GB2451822A - Power control unit, e.g. for a vending machine - Google Patents

Power control unit, e.g. for a vending machine Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2451822A
GB2451822A GB0715719A GB0715719A GB2451822A GB 2451822 A GB2451822 A GB 2451822A GB 0715719 A GB0715719 A GB 0715719A GB 0715719 A GB0715719 A GB 0715719A GB 2451822 A GB2451822 A GB 2451822A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
detection system
electrically driven
vending machine
control system
deactivating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0715719A
Other versions
GB0715719D0 (en
GB2451822B (en
Inventor
George Mcfadden
Craig Downie
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
AUTOMATIC RETAILING
Original Assignee
AUTOMATIC RETAILING
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by AUTOMATIC RETAILING filed Critical AUTOMATIC RETAILING
Priority to GB0715719.1A priority Critical patent/GB2451822B/en
Publication of GB0715719D0 publication Critical patent/GB0715719D0/en
Publication of GB2451822A publication Critical patent/GB2451822A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2451822B publication Critical patent/GB2451822B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/02—Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/72—Auxiliary equipment, e.g. for lighting cigars, opening bottles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J9/00—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting
    • H02J9/005—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting using a power saving mode
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B70/00—Technologies for an efficient end-user side electric power management and consumption
    • Y02B70/30—Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S20/00—Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
    • Y04S20/20—End-user application control systems

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Apparatus 110, such as a vending machine, is connected to a power socket 116 via a control unit 112. The control unit 112 includes a detector 114, such an infra-red detector or a PIR detector, which detects the presence of a person near the apparatus 110. After a period of inactivity (no person detected) the control unit turns off the apparatus 110, thus reducing energy consumption.

