JP5579561B2 - Vending machine lighting control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting control device for a vending machine.

  The vending machine is provided with an exhibition room in which a large number of product samples are arranged side by side, an advertisement section on which information on products is written, etc. on the customer service surface. In general, the product sample, the exhibition room, the advertisement section, and the like are illuminated by a lighting device using a fluorescent lamp, so that the product sample and the like are easily noticeable to the user and improve the ability to attract customers. It has been.

  However, if a fluorescent lamp, which is a lighting device, is turned on throughout the day, a large amount of electricity is required, which increases costs and goes against energy saving. To deal with this, a timer that can set the ON / OFF time of the day, a brightness sensor called a daylight switch that can detect the brightness of the surroundings (where the vending machine is installed), etc. are provided. It has been proposed to turn off the lighting device during daytime hours or when the surroundings are bright. According to this, it is possible to save energy and reduce costs by saving power.

  However, if the lighting device is completely turned off, the user may misunderstand that the vending machine is not in operation or the presence of the vending machine may be difficult to understand. It has also been proposed to illuminate in a dimmed state during daytime hours (for example, illuminate with 50% brightness when 100% brightness is achieved in all light states) (for example, Patent Document 1). . Using such a dimmable lighting device, it is possible to prevent the vending machine from being misunderstood and the presence of the vending machine from becoming difficult to understand even if the vending machine is not operating even during daytime hours. can do.

  However, in a vending machine having a general dimming function, as the dimming function, for example, when the total dimming state is 100%, the dimming state is 50% (or 35%). In many cases, the brightness is changed at two levels of brightness of the all-light state and the dimming state. Therefore, even if the brightness around the vending machine (where the vending machine is installed) gradually changes, the dimming state must be maintained at 50% (or 35%). In many cases, it is too bright or too dark, and it is difficult to achieve a dimming state in which the existence of a vending machine is easily understood and an energy saving effect can be obtained.

  On the other hand, in recent years, light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as LEDs) are being used as lighting devices for general homes. In addition, it is considered to employ an illumination device using LEDs as the illumination device of the vending machine. For example, Patent Document 2 and the like have also been proposed.

JP-A-5-250553 JP 2006-330807 A

  However, the LED does not cause trouble even when a certain amount of large current (for example, 30 mA) is applied at a low temperature (for example, 0 ° C. to 25 ° C.). The permissible current value with no current decreases gradually (for example, from 25 ° C. to 75 ° C., every 10 ° C. increases by 5 mA). Therefore, when LED is used as the lighting device of the vending machine, the LED may break down or the life may become extremely short if a large current continues to flow even though the temperature of the LED is high. Produce.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and prevents an LED from malfunctioning or having a very short life while realizing multi-stage light control using an LED as an illumination device of a vending machine. An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting control device for a vending machine.

In order to solve the above problems, a common configuration of the present invention is a light emitting diode (LED) as an illumination source of a lighting device in a vending machine including a customer service surface and a lighting device that illuminates at least a part of the customer service surface. LED), a dimming control unit for dimming the light emitting diode to multi-level brightness, an outside air temperature sensor for detecting the outside air temperature at a place where the vending machine is installed, and dimming by the dimming control unit A current control unit that limits the current value of the light emitting diode within a preset limit current value according to the outside air temperature in preference to the control is provided.

  With the above configuration, when the outside air temperature is not so high, the lighting device can favorably indicate the presence of the vending machine while the light can be adjusted well and energy saving can be achieved. In addition, when the outside air temperature becomes high, priority is given to the dimming control by the dimming control unit, and the current value of the light emitting diode is limited within a preset current limit value according to the outside air temperature. Multi-stage dimming can be realized within a range that can prevent the failure of the light emitting diode or the extremely short life.

In addition, the present invention is provided with a human detection sensor, and when a person is detected, control is performed so that the lighting device is brightened by increasing the dimming rate so that the amount of increase in the dimming rate increases with time. It is characterized by doing. With this configuration, when the customer approaches the vending machine, because the lighting device is bright, it is possible to minimize the miss the sale timing.

