KR20220120827A - Tray apparatus for automatically controlling time of cooling and heating - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a food distribution device for automatically controlling the time of refrigerating and warming functions. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a food distribution device is a food distribution device having refrigerating and warming functions and comprising: a main body housing having a storage compartment therein in which a food distribution plate divided into a first region of a refrigerating region and a second region of a warming region is accommodated; a heat insulating separator for dividing the storage compartment into a third region where a refrigerating function is performed and a fourth region where a warming function is performed, and into which the food distribution plate is inserted; a setting means for setting the on-time and the off-time of the refrigerating function and the warming function according to a user's input; and a control unit for automatically controlling on/off of the refrigerating function and the warming function based on the set on-time and the set off-time.

Description

Dispensing device that automatically controls the time of refrigeration and warming functions {TRAY APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING TIME OF COOLING AND HEATING}

The present invention relates to a food distribution car or a food distribution device that automatically controls the time of the refrigeration and hot storage functions, and more particularly, the refrigeration function and the heating function of the storage room in which the distribution plate is accommodated in the distribution apparatus having the refrigeration function and the warm storage function. It relates to a dispensing device capable of automatically controlling the on/off of the refrigeration function and the warm room function based on the on time and the off time preset with respect to the .

In general, hospitals supply suitable food according to the condition of inpatients. In particular, in general hospitals with many hospital rooms, in order to transport a large number of plates, the plates are stacked so as to be exposed to the outside on a transport vehicle and supplied to each ward.

However, in the food provided to the patient, rice or soup should be warm, and side dishes that taste best when eaten cold should be served cold. , especially in the summer, when food is easily spoiled, there is a problem that delicious and hygienic food cannot be provided to patients because the taste is often spoiled during transportation through many hospital rooms depending on the food.

In order to improve this, catering cars with a refrigeration or hot storage function have begun to appear, and for example, Utility Publication No. 1996-0010141, Patent Publication No. 2003-0061339, Patent Publication No. 2009-0084020, and Publication No. 2009- A number of 0009510 and registered patent No. 1070707 have been disclosed.

The food distribution car having such a refrigeration function and a warming function is provided with a function for controlling the temperature by receiving power, and by performing the refrigeration function and the warming function, it is possible to cool and warm the food contained in the distribution plate.

However, since the conventional food delivery car having a refrigeration function or a heating function must always maintain the refrigeration function and the heating function when power is applied, unnecessary power consumption occurs.

Embodiments of the present invention provide on/off of the refrigeration function and the warming function based on the on/off time preset for the refrigeration function and the warming function of the storage room in which the distribution plate is accommodated in the distribution device having the refrigerating function and the warming function. A dispensing device capable of automatically controlling off is provided.

The distribution apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a distribution apparatus having refrigeration and warming functions, and has a main body having a storage compartment inside which a distribution plate divided into a first area of a refrigerating area and a second area of a warm area is accommodated. housing; a heat insulating separator separating the storage room into a third area in which a refrigeration function is performed and a fourth area in which a warming function is performed, and into which the distribution plate is inserted; a setting means for setting an on time and an off time of the refrigerating function and the warming function according to a user's input; and a controller for automatically controlling on and off of the refrigerating function and the warming function based on the set ON time and OFF time.

The setting means may set an on time and an off time for each of breakfast time, lunch time, and dinner time.

The setting means may separately set an on time and an off time of each of the warming function and the refrigerating function.

Furthermore, the distribution apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes at least one sensing means for sensing whether the distribution plate is accommodated, and the control unit is a sensing result by the sensing means, the distribution plate is the storage room. If it is determined that the refrigeration function is stored in the , on and off of the refrigerating function and the warming function may be automatically controlled based on the set ON time and OFF time.

As a result of the sensing by the sensing means, when it is determined that the food distribution plate is stored in the storage room and the storage room is empty, the control unit sets the refrigerating function and the warming function regardless of the set on time and off time It can be controlled in the off state.

