Ingredient dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a miniaturized ingredient distribution device by controlling a plurality of ingredient distribution units and clutch units of the same number using a single drive unit.SOLUTION: An ingredient distribution device comprises: a plurality of ingredient distribution units 130 that store ingredients and freely distribute the ingredients to containers C; a single drive unit 140 that generates power for driving the ingredient distribution units 130; clutch units 150 of the same number as the ingredient distribution units 130, for controlling transmission of power generated by the drive unit 140 to the ingredient distribution units 130; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the ingredient distribution units 130, drive of the drive unit 140 and power transmission by the clutch units 150.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ingredient dispensing device, and more particularly to an ingredient dispensing device provided with a plurality of ingredient dispensing units.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the development of a rich food culture, there has been a demand for cooking a variety of dishes using a variety of ingredients. In the food service industry, due to various factors such as securing cooks, maintaining cooking skills, and improving the cooking environment, the automation of cooking has been rapidly demanded, and the demand for automatic cooking equipment for performing cooking automation has been increasing in recent years.

[0003] As an ingredient dispensing device that automatically supplies the required amount of ingredients for cooking, which is one element of this automatic cooking equipment, conventionally, there has been an ingredient dispensing unit that dispenses ingredients into a container, and a warming cabinet that incorporates this ingredient dispensing unit and stores the ingredients stored in the ingredient dispensing unit in a warm state. The ingredient dispensing units are arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions of the warming cabinet and provided for each type of ingredient. Each ingredient dispensing unit has an ingredient stocker installed inside the warming cabinet for storing ingredients, ingredient metering means incorporated in the warming cabinet for separating and weighing the ingredients, and ingredient sending means incorporated in the warming cabinet for sending the ingredients stored in the ingredient stocker to the ingredient metering means. An ingredient dispensing device having these components is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the ingredient dispensing device described above, each ingredient dispensing unit has a drive motor that rotates a screw shaft. As a result, the number of drive motors increases with the number of ingredient dispensing units, causing the ingredient dispensing device to become larger. Therefore, there was room for further improvement in the ingredient dispensing device described above, which has multiple ingredient dispensing units.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention solves the problems of the prior art described above, and one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a miniaturized ingredient dispensing device by controlling multiple ingredient dispensing units and the same number of clutch units with a single drive unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention according to claim 1 comprises: a plurality of ingredient dispensing units capable of storing ingredients and dispensing them into a container; a single drive unit that generates power to drive the ingredient dispensing units; the same number of clutch units as the ingredient dispensing units that control the transmission of power generated by the drive unit to the ingredient dispensing units; and a control unit that controls the operation of the ingredient dispensing units, the driving of the drive unit, and the power transmission by the clutch unit. The drive unit comprises a drive motor that generates the power, and the same number of drive gears as the ingredient distribution unit, provided on a rotating shaft that rotates integrally with the drive motor; the ingredient distribution unit comprises an ingredient stocker for storing the ingredients, an ingredient weighing means for placing the container and weighing the ingredients distributed into the container, and an ingredient delivery means for delivering the ingredients stored in the ingredient stocker to the container; the clutch unit comprises a cylindrical transmitted member that engages with the rear end of the connecting shaft of the ingredient delivery means, a cylindrical transmission member that meshes with the drive gear of the drive unit on its outer surface and is able to mesh with the transmitted member in the longitudinal direction, and a push member that pushes the transmission member into the transmitted member based on control by the control unit, thereby engaging the transmitted member and the transmission member. This solves the aforementioned problems. In this context, "ingredients" refers to powdered or granular seasonings or powdered or granular food ingredients.

[0008] Claim 2 The invention relating to this claim is 1 In addition to the configuration of the ingredient dispensing device described above, the clutch unit further solves the aforementioned problems by having a biasing member that biases the transmission-side member in a direction that separates the transmitted-side member from the transmitted-side member.

[0009] Claim 3 The invention relating to this claim is 1 or claim 2In addition to the configuration of the ingredient dispensing device described above, the transmission-side member and the transmitted-side member have sawtooth-shaped interlocking claws that interlock with each other in the longitudinal direction, and the interlocking claws of the transmission-side member and the transmitted-side member have forward contact surfaces that come into contact with each other when the transmission-side member is rotated in the forward direction that drives the ingredient dispensing means to send the ingredients toward the container, and reverse contact surfaces that come into contact with each other when the transmission-side member is rotated in the reverse direction opposite to the forward direction, and the forward contact surfaces of the interlocking claws intersect with the rotation axis of the transmission-side member or the transmitted-side member in a side view, and the inclination angle of the forward contact surfaces is gentler than the inclination angle of the reverse contact surfaces, thereby further solving the aforementioned problems.