  In addition, the present invention has a brightness sensor that detects the brightness of the place where the vending machine is disposed, and the dimming is performed according to the ambient brightness. As described above, control is performed in multiple stages. With this configuration, it is possible to control the lighting device in multiple stages so that the surrounding brightness, that is, the location where the vending machine is disposed is darker, so that the lighting device becomes brighter, thereby minimizing missed sales timing. it can.

  In addition, the present invention includes an outside air temperature sensor and a brightness sensor, and determines a current limit value of the light emitting diode according to data obtained by combining the outside air temperature and ambient brightness. With this configuration, the temperature at the location where the light-emitting diode is disposed can be converted or calculated with higher accuracy, and problems such as failure of the light-emitting diode and extremely short lifetime can be prevented with high accuracy.

  According to the present invention, when the outside air temperature is not so high, the lighting device can be dimmed well to the set dimming value, and energy saving can be achieved. The presence can be shown well. On the other hand, when the outside air temperature becomes high, the current value of the light emitting diode is limited to a preset current limit value according to the outside air temperature in preference to the light control by the light control unit. Multi-level dimming can be realized within a range that can prevent a failure of the diode or a very short life.

In addition, when a human detection sensor is provided to detect a person, by controlling the lighting device to be brighter by increasing the dimming rate so that the amount of increase in the dimming rate increases with time , When the user approaches the vending machine, the lighting device becomes brighter, so that it is possible to minimize missed sales timing.

(A) And (b) is the whole perspective view of the vending machine based on embodiment of this invention, respectively. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vending machine. It is a front view of the display input device of the vending machine. It is a block diagram of the illuminating device and control part of the vending machine. It is a figure which shows simply the state which light-controls the illuminating device of the vending machine in multiple steps. (A) is a figure which shows the light control state corresponding to the external temperature of the illuminating device of the vending machine, (b) is a figure which shows the light control state at the time of detecting the person of the illuminating device. It is a figure which shows the limiting current value with respect to the external temperature of the illuminating device of the vending machine. It is a figure which shows the light control rate at the time of detecting the person of the illuminating device of the vending machine. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the exhibition room of the vending machine and its vicinity.

  Hereinafter, an illumination control device for a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, embodiment shown here is an example to the last, Comprising: It is not necessarily limited to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), a vending machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is rotatably attached to a front surface portion (specifically, a vending machine body 10) that is a customer service surface 2. A plurality of product shelves 4 in which a large number of product samples 3 and the like are arranged on the front side of the front door 11 (in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), a case where only one level is provided) is shown. The arranged exhibition room 5 and an advertisement section 6 in which information on products is described are provided. In the vending machine 1, the interior of the exhibition room 5 including the product sample 3 is illuminated by an illumination device 8 using a light emitting diode (hereinafter abbreviated as LED) 7 as an illumination source. In addition, as the illuminating device 8, as shown to Fig.1 (a), you may use what arranges and illuminates several LED in a line shape, arrange | positions several LED two-dimensionally, or the exhibition room 5 A plurality of LEDs are arranged in a row on the upper side, the lower side, and the like, and a light guide plate that guides light from these LEDs is provided, and as shown in FIG. You may use what illuminates planarly from the back side. The advertising unit 6 may also be configured to illuminate separately or partially with a lighting device that also serves as a part.

  The customer service surface 2 uses infrared rays or the like to detect that a person has approached (is present) the customer service surface 2 of the vending machine 1 and the ambient brightness, that is, the vending machine. There is provided a brightness sensor 16 which is also called a daylight sensor for detecting the brightness of the location where the machine is installed.

