Disaster Response Coin Locker System

Abstract

Provided is a disaster response type coin locker system that can safely store food, evacuation equipment, etc. in normal times and can easily take out these and use them for saving lives in case of disasters. 【Solution means】 A disaster response type coin locker system 1 that can be used for saving lives in case of disasters, having a life box 3 for storing food, etc. and a help box 4 for storing evacuation equipment, etc. The life box 3 is configured such that the locker door 5 is locked in normal times and can be opened and closed by a locker key LK without paying a usage fee in case of disasters. The help box 4 is configured such that the locker door 5 is locked in normal times and can be opened and closed without paying a usage fee and without using the locker key LK in case of disasters.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a disaster response type coin locker system that can be used for saving lives in the event of a disaster.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, coin lockers for storing users' luggage and the like are known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-185036 discloses a coin locker that enables labor-saving management and improved convenience for users by remotely managing and controlling it (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, disaster response type facilities such as vending machines configured to be able to provide beverages and the like to disaster victims for free during a disaster have been gradually spreading. However, there is a problem that conventional coin lockers, including Patent Document 1, have not been devised to be usable as a lifeline during a disaster, despite being installed in large numbers in places where many people gather, such as inside a train station.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a disaster response type coin locker system that can safely store foodstuffs, evacuation equipment, etc. during normal times and can easily take them out and use them for saving lives during a disaster.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The disaster response type coin locker system according to the present invention is a disaster response type coin locker system that can be used for saving lives in the event of a disaster in order to solve the problem of safely storing foodstuffs, evacuation equipment, etc. during normal times and easily taking them out for use in saving lives during a disaster. It has a life box for storing articles necessary for maintaining life such as foodstuffs in the locker, and a help box for storing articles necessary for saving lives such as evacuation equipment in the locker. The life box is configured such that the locker door is locked during normal times and can be opened and closed by a locker key without paying a usage fee during a disaster. The help box is configured such that the locker door is locked during normal times and can be opened and closed without paying a usage fee and without using the locker key during a disaster.

[0007] Also, as an aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the problem of easily and surely controlling the locking and unlocking of the life box and the help box, each of the life box and the help box has a main lock piece displaceable between a locking position for locking the locker door and an unlocking position for unlocking the locker door, a key cylinder rotated by the locker key inserted into the keyhole to displace the main lock piece between the locking position and the unlocking position, an upper actuator for advancing and retracting a stopper shaft between a restricting position protruding into a locking hole provided in the key cylinder to restrict the rotation operation of the key cylinder and an allowing position retracted from the locking hole to allow the rotation operation of the key cylinder, and a lower actuator for advancing and retracting a sub-lock shaft between a locking position for locking the locker door and an unlocking position for unlocking the locker door. A locking unit is provided. A control unit may be provided that outputs a drive signal for driving the stopper shaft to either the restricting position or the allowing position and outputs a drive signal for driving the sub-lock shaft to either the locking position or the unlocking position for each locking unit.

[0008] Furthermore, as an aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the problem of safely storing foodstuffs and the like stored in the life box during normal times and allowing them to be freely taken out by staff or the like during disasters, when the control unit controls locking and unlocking of the life box, during normal times, a drive signal for driving the stopper shaft to the restricted position is output, and a drive signal for driving the sub-block shaft to the locked position is output. During disasters, a drive signal for driving the stopper shaft to the allowable position may be output, and a drive signal for driving the sub-block shaft to the unlocked position may be output.

[0009] Also, as an aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the problem of safely storing evacuation equipment and the like stored in the help box during normal times and allowing anyone to freely take them out during disasters, when the control unit controls locking and unlocking of the help box, during normal times, a drive signal for driving the stopper shaft to the allowable position is output, and a drive signal for driving the sub-block shaft to the locked position is output. During disasters, a drive signal for driving the stopper shaft to the allowable position may be output, and a drive signal for driving the sub-block shaft to the unlocked position may be output.

[0010] Furthermore, as an aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the problem of effectively using the lowermost lockers with low usage frequency for saving lives, each of the life box and the help box may be arranged at the lowermost stage of the disaster-responsive coin locker system.

Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, foodstuffs, evacuation equipment, etc. can be safely stored during normal times and easily taken out during disasters for use in saving lives.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the disaster response type coin locker system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the disaster response type coin locker system 1 of this embodiment mainly includes a normal box 2 that functions as a normal coin locker, a life box 3 for storing items necessary for maintaining life such as foodstuffs in the locker, and a help box 4 for storing items necessary for rescuing human lives such as evacuation equipment in the locker.

[0015] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the life box 3 and the help box 4 are designed to be slightly lower in height than the normal box 2 and are arranged at the lowermost stage of the disaster response type coin locker system 1. Therefore, it becomes possible to effectively use the lowermost locker with a low usage frequency during normal times for rescuing human lives. However, it is not limited to this configuration, and the sizes and arrangement locations of the life box 3 and the help box 4 may be arbitrarily set.

[0016] Also, in this embodiment, at the central part of the disaster response type coin locker system 1, as shown in FIG. 1, there are provided a touch panel 11 for displaying and operating various kinds of information, an electronic settlement unit 12 for settling usage fees with an IC card, a QR code (registered trademark), electronic money, etc., a coin insertion / return unit 13 for paying usage fees in cash, and a control unit 14 for individually controlling the unlocking or locking of the normal box 2, the life box 3, and the help box 4.

[0017] Normally, box 2 is a coin locker for storing the user's luggage and the like. In the present embodiment, after selecting the desired normal box 2 on the touch panel 11, the normal box 2 can be used by paying the usage fee from the electronic settlement unit 12 or the coin insertion / return unit 13.

[0018] The life box 3 is a locker for storing items necessary for maintaining life. As items necessary for maintaining life, food, drinking water, pharmaceuticals, daily necessities, etc., can be appropriately selected as long as they can be accommodated in the locker.

[0019] The help box 4 is a locker for storing items necessary for rescuing human lives. As items necessary for rescuing human lives, evacuation equipment, lighting equipment, life-saving equipment, radios, ropes, etc., can be appropriately selected as long as they can be accommodated in the locker.

[0020] In the present embodiment, each of the normal box 2, the life box 3, and the help box 4 has, as shown in FIG. 1, an openable and closable locker door 5 and a locking unit 6 for locking or unlocking the locker door 5.

[0021] The locking unit 6 is for locking or unlocking the locker door 5. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the locking unit 6 includes a main lock piece 61 for locking or unlocking the locker door 5, a key cylinder 62 for displacing the main lock piece 61 in the left-right direction, an upper actuator 63 for advancing and retracting a stopper shaft 63a that regulates the rotational movement of the key cylinder 62, and a lower actuator 64 for advancing and retracting a sub-lock shaft 64a for locking or unlocking the locker door 5. Hereinafter, each configuration will be described.

[0022] The main lock piece 61 locks or unlocks the locker door 5. In this embodiment, the main lock piece 61 is supported so as to be slidable in the left-right direction, and as shown in FIG. 2, it is configured to be displaceable between a locking position for locking the locker door 5 and an unlocking position for unlocking the locker door 5. Further, in this embodiment, an engaging recess 61a is provided at the lower end of the main lock piece 61, into which the tip of a pushing arm 62a provided on the key cylinder 62 engages.

[0023] The key cylinder 62 displaces the main lock piece 61 in the sliding direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the key cylinder 62 has a pushing arm 62a that engages with the engaging recess 61a of the main lock piece 61, a keyhole 62b into which the locker key LK is inserted, and a locking hole 62c into which the stopper shaft 63a of the upper actuator 63 is inserted. Then, the key cylinder 62 is rotated by the locker key LK inserted into the keyhole 62b, so as to displace the main lock piece 61 between the locking position and the unlocking position.

[0024] The upper actuator 63 advances and retracts a stopper shaft 63a that regulates the rotational movement of the key cylinder 62. In this embodiment, the upper actuator 63 is constituted by a latching solenoid, and according to a drive signal from the control unit 14, as shown in FIG. 2, it advances and retracts the stopper shaft 63a between a regulating position where it protrudes into the locking hole 62c of the key cylinder 62 to regulate the rotational movement of the key cylinder 62 and a permitting position where it retracts from the locking hole 62c to permit the rotational movement of the key cylinder 62.

