JP7749356B2 - Dispenser - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dispenser that provides drinking water, ice, juice, soup, etc.

In restaurants and other eating and drinking establishments, dispensers are used to provide beverages (drinking water, juice, soups), ice, and other items to customers. As an example of such a dispenser, a typical dispenser for providing drinking water and ice is shown in Figure 12. The dispenser 10 has a vertically elongated rectangular box-shaped housing 12, with a front panel 16 attached to the front of the housing 12 in the center in the width direction.

The front panel 16 is box-shaped and opens toward the rear. The inside of this front panel 16 houses a discharge section (such as a water inlet pipe for dispensing drinking water and a spout for dispensing ice) that protrudes forward from the front opening (not shown) of the housing 12. Therefore, the front surface of the front panel 16 is located forward of the front surface of the housing 12. The discharge outlet of the discharge section faces downward through a communication port that opens on the underside of the front panel 16. A drain pan 14 is provided below the front panel 16 (below the discharge section), and the upper surface of this drain pan 14 forms a mounting surface 14a on which beverage containers such as cups can be placed. A space sufficient in height to accommodate beverage containers is provided between the drain pan 14 and the front panel 16.

A control panel 30 is provided on the front of the front panel 16 to be operated by restaurant customers (users of the dispenser 10). The customer (user) places a beverage container in the receiving position on the placement surface 14a and presses an operating unit (not shown) on the control panel 30 to receive the beverage dispensed from the discharge port of the dispenser in the beverage container.

Patent No. 6705566

In recent years, hygiene awareness has increased, and it is common sense to avoid direct and indirect contact with others in public places as much as possible. In this regard, as mentioned above, dispensers, which dispense products by operating a press-type control panel, are operated by many customers (dispenser users). Therefore, to eliminate hygiene concerns, sufficient measures must be taken, such as encouraging users to sanitize their hands, which places a burden on both store staff and customers. Against this backdrop, there is a growing demand for dispensers that take hygiene into consideration.

To allow a dispenser user to dispense an offering from the dispensing section without touching the dispenser, it is possible to use a sensor (non-contact detection sensor) that can detect non-contact actions such as holding a finger in front of the front panel. In this case, for example, a photoelectric sensor can be used, which has a light-emitting section that emits light such as infrared light and a light-receiving section that receives that light, and which detects the presence or absence of an object to be detected by sensing changes in the light emitted to the outside from the light-emitting section with the light-receiving section. For example, if a photoelectric sensor is positioned so as to face the space in front of the front panel 16 shown in Figure 12, it can detect the presence or absence of a finger held in front of the front panel 16 by a user of the dispenser 10 in a non-contact manner.

As shown in Figure 12, the dispenser 10 is installed on a table T in a restaurant or other establishment, close to the aisle R (towards the front edge Ta of the table T) for ease of use. For this reason, for example, if a restaurant customer passes in front of the dispenser 10 near the table T, part of the customer's body may enter the detection range of the photoelectric sensor, causing an offering to be released. If an offering is released at an unintended time like this, the released offering will scatter around, soiling the customer's clothes and the floor of the aisle R. For example, if the floor becomes wet with scattered offerings, the floor will become extremely slippery, which could cause customers to fall, creating a dangerous situation.

However, simply narrowing the detection range of the photoelectric sensor poses problems in terms of the usability of the dispenser 10. In other words, if the detection range of the photoelectric sensor is extremely narrow, the user of the dispenser 10 will have to carefully hold their fingers over it or their fingers will come into contact with the dispenser 10, which raises hygiene concerns.

The present invention has been proposed in light of the above-mentioned problems inherent in conventional dispensers, and aims to provide a dispenser that can release offerings in response to non-contact operation and that reduces the possibility of releasing offerings at unintended times.

In order to overcome the above problems and achieve the intended purpose, the first means comprises:
A dispenser comprising a housing, a discharge portion for discharging a provided product at a front side of the housing, a detection means for detecting a specific change given from the outside, and a control means for discharging the provided product from the discharge portion based on the detection by the detection means,
the detection means is configured to be able to detect a detection target object present in its detection range in a non-contact manner;
The gist of the invention is that the detection range is configured to be located behind the front end of the dispenser, or the front-to-rear dimension of the part of the detection range located ahead of the front end of the dispenser is configured to be shorter than the detection capability distance of the detection means.
According to this configuration , by configuring the detection range of the detection means to be located behind the front end position of the dispenser, or by configuring the front-to-back dimension of the part of the detection range located forward of the front end of the dispenser to be shorter than the detection capability distance of the detection means, even when a customer moves near the front of the dispenser within a restaurant or other establishment where the dispenser is placed, the possibility of a malfunction such as part of the customer's body entering the detection range and causing the offering to be released at an unintended time can be reduced.

The second means is
the detection means has a light-emitting section that emits light, a light-receiving section that senses the light, and a determination section that determines the amount of light received by the light-receiving section, and is configured to be able to detect a detection object that exists within its detection range in a non-contact manner;
The gist is that a light-shielding sheet that partially blocks the transmission of light is provided on the surface side of the detecting means.
According to this configuration , the transmission of light from the light projector toward the outside or the transmission of light from the outside toward the light receiver is partially blocked depending on the light blocking degree of the light-blocking sheet. This allows the detection range of the detection means to be finely adjusted in a narrowing direction without changing the light emission intensity of the light projector or the threshold value for determination by the determination unit. In other words, since it is easy to set an appropriate detection range, it is possible to prevent the problem of unintended release of the offering while maintaining usability.

The third means is
a box-shaped front panel that opens rearward is disposed on the front surface of the housing, and the front surface of the front panel is configured to be positioned at the front end of the dispenser;
The detection means faces the lateral space of the front panel through a window provided on the side of the front panel, and is arranged so that the detection range is located rearward of the front end of the dispenser.
According to this configuration , by disposing the detection means so as to face the space to the side of the front panel from the side of the front panel, it is possible to ensure a relatively large detection range of the detection means toward the side of the front panel, while reducing the front-to-rear dimension of the detection range itself and locating the detection range behind the front end position of the dispenser. Therefore, it is possible to set the detection range of the detection means to a size wide enough to reliably detect non-contact operation by a customer (user) while suppressing the problem of unintended release of the offering.

