JPH0480316B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an automatic ice supply device used, for example, in a vending machine.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, this type of automatic ice supply device has a system that stores ice based on the supply amount of ice used for sales and the standard release amount per unit time, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-52474. A device that determines the time for ice to be discharged from the ice storage chamber and supplies ice based on that time, or, as seen in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 61-93773, a metering portion is formed outside the ice discharge port of the ice storage chamber. A device is known in which a fixed amount of ice is once stored in the metering section and then supplied.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) The former method has the advantage of being able to easily deal with different ice supply amounts by changing the discharge time, but the amount of ice discharged from the ice discharge port at that time It is not always constant depending on the condition of the ice in the ice storage room and the amount of ice in the ice storage room. Therefore, when the amount of ice supplied is large, the error becomes large, and especially when the error is on the negative side, the amount of ice that should be released is not always constant. There was a problem because the amount of ice actually released was smaller than the actual amount.

In addition, the latter type has the advantage that there is not much error in the amount of ice supplied because a fixed amount of ice is stored in the metering section once and then supplied. However, if the amount of ice supplied varies, This requires a configuration in which a large number of metering units with different capacities are provided and used selectively, which makes the configuration considerably complex and is practically impractical for devices that utilize limited space such as vending machines. There was a problem that made it impossible.

Furthermore, a measuring mechanism is installed outside the ice outlet of the ice storage compartment to measure and supply ice (Utility Model 54-
69895), but devices that use a metering mechanism like this have the advantage of being able to easily deal with different supply amounts and having fewer errors, but they do have the advantage of being able to easily deal with different supply amounts and have fewer errors. There was a problem in that it was difficult to determine the timing to end the measurement, and if the timing was incorrect, a large error would occur.
There was also the problem that the configuration became complicated and heavy.

This invention has been made in view of these points, and aims to provide an automatic ice supply device that has few errors, can easily cope with various ice supply amounts, and has a simple configuration. .

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides an ice automatic supply device that automatically supplies different amounts of ice from an ice storage compartment in response to selection operations of a plurality of selection switches. A first shutter mechanism that opens and closes a shutter provided at the discharge port, a second shutter mechanism that opens and closes a shutter of a quantitative portion formed on the outside of the shutter of the first shutter mechanism, and ice supply. The amount is X, the amount of ice that can be stored in the metering section is W, the standard release amount per unit time is Y, and the preset trace amount is α(W
≫α) When X≦W−α, the release time T is determined from the supply amount X and the reference release amount Y, and the first and second shutter mechanisms are operated for that time T to supply ice. a first ice supply control means; and W≧X
>W-α, a second ice supply control means operates the first shutter mechanism to store a quantity W of ice in the metering section and then operates the second shutter mechanism to supply ice; >W then X≦W−α
Or, repeat the control of operating the first shutter mechanism until W≧X>W−α to store a quantity W of ice in the metering section and then operating the second shutter mechanism to supply ice, and ≦W-α or W≧X>W
-α, a third ice supply control means is provided which operates the first ice supply control means or the second ice supply control means depending on the result.

(Function) In the present invention having such a configuration, the amount of ice supplied
-α, that is, when the amount of ice supplied is relatively small, the release time T is determined from the supply amount X and the standard release amount Y, and the first and second shutter mechanisms are operated for that time T to remove the ice. Open the discharge channel and supply ice.

Also, when W≧X>W−α, that is, the supply amount
When the amount W is equal to or slightly less than the amount W of the metering section, a fixed amount of ice is temporarily stored in the metering section, and then the second shutter mechanism is operated to supply ice.

Furthermore, when X>W, that is, when the supply amount Then, the final supply is performed by determining the release time T, and when W≧X>W−α, the final supply is performed using the metering section.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention will be described using a vending machine.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an ice making device, where 1 is a freezing section and 2 is an ice storage section.

The freezing section 1 is provided with a screw 3 at the center, and a water storage chamber 4 is formed around the screw 3, and the water storage chamber 4 accommodates water supplied from a water supply port 5 up to a predetermined level. . A freezing casing 6 whose outside is surrounded by a heat insulating material is arranged around the water storage chamber 4.