Description

ENERGY SAVING APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and system for reducing and/or minimising energy consumption in electrically driven apparatus. In particular, the present invention provides a detector which may activate or deactivate electrically driven apparatus, such as a vending machine, after a set period of time of inactivity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many types of electrically driven apparatus that consume electricity at times which are not required.
These types of apparatus are therefore extremely uneconomical and environmentally unfriendly. For example, there are many types of dispensers such as drinks vending machines which are only used at specific times throughout a day. At the times when the apparatus is not in use, the electricity wasted is both expensive and environmentally unfriendly.
Currently, there are no systems in place in these machines or on the market which are capable of reducing and/or minimising the wasted electricity and energy.
It is an object of at least one aspect of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one or more of the aforementioned problems.
It is a further object of at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a system and apparatus that facilitates a reduction of energy and/or electricity of electrically driven machines such as vending machines.
SUMMARY 0? THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus comprising: a detection system for detecting the presence of nearby persons; and a control system for activating and/or deactivating electrically driven devices; whereby the apparatus is capable of activating and/or deactivating electrically driven devices after a set period of time of inactivity.
The apparatus according to the present invention has the function of deactivating and/or switching into sleep mode electrically driven devices when not in use such as at night. For example, electrically driven devices such as vending machines in offices or factories are unused outside normal hours and therefore waste energy during this period.
The apparatus of the present invention has the ability to switch these electrically driven devices off and/or into sleep mode during these periods of inactivity.
The apparatus according to the present invention may be connected to one or a plurality of electrically driven devices such as a vending machine which may be used to sell confectionary, drinks and the like. The apparatus may be plugged into the normal mains power or alternatively may have its own power supply.
Typically, the detection system may be any appropriate device that may detect the presence of nearby persons within a set range of, for example, between 2 -10 meters.
tn particular embodiments, the detection system may be a motion detection system based on IR such as a passive infrared detector (PIR) . In alternative embodiments, the detection system may be a heat sensitive based device.
The detection system may be integrally mounted in a vending machine during manufacture or may be retrofitted to a vending machine such as on the top of the vending machine. The apparatus of the present invention may therefore be retrofitted to existing vending machines.
The control system may comprise a variety of standard components such as resistors and transistors which have the ability of switching the electrically driven devices off and on and/or into a sleep mode.
The control system may also comprise a timer which is capable of monitoring when the most recent person was detected. The timer may be manually adjusted to any set period such as anything between 10 minutes to 2 hours so that when no person is detected the electrical device is switched off and/or placed in a sleep mode. On detection of a person the control system may automatically switch the electrically driven machine, such as a vending machine, back on. The timer may be a solid state timer circuit on a pcb or alternatively may be a finder DIN mounted timer.
The control system may also comprise a temperature control device which may be used to monitor the temperature of the electrical device such as if it is being used to cool items. If a certain temperature is reached then the control system may activate and switch the electrically driven devices off or on.
The power supply circuit for a timer unit and a PIR unit may be located on a pcb; this can be made dual voltage so that the unit can run from 24OVAC or 1].OVAC.
Typically, a solid state relay may be mounted directly on a case, with flying wires to a pcb. In particular embodiments, the specific relay may be selected for the specific current load, and operational voltage required.
Conveniently, the unit may be mounted in a die cast aluminium box, to provide a heat sink for the solid stat relay, electrical screening for EMC, and environmental protection.
Significant amounts of electricity and energy consumption may be saved in such ways. For example, an energy saving of up to about 60% may be achieved by switching the electrically driven devices off or into sleep mode when electricity is not required.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for controlling electrically driven apparatus, said system comprising: a detection system for detecting the presence of nearby persons; and a control system for activating and deactivating the apparatus; whereby the system is capable of activating and/or deactivating the electrically driven apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a vending machine apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a control system according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a control system according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a general representation of vending apparatus according to the present invention, generally designated 100. The vending apparatus 100 contains a vending machine 110 which may be used to dispense a variety of items. For example, the vending machine 110 may be used to dispense confectionary snacks, drinks, sandwiches and the like. Alternatively, the vending machine 110 may be used to dispense non-food items.
As shown in Figure 1, the vending machine 110 is connected to a control unit 112 which may be made from standard components available to the ordinary skilled man.
The control panel 112 is connected to any suitable type of sensor (e.g. a motion sensor) such as a passive infrared sensor (PIR) which is capable of detecting the presence of persons in close proximity e.g. within a 2 meter radius.
The PIR may be any suitable unit such as a Micron PIR as available from Maplin electronics. The control unit 112 is connected to the mains supply via a wall socket 116.
The vending machine 110 may also comprise a temperature control unit which may be used to activate and switch the electrically driven devices of f, on and/or into a sleep mode.
Although not shown, the vending machine 110 may also comprise a water detector and corresponding alarm which may be used to deactivate the vending machine 110 in the event of flooding thereby preventing an electrical fire and minimising damage to the machine 110.
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a control system 200 according to the present invention. The control system 200 operates at 240V and has low voltage relay contacts 214 and a contactor 214. The low voltage relay contacts 214 may be any suitable type of contact such as 6V and 12V 6A miniature relays available from Maplin electronics. There is also a timed contact 210 which may be used to deactivate and switch off the vending machine in the event of detection of no persons for a set period of time such as 2 hours. A suitable type of timer may be the Modular 6 function timer, l2-24OVac/dc available from Maplin electronics.
Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a control system 300 according to the present invention. The control system 300 has a timer module 310 as previously described and resistors Ri (312) and R2 (314) There is also a relay 316 and transistor (e.g. a BC 517) . A PIR contact 320 is also located in the control system 300.
Whilst specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that departures from the described embodiments may still fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, any suitable type of apparatus or system may be used to detect the presence of nearby persons such as motion detectors or heat sensors such as IR sensors. Moreover, any suitable type of electronic control system may be used to measure the elapsed time from the last detected person and to also switch off the machine.

Claims (19)

1. Apparatus comprising: a detection system for detecting the presence of nearby persons; and a control system for activating and/or deactivating electrically driven devices; whereby the apparatus is capable of activating and/or deactivating electrically driven devices after a set period of time of inactivity.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is capable of deactivating and/or switching into sleep mode electrically driven devices when not in use such as at night.
3. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus is connected to a vending machine.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the vending machine is used to sell confectionary, drinks and the like.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is plugged into the normal mains power.
6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the apparatus has its own power supply.
7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the detection system is capable of detecting the presence of nearby persons with a set range of, for example, between 2 -10 meters.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the detection system is a motion detection system based on IR.
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the detection system is a passive infrared detector (PIR).
10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the detection system is a heat sensitive based device.
11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the detection system is a temperature sensitive based device.
12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the detection system is integrally mounted in a vending machine during manufacture.
13. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the detection system is retrofitted to an existing vending machine.
14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control system comprises a variety of standard components such as resistors and transistors which has the ability of switching the electrically driven devices off and on and/or into a sleep mode.
15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control system also comprises a timer which is capable of monitoring when the most recent person was detected.
16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the timer is manually adjusted to any set period such as anything between 10 minutes to 2 hours so that when no person is detected the electrical device is switched off or placed in a sleep mode.
17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the control system also comprises a temperature control device which is used to monitor the temperature of the electrical device and if a certain temperature is reached then the control system activates and switches the electrically driven devices off or on.
18. A system for controlling electrically driven apparatus, said system comprising: a detection system for detecting the presence of nearby persons; and a control system for activating and deactivating the apparatus; whereby the system is capable of activating and/or deactivating the electrically driven apparatus.
19. Apparatus as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
GB0715719.1A 2007-08-13 2007-08-13 Energy saving apparatus Expired - Fee Related GB2451822B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0715719.1A GB2451822B (en) 2007-08-13 2007-08-13 Energy saving apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0715719.1A GB2451822B (en) 2007-08-13 2007-08-13 Energy saving apparatus