The fourth means is
a box-shaped front panel that opens rearward is disposed on the front surface of the housing, and the front surface of the front panel is configured to be positioned at the front end of the dispenser;
The detection means faces the lateral space of the front panel through a window provided on the front surface of the housing, and is arranged so that the detection range is located rearward of the front end of the dispenser.
According to this configuration , by disposing the detection means from the front of the housing so as to face the space to the side of the front panel, it is possible to utilize the difference in the front-to-rear positions of the front of the housing and the front of the front panel to limit the detection range of the detection means to a position behind the front end position of the dispenser. Therefore, it is possible to set the detection range of the detection means to a width that can reliably detect non-contact operation by a customer (user) while suppressing the problem of unintended release of the offering.

The fifth means is
a box-shaped front panel that opens rearward is disposed on the front surface of the housing, and the front surface of the front panel is configured to be positioned at the front end of the dispenser;
A recess recessed toward the rear is formed on the front surface of the front panel,
The detection means is arranged so that it faces the internal space of the recess through a window provided on the inner surface of the recess, and the detection range is located rearward of the front end of the dispenser.
According to this configuration , by disposing the detection means from the inner surface of the recess provided on the front surface of the front panel so as to face the internal space of the recess, it is possible to ensure the detection range of the detection means in a position that is easy to check from the front of the dispenser (the front surface of the front panel), while keeping this detection range behind the front end position of the dispenser, thereby preventing the problem of the offered product being released at an unintended timing.

The sixth means is
a box-shaped front panel that opens toward the rear is disposed on the front surface of the housing;
the detecting means is disposed so as to face a space in front of the front panel through a window provided on the front surface of the front panel,
The front panel is provided with a protective portion that covers the detection range from above, below, or from the left and right to limit the path to the detection range, and is configured so that the front surface of the protective portion is positioned forward of the detection range.
According to this configuration , the detection means is disposed in front of the front panel so as to face the space in front of the front panel. The protective portion, which covers the detection range of the detection means from above, below, left, or right, prevents objects from entering the detection range from above, below, left, or right in front of the front side of the front panel. By positioning the front end of the protective portion forward of the detection range, customers moving near the front of the dispenser in a restaurant or other establishment will move to avoid contact with the protective portion, thereby reducing the possibility of a part of the customer's body entering the detection range. In other words, while ensuring the detection range of the detection means in a position that is easily visible from the front of the dispenser (the front of the front panel), it is possible to block paths leading to the detection range from above, below, left, or right, and to keep the detection range behind the front end of the dispenser. This reduces the risk of unintended release of offerings.

The seventh means is
a second detection means for detecting an operation performed at a position away from the detection range of the detection means;
The control means causes the release portion to release the provided material on condition that the second detection means and the detection means are in a detection state.
With this configuration , since the second detection means is spaced from the detection range of the detection means, even if a customer of a restaurant passes by the dispenser, the detection means and the second detection means are unlikely to be in a detection state at the same time. In other words, the possibility of a malfunction such as an offering being released from the dispenser at an unintended timing can be more reliably reduced.

The dispenser according to the present invention can release offerings in response to non-contact operation and can reduce the possibility of releasing offerings at unintended times.

1 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a first embodiment, viewed from above and to the left front. This is a perspective view of the front part of the dispenser as seen from the lower right front, showing the underside (discharge port) of the front panel. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing electrical connections in the dispenser. FIG. 2 is a front view of a part of the control panel. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a photoelectric sensor, with the longitudinal direction facing up and down and the front surface facing right. FIG. (a) is a perspective view of the front of the dispenser seen from above the front right, showing the position of the photoelectric sensor on the right side of the front panel, and (b) is a plan view of the front of the dispenser, showing the position of the photoelectric sensor with a dashed line and the detection range of the photoelectric sensor with a dotted line. 10A is an explanatory diagram of a dispenser according to a second embodiment, in which (a) shows a state in which the position of a photoelectric sensor can be confirmed on the right side of the front of the housing, and (b) is a plan view of the front of the dispenser, in which the position of the photoelectric sensor is indicated by a broken line and the detection range of the photoelectric sensor is indicated by a dashed line. 10A is an explanatory diagram of a dispenser according to a third embodiment, in which (a) shows a state in which the position of a photoelectric sensor can be confirmed on the inner surface of a recess in the front face of a front panel, and (b) is a plan view of the front part of the dispenser, in which the position of the photoelectric sensor is indicated by a broken line and the detection range of the photoelectric sensor is indicated by a dashed line. 10A is an explanatory diagram of a dispenser according to Example 4, in which (a) shows the position of a photoelectric sensor (covered by a protective part) on the front surface of the front panel with a dashed line, and (b) is a plan view of the front part of the dispenser, in which the position of the photoelectric sensor is shown with a dashed line and the detection range of the photoelectric sensor located within the protective part is shown with a dashed line. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a fifth embodiment, seen from the upper left front. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a photoelectric sensor in a dispenser according to a sixth embodiment, in which the longitudinal direction is oriented up and down and the front surface is oriented to the right. FIG. 1 shows the installation state of a typical conventional dispenser.

Next, a preferred embodiment of the dispenser according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a dispenser capable of dispensing ice and drinking water will be described, and the same components as those in the conventional dispenser described above (see Figure 12) will be designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted. Note that the configuration of the present invention can also be applied to dispensers that dispense only ice or only drinks, or dispensers that dispense soups, etc. Furthermore, in the following description, the left-right, up-down, and front-rear (front and rear) directions will be defined based on the state of the dispenser as viewed from the front side (front).

