JP2016164699A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending machine capable of ensuring adequate visibility of a display part which displays information on a sales product even in the case that it is installed in a dark place or in the case that it is installed in a dark place and illumination for product samples is suppressed or turned off so as to appeal to people a power saving state of the vending machine.SOLUTION: A vending machine 1 includes: a product sample display compartment 7 for displaying product samples S of sales products, which is formed inside a transparent front panel 7a; a plurality of sample racks 8 which are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction in the product sample display compartment 7 and which are for arranging the product samples S; display parts 9 which are disposed on a front end side of each of the sample racks 8, corresponding to the product samples S, and which display information on the sales products. The vending machine 1 also includes an illumination device 11 which is disposed on each of the sample racks 8, in positions below the display parts 9, and illuminates the display part 9 which is located above it by emitting light towards the front panel 7a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine having a product sample display room, and more particularly to a vending machine equipped with a lighting device in the product sample display room.

  A general vending machine has a product sample display room for displaying product samples of products for sale, and includes an illumination device that illuminates the product sample display room. In addition, a sample stand for placing product samples is provided in the product sample display room, and a display unit for displaying the sales price of the sale product is provided on the sample stand.

  As this type of vending machine, a vending machine described in Patent Document 1 is known. The vending machine described in Patent Document 1 includes a fluorescent lamp for illuminating a product sample as an illumination device in the product sample display room. In addition, this vending machine has a display unit including a light emitting diode and a liquid crystal display member provided on a sample table corresponding to a product sample in a product sample display room. And this display part is arrange | positioned in the narrow space between a sample stand and the transparent front panel which consists of an acrylic board etc. which covers the front surface of a goods sample display room.

JP 2011-186959 A

Here, in buildings such as business offices, power saving activities such as turning off lighting such as passages and thinning out lighting are often performed. In addition, when a vending machine is installed in an indoor dark place where such illumination is turned off, the illumination for product sample illumination in the vending machine is turned off to increase the user's awareness of power saving. A vending machine may be activated to promote power saving status.
Under such circumstances, the vending machine described in Patent Document 1 includes a self-luminous display unit having a light-emitting diode as a light source even when installed in an indoor dark place where lighting is turned off. Since it uses, the display content of a display part can be made to recognize visually. And the user has already grasped | ascertained the outlines, such as an external shape of a product sample, and a color already. For this reason, in the dark place, even if the illumination for the product sample illumination in the vending machine is further turned off, the user can generally recognize the product sample of the product to be purchased by its external shape.

  However, some display units of vending machines are not self-luminous, such as plates that do not have a light source, such as plates on which information such as sales prices are simply printed. Since the information displayed on such non-self-luminous display parts (non-self-luminous display parts) is mainly characters such as numbers, the visibility is low compared to product samples. In addition, the display unit is usually arranged in a narrow space between the front panel of the product sample display room and the sample table.

  Therefore, in a vending machine that employs a display unit that is not self-luminous, the illumination device composed of the fluorescent lamp for product sample illumination of the vending machine described in Patent Document 1 is also used as the illumination device for the display unit. Even if it is applied, it may be difficult to sufficiently illuminate the display unit disposed between the front panel and the sample table. For this reason, in the dark place, there is a possibility that the visibility of the display content is remarkably lowered. In addition, if the vending machine is operated by turning off the illumination for the product sample illumination in a dark place, the user may not be able to see the display contents at all.

  Therefore, in view of such a situation, the present invention is installed in a dark place, or is placed in the dark place, and lighting to the product sample is suppressed or turned off in order to appeal the power saving state of the vending machine. Even if it is a case, it aims at providing the vending machine which can fully ensure the visibility of the display part which displays the information regarding sale goods.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the vending machine has a product sample display room for displaying a product sample of a product for sale formed inside a transparent front panel, and vertically in the product sample display room. A plurality of sample tables provided at intervals to dispose the product samples, and a display unit disposed on the front end side of each sample table corresponding to the product samples and displaying information on the sales products. The vending machine includes a lighting device that is disposed below the display unit of each sample stage and outputs light toward the front panel to illuminate the upper display unit.

