KR20240036257A - Syrup supply device for beverage vending machines - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a syrup supply device for a beverage vending machine. The present invention for realizing this is a syrup supply device installed inside a vending machine for beverage sales, which is installed inside the case of the vending machine, and includes a plurality of The syrup containers are stored individually, the storage temperature of each syrup container is individually controlled, and the pumping nozzles of the syrup containers are individually pressurized to discharge a certain amount of syrup.

Description

Syrup supply device for beverage vending machines}

The present invention relates to a syrup supply device used in a beverage vending machine, and more specifically, to a syrup supply device for a beverage vending machine installed in a vending machine to facilitate maintenance of the syrup used in beverage production. .

In general, as consumer interest in coffee and beverages continues to increase, the number of coffee shops selling coffee or beverages is also gradually increasing.

Coffee is a beverage manufactured using coffee beans and can be broadly divided into instant coffee and ground coffee. Coffee beans can be divided into hand drip and espresso machines depending on the extraction method of the coffee beans.

In particular, among the various types of coffee sold at coffee shops, espresso is the basic raw material, and coffee drinks such as Americano, cafe latte, macchiato, and cappuccino using espresso are made solely by the handwork of baristas.

Therefore, the taste of coffee drinks is determined by the skill level of unskilled and professional baristas and also affects store sales.

Meanwhile, one of the major costs of running a coffee shop is labor costs, and vending machines are provided to reduce labor costs. However, in the case of vending machines that automatically make coffee or drinks, the syrup used to make the drinks is used. It is stored inside the vending machine in this syrup container, but depending on the installation location of the vending machine, the storage temperature of the syrup cannot be maintained properly, so the syrup can easily deteriorate, and it is easy to check the amount of syrup stored in the syrup container. There were problems with maintenance of the vending machine, such as difficulty determining when to replace the syrup container.

Republic of Korea registered patent 10-2118843 (announced on 2020.06.03)

The present invention was developed to solve the above-mentioned problems. It prevents deterioration of the syrup by properly maintaining the storage temperature of the syrup used in the beverage vending machine, and easily checks the usage status of the syrup to determine the replacement time of the syrup container. The purpose is to provide a syrup supply device for a beverage vending machine that can make maintenance of the vending machine easier by accurately identifying the syrup.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention does not need to be limited to the technical problem mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. You will be able to.

A syrup supply device for a beverage vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above-described purpose,

In the syrup supply device installed inside a vending machine for beverage sales, the syrup supply device main body is installed inside the case constituting the vending machine, and a plurality of syrup containers are stored individually, and the storage temperature of each syrup container is is individually controlled, and the pumping nozzles of the syrup containers are individually pressurized to discharge a certain amount of syrup.

More preferably, the syrup supply device main body includes a plurality of container storage cases in which the syrup containers are individually stored, and a plurality of storage ports having an inclined entrance into which the syrup containers are inserted;

A cooling device installed in each of the storage ports and

It may be configured to include a nozzle operating port that uniformly pressurizes the pumping nozzle of the syrup container stored in the storage port to discharge syrup.

More preferably, the syrup supply device main body includes an actuator that raises and lowers the nozzle operating member according to an input signal, and the pumping nozzle of the syrup container containing a predetermined volume of syrup is pressed and operated by the nozzle operating device connected to the actuator. A counter unit that measures the number of operations of the actuator each time, is connected to the counter unit and determines the amount of syrup remaining in the syrup container according to the number of operations of the actuator, and determines the amount of syrup remaining in the syrup container or the syrup container. A control unit determines that the syrup remaining in the syrup container is exhausted and needs to be replaced, and a signal from the control unit is received, and the remaining amount of syrup remaining in the syrup container is exhausted and replaced through wired or wireless communication. It may be configured to include a communication unit that informs the administrator's terminal that it is necessary.

More preferably, each of the storage ports is provided with a temperature sensor, and the detected value of the temperature sensor is transmitted to the control unit and transmitted to the manager's terminal through the communication unit, allowing the manager to determine the storage temperature of the syrup container stored in the storage port. It can be configured so that

More preferably, the actuator may be configured to operate the nozzle operating member through a piston that moves up and down from the cylinder under the control of air pressure, or may be configured to operate the nozzle operating member through a screw that goes up and down according to the forward and reverse rotation of the forward and reverse motor. there is.