(Overall configuration of dispenser 10)
1 and 2, the dispenser 10 of the first embodiment includes a vertically elongated rectangular housing 12 that forms the outer shell, a drain pan 14 located at the lower front of the housing 12, and a front panel 16 that is attached to the front of the housing 12 above the drain pan 14. The inside of the housing 12 (a machine room, not shown) houses an ice-making mechanism 18 (see FIG. 3) that produces ice such as chip ice, a stocker (not shown) that stores ice, and the like. A discharge section 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) that discharges ice and drinking water (offered items) is provided on the front side of the stocker, and the discharge section 20 protrudes forward through a front opening (not shown) of the housing 12. Here, the front panel 16 is provided in a box shape that opens toward the rear and is made up of a front plate portion 16a, an upper plate portion 16b, a lower plate portion 16c, and left and right side plate portions 16d, and is attached to the housing 12 so as to close the front opening of the housing 12, and covers the discharge portion 20 from the front side and houses it inside. Note that since the discharge portion 20 has a conventionally known structure, detailed explanation and illustration of its appearance and specific structure will be omitted. However, Figure 2 shows, as part of the discharge portion 20, a discharge port 20a (outlet of the water injection pipe) that discharges drinking water and a discharge port 20b (outlet of the spout) that discharges ice.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lower plate portion 16c of the front panel 16 is spaced above the mounting surface (top surface) 14a of the drain pan 14, providing a space between the mounting surface 14a and the lower plate portion 16c that is larger in height than a beverage container. The lower plate portion 16c is formed with a communication opening 22 that exposes the outlets 20a and 20b of the discharge portion 20 downward (toward the drain pan 14). Therefore, by placing a beverage container on the mounting surface 14a so that it is positioned below the outlets 20a and 20b (receiving position 24), the beverage container can receive drinking water or ice discharged from the outlets 20a and 20b of the discharge portion 20. In addition, the lower portion of the front opening of the housing 12 (below the front panel 16) is closed by a curved lower panel 26 that is recessed toward the inside of the housing 12 (machine compartment). This lower panel 26 may be integral with the front panel 16 or may be separate.

(Electrical configuration of dispenser 10 and operation panel 30)
3, dispenser 10 includes control board (control substrate, control means) 50 that controls the operation of ice-making mechanism 18 and release section 20, operation board 60 electrically connected to control board 50, and photoelectric sensor SE1, which will be described later. Operation board 60 is a switch board that is placed behind operation panel 30 (see FIG. 4) on front panel 16, and has a plurality of push-button switches 61, 62, 63, 64 (contact operation detection means that detects pressing operations) provided on its front surface (not shown).

As shown in Figure 4, the control panel 30 has a portion with an image of a glass containing water and ice (first selection operation unit 31), a portion with an image of a glass containing only ice (second selection operation unit 32), a portion with an image of a glass containing only water (third selection operation unit 33), and a portion with an image of an empty glass and a downward arrow (discharge operation unit 34). On the other hand, the operation board 60 (see Figure 3), which overlaps the rear of the control panel 30, has first to third switches 61, 62, and 63 arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the first to third selection operation units 31, 32, and 33, and a fourth switch 64 arranged in correspondence with the discharge operation unit 34. When any of the first to third selection operation units 33 or the discharge operation unit 34 is pressed from the front, the corresponding switch 61, 62, 63, or 64 turns on (detection state). The detection signals generated by turning on (detection state) each switch 61, 62, 63, 64 are input to the control board 50 as different detection signals for each switch 61, 62, 63, 64. When a detection signal from the first to third switches 61, 62, 63 is input to the control board 50, the selection state of the offering is switched, and when a detection signal from the fourth switch 64 is input to the control board 50, the control board 50 controls the release unit 20 based on that detection signal, and the selected offering (one of three types: drinking water and ice, ice only, or drinking water only) is released from the release ports 20a, 20b.

That is, the first selection operation unit 31 is the target of an operation to select both drinking water and ice as offerings, the second selection operation unit 32 is the target of an operation to select only ice as offerings, and the third selection operation unit 33 is the target of an operation to select only drinking water as offerings. Furthermore, the release operation unit 34 is the target of an operation to release the selected offerings from the release ports 20a, 20b.

(Photoelectric sensor SE1)
Next, the photoelectric sensor (detection means, non-contact detection means) SE1 will be described. As shown in Fig. 5, the photoelectric sensor SE1 has a main body 70 in the form of an elongated rectangular parallelepiped, a light-projecting unit 71 that emits light, a light-receiving unit 72 that detects light, and a determination unit 73 that determines the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 72. When the light-projecting unit 71 emits light of a predetermined intensity and the determination unit 73 determines that the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 72 exceeds a threshold, the photoelectric sensor SE1 outputs a detection signal to the CPU of the control board 50. Therefore, when a detection object (i.e., a finger or the like held over the front side of the photoelectric sensor SE1 by a user of the dispenser 10 as a non-contact operation) is present in the direction of light emission by the light-projecting unit 71, the light is reflected by the detection object, and the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 72 increases, so that the photoelectric sensor SE1 can detect the presence or absence of the detection object in the direction of light emission (i.e., the presence or absence of a non-contact operation). In FIG. 5, the symbol X indicates the range of the light emitted from the light projecting unit 71 .

As mentioned above, photoelectric sensor SE1 is electrically connected to control board 50 (see Figure 3). When a detection signal from photoelectric sensor SE1 is input to control board 50, control board 50 controls release unit 20 based on that detection signal, causing the selected offering (one of three types: drinking water and ice, ice only, or drinking water only) to be released from release outlets 20a, 20b. In this way, photoelectric sensor SE1, like the fourth switch 64 provided on operation board 60 mentioned above, is used to detect the operation of releasing the selected offering from release outlets 20a, 20b.

