Dispenser

Abstract

To provide a dispenser which enables emergency stop of supply of supplied objects without impairing the appearance.SOLUTION: A non-contact sensor 46 which detects a detected object, such as a hand or a finger, in a non-contact manner is disposed on a front panel 22. In a detection state of the non-contact sensor 46, a shutter device and a water supply valve operate to discharge supplied objects, such as ice and water, to the outside. A front cover 26 is detachably disposed on the front panel 22. In the front panel 22, a proximity switch 52 which detects removal of the front cover 26 from the front panel 22 is disposed at a portion covered with the front cover 26. When the proximity switch 52 detects the removal of the front cover 26 in the detection state of the non-contact sensor 46, emergency stop of discharge of the supplied objects by the shutter device and the water supply valve is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser capable of supplying a supply object. [Background technology]

[0002] As a dispenser for supplying a supply object, for example, a dispenser equipped with an ice maker and capable of supplying ice as a supply object is known, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2. This dispenser is provided with an ice discharge part that opens downward at the front of the main body, and a non-contact switch that detects a container such as a cup without contact is provided below the discharge part. The dispenser is configured to discharge ice from the discharge part and supply it to the container when the non-contact switch detects that a container is positioned below the discharge part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4286028 Publication [Patent Document 2] JP 2003-162766 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the dispenser, when the surface of the detection part of the non-contact switch becomes dirty, a foreign object adheres to the surface of the detection part, or the non-contact switch itself breaks down, the non-contact switch goes into a detection state even though there is no container below the discharge part, and the ice is discharged, causing the ice to scatter around and wet or dirty the area around the dispenser. When the non-contact switch is used as a supply switch for the object to be supplied, it is necessary to provide a separate emergency stop switch for emergency stopping the dispenser in order to deal with an abnormality in which ice is continuously discharged due to a failure of the non-contact switch, but there is a drawback in that the appearance is poor when the emergency stop switch is exposed to the outside of the main body. In addition, if a user mistakenly operates the emergency stop switch even when the non-contact switch is in a normal state without any malfunction, the dispenser goes into an emergency stop state and ice is no longer discharged, which leads to the problem of being mistakenly recognized as a malfunction.

[0005] The present invention has been proposed in consideration of the above-mentioned problems inherent in the conventional technology described above, in order to optimally solve these problems, and aims to provide a dispenser that can emergency stop the supply of the dispensed material without compromising the appearance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to overcome the above problems and achieve the intended purpose, First Measure teeth, A dispenser is provided with a non-contact detection means capable of detecting an object without contact in a main body in which a supply mechanism for supplying an object is disposed, and the dispenser is capable of supplying the object by operating the supply mechanism based on detection by the non-contact detection means, A cover detachably disposed on the main body; The cover is provided at a portion covered by the cover, and the cover is removed from the main body. Remove and a cover detection means for detecting that the cover has been opened. The gist of the invention is that when the cover detection means detects that the cover has been removed while the supply mechanism is in operation, an emergency stop state is established to stop the operation of the supply mechanism. This configuration In the normal use state of the dispenser in which a cover is attached to the main body, the cover detection means for putting the supply mechanism into an emergency stop state to stop the supply of the object to be supplied is covered by the cover and is not exposed to the outside, so that the supply of the object to be supplied can be stopped without degrading the appearance of the dispenser. Also, in the normal use state of the dispenser, the cover detection means covered by the cover cannot be directly accessed, so that the cover detection means is erroneously put into a detection state even when it is in a normal state, and the dispenser can be prevented from being put into an emergency stop state.

[0007] In order to overcome the above problems and achieve the intended purpose, Second Measure teeth, A dispenser is provided with a non-contact detection means capable of detecting an object without contact in a main body in which a supply mechanism for supplying an object is disposed, and the dispenser is capable of supplying the object by operating the supply mechanism based on detection by the non-contact detection means, The device includes an operation unit that can be operated by a user, The gist of the invention is that when the supply mechanism is in operation, if the operating unit is operated in an emergency stop operating mode that is different from a normal operating mode, the supply mechanism is configured to enter an emergency stop state in which the operation of the supply mechanism is stopped. This configuration In the present invention, the supply mechanism is put into an emergency stop state by operating the operation unit in an emergency stop operation mode, so that the supply of the object to be supplied is stopped. Therefore, there is no need to expose an emergency stop switch for emergency stop on the outside of the main body, and the supply of the object to be supplied can be stopped without degrading the appearance of the dispenser. In addition, the emergency stop operation mode of the operation unit for putting the supply mechanism into an emergency stop state is different from the normal operation mode, so that the dispenser can be prevented from being put into an emergency stop state by mistake. Furthermore, since a separate emergency stop switch is not provided, an increase in costs can be prevented.

