CN116564010B

CN116564010B - food vending machine

Info

Publication number: CN116564010B
Application number: CN202310834585.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 赵晓东; 章卿妹; 朱高磊; 杜赛楠; 牛梅梅; 戢炀
Original assignee: Advanced Institute of Information Technology AIIT of Peking University; Hangzhou Weiming Information Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Bajiushi Hangzhou Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2023-07-10
Filing date: 2023-07-10
Publication date: 2023-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2043-07-10
Also published as: CN116564010A

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of food vending machines, and particularly relates to a food vending machine and a food storage room for storing prepared food; a food heating chamber for heating a prepared food placed in the food heating chamber; the heat exchange system comprises a refrigerant circulation unit, a heat exchange unit and a steam heating unit, wherein the refrigerant circulation unit comprises an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser which are mutually communicated, the compressor is communicated with the condenser through a first refrigerant pipeline, a cold air outlet of the evaporator is communicated with the food storage chamber, the heat exchange unit comprises a heat exchange pipeline, the heat exchange pipeline is connected with the first refrigerant pipeline in a thermal coupling way, an outlet of the heat exchange pipeline is communicated with the steam heating unit, and a steam outlet of the steam heating unit is communicated with the food heating chamber. The food vending machine can effectively reduce energy consumption while guaranteeing the food heating function and the food refrigerating function.

Description

Food vending machine

Technical Field

The invention belongs to the technical field of food vending machines, and particularly relates to a food vending machine.

Background

This section provides merely background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

The existing food vending machine has a refrigerating function and a heating function, and can cool the prepared food to be sold to prolong the shelf life of the prepared food, and can heat the prepared food to be convenient for customers to eat. However, the existing food vending machine has large energy consumption in the refrigerating and heating processes of the prefabricated food, and the use cost is increased.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to at least solve the problem of high energy consumption for refrigerating and heating prefabricated foods of food vending machines. The aim is achieved by the following technical scheme:

a first aspect of the present invention proposes a food vending machine comprising:

a food storage chamber for storing a prepared food;

a food heating chamber for heating a prepared food placed in the food heating chamber;

the heat exchange system comprises a refrigerant circulation unit, a heat exchange unit and a steam heating unit, wherein the refrigerant circulation unit comprises an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser which are mutually communicated, the compressor is communicated with the condenser through a first refrigerant pipeline, a cool air outlet of the evaporator is communicated with the food storage chamber, the heat exchange unit comprises a heat exchange pipeline, the heat exchange pipeline is connected with the first refrigerant pipeline in a heat coupling way, an outlet of the heat exchange pipeline is communicated with the steam heating unit, and a steam outlet of the steam heating unit is communicated with the food heating chamber.

According to the food vending machine, the heat exchange pipeline is arranged, the cooling water flowing in the heat exchange pipeline is utilized to absorb heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the exhaust port of the compressor, the cooling water absorbs heat and becomes hot water, and the steam heating device can be used for heating and generating steam quickly by directly utilizing the hot water, so that compared with the method for generating steam by directly heating cold water, the energy consumption is lower. In addition, the refrigerant cooled by the heat exchange pipeline flows into the condenser, so that the energy consumption of the cooling and refrigerating work of the condenser is reduced. In addition, the cold air exhausted by the evaporator can be used for directly refrigerating the prefabricated food in the food storage chamber, so that the heating function and the refrigerating function of the food vending machine are ensured, and meanwhile, the energy consumption is effectively reduced.

In addition, the food vending machine according to the present invention may further have the following additional technical features:

in some embodiments of the invention, the steam heating unit includes:

the hot water tank is communicated with the outlet of the heat exchange pipeline;

the steam generation device is communicated with the hot water tank and is used for generating steam by utilizing water in the hot water tank;

and the steam conveying pipeline is used for communicating the steam outlet of the steam generating device with the food heating chamber and guiding the steam generated by the steam generating device into the food heating chamber.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of food heating chambers are provided, the steam conveying pipeline includes a first conveying pipeline and a second conveying pipeline, the first conveying pipeline is used for communicating a steam outlet of the steam generating device with the second conveying pipeline, the second conveying pipeline extends along an arrangement direction of the plurality of food heating chambers, the second conveying pipeline is provided with a plurality of air outlets, and the plurality of air outlets are respectively communicated with the plurality of food heating chambers in a one-to-one correspondence manner.

In some embodiments of the invention, the heat exchange system further comprises a hot air heating unit comprising:

an air supply device;

the air inlet end of the hot air pipeline is communicated with the outside, the air outlet end of the hot air pipeline is communicated with the food heating chamber, the air supply device is arranged in the hot air pipeline, and the hot air pipeline is connected with the first conveying pipeline in a thermal coupling way.

In some embodiments of the invention, the heat exchange system further comprises a steam recovery unit comprising:

a steam recovery tank;

the steam recovery pipeline is used for communicating the food heating chamber with the steam recovery box, and the steam recovery pipeline is connected with the second conveying pipeline in a thermal coupling way.

In some embodiments of the invention, the first refrigerant line is nested with the heat exchange line in a radial direction of the first refrigerant line;

and/or, along the radial direction of the first conveying pipeline, the first conveying pipeline and the hot air pipeline are mutually nested;

and/or, the second conveying pipeline and the steam recovery pipeline are nested with each other along the radial direction of the second conveying pipeline.

