JP7397775B2 - dispenser - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to dispensers.

As an example of a dispenser, an ice dispenser described in Embodiment 3 of Patent Document 1 below is known. This ice dispenser is equipped with an ice storage chamber that stores ice, and an ultraviolet irradiator is placed near the outlet that releases the ice in the ice storage chamber.The ice dispenser sterilizes the ice by irradiating the path through which the ice passes, including the outlet. It is configured to keep the ice and the water dispensed with the ice clean.

JP2020-20562A

In order to supply highly safe food and drink, it is effective to sterilize the food and drink itself discharged from the outlet. However, since these are supplied within a short time after being released, it is necessary to irradiate them with extremely strong ultraviolet rays to sterilize them. The ultraviolet irradiator of the ice dispenser constantly irradiates a fixed amount of ultraviolet rays for the purpose of sterilizing the passage of ice and water, and is equipped with a control means to adjust the intensity of ultraviolet irradiation according to the usage situation. Not yet. It would take a lot of energy to constantly irradiate strong ultraviolet rays, making it impractical.

The present disclosure was completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a dispenser that can dispense food and drink with high safety.

In order to solve the above problems, the dispenser of the present disclosure has the following configuration.
<1> A housing, a storage chamber disposed within the housing for storing food and drink, in which a discharge port is formed, a shutter for releasably closing the discharge port, and a shutter for controlling the open/closed state of the shutter. a shutter detection means for detecting; an ultraviolet irradiator for sterilizing the food and drink discharged from the discharge port by irradiating the food with ultraviolet rays; A control unit that controls irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the container.

According to the configuration <1>, by making it possible to control the intensity of ultraviolet irradiation depending on the open/closed state of the shutter, it becomes possible to irradiate strong ultraviolet rays only while food and drink are being released. Therefore, food and drink itself can be sterilized without excessively increasing energy consumption. As a result, it becomes possible to supply food and drink with higher safety. In addition, by shortening the time during which strong ultraviolet rays are irradiated, it is possible to reduce the possibility that ultraviolet rays will leak to the outside of the dispenser and hit the user's hands, causing health damage.
In the configuration <1>, the food or drink may be any of liquids, solids, solid-liquid mixtures, and the like. Further, it is preferable that the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays is set based on the moving speed of the food and drink to be irradiated.

<2> When the control unit determines that the shutter has opened the emission port, the controller increases the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiator, and after increasing the irradiation intensity, the shutter opens the emission port. The irradiation intensity may be reduced when it is determined that the door is closed.
Specifically, by controlling as in configuration <2>, provided food and drinks can be sterilized well. In the configuration <2>, the control unit may determine that the shutter has opened or closed the discharge port based on the signal from the shutter detection means. Alternatively, it may be further provided with a timer such as a timer for measuring time, and it may be determined that the shutter has closed the emission port when a predetermined time has elapsed since the ultraviolet irradiation intensity was increased. In the configuration <2>, the control unit causes the ultraviolet irradiator to irradiate ultraviolet rays at a constant irradiation intensity higher than 0 μW/cm ² before increasing the irradiation intensity and after decreasing the irradiation intensity. It may be configured as follows. In this way, not only can the food and drink itself be sterilized when the food and drink is discharged, but also the food and drink discharge route etc. can be sterilized and kept clean during standby. As a result, it is possible to provide food and drink with higher safety, which is preferable.

<3> The housing is formed with a discharge port that communicates with the discharge port and discharges food and drink discharged from the discharge port to the outside of the housing, and the discharge port is disposed below the discharge port. A stage is provided on which a container for receiving food and drink discharged from the container is placed, and a discharge port cover that covers between the discharge port and the stage is attached so as to be openable and closable, and the discharge port cover can be opened and closed. The controller further includes a cover detection means for detecting a state, and when the cover detection means does not detect that the discharge port cover is closed, the controller controls the intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator. It may not be increased.
According to the configuration <3>, ultraviolet rays are not irradiated with high intensity when the discharge port cover is not closed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user will be exposed to strong ultraviolet rays and cause health damage. In particular, user safety can be improved in configurations in which ultraviolet rays are irradiated outward from the discharge port or in configurations in which ultraviolet rays are irradiated from an ultraviolet irradiator placed outside the housing. . In the configuration <3>, the control unit may stop irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator when it is not detected that the discharge port cover is closed. This further improves user safety. In the configuration <3>, the control unit may increase the irradiation intensity after waiting for a predetermined time to elapse after it is detected that the ejection port cover is closed.

<4> The ultraviolet irradiator is capable of emitting visible light as well as ultraviolet rays, and the discharge port cover may be formed to include a visible light transmitting portion that blocks ultraviolet rays and transmits visible light.
According to the configuration <4>, visible light is emitted from the ultraviolet irradiator along with ultraviolet rays, and it is possible to visually check whether the ultraviolet rays and visible light are being irradiated through the discharge port cover, thereby preventing malfunction of the ultraviolet irradiator. You can know as soon as possible. In addition, when the user opens the discharge port cover and takes out the container, they should make sure that they are not exposed to ultraviolet rays, or if they are exposed to ultraviolet rays, they should be careful not to be exposed to ultraviolet rays. Become. As a result, user safety can be further improved.

<5> A draining member formed to allow ultraviolet rays to pass through is disposed on the bottom surface of the storage chamber, and the ultraviolet irradiator is capable of irradiating ultraviolet rays upward onto the lower surface of the draining member. It may be attached to.
According to the configuration <5>, the food and drink moving toward the outlet can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays when the food and drink are supplied. In particular, if an ultraviolet ray irradiator is placed on the bottom near the discharge port, food and drink to be discharged next time can be intensively sterilized. The ultraviolet irradiator is arranged inside the storage chamber and the ultraviolet rays are irradiated into the storage chamber, thereby reducing the possibility of the ultraviolet rays leaking outside the housing. In the configuration <5>, if an ultraviolet irradiator is installed so that it can irradiate ultraviolet rays not only above the storage chamber but also toward the emission port, when the shutter is closed, the surface of the shutter on the storage chamber side It is also possible to sterilize these areas by irradiating them with ultraviolet rays, and when they are open, irradiating them with ultraviolet rays near the outlet.

<6> The shutter is attached to cover and close the emission port from the front side, and the ultraviolet irradiator is capable of irradiating ultraviolet rays toward the rear at a position within the housing that directly faces the shutter from the front. It may be attached to.
The shutter separates the storage room, which is normally closed, from the discharge path that communicates with the outside, and if it is made of highly durable metal to withstand repeated opening and closing operations, it would be difficult to maintain insulation. This tends to cause dew condensation on the surface. Furthermore, the discharged food and drink may bounce off and adhere to the outer surface of the shutter that is in contact with the outside air. Furthermore, the shutter has a complicated shape in order to perform an opening/closing function, resulting in a structure that is difficult to clean. As a result, the outer surface of the shutter often becomes an environment where bacteria can easily breed. According to the configuration <6>, it is possible to irradiate the outer surface of the shutter with ultraviolet rays in a concentrated manner to steadily perform sterilization. In the configuration <6>, it is preferable that the ultraviolet irradiator is installed as close to the shutter as possible.

<7> The housing is formed with a discharge port that communicates with the discharge port and discharges food and drink discharged from the discharge port to the outside of the housing below the discharge port, and the ultraviolet irradiator includes: The housing may be installed at a position in front of the discharge port and above the discharge port so as to be able to irradiate ultraviolet rays backward and downward.
According to the configuration <7>, ultraviolet rays can be irradiated toward both the discharge port located at the rear of the ultraviolet irradiator and the discharge port located below. Furthermore, when the shutter is open, the bottom edge of the storage chamber can also be irradiated with ultraviolet light through the discharge port. Therefore, by sterilizing the food and drink that passes through the area while keeping the area clean, it is possible to provide food and drink with higher safety. In the configuration <7>, if a stage is formed below the discharge port for placing a container for receiving the discharged food and drink, the container placed here and the food and drink in the container are Items can also be sterilized by irradiating them with ultraviolet light. Furthermore, if an external drain tray is provided below the stage to catch food and drinks that are not received in the container, it is possible to sterilize the interior of the external drain tray by irradiating ultraviolet rays as well.