[0008] Third Optionteeth, The device includes an operation unit that can be operated by a user, The present invention is characterized in that, in the emergency stop state, when the operation unit is operated in a stop release operation mode different from a normal operation mode, the emergency stop state is released. This configuration In the above, when the operation unit is operated in the stop release operation mode, the emergency stop state of the supply mechanism is released, so that it is possible to prevent the emergency stop state from being released unintentionally. In other words, the emergency stop state can be maintained until the malfunction related to the non-contact detection means is eliminated, and it is possible to prevent the recurrence of abnormal supply of the supply object caused by the malfunction, which would be caused by the emergency stop state being released without the malfunction being eliminated.

[0009] 4th Measure teeth, The device includes an operation unit that can be operated by a user, The present invention is characterized in that, when the operation unit is operated in an invalid operation mode different from a normal operation mode, the operation unit is configured to switch to an invalid mode in which detection by the non-contact detection means is invalid. This configuration When the operating unit is operated in an invalid operation mode, it switches to an invalid mode which disables detection by the non-contact detection means. Therefore, if the mode is switched to the invalid mode before performing maintenance such as inspecting or cleaning the dispenser, maintenance can be performed without worrying about the non-contact detection means entering a detection state and causing the material to be supplied. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the dispenser of the present invention, an emergency stop can be made in the event of abnormal supply of the material to be supplied caused by a malfunction of the non-contact detection means or the like, without degrading the appearance of the dispenser. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a dispenser according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view showing a main part of a dispenser according to a first embodiment, with a part cut away. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of the dispenser according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the dispenser according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an operation process of the dispenser according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Next, a dispenser according to the present invention will be described below by way of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. EXAMPLES

[0013] 1 and 2, the dispenser of the first embodiment has an ice maker 12, a stocker 14 for storing ice (supplied object) produced by the ice maker 12, and a refrigeration device (not shown) for cooling the ice making section of the ice maker 12, arranged inside a box-shaped main body 10. Also, on the front side of the stocker 14, there are located an ice discharge section (discharge section) 16 capable of discharging ice from the stocker 14 downward, and a water discharge section (discharge section) 18 capable of discharging water (supplied object, drinking water) downward, and a shutter device 42 (described later) for supplying ice stored in the stocker 14 to the ice discharge section 16 is arranged. Main body 10 comprises a housing section 20 in which ice maker 12, stocker 14, etc. are housed, and a front panel 22 that is detachably disposed on the upper front surface of housing section 20, opens downward and protrudes forward, and front panel 22 is disposed on housing section 20 so as to cover ice discharge section 16, part of water discharge section 18, and shutter device 42 from the front side. In addition, a receiving stand 24 on which a container such as a cup can be placed is provided on the lower front surface of housing section 20 so as to protrude forward.

[0014] A front cover (cover) 26 is detachably disposed on the front panel 22, covering from the front the lower sides of the ice discharge portion 16 and the water discharge portion 18 that are not covered by the front panel 22, and is configured so that maintenance such as cleaning and inspection of the lower sides of the ice discharge portion 16 and the water discharge portion 18 can be performed by removing the front cover 26 from the front panel 22 (main body 10). The front cover 26 opens downward to allow ice and water to be discharged from the discharge ports of the ice discharge portion 16 and the water discharge portion 18, and the ice and water discharged from the ice discharge portion 16 and the water discharge portion 18 are supplied to a container placed on the receiving stand 24.

[0015] The front cover 26 is configured to be attached to and detached from the front side of the front panel 22 via a plurality of locking means (not shown) without using tools. In the first embodiment, locking holes opened in the wall of the front panel 22 and locking claws provided on the front cover 26 are adopted as the locking means, and the front cover 26 is attached to the front panel 22 by inserting the corresponding locking claws into each locking hole of the front panel 22 and locking the locking claws to the wall of the front panel 22. The locking of the locking claws to the wall of the front panel 22 is configured to be easily released by the force of the user. In addition, fixing magnets (not shown) are arranged at a plurality of positions on the back surface of the front cover 26, and a metal plate (magnetic material) is provided on the front wall corresponding to each fixing magnet in the front panel 22, and the front cover 26 is positioned and held on the front panel 22 by attracting the fixing magnets to the metal plate.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the front panel 22 constituting the outside of the main body 10 is provided with a control panel 28 having various buttons that can be manually operated by a user. The control panel 28 is provided with an ice selection button 30 for selecting the release of ice only, an ice / water selection button 32 for selecting the release of both ice and water, a water selection button 34 for selecting the release of water only, and a supply button 36 for releasing (supplying) the type of supply object selected by the selection buttons 30, 32, 34. As shown in Fig. 4, the control panel 28 is electrically connected to a control means 38 for controlling the dispenser, and the control means 38 is configured to operate and control supply mechanisms 42, 44 (described later) by operating the supply button 36 to release the supply object selected by the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 from the discharge parts 16, 18. Switches corresponding to the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 and the supply button 36 are provided on a board 40 disposed on the rear side of the control panel 28, and the manually operated buttons 30, 32, 34, 36 are detected by the switches. In the first embodiment, the control means 38 is configured to control the operation of the supply mechanisms 42, 44 so that the supply mechanism 42, 44 continues to discharge the material while the supply button 36 is being operated, i.e., while the corresponding switch continues to detect the operation, and stops discharging the material when the switch becomes undetectable.