As shown in Figure 6(a), the dispenser 10 of Example 1 has a window W on the right side of the front panel 16 (the outer surface of the right side plate portion 16d of the front panel 16), and a photoelectric sensor SE1 is disposed from this window W facing the space to the right of the front panel 16 (see Figure 6(b)). The left and right side plate portions 16d of the front panel 16 are not perpendicular to the front plate portion 16a, but are inclined so that the outer surfaces of the side plate portions 16d face slightly forward rather than left-right. The surface of photoelectric sensor SE1 faces in the same direction as the outer surface of the right side plate portion 16d (the right side of the front panel 16), and the detection range RD of photoelectric sensor SE1 is located in the orientation direction of the surface of photoelectric sensor SE1 (the direction in which light is emitted, specifically, the forward right).

Here, as shown in FIG. 6(b), in the dispenser 10 of Example 1, the entire detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 for detecting contactless operation by a customer is located behind the front-to-rear position of the front of the front panel 16 (the front end position FE of the dispenser 10). In other words, of the detection positions at which photoelectric sensor SE1 can detect contactless operation by a customer, the detection position farthest from photoelectric sensor SE1 is located behind the front end position FE of the dispenser 10. Note that in Example 1, the length dimension of the detection range RD of photoelectric sensor SE1 (the dimension from the surface of photoelectric sensor SE1 to the maximum distance position in the detection range RD) is set to approximately 30 mm, but it may be set to any appropriate dimension as long as it does not extend forward of the front end position FE of the dispenser 10.

[Operation of Example 1]
Next, the operation of the dispenser 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.

The dispenser 10 of Example 1 has a discharge operation unit 34 provided on the operation panel 30 on the front of the front panel 16. When the discharge operation unit 34 is pressed, the fourth switch 64 on the operation board 60 located on the back side of the operation panel 30 is pressed and turned on (detection state), and a detection signal from the fourth switch 64 is input to the control board 50. The control board 50 controls the discharge unit 20 based on the detection signal input from the fourth switch 64, causing the dispenser 10 to discharge the offering (drinking water or ice) from the discharge ports 20a, 20b toward the receiving position 24 below.

The dispenser 10 is also provided with a photoelectric sensor SE1. This photoelectric sensor SE1 is a sensor (detection means) that can detect a detection object (the fingers of the dispenser 10 user) present within its detection range RD without contact. Therefore, when an action (non-contact operation) such as holding a finger over the detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 is performed, a detection signal from the photoelectric sensor SE1 is input to the control board 50. The control board 50 controls the discharge unit 20 based on the input of the detection signal from the photoelectric sensor SE1, causing the dispenser 10 to discharge the object (drinking water or ice) from the discharge ports 20a and 20b toward the receiving position 24 below.

In other words, in a restaurant or other establishment where the dispenser 10 is installed, a customer (user) who wishes to use the dispenser 10 to receive drinking water or ice places a beverage container on the mounting surface 14a of the drain pan 14 (receiving position 24) and either presses the discharge operation unit 34 or performs an action (non-contact operation) such as holding a finger near the front side of the photoelectric sensor SE1, whereby the beverage is dispensed from the discharge unit 20 toward the receiving position 24, and the user can then receive the beverage in their beverage container. If non-contact operation is selected in this case, the beverage can be received without touching the dispenser 10, eliminating hygiene concerns.

In a restaurant where a dispenser 10 is installed, customers may move near the front of the dispenser 10. However, even if a customer passes near the dispenser 10 without intending to use the dispenser 10, they generally do not move in a way that will bump into the dispenser 10, but rather move forward of the front end position FE of the dispenser 10. In contrast, in the dispenser 10 of Example 1, the photoelectric sensor SE1 is positioned so that the detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 is located behind the front end position FE of the dispenser 10 (the front-to-rear position of the front of the front panel 16). Therefore, even if a customer passes near the dispenser 10, it is unlikely that any part of the customer's body will enter the detection range RD. In other words, this reduces the possibility of a malfunction, such as the dispenser 10 releasing an offering at an unintended time.

The photoelectric sensor SE1 is positioned so as to face the space to the right (side space) of the front panel 16 through a window W provided on the side of the front panel 16. This ensures that the detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 is relatively large toward the right of the front panel 16, while keeping the front-to-back dimension of the detection range RD small, and as described above, the detection range RD can be placed behind the front end position FE of the dispenser 10. Therefore, the detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 can be set wide enough to reliably detect non-contact operation by a customer (user) while preventing the problem of unintended release of offerings.

Next, a dispenser 10 according to Example 2 will be described below with reference to Figure 7. Note that only the configuration that differs from Example 1 will be described in principle, and the same configuration as Example 1 will be assigned the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted. In Example 2, the position and orientation of photoelectric sensor SE1 have been changed so that the detection range RD of photoelectric sensor SE1 differs from that of Example 1 described above.

As shown in FIG. 7(a), in the dispenser 10 of Example 2, the photoelectric sensor SE1 is disposed so as to face the space in front of the right side portion 13 of the front face of the housing 12 (the space to the right of the front panel 16) through a window W provided in the right side portion 13 of the front face of the housing 12 that is not covered by the front panel 16 (see FIG. 7(b)). The photoelectric sensor SE1 is configured so that light emitted from the photoelectric sensor SE1 is directed in the orientation direction of the surface of the photoelectric sensor SE1. The surface of the photoelectric sensor SE1 faces the same direction as the front face of the housing 12 (the front face of the right side portion 13), and the detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 is located in the orientation direction (light emission direction) of the surface of this photoelectric sensor SE1. The front face of the housing 12 (the front face of the right side portion 13) faces forward like the front face of the front panel 16, but is located behind the front face of the front panel 16. As a result, the entire detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 is located behind the front-to-rear position of the front surface of the front panel 16 (the front end position FE of the dispenser 10), as shown in Figure 7(b).

[Operation of Example 2]
Next, the operation of the dispenser 10 according to the second embodiment will be described.

