Ingredient supply device

Abstract

Provided is an ingredient supply device which is reduced in size by controlling the same number of clutch units as a plurality of ingredient supply units with one drive unit. The present invention is provided with: a plurality of ingredient supply means (130) for storing ingredients and freely supplying the ingredients to a container (C); a drive unit 140 for generating power for driving the ingredient supply unit 130; clutch units (150) for controlling the transmission of the power generated by the drive unit (140) to the ingredient supply units (130), the number of the clutch units (150) being the same as the number of the ingredient supply units (130); and a control means for controlling the operation of the ingredient supply means (130), the driving of the drive means (140), and the transmission of power by the clutch means (150).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a batching supply device, in particular to a batching supply device with a plurality of batching supply units. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the development of a rich food culture, there is a demand for cooking a variety of dishes using a variety of ingredients. However, in the catering industry, there is a rapid demand for cooking automation from various perspectives, such as ensuring chefs, maintaining cooking skills, and organizing the cooking environment. In recent years, the demand for automatic cooking equipment that automates cooking has been increasing.

[0003] As an element of the automatic cooking equipment, there is an ingredient supply device that automatically supplies the required amount of ingredients for cooking into a container. In the past, there has been known an ingredient supply device that includes: an ingredient supply unit that supplies ingredients into the container; and a heat preservation storage, in which the ingredient supply unit is assembled and the ingredients stored in the ingredient supply unit are stored in a heat preservation state; the ingredient supply units are arranged in the up and down directions and in the left and right directions of the heat preservation storage, and are arranged according to each type of the ingredients, each ingredient supply unit comprising: an ingredient storage device that is arranged inside the heat preservation storage and stores ingredients; an ingredient measuring unit that is assembled to the heat preservation storage and measures the ingredients while fractionating; and an ingredient delivery unit that is assembled to the heat preservation storage and delivers the ingredients stored in the ingredient storage device to the ingredient measuring unit (for example, patent document 1).

[0004] Prior art literature Patent Literature Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 7043702 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 9 in particular) Summary of the invention Problem that the invention aims to solve In the above-mentioned ingredient supply device, since the ingredient delivery unit of each ingredient supply unit has a driving motor for driving the screw shaft to rotate, the driving motor increases according to the number of ingredient supply units, and the ingredient supply device becomes larger. Therefore, the above-mentioned ingredient supply device with multiple ingredient supply units has room for further improvement.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention is an invention for solving the above-mentioned prior art problems, that is, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an ingredient supply device which is miniaturized by controlling the same number of clutch units as a plurality of ingredient supply units with one drive unit.

[0006] Means used to solve problems The invention of claim 1 solves the above-mentioned problem as follows, that is, it comprises: a plurality of ingredient supply units for storing ingredients and freely supplying the ingredients to a container; a driving unit for generating power for driving the ingredient supply units; a clutch unit for controlling the transmission of the power generated by the driving unit to the ingredient supply units, the number of the clutch units being the same as the number of the ingredient supply units; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the ingredient supply unit, the driving of the driving unit and the power transmission based on the clutch unit.

[0007] In addition, the "ingredients" mentioned here refer to powdered or granular seasonings or powdered or granular food materials.

[0008] The invention of claim 2 solves the above-mentioned problem as follows, that is, based on the structure of the ingredient supply device described in claim 1, the driving unit has: the driving unit has: a driving motor that generates the power; and a driving gear that is provided on a rotating shaft that rotates integrally with the driving motor, and the number of the driving gears is the same as the number of the ingredient supply units; The ingredient supply unit comprises: an ingredient storage device for storing the ingredients; an ingredient measuring unit for placing the container and measuring the weight of the ingredients supplied to the container; and an ingredient delivery unit for delivering the ingredients stored in the ingredient storage device to the container; The clutch unit comprises: a cylindrical transmitted side member engaged with the rear end of the connecting shaft of the ingredient delivery unit; a cylindrical transmitting side member engaged with the driving gear of the driving unit at the outer peripheral surface and freely engaged with the transmitted side member in the length direction; and a pushing member, which pushes the transmitting side member into the transmitted side member based on the control of the control unit to make the transmitted side member engage with the transmitting side member.

[0009] The invention of claim 3 further solves the above-mentioned problem as follows, that is, based on the structure of the ingredient supply device described in claim 2, the clutch unit has a force applying component, which applies force to the transmitting side member in a direction to separate the transmitted side member from the transmitting side member.

[0010] The invention of claim 4 further solves the above-mentioned problem as follows, that is, on the basis of the structure of the ingredient supply device described in claim 2 or 3, the transmitting side member and the transmitted side member have serrated engaging claws that engage with each other in the length direction, and the engaging claws of the transmitting side member and the transmitted side member have: a positive abutting surface that abuts against each other when the transmitting side member is rotated in a positive direction; and a reverse abutting surface that abuts against each other when the transmitting side member is rotated in a reverse direction opposite to the positive direction, the positive direction being the direction of driving the ingredient delivery unit in the direction of delivering the ingredient toward the container, the positive abutting surface of the engaging claw intersects with the rotation axis of the transmitting side member or the transmitted side member when viewed from the side, and the inclination angle of the positive abutting surface is gentler than the inclination angle of the reverse abutting surface.

