JP5903566B2 - vending machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine that has a cooling and heating system that cools and warms a product using a refrigeration cycle in a vending machine that heats or cools a product such as a can beverage.

  In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for power consumption reduction for vending machines, and as a means for reducing power consumption, there is one that warms a warehouse where products are stored using exhaust heat generated by cooling or heat of the outside air. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Hereinafter, a conventional vending machine will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 5 shows a refrigerant circuit diagram in a conventional vending machine, and FIG. 6 shows a control flowchart at the time of operation mode switching.

  A conventional vending machine has a commodity storage 1 for storing commodities and a machine room (not shown) disposed in the lower part of the commodity storage 1. The product storage 1 is divided into three compartments, a first cooling greenhouse 2 that cools or warms the stored product, a second cooling greenhouse 3 that cools or warms the stored product, and a stored product. A cooling chamber 4 for cooling is provided. In addition, a product storage shelf (not shown) is suspended in the upper part of each cabinet, and products are stored inside.

  In addition, 5 is a compressor, 6 is an external heat exchanger, 7 is an expansion valve that depressurizes the passing refrigerant, 8 and 9 are internal heat exchangers, 10 is an evaporator, and 11 to 19 are electromagnetics that perform opening and closing operations. Valves 20 to 25 are check valves that allow the refrigerant to pass only in the direction of the arrow, 26 is an external fan installed in the vicinity of the external heat exchanger, and 27 to 29 are in the vicinity of the heat exchanger in each product storage. The installed internal fans 30 and 31 are heating heaters.

  The operation of the conventional vending machine installed as described above will be described with reference to FIG. A case will be described in which only the first cooling greenhouse 2 is heated and the other two rooms are cooled.

  In the conventional vending machine, the first cooling greenhouse 2 is heated, and at the same time, the second cooling greenhouse 3 and the cooling exclusive chamber 4 are cooled and heated in a cooling and heating operation mode (three-chamber operation CCH, two-chamber operation CH); A heating operation mode (one-room operation H) in which only the first cooling greenhouse 2 is heated, a cooling operation mode (two-room operation CC, The one-chamber operation C) is switched by opening / closing the solenoid valves 11-19.

  Here, in FIG. 6, a priority room is provided in each product storage, and control is performed to switch the operation mode according to the heating ON / OFF temperature and the temperature state of the priority room / non-priority room. By doing so, it is possible to always perform the operation in the optimum operation mode regardless of the cooling load and the heating load, which can lead to energy saving.

JP 2006-11604 A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, both the internal heat exchanger and the external heat exchanger have a specification in which one heat exchanger is used with a role interchanged with a condenser or an evaporator. Must be branched into a pipe connected to the expansion valve and a pipe connected to the compressor suction pipe, and an electromagnetic valve for opening and closing must be provided on the pipe connected to the compressor suction pipe. When each heat exchanger acts as an evaporator, the solenoid valve is opened, but the inside of the solenoid valve is usually narrower than the surrounding piping, causing a pressure loss when the refrigerant passes, and the compressor Cause a decrease in efficiency. Further, if the inside of the solenoid valve is widened, it is necessary to strengthen the force of the coil at the time of opening and closing, and accordingly, there is a problem that the amount of power consumed when the coil is energized increases.