<8> A discharge port is formed on the front surface of the housing to communicate with the discharge port and discharge the food and drink discharged from the discharge port to the outside of the housing, and a discharge port is disposed below the discharge port. a stage on which a container for receiving food and drink discharged from the discharge port is placed; and an external drain tray disposed below the stage for receiving food and drink not received in the container. , the ultraviolet irradiator may be attached to a bottom surface within the external drain tray so as to be able to irradiate the ultraviolet rays upward.
According to the configuration <8>, by arranging the ultraviolet irradiator at a position away from the irradiation target, one ultraviolet irradiator can be used not only in the vicinity of the discharge port located above the external drain pan but also from the discharge port. Ultraviolet rays can also be irradiated onto the upward release path of food and drink. When a container is placed and food and drink are discharged, the food and beverages that are not received in the container but are caught in the external drain pan are sterilized by irradiating them with strong ultraviolet rays. The proliferation of bacteria inside the body is suppressed. In the configuration <8>, in order to suppress the irradiation range of ultraviolet rays within a certain range, it is preferable to use a highly directional ultraviolet light emitting diode as the ultraviolet irradiator.

<9> A discharge port is formed on the front surface of the housing to communicate with the discharge port and discharge the food and drink discharged from the discharge port to the outside of the housing, and a discharge port is disposed below the discharge port. , a stage on which a container for receiving food and drink discharged from the discharge port is placed, and an external drain tray disposed below the stage to receive food and drink not received in the container. , an internal drain pan disposed behind the external drain pan and communicating with the external drain pan is provided in the housing, and the ultraviolet irradiator is disposed on a front side of the external drain pan at the rear. It may be attached so that ultraviolet rays can be irradiated toward the target.
When bacteria grow in the external or internal drain pan, a slime-like substance forms, which can clog the drain that drains drain water to the outside of the dispenser, potentially leading to water leaks and electrical leaks. According to the configuration <9>, ultraviolet rays can be irradiated to the external drain dish and the communication portion (flow path) between the external drain dish and the internal drain dish. As a result, the proliferation of bacteria in the drain tray is suppressed, the dispenser is kept clean, and drainage troubles can be reduced.

<10> A discharge port is formed on the front surface of the housing to communicate with the discharge port and discharge the food and drink discharged from the discharge port to the outside of the housing, and a discharge port is disposed below the discharge port. a stage on which a container for receiving food and drink discharged from the discharge port is placed; and an external drain tray disposed below the stage for receiving food and drink not received in the container. , the housing is provided with an internal drain pan disposed at a lower part of the housing, and a flow path that communicates with the external drain pan and the internal drain pan; It may be attached above the flow path so that ultraviolet rays can be irradiated downward.
According to the configuration <10>, by intensively irradiating the flow path with ultraviolet rays, drain water flowing from the external drain tray to the internal drain tray can be steadily sterilized.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a dispenser that can supply food and drink with high safety.

External perspective view of the dispenser according to Embodiment 1 Longitudinal cross-sectional view of dispenser A partially enlarged view of the portion of Figure 2 that includes the discharge port and the vicinity of the discharge port Block diagram showing an overview of the configuration related to controlling the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet rays Flowchart showing an example of controlling irradiation intensity External perspective view showing main parts of a dispenser according to Embodiment 2 Block diagram showing an overview of the configuration related to controlling the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet rays Flowchart showing an example of controlling irradiation intensity A vertical cross-sectional view showing main parts of a dispenser according to Embodiment 3 A vertical cross-sectional view showing main parts of a dispenser according to Embodiment 4 A vertical cross-sectional view showing main parts of a dispenser according to Embodiment 5 A vertical cross-sectional view showing main parts of a dispenser according to Embodiment 6 A vertical cross-sectional view showing main parts of a dispenser according to Embodiment 7 A vertical cross-sectional view showing the main parts of a dispenser according to Embodiment 8

<Embodiment 1>
Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. Note that the X, Y, and Z axes of the orthogonal coordinate system XYZ are shown in a part of each drawing except for block diagrams and chart diagrams, and the directions of each axis are drawn in the same direction in each drawing. ing. The X-axis direction is the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction is the front-back direction, and the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction, where the upper side in FIG. 2 is the top (the lower side is the bottom), and the left side is the front (the right side is the rear). Moreover, regarding a plurality of identical members, one member may be given a reference numeral and the reference numerals of other members may be omitted.

[Ice dispenser 1]
In the first embodiment, an ice dispenser (an example of a dispenser) 1 that dispenses ice chips IC made in a refrigerator will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the ice dispenser 1 has a housing 10. As shown in FIG. The housing 10 has an elongated box shape as a whole and is supported by legs 19 placed at the four corners of the bottom surface. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper and lower ends of the housing 10 protrude forward to form an upper protrusion 11U and a lower protrusion 11L on the front surface of the housing 10. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 etc., the upper protrusion part 11U is provided so that it may include the position which overlaps with the ice storage tank 40 mentioned later about an up-down direction. The protrusion lengths (lengths in the front-rear direction) of the upper protrusion 11U and the lower protrusion 11L are approximately the same. Further, the protrusion width (length in the left-right direction) of the upper protrusion 11U and the lower protrusion 11L is that the upper protrusion 11U is smaller than the lower protrusion 11L, and the lower protrusion 11L spans almost the entire width of the housing 10. In contrast, the upper protrusion 11U is provided only at the center.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ice dispenser 1 includes a refrigeration device 20, an ice making mechanism 30 that is cooled by the refrigeration device 20 and makes ice, and an IC (Fig. 3)) and an ice storage tank (an example of a storage chamber) 40. A machine room 10A is formed in the rear part of the housing 10 to house the main equipment constituting the refrigeration system 20. An ice making mechanism 30 is provided in the lower front part of the housing 10, and an ice storage tank 40 is provided in the upper part of the front part of the housing 10. It is being

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ice dispenser 1 includes a dispensing mechanism 60 for discharging ice chip ICs made by the ice making mechanism 30 and stored in an ice storage tank, and a drainage mechanism 70 for treating waste water. , an ultraviolet irradiator 80 for sterilizing the object by irradiating the object with ultraviolet rays. A discharge port 13 is provided on the lower surface of the upper protrusion 11U, and the ice chip IC and the like are discharged from the upper protrusion 11U toward the lower protrusion 11L by the dispensing mechanism 60. Drainage generated from the ice chips IC received by the lower protrusion 11L is discharged to the outside of the housing 10 by the drainage mechanism 70.

[Freezing device 20]
The ice dispenser 1 includes a freezing device 20.
The refrigeration system 20 includes a compressor 21, a condenser 23, a condenser fan 25, an evaporation pipe 27, and an expansion valve shown in FIG. 2, and is connected by a refrigerant pipe 29 filled with refrigerant gas. As shown in FIG. 2, the compressor 21, condenser 23, and condenser fan 25 are housed in a machine room 10A provided at the rear of the housing 10. The refrigerant gas compressed by the compressor 21 is cooled and liquefied in the condenser 23 by air blowing from the condenser fan 25. The liquefied refrigerant gas passes through the expansion valve, expands, and vaporizes within the evaporation pipe 27 . The evaporation tube 27 is wound around a cylinder 31 of an ice-making mechanism 30, which will be described later, and cools the cylinder 31 using the heat of vaporization of the refrigerant gas. Thereby, ice is made by freezing purified water supplied into the cylinder 31 and making it adhere to the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 31. Note that the operation of the refrigeration apparatus 20 may be configured to be controlled by a control section 90 described later.

[Ice making mechanism 30]
The ice dispenser 1 includes an auger-type ice making mechanism 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the ice-making mechanism 30 is provided in the front lower part of the housing 10, in front of the compressor 21 and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ice making mechanism 30 includes a cylinder (ice making cylinder, cooling cylinder, freezing casing) 31. The cylinder 31 is made of metal such as stainless steel, has a cylindrical shape, and is arranged to extend in the vertical direction. The above-mentioned evaporation tube 27 is wound around the outside of the peripheral wall of the cylinder 31, and a heat insulating material 35 covers the outside of the evaporation tube 27. A water supply port and a drain port are provided on the peripheral wall of the cylinder 31 at a position below the portion around which the evaporation tube 27 is wound. Purified water is supplied into the cylinder 31 from the water supply port, and purified water that has not been made into ice is discharged outside the cylinder 31 from the drain port.

Note that the ice dispenser 1 according to the present embodiment includes a purified water tank 15 within the housing 10, as shown in FIG. The water purification tank 15 is connected to a water supply facility such as a water supply system, and stores purified water obtained by filtering tap water. Purified water stored in the purified water tank 15 is supplied to the cylinder 31 through a water supply pipe 17 arranged inside the housing 10.

