that controls them. The main body control unit 58 is connected to a main control unit (not shown) that controls the entire vending machine by a communication line.
[0026]
Further, the main body control unit 58 includes a counter (not shown) that sets a time for detecting the open / closed state of the partition plate 6. The time setting to the counter can be performed by a keyboard or the like (not shown). Although not shown in the figure, the XY transport mechanism 9 is also connected to the main body control unit 58.
[0027]
Next, the control operation of the vending machine as the main part of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the operation of the partition plate 6 by the hot operation input or the cold operation input of the H / C changeover switch 42 (after step S10) will be described. First, it is determined from the output of the inner door switch 43 whether or not the inner door 3 is open (step S11). If the inner door 3 is open (Yes at Step S11), it is determined whether or not the H / C switch 42 is a hot operation input (Step S12). If the inner door 3 is not open (No at Step S11). ), A standby state is set (step S18).
[0028]
When the H / C changeover switch 42 is a hot operation input (Yes at Step S12), it is determined whether or not the close detection switch 41 is ON (the partition plate 6 is closed) (Step S12). S13). If the close detection switch 41 is ON (Yes at Step S13), since the partition plate 6 is closed, the upper chamber 7 is set to the heating operation, the lower chamber 8 is set to the cooling operation (Step S17), and the standby state is set (Step S13). S18).
[0029]
If the close detection switch 41 is not ON (No at Step S13), that is, if the partition plate 6 is open, energization to the open / close motor 61 is started and the partition plate 6 is closed (Step S14). It is determined again whether the detection switch 41 is ON (partition plate 6 is closed) (step S15). If the close detection switch 41 is ON (Yes at Step S15), since the partition plate 6 is closed, the energization to the opening / closing motor 61 is stopped (Step S16), and the upper chamber 7 is set in the heating operation. 8 is set to a cooling operation (step S17), and a standby state is set (step S18).
[0030]
On the other hand, after it is first detected that the partition plate 6 is open (No at Step S13), even if energization to the open / close motor 61 is started to close the partition plate 6 (Step S14), the close detection switch 41 If it is detected that it is not closed (No at Step S15), it is determined whether or not the set operation time T of the opening / closing motor 61 until the partition plate 6 is completely closed has elapsed (Step S19). If the set operation time T of the opening / closing motor 61 has elapsed (Yes at Step S19), it is determined as a failure (Step S20), and if it has not elapsed (No at Step S19), it is partitioned by the close detection switch 41 until it has elapsed. It is determined whether or not the plate 6 is closed (step S15).
[0031]
Further, when the H / C changeover switch 42 is not a hot operation input (No at Step S12), it is determined whether or not the open detection switch 40 is ON (the partition plate 6 is open) (Step S12). S21). If the open detection switch 40 is ON (Yes at Step S21), since the partition plate 6 is open, the upper chamber 7 and the lower chamber 8 are cooled (Step S25) and set in a standby state (Step S18).
[0032]
If the open detection switch 40 is not ON (No at Step S21), that is, if the partition plate 6 is in a closed state, energization to the open / close motor 61 is started to open the partition plate 6 (Step S22). It is determined again whether or not the detection switch 40 is ON (partition plate 6 is open) (step S23). If the open detection switch 40 is ON (Yes at Step S23), the partition plate 6 is open, so that the energization to the open / close motor 61 is stopped (Step S24), and the upper chamber 7 and the lower chamber 8 are cooled. Operation is set (step S25), and a standby state is set (step S18).
[0033]
On the other hand, after it is first detected that the partition plate 6 is closed (No at Step S21), even when energization to the open / close motor 61 is started to open the partition plate 6 (Step S22), the open detection switch 40 If it is detected that it is not open (No at Step S23), it is determined whether or not the set operation time T of the open / close motor 61 until the partition plate 6 is completely opened has passed (Step S26). If the set operation time T of the opening / closing motor 61 has elapsed (Yes at Step S26), it is determined as a failure (Step S27), and if it has not elapsed (No at Step S26), it is partitioned by the open detection switch 40 until it has elapsed. It is determined whether or not the plate 6 has been opened (step S23).
[0034]