  In addition, the optimum specifications differ between the condenser and the evaporator, and if the condenser optimum specification is used, there is a concern about the return of the refrigerant due to insufficient capacity as a heat exchanger when used as an evaporator. If the specification is used, there is a problem that when the condenser is used as a condenser, the condensation temperature cannot reach the target temperature and the heating capacity is lowered, and the operation with the optimum specification corresponding to each operation cannot be performed.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to perform efficient operation and reduce power consumption in a system that performs cooling and heating by switching various operation modes.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the vending machine of the present invention has a plurality of product storages and a machine room disposed in a lower part of the product storage, and at least one of the product storages. A cooling greenhouse that cools or heats the product that stores the product, and a cooling-only chamber that cools the product that stores at least one of the product storages, and is installed in the cooling greenhouse. a first-chamber evaporator and the internal condenser, a second-chamber evaporator installed in the cooling-only chamber and a compressor which is installed in front Symbol machine 械室, the outside-compartment condenser, the A first flow path for flowing the flow path of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the external condenser via the internal condenser, and the external condenser without passing through the internal condenser a flow path switching means for switching to either of the second channel to flow into the flow path switching hands from the cabinet in the condenser A refrigerant pipe connected to the external condenser via the refrigerant, an external evaporator provided in a bypass flow path that bypasses the suction pipe of the compressor, and the suction side of the external evaporator on the suction side an electromagnetic valve for opening and closing the bypass passage, an expansion mechanism provided between the outside-compartment evaporator and the solenoid valve, and external fan provided in the vicinity of the outside-compartment condenser and the outside-compartment evaporator It includes, and is characterized in that a pre-Symbol-compartment condenser provided a resistor to the pipe which connects the outside-compartment condenser.

  As a result, the heating operation of the product storage can be performed and the amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle can be reduced.

  The vending machine according to the present invention enables a single heating operation of the product storage and reduces the amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle, thereby reducing the ignition risk when flammable refrigerant leaks. be able to.

Refrigerant circuit diagram of vending machine in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation diagram during cooling operation in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation diagram at the time of cooling and heating operation in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Operation diagram during heating operation in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Refrigerant circuit diagram of a conventional vending machine Flowchart of conventional vending machine operation switching control

A first invention has a plurality of commodity storages and a machine room disposed at a lower part of the commodity storages, and is a cooling greenhouse that cools or heats a commodity that stores at least one of the commodity storages. In the vending machine, which is a cooling-only room that cools products that store at least one room in the product storage, the first internal evaporator and internal condenser installed in the cooling chamber and cooling only The second internal evaporator installed in the room, the compressor installed in the machine room, the external condenser, and the flow path of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor are stored via the internal condenser. A flow path switching means for switching to a flow path flowing to the external condenser, a flow path for flowing to the external condenser without going through the internal condenser, and a flow path switching means from the internal condenser to the flow path switching means Provided in a bypass flow path that bypasses the refrigerant piping connected to the external condenser and the suction piping of the compressor. The external evaporator, the electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the bypass flow path on the suction side of the external evaporator, the expansion mechanism provided between the electromagnetic valve and the external evaporator, the external condenser and the external evaporation And an external fan provided in the vicinity of the container, and a resistor is provided in the pipe connecting the internal condenser and the external condenser, enabling the heating operation of the product storage, Since the amount of refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle can be reduced, it is possible to reduce the ignition risk when flammable refrigerant leaks.
In the second invention, in the first invention, when cooling the cooling greenhouse and the cooling exclusive chamber, the electromagnetic valve is closed, and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is condensed outside the chamber by switching the flow path switching means. After condensing in the cooler, return it to the compressor via the first and second internal evaporators, and heat the cooling chamber and cool the cooling chamber. compartment closes the valve, switching the flow path switching means, by communicating the internal condenser and the outside-compartment condenser with communicating the discharge pipe and the internal condenser of compressors, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor After partially condensing with the internal condenser and dissipating heat to the surrounding air, the cooling greenhouse is warmed, and after the refrigerant discharged from the internal condenser is decompressed with a resistor, it is further condensed with an external condenser When recirculating to the compressor via the second internal evaporator and heating only the cooling greenhouse With opening the solenoid valve switches the flow path switching means, by communicating the internal condenser and the outside-compartment condenser with communicating the discharge pipe and the internal condenser of compressors, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor By partially condensing with the internal condenser and dissipating heat to the surrounding air, the cooling greenhouse is heated, and after the refrigerant discharged from the internal condenser is decompressed with a resistor, it is further condensed with an external condenser, after reducing the pressure in the expansion mechanism refrigerant leaving the outside-compartment condenser, in which recirculates to the compressor through the outside-compartment evaporator.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect , a resistor provided in a pipe connecting the internal condenser and the external condenser is a capillary tube. The amount of refrigerant can be reduced.

