Disinfection storage and disinfection storage system

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of improving user's workability, relating to linkage between disinfection storehouses.SOLUTION: A plurality of disinfection storehouses 10 is connected to form a signal transmission path loop. The disinfection storehouse 10 includes a heater 27, a controller 33, and an input / output circuit 35. The input / output circuit inputs a signal from a first disinfection storehouse transmitted through the signal transmission path, and outputs a signal to a second disinfection storehouse through the signal transmission path. The controller starts heat treatment to stored items in the storehouse accompanying actuation of the heater when a first notification signal, which is output from the first disinfection storehouse in response to completion of the heating process in the first disinfection storehouse, is input, and under a condition of completion of the heat treatment, a second notification signal is output to a second disinfection storehouse through the input / output circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a disinfection storage cabinet and a disinfection storage system.

Background Art

[0002] As a kitchen appliance for business use, a disinfection storage cabinet for disinfecting and storing tableware is known. The disinfection storage cabinet disinfects and dries the stored washed tableware by heating, and then stores the tableware until the next use. The disinfection storage cabinet is provided with, for example, an electric heater, and the tableware is heat-disinfected by heating with the heater.

[0003] In large-scale kitchen facilities, a plurality of disinfection storage cabinets are installed to heat-disinfect a large amount of tableware. The plurality of disinfection storage cabinets are used individually. Alternatively, the plurality of disinfection storage cabinets are connected in series (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] In a system in which a plurality of disinfection storage cabinets are connected in series, when an operation instruction is given to the first disinfection storage cabinet, the plurality of disinfection storage cabinets start heat-disinfection in order. When one disinfection storage cabinet finishes heat-disinfection, the next disinfection storage cabinet starts heat-disinfection. When the heat-disinfection of the last disinfection storage cabinet ends, the heat-disinfection of the entire system ends.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In a conventional system in which a plurality of disinfection storage cabinets are connected in series, in order to interlock these plurality of disinfection storage cabinets, the user needs to input an operation instruction through the operation panel of the first disinfection storage cabinet. Even if it were possible to input an operation instruction through the operation panel of a disinfection storage cabinet located downstream from the first one, it would not be possible to perform heat disinfection of tableware stored in a disinfection storage cabinet located upstream from the disinfection storage cabinet where the operation instruction was input.

[0007] Therefore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is desirable to provide a disinfection storage cabinet and a disinfection storage system that can improve the workability of the user with respect to the interlocking between disinfection storage cabinets.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, in a system in which a plurality of disinfection storage cabinets are connected so as to form a loop of a signal transmission path, a disinfection storage cabinet that can be used as one of the plurality of disinfection storage cabinets is provided. The disinfection storage cabinet includes a heater for heating stored items in the cabinet, an input / output circuit, and a controller.

[0009] The input / output circuit is configured to input a signal from a first disinfection storage cabinet transmitted through the signal transmission path and output a signal to a second disinfection storage cabinet that is the same as or different from the first disinfection storage cabinet through the signal transmission path.

[0010] The controller is configured to control the heater. When a first notification signal output in response to completion of an external heat treatment, which is a heat treatment for stored items in the first disinfection storage cabinet from the first disinfection storage cabinet, is input through the input / output circuit, the controller starts an internal heat treatment, which is a heat treatment for stored items in the cabinet involving the operation of the heater, and is configured to output a second notification signal to the second disinfection storage cabinet through the input / output circuit on the condition that the internal heat treatment is completed.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the disinfection storage can execute its own heat treatment in response to a first notification signal input in response to the completion of the heat treatment from a first disinfection storage located, for example, upstream of the loop, and output a second notification signal in response to the completion of its own heat treatment, thereby enabling the second disinfection storage located downstream of the loop to execute the heat treatment.

[0012] By using this disinfection storage to configure a system in which a plurality of disinfection storages form a loop, regardless of which disinfection storage starts the heat treatment, the heat treatment is sequentially executed in all of the plurality of disinfection storages forming the loop, and heat disinfection inside the storage is realized. Therefore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a disinfection storage and a disinfection storage system that can improve the workability of the user with respect to the interlocking between the disinfection storages.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the controller may be configured not to start the internal heat treatment when a first notification signal is input from the first disinfection storage while the flag is set on the condition that the internal heat treatment has been completed.

[0014] According to this configuration, after all of the plurality of disinfection storages forming the loop have completed the heat treatment, it is possible to suppress the first disinfection storage that first executed the heat treatment from starting the heat treatment again.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the disinfection storage may be provided with a user interface. The controller may be configured to start the internal heat treatment regardless of the input of the first notification signal when an operation instruction is input through the user interface.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the controller may be configured to start the internal heat treatment in response to the input of the operation instruction on the condition that a predetermined condition regarding the signal output and signal input through the input / output circuit is satisfied due to the formation of a loop in the signal transmission path.

[0017] According to the above-mentioned predetermined conditions, if the disinfection storage starts the heat treatment, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that occurs in the case where the loop is not properly configured. For example, by not performing the heat treatment in some of the disinfection storages, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the inconvenience that some of the stored items are not heat-disinfected.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the input / output circuit may be configured to be able to input an interlock signal from one of the first disinfection storage and the second disinfection storage, and to be able to output an interlock signal to the other of the first disinfection storage and the second disinfection storage.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, when an operation instruction is input, the controller may be configured to output an interlock signal to the other disinfection storage through the input / output circuit, and then, on the condition that an interlock signal is input from one of the disinfection storages, start the internal heat treatment regardless of the input of the first notification signal.

