JP5109565B2 - vending machine - Google Patents

Description

  In the vending machine that sells products such as canned beverages that are cooled or heated, when the hydrocarbon refrigerant used in the cooling or heating system leaks into the cabinet, the refrigerant leakage is detected and discharged. It relates to vending machines.

  In recent years, a cooling system using a natural refrigerant made of hydrocarbons such as isobutane and propane has been desired from the viewpoint of protecting the ozone layer and preventing global warming. When using flammable hydrocarbons as a refrigerant in a cooling storage such as a vending machine, explosion-proof electrical components are used, but for further safety, leakage of the refrigerant is detected and leaked. The thing which discharges the made refrigerant | coolant outside a store | warehouse | chamber is proposed (for example, refer patent document 1).

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

  FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional vending machine cut to the left and right and the left cut surface viewed from the right.

  In FIG. 4, a plurality of storage units 2 having a heat insulating structure are provided in the vending machine body 1, and a machine room 3 is disposed below each storage unit 2. An outside air inlet 4 and a suction damper 5 are provided in the upper part of each storage 2, and an evaporator 6, an internal fan 7, an exhaust outlet 8, and an exhaust damper 9 are provided in the lower part of the storage.

  A product storage column 10 is installed in each storage 2. Moreover, the storage 2 has the refrigerant | coolant leak detection sensor 11 each arrange | positioned in the downstream of the air of the evaporator 6, and when a refrigerant | coolant is detected, a detection signal will be output to a control part.

  Further, the vending machine includes a control unit that controls the suction damper 5 and the exhaust damper 9 based on the detection signal of the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 11. When the detection signal of the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 11 is output, the control unit opens the suction damper 5 and introduces outside air from the outside air inlet 4.

  About the automatic vending machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated below.

When the refrigerant leaks from the refrigeration circuit in the storage 2, the refrigerant leak detection sensor 11 disposed on the downstream side of the evaporator 6 detects the leak and outputs a detection signal to the control unit. When the detection signal is output, the control unit opens the suction damper 5 and sucks outside air from the outside air inlet 4. At the same time, the waste damper 9 is opened, and the air in the storage 2 is discharged from the exhaust port 8. Thereby, the leaked refrigerant when the refrigerant leaks can be discharged to the outside.
JP 2001-134827 A

  However, when the product storage unit is filled with products in a vending machine, the air path from the outside air intake port to the exhaust port is resisted by the product, and sufficient air volume cannot be obtained, so that the leaked refrigerant is sufficiently removed There was a problem that could not be discharged.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine that can stably discharge a leaked refrigerant to the outside regardless of whether or not there is a product in a product storage unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vending machine according to the present invention has a cooling chamber having an indoor heat exchanger of a cooling system and an internal fan formed in a lower part of a storage for storing commodities. A vending machine having a machine room having a compressor of the cooling system, an external heat exchanger and an external fan, wherein the cooling chamber and the machine room are partitioned by a heat insulating wall. When the refrigerant leaks in the greenhouse, the cooling chamber and the machine room communicate with each other to introduce the outside air in the machine room into the cooling chamber, and the heat-insulating wall suction side of the internal fan It was provided in the place.

  Thereby, the leaked refrigerant can be discharged regardless of whether or not there is a product in the product storage unit.

  The vending machine of the present invention can reduce the refrigerant concentration leaked into the warehouse and discharge it outside the warehouse, ensuring explosion-proof properties and improving safety.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a cooling greenhouse having an indoor heat exchanger of a cooling system and an internal fan is formed in a lower part of a storage for storing goods, and the cooling system is provided below the storage. A vending machine having a machine room having a compressor, an external heat exchanger, and an external fan, wherein the cooling greenhouse and the machine room are partitioned by a heat insulating wall. When the air leaks, a vent hole is provided at a location on the heat insulating wall on the suction side of the internal fan so that the cooling chamber and the machine room communicate with each other to introduce outside air into the cooling room. When refrigerant leakage is detected inside the cabinet, outside air in the machine room is introduced from the vent, and the leaked refrigerant concentration in the cabinet is reduced and discharged to the outside. it can.

