JPH04195287A - Cooling controller for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve defrosting efficiency by discriminating frosting, and performing a defrosting operation by stopping a cooler when it is decided that the frosting occurs at that temperature. CONSTITUTION:Data for the preset temperature of a left side goods housing room 1 and that of a right side goods housing room 2 and column numbers in accordance with the housing rooms 1, 2, etc., are set by a keyboard 10. Thence, it is discriminated whether or not the real temperature of the housing room 1 is less than the preset temperature, and left side valve 8 is closed when the former is less than the latter. Furthermore, when the real temperature of the housing room 2 is less than the preset temperature, a right side valve 9 is closed, and also, a compressor 7 is turned off. Also, when the real temperature of the housing rooms 1, 2 exceed the preset temperature, the left side valve 8, the right side valve 9, and the compressor 7 are turned on. After that. it is discriminated whether or not the temperature of a left side evaporator 5 and that of a right side evaporator 6 are less than temperature in a frosting state, respectively, and when the formers are less than the latter, the compressor is turned off, and defrosting is performed. In such a way, the defrosting efficiency can be improved by stopping the cooler and performing the defrosting operation.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention is particularly applicable to a cooling control device for a vending machine in which products in a product storage chamber are cooled by a cooling device having a compressor, an evaporator, etc. The present invention relates to a cooling control device for a vending machine that defrosts efficiently.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, this type of vending machine operates in a thermo-operation mode, in which the compressor is turned on or off using a thermostat, and in a defrost operation, in which the compressor is forcibly stopped at a predetermined time and for a predetermined period of time, and a defrost heater is energized. method is known.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, with the above-mentioned method, if the frequency of defrosting is reduced, frost formation will occur and the cooling performance will decrease, and the product storage room temperature will not easily drop and compression will not be possible. The equipment was operated continuously, which was extremely inefficient.

On the other hand, if the defrosting time is increased by 41 hours, defrosting will be performed for an unnecessary time, resulting in a problem that the temperature of the product storage room will become too high.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a cooling control device for a vending machine with good defrosting efficiency.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A cooling control device for a vending machine according to the first invention has a plurality of product storage chambers, and further includes a cooling device and a heating device for cooling the products stored in each product storage chamber. In a vending machine which receives coins and sells said products, the vending machine includes a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of each product storage chamber and the temperature of the evaporator; a defrosting operation means for stopping the cooling device and operating a defrosting operation when the determining means determines that frost has formed; and means for setting a column number corresponding to each product storage chamber. , shall be provided.

A cooling control device for a vending machine according to a second invention has one or more product storage chambers, and controls a cooling device for cooling the products stored in each product storage chamber, and receives money and stores the products. In the vending machine that sells, a storage means for storing the energization time of the defrosting heater, an operating time of the cooling device, etc., a data input means for setting data such as the defrosting time, and inputting signals from each of the above means, Defrost time, internal temperature,
A control means is provided for controlling the defrosting operation according to the opening/closing state of the door, the operating state of the compressor, the elapsed time since the previous defrosting operation, and the number of times of defrosting in a predetermined period.

[Operation] In the first invention, the temperatures of the left evaporator and the right evaporator are read, and then it is determined whether the temperatures of the left evaporator and the right evaporator are respectively lower than or equal to the temperature te in the frosty state. , in the following cases, defrost the compressor at 0FFL.

In the second invention, the start of defrosting is determined based on the defrosting time, internal temperature, door opening/closing status, compressor operating status, elapsed time since the previous defrosting operation, and the number of defrosting operations during a predetermined period.

[Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of the first invention.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the vending machine according to FIG. 3. Third
4, 1 is a left product storage chamber attached to the left side of the vending machine main body (not shown), 2 is a right product storage chamber,
3 is a left side temperature thermometer that detects the temperature in the left side product storage room, 4 is a right side temperature thermometer that senses the temperature in the right side product storage room, and 5 is a left side evaporator. It converts heat into heat and absorbs heat.