[0020] According to such a configuration, the operation of the user interface of the other disinfection storage can be prohibited from being operated by the interlock signal, and malfunction can be suppressed. Further, when an appropriate loop is not configured, an interlock signal is not input to the disinfection storage that outputs the interlock signal based on the operation instruction. Alternatively, when there is a disinfection storage that cannot be interlocked with a plurality of disinfection storages constituting the loop, an interlock signal is not input. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that occurs in the case where the user inputs an operation instruction without knowing that the environment may be an environment where the interlock may be incomplete.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of disinfection storages may be configured to output an interlock signal input from an upstream storage, which is an adjacent disinfection storage on the upstream side of the loop, to a downstream storage, which is an adjacent disinfection storage on the downstream side of the loop.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of a plurality of disinfection storage compartments may be configured to output an interlock signal to a downstream storage compartment with a predetermined delay after receiving the interlock signal from an upstream storage compartment.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the controller may be configured to determine whether an interlock signal input from one disinfection storage compartment corresponds to a signal that passes through the other disinfection storage compartment and completes one loop and reaches based on a delay time from when the controller outputs an interlock signal to the other disinfection storage compartment according to an operation instruction until the interlock signal is input from the one disinfection storage compartment.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the controller may further be configured to start an internal heat treatment without relying on the input of a first notification signal on the condition that it is determined that the interlock signal input from one disinfection storage compartment corresponds to a signal that completes one loop and reaches.

[0025] In some cases, such as when operation instructions are input simultaneously to a plurality of disinfection storage compartments forming a loop, an interlock signal output by another disinfection storage compartment based on another operation instruction may be input to the disinfection storage compartment that output the interlock signal based on the operation instruction. In such cases, there is a possibility that one disinfection storage compartment within the loop cannot exclusively execute a heat treatment based on an operation instruction.

[0026] In contrast, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, by utilizing the above-mentioned delay, it is possible to suppress the possibility that a plurality of disinfection storage compartments forming a loop start a heat treatment based on an operation instruction simultaneously in order to start the heat treatment based on the operation instruction.

[0027] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a disinfection storage system including a plurality of disinfection storage vaults connected so as to form a loop of a signal transmission path may be provided. Each of the plurality of disinfection storage vaults may be a disinfection storage vault having the above-described characteristics. According to this system, the workability of the user can be improved with regard to the interlocking between the disinfection storage vaults.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] The disinfection storage system 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a first disinfection storage 10A, a second disinfection storage 10B, a third disinfection storage 10C, and a fourth disinfection storage 10D.

[0030] The first disinfection storage 10A, the second disinfection storage 10B, the third disinfection storage 10C, and the fourth disinfection storage 10D are of the same type of disinfection storage 10. Hereinafter, when explaining the configurations of the first disinfection storage 10A, the second disinfection storage 10B, the third disinfection storage 10C, and the fourth disinfection storage 10D without distinction, these disinfection storages 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D will be simply expressed as the disinfection storage 10.

[0031] The disinfection storage system 1 further includes a signal line 13 for interlock signal transmission and a signal line 15 for interlocking operation signal transmission. The signal lines 13 and 15 connect the disinfection storages 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D in a loop. The disinfection storages 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are connected through the signal lines 13 and 15 so as to form a loop of a transmission path for transmitting an interlock signal and an interlocking operation signal.

[0032] The signal line 13 includes a first part 131, a second part 132, a third part 133, and a fourth part 134. The signal line 15 includes a first part 151, a second part 152, a third part 153, and a fourth part 154.

[0033] The first parts 131 and 151 are wired between the disinfection storage 10A and the disinfection storage 10B, and input the interlock signal and the interlocking operation signal output from the disinfection storage 10A to the disinfection storage 10B. The second parts 132 and 152 are wired between the disinfection storage 10B and the disinfection storage 10C, and input the interlock signal and the interlocking operation signal output from the disinfection storage 10B to the disinfection storage 10C.

[0034] The third parts 133, 153 are wired between the disinfection storage cabinets 10C and 10D, and input the interlock signal and the interlocking operation signal output from the disinfection storage cabinet 10C into the disinfection storage cabinet 10D. The fourth parts 134, 154 are wired between the disinfection storage cabinet 10D and the disinfection storage cabinet 10A, and input the interlock signal and the interlocking operation signal output from the disinfection storage cabinet 10D into the disinfection storage cabinet 10A.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the disinfection storage cabinet 10 is a box-shaped storage cabinet provided with an accommodation space 20 for accommodating tableware to be stored inside a housing 21, and further includes a double-opening door 23 for accessing the accommodation space 20 from the outside at an opening of the housing 21.

[0036] The double-opening door 23 is installed to open from the center by rotating two doors 23A and 23B through hinges attached to the left and right sides of the disinfection storage cabinet 10. Tableware is stored in the accommodation space 20 by an operator with the double-opening door 23 open. Specifically, after being washed, the tableware is stored in the accommodation space 20 for disinfection and drying.