The invention described in claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, the back portion of the reservoir, with a return duct for sucking the air discharged from the cooling heating chamber to the reservoir by the internal fan, The return duct and the vent are in communication with the rear of the indoor heat exchanger, and the outside air taken in from the vent can be drawn into the cabinet by being attracted by the return air. , Leakage refrigerant concentration can be reduced.

  The invention described in claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1 or 2, when the refrigerant leaks in the cooling greenhouse, the internal fan and the external fan continuously operate. Therefore, the leaked refrigerant discharged from the product outlet can be more reliably opened to the atmosphere.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the vent is normally closed by a shutter mechanism, and the refrigerant leaks in the cooling chamber. When it is detected, an opening mechanism for opening the shutter mechanism is provided, and the heat insulation of the air vent at the normal time can be enhanced.

  The invention according to claim 5 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the refrigerant is a combustible refrigerant, and is a physical property heavier than air. Safety can be improved by forming a refrigerant exhaust configuration that takes advantage of.

  Embodiments of a vending machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view as taken by cutting a vending machine in the lateral cut surfaces of the left from the right in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the main body of the vending machine with the outer door and the inner door removed from the vending machine of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a main part of the lower part of the vending machine shown in FIG.

  In the figure, on the front surface of the vending machine main body 21, an outer door 22 for displaying sample products, giving and receiving money and taking out the goods is disposed so as to be openable and closable. There is a storage 23 for storing. Between the storage 23 and the vending machine main body 21, a back panel 24, an upper panel 25, and a lower panel 26 are disposed around the storage 23 as heat insulating walls made of urethane foam or the like.

  An upper inner door 27 and a lower inner door 28 divided into upper and lower parts are provided as heat insulating walls on the front surface of the storage 23, and the front surface of the storage 23 is configured to be opened and closed independently. The lower inner door 28 is provided with a resin product outlet 29 that communicates with the interior. The merchandise carry-out port 29 has a shaft portion 29a at the upper portion, and opens and closes in the outward direction about the shaft portion 29a.

  The outer door 22 is provided with a product outlet 30 and is disposed in front of the product outlet 29. A hanging metal fitting 32 is disposed in the upper portion of the storage 23, and all the products are stored by suspending a plurality of product storage columns 33, 34, and 35 for storing products such as canned beverages. When the product is sold, the product rolls on the chute 31 that is arranged below the product storage columns 33 to 35 and is inclined toward the product carry-out port 29 and reaches the product take-out port 30 through the product carry-out port 29. Receives the merchandise that was unloaded.

  Below the product storage columns 33 to 35, there is a cooling greenhouse 50 partitioned by the chute 31, and an electric heater 36, an internal fan 37, and an indoor heat exchanger 38 are installed in the cooling greenhouse 50. Specifically, the indoor heat exchanger 38, the internal fan 37, and the electric heater 36 are arranged on a substantially straight line in this order from the rear to the front of the storage 23. A machine room 51 defined by the lower panel 26 is disposed below the storage 23, and includes a compressor 39, a machine room fan 40, an external heat exchanger 41, expansion means (not shown), and the like. A cooling system is provided.

  And the indoor heat exchanger 38 in the store | warehouse | chamber 23 is cooled by the driving | operation of a compressor, and goods are cooled because cool air is transmitted to goods with the fan 37 in a store | warehouse | chamber. Product cooling is set at about 3 ° C. Further, by using the indoor heat exchanger 38 as a radiator by energizing the electric heater or switching the refrigerant circuit, the storage 23 can be heated, and the product is kept warm at about 55 ° C. during heating. Yes. As a refrigerant for such a cooling and heating system, isobutane, which is a flammable refrigerant having an ozone depletion coefficient of 0, a low global warming coefficient, and an extremely low environmental impact, is used. In addition, the machine room fan 40 is always continuously operated in preparation for when the refrigerant of the cooling and heating system leaks in the machine room 51.