More preferably, the cooling device includes a Peltier element installed on the bottom of the storage port and composed of a cooling part and a heating part to change the temperature using a refrigerant,

A heat sink and a heat sink installed on the lower part of the Peltier element,

A cooling fan installed below the heat dissipation fin,

A duct through which air discharged by the cooling fan moves, and

It may be configured to include an exhaust fan that exhausts air from the duct to the outside of the case.

More preferably, the horizontal one side of the nozzle operating member is connected to the cylinder end of an actuator installed at the rear of the container storage case, and the other horizontal side is vertically above the pumping nozzle of the syrup container stored in the storage port of the container storage case. It can be configured to be positioned.

More preferably, an anti-slip member may be further provided on the other horizontal bottom surface of the nozzle operating member to prevent slipping when in contact with the pumping nozzle.

More preferably, the container storage case is provided with a support plate that protrudes forward at the bottom of the storage port and can support the bottom of the cup, and the support plate can be configured to be raised and lowered in the vertical direction toward the pumping nozzle.

The syrup supply device for a beverage vending machine according to the present invention as described above has the following effects.

In other words, as the storage temperature of the various syrups inside the vending machine is individually maintained at an appropriate level, deterioration of the syrup is prevented regardless of the installation location of the vending machine, thereby improving the quality of the specific beverage containing the syrup. It can be maintained in good condition, and the remaining syrup level and replacement time for new syrup can be easily checked, making syrup maintenance more effective.

On the other hand, the effects of the present invention described in this way are naturally exerted by the composition of the described contents regardless of whether the inventor is aware of it, so the above-described effects are only a few effects according to the described contents, and all effects that the inventor has recognized or exist. It should not be accepted as written.

In addition, the effect of the present invention should be further understood by the overall description of the specification, and even if it is not described in explicit sentences, a person skilled in the art in the technical field to which the described content pertains will be able to achieve such effect through this specification. If it is an effect that can be recognized as an effect, it should be viewed as the effect described in this specification.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a vending machine equipped with a robot arm for beverage production according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a front view showing a vending machine equipped with a robot arm for beverage production according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a plan view showing the interior of a vending machine equipped with a robot arm for beverage production according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the main part of the beverage dispensing device of an automatic vending machine equipped with a robot arm for beverage production according to an embodiment of the present invention in an operating state.
Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the main part of the beverage dispensing device of a vending machine equipped with a robot arm for beverage production according to an embodiment of the present invention in another operating state.
Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the syrup supply device of a vending machine equipped with a robot arm for beverage production according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing the main portion of a syrup supply device for a vending machine equipped with a robot arm for beverage production according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

This is intended to provide a detailed description so that a person skilled in the art of the present invention can easily practice the contents of the present invention, and does not mean that the technical idea and scope of the present invention are limited. .

In addition, when adding reference numerals to components in each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are indicated with the same reference numerals as much as possible even if they are shown in different drawings, taking into account the configuration and operation of the present invention. Therefore, specially defined terms may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user or operator, and the definitions of these terms should be judged based on the content throughout this specification.

First, the configuration of a vending machine equipped with a robot arm for beverage production according to an embodiment of the present invention largely includes a coffee supply device installed inside the case, a water supply device, a coffee extraction device, an ice supply device, and a specific It can be divided into a beverage supply device, a syrup supply device, a cup dispensing device, a robot arm, and a beverage dispensing device, and each configuration will be looked at in more detail with reference to the illustrated drawings below.

Before explaining each configuration, looking at the vending machine, for example, the vending machine may be composed of a case 100 of a square enclosure that can be moved or fixed, and the space below the case 100 is composed of an electrical unit 110. The upper space is composed of a transparent part 120 so that the internal space can be seen while coffee or a specific beverage is produced, and text or pictures for advertising can be displayed above the transparent part 120. An advertising unit 130 is formed, and on the side of the transparent part 120, a menu operation unit 140 for selecting coffee or a specific beverage and a fee payment unit 150 for paying the cost according to the selected menu are configured. , an auxiliary advertising unit 131 may be further configured inside the transparent unit 120 or on the menu operating unit 140 side as needed.

Here, the advertising unit 130 or the auxiliary advertising unit 131 may be configured with text or pictures printed with advertising content attached, but are configured in the form of a display using a liquid crystal monitor, etc. for easy replacement of advertising content and effective promotion. It can be.

The menu operation unit 140 may be configured as a touch display that displays menus of coffee or specific beverages in the form of photos or icons and can be selected by touching them, and the fee payment unit 150 may be used for mobile Internet-based payment such as QR or PAY. It can be configured to be paid through a payment method, a credit card payment method, or a cash injection method as needed.