In some embodiments of the invention, the first transfer line communicates with the hot water tank, and the heat exchange system further comprises:

the first water level detection device is arranged on the first conveying pipeline and is used for detecting the water level in the first conveying pipeline;

and a first control valve provided on a passage between the first delivery pipe and the hot water tank for opening and closing the passage between the first delivery pipe and the hot water tank, the first control valve being configured to conduct the passage between the first delivery pipe and the hot water tank when the water level detected by the first water level detection means is greater than a first preset water level.

In some embodiments of the invention, the heat exchange system further comprises:

The water storage tank is arranged below the second conveying pipeline, an inlet of the water storage tank is communicated with the second conveying pipeline and used for collecting condensed water in the second conveying pipeline, and an outlet of the water storage tank is communicated with the hot water tank;

the second water level detection device is arranged on the water storage tank and is used for detecting the water level in the water storage tank;

and the second control valve is arranged on a passage between the water storage tank and the second conveying pipeline and is configured to conduct the passage between the water storage tank and the hot water tank when the water level detected by the second water level detection device is greater than a second preset water level.

In some embodiments of the invention, the hot water tank communicates with the vapor recovery tank, and the heat exchange system further comprises:

the first pressure detection device is arranged in the hot water tank and is used for detecting the pressure value in the hot water tank;

and a third control valve provided on a passage between the hot water tank and the vapor recovery tank, the third control valve being configured to conduct the passage between the hot water tank and the vapor recovery tank when the pressure value detected by the first pressure detecting device is greater than a first set pressure value.

the water storage tank is communicated with the hot water tank through the heat exchange pipeline;

the third water level detection device is arranged on the hot water tank and is used for detecting the water level in the hot water tank;

and the pumping device is arranged on a passage between the water storage tank and the heat exchange pipeline and is configured to pump water in the water storage tank into the heat exchange pipeline when the water level detected by the third water level detection device is lower than a third preset water level.

And/or, the heat exchange system further comprises:

the second pressure detection device is arranged on the first conveying pipeline and is used for detecting the pressure value in the first conveying pipeline;

and a fourth control valve provided between the first and second delivery pipes, the fourth control valve being configured to conduct a passage between the first and second delivery pipes when the pressure value detected by the second pressure detecting device is greater than a second set pressure value.

Drawings

Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Also, like reference numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the figures. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a block diagram of a food vending machine according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an overall block diagram of a food heating chamber and heat exchange system of a food vending machine in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a partial block diagram of a heat exchange system on a food vending machine according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a top view of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 schematically shows a state diagram of a heating device according to an embodiment of the invention with respect to a prepared food product.

Fig. 6 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a heating device according to an embodiment of the invention in a heating chamber for food products.

Fig. 7 exemplarily shows a partial structural view of a heating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The reference numerals are as follows:

10. a food storage chamber; 20. a food heating chamber; 21. a shaft sleeve; 30. a heat exchange system; 31. an evaporator; 32. a compressor; 33. a condenser; 34. a throttle device; 35. a heat exchange pipeline; 36. a steam generating device; 37. a steam delivery line; 371. a first delivery line; 372. a second delivery line; 38. a hot air pipeline; 39. a steam recovery tank; 301. a water storage tank; 302. a hot water tank; 303. a water storage tank; 304. a first control valve; 305. a second control valve; 306. a fourth control valve; 307. a first pumping means; 308. a second pumping means; 42. a mobile platform; 50. a heating device; 51. an integration platform; 521. a first fluid line; 522. a second fluid line; 523. a third fluid line; 53. a driving mechanism; 5221. an air supply device; 511. a fixing frame; 512. a sleeve; 54. a connecting piece; 502. a tip portion; 5121. an open end; 55. a sealing cap; 56. a partition plate; 57. a three-way connection; 58. a seal ring; 70. preparing a food; 80. and a power supply device.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order described or illustrated, unless an order of performance is explicitly stated. It should also be appreciated that additional or alternative steps may be used.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