The main body housing has a left plate pedestal on the left side of the storage room at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction, and a right plate pedestal on the right side of the storage room at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction, and the sensing means is the left plate pedestal. And it is provided on at least one of the right plate pedestal or is provided in the region where the plate is inserted in the heat insulating separator, it is possible to sense whether the plate is accommodated.

Furthermore, the distribution apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes at least one sensing means for sensing whether the distribution plate is accommodated, and the control unit detects the result of sensing by the sensing means, the set on time When the distribution plate is not accommodated in the storage room within a predetermined period of time preset as a reference, the refrigerating function and the warming function may be automatically controlled to be turned off.

The control unit automatically turns off the refrigerating function and the warming function when it is determined that the distribution plate is stored in the storage compartment as a result of sensing by the sensing means in the off state of the refrigerating function and the warming function after the set ON time. It can be switched from state to on state.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, based on the on time and off time preset for the refrigeration function and the warm function of the storage room in which the distribution plate is accommodated in the distribution device having the refrigerating function and the warming function, the refrigerating function and the warming function are On/off can be controlled automatically.

According to embodiments of the present invention, by automatically controlling the on/off of the refrigerating function and the warming function according to preset on time and off time, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced.

According to embodiments of the present invention, by controlling the on/off of the refrigerating function and the warming function based on the preset on time and off time as well as the presence or absence of a distribution plate in the storage room, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced as much as possible.

1 is a perspective view showing a dispensing apparatus for automatically controlling the time of the refrigeration and warm function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows an exemplary view of the warm area and the refrigerating area in the distribution device of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows an exemplary view of the distribution plate accommodated in the distribution device of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows a conceptual configuration of a dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be embodied in various different forms, and only these embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the embodiments, and is not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural, unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, “comprises” and/or “comprising” refers to the presence of one or more other components, steps, operations and/or elements mentioned. or addition is not excluded.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein may be used with the meaning commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless clearly specifically defined.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the drawings, and repeated descriptions of the same components are omitted.

Embodiments of the present invention provide on/off of the refrigeration function and the warming function based on the on/off time preset for the refrigeration function and the warming function of the storage room in which the distribution plate is accommodated in the distribution device having the refrigerating function and the warming function. The gist is to automatically control the off.

In this case, according to the present invention, the on time and the off time for each of breakfast time, lunch time, and dinner time may be set, and the on time and off time of each of the warming function and the refrigerating function may be separately set.

Furthermore, the present invention is provided with a sensing means for sensing whether the distribution plate is accommodated in the storage room in which the distribution plate is accommodated, and through the sensing means, whether the distribution plate is accommodated or the presence of the distribution plate is sensed, and this sensing result It is also possible to automatically control on/off of the refrigeration function and the heating function by reflecting the preset ON time and OFF time.

The present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 .

1 is a perspective view of a dispensing apparatus for automatically controlling the time of refrigeration and warming function according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an example of a warm area and a refrigerating area in the dispensing apparatus of the present invention Figure 4 shows a conceptual configuration of a dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, 2 and 4 , in the dispensing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a first area of a refrigerating area in which food for refrigerating is placed and a second area of a hot area in which food for refrigerating is placed The main housing 110 having a storage room in which the distribution plate separated by Insulation separator 120 that separates and separates the first area and the second area to insert a distribution plate, and a setting means 130 for setting the on time and off time of the refrigerating function and the warm cooking function according to a user's input , at least one sensing means 140 for sensing whether the distribution plate is accommodated, the control unit 150 for automatically controlling the on and off of the refrigeration function and the on-off function based on the set on time and off time and the distribution device It includes a power supply unit 160 for supplying power.

Here, the main body housing 110 is a left plate pedestal 170 that is horizontally laid at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction for supporting the plate on the left side of the storage room, and a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction for supporting the plate on the right side of the storage room. A right plate support 180 that is gibbon can be further formed.