Although not shown in the drawing, the case 100 may be provided with additional insulation material on each wall depending on the environment in which it is installed indoors or outdoors, and a heating and cooling device may be installed and operated separately on the upper side of the case 100.

The refrigeration/warming device may be configured to operate in connection with the control circuit unit to maintain the temperature inside the case 100 at a minimum of 5°C to 17°C at all times using temperature sensors additionally provided inside and outside the case 100.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent malfunctions due to changes in internal temperature by maintaining the internal temperature of the case 100 at an appropriate temperature at all times according to seasonal changes. In particular, the ice supply device 400 makes ice at 5°C to 10°C. It can operate smoothly and there is no phenomenon of de-icing ice melting or sticking to each other.

As a component installed inside such case 100, first, the coffee supply device is,

It is a device that extracts coffee powder by grinding coffee beans like a grinder. The coffee beans selected according to the selected menu are input, and the grinding degree is determined and then operated to produce a set amount of coffee powder.

And the water supply device 300,

Purified water is supplied and stored from outside, and water at room temperature, water cooled through a cooling device, or water heated through a heater can be provided.

The water supply device 300 may be provided with an outlet for room temperature water, an outlet for cooled water, and an outlet for heated water. When a cup is placed below each outlet, the cup is recognized and a certain amount of water is supplied. In another example, the outlet is composed of one button, and the button for room temperature water, the button for cooled water, and the button for heated water to come out are composed of physical buttons, pressure-sensitive buttons, or capacitive buttons, etc., so that they are located below the outlet. With the cup seated in the cup, the robot arm 700, which will be described later, may receive water of a desired temperature from one outlet by manually operating a button.

At this time, it is desirable that the contact portion of the robot arm 700 that operates the button according to the button type is also configured to correspond.

And the coffee extraction device 200,

Coffee beans can be extracted at a constant pressure while receiving a set amount of coffee powder from the above-described coffee supply device and purified water from the water supply device 300.

Here, the coffee extraction device 200 may be supplied with coffee powder in a state separated from the coffee supply device, but the coffee supply device is installed together inside the coffee extraction device 200 and forms a single body in an interlocked state. It may be configured, and in this case, it is preferable that the coffee bean hopper is configured to be exposed to the outside of the coffee extraction device 200 so that the supply status of the coffee beans contained in the coffee bean hopper can be checked.

When placing the extracted coffee liquid in a cup, the coffee extraction device 200 may be configured to recognize the cup and automatically supply the coffee liquid to the cup when the cup is placed below the coffee outlet. However, the coffee extraction device 200 may be configured to place the cup below the coffee outlet. In this state, when the robot arm 700, which will be described later, presses the extraction button, the coffee liquid may be extracted and placed in a cup. The extraction button may be configured as a physical button, a pressure-sensitive button, or a capacitive button, etc. It is preferable that the contact part of the robot arm 700 that operates the extraction button is also configured to correspond to the method of the extraction button.

And the ice supply device 400,

Ice made by a device that turns purified water provided from the water supply device 300 into ice of a specific shape can be stored at a low temperature, and when the cup is placed below the outlet, a certain amount of ice is stored through recognition of the cup. The ice may be discharged, or the robot arm 700 may press the discharge button after placing the cup at the bottom of the discharge port to discharge the ice.

Here, the ejection button may be configured as a physical button, a pressure-sensitive button, or a capacitive button, and it is preferable that the contact part of the robot arm 700 that operates the ejection button is also configured correspondingly depending on the type of the ejection button.

The ice made in the ice supply device 400 can be made of spherical or polyhedral-shaped ice, and is composed of two outlets, with one outlet discharging large-sized ice and the other discharging small-sized ice. It may be configured as such.

And the syrup supply device main body 600,

It is a device that supplies various syrups used in making specific drinks. Syrup containers 620 containing various types of syrup are stored in each storage port 611 formed in each container storage case 610, and the syrup is stored in the container storage case 610. By pressurizing the pumping nozzle 621 of the container 620, a certain amount of syrup can be discharged from the pumping nozzle 621 and supplied to the cup.

Here, the container storage case 610 is preferably configured to have the entrance of the storage port 611 inclined to facilitate replacement of the syrup container 620 so that the syrup container 620 can be easily entered and exited through the storage port 611.

