Self-service vending cabinet with automatic demisting function

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of vending cabinets, and discloses a self-service vending cabinet with an automatic demisting function, which comprises a vending cabinet body, a control device, a heating unit and a temperature and humidity detection device, the temperature and humidity detection device is used for detecting the temperature and humidity of the environment where the vending cabinet body is located, the heating unit is used for heating cabinet door glass of the vending cabinet body, and the control device is used for receiving detection data of the temperature and humidity detection device and controlling the heating unit. According to the utility model, the control device, the heating unit and the temperature and humidity detection device are combined for use, so that the heating device in the heating unit can be prevented from working for a long time, the electric charge expenditure is reduced, and the service life of the heating device is prolonged.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority of a Chinese patent application with the application number 202322039563.9, titled "An intelligent self-service vending cabinet with automatic defogging", filed with the Chinese Patent Office on July 31, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The utility model relates to the technical field of vending cabinets, and particularly to a self-service vending cabinet with a defogging function. Background Art

[0003] With the popularization of intelligent self-service vending machines, more and more commodities require low-temperature preservation functions. Existing self-service vending cabinets are all enclosed, providing cabinet doors for opening to shop, and the cabinet doors automatically close after shopping. Due to the influence of environmental temperature and humidity, the temperature difference and humidity difference between the inside and outside of the cabinet will cause water mist to form on the glass, resulting in consumers being unable to clearly see the commodities inside the cabinet before opening the cabinet door, which affects the sales of commodities.

[0004] For the defogging cabinet doors of existing self-service vending cabinets, heating wires are provided on the inner side of the outer-layer glass, and long-term opening is required to achieve the defogging effect, but there are the following disadvantages: 1. Long-term opening of the defogging function will increase additional electricity expenses; 2. Long-term opening of the defogging function causes the heating device to be in a working state for a long time, shortening the service life of the heating device. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] The utility model discloses a self-service vending cabinet with an automatic defogging function, which is used to solve the technical problems that the defogging function of existing self-service vending cabinets can only be opened for a long time, resulting in high electricity costs and a short service life of the heating device.

[0006] The utility model provides a self-service vending cabinet with an automatic defogging function, including: a vending cabinet body, a control device, a heating unit, and a temperature and humidity detection device;

[0007] The heating unit and the temperature and humidity detection device are respectively communicatively connected to the control device;

[0008] The temperature and humidity detection device is used to detect the temperature and humidity of the environment where the vending cabinet body is located;

[0009] The heating unit is used to heat the cabinet door glass of the vending cabinet body;

[0010] The control device is used to receive the detection data of the temperature and humidity detection device and is also used to control the heating unit.

[0011] Optionally, the heating unit includes a heating device and a power supply circuit;

[0012] The heating device is arranged on the cabinet door glass and is electrically connected to the power supply circuit through a wire;

[0013] The power supply circuit is communicatively connected to the control device, and the control device is specifically configured to control the power supply circuit.

[0014] Optionally, the power supply circuit includes a power source and a DC transformer;

[0015] The power source is electrically connected to the heating device through the DC transformer.

[0016] Optionally, the power supply circuit includes a power source and a thermistor;

[0017] The thermistor is connected to the wire through which the power source is electrically connected to the heating device;

[0018] The thermistor is arranged on the surface of the heating device.

[0019] Optionally, the heating device is an electric heating film covering the cabinet door glass;

[0020] The transparency of the electric heating film is greater than or equal to 92%;

[0021] The electric heating film is electrically connected to the power supply circuit through a wire.

[0022] Optionally, the electric heating film is a flexible electric heating film;

[0023] The flexible electric heating film includes an electrically insulating material layer and a heating resistance material layer encapsulated in the electrically insulating material layer;

[0024] The wire is connected to the heating resistance material layer of the flexible electric heating film.

[0025] Optionally, the temperature and humidity detection device is a temperature and humidity sensor.

[0026] Optionally, a door frame is installed on the outer periphery of the cabinet door glass;

[0027] A wire hole for accommodating the wire is formed in the door frame.