The body housing 110 may have one storage room, may have two or more storage rooms, and the number of such storage rooms may be determined by a business operator or an individual providing the distribution device of the present invention. Of course, it is obvious that the third area in which the refrigeration function is performed and the fourth area in which the warming function is performed should be provided in each of the storage rooms according to the number of storage rooms.

The insulation separator 120 may be integrally coupled to the main housing housing and may be detachable or may be taken out in a slide structure, and the separator 330 of the distribution board shown in FIG. The first region 310 is positioned in the third region of the storage room, and the second region 320 of the distribution plate is positioned in the fourth region of the storage room.

That is, the insulation separator 120 places the food for refrigeration placed in the first area 310 of the distribution board in the refrigeration function area, which is the third area of the storage room, and is for hot storage placed in the second area 320 of the distribution board. The food is placed in the warm storage function area, which is the fourth area of the storage room, and the refrigeration function area and the warm storage function area of the storage room are adiabatically separated, so that the warm storage function and the refrigeration function can be performed in each area.

All possible methods may be applied to the method in which the insulation separator 120 is coupled to and separated from the body housing 110 , and the coupling method and separation method may be determined by a business operator or an individual providing the technology of the present invention. Of course, when the insulating separator 120 can be taken out from the body housing 110 in an integrated slide structure, the slide structure method may also be determined by a business operator or an individual providing the technology of the present invention.

In addition, the shape of the distribution plate may vary depending on the location of the storage room and the insulating separator in the distribution device, and the shape of each region of the distribution plate may also vary.

The setting means 130 is a means for setting the on time and the off time of the refrigeration function and the warming function of the dispensing apparatus 100, and based on a user's input, the on time and the off time of the refrigeration function and the warming function are identically set. Alternatively, the on time and off time of the warming function and the on time and off time of the refrigeration function may be separately set as needed.

At this time, the setting means 130 may set the on time and off time for each of breakfast time, lunch time, and dinner time, and add an on/off setting time for times other than the meal time depending on the situation. It is also possible to set the on time and off time of the refrigeration function and the warm function function.

That is, in the dispensing apparatus of the present invention, by setting the on time and off time of the refrigeration function and the warm function through the setting means 130 , the user directly applies an operation such as applying or blocking power to the power supply of the dispensing apparatus. There is no need to do this, and even when power is applied at times other than the meal time, by automatically controlling the power applied to the refrigeration function and the warming function, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced.

The sensing means 140 is a means for sensing the presence or absence of the distribution plate accommodated in the storage room, and may include any means capable of sensing the presence of the distribution plate in the storage room.

As an example, the sensing means 140 includes means such as a switch in the region where the distribution plate is inserted in the heat insulation separator 120 , so that when the distribution plate is accommodated or removed, it can sense whether the distribution plate is accommodated. Of course, in this case, all sensing means, such as a switch, must be provided in the region of the insulating separator into which the distribution plate is inserted.

As another example, the sensing means 140 is provided with means such as a switch on at least one of the left plate support 170 or the right plate support 180, so that when the plate is accommodated or removed, it can sense whether the plate is accommodated. have. Similarly, in this case, all sensing means such as a switch should be provided in a part of the left plate stand or the right plate stand.

As another example, the sensing means 140 includes an optical sensor in the third or fourth region inside the storage room, and senses the presence of the distribution plate in the upper to lower direction through the optical sensor, or in the lower to upper direction. By sensing whether or not the distribution plate exists, it can be known whether the distribution plate is present in the storage room through the sensing result of the optical sensor.

As another example, the sensing means 140 includes means such as a switch at the end of which the distribution plate is inserted when the distribution plate is inserted into the storage chamber, so that it can be known whether the distribution plate is accommodated or exists.

As described above, the sensing means 140 may be implemented in various ways, and any method capable of sensing whether or not the distribution plate is accommodated or exists as well as the above-described method may be applied.