For ease of description, spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "lower," "below," "upper," "above," and the like, may be used herein to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. Such spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" or "over" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below … …" may include both upper and lower orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in other directions) and the spatial relative relationship descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, without conflict, embodiments and examples that follow.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 1, a food vending machine is provided, which includes a food storage chamber 10, a food heating chamber 20, and a heat exchanging system 30, the food storage chamber 10 is used for storing a prepared food 70, the food heating chamber 20 is used for heating the prepared food 70 placed in the food heating chamber 20, and the heat exchanging system 30 is used for introducing a heating air flow into the food heating chamber 20. The number of the food storage chambers 10 and the food heating chambers 20 is not limited, and in one example, there are a plurality of food storage chambers 10, different kinds of prepared foods 70 can be placed in different food storage chambers 10, there are a plurality of food heating chambers 20, the food heating chambers 20 are in one-to-one correspondence with the food storage chambers 10, and the plurality of food heating chambers 20 can heat the prepared foods 70 individually or simultaneously. The heat exchange system 30 may be configured to provide a flow of heated air into one of the food heating chambers 20 or may be configured to provide a flow of heated air into a plurality of food heating chambers 20. The arrangement positions of the food storage chamber 10 and the food heating chamber 20 are not limited, and in one example, the food heating chamber 20 is located below the food storage chamber 10, and a plurality of prepared foods 70 are stacked one by one in each food heating chamber 20, and when the prepared foods 70 need to be heated, the prepared foods 70 located at the lowest layer are transferred to the food heating chamber 20 to be heated. The food vending machine further comprises a power supply device 80, and the power supply device 80 supplies power to the power consumption device which needs to consume power inside the food vending machine.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 2 to 4, the heat exchange system 30 includes a refrigerant circulation unit including an evaporator 31, a compressor 32 and a condenser 33 which are communicated with each other, a throttle device 34 is further provided between the evaporator 31 and the condenser 33, and the evaporator 31, the compressor 32, the condenser 33 and the throttle device 34 are communicated with each other to form a refrigerant circulation loop. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas discharged from the exhaust port of the compressor 32 enters the condenser 33 to cool, the cooled refrigerant is depressurized by a throttling device 34 such as a capillary tube to form low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant liquid, then enters the evaporator 31, the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant is evaporated and absorbed in the evaporator 31 to form low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant gas, the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant gas is returned to the air suction port of the compressor 32 again, and the refrigerant is compressed into the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant by the compressor 32 and then is discharged from the air suction port to enter the next refrigerant cycle.

The compressor 32 and the condenser 33 are communicated through a first refrigerant line (not shown in the drawing), the cool air outlet of the evaporator 31 is communicated with the food storage compartment 10, and the cool air blown out by the evaporator 31 refrigerates the prepared food 70 placed in the food storage compartment 10. The heat exchange unit comprises a heat exchange pipeline 35, and the heat exchange pipeline 35 is connected with the first refrigerant pipeline in a thermal coupling way. The thermal coupling manner between the heat exchange line 35 and the first refrigerant line is not limited, and in an example, along the radial direction of the first refrigerant line, the first refrigerant line and the heat exchange line 35 are nested with each other to increase the heat transfer efficiency, and the first refrigerant line may be disposed in the heat exchange line 35 in a nested manner, and the cooling water flows between the first refrigerant line and the heat exchange line 35. The heat exchange line 35 may be disposed in the first refrigerant line in a nested manner, with the liquid refrigerant flowing between the first refrigerant line and the heat exchange line 35.

The outlet of the heat exchange line 35 communicates with a steam heating unit, the steam outlet of which communicates with the food heating chamber 20, and steam generated by the steam heating unit can heat the prepared food 70 in the food heating chamber 20. The location of the heat exchanging system 30 is not limited, and in an example, as shown in fig. 1-2, the heat exchanging system 30 is disposed below the food heating chamber 20 to reasonably use the internal space of the food vending machine and shorten the steam transmission path. The steam entering the food heating chamber 20 can be conducted and heated by the corrugated structure around and at the bottom of the food heating chamber 20, the flatness of the bottom of the box body of the prepared food 70 can ensure the uniformity of heat transfer, and the prepared food 70 can be directly heated by directly introducing the steam into the box body of the prepared food 70.

In this embodiment, the heat exchange pipeline 35 is provided, and the cooling water flowing through the heat exchange pipeline 35 is used to absorb the heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flowing out from the exhaust port of the compressor 32, the cooling water absorbs heat and becomes hot water, and the steam heating device can heat quickly by directly using the hot water to generate steam, so that the energy consumption is lower than that of directly heating cold water to generate steam. In addition, the refrigerant cooled by the heat exchange pipeline 35 flows into the condenser 33, so that the energy consumption of the cooling and refrigerating operation of the condenser 33 is reduced. In addition, the cold air discharged from the evaporator 31 can directly cool the prepared food 70 in the food storage chamber 10, thereby effectively reducing energy consumption while ensuring the heating function and the cooling function of the food vending machine.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2-4, the steam heating unit includes a hot water tank 302, a steam generating device 36, and a steam delivery pipeline 37, wherein the hot water tank 302 is communicated with an outlet of a heat exchange pipeline 35, an inlet of the heat exchange pipeline 35 can be directly communicated with municipal water supply, or a water storage tank 301 can be arranged inside a food vending machine, and an inlet of the heat exchange pipeline 35 is communicated with the water storage tank 301. The heat exchange line 35 exchanges heat with the first refrigerant line, and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the discharge port of the compressor 32 into the first refrigerant line preheats water in the heat exchange line 35 to generate hot water, which flows into the hot water tank 302 to be stored. The steam generator 36 communicates with the hot water tank 302 for generating steam from water in the hot water tank 302. Because the water in the hot water tank 302 is preheated to a certain temperature by the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant in the first refrigerant pipeline, after the water in the hot water tank 302 enters the steam generating device 36, the steam generating device 36 can be quickly heated to generate steam, and the water consumption required by the steam generating device 36 is ensured by the arrangement of the hot water tank 302, so that the steam quantity generated by the steam generator is ensured. The steam delivery line 37 is used to communicate the steam outlet of the steam generator 36 with the food heating chamber 20 and to introduce the steam generated by the steam generator 36 into the food heating chamber 20 so that the steam heats the prepared food 70. When the food vending machine is in the no order state, the steam generating device 36 enters a standby state.