[0011] The invention of claim 5 further solves the above-mentioned problem as follows, that is, based on the structure of the ingredient supply device described in claim 2 or 3, the ingredient supply unit has a gate, and the gate opens and closes the discharge opening formed in the ingredient storage container. The control unit controls the opening and closing of the discharge opening by the gate. When the weight of the ingredient supplied to the container reaches a specified supply weight, the control unit releases the engagement between the transmitting side member and the transmitted side member after closing the discharge opening through the gate.

[0012] Effects of the Invention The ingredient supply device according to the invention of claim 1 comprises: a plurality of ingredient supply units for storing ingredients and supplying the ingredients freely to a container; a drive unit for generating power for driving the ingredient supply units; a clutch unit for controlling the transmission of the power generated by the drive unit to the ingredient supply units, the number of the clutch units being the same as the number of the ingredient supply units; and a control unit for controlling the action of the ingredient supply units, the driving of the drive unit and the power transmission based on the clutch unit; thereby the control unit controls the clutch unit corresponding to the ingredient supply unit storing the specified ingredient based on the input, the power generated by the drive unit is transmitted only to the ingredient supply unit storing the specified ingredient, and only the specified ingredient supply unit can be driven from among the plurality of ingredient supply units by one drive unit, thereby enabling the ingredient supply device having the plurality of ingredient supply units to be miniaturized.

[0013] According to the ingredient supply device of the invention of claim 2, on the basis of the effect achieved by the ingredient supply device of the invention of claim 1, the clutch unit comprises: a cylindrical transmitted side member, which is engaged with the rear end of the connecting shaft of the ingredient delivery unit; a cylindrical transmitting side member, which is meshed with the driving gear of the driving unit at the outer peripheral surface and can be freely meshed with the transmitted side member in the length direction; and a pushing member, which pushes the transmitting side member into the transmitted side member based on the control of the control unit to make the transmitted side member mesh with the transmitting side member, thereby the pushing member makes the transmitted side member mesh with the transmitting side member based on the control of the control unit, so that the power generated by the driving unit is only transmitted to the specified ingredient supply unit, so that only the specified ingredient supply unit can be driven from multiple ingredient supply units with a simple mechanism.

[0014] According to the ingredient supply device of the invention of claim 3, based on the effect achieved by the ingredient supply device of the invention of claim 2, the clutch unit has a force-applying component, which applies force to the transmitting side member in a direction to separate the transmitted side member from the transmitting side member, thereby reliably preventing the power generated by the drive unit from being transmitted to the ingredient supply unit when the pushing member does not push the transmitting side member against the transmitted side member, because the transmitted side member and the transmitting side member are reliably separated.

[0015] According to the ingredient supply device of the invention of claim 4, based on the effect achieved by the ingredient supply device of the invention of claim 2 or 3, the positive abutting surface of the engaging claw intersects with the rotation axis of the transmitting side member or the transmitted side member when viewed from the side, thereby making it easier to pull the transmitting side member out from the transmitted side member compared to the case where the positive abutting surface is parallel to the rotation axis of the transmitting side member or the transmitted side member when viewed from the side, thereby quickly releasing the engagement between the transmitting side member and the transmitted side member when delivering a specified supply weight of ingredients to the container, thereby This can prevent excessive supply of ingredients to the container and accurately supply the specified supply weight of ingredients into the container. The inclination angle of the positive abutting surface of the engaging claw is gentler than the inclination angle of the reverse abutting surface. Therefore, when the transmitting side member is rotated in the forward direction, it is difficult for the transmitting side member to be pulled out from the transmitted side member than when the transmitting side member is rotated in the reverse direction. Therefore, when the transmitting side member is rotated in the forward direction, the engagement between the engaging claw of the transmitting side member and the engaging claw of the transmitted side member is reliably maintained, and the amount of ingredients delivered to the container by the ingredient delivery unit can be correctly managed.

[0016] According to the ingredient supply device of the invention of claim 5, on the basis of the effect achieved by the ingredient supply device of the invention of claim 2 or 3, when the weight of the ingredients supplied to the container reaches the specified supply weight, the control unit releases the engagement between the transmitting side member and the transmitted side member after closing the discharge opening through the gate, thereby when the weight of the ingredients supplied to the container reaches the specified supply weight, the engagement between the transmitted side member and the transmitting side member is released after the gate closes the discharge opening, so that when the weight of the ingredients supplied to the container reaches the specified supply weight, the ingredients will not overflow from the ingredient storage into the container, and the ingredients can be automatically supplied to the container in the correct amount. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of an ingredient supply device as one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2A is from Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the ingredient supply device with the outer shell removed, viewed from the front.