6 is the right evaporator, 7 is the compressor, 8 is the left valve, 9 is the right valve, 10 is the piping, 11 is the right piping, 12 is the left evaporator thermometer that detects the temperature of the left evaporator, 13 is the right evaporator 14 is a sold-out lamp corresponding to each storage chamber, 15 is a left valve control relay, 16 is a right valve control relay, 17 is a compression type control relay, 18 is a heater control relay, 19 is a A control unit that includes a CPU, a ROM that stores programs, etc., and gives operational commands to each device of the vending machine; 20 a keyboard for inputting data;
1 is a heater located in the product storage room.

The apparatuses shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 will be explained below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In such a configuration, first, in step S1, use the keyboard 10 to select the set temperature, cooling, and heating classification for the left product storage chamber 1 and right product storage chamber 2, and columns corresponding to the left product storage chamber 1 and right product storage chamber 2. Set data such as number. Next, in step S2, the temperatures of the left product storage chamber 1 and the right product storage chamber 2 are read. Then step S
In step S3, it is determined whether the actual temperature of the left product storage chamber 1 is lower than the set temperature t1, and if it is lower, the left valve 8 is turned off in step S4. Next, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the actual temperature of the right product storage chamber 2 is lower than the set temperature t2. If it is lower, the right valve 9 is set to 0FFL in step S6, and then the compressor 7 is set to 0FFL in step S7. Return to S2.

1-If the actual temperature of the left product storage chamber 1 is higher than the set temperature t1 in step S3, the left valve 8 is turned ON in step S8, and then the right product storage chamber 2 is turned on in step S9.
It is determined whether or not the actual temperature is lower than the set temperature t2, and if it is lower, the right side valve 9 is set to 0FFL in step S10, and then the compressor 7 is turned on in step 12, and the left side product storage chamber 1 is turned on.
to cool down. If it is high, turn right side button 1 in step 11.
NL, Proceed to step 12 and use the compressor 7 to cool the ONL right product storage chamber 1.

Next, in step S13, the temperatures of the left evaporator 5 and right evaporator 6 are read while the compressor 7 is in the ON state, and then in step S14. In step S15, it is determined whether the temperatures of the left evaporator 5 and the right evaporator 6 are below the frosted state temperature te, and in the following cases, the compressor 7 is turned off and defrosted in step S17. .

Next, in this defrosting state, it is determined in step 818 whether or not the actual temperature of the left product storage chamber 1 is lower than the set temperature t1, and if it is higher, the process proceeds to step S19.
The sold-out lamp 14 corresponding to is lit. Next, in step S20, the actual temperature of the right product storage chamber 2 is set to the set temperature t2.
If it is lower, the process proceeds to step 13; if it is higher, the sold-out lamp 14 corresponding to the right product storage chamber 2 is turned on in step S21, and the process proceeds to step 13.

Above step S14. When defrosting progresses in the state of step 815 and the temperature of the left evaporator 5 and the right evaporator 6 rises and frost no longer forms, the process goes to step S16 where the sold-out lamp 1
4 is turned off, and then the compressor 7 is turned on in step 22.
and perform normal operation control.

FIG. 6 is a configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of the second invention.

In the figures, the same symbols as in FIG. 1 indicate the same members. 31
The high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant produced by the compressor is converted into liquid refrigerant by the condenser, which dissipates high heat.

32 is a pressure reducing valve that converts a high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant into a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid; 33 is a setting unit that sets the date 1 time and defrost time; and 34 is a timer unit that measures the date 9 time. , 35 is a compressor operation detection unit that detects whether the compressor is operating or stopped, 36 is an internal temperature detection unit that detects the internal temperature, and 37 is a unit that detects opening/closing of an internal door (not shown). The door switch 38 is a data storage section.

The control unit 19 controls the current time, defrosting time, and internal temperature.

Operating status of compressor motor MC, last defrost time.

The number of past defrosts (frequency) is calculated, these data are written or read in the storage unit 38, and based on a comprehensive judgment, the defrost heater 21 is operated to remove the frost attached to the ONL compressor motor and the 0FFL evaporator. Control.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 3 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In such a configuration, it is first checked in step S31 whether or not it is the defrosting time, and if it is the defrosting time, the defrosting heater 21 is turned on and the compressor 7 is turned off at the same time in step S32. Next, in step S33, it is checked whether the defrosting conditions are satisfied or not, and if they are not satisfied, the inspection is continued, and if they are satisfied, in step S34, the defrosting heater 21 is turned OFF and the compressor 7 is turned ON. Check the next defrosting time again.