[0017] 4, the control panel 28 is provided with lamps 30a, 32a, 34a, 36a such as LEDs corresponding to the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 and the supply button 36, respectively, and is configured to notify the type of the selected supply object by lighting the selection lamps 30a, 32a, 34a corresponding to the selection buttons 30, 32, 34. When any one of the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 is operated, the control means 38 lights the selection lamps 30a, 32a, 34a corresponding to the operated selection button 30, 32, 34, and recognizes that the type of supply object corresponding to the operated selection button 30, 32, 34 has been selected. In addition, when a type of object to be supplied is selected and another selection button 30, 32, 34 is operated, the control means 38 turns off the selection lamps 30a, 32a, 34a of the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 corresponding to the type of object to be supplied that was selected up until now, turns on the selection lamps 30a, 32a, 34a corresponding to the newly operated selection button 30, 32, 34, and recognizes that the type of object to be supplied corresponding to the newly operated selection button 30, 32, 34 has been selected. The supply lamp 36a as an informing means corresponding to the supply button 36 is configured to inform that the object to be supplied is in a state where it can be supplied by turning it on. Note that, when the type of object to be supplied is selected by operating the selection buttons 30, 32, 34, hereafter, it may be said that the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 are selected.

[0018] In the first embodiment, a known auger type ice maker 12 is used as the ice maker 12 disposed inside the main body 10. The auger type ice maker 12 forms a layer of thin ice on the inner wall surface of a freezer casing (ice making section) that is forcibly cooled by a refrigeration device, and the thin ice is transferred upward while being scraped off by an auger disposed inside the freezer casing. The flake-shaped ice scraped off by the auger and transferred upward is compressed by passing through a pressing head, and the compressed ice is released and stored in the stocker 14 disposed at the top of the freezer casing. In addition, a shutter device 42 serving as an ice supply mechanism (supply mechanism) is arranged in the ice guide path between the stocker 14 and the ice discharge section 16, and when either the ice selection button 30 or the ice and water selection button 32 is selected, the control means 38 operates and controls the shutter device 42 to open the ice guide path by operating the supply button 36, and the ice stored in the stocker 14 is guided via the ice guide path to the ice discharge section 16 and discharged from the ice discharge section 16 to the outside.

[0019] A drinking pipe (not shown) connected to a water tank or an external water source is disposed inside the main body 10, and the water discharge unit 18 is connected downstream of a water supply valve 44 (see FIG. 4) disposed on the drinking pipe. When either the ice water selection button 32 or the water selection button 34 is selected, the control means 38 controls the water supply valve 44 to open by operating the supply button 36, and water from the water tank or the external water source is discharged from the water discharge unit 18 to the outside. In the first embodiment, the water supply valve 44 constitutes a water supply mechanism (supply mechanism). The water supply valve 44 of the water supply mechanism and the shutter device 42 as the ice supply mechanism are electrically connected to the control means 38. The control means 38 is configured to discharge only ice, ice and water, or only water by controlling the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 according to the selection state of the selection buttons 30, 32, and 34. That is, the dispenser of the first embodiment is configured to be able to selectively supply a plurality of types of objects to be supplied (ice only, ice and water, water only) by the supply mechanism of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44. In the first embodiment, a state in which the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 are operated to open the ice guide path and the valve is a state in which objects to be supplied such as ice and water are supplied, and a state in which the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 are operated to close the ice guide path and the valve is a state in which objects to be supplied such as ice and water are not supplied, and in the first embodiment, the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 to close the ice guide path and the valve to achieve the non-supply state is referred to as stopping the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44.