[0025] Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper actuator 63 is disposed inside a casing 60 that can be opened and closed by a master key MK, and the stopper shaft 63a is configured to be set to the permitting position also by manual operation. Note that a master key hole 65 into which the master key MK is inserted is provided at the upper part of the casing 60.

[0026] The latching solenoid has a general configuration and changes the balance between the magnetic force of the permanent magnet and the elastic force of the coil spring by passing electricity through the coil, causing the stopper shaft 63a to move forward and backward. Therefore, once the stopper shaft 63a is driven to the regulation position or the allowable position, it holds that position without power supply.

[0027] The lower actuator 64 moves a sub-block shaft 64a forward and backward to lock or unlock the locker door 5 separately from the main lock piece 61. In the present embodiment, the lower actuator 64 is configured by a latching solenoid, similar to the upper actuator 63, and is disposed inside the casing 60. Then, according to the drive signal from the control unit 14, as shown in FIG. 2, the sub-block shaft 64a moves forward and backward between the locking position for locking the locker door 5 and the unlocking position for unlocking the locker door 5.

[0028] In the present embodiment, a normal lock unit 7 is provided in the normal box 2. The normal lock unit 7 is different from the lock unit 6 only in that it does not include the lower actuator 64, and other configurations are the same as those of the lock unit 6.

[0029] The control unit 14 outputs drive signals to the upper actuator 63 and the lower actuator 64. In the present embodiment, the control unit 14 is configured by an embedded computer or the like and is built in the central part of the disaster response type coin locker system 1 as shown in FIG. 1. Then, the control unit 14 outputs a drive signal for driving the stopper shaft 63a to either the regulation position or the allowable position to the upper actuator 63, and outputs a drive signal for driving the sub-block shaft 64a to either the locking position or the unlocking position to the lower actuator 64.

[0030] In addition, the control unit 14 is connected to an uninterruptible power supply device 7 so as to operate for several hours even when a power failure occurs, and is also connected to a terminal device 8 such as an administrator via a network such as the Internet. Then, even by a remote operation from the terminal device 8, a drive signal for driving the stopper shaft 63a can be output to the upper actuator 63, and a drive signal for driving the sub-block shaft 64a can be output to the lower actuator 64.

[0031] In the present embodiment, one control unit 14 is provided for one disaster response type coin locker system 1. And the control unit 14 is connected to the upper actuators 63 and the lower actuators 64 of all the lock units 6 provided in the disaster response type coin locker system 1. For this reason, the control unit 14 can individually control any lock unit 6. Further, the control unit 14 identifies the locker to be used based on a selection instruction from the touch panel 11, and is configured to detect that the usage fee has been paid at the electronic settlement unit 12 or the coin insertion / return unit 13.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the control unit 14 has a normal mode set during normal use and a disaster mode set during a disaster as control modes for controlling the locking and unlocking of the normal box 2.

[0033] Next, the operation of the disaster response type coin locker system 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0034] (1) Regarding the life box 3 When using the life box 3, first, articles necessary for maintaining life such as foodstuffs are stored in the life box 3. After that, when the locker door 5 is closed and the key cylinder 62 is rotated in the locking direction by the locker key LK, the locker is locked by the pushing arm 62a displacing the main lock piece 61 in the locking position direction. The locker key LK after locking is stored by the administrator of the life box 3 or the like.

[0035] After performing the above preparations, during normal times, the control unit 14 outputs a drive signal to drive the stopper shaft 63a to the regulated position and also outputs a drive signal to drive the sub-block shaft 64a to the locked position. As a result, the upper actuator 63 causes the stopper shaft 63a to protrude into the locking hole 62c, restricting the rotational movement of the key cylinder 62. For this reason, even if one tries to turn the locker key LK, it does not rotate, and the main lock piece 61 is held in the locked position. Also, the lower actuator 64 causes the sub-block shaft 64a to protrude to the locked position, creating a double-lock state together with the main lock piece 61.