[0037] The accommodation space 20 is substantially sealed except for a ventilation path (not shown) with the double-opening door 23 closed. The tableware stored in the accommodation space 20 is heated with the double-opening door 23 closed, thereby being disinfected while accompanied by drying and stored.

[0038] FIG. 2A is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of the disinfection storage cabinet 10 with the double-opening door 23 closed. FIG. 2B is a front view showing the configuration of the accommodation space 20 of the disinfection storage cabinet 10 with the double-opening door 23 open, particularly in a state where the double-opening door 23 is not shown. The accommodation space 20 is partitioned by shelves 25, whereby the disinfection storage cabinet 10 is configured to efficiently accommodate a large number of tableware.

[0039] The disinfection storage 10 is provided with heaters 27 on both the left and right sides of the storage space 20 inside the housing 21, and a fan 29 is provided above the storage space 20. The heater 27 is electric and is arranged to heat the air in the storage space 20 by resistance heating. The hot air heated by the heater 27 circulates through the storage space 20 by the air flow generated from the fan 29. Thereby, the tableware stored in the storage space 20 is heated.

[0040] The disinfection storage 10 is provided with an operation panel 31 on the upper part of the housing 21 in order to receive operations from the operator. The operation panel 31 is provided with various switches and functions as a user interface capable of receiving from the operator a temperature setting operation, a setting operation for the interlock mode, and an operation instruction. The operation panel 31 further includes a display unit (not shown) for displaying the operating state and setting state of the disinfection storage 10.

[0041] The disinfection storage 10 described here is an integrated type that integrates the heater 27, the fan 29, the operation panel 31, and the storage space 20. However, the disinfection storage 10 is not limited to this, and it may be a separate type in which the heating system is configured separately with respect to the storage space 20 inside the cabinet. In the separate type (for example, ceiling suspension type), a heating device installed outside a movable container storing tableware, for example, a heating device installed on the ceiling, is connected to the container through a duct extending therefrom. The heating device can include the heater 27, the fan 29, and the operation panel 31. The hot air sent into the storage space 20 of the container from the heating device through the duct circulates in the storage space 20. After the heating and disinfection are completed, the duct is removed. Thereby, the container can be moved while storing the tableware.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the disinfection storage 10 includes, in addition to the heater 27, the fan 29, and the operation panel 31, a controller 33, an input / output circuit 35, a temperature sensor 37, and a power supply circuit 39. The power supply circuit 39 generates the power to be supplied to each part in the disinfection storage 10 using the power input from the power cable P0.

[0043] The controller 33 operates by receiving power supply from the power circuit 39, and executes processing based on the operation signal input through the operation panel 31 and the signal input from the outside of the disinfection storage 10 through the input / output circuit 35, and controls each part within the disinfection storage 10.

[0044] Specifically, the controller 33 includes a processor 33A and a memory 33B. The processing executed by the controller 33 is specifically realized by the processor 33A executing the processing according to the computer program stored in the memory 33B.

[0045] The input / output circuit 35 includes an input circuit configured to input, as a digital signal, the input signal from the adjacent disinfection storage 10 on the upstream side of the loop to the controller 33, and an output circuit configured to output a signal for the adjacent disinfection storage 10 on the downstream side of the loop according to the control signal from the controller 33. According to an example, the input / output circuit 35 may be incorporated into the controller 33.

[0046] The input / output circuit 35 includes an input port connected to the upstream portion 13U of the signal line 13 and inputting the interlock signal from the upstream portion 13U to the controller 33, an output port connected to the downstream portion 13D of the signal line 13 and outputting the interlock signal to the downstream portion 13D, an input port connected to the upstream portion 15U of the signal line 15 and inputting the interlock operation signal from the upstream portion 15U to the controller 33, and an output port connected to the downstream portion 15D of the signal line 15 and outputting the interlock operation signal from the downstream portion 15D to the controller 33.

[0047] When the disinfection storage 10 is the first disinfection storage 10A, the upstream portions 13U, 15U of the signal lines 13, 15 correspond to the fourth portions 134, 154 of the signal lines 13, 15, and the downstream portions 13D, 15D of the signal lines 13, 15 correspond to the first portions 131, 151 of the signal lines 13, 15. When the disinfection storage 10 is the second disinfection storage 10B, the upstream portions 13U, 15U of the signal lines 13, 15 correspond to the first portions 131, 151 of the signal lines 13, 15, and the downstream portions 13D, 15D of the signal lines 13, 15 correspond to the second portions 132, 152 of the signal lines 13, 15.

[0048] When the disinfection storage 10 is the third disinfection storage 10C, the upstream portions 13U, 15U of the signal lines 13, 15 correspond to the second portions 132, 152 of the signal lines 13, 15, and the downstream portions 13D, 15D of the signal lines 13, 15 correspond to the third portions 133, 153 of the signal lines 13, 15. When the disinfection storage 10 is the fourth disinfection storage 10D, the upstream portions 13U, 15U of the signal lines 13, 15 correspond to the third portions 133, 153 of the signal lines 13, 15, and the downstream portions 13D, 15D of the signal lines 13, 15 correspond to the fourth portions 134, 154 of the signal lines 13, 15.