In addition, the storage port 611 of the container storage case 610 may be made of a metal material capable of conducting heat, and a cooling device 640 is installed in the storage port 611 to maintain the internal temperature of the storage port 611 at the set temperature. Accordingly, the syrup in the syrup container 620 stored in the storage port 611 can be stored at a set temperature, thereby preventing the syrup in the syrup container 620 from deteriorating depending on the temperature of the installation space where the vending machine is installed. there is.

Here, the cooling device 640 is, for example, a Peltier element 641 installed on the bottom of the storage port 611 and composed of a cooling part and a heating part to change the temperature directly or using a refrigerant, and such Peltier element The heat sink 642 and heat sink fin 643 made of high-purity aluminum installed at the bottom of (641), the cooling fan 644 installed at the bottom of the heat sink fin 643, and the air discharged by the cooling fan 644 are moved. It may be configured to include a duct 645 and an exhaust fan 646 that exhausts air from the duct 645 to the outside of the case 100.

Meanwhile, in the container storage case 610, a nozzle operating port 631 is formed vertically above the storage port 611, which moves up and down by the drive of the actuator 630. This nozzle operating port 631 is formed by an actuator ( As the operation of 630 moves up and down, the pumping nozzle 621 of the syrup container 620 stored in the storage port 611 can be operated.

When the pumping nozzle 621 of the syrup container 620 is pressed by the descent of the nozzle operating port 631, a certain amount of syrup stored inside the syrup container 620 is discharged to the outside of the pumping nozzle 621, and the pressed pumping The nozzle 621 can gradually return to its original state when the nozzle operation port 631 rises and the external force is removed.

Here, the actuator 630 may be configured to operate the pumping nozzle 621 by, for example, a piston that moves up and down in accordance with the control of air pressure while the piston is raised and lowered from the cylinder under the control of air pressure. As another example, The pumping nozzle 621 may be configured to be operated by a screw that rotates forward or reverse according to the driving of the forward/reverse motor.

The operation of the actuator 630 is, for example, when a menu is selected by the user, the required syrup is determined according to the selected menu, the cup is moved toward the syrup container 620 containing the syrup, and the syrup container 620 is stored in the storage port. (611) When the cup is positioned in front, the cup is recognized and the actuator 630 is activated, and the nozzle operation port 631 operates the pumping nozzle 621 of the syrup container 620 to supply syrup to the cup.

Another example of the operation of the actuator 630 is that the operation button of the actuator 630 is individually configured, a menu is selected by the user, the required syrup is determined, and the cup is moved toward the syrup container 620 containing the syrup. After the cup is seated in front of the storage port 611 where the syrup container 620 is stored, when the robot arm 700 operates the operation button of the actuator 630, the nozzle operation port 631 moves the syrup container 620. Syrup can also be supplied to the cup by operating the pumping nozzle 621.

Here, the operation button may be configured as a physical button, a pressure-sensitive button, or a capacitive button, and it is preferable that the contact portion of the robot arm 700 that operates the operation button is also configured to correspond to the type of the operation button.

Meanwhile, the number of times the pumping nozzle 621 operates and the remaining amount of syrup stored in the syrup container 620 have an inverse relationship, so the syrup container 620 operates according to the number of times the pumping nozzle 621 of the syrup container 620 is operated. The remaining amount of syrup can be determined.

Therefore, since one operation of the actuator 630 is ultimately one operation of the pumping nozzle 621, the syrup supply device main body 600 includes a counter unit to measure the number of operations of the actuator 630, and this counter unit. A control unit 650 that is connected and capable of determining the amount of syrup remaining in the syrup container 620 according to the number of operations of the actuator 630, and a syrup container 620 through wired or wireless communication with this control unit 650. A communication unit that can inform the manager's terminal of the remaining amount of syrup remaining in the syrup container 620 or that the syrup remaining in the syrup container 620 is almost exhausted and needs to be replaced may be further included.

Here, in the case of the counter part, a pumping nozzle operation count detection sensor 661 is placed using a vertical bracket 660 installed at a distance from the rear of the storage port 611, and the actuator 630 connected to the nozzle operating port 631 is installed. By forming a display unit 633 on the rod 632 that is detected by the pumping nozzle operation count detection sensor 661, when the rod 632 is raised and lowered to operate the pumping nozzle 621, the display unit 633 of the rod 632 is displayed. ) can be detected by the pumping nozzle operation count detection sensor 661 to determine the operation count of the pumping nozzle 621.