[0036] On the other hand, during a disaster, the control unit 14 outputs a drive signal to drive the stopper shaft 63a to the allowable position and also outputs a drive signal to drive the sub-block shaft 64a to the unlocked position. As a result, the upper actuator 63 retracts the stopper shaft 63a from the locking hole 62c, allowing the rotational movement of the key cylinder 62. Also, the lower actuator 64 retracts the sub-block shaft 64a to the unlocked position. For this reason, when an administrator or the like rotates the key cylinder 62 in the unlocking direction using the locker key LK, the pushing arm 62a displaces the main lock piece 61 in the unlocking position direction, unlocking the locker.

[0037] As described above, by the control unit 14 controlling the locking and unlocking of the life box 3, during normal times, since the locker door 5 of the life box 3 is locked, foodstuffs and the like are safely stored. On the other hand, during a disaster, the life box 3 can have its locker door 5 opened and closed with a locker key without paying a usage fee, so that administrators and the like can freely take out foodstuffs and the like.

[0038] (2) Regarding the help box 4 When using the help box 4, first, place the items necessary for rescuing lives, such as evacuation equipment, inside the help box 4. Then, during normal times, without locking the locker door 5 with the locker key LK, the control unit 14 outputs a drive signal to drive the stopper shaft 63a to the allowable position and also outputs a drive signal to drive the sub-block shaft 64a to the locked position. For this reason, the locker door 5 is in a locked state by the sub-block shaft 64a.

[0039] On the other hand, during a disaster, the control unit 14 outputs a drive signal to drive the stopper shaft 63a to the allowable position and also outputs a drive signal to drive the sub-block shaft 64a to the unlocked position. As a result, the upper actuator 63 keeps the stopper shaft 63a retracted from the locking hole 62c and allows the rotation operation of the key cylinder 62. Also, the lower actuator 64 retracts the sub-block shaft 64a to the unlocked position. For this reason, the locker door 5 can be opened and closed without using the locker key LK.

[0040] As described above, by the control unit 14 controlling the locking and unlocking of the help box 4, during normal times, since the locker door 5 of the help box 4 is locked, the evacuation equipment and the like are safely stored. On the other hand, during a disaster, the help box 4 is configured such that the locker door 5 can be opened and closed without paying a usage fee and without using the locker key LK, so anyone can freely take out the evacuation equipment.

[0041] Note that in this embodiment, each of the life box 3 and the help box 4 can also be operated as a normal box 2 when the power supply of the disaster response type coin locker system 1 is once lost or restarted after taking out the stored items.

[0042] (3) Regarding the normal box 2 When the normal box 2 is usually used, it is set to the normal mode during normal use. In this normal mode, when the usage fee is paid, the control unit 14 outputs a drive signal to drive the stopper shaft 63a to the allowable position. As a result, the upper actuator 63 retracts the stopper shaft 63a from the locking hole 62c and allows the key cylinder 62 to rotate. Therefore, when the key cylinder 62 is rotated in the locking direction by the locker key LK, the pushing arm 62a displaces the main lock piece 61 in the locking position direction, and the locker door 5 is locked.

[0043] Also, once the locked locker door 5 is unlocked by the locker key LK, the control unit 14 outputs a drive signal to drive the stopper shaft 63a to the restricted position. As a result, the upper actuator 63 projects the stopper shaft 63a into the locking hole 62c and restricts the rotation of the key cylinder 62. Therefore, unless the usage fee is paid, the locker key LK cannot be rotated even if an attempt is made to rotate it, and the state where the normal box 2 cannot be used is maintained.

[0044] On the other hand, during a disaster, the control unit 14 is set to the disaster mode. The control unit 14 set to this disaster mode outputs a drive signal to drive the stopper shaft 63a to the allowable position and keeps it held at the allowable position. As a result, without paying the usage fee, the locker door 5 can be freely locked and unlocked by the locker key LK, so that the user can use the normal box 2 for free. That is, during a disaster, the luggage can be freely taken in and out any number of times only by the locker key LK, and it is also possible to evacuate in a light state.