In the dispenser 10 of Example 2, the photoelectric sensor SE1 is disposed so that its detection range RD is located behind the front end position FE of the dispenser 10 (the front-to-back position of the front of the front panel 16). Specifically, the photoelectric sensor SE1 is disposed so that it faces the right space (side space) of the front panel 16 through a window W provided on the front surface (right side portion 13) of the housing 12. By doing so, the difference in the front-to-back positions of the front surface of the housing 12 and the front surface of the front panel 16 can be utilized to position the detection range RD behind the front end position FE of the dispenser 10. Therefore, the detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 can be set wide enough to reliably detect non-contact operation by a customer (user) while preventing the problem of unintended release of the offering.

Next, a dispenser 10 according to Example 3 will be described below with reference to Figure 8. Note that only the configurations that differ from Examples 1 and 2 will be described below. The same components as in Examples 1 and 2 will be given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions will be omitted. In Example 3, the position and orientation of the photoelectric sensor SE1 have been changed so that the detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 differs from that of Examples 1 and 2 (a recess 75, described below, has been added).

As shown in FIG. 8(a), in the dispenser 10 of Example 3, a portion of the front surface of the front panel 16 (slightly above the operation panel 30) is recessed rearward (hereinafter referred to as "recess 75"). A photoelectric sensor SE1 is disposed so as to face the internal space of the recess 75 through a window W provided on the inner surface of the recess 75 (the left inner surface in Example 3) (see FIG. 8(b)). The surface of photoelectric sensor SE1 faces the right inner surface (opposing surface) of the recess 75, and the detection range RD of photoelectric sensor SE1 is located within the internal space of the recess 75 in the orientation direction (the light emission direction, specifically, to the right) of the surface of photoelectric sensor SE1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the entire detection range RD of photoelectric sensor SE1 is located rearward of the front-to-rear position of the front surface of the front panel 16 (the front end position FE of the dispenser 10).

[Operation of Example 3]
Next, the operation of the dispenser 10 according to the third embodiment will be described.

In the dispenser 10 of Example 3, the photoelectric sensor SE1 is disposed so that its detection range RD is located behind the front end position FE of the dispenser 10 (the front-to-rear position of the front of the front panel 16). Specifically, a recess 75 is provided on the front of the front panel 16, and the photoelectric sensor SE1 is disposed so as to face the internal space of the recess 75 through a window W provided on the inner surface of this recess 75. This ensures that the detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 is located in a position (the front of the front panel 16) that is easy to see from the front of the dispenser 10, while also positioning the detection range RD behind the front end position FE of the dispenser 10 as described above. This makes it possible to prevent the product from being released at an unintended timing.

Next, a dispenser 10 according to Example 4 will be described below with reference to Figure 9. Note that only the configurations that differ from Examples 1 to 3 will be described below. The same components as those in Examples 1, 2, or 3 will be given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions will be omitted. In Example 4, the position and orientation of the photoelectric sensor SE1 have been changed so that the detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 differs from that of Examples 1 to 3 (a protective unit 80, described below, has been added).

As shown in Figure 9(b), in the dispenser 10 of Example 4, the photoelectric sensor SE1 is disposed so as to face the space in front of the front panel 16 through a window W provided on the front surface of the front panel 16 (see Figure 9(a)). However, a protective section 80 is provided on the front surface of the front panel 16 around the detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1, restricting the path to the detection range RD by non-contact operations performed by a customer (user of the dispenser 10).

As shown in FIG. 9(a), the protective unit 80 is shaped like a rectangular box with openings at the rear and bottom, and is attached to the front of the front panel 16 in accordance with the position of the window W. That is, the surface (front) of the photoelectric sensor SE1 faces the internal space of the protective unit 80 through an opening (rear opening 81) on the rear surface of the protective unit 80. Here, the opening (lower opening 82) on the bottom surface of the protective unit 80 is located between the internal space of the protective unit 80 (detection range RD by the photoelectric sensor SE1) and the space in front of the operation panel 30. The protective unit 80 is configured to cover the detection range RD from the front, top, left and right sides. Since there are no openings on the front, top, or left and right sides of the protective unit 80, in order for a customer (user of the dispenser 10) to hold their finger over the detection range RD in front of the window W, they must insert their finger into the protective unit 80 through the lower opening 82 from the space in front of the operation panel 30. In other words, the presence of the protective part 80 limits the path that can be taken to reach the detection range RD through non-contact operation to the path that passes through the lower opening 82 (the path from below the protective part 80). Furthermore, because the protective part 80 is made of a transparent synthetic resin material, the position of the photoelectric sensor SE1 can be seen from the front of the dispenser 10, making it easy to see that the detection range RD is located within the protective part 80.

Furthermore, the protective section 80 is configured so that its front surface (front end) is located forward of the detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1. In other words, the dispenser 10 of Example 4 is configured so that the front surface of the protective section 80 provided on the front surface of the front panel 16 is the front end position FE of the dispenser 10, and the photoelectric sensor SE1 is disposed so that the detection range RD is located behind this front end position FE.

[Function of Example 4]
Next, the operation of the dispenser 10 according to the fourth embodiment will be described.

In the dispenser 10 of Example 4, a photoelectric sensor SE1 is disposed on the front surface of the front panel 16, facing the space in front of the front panel 16. The detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 is covered from above, below, left, or right by the protective portion 80. This protective portion 80 prevents objects from entering the detection range RD from above, below, left, or right in front of the front surface of the front panel 16. Furthermore, by positioning the front surface (front end) of the protective portion 80 forward of the detection range RD, customers moving near the front of the dispenser 10 in a restaurant or other establishment will move in a way that avoids contact with the protective portion 80, thereby reducing the likelihood of a part of the customer's body entering the detection range RD. In other words, the detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 is maintained in a position (the front surface of the front panel 16) that is easily visible from the front of the dispenser 10, while blocking access paths to the detection range RD from above, below, left, or right. Furthermore, the detection range RD can be positioned behind the front end position FE of the dispenser 10. This prevents the problem of the provided material being released at an unintended time.