The ice storage section 2 is provided with a rotating body 9 in the center equipped with blades 8 for stirring the ice stored in the ice storage chamber 7, and a balance plate 10 is provided above so as to be movable up and down. This balance plate 10 flattens the ice in the ice storage compartment 7 and measures the ice volume. When the balance plate 10 rises to a predetermined height, a micro switch 11 is activated to stop the ice making operation. .

An ice outlet 12 is provided on the lower side of the ice storage section 2, and a shutter 13 is provided at the outlet 12. The shutter 13 is opened and closed by a first shutter mechanism 14 having a solenoid.

Further, a metering section 15 capable of storing a quantity W of ice is formed outside the shutter 13, and an L-shaped shutter 16 is provided in the metering section 15, and the shutter 16 is connected to a second shutter mechanism 17 having a solenoid. It is designed to be opened and closed by the

An ice guide chute 18 is provided below the shutter 16 which is driven to open and close by the second shutter mechanism 17. This chute 18 is internally divided into two guide paths 18a, 18b, and a partition plate 19 is provided at the branching portion of each guide path 18a, 18b so as to be rotatable about one end. The partition plate 19 is rotationally controlled by a solenoid (not shown), and its rotation opens one guide path and closes the other guide path.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the guide paths 18a and 18b has a structure in which the lower part is located at one corner of the outside of the chute 18, and is inclined from the upper part to the lower part.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration. Reference numeral 21 includes a timer 21a, a memory 21b, the amount of ice supplied to the beverage liquid This is W's 10
Preferably within %. ) is set in table 21c.
22 is an input port, and 23 is an output port. The microprocessor 21 and each port 22, 23 are connected via a bus line.

For example, "iced coffee", "syrup A", "syrup B", "syrup C" are input to the input port 22.
A signal from the "iced black tea" selection switch 24 and a signal from the coin mechanism 25 are input.

An iced coffee valve 26 that controls the release of the iced coffee stock solution from the output port 23;
Syrup A valve 27 for controlling the release of syrup A stock solution, syrup B valve 28 for controlling the release of syrup B stock solution, syrup C valve 29 for controlling the release of syrup C stock solution, and iced black tea valve for controlling the release of iced black tea stock solution. Thirty control signals are output respectively.

Further, from the output port 23, a cold water valve 31 for controlling the release of cold water, a carbonated water valve 32 for controlling the release of carbonated water, the first shutter mechanism 14, the second shutter mechanism 17, and the partition plate 19 are connected. Shute solenoid 3 that controls rotation
3.Cup A to set the sales opening part of cup A
Control signals for the solenoid 34 and the cup B solenoid 34 for setting the cup B to the sales opening are respectively output.

Further, from the output port 23, a control signal for the freezing section 1 of the ice making apparatus described above, a control signal for the ice discharging mechanism 36 that controls the rotation of the rotating body 9, a display of the amount of money inserted into the coin mechanism 25, and a display of the selection switch 24 are provided. A control signal for a display 37 for displaying the operation details, etc., is outputted respectively.

In addition, among the above-mentioned beverages, "iced coffee" and "iced black tea" have a small amount, and the cup used is a small cup A, and "syrup A", "syrup B", and "syrup C" have a large amount, The larger cup B is used.

A program is incorporated into the microprocessor 21 to carry out the sales process shown in FIG. That is, when money is inserted into the coin mechanism 25 and the selection switch 24 is selectively operated, the ice supply amount X determined by the operated selection switch 24 is read from the table 21c and set in the memory 21b. do. Then table 2
Read the quantitative amount W and trace amount α from 1c, X≦W−α
Let's compare. And the result of this comparison is X≦W−
If it is α, read out the standard release amount Y from the table 21c, and calculate X/Y from the release amount Y and the supply amount X.
The following calculation is performed to obtain the release time T, and it is set in the memory 21b. Then set time T to timer 2.
1a and the ice release mechanism 36 and the first and second
The shutter mechanisms 14 and 17 are operated for T time. That is, each shutter 13, 16 is opened for T time, and the rotating body 9 is rotated for T time to complete the ice supply operation.