[0019] Figure 2B is from Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the ingredient supply device with the outer shell removed, viewed from the rear.

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 2A A three-dimensional view of the ingredient supply unit and the clutch unit is shown.

[0021] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 IV-IV cross-sectional view.

[0022] Figure 5A yes Figure 2A An exploded perspective view of the main parts of the clutch unit is shown.

[0023] Figure 5B yes Figure 2A A cross-sectional view of the main parts of the clutch unit is shown.

[0024] Figure 5C yes Figure 5B Magnified side view of VC.

[0025] Fig. 6A It is a partial sectional side view of the ingredient supply unit in the initial state.

[0026] Figure 6B It is shown Fig. 6A A partially sectional side view of the ingredient supply unit is shown with the discharge opening open.

[0027] Figure 6CIt is a partially sectional side view showing a state in which ingredients are delivered by the ingredient delivery unit in the ingredient supply unit.

[0028] Fig.6D It is a partially cut-away side view showing a state after the ingredient supply unit supplies the ingredient into the container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The specific implementation of the present invention may be any implementation as long as it comprises: a plurality of ingredient supply units for storing ingredients and freely supplying them to containers; a driving unit for generating power for driving the ingredient supply units; a clutch unit for controlling the transmission of the power generated by the driving unit to the ingredient supply units, the number of which is the same as the number of the ingredient supply units; and a control unit for controlling the movement of the ingredient supply units, the driving of the driving units and the power transmission based on the clutch unit, so as to miniaturize the ingredient supply device having a plurality of ingredient supply units.

[0030] [Example 1] The following is based on Figures 1 to 6D , a batching supply device 100 as an embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0031] <1. Overview of ingredient supply equipment> based on Figures 1 to 2B , an overview of the ingredient supply device 100 is described.

[0032] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a batching supply device as an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2A is from Figure 1 A perspective view of the ingredient supply device with the outer shell removed, viewed from the front, Figure 2B is from Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the ingredient supply device with the outer shell removed, viewed from the rear.

[0033] The ingredient supply device 100 is a device that stores a plurality of ingredients such as powdered seasonings such as sugar, salt, and pepper, powdered ingredients such as soybean powder, and granular ingredients such as sesame, and supplies them to the container C. Figure 1 As shown, there are a base 110 placed on a placement surface F and a housing 120 that covers the base 110 and forms an appearance.

[0034] The housing 120 includes a rectangular housing body 121, a cover 122 that allows an opening 121a formed on the upper surface of the housing body 121 to be opened and closed freely, a touch panel 123 that is disposed on the left side of the front surface of the housing body 121 and operates the ingredient supply device 100, and a drive light 124 that is disposed on the front surface of the housing body 121 and clearly indicates the driving of the ingredient supply unit 130.

[0035] The number of the covers 122 and the driving lights 124 is the same as the number of the ingredient supply units 130 built into the housing 120 .

[0036] And, if Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, the ingredient supply device 100 includes a plurality of ingredient supply units 130 mounted and fixed on a base 110 , a driving unit 140 mounted and fixed on the base 110 , and a clutch unit 150 mounted on the ingredient supply unit 130 .

[0037] Furthermore, the ingredient supply device 100 includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of the ingredient supply unit 130 , the driving of the driving unit 140 , and the power transmission by the clutch unit 150 .

[0038] <2. Ingredients supply unit> Then, based on Figure 2B , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the ingredient supply unit 130 that stores ingredients and freely supplies them to the container C will be described.

[0039] Figure 3 yes Figure 2A The three-dimensional diagram of the ingredient supply unit and the clutch unit shown, Figure 4 yes Figure 3 IV-IV cross-sectional view.

[0040] The ingredient supply unit 130 includes: an ingredient storage 131 for storing ingredients; a hopper 132 installed at the upper opening of the ingredient storage 131 and supplying ingredients to the ingredient storage 131; an ingredient measuring unit 133 for carrying container C and measuring the weight of the ingredients supplied to container C; an ingredient delivery unit 134 for delivering the ingredients stored in the ingredient storage 131 to container C; an ingredient mixing unit 135 for mixing the ingredients stored in the ingredient storage 131 and suppressing the occurrence of bridging; and a gate 136 for controlling the discharge of ingredients from the ingredient storage 131.

[0041] The ingredient storage container 131 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and is hollow.

[0042] In addition, the front bottom of the ingredient storage 131 is formed with: a discharge opening 131a extending in the front-rear direction, through which the ingredients are discharged by the ingredient delivery unit 134; and an ingredient drop opening 131b, which guides the ingredients discharged from the discharge opening 131a to fall into the container C.

[0043] The ingredient measuring unit 133 is composed of a container mounting table 133a disposed just below the ingredient drop port 131b of the ingredient storage container 131 and on which the container C is mounted, and a load cell 133b for measuring the weight of the container mounting table 133a.