According to a fourth invention, in the first to third inventions, after the refrigerant is condensed by the internal condenser, the refrigerant is further condensed by the external condenser, and then the refrigerant is evaporated by the internal evaporator. This is to stop or reduce the air volume of the fan outside the refrigerator during the simultaneous cooling and heating operation, and appropriate cooling and heating operation can be performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of a vending machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an operation diagram during a cooling operation, FIG. 3 is an operation diagram during a cooling and heating operation, and FIG. 4 is an operation during a heating operation. FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the vending machine according to the first embodiment has a product storage 1 for storing products and a machine room (not shown) arranged in the lower part of the product storage 1. The product storage 1 is divided into three compartments, a first cooling greenhouse 2 that cools or warms the stored product, a second cooling greenhouse 3 that cools or warms the stored product, and a stored product. A cooling chamber 4 for cooling is provided. In addition, a product storage shelf (not shown) is suspended in the upper part of each cabinet, and products are stored inside.

  Further, the compressor 5, the external condenser 40, the external evaporator 41, a four-way valve 42 that can switch and close the refrigerant flow path, resistors 43, 44, and 45 that depressurize the passing refrigerant, 48, 52, internal condenser 46, internal evaporators 9, 10, 47, four-way switching valve 49 capable of switching the refrigerant flow path, openable / closable electromagnetic valves 50, 51, electric heater 30 used during heating, 31, an external fan 26 provided in the vicinity of the external condenser 40 and the external evaporator 41, and internal fans 27, 28, and 29 provided in the respective compartments.

  Here, the internal condenser 46 and the internal evaporator 47 are formed as an integrated heat exchanger sharing the fins.

  Further, the outside condenser 40 and the outside evaporator 41 are also formed as an integrated heat exchanger sharing the fins, and the piping of the outside condenser 40 is located at a position corresponding to the windward side when the outside fan 26 is operated. Is formed.

  Here, the four-way switching valve 49 is connected to the discharge pipe of the compressor 5, the inlet / outlet pipe of the internal condenser 46, and the inlet pipe of the external condenser 40.

  Further, the outlet of the internal evaporator 9 and the outlet of the resistor 45 are connected in parallel at the inlet of the internal evaporator 10.

  In addition, an external evaporator 41 is connected to the downstream side of the external condenser 40 by a pipe, and an electromagnetic valve 51 and a resistor 52 that can be opened and closed are provided on the pipe.

  In addition, a resistor 48 is provided in a pipe connecting the internal condenser 46 and the external condenser 40.

  Note that a flammable refrigerant is used as a refrigerant applied to the cooling system. For example, hydrocarbon refrigerants such as methane, ethane, propane, isobutane, and pentane, HFC refrigerants such as R32, R152a, and R143a, HFO refrigerants such as HFO1234yf and HFO1234ze, or two or more kinds including at least one of these A mixed refrigerant can be used.

  These refrigerants are those that burn when there is fire as an ignition source at a gas concentration within the combustion range. Particularly, hydrocarbon refrigerants have an ozone depletion coefficient of 0, a low global warming coefficient, Natural refrigerant with little impact. The HFO refrigerant is a slightly flammable refrigerant and has been recently developed as an alternative refrigerant for R134a.

  The operation of the vending machine configured as described above will be described below.

  First, in the case of the cooling operation for cooling all the rooms, the operation is as shown in FIG.

  In the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve 49 is operated so that the discharge pipe of the compressor 5 communicates with the outside condenser 40 and the inlet and outlet of the inside condenser 46 communicate, and the electromagnetic valve 50 is opened. The electromagnetic valve 51 is closed, and the compressor 5 is started by operating the four-way valve 42 so that the external condenser 40 and the internal evaporators 9, 10, 47 communicate with each other.

  The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 5 passes through the four-way switching valve 49, condenses in the external condenser 40, passes through the four-way valve 42, and is decompressed by the resistors 43, 44, 45, and then in the refrigerator. The evaporator 9, 10, 47 evaporates and cools the inside of the box, and then returns to the compressor 5. At this time, the internal temperature of the first cooling chamber 2, the second cooling chamber 3, and the cooling chamber 4 is detected and the four-way valve 42 is operated to switch the internal evaporator into which the refrigerant flows. Switch the inside of the cabinet to cool by going.

