JPH04308993A - Automatic vending machine with induced heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the automatic vending machine with induced heater, which can complete heating at a fixed can wall temperature even when measuring any part on a circumference regardless of can capacity and can vend canned beverage at a suitable HOT vending temperature, concerning the automatic vending machine to vend the canned beverage after induced heating. CONSTITUTION:A capacity detecting means 8 is provided to detect the capacity of canned beverage 2, a temperature detector 5 is provided to detect the body temperature of the canned beverage 2 in a non-contacting state, an amplifier 6 is provided to amplify the output of the temperature detector 5, an output change measuring means 7 is provided to measure the output change of the amplifier 6, a correcting means 9 is provided to correct the output of the amplifier 6 according to the output of the output change measuring means 7 and the output of the capacity detecting means 8, and a judging means 11 is provided to judge whether the output of the correcting means 9 reaches a judging value or not.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a vending machine equipped with an induction heating device that heats canned beverage products such as coffee (hereinafter referred to as canned beverages) at the time of sale by induction heating and sells them hot (hereinafter referred to as HOT sales). It is something.

0002

[Prior Art] In recent years, vending machines have been proposed that apply induction heating technology to heat canned beverages and sell them hot.
- As in Publication No. 76097, each time a canned beverage enters the heating coil with a cylindrical heating coil, a temperature sensing element such as a thermocouple is attached to the can wall as a temperature detector at the body of the can where the canned beverage protrudes from the heating coil. By contacting it with the wall and detecting changes in the characteristics of this thermosensor (since the temperature of the beverage inside cannot be directly detected, the temperature of the beverage inside can be determined indirectly by detecting the temperature of the can wall).
Some beverages are equipped with an induction heating device that stops induction heating when the canned beverage reaches the HOT sales temperature, releases contact with a temperature sensor, and sells the canned beverage at a predetermined temperature.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, with such a configuration, the mechanical life of the temperature sensor is short because the temperature sensor is in contact with the can wall of the can beverage, and the temperature sensor is in contact with the actual can wall. There was a problem in that the temperature could not be detected correctly in some cases, making it impossible to sell canned beverages at an appropriate hot selling temperature. Moreover, in recent years, the variety of canned drinks has increased,
There are various can diameters and can lengths, and short cans have the problem of being hidden inside the heating coil, making it impossible to detect temperature.

[0004] In addition, when the temperature of the can wall is detected non-contact during heating, the infrared emissivity of the painted part is determined by the difference in infrared emissivity between the welded part and the painted part in the body of the can. If the temperature of the welded part is detected, the output will be smaller even when the temperature is the same, and if heating is stopped at the same output, the temperature of the canned beverage will be higher, and the canned beverage will be sold at the appropriate hot selling temperature. The problem was that it could not be done.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has the following features: Firstly, even if the temperature at a location with different infrared emissivity is detected, heating is surely completed at the same can temperature, and the canned beverage is raised to a certain appropriate HOT sales temperature. The purpose is to provide a vending machine with an induction heating device.

Second, even if canned beverages of different capacities are detected, even if temperatures at different locations with different infrared emissivities are detected, heating is completed at the same can temperature, and the canned beverages are kept at a constant and appropriate HOT sales temperature. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a vending machine with an induction heating device.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, a vending machine with an induction heating device according to the present invention provides a high-frequency power conversion device that supplies constant high-frequency power to a heating coil to inductively heat canned beverages. , a temperature detector that non-contactly detects the can wall temperature of the body of the can beverage that is heated by induction in the cradle, and sends out the output; an amplifier that amplifies the output of the temperature detector; and an amplifier that amplifies the output of the temperature detector. An output change measuring means for measuring the output change for a certain period of time from the start of heating, a correcting means for correcting and outputting the output of the amplifier based on the output of the output change measuring means, and a comparison between the output of the correcting means and a judgment value for terminating induction heating. , comprising a determining means for determining the end of heating when the output of the correcting means reaches a determined value, and a stop signal generating means for generating a stop signal for stopping the high frequency power converter based on the determination result by the determining means. .

[0008] The invention also includes a high-frequency power converter that supplies constant high-frequency power to a heating coil in order to inductively heat the canned beverage, a capacity detection means for detecting the capacity of the canned beverage, and a canned beverage that is inductively heated in the cradle. A temperature sensor that non-contactly detects the can wall temperature of the body of a canned beverage and sends out an output, an amplifier that amplifies the output of the temperature sensor, and an output that measures changes in the output of the amplifier over a certain period of time from the start of heating. A change measuring means, a correcting means for correcting and outputting the output of the amplifier based on the outputs of the output change measuring means and the can capacity detecting means, and comparing the output of the correcting means with a judgment value for terminating induction heating, and determining the output of the correcting means. The apparatus is equipped with a determining means that determines that heating is completed when the determination value is reached, and a stop signal generating means that generates a stop signal to stop the high frequency power converter based on the determination result by the determining means.