That is, the distribution device 100 can know whether the distribution plate exists in the storage room through the sensing means 140 , the first distribution plate is accommodated, or the last distribution plate is removed.

Depending on the situation, the sensing unit 140 may be omitted, and when the sensing unit 140 is provided, the on time and off time set by the setting unit 130 and the sensing result by the sensing unit 140 are displayed. It is also possible to automatically control the on/off of the refrigeration function and the heating function by reflecting all of them.

The control unit 150 automatically controls the on/off of the refrigeration function and the on-off function based on the on-time and off-time set by the setting means 140 to turn on the refrigeration function and the warm-up function at the on time, and turn on the refrigeration function and the warm function at the off time. Turn off the refrigeration function and the warm function function.

Of course, when the on time and off time of the refrigerating function and the on time and off time of the warm function are set differently, the control unit 150 turns on the refrigerating function at the on time of the refrigerating function and turns off the refrigerating function at the off time of the refrigerating function. In addition, the warm function may be turned on during the on time of the warm function and the warm function may be turned off during the off time of the warm function.

Furthermore, the control unit 150 reflects the on-time and off-time set by the setting unit 130, for example, the timer setting unit, as well as whether or not the distribution plate sensed by the sensing unit 140 is accommodated to determine the refrigeration function and the hot storage function. It is also possible to automatically control the on and off functions of the function.

For example, when it is determined that the distribution plate is stored in the storage room as a result of sensing by the sensing means 140 , the control unit 150 controls the refrigeration function and the warming function based on the on time and the off time set by the setting unit 130 . On and off can be controlled automatically, and when it is judged that the storage room is empty after the distribution plate is stored in the storage room, the refrigeration function and the heating function can be controlled in the OFF state regardless of the set ON time and OFF time. can

Since the distribution device is highly likely to be accommodated in the state in which the refrigeration function and the warm function are operated, the on time and off time set by the setting means 130 rather than first determining the sensing result of the distribution plate by the sensing means 140 It is desirable to reflect the sensing result of the distribution board after considering the time first.

For example, the controller 150 turns on the refrigeration function and the warming function at the set on time, and the distribution plate is prepared for a predetermined time, for example, within 1 hour based on the on time as a result of sensing by the sensing means 140 on the basis of the on time. If it is not stored in the storage room, the refrigeration function and the warm storage function can be automatically controlled in the off state, and even if the off state is switched in this way, as a result of sensing by the sensing means 140 before the set off time, the distribution plate is stored in the storage room. If it is determined that the refrigeration function and the warming function can be automatically switched from the off state to the on state. Furthermore, if it is determined that the storage room is empty because all of the distribution plates accommodated in the storage room are removed before the off time set by the setting means 130 , the control unit 150 may control the storage room to be in the off state immediately regardless of the set off time. Furthermore, as a result of sensing by the sensing means 140 before the set off time, the control unit 150 determines that the storage room is empty because all of the distribution plates stored in the storage room are removed. In this case, since it may be determined that the meal is stored, the refrigerating function and the warming function may be controlled to be turned on again.

That is, the dispensing apparatus of the present invention reflects the sensing result by the sensing means between the on time and the off time as well as on/off control of the refrigeration function and the on-off function by the setting means 130, thereby maximizing the power consumed unnecessarily. can be reduced

Furthermore, if the number of distribution plates present in the storage room can be sensed by the sensing means 140 , the controller 150 may adjust the temperature of the warming function and the refrigerating function according to the sensed number of distribution plates. For example, when the number of distribution plates present in the storage room is large, the controller may increase the temperature of the warming function by a predetermined temperature and decrease the temperature of the refrigeration function by a predetermined temperature.

Furthermore, the control unit 150 detects the number of distribution plates changed by the sensing means 140 , and adjusts the temperature of the warming function and the refrigerating function through the change in the number of the distribution boards, or performs the refrigerating function and the warming function for a certain period of time. It is also possible to control on/off periodically.