[0020] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a non-contact sensor 46 is provided on the front panel 22 as a non-contact detection means capable of detecting a detection object such as a finger without contact. In the first embodiment, a reflective optical sensor is used as the non-contact sensor 46. A sensor window 48 made of a resin plate that is light-transmittable is provided on the front panel 22, and the non-contact sensor 46 that irradiates light toward the sensor window 48 is provided on the substrate 40 facing the back side of the sensor window 48. The non-contact sensor 46 detects the presence of the detection object by receiving light reflected by the detection object present in a detection area set in front of the sensor window 48. The non-contact sensor 46 is configured to output a detection signal to the control means 38 when it detects the presence of the detection object. The control means 38 is configured to control the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 according to the selection state of the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 based on the detection signal output from the non-contact sensor 46, and to discharge only ice, ice and water, or only water. That is, the dispenser of the first embodiment is configured to supply the object to be supplied based on either the manual operation of the supply button 36 or the output of the detection signal of the non-contact sensor 46 (detection by non-contact of the object to be detected). The detection area of ​​the non-contact sensor 46 is set in a range of about 10 to 50 mm in front of the sensor window 48, and is configured to cause the non-contact sensor 46 to enter a detection state and output a detection signal by holding a finger in front of the non-contact sensor 46 in the detection area. The control means 38 also controls the operation of the supply mechanisms 42, 44 so as to continue discharging the object to be supplied while the non-contact sensor 46 is in a state where it outputs a detection signal, i.e., while the detection state is continuing, and to stop discharging the object to be supplied when the non-contact sensor 46 enters a non-detection state.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, a power switch 50 electrically connected to the control means 38 is provided in a portion of the front panel 22 covered by the front cover 26, and the power switch 50 is exposed to the outside and can be switched by removing the front cover 26 from the front panel 22. When the power switch 50 is manually turned ON, power to the dispenser is turned ON, and when the power switch 50 is manually turned OFF, power to the dispenser is turned OFF. That is, by switching the power switch 50, the dispenser can be switched between an operable state (power ON) and an operation-stopped state (power OFF).

[0022] 3, the front panel 22 is provided with a cover detection means 52 at a portion covered by the front cover 26, which detects that the front cover 26 has been removed from the front panel 22. In the first embodiment, a proximity switch 52 is used as the cover detection means 52, and the proximity switch 52 is configured to be able to detect a detection magnet 54 (magnetic) disposed on the back surface of the front cover 26 in a state in which the front cover 26 is attached to the front panel 22. That is, in the first embodiment, the proximity switch 52 detects the detection magnet 54 to detect that the front cover 26 is attached to the front panel 22, and detects that the front cover 26 has been removed from the front panel 22 by not detecting the detection magnet 54 (becoming non-detecting). The proximity switch 52 is electrically connected to the control means 38, and the control means 38 is configured to turn on the power to the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 when the proximity switch 52 detects the detection magnet 54, and to set up a supply possible state in which the object to be supplied can be discharged by the operation of the supply button 36 or the detection of the non-contact sensor 46. On the other hand, when the proximity switch 52 does not detect the detection magnet 54, the control means 38 is configured to turn off the power to the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44, and to set up an emergency stop state in which the object to be supplied is not discharged by the operation of the supply button 36 or the detection of the non-contact sensor 46. That is, the shutter device 42 is configured to close the ice guide path to stop the discharge of ice by turning off the power, and the water supply valve 44 is configured to close the valve to stop the discharge of water by turning off the power.

[0023] [Function of Example 1] Next, the operation of the dispenser according to the first embodiment will be described. 3, when the front cover 26 is attached to the front panel 22, the proximity switch 52 detects the detection magnet 54, and the electricity to the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 is ON. For example, when the ice and water selection button 32 is operated to select ice and water, and the user places a container on the receiving base 24 and places his / her finger in front of the non-contact sensor 46 in the detection area of ​​the non-contact sensor 46, the non-contact sensor 46 enters a detection state and outputs a detection signal to the control means 38. Based on the detection signal output from the non-contact sensor 46, the control means 38 controls the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 to open the ice guide path and the valve, and the ice and water discharged from the ice discharge portion 16 and the water discharge portion 18 are supplied to the container. When the fingers are removed from the detection area, the non-contact sensor 46 goes into a non-detecting state, and the control means 38 controls the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 to close the ice guide path and the valve, thereby stopping the release of ice and water.

[0024] When the non-contact sensor 46 is in a detection state due to a defect such as dirt on the sensor window 48, adhesion of foreign matter, or a failure of the non-contact sensor 46 itself, the control means 38 controls the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 to open the ice guideway and the valve, which causes a situation in which ice and water are discharged from the outlet without the user's intention. In this case, when the front cover 26 is removed from the front panel 22, the proximity switch 52 no longer detects the detection magnet 54, and the control means 38 turns off the power supply to the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 (sets to an emergency stop state in which the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 is stopped). As a result, even if the non-contact sensor 46 is in a detection state, the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 are forced to close the ice guideway and the valve, and the discharge of ice and water can be stopped in an emergency, so that it is possible to prevent ice and water from scattering around and getting wet or dirty around the dispenser.