  Next, in the case of the cooling and heating operation in which the first cooling greenhouse 2 is heated and the second cooling greenhouse 3 and the cooling exclusive chamber 4 are simultaneously cooled, the operation is as shown in FIG.

  In the case of the cooling and heating operation, the discharge pipe of the compressor 5 and the internal condenser 46 communicate with each other, and the four-way switching valve 49 is operated so that the internal condenser 46 and the external condenser 40 communicate with each other. The valves 50 and 51 are closed, and the compressor 5 is started by operating the four-way valve 42 so that the external condenser 40 and the evaporators 9 and 10 communicate with each other.

  The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 5 passes through the four-way switching valve 49 and then goes to the internal condenser 46, where it is partially condensed by the internal condenser 46, and at that time, it dissipates heat to the surrounding air. Warm the cooking chamber. The refrigerant exiting the internal condenser 46 is depressurized by the resistor 48, passes through the four-way switching valve 49, further condenses in the external condenser 40, and then passes through the four-way valve 42 to pass through the resistor 44. , 45 and then the surrounding air is cooled by evaporating in the internal evaporators 9 and 10. The evaporated and evaporated refrigerant returns to the compressor 5.

Further, after the refrigerant is condensed by the internal condenser 46, the refrigerant is further condensed by the external condenser 40 and then the refrigerant is evaporated by the internal evaporator 47. By stopping or reducing the air volume, the amount of heat exchange in the condenser can be optimized, and proper cooling and heating operation can be performed without causing refrigerant shortage.

  Next, in the case of the heating operation that only heats the first cooling greenhouse, the operation is as shown in FIG.

  In the case of the heating operation, the four-way selector valve 49 is operated and the electromagnetic valve is operated so that the discharge pipe of the compressor 5 and the internal condenser 46 communicate with each other, and the internal condenser 46 and the external condenser 40 communicate with each other. 50 is closed, the electromagnetic valve 51 is opened, the four-way valve 42 is closed, and the compressor 5 is started.

  The refrigerant discharged from the compressor 5 passes through the four-way switching valve 49, condenses and dissipates heat in the internal condenser 46, warms the interior, and then is decompressed by the resistor 48 and then the four-way switching valve 49. And is further condensed in the outside condenser 40. Thereafter, the gas passes through the electromagnetic valve 51, is decompressed by the resistor 52, evaporates in the external evaporator 41, and returns to the compressor 5.

  As described above, when the first cooling greenhouse 2 is heated, the internal evaporators 9 and 10 and the external evaporator 41 are selected by opening and closing the electromagnetic valve 51 and the four-way valve 42. By evaporating the refrigerant, the heat source necessary for heating the first cooling greenhouse 2 can be selected from the internal evaporators 9, 10 or the external evaporator 41. Regardless of the load state of the greenhouse 3 and the cooling exclusive room 4, the first cooling greenhouse 2 can be heated, and the heating operation is performed even at a low outside temperature where the load of the cooling room decreases. Power consumption can be reduced.

  Furthermore, by arranging the condenser and the evaporator separately inside and outside the warehouse, compared to using one heat exchanger as each condenser and evaporator, the outlet of the evaporator and the suction pipe of the compressor The solenoid valve provided on the pipe connected to can be eliminated, and the efficiency reduction due to pressure loss can be prevented. In addition, since it is possible to obtain optimum specifications for each of the condenser and the evaporator, it is possible to operate more efficiently.

  Furthermore, by switching the operation mode in the form of selecting the in-compartment evaporators 9 and 10 or the out-of-compartment evaporator 41 on the downstream side of the out-of-compartment condenser 40, the inside of the in-compartment in both the cooling and warming operation The refrigerant condensed in the condenser 46 is condensed again in the external condenser 40, and the condenser piping volume is the same in the cooling and heating operation and the heating operation, so that the optimum refrigerant amount can be made the same. It becomes.