The power supply unit 160 is a means for supplying power to the distribution device, for example, supplies power to a means for performing a refrigeration function and a means for performing a warming function in the storage room.

The power supply unit 160 may supply power to the dispensing device through control by the control unit 150 . Of course, the control unit may operate in a sleep mode in a state in which power is not supplied to the dispensing apparatus by the power supply unit.

As such, in the distribution device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeration function based on the on time and the off time preset for the refrigeration function and the warm function of the storage room in which the distribution plate is accommodated in the distribution device having the refrigeration function and the warm storage function. You can automatically control the on/off of the and heating function.

In addition, the dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention automatically controls the on/off of the refrigeration function and the warming function according to the preset ON time and OFF time, thereby reducing unnecessary power wastage, and By controlling the on/off based on the preset on time and off time as well as the presence or absence of a distribution board in the storage room, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced as much as possible.

Furthermore, the dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as a fixed type, it may be implemented as a movable type. For example, if the distribution device is a fixed type, it may be disposed in a fixed place, for example, a hospital room, and if it is mobile, it may be implemented in the form of a distribution car that delivers a distribution plate to the hospital room. Of course, when the dispensing device is mobile, a moving means, for example, a wheel, etc. may be provided, and the moving means such as a wheel may be implemented in various forms.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with reference to the limited embodiments and drawings, various modifications and variations are possible by those skilled in the art from the above description. For example, the described techniques are performed in a different order than the described method, and/or the described components of the system, structure, apparatus, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components Or substituted or substituted by equivalents may achieve an appropriate result.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims are also within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (8)

In the dispensing device having a refrigeration and warm function,
a main body housing having a storage compartment therein in which a distribution plate separated into a first area of a refrigeration area and a second area of a warm area is accommodated;
a heat insulating separator separating the storage room into a third area in which a refrigeration function is performed and a fourth area in which a warming function is performed, and into which the distribution plate is inserted;
a setting means for setting an on time and an off time of the refrigerating function and the warming function according to a user's input; and
A control unit for automatically controlling on and off of the refrigerating function and the warming function based on the set ON time and OFF time
A dispensing device comprising a.
According to claim 1,
The setting means
Dispensing device, characterized in that the on-time and off-time are set for each of breakfast time, lunch time, and dinner time.
According to claim 1,
The setting means
Dispensing apparatus, characterized in that the on-time and off-time of each of the warming function and the refrigerating function are separately set.
According to claim 1,
At least one sensing means for sensing whether the distribution plate is accommodated
further comprising,
the control unit
As a result of the sensing by the sensing means, if it is determined that the distribution plate is stored in the storage room, the on and off of the refrigeration function and the warm storage function are automatically controlled based on the set on time and off time, characterized in that distribution device.
5. The method of claim 4,
the control unit
As a result of the sensing by the sensing means, when it is determined that the storage chamber is empty after being stored in the storage room, the refrigeration function and the heating function are turned off regardless of the set on time and off time. Dispensing device, characterized in that controlled by.
5. The method of claim 4,
The body housing is
On the left side of the storage room, the left plate pedestal is laid at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction, and on the right side of the storage room, the right plate pedestal is traversed at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction,
The sensing means
Dispensing apparatus, characterized in that it is provided in at least one of the left plate support and the right plate support, or is provided in an area in which the distribution plate is inserted in the insulating separator, to sense whether the distribution plate is accommodated.
According to claim 1,
At least one sensing means for sensing whether the distribution plate is accommodated
further comprising,
the control unit
As a result of the sensing by the sensing means, when the distribution plate is not accommodated in the storage room within a preset time based on the set on time, the refrigerating function and the warm storage function are automatically controlled to be turned off. dispensing device.
8. The method of claim 7,
the control unit
After the set on time, when it is determined by the sensing means that the refrigeration function and the warm storage function are in the off state after the set on time, it is determined that the plate is stored in the storage room, the refrigeration function and the warm storage function are automatically turned on Dispensing device, characterized in that the transition to the state.

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