[0025] The dispenser of Example 1 is configured so that, when the proximity switch 52 provided in the portion covered by the front cover 26 detects that the front cover 26 has been removed from the front panel 22, it stops the operation (closing the ice guideway and valve) of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 in operation (opening the ice guideway and valve) to enter an emergency stop state, thereby making it possible to stop the discharge of the supplied material in an emergency. That is, in the normal use state of the dispenser in which the front cover 26 is attached to the front panel 22, the proximity switch 52 is covered by the front cover 26 and is not exposed to the outside, so that the discharge of the supplied material can be stopped in an emergency without impairing the appearance of the dispenser. In addition, since the proximity switch 52 is not exposed on the outer surface of the dispenser when the dispenser is in normal use, it is possible to prevent a user from accidentally setting the proximity switch 52 to a state in which it does not detect the detection magnet 54 (a state in which the switch detects that the front cover 26 has been removed from the front panel 22), and it is possible to prevent a situation in which the dispenser is unable to discharge the object even though it is operating normally. Furthermore, since the front cover 26 functions to cover the lower sides of the ice discharge portion 16 and the water discharge portion 18, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated member for setting the proximity switch 52 to a state in which the switch detects that the front cover 26 has been removed from the front panel 22, and it is possible to suppress an increase in costs.

[0026] Here, by turning the power switch 50 to the OFF state, it is possible to turn off the power supply to the dispenser and emergency stop the discharge of the object by the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44, but with the power switch 50 in the OFF state, the operation of the auger type ice maker 12 and the refrigeration device is also stopped. However, in the dispenser of the first embodiment, when the discharge of the object is emergency stopped by removing the front cover 26, the power supply to the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 is turned off, but the power supply to the dispenser is turned on, so that the ice making operation of the auger ice maker 12 can be continued even in the emergency stop state. Therefore, if the discharge of the object is not caused by a failure of the non-contact sensor 46 but is caused by dirt or adhesion of foreign matter on the sensor window 48, the dispenser can be used immediately after cleaning. EXAMPLES

[0027] Next, a dispenser according to Example 2 will be described only in terms of the configuration different from that of Example 1. The same members as those described in Example 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0028] In the first embodiment, the discharge of the object to be supplied is stopped in an emergency (the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 is stopped) by removing the front cover 26 from the front panel 22, but in the second embodiment, the discharge of the object to be supplied is stopped in an emergency by using an existing button provided on the control panel 28. That is, in the second embodiment, when the control means 38 determines that two of the three selection buttons 30, 34 (the ice selection button and the water selection button in the second embodiment) are operated in an operation manner in which they are pressed and held simultaneously for a specific time (three seconds or more in the second embodiment), the control means 38 is configured to forcibly turn off the power supply to the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 (stopping the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 to close the ice guideway and the valve) and to emergency stop the discharge of the object to be supplied. Here, the three selection buttons 30, 32, 34 are configured so that the state of selecting the type of the object to be supplied is switched by pressing one of the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 once for a time shorter than a specific time (3 seconds), and the operation mode of pressing one of the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 once for a time shorter than the specific time is set as a normal operation mode, and the operation mode of simultaneously pressing the two selection buttons 30, 34 for a specific time or longer is set as an emergency stop operation mode different from the normal operation mode. Note that the control means 38 determines that the operation has been performed in the emergency stop operation mode when the ON signals from the two switches corresponding to the two selection buttons 30, 34 continue for three seconds. In the second embodiment, the three selection buttons 30, 32, 34, the state of selecting the type of object to be supplied related to the release (supply) of the object to be supplied is switched by operation, are the operation unit.

[0029] The dispenser of the second embodiment is configured to release the emergency stop state and return to a supply state in which the supply object can be discharged when the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 are operated in a stop release operation mode different from the normal operation mode in an emergency stop state in which the discharge of the supply object is emergency stopped by operating the two selection buttons 30, 34 in an emergency stop operation mode. Specifically, when the control means 38 determines that two selection buttons 32, 34 (the ice water selection button and the water selection button in the second embodiment) different from the combination in the emergency stop operation mode among the three selection buttons 30, 32, 34 are operated in a stop release operation mode in which they are pressed and held simultaneously for a specific time (3 seconds or more in the second embodiment), the control means 38 turns on the power supply to the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44, releases the emergency stop state of the supply of the supply object by the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44, and returns to a supply state. It should be noted that the control means 38 determines that the operation has been performed in the stop release operation mode when the ON signals from the two switches corresponding to the two selection buttons 32, 34 continue for three seconds.