In some embodiments, the plurality of food heating chambers 20 are provided, the steam conveying pipeline 37 includes a first conveying pipeline 371 and a second conveying pipeline 372, the first conveying pipeline 371 is used for communicating a steam outlet of the steam generating device 36 with the second conveying pipeline 372, the second conveying pipeline 372 extends along an arrangement direction of the plurality of food heating chambers 20, a plurality of air outlets are formed in the second conveying pipeline 372, and a plurality of air outlets of the second conveying pipeline 372 are respectively communicated with the plurality of food heating chambers 20 in a one-to-one correspondence manner. The amount of steam output from the air outlet of the second delivery pipe 372 can be intelligently controlled according to the heating schedule of the prepared food 70 and the type of the prepared food 70.

In some embodiments, the heat exchange system 30 further includes a hot air heating unit, the hot air heating unit includes an air supply device 5221 and a hot air pipeline 38, an air inlet end of the hot air pipeline 38 is communicated with the outside, an air outlet end of the hot air pipeline 38 is communicated with the food heating chamber 20, the air supply device 5221 is disposed in the hot air pipeline 38, the hot air pipeline 38 is thermally coupled to the first conveying pipeline 371, a thermal coupling manner between the hot air pipeline 38 and the first conveying pipeline 371 is not limited, and in an example, as shown in fig. 4, the first conveying pipeline 371 and the hot air pipeline 38 are mutually nested along a radial direction of the first conveying pipeline 371 so as to increase heat transfer efficiency. The first transfer line 371 may be disposed in the hot air line 38 in a nested manner, and hot air may flow between the first transfer line 371 and the hot air line 38. The hot air duct 38 may be provided in the first delivery duct 371 in a nested manner, and the steam may flow between the hot air duct 38 and the first delivery duct 371. The steam in the first delivery pipe 371 transfers part of heat to the air in the hot air pipe 38 to heat the air, and generates hot air under the action of the air supply device 5221, and the hot air enters the food heating chamber 20 and then heats the prepared food 70 together with the steam entering the food heating chamber 20, so that the heating efficiency of the prepared food 70 is improved. In addition, by heating the air in the hot air duct 38 by the heat of the steam, the heat energy is reasonably utilized, and the energy consumption is further reduced.

In some embodiments, the heat exchange system 30 as shown in fig. 2-4 further includes a vapor recovery unit including a vapor recovery tank 39 and a vapor recovery line (not shown) for communicating the food heating chamber 20 with the vapor recovery tank 39, the vapor recovery tank 39 storing recovered vapor. The vapor recovery line is thermally coupled to the second delivery line 372, and the manner of thermal coupling of the vapor recovery line to the second delivery line 372 is not limited, and in one example, the second delivery line 372 and the vapor recovery line nest with each other in a radial direction of the second delivery line 372 to increase heat transfer efficiency. The second transfer line 372 may be provided in a nested manner within the vapor recovery line, with recovered vapor flowing between the first transfer line 371 and the hot air line 38. The nesting arrangement may also provide for vapor recovery lines to be disposed within the second transfer line 372 for heated vapor to circulate between the vapor recovery lines and the second transfer line 372. After the steam enters the food heating chamber 20, the redundant steam in the food heating chamber 20 enters the steam recovery pipeline, the temperature of the steam entering the steam recovery pipeline is still higher, and the higher steam can compensate the temperature of the steam in the second conveying pipeline 372, so that the steam heating effect is ensured.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2, the first delivery pipe 371 is in communication with the hot water tank 302, and the heat exchange system 30 further includes a first water level detection device (not shown) and a first control valve 304, wherein the first water level detection device is disposed on the first delivery pipe 371 to detect the water level of the condensation chamber in the first delivery pipe 371 when the first delivery pipe 371 delivers steam, and the condensed water is generated when the steam encounters cold. The first control valve 304 is disposed on a passage between the first delivery pipe 371 and the hot water tank 302, for opening and closing the passage between the first delivery pipe 371 and the hot water tank 302, and the first control valve 304 is configured to conduct the passage between the first delivery pipe 371 and the hot water tank 302 when the water level detected by the first water level detection device is greater than a first preset water level, so as to introduce the condensed water in the first delivery pipe 371 into the hot water tank 302, thereby realizing recovery and reutilization of the condensed water in the first delivery pipe 371 and heat in the condensed water, and in order to ensure that the condensed water in the first delivery pipe 371 can smoothly enter the hot water tank 302, a small water pump (not shown in the figure) is further disposed on the passage between the first delivery pipe 371 and the hot water tank 302, and the condensing chamber in the first delivery pipe 371 is pumped into the hot water tank 302 by the small water pump. The control system of the food vending machine controls the first control valve 304 and the small water pump, the first preset water level being the highest water level allowed by the first transfer line 371.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2, the heat exchange system 30 further includes a water storage tank 303, a second water level detection device (not shown in the figure), and a second control valve 305, the condensed water is generated when the steam is cooled in the process of conveying the steam by the second conveying pipeline 372, the water storage tank 303 is disposed below the second conveying pipeline 372, an inlet of the water storage tank 303 is communicated with the second conveying pipeline 372 and is used for receiving the condensed water in the second conveying pipeline 372 and collecting the condensed water, an outlet of the water storage tank 303 is communicated with the hot water tank 302, and the second water level detection device is disposed on the water storage tank 303 and is used for detecting the water level in the water storage tank 303. The second control valve 305 is disposed on a passage between the water storage tank 303 and the second conveying pipeline 372, and the second control valve 305 is configured to conduct a passage between the water storage tank 303 and the hot water tank 302 when the water level detected by the second water level detection device is greater than a second preset water level, so that the condensed water in the water storage tank 303 flows into the hot water tank 302, and recovery and reutilization of the condensed water in the second conveying pipeline 372 and heat in the condensed water are realized. In one possible implementation, the setting position of the water storage tank 303 is higher than the setting position of the hot water tank 302, and after the second control valve 305 conducts the passage between the water storage tank 303 and the hot water tank 302, the condensed water in the water storage tank 303 automatically flows into the hot water tank 302 under the action of gravity. The control system of the food vending machine controls the second control valve 305, the second preset water level being the highest water level allowed by the water storage tank 303.