[0049] The temperature sensor 37 is installed in the accommodation space 20 and is a detector configured to detect the temperature of the accommodation space 20 as the internal temperature T.

[0050] Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 4A - 4C, FIGS. 5A - 5C, and FIGS. 6A - 6B, the signal input / output between the disinfection storages 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D and the control of the heater 27 when the disinfection storage system 1 of the present embodiment operates in the loop interlock mode will be briefly described. Then, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the details of the processing executed by the controller 33 to realize the input / output of these signals and the control of the heater 27 will be described.

[0051] According to this embodiment, by a predetermined operation of an operator on the operation panel 31 of the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D, the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D shift from the single-action mode to the loop interlock mode. The single-action mode is an operation mode in which the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D do not interlock, and each of the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D operates independently to heat and disinfect tableware.

[0052] The loop interlock mode is an operation mode in which the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D perform a heat disinfection process involving the operation of the heater 27 in order along the loop, thereby heating and disinfecting the tableware stored in the cabinet (i.e., the storage space 20).

[0053] According to the loop interlock mode, as shown in FIG. 4A, when an operation of an operator on the operation panel 31 of the disinfection storage cabinet 10A is input with an operation instruction from the operator, the disinfection storage cabinet 10A outputs an on signal as an interlock signal to the adjacent disinfection storage cabinet 10B on the downstream side of the loop as shown in FIG. 4B.

[0054] Here, an example in which an operation instruction is input to the disinfection storage cabinet 10A will be described, but the operation instruction may be input to any of the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D. The operations of the disinfection storage cabinets 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10A when an operation instruction is input to the disinfection storage cabinet 10B respectively correspond to the operations of the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D when an operation instruction is input to the disinfection storage cabinet 10A in order.

[0055] When the disinfection storage cabinet 10A outputs an on signal as an interlock signal, the disinfection storage cabinet 10B outputs an on signal as an interlock signal to the adjacent disinfection storage cabinet 10C on the downstream side of the loop in response to this interlock signal.

[0056] In response to this interlock signal, the disinfection storage cabinet 10C outputs an on signal as an interlock signal to the adjacent disinfection storage cabinet 10D on the downstream side of the loop. The disinfection storage cabinet 10D outputs an on signal as an interlock signal to the adjacent disinfection storage cabinet 10A on the downstream side of the loop.

[0057] In this way, the on / off of the interlock signal propagates to all the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D on the loop. The interlock signal corresponds to a signal for interlocking. When an on signal is input as the interlock signal, the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D prohibit the acceptance of all operations from the operation panel 31 so as not to operate simultaneously with each other.

[0058] The disinfection storage cabinet 10A executes a heat disinfection process on the condition that an on signal is input as the interlock signal, and heats and disinfects the tableware in the cabinet. For example, the disinfection storage cabinet 10A controls the heater 27 so that heating is performed at a set temperature of 90°C or higher for 60 minutes or more in the cabinet.

[0059] When the heat disinfection process is completed in this way, as shown in FIG. 4C, the disinfection storage cabinet 10A sets the completion flag to the value 1. Further, the disinfection storage cabinet 10A switches the output interlock signal to an off signal. The off of this interlock signal is transmitted to the disinfection storage cabinets 10B, 10C, and 10D in sequence and also to the disinfection storage cabinet 10A. The disinfection storage cabinet 10A outputs an on signal as a chain operation signal to the adjacent disinfection storage cabinet 10B on the downstream side of the loop on the condition that the input interlock signal has been switched to an off signal.

[0060] The disinfection storage cabinet 10B outputs an on signal as an interlock signal as shown in FIG. 5A on the condition that an on signal is input as a chain operation signal from the adjacent disinfection storage cabinet 10A on the upstream side of the loop. This on signal is transmitted to the disinfection storage cabinets 10C, 10D, and 10A in sequence and also input to the disinfection storage cabinet 10B.

[0061] The disinfection storage vault 10B performs a heat disinfection process on the tableware inside the vault on the condition that an on-signal is input as an interlock signal, and heats and disinfects the tableware. When the heat disinfection process is completed, as shown in FIG. 5B, the disinfection storage vault 10B sets the completion flag to the value 1 and switches the output interlock signal to an off-signal. The turning off of the interlock signal is transmitted in sequence to the disinfection storage vaults 10C, 10D, 10A, and also to the disinfection storage vault 10B. The disinfection storage vault 10B outputs an on-signal as a chain operation signal to the adjacent disinfection storage vault 10B downstream in the loop on the condition that the input interlock signal has been switched to an off-signal.

[0062] The disinfection storage vault 10C also outputs an on-signal as an interlock signal, as shown in FIG. 5C, on the condition that an on-signal is input as a chain operation signal from the adjacent disinfection storage vault 10B upstream in the loop, and performs a heat disinfection process in the same manner as the disinfection storage vault 10B. When the heat disinfection process of the disinfection storage vault 10C is completed, it sets the completion flag to the value 1, and further inputs an on-signal as a chain operation signal to the adjacent disinfection storage vault 10D downstream in the loop after executing a predetermined procedure.