The ice making mechanism 30 includes an auger 33, as shown in FIG. The auger 33 has an elongated rod shape as a whole, and is rotatably housed in the internal space of the cylinder 31 so as to extend vertically along the central axis of the cylinder 31. The auger 33 includes a spiral ice-shaving blade 33A that protrudes toward the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 31 at a vertically central portion and at a position overlapping the evaporation tube 27 wound around the cylinder 31. The protruding length of the ice-shaving blade 33A is such that it does not slightly reach the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 31, and as the ice-shaving blade 33A rotates, ice attached to the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 31 is scraped off.

The ice making mechanism 30 includes a compression head 37, as shown in FIG. The compression head 37 is fixed inside and above the cylinder 31 . The compression head 37 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the upper end of the auger 33 is inserted into the compression head 37, thereby rotatably holding the auger 33. A plurality of grooves extending along the axial direction are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the compression head 37, and form an ice passing path penetrating in the vertical direction between the compression head 37 and the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 31. The ice scraped off from the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 31 by the auger 33 and transported upward is press-fitted into the ice passing path, compression-molded into a pillar shape, and sent into the ice storage tank 40.

The ice making mechanism 30 includes a drive device 39, as shown in FIG. The drive device 39 includes a motor 39A, gears, an output shaft 39B, etc., and is arranged below the cylinder 31. The upper end of the output shaft 39B is connected to the lower end of the auger 33, and when the motor is rotationally driven and the output shaft 39B rotates, the auger 33 rotates. Note that the drive of the drive device 39 may be configured to be controlled by a control section 90, which will be described later.

[Ice storage tank 40]
The ice dispenser 1 includes an ice storage tank 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the ice storage tank 40 is provided in the front upper part of the housing, that is, above the ice making mechanism 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ice storage tank 40 includes a tank body 41 having an overall cylindrical box shape and a lid 43 fixed to the top of the tank body. The tank body 41 has a double-walled structure in which an inner box 41B is arranged at an interval inside an outer box 41A, and a heat insulating material 41C is filled between the outer box 41A and the inner box 41B. has been done. A through hole 45 is formed in the center of the bottom wall of the tank body 41, and when the upper end of the ice making mechanism 30 is inserted into the through hole 45, the tank body 41 and the cylinder 31 are connected. , are watertightly connected by bolts or the like via a sealing material. Thereby, the upper end of the compression head 37 described above is held in a state of protruding upward into the internal space of the ice storage tank 40 from the bottom wall of the inner box 41B.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the tank body 41, the bottom wall of the outer box 41A is formed substantially flat, while the bottom wall of the inner box 41B is formed at the center where the compression head 37 is inserted. It is formed so as to have a downward slope from the top toward the outer circumferential side. A water-permeable drainboard (an example of a drainage member) 47 having a large number of through holes is placed on the bottom wall of the inner box 41B. The drainboard 47 rises slightly from the upper end of the compression head 37 at the center (up to a height at which the distance from the tapered surface 49A1 of the rotating body 49 described later is a predetermined length), and then rises along the slope of the bottom wall of the inner box 41B. It is arranged so as to descend toward the outer periphery.

The ice storage tank 40 includes a rotating body 49, as shown in FIG. The rotating body 49 is arranged above the compression head 37 that protrudes from the bottom wall of the tank body 41. The rotating body 49 has a shaft member 49A and a blade member 49B. The lower end of the shaft member 49A is connected to the upper end of the auger 33 and rotates together with the auger 33. A tapered surface 49A1 is formed on a part of the lower side surface of the shaft member 49A, and the ice compressed by the compression head 37 and pushed upward from the ice passing path is broken at the tapered surface 49A1 to a predetermined length. The ice is cut and an ice chip IC is made. The blade member 49B extends from the shaft member 49A toward the outer periphery of the tank body 41, and moves within the tank body 41 as the shaft member 49A rotates. Thereby, the blade material 49B functions as an agitator that stirs the ice chip ICs, thereby reducing the bonding between the ice chip ICs.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a discharge port 48 is formed at the lower end of the front wall of the tank body 41, passing through the lower end. The ice chips IC cut by the shaft member 49A of the rotating body 49 slide on the upper surface of the drainboard 47 according to the slope while being stirred by the blade member 49B, and reach the discharge port 48.

[Dispensing mechanism 60]
The ice dispenser 1 includes a dispensing mechanism 60. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dispensing mechanism 60 is provided on the front side of the housing 10, mainly on the upper protrusion 11U.

The dispensing mechanism 60 includes a shutter 61, as shown in FIG. The shutter 61 is provided in front of the discharge port 48 inside the upper protrusion 11U. The shutter 61 is of a normally closed type, and contacts the discharge port 48 from the front side to open and close the shutter 61 . For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the shutter 61 has a metal mounting plate 61A, a metal thick plate 61B for reinforcement, an L-shaped plate 61C for suppressing food and drinks from scattering, etc. It can be used that is attached to the front of the mounting plate 61A with screws 61D. A sealing member made of elastic resin or the like is attached to the rear surface of the mounting plate 61A at a portion that contacts the discharge port 48, and the mounting plate 61A is connected to a connecting plate 62C of a solenoid device 62, which will be described later.

Dispensing mechanism 60 includes a solenoid device 62, as shown in FIG. The solenoid device 62 is provided above the shutter 61 inside the upper protrusion 11U. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the solenoid device 62 includes a solenoid main body 62A including an electromagnetic coil, a plunger 62B that is moved up and down by the electromagnetic coil, and a connecting plate that connects the mounting plate 61A and the plunger 62B described above. 62C can be used. When a lever switch 65 or a touch switch 67, which will be described later, is turned on, the electromagnetic coil in the solenoid body 62A is excited, the plunger 62B, which is normally in the lowered position, rises, and the shutter 61 connected by the connecting plate 62C, It rotates forward using the upper edge as a rotation axis, and the discharge port 48 is opened. Note that the shutter 61 operated by a solenoid device is only an example, and known shutters that are opened and closed by various mechanisms can be used.

The dispensing mechanism 60 includes a guide member 63, as shown in FIG. The guide member 63 is attached below the discharge port 48 inside the upper protrusion 11U. As shown in FIG. 3, the guide member 63 according to the present embodiment has a bottom wall that slopes downward from the lower side of the discharge port 48, and side walls that are erected on the left and right side edges of the bottom wall, and has a cross section of It is formed in a substantially U-shape that opens upward.

Dispensing mechanism 60 includes a cover member 64, as shown in FIG. The cover member 64 is attached to the lower front of the guide member 63 inside the upper protrusion 11U. As shown in FIG. 3, the cover member 64 according to the present embodiment includes a front wall that covers the front side of the guide member 63, left and right side walls that are formed to protrude rearward from the left and right side edges of the front wall, and a lower part of the guide member 63. and a lower wall arranged in the lower wall. The ice chips IC discharged from the discharge port 48 are guided to the discharge port 13 by a guide member 63 and a cover member 64.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cover member 64 according to the present embodiment is provided with a cylindrical tube holding portion 64A extending in the vertical direction, and a water supply facility such as a water supply is attached to the tube holding portion 64A. The connected water supply pipes 17 are fitted together. Thereby, the ice dispenser 1 is configured to be able to discharge purified water from the discharge port 13 together with the ice chip IC.

The dispense mechanism 60 includes a lever switch 65, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the lever switch 65 according to this embodiment includes an operating lever 65A and a switch body 65B. The operating lever 65A is provided so as to protrude below the discharge port 13 from the lower surface of the upper protrusion 11U, and is supported so as to rotate against the spring force when a cup C or the like is pressed against it. A magnet is buried inside 65A. The switch body 65B is arranged in the housing 10 at a position where the operating lever 65A moves rearward and comes into contact with the switch body 65B, and a reed switch sensitive to a magnet is provided in the switch body 65B. When the operating lever 65A is pushed in by the cup C or the like, the reed switch in the switch body 65B is turned on. When the cup C is removed, the operating lever 65A returns to its initial position and the switch is turned off.