In some embodiments, the hot water tank 302 is in communication with the vapor recovery tank 39, and the heat exchange system 30 further includes a first pressure detection device disposed within the hot water tank 302 for detecting a pressure value within the hot water tank 302, and a third control valve disposed on a path between the hot water tank 302 and the vapor recovery tank 39, the third control valve configured to conduct the path between the hot water tank 302 and the vapor recovery tank 39 when the pressure value detected by the first pressure detection device is greater than a first set pressure value. In this embodiment, the pressure in the hot water tank 302 is balanced by setting the first pressure detection value and the third control valve, so that smooth circulation of water in the hot water tank 302 is ensured, and the third control valve is controlled by the control system of the food vending machine, wherein the first set pressure value is the maximum pressure value allowed in the hot water tank 302.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2, the heat exchange system 30 further includes a water storage tank 301, a third water level detection device (not shown in the figure), and a first pumping device 307, wherein the water storage tank 301 is in communication with the hot water tank 302 via a heat exchange line 35 to provide a water source to the heat exchange line 35. The third water level detection means is provided on the hot water tank 302 for detecting the water level in the hot water tank 302, the first pumping means 307 is provided on the path between the water storage tank 301 and the heat exchange line 35, and the first pumping means 307 is configured to pump the water in the water storage tank 301 into the heat exchange line 35 when the water level detected by the third water level detection means is lower than a third preset water level. The third preset water level is the highest water level allowed by the hot water tank 302. In an example, there are a plurality of water storage tanks 301, a plurality of passages are provided between the water storage tanks 301 and the heat exchange pipelines 35, the first pumping devices 307 are provided in a plurality, the water storage tanks 301 are in one-to-one correspondence with the first pumping devices 307, and the first pumping devices 307 are in one-to-one correspondence with the passages between the water storage tanks 301 and the heat exchange pipelines 35. The water level detected by the third water level detection device in this embodiment controls the first pumping device 307 to ensure that the water in the hot water tank 302 is always lower than the highest water level, and ensure reliable operation of the entire heat exchange system 30. The control system of the food vending machine controls the first pumping device 307.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 2, the heat exchange system 30 further includes a second pressure detecting device (not shown in the drawings) disposed on the first delivery line 371 for detecting a pressure value in the first delivery line 371, and a fourth control valve 306 disposed between the first delivery line 371 and the second delivery line 372, the fourth control valve 306 being configured to conduct a passage between the first delivery line 371 and the second delivery line 372 when the pressure value detected by the second pressure detecting device is greater than a second set pressure value. The magnitude of the second set pressure value may be set as desired. The fourth control valve 306 is controlled by the pressure value detected by the second pressure detecting device in this embodiment, so that the amount of steam entering the second conveying line 372 from the first conveying line 371 can be ensured, which contributes to improving the heating efficiency. The fourth control valve 306 is controlled by the control system of the food vending machine.

The heat exchange system 30 of the present embodiment may further include an electromagnetic heating unit provided in the food heating chamber 20 to electromagnetically heat the prepared food 70. The embodiment can obtain better heating effect by coordinating and matching a plurality of heating modes.