[0063] The disinfection storage vault 10D operates in the same manner as the disinfection storage vaults 10B and 10C. When the heat disinfection process is completed, as shown in FIG. 6A, it sets the completion flag to the value 1, and inputs an on-signal as a chain operation signal to the adjacent disinfection storage vault 10A downstream in the loop after executing a predetermined procedure.

[0064] When an on-signal is input as a chain operation signal to the disinfection storage vault 10A from the adjacent disinfection storage vault 10D upstream in the loop in a state where the completion flag has already been set to the value 1, the disinfection storage vault 10A executes a reset process, and thus the interlock signal remains an off-signal.

[0065] When the state where the interlock signal is an off-signal continues for a predetermined time, the disinfection storage vaults 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D reset the completion flag to the value 0, as shown in FIG. 6B.

[0066] In this way, upon receiving an operation instruction for one disinfection storage cabinet 10A, heat disinfection processing is sequentially executed in all the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D on the loop. By means of the function of the completion flag, when the heat disinfection processing in all the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D is completed, the chain of the heat disinfection processing ends, and all the processes triggered by the operation instruction in the loop interlock mode are completed.

[0067] Subsequently, the details of the operation control process repeatedly executed by the controller 33 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. When starting the operation control process, the controller 33 waits until an operation instruction is input from the operator through the operation panel 31 or an on signal is input as a chain operation signal from the upstream part 15U of the signal line 15 through the input / output circuit 35 (S110, S115).

[0068] When an operation instruction is input or an on signal is input as a chain operation signal (Yes in S110 or S115), the controller 33 determines whether the completion flag is set to the value 1 (S120). The completion flag is set to the value 1 when the heat disinfection processing is completed (S170), and then reset to the value 0 under a predetermined condition (S200).

[0069] If it is determined that the completion flag is not set to the value 1 (No in S120), the controller 33 outputs an on signal as an interlock signal to the downstream part 13D of the signal line 13 through the input / output circuit 35 (S130). This interlock signal is input to the disinfection storage cabinet 10 on the downstream side of the loop.

[0070] Thereafter, the controller 33 determines whether an on signal is input as an interlock signal from the upstream part 13U of the signal line 13 when the disinfection storage cabinet 10 on the downstream side of the loop responds to the interlock signal (on signal) output in S130 (S140). When an on signal is input (Yes in S140), the controller 33 executes the process of S150.

[0071] On the other hand, if the controller 33 does not receive an on signal as an interlock signal within a predetermined time after executing the process of S130 (No in S140), that is, if the input interlock signal remains an off signal (No in S140), the controller 33 displays error information on the operation panel 31 (S145) and ends the operation control process.

[0072] In S150, the controller 33 determines whether the delay time of the interlock signal is within the normal range. The delay time here refers to the elapsed time from when the controller 33 outputs an interlock signal (on signal) to the downstream part 13D of the signal line 13 by the process in S130 until an interlock signal (on signal) is input from the upstream part 13U of the signal line 13 through the input / output circuit 35. Details will be described later.

[0073] If it is determined in S150 that the delay time of the interlock signal is within the normal range (Yes in S150), the controller 33 executes a heat sterilization process (S160). On the other hand, if it is determined that the delay time of the interlock signal is not within the normal range (No in S150), the controller 33 ends the operation control process without executing the heat sterilization process.

[0074] In the heat sterilization process (S160), the controller 33 activates the heater 27 and the fan 29. The controller 33 performs on / off control of the heater 27 so as to adjust the temperature inside the cabinet (accommodation space 20) detected by the temperature sensor 37 to the set temperature. When the heating at the set temperature exceeds a predetermined time, the controller 33 ends the heat sterilization process. Thereby, the tableware stored in the cabinet is heat-sterilized.

[0075] When the controller 33 ends the heat sterilization process, it stops the heater 27 and sets the completion flag to the value 1 (S170). The fact that the completion flag is set to the value 1 means the completion of heat sterilization.

[0076] The controller 33 further switches the interlock signal output to the downstream part 13D of the signal line 13 through the input / output circuit 35 to an off signal (S170). Then, the controller 33 determines whether the interlock signal input from the upstream part 13U of the signal line 13 through the input / output circuit 35 has been switched to the off signal (S180).

[0077] When it is determined that the input interlock signal has been switched to the off signal (Yes in S180), the controller 33 temporarily switches the interlock operation signal output to the downstream part 15D of the signal line 15 through the input / output circuit 35 to an on signal (S190), and then ends the operation control process.

[0078] On the other hand, when the input interlock signal is not switched to the off signal (No in S180), the controller 33 executes predetermined error processing (S195) and then ends the operation control process.

[0079] In S190, when the output interlock operation signal is switched to the on signal, if the disinfection storage cabinet 10 on the downstream side of the loop makes an affirmative determination in the process of S115 and the completion flag is not set to the value 1, the process after S130 is executed to perform the heat disinfection process (S160). Also, when the heat disinfection process ends, an on signal is temporarily output to the downstream side of the loop as the interlock operation signal (S190).

[0080] In this way, the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D perform the heat disinfection process in order from the upstream to the downstream of the loop as described in FIGS. 4A - 4C, FIGS. 5A - 5C, and FIGS. 6A - 6B.

