JP7514802B2 - Disaster response laundry system and laundry equipment operation method - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a coin laundry facility that can respond to disasters.

Coin laundries provide customers with laundry equipment such as washer-dryers installed within the store. Customers bring their own laundry items such as clothes and bedding, and wash them by paying a fee. Coin laundries are generally unmanned, so they have introduced a payment system that automates payment. Customers insert cash into the payment machine installed at each machine and use the laundry machine on a self-service basis. In addition to cash, the payment machines also allow payment by electronic money such as IC cards.

JP 2019-87216 A

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide technology that makes it easier for disaster victims to use laundry equipment.

The laundry system of the embodiment is a disaster response laundry system that can operate even if the power infrastructure stops functioning, and includes at least one laundry appliance that has the function of drying clothes by burning gas stored in a gas storage unit, a generator that outputs electricity using the gas stored in the gas storage unit as fuel, and a power source switching unit that switches the power source of the laundry appliance to either the power infrastructure or the generator.

The laundry system of the embodiment is a disaster response laundry system that can operate even if the water infrastructure stops functioning, and includes a water storage tank that stores water supplied by the water infrastructure, and at least one laundry appliance that has the function of washing clothes with water supplied by the water infrastructure or the water storage tank.

1 is a schematic plan view of a laundry facility in which a laundry system according to a first embodiment is installed. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a laundry system according to a first embodiment; A schematic diagram showing the hardware configuration of the settlement system related to the first embodiment. 1 is a front view showing the hardware configuration of a settlement machine according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the settlement machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of a mode switching process according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of a pay mode process according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of a free mode process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a settlement machine according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of a mode switching process according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a settlement machine according to a third embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of a mode switching process according to the third embodiment.

The following describes the details of an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
(Laundry System)
First, an overview of a laundry facility in which a laundry system according to the present embodiment is installed and the overall configuration of the laundry system will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of the laundry facility in which the laundry system is installed. Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing the overall configuration of the laundry system.

The laundry facility F shown in FIG. 1 is equipped with a laundry system 1 as shown in FIG. 2. The laundry system 1 includes multiple laundry machines 10, a payment machine 11, a control device 12, a generator 13, a power source switching unit 14, a power supply unit 15, a water heater 16, a shower facility 17, and a gas supply unit 18.

The laundry equipment 10 is, for example, a washing machine, a dryer, a washer-dryer, a shoe washer, a compression pack machine, etc. In this embodiment, the laundry equipment 10 is a washer-dryer that washes and dries clothes, has an internal space for washing and drying the clothes, and is equipped with a door portion 10a that closes this internal space and opens the internal space so that clothes can be put in or taken out.

The interior of laundry facility F is divided into a store section D and a back yard B, and multiple laundry machines 10 are installed so that they can be used from store section D and can receive electricity, water, and gas from back yard B. Users of laundry facility F enter store section D through an entrance/exit D1 that allows movement between the outside and store section D, select an available laundry machine 10, and place their own laundry, such as clothes, in the machine to be washed and dried. In addition, in laundry facility F, a payment machine 11, a power supply unit 15, a shower facility 17, and a gas supply unit 18 are installed so that users can use them from store section D.

The laundry machine 10 runs on electricity supplied by the power company via power infrastructure E, washes clothes with water supplied by the waterworks bureau via water infrastructure W and detergent supplied in the back yard B, and dries the clothes with gas supplied from an LP (Liquid Petroleum) gas tank G installed near the laundry facility F. Water supplied by the water infrastructure W is supplied to the laundry machine 10 via a water storage tank T installed near the laundry facility F, and a certain amount of water or more is always stored in the water storage tank T. In an emergency when the water infrastructure W stops, the water stored in the water storage tank T is supplied.

The settlement machine 11 is a machine through which a user settles the usage fee for each laundry machine 10. The user selects a wash/dry menu according to the operation guidance and settles the usage fee at the central settlement machine 11, causing the laundry machine 10 to perform the wash/dry operation according to the desired wash/dry menu. The control device 12 is connected to the settlement machine 11 for example via a cable harness so as to be able to communicate with it, and is connected to each laundry machine 10 so as to be able to communicate with it via wired or wireless communication, and further communicates with devices outside the laundry facility F via the Internet.