  Here, in the case of heating operation, the refrigerant evaporates and cools the ambient air in the external evaporator 41 installed in the machine room at the lower part of the product storage, so that the ambient air is in a high humidity state. In this case, there is a risk that the pipe in the outside evaporator 41 is condensed or frosted, and the condensed water may be dripped from the machine room to the outside of the vending machine. In this case as well, the outside condenser 40 and the outside evaporator 41 is an integrated heat exchanger that shares fins, and a pipe configuration that always radiates heat and condenses in the external condenser 40 to heat between the external condenser 40 and the external evaporator 41. The amount of heat for cooling the ambient air can be reduced by the outside evaporator 41 and the heat of the fins of the integrated heat exchanger can be warmed by heat radiation from the outside condenser 40. Can evaporate so condensation It is possible to prevent the dropping of the vending machine outside-compartment.

  At that time, the heat exchange between the external condenser 40 and the external evaporator 41 is further enhanced by arranging the piping of the external condenser 40 so that it is located on the windward side when the external fan 26 is operated. It is possible to suppress condensation.

Furthermore, since the distance at which the condensed water drops through the fins by placing the inlet where the temperature decreases most in the external evaporator 41 at the upper part of the integrated heat exchanger, it is easy to evaporate during the dropping, It becomes more difficult to dripping.

  Furthermore, the arrangement | positioning which receives the condensed water dripped on the lower part of an integrated heat exchanger can further prevent dripping outside the vending machine storehouse.

  Further, by providing the resistor 48 on the pipe between the internal condenser 46 and the external condenser 40, it is possible to make a difference between the internal condensation temperature and the external condensation temperature. As a result, the refrigerant density in the external condenser decreases, so that the amount of refrigerant can be reduced. By reducing the amount of refrigerant, the cooling and heating operation using two condensers, the optimum refrigerant amount difference between the heating operation and the cooling operation using one condenser can be reduced, and a flammable refrigerant This can be used to reduce the risk of leakage at the time of use.

  Note that a capillary tube may be used for the resistor 48. By using a capillary tube, the resistor 48 can also serve as a pipe connecting the internal condenser 46 and the four-way switching valve 49. Therefore, the amount of refrigerant can be further reduced as compared with the case where an expansion valve or the like is used.

  In the cooling operation in which the refrigerant does not pass through the internal condenser 46, the refrigerant leaks from the discharge pipe side of the compressor 5, which has a high pressure within the four-way switching valve 49, to the internal condenser 46 side, which is the low pressure side. This causes refrigerant and refrigeration oil to stay in the internal condenser 46, resulting in insufficient cooling capacity and compressor failure. However, the internal condenser 46 and the low-pressure side pipe are connected to the pipe. By providing the solenoid valve 50, the refrigerant or oil staying in the internal condenser 46 can be recovered by opening the solenoid valve 50 to the suction pipe of the compressor having a low pressure, and the cooling capacity is insufficient. And failure of the compressor can be prevented. Further, by opening the electromagnetic valve 50, the pressure in the piping of the internal condenser 46 becomes the same as the suction pressure of the compressor 5. As a result, a high / low pressure difference in the four-way switching valve 49 can be ensured, and leakage of refrigerant in the four-way switching valve 49 can be prevented.

  Note that the amount of refrigerant leakage in the four-way switching valve 49 is very small in normal times, so that the same effect can be obtained even if the solenoid valve 50 is not always opened, but is periodically opened for a predetermined time during the startup of the compressor. Can be obtained. As a result, the electric energy of the electromagnetic valve can be minimized.

  Further, when there is an abnormality in the four-way switching valve 49 and the amount of leakage is larger than usual, and there is a control to change the opening time of the solenoid valve 50, it is possible to cope with an abnormality when the amount of leakage increases. It becomes.