[0009]

[Operation] The vending machine with an induction heating device of the present invention uses a temperature sensor to detect the can wall temperature of the body of the can beverage being heated in a non-contact manner. The output change is detected by the output change measurement means, and if the output change is small, it is determined that a welded part with low infrared emissivity is detected, and the correction means is controlled to increase the output of the amplifier,
The determination means determines whether the output of the correction means has reached the determination value.

[0010] Since the high-frequency power converter is controlled by generating a stop signal to stop the high-frequency power converter based on the determination result, it is possible to use the determination value to determine the end of heating according to the infrared emissivity. This makes it possible to sell canned beverages at an appropriate hot selling temperature. In addition, problems with mechanical life are eliminated, and cases where the actual can wall temperature cannot be detected correctly due to the contact condition of the temperature sensor can be eliminated, and the length of the heating coil is changed from the conventional cylindrical shape to an arc plate shape. There is no need to worry about the short can being hidden inside the heating coil and unable to detect the temperature.

[0011] Also, the capacitance detection means sets the reference output change of each amplifier, and the temperature detector detects the can wall temperature of the body of the canned beverage being heated in a non-contact manner, and detects the temperature for a certain period of time from the start of heating the can. The change in the output of the temperature sensor is detected by the output change measurement means, and if the change in output is small, it is determined that a welded part with low infrared emissivity has been detected, and the correction means is controlled to increase the output of the amplifier. , the determination means determines whether the output of the amplifier has reached the determination value.

[0012] Based on the determination result, a stop signal is generated to stop the high-frequency power converter and the high-frequency power converter is controlled, so that the determination value is appropriate even for differences in the capacity of canned beverages. This makes it possible to sell canned beverages at an appropriate hot selling temperature.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a heating coil for inductively heating a canned beverage 2, which is wound in an arc plate shape along the cylindrical can wall. Reference numeral 3 denotes a high frequency power converter that converts low frequency power from a commercial power source 4 and supplies constant high frequency power to the heating coil 1.

[0015] Reference numeral 5 denotes a temperature detector that non-contact detects the temperature of the can wall of the can body of the can beverage 2, and is a thermopile or similar device that converts the amount of infrared rays from the can wall into an electrical output signal. is input to the amplifier 6. The amplifier 6 amplifies the signal from the temperature detector 5 and outputs a signal matching the can wall temperature. At this time, the amplifier 6 is set to an amplification degree when the painted portion of the canned beverage 2 is detected, that is, when the infrared emissivity is high.

Reference numeral 7 denotes an output change measuring means, which measures the change in the output of the amplifier 6 for a certain period of time from the start of heating. 8
is a capacity detection means that detects and outputs the capacity of the canned beverage 2 to be heated. A correction means 9 corrects the output of the amplifier 6 based on the outputs of the output change measurement means 7 and the capacitance detection means 8. The correction means 9 first sets a reference output change of the amplifier 6 according to the can capacity based on the output of the capacity detection means 8 before starting heating. This reference output change is an output change value when the painted portion of the canned beverage 2 is detected. Further, this reference output change value changes depending on the capacitance. This is because, if heated at a constant output, the temperature rise will vary depending on the volume of the beverage inside.

The control device 10 includes a determination means 11 for determining whether the output of the correction means 9 has reached a determination value, and a stop signal for generating a stop signal for stopping the high frequency power converter 3 based on the determination result by the determination means 11. It is comprised of a signal generating means 12 and a heating control means 13 that operates/stops the high frequency power converter 3 at a predetermined heating output. The stop signal generating means 12 is connected to the heating control means 13 and inputs a stop signal to the heating control means 13.

Furthermore, a HOT sales switch group 14 is connected to the heating control means 13. Further, the output change measuring means 7 is connected to the heating control means 13, and measures the change in the output of the amplifier 6 for a certain period of time after the heating start signal is output. The correcting means 9 corrects the output of the amplifier 6 based on the output of the output change measuring means 7. This is based on the change in output when a painted area is detected, and if the change in output is smaller than that, it is determined that an area with low infrared emissivity has been detected, and the output of the amplifier 6 is increased.