Further, if the result of the above comparison is W≧X>W−α, the ice discharging mechanism 36 and the first shutter mechanism 14 are operated for a predetermined period of time, and the quantitative amount W
Fill with ice. Then, the operation of the ice discharging mechanism 36 is stopped and the second shutter mechanism b is operated to discharge the ice from the metering section 15, and the ice supply operation is completed.

Furthermore, if the result of the comparison is X>W, first the ice discharge mechanism 36 and the first shutter mechanism 14 are operated for a predetermined period of time to fill the quantitative unit 15 with a quantity W of ice. Then, the operation of the ice discharge mechanism 36 is stopped, the second shutter mechanism b is operated, and the quantitative determination section 15
of ice is released. Subsequently, the calculation of X-W is performed and the obtained result is set as a new X. And again X≦
A comparison of W-α is performed. As a result, if X≦W-α, read out the reference release amount Y from the table 21c, perform the calculation of X/Y from the release amount Y and the supply amount X, calculate the release time T, and store it in the memory 21b.
Set to . Subsequently, a time T is set in the timer 21a, and the ice discharge mechanism 36 and the first and second shutter mechanisms 14 and 17 are operated for the time T, thereby completing the ice supply operation. Further, if W≧X>W−α, the ice discharging mechanism 36 and the first shutter mechanism 14 are operated for a predetermined period of time to fill the quantitative unit 15 with a quantity W of ice. Then, the operation of the ice discharging mechanism 36 is stopped, the second shutter mechanism b is operated, and the quantitative determination section 15
The ice supply operation is completed by discharging the ice. If X>W, the ice discharging mechanism 36 and the first shutter mechanism 14 are operated again for a predetermined period of time to fill the metering section 15 with a quantity W of ice, and the second shutter mechanism b is operated. release the ice again. Then, the calculation of X-W is performed again, and the obtained result is set as a new X. Then, the comparison of X≦W−α is performed again. The above process is then repeated until X≦W-α or W≧X>W-α, and X≦
When W-α or W≧X>W-α, the corresponding processes are performed and the ice supply operation is ended.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, when a predetermined amount of coins is inserted into the coin mechanism 25 and the selection switch 24 is operated, for example, the selection switch for a relatively small amount of iced coffee, the cup A solenoid 34 is activated. Cup A is set in the sales opening. Then, the amount of ice supplied from table 21c is X,
The quantitative amount W and the trace amount α are read out and set in the memory 21b. A comparison of X≧W−α is then performed. The supply amount X of this “iced coffee” is X≧W
-α, the reference release amount Y is further read out from the table 21c and set in the memory 21b, and the release time T is determined by calculating X/Y. Based on this release time T, the timer 21a is operated, the ice release mechanism 36 and the first and second shutter mechanisms 14, 17 are operated, and ice is released from the release port 12 of the ice storage compartment 7 through the chute 18. and is supplied to cup A. Cup A is thus supplied with a time-controlled amount of ice. The iced coffee valve 26 and the cold water valve 31 are also operated for a predetermined period of time to supply the iced coffee stock solution and cold water to the cup A. In this way, cup A contains iced coffee along with ice.

For example, when the selection switch for syrup A, which has a relatively large quantity, is operated, the cup B solenoid 35 is operated and cup B is set in the sales opening. Then, the ice supply amount X, quantity W, and trace amount α are read out from the table 21c and set in the memory 21b. A comparison of X≧W−α is then performed. Assuming that the supplied amount Can be packed. And quantitative part 15
When a quantity W of ice is stored in the cup B, the second shutter mechanism 17 is operated and the ice in the quantity unit 15 is supplied to the cup B via the chute 18. In this way, cup B is supplied with the amount X of ice measured by metering section 15. The syrup A valve 27 and the carbonated water valve 32 are also operated for a predetermined period of time to supply the syrup A stock solution and carbonated water to the cup B. In this way, syrup A enters cup B along with ice.