[0010] Claim 4 The invention relating to this claim is 1 or claim 2 In addition to the configuration of the ingredient dispensing device described above, the ingredient dispensing unit has a shutter that opens and closes a discharge opening formed in the ingredient stocker, the control unit controls the opening and closing of the discharge opening by the shutter, and when the weight of the ingredients dispensed in the container reaches a predetermined dispensing weight, the control unit closes the discharge opening with the shutter and then releases the engagement between the transmission-side member and the transmitted-side member, thereby further solving the aforementioned problems. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The ingredient dispensing device according to claim 1 comprises a plurality of ingredient dispensing units capable of storing ingredients and dispensing them into a container, a single drive unit that generates power to drive the ingredient dispensing units, the same number of clutch units as the ingredient dispensing units that control the transmission of power generated by the drive unit to the ingredient dispensing units, and a control unit that controls the operation of the ingredient dispensing units, the driving of the drive unit, and the power transmission by the clutch units. As a result, the control unit controls the clutch unit corresponding to the ingredient dispensing unit that stores a predetermined ingredient based on the input, so that the power generated by the drive unit is transmitted only to the ingredient dispensing unit that stores the predetermined ingredient, and a single drive unit can drive only the predetermined ingredient dispensing unit from among the plurality of ingredient dispensing units, thus making it possible to miniaturize an ingredient dispensing device equipped with a plurality of ingredient dispensing units. moreover, The clutch unit includes a cylindrical transmitted member that engages with the rear end of the connecting shaft of the ingredient delivery means, a cylindrical transmission member that meshes with the drive gear of the drive unit on its outer surface and is able to mesh with the transmitted member in the longitudinal direction, and a pushing member that pushes the transmission member onto the transmitted member based on control by the control unit, thereby engaging the transmitted member and the transmission member. As a result, the power generated by the drive unit is transmitted only to a predetermined ingredient supply unit when the pushing member engages the transmitted member and the transmission member based on control by the control unit, so that a simple mechanism can be used to drive only a predetermined ingredient supply unit from among multiple ingredient supply units.

[0012] Claim 2 According to the ingredient dispensing device of the invention, 1 In addition to the effects of the ingredient distribution device of the invention described herein, the clutch unit has a biasing member that biases the transmission-side member in a direction that separates the transmitted-side member from the transmitted-side member. Therefore, when the pushing member does not press the transmission-side member against the transmitted-side member, the transmitted-side member and the transmission-side member are reliably separated. Thus, when the pushing member does not press the transmission-side member against the transmitted-side member, it is possible to reliably prevent the power generated by the drive unit from being transmitted to the ingredient distribution unit.

[0013] Claim 3 According to the ingredient dispensing device of the invention, 1 or claim 2 In addition to the effects of the ingredient dispensing device of the invention described herein, the forward contact surface of the interlocking claws intersects with the rotation axis of the transmission-side member or the transmitted-side member in a side view. Compared to the case where the forward contact surface is parallel to the rotation axis of the transmission-side member or the transmitted-side member in a side view, the transmission-side member is easier to disengage from the transmitted-side member. Therefore, when a predetermined amount of ingredient is delivered to the container, the interlocking between the transmission-side member and the transmitted-side member is quickly released, preventing oversupply of ingredient to the container and ensuring that a predetermined amount of ingredient is accurately supplied to the container. Furthermore, because the inclination angle of the forward contact surface of the interlocking claws is gentler than the inclination angle of the reverse contact surface, when the transmission-side member is rotated in the forward direction, it is more difficult for the transmission-side member to disengage from the transmitted-side member compared to when the transmission-side member is rotated in the reverse direction. Therefore, when the transmission-side member rotates in the forward direction, the interlocking between the interlocking claws of the transmission-side member and the interlocking claws of the transmitted-side member is reliably maintained, and the amount of ingredient delivered to the container by the ingredient dispensing means can be accurately controlled.