2 and 3 are side views of the main parts, 15 is a storage device for storing the canned beverage 2, and 16 is a holder for receiving the canned beverage 2. Moreover, 17 is a carry-out device attached to the lower part of the storage device 15. The cradle 16 is an unloading device 17
It is located below the , and is attached with the bottom surface slanted. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the heating coil 1 is attached to the pedestal 13 in parallel. The capacity detection means 8 is composed of a can diameter detection switch 18, a first can size detection switch 19, and a second can size detection switch 20, and is capable of detecting five sizes currently on sale. Its operation is as shown in Table 1.

[0020]

[Table 1]

Furthermore, the temperature detector 5 is installed so that the temperature of the body of the canned beverage 2 can be detected when the canned beverage 2 is placed in the holder 16. 21 is the outer wall of the vending machine. With this configuration, when the HOT sales switch group 14 is pressed, the carry-out device 17 is opened and the canned beverage 2 is placed in the receiving tray 16. Then, the heating control means 13 starts heating the canned beverage 2. Then, the output of the temperature detector 5 is transferred to the amplifier 6.
and correct the output of the amplifier 6 by the correction means 9,
The temperature is input to the determining means 11, and when the temperature reaches a predetermined value, heating is stopped.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a specific circuit of the main part. Detailed description of the same parts as in FIG. 1 will be omitted. The control device 10, the output change measuring means 7, and the correcting means 9 are composed of a microcomputer 22 and peripheral circuits. The microcomputer 22 includes a CPU, ROM,
It is a so-called one-chip microcomputer that has a RAM and an input/output section.

The output of the temperature detector 5 is amplified by an amplifier 6 and sent to the microcomputer 22 via an A/D converter 23.
is connected to the input section of the As a result, the temperature sensor 5
The temperature signal from the microcomputer 22 is converted into a binary code and read into the microcomputer 22. HOT sales switch group 1
4 is input to the microcomputer 22 to determine whether it has been pressed. Further, the capacitance detection means 8 is also connected to the microcomputer 22. Further, the output section of the microcomputer 22 is connected to the high frequency power converter 3.

Next, the operation of the induction heating device for a vending machine constructed as described above will be explained using FIG. 4 and the flowchart of FIG. 5.

When a HOT sale (start) signal is input from the HOT sale switch group 14 (step 101), canned beverages are sold according to the program procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 stored in the ROM in the microcomputer 22. 2 heating is started.

First, the microcomputer 22 opens the carry-out device 17 and carries out the canned beverage 2 in the storage device 15 into the receiving stand 16 (step 102). Next, the capacitance detection means 8
The determination value for the heating end criterion is set according to the detected capacity (step 103). and,
The microcomputer 22 outputs a heating start signal to the high frequency power converter 3 to operate at a predetermined heating output, and heating is started (step 104).

Then, the temperature detection signal from the temperature detector 5 is taken into the microcomputer 22 as a digital signal by the A/D converter 23 via the amplifier 6 (step 105), and the microcomputer 22 Measure the change in the output of amplifier 6 over time (step 1
06), it is compared with the reference output change, and if the output change is small, the output of the amplifier 6 is corrected to a value multiplied by 1.2, for example, by the correction means 9 (step 107).

Next, it is determined whether the corrected output of the correction means 9 has reached the set judgment value (step 1).
08), when the determination value is reached, the microcomputer 22 sends a stop signal to the high frequency power converter 3, the high frequency power converter 3 stops, and the induction heating ends (step 10).
9). Then, complete the HOT sale (step 110
).

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the heating coil 1 is changed from the conventional cylindrical shape to an arcuate plate shape, the short can is hidden inside the heating coil 1 and temperature cannot be detected. Nothing happens. In addition, the temperature sensor 5 detects the temperature of the can wall of the body of the canned beverage 2 being heated in a non-contact manner, measures the temperature rise for a certain period of time from the start of heating, and uses the temperature rise value to control the output of the amplifier 6. to correct.

[0030]Then, the determining means 11 determines whether the output of the correcting means 9 has reached the determination value, and heating is stopped based on the determination result. Heating can be completed at a constant can wall temperature no matter which part of the circumference is being measured.

[0031]Furthermore, the problem of mechanical life is eliminated, and the case where the actual can wall temperature cannot be detected correctly due to the contact condition of the temperature detector 5 can be eliminated, and the canned beverage 2 can be sold at an appropriate hot selling temperature. It is something.