  A vent hole 52 is opened in the lower panel 26. The ventilation port 52 penetrates the lower panel 26 and is opened so as to communicate the inside of the storage 23 and the machine room 51. The ventilation opening 52 is opened on the suction side of the air passage by the internal fan 37. A shutter 53 formed of a heat insulating material such as urethane is provided below the ventilation port 52. The shutter 53 is formed so as to block or communicate the air between the storage port 23 and the outside through the ventilation port 52 by driving a driving unit 54 that is an opening mechanism such as a stepping motor or a solenoid. .

  Specifically, the structure around the vent 52 will be described.

  A return duct 101 for sucking air discharged from the internal fan 37 is formed in the rear panel 24 of the storage 23 from the vicinity of the center in the height direction of the rear panel 24 toward the lower side, and extends into the cooling chamber 50. ing. The return duct 101 forms a communication duct 102 structure communicating with the internal heat exchanger 38 without being opened to the internal space.

  Also, below the indoor heat exchanger 38, a drainage duct 104 that guides the dew condensation water generated when the frost generated in the indoor heat exchanger 38 is defrosted to the evaporating dish 103 installed in the machine room 51 is disposed. Yes. The drainage duct 104 is arranged in the lower part of the cooling greenhouse 50, that is, in the lower part of the storage 23, and is arranged from the rear side toward the front inner door 28, and the defrost water of the indoor heat exchanger 38 is guided to the front of the inside of the storage. As described above, the drainage duct 104 includes an inclined portion 104a.

  A ventilation port 52 is opened so as to connect the gap 105 formed below the inclined portion 104 a and the machine room 51. The gap 105 communicates with the return duct 101, and the air in the gap 105 exchanges heat through the indoor heat exchanger 38 and is sucked into the internal fan 37.

  When the normal operation is performed without leakage of the refrigerant, the vent hole 52 is closed by the shutter 53 from the inside of the machine room 51 of the lower panel 26. For this reason, there is no passage of air in the interior 23 and the machine room 51, and the shutter 53 is made of a heat insulating material, so that heat intrusion can be prevented.

  The opening / closing mechanism of the shutter 53 will be described.

  An outer portion 53a of the shutter 53 is covered with a metal sheet metal, and a locking portion 53b is integrally formed. One side of the shutter 53 can be freely opened and closed by a hinge 106, and the other side has a solenoid 54. The plunger 54a that drives the inside of the solenoid 54 is stopped while holding the locking portion 53b. The ventilation opening 52 is closed by the shutter 53.

  Further, in the machine room 51 arranged behind the outer door 22, an external heat exchanger 41, a machine room fan 40, and a compressor 39 are arranged in order from the front, and the machine room is operated by the operation of the machine room fan 40. The air heat-exchanged by the external heat exchanger 41 disposed on the suction side (windward side) of the fan 40 is discharged to a compressor 39 disposed on the discharge side (leeward side) of the machine room fan 40 or an evaporating dish (not shown). This improves the efficiency of the cooling system and the evaporation performance of defrost water.

  And the conduit | pipe 42 is provided in the lowest part of the storage 23, and it connects with the leak detection sensor 43 provided in the machine room 51. FIG. As the conduit 42, a copper tube, an iron tube, a stainless steel tube, a hose made of resin, or the like can be used. However, care must be taken so that the refrigerant passage portion is not crushed.

  In the case of this embodiment, a resin conduit is used. The larger the inner diameter of the conduit 42, the smaller the suction resistance and the easier it is to detect the leaked refrigerant. However, the wiring and piping processing together with the piping and electrical wiring of the cooling system connecting the machine room 51 and the cooling chamber 50 are preferable. As a result, the size of the conduit 42 is limited. Specifically, since the dimension passes through the notch formed in the front surface of the lower panel 26, the conduit 42 having an inner diameter of about 3 to 5 mm is used.