The vertical bracket 660 is located between the container storage case 610 and the storage port 611, and the actuator 630 can be installed using the rear of the vertical bracket 660. This vertical bracket 660 A syrup container presence detection sensor may be installed to determine the presence or absence of the syrup container 620 stored in the storage port 611.

In addition, each of the storage ports 611 may be equipped with a temperature sensor as needed, and the storage temperature of each syrup container 620 is transmitted to the control unit 650 through these temperature sensors, and the control unit 650 By transmitting the storage temperature of the syrup container 620 to the manager's terminal, the manager can check the storage temperature of the syrup container 620 at any time and manage the syrup more effectively.

In addition, the control unit 650 is connected to the above-described cooling device 640 and various sensors to determine the presence or absence of the syrup container 620, control the storage temperature, and comprehensively determine the operation of the actuator 630 for pumping and the number of pumping times. You can control it.

Meanwhile, the nozzle operating port 631 installed in the actuator 630 is formed horizontally with a certain length, and one end is connected to the rod 632 of the actuator 630 installed on the rear of the container storage case 610. The other end is configured to be located vertically above the pumping nozzle 621 of the syrup container 620 stored in the storage port 611 of the container storage case 610, so that the nozzle operating port 631 operates according to the operation of the actuator 630. ) can be moved up and down in a horizontal state to operate the pumping nozzle 621 of the syrup container 620.

Here, it is preferable that an anti-slip member such as rubber or silicone be installed on the bottom surface of the other end of the nozzle operation port 631, which comes into contact with the upper surface of the pumping nozzle 621, to prevent slipping when in contact with the pumping nozzle 621. .

In addition, the nozzle operating port 631 is preferably installed so as to be able to rotate left and right within 90 degrees about the rod 632 as the center of rotation, which allows the syrup container 620 to be placed in the storage port 611 of the container storage case 610. This is to prevent the pumping nozzle 621 of the syrup container 620 from interfering with the nozzle operating port 631 during the storage process.

Meanwhile, a support plate on which the cup can be seated while protruding forward may be provided at the bottom of the front of the storage port 611 of the container storage case 610. When the cup is placed on this support plate, the cup is recognized and the nozzle operating port 631 ) may be operated, or the cup may be placed on the support plate and the robot arm 700 may manually operate the nozzle operation port 631.

In addition, the support plate is configured to be raised and lowered in the vertical direction as needed, so that when the pumping nozzle 621 is operated by the nozzle operation port 631, the support plate is raised and the cup is brought as close to the pumping nozzle 621 as possible. , it can also prevent syrup from being sprayed out of the cup and wasted.

And the cup supply device 500,

It is a device that supplies cups containing coffee or a specific beverage, and when a plurality of cups are prepared, the cups can be configured to be sequentially discharged one by one according to menu selection.

The cups may be configured so that paper cups for hot drinks and plastic cups for cold drinks are stored individually and are selected and discharged one by one according to the selected menu.

The cup supply device 500 may also be configured to not be automatically ejected, but to use an ejection button provided so that the robot arm 700 presses the eject button to eject the cup.

And the robot arm 700,

It is installed inside the transparent part 120 so that the user can check its movement through the transparent part 120. As it is configured to move along 6 or more degrees of freedom, the coffee is finished while moving along the movement path set according to the selected menu. Alternatively, a specific beverage can be provided to the user.

The robot arm 700 moves a predetermined path according to the selected menu and grasps the cup discharged from the cup supply device 500, or moves the grasped cup to the outlet where the coffee liquid is discharged from the coffee extraction device 200. Receive coffee liquid in a cup, move the cup held in the ice supply device 400 to the outlet where ice is discharged, and receive ice in the cup, or receive ice in the cup through the syrup container main body 600, which is installed in the storage port 611 where the syrup container 620 is installed. ) It serves to receive syrup discharged from the syrup container 620 in the cup by moving the cup held in front, or to move finished coffee or a specific finished beverage to the beverage outlet 121.

Here, the end of the robot arm 700 is preferably configured in a shape that can accurately grip the outer surface of the cup without pressing it more than necessary, and if necessary, a pressing protrusion may be further formed at the end of the robot arm 700. , These pressurized protrusions operate the aforementioned water supply device 300, coffee extraction device 200, ice supply device 400, syrup supply device main body 600, or cup supply device 500 using physical buttons. However, in the case of a pressure-sensitive button, the pressing protrusion of the robot arm 700 may be configured to operate by pressing the button with an appropriate intensity according to the characteristics of the button. If such a button is configured in an electrostatic manner, the pressing protrusion may be electrically operated. It is preferable that it is made of a guiding material so that the button can be operated accurately.