The dispensing mechanism 60 also includes a touch switch 67, as shown in FIG. 3 and elsewhere. The touch switch 67 according to this embodiment is provided on the front surface of the upper protrusion 11U, and when a user's finger or the like touches this surface, the capacitance inside the switch changes and the switch is turned on. When the finger or the like leaves the surface, the switch is turned off. Note that, of course, the switch is not limited to one that is turned on/off by the action described above, and any known switch can be used, such as a switch that connects or separates contacts in a circuit according to the user's operation. For example, the discharge port 48 may be automatically opened when it is detected that something is placed on the stage 71, which will be described later. Further, the switch may be configured to be turned off after a certain period of time has passed after the switch is turned on.

When the lever switch 65 or the touch switch 67 is turned on by the user's operation, the shutter 61 opens the outlet 48, and the ice chip IC in the ice storage tank 40 is released from the outlet 48 to the guide member 63 and the cover member 64. is guided to the discharge port 13 and discharged into the cup C. When the lever switch 65 or the touch switch 67 is turned off, the shutter 61 closes the discharge port 48 and the discharge of the ice chip IC is stopped.

[Drainage mechanism 70]
The ice dispenser 1 includes a drainage mechanism 70. The drainage mechanism 70 is mainly provided at the lower protrusion 11L and the bottom of the housing 10, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The drainage mechanism 70 includes a stage 71, as shown in FIG. The stage 71 is a water-permeable plate-like member having a plurality of holes, and is attached substantially horizontally to the upper surface of the lower protrusion 11L. A cup C or the like for receiving the discharged ice chips IC is placed on the stage 71.

The drainage mechanism 70 includes an external drain pan 72, as shown in FIG. The external drain dish 72 is provided below the stage 71 in the lower protrusion 11L. A stepped portion 72A is formed at the upper part of the inner surface of the external drain dish 72, and the stage 71 described above is fitted into this stepped portion 72A. Clean water spilled without being received by the cup C or the like, water generated from the ice chip IC, etc. drips from the water-permeable stage 71 and is received in the external drain tray 72. A flow path 72B is formed in the rear wall of the external drain tray 72, passing through the rear wall and extending toward the ice making mechanism 30 arranged at the rear. The flow path 72B has a U-shaped cross section, and the rear end of the flow path 72B is located above an internal drain tray 73, which will be described later. The bottom surface of the external drain dish 72 is sloped so that the base end of the flow path 72B is the lowest, and the bottom surface of the flow path 72B is sloped downward toward the rear. Thereby, the drain water received by the external drain pan 72 flows down into the internal drain pan 73 from the rear end through the flow path 72B.

The drainage mechanism 70 includes an internal drain dish 73, as shown in FIG. The internal drain tray 73 is disposed below the drive device 39 of the ice making mechanism 30 described above. In addition to melted water generated from frost formation on the evaporator tube 27 etc., purified water discharged from the cylinder 31, etc., water flowing down from the external drain pan 72 through the channel 72B is collected in the internal drain pan 73. It has become.

The drainage mechanism 70 includes a drainage pipe 74, as shown in FIG. The drain pipe 74 is connected to the bottom wall of the internal drain dish 73 and led out below the housing 10. The drain water in the internal drain pan 73 is discharged to the outside of the ice dispenser 1 through the drain pipe 74.

[Ultraviolet irradiator 80]
The ice dispenser 1 includes an ultraviolet irradiator 80. The ultraviolet irradiator 80 may include an ultraviolet lamp or an ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED). Specifically, the ultraviolet irradiator 80 irradiates ultraviolet rays (UV) with a wavelength of 200 nm to 300 nm, which has a high bactericidal effect, more preferably 220 nm to 280 nm, and still more preferably deep ultraviolet rays (UV) with a wavelength of 253 nm to 285 nm. Make it possible.

In this embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiator 80 is attached to the rear surface of the front wall of the cover member 64 described above, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like. In the vertical direction, it is located slightly below the upper end of the front wall of the cover member 64. The ultraviolet irradiator 80 is capable of irradiating ultraviolet rays at a wide angle toward the rear, and for example, as shown by the dashed-dotted line arrow in FIG. Can irradiate ultraviolet rays. Thereby, when the ice chip IC is discharged from the discharge port 48, the discharged ice chip IC can be reliably irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

[Control unit 90]
Now, the ice dispenser 1 according to the present technology further includes a control section 90 (see FIG. 4) that controls the irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 80. The control unit 90 is mainly composed of a computer having a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and is housed in a control box 90A installed at the rear of the ice storage tank 40, as shown in FIG.

The ultraviolet irradiator 80 described above is capable of emitting ultraviolet rays at at least two levels of irradiation intensity: LOW (low irradiation intensity) and HIGH (high irradiation intensity). Specifically, the irradiation intensity at LOW can be set to 0.1 μW/cm ² to 1000 μW/cm ² , and the irradiation intensity at HIGH can be set to 0.1 mW/cm ² to 1000 mW/cm ² . The irradiation intensity at LOW is determined by the installation location of the ice dispenser 1 (is the environment likely to generate germs?), the type of food and drink to be dispensed (is the environment likely to generate germs?), and the installation position of the ultraviolet irradiator 80 (is the environment likely to generate germs?). It is advisable to set this by taking into consideration factors such as whether leakage is likely to occur or whether the structure of the object is complex. Further, the irradiation intensity at HIGH is preferably set in consideration of the type of food and drink to be discharged or dispensed (whether it is easily sterilized by ultraviolet rays), the time required for the food and drink to pass through the ultraviolet irradiation range, and the like. For example, when irradiating an ice chip IC to be ejected or discharged as in this embodiment, the irradiation intensity at LOW is 1 μW/cm ² to 100 μW/cm ² , and the irradiation intensity at HIGH is 1 mW/cm 2 to 100 μW/cm ² It is preferable to set it to 100 mW/cm ² .

As shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the ultraviolet irradiator 80, a lever switch 65 and a touch switch 67 are connected to the control unit 90 in order to control the intensity of ultraviolet irradiation by the ultraviolet irradiator 80. As described above, in the dispensing mechanism 60 of this embodiment, the shutter 61 opens/closes the discharge port 48 in conjunction with the on/off of the lever switch 65 and the touch switch 67. Therefore, when the lever switch 65 and the touch switch 67 are turned on/off, it is determined that the shutter 61 has opened/closed the discharge port 48, and control is performed. That is, in this embodiment, the lever switch 65 and the touch switch 67 function as shutter detection means for detecting the open/closed state of the shutter 61.

An example of control of the ultraviolet irradiator 80 by the control unit 90 will be described below with reference to FIG. 5.
As shown in FIG. 5, when control is started, the control unit 90 causes the ultraviolet irradiator 80 to irradiate ultraviolet rays (step S1). The irradiation intensity at this time is LOW, and ultraviolet irradiation at low irradiation intensity is maintained until it is detected that the lever switch 65 or the touch switch 67 is turned on.

After step S1, when it is detected that either the lever switch 65 or the touch switch 67 is turned on (Yes in step S2), the control unit 90 increases the intensity of ultraviolet irradiation from the ultraviolet irradiator 80. (Step S3). The irradiation intensity at this time is HIGH, and ultraviolet irradiation at high irradiation intensity is maintained until it is detected that both the lever switch 65 and the touch switch 67 are turned off.

After step S3, when it is detected that both the lever switch 65 and the touch switch 67 are turned off (Yes in step S4), the control unit 90 reduces the intensity of ultraviolet irradiation from the ultraviolet irradiator 80 (step S5). Thereafter, the process returns to step S2 and the control up to S5 is repeated (*1).

The above control will be explained based on the usage situation of the ice dispenser 1.
When using the ice dispenser 1 in the standby state, that is, irradiated with ultraviolet rays at low irradiation intensity in step S1, the user holds the cup C below the discharge port 13 and presses the lever switch 65, or Place the cup C on the cup 71 and touch the touch switch 67. As a result, either the lever switch 65 or the touch switch 67 is turned on (Yes in step S2), and the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet rays is increased (step S3). At this time, in the dispensing mechanism 60 , the shutter 61 opens the discharge port 48 and the ice chip IC is discharged, and is guided to the discharge port 13 by the guide member 63 and the cover member 64 . The ice chip IC passing through the ultraviolet irradiation area is irradiated with ultraviolet rays at high irradiation intensity, and the ice chip IC itself can be sterilized even for a short time.