Furthermore, for example, "Syrup C" is selected, and the supply amount X of this "Syrup C" is W<X≦W+W-α
If so, first the ice discharge mechanism 36 and the first
The shutter mechanism 14 operates for a predetermined period of time, and the ice in the ice storage chamber 7 is filled into the metering section 15. When the amount W of ice is stored in the metering section 15, the second shutter mechanism 17 is operated to supply the ice in the metering section 15 to the cup B via the chute 18. Subsequently, X≦W-α is checked, the reference release amount Y is read from the table 21c, and the release time T is determined by calculating X/Y. Then, the timer 21a is operated based on this release time T, and the ice release mechanism 36 and the first and second shutter mechanisms 1
4 and 17 are operated, and ice is additionally supplied from the outlet 12 of the ice storage chamber 7 to the cup B via the chute 18. In this way, ice is supplied to the cup B in an amount equal to the sum of the amount W measured by the metering section 15 and the amount controlled by time. The syrup C valve 29 and carbonated water valve 32 are also operated for a predetermined period of time to supply syrup C undiluted solution and carbonated water to cup B.
supplied to In this way, cup B has syrup C.
will be included with the ice.

In this way, when the supplied amount of ice X is relatively small, there is not much error, so controlling the ice supplied amount by time, and when the ice supplied amount X is a fixed amount W, controlling by time will increase the error. Therefore, the quantitative unit 15 measures the amount of ice and supplies the amount of ice with a small error. Further, even when the supply amount is close to the quantity W (X>W-α), it is possible to serve the customer by adding the quantity W of ice. Furthermore, the supply amount X is a fixed amount W
When the amount exceeds the amount, the amount is basically measured and supplied by the quantitative unit 15, and when the amount is less than the amount, the amount is supplied under time control, so that errors can be reduced in this case as well.

In this way, not only is measurement performed by the quantitative unit 15, but also time-controlled supply is used, so that it is possible to easily deal with various types of ice supply amounts. Furthermore, the configuration and control are simpler than those using a weighing device that measures the weight of ice.

In addition, ice directly discharged from the discharge port 12 of the water storage chamber 7 or ice discharged after being stored in the metering section 15 is supplied to the cup B via the chute 18, but the cup is guided by its size. Road 18a,
18b, and the partition plate 19 is switched accordingly. When the partition plate 19 is switched to either direction, one guide path is formed, but the side surface of the guide path on the partition plate 19 side is inclined, and the side surface on the opposite side is vertical.
Even if the released ice falls at the same time, ice falling on an inclined surface will pass through the guide path later than ice falling vertically. Therefore, the ice does not fall in a lump at the bottom of the guideway, and there is no risk of ice clogging the guideway. That is, the ice falls smoothly down the guide path and is supplied to the cup.

In addition, although the above-mentioned embodiment described the application of this invention to a vending machine, it goes without saying that the present invention is not necessarily limited to this.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic ice supply device that has few errors, can easily cope with various ice supply amounts, and has a simple configuration.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figures show an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an ice making device, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the sales control processing of the microprocessor. 1... Refrigeration section, 2... Ice storage section, 7... Water storage chamber,
9... Rotating body, 12... Discharge port, 13... Shutter, 14... First shutter mechanism, 15...
quantitative unit, 16... shutter, 17... second shutter mechanism, 21... microprocessor, 2
1a...Timer, 21b...Memory, 21c...
...Table, 36...Ice release mechanism.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An automatic ice supply device that automatically supplies different amounts of ice from an ice storage compartment in response to selection operations of a plurality of selection switches, comprising: a first shutter mechanism that opens and closes a shutter provided at an ice outlet of the ice storage compartment; , a second shutter mechanism that opens and closes the shutter of the metering section formed on the outside of the shutter of the first shutter mechanism, the amount of ice supplied is X, the amount of ice that can be stored in the metering section is W, per unit time. The standard release amount is Y, and the preset trace amount is α (W≫α)
Then, when X≦W-α, the ice is supplied by calculating the release time T from the supply amount X and the reference release amount Y, and operating the first and second shutter mechanisms for the time T. ice supply control means, and W≧X>
a second ice supply control means that operates the first shutter mechanism to store a quantity W of ice in the metering section when W-α, and then operates the second shutter mechanism to supply ice; When X>W, X≦
After operating the first shutter mechanism until W-α or W≧X>W-α and storing a quantity W of ice in the quantitative unit, operating the second shutter mechanism to supply ice. Repeat the control until X≦W−α
or an ice automatic ice supply device characterized in that a third ice supply control means is provided that operates the first ice supply control means or the second ice supply control means according to the result when W≧X>W−α. Feeding device.