[0014] Claim 4 According to the ingredient dispensing device of the invention, 1 or claim 2 In addition to the effects of the ingredient dispensing device of the invention described herein, when the weight of the ingredients dispensed into the container reaches a predetermined dispensing weight, the control unit closes the discharge opening with a shutter and then releases the engagement between the transmission-side member and the transmitted-side member. As a result, when the weight of the ingredients dispensed into the container reaches a predetermined dispensing weight, the ingredients will not spill out of the ingredient stocker into the container, and the ingredients can be automatically dispensed into the container in the correct quantity. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] A perspective view of an ingredient dispensing device, which is one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A]Perspective view of the ingredient dispensing device with the housing removed, seen from the front. [Figure 2B] Perspective view of the ingredient dispensing device with the housing removed, seen from the rear. [Figure 3] Perspective view of the ingredient dispensing unit and the clutch unit shown in Fig. 2A. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 3. [Figure 5A] Exploded perspective view of the main part of the clutch unit shown in Fig. 2A. [Figure 5B] Cross-sectional view of the main part of the clutch unit shown in Fig. 2A. [Figure 5C] Enlarged side view VC of Fig. 5B. [Figure 6A] Partial cross-sectional side view of the ingredient dispensing unit in the initial state. [Figure 6B] Partial cross-sectional side view showing the state where the discharge opening of the ingredient dispensing unit shown in Fig. 6A is open. [Figure 6C] Partial cross-sectional side view showing the state where the ingredient is being sent out by the ingredient sending means in the ingredient dispensing unit. [Figure 6D] Partial cross-sectional side view showing the state after the ingredient dispensing unit has dispensed the ingredient into the container.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] The present invention includes a plurality of ingredient dispensing units capable of storing ingredients and dispensing them into containers, a single drive unit that generates power for driving the ingredient dispensing units, the same number of clutch units as the ingredient dispensing units for controlling the transmission of the power generated by the drive unit to the ingredient dispensing units, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the ingredient dispensing units, the driving of the drive unit, and the power transmission by the clutch units. The drive unit has a drive motor that generates power, and the same number of drive gears as the ingredient distribution unit, which are mounted on a rotating shaft that rotates integrally with the drive motor, and the ingredient distribution unit has an ingredient stocker for storing ingredients, an ingredient weighing means for placing a container and weighing the ingredients distributed into the container, and an ingredient dispensing means for dispensing the ingredients stored in the ingredient stocker into the container, and the clutch unit has a cylindrical transmitted member that engages with the rear end of the connecting shaft of the ingredient dispensing means, a cylindrical transmitting member that meshes with the drive gear of the drive unit on its outer surface and can mesh with the transmitted member in the longitudinal direction, and a pushing member that pushes the transmitting member into the transmitted member based on control by the control unit to mesh the transmitted member and the transmitting member, As long as it is a device for miniaturizing an ingredient dispensing device equipped with a plurality of ingredient dispensing units, its specific implementation mode can be anything.

Example

[0017] Hereinafter, an ingredient dispensing device 100, which is one embodiment of the present invention, will be described based on Figures 1 to 6D.

[0018] <1. Overview of the ingredient dispensing device> An overview of the ingredient dispensing device 100 will be described based on Figures 1 to 2B. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ingredient dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2A is a perspective view of the ingredient dispensing device from the front with the casing removed from Figure 1, and Figure 2B is a perspective view of the ingredient dispensing device from the rear with the casing removed from Figure 1.

[0019] The ingredient dispensing device 100 is a device that stores multiple ingredients such as powdered seasonings like sugar, salt, and pepper, powdered ingredients like kinako (roasted soybean flour), and granular ingredients like sesame seeds, and dispenses them into container C. As shown in Figure 1, it comprises a base 110 that is placed on a mounting surface F, and a housing 120 that covers the base 110 and forms the exterior.

[0020] The housing 120 includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing body 121, a lid 122 that can open and close an opening 121a formed on the upper surface of the housing body 121, a touch panel 123 provided on the front left side of the housing body 121 for operating the ingredient dispensing device 100, and a drive light 124 provided on the front of the housing body 121 to indicate the driven ingredient dispensing unit 130. The number of lids 122 and drive lights 124 is the same as the number of ingredient supply units 130, which are built into the housing 120 and will be described later.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the ingredient dispensing device 100 includes a plurality of ingredient dispensing units 130 mounted and fixed on a base 110, a single drive unit 140 mounted and fixed on the base 110, and a clutch unit 150 attached to an ingredient dispensing unit 130. Furthermore, the ingredient dispensing device 100 includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of the ingredient dispensing unit 130, the driving of the drive unit 140, and the power transmission by the clutch unit 150.

[0022] <2. Ingredient distribution unit> Next, a food ingredient distribution unit 130 that stores ingredients and can be freely distributed into container C will be described based on Figures 2B, 3, and 4. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ingredient supply unit and clutch unit shown in Figure 2A, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 3.

[0023] The ingredient distribution unit 130 includes an ingredient stocker 131 for storing ingredients, a hopper 132 attached to the upper opening of the ingredient stocker 131 for supplying ingredients to the ingredient stocker 131, an ingredient weighing means 133 on which a container C is placed and for weighing the ingredients supplied to the container C, an ingredient dispensing means 134 for sending the ingredients stored in the ingredient stocker 131 to the container C, an ingredient stirring means 135 for stirring the ingredients stored in the ingredient stocker 131 to suppress the occurrence of bridging, and a shutter 136 for controlling the discharge of ingredients from the ingredient stocker 131.