The generator 13 generates electricity using gas supplied from the LP gas tank G. The power source switching unit 14 switches between a normal power source, which is power supplied by the power infrastructure E, and an emergency power source, which is power supplied by the generator 13. Power is supplied to the laundry machine 10, the payment machine 11, the control device 12, and the power supply unit 15 via the power source switching unit 14. Here, the power supply unit 15 includes an outlet, a USB (registered trademark) power port, and the like. In an emergency in which the power infrastructure E stops, the power source is switched to the emergency power source, and the laundry machine 10, the payment machine 11, and the control device 12 operate, enabling the power supply unit 15 to use power. Furthermore, the power supply unit 15 allows users to charge battery-operated electronic devices such as smartphones even in a situation in which the power infrastructure E stops due to a disaster.

The water heater 16 heats the water supplied by the water storage tank T by burning gas supplied by the LP gas tank G, and supplies hot water to the shower equipment 17. The shower equipment 17 is equipment for users to wash their bodies, and is equipped with a shower and a drain. With the water heater 16 and shower equipment 17, users can wash their bodies even in a situation where the water infrastructure W is stopped due to a disaster.

The gas supply unit 18 is a supply port for supplying gas from the LP gas tank G so that it can be used by gas appliances such as a gas stove GC. The gas stove GC is normally stored in the back yard B, and in an emergency, it is connected to the gas supply unit 18 by the manager of the laundry facility F and installed so that it can be used in the store section D. It is preferable that the gas supply unit 18 is configured so that no one other than the manager can operate it to make gas available. With this gas supply unit 18, even if the gas infrastructure is stopped due to a disaster, the gas stove GC can be connected and cooking can be carried out.

Door D2, located in the wall separating the store area D from the back yard B, is locked with a key held by the manager of the laundry facility F, and only the manager can enter and exit the back yard B. In an emergency when various infrastructures stop working, the manager switches to emergency power using the power supply switching unit 14 and starts the generator 13. Water is supplied from the water tank T, and gas is supplied from the LP gas tank G, as in normal times. This allows the laundry facility F to operate even in an emergency.

(Payment system)
The settlement system will now be described. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the hardware configuration of the settlement system. Fig. 4 is a front view showing the hardware configuration of the settlement machine.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the settlement system S is composed of a settlement machine 11 and a control device 12. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the settlement machine 11 includes, as hardware, a control unit 110, a display unit 111, a speaker 112, a banknote deposit unit 113a, a coin deposit unit 113b, a change dispensing unit 113c, an IC (Integrated Circuit) card reader/writer 114, a printer 115, and a barcode reader 116.

The control unit 110 controls the overall operation of the settlement machine 11 and includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 110b, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 110c arranged on a circuit board. The ROM 110b stores information such as programs executed by the CPU 110a and various control conditions. The RAM 110c temporarily stores information such as the operating status of the laundry equipment and the number of used prepaid cards collected. The CPU 110a reads out the programs and various control conditions from the ROM 110b to control the overall operation of the settlement machine 11 and execute various functions described below.

The display unit 111 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) to operators, including users and administrators, and acquires GUI operations by the operators. The display unit 111 is a touch panel display having a display 111a and a touch pad 111b, and allows users to touch with their finger to select an operation menu including options for processing by the settlement machine 11. The operation menu includes a laundry menu for washing, drying, etc., a settlement menu for paying the usage fee, and a management menu that can only be operated by the administrator.

The speaker 112 issues voice guidance and alarm sounds to the operator, and outputs a voice that reads or assists the operation guidance displayed on the display unit 111. The operation guidance displayed on the display unit 111 and the voice guidance output from the speaker 112 can be displayed in various languages via the touch panel display serving as the display unit 111.