  The conduit 42 is arranged in front of the electric heater 36, that is, between the inner door 28 and the electric heater 28 so as to have an opening as a starting point, does not penetrate the inner door 28, and the lower panel 26 and the inner door. 28, a conduit 42 is formed in the direction of the lower machine room 51. The end point is connected to a refrigerant leakage detection sensor 43 attached to the external heat exchanger 41 of the machine room 51.

  The leak detection sensor 43 will be described. The leak detection sensor 43 is an L-shaped sensor attached by spot welding or the like to a heat exchanger guard part 41a covering the upper surface of the external heat exchanger 41 or an end plate part 41b attached to a U-shaped bent part of the pipe. The leak detection sensor unit 43b is fixed to the substrate unit 43a, and is covered with a resin cover 43c so as to cover the entire surface of the leak detection sensor unit 43b.

  And the cover hole part is formed in the upper surface of the cover part 43c by the number of the conduit | pipe 42, and the conduit | pipe 42 is inserted in the cover hole part. The storage 23 is thermally insulated into a plurality of chambers in the left-right direction by a partition wall 23a, and a plurality of conduits 42 are provided corresponding to the number of each chamber. A cooling greenhouse 50 is provided in each of the plurality of storages 23 partitioned left and right by the partition wall 23a. In the present embodiment, since there are three chambers, three conduits 42 are provided in the lower front part of each storage 23. As shown in the figure, the leak detection sensor 43 is installed at a position near the front of the external heat exchanger 41 in the approximate center of each storage 23 so that the length of the conduit 42 is shortened for each storage 23. In other words, the single leak detection sensor 43 is configured to cope with the leakage of the plurality of storages 23.

  Further, each conduit 42 is configured as an independent pipe without connecting the other conduit 42 and the refrigerant passage inside, so that when the refrigerant leaking in one storage 23 passes through the conduit, leakage detection is performed. It is possible to prevent all of the refrigerant from being guided to the sensor unit 43 and backflow of some leaked refrigerant to the conduits 42 of other storages.

  As shown in the figure, the space portion 100 is formed in the upper front corner of the external heat exchanger 41 so that the board portion 43a of the leak detection sensor 43 does not contact the fins 41a of the external heat exchanger 41. The outside air sucked into the external heat exchanger 41 by the machine room fan 40 passes through the space heat exchanger 41 through the space portion 100 and faces the leak detection sensor 43. Then, since it is sucked into the machine room fan 40, it is possible to prevent a decrease in heat exchange performance due to the leak detection sensor 43 being attached to the front surface of the external heat exchanger 41.

  In addition, as shown in the figure, the conduit 42 led from the right or left chamber is introduced into the leak detection sensor 43 by a conduit 42 independent from the conduit 42 in the middle chamber, and does not penetrate the inner door 28 in the middle of the piping. None of the conduits 42 are configured using a gap for routing the piping of the cooling system formed between the partition wall 23a and the inner door 28, so that a new hole is not made in the wall to be insulated. Since it can comprise, heat insulation performance can be maintained. The space around the gap is insulated by urethane foam, a soft resin member, or the like so that outside air outside the cabinet does not enter.

  In addition, isobutane, which is a combustible refrigerant, has a specific gravity heavier than air, and therefore includes a leakage detection sensor 43 at a position lower than the conduit 42.

  In addition, an opening 30a is provided on the lower surface of the product outlet 30 and communicates with the machine room 51 through the opening 30a.

  In the figure, the lower panel 26, which is a heat insulating wall below the storage 23, is provided with an open hole 45 so that it can be opened in the event of a refrigerant leak, allowing the outside air to be introduced or the refrigerant to escape to the outside. The open holes 45 are provided in the respective storages 23, and these are normally closed and sealed / insulated by an open damper 46, and are configured to open the open damper 46 when refrigerant leakage is detected. Here, the opening hole is provided in the lower surface panel 26. This is because the specific gravity of isobutane, which is a refrigerant, is about 2, and it is easy to collect downward, so that the refrigerant can be released to the outside even when the internal fan 37 is stopped. is there. On the other hand, even if the refrigerant leaks during operation of the internal fan 37, it becomes the suction side of the internal fan 37, and external air can be introduced from the opening hole 45 and the refrigerant can be discharged to the outside from the product outlet 29.