[0024] The ingredient storage container 131 is rectangular in shape and hollow. Furthermore, the front bottom of the ingredient storage container 131 has an outlet opening 131a that extends in the front-to-back direction and from which ingredients are discharged by the ingredient dispensing means 134, and an ingredient drop-off opening 131b that guides the ingredients discharged from the outlet opening 131a into the container C.

[0025] The ingredient weighing means 133 consists of a container support platform 133a positioned directly below the ingredient drop-off opening 131b of the ingredient stocker 131 on which the container C is placed, and a load cell 133b that measures the weight of the container support platform 133a.

[0026] The ingredient dispensing means 134 is located inside the ingredient stocker 131 and includes a coil-shaped member 134a that extends in the front-rear direction, and a connecting shaft 134b that connects the coil-shaped member 134a to the clutch unit 150.

[0027] The coil-shaped member 134a rotates together with the connecting shaft 134b to send the ingredients stored in the ingredient stocker 131 in the front-to-back direction, and as shown in Figure 4, it is positioned slightly inclined upwards.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the connecting shaft 134b has a coil-shaped member 134a fitted to its front end, and its rear end is connected to the clutch unit 150. Furthermore, a gear is formed on the outer circumference of the rear end of the connecting shaft 134b, as shown in Figure 2B.

[0029] The ingredient stirring means 135 includes a stirring member 135a for stirring the ingredients stored in the ingredient stocker 131, and a geared rotating shaft 135b for oscillating the stirring member 135a in the vertical direction.

[0030] The stirring member 135a is a frame that is engaged with a pivot shaft 131c, which extends in the left-right direction and is located inside the ingredient storage container 131, so as to be able to swing up and down. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, an engagement hole 135a1 is formed at the rear end of the stirring member 135a. As shown in Figure 3, this engagement hole 135a1 extends in the left-right direction.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2B, a gear is formed on the outer circumference of the rear side of the geared rotating shaft 135b that meshes with a gear formed on the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient dispensing means 134. Therefore, when the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient dispensing means 134 rotates, the geared rotating shaft 135b also rotates. An engaging projection 135b1 is formed at the tip of the geared rotating shaft 135b, which is inserted into and engages with the engaging hole 135a1 of the stirring member 135a. Therefore, when the geared rotating shaft 135b rotates, the stirring member 135a swings up and down relative to the oscillating shaft 131c of the ingredient stocker 131 via the engaging projection 135b1.

[0032] The shutter 136 includes a shutter body 136a that closes the discharge opening 131a of the ingredient stocker 131, a connecting bolt 136b that connects the shutter body 136a to the ingredient stocker 131, and a shutter rotation mechanism 136c that rotates the shutter body 136a vertically around the connecting bolt 136b.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the shutter body 136a is C-shaped in cross-section, and its upper end is connected to the ingredient stocker 131 above the discharge opening 131a of the ingredient stocker 131. Furthermore, the shutter body 136a is rotatable vertically relative to the ingredient storage container 131.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the shutter rotation mechanism 136c is a pull-type solenoid controlled by a control unit (it retracts when energized and extends when de-energized), comprising a plunger 136c1 whose tip is connected to the shutter body 136a, a housing 136c2 that houses the plunger 136c1, and a connecting plate 136c3 that connects the housing 136c2 to the ingredient stocker 131. Therefore, when the shutter rotation mechanism 136c is not energized, the shutter body 136a closes the discharge opening 131a of the ingredient stocker 131, as shown in Figure 4, and when the shutter rotation mechanism 136c is energized, the shutter body 136a opens the discharge opening 131a of the ingredient stocker 131. Furthermore, the control unit controls the opening and closing of the discharge opening 131a of the ingredient storage container 131 by the shutter 136.

[0035] The housing 136c2 is a rectangular frame when viewed from the front, and as shown in Figure 3, a connecting plate 136c3 is attached to its right side. As shown in Figure 3, the connecting plate 136c3 is pivotally supported at its upper end so that it can rotate vertically relative to the ingredient storage container 131.

[0036] <3. Drive Unit> Next, based on Figure 2B and the like, we will describe the drive unit 140 that generates the power to drive the ingredient distribution unit 130. As shown in Figure 2B and other figures, the drive unit 140 includes a drive motor 141 that generates power, a rotating shaft 142 that rotates integrally with the drive motor 141, and a drive gear 143 provided on the rotating shaft 142 and rotating integrally with the rotating shaft 142, and generates power to supply the ingredients stored in the ingredient distribution unit 130 to container C. The drive gear 143 has the same number of gears as the ingredient supply unit 130, and has helical teeth 143a formed on its outer surface.

[0037] <4. Clutch Unit> Next, based on Figures 4, 5A to 5C, we will describe the clutch units 150, which control the transmission of power generated by the drive unit 140 to the ingredient distribution unit 130, and which are the same number as the ingredient distribution unit 130. Figure 5A is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the clutch unit shown in Figure 2A, Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the clutch unit shown in Figure 2A, and Figure 5C is an enlarged side view of the VC in Figure 5B.

