JPH0554253A - Electronic thermal controller of automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To hold reference temperature data without any backup power source, to improve the reliability of the data holding, and to easily write and rewrite the reference temperature data through single hardware by storing the reference temperature data in an electrically erasable and programable nonvolatile memory.. CONSTITUTION:The electrically erasable and programable nonvolatile memory EEPROM 2b is stored with the reference temperature data and data for control except the reference temperature data are written in a ROM 2a in addition to the operation program of a CPU 1. The data for control includes reference temperature data (common temperature data) which is common to various automatic vending machines to be used in case of abnormality such as the destruction of the reference temperature data unless the reference temperature data are not written in the EEPROM 2b. An external input device 7 is used to write the reference temperature data in the EEPROM 2b. Consequently, the ROM 2b need not be referred to for each kind of automatic vending machine.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention controls the temperature of the inside of a vending machine (also abbreviated as a vending machine) for storing products to a predetermined set temperature by turning on or off a cooling or heating device (cooling device). Cold heat control device, especially electronic cold heat control device for vending machine, which is configured by combining temperature sensor such as thermistor and electronic circuit to make it easy to change set temperature due to differences in vending machine specifications and setting environment. Regarding In the following figures, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of an electronic cooling / heating control device of this type in a vending machine. In the figure, 5 is a main controller of the vending machine, and 6 is a keyboard for inputting data and commands to the main controller 5. Next, parts 1 to 4 constitute a so-called electronic thermostat (also abbreviated as electronic thermostat), 1 is a CPU which is the main body for controlling the electronic thermostat, 2a is a ROM as a non-volatile memory, 2c is a RAM, Reference numeral 3 is a thermistor as a temperature sensor, and 4 is a cooling or heating device (cooling device) such as a refrigerator or a heater. In addition to the operation program of the CPU 1, the ROM 2a shows data (referred to as reference temperature data) of the temperature range (upper and lower limit values) to be held for each product storage of the vending machine, and the relationship between the resistance of the thermistor and its detected temperature. Data etc. are written. Here, the CPU 1 checks the resistance value of the thermistor 3 at every predetermined cycle by reading the A / D converted value such as the voltage across the thermistor 3, and detects the detected resistance value and the ROM 2
The temperature detected by the thermistor 3 is known from the data stored in a, and the detected temperature is compared with the reference temperature data stored in the ROM 2a to turn the cooling / heating device 4 on or off to determine the temperature inside each vending machine. Keep within the set temperature range.

[0003]

By the way, the setting environment of the vending machine is various, and the cooling / heating control thereof is complicated. Therefore, the reference temperature data is also classified by model (the number of stored
The room temperature, the size, etc.) and the setting environment are different. Therefore, in the electronic cooling and heating control device having the configuration shown in FIG. 7, ROMs must be prepared for the number of pieces of data. Further, the reference temperature data can be changed only by exchanging the ROM, and it takes a lot of time and labor for the exchanging work in the market. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic cold heat control device for a vending machine that can solve this problem.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the electronic cooling control apparatus according to claim 1 is a temperature sensor (thermistor 3 which outputs an analog detection value corresponding to the temperature inside the vending machine. Etc.), cooling / heating means (cooling device 4 etc.) for cooling or heating the inside of the storage, and reading the A / D conversion value of the detection output of the temperature sensor to obtain the inside temperature, and the preset inside temperature. Control means (CPU 1 etc.) for reading the upper and lower limit values (hereinafter referred to as reference temperature data) and for turning on and off the cooling means so that the detected inside temperature is maintained within the set upper and lower limit values. In an electronic cooling and heating control device for a vending machine, the reference temperature data is set and stored in an E ² PROM (2b, etc.),

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic cold heat control device according to the first aspect, wherein the E ² P
The setting of the reference temperature data in the ROM is performed through an external input device (7 or the like) capable of connecting and disconnecting the connection to the electronic cooling / heating control device,

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic cold heat control device according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a ROM (2a etc.) for storing predetermined temperature data in place of the reference temperature data. When the reference temperature data of the E ² PROM cannot be used, the control means turns on the cooling / heating means by using the temperature data of the ROM,
To turn off,

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic cold heat control device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the reference temperature data set in the E ² PROM is R.
After being transferred to the AM (2c etc.), addition or subtraction of a predetermined minute temperature width is performed in this RAM as necessary (via the keyboard slave 6A, the main control section 5 etc.) to control the control means. Be used, and

According to another aspect of the electronic cooling / heating control apparatus of the present invention, in the electronic cooling / heating control apparatus of claim 3, the temperature data of the ROM used by the control means is stored in advance in the ROM.
From the RAM (2c, etc.)
In (1), if necessary (via the keyboard slave 6A, the main control section 5, etc.), a predetermined minute temperature range is added or subtracted so that it is used for the control means.

[0009]

[Operation] Non-volatile memory E ² PROM (Electrically Erasable) that can electrically write and erase reference temperature data
By storing the data in a programmable read only memory), it is possible to prevent the loss of data at the time of power failure without a backup power supply, and by connecting an external input device, it is possible to easily write and rewrite data.
By storing the reference temperature data in the E ² PROM in this way, the data can be held reliably and the data can be easily changed. Further, by changing the data from the external input device, the data can be changed only when necessary. However, in this way, it is not possible for the end user to fundamentally change the data, but fine adjustment is possible.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration as an embodiment of the present invention and corresponds to FIG. 1, an E ² PROM 2b and an external input device (also referred to as a presetter) 7 are newly provided in FIG. E ² PR here
The reference temperature data is stored in the OM2b and stored in the ROM2.
In addition to the operation program of the CPU 1, control data other than the reference temperature data is written in a. The control data is used when there is no reference temperature data written in the E ² PROM 2b or when the reference temperature data is destroyed and cannot be used.
The reference temperature data (also referred to as common temperature data) that is common to each model of the vending machine (that is, capable of performing minimum cooling / heating control) is included. The external input device 7 is a device used for writing the reference temperature data in the E ² PROM 2b,
Only during this writing (including rewriting), the CPU 1 is detachably connected.

FIG. 2 shows the reference temperature data E ² in FIG.
9 is a flowchart for writing to the PROM 2b or rewriting data of the E ² PROM 2b. In the following, the symbols S1 to S4 indicate the steps in FIG. Referring to FIG. 2 with reference to FIG. 1, first, the external input device 7 is connected to C
After connecting to PU1 (S1), the CPU 1 enters a mode in which data can be written in the E ² PROM 2b by operating a key (not shown) attached to the external input device 7 (S2). After that, when the reference temperature data is keyed in from the external input device 7 (S3), the CPU 1 writes this input data in the E ² PROM 2b. Then, after this data input is completed, an end command is sent from the external input device 7 to the CPU 1 to complete the writing or rewriting of the reference temperature data (S4).

Next, FIG. 3 is a flowchart in which the CPU 1 controls the cooling / heating device 4. In the following, the symbols S11 to S15 indicate the steps in the figure. That is, CPU1 is E ² PR
The inside of the OM 2b is checked to see if there is reference temperature data (S11). If there is data here, R
It moves to AM2c (S12). On the other hand, due to some factors (data not written, data defect, etc.), E ² PRO
If there is no data in M2b, the minimum necessary reference temperature data (common temperature data) previously stored in ROM2a is moved to RAM2c (S13). And CPU
In step 1, the data in the RAM 2c is added to the temperature fine adjustment data, which will be described later, stored in the main controller 5, and the RAM 2c is added.
It is stored again inside (S14). At this time, the temperature fine adjustment data stored in the main control unit 5 is data that can be changed by the keyboard 6. And CPU1 is RAM2
The cooling device 4 is controlled based on the reference temperature data stored in c in this way (S15).

Next, the present invention will be supplementarily described using a specific example of a vending machine. FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of a vending machine which is the subject of this supplementary explanation. In the figure, CH1 to CH4 are inside of the goods storage, and are also referred to as inside # 1 to inside # 4, respectively. Here, the inside # 1 is the inside only for cooling, and the inside # 2 to the inside #
Reference numeral 4 denotes an inside where the cooling or heating can be switched. Further, 3 (3-1 to 3-4) are thermistors for detecting the temperatures of the inside # 1 to the inside # 4, respectively, 4H (4H-1, 4H).
-2, 4H-3) are heaters (heater # 1 to heater #) as in-compartment heating devices provided in the in-compartment # 2 to in-compartment # 4, respectively.
3). Next, 4c is a refrigerator, 4E (4E-
1) is an evaporator as a cooling device for cooling the inside # 1 and the inside # 2, and 4E (4E-2) is the inside # 3 and the inside #
The evaporator 4V (4V-1) for cooling 4 is a valve (also referred to as valve # 1) for connecting and disconnecting the refrigerant sent from the refrigerator 4c to the evaporator 4E-1, and 4V (4V-
2) is a valve (also referred to as valve # 2) for connecting and disconnecting the refrigerant sent from the refrigerator 4c to the evaporator 4E-2.

In addition, 4S (4S-1) is the inside # 1 and the inside #
This drawing shows a state in which the introduction hole 11A is opened by a shutter which opens and closes the cold air introduction hole 11A provided in the partition wall between the two. The shutter 4S-1 is mechanically configured to interlock with a micro switch (not shown). In the state shown in the figure, the micro switch is turned off, the heater 4H-1 is deenergized, and 2 is cooled. Similarly, 4S (4S-2) is also a shutter that opens and closes the cold air introduction hole 11B provided in the partition between the inside # 3 and the inside # 4, and this figure shows the state where the introduction hole 11B is closed. .. The shutter 4S-2 is also mechanically configured so as to interlock with another micro switch (not shown). When the shutter 4S-2 is opened, the micro switch is turned off and the heater 4H-3 is prevented from being energized. Then, # 4 in the refrigerator can be cooled. Reference numeral 12 is a switch (abbreviated as H / C changeover switch) for switching cooling or heating of the inside # 3.
This switch is in the OFF state in the cooling mode.

When cooling the inside # 1 and the inside # 2, these 2
When both chambers reach the OFF temperature of the valve # 1, the valve # 1 is turned off, while the chamber # 1 or the chamber # 2 is turned off.
Valve reaches the ON temperature of valve # 1, valve # 1 turns O
N is done. Similarly, when cooling inside # 3 and inside # 4, these 2
When both chambers reach the OFF temperature of the valve # 2, the valve # 2 is turned off, while the chamber # 3 or the chamber # 4.
When the temperature reaches the ON temperature of valve # 2, valve # 2 turns O
N is done. In addition, heaters # 1 to # 3 are inside the storage chambers #
Each of 2 to # 4 operates independently, and is turned on when each ON temperature is reached, and turned OFF when each OFF temperature is reached.

FIG. 6 shows a valve # 1, a valve # 2, and a heater # for each combination (cooling mode MD) of cooling (represented by C) and heating (represented by H) in each of the compartments # 1 to # 4. 1
~ Table data defining the above-mentioned ON temperature and OFF temperature of the heater # 3, which is the above-mentioned reference temperature data set in the E ² PROM 2b.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main structure of the control circuit of the vending machine shown in FIG. 5 and corresponds to FIG. In FIG. 4, the thermistor 3 is composed of four thermistors 3-1 to 3-4 for the inside # 1 to the inside # 4 in comparison with FIG. 1, and the cooling / heating device 4 is a refrigerator 4C and valves 4V-1 and 4V-. 2, heaters 4H1 to 4H3. Further, the keyboard 6 in FIG. 1 is a keyboard slave 6A as a slave control unit for controlling sharing of a keyboard (not shown) under the control of the main control unit 5 in FIG.
Has been replaced by. That is, the keyboard slave 6A is connected to the main control unit 5 via the two-wire type transmission line 11, and controls the keyboard while communicating with the main control unit 5.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a 2-wire transmission line 12 on the CPU 1 side, a 2-wire transmission line 13 on the external input device 7 side, or the main controller 5.
It is a switching coupler that is switched and connected to the two-wire type transmission line 11 on the side. When this vending machine is adjusted before factory shipment, CP
U1 is connected to the external input device 7 via the switching coupler 10. However, during normal operation thereafter, the CPU 1 operates as the switching coupler 1
0 is connected to the main control unit 5 side and becomes one of the sub-control units to perform the above-mentioned cold heat control under the control of the main control unit 5.

As described above, the ROM 2a stores therein the common temperature data as the reference temperature data capable of performing the minimum cooling / heating control common to the respective models of the vending machine. 4V for controlling the refrigerator 4C, which is a cooling device, assuming a number of four-room vending machines
Common ON points and OFF points of -1, 4V-2 and common ON points of heaters 4H-1 to 4H-3, which are heating devices,
It consists of four data of the OFF point, and is data that does not strictly match the cooling / heating characteristics in each compartment. If the common temperature data is abnormal in the E ² PROM 2b, for example, when the CPU 1 runs out of control and writes the abnormal data in the E ² PROM 2b, or when the first power is turned on, the common temperature data will be described in step S13 of FIG. From ROM2a to RA
It is transferred to M2c. The structure of the temperature data in the RAM 2c needs to be as shown in FIG. 6 for each cooling / heating mode. In this case, ON / OFF of each valve and heater
Each point has a ROM regardless of the valve number or heater number.
The common temperature data stored in 2a is stored.

By the way, when adjusting the factory shipment of the vending machine, C
PU1 is connected to the external input device 7 via the switching coupler 10, and as described in the flowchart of FIG.
Written in ² PROM2b or already E ² PROM2,
The reference temperature data having the structure as shown in FIG. 6 written in b is rewritten. In this case, an identification code is defined for each of the 12 vertical sections in the column of the cooling / heating mode MD in the table data of FIG. 6, and the combination data of this identification code and the ON or OFF temperature of the corresponding valve or heater are The data is transmitted from the external input device 7 to the CPU 1 as setting data or setting change data, and the CPU 1 sets or changes the data of the corresponding item in the data table of FIG. 6 by looking at this identification code.

Next, when the vending machine actually operates at the installation site, the CPU 1 is connected to the main control section 5 via the switching coupler 10. In this state, the reference temperature data in the E ² PROM 2b cannot be changed. This is because if the wrong temperature data is set without sufficient knowledge of the cooling / heating characteristics of the vending machine at the installation site of the vending machine, serious trouble may occur. However, there are cases where it is desired to slightly change the reference temperature data at the time of factory shipment depending on the installation environment and the like. Therefore, such fine adjustment (processing) of the temperature setting data can be performed as follows.

That is, first, the keyboard slave 6A inputs the desired temperature, that is, the fine adjustment data of the inside temperature to the main controller 5. Here, the fine adjustment data of the temperature inside the chamber is a five-step adjustment of “high, slightly high, normal, slightly low, low”,
Each interval is 2 [° C.], and there are 8 data for 4 compartments and cooling / heating. Then, the CPU 1 receives this fine adjustment data from the main controller 5 and adds it to the corresponding temperature data in the RAM 2a, as described in step S14 of FIG. This fine adjustment data is always transmitted to the CPU 1 when the power is turned on, and this processing is performed every time the power is turned on or each time the fine adjustment data setting is changed. When the main control unit 5 has a memory abnormality, the main control unit 5 “normally” tells the CPU 1.
That is, data that means no processing is transmitted.

[0023]

According to the invention of claim 1, in the cooling / heating control device for controlling the cooling / heating device by using the reference temperature data stored in the storage unit, using the sensor whose resistance changes with temperature, the reference temperature data is used. Since it was decided to store it in an electrically writable and erasable non-volatile memory (E ² PROM), it is possible to retain the reference temperature data without a backup power supply, improving the reliability of data retention and using a single hardware. The reference temperature data can be easily written and rewritten.

Next, according to the invention of claim 2, the reference temperature data is written and rewritten by the external input device. Therefore, the data writing and rewriting work can be performed only by a person who has the external input device. You can make it impossible. Therefore, the data cannot be changed by a third party.

According to the invention of claim 3, E ² P
When there is no data in the ROM, the minimum necessary reference temperature data stored in the ROM in advance is used, so that it is possible to prevent the situation in which the cooling / heating device cannot be controlled due to an abnormality.

Further, according to the invention as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, the reference temperature data in the E ² PROM or ROM is transferred to the RAM and used for cooling / heating control. At this time, the temperature transferred to the RAM is used. Since the data can be finely adjusted with the keyboard as needed, it is possible to perform detailed cooling and heating control according to the installation environment while preventing basic changes in the reference temperature data at the installation location of the vending machine. ..

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation when writing reference temperature data in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation during cold heat control in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration example of FIG.

5 is a principle structural diagram of a vending machine corresponding to FIG.

6 is a diagram showing the configuration of table data in the E ² PROM of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a conventional block diagram corresponding to FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

^{1 CPU 2a ROM 2b E 2 PROM} 2c RAM 3 (3-1~3-4) thermistor 4 cooling and heating device (cold unit) 4c refrigerator 4V (4V-1,4V-2) Valve 4H (4H-. 1 to 4H-3) Heater 5 Main control unit 6 Keyboard 6A Keyboard slave 7 External input device 10 Switching coupler l1 to l3 Transmission path MD Cold heat mode

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A temperature sensor that outputs an analog detection value corresponding to the temperature inside the vending machine, a cooling / heating unit that cools or heats the inside of the vending machine, and an A / D conversion value of the detection output of the temperature sensor is read. In addition to obtaining the inside temperature, the preset upper and lower limit values of the inside temperature (hereinafter referred to as reference temperature data) are read so that the detected inside temperature is maintained within the set upper and lower limits. An electronic cooling / heating control device for a vending machine, further comprising control means for turning on / off the cooling / heating means, characterized in that the reference temperature data is set and stored in an E ² PROM. Cold heat control device. 2. The electronic cooling / heating control device according to claim 1, wherein the reference temperature data is set in the E ² PROM via an external input device capable of connecting / disconnecting the connection to the electronic cooling / heating control device. An electronic cooling and heating control device for a vending machine, which is characterized by being performed by 3. The electronic cooling / heating control device according to claim 1, further comprising a ROM that stores predetermined temperature data in place of the reference temperature data, the E ² PRO.
An electronic cooling / heating control device for a vending machine, wherein when the reference temperature data of M cannot be used, the control means turns on / off the cooling / heating means by using the temperature data of the ROM. 4. The electronic cooling / heating control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reference temperature data set in the E ² PROM is transferred to a RAM, and a predetermined minute amount is also stored in the RAM when necessary. An electronic cooling / heating control device for a vending machine, which is used for controlling the control means by performing addition or subtraction of the temperature range of the above. 5. The electronic cooling / heating control device according to claim 3, wherein the temperature data of the ROM used by the control means is transferred from the ROM to the RAM in advance, and a predetermined minute amount is also stored in the RAM. An electronic cooling / heating control device for a vending machine, which is used for the control means by performing addition or subtraction of the temperature range of the above.