[0081] When an on signal is input as the interlock operation signal to the disinfection storage cabinet 10 for a certain period of time, where the heat disinfection process has already ended and the completion flag is set to the value 1, the controller 33 of this disinfection storage cabinet 10 operates as follows.

[0082] That is, when the controller 33 makes an affirmative determination in S115 and S120, it executes the reset process of S200. In the reset process, by continuously maintaining the interlock signal that remains off for a predetermined time in the off state, all the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D on the loop reset the completion flag and turn off the output of the interlock operation signal. Then, the operation control process ends.

[0083] In addition, the controller 33 repeatedly executes the signal switching process shown in FIG. 8 in order to turn on / off the interlock signal output to the disinfection storage cabinet 10 on the downstream side of the loop according to the on / off of the interlock signal input from the disinfection storage cabinet 10 on the upstream side of the loop. As another example, the signal switching process may be realized by the circuit configuration included in the input / output circuit 35 without the involvement of the controller 33.

[0084] According to the signal switching process, the controller 33 waits until an on signal is input as the interlock signal from the upstream part 13U of the signal line 13 through the input / output circuit 35, or until the input interlock signal switches from the on signal to the off signal (S210, S220).

[0085] When an on signal is input as the interlock signal (Yes in S210), the controller 33 switches the interlock signal output to the downstream part 13D of the signal line 13 through the input / output circuit 35 to the on signal (S240).

[0086] On the other hand, when the input interlock signal switches from the on signal to the off signal (Yes in S220), the controller 33 switches the interlock signal output to the downstream part 13D of the signal line 13 through the input / output circuit 35 to the off signal (S250). By such a signal switching process, the controller 33 turns on / off the output interlock signal according to the on / off of the input interlock signal.

[0087] Furthermore, among the disinfection storage compartments 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D on the loop, only a specific one of the preset disinfection storage compartments 10, i.e., the specific storage compartment, is set to output an interlock signal (on signal) at a timing delayed by a predetermined time Td in response to the input of the interlock signal (on signal).

[0088] That is, when an on signal is input as an interlock signal to the controller 33 of the specific storage compartment (Yes in S210), after waiting for a predetermined time Td from the input timing of the on signal (S230), the controller 33 outputs an on signal as an interlock signal to the downstream portion 13D of the signal line 13 (S240).

[0089] The example shown in FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the transmission of the interlock signal when the second disinfection storage compartment 10B among the disinfection storage compartments 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D is delay - set to output the interlock signal with a delay of a predetermined time Td. FIG. 10 is a time chart for explaining the on / off of this interlock signal on the time axis.

[0090] According to this example, the second disinfection storage compartment 10B functions as the above - mentioned specific storage compartment and executes a signal switching process including the process of S230, while the other disinfection storage compartments 10A, 10C, and 10D execute a signal switching process not including the process of S230.

[0091] Therefore, when an operation instruction is input to the first disinfection storage compartment 10A and the first disinfection storage compartment 10A outputs an on signal as an interlock signal, the on signal is immediately input to the second disinfection storage compartment 10B, but the on signal is output from the second disinfection storage compartment 10B with a delay of a predetermined time Td. This interlock signal (on signal) propagates through the third disinfection storage compartment 10C and further to the fourth disinfection storage compartment 10D in a form including an intentional delay of a predetermined time Td and is input to the first disinfection storage compartment 10A.

[0092] When the controller 33 of the first disinfection storage 10A determines that the input interlock signal includes an intentional delay of a predetermined time Td and the delay time is within the normal range at S150, it starts the heat disinfection process at S160. If Td = 0 and the time from the output of the interlock signal (on signal) by the first disinfection storage 10A to the input of the interlock signal (on signal) to the first disinfection storage 10A is time T0, the normal range can be determined between time (T0 + Td - E) and time (T0 + Td + E) considering the error E.

[0093] The formation of such an intentional delay of the interlock signal helps to exclusively execute the heat disinfection process on one disinfection storage 10 when operation instructions are simultaneously input to a plurality of disinfection storages 10 on the loop, as shown in Fig. 11A.

[0094] Fig. 11A illustrates the input and output of the interlock signal when operation instructions are simultaneously input to two disinfection storages 10 on the loop, specifically, the first disinfection storage 10A and the second disinfection storage 10C.

[0095] Upon input of the operation instructions, the first disinfection storage 10A and the third disinfection storage 10C will execute the process of S130 substantially simultaneously. Therefore, the output of the on signal as the interlock signal will occur substantially simultaneously from the first disinfection storage 10A to the downstream side of the loop and further from the third disinfection storage 10C to the downstream side of the loop.

[0096] At this time, if the second disinfection storage 10B has a delay setting, the interlock signal (on signal) output from the first disinfection storage 10A will be propagated to the third disinfection storage 10C after being delayed by a predetermined time Td in the second disinfection storage 10B.

[0097] On the other hand, the interlock signal (on signal) output from the third disinfection storage 10C substantially simultaneously with the first disinfection storage 10A based on the operation instructions is not delayed by a predetermined time Td when it is input to the first disinfection storage 10A via the fourth disinfection storage 10D.