The banknote deposit unit 113a, coin deposit unit 113b, and change dispensing unit 113c are all used to settle the usage fee for the laundry machine 10 in cash. The user inserts cash into the banknote deposit unit 113a and coin deposit unit 113b according to the usage fee displayed on the display unit 111, and if there is change for the inserted cash, the change is paid out from the change dispensing unit 113c.

The IC card reader/writer 114 is used to settle the charges for the use of the laundry machine 10 using an IC card. When settling the IC card, the user touches the IC card to the reading surface of the IC card reader/writer 114. For example, in the case of a credit card, the IC card reader/writer 114 reads various information from the memory section of the IC card (such as an IC chip or magnetic device), and this information is queried by the credit company's management system via a relay device (not shown).

The printer 115 prints receipts showing the usage fee settled by cash, IC card, etc., and usage details, and outputs them from the receipt outlet 115a (also used as the change outlet 113c) (see Figure 4). The printer 115 is composed of a roll of thermal recording paper, a print head for printing on the paper, a cutter for cutting the paper from the roll after printing, etc.

The control device 12 is communicatively connected to the settlement machine 11 via a cable harness and includes a management controller 121 that controls each laundry machine 10, and a communication port 122 for communicating with the outside world via the Internet.

The management controller 121 is connected to each laundry machine 10 so as to enable wired or wireless communication, and receives information from each laundry machine 10 as to whether it is in operation or unused (free), and manages the operation status of the laundry machines 10 in the laundry facility F. The management controller 121 also receives information on the selection menu selected by the user from the settlement machine 11, and transmits this to the corresponding laundry machine 10. For the safety of the user and to prevent theft, the management controller 121 also transmits a signal to control the locking and unlocking of the door 10a of the laundry machine 10.

The communication port 122 is connected to the Internet network 90 via an information and communication device 123, such as a router or a modem. Through the Internet network 90, the system is communicatively connected to settlement systems S1, S2, etc., installed in other laundry facilities.

(Functional configuration)
Next, the functional configuration and operation of the settlement machine will be described. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the settlement machine.

As shown in FIG. 5, the settlement machine 11 includes a mode switching unit 81, a paid mode processing unit 82, and a free mode processing unit 83 as functions executed by the control unit 110. The mode switching unit 81 switches the settlement machine 11 to a paid mode in which the settlement machine 11 operates in a normal state or a free mode in which the settlement machine 11 operates in an emergency state, by a mode switching process described below. The paid mode processing unit 82 operates the laundry machine 10 when settlement is completed by a paid mode process described below. The free mode processing unit 83 operates the laundry machine 10 without settlement by a free mode process described below.

(Mode switching process)
The operation of the mode switching process will be described below. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mode switching process. In Fig. 6, it is assumed that a management menu for the manager of the laundry facility to perform various operations is displayed in advance.

As shown in FIG. 6, the mode switching unit 81 determines whether the authentication information for authenticating the administrator is valid in the management menu to confirm that the operator of the settlement machine 11 is the administrator (S101). Here, the mode switching unit 81 determines, for example, whether a password previously set by the administrator matches a password entered by touching the display unit 111, which is a touch panel display.

If the authentication information is valid (S101, YES), the mode switching unit 81 displays a mode selection screen including a paid mode button for operating the settlement machine 11 in paid mode and a free mode button for operating the settlement machine 11 in free mode (S102), and determines whether the free mode button has been selected (S103).

If the free mode button is selected (S103, YES), the free mode process described below is executed (S104).

On the other hand, if the paid mode button is selected (S103, NO), the paid mode process described below is executed (S105).

(Paid mode processing)
The operation of the paid mode process will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the paid mode processing unit 82 displays a screen for selecting a laundry device 10 that is not in operation from among multiple laundry devices 10, and determines whether any laundry device 10 has been selected (S201).

When the laundry machine 10 is selected (S201, YES), the paid mode processing unit 82 displays a course selection screen including multiple courses with different operating modes (course contents) of the laundry machine 10 (S202), and determines whether any of the courses has been selected (S203).