Of course, the button may be configured in various forms, including an infrared button or an ultrasonic button, in addition to a physical button, a pressure-sensitive button, or a capacitive button.

Therefore, the coffee supply device, water supply device 300, coffee extraction device 200, ice supply device 400, syrup supply device main body 600, and cup supply device 500 installed in the vending machine. ) can be programmed to interoperate with each other and configured to automatically operate together with the robot arm 700 according to menu selection. In this case, the end of the robot arm 700 may be configured only in the form of holding a cup. .

However, the water supply device 300, coffee extraction device 200, ice supply device 400, syrup supply device main body 600, or cup supply device 500 installed in the vending machine are configured to be operated manually. If possible, it is preferable that the end of the robot arm 700 is configured to hold a cup and further include the above-mentioned pressing protrusion so that each device can be manually operated.

And the beverage discharge device 800,

When the robot arm 700 moves the finished coffee or a specific beverage to the beverage outlet 121 formed at the bottom of the transparent part 120, the beverage outlet 121 is opened and the user can take the finished coffee or a specific beverage. It allows you to

The beverage discharge device 800 includes, for example, a horizontal moving tray 810 on which coffee or a specific finished beverage is placed by the robot arm 700, and a beverage discharge port formed in front of the moving tray 810. A shutter 820 that opens or closes (121), a lifting actuator 830 that raises and lowers the moving tray 810 and the shutter 820 together, and a lowering actuator 830 that is located behind the beverage outlet 121 and detects the cup. It may be configured to include a rising detection sensor 842 that is located vertically above the detection sensor 841 and the falling detection sensor 841 and detects the cup.

Here, the moving tray 810 and the shutter 820 may be configured in an integrated or assembled form.

Therefore, when a cup containing finished coffee or a finished specific beverage is placed on the moving tray 810 by the robot arm 700, the cup is recognized by the rising detection sensor 842 and the lifting actuator 830 is activated to move it. The tray 810 is lowered, and the shutter 820 connected to the front of the mobile tray 810 along with the mobile tray 810 is also lowered, so that the beverage outlet 121, which was closed by the shutter 820, is lowered. As it is opened, the user can take a cup containing finished coffee or a specific finished beverage through the open beverage outlet 121.

And as the user takes the cup that was lowered together with the moving tray (810), the cup detected by the lowering detection sensor (841) disappears, and the moving tray (810) and shutter (820) are moved by the operation of the lifting actuator (830). As it rises again, the beverage outlet 121 is closed again by the shutter 820.

Next, we will look at the process of using the vending machine configured as described above.

For example, when the user selects the Americano menu through the menu control unit 140 and the payment is completed through the fee payment unit 150, a certain amount of coffee beans are ground according to the set grinding degree and extracted into coffee powder, The extracted coffee powder is moved to the coffee extraction device 200, and the robot arm 700 moves toward the cup supply device 500, grabs the paper cup discharged from the cup supply device 500 according to the selected Americano menu, and then makes coffee. Move toward the extraction device 200 and place a paper cup below the coffee outlet of the coffee extraction device 200.

Afterwards, when the paper cup is detected, the coffee extraction device 200 is automatically operated to extract a certain amount of coffee liquid and put it in the paper cup.

If the coffee extraction device 200 is operated manually, the robot arm 700 operates the operation button of the coffee extraction device 200 while placing a paper cup in the outlet of the coffee extraction device 200. The coffee powder moved to the coffee extraction device 200 can be extracted as coffee liquid and placed in a paper cup.

The robot arm 700 moves a paper cup containing coffee liquid to the water supply device 300 and then places the paper cup below the water outlet of the water supply device 300. When the paper cup is detected, the paper cup is detected and the paper cup is moved to the water outlet of the water supply device 300. A certain amount of hot water is supplied from.

When the water supply device 300 is operated manually, the robot arm 700 operates the operation button of the water supply device 300 with a paper cup placed on the outlet of the water supply device 300 to supply hot water to the paper cup. It can be contained.

Afterwards, the robot arm 700 moves the paper cup containing Americano, made by mixing coffee liquid and hot water, to the beverage outlet 121 located at the bottom of the front of the transparent part 120 and places it on the moving tray 810, detecting the paper cup. As one moving tray 810 is lowered along with the shutter 820, the beverage outlet 121 is opened, so that the user can take the completed Americano through the open beverage outlet 121.