  Here, the accumulated refrigerant was collected by connecting the internal condenser 46 and the suction pipe of the compressor 5, but the connected pipe may be anywhere as long as it is the same as the suction pressure of the compressor 5. Specifically, the resistors 43, 44, 45, and 52 or later may be used. However, if the connection is made in the product storage, the solenoid valve 50 is provided in the product storage, and space is required, so the product storage space may be reduced, and the product storage is cooled. In this case, since the solenoid valve 50 is energized to generate a heat load, the refrigerant can be most efficiently recovered by connecting it to the vicinity of the suction pipe of the compressor 5.

  The piping of the external condenser 40 may be arranged in the lower part of the integrated heat exchanger, and the piping of the external evaporator 41 may be arranged in the upper part of the integrated heat exchanger. By evaporating the dew condensation water generated in the outer evaporator 41 and dripping through the fins in the vicinity of the lower outside condenser 40, the dew condensation water can be prevented from dripping.

  As described above, the vending machine according to the present invention efficiently heats the heating chamber regardless of the load in the refrigerator in the refrigeration cycle that switches between a plurality of operation modes to cool and heat the chamber. Since it can be heated, it can be applied to a device that includes a plurality of storage rooms and switches between cooling and heating in each storage room.

2 First Cooling Greenhouse 3 Second Cooling Greenhouse 4 Cooling Room 5 Compressor 26 Outside Fan 40 Outside Condenser 41 Outside Evaporator 46 Inside Condenser 47 Inside Evaporator

Claims (4)

A plurality of product storages, and a machine room disposed at a lower part of the product storages,
In the vending machine as a cooling greenhouse that cools or heats a product that stores at least one room in the product storage, and a dedicated cooling room that cools a product that stores at least one room in the product storage,
A first internal evaporator and an internal condenser installed in the cooled greenhouse;
A second internal evaporator installed in the cooling exclusive chamber;
A compressor installed in the machine room;
An external condenser,
The flow path of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows through the internal condenser to the external condenser, and flows through the external condenser without passing through the internal condenser. Channel switching means for switching to any of the channels;
A refrigerant pipe connected to the external condenser via the flow path switching means from the internal condenser, and an external evaporator provided in a bypass flow path that bypasses the suction pipe of the compressor; ,
A solenoid valve that opens and closes the bypass flow path on the suction side of the external evaporator;
An expansion mechanism provided between the electromagnetic valve and the external evaporator;
An outside fan provided in the vicinity of the outside condenser and the outside evaporator,
A vending machine, wherein a resistor is provided in a pipe connecting the internal condenser and the external condenser. When cooling the cooling chamber and the exclusive cooling chamber, the solenoid valve is closed and the flow path switching means is switched to condense the refrigerant discharged from the compressor with the external condenser. , Recirculate to the compressor via the first internal evaporator and the second internal evaporator,
In case of cooling the heated the cooling-only chamber the cooling heating chamber, as well as closing the solenoid valve, switching the flow path switching means causes the discharge pipe before Symbol compressor communicates the chamber in the condenser In addition, by connecting the internal condenser and the external condenser, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is partially condensed by the internal condenser and dissipated to the surrounding air to thereby radiate the cooling chamber. After heating, the refrigerant discharged from the internal condenser is depressurized by the resistor, further condensed by the external condenser, and then returned to the compressor via the second internal evaporator. Let
Wherein when only heat the cooling heating chamber, as well as open the solenoid valve, the flow path shifting unit switches the said chamber in the condenser causes the discharge pipe before Symbol compressor communicates the chamber in the condenser The refrigerant discharged from the compressor is partially condensed by the internal condenser and radiated to the surrounding air to heat the cooling greenhouse, The refrigerant exiting the inner condenser is decompressed by the resistor and then further condensed by the external condenser, and the refrigerant exiting the external condenser is decompressed by the expansion mechanism and then passes through the external evaporator. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the compressor is refluxed.   The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the resistor provided in a pipe connecting the internal condenser and the external condenser is a capillary tube.   After condensing the refrigerant with the internal condenser, after further condensing the refrigerant with the external condenser and then evaporating the refrigerant with the internal evaporator, the air volume of the external fan is stopped during the simultaneous cold and cold operation The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vending machine is reduced.

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