If a course is selected (S203, YES), the paid mode processing unit 82 displays the usage fee corresponding to the selected course (S204) and determines whether the displayed usage fee has been settled (S205).

If the usage fee has been settled (S205, YES), the paid mode processing unit 82 starts the operation of the selected laundry device 10 according to the selected course (S206).

On the other hand, if the usage fee has not been settled (S205, NO), the paid mode processing unit 82 again determines whether the displayed usage fee has been settled (S205).

Also, if no course is selected in step S203 (S203, NO), the paid mode processing unit 82 again determines whether or not a course has been selected (S203).

Also, if the laundry device 10 is not selected in step S201 (S201, NO), the paid mode processing unit 82 again determines whether the laundry device 10 has been selected (S201).

(Free mode processing)
The operation of the free mode process will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, the free mode processing unit 83 displays a screen for selecting a laundry device 10 that is not in operation from among multiple laundry devices 10, and determines whether any laundry device 10 has been selected (S301).

When the laundry machine 10 is selected (S301, YES), the free mode processing unit 83 displays a course selection screen including multiple courses with different operating modes (course contents) of the laundry machine 10 (S302), and determines whether any course has been selected (S303). Here, the free mode processing unit 83 may display a course selection screen including courses different from those included by the paid mode processing unit 82. For example, the free mode may include courses that consume less water, electricity, and gas compared to the paid mode.

If a course is selected (S303, YES), the free mode processing unit 83 starts the operation of the selected laundry device 10 according to the selected course (S304).

On the other hand, if no course is selected (S303, NO), the free mode processing unit 83 again determines whether or not a course has been selected (S303).

Also, if the laundry device 10 is not selected in step S301 (S301, NO), the free mode processing unit 83 again determines whether the laundry device 10 has been selected (S301).

In this way, the payment machine 11 can be switched between two modes: a paid mode in which the laundry equipment 10 operates after payment, and a free mode in which the laundry equipment 10 operates without payment. In the event of a disaster in which various infrastructures are shut down, the administrator can switch the payment machine 11 to the free mode, making it easy to open the laundry facility F to disaster victims free of charge.

In the above embodiment, the laundry machine 10 and the settlement machine 11 are different devices, but the settlement machine 11 may be built into each laundry machine 10. In this case, it is preferable that a control panel for setting the settlement machine 11 built into the laundry machine 10 is stored in the laundry machine 10 so that it can be accessed only with a key held by the administrator, and that either the paid mode or the free mode can be selected by operating this control panel. If such a laundry machine 10 does not have a touch panel, it is preferable to operate the laundry machine 10 in the free mode by pressing a course selection button for selecting a course. For laundry machines 10 that do not have a course selection button because the operating mode cannot be selected, it is preferable to provide a separate free operation button, and to operate the laundry machine 10 in the free mode by pressing the free operation button.

In addition, during free mode, IC cards or magnetic cards that can be used temporarily to pay with the payment machine 11 may be distributed within the laundry facility F. For example, a storage unit for such cards may be installed within the laundry facility F, and the cards stored in the storage unit may be made removable during free mode.

In addition, the pressure in the gas tank G drops when the remaining amount of gas falls below a predetermined level, so the gas tank G is replaced as used while there is still gas remaining in it. Therefore, the gas remaining in such used gas tanks G can be collected and used in emergencies.

Second Embodiment
The laundry system according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the functional configuration of the settlement machine. Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the settlement machine. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mode switching process.

As shown in FIG. 9, the settlement machine 11a according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has a low-fee mode processing unit 84 as a function instead of the free mode processing unit 83. Also, the mode switching unit 81 differs from the first embodiment in that it switches between a paid mode that operates in accordance with a normal state and a low-fee mode that operates in accordance with an emergency state.

As shown in FIG. 10, the mode switching process according to this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the operations of steps S102a, S103a, and S104a are performed instead of the operations of steps S102, S103, and S104.

In step S102a, the mode switching unit 81 displays a mode selection screen including a paid mode button for operating the settlement machine 11a in paid mode and a low-fee mode button for operating the settlement machine 11a in low-fee mode.