[0028] Optionally, the cabinet door glass is a double-layer glass, and a dry gas is filled between the double-layer glasses;

[0029] The electric heating film is laid on the side of the outer layer glass of the double-layer glass facing the inner layer glass.

[0030] It can be seen from the above technical solutions that the present utility model has the following advantages:

[0031] The utility model provides a self-service vending cabinet with an automatic defogging function, which comprises a vending cabinet body, a control device, a heating unit and a temperature and humidity detection device. The heating unit and the temperature and humidity detection device are respectively communicatively connected with the control device. The temperature and humidity detection device is used to detect the temperature and humidity of the environment where the vending cabinet body is located. The heating unit is used to heat the cabinet door glass of the vending cabinet body. The control device is used to receive the detection data of the temperature and humidity detection device and control the heating unit. When the self-service vending cabinet provided by the utility model is actually applied, the switch of the heating unit can be controlled by the control device when the temperature and humidity detection device detects that the temperature and humidity outside the cabinet reach a certain value. The heating unit does not need to work with long-term power on all the time, realizing the automatic defogging function, reducing the electricity cost, and reducing the risk of damage to the heating device in the heating unit due to long-term work, and prolonging the service life of the heating device. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present utility model. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0033] Figure 1 It is a connection schematic diagram of each module of a self-service vending cabinet with an automatic defogging function provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0034] Figure 2 It is a connection schematic diagram of a power supply circuit and a heating device provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0035] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a self-service vending cabinet with an automatic defogging function provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0036] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the cabinet door of the vending cabinet provided in an embodiment of the present utility model. Detailed Embodiment

[0037] The embodiment of the present utility model discloses a self-service vending cabinet with an automatic defogging function, which solves the technical problems that the defogging function of the existing self-service vending cabinet can only be turned on all the time, resulting in higher electricity costs and shorter service life of the heating device.

[0038] The technical solution of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present utility model, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative work shall fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0039] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present utility model. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0040] Unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "installation", "connection", "connection" shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 1 , a self-service vending cabinet with an automatic defogging function provided in the embodiment of the present utility model includes: a vending cabinet body 1, a control device 2, a heating unit 3, and a temperature and humidity detection device 4;

[0042] The heating unit 3 and the temperature and humidity detection device 4 are respectively communicatively connected to the control device 2;

[0043] The temperature and humidity detection device 4 is used to detect the temperature and humidity of the environment where the vending cabinet body 1 is located;

[0044] The heating unit 3 is used to heat the cabinet door glass of the vending cabinet body 1;

[0045] The control device 2 is used to collect the detection data of the temperature and humidity detection device 4 and is also used to control the heating unit 3.

[0046] It can be understood that the temperature and humidity detection device 4 can be a temperature and humidity sensor, an electronic thermometer and hygrometer, etc. It is arranged outside the vending cabinet body 1, and the detection data includes the temperature and humidity of the environment outside the vending cabinet body 1; the heating unit 3 can include a heating film 311, an electric heating wire and other heating devices that can be evenly arranged on the cabinet door glass without blocking the consumer's line of sight. The control device 2 can control the heating device in the heating unit 3 to turn on (perform heating) or off (stop heating). When the heating device is in the heating state, the heating temperature range is preferably 35°C to 40°C.

[0047] When the self-service vending cabinet provided in this embodiment is actually applied, by combining the control device 2, the heating unit 3 and the temperature and humidity detection device 4, when the temperature and humidity detection device 4 detects that the temperature and humidity outside the cabinet reach a certain value, the control device 2 can control the heating unit 3. The heating unit 3 does not need to work with the switch always on, realizing the automatic defogging function, reducing the electricity cost, and reducing the risk of damage to the heating unit 3 due to long-term operation, and prolonging the service life of the heating unit 3.

[0048] In a specific embodiment, the control device 2 can include a communication module 21 and a main control module 22. The communication module 21 is respectively communicatively connected to the heating unit 3 and the temperature and humidity detection device 4, and the main control module 22 is communicatively connected to the communication module 21.