According to the vending machine according to the one aspect, the display unit is disposed on the front end side of each sample table corresponding to the product sample, and the illumination device is disposed below the display unit of each sample table, Output toward the front panel side to illuminate the upper display. That is, the illumination device that illuminates the display unit can be positioned below the display unit disposed in the narrow space between each sample stage and the front panel, facing the front panel. For this reason, the display part immediately above the illuminating device can be reliably illuminated by the light from the illuminating device that is appropriately reflected on the front panel side.
As a result, for example, even when a display unit that is not self-luminous is used, the display unit can be reliably illuminated, so that the display content of the display unit is ensured even in the dark. can do.

  In this way, even if the product is installed in a dark place, or the product sample is installed in the dark place and the lighting on the product sample is suppressed or turned off to appeal the power-saving state of the vending machine, Thus, it is possible to provide a vending machine capable of sufficiently ensuring the visibility of the display unit that displays information on the information.

It is a schematic front view of the vending machine in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the product sample was arrange | positioned on one sample stand with which the display part in embodiment same as the above was attached. It is the partial top view of the sample stand seen from the A arrow direction shown in FIG. It is the partial front view of the sample stand seen from the B arrow direction shown in FIG. It is the side view of the sample stand seen from the C arrow direction shown in FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view containing the sample stand of DD arrow shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the arrangement position of the illuminating device in embodiment same as the above, and is the fragmentary sectional view of the EE arrow shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the operating state of the display part in embodiment same as the above. It is a figure which shows another operation state of the display part in embodiment same as the above. It is a fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating the principal part containing the sample stand in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating the arrangement position of the illuminating device in 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a vending machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
This vending machine 1 sells beverages in containers such as canned beverages and beverages in plastic bottles as products. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, in the vending machine 1, the several goods storage column which each accommodates the same kind of several goods is arrange | positioned. Each product storage column is arranged in a plurality of storage rooms divided into independent heat insulating spaces in the vending machine 1, and the cooling / heating machine provided in the vending machine 1 stores the product in each storage room. It is comprised so that cooling or heating can be performed. Each product storage column is provided with a product unloader for carrying out the stored products one by one.

  As shown in FIG. 1, on the front surface (a customer service surface) of the vending machine 1, a money insertion slot 2 (a banknote insertion slot 2 a and a coin insertion slot 2 b) into which money is inserted by a user, and the amount of money inserted, etc. A digital display 3 for displaying the item, a return lever 4 for input money, a product outlet 5 for a user to take out the product carried out by the product take-out machine, and a coin return port 6 for returning change etc. Is provided. In addition, a product sample display room 7 for displaying a product sample S corresponding to each sales product stored in the plurality of product storage columns is provided in the upper front portion of the vending machine 1.

  The merchandise sample display room 7 is formed inside a transparent front panel 7a attached to an opening at the upper part of the front surface (customer service surface) of the vending machine 1. In the product sample display room 7, a plurality of sample stands 8 for arranging product samples S provided at intervals in the vertical direction are provided. Each sample stage 8 is arranged, for example, spaced apart from the front panel 7a by the same distance. Therefore, each display unit 9 which is attached to each sample table 8 and will be described later is also arranged at the same distance from the front panel 7a.

In the present embodiment, the sample stands 8 are provided in a plurality of stages (here, three stages) at intervals in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, the upper, middle, and lower sample bases 8 are referred to as the uppermost sample base 81, the middle sample base 82, and the lowermost sample base 83, respectively.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of product samples S are arranged on one sample base 8. 3 is a partial top view of the sample stage 8 as seen from the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a partial front view of the sample stage 8 as seen from the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line DD shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line EE shown in FIG. .

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 6, each sample table 8 includes a placement portion 8 a that extends in the left-right direction and on which a plurality of product samples S are placed, and a front panel side of the placement portion 8 a. It has a front end 8b (see FIGS. 6 and 7) that is connected to the end and faces the front panel 7a, and side walls 8c and 8c that close the openings at both the left and right ends. Is formed. In addition, sample table support members 7c1 and 7c1 (see FIGS. 2 to 5) that support both ends in the width direction of the sample table 8 are provided on the front panel of the rear panel 7c (see FIG. 5) that partitions the product sample display room 7. It is attached so as to protrude to the 7a side. Each sample stage support member 7 c 1 enters the inside of the side wall 8 c of the sample stage 8 and supports the sample stage 8. As described above, the sample table 8 is attached to an appropriate position of the back panel 7c via the sample table support members 7c1 and 7c1.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each sample table 8 is formed so as to be inclined (in other words, inclined backward) so that the front end portion 8 b approaches the front panel 7 a as it goes downward. ing.