When a sufficient amount of ice chips IC is received in the cup C, the user turns off the switch that was on. When both the lever switch 65 and the touch switch 67 are turned off (Yes in step S4), the shutter 61 closes the discharge port 48 and the discharge of the ice chip IC is stopped. Along with this, the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays is reduced (step S5), and the device returns to the standby state. In the standby state, ultraviolet irradiation is maintained at low irradiation intensity while reducing energy consumption, and the vicinity of the emission port 48, including the front of the closed shutter, is sterilized, thereby keeping the emission path of the ice chip IC clean. can.

[Summary of composition and effects]
As described above, the ice dispenser (an example of a dispenser) 1 according to Embodiment 1 includes a housing 10 and an ice storage tank (an example of a storage chamber) disposed inside the housing 10 and storing ice pieces (an example of food and drink) and ICs. 40, an ice storage tank 40 in which a discharge port 48 is formed, a shutter 61 that opens and closes the discharge port 48, a touch switch (an example of shutter detection means) 67 and a lever that detects the open/closed state of the shutter 61. A shutter detected by a switch (another example of shutter detection means) 65, an ultraviolet irradiator 80 that sterilizes the ice chip IC emitted from the outlet 48 by irradiating it with ultraviolet rays, and a touch switch 67 and a lever switch 65. A control unit 90 that controls irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 80 according to the open/closed state of the ultraviolet irradiator 61 is provided.

According to the above configuration, by making it possible to control the intensity of ultraviolet irradiation according to the open/closed state of the shutter 61, strong ultraviolet rays can be irradiated only while the ice chip IC is being released. Therefore, the ice chip IC itself can be sterilized without excessively increasing energy consumption. As a result, it becomes possible to supply ice chip ICs with higher safety. In addition, by shortening the time during which the strong ultraviolet rays are irradiated, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the ultraviolet rays will leak to the outside of the ice dispenser 1 and hit the user's hands or the like, causing health damage.
In this embodiment, a case is described in which an ice chip IC is irradiated with ultraviolet rays as food or drink, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The food or drink may be liquid, solid, solid-liquid mixture, or the like. As mentioned above, the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays may be set based on the moving speed of the food or drink to be irradiated.

In the ice dispenser 1, when the controller 90 determines that the shutter 61 has opened the outlet 48, it increases the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 80, and after increasing the irradiation intensity, the shutter 61 opens the outlet 48. When it is determined that the irradiation intensity is closed, the irradiation intensity is reduced.

Specifically, by controlling as in the above-described configuration, provided food and drink can be sterilized well.
In this embodiment, the control unit 90 determines that the shutter 61 has opened or closed the discharge port 48 based on signals from the touch switch 67 and the lever switch 65, which function as shutter detection means. but not limited to. It may further include a timer such as a timer for measuring time, and may be configured to determine that the shutter 61 has closed the discharge port 48 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the ultraviolet irradiation intensity was increased.
In this embodiment, the control unit is configured to cause the ultraviolet irradiator to irradiate ultraviolet rays at a constant irradiation intensity higher than 0 μW/cm ² before increasing the irradiation intensity and after decreasing the irradiation intensity. ing. As a result, not only the ice chip IC itself is sterilized when the ice chip IC is discharged, but also the discharge path of the ice chip IC can be sterilized and kept clean during standby. As a result, it is possible to provide an ice chip IC with higher safety.

<Embodiment 2>
Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. In the second embodiment, an ice dispenser 201 is illustrated in which a discharge port cover 250 that covers between the discharge port 13 and the stage 71 is attached to the front surface of the housing 210. The basic configuration of the ice dispenser 201 is the same as the ice dispenser 1 according to the first embodiment. In the following, the configuration of the ice dispenser 201 that is different from the ice dispenser 1 will be explained, and the same configurations as the ice dispenser 1 will be given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted. ).

[Discharge port cover 250]
The ice dispenser 201 includes a discharge port cover 250. As shown in FIG. 6, the discharge port cover 250 is attached between the upper protrusion 11U and the lower protrusion 11L.

The discharge port cover 250 is configured to block ultraviolet rays and allow visible light to pass through. In this embodiment, a resin member integrally molded using a resin that blocks ultraviolet rays and can transmit visible light is used as the discharge port cover 250. As such a resin, for example, one made of translucent acrylic resin or polycarbonate resin can be used. The discharge port cover 250 is attached to the front surface of the housing 210 so that it can be opened and closed, and has a substantially U-shaped cross section that opens rearward. In the closed state, as shown in FIG. 6, the outlet cover 250 extends below the upper protrusion 11U and closes the space that includes the outlet 13 and extends to the center of the stage 71. The outlet cover 250 according to the present embodiment can be opened by rotating around the left edge (left side in FIG. 6) when facing the front of the ice dispenser 201. Note that the ejection port cover does not need to be entirely made of a resin that can block ultraviolet rays and transmit visible light, and may use an ultraviolet shielding member that has a window that can transmit visible light.

It is preferable that the discharge port cover 250 is always closed. The user opens the outlet cover 250 and places a container such as a cup C on the stage 71 below the outlet 13. After closing the discharge port cover 250, the touch switch 67 is operated, for example, to discharge the ice chip IC and purified water into the container. After the discharge is completed, the discharge port cover 250 is opened again, the container filled with ice chip ICs, etc. is taken out, and the discharge port cover 250 is closed.

[Cover opening/closing detection sensor 251]
The ice dispenser 201 includes a cover opening/closing detection sensor (an example of cover detection means) 251 that detects whether the discharge port cover 250 is opened or closed. As the cover opening/closing detection sensor 251, for example, a non-contact sensor such as an infrared sensor attached to an appropriate position of the housing 210 can be used. Alternatively, a magnet or the like is attached to the edge of the rotating side (right side in FIG. 6) of the discharge port cover 250, and a reed switch is embedded in the housing 210 at a position where the magnet approaches when the discharge port cover 250 is closed. This may be used as a cover opening/closing detection sensor. As shown in FIG. 7, the cover opening/closing detection sensor 251 is connected to a control section 290, which will be described later.

[Ultraviolet irradiator 280]
The ice dispenser 201 includes an ultraviolet irradiator 280. The ultraviolet irradiator 280 according to this embodiment is capable of emitting visible light with a wavelength of 380 nm to 780 nm at the same time as ultraviolet rays. By irradiating visible light simultaneously with ultraviolet rays, it becomes possible to visually confirm the presence or absence of ultraviolet irradiation and the range of ultraviolet irradiation. The ultraviolet irradiator 280 according to this embodiment is installed, for example, at the same position as the ultraviolet irradiator 80 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the ultraviolet irradiator 280 is connected to a control section 290, which will be described later.

[Control unit 290]
The ice dispenser 201 includes a control unit 290 that controls the irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 280. As shown in FIG. 7, the touch switch 67, the cover opening/closing detection sensor 251, and the ultraviolet irradiator 280 are connected to the control unit 290. In this embodiment, the shutter 61 is configured to open/close the discharge port 48 in conjunction with the touch switch 67, and the touch switch 67 functions as a shutter detection means for detecting the open/closed state of the shutter 61. I'm letting you do it.

An example of control of the ultraviolet irradiator 280 by the control unit 290 will be described below with reference to FIG. 8.
As shown in FIG. 8, when control is started, the control unit 290 checks whether the discharge port cover 250 is closed (step S21). If it is determined that the discharge port cover 250 is closed (Yes in step S21), the control unit 290 causes the ultraviolet ray irradiator 280 to irradiate ultraviolet rays and visible light (step S22). The irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays at this time is LOW, and the ultraviolet rays at a low irradiation intensity are continued until the discharge port cover 250 is opened (No in step S23) or it is detected that the touch switch 67 is turned on. Irradiation is maintained.

If it is determined that the discharge port cover 250 is opened after step S22 (No in step S23), the control unit 290 stops the irradiation of ultraviolet rays and visible light (step S24), and returns to step S21 to repeat the control ( *2). If it is detected that the touch switch 67 is turned on (Yes in step S25) without the discharge port cover 250 being opened (Yes in step S23), the control unit 290 closes the discharge port cover 250 again. It is confirmed whether or not it has been set (step S26). When determining that the discharge port cover 250 is open, the control unit 290 stops irradiation of ultraviolet rays and visible light (step S27), and returns to step S21 to repeat the control (*2). After the touch switch 67 is turned on, if it is determined that the discharge port cover 250 is closed (Yes in step S26), the control unit 290 increases the intensity of ultraviolet irradiation from the ultraviolet irradiator 280 (step S28). . The irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays at this time is HIGH, and the ultraviolet irradiation at the high irradiation intensity is maintained until the discharge port cover 250 is opened (No in step S29).