[0038] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the clutch unit 150 includes a cylindrical transmitted member 151 that engages with the rear end of the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient delivery means 134, a cylindrical transmission member 152 that can mesh with the transmitted member 151 in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction), a helical spring (biasing member) 153 positioned between the transmitted member 151 and the transmission member 152, a push member 154 that pushes the transmission member 152 into the transmitted member 151 based on control by the control unit to mesh the transmitted member 151 and the transmission member 152, and a rolling bearing 155 mounted on the rear end of the transmission member 152.

[0039] The transmitted-side member 151 is made of resin and, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, has a cylindrical connecting shaft side cylindrical portion 151a connected to the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient distribution unit 130 from the ingredient distribution unit 130 side, a disc-shaped flange portion 151b which is larger in diameter than the connecting shaft side cylindrical portion 151a, a transmitted-side cylindrical portion 151c which is smaller in diameter than the flange portion 151b, and a gripping claw 151d which protrudes from the flange portion 151b toward the transmitted-side member 152. Multiple interlocking claws 151d are formed on concentric circles centered on the rotation axis R.

[0040] The transmission-side member 152 is fitted onto the flange portion 151b of the receiving-side member 151 by elastically deforming it from the front. As shown in Figure 5A, the transmission-side member 152 consists of an annular resin gear 152a having helical teeth 152a1 formed on its outer surface that mesh with helical teeth 143a formed on the outer surface of the drive gear 143 of the drive unit 140, and a resin meshing cylinder 152b having a key 152b1 on its outer surface that is inserted into a keyway 152a2 formed on the inner surface of the gear 152a. At the tip of the engagement cylinder 152b, an engagement claw 152b2 is formed that can engage longitudinally with the engagement claw 151d of the transmitted member 151. As shown in Figure 5A, the engaging claw 152b2 protrudes toward the transmitted member 151 and is formed on a concentric circle with respect to the rotation axis R.

[0041] As described above, the interlocking claws 151d of the transmitted member 151 and 152b2 of the transmitted member 152 are sawtooth-shaped, as shown in Figure 5C, and are formed from forward contact surfaces 151d1 and 152b2a that come into contact with each other when the transmitted member 152 is rotated in the forward direction P, and reverse contact surfaces 151d2 and 152b2b that come into contact with each other when the transmitted member 152 is rotated in the reverse direction N.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5C, the forward contact surfaces 151d1 and 152b2a and the reverse contact surfaces 151d2 and 152b2b intersect the axis of rotation R in a side view. Furthermore, the inclination angle θ1 of the forward contact surfaces 151d1 and 152b2a is gentler than the inclination angle θ2 of the reverse contact surfaces 151d2 and 152b2b, as shown in Figure 5C. Therefore, when the transmission-side member 152 rotates in the forward direction P, the forward contact surface 152b2a of the transmission-side member 152 and the forward contact surface 151d1 of the transmitted-side member 151 remain in contact, and the power generated by the drive motor 141 is transmitted to the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient distribution unit 130, causing the coil-shaped member 134a to rotate and the ingredients to be sent towards the container C. On the other hand, when the transmission-side member 152 rotates in the opposite direction N, the opposite contact surface 152b2b of the transmission-side member 152 and the opposite contact surface 151d2 of the transmitted-side member 151 come into contact. However, slippage occurs between the transmitted-side member 151 and the transmission-side member 152, causing the transmission-side member 152 to move away from the transmitted-side member 151. As a result, the power generated by the drive motor 141 is not transmitted to the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient distribution unit 130. In other words, as shown in Figure 5C, the inclination angle θ1 of the forward contact surfaces 151d1 and 152b2a is gentler than the inclination angle θ2 of the reverse contact surfaces 151d2 and 152b2b. As a result, power from the drive motor 141 is transmitted to the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient distribution unit 130 only when the transmission-side member 152 is rotated in the forward direction P.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5B, the helical spring 153 covers the engaging claw 151d of the transmitted member 151 and the engaging cylinder 152b of the transmitting member 152 from the outside, biasing the engaging cylinder 152b of the transmitting member 152 in a direction that separates the transmitted member 151 and the transmitting member 152.

[0044] The push member 154 includes a pin 154a that abuts against the rear end of the meshing cylinder 152b of the transmission-side member 152, a pull-type solenoid 154b controlled by a control unit that moves a plunger 154b1 back and forth in the front-rear direction, an arm 154c that transmits the movement of the plunger 154b1 of the solenoid 154b to the pin 154a, and a frame 154d that pivotally supports the arm 154c so that it can rotate in the front-rear direction.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, the pin 154a has a cylindrical small-diameter tip portion 154a1 that abuts against the rear end of the meshing cylinder 152b of the transmission-side member 152, and a cylindrical large-diameter portion 154a2 that is connected to the rear end of the small-diameter tip portion 154a1 and has a larger diameter than the small-diameter tip portion 154a1.