[0032]

As is clear from the above embodiments, the present invention includes a pedestal made of an electrical insulator and having an inclined bottom for receiving a canned beverage, and a pedestal that is placed in parallel with the pedestal and heats the canned beverage by induction. a heating coil wound in the shape of an arcuate plate; a high-frequency power converter that supplies constant high-frequency power for induction heating to the heating coil; A temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the can wall without contact and sends out an output, a pedestal made of electrically insulating material with an inclined bottom that receives the canned beverage, and a pedestal that is placed in parallel with the pedestal and heats the canned beverage by induction. A heating coil wound in the shape of an arc plate, a high-frequency power converter that supplies constant high-frequency power for induction heating to the heating coil, and a can wall of the body of a canned beverage that is induction heated in a cradle. A temperature detector that detects temperature non-contact and sends out an output, an amplifier that amplifies the output of the temperature detector,
An output change measuring means for measuring the output change of the amplifier for a certain period of time from the start of heating, a correcting means for correcting and outputting the output of the amplifier based on the output of the output change measuring means, and a judgment value for terminating induction heating based on the output of the correcting means. A device comprising: a determining means for comparing and determining the end of heating when the output of the correcting means reaches a determined value; and a stop signal generating means for generating a stop signal to stop the high frequency power converter based on the determination result by the determining means. Therefore, there is no possibility that a short can is hidden inside the heating coil and the temperature cannot be detected.

Furthermore, heating can be completed at a constant can wall temperature regardless of which part of the circumference of the can beverage is being measured, eliminating problems with mechanical life and reducing contact with the temperature sensor. It is possible to eliminate cases where the actual can wall temperature cannot be detected correctly depending on the situation, and can sell canned beverages at an appropriate hot selling temperature.

[0034] Furthermore, it is equipped with a capacity detecting means for detecting the capacity of a canned beverage, and a correcting means for correcting a change in the standard output set for each can capacity based on the output of the correcting means and the output of the capacity detecting means. Regardless of the can capacity, heating can be completed at a constant can wall temperature no matter where on the circumference of the can beverage is measured.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

[Fig. 1] A block diagram of a vending machine with an induction heating device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 2] Side view of main parts inside the vending machine of this embodiment

[Figure 3]
Side view of the pedestal shown in Figure 2

[Figure 4] Circuit diagram of main parts of this embodiment

[Figure 5] Flowchart showing the operation of this embodiment

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Heating coil 2 Canned drinks 3 High frequency power converter 5 Temperature detector 6 Amplifier 7 Output change measurement means 8 Capacity detection means 9 Correction means 11 Judgment means 12 Stop signal generation means 16 cradle

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A pedestal formed of an electrical insulator and having an inclined bottom for receiving a canned beverage; a heating coil wound in the shape of an arc plate in parallel to the pedestal for induction heating the canned beverage; A high-frequency power converter that supplies constant high-frequency power to the coil for induction heating, and non-contact detection of the can wall temperature of the body of the canned beverage that is induction heated in the cradle, and sends out an output. an amplifier for amplifying the output of the temperature detector; an output change measuring means for measuring a change in the output of the amplifier for a certain period of time from the start of heating; and an output of the amplifier based on the output of the output change measuring means. a correction means for correcting and outputting; a determination means for comparing the output of the correction means with a determination value for terminating induction heating; and determining termination of heating if the output of the correction means reaches the determination value; and determination by the determination means. A vending machine equipped with an induction heating device, comprising stop signal generating means for generating a stop signal to stop the high frequency power converter based on the result. 2. A pedestal formed of an electrical insulator and having an inclined bottom surface for receiving a canned beverage; a heating coil wound in an arc plate shape in parallel with the pedestal for induction heating the canned beverage; a high-frequency power converter that supplies constant high-frequency power to a coil for induction heating; a capacity detection means for detecting the capacity of a can beverage; and a can wall of the body of the can beverage to be induction heated in the holder. a temperature detector that detects temperature in a non-contact manner and sends out an output; an amplifier that amplifies the output of the temperature detector; and an output change measuring means that measures a change in the output of the amplifier for a certain period of time from the start of heating; a correction means for correcting and outputting the output of the amplifier based on the outputs of the output change measuring means and the can capacity detection means; comparing the output of the correction means with a determination value for terminating induction heating; and determining the output of the correction means; An induction heating device characterized by comprising a determining means for determining the end of heating if the value is reached, and a stop signal generating means for generating a stop signal to stop the high frequency power converter based on the determination result by the determining means. vending machine with.