If it is determined that the discharge port cover 250 is opened after step S28 (No in step S29), the control unit 290 stops irradiation of ultraviolet rays and visible light from the ultraviolet irradiator 280 (step S30). The control returns to , and the control is repeated (*2).

The above control will be explained based on the usage situation.
When using the ice dispenser 1 in the standby state, that is, irradiated with ultraviolet rays at low irradiation intensity in step S22, the user first opens the discharge port cover 250, places the cup C on the stage 71, and then closes the discharge port. Close cover 250. At this time, if it is detected that the discharge port cover 250 is opened (No in step S23), the irradiation of ultraviolet rays and visible light is stopped (step S24). Your hands will not be exposed to UV rays. When the user closes the discharge port cover 250 after placing the cup C (Yes in step S21), the ultraviolet irradiator 80 again irradiates ultraviolet rays at a low irradiation intensity (step S22).

Thereafter, when the user touches the touch switch 67 to turn it on (Yes in step S25) without opening the discharge port cover 250 (Yes in step S23), after confirming that the discharge port cover 250 is closed, (Yes in step S26), the ultraviolet irradiation intensity is increased (step S28), and the ice chip IC ejected from the discharge port 48 opened by opening the shutter 61 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays at a high irradiation intensity. At this time, visible light is irradiated along with ultraviolet rays, and the user can confirm that sterilization is being performed through the discharge port cover 250.

When a sufficient amount of ice chips IC is received in the cup C, the user turns off the touch switch 67, opens the outlet cover 250, takes out the cup C, and then closes the outlet cover 250. At this time, when the discharge port cover 250 is opened (No in step S29), the irradiation of ultraviolet rays and visible light is stopped (step S30), so when the user takes out the cup C, the user's hands are not irradiated with ultraviolet rays. It never happens. When the user closes the discharge port cover 250 after taking out the cup C (Yes in step S21), the ultraviolet irradiator 80 again irradiates ultraviolet rays at low irradiation intensity (step S22) and returns to the standby state. Note that the control unit 290 may be configured to reduce the intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 280 when the touch switch 67 is turned off.

[Summary of composition and effects]
As described above, in the ice dispenser 201 according to the second embodiment, the discharge port 13 is formed in the housing 210 and communicates with the discharge port 48 to discharge the ice chip IC discharged from the discharge port 48 to the outside of the housing 210. A stage 71 is provided below the discharge port 13 and on which a cup (an example of a container) C for receiving the ice chip IC discharged from the discharge port 13 is placed. A discharge port cover 250 covering the space between the discharge ports is attached so as to be openable and closable, and further includes a cover opening/closing detection sensor (an example of cover detection means) 251 for detecting the open/closed state of the discharge port cover 250. When the cover opening/closing detection sensor 251 does not detect that the cover 250 is closed, the intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 280 is not increased.

According to the above configuration, when the discharge port cover 250 is not closed, ultraviolet rays are not irradiated with high intensity. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user will be exposed to strong ultraviolet rays and cause health damage.
In this embodiment, the control unit 290 stops irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator 280 when it is not detected that the discharge port cover 250 is closed. This further improves user safety.

Furthermore, in the ice dispenser 201, the ultraviolet irradiator 280 is capable of emitting visible light as well as ultraviolet rays, and the discharge port cover 250 is formed to include a visible light transmitting portion that blocks ultraviolet rays and transmits visible light. There is.
According to such a configuration, visible light is emitted from the ultraviolet irradiator 280 together with ultraviolet rays, and it is possible to visually confirm whether or not the ultraviolet rays and visible light are irradiated through the discharge port cover 250. Failures, etc. can be detected as soon as possible. Further, when the user opens the discharge port cover 250 and takes out the cup C, it can be confirmed that ultraviolet rays are not irradiated. As a result, user safety can be further improved.

<Embodiment 3>
Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, the attachment position of the ultraviolet irradiator 380 is different from the attachment position of the ultraviolet irradiator 80 according to the first embodiment. The other configuration of the ice dispenser 301 is the same as the ice dispenser 1 according to the first embodiment.

[Ultraviolet irradiator 380]
In this embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiator 380 is attached to the lower surface of the drainboard (an example of a draining member) 47, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiator 380 is located near the discharge port 48 of the drainboard 47 and mainly irradiates the ultraviolet rays upward. Note that the drainboard 47 is provided with many through holes in order to exhibit water permeability, and the ultraviolet rays pass through these through holes and reach the ice chip IC on the upper surface of the drainboard 47. Further, the ultraviolet irradiator 380 according to the present embodiment is capable of irradiating ultraviolet rays in a wide angle centered on the upper side, and for example, as shown by the dashed-dotted line arrow in FIG. It is said that this rear surface can also be irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

[Summary of composition and effects]
In the ice dispenser 301 according to the third embodiment, a drainboard (an example of a draining member) 47 formed to be able to transmit ultraviolet rays is disposed on the bottom surface of an ice storage tank (an example of a storage chamber) 40, and an ultraviolet irradiator 380 is attached to the lower surface of the drainboard 47 so as to be able to irradiate ultraviolet rays upward.

According to the above configuration, ultraviolet rays can be irradiated onto the ice piece IC moving the upper surface of the drainboard 47 toward the discharge port 48 . In this embodiment, in particular, since the ultraviolet irradiator 380 is disposed on the bottom near the discharge port 48, it is possible to intensively sterilize the ice chip IC to be discharged next time. The ultraviolet irradiator 380 is arranged inside the ice storage tank 40, and the ultraviolet rays are basically irradiated into the ice storage tank 40, so that the possibility of the ultraviolet rays leaking outside the housing 10 can be reduced. In this embodiment, in particular, since the ultraviolet irradiator 380 can irradiate ultraviolet rays not only into the upper ice storage tank 40 but also toward the discharge port 48, when the shutter 61 is closed, the rear surface of the shutter 61 ( The surface on the ice storage tank 40 side) is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and when it is open, a part of the release path (the upper end of the guide member 63 and cover member 64, etc.) is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to sterilize them. It can be carried out.

<Embodiment 4>
Embodiment 4 will be explained with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, the attachment position of the ultraviolet irradiator 480 is different from the attachment position of the ultraviolet irradiator 80 according to the first embodiment. The other configuration of the ice dispenser 401 is the same as the ice dispenser 1 according to the first embodiment.

[Ultraviolet irradiator 480]
In this embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiator 480 is attached to the rear surface of the front wall of the cover member 64, as shown in FIG. 10, like the ultraviolet irradiator 80 of the first embodiment. In the vertical direction, unlike the ultraviolet irradiator 80 of the first embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiator 480 is located at the upper end of the front wall of the cover member 64 and almost directly faces the front surface of the shutter 61 that covers the emission port 48 from the front side. . The ultraviolet irradiator 480 irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the rear, and can irradiate ultraviolet rays with strong intensity from a relatively close distance to the shutter 61, as shown by the dashed-dotted line arrow in FIG.

[Summary of composition and effects]
In the ice dispenser 401 according to the fourth embodiment, the shutter 61 is attached to cover and close the discharge port 48 from the front side, and the ultraviolet irradiator 480 is placed in the housing 10 at a position directly facing the shutter 61 from the front and from the rear. It is attached so that it can irradiate ultraviolet rays towards it.

The ice chip IC discharge path formed by the guide member 63 and the cover member 64 communicates with the outside, and the shutter 61 separates this discharge path from the normally closed ice storage tank 40. . If the shutter 61 is made of a highly durable metal in order to withstand repeated opening and closing operations, it will be difficult to maintain thermal insulation, and dew condensation will likely occur on the front surface on the discharge path side. Moreover, the ejected food and drinks, such as ice chip ICs, may bounce back and adhere to the front surface of the shutter 61 . Furthermore, as described in the first embodiment, the shutter 61 has a complicated shape in order to perform the opening/closing function, making it difficult to clean. As a result, the front surface of the shutter 61 often becomes an environment where bacteria can easily breed. According to the above configuration, it is possible to irradiate ultraviolet rays intensively to the front surface of such a shutter to steadily perform sterilization.