[0030] In addition, the dispenser of the second embodiment is configured to switch to an invalid mode in which the detection of the object by the non-contact sensor 46 is invalid when the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 are operated in an invalid operation mode different from the normal operation mode in a supply-enabled state in which the dispenser can normally discharge the object to be supplied (normal mode in which the detection of the object to be detected by the non-contact sensor 46 is valid). Specifically, when the control means 38 determines that two selection buttons 30, 32 (the ice selection button and the ice water selection button in the second embodiment) of the three selection buttons 30, 32, 34, which are different from the combination in the emergency stop operation mode and the stop release operation mode, are operated in an invalid operation mode in which they are pressed and held simultaneously for a specific time (3 seconds or more in the embodiment), the control means 38 switches from the normal mode to an invalid mode in which the detection of the object to be detected by the non-contact sensor 46 is invalid. That is, in the invalid mode, the object to be supplied can be discharged only by operating the supply button 36. Moreover, the dispenser of the second embodiment is configured to switch from the invalid mode to the normal mode when the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 are operated in a mode switching operation mode different from the normal operation mode, the emergency stop operation mode, the stop release operation mode, and the invalid operation mode in the invalid mode. Specifically, when the control means 38 determines that the three selection buttons 30, 32, 34 are operated in a mode switching operation mode in which they are simultaneously pressed and held for a specific time (3 seconds or more in the embodiment), the control means 38 switches from the invalid mode to the normal mode. The control means 38 determines that the operation is performed in the invalid operation mode when the ON signals from the two switches corresponding to the two selection buttons 30, 32 continue for 3 seconds, and determines that the operation is performed in the mode switching operation mode when the ON signals from the three switches corresponding to the three selection buttons 30, 32, 34 continue for 3 seconds.

[0031] The control means 38 is configured to switch the state of the supply lamp 36a from on, which indicates that the discharge of the object to be supplied is possible, to off, when the emergency stop state is established based on the selection buttons 30, 34 being operated in the emergency stop operation mode, to notify that the discharge of the object to be supplied has been emergency stopped. The control means 38 is also configured to switch the state of the supply lamp 36a to blink, when the emergency stop state is established based on the selection buttons 30, 32 being operated in the invalid operation mode, to notify that the invalid mode, i.e., the discharge of the object to be detected by the non-contact sensor 46 has been restricted, by switching the state of the supply lamp 36a to blink. Note that the state change by the supply lamp 36a to notify that the discharge of the object to be supplied has been emergency stopped or that the mode has been switched to the invalid mode is not limited to turning off or blinking, but may be changed in color (for example, blue in the normal mode, red in the emergency stop state, yellow in the invalid mode, etc.).

[0032] [Function of Example 2] Next, an operation process related to the non-contact sensor 46, which is executed by the control means 38 of the dispenser according to the second embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG. In step S10, the control means 38 judges whether the selection buttons 30, 32 have been operated in an invalid operation mode, and if the judgment result in step S10 is negative (i.e., normal mode), the control means 38 proceeds to step S11 and judges whether the non-contact sensor 46 is in a detection state. If the judgment result in step S11 is negative (i.e., a non-detection state in which the non-contact sensor 46 does not detect an object to be detected), the control means 38 repeats the operation process. If the judgment result in step S11 is positive, the control means 38 controls the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 to open the ice guideway and the valve, and releases the object to be supplied (step S12).

[0033] Next, the control means 38 judges whether the selection buttons 30, 34 have been operated in an emergency stop operation mode (step S13). If the judgment result of step S13 is negative, the control means 38 proceeds to step S14, where it judges whether the non-contact sensor 46 has entered a non-detection state, and if the judgment result of step S14 is negative, it returns to step S12 and continues the discharge of the object to be supplied. Then, if the judgment result of step S14 is positive, the control means 38 controls the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 to close the ice guideway and the valve, thereby stopping the discharge of the object to be supplied (step S15).

[0034] If the judgment result of step S13 is positive during the discharge of the object to be supplied (while the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 are operating to open the ice guideway and the valve), the control means 38 forcibly turns off the power supply to the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44, thereby controlling the operation of the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 to close the ice guideway and the valve (stopping the operation), and emergency stopping the discharge of the object to be supplied (step S16). That is, in a state in which the object to be supplied is abnormally discharged due to a malfunction of the non-contact sensor 46 or the like, the discharge of the object to be supplied can be emergency stopped by operating the selection buttons 30, 34 in the emergency stop operation mode. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ice or water from scattering around and wetting or soiling the surroundings.

[0035] In the emergency stop state of the object to be supplied, the control means 38 judges whether the selection buttons 32, 34 are operated in the stop release operation mode in step S17, and if the judgment result of step S17 is negative, the control means 38 repeats step S17. Then, if the judgment result of step S17 is positive, the control means 38 releases the emergency stop state (step S18). That is, the control means 38 turns on the power supply to the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44, and restores the supply state in which the object to be supplied can be discharged.

[0036] If the determination result of step S10 is positive, that is, if the control means 38 determines that the selection buttons 30, 32 have been operated in an invalid operation mode, the process proceeds to step S19 and switches to the invalid mode. That is, the detection of the non-contact sensor 46 is invalidated, and even if work is performed in the detection area of ​​the non-contact sensor 46 during maintenance such as cleaning, ice and water are not discharged from the discharge parts 16, 18, and it is possible to prevent the ice and water from splashing around and getting the surroundings wet or dirty.