[0046] When the solenoid 154b is energized, the force pulling in the plunger 154b1 is greater than the biasing force provided by the helical spring 153. In other words, when current is supplied to the solenoid 154b, the engagement claw 151d of the transmitted member 151 and the engagement claw 152b2 of the transmitting member 152 engage, and when the current to the solenoid 154b is cut off, the engagement between the engagement claw 151d of the transmitted member 151 and the engagement claw 152b2 of the transmitting member 152 is released.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, the lower end of the arm 154c is connected to the plunger 154b1, and the upper end is pivotally supported on the frame 154d so as to be able to rotate in the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the plunger 154b1 moves forward (i.e., the solenoid 154b retracts), the arm 154c moves forward, and when the plunger 154b1 moves backward (i.e., the solenoid 154b extends), the arm 154c moves backward. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, arm 154c is pivotally supported on frame 154d above pin 154a.

[0048] The rolling bearing 155 has an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 154a2 of the pin 154a of the press-fit member 154, and rotatably supports the pin 154a. Furthermore, the rotation axis of the rolling bearing 155 coincides with the rotation axis R of the transmission-side member 152.

[0049] <5. Ingredient Distribution Procedure> Next, an example of a food ingredient distribution procedure by a food ingredient distribution unit 130 that stores a specific ingredient I specified by the touch panel 113 will be described based on Figures 6A to 6D, etc. Figure 6A is a partial cross-sectional side view of the ingredient distribution unit in its initial state, Figure 6B is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the ingredient distribution unit shown in Figure 6A with the discharge opening open, Figure 6C is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the ingredient being dispensed by the ingredient delivery means in the ingredient distribution unit, and Figure 6D is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the state after the ingredient distribution unit has dispensed the ingredient into the container. The ingredient distribution procedure shown below is merely an example, and the ingredient distribution procedure in the ingredient distribution device 100 is not limited to this.

[0050] <5.1. Initial State> First, let's explain the initial state based on Figure 6A. In the initial state, as shown in Figure 6A, ingredient I is stored in the ingredient stocker 131 of the ingredient distribution unit 130. Furthermore, the discharge opening 131a of the ingredient storage unit 131 is closed by the shutter body 136a. Furthermore, in the clutch unit 150, the transmitted member 151 and the transmitting member 152 are not connected.

[0051] <5.2. Ingredient Distribution> When a specific ingredient I (i.e., an ingredient dispensing unit 130 that stores this specific ingredient I) is selected via the touch panel 113, and the weight of the ingredient to be dispensed into container C (hereinafter referred to as the "dispensing weight") is specified, the control unit energizes the shutter rotation mechanism 136c of the ingredient dispensing unit 130, opening the shutter body 136a as shown in Figure 6B, and releasing the discharge opening 131a of the ingredient stocker 131. At this time, the ingredients I held by the shutter body 136a fall into container C through the ingredients drop opening 131b.

[0052] Next, the control unit energizes the solenoid 154b of the clutch unit 150, extending the plunger 154b1 to connect the transmitted member 151 and the transmitting member 152, as shown in Figure 6C. Then, by driving the drive motor 141 of the drive unit 140, the power generated by the drive motor 141 is transmitted to the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient distribution unit 130 via the drive gear 143, the transmission-side member 152, and the transmitted-side member 151, causing the coil-shaped member 134a of the ingredient delivery means 134 to rotate, and the geared rotating shaft 135b of the ingredient stirring means 135, which meshes with the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient delivery means 134, to rotate. As a result, as shown in Figure 6C, the ingredients I in the ingredient stocker 131 are stirred by the vertical oscillation of the stirring member 135a, suppressing the occurrence of bridging, and the ingredients I are discharged from the discharge opening 131a, pass through the ingredient drop opening 131b, and fall into the container C.

[0053] <5.3. Distribution suspension> Then, the ingredient dispensing means 134 dispenses the ingredients I into container C until the weight of the ingredients I distributed into container C reaches the specified distribution weight. When the weight of the ingredients I distributed into container C reaches the specified distribution weight, the control unit first cuts off power to the shutter rotation mechanism 136c and rotates the shutter body 136a downwards, as shown in Figure 6D, to close the discharge opening 131a of the ingredient stocker 131. The control unit then cuts off the power supply to the solenoid 154b of the clutch unit 150, causing the plunger 154b1 to retract, disengaging the transmission-side member 151 and the transmission-side member 152, and returning to the initial state as shown in Figure 6A.