[0049] The communication module 21 is used to collect the detection data of the temperature and humidity detection device 4 and send it to the main control module 22, and is also used to send the received control instruction to the heating unit 3; the communication module 21 can be a wireless communication module such as a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth module, a Zigbee module or a wired communication module based on RS485, a CAN module, etc.

[0050] The main control module 22 is used to receive the detection data from the communication module 21, and is also used to match the control instruction corresponding to the detection data according to the preset control strategy and send it to the communication module 21; the main control module 22 can be a programmable logic controller, an embedded system, etc. In practical applications, those skilled in the art can set the control strategy according to actual needs. For example, the control strategy of the main control module 22 is set to send an execution heating instruction to make the heating unit 3 start heating when the humidity where the vending cabinet body 1 is located is greater than or equal to the humidity preset value and the temperature is greater than or equal to the temperature preset value; after sending the execution heating instruction, when the temperature of the environment where the vending cabinet body 1 is located is less than the temperature preset value or the humidity is less than the humidity preset value, water mist is not likely to be generated on the cabinet door glass. At this time, if the heating unit 3 is in the state of executing heating, the main control module 22 sends a shutdown heating instruction to make the heating unit 3 pause heating; the main control module 22 can check whether the detection data meets the control strategy every preset inspection duration, such as 1 minute. If it meets the requirements, it sends the corresponding control instruction to the communication module 21; the temperature and humidity detection device 4 can send the detection data to the communication module 21 every preset sending duration, such as 1 minute.

[0051] Further, the control device 2 may specifically further include an input / output module. The input / output module is communicatively connected to the main control module 22. The input / output module is used to receive the cloud control strategy data and send it to the main control module 22. Specifically, it can receive the cloud control strategy data using the serial communication protocol. After receiving the cloud control strategy data sent by the input / output module, the main control module 22 can update the preset control strategy therein and send control instructions according to the latest control strategy.

[0052] It should be noted that in the present utility model, the control device 2 and each module included therein provide a hardware basis for the intelligent automatic defogging function of the vending machine. The content related to specific programming to further realize the intelligent function is the content that those skilled in the art can achieve based on common general knowledge. These method contents are not within the scope of this solution. The above description only explains the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the improvement of this hardware structure in combination with common general knowledge.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the heating unit 3 includes a heating device 31 and a power supply circuit 32;

[0054] The heating device 31 is arranged on the cabinet door glass and is electrically connected to the power supply circuit 32 through a wire 5;

[0055] The power supply circuit 32 is communicatively connected to the control device 2, and the control device 2 is specifically used to control the power supply circuit 32.

[0056] It can be understood that the power supply circuit 32 may include a power supply 321. More specifically, the control device 2 is used to control the on-off state of the power supply 321. The power supply 321 is electrically connected to the heating device 31 through a DC transformer 322. The positive and negative electrodes of the power supply 321 are respectively connected to the two input terminals of the DC transformer 322, and the two output terminals of the DC transformer 322 are respectively connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the heating device 31. The DC transformer 322, that is, a DC-DC converter, can provide a stable and accurate output voltage under the condition of power supply voltage fluctuation or load change, ensure the stability of the heating device 31 during use, reduce energy consumption, and also provide overvoltage protection for the heating device 31. To avoid the heat of the heating device 31 affecting the temperature of the cabinet door for fresh-keeping and refrigeration, if the cabinet door glass is single-layer glass, the heating device 31 is preferably arranged on the outer side of the cabinet door glass; if the cabinet door glass is double-layer glass, the heating device 31 is preferably arranged on the outer layer of glass.

[0057] Furthermore, the power supply circuit 32 further includes a thermistor 323 connected to the wire between the DC transformer 322 and the heating device 31, or connected to the wire between the power supply 321 and the heating device 31. The thermistor 323 is arranged on the surface of the heating device 31, preferably a positive temperature coefficient thermistor. The temperature change of the heating device 31 will cause the resistance value of the thermistor 323 to change, thereby changing the amount of current flowing through the heating device 31, and can play a role in regulating the heating temperature of the heating device 31 to keep the heating device 31 within a preset temperature range.