[0044] The ingredient delivery unit 134 includes a coil-shaped member 134 a that is disposed inside the ingredient reservoir 131 and extends in the front-rear direction, and a connecting shaft 134 b that connects the coil-shaped member 134 a and the clutch unit 150 .

[0045] The coil-shaped member 134a is a member that rotates integrally with the connecting shaft 134b to deliver the ingredients stored in the ingredient storage 131 in the front-rear direction. Figure 4 As shown, it is configured to be slightly inclined upward.

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown, a coil-shaped member 134 a is externally mounted on the front end of the connecting shaft 134 b , and the rear end is connected to the clutch unit 150 .

[0047] In addition, if Figure 2B As shown, a gear is formed on the outer periphery of the rear end side of the connecting shaft 134b.

[0048] The ingredient stirring unit 135 includes a stirring member 135 a for stirring the ingredients stored in the ingredient storage 131 , and a rotating shaft 135 b with a gear for swinging the stirring member 135 a in the up-down direction.

[0049] The stirring member 135a is a frame body that is engaged with a swing shaft 131c that is provided inside the ingredient reservoir 131 and extends in the left-right direction so as to be swingable in the up-down direction.

[0050] In addition, if Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , an engagement hole 135 a 1 is formed on the rear end side of the stirring member 135 a .

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, the engagement hole 135a1 extends in the left-right direction.

[0052] like Figure 2B As shown, a gear that meshes with a gear formed on the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient delivery unit 134 is formed on the outer periphery of the rear side of the geared rotating shaft 135b.

[0053] Therefore, when the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient delivery unit 134 rotates, the rotating shaft 135b with a gear also rotates.

[0054] An engaging protrusion 135b1 that is inserted into the engaging hole 135a1 of the stirring member 135a and engages with the engaging hole 135a1 is formed on the front end side of the geared rotating shaft 135b.

[0055] Therefore, when the rotating shaft 135b with the gear rotates, the stirring member 135a swings in the up-down direction with respect to the swing shaft 131c of the ingredient reservoir 131 via the engaging protrusion 135b1.

[0056] The gate 136 comprises: a gate body 136a for closing the discharge opening 131a of the ingredient storage container 131; a connecting bolt 136b for connecting the gate body 136a to the ingredient storage container 131; and a gate rotating mechanism 136c for rotating the gate body 136a in the up-down direction around the connecting bolt 136b.

[0057] like Figure 4 As shown, the gate body 136 a is C-shaped in cross-section, and its upper end is connected to the ingredient storage 131 at a position above the discharge opening 131 a of the ingredient storage 131 .

[0058] In addition, the shutter body 136a is rotatable in the up-down direction relative to the ingredient storage container 131.

[0059] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the gate rotating mechanism 136c is a pull-type (contracted when powered, extended when not powered) solenoid controlled by a control unit, and the gate rotating mechanism 136c has a plunger 136c1 whose front end is connected to the gate body 136a, a shell 136c2 for accommodating the plunger 136c1, and a connecting plate 136c3 connecting the shell 136c2 to the ingredient storage container 131.

[0060] Therefore, when the gate rotating mechanism 136c is not energized, Figure 4 As shown, the gate body 136 a closes the discharge opening 131 a of the ingredient storage 131 , and when power is supplied to the gate rotating mechanism 136 c , the gate body 136 a opens the discharge opening 131 a of the ingredient storage 131 .

[0061] In addition, the control unit controls the opening and closing of the discharge opening 131 a of the ingredient storage 131 using the shutter 136 .

[0062] The housing 136c2 is a rectangular frame when viewed from the front. Figure 3 As shown, a connecting plate 136c3 is installed on the right side.

[0063] like Figure 3 As shown, the connecting plate 136c3 is axially supported so that the upper end side can rotate freely in the up-down direction relative to the ingredient storage 131.

[0064] <3. Drive unit> Then, based on Figure 2BThe driving unit 140 that generates power to drive the ingredient supplying unit 130 will be described.

[0065] like Figure 2B As shown in the figures, the driving unit 140 includes a driving motor 141 for generating power, a rotating shaft 142 that rotates integrally with the driving motor 141, and a driving gear 143 that is provided on the rotating shaft 142 and rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 142. The driving unit 140 generates power to supply the ingredients stored in the ingredient supply unit 130 to the container C.

[0066] The number of the driving gears 143 is the same as that of the ingredient supplying units 130 , and spiral teeth 143 a are formed on the outer surface of the driving gears 143 .

[0067] <4. Clutch unit> Then, based on Figure 4 , FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C , the clutch units 150 that control the transmission of the power generated by the driving unit 140 to the ingredient supply unit 130 and that have the same number as the ingredient supply unit 130 will be described.