Next, a dispenser 10 according to Example 5 will be described below with reference to Figure 10. Note that only the configurations that differ from Examples 1 to 4 will be described in detail, and the same components as Examples 1, 2, 3, or 4 will be assigned the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions will be omitted. Example 5 differs from Examples 1 to 4 in that multiple photoelectric sensors SE1 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 10, the dispenser 10 of Example 5 has a photoelectric sensor (hereinafter referred to as the "first photoelectric sensor SE1") disposed in the same position as in Example 1 (see FIG. 6) described above, and also has another photoelectric sensor (hereinafter referred to as the "second photoelectric sensor SE2") disposed at a distance from the first photoelectric sensor SE1. Note that the first photoelectric sensor SE1 is the same as the photoelectric sensor SE1 described in Example 1, so a description of it will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the second photoelectric sensor (second detection means) SE2 is disposed so as to face the space in front of the lower panel 26 through a window W2 provided in the lower panel 26, which covers the beverage container receiving position 24 from the rear. The second photoelectric sensor SE2 has the same configuration as the first photoelectric sensor SE1 (comprising a light-emitting unit, a light-receiving unit, a determination unit, and a light-shielding sheet), and determines whether or not a detection target is present at a predetermined distance (presence or absence of a non-contact operation) based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit (non-contact operation detection means). The surface of the second photoelectric sensor SE2 faces the same direction as the front surface of the lower panel 26 (the portion where window W2 is formed), and the detection range RD of the second photoelectric sensor SE2 is located in the orientation direction of the surface of the second photoelectric sensor SE2 (the direction in which light is emitted, specifically, forward). This second photoelectric sensor SE2 is configured to be able to detect an operation (placing a beverage container at the receiving position 24) performed at a position away from the detection range RD of the first photoelectric sensor SE1. In other words, the object to be detected by the second photoelectric sensor SE2 is assumed to be a beverage container placed at the receiving position 24. However, the detection range RD of the second photoelectric sensor SE2 is located behind the front surface of the front panel 16 (the front end position FE of the dispenser 10).

Like the first photoelectric sensor SE1, the second photoelectric sensor SE2 is electrically connected to the control board 50. The control board 50 is configured to control the release unit 20 and release the selected offering (one of three types: drinking water and ice, ice only, or drinking water only) from the release ports 20a, 20b on the condition that detection signals from both the first photoelectric sensor SE1 and the second photoelectric sensor SE2 are input (both the first photoelectric sensor SE1 and the second photoelectric sensor SE2 are on (in the detection state)).

[Function of Example 5]
Next, the operation of the dispenser 10 according to the fifth embodiment will be described.

A customer (user of dispenser 10) at a restaurant where dispenser 10 of Example 5 is installed places a beverage container at receiving position 24 on placement surface 14a and performs a contactless operation by holding their finger(s) over the space to the right of front panel 16 (in the orientation direction of the surface of first photoelectric sensor SE1). In this case, the beverage container at receiving position 24 is located within detection range RD of second photoelectric sensor SE2, causing second photoelectric sensor SE2 to turn on (detection state), and a detection signal is input to control board 50. Furthermore, the customer's finger(s) held over the space to the right of front panel 16 are located within detection range RD of first photoelectric sensor SE1, causing first photoelectric sensor SE1 to turn on (detection state), and a detection signal is input to control board 50. As a result, both the first photoelectric sensor SE1 and the second photoelectric sensor SE2 are turned on and both detection signals are input to the control board 50, which then controls the release unit 20 to release the offering toward the beverage container.

In other words, when a customer (user of dispenser 10) receives a beverage from dispenser 10, they must place a beverage container at receiving position 24 (using a non-contact operation) to turn on second photoelectric sensor SE2, and then perform an action such as holding a finger over the space to the right of front panel 16 (a non-contact operation) to turn on first photoelectric sensor SE1. However, because the detection range RD of second photoelectric sensor SE2 is separated from (does not overlap with) the detection range RD of first photoelectric sensor SE1, even if a restaurant customer passes near dispenser 10, the first and second photoelectric sensors SE1 and SE2 will not be turned on simultaneously. This reduces the possibility of malfunctions such as unintended release of beverages from dispenser 10.

In addition, in the dispenser 10 of Example 5, due to the positioning of the first photoelectric sensor SE1 described above, its detection range RD is located behind the front end position FE of the dispenser 10 (the front-to-back position of the front of the front panel 16). This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the problem of the dispenser 10 releasing the offering at an unintended timing. Similarly, the detection range RD of the second photoelectric sensor SE2 is located behind the front end position FE of the dispenser 10 (the front-to-back position of the front of the front panel 16), making it possible to more reliably prevent the problem of the dispenser 10 releasing the offering at an unintended timing.

Next, a dispenser 10 according to Example 6 will be described below with reference to Figure 11. Note that only the configurations that differ from Examples 1 to 5 will be described below, and the same configurations as Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 will be given the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted. Example 6 differs from Examples 1 to 5 in that a light-shielding sheet 74 (described below) is provided on the photoelectric sensor SE1. Note that the position of the photoelectric sensor SE1 is the same as in Example 4 (see Figure 9), where the photoelectric sensor SE1 is disposed from the front surface of the front panel 16 so as to face the space in front of the front panel 16. However, the protective section 80 is not provided.

The photoelectric sensor SE1 in Example 6 is provided with a light-shielding sheet (light-reducing sheet) 74 on its surface side (surface side of the main body 70) that blocks a portion of the light traveling in the thickness direction. This light-shielding sheet 74 is formed from a film sheet (smoke film) made of colored, transparent synthetic resin and is attached to the main body 70 so as to cover the surfaces of the light-emitting unit 71 and the light-receiving unit 72. That is, the light-shielding sheet 74 functions to partially block light traveling from the light-emitting unit 71 to the outside and attempting to pass through the light-shielding sheet 74 in the thickness direction, and to partially block light traveling from the outside to the light-receiving unit 72 and attempting to pass through the light-shielding sheet 74 in the thickness direction. As a result, the detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 is reduced by an amount corresponding to the degree of light blocking by the light-shielding sheet 74 relative to the detection range determined by the light emission intensity of the light-emitting unit 71 and the determination threshold value of the determination unit 73 (the detection range when the light-shielding sheet 74 is not attached).