[0098] That is, the interlock signal changes with time as shown in FIG. 12. As can be understood from FIG. 12, in the first disinfection storage cabinet 10A, the delay time from the output of its own interlock signal (on signal) until the interlock signal (on signal) output from the third disinfection storage cabinet 10C is input to the first disinfection storage cabinet 10A via the fourth disinfection storage cabinet 10D is very short. Therefore, the first disinfection storage cabinet 10A makes a negative determination at S150 and does not start the heat disinfection process.

[0099] On the other hand, in the third disinfection storage cabinet 10C, the delay time from the output of its own interlock signal (on signal) to the input includes an intentional delay time of a predetermined time Td. Therefore, the third disinfection storage cabinet 10C makes an affirmative determination at S150 and starts the heat disinfection process.

[0100] According to the example shown in FIG. 11B, based on the delay time generated in the interlock signal, among the first and third disinfection storage cabinets 10A and 10C to which the operation instructions are simultaneously input, only the third disinfection storage cabinet 10C starts the operation by performing the heat disinfection process.

[0101] According to the disinfection storage system 1 of the present embodiment described above, when the controller 33 of the disinfection storage cabinet 10 receives the input of the interlock operation signal (on signal) as the first notification signal output in response to the completion of the heat disinfection process from the disinfection storage cabinet 10 on the upstream side of the loop (Yes at S115), it starts the heat disinfection process for the tableware in the cabinet involving the operation of the heater 27. (S160)

[0102] The controller 33 outputs the interlock operation signal (on signal) as the second notification signal to the downstream disinfection storage cabinet 10 through the input / output circuit 35 on the condition that this heat disinfection process is completed. (S190)

[0103] The downstream disinfection storage 10 executes its own heating and disinfection process in response to the chain operation signal (on signal) input from the upstream disinfection storage 10. Due to the sequential output of such chain operation signals, starting from the disinfection storage 10 where the operation instruction is input, the disinfection storages 10 located on the downstream side of the loop sequentially execute the heating and disinfection process in a chained manner.

[0104] When all the disinfection storages 10 on the loop have completed the heating and disinfection process, based on the completion flag, the chain of the heating and disinfection process ends. That is, in this embodiment, the controller 33 sets the completion flag on the condition that its own heating and disinfection process has ended. When a chain operation signal (on signal) is input from the upstream disinfection storage 10 while the completion flag is set, a positive determination is made in S120 and the heating and disinfection process is not started.

[0105] As described above, according to the disinfection storage system 1 of this embodiment, since the disinfection storages 10 are loop-connected, regardless of the operation instruction through the operation panel 31 for any disinfection storage 10, heating and disinfection inside the storage can be realized in all of the plurality of disinfection storages 10 that make up the loop. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a disinfection storage system 1 that can improve the workability of the user regarding the interlocking between the plurality of disinfection storages 10.

[0106] According to this embodiment, after all of the plurality of disinfection storages 10 that make up the loop have completed the heating and disinfection process, the function of the completion flag can prevent the disinfection storage 10 that first executed the heating and disinfection process from starting the heating and disinfection process again.

[0107] In this embodiment, when an operation instruction is input through the operation panel 31 (Yes in S110), the controller 33 starts the heating and disinfection process regardless of the input of the chain operation signal. The controller 33 starts the heating and disinfection process (S160) in response to the input of the operation instruction only when the relationship between the output and input of the interlock signal (on signal) through the input / output circuit 35 satisfies a predetermined condition (Yes in S150).

[0108] Thus, by starting the heat disinfection process in the disinfection storage 10 based on a predetermined condition, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that occurs in the case where the loop is not appropriately configured. For example, it is possible to prevent an operator from misunderstanding that the heat disinfection process is executed in all the disinfection storages 10 on the loop according to the operation instruction, even though the loop is not appropriately configured.

[0109] In this embodiment, further, at least one of the plurality of disinfection storages 10 on the loop outputs the interlock signal (on signal) to the downstream of the loop with a delay of a predetermined time Td after the interlock signal (on signal) is input from the upstream of the loop.

[0110] Further, the controller 33 outputs an interlock signal (on signal) according to the operation instruction, and then, based on the delay time from when the interlock signal (on signal) is output until the interlock signal (on signal) is input from the upstream disinfection storage 10, determines whether the input interlock signal is a legitimate interlock signal corresponding to the delay that occurs when the input interlock signal passes through the other disinfection storage and makes one round of the loop (S150). The controller 33 starts the heat disinfection process according to the operation instruction on the condition that it is determined that the input interlock signal is a legitimate interlock signal (S160). Therefore, in this embodiment, when operation instructions are input at multiple times, it is possible to suppress the possibility that the plurality of disinfection storages 10 start the heat disinfection process based on the operation instruction at the same time.

[0111] [Other Embodiments] The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can take various forms. For example, the above-described disinfection storage system 1 may be configured such that only two disinfection storages 10 are connected in a loop, or may be configured such that any number of two or more disinfection storages 10 are connected in a loop.

[0112] Even when an on-signal is input as an interlock signal, the disinfection storage cabinet 10 may be configured not to execute the process of S240, that is, not to output an on-signal as an interlock signal, when the cabinet is in a situation where it cannot perform a heat disinfection process in response to the input of a chain operation signal (on-signal). That is, the disinfection storage cabinet 10 may be configured to make an affirmative determination in S210 and output an interlock signal (on-signal) downstream only when it is in a situation where it can perform a heat disinfection process.

[0113] The disinfection storage system 1 may allow a state where a single-action mode disinfection storage cabinet 10 and a disinfection storage cabinet 10 that has shifted to a loop interlock mode coexist. For example, when the disinfection storage cabinet 10C remains in the single-action mode and the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10D have shifted to the loop interlock mode, the loop interlock can be performed by skipping the disinfection storage cabinet 10C only for the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10D. At this time, since the interlock signal is sequentially output to all the disinfection storage cabinets 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, only one unit can start operation within the loop regardless of the single-action mode or the loop interlock mode.

[0114] The disinfection storage cabinet 10 can wait for operation or be temporarily stopped under the control of an external management system (for example, a demand control system that controls the power consumption of a facility). By waiting for or temporarily stopping the disinfection storage cabinet 10, the external management system can preferentially operate other kitchen appliances (such as a cleaning device or a cooking device). When the operation of other kitchen appliances ends and the disinfection storage cabinet 10 resumes its operation, it can resume the remaining operation time after returning the internal temperature T that has dropped during the temporary stop to the temperature at the time of the temporary stop.

[0115] The functions of one component in the above embodiment may be provided in a distributed manner among a plurality of components. The functions of a plurality of components may be integrated into one component. A part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. At least a part of the configuration of the above embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configuration of another one of the above embodiments. All aspects included in the technical idea specified from the language described in the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0116] 1... disinfection storage system, 10... disinfection storage chamber, 10A... first disinfection storage chamber, 10B... second disinfection storage chamber, 10C... third disinfection storage chamber, 10D... fourth disinfection storage chamber, 13... signal line, 13D... downstream section, 13U... upstream section, 15... signal line, 15D... downstream section, 15U... upstream section, 20... accommodation space, 21... housing, 23... double-opening door, 25... shelf, 27... heater, 29... fan, 31... operation panel, 33... controller, 33A... processor, 33B... memory, 35... input / output circuit, 37... temperature sensor, 39... power supply circuit, P0... power cable.

Claims

1. In a system in which a plurality of disinfection storage compartments are connected so as to form a loop of a signal transmission path, a disinfection storage compartment that can be used as one of the plurality of disinfection storage compartments, a heater for heating stored items in the compartment, a controller configured to control the heater, an input / output circuit configured to input a signal from a first disinfection storage compartment transmitted through the signal transmission path and output a signal to a second disinfection storage compartment that is the same as or different from the first disinfection storage compartment through the signal transmission path, comprising: when a first notification signal output in response to completion of an external heating process, which is a heating process for stored items in the first disinfection storage compartment from the first disinfection storage compartment, is input through the input / output circuit, the controller starts an internal heating process, which is a heating process for the stored items in the compartment involving operation of the heater, and outputs a second notification signal to the second disinfection storage compartment through the input / output circuit on the condition that the internal heating process is completed. A disinfection storage compartment.

2. The controller sets a flag on the condition that the internal heating process is completed, and when the first notification signal is input from the first disinfection storage compartment while the flag is set, does not start the internal heating process. The disinfection storage compartment according to Claim 1.

3. Comprising a user interface, when an operation instruction is input through the user interface, the controller starts the internal heating process regardless of the input of the first notification signal. The disinfection storage compartment according to Claim 1.

4. The controller starts the internal heating process according to the input of the operation instruction on the condition that a predetermined condition regarding signal output and signal input through the input / output circuit is satisfied due to the formation of the loop of the signal transmission path. The disinfection storage compartment according to Claim 3.

5. The input / output circuit is configured to be able to input an interlock signal from one of the first disinfection storage compartment and the second disinfection storage compartment, and output the interlock signal to the other of the first disinfection storage compartment and the second disinfection storage compartment. When the operation instruction is input, the controller outputs the interlock signal to the other disinfection storage through the input / output circuit, and then, on the condition that the interlock signal is input from the one disinfection storage, starts the internal heating process without depending on the input of the first notification signal. The disinfection storage according to claim 3.

6. Each of the plurality of disinfection storages is configured to output the interlock signal input from the upstream storage, which is the disinfection storage adjacent on the upstream side of the loop, to the downstream storage, which is the disinfection storage adjacent on the downstream side of the loop. At least one of the plurality of disinfection storages is configured to output the interlock signal to the downstream storage with a predetermined time delay after the interlock signal is input from the upstream storage. When the operation instruction is input, the controller outputs the interlock signal to the other disinfection storage, and then, based on the delay time until the interlock signal is input from the one disinfection storage, determines whether the interlock signal input from the one disinfection storage corresponds to the interlock signal that passes through the other disinfection storage and reaches after one round of the loop. On the condition that it is determined that the interlock signal input from the one disinfection storage corresponds to the interlock signal that reaches after one round of the loop, starts the internal heating process without depending on the input of the first notification signal. The disinfection storage according to claim 5.

7. A disinfection storage system including a plurality of disinfection storages connected so as to form a loop of a signal transmission path, each of the plurality of disinfection storages being the disinfection storage according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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