  In the vending machine main body 10, a product storage unit 18 that stores a product 17 in which beverages are put in a container such as a can or a plastic bottle is disposed in an insulated chamber 19. The vending machine 1 is also provided with a refrigeration cycle 20 that cools the product 17 and a heating device (not shown) that heats the product 17. The refrigeration cycle 20 is disposed in the interior 19 to cool the product 17, the evaporator 21 and the interior fan 22, and the exterior 24 to which outside air is introduced, and a compressor 24 that compresses the refrigerant. The condenser 25 and the outside fan 26, and a plurality of refrigerant flow paths connecting them, are provided outside the warehouse 23 (in the lower part of the vending machine main body 10 in this embodiment). An outside temperature sensor 27 for detecting the temperature 23 and controlling the refrigeration cycle 20 is also provided. Here, in the vending machine 1, the outside temperature sensor 27 that detects the temperature of the outside 23 is also used as an outside temperature sensor that detects the outside air temperature at the place where the vending machine 1 is installed. .

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, on the back surface of the front door 11, a plurality of key input devices 31 for performing various settings of the vending machine 1 and a display unit for displaying the setting status and various information. A display input device 30 having 32 or the like is attached via a connection cord or the like (may be wireless connection). Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the display input device 30 has a key input device 31 for the lighting device, a lighting / extinguishing key 31a for turning on or off the lighting device 8 (LED 7), and a stepwise brightness. A dimming key 31b for dimming. Further, as the display unit 32, in addition to the liquid crystal display unit 32a that displays various types of information, a dimming lamp 32b that is turned on when the lighting device 8 is dimmed is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the vending machine 1 includes a control unit 40 that performs various controls including control of the lighting device 8. In the control unit 40, the dimming control unit 41 that dims the LED 7 to multi-level brightness according to the brightness of the arrangement location of the vending machine 1, and the current value of the LED 7 according to the outside air temperature in advance. A current control unit 42 for limiting the current value within a set current limit, a human detection control unit 43 for controlling the lighting device 8 according to the presence or absence of human detection, a storage unit 44 for storing various data, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5 in a simplified manner, the dimming control unit 41 uses the LED driver 8a provided in the illumination device 8 according to the brightness of the place where the vending machine 1 is disposed. Multi-level dimming is performed by PWM control within the range of dimming rate of 10% to 90% (duty ratio step by 10%). And according to the brightness of the surroundings (location where the vending machine 1 is disposed), the lighting device 8 is controlled in multiple stages so that the darker the surrounding brightness is, the brighter the lighting device 8 is. Also, the dimming state of the LED 7 of the illumination device 8 can be set (adjusted) in multiple stages by PWM control within the range of the dimming rate of 10% to 90% by the dimming key 31b of the display input device 30 as well. A manual setting mode may be provided. When setting with the dimming key 31b of the display input device 30, the brightness of the installation location of the vending machine 1 (for example, the setting condition in the darkest case or the setting condition in the brightest case) is displayed. When a predetermined key is operated (or when the lighting device 8 is turned on or off), the dimming rate sequentially increases each time the dimming key 31b is pressed, and the dimming rate is displayed on the display unit 32. The Then, in a state where the desired dimming rate is achieved, by not performing a key input operation for a predetermined time (for example, several seconds) or by pressing a determination key (not shown) provided in the key input device 31, The light control rate displayed on the display unit 32 is set. Further, a plurality of dimming rates may be set in the manual setting mode. Moreover, you may control the illuminating device 8 with the light control rate set separately according to the time slot | zone. In addition, 8b in FIG. 4 is the power supply for LED7 provided in the illuminating device 8. FIG.

  The current control unit 42 converts or calculates the temperature at the location where the LED 7 is disposed based on the outside air temperature (for example, the temperature at the location where the LED 7 is disposed is a predetermined temperature (changes the installation location such as indoors or outdoors). Then, the value obtained experimentally: for example, 1 to 5 ° C. is converted assuming that it is high), as shown in FIG. 6A, the outside air temperature (or the arrangement of the LED 7 corresponding thereto) In order to prevent the current value of the LED 7 from exceeding the preset current limit value, the duty ratio by PWM control is reduced within a preset dimming rate range, etc. Limiting to be within the limit current value. The limit current value is basically 30 mA at a low temperature (for example, 25 ° C. or lower), for example, as shown by a solid line portion in FIG. 7, but 5 mA for every 10 ° C. from 25 ° C. to 75 ° C. It is set so that no current flows (ie, 0 mA) when the temperature exceeds 75 ° C., and this value (or calculation formula) is stored in the storage unit 44 provided in the control unit 40. ing. In order to improve the stability, the limit current value may be set to a current value lower than that of the solid line portion.

  When the person detection control unit 43 detects a person with the person detection sensor 15, as shown in a simplified manner in FIG. 6B, the current detection value of the LED 7 does not exceed the limit current value for a certain period of time ( For example, the lighting device 8 is controlled to be bright only for 5 minutes. For example, when a person is detected by the human detection sensor 15, the LED 7 of the lighting device 8 is controlled so as to be in an all-light state within a range where the current value of the LED 7 does not exceed the limit current value. Instead, the LED 7 of the lighting device 8 is controlled so as to increase the dimming rate by a predetermined amount (for example, a maximum of 30%) from a preset dimming state. In this case, more preferably, when a person is detected in a dimming state, the dimming rate is not abruptly changed to an all-light state with a dimming rate of 100%. As shown in FIG. 8, it is desirable to increase the dimming rate so that the pulse width for turning on is gently increased, that is, the amount of increase in the dimming rate increases with time.

  With the above configuration, when the outside air temperature is not so high, the lighting device 8 can automatically adjust the light intensity to the set dimming value (set dimming rate) and can save energy, but is automatically sold by the lighting device 8. The presence of the machine 1 can be shown well. Further, the brightness of the illumination device 8 of the vending machine 1 can be easily and easily changed by the dimming key 31b of the display input device 30. In addition, when the outside air temperature becomes high, the dimming control by the dimming control unit 41 (in this embodiment, the dimming control according to the brightness of the installation location) is prioritized according to the outside air temperature. Since the current value of the LED 7 is limited within a preset current limit value, multi-stage dimming can be realized within a range in which the malfunction of the LED 7 or the life of the LED 7 can be prevented.

  In addition, by using the outside temperature sensor 27 for controlling the refrigeration cycle disposed outside the warehouse also as an outside temperature sensor for detecting the outside temperature, the number of parts can be reduced, and thus the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Can be reduced. Further, by converting or calculating the temperature at the location where the LED 7 is disposed such as the exhibition room 5 based on the outside air temperature, the temperature at the location where the LED 7 is disposed can be converted or calculated with relatively high accuracy. Problems such as failure or extremely short life can be prevented relatively well.

  Further, when a human detection sensor 15 is provided to detect a person, the lighting device 8 is controlled to be bright for a certain period of time, so that when the user approaches the vending machine 1, the light is temporarily brightened. Therefore, it is possible to minimize missed sales timing.

  In addition, when the human detection sensor 15 detects that there is a person in the dimming state, the dimming rate is not changed suddenly to the full light state where the dimming rate is 100%, but the amount of increase in the dimming rate is By gradually increasing the pulse width to be in an ON state so as to increase with the passage of time, the lighting device 8 can be gently brightened to the user without suddenly becoming bright and surprised. It is possible to give a high-class feeling, and the added value of the vending machine 1 as the lighting device 8 is improved. Furthermore, the amount of current at the beginning of the increase can be reduced as compared with a case where the amount of increase in the dimming rate is increased to a predetermined brightness with a constant amount, and energy saving can also be achieved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the temperature at the location where the LED 7 is disposed is converted or calculated based on the outside air temperature is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the outside air temperature and the ambient brightness are set. The current limit value of the LED 7 may be determined according to the combined data. That is, when the vending machine 1 is strongly exposed to direct sunlight, the illuminated exhibition room 5 and the like tend to be higher than the outside air temperature (outside temperature). As indicated by the dotted line, the current limit value may be set so that the current limit value is lower than that indicated by the solid line portion. As a result, the possibility of the occurrence of a malfunction that causes the LED 7 to fail or the life of the LED 7 to be shortened can be further reduced, and the reliability is improved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, ventilation holes 51 are formed in the upper and lower parts of the exhibition room 5 so as not to increase the temperature of the exhibition room 5 in which the lighting device 8 is disposed, An exhaust fan 52 may be provided, and according to this, the current limiting period for the LED 7 can be minimized.