In addition, it is desirable to be able to notify the installer of the vending machine when it is determined that there is a failure. For example, in the event of a failure, the sold-out lamp (not shown) or the ready-to-sell lamp blinks, or the above-mentioned sold-out lamp is operated by operating a push button (not shown) or a combination of this push button and a return lever (not shown) during sale standby. A lamp or a sellable lamp may be blinked, or instead of blinking these lamps, a keyboard display (not shown) or the price display may indicate that a failure has occurred.
[0035]
As described above, according to the control method of the vending machine according to this embodiment, the open / close state of the partition plate 6 can be automatically set according to switching the operation mode of the upper chamber 7 to heating or cooling. . That is, when the upper chamber 7 is set to the heating operation and the lower chamber 8 is set to the cooling operation by the switching setting of the H / C changeover switch 42, the partition plate 6 is automatically closed and the inside of the compartment is insulated. When the 7 and the lower chamber 8 are in a cooling operation, the partition plate 6 can be automatically opened. Further, a failure of the partition plate opening / closing mechanism 60 can be found quickly.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the control method of the vending machine according to the present invention (Claim 1), the partition plate formed into a plurality of chambers so as to be freely opened and closed, and each of the partitions partitioned by the partition plate An operation mode switching means for switching the chamber to a heating operation or a cooling operation, and a method of controlling the vending machine that opens and closes the partition plate at the time of product sales, in conjunction with the setting of the operation mode by the operation mode switching means Since the partition plate is opened and closed, the partition plate is closed when the heating operation and the cooling operation are performed, and the partition plate is opened only when the cooling operation is performed. In addition, the setting is not mistaken. Therefore, it is possible to easily avoid a situation in which the heat insulating property of each chamber cannot be maintained and energy loss for heating or cooling occurs.
[0037]
According to the control method of the vending machine according to the present invention (Claim 2), when the partition plate is opened and closed in conjunction with the setting of the operation mode by the operation mode switching means, the opening and closing state of the partition plate is opened and closed. Since it is detected by the detection means and determined to be a failure state when the desired opening / closing state cannot be obtained, it is determined that the failure has occurred quickly when the partition plate has not completed the opening / closing operation within a predetermined time. It is possible to prevent the operation when the insulation of each room is not maintained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration inside a main body case.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration inside a main body case.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the vending machine.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a conventional vending machine.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the inside of the main body case.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body case 2 Outer door 3 Inner door 4 Goods storage rack 4a Rack 5 Shelf 6 Partition plate 7 Upper chamber 8 Lower chamber 9 XY conveyance mechanism 10 Bucket 40 Opening detection switch 41 Closed detection switch 42 H / C changeover switch 43 Door door switch 44 Heating device 45, 50 Inside fan 46, 52 Inside temperature sensor 47 Condenser 51 Evaporator temperature sensor 58 Main body control unit 60 Partition plate opening / closing mechanism 61 Opening / closing motor

Claims (2)

A partition plate formed to be freely opened and closed by dividing the interior into a plurality of chambers;
Operation mode switching means for switching each chamber partitioned by the partition plate to heating operation or cooling operation;
With
In the control method of the vending machine that opens and closes the partition plate when selling products,
In conjunction with the setting of the operation mode by the operation mode switching means to so that is opened and closed with the partition plate, in a case where the inner door is open, you close the partition plate when the heating operation and cooling operation On the other hand, a control method for a vending machine, wherein the partition plate is opened when only cooling operation is performed. When the partition plate is opened / closed in conjunction with the operation mode setting by the operation mode switching means, the opening / closing state of the partition plate is detected by the opening / closing detection means , and a desired opening / closing state cannot be obtained within a preset time. 2. The vending machine control method according to claim 1, wherein a failure state is determined in the case.

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