As another example, when the user selects the iced Americano menu through the menu control unit 140 and completes payment through the fee payment unit 150, a certain amount of coffee beans are ground according to the set grinding degree and extracted into coffee powder. , the extracted coffee powder is moved to the coffee extraction device 200, and the robot arm 700 moves toward the cup supply device 500 and grasps the plastic cup discharged from the cup supply device 500 according to the selected iced Americano menu. Then, it moves towards the ice supply device 400 and places a plastic cup under the ice discharge port of the ice supply device 400. When the plastic cup is detected, a certain amount of ice is placed in the plastic cup from the ice supply device 400. Then, the robot arm 700 moves the plastic cup containing the ice to the water supply device 300 and then places the plastic cup below the water outlet of the water supply device 300. As a result, the plastic cup is detected and A certain amount of cold water is supplied to the plastic cup from the water outlet of the water supply device 300.

Afterwards, the robot arm 700 moves the plastic cup containing ice and cold water toward the coffee extraction device 200 and positions the plastic cup containing ice and cold water below the coffee outlet of the coffee extraction device 200. Accordingly, When the plastic cup is detected and the coffee extraction device 200 is activated, a certain amount of coffee liquid is extracted and placed in the plastic cup.

Here too, in the case of the coffee supply device, coffee extraction device 200, ice supply device 400, or water supply device 300, if the cup is not automatically recognized, the robot arm 700 manually operates each device. It can be configured to operate by manipulating it.

Afterwards, the plastic cup containing a mixture of ice, cold water, and coffee liquid is moved to the beverage outlet 121 located at the bottom of the front of the transparent part 120 by the robot arm 700 and placed on the moving tray 810, and the plastic cup is placed on the mobile tray 810. As the moving tray 810 and the shutter 820 detect the lowering, the beverage outlet 121, which was closed by the shutter 820, is opened, allowing the user to take the completed iced Americano through the beverage outlet 121. There is.

In addition, as another example, when the user selects the lemonade menu, which is a specific beverage, through the menu operation unit 140, and payment of the fee is completed through the fee payment unit 150, the robot arm 700 uses the cup supply device 500. Move to the side and grab the plastic cup discharged from the cup supply device (500) according to the selected lemonade menu, then move toward the ice supply device (400) and place the plastic cup below the ice discharge port of the ice supply device (400). Accordingly, when the plastic cup is detected, a certain amount of ice is placed in the plastic cup from the ice supply device 400, and the plastic cup containing the ice is moved by the robot arm 700 toward the syrup supply device main body 600 to fill the container. Among the storage ports 611 of the case 100, the syrup container 620 containing the lemonade syrup is located in front of the storage port 611, and when the plastic cup is detected, the nozzle operation port 631 is used to produce lemonade syrup. The pumping nozzle 621 of the syrup container 620 where the syrup is stored is operated a set number of times, and the lemonade syrup pumped from the syrup container 620 where the lemonade syrup is stored by this operation is inside the plastic cup containing the ice. , and then the robot arm 700 moves the plastic cup containing ice and lemonade syrup to the water supply device 300 and then places the plastic cup below the water outlet of the water supply device 300. Accordingly, when a plastic cup is detected, a certain amount of cold water is supplied from the water outlet of the water supply device 300.

Here again, if the ice supply device 400, water supply device 300, or syrup supply device main body 600 does not automatically recognize the cup, the robot arm 700 operates each device manually. It can be configured as follows.

Afterwards, the plastic cup containing ice, lemonade syrup, and cold water mixed to make lemonade is moved by the robot arm 700 to the beverage outlet 121 located at the bottom of the front of the transparent part 120 and placed in the mobile tray 810. It is raised, and the moving tray 810 and shutter 820, which detect the plastic cup, are lowered, and the beverage outlet 121, which was closed by the shutter 820, is opened, allowing the user to complete the drink through the beverage outlet 121. You can take freshly prepared lemonade with you.

As described above, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but of course, various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the described content. Therefore, the scope of the described content need not be limited to the described embodiments, and should be determined by the claims described below as well as equivalents to these claims.