<Embodiment 5>
Embodiment 5 will be described with reference to FIG. In the fifth embodiment, the configuration and mounting position of the ultraviolet irradiator 580 are different from the ultraviolet irradiator 80 according to the first embodiment. The other configuration of the ice dispenser 501 is the same as the ice dispenser 1 according to the first embodiment.

[Ultraviolet irradiator 580]
The ultraviolet irradiator 580 according to this embodiment is one that irradiates visible light as well as ultraviolet rays. In this embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiator 580 is attached to the rear surface of the front wall of the cover member 64, as shown in FIG. In the vertical direction, like the ultraviolet irradiator 480 of the fourth embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiator 580 is located at the upper end of the front wall of the cover member 64, but unlike the ultraviolet irradiator 480 of the fourth embodiment, it faces rearward and downward. It is installed diagonally like this. The ultraviolet irradiator 580 can irradiate ultraviolet rays over a wide angle from the rear to the bottom, and as shown by the dashed-dotted line arrow in FIG. First, ultraviolet rays can be irradiated to the edge of the discharge port 13 located below. Furthermore, the inside of the cup C placed on the lower stage 71 and the inside of the external drain tray 72 can also be irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

[Summary of composition and effects]
In the ice dispenser 501 according to the fifth embodiment, the housing 10 includes a discharge port 13 that communicates with the discharge port 48 and discharges the ice chip IC released from the discharge port 48 to the outside of the housing 10 below the discharge port 48 . The ultraviolet irradiator 580 is installed in the housing 10 at a position in front of the outlet 48 and above the outlet 13 so as to be able to irradiate ultraviolet rays backward and downward.

According to the above configuration, ultraviolet rays can be irradiated toward both the discharge port 48 located at the rear of the ultraviolet irradiator 580 and the discharge port 13 located below. Furthermore, when the shutter 61 is open, the bottom edge of the ice storage tank 40 can also be irradiated with ultraviolet rays through the outlet 48. Therefore, by sterilizing the passing ice chips IC while keeping the vicinity of these areas clean, it is possible to provide food and drink with higher safety. Furthermore, the cup C arranged below the discharge port 13 to receive the ice chip IC and the ice chip IC received in the cup C can also be irradiated with ultraviolet rays to sterilize them. If the configuration is configured so that ultraviolet rays are irradiated with low irradiation intensity even during standby, it is possible to irradiate the stage 71 and the inside of the external drain tray 72 provided below the stage 71 with ultraviolet rays to perform sterilization. Become. As a result, one ultraviolet irradiator 580 can sterilize a wide range, keep the ice dispenser 501 clean, and provide safe ice chip ICs. Note that in this embodiment, ultraviolet rays are irradiated between the upper protrusion 11U and the lower protrusion 11L, but by using the ultraviolet irradiator 580 that irradiates visible light along with ultraviolet rays, the user can control the ultraviolet rays. You can check and keep in mind the irradiation range.

<Embodiment 6>
Embodiment 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. In the sixth embodiment, the configuration and mounting position of the ultraviolet irradiator 680 are different from the ultraviolet irradiator 80 according to the first embodiment. The other configuration of the ice dispenser 601 is the same as the ice dispenser 1 according to the first embodiment.

[Ultraviolet irradiator 680]
The ultraviolet irradiator 680 according to this embodiment is a highly directional ultraviolet light emitting diode that emits visible light as well as ultraviolet light. In this embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiator 680 is attached to the bottom inside the external drain tray 72, as shown in FIG. The ultraviolet irradiator 680 can irradiate ultraviolet rays from below to above, and as shown by the dashed-dotted line arrow in FIG. The ultraviolet rays can also be irradiated to the distal end of the water supply pipe 17, the cover member 64, the lower end of the guide member 63, etc.

[Summary of composition and effects]
In the ice dispenser 601 according to the sixth embodiment, a discharge port 13 is formed on the front surface of the housing 10 to communicate with the discharge port 48 and discharge the ice chip IC released from the discharge port 48 to the outside of the housing 10. A stage 71 on which a cup C placed below the discharge port 13 to receive the ice chips IC discharged from the discharge port 13 is placed; An external drain dish 72 for receiving the IC chip is provided, and an ultraviolet irradiator 680 is attached to the bottom surface of the external drain dish 72 so as to be able to irradiate the ultraviolet rays upward.

According to the above configuration, by arranging the ultraviolet ray irradiator 680 at a position away from the discharge port 13, one ultraviolet irradiator 680 connects the ice chip IC, etc. upward from the discharge port 13 located above the external drain tray. Ultraviolet rays can be irradiated all the way to the emission path. Furthermore, the purified water discharged together with the ice chip IC and the mouth edge of the water supply pipe 17 that discharges this purified water can also be irradiated with ultraviolet rays. When the cup C is placed and an ice chip IC etc. is released, strong ultraviolet rays are irradiated to the ice chip IC etc. that are not received in the cup C but are received by the external drain tray 72 among the released ice chip ICs etc. By sterilizing it, the growth of bacteria in the external drain tray 72 and further inside the internal drain tray 73 is suppressed. Note that in this embodiment, by using a highly directional ultraviolet light emitting diode as the ultraviolet irradiator 680, it is possible to prevent the ultraviolet irradiation range from expanding too much. Further, in this embodiment as well, ultraviolet rays are irradiated between the upper protrusion 11U and the lower protrusion 11L, but by using the ultraviolet irradiator 680 that irradiates visible light along with ultraviolet rays, the user can You can check and keep in mind the irradiation range.

<Embodiment 7>
Embodiment 7 will be described with reference to FIG. Also in the seventh embodiment, the attachment position of the ultraviolet irradiator 780 is different from the ultraviolet irradiator 80 according to the first embodiment. The other configuration of the ice dispenser 701 is the same as the ice dispenser 1 according to the first embodiment.

[Ultraviolet irradiator 780]
The ultraviolet irradiator 780 according to this embodiment uses a highly directional ultraviolet light emitting diode. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the ultraviolet irradiator 780 is located at the base end of a channel 72B that communicates with the internal drain pan 73 on the front side of the external drain pan 72 provided in the lower protrusion 11L. It is installed in a position directly facing the The ultraviolet irradiator 780 can irradiate ultraviolet rays toward the rear, and can irradiate ultraviolet rays from inside the external drain dish 72 into the channel 72B, as shown by the dashed-dotted line arrow in FIG.

[Summary of composition and effects]
In the ice dispenser 701 according to the seventh embodiment, a discharge port 13 that communicates with the discharge port 48 and discharges the ice chip IC released from the discharge port 48 to the outside of the housing 10 is formed on the front surface of the housing 10. A stage 71 on which a cup C placed below the discharge port 13 to receive the ice chips IC discharged from the discharge port 13 is placed; An external drain dish 72 for receiving a piece of IC is provided, and an internal drain dish 73 is disposed in the housing 10 at the rear of the external drain dish 72 and is in communication with the external drain dish 72. is attached to the front side inside the external drain dish 72 so as to be able to irradiate ultraviolet rays toward the rear.

When bacteria grow in the external drain pan 72 and the internal drain pan 73, a slime-like substance is formed and the drain port, drain pipe 74, etc. that discharge drain water to the outside of the ice dispenser 701 are clogged, which can lead to water leakage or electrical leakage. There is sex. According to the above configuration, not only the external drain dish 72 but also the flow path 72B communicating between the external drain dish 72 and the internal drain dish 73, and even the internal drain dish 73 can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays. As a result, the growth of bacteria in the external drain tray 72 and the internal drain tray 73 is suppressed, the ice dispenser 701 is maintained clean, and drainage troubles can be reduced. Note that in this embodiment, by using a highly directional ultraviolet light emitting diode as the ultraviolet irradiator 780, ultraviolet rays can be steadily irradiated inward of the flow path 72B.

<Embodiment 8>
Embodiment 8 will be explained with reference to FIG. In the eighth embodiment, the attachment position of the ultraviolet irradiator 880 is different from the attachment position of the ultraviolet irradiator 80 according to the first embodiment. The other configuration of the ice dispenser 801 is the same as the ice dispenser 1 according to the first embodiment.

[Ultraviolet irradiator 880]
In this embodiment, the ultraviolet irradiator 880 is provided in the housing 10 as shown in FIG.
It is attached above the flow path 72B that communicates the external drain pan 72 and the internal drain pan 73. The ultraviolet irradiator 880 is capable of irradiating ultraviolet rays downward, and can irradiate ultraviolet rays into the channel 72B and the internal drain tray 73, as shown by the dashed-dotted line arrow in FIG.

