JP7701810B2 - Dispenser - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a dispenser capable of supplying an object.

As a dispenser that supplies a supply item, for example, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a dispenser that is equipped with an ice maker and can supply ice as a supply item is known. This dispenser is provided with an ice discharge section that opens downwards at the front of the main body, and a non-contact switch that detects a container such as a cup without contact is provided below the discharge section. The dispenser is configured to discharge ice from the discharge section and supply it to the container when the non-contact switch detects that a container is positioned below the discharge section.

Patent No. 4286028 JP 2003-162766 A

In the dispenser, when no container is placed on the receiving platform and a part of the body of a customer or the like who does not intend to receive the dispensed item approaches the non-contact switch, the non-contact switch goes into a detection state and ice is released from the release section. In this case, the ice scatters around, causing problems such as wetting and soiling the area around the dispenser. In addition, it has been pointed out that the release of ice even though no dispensed item is intended can be mistaken for a malfunction, leading to unnecessary inspections being performed even though the system is normal.

The present invention has been proposed in consideration of the problems inherent in the above-mentioned conventional technology, and aims to provide a dispenser that can prevent the unintended supply of a dispensed object.

In order to overcome the above problems and achieve the intended purpose, the first means comprises:
A dispenser including a supply mechanism for supplying an object to be supplied and a non-contact detection means for detecting the object to be detected in a non-contact manner,
a timer that measures a duration of a state in which the non-contact detection means detects the object to be detected;
A control means for controlling the operation of the supply mechanism,
The control means is configured to control the operation of the supply mechanism so as to start supplying the object when the continuous time measured by the timing means reaches a predetermined supply judgment time.
In this configuration , the supply of the object to be supplied is started on the condition that the duration of the detection state by the non-contact detection means reaches the supply judgment time, so that, for example, when a customer or the like who does not intend to supply the object to be supplied passes in front of the dispenser, even if the non-contact detection means is temporarily in a detection state for a time shorter than the supply judgment time, the object to be supplied is not supplied, so that it is possible to prevent the object to be supplied from scattering around and wetting or soiling the periphery of the dispenser. In other words, the object to be supplied is supplied only when the user intends to supply the object to be supplied and sets the non-contact detection means in a detection state for the supply judgment time, so that it is possible to prevent the object to be supplied from being unintentionally supplied. In addition, it is possible to prevent the dispenser from being mistaken for malfunctioning, and there is no need for unnecessary inspections, etc.

The second means is
The gist of the present invention is that it is provided with an alarm means for alarming that the object to be supplied is on standby during the period from when the non-contact detection means detects the object to be detected until the timing means times the supply judgment time.
In this configuration , the notification means notifies the user that supply is on standby until the supply of the material begins, thereby preventing the user from mistaking that there is a malfunction even if there is a delay in the start of supply of the material after the non-contact detection means enters a detection state.

The third means is
The notification means is configured to notify that the supply of the object is waiting by changing to an emission mode different from a normal mode when the non-contact detection means enters a detection state.
In this configuration , by changing the light emission mode of the notification means, it is possible to visually notify that the supply is on standby.

The dispenser of the present invention can prevent unintended supply of the object and also suppresses the possibility of it being mistaken for a malfunction.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a dispenser according to an embodiment. 1 is a side view showing a main part of a dispenser according to an embodiment, with a part cut away; FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the dispenser according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a supply determination process of the dispenser according to the embodiment.

Next, a preferred embodiment of the dispenser according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

1 and 2, the dispenser of the embodiment has an ice maker 12, a storage unit 14 for storing ice (supplied item) produced by the ice maker 12, and a refrigeration device (not shown) for cooling the ice making unit of the ice maker 12, arranged inside a box-shaped main body 10. In addition, on the front side of the storage unit 14, there are an ice discharge unit (discharge unit) 16 capable of discharging ice from the storage unit 14 downward, and a water discharge unit (discharge unit) 18 capable of discharging water (supplied item, drinking water) downward, and a shutter device 42 (described later) for supplying ice stored in the storage unit 14 to the ice discharge unit 16 is arranged. The main body 10 comprises a housing 20 in which the ice maker 12, the stocker 14, etc. are housed, and a front panel 22 that is detachably arranged on the upper front surface of the housing 20 and protrudes forward. The front panel 22 is arranged on the housing 20 so as to cover the ice discharge section 16, the water discharge section 18, and the shutter device 42 from the front side. In addition, a receiving platform 24 on which a container such as a cup can be placed is provided on the lower front surface of the housing 20 so as to protrude forward. The front panel 22 opens downward to allow ice and water to be discharged from the outlets of the ice discharge section 16 and the water discharge section 18, and the ice and water discharged from the ice discharge section 16 and the water discharge section 18 are supplied to the container placed on the receiving platform 24.

1, the front panel 22 is provided with a control panel 28 having various buttons that can be manually operated by the user. The control panel 28 is provided with an ice selection button 30 for selecting the release of ice only, an ice/water selection button 32 for selecting the release of both ice and water, a water selection button 34 for selecting the release of water only, and a supply button 36 for releasing (supplying) the type of supply object selected by the selection buttons 30, 32, 34. As shown in FIG. 3, the control panel 28 is electrically connected to a control means 38 for controlling the dispenser, and the control means 38 is configured to operate and control supply mechanisms 42, 44 (described later) by operating the supply button 36 to release the supply object selected by the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 from the discharge sections 16, 18. In addition, switches corresponding to the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 and the supply button 36 are provided on the board 40 arranged on the back side of the control panel 28, and the operation of the manually operated buttons 30, 32, 34, 36 is detected by the switches. In the embodiment, the control means 38 is configured to control the operation of the supply mechanisms 42, 44 so that the supply button 36 continues to discharge the material while it is being operated, that is, while the corresponding switch continues to detect the operation, and stops discharging the material when the switch becomes undetectable.

3, the control panel 28 is provided with lamps 30a, 32a, 34a, 36a such as LEDs corresponding to the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 and the supply button 36, respectively, and is configured to notify the type of the selected supply object by lighting the selection lamps 30a, 32a, 34a corresponding to the selection buttons 30, 32, 34. When any one of the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 is operated, the control means 38 lights the selection lamps 30a, 32a, 34a corresponding to the operated selection button 30, 32, 34, and recognizes that the type of supply object corresponding to the operated selection button 30, 32, 34 has been selected. In addition, when a type of supply object is selected and another selection button 30, 32, 34 is operated, the control means 38 turns off the selection lamp 30a, 32a, 34a of the selection button 30, 32, 34 corresponding to the type of supply object previously selected, turns on the selection lamp 30a, 32a, 34a corresponding to the newly operated selection button 30, 32, 34, and recognizes that the type of supply object corresponding to the newly operated selection button 30, 32, 34 has been selected. The supply lamp 36a corresponding to the supply button 36 is configured to light up to notify that the supply object is in a supplyable state. Note that when a type of supply object is selected by operating the selection button 30, 32, 34, it may be said that the selection button 30, 32, 34 is selected hereafter.

In the embodiment, a known auger type ice maker 12 is used as the ice maker 12 disposed inside the main body 10. The auger type ice maker 12 forms a layer of thin ice on the inner wall surface of a freezer casing (ice making section) that is forcibly cooled by a refrigeration device, and the thin ice is transported upward while being scraped off by an auger disposed inside the freezer casing. The flake-shaped ice that is scraped off by the auger and transported upward is compressed by passing through a pressing head, and the compressed ice is released and stored in the stocker 14 disposed at the top of the freezer casing. In addition, a shutter device 42 is provided as an ice supply mechanism (supply mechanism) in the ice guideway between the stocker 14 and the ice discharge section 16. When either the ice selection button 30 or the ice and water selection button 32 is selected, the control means 38 controls the operation of the shutter device 42 to open the ice guideway by operating the supply button 36. The ice stored in the stocker 14 is guided to the ice discharge section 16 via the ice guideway and discharged from the ice discharge section 16 to the outside.

A drinking pipe (not shown) connected to a water tank or an external water source is arranged inside the main body 10, and the water discharge unit 18 is connected downstream of a water supply valve 44 (see FIG. 3) arranged on the drinking pipe. When either the ice water selection button 32 or the water selection button 34 is selected, the control means 38 controls the opening of the water supply valve 44 by operating the supply button 36, and water from the water tank or the external water source is discharged from the water discharge unit 18 to the outside. In the embodiment, the water supply valve 44 constitutes a water supply mechanism (supply mechanism). The water supply valve 44 of the water supply mechanism and the shutter device 42 as the ice supply mechanism are electrically connected to the control means 38. The control means 38 is configured to discharge only ice, ice and water, or only water by controlling the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 according to the selection state of the selection buttons 30, 32, and 34. That is, the dispenser of the embodiment is configured to be able to selectively supply multiple types of supplies (ice only, ice and water, water only) using the supply mechanism of the shutter device 42 and water supply valve 44.

1 and 2, a non-contact sensor 46 is provided on the front panel 22 as a non-contact detection means capable of detecting a detected object such as a finger without contact. In the embodiment, a reflective optical sensor is used as the non-contact sensor 46. A sensor window 48 made of a resin plate that allows light to pass through is provided on the front panel 22, and a non-contact sensor 46 that irradiates light toward the sensor window 48 is provided on the substrate 40 facing the back side of the sensor window 48. The non-contact sensor 46 detects the presence of the detected object by receiving light reflected from the detected object present in a detection area set in front of the sensor window 48. The non-contact sensor 46 is configured to output a detection signal to the control means 38 when it detects the presence of the detected object. The control means 38 is configured to control the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 according to the selection state of the selection buttons 30, 32, and 34 based on the detection signal output from the non-contact sensor 46, and to discharge either ice only, ice and water, or water only. That is, the dispenser of the embodiment is configured to supply the object to be supplied based on either the manual operation of the supply button 36 or the output of the detection signal of the non-contact sensor 46 (detection by non-contact of the object to be detected). The detection area of the non-contact sensor 46 is set in a range of about 10 to 50 mm in front of the sensor window 48, and is configured to be configured such that the non-contact sensor 46 enters a detection state and outputs a detection signal by holding a finger in front of the non-contact sensor 46 in the detection area.

3, the dispenser of the embodiment includes a timer 50 as a timekeeping means for measuring the duration of the detection state of the non-contact sensor 46 after the non-contact sensor 46 detects the object to be detected. Specifically, the timer 50 starts timing when the non-contact sensor 46 detects the object to be detected, continues timing while the non-contact sensor 46 continues the detection state, and stops timing when the non-contact sensor 46 switches from the detection state to the non-detection state. The control means 38 is configured to control the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 so as to start the release (supply) of the object to be supplied selected by the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 on the condition that the duration timed by the timer 50 reaches a preset supply judgment time. That is, the control means 38 is configured to determine (recognize) that the user has set the non-contact sensor 46 to the detection state with the intention of supplying the object to be supplied by continuing the detection state of the non-contact sensor 46 over the supply judgment time, and start the release of the object to be supplied. The supply judgment time is a time that can be distinguished from a situation in which the non-contact sensor 46 temporarily enters a detection state even though the user does not intend to supply the supply object, and is set in advance by testing, simulation, etc. In the embodiment, the supply judgment time is set to 0.5 seconds, but can be changed as desired. A situation in which the non-contact sensor 46 temporarily enters a detection state even though the user does not intend to supply the supply object may be, for example, when a customer passes in front of the dispenser, and the non-contact sensor 46 enters a detection state and then immediately enters a non-detection state. In addition, the control means 38 is configured to control the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 so that the supply object continues to be discharged as long as the non-contact sensor 46 continues to be in a detection state (a state in which a detection signal is output) after the supply judgment time has elapsed, and the discharge of the supply object is stopped when the non-contact sensor 46 enters a non-detection state.

The control means 38 is configured to switch (change) the supply lamp 36a, which is an existing light-emitting means corresponding to the supply button 36, to a flashing light-emitting mode (notification mode) that is different from the lighting (normal mode) that notifies the supply possible state in the detection state of the non-contact sensor 46, and notify the non-contact sensor 46 that the object to be detected is being detected normally. That is, when the non-contact sensor 46 detects the object to be detected (when it enters the detection state), the light-emitting mode of the supply lamp 36a changes from lighting to flashing, and the change in the light-emitting mode notifies the user that the supply is on standby until the timer 50 counts the supply judgment time and the supply of the object to be supplied is started. In addition, the light-emitting mode of the supply lamp 36a changes from flashing to lighting when the non-contact sensor 46 enters the non-detection state, that is, when the release (supply) of the object to be supplied is completed. In this embodiment, the supply lamp 36a is a notification means that notifies the user that the supply of the object is on standby during the period from when the non-contact sensor 46 detects the object to when the timer 50 starts counting the supply determination time.

[Function of the embodiment]
Next, the supply determination process executed by the control means 38 of the dispenser according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In step S10, the control means 38 judges whether the non-contact sensor 46 is in a detection state, and if the judgment result in step S10 is negative (the non-contact sensor 46 is in a non-detection state), the supply judgment process is repeated. If the judgment result in step S10 is positive (the non-contact sensor 46 is in a detection state), the control means 38 proceeds to step S11 and starts time measurement by the timer 50.

Next, in step S12, the control means 38 judges whether the non-contact sensor 46 has entered a non-detecting state, and if the judgment result in step S12 is positive (the non-contact sensor 46 is in a non-detecting state), the control means 38 resets the timer 50 in step S17 without starting the release of the supplied material, and then repeats the supply judgment process. If the judgment result in step S12 is negative, that is, if the non-contact sensor 46 continues to be in a detecting state, the control means 38 proceeds to step S13 and judges whether the duration timed by the timer 50 has reached the supply judgment time. If the judgment result in step S13 is negative, the control means 38 returns to step S12 and repeats the judgment of whether the non-contact sensor 46 has entered a non-detecting state and the judgment of whether the duration timed by the timer 50 has reached the supply judgment time. If the determination result in step S13 is positive before the determination result in step S12 is positive, the control means 38 controls the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 to open the ice guideway and the valve, and starts the release of the supplied material (step S14).

In step S15, the control means 38 judges whether the non-contact sensor 46 has entered a non-detecting state, and if the judgment result in step S15 is negative (if the non-contact sensor 46 continues to be in a detecting state), the judgment in step S15 is repeated. Then, if the judgment result in step S15 is positive (if the non-contact sensor 46 has entered a non-detecting state), the control means 38 controls the operation of the shutter device 42 and water supply valve 44 to close the ice guideway and valve, thereby stopping the release of the supplied material (step S16). Then, in step S17, the timer 50 is reset, and the supply judgment process is repeated.

The dispenser of the embodiment is configured to start discharging the object to be supplied on the condition that the detection state of the non-contact sensor 46 continues for a preset supply judgment time. That is, when a container is placed on the receiving platform 24, it is judged that the user is holding his/her fingers over the detection area so that the non-contact sensor 46 is in a detection state with the intention of supplying the object to be supplied, and the dispenser starts discharging the object to be supplied, so that ice or water can be supplied to the container. On the other hand, if the non-contact sensor 46 detects a part of the customer's body and becomes in a detection state before the supply judgment time is reached, even if the customer does not intend to supply the object to be supplied, such as by passing in front of the dispenser, the ice or water is not discharged, and it is possible to prevent the ice or water from splashing around and getting the surroundings wet or dirty. That is, it is possible to prevent unintended discharge (supply) of the object to be supplied. In addition, if the non-contact sensor 46 is temporarily in a detection state for a period of time shorter than the supply determination time, such as when a customer passes in front of the dispenser, the dispensed item is not discharged, which can avoid unnecessary inspections and complaints that the dispenser may have malfunctioned.

In the dispenser of the embodiment, the light emission mode of the supply lamp 36a is switched (changed) from when the non-contact sensor 46 becomes in a detection state until the supply of the object to be supplied is started, to notify the user that the object to be supplied is on standby. That is, even if the user intends to supply the object to be supplied and holds his/her finger in front of the non-contact sensor 46 in the detection area, the discharge of the object to be supplied is not immediately started, so that the user is prevented from mistaking it for a malfunction. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a case where the non-contact sensor 46 is mistakingly broken even though it is normal, leading to a complaint or unnecessary inspection, etc. being forced to be performed. In addition, since the notification that the object to be supplied is on standby is performed using the existing supply lamp 36a, there is no need to provide a dedicated lamp, and there is no increase in the number of parts or cost. Furthermore, by changing the light emission mode of the supply lamp 36a, the user can clearly visually recognize that the object to be supplied is on standby.

[Example of change]
The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the examples, and can be modified as follows, for example. Furthermore, the configurations described in the examples are not limited to the following modifications, and various embodiments can be adopted within the scope of the gist of the present invention.
(1) The non-contact detection means is not limited to an optical sensor, and various other sensors and switches, such as an inductive type, a capacitive type, an ultrasonic type, and a magnetic type, can be used.
(2) In the embodiment, the dispenser is described as being capable of supplying ice and water, but the dispenser may be capable of supplying ice and beverages such as juice or cola, or may supply only ice or only beverages. In addition, the objects to be supplied are not limited to ice, water, and beverages, and the dispenser may be capable of supplying miso soup or soup by releasing hot water and miso ingredients or soup ingredients that can be supplied by a supply mechanism.
(3) In the embodiment, a manually operated supply button is provided in addition to the non-contact sensor. However, the supply button may be omitted and the material may be supplied only by the non-contact sensor.
(4) In the embodiment, the supply lamp, whose light-emitting mode was switched to blinking from the time when the non-contact sensor entered the detection state, was configured to maintain the blinking mode until the supply of the supply object was completed, but the supply lamp may be configured to blink from the time when the non-contact sensor entered the detection state until the supply of the supply object starts, and then to be switched to a lit light or another light-emitting mode. In other words, it is sufficient that the light-emitting mode can be switched so as to notify that the supply of the supply object is waiting for at least the time from when the non-contact sensor entered the detection state until the supply judgment time has elapsed (until the supply of the supply object starts).
(5) The change in the manner in which the supply lamp notifies that the supply of the object is on standby is not limited to a change from lighting to blinking, and may be a change in the color of the light. For example, the supply lamp may be configured to emit white light when the object is ready for supply, and emit green light when the object is on standby for supply (when the non-contact sensor is in a detection state).

(6) In the embodiment, the supply lamp is configured to notify that the supply of the object is waiting to be supplied, but the supply of the object may also be notified by switching an existing selection lamp corresponding to the type selected by the selection button from lit to flashing.
(7) In the embodiment, the existing supply lamp is used to notify that the supply of the object is on standby, but a configuration in which a dedicated notification lamp is provided may be adopted. In addition, various notification means may be adopted, such as a speaker or a display means such as a liquid crystal display, which notifies the user by sound that the supply of the object is on standby, or which displays characters or the like on the display means to notify the user that the supply of the object is on standby.
(8) In the dispenser of the embodiment, a configuration can be adopted in which the supply judgment time can be arbitrarily changed by a change means. For example, the existing three selection buttons can be used as the change means, and when the control means determines that two of the three selection buttons (such as the ice selection button and the ice and water selection button) have been operated in a mode switching manner in which they are pressed and held simultaneously for a specific time (for example, 3 seconds or more), the normal mode can be switched to a change mode of the supply judgment time. In the change mode, a configuration can be adopted in which the supply judgment time is displayed on a display means such as a liquid crystal display provided on the front panel, and the supply judgment time is lengthened by operating any one of the three selection buttons (for example, the ice selection button), and the supply judgment time is shortened by operating any other selection button (for example, the water selection button). Note that, as a configuration for returning from the change mode to the normal mode, a configuration can be adopted in which the two selection buttons are pressed and held again to switch to the normal mode, or a configuration can be adopted in which the change mode is automatically switched to the normal mode when the control means determines that a predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds) has elapsed since switching to the change mode.
(9) In the embodiment, an auger type ice maker is used as the ice maker. However, various types of ice makers, such as a jet type or a flow type, can be used.

36a supply lamp (notification means), 38 control means, 42 shutter device (supply mechanism)
44 Water supply valve (supply mechanism), 46 Non-contact sensor (non-contact detection means)
50 Timer (timing means)

Claims (3)

A dispenser including a supply mechanism (42, 44) for supplying an object to be supplied and a non-contact detection means (46) for detecting the object to be detected in a non-contact manner,
Selection buttons (30, 32, 34) for selecting the type of object to be supplied by the supply mechanism (42, 44);
a timer (50) for timing a duration of a state in which the non-contact detection means (46) detects the object to be detected;
and a control means (38) for controlling the operation of the supply mechanisms (42, 44),
the control means (38) is configured to control the operation of the supply mechanisms (42, 44) so as to start supplying the object to be supplied when the duration timed by the timing means (50) reaches a predetermined supply judgment time ,
the control means (38) is configured, when determining that the selection button (30, 32, 34) has been operated in a mode switching manner, to switch to a supply judgment time change mode, and to change the supply judgment time by operating the selection button (30, 32, 34) in the change mode . A dispenser including a supply mechanism (42, 44) for supplying an object to be supplied and a non-contact detection means (46) for detecting the object to be detected in a non-contact manner,
a plurality of selection buttons (30, 32, 34) for selecting the type of object to be supplied by the supply mechanism (42, 44);
a timer (50) for timing a duration of a state in which the non-contact detection means (46) detects the object to be detected;
and a control means (38) for controlling the operation of the supply mechanisms (42, 44),
the control means (38) is configured to control the operation of the supply mechanisms (42, 44) so as to start supplying the object to be supplied when the duration timed by the timing means (50) reaches a predetermined supply judgment time ,
the control means (38), when determining that a plurality of the selection buttons (30, 32, 34) have been operated in a mode switching manner in which they are pressed and held simultaneously, switches to a supply judgment time change mode, and changes the supply judgment time by operating the selection buttons (30, 32, 34) in the change mode . 3. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the control means (38) is configured to automatically terminate the change mode when it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the change mode was switched to.

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