| 摘要 |
A refrigerated soda vending machine includes sensors for monitoring various parameters such as temperature within its refrigerated chamber and for monitoring occupancy in the vicinity of the chamber. The sensor data is used to determine when to switch between a normal mode of operation and a power-conservation mode of operation. In either mode of operation, a cooling system is regulated so that a compressor goes on when an upper internal temperature threshold is reached and off when a lower internal temperature threshold is reached. In the normal mode of operating, fans circulate air within the chamber to maintain a relatively uniform temperature throughout the chamber. During power-conservation mode, the fans are off most of the time the compressor is off. In the absence of circulation, the temperature within the refrigerated chamber stratifies so that a lower cool zone and an upper warm zone can be differentiated. Soda cans are held in vertical stacks so that the lowest cans are located in the cool zone. Cans are dispensed from the bottom of the stacks and thus only from the cool zone. With this arrangement, a patron can obtain an optimally chilled soda even though the average temperature in the chamber is above the optimal temperature range. Thus, energy can be conserved and operating costs reduced while meeting patron's expectations for cold sodas at all times.
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