  In the above embodiment, the brightness sensor 16 detects the brightness around the vending machine 1 (arrangement location), and when the surroundings are bright, the dimming rate is set to be low. In this case, there is an advantage that energy saving can be favorably achieved, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even when the brightness sensor 16 is not provided, and the timer or the like provided in the vending machine 1 is set so that the dimming rate is set low during the daytime and the dimming rate is set high during the nighttime, Even if the current limit of the lighting device 8 according to the temperature is given priority, or when the presence of a person is detected by the human detection sensor 15, an operation of making the lighting device 8 particularly bright for a certain time may be applied. Good.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the entire display room 5 provided on the customer service surface 2 is dimmed and illuminated by the lighting device 8 is not limited to this. For example, the specific area may be conspicuous by increasing the dimming rate of only the area. For example, when a product shelf 4 on which a product sample 3 is placed in a part of the exhibition room 5, for example, the upper product, the middle product, or the lower product is provided in any one of the upper product, the middle product, and the lower product, While changing the dimming rate for each step of the shelf of product shelf 4 or changing the dimming rate for each column, while highlighting the product 17 corresponding to the product sample 3 in a specific region, Energy saving can be achieved.

1 Vending Machine 2 Customer Service 3 Product Sample 4 Product Shelf 5 Exhibition Room 6 Advertising Department 7 Light Emitting Diode (LED)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 Illuminating device 10 Vending machine main body 11 Front door 15 Human detection sensor 16 Brightness sensor 17 Goods 18 Goods storage part 19 In-chamber 20 Refrigeration cycle 21 Evaporator 22 In-compartment fan 23 Out-of-compartment 24 Compressor 25 Condenser 26 Out-of-compartment Fan 27 Outside temperature sensor (outside air temperature sensor)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 Display input device 31 Key input device 31a Light on / off key 31b Dimming key 32 Display part 32a Liquid crystal display part 32b Dimming lamp 40 Control part 41 Dimming control part 42 Current control part 43 Human detection control part 44 Storage part

Claims (3)

In a vending machine comprising a customer service surface and a lighting device that illuminates at least a part of the customer service surface,
A light emitting diode as an illumination source of the lighting device;
A dimming control unit for dimming the light emitting diode to multi-level brightness;
An outside air temperature sensor that detects the outside air temperature where the vending machine is installed,
Prioritizing dimming control by the dimming control unit , a current control unit that limits the current value of the light emitting diode within a preset limit current value according to the outside air temperature ;
A human detection sensor;
Is provided,
A vending machine characterized in that when a person is detected, the lighting device is controlled to be bright by increasing the dimming rate so that the amount of increase in the dimming rate increases with time. Lighting control device. In a vending machine comprising a customer service surface and a lighting device that illuminates at least a part of the customer service surface,
A light emitting diode as an illumination source of the lighting device;
A dimming control unit for dimming the light emitting diode to multi-level brightness;
An outside air temperature sensor that detects the outside air temperature where the vending machine is installed,
Prioritizing dimming control by the dimming control unit , a current control unit that limits the current value of the light emitting diode within a preset limit current value according to the outside air temperature ;
A brightness sensor for detecting the brightness of the location of the vending machine;
Have
Depending on the dimming of the surrounding brightness, the illumination control device for vending machines and controlling in multiple steps as the illumination device darker the brightness of the surroundings become bright. In a vending machine comprising a customer service surface and a lighting device that illuminates at least a part of the customer service surface,
A light emitting diode as an illumination source of the lighting device;
A dimming control unit for dimming the light emitting diode to multi-level brightness;
An outside air temperature sensor that detects the outside air temperature where the vending machine is installed,
Prioritizing dimming control by the dimming control unit , a current control unit that limits the current value of the light emitting diode within a preset limit current value according to the outside air temperature ;
A brightness sensor for detecting the brightness of the location of the vending machine;
Have
Lighting control apparatus of the vending machine you and determining a current limit value of the light emitting diode in accordance with the data which is a combination of ambient temperature and the ambient brightness.

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