[0068] Figure 5A yes Figure 2A The main parts of the clutch unit are shown in a perspective exploded view. Figure 5B yes Figure 2A A cross-sectional view of the main parts of the clutch unit is shown. Figure 5C yes Figure 5B Magnified side view of VC.

[0069] like Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, the clutch unit 150 comprises: a cylindrical transmitted side member 151, which is engaged with the rear end of the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient delivery unit 134; a cylindrical transmitting side member 152, which is freely engaged with the transmitted side member 151 in the length direction (front-rear direction); a coil spring (biasing member) 153, which is arranged between the transmitted side member 151 and the transmitting side member 152; a pushing member 154, which pushes the transmitting side member 152 into the transmitted side member 151 based on the control of the control unit, so that the transmitted side member 151 is engaged with the transmitting side member 152; and a rolling bearing 155, which is installed at the rear end of the transmitting side member 152.

[0070] The transferred side member 151 is made of resin, such as Figure 5A and Figure 5BAs shown, from the side of the ingredient supply unit 130, it has: a cylindrical connecting shaft side cylindrical portion 151a, which is connected to the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient supply unit 130; a disc-shaped flange portion 151b, whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the connecting shaft side cylindrical portion 151a; a cylindrical transmitted side cylindrical portion 151c, whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the flange portion 151b; and an engaging claw 151d, which protrudes from the flange portion 151b toward the transmission side member 152.

[0071] The plurality of engaging claws 151d are formed on concentric circles with the rotation axis R as the center.

[0072] The flange portion 151 b of the transmitted-side member 151 is elastically deformed and fitted into the transmitting-side member 152 from the front side.

[0073] like Figure 5A As shown, the transmission side member 152 includes an annular resin gear 152a and a resin meshing cylinder 152b, the gear 152a has a helical tooth 152a1 formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof which meshes with the helical tooth 143a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the driving gear 143 of the driving unit 140, and the meshing cylinder 152b has a key 152b1 on the outer peripheral surface thereof which is inserted into a keyway 152a2 formed on the inner peripheral surface side of the gear 152a.

[0074] An engagement claw 152b2 that can freely engage with the engagement claw 151d of the transmission-side member 151 in the longitudinal direction is formed at the front end of the engagement cylinder 152b.

[0075] like Figure 5A As shown, the engagement claw 152b2 projects toward the transmission-side member 151 and is formed on a concentric circle with the rotation axis R as the center.

[0076] like Figure 5C As shown, the engaging claw 151d of the transmitted side member 151 and the engaging claw 152b2 of the transmitting side member 152 described above are serrated, and are formed by positive abutting surfaces 151d1, 152b2a that abut against each other when the transmitting side member 152 is rotated in the positive direction P and reverse abutting surfaces 151d2, 152b2b that abut against each other when the transmitting side member 152 is rotated in the reverse direction N.

[0077] like Figure 5C As shown, the forward contact surfaces 151d1, 152b2a and the reverse contact surfaces 151d2, 152b2b intersect the rotation axis R in a side view.

[0078] And, if Figure 5C As shown, the inclination angle θ1 of the forward contact surfaces 151d1 and 152b2a is gentler than the inclination angle θ2 of the reverse contact surfaces 151d2 and 152b2b.

[0079] Therefore, when the transmitting side member 152 rotates in the positive direction P, by maintaining the positive abutting surface 152b2a of the transmitting side member 152 in abutment with the positive abutting surface 151d1 of the transmitted side member 151, the power generated by the driving motor 141 is transmitted to the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient supply unit 130, so that the coil-shaped member 134a rotates and the ingredient is delivered toward the container C.

[0080] On the other hand, when the transmitting side member 152 rotates in the reverse direction N, although the reverse abutting surface 152b2b of the transmitting side member 152 abuts against the reverse abutting surface 151d2 of the transmitted side member 151, due to slippage between the transmitted side member 151 and the transmitting side member 152, the transmitting side member 152 moves away from the transmitted side member 151, and therefore the power generated by the driving motor 141 will not be transmitted to the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient supply unit 130.

[0081] That is, Figure 5C As shown, by making the inclination angle θ1 of the positive abutting surfaces 151d1 and 152b2a gentler than the inclination angle θ2 of the reverse abutting surfaces 151d2 and 152b2b, the power generated by the drive motor 141 is transmitted to the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient supply unit 130 only when the transmission side member 152 is rotated in the positive direction P.

[0082] like Figure 5B As shown, the coil spring 153 covers the engagement claw 151d of the transmitted side member 151 and the engagement cylinder 152b of the transmitting side member 152 from the outside, and urges the engagement cylinder 152b of the transmitting side member 152 in the direction of separating the transmitted side member 151 and the transmitting side member 152.