[Summary of composition and effects]
In the ice dispenser 801 according to the eighth embodiment, a discharge port 13 is formed on the front surface of the housing 10 to communicate with the discharge port 48 and discharge the ice chip IC released from the discharge port 48 to the outside of the housing 10. A stage 71 on which a cup C placed below the discharge port 13 to receive the ice chips IC discharged from the discharge port 13 is placed; An external drain pan 72 for receiving a piece of IC is provided, and an internal drain pan 73 disposed at the lower part of the housing 10 and a flow path communicating between the external drain pan 72 and the internal drain pan 73 are provided in the housing 10. 72B, and the ultraviolet irradiator 880 is attached above the flow path 72B in the housing 10 so as to be able to irradiate the ultraviolet rays downward.

According to the above configuration, by intensively irradiating the flow path 72B with ultraviolet rays, the drain water flowing from the external drain tray 72 to the internal drain tray 73 can be steadily sterilized. If the ultraviolet irradiator 880 can also irradiate the inside of the internal drain tray 73 with ultraviolet rays, the inside of the internal drain tray 73 can also be sterilized.

<Other embodiments>
The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; for example, the following embodiments are also included within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

(1) In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the shutter 61 is uniquely linked to the touch switch 67 and the lever switch 65, and these switches function as shutter detection means, but the configuration is not limited to this. do not have. For example, the shutter may be configured to close the discharge port after a certain period of time has elapsed after opening the discharge port. Alternatively, the shutter may be configured to close the discharge port when the discharge port is opened and a predetermined amount of food or drink is discharged. A shutter is connected to the control unit, and the shutter is opened and closed in response to a signal output from the control unit to the shutter. When such a signal is output, the control unit determines that the shutter has been opened/closed. You can. Further, as the shutter detection means, an optical sensor, a weight sensor, etc., which detect the opening/closing state of the shutter and the release state of food and drink may be provided.

(2) In the second embodiment, etc., which includes a discharge port cover, the discharge port cover 250 is manually opened and closed, and the open/closed state is detected by the cover opening/closing detection sensor 251. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. There isn't. For example, actuators that open and close the discharge port cover are connected to the control unit, and the discharge port cover is opened and closed in response to signals output from the control unit to the actuators.When such a signal is output, the control The department may determine that the discharge port cover is opened/closed.

(3) The dispenser may be a combination of the aspects exemplified in the above embodiments. For example, in the case of a configuration in which the exterior of the housing is irradiated with ultraviolet rays, as in Embodiment 5 and Embodiment 6, a discharge port cover as in Embodiment 2 is provided; If the irradiation intensity of ultraviolet rays is controlled in consideration of the open/closed state, user safety can be particularly effectively enhanced.

(4) The dispenser may include a combination of multiple ultraviolet irradiators exemplified in the above embodiments. For example, like the ultraviolet irradiator 580 of Embodiment 5, there is an ultraviolet irradiator installed in a position where it can irradiate ultraviolet rays over a wide range of the emission path of food and drink, and an ultraviolet irradiator like the ultraviolet ray irradiator 780 of Embodiment 13, which is attached to a drain If the discharge mechanism including the dish is equipped with an ultraviolet irradiator installed at a position where ultraviolet rays can be irradiated, it is possible to provide highly safe food and drink and maintain the dispenser in an extremely sanitary condition. .

(5) In the above embodiment, the ice dispenser is equipped with an auger-type ice making mechanism and is capable of discharging an ice chip IC and purified water, but the present invention is not limited to such a dispenser. The present technology can be applied to dispensers that dispense various foods and drinks, such as tea dispensers, coffee servers, soup servers, and the like.

1,201,301,401,501,601,701,801...Ice dispenser (an example of a dispenser), 10,210...Housing, 11L...Lower protrusion, 11U...Upper protrusion, 13...Discharge port, 20...Freezing Apparatus, 30... Ice making mechanism, 40... Ice storage tank (an example of a storage room), 41... Tank body, 47... Drainboard (an example of a draining member), 48... Outlet, 60... Dispensing mechanism, 61... Shutter, 62... Solenoid Device, 63... Guide member, 64... Cover member, 64A... Pipe holding part, 65... Lever switch (another example of shutter detection means), 67... Touch switch (an example of shutter detection means), 70... Drainage mechanism, 71 ...Stage, 72...External drain dish, 72A...Stepped part, 72B...Flow path, 73...Internal drain dish, 74...Drain pipe, 80,280,380,480,580,680,780,880...Ultraviolet irradiator , 90, 290...Control unit, 250...Discharge port cover, 251...Cover opening/closing detection sensor (an example of cover detection means), C...Cup (an example of a container), IC...Ice piece (an example of food and drink)

Claims (10)

housing and
a storage chamber disposed within the housing for storing food and drink, the storage chamber having a discharge port formed therein;
a shutter that releasably closes the discharge port;
shutter detection means for detecting the open/closed state of the shutter;
an ultraviolet irradiator that sterilizes food and drinks discharged from the outlet by irradiating them with ultraviolet rays;
A dispenser comprising: a control section that controls irradiation of ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator according to the open/closed state of the shutter detected by the shutter detection means. The control unit includes:
When the shutter determines that the emission port is opened, the intensity of the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiator is increased;
The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the shutter reduces the irradiation intensity when determining that the shutter closes the discharge port after increasing the irradiation intensity. The housing includes:
A discharge port is formed that communicates with the discharge port and discharges the food and drink discharged from the discharge port to the outside of the housing,
A stage is provided below the discharge port, on which a container for receiving food and drink discharged from the discharge port is placed;
A discharge port cover that covers between the discharge port and the stage is attached so as to be openable and closable,
Further comprising a cover detection means for detecting an open/closed state of the discharge port cover,
The control unit includes:
The dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the cover detection means does not detect that the discharge port cover is closed, the irradiation intensity of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet irradiator is not increased. The ultraviolet irradiator is capable of emitting visible light as well as ultraviolet rays,
The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the discharge port cover is formed to include a visible light transmitting portion that blocks ultraviolet rays and transmits visible light. A draining member formed to allow ultraviolet rays to pass through is arranged on the bottom surface of the storage chamber,
The dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ultraviolet irradiator is attached to a lower surface of the draining member so as to be able to irradiate the ultraviolet rays upward. The shutter is attached to cover and close the discharge port from the front side,
The dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ultraviolet irradiator is installed in the housing at a position directly facing the shutter from the front so as to be able to irradiate the ultraviolet rays backward. . The housing is formed with a discharge port that communicates with the discharge port and discharges the food and drink discharged from the discharge port to the outside of the housing below the discharge port,
Claims 1 to 6, wherein the ultraviolet irradiator is installed in the housing at a position in front of the discharge port and above the discharge port so as to be able to irradiate the ultraviolet light backward and downward. Dispenser according to any one of the above. On the front of the housing,
A discharge port is formed that communicates with the discharge port and discharges the food and drink discharged from the discharge port to the outside of the housing;
a stage arranged below the discharge port, on which a container for receiving food and drink discharged from the discharge port is placed;
an external drain tray disposed below the stage for receiving food and drinks not received in the container;
The dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ultraviolet irradiator is attached to a bottom surface within the external drain tray so as to be able to irradiate the ultraviolet rays upward. On the front of the housing,
A discharge port is formed that communicates with the discharge port and discharges the food and drink discharged from the discharge port to the outside of the housing;
a stage arranged below the discharge port, on which a container for receiving food and drink discharged from the discharge port is placed;
an external drain tray disposed below the stage for receiving food and drinks not received in the container;
Inside the housing,
An internal drain dish is provided behind the external drain dish and communicated with the external drain dish,
The dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the ultraviolet irradiator is attached to a front side surface inside the external drain tray so as to be able to irradiate the ultraviolet rays rearward. On the front of the housing,
A discharge port is formed that communicates with the discharge port and discharges the food and drink discharged from the discharge port to the outside of the housing;
a stage arranged below the discharge port, on which a container for receiving food and drink discharged from the discharge port is placed;
an external drain tray disposed below the stage for receiving food and drinks not received in the container;
Inside the housing,
an internal drain pan disposed at a lower portion within the housing;
A flow path communicating between the external drain pan and the internal drain pan is provided,
The dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the ultraviolet irradiator is attached above the flow path in the housing so as to be able to irradiate the ultraviolet rays downward.

Images