[0037] The control means 38 judges whether or not the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 are operated in a mode switching operation manner in the disabled mode (step S20). If the judgment result of step S20 is negative, the control means 38 repeats step S20. If the judgment result of step S20 is positive, the control means 38 switches from the disabled mode to the normal mode (step S21).

[0038] In the dispenser of the second embodiment, the existing selection buttons 30, 32, 34 are used to emergency stop the discharge of the object to be supplied (to put the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 into an emergency stop state), so there is no need to expose an emergency stop switch for emergency stop on the outside of the main body, and the supply of the object to be supplied can be stopped in an emergency without deteriorating the appearance of the dispenser. In addition, by using the existing selection buttons 30, 32, 34, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost. Furthermore, the emergency stop operation mode when operating the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 to emergency stop the supply of the object to be supplied by the shutter device 42 and the water supply valve 44 is different from the normal operation mode, so it is possible to suppress the dispenser from being erroneously put into an emergency stop state.

[0039] In the dispenser of the second embodiment, the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 are operated in the stop release operation mode to release the emergency stop state in which the discharge of the object to be supplied is stopped, and the dispenser is configured to return to the normal supply possible state, so that the emergency stop state can be prevented from being released unintentionally. That is, the emergency stop state can be maintained until the malfunction related to the non-contact sensor 46 is eliminated, and the emergency stop state can be prevented from being released without the malfunction being eliminated, so that the abnormal discharge of the object to be supplied due to the malfunction can be prevented from recurring. In addition, since the dispenser is configured to return to the supply possible state using the existing selection buttons 30, 32, 34, it is possible to suppress design changes and cost increases due to the provision of a dedicated return button or the like.

[0040] In the dispenser of the second embodiment, the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 are operated in the invalid operation mode to switch to the invalid mode in which the detection of the non-contact sensor 46 is invalid, so that if the mode is switched to the invalid mode before maintenance such as inspection or cleaning of the dispenser is performed, maintenance can be performed without worrying about the non-contact sensor 46 being in a detection state and the supply object being discharged. In addition, since the existing selection buttons 30, 32, 34 are used to switch to the invalid mode, it is possible to suppress design changes and cost increases due to the provision of a dedicated mode switching button or the like.

[0041] Here, in the dispenser, if the power switch 50 is switched to the OFF state, the dispenser can be put into a stopped state, but in order to operate the power switch 50, the front cover 26 must be removed, which is time-consuming. In contrast, in the dispenser of the second embodiment, the detection of the non-contact sensor 46 can be disabled simply by operating the existing selection buttons 30, 32, 34 provided on the front panel 22 in the invalid operation mode without removing the front cover 26, so there is no hassle. In addition, not only during cleaning work, but also when changing the placement of the dispenser, the detection of the non-contact sensor 46 can be disabled without any hassle, so the burden on the user can be reduced. In addition, since it is necessary to operate the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 in the invalid operation mode to switch to the invalid mode, it is possible to prevent general customers who are unaware of the invalid operation mode from operating the selection buttons 30, 32, 34 and erroneously switching to the invalid mode.

[0042] [Example of change] The present invention is not limited to the configurations of Examples 1 and 2, and can be modified as follows, for example. Furthermore, the configurations described in Examples 1 and 2 can be modified in various ways within the scope of the present invention, without being limited to the following modifications. (1) In the first and second embodiments, the non-contact detection means is not limited to an optical sensor, and various sensors and switches, such as an induction type, a capacitance type, an ultrasonic type, or a magnetic type, can be used. (2) In the first and second embodiments, an auger type ice maker is used as the ice maker. However, various types of ice makers, such as a jet type or a flow type, can be used. (3) In the first and second embodiments, the dispenser is described as being capable of supplying ice and water, but the dispenser may be capable of supplying ice and beverages such as juice or cola, or may supply only ice or only beverages. In addition, the objects to be supplied are not limited to ice, water, and beverages, and the dispenser may be capable of supplying miso soup or soup by releasing hot water and miso ingredients or soup ingredients that can be supplied by a supply mechanism. (4) In the first and second embodiments, the main body is made up of a housing and a front panel that is detachably attached to the housing. However, the housing and the front panel may be integrated. (5) In the first and second embodiments, the supply mechanism is configured to continue discharging (supplying) the material as long as the non-contact sensor remains in the detection state. However, the supply mechanism may be configured to supply only a predetermined amount of material by operating for a predetermined period of time when the non-contact sensor enters the detection state once (when the non-contact sensor goes from non-detection state to detection state to non-detection state), and then stopping.