A display unit 9 that displays information (sales price, temperature state, etc.) related to the sales product is attached to the front end 8b of each sample base 8 so as to correspond to the product sample S. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the display unit 9 is attached to a front end upper portion 8 b 1 that is an upper region of the front end portion 8 b of each sample base 8.
In this way, a display unit 9 is configured which is arranged corresponding to the product sample S on the front end side of each sample table 8 and displays information relating to the sales product.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, the display unit 9 is inclined (inclined backward) so as to approach the front panel 7 a as it goes downward. Specifically, a display unit (display device) 90 having a plurality of display units 9 is attached to the front end upper part 8b1 of each sample stage 8, as shown in FIG.

Returning to FIG. 1, a plurality of product selection buttons 10 for the user to select a purchased product are arranged on the surface (on the customer service side) of the transparent front panel 7a.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the product selection button 10 is provided on the front panel 7 a corresponding to each display unit 9 in front of the front end portion 8 b (for example, a front end lower portion 8 b 2 described later) of the sample base 8. ing. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the product selection button 10 is fixed to the front panel 7a via a mounting bracket 10a that is attached to a position corresponding to a lighting device 11 described later on the back surface of the front panel 7a. The mounting bracket 10 a has a substantially U-shaped cross section and is formed by extending in the left-right direction of the sample table 8. The mounting bracket 10a includes, for example, an upper wall portion 10a1, a lower wall portion 10a2, and a back wall portion 10a3.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper wall portion 10 a 1 is inclined so that one side portion is connected to the upper edge portion of the rear wall portion 10 a 3 and approaches the ceiling toward the display portion 9 side. Arranged.
The lower wall portion 10a2 is formed such that one side portion is connected to the lower edge portion of the rear wall portion 10a3, is disposed substantially perpendicular to the front panel 7a, and the other side portion is bent upward. .
The back wall portion 10a3 connects between one side portion of the upper wall portion 10a1 and one side portion of the lower wall portion 10a2, and is in contact with the back surface of the front panel 7a, and is attached to the front panel 7a with screws or the like. It is fixed. The wall surface of the back wall portion 10a3 on the sample table 8 side becomes a reflection portion 13 described later.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, twelve product samples S are placed side by side along the extending direction on each sample base 8. The display unit 90 includes four display units 9 as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, and the three display units 90 are arranged on the front end upper part 8 b 1 of each sample table 8 along the extending direction. Removably attached. That is, a total of nine display units 90 (36 display units 9) are attached to the vending machine 1 having the sample stage 8 in three stages.
In addition, twelve product selection buttons are arranged on the surface of the transparent front panel 7a so that each is located at a height corresponding to the front end lower portion 8b2 which is a lower region of the front end portion 8b of each sample base 8. 10 is disposed. That is, a total of 36 product selection buttons 10 are arranged on the vending machine 1 (front panel 7a thereof).
The mounting structure, display format, and display content of the display unit 90 (display unit 9) to the sample table 8 will be described in detail later.

  Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 4-7, the illuminating device 11 which illuminates the display part 9 is provided in the merchandise sample display room 7. FIG. In addition, since the case 12 mentioned later is light-transmitting and transparent, the illuminating device 11 can be seen in FIG.4 and FIG.5.

The illuminating device 11 is arranged below the display unit 9 of each sample stage 8, outputs light toward the front panel 7a side, and displays the upper display unit 9 (that is, the sample stage on which the illuminating device 11 itself is arranged). 8 is configured to illuminate the display portion 9) immediately above.
For example, the illumination device 11 is disposed at a predetermined position between the front end lower portion 8b2 of the sample table 8 and the front panel 7a.

  In this embodiment, the illuminating device 11 is attached to the front end lower part 8b2 of each sample stand 8 (81, 82, 83). In the present embodiment, in this way, the lighting device 11 is arranged behind the product selection button 10 and below the display unit 9.

  In the present embodiment, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, the lighting device 11 is arranged so that the optical axis X is inclined upward (inclined) toward the front panel 7 a side. Specifically, the light output from the illuminating device 11 is reflected mainly by the back wall portion 10a3 of the mounting bracket 10a located forward. The illuminating device 11 is disposed with the optical axis X inclined obliquely upward so that the reflected light from the mounting bracket 10a is directed to the display unit 9 immediately above. In addition, the optical axis X of the illuminating device 11 is a central axis of the output direction of the light output with a predetermined divergence angle.

  More specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, each lighting device 11 includes a substrate 11 a extending in the left-right direction in parallel with the sample table 8, and each display spaced apart from the substrate 11 a. And a plurality of light source portions 11b attached corresponding to the portions 9, respectively. For example, an LED element is used for the light source unit 11b.

  In the present embodiment, the lighting device 11 is provided integrally with the display unit 9 below the display unit 9 as shown in FIGS. A specific configuration of the integral arrangement of the illumination device 11 and the display unit 9 will be described in detail later.

  Next, a structure for attaching the display unit 90 (display unit 9) to the sample table 8 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

In the present embodiment, the vending machine 1 includes a light transmissive transparent case 12 that is attached to the front end portion 8 b of the sample table 8 and accommodates the display unit 9 and the illumination device 11 therein.
Specifically, the case 12 is made of a light-transmitting synthetic resin, and as shown in FIG. 6, a case main body 12 a having a substantially U-shaped cross section extending along the front end 8 b of the sample base 8, The case main body 12a has a partition wall 12b protruding from the back surface (on the sample table 8 side) and extending in the extending direction of the case main body 12a, and is formed by, for example, injection molding. The inside of the case 12 is divided into an upper part and a lower part by a partition wall 12 b into a housing part 12 c of the display unit 90 and a housing part 12 d of the lighting device 11. The bent upper wall portion 12e and lower wall portion 12f of the case main body portion 12a are engaged with the front end portion 8b of the sample base 8 (specifically, the upper end portion of the front end portion 8b and the lower end portion of the front end portion 8b). It is configured. The case 12 is formed, for example, for each display unit 90 including a plurality (four in FIGS. 2 to 4) of display units 9.
With such a structure, the illumination device 11 is provided integrally with the display unit 9 by the case 12.

  In the present embodiment, the case 12 has a lens function that guides light from the illumination device 11 to the rear wall portion 10a3 of the mounting bracket 10a that is positioned forward. Specifically, a portion (see FIGS. 6 and 7) of the case main body 12a that faces the lighting device 11 is appropriately formed in a shape so as to have the lens function. Thereby, light can be efficiently guided to the back wall part 10a3, and the display part 9 can be effectively illuminated by the reflected light from the back wall part 10a3 or the like.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the case 12 has a peripheral portion 12 g corresponding to the peripheral portion of each display portion 9 on the front surface of the case, except for the upper edge portion 12 g 1 of the peripheral portion 12 g. This portion has a convex recess 12h. The convex recess 12h is appropriately formed in a pattern by, for example, graining or embossing.
In FIGS. 2 to 4, the convex and concave portions 12 h are shown in black for simplification of the drawing. Further, in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 8 and 9 to be described later, the convex recess 12h is omitted for simplification of the drawing.

In the present embodiment, the vending machine 1 includes a reflection unit 13 that is provided behind the product selection button 10 and reflects light from the illumination device 11 to the front surface of the display unit 9 above the illumination device 11.
Specifically, the reflection part 13 is comprised using the back wall part 10a3 of the attachment metal fitting 10a. The wall surface of the reflecting portion 13 (back wall portion 10a3) on the sample table 8 side is mirror-finished. As shown in FIG. 7, the reflecting portion 13 is formed in parallel to the front panel 7 a, but the optical axis X of the illumination device 11 is inclined obliquely upward toward the reflecting portion 13. Thereby, most of the light from the illuminating device 11 can be mainly reflected by the reflecting unit 13 and guided to the front surface of the display unit 9 immediately above the illuminating device 11.

In the present embodiment, the vending machine 1 has a light shielding cover 14 provided below the lighting device 11.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the light shielding cover 14 has a substantially L-shaped cross section and extends in the left-right width direction of the sample base 8, and is formed by sheet metal processing or the like. The inner side of the bent portion is aligned with the corner portion on the lower wall portion 12f side of the case 12 so as to cover the lower wall portion 12f from below. The illumination device 11 outputs light with a predetermined spread angle. Therefore, a part of the light from the illumination device 11 is directed obliquely downward. Light directed obliquely downward from the illumination device 11 is blocked by the light shielding cover 14.
In the present embodiment, the light shielding cover 14 corresponds to a “light shielding portion” according to the present invention.

Next, the display format and display contents of the display unit 90 (display unit 9) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
8 and 9 are enlarged views of the F part in FIG. 1 and show examples of the operating state of the display part 9, respectively.