In this embodiment, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas generated by the compressor 32 is used to transfer heat to the water flowing through the heat exchange pipeline 35, so that not only is part of heat recovered to preheat the water in the heat exchange pipeline 35 to about 60 degrees, but also the energy consumption of the cooling and refrigerating operation of the condenser 33 is reduced. The refrigerant which is cooled by the condenser 33 and depressurized by the throttling device 34 sequentially enters the evaporator 31, and the evaporator 31 introduces cold air into the food storage chamber 10 to maintain the low-temperature environment of the food storage chamber 10, so that the energy is fully utilized. The steam generator 36 uses high-efficiency high-frequency eddy current to electrically heat the preheated water, so that the water can be quickly vaporized, the vaporized water vapor enters the first fluid pipeline 521 and is in heat transfer with the air in the hot air pipeline 38, and under the action of the air supply device 5221, the hot air in the hot air pipeline 38 is mixed with the hot air generated by the electric heating device in the second fluid pipeline 522 of the heating device 50 and is conveyed to the food heating chamber 20. The condensed water of the steam in the first and second delivery pipes 371 and 372 is collected and flows into the hot water tank 302, not only the water amount but also the heat is recovered, so that the water temperature in the hot water tank 302 is always in a high temperature state without external heating, and water and electric energy are saved. The whole heat exchange system 30 is in modular design, standardized in volume and interface, interchangeable, and has a single steam heating mode, a single hot air heating mode and a heating mode for simultaneously performing steam heating and hot air heating.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a food vending machine further includes a heating device 50, the heating device 50 is disposed in the food heating chamber 20, and according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 5 to 7, a heating device 50 is provided, the heating device 50 of the present embodiment is used in a food vending machine having a heating function, the food vending machine includes the food heating chamber 20, and the heating device 50 is disposed in the food heating chamber 20. The heating device 50 comprises an integrated platform 51 and at least two fluid lines, the at least two fluid lines being fixed to the integrated platform 51, the integrated platform 51 supporting the at least two fluid lines. At least two fluid lines are adapted to communicate with food heating chamber 20 of the food vending machine, and at least one fluid line is capable of introducing a flow of heated air into food heating chamber 20. The heating air flow can be at least one of steam or hot air, at least two fluid pipelines can only be used for introducing steam or hot air into the food heating chamber 20, steam and hot air can be simultaneously introduced into the food heating chamber 20, and the type of the heating air flow introduced into the food heating chamber 20 can be controlled according to actual requirements. The heating device 50 further comprises a driving mechanism 53, wherein the driving mechanism 53 is in driving connection with the integrated platform 51 and is used for driving the integrated platform 51 to move in the food heating chamber 20, the driving mechanism 53 is a common driving structural member, such as a push rod motor, and the push rod motor can adjust the height gear according to the actual height of the box body of the prefabricated food 70 and adapt to the box bodies of different models. The driving mechanism 53 is connected with a control system of the food vending machine, when the food heating chamber 20 needs to heat the prepared food 70, the control system controls the driving mechanism 53 to drive the integrated platform 51 to move in the heating chamber, the integrated platform 51 is moved to a position close to the prepared food 70, and the heated air flows out through the fluid pipeline, so that the rapid heating of the prepared food 70 can be realized.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 5-7, at least two fluid lines include a first fluid line 521 and a second fluid line 522, where the first fluid line 521 and the second fluid line 522 are disposed on the integration platform 51 independently of each other, the first fluid line 521 is capable of introducing steam into the food heating chamber 20 to steam heat the prepared food 70, and the second fluid line 522 is capable of introducing hot air into the food heating chamber 20 to heat the prepared food 70 with hot air. According to the embodiment, the steam heating and the hot air heating are combined to heat the prepared food 70, so that the heating efficiency is improved on one hand, the moisture of the prepared food 70 is ensured on the other hand, and the taste of the heated prepared food 70 is improved.

In one example, as shown in fig. 6, an electrical heating device is disposed within second fluid line 522 for heating the air within second fluid line 522 and an air delivery device 5221 is disposed within second fluid line 522 for blowing the heated air within second fluid line 522 into food heating chamber 20. The electric heating device is, for example, an electric heating wire, and the air blowing device 5221 is, for example, an air blowing fan. In another example, the food vending machine includes a hot air line 38 and a vapor delivery line 37, the first fluid line 521 is in communication with the vapor delivery line 37, the second fluid line 522 is in communication with the hot air line 38, and the hot air line 38 is in thermal coupling with the vapor delivery line 37 to heat air within the hot air line 38 via vapor within the vapor delivery line 37, such as by nesting the hot air line 38 with the vapor delivery line 37 in a radial direction of the vapor delivery line 37. The embodiment can adopt one of the above examples to heat the hot air of the prepared food 70, and can also combine the above examples to heat the hot air of the prepared food 70, and can be flexibly designed according to the comprehensive consideration of the heating efficiency, the production cost and the like.