  Here, the electrical parts installed inside and outside the storage 23 have an explosion-proof structure so as to satisfy the requirements shown in the Vending Machine Manufacturers Association voluntary standards (JVMA 2B001, Annex 2 “Safety of Cooling Unit”). Yes. This explosion-proof structure prevents electrical components from becoming an ignition source when refrigerant leaks from the cooling and heating system. The structure that diffuses the leaked refrigerant, the structure that keeps the surface temperature low, and the flame to the outside Includes a simple explosion-proof structure that does not propagate.

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

  During a normal cooling operation in which no refrigerant leaks, the air cooled by the indoor heat exchanger 38 is sucked by the internal fan 37 and discharged toward the front inner door 28. The discharged air cools the merchandise through the merchandise storage columns 33 to 35, and forms an air path that returns to the indoor heat exchanger 38 again through the return duct 101 behind the storage chamber 23. Further, since the air in the gap portion 105 is also communicated with the return duct 101, heat is exchanged and sucked by the indoor heat exchanger 38 by the internal fan 37. When a certain time elapses by the internal fan 37, the indoor heat exchanger 38 is defrosted. Specifically, the compressor 39 is turned off, and the electric heater 36 is deenergized without being energized.

  At this time, the generated defrost water falls into the drainage duct 104, flows through the inclined portion 104 a toward the front inner door 28, and is stored in the evaporating dish 103 installed in the machine room 51.

  When an abnormal situation occurs in which the refrigerant leaks, the cooling system or the piping of the cooling / heating system arranged in the cooling / heating chamber 50 is damaged and the refrigerant leaks. Do the driving.

  And since the specific gravity of the leaked isobutane is heavier than air, it spreads over the lower part of the storage 23, that is, the bottom part of the cooling greenhouse 50. The leaked refrigerant is guided toward the front of the cooling greenhouse 50 by the operation of the internal fan 37, flows out to the leak detection sensor 43 through the conduit 42, and the refrigerant is increased by the leak detection sensor 43 when the refrigerant concentration increases. A leak is detected.

  When the leakage detection sensor 43 detects refrigerant leakage, the operation is already different from the initial state, the solenoid 54 is energized, the plunger 54a is activated, and the holding of the claw portion 53b is released. As a result, the shutter 53 moves into the machine room 51 around the hinge 106, and the ventilation port 52 is in an open state. At that time, the outside air in the machine room 51 is introduced into the storage 23 through the ventilation port 52 by the operation of the inside fan 37 and is attracted to the air in the return duct 101, thereby passing through the indoor heat exchanger 38. It will be sucked into the internal fan 37.

  The outside air sucked by the internal fan 37 is mixed with the leaked refrigerant staying at the bottom of the cooling chamber 50 and pushed out toward the conduit 42 while reducing the concentration, and the conduit disposed in front of the internal fan 37. The refrigerant passes through 42 and is led into the machine chamber 51, or the product outlet 29 is opened by the dynamic pressure of the internal fan 37 and discharged to the outside.

  Further, when the refrigerant leakage detection sensor 43 is activated due to refrigerant leakage, the internal fan 37 is operated, and at the same time, the internal fan 37 is operated at the maximum rotational speed to discharge the leaked refrigerant to the outside. Also good. Then, the refrigerant discharged from the product carry-out port 29 passes through the product take-out port 30, flows downward through the opening 30 a formed in the lower part of the product take-out port 30, and stays in the front of the machine chamber 51.

  When the leak detection sensor 43 is activated, it is sucked into the external heat exchanger 41 while being mixed with the outside air by the machine room fan 40, passes through the machine room 51, and is formed in the rear surface of the machine room 51. It is discharged from 51a to the outside.

  Further, by providing a ventilation port 52 in the lower panel 26 below the cooling chamber 50, in the case of a refrigerant having a specific gravity greater than that of air, such as isobutane, it diffuses downward, so the internal fan 37 does not move due to a failure or the like. Even in such a case, the leakage refrigerant can be guided to the machine room 51 through the ventilation port 52 and can be discharged from the vent hole 51 a by the machine room fan 40.

  Moreover, by providing the opening 30a and operating the machine room fan 40, the refrigerant discharged to the outside of the storage 23 is quickly discharged to the outside of the vending machine main body 21 without staying in the product outlet 30. It is possible to suppress the increase in refrigerant concentration outside the storage 23.

  Therefore, since the ventilation opening 52 is opened at the time of refrigerant leakage, the leakage refrigerant concentration in the warehouse can be reduced and the explosion-proof property can be increased. By operating the internal fan 37 continuously, the outer door 22 and the inner door 28 can be opened. Even if it is not forcibly opened, the leaked refrigerant in the warehouse can be discharged out of the warehouse through the product outlet 29.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the machine room fan 40 is always continuously operated in preparation for a case where the refrigerant leaks due to damage to the piping of the cooling system disposed outside the storage 23, but the leakage detection sensor 43 The machine room fan 40 may be operated only when refrigerant leakage is detected.

  In the present embodiment, the heater 23 is used to heat the storage 23. However, the refrigerant flow path is switched by a switching valve or the like for switching the refrigerant flow path so that the indoor heat exchanger 38 functions as a radiator. It is also possible to use a cooling and heating system that heats the interior of the cabinet. By reducing the concentration of the refrigerant and forcibly discharging it outside the warehouse, it is possible to ensure explosion-proof properties and improve safety. Further, when the electric heater 36 is energized at the same time during heating by such a heat pump system, the energization of the electric heater can be stopped at the same time if the leakage detection sensor 43 is activated, thereby preventing an explosion from becoming an ignition source. .

  As described above, in the vending machine according to the present invention, the conduit is embedded at a position lower than the commodity outlet provided in the inner door in front of the storage, and the leakage detection sensor is disposed at a position lower than the conduit on the outer surface of the inner door. Therefore, when a refrigerant leaks inside the storage, the gas sensor placed outside the storage can detect the refrigerant leakage inside the storage earlier, so showcases using flammable refrigerants and commercial refrigeration It can also be applied to refrigerant leak detection in refrigeration or refrigeration equipment such as refrigerators.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view at the time of cutting the vending machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention into right and left Front view of the vending machine body of the vending machine of the embodiment Fig. 1 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the main part of Fig. 1. Longitudinal section when a conventional vending machine is cut to the left and right

Explanation of symbols

23 reservoir 26 the lower panel 38 indoor heat exchanger 39 the compressor 41 external heat exchanger 50 cooled heating chamber 51 machine room 52 vents (vents)
53 Shutter 54 Drive Unit 101 Return Duct 104 Drainage Duct 105 Gap

Claims (5)

  A cooling greenhouse having an indoor heat exchanger of the cooling system and an internal fan is formed in the lower part of the storage for storing products, and the compressor of the cooling system, the external heat exchanger and the external of the storage are below the storage In a vending machine having a machine room having a fan, and the cooling chamber and the machine room are partitioned by a heat insulating wall, when the refrigerant leaks in the cooling chamber, the cooling chamber and the machine room The vending machine is provided with a vent hole for communicating outside air in the machine room to introduce the outside air into the cooling greenhouse, on the heat insulating wall on the suction side of the internal fan. The back portion of the reservoir, with a return duct for sucking the air discharged from the cooling heating chamber to the reservoir by internal fan, that communicates with the rear of the indoor heat exchanger and the return duct and vent The vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that:   The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the refrigerant leaks in the cooling chamber, the internal fan and the external fan continuously operate.   4. The air vent is normally closed by a shutter mechanism, and provided with an opening mechanism that opens the shutter mechanism when it is detected that the refrigerant has leaked in the cooling chamber. A vending machine according to claim 1.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the refrigerant is a combustible refrigerant.