[0054] <6. Effects of the ingredient dispensing device 100> As described above, the ingredient dispensing device 100 includes a plurality of ingredient dispensing units 130 that can store ingredients and dispense them into a container C, a single drive unit 140 that generates power to drive the ingredient dispensing units 130, the same number of clutch units 150 as the ingredient dispensing units 130 that control the transmission of power generated by the drive unit 140 to the ingredient dispensing units 130, and a control unit that controls the operation of the ingredient dispensing units 130, the driving of the drive unit 140, and the power transmission by the clutch units 150. The control unit controls the clutch unit 150 corresponding to the ingredient dispensing unit 130 that stores a predetermined ingredient I based on the input, so that the power generated by the drive unit 140 is transmitted only to the ingredient dispensing unit 130 that stores the predetermined ingredient I, and a single drive unit 140 can drive only the predetermined ingredient dispensing unit 130 from among the plurality of ingredient dispensing units 130, thus making it possible to miniaturize the ingredient dispensing device 100 equipped with a plurality of ingredient dispensing units 130.

[0055] Furthermore, the clutch unit 150 includes a cylindrical transmitted member 151 that engages with the rear end of the connecting shaft 134b of the ingredient delivery means 134, a cylindrical transmission member 152 that meshes with the drive gear 143 of the drive unit 140 on its outer circumferential surface and is able to mesh with the transmitted member 151 in the longitudinal direction, and a push member 154 that pushes the transmission member 152 onto the transmitted member 151 based on control by the control unit to mesh the transmitted member 151 and the transmission member 152. As a result, the push member 154 meshes the transmitted member 151 and the transmission member 152 based on control by the control unit, and the power generated by the drive unit 140 is transmitted only to a predetermined ingredient supply unit 130. Therefore, with a simple mechanism, only a predetermined ingredient supply unit 130 can be driven from among multiple ingredient supply units 130.

[0056] Furthermore, since the clutch unit 150 has a helical spring 153, which is a biasing member that biases the transmission-side member 152 in a direction that separates the transmitted-side member 151 from the transmitted-side member 152, the transmitted-side member 151 and the transmission-side member 152 are reliably separated when the push member 154 does not press the transmission-side member 152 against the transmitted-side member 151. Therefore, when the push member 154 does not press the transmission-side member 152 against the transmitted-side member 151, it is possible to reliably prevent the power generated by the drive unit 140 from being transmitted to the ingredient distribution unit 130.

[0057] Furthermore, because the forward contact surfaces 151d1 and 152b2a intersect the rotation axis R of the transmission-side member 152 or the transmitted-side member 151 in a side view, the transmission-side member 152 can be easily removed from the transmitted-side member 151 compared to the case where the forward contact surfaces are parallel to the rotation axis of the transmission-side member or the transmitted-side member in a side view. Therefore, when a predetermined weight of ingredients I is delivered to the container C, the engagement between the transmission-side member 152 and the transmitted-side member 151 is quickly released, preventing oversupply of ingredients I to the container C and ensuring that a predetermined weight of ingredients I is accurately supplied to the container C. Because the inclination angle θ1 of the directional contact surfaces 151d1 and 152b2a is gentler than the inclination angle θ2 of the reverse direction contact surfaces 151d2 and 152b2b, when the transmission-side member 152 is rotated in the forward direction P, it is less likely for the transmission-side member 152 to come off the transmitted-side member 151 compared to when the transmission-side member 152 is rotated in the reverse direction N. As a result, the engagement between the engagement claw 152b2 of the transmission-side member 152 and the engagement claw 151d of the transmitted-side member 151 is reliably maintained when the transmission-side member 152 is rotated in the forward direction P, and the amount of ingredients dispensed into the container C by the ingredient dispensing means 134 can be accurately controlled.

[0058] Furthermore, when the weight of the ingredients I dispensed into container C reaches a predetermined dispensing weight, the control unit closes the discharge opening 131a with the shutter 136, and then releases the engagement between the transmission-side member 152 and the transmitted-side member 151. As a result, when the weight of the ingredients I dispensed into container C reaches a predetermined dispensing weight, the shutter 136 closes the discharge opening 131a and then the engagement between the transmitted-side member 151 and the transmission-side member 152 is released. Therefore, when the weight of the ingredients I dispensed into container C reaches a predetermined dispensing weight, the ingredients I will not spill out of the ingredient stocker 131 into container C, and the ingredients I can be automatically dispensed into container C in the correct quantity.

[0059] <Variation> Although an ingredient dispensing device 100, which is one embodiment of the present invention, has been described above, the ingredient dispensing device of the present invention is not limited to the ingredient dispensing device 100 of the above embodiment.