In some embodiments, the at least two fluid lines further include a third fluid line 523, the third fluid line 523 being disposed on the integrated platform 51 and being independent of the first fluid line 521 and the second fluid line 522, the third fluid line 523 being capable of recovering steam from the food heating chamber 20, such that excessive steam from the first fluid line 521 into the food heating chamber 20 may cause steam from the food heating chamber 20 to escape and pollute the environment of the food vending machine and its surroundings. By providing the third fluid line 523, the excess steam in the food heating chamber 20 automatically flows into the third fluid line 523, and the third fluid line 523 is connected to the steam recovery tank 39 in the food vending machine, thereby recovering the excess steam while maintaining the air pressure balance in the food heating chamber 20.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 5, the heating device 50 of the present embodiment further includes a first connection pipeline (not shown in the drawings) and a second connection pipeline (not shown in the drawings), where the first connection pipeline and the second connection pipeline are disposed on the integration platform 51 independently of each other, and the first connection pipeline is used for communicating with the water tank 301 of the food vending machine, and water in the water tank 301 can enter the first connection pipeline under the action of the second pumping device 308. The second connecting pipeline is used for being communicated with the steam recovery box 39 of the food vending machine, and steam entering the second connecting pipeline can enter the steam recovery box 39 for recovery. The third fluid line 523 communicates with the storage tank 301 of the food vending machine via a first connection line, and the third fluid line 523 communicates with the vapor recovery tank 39 of the food vending machine via a second connection line. Water entering the first connection line may enter third fluid line 523 and flow through third fluid line 523 into food heating chamber 20. The third fluid line 523 communicates with the vapor recovery tank 39 of the food vending machine via a second connecting line, and vapor entering the third fluid line 523 may enter the vapor recovery tank 39 via the second connecting line. When the prefabricated food 70 is soup food, the driving mechanism 53 moves the integrated platform 51 above the prefabricated food 70, and then conducts the passage between the first communication pipeline and the third fluid pipeline 523 before or during heating of the prefabricated food 70, water is injected into the box body of the prefabricated food 70 through the third fluid pipeline 523, and after the water injection is completed, the passage between the second communication pipeline and the third fluid pipeline is conducted, so that recovery of redundant steam in the food heating chamber 20 is realized. In one example, the first, second, and third fluid lines 523 may be in communication via a three-way connection 57.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 5-6, the integrated platform 51 includes a fixing frame 511, the fixing frame 511 is used for being fixed on the top of the food heating chamber 20, the driving mechanism 53 is fixed on the fixing frame 511, the integrated platform 51 further includes a sleeve 512, at least two fluid pipelines are fixed inside the sleeve 512, the sleeve 512 is used for being matched with the shaft sleeve 21 positioned on the top of the food heating chamber 20, a driving shaft of the driving mechanism 53 is in driving connection with the sleeve 512 through a connecting piece 54, and the driving shaft drives the sleeve 512 to move through the connecting piece 54, and the sleeve 512 moves to drive at least two fluid pipelines to move. The structure of the connection member 54 and the location of the connection member on the sleeve 512 are not limited, and in one example, as shown in fig. 1 to 3, a partition 56 is disposed in the sleeve 512, and the partition 56 has a positioning hole for at least two fluid pipes to pass through, the connection member 54 is plate-shaped, a driving shaft is fixedly connected to one end of the plate-shaped connection member 54, and the other end of the plate-shaped connection member 54 is fixedly connected to the partition 56. The heating device 50 of this embodiment has a compact internal structure, and the driving connection between the driving mechanism 53 and the integrated platform 51 has high reliability, simple production process, and low production cost.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 5-7, the end of the fluid conduit facing the food heating chamber 20 is further provided with a spike 502, and the driving mechanism 53 is capable of driving the sleeve 512 to move in a direction approaching the prepared food 70, wherein the spike 502 is capable of piercing the lid of the prepared food 70 and extending into the box of the prepared food 70. In this embodiment, after the cover body of the prepared food 70 is pierced, at least two fluid pipelines extend into the box body of the prepared food 70 to heat the prepared food 70, so that the heating efficiency of the prepared food 70 can be further improved.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 7, the sleeve 512 has an open end 5121, a partition 56 is disposed at an end of the sleeve 512 near the open end 5121, a plurality of positioning holes (not shown in the figure) are disposed on the partition 56, the positioning holes are in one-to-one correspondence with the fluid pipelines, the tip portion 502 extends out of the open end 5121 through the positioning holes, the open end 5121 is provided with a sealing ring 58, and the sealing ring 58 can be extended into the box body at the tip portion 502 to be sealed with the box cover. The barrier 56, on the one hand, positions the fluid lines and, on the other hand, forms an internal seal to prevent steam from the cartridge of the prepared food 70 from entering the interior of the sleeve 512 and damaging the drive mechanism 53 within the sleeve 512. The sealing ring 58 can prevent steam and hot air introduced into the box body from overflowing outside the box body, so that the sealing effect is ensured, and the sealing ring 58 is a silica gel ring, for example.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 7, a sealing cap 55 is further disposed between the fluid pipeline and the positioning hole, the tip 502 extends out of the sealing cap 55, the sealing cap 55 can be adsorbed on the box cover when the tip 502 extends into the box body, the sealing cap 55 can seal a gap between the fluid pipeline and the positioning hole to ensure heating efficiency, and the sealing cap 55 is, for example, a silica gel cap. The embodiment can adopt one of the above examples to ensure the sealing effect, can combine the above examples to realize the double sealing effect, and can be flexibly designed according to the comprehensive consideration of the aspects of heating efficiency, production cost and the like.

The following describes the operation of the food vending machine according to the present embodiment in detail with reference to specific examples.

The food storage chambers 10 are arranged at the upper part of the food vending machine, a plurality of food storage chambers 10 are arranged, prefabricated foods 70 with different types and tastes can be placed in each food storage chamber 10, a plurality of columns of prefabricated foods 70 can be placed in each food storage chamber 10, the prefabricated foods 70 can be placed in each food storage chamber by manpower, and the food storage chambers 10 can be directly transported by taking the food storage chambers 10 as standard turnover units and inserted into the machine. And the bus communication and the 24V safety power supply are inserted into the machine body at the same time, so that the feeding is completed.