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0715719D0 GB0715719D0 (en) 2007-09-19
GB2451822A true GB2451822A (en) 2009-02-18
GB2451822B GB2451822B (en) 2012-12-12

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0715719.1A Expired - Fee Related GB2451822B (en) 2007-08-13 2007-08-13 Energy saving apparatus

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2451822B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2014029329A (en) * 2012-07-04 2014-02-13 Sanden Corp Detection system and vending machine including the same
US20160179178A1 (en) * 2014-12-19 2016-06-23 Elstat Limited Energy-Saving Method
EP3394816B1 (en) * 2015-12-25 2023-11-22 The Coca-Cola Company Machine and portable terminal

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH11328527A (en) * 1998-05-13 1999-11-30 Shinya Takeuchi Vending machine
JP2000295768A (en) * 1999-04-01 2000-10-20 Omron Corp Combined equipment and input operation equipment
US20030051181A1 (en) * 2001-09-12 2003-03-13 International Business Machines Corporation Proximity based method and apparatus for reducing electrical energy consumed by a personal computer with a sleep mode
US20030102975A1 (en) * 2001-12-04 2003-06-05 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Pay and display parking machine with user detector
US20030190949A1 (en) * 2002-04-03 2003-10-09 Williams Richard C. Gaming apparatus with power saving feature
US6665805B1 (en) * 1999-12-27 2003-12-16 Intel Corporation Method and apparatus for real time monitoring of user presence to prolong a portable computer battery operation time
JP2005253223A (en) * 2004-03-05 2005-09-15 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Power feeding control management system
GB2439763A (en) * 2006-07-06 2008-01-09 Martin James Croft Intelligent standby power saving for electrical devices

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2005165994A (en) * 2003-11-28 2005-06-23 Tietech Co Ltd Vending machine provided with human body detection sensor
IL160979A0 (en) * 2004-03-21 2004-08-31 Interactive vending machines and a method of operating same

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH11328527A (en) * 1998-05-13 1999-11-30 Shinya Takeuchi Vending machine
JP2000295768A (en) * 1999-04-01 2000-10-20 Omron Corp Combined equipment and input operation equipment
US6665805B1 (en) * 1999-12-27 2003-12-16 Intel Corporation Method and apparatus for real time monitoring of user presence to prolong a portable computer battery operation time
US20030051181A1 (en) * 2001-09-12 2003-03-13 International Business Machines Corporation Proximity based method and apparatus for reducing electrical energy consumed by a personal computer with a sleep mode
US20030102975A1 (en) * 2001-12-04 2003-06-05 J.J. Mackay Canada Limited Pay and display parking machine with user detector
US20030190949A1 (en) * 2002-04-03 2003-10-09 Williams Richard C. Gaming apparatus with power saving feature
JP2005253223A (en) * 2004-03-05 2005-09-15 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Power feeding control management system
GB2439763A (en) * 2006-07-06 2008-01-09 Martin James Croft Intelligent standby power saving for electrical devices

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2014029329A (en) * 2012-07-04 2014-02-13 Sanden Corp Detection system and vending machine including the same
US20160179178A1 (en) * 2014-12-19 2016-06-23 Elstat Limited Energy-Saving Method
EP3394816B1 (en) * 2015-12-25 2023-11-22 The Coca-Cola Company Machine and portable terminal
US11995676B2 (en) 2015-12-25 2024-05-28 The Coca-Cola Company Machine and portable terminal

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0715719D0 (en) 2007-09-19
GB2451822B (en) 2012-12-12

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)

Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20140109 AND 20140115

PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20180813