  Each display unit 9 displays information (sales price, temperature state, etc.) related to the corresponding sales product, and displays a price display area 9a for displaying the price of the corresponding sales product, and the cold / hot state of the corresponding product. And a state display area 9b.

  In the present embodiment, each display unit 9 is made of electronic paper capable of color display, for example. This electronic paper is a display device that can be driven with low power consumption. It can hold a display once displayed without consuming energy, and the display content can be rewritten. It is. Electronic paper, on the other hand, is not self-luminous, as is the case with reflective liquid crystal display members (LCD) that use external light as a light source and plates with information such as sales prices printed on it. Requires external lighting.

  As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the price display area 9 a is set at the center of each display unit 9, and the status display areas 9 b are respectively set up and down across the price display area 9 a.

  In the price display area 9a, as shown in FIG. 8, the sales price (for example, ¥ 120) of the corresponding sales product is displayed in black, and the background is displayed in white. When the corresponding sales price change (rewrite) operation is performed by the operator, the changed sales price (for example, ¥ 130) is displayed in the price display area 9a as shown in FIG.

The state display area 9b displays, for example, whether the corresponding sales product is a warm beverage or a cold beverage so that the user can identify it. For example, the upper state display area 9b is preset as an area for displaying that it is a hot beverage, and the lower state display area 9b is preset as an area for displaying that it is a cold beverage.
In the upper state display area 9b, when the corresponding sale item is a warm beverage, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, “warm” is displayed in white and the background is a warm color (for example, Displayed in red). On the other hand, the lower state display area 9b is displayed in white. Then, when the corresponding sales product is changed to a cold beverage by the operator and a display content changing operation is performed, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper state display area 9b is displayed in white as a whole, and the lower state is displayed. In the display area 9 b, “clawed” is displayed in white, and the background is displayed in a cool color (for example, blue).
8 and 9, the characters displayed in the status display area 9b are shown in black, but are actually displayed in white and the background is displayed in the corresponding color. The division of the display area of each display unit 9 is not limited to this, and can be set as appropriate. Further, in the price display area 9a, not only the sales price but also information such as the sales record number and the remaining number of the corresponding sales product may be displayed. For example, the sales management efficiency can be improved by displaying the number of sales records, the number of remaining sales, and the like at the time of an operator's change operation of sales products.

  Next, the lighting operation of the display unit 9 of the vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The vending machine 1 is installed in an indoor dark place (for example, a passage) where lighting such as a ceiling is turned off, and the product sample display room 7 is not provided with any lighting device other than the lighting device 11. To do. Further, although the user can generally recognize the product sample S from the appearance shape and the like by a slight light (light) from the passage lighted or emergency light, it is displayed on the display unit 9. It is assumed that the selling price cannot be recognized by only a small amount of light such as the emergency light, or the visibility is remarkably lowered.

  The light source unit 11b of the illuminating device 11 provided on each sample stage (81, 82, 83) has an optical axis X (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7) obliquely upward toward the front panel 7a side. Flashes. A part of the light from each light source part 11b passes between the front end part of the upper wall part 10a1 of the mounting bracket 10a and the case 12 and directly goes to the front panel 7a, and then on the back surface of the front panel 7a. It is reflected and goes to the front surface of the display unit 9. Further, most of the remaining light from each light source unit 11 b is reflected by the reflecting unit 13 mainly composed of the back wall 10 a 3 and heads toward the front surface of the display unit 9. In this manner, the light from the light source unit 11 b is reflected toward the display unit 9 directly above by the back surface of the front panel 7 a and the reflection unit 13. The display unit 9 directly above each light source unit 11b is illuminated by these reflected lights. Further, a part of the remaining light from each light source unit 11b is directed obliquely downward, but this light is blocked by the light shielding cover 14, is reflected as appropriate, and then the reflection unit 13 and the front panel 7a. Head for.

According to the vending machine 1 according to this embodiment, the display unit 9 is arranged corresponding to the product sample S on the front end side of each sample table 8, and the illumination device 11 is provided with the display unit 9 of each sample table 8. The light is output toward the front panel 7a to illuminate the upper display unit 9. That is, the illuminating device 11 that illuminates the display unit 9 is positioned below the display unit 9 disposed in a narrow space between each sample table 8 and the front panel 7a so as to face the front panel 7a. Can do. For this reason, the display part 9 immediately above the illuminating device 11 can be reliably illuminated by the light from the illuminating device 11 reflected on the front panel 7a side (the back surface of the front panel 7a and the reflecting portion 13).
Thereby, for example, even when the display unit 9 that is not self-luminous is adopted, the display unit 9 can be reliably illuminated, so that it is installed in a dark place or installed in a dark place and Even in the case where no illumination device other than the illumination device 11 is provided in the product sample display room 7, good visibility can be secured for the display content of the display unit 9.
In this way, even when installed in a dark place or when installed in a dark place and not equipped with a lighting device for illuminating a product sample, the visibility of the display unit that displays information about the product for sale is sufficiently high It is possible to provide a vending machine that can be secured.

  In the present embodiment, the lighting device 11 is arranged behind the product selection button 10 and below the display unit 9. Thereby, since the illuminating device 11 is hidden behind the goods selection button 10, it becomes difficult to be visually recognized from the user who faces the front panel 7a. Moreover, since the light which goes to the front panel 7a side from the illuminating device 11 is blocked | interrupted by the goods selection button 10, the display part 9 is made into the reflection part 13 grade | etc., Without making the user who watches the goods sample S etc. feel glare. It is possible to illuminate with reflected light from.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the vending machine 1 is configured to have a light shielding cover 14 provided below the lighting device 11. As a result, light leakage downward from the illumination device 11 can be prevented or suppressed, and light from the illumination device 11 can be guided to the display unit 9 directly without waste through the reflection unit 13 or the like. The power saving state of the vending machine can be appealed more reliably. In addition, the lighting device 11 is installed in a dark place where power saving activities such as turning off the lighting of the passage and the like are performed because the product selection button 10, the mounting bracket 10a, and the light shielding cover 14 make it difficult for the user to see the lighting device 11 more. Even if it is done, the visibility of the display content of the display part 9 can be improved, without reducing a power saving consciousness, such as a user.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, it was set as the structure which has the reflection part 13 which is provided in the back of the goods selection button 10, and reflects the light from the illuminating device 11 on the front surface of the display part 9 above this illuminating device 11. Thereby, the light from the light source part 11b can be efficiently reflected not only by the front panel 7a but also by the reflection part (back wall part 10a3) 13 to the display part 9 side, thereby improving visibility. Further, in the present embodiment, the reflection portion 13 is configured to efficiently reflect light using the mounting bracket 10a (specifically, the back wall portion 10a3) of the product selection button 10. Thereby, it is possible to efficiently reflect light without adding a new member as the reflecting portion 13.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the illuminating device 11 (light source part 11b) was set as the structure arrange | positioned so that the optical axis X may face diagonally upward toward the front panel 7a side. Thereby, a part of the light from the illuminating device 11 can be directly directed to the front panel 7a, and the light can be reflected toward the display unit 9 without tilting the reflecting unit 13. Therefore, the light can be efficiently reflected on the display unit 9 by using the front panel 7a and the mounting bracket 10a as they are.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the illuminating device 11 employ | adopted LED as the light source part 11b, and was set as the structure which provided this illuminating device 11 integrally with this display part 9 under the display part 9. FIG. Thereby, the electrical wiring to the display unit 9 and the lighting device 11 can be integrated, and the assembling property can be improved and the size can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, it is set as the structure provided with the light transmissive case 12 attached to the front-end part 8b of the sample stand 8, and accommodating the display part 9 and the illuminating device 11 inside. Thereby, the display part 9 and the illuminating device 11 can be arrange | positioned easily and integrally. In addition, the surface of the display unit 9 can be protected by the case 12, and the visibility of the display unit 9 can be ensured without blocking light from above. The lighting device 11 may not be provided integrally with the display unit 9.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case 12 has a convex recess 12h in a portion other than the upper edge portion 12g1 of the peripheral portion 12g in the peripheral portion 12g corresponding to the peripheral portion of each display portion 9 on the front surface of the case. It was. Thereby, the distinction between the adjacent display parts 9 can be clarified, and the visibility of the display parts 9 adjacent to each other can be improved. If the convex recess 12h is also formed on the upper edge portion 12g1, there is a possibility that a shadow is formed on the display portion 9. However, in the present embodiment, the convex recess 12h is not formed on the upper edge portion 12g1, and thus visibility is improved. Will not be reduced. The case 12 may not be formed with the convex recess 12h.