Food heating chamber 20 is located below food storage chamber 10 and heat exchange system 30 is located below food heating chamber 20. The food vending machine starts working after receiving an order, determines a food storage chamber according to the type of the prefabricated food 70 selected by a customer, one prefabricated food 70 at the lowest part in the food storage chamber stays on a bracket moving up and down, all prefabricated food 70 at the upper part of the food storage chamber is blocked and supported by 1-2CM, the bracket starts moving down, the prefabricated material is put into an inlet of a food heating area, the prefabricated food 70 is laterally moved to a heating position through a moving platform 42 inside the food heating area, and the bracket moves up to receive the next prefabricated food 70. The sealing door at the inlet of the heating area of the food is closed, the pipe integration device moves to the upper part of the prepared food 70, the pipe integration device moves downwards, the tip parts 502 of all the fluid pipelines puncture the box cover of the prepared food 70 and enter the box body of the prepared food 70, the first fluid pipeline 521 and the second fluid pipeline 522 respectively introduce steam and hot air into the box body of the prepared food 70 to heat the prepared food 70, the steam heating time is 30-50 seconds, the hot air is delayed for 10-20 seconds after the steam heating is finished, so that the excessive moisture and dew condensation in the box body of the prepared food 70 are eliminated, and the excessive steam in the box body of the prepared food 70 is discharged through the third fluid pipeline 523. At this time, the sealing door at the entrance of the food heating chamber 20 is opened, the heated prepared food 70 is moved out of the food heating chamber 20 through the moving platform 42, and the tray simultaneously conveys the next prepared food 70 to be heated to the entrance of the food heating chamber 20 for circulation. If the heated cutlery box is taken away by the user, the work is suspended, and the cutlery box is taken after meal by the user and is further processed. The plurality of food storage chambers store different kinds of prepared foods 70, the plurality of food heating chambers 20 can work simultaneously or singly, at least one food heating chamber 20 in the plurality of food heating chambers 20 is a soup food heating chamber 20, water can be injected into the soup prepared foods 70 through the pipeline integrated device for heating, and the heating principle is the same as that of the non-soup prepared foods 70.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and any changes or substitutions that can be easily understood by those skilled in the art within the technical scope of the present invention are intended to be included in the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the invention is subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A food vending machine, the food vending machine comprising:

a food storage chamber for storing a prepared food;

the heat exchange system comprises a refrigerant circulation unit, a heat exchange unit and a steam heating unit, wherein the refrigerant circulation unit comprises an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser which are mutually communicated, the compressor is communicated with the condenser through a first refrigerant pipeline, a cool air outlet of the evaporator is communicated with the food storage chamber, the heat exchange unit comprises a heat exchange pipeline which is in thermal coupling connection with the first refrigerant pipeline, an outlet of the heat exchange pipeline is communicated with the steam heating unit, and a steam outlet of the steam heating unit is communicated with the food heating chamber;

Heating device, heating device set up in the food heating chamber, heating device includes integrated platform, two at least fluid pipeline and actuating mechanism, integrated platform includes the sleeve, two at least fluid pipelines are fixed in telescopic inside, two at least fluid pipelines include first fluid pipeline, first fluid pipeline can be to the food heating chamber is indoor lets in steam, actuating mechanism with integrated platform drive connection, fluid pipeline's orientation one end of food heating chamber still is provided with the nib portion, the sleeve has the open end, the sleeve is inside to be close to the one end of open end sets up the baffle, set up a plurality of locating holes on the baffle, the locating hole with fluid pipeline one-to-one, the nib portion warp the locating hole stretches out the open end, fluid pipeline with still set up the seal cap between the locating hole, the nib portion stretches out the seal cap, actuating mechanism can drive the sleeve towards the direction that is close to prefabricated food removes, the nib portion can puncture the lid of food and stretch into to the seal cap when the lid stretches into in the prefabricated lid can be in the prefabricated lid.

2. The food vending machine of claim 1, wherein the steam heating unit comprises:

3. The food vending machine of claim 2, wherein the food heating chamber is plural, the steam conveying pipeline comprises a first conveying pipeline and a second conveying pipeline, the first conveying pipeline is used for communicating a steam outlet of the steam generating device with the second conveying pipeline, the second conveying pipeline extends along the arrangement direction of the food heating chambers, the second conveying pipeline is provided with a plurality of air outlets, and the air outlets are respectively communicated with the food heating chambers in a one-to-one correspondence manner.

4. The food vending machine of claim 3, wherein the heat exchange system further comprises a hot air heating unit comprising:

An air supply device;

5. The food vending machine of claim 4, wherein the heat exchange system further comprises a vapor recovery unit comprising:

a steam recovery tank;

6. The food vending machine of claim 5, wherein,

the first refrigerant pipeline and the heat exchange pipeline are mutually nested along the radial direction of the first refrigerant pipeline;

7. The food vending machine of claim 5, wherein the first transfer line is in communication with the hot water tank, the heat exchange system further comprising:

8. The food vending machine of claim 5, wherein the heat exchange system further comprises:

9. The food vending machine of claim 5, wherein the hot water tank is in communication with the vapor recovery tank, the heat exchange system further comprising:

10. The food vending machine of claim 5, wherein the heat exchange system further comprises:

the pumping device is arranged on a passage between the water storage tank and the heat exchange pipeline and is configured to pump water in the water storage tank into the heat exchange pipeline when the water level detected by the third water level detection device is lower than a third preset water level;

And/or, the heat exchange system further comprises: