JPH087167A - Power saving device for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save the power of an automatic vending machine so as to evade a power peak while minimizing the loss of sales opportunities. CONSTITUTION:A main control part 8 makes a cooling and heating control means 7 detect temperatures inside containers by intra-container temperature sensors 2 and perform control so as to let the container of a heating object be the temperature set in a storage means 9 beforehand by a heater 1 and the container of a cooling object be the temperature by a heat exchange through a compressor 6 and a valve 5. In the meantime, the main control part 8 detects an outdoor air temperature by an outdoor air temperature sensor 3 and detects a sales amount (sales frequency) per prescribed time by a sales amount detection means 10. Then, when the outdoor air temperature exceeds a prescribed value likely to generate the power peak and the sales frequency is lower than the prescribed value, a power saving operation such as shifting the intra-container set temperature is performed through the cooling and heating control means 7.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is
The present invention relates to a power saving device for a vending machine that limits or cuts off electric power to a vending machine (hereinafter abbreviated as vending machine). In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vending machine that cools or heats a product in a refrigerator and stores it for sale is a compressor for cooling a product,
Alternatively, the product heating heater is stopped at a predetermined time, and its ON temperature and OFF temperature are changed to save power.

[0003]

However, there are times when the demand for electric power exceeds the supply capacity of the power source, such as during the daytime in summer, and there is also a large demand for electric power for the vending machine. It is desirable to be able to reduce. Therefore, in the conventional power saving device of the vending machine, the power is saved only for a predetermined time as described above, and the power saving time is set at night when there are few missed sales opportunities. There was a problem that the power saving timings do not always coincide with each other at the peak of power consumption.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a power saving device for a vending machine, which can reduce the power demand of the vending machine while avoiding the opportunity of sale as much as possible at the peak of electric power.

[0005]

Means for solving the above-mentioned problems are as follows for the power-saving device according to each claim. (1) Power-saving device according to claim 1 A means for detecting the outside air temperature in an automatic vending machine that stores and sells a product in a refrigerator that is cooled or heated to a predetermined temperature and that saves power based on a power-saving command. A unit for detecting a sales frequency as a sales amount of a product per predetermined time, and a unit for outputting the power saving command when the outside air temperature exceeds a predetermined value and the sales frequency is below a predetermined value. Equipped with.

(2) Power-saving device according to claim 2 A plurality of automatic vending machines that store and sell products in a refrigerator that has been cooled or heated to a predetermined temperature and that sell the products, and a power-saving command, and a communication line. In a system consisting of a host computer that transmits and receives various data to and from each of the above-mentioned vending machines, each of the above-mentioned vending machines is a means for detecting a sales frequency as a sales amount of a product per predetermined time, and And a means for transmitting the sales frequency to the host computer via the communication line, wherein the host computer calculates the number of power-saving target vending machines required to avoid the power peak at the time of peak power. Then
A means for transmitting a power saving command through the communication line to the vending machines for the number of units in order from the vending machine with the least sales frequency is provided.

(3) Power-saving device according to claim 3 In the power-saving device according to claim 2, the vending machines are grouped according to those installed in close proximity,
A group number is attached to each, and means for transmitting the own group number together with the sales frequency to a host computer, the host computer, within the number of the vending machine of the power saving target calculated at the peak of power,
When all the vending machines that belong to the same group are included, the vending machine having the highest sales frequency in the group is provided with a means for excluding power saving.

(4) Power-saving device according to claim 4 A plurality of automatic vending machines that store and sell products in a refrigerator that has been cooled or heated to a predetermined temperature and sell them, and also save power based on a power-saving command, and a communication line. In a system consisting of a host computer that sends and receives various data to and from each of the above-mentioned vending machines, each of the above-mentioned vending machines includes means for detecting the amount of electric power accumulated for a predetermined time, and this amount of electric power Means for transmitting to the host computer via a communication line, the host computer, when the power peak, there is no vending machine in which the amount of power accumulated for the predetermined time exceeds a predetermined value, and the maximum amount of power When the difference in the amount of electric power between the vending machine of No. 2 and the vending machine having the next largest amount of electric power is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the vending machine with the maximum amount of electric power is fed through the communication line to A means for transmitting a power command is provided.

(5) Power-saving device according to claim 5: A plurality of vending machines that store and sell products in a refrigerator that is cooled or heated to a predetermined temperature and sell the products, and save power based on a power-saving command, and a communication line. In a system consisting of a host computer that sends and receives various data to and from each of the above-mentioned vending machines, each of the above-mentioned vending machines includes means for detecting the amount of electric power accumulated for a predetermined time, and this amount of electric power A means for transmitting to a host computer via a communication line and a group for each installed in close proximity,
Each is provided with a group number, and means for transmitting its own group number together with the power amount to a host computer is provided, and the host computer is configured such that, at the peak of power, the power amount accumulated for the predetermined time exceeds a predetermined value. If there are vending machines that are in the same group and all vending machines that belong to the same group are included, the amount of electricity exceeds the maximum amount of electricity of the vending machine in the other groups,
A means for transmitting a power saving command to all the vending machines in the same group via the communication line is provided.

(6) Power-saving device according to claim 6: A plurality of vending machines that store and sell products in a refrigerator that is cooled or heated to a predetermined temperature and sell the products, and save electricity based on a power-saving command, and a communication line. In a system consisting of a host computer that sends and receives various data to and from each of the above-mentioned vending machines, each of the above-mentioned vending machines includes means for detecting the amount of electric power accumulated for a predetermined time, and this amount of electric power A means for transmitting to a host computer via a communication line and a group for each installed in close proximity,
Each is provided with a group number, and means for transmitting its own group number to a host computer is provided. The host computer is an automatic vending machine in which the amount of power accumulated for the above-mentioned predetermined time exceeds a predetermined value at the peak of power. And a means for transmitting a power saving command to the machine via the communication line.

[0011]

[Action]

(1) Regarding the invention related to claim 1 (hereinafter referred to as the first invention) The outside air temperature at which electric power is expected to reach a peak, and the sales amount per predetermined time when it is determined that the sales frequency is low enough to conserve electricity To the vending machine using the keyboard in advance. Then, when the outside air temperature exceeds the set temperature, that is, when the electric power peaks, the vending machine whose sales amount per predetermined time is less than the set value starts saving power, and when the outside air temperature becomes (set temperature) -α, That is, the power saving should be terminated when the power is no longer peaking.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the excessive demand for electric power from the vending machine at the peak of electric power. (2) About the invention according to claim 2 (hereinafter referred to as the second invention) Each vending machine and a host computer are connected by a communication line. Each vending machine transmits the sales amount per predetermined time to the host computer, and the host computer totalizes the sales amount. At the peak of electric power, the host computer transmits the power saving command to the vending machines of the number which can avoid the excessive power demand in order from the vending machine having a small sales amount per predetermined time.

As a result, at the peak of electric power, it is possible to conserve power by the number of vending machines necessary for avoiding excessive demand for electric power of the vending machines, and only by the vending machine that is optimal in terms of sales volume. (3) Regarding the invention relating to claim 3 (hereinafter referred to as the third invention) Each vending machine transmits the group number input from the keyboard in advance at the time of installation to the host computer together with the sales amount. At the peak of electric power, the host computer starts from the vending machine with the smallest sales volume per predetermined time in order.
List the number of vending machines that can avoid excessive power demand. Next, the host computer determines whether or not all the vending machines with the same group number are listed as power saving targets, and if so, only the vending machine with the largest sales volume per given time within that group is selected. Remove from the list, and send the power saving command to the other listed vending machines.

As a result, at least one of the vending machines of the same group installed in close proximity can be sold, so that the number of vending machines necessary for avoiding excessive power demand can be saved and an opportunity for sale is available. You can prevent loss. (4) Regarding the invention related to claim 4 (hereinafter referred to as the fourth invention) Each vending machine transmits the electric energy accumulated for a predetermined time to the host computer, and the host computer totalizes the electric energy.
At the peak of electric power, when the amount of electric power accumulated for a predetermined time does not exceed the predetermined value, the host computer presets the difference in the amount of electric power between the vending machine with the maximum electric power and the vending machine with the next largest electric power. If it is more than the amount of electric power, the power saving command is transmitted to the vending machine with the maximum amount of electric power.

Thus, the vending machine having the maximum amount of electric power can be saved at the peak of electric power. (5) Regarding the invention relating to claim 5 (hereinafter referred to as the fifth invention), each vending machine transmits its own group number to the host computer together with the electric energy accumulated for a predetermined time. At the peak of electric power, the host computer determines whether or not there are vending machines in which the amount of electric power accumulated for a predetermined time exceeds a predetermined value and all vending machines belonging to the same group are included. When included, the power saving command is sent to all the vending machines in the same group whose electric power amount exceeds the maximum electric power amount of the vending machine in the other groups.

[0016] Thus, at the peak of electric power, the vending machine whose electric power amount exceeds a predetermined value can be saved, and the loss of sales opportunity can be prevented. (6) Regarding the Invention Concerning Claim 6 (hereinafter referred to as the sixth invention) Each vending machine transmits its own group number to the host computer together with the amount of electric power accumulated for a predetermined time. At the peak of electric power, the host computer sends a power saving command to the vending machine in which the amount of electric power accumulated for a predetermined time exceeds a predetermined value.

Thus, at the peak of electric power, the vending machine whose electric power amount exceeds a predetermined value can be saved.

[0018]

【Example】

(1) First Invention FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vending machine as an embodiment of the first invention. In the figure, 1 is a heater for heating the inside of the refrigerator, 2 is a sensor for detecting the temperature inside the refrigerator, 3 is a sensor for detecting the outside air temperature, 4 is a heat exchanger for cooling the inside of the refrigerator, and 5 is a cooler for cooling the inside of the refrigerator. A valve for opening and closing the refrigerant pipe, 6 a compressor for compressing the refrigerant, 7 a cooling / heating control means for turning on / off the heater 1, valve 5 and compressor 6 based on a set temperature, 8 a CPU, a memory, etc. The main control unit of the vending machine, 9 is a data storage unit (RAM) built in the main control unit, 10 is a product sales amount detection unit that detects the sales amount of the product, and 11 is data to the main control unit 8. A keyboard for inputting, a clock 12 for determining the time, and a display means 13 for externally displaying the state of the vending machine.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the main part of FIG. 1, and S11 to S17 are the steps. The flowchart of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S11, the main control unit 8 determines whether power saving is currently being performed. If the power is being saved, the process proceeds to step S15. If not, the process proceeds to step S12. Next, in step S12,
The temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 3 by the main control unit 8 is inputted in advance from the keyboard 11 and the data storage means 9 is inputted.
It is determined whether the temperature is higher than the "reference temperature x" stored in the. When it is high, it is determined that the power is at the peak time, and the process returns to step S13, and otherwise returns to step S11.

In step S13, the main control unit 8 which has determined that the power is at the peak time has a sales amount per unit time calculated from the data of the sales amount detecting means 10 and the clock 12 (for example, 1
It is determined whether the daily sales amount or the sales frequency) is less than the “reference sales amount n” input from the keyboard 11 in advance and stored in the data storage unit 9. If it is small, the process returns to step S14, and if not, the process returns to step S11.

In step S14, the main control section 8 transmits a power saving start command to the cooling / heating control means 7, and the display means 1
Display 9 such as "Sold out" or "Power saving".
Upon receiving the power saving start command, the cooling / heating control means 7 shifts the temperature in the cooling chamber higher by a predetermined amount (or stops the compressor), and shifts the temperature in the heating chamber lower by a predetermined amount (or turns on the heater). Stop) to save electricity.

In step S15, the main control unit 8 is in the power saving mode.
Judges whether the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 3 is lower than the “reference temperature x−α” inputted from the keyboard 11 in advance and stored in the data storage means 9, and if it is lower, goes to step S16, otherwise. If so, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S16, the main controller 8
Transmits a power saving end command to the cooling / heating control means 7 and causes the display means 19 to display “sale”. As a result, the cooling / heating control means 7 returns from the power saving operation to the normal operation.

In step S17, the main control unit 8 determines whether or not the sales amount per unit time is equal to or more than the "reference sales amount n", and if it is small, the process proceeds to step S11 to continue the power saving, and otherwise. The process proceeds to step S16 to end power saving. (2) Second Invention FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration as an embodiment of the second invention. In the figure, 01 is a vending machine, 14 is a communication control means provided in the vending machine 01 for the main control unit 8 to communicate with a host computer via a communication line 16, and 15 is a communication with a plurality of vending machines such as 01. It is a host computer that is connected via a line 16 and collects various data of each vending machine and sends a command to each vending machine. The communication line 16 may be a telephone line such as a modem, a wireless communication line such as a wireless modem, or an optical communication line such as an optical fiber cable.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the main part of FIG. 2, and S21 to S26 are the steps. The flowchart of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S21, the host computer 15 determines whether or not a power peak has occurred due to an external input,
If it occurs, the process proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the host computer 15 calculates the power saving number m of the vending machine corresponding to the amount of power that can avoid the power peak. Then, in step S23,
The host computer 15 periodically searches the sales volume per unit time (sales frequency) transmitted from each vending machine in advance and summed up, and extracts m units in order of increasing sales frequency.

Next, in step S24, the host computer 15 transmits a power saving command to the corresponding m vending machines via the communication line 16. The vending machine that has received the power saving command performs the power saving operation in the same procedure as step S14 of FIG. 4 described in the first invention. Next, in step S25, the host computer 15 determines whether or not the power peak has ended due to input from the outside, and if it has ended, the process proceeds to step S26.

In step S26, the host computer 15 again sends a power saving end command to each vending machine via the communication line 16. The vending machine that received the power saving end command is the first
The normal operation is returned to in the same procedure as step S16 of FIG. 4 described in the invention. (3) Third Invention The block diagram showing the system configuration of FIG. 2 is directly applied to the third invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the main part of the system according to the present invention. In FIG. 6, steps S101 and S102 are added between steps S23 and S24 of the flowchart of FIG. Therefore, this added step will be described. In this invention,
When the vending machine is installed, the vending machines installed close to each other are set as one group, and the group number is set in advance for each vending machine of the group using the keyboard 11. Also,
Each vending machine sends the group number to the host computer together with the sales frequency. Then, at the peak of the power, the host computer 15 executes the step S2
After extracting m vending machines from those with low sales frequency in 3,
In step S101, from the above group number,
It is determined whether or not all the vending machines in the same group are included in the above-mentioned vending machines m whose sales frequency is low, and if there is such a group, the process proceeds to step S102. If not, the process proceeds to step S24, and the power saving instruction is transmitted to the m vending machines.

In step S102, the host computer 15 excludes the vending machine with the highest sales frequency in the group, in which all the vending machines are included in the power saving target m, from the power saving target, and the vending machine as a whole. M + in
The vending machine having the first lowest sales frequency is replaced and the process returns to step S23. (4) Fourth Invention, Fifth Invention, and Sixth Invention FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration as an embodiment of the fourth, fifth, and sixth inventions. In the figure, 17 is a power amount detecting means for detecting the power consumption of the vending machine by integrating it for a predetermined time.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the main operation of FIG. 3, and S31 to S41 are the steps. The flowchart of FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. Since FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the fourth to sixth inventions, it will be described with reference to each invention. First, the fourth invention will be described. In step S31, each vending machine ends the previous power saving process in advance. Next, in step S32, the host computer 15 receives the amount of power transmitted from each vending machine, and proceeds to step S33.

In step S33, the host computer 15 determines whether or not the power amount of the vending machine exceeds a predetermined value p. If not, the process proceeds to step S39, and if there is, the process proceeds to step S34. Step S39
Then, the host computer 15 calculates the difference between the electric power amounts of the vending machine having the maximum electric energy and the vending machine having the next largest electric energy, and proceeds to step S40.

In step S40, the host computer 15 determines whether the difference between the electric power amounts calculated in step S39 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value d. In the above case, step S
In step 41, the power saving command is transmitted to the vending machine having the maximum power amount. If it is smaller than the predetermined value, the process returns to step S31. Next, the fifth invention will be described. Previous step S
In 33, when the host computer 15 determines that the power amount of the vending machine exceeds the predetermined value p, the process proceeds to step S34.

In step S34, the host computer 15 retrieves the group number transmitted from each vending machine together with the power amount, and all the vending machines in the same group are included in the vending machines whose power amount exceeds the predetermined value p. Determine if there are any groups. If so, step S
If no, go to step S37. In step S35, the host computer 15 searches for the value of the maximum amount of power in the other groups, and then in step S36.
Go to.

In step S36, the host computer 15 selects a vending machine having an electric power amount exceeding the electric power amount retrieved in step S35, and proceeds to step S38. In step S38, the host computer 15 determines in step S3
Send the power saving command to the vending machine selected in 6. Next, the sixth
The invention will be described. When the host computer determines in the previous step S34 that the vending machines having the electric power amount exceeding the predetermined value p are not all in the same group, the host computer 15 instructs the vending machines exceeding the predetermined value p to save power in step S37. To send.

As described above, the power peak of the vending machine can be avoided by various methods.

[0036]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the outside air temperature and the sales amount are detected, and only the vending machine with a low sales frequency is saved when the power peak is likely to occur. The peak condition can be avoided. According to the second invention, each vending machine and the host computer are connected by a communication line, and the host computer collects and compares the sales frequencies of the respective vending machines, and only when the power peak actually occurs, the vending machine with the least sales frequency is sequentially ordered. We selected m vending machines necessary for avoiding power peaks and sent a power saving command to the selected m vending machines, so the minimum number of power saving to avoid power peaks and the sales opportunity. It is possible to avoid the peak power state while preventing the decrease as much as possible.

According to the third invention, in the system similar to the second invention, all the vending machines of the same group (proximity installation) are not subject to power saving (corresponding to sold out) at the time of peak power, so that the sales opportunity is further increased. It is possible to provide a system that does not lose. According to the fourth invention, the fifth invention, or the sixth invention, the host computer totalizes the electric energy of each vending machine,
Since the power saving command is issued to the vending machine that consumes a large amount of power (above the reference value), it is possible to avoid a power peak that actually matches the power peak. Further, even when there is no vending machine whose power consumption is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the vending machine having the highest power consumption is set to save power, so that the power can be made as constant as possible even at midnight. Further, in the fifth invention, even when the power consumption of all the vending machines installed in the nearby area exceeds the reference value, by comparing with the power consumption of the vending machines in other areas, all the vending machines in the nearby areas do not save power. , It is possible to prevent the loss of sales opportunities and to make the overall amount of electricity appropriate.

In contrast to the second to sixth inventions, if the wireless communication line is used as the communication line as described in the embodiment, the connection work such as the line cable is unnecessary when installing or moving the vending machine. Also, the host computer can be moved by mounting it on the vehicle. This makes it even easier,
The same effects as those of the inventions from to 6 are obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vending machine configuration as an embodiment of the first invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration as an embodiment of the second and third inventions.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration as an embodiment of the fourth, fifth and sixth inventions.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation based on the first invention of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing an operation based on the second and third inventions of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation based on the third invention of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation based on the fourth, fifth and sixth inventions of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 01 Vending machine 1 Heater 2 Inside temperature sensor 3 Outside air temperature sensor 4 Heat exchanger 5 Valve 6 Compressor 7 Cooling / heating control means 8 Main control section 9 Memory means 10 Sales volume detection means 11 Keyboard 12 Clock 13 Display means 14 Communication Control means 15 Host computer 16 Communication line 17 Electric energy detection means

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An automatic vending machine, which stores and sells a product in a refrigerator controlled to cool or heat to a predetermined temperature and saves power based on a power-saving command, has a means for detecting the outside air temperature and a predetermined time period. A unit for detecting a sales frequency as a sales amount of the product, and a unit for outputting the power saving command when the outside air temperature exceeds a predetermined value and the sales frequency is below a predetermined value. Characteristic power saving device for vending machines. 2. A plurality of vending machines that store and sell products in a refrigerator that has been cooled or heated so as to reach a predetermined temperature and that save power based on a power saving command, and the above-mentioned vending machines via communication lines. In the system including a host computer that sends and receives various data to and from the vending machine, each of the vending machines detects a sales frequency as a sales amount of a product per predetermined time, and the sales frequency is the communication line. And a means for transmitting the data to the host computer via the computer, the host computer calculates the number of power-saving vending machines necessary for avoiding the power peak at the time of peak power, A power-saving device for a vending machine, comprising means for transmitting a power-saving command from the vending machine to the above-mentioned number of vending machines in order through the communication line. 3. The power saving device according to claim 2, wherein each of the vending machines is grouped according to those installed in close proximity to each other, and a group number is assigned to each of the vending machines. A means for transmitting a number to a host computer is provided, and the host computer, when the number of the vending machines subject to the power saving calculated at the peak of power consumption includes all the vending machines belonging to the same group, A power saving device for a vending machine, comprising means for excluding the vending machine having the highest sales frequency in the group from power saving targets. 4. A plurality of vending machines that store and sell products in a refrigerator that has been cooled or heated to a predetermined temperature and that also save power based on a power saving command, and the above-mentioned vending machines via communication lines. In a system including a host computer that sends and receives various data to and from the vending machine, each of the vending machines described above detects the amount of electric power accumulated for a predetermined time, and transmits the amount of electric power to the host computer via the communication line. The host computer, at the time of peak power, there is no vending machine in which the power amount accumulated for the predetermined time exceeds a predetermined value, and the vending machine with the maximum power amount and the next And a means for transmitting a power saving command to the vending machine having the maximum power amount via the communication line when the difference between the power amounts of the vending machine having a large power amount and the two is equal to or more than a predetermined value. Power-saving device for an automatic vending machine, characterized in that. 5. A plurality of vending machines that store and sell products in a refrigerator that has been cooled or heated so as to reach a predetermined temperature and that save power based on a power saving command, and the above-mentioned vending machines via communication lines. In a system including a host computer that sends and receives various data to and from the vending machine, each of the vending machines described above detects the amount of electric power accumulated for a predetermined time, and transmits the amount of electric power to the host computer via the communication line. And a means for grouping those installed in close proximity to each other, assigning a group number to each, and transmitting the group number of itself to the host computer together with the power amount. At the peak of, there are vending machines whose electric energy accumulated for the above-mentioned predetermined time exceeds the predetermined value and belong to the same group. When all vending machines are included, the power saving command is sent to all the vending machines in the same group whose power consumption exceeds the maximum power consumption of the vending machines in the other groups through the communication line. A power saving device for a vending machine, which is provided with a means for 6. A plurality of vending machines that store and sell products in a refrigerator controlled to be cooled or heated to a predetermined temperature and save power based on a power saving command, and each of the above vending machines via a communication line. In a system including a host computer that sends and receives various data to and from the vending machine, each of the vending machines described above detects the amount of electric power accumulated for a predetermined time, and transmits the amount of electric power to the host computer via the communication line. And a means for transmitting the group number to the host computer, each of which is grouped in close proximity to each other, and has a group number attached thereto. A means for transmitting a power-saving command via the communication line to a vending machine in which the amount of electric power accumulated for the predetermined time exceeds a predetermined value is provided. Power-saving device for an automatic vending machine according to claim.