In addition, in step S103a, the mode switching unit 81 determines whether the low-price mode button has been selected, and if the low-price mode button has been selected, the low-price mode processing unit 84 executes low-price mode processing (S104a).

The low-cost mode process performs substantially the same operations as the paid mode process, but differs from the first embodiment in that the usage fee displayed in step S204 is a fee lower than that displayed in the paid mode process as the settlement fee.

Third Embodiment
The laundry system according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the functional configuration of the settlement machine. Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the settlement machine. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mode switching process.

As shown in FIG. 11, the settlement machine 11b according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has a mode switching unit 81a instead of the mode switching unit 81, and in the operation of the mode switching process performed by this mode switching unit 81a.

As shown in FIG. 12, first, the mode switching unit 81a determines whether emergency information indicating that the area in which the laundry facility F is located is in an emergency state has been acquired (S101a). Examples of emergency information include an emergency earthquake alert issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency and information indicating that the supply of power to the power infrastructure E has been stopped.

If emergency information is acquired (S101a, YES), free mode processing is executed (S104); on the other hand, if emergency information is not acquired (S101a, NO), paid mode processing is executed (S105).

In this way, by switching between paid and free modes based on emergency information, laundry facility F can respond to emergencies such as disasters without the need for an administrator to perform any operations.

The embodiments of the present invention are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

1 Laundry system 11 Payment machine 81 Mode switching unit 82 Paid mode processing unit (normal mode processing unit)
83 Free mode processing unit (emergency mode processing unit)
84 Low-cost mode processing unit (emergency mode processing unit)

Claims (6)

A disaster response laundry system that can operate even if the power infrastructure stops functioning,
At least one laundry device having a function of drying clothes by burning gas stored in a gas storage unit;
a generator that outputs electric power using the gas stored in the gas storage unit as fuel;
a power source switching unit that switches the power source of the laundry appliance to either the power infrastructure or the generator. The disaster response laundry system of claim 1 further comprises a power supply unit that is configured to be able to connect a power connector and is electrically connected to the generator. A method for operating a laundry machine that can operate even when a power infrastructure stops functioning, comprising:
drying clothes with at least one laundry appliance by burning gas stored in the gas storage unit;
outputting electric power from a generator using the gas stored in the gas storage unit as fuel;
A method for operating a laundry appliance, comprising the steps of: switching a power source of the laundry appliance from the power infrastructure to the generator when the power infrastructure is stopped; The method for operating a laundry machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the generator outputs electricity using gas stored in a gas storage unit whose remaining amount is less than a predetermined amount as fuel. A disaster response laundry system that can operate even if at least one of an electric power infrastructure and a water infrastructure stops functioning,
At least one dryer having a function of drying clothes by burning gas stored in a gas storage unit;
A water storage tank for storing water supplied by the water infrastructure;
At least one washing machine having a function of washing clothes with water supplied from the water infrastructure or the water tank;
At least one washer/dryer having a function of drying clothes by burning the gas stored in the gas storage unit and a function of washing clothes with water supplied from the water infrastructure or the water storage tank;
a generator that outputs electric power using the gas stored in the gas storage unit as fuel;
a power source switching unit that switches the power sources of the dryer, the washer-dryer, and the washer to either the power infrastructure or the generator. A method for operating a laundry machine that can operate even when at least one of an electric power infrastructure and a water infrastructure stops functioning, comprising:
Drying clothes using at least one dryer and at least one washer-dryer by burning the gas stored in the gas storage unit;
Storing water supplied by the water infrastructure in a water storage tank;
At least one washing machine and a washer-dryer for washing clothes with water are fluidly connected to the water infrastructure and the water storage tank;
When the water infrastructure is stopped, the water stored in the water storage tank is supplied to the washing machine and the washer-dryer;
outputting electric power from a generator using the gas stored in the gas storage unit as fuel;
A method for operating laundry appliances, comprising the steps of: switching the power source of the dryer, the washer-dryer, and the washer from the power infrastructure to the generator when the power infrastructure is stopped.