If it is determined in step S31 that it is not the defrosting time, it is checked whether the temperature inside the refrigerator is high. If it is high, the process proceeds to step S36, and if it is low, the process returns to step S31. In step S36, it is checked whether or not the internal door is closed. If it is closed, the process then proceeds to step S37, and if it is not closed, the process returns to step S31. In step S37, it is checked whether the compressor 7 has been continuously operated for a long time or not. If it is a long time, the process then proceeds to step 338, and if it is a short time, the process returns to step S31.

In step S38, it is checked whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous defrosting, and if it has elapsed, then step S38 is performed.
If the process proceeds to step S39 and the elapsed time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S31. Next, in step S39, it is determined whether or not the number of times of defrosting in a predetermined period has been small in the past, and if it is small, step S39 is performed.
If the process proceeds to step S32, the process continues to check whether the defrosting time is warped or not.

[Effects of the Invention] In the first invention, the temperatures of the left evaporator and the right evaporator are read, and then it is determined whether the temperatures of the left evaporator and the right evaporator are respectively lower than or equal to the frosted state temperature te, In the following cases, since the compressor is defrosted at 0FFL, the effect of improving the operating efficiency of the cooling device can be obtained.

In the second invention, when the cooling device operates continuously and the temperature of the product storage chamber is high, it is determined that the cooling performance has decreased due to frost, and defrosting is started from the previous defrosting time and number of times. This prevents cooling performance from deteriorating due to frost formation.
The effect is that the operating efficiency of the cooling device is improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a claim correspondence diagram showing the structure of the first invention;
The figure is a claim correspondence diagram showing the structure of the second invention, FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram showing the structure of the embodiment of the first invention, and FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and FIG. 6 is a configuration block diagram showing the structure of the embodiment of the second invention. Figure, 7th
The figure is a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 6. 1...Left product storage room, 2...Right product storage room, 3
... Left side temperature thermostat, 4... Right side temperature thermostat, 6.
...Right side evaporator, 7...Compressor, 12...Left side evaporator thermo, 13...Right side evaporator thermo, 14...Selling lamp, 15...Left side valve control relay, 18...・・・
Heater control relay, 19... Main control section, 20... Keyboard, 33... Setting section, 36... Internal temperature detection section, 38... Data storage section. Figure Z

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) It has a plurality of product storage chambers, and further has a cooling device for cooling and a heating device for heating the products stored in each product storage chamber, and receives money and sells the products. In a vending machine, there is a temperature detection means that detects the temperature of each product storage chamber and the temperature of the evaporator, a determination means that determines whether frost has formed based on the temperature, and a determination means that determines whether frost has formed or not. A cooling control device for a vending machine, comprising: a defrosting operation means for stopping the cooling device and performing a defrosting operation when a determination is made, and a means for setting a column number corresponding to each product storage chamber. . 2) A clock that ticks the date and time in a vending machine that has one or more product storage chambers and a cooling device that cools the products stored in each product storage chamber, and that accepts money and sells the products. , temperature detection means for detecting the temperature inside the refrigerator, door opening/closing detection means for detecting the opening and closing of the door inside the refrigerator, operation state detection means for detecting the operation state of the cooling device, and energization time and cooling of the defrosting heater. A storage means for storing the operating time of the device, etc., a data input means for setting data such as the defrosting time, and a data input means for inputting the signals from each of the above means to input the defrosting time, the internal temperature, etc.
A vending machine characterized by comprising a control means for controlling a defrosting operation according to the opening/closing state of a door, the operating state of a compressor, the elapsed time since the previous defrosting operation, and the number of times of defrosting in a predetermined period. cooling control device. 3) In the cooling control device for a vending machine according to claim 1, when the temperature of the product storage chamber exceeds a specified value during the defrosting operation, the sold-out lamp of the column number corresponding to the product storage chamber is turned on. A cooling control device for a vending machine equipped with means.