100: Case 110: Electrical unit
120: transparent portion 121: beverage outlet
130: Advertising Department 131: Auxiliary Advertising Department
140: Menu control unit 150: Fee payment unit
200: coffee extraction device 300: water supply device
400: Ice supply device 500: Cup supply device
610: container storage bin 611: storage port
620: Syrup container 621: Pumping nozzle
630: Actuator 631: Nozzle operating tool
632: Rod 633: Display unit
640: Cooling device 641: Peltier element
642: heat sink 643: heat sink fin
644: cooling fan 645: duct
646: exhaust fan 650: control unit
700: Robot arm 800: Beverage dispensing device
810: moving tray 820: shutter

Claims (9)

In the syrup supply device installed inside a vending machine for selling beverages,
The syrup supply device main body 600 is installed inside the case 100 constituting the vending machine, and a plurality of syrup containers 620 are individually stored, and the storage temperature of each syrup container 620 is individually controlled. , A syrup supply device for a beverage vending machine, characterized in that the pumping nozzle 621 of the syrup container 620 is individually pressurized and a certain amount of syrup is discharged. In claim 1,
The syrup supply device main body 600,
A container storage case 610 in which the syrup container 620 is individually stored, and which is made up of a plurality of storage ports 611 where the entrance into which the syrup container 620 is inserted is inclined.
A cooling device 640 installed in each of the storage ports 611; and
a nozzle operation port 631 that uniformly pressurizes the pumping nozzle 621 of the syrup container 620 stored in the storage port 611 to discharge syrup;
A syrup supply device for a beverage vending machine, characterized in that it includes. In claim 2,
The syrup supply device main body 600,
An actuator 630 that raises and lowers the nozzle operation tool 631 according to an input signal;
The number of operations of the actuator 630 is measured each time the pumping nozzle 621 of the syrup container 620 containing a predetermined volume of syrup is pressed and operated by the nozzle operation port 631 connected to the actuator 630. counter unit;
It is connected to the counter unit and determines the amount of syrup remaining in the syrup container 620 according to the number of operations of the actuator 630, and determines the remaining amount of syrup remaining in the syrup container 620 or the syrup container 620. A control unit 650 that determines that the remaining syrup is exhausted and needs to be replaced; and
Upon receiving a signal from the control unit 650, the administrator's terminal indicates through wired or wireless communication that the remaining amount of syrup remaining in the syrup container 620 or that the syrup remaining in the syrup container 620 is exhausted and needs to be replaced. Department of Communications, which guides you to;
A syrup supply device for a beverage vending machine, characterized in that it includes. In claim 3,
Each of the storage ports 611 is equipped with a temperature sensor, and the detected value of the temperature sensor is transmitted to the control unit and transmitted to the manager's terminal through the communication unit to determine the storage temperature of the syrup container 620 stored in the storage port 611. A syrup supply device for a beverage vending machine, characterized in that it is configured so that the manager can make a decision. In claim 3,
The actuator 630 is configured to operate the nozzle operating device 631 through a piston that moves up and down from the cylinder under the control of air pressure, or operates the nozzle operating device 631 through a screw that moves up and down according to the forward and reverse rotation of the forward and reverse motor. A syrup supply device for a beverage vending machine, characterized in that it is configured to operate. In claim 2,
The cooling device 640,
A Peltier element 641 installed on the bottom of the receiving port 611 and composed of a cooling part and a heating part to change the temperature using a refrigerant;
A heat sink 642 and a heat sink fin 643 installed below the Peltier element 641;
A cooling fan 644 installed below the heat dissipation fin 643;
A duct 645 through which air discharged by the cooling fan 644 moves; And
An exhaust fan 646 that exhausts the air in the duct 645 to the outside of the case 100;
A syrup supply device for a beverage vending machine, characterized in that it includes. In claim 2,
The nozzle operation port 631 is,
One horizontal side is connected to the cylinder end of the actuator 630 installed at the rear of the container storage case 610, and the other horizontal side is a syrup container stored in the storage port 611 of the container storage case 610. A syrup supply device for a beverage vending machine, characterized in that it is configured to be positioned vertically above the pumping nozzle (621) of 620). In claim 7,
A syrup supply device for a beverage vending machine, characterized in that the other horizontal bottom surface of the nozzle operating port (631) is further provided with an anti-slip device to prevent slipping when in contact with the pumping nozzle (621). In claim 2,
The container storage case 610 is provided with a support plate that protrudes forward at the bottom of the storage port 611 and can support the bottom of the cup, and the support plate is configured to be raised and lowered in the vertical direction toward the pumping nozzle 621. A syrup supply device for a beverage vending machine, characterized in that.

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