[0083] The pushing member 154 includes: a pin 154a, which abuts against the rear end side of the engaging cylinder 152b of the transmission side member 152; a pull solenoid 154b, which is controlled by a control unit that moves the plunger 154b1 forward and backward in the front-to-back direction; an arm 154c, which transmits the movement of the plunger 154b1 of the solenoid 154b to the pin 154a; and a frame 154d, which supports the axis of the arm 154c so that it can rotate freely in the front-to-back direction.

[0084] like Figure 4 As shown, the pin 154a has a cylindrical front small diameter portion 154a1 that abuts the rear end side of the engagement tube 152b of the transmission side member 152 and a cylindrical large diameter portion 154a2 connected to the rear end of the front small diameter portion 154a1 and having a larger diameter than the front small diameter portion 154a1.

[0085] When the solenoid 154 b is energized, the force pulling in the plunger 154 b 1 becomes greater than the biasing force generated by the coil spring 153 .

[0086] That is, when the solenoid 154b is energized, the engagement claw 151d of the transmitted side member 151 is engaged with the engagement claw 152b2 of the transmitting side member 152. When the solenoid 154b is deenergized, the engagement between the engagement claw 151d of the transmitted side member 151 and the engagement claw 152b2 of the transmitting side member 152 is released.

[0087] like Figure 4 As shown, the lower end side of the arm 154c is connected to the plunger 154b1, and the upper end side frame 154d is axially supported so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction.

[0088] Therefore, if the plunger 154b1 moves forward (ie, the solenoid 154b contracts), the arm 154c moves forward, and if the plunger 154b1 moves backward (ie, the solenoid 154b extends), the arm 154c moves backward.

[0089] In addition, if Figure 4 As shown, the arm 154c is axially supported by the frame 154d at a position above the pin 154a.

[0090] The inner diameter of the rolling bearing 155 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 154a2 of the pin 154a of the pushing member 154, and the rolling bearing 155 axially supports the pin 154a so as to be rotatable.

[0091] In addition, the rotation axis of the rolling bearing 155 coincides with the rotation axis R of the transmission-side member 152 .

[0092] <5. Order of ingredients supply> Then, based on FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D The following describes an example of the order of supplying ingredients by the ingredient supply unit 130 storing the specific ingredient I designated by the touch panel 113.

[0093] Fig. 6A is a partial cross-sectional side view of the ingredient supply unit in the initial state, Figure 6B It is shown Fig. 6A A partial cross-sectional side view of the ingredient supply unit in a state where the discharge opening is open is shown, Figure 6C is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a state in which ingredients are delivered by an ingredient delivery unit in an ingredient supply unit, Fig.6D It is a partially sectional side view showing a state after the ingredient supply unit supplies the ingredient to the container.

[0094] In addition, the ingredient supply sequence shown below is just an example, and the ingredient supply sequence in the ingredient supply device 100 is not limited to this.

[0095] <5.1. Initial state> First, based on Fig. 6A The initial state is described.

[0096] like Fig. 6A As shown, in an initial state, ingredients I are stored in the ingredient storage 131 of the ingredient supply unit 130 .

[0097] In addition, the discharge opening 131a of the ingredient storage 131 is closed by the shutter body 136a.

[0098] Furthermore, in the clutch unit 150 , the transmitted-side member 151 and the transmitting-side member 152 are not coupled.

[0099] <5.2. Ingredients supply> When a specific ingredient I (i.e., the ingredient supply unit 130 storing the specific ingredient I) is selected through the touch panel 113, and the weight of the ingredient to be supplied to the container C (hereinafter, this weight is referred to as the "supply weight") is specified, the control unit energizes the gate rotating mechanism 136c of the ingredient supply unit 130, such as Figure 6B As shown, the shutter body 136 a is opened to release the discharge opening 131 a of the ingredient storage 131 .

[0100] At this time, the ingredient I held by the shutter body 136a drops into the container C through the ingredient drop port 131b.

[0101] Then, the control unit energizes the solenoid 154b of the clutch unit 150 to extend the plunger 154b1. Figure 6C As shown, the transmitted-side member 151 and the transmitting-side member 152 are connected.

[0102] Then, by driving the driving motor 141 of the driving unit 140, the power generated by the driving motor 141 is transmitted to the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient supply unit 130 via the driving gear 143, the transmitting side member 152 and the transmitted side member 151, the coil-shaped member 134a of the ingredient delivery unit 134 rotates, and the geared rotating shaft 135b of the ingredient mixing unit 135 meshing with the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient delivery unit 134 rotates.

[0103] The results, such as Figure 6C As shown, the ingredient I in the ingredient storage 131 is stirred by the up and down swinging of the stirring member 135a, thereby suppressing the occurrence of bridging phenomenon, and the ingredient I is discharged from the discharge opening 131a and falls through the ingredient drop port 131b and is delivered to the container C.

[0104] <5.3.Supply suspension> Then, the ingredient delivery unit 134 delivers the ingredient I to the container C until the weight of the ingredient I supplied to the container C reaches the supply weight. If the weight of the ingredient I supplied to the container C reaches the supply weight specified by the touch panel 113, first, the control unit cuts off the power supply to the gate rotating mechanism 136c, such as Fig.6D As shown, the gate body 136 a is rotated downward to close the discharge opening 131 a of the ingredient storage container 131 .

[0105] Then, the control unit cuts off the power supply to the solenoid 154b of the clutch unit 150, and the plunger 154b1 contracts, the meshing between the transmission side member 151 and the transmission side member 152 is released, and the clutch unit 150 returns to the state in which the clutch unit 150 is in ... Fig. 6A That initial state.

[0106] <6. Effects of the ingredient supply device 100> According to the above-described ingredient supply device 100, the ingredient supply device 100 includes: a plurality of ingredient supply units 130 that store ingredients and freely supply them to the container C; a driving unit 140 that generates power for driving the ingredient supply units 130; a clutch unit 150 that controls the transmission of the power generated by the driving unit 140 to the ingredient supply units 130 and the same number of the power is transmitted to the ingredient supply units 130; and a control unit that controls the operation of the ingredient supply units 130, the driving of the driving unit 140, and the power transmission based on the clutch unit 150; the control unit controls the clutch unit 150 corresponding to the ingredient supply unit 130 storing a predetermined ingredient I based on the input, so that the power generated by the driving unit 140 is transmitted only to the ingredient supply unit 130 storing the predetermined ingredient I, and only a predetermined ingredient supply unit 130 can be driven from a plurality of ingredient supply units 130 by a single driving unit 140, so that the ingredient supply device 100 having a plurality of ingredient supply units 130 can be miniaturized.

[0107] In addition, the clutch unit 150 includes: a cylindrical transmitted side member 151, which is engaged with the rear end of the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient delivery unit 134; a cylindrical transmitting side member 152, which is meshed with the driving gear 143 of the driving unit 140 on the outer peripheral surface and is freely meshed with the transmitted side member 151 in the longitudinal direction; and a pushing member 154, which pushes the transmitting side member 152 into the transmitted side member 151 based on the control of the control unit to make the transmitted side member 151 mesh with the transmitting side member 152. The pushing member 154 makes the transmitted side member 151 mesh with the transmitting side member 152 based on the control of the control unit, so that the power generated by the driving unit 140 is only transmitted to the specified ingredient supply unit 130, so that only the specified ingredient supply unit 130 can be driven from a plurality of ingredient supply units 130 with a simple mechanism.

[0108] Furthermore, the clutch unit 150 has a force-applying member, namely a coil spring 153, which applies force to the transmission side member 152 in a direction to separate the transmitted side member 151 from the transmission side member 152, thereby reliably separating the transmitted side member 151 from the transmission side member 152 when the pushing member 154 does not push the transmission side member 152 against the transmitted side member 151. Therefore, when the pushing member 154 does not push the transmission side member 152 against the transmitted side member 151, the power generated by the drive unit 140 can be reliably prevented from being transmitted to the ingredient supply unit 130.

[0109] In addition, the forward abutting surfaces 151d1 and 152b2a intersect with the rotation axis R of the transmitting side member 152 or the transmitted side member 151 when viewed from the side. Therefore, compared with the case where the forward abutting surfaces are parallel to the rotation axis of the transmitting side member or the transmitted side member when viewed from the side, it is easier to pull the transmitting side member 152 out of the transmitted side member 151. Therefore, when a predetermined supply weight of the ingredient I is sent to the container C, the engagement between the transmitting side member 152 and the transmitted side member 151 is quickly released, thereby preventing the excessive supply of the ingredient I to the container C, and the predetermined supply weight of the ingredient can be accurately supplied to the container C. I, and because the inclination angle θ1 of the positive abutting surfaces 151d1, 152b2a is gentler than the inclination angle θ2 of the reverse abutting surfaces 151d2, 152b2b, when the transmitting side member 152 is rotated in the positive direction P, it is more difficult for the transmitting side member 152 to be pulled out from the transmitted side member 151 than when the transmitting side member 152 is rotated in the reverse direction N. Therefore, when the transmitting side member 152 is rotated in the positive direction P, the engagement between the engaging claw 152b2 of the transmitting side member 152 and the engaging claw 151d of the transmitted side member 151 is reliably maintained, thereby accurately managing the amount of ingredients delivered to the container C through the ingredient delivery unit 134.

[0110] Furthermore, when the weight of ingredient I supplied to container C reaches a prescribed supply weight, the control unit releases the engagement between the transmitting side member 152 and the transmitted side member 151 after closing the discharge opening 131a through the gate 136. Thus, when the weight of ingredient I supplied to container C reaches a prescribed supply weight, since the engagement between the transmitted side member 151 and the transmitting side member 152 is released after the gate 136 closes the discharge opening 131a, when the weight of ingredient I supplied to container C reaches a prescribed supply weight, ingredient I will not overflow from the ingredient storage 131 into container C, and ingredient I can be automatically supplied to container C in an accurate amount.