[0060] For example, in the embodiment described above, the ingredient dispensing device 100 was controlled by input to the touch panel 113, but it may also be controlled by remote operation from an external source using a communication means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 100 ··· Ingredient dispensing device 110 ··· Base 120 ··· Cabinet 121 ··· Main unit 121a... aperture 122...lid 123 ··· Touch panel 124 ··· Drive light 130 ··· Ingredient distribution unit 131 ··· Ingredient storage 131a ··· Discharge opening 131b ··· Ingredient drop-off point 131c ··· Oscillating axis 132 ··· Hopper 133 ··· Means for measuring ingredients 133a ··· Container mounting stand 133b ··· Load cell 134 ··· Ingredient dispensing means 134a ··· Coil-shaped member 134b... Connection shaft 135 ··· Method for stirring ingredients 135a ... Stirring component 135a1 ··· Engagement hole 135b ··· Rotating shaft with gears 135b1 ··· Engagement protrusion 136... Shutter 136a ··· Shutter body 136b ··· Connecting bolt 136c ··· Shutter rotation mechanism 136c1 ··· Plunger 136c2 ··· Housing 136c3 ··· Connecting plate 140 ··· Drive unit 141 ··· Drive motor 142 ··· Rotation axis 143 ··· Drive gear 143a ··· Twisted teeth 150 ··· Clutch unit 151 ··· Transmitted side member 151a... Connecting shaft side cylindrical part 151b ··· Tsubabe 151c...Transmitted side cylindrical part 151d ··· Attached nail 151d1 ··· Forward contact surface 151d2 ··· Reverse contact surface 152 ··· Transmission side member 152a ··· Gear 152a1 ··· Twisted teeth 152a2 ··· Keyway 152b ··· Meshing cylinder 152b1 ··· Key 152b2 ··· Attached nail 152b2a... Forward contact surface 152b2b... Reverse contact surface 153 ··· Helical spring (biasing member) 154 ··· Push-in component 154a ··· Pin 154a1 ··· Small diameter tip 154a2 ··· Large diameter section 154b ··· Solenoid 154b1 ··· Plunger 154c ··· Arm 154d ··· Frame 155 ··· Rolling bearings F ··· Mounting surface C... Container I ··· Ingredients R ··· Rotation axis P...Forward direction N... Reverse direction θ1 ··· Inclination angle of the contact surface in the forward direction θ2 ··· Angle of inclination of the contact surface in the opposite direction

Claims

1. Multiple ingredient dispensing units that can store ingredients and dispense them into containers, A single drive unit that generates power to drive the ingredient distribution unit, The clutch units, which are the same number as the ingredient distribution units, control the transmission of power generated by the drive unit to the ingredient distribution unit. A food dispensing device comprising a control unit that controls the operation of the food dispensing unit, the drive unit, and the power transmission by the clutch unit, The drive unit comprises a drive motor that generates the power, and the same number of drive gears as the ingredient supply unit, which are provided on a rotating shaft that rotates integrally with the drive motor. The ingredient distribution unit comprises an ingredient stocker for storing the ingredients, an ingredient weighing means for placing the container and weighing the ingredients distributed into the container, and an ingredient dispensing means for dispensing the ingredients stored in the ingredient stocker into the container. The ingredient dispensing device is characterized in that the clutch unit comprises a cylindrical transmitted member that engages with the rear end of the connecting shaft of the ingredient dispensing means, a cylindrical transmission member that meshes with the drive gear of the drive unit on its outer surface and is able to mesh with the transmitted member in the longitudinal direction, and a pushing member that pushes the transmission member onto the transmitted member based on control by the control unit to mesh the transmitted member and the transmission member.

2. The ingredient dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the clutch unit has a biasing member that biases the transmission-side member in a direction that separates the transmitted-side member from the transmitted-side member.

3. The transmitting member and the receiving member have sawtooth-shaped interlocking claws that interlock with each other in the longitudinal direction. The interlocking claws of the transmission-side member and the transmitted-side member have forward contact surfaces that come into contact with each other when the transmission-side member is rotated in the forward direction, which drives the ingredient dispensing means to send the ingredients toward the container, and reverse contact surfaces that come into contact with each other when the transmission-side member is rotated in the reverse direction opposite to the forward direction. The ingredient dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the forward contact surface of the interlocking claw intersects with the rotation axis of the transmission-side member or the transmitted-side member in a side view, and the inclination angle of the forward contact surface is gentler than the inclination angle of the reverse contact surface.

4. The ingredient dispensing unit has a shutter that opens and closes a discharge opening formed in the ingredient stocker. The control unit controls the opening and closing of the discharge opening by the shutter, The ingredient dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the weight of the ingredients dispensed into the container reaches a predetermined dispensing weight, the control unit closes the discharge opening with the shutter and then releases the engagement between the transmission-side member and the transmitted-side member.

Images