[0058] Furthermore, the heating device 31 is an electrothermal film 311 covering the cabinet door glass, which can uniformly heat every part of the cabinet door glass. The transparency of the heating film is greater than or equal to 92%, avoiding blocking the sight of consumers. The electrothermal film 311 is electrically connected to the power supply circuit 32 through a wire 5.

[0059] It should be noted that the electrothermal film 311 should cover one side of the entire cabinet door glass as much as possible to prevent the situation that the local temperature difference of the cabinet door glass causes uneven stress distribution inside the glass, resulting in the explosion of the cabinet door glass. For the convenience of laying, the electrothermal film 311 is preferably a flexible electrothermal film 311, such as a flexible heating film sheet with a transparent polyester coating. The flexible electrothermal film 311 includes an electrically insulating material layer and a heating resistance material layer encapsulated in the electrically insulating material layer. The electrically insulating material layer is made of a transparent material. The positive terminal and the negative terminal connected to the heating resistance material layer are arranged on the flexible electrothermal film 311, and the wire 5 is connected to the heating resistance material layer of the flexible electrothermal film 311 through the positive terminal and the negative terminal.

[0060] Furthermore, the cabinet door glass is double-layer glass, and dry gas is filled between the double-layer glass to reduce the temperature difference on both sides of the outer layer of glass; the electric heating film 311 is laid on the side of the outer layer of glass facing the inner layer of glass in the double-layer glass, which can avoid external force damage while heating the outer layer of glass.

[0061] In a specific embodiment, a door frame 61 is installed on the outer periphery of the cabinet door glass, and a wire hole for accommodating the wire 5 is provided on the door frame 6; the door frame may include a plurality of door seals 61, which is convenient for assembling the cabinet door glass and the electric heating film 311; the electric heating film 311 should be laid before installing the door frame 61 on the outer periphery of the cabinet door glass.

[0062] The above provides a detailed introduction to a self-service vending machine with an automatic defogging function provided by the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, according to the idea of the embodiments of the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation manners and application scopes. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-service vending machine with automatic defog function, characterized in that: include: Vending machine body, control device, heating unit and temperature and humidity detection device; The heating unit and the temperature and humidity detection device are respectively connected to the control device for communication; The temperature and humidity detection device is used to detect the temperature and humidity of the environment in which the vending cabinet body is located; The heating unit is used to heat the door glass of the vending cabinet body; The control device is used to receive detection data from the temperature and humidity detection device, and is also used to control the heating unit.

2. The self-service vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating unit includes a heating device and a power supply circuit; The heating device is arranged on the cabinet door glass and is connected to the power supply circuit through a wire; The power supply circuit is in communication connection with the control device, and the control device is specifically used to control the power supply circuit.

3. The self-service vending machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The power supply circuit includes a power supply and a thermistor; The thermistor is connected to a wire connected between the power supply and the heating device; The thermistor is arranged on the surface of the heating device.

4. The self-service vending machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The power supply circuit includes a power supply and a DC transformer; The power supply is connected to the heating device through the DC transformer.

5. The self-service vending machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heating device is an electric heating film covering the cabinet door glass; The transparency of the electric heating film is greater than or equal to 92%; The electric heating film is connected to the power supply circuit through a wire.

6. The self-service vending machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The electric heating film is a flexible electric heating film; The flexible electric heating film comprises an electric insulating material layer and a heating resistor material layer encapsulated in the electric insulating material layer; The wire is connected to the heating resistor material layer of the flexible electric heating film.

7. The self-service vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature and humidity detection device is a temperature and humidity sensor.

8. The self-service vending machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: A door frame is installed on the outer periphery of the cabinet door glass; The door frame is provided with a wire hole for accommodating the wire.

9. The self-service vending machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cabinet door glass is double-layer glass, and dry gas is filled between the double-layer glass; The electric heating film is laid on the side of the outer layer of glass of the double-layer glass facing the inner layer of glass.

Images