[0111] <Modification> In the above, the ingredient supply device 100 as one embodiment of the present invention has been described, but the ingredient supply device of the present invention is not limited to the ingredient supply device 100 of the above embodiment.

[0112] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the ingredient supply device 100 is controlled by input to the touch panel 113, but a communication unit may be provided to control the ingredient supply device 100 by remote operation from the outside.

[0113] Description of Reference Numerals 100: Ingredient supply device, 110: base, 120: Shell, 121: Shell body, 121a: Opening, 122: Cover, 123: Touch panel, 124: driving lights, 130: ingredient supply unit, 131: Ingredient storage, 131a: discharge opening, 131b: ingredient drop port, 131c: Swing shaft, 132: Hopper, 133: Batching metering unit, 133a: container mounting table, 133b: weighing sensor, 134: Batching delivery unit, 134a: coil-shaped member, 134b: Connecting shaft, 135: batching and mixing unit, 135a: stirring member, 135a1: snap-fit ​​hole, 135b: Rotating shaft with gear, 135b1: Engagement protrusion, 136: Gate, 136a: Gate body, 136b: Connecting bolts, 136c: Gate rotation mechanism, 136c1: plunger, 136c2: Shell, 136c3: Connecting plate, 140: drive unit, 141: drive motor, 142: Rotation axis, 143: driving gear, 143a: spiral teeth, 150: Clutch unit, 151: Transferred side member, 151a: connecting shaft side cylindrical portion, 151b: flange part, 151c: Transfer-side cylindrical portion, 151d: Engaging claw, 151d1: positive contact surface, 151d2: Reverse abutment surface, 152: Transfer side member, 152a: gear, 152a1: spiral teeth, 152a2: keyway, 152b: Engagement tube, 152b1: key, 152b2: Engaging claw, 152b2a: positive contact surface, 152b2b: Reverse abutment surface, 153: Coil spring (force applying member), 154: Push-in components, 154a: Pin, 154a1: Front small diameter part, 154a2: Large diameter part, 154b: Solenoid, 154b1: plunger, 154c: arm, 154d: frame, 155: rolling bearings, F: Loading surface, C: container, I: Ingredients, R: Rotation axis, P: Positive, N: Reverse, θ1: inclination angle of the positive contact surface, θ2: Inclination angle of the counter-abutting surface.

Claims

1. A batching supply device, wherein: have: A plurality of ingredient supply units for storing ingredients and freely supplying the ingredients to the container; a driving unit for generating power for driving the ingredient supply unit; A clutch unit, controlling the transmission of the power generated by the driving unit to the ingredient supply unit, wherein the number of the clutch units is the same as the number of the ingredient supply units; as well as The control unit controls the operation of the ingredient supply unit, the driving of the driving unit, and the power transmission based on the clutch unit.

2. The ingredient supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving unit comprises: a driving motor for generating the power; and driving gears provided on a rotating shaft that rotates integrally with the driving motor, the number of the driving gears being the same as the number of the ingredient supplying units; The ingredient supply unit comprises: an ingredient storage for storing the ingredients; an ingredient measuring unit for placing the container and measuring the weight of the ingredients supplied to the container; and an ingredient delivery unit for delivering the ingredients stored in the ingredient storage device to the container; The clutch unit comprises: a cylindrical transmission side member engaged with the rear end of the connecting shaft of the batching delivery unit; a cylindrical transmission side member meshing with the driving gear of the driving unit at the outer peripheral surface and freely meshing with the transmission side member in the length direction; and a pushing member that pushes the transmitting side member into the delivered side member based on the control of the control unit to make the delivered side member mesh with the transmitting side member.

3. The ingredient supply device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The clutch unit includes an urging member that urges the transmission-side member in a direction in which the transmission-side member is separated from the transmission-side member.

4. The ingredient supply device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The transmitting side member and the transmitted side member have sawtooth-shaped engaging claws that mesh with each other in the length direction. The engaging claws of the transmission side member and the transmitted side member have: positive abutment surfaces that abut against each other when the transmission side member is rotated in the positive direction; and a reverse abutting surface that abuts against each other when the transfer side member is rotated in a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction, wherein the forward direction is a direction in which the ingredient delivery unit is driven in a direction in which the ingredient is delivered toward the container, The positive contact surface of the engaging claw intersects with the rotation axis of the transmission-side member or the transmitted-side member in a side view, and the inclination angle of the positive contact surface is gentler than the inclination angle of the reverse contact surface.

5. The ingredient supply device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The ingredient supply unit has a gate that opens and closes a discharge opening formed in the ingredient storage. The control unit controls the gate to open and close the discharge opening. When the weight of the ingredient supplied to the container reaches a predetermined supply weight, the control unit releases the engagement between the transmitting side member and the delivered side member after closing the discharge opening by the shutter.

Images