[0043] (6) The device may be provided with both a configuration in which the supply mechanism is stopped in an emergency stop state by removing the front cover in the first embodiment, and a configuration in which the supply mechanism is stopped in an emergency stop state by operating the existing selection button in an emergency stop operation mode in the second embodiment. (7) In the first embodiment, the cover detection means for detecting the attached / detached state of the front cover is not limited to a magnetic proximity switch, and various sensors and switches such as induction type, capacitance type, ultrasonic type, photoelectric type, etc. Also, the cover detection means for detecting the attached / detached state of the front cover may be various contact type switches whose state is changed by contact with a protrusion provided on the cover. (8) In Example 1, a proximity switch may be provided in a power supply circuit that supplies power to the supply mechanism to switch the circuit between an open and closed state, and when the front cover is attached to the front panel, the proximity switch closes the power supply circuit, turning on current to the supply mechanism, and when the front cover is removed from the front panel, the proximity switch opens the power supply circuit, turning off current to the supply mechanism. (9) In the first embodiment, a dedicated detection magnet for detection by the proximity switch is provided on the front cover. However, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the fixing magnet that positions the front cover on the front panel also serves as the detection magnet.

[0044] (10) In the second embodiment, the emergency stop operation mode, stop release operation mode, invalid operation mode and mode switching operation mode for operating the selection buttons are not limited to a mode in which multiple selection buttons are pressed and held, but may be a mode in which multiple selection buttons are operated in a preset sequence, or a mode in which a specific selection button is intermittently operated (pressed) multiple times, etc., as long as it is different from a normal operation mode in which the selection buttons are operated simply to select the type of supply object. (11) In the second embodiment, selection buttons with different combinations are used as the emergency stop operation mode, the stop release operation mode, the invalid operation mode, and the mode switching operation mode. However, it is also possible to operate a plurality of buttons with different combinations, including the supply button. (12) The configuration in the second embodiment in which the emergency stop state is released or the mode is switched to the disabled mode or normal mode by operating the release stop operation mode, the disabled operation mode, and the mode switching operation mode of the selection button can be adopted in the first embodiment. (13) In the second embodiment, the mode is switched to the normal mode by operating the selection button in the mode switching operation manner in the disabled mode. However, a configuration can be adopted in which the mode is automatically switched from the disabled mode to the normal mode when the control means determines that a predetermined time (e.g., 20 seconds) has elapsed since switching to the disabled mode. (14) In the second embodiment, the number of selection buttons to be operated is the same in the emergency stop operation mode, the stop release operation mode, and the invalid operation mode. However, the number of selection buttons may be different in each operation mode. (15) The above-mentioned modifications given as modifications of the second embodiment can be adopted in the first embodiment within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10 main body, 26 front cover (cover), 30 ice selection button (operation part) 32 Ice water selection button (operation part), 34 Water selection button (operation part) 42 shutter device (supply mechanism), 44 water supply valve (supply mechanism) 46 non-contact sensor (non-contact detection means), 52 proximity switch (cover detection means)

Claims

1. A dispenser is provided with non-contact detection means (46) capable of detecting the object without contact in a main body (10) in which a supply mechanism (42, 44) for supplying an object is disposed, and the dispenser is capable of supplying the object by operating the supply mechanism (42, 44) based on detection by the non-contact detection means (46), a cover (26) detachably disposed on the main body (10); a cover detection means (52) provided at a portion covered by the cover (26) for detecting when the cover (26) is removed from the main body (10); An operation unit (30, 32, 34) that can be operated by a user, when the cover detection means (52) detects that the cover (26) has been removed while the supply mechanisms (42, 44) are in operation, an emergency stop state is established in which the operation of the supply mechanisms (42, 44) is stopped; In the emergency stop state, when the operation unit (30, 32, 34) is operated in a stop release operation mode different from a normal operation mode, the emergency stop state is released. A dispenser comprising:

2. A dispenser is provided with non-contact detection means (46) capable of detecting the object without contact in a main body (10) in which a supply mechanism (42, 44) for supplying an object is disposed, and the dispenser is capable of supplying the object by operating the supply mechanism (42, 44) based on detection by the non-contact detection means (46), a cover (26) detachably disposed on the main body (10); a cover detection means (52) provided at a portion covered by the cover (26) for detecting when the cover (26) is removed from the main body (10); An operation unit (30, 32, 34) that can be operated by a user, when the cover detection means (52) detects that the cover (26) has been removed while the supply mechanisms (42, 44) are in operation, an emergency stop state is established in which the operation of the supply mechanisms (42, 44) is stopped; When the operation unit (30, 32, 34) is operated in an invalid operation mode different from a normal operation mode, the operation unit (30, 32, 34) is configured to switch to an invalid mode in which the detection of the non-contact detection means (46) is invalid. A dispenser comprising:

3. A dispenser as described in claim 2, configured to release the emergency stop state when the operating unit (30, 32, 34) is operated in a stop release operating mode different from a normal operating mode in the emergency stop state.

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