In other words, the front-to-rear dimension of the portion of the detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 located forward of the front end position FE of the dispenser 10 (the front-to-rear position of the front surface of the front panel 16) is configured to be shorter than the distance from the photoelectric sensor SE1 to the maximum distance within its detection range (detection capability distance) when the shading sheet 74 is not provided on the photoelectric sensor SE1. Note that if the detection range RD becomes too narrow, it becomes difficult for the user of the dispenser 10 to perform non-contact operation, and the user's fingers are more likely to come into contact with the dispenser 10. Therefore, the shading sheet 74 is selected to have a degree of shading (color type, etc.) that allows for an appropriate detection range RD to be set.

[Effect of Example 6]
Next, the operation of the dispenser 10 according to the sixth embodiment will be described.

The photoelectric sensor SE1 provided in the dispenser 10 of Example 6 has a structure in which a light-emitting unit 71 that emits light, a light-receiving unit 72 that senses light, and a determination unit 73 that determines the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 72 are mounted on a main body 70. A light-shielding sheet 74 that blocks a portion of the light moving in the thickness direction is provided on the surface side (the surface side of the main body 70). Therefore, light attempting to move from the light-emitting unit 71 toward the outside or light attempting to move from the outside toward the light-receiving unit 72 is partially blocked (blocked from transmission) depending on the degree of light blocking by the light-shielding sheet 74. By providing the light-shielding sheet 74, the photoelectric sensor SE1 has a detection range RD in which the front-to-rear dimension of the portion of the detection range RD located forward of the front end position FE of the dispenser 10 is shorter than the detection capability distance of the photoelectric sensor SE1. This prevents the unintended release of the offering. Furthermore, by selecting the light-blocking sheet 74 according to the degree of light blocking (such as the type of color), the detection range RD of the photoelectric sensor SE1 can be finely adjusted in the direction of reduction without changing the light emission intensity of the light-emitting unit 71 or the judgment threshold of the judgment unit 73. In other words, since it is easy to set an appropriate detection range RD, problems such as the release of offerings at unintended times can be prevented while maintaining usability.

[Example of change]
The present application is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and for example, the following configurations can be appropriately adopted.
(1) In Examples 1 to 5, the detection means (sensor) for detecting the operation of releasing the press-provided object from the release section is configured to include a detection means for detecting the pressing operation (contact operation detection means, fourth switch) in addition to a detection means for non-contact detection of the detection object present in the detection range (non-contact detection means, photoelectric sensor), but the detection means for detecting the pressing operation may be omitted.
(2) In the first embodiment, the detecting means is configured to face the space to the right of the front panel from the right side of the front panel, but the detecting means may be configured to face the space to the left of the front panel from the left side of the front panel.
(3) In Example 2, the detection means is configured to face the space to the right of the front panel from the front surface (right side portion) of the housing, but the detection means may also be configured to face the space to the left of the front panel from the front surface (left side portion) of the housing.
(4) In Example 3, the detection means is configured to face the internal space of the recess from the inner surface on the left side of the recess provided on the front surface of the front panel. However, a window may be provided on the inner surface of the right side, upper side, lower side, or rear side of the recess, and the detection means may be configured to face the internal space of the recess through this window.
(5) In Example 4, the protective part is configured to cover the detection range of the detection means from the front, above, and the left and right sides, and to have openings (lower openings) on the bottom surface to limit the path to the detection range to a path from below. However, the protective part may be configured to limit the path to a path from above, the left and right sides, or the front. In this case, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which an opening on the top surface of the protective part allows access to the detection range while blocking the path from the front, below, and the left and right sides, or openings on the bottom and top surfaces of the protective part allow access to the detection range while blocking the path from the front, above, and below, or openings on the left and right side surfaces of the protective part allow access to the detection range while blocking the path from the front, above, and below, or openings on the front surface of the protective part allow access to the detection range while blocking the path from the top, below, and the left and right sides.
(6) In Example 5, the detecting means (first photoelectric sensor) disposed from the side of the front panel so as to face the space to the side of the front panel detects the finger held by the dispenser user as the detection object, and the second detecting means (second photoelectric sensor) disposed from the front of the lower panel so as to face the space in front of the lower panel detects the beverage container placed at the receiving position on the placement surface as the detection object. In contrast, the second detecting means may be disposed at a different position that does not correspond to the receiving position and detect the finger held by the dispenser user as the detection object.
For example, a detection means (first photoelectric sensor) is disposed from the right side of the front panel so as to face the space to the right of the front panel, and a second detection means (second photoelectric sensor) is disposed from the left side of the front panel so as to face the space to the left of the front panel. This allows a user of the dispenser to put the detection means and the second detection means into a detection state through non-contact operation using both hands, and a configuration can be realized in which an offering is dispensed from the dispensing section in response to such non-contact operation. On the other hand, even if a customer passes in front of the dispenser, both the detection means and the second detection means will not be in a detection state, and an offering will not be dispensed at an unintended timing.
(7) In Example 5, the position of the detection means (first photoelectric sensor) and its detection range is configured in the same manner as the position of the detection means and its detection range in Example 1, but it may also be configured in the same manner as the position of the detection means and its detection range in any of Examples 2 to 4.
(8) In the fifth embodiment, the detection ranges of both the detection means (first photoelectric sensor) and the second detection means (second photoelectric sensor) are configured to fall behind the front end position of the dispenser, but the detection range of the second detection means (second photoelectric sensor) may be configured to extend forward of the front end position of the dispenser. In this case, too, by setting the detection range of the detection means (first photoelectric sensor) to fall behind the front end position of the dispenser, it is possible to almost reliably prevent the problem of the dispenser discharging the offered product at an unintended timing.
(9) In Example 6, the detection range of the detection means (photoelectric sensor) is finely adjusted by providing a shading sheet to cover the surface sides of the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section. However, by providing a shading sheet to cover only the surface side of the light-emitting section (but not the surface side of the light-receiving section), or by providing a shading sheet to cover only the surface side of the light-receiving section (but not the surface side of the light-emitting section), it is possible to block part of the light moving in the thickness direction within the shading sheet, and adjust the detection range of the detection means to narrow it.
(10) In Example 6, the detection means (photoelectric sensor) is provided with a shading sheet to fine-tune the detection range, and this adjusted detection range is configured to fall behind the front end of the dispenser. However, even when the detection means is positioned so that at least a portion of the detection range extends forward of the front end of the dispenser, the protrusion dimension of the detection range forward of the front end of the dispenser can be reduced by the shading sheet, making it possible to reduce the frequency of malfunctions such as unintended release.
(11) In Example 6, the detection means (photoelectric sensor) is positioned so that the detection range of the detection means is located forward of the front end of the dispenser, and a shading sheet is arranged on the surface side of the detection means. However, the detection means with the shading sheet arranged on the surface side may be arranged so that the detection range is located behind the front end of the dispenser.
(12) Two or more of the detecting means (photoelectric sensors) described in the first to sixth embodiments may be provided in a common dispenser.

12 Housing, 13 Right side part of the front of the housing (front of the housing), 16 Front panel,
20 Emission unit, 50 Control means, 71 Light projection unit, 72 Light receiving unit, 73 Determination unit,
74 Light-shielding sheet, 75 Recess, 80 Protective portion,
FE: Dispenser front end position (dispenser front end), RD: Detection range,
SE1 photoelectric sensor (first photoelectric sensor, detection means),
SE2: Second photoelectric sensor (second detection means), W: Window

Claims (6)

A dispenser comprising a housing (12), a discharge unit (20) for discharging a provided product at the front side of the housing (12), a detection means (SE1) for detecting an operation, and a control means (50) for discharging the provided product from the discharge unit (20) based on detection by the detection means (SE1),
a box-shaped front panel (16) that opens rearward is disposed on the front surface of the housing (12) so as to protrude forward from the front surface of the housing (12), and the front surface of the front panel (16) is positioned at a front end (FE) of the dispenser;
The detection means (SE1) is configured to be able to detect a detection target object present in its detection range (RD) in a non-contact manner,
The dispenser is characterized in that the detection means (SE1) faces a lateral space of the front panel (16) through a window (W) provided on the side of the front panel (16), and is arranged so that the detection range (RD) is located rearward of the front end (FE) of the dispenser. A dispenser comprising a housing (12), a discharge unit (20) for discharging a provided product at the front side of the housing (12), a detection means (SE1) for detecting an operation, and a control means (50) for discharging the provided product from the discharge unit (20) based on detection by the detection means (SE1),
a box-shaped front panel (16) that opens rearward is disposed on the front surface of the housing (12) so as to protrude forward from the front surface of the housing (12), and the front surface of the front panel (16) is positioned at a front end (FE) of the dispenser;
The detection means (SE1) is configured to be able to detect a detection target object present in its detection range (RD) in a non-contact manner,
The dispenser is characterized in that the detection means (SE1) faces the lateral space of the front panel (16) through a window (W) provided on the front surface of the housing (12), and is arranged so that the detection range (RD) is located rearward of the front end (FE) of the dispenser. A dispenser comprising a housing (12), a discharge unit (20) for discharging a provided product at the front side of the housing (12), a detection means (SE1) for detecting an operation, and a control means (50) for discharging the provided product from the discharge unit (20) based on detection by the detection means (SE1),
a box-shaped front panel (16) that opens rearward is disposed on the front surface of the housing (12) so as to protrude forward from the front surface of the housing (12), and the front surface of the front panel (16) is positioned at a front end (FE) of the dispenser;
A recess (75) recessed rearward is formed on the front surface of the front panel (16),
The detection means (SE1) is configured to be able to detect a detection target object present in its detection range (RD) in a non-contact manner,
The detection means (SE1) faces the internal space of the recess (75) through a window (W) provided on the inner surface of the recess (75), and is arranged so that the detection range (RD) is located rearward of the front end (FE) of the dispenser. A dispenser comprising a housing (12), a discharge unit (20) for discharging a provided product at the front side of the housing (12), a detection means (SE1) for detecting an operation, and a control means (50) for discharging the provided product from the discharge unit (20) based on detection by the detection means (SE1),
A box-shaped front panel (16) that opens toward the rear is disposed on the front surface of the housing (12) so as to protrude forward from the front surface of the housing (12),
The detecting means (SE1) is disposed so as to face a space in front of the front panel (16) through a window (W) provided on the front surface of the front panel (16),
The detection means (SE1) is configured to be able to detect a detection target object present in its detection range (RD) in a non-contact manner,
The front panel (16) includes a protection section (80) that covers the detection range (RD) from above, below, or from the left and right to limit the path of an object to be detected that reaches the detection range (RD),
The dispenser is characterized in that the front end of the protection part (80) is positioned at the front end (FE) of the dispenser and is positioned forward of the detection range (RD). The detection means (SE1) has a light-emitting unit (71) that emits light, a light-receiving unit (72) that senses the light, and a determination unit (73) that determines the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit (72), and is configured to be able to detect a detection object present in its detection range (RD) in a non-contact manner,
5. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein a light-shielding sheet (74) for partially blocking transmission of light is provided on the surface side of the detection means (SE1). a second detection means (SE2) for detecting an operation performed at a position away from the detection range (RD) of the detection means (SE1);
The dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control means (50) causes the release portion (20) to release the provided product on the condition that the second detection means (SE2) and the detection means ( SE1 ) are in a detection state.