[0045] A table summarizing the states of the stopper shaft 63a and the sub-block shaft 64a during normal times and disasters for each of the above-described normal box 2, life box 3, and help box 4 is shown in FIG. 3.

[0046] According to the disaster-responsive coin locker system 1 of the present embodiment as described above, the following effects are obtained. 1. Ordinarily, foodstuffs, evacuation equipment, etc. can be safely stored, and in the event of a disaster, they can be easily taken out and used for saving lives. 2. The lock unit 6 and the control unit 14 can easily and surely control the locking and unlocking of the life box 3 and the help box 4. 3. Foodstuffs, etc. stored in the life box 3 can be safely stored ordinarily and can be freely taken out by staff, etc. in the event of a disaster. 4. Evacuation equipment, etc. stored in the help box 4 can be safely stored ordinarily and can be freely taken out by anyone in the event of a disaster. 5. The lowermost locker with low usage frequency can be effectively used for saving lives.

[0047] Note that the disaster response type coin locker system 1 according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the lock unit 6 may be applied to a normal open locker in which the locker door 5 is always unlocked in an unused state, or may be applied to a normal close locker in which the locker door 5 is always locked in an unused state.

Explanation of Signs

[0048] 1 Disaster response type coin locker system 11 Touch panel 12 Electronic payment unit 13 Coin insertion / return unit 14 Control unit 2 Normal box 3 Life box 4 Help box 5 Locker door 6 Lock unit 7 Normal lock unit 60 Casing 61 Main lock piece 61a Engagement recess 62 Key cylinder 62a Pushing arm 62b Keyhole 62c is a locking hole 63 Upper actuator 63a Stopper shaft 64 Lower actuator 64a Sub-block shaft 65 Master key hole 7 Uninterruptible power supply device 8 Terminal device LK Locking key MK Master key

Claims

1. A disaster response type coin locker system that can be used for saving lives in case of disasters, a life box for storing articles necessary for maintaining life such as foodstuffs in the locker, a help box for storing articles necessary for rescuing human lives such as evacuation equipment in the locker, having, the life box is configured such that the locker door is locked in normal times and can be opened and closed by a locker key without paying a usage fee in case of disasters, and the help box is configured such that the locker door is locked in normal times and can be opened and closed without paying a usage fee and without using the locker key in case of disasters, a disaster response type coin locker system.

2. In each of the life box and the help box, a main lock piece displaceable between a locking position for locking the locker door and an unlocking position for unlocking the locker door, a key cylinder rotated by the locker key inserted into the keyhole to displace the main lock piece between the locking position and the unlocking position, an upper actuator for advancing and retracting a stopper shaft between a restricting position protruding into a locking hole provided in the key cylinder to restrict the rotation operation of the key cylinder and an allowing position retracted from the locking hole to allow the rotation operation of the key cylinder, a lower actuator for advancing and retracting a sub-lock shaft between a locking position for locking the locker door and an unlocking position for unlocking the locker door, a locking front unit provided with, outputting a drive signal for driving the stopper shaft to either the restricting position or the allowing position with respect to the upper actuator, and having a control unit that outputs a drive signal for driving the sub-lock shaft to either the locking position or the unlocking position with respect to the lower actuator, the disaster response type coin locker system according to Claim 1.

3. When the control unit controls the locking and unlocking of the life box, in normal times, it outputs a drive signal for driving the stopper shaft to the restricting position and a drive signal for driving the sub-lock shaft to the locking position, in case of disasters, it outputs a drive signal for driving the stopper shaft to the allowing position and a drive signal for driving the sub-lock shaft to the unlocking position, The disaster response type coin locker system according to claim 2.

4. When the control unit controls locking and unlocking of the help box, In normal times, it outputs a drive signal for driving the stopper shaft to the allowable position and outputs a drive signal for driving the sub-block shaft to the locked position, In the event of a disaster, it outputs a drive signal for driving the stopper shaft to the allowable position and outputs a drive signal for driving the sub-block shaft to the unlocked position, The disaster response type coin locker system according to claim 2.

5. Each of the life box and the help box is arranged at the lowermost stage of the disaster response type coin locker system. The disaster response type coin locker system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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