  In the present embodiment, the display unit 9 is made of electronic paper. Thereby, compared with the conventional vending machine which employ | adopted the light emitting diode and the liquid crystal display member (LCD) as a display part, power consumption can be reduced. In addition, the display contents can be changed without fail by simply rewriting the data, which improves the operator's operability compared to the case where a plate or the like on which the selling price is simply printed is used as the display unit. Can be made.

By the way, in this embodiment, the display part 9 was inclined and arrange | positioned back as mentioned above. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the front portion of the case main body 12a located in front of the display unit 9 is arranged in parallel to the display unit 9 so as to look up the ceiling of the passage (that is, display For example, the reflection position of the light from the emergency light in the passage that passes through the front panel 7a and is reflected by the front portion of the case main body 12a is the front panel. It may overlap with the position of the eyes of the user facing 7a. In this case, from the user's perspective, an emergency light or the like is reflected on the front surface of the case body 12a, and the display of the emergency light and the display unit 9 may be overlapped or totally reflected and the display may not be visible at all. There is a risk that.
Therefore, in the following second embodiment, an example including a configuration for further improving the visibility of the display unit 9 in a state where the display unit 9 is arranged to be inclined rearward will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a main part including the sample stage 8 in the second embodiment, and is a partial cross-sectional view shown at the same cross-sectional position as FIG. FIG. 11 is a view for explaining the arrangement position of the illumination device 11 in the second embodiment, and is a partial cross-sectional view shown at the same cross-sectional position as FIG. In the second embodiment, the shape of the sample base 8 and the mounting structure of the display unit 9, the illumination device 11, and the light shielding cover 14 are different from those in the first embodiment. The same elements as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the sample base 8 has the same shape as the first embodiment with respect to the left and right ends including the side walls 8 c and 8 c and the mounting portion 8 a. Although formed, the shape of the front end 8b is different from that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the front end 8b of the sample base 8 is bent toward the back panel 7c side with an acute angle at the front panel side end of the mounting portion 8a, as shown in a dotted circle in FIG. Is formed. In other words, when viewed from the front panel 7a side, the sample base 8 is mostly open in front and formed in a generally gate shape.

Moreover, the display part 9 and the illuminating device 11 are each arrange | positioned separately. Specifically, the display unit 9 is disposed on the front end side of the sample table 8 via a first support member 15 attached to each sample table 8, and the illumination device 11 is displayed on the display unit via the second support member 16. 9 is arranged below. The display unit 9 is directly attached to the front end 8b of the sample table 8 in the first embodiment, but is arranged on the front end side of the sample table 8 via the first support member 15 in the second embodiment. Yes.
In the second embodiment, instead of the case 12, a protective case 12A for the display unit 9 and a lighting cover 12B for the lighting device 11 described later are provided.

  Specifically, the first support member 15 has a substantially Z-shaped cross section, extends in the left-right width direction of the sample table 8, and is formed by sheet metal processing or the like of the thin plate steel plate. It is attached to the front end. Although not shown, the first support member 15 is attached to the left and right ends including the side walls 8c, 8c of the sample stage 8 so as to be positioned on the front end side of the sample stage 8, for example. More specifically, the first support member 15 has an upper end bent upward and a lower end bent downward.

  Specifically, the second support member 16 has a substantially Z-shaped cross section and is formed by extending the left and right width directions of the sample table 8 and processing a sheet steel plate or the like. It is attached to the lower part. Although not shown, the second support member 16 is arranged such that its upper part is fixed to the lower part of the first support member 15 with screws or the like and projects below the display unit 9. More specifically, the second support member 16 is formed such that an upper portion thereof is bent toward the sample table 8 and a lower portion thereof is bent toward the front panel 7a.

Specifically, the display unit 9 is disposed in a protective case 12A attached to the upper portion of the first support member 15 so as to be inclined backward as in the first embodiment. The lighting device 11 is attached to a connecting portion 16a that connects the upper and lower portions of the second support member 16, and in the light-transmitting lighting cover 12B that protrudes obliquely upward toward the front panel 7a. In addition, the optical axis is arranged so as to face obliquely upward toward the front panel 7a side.
In this way, a display unit 9 that is arranged in correspondence with the product sample S on the front end side of each sample table 8 and displays information related to the sale product, and is arranged below the display unit 9 of each sample table 8 to transmit light. An illuminating device 11 that outputs toward the front panel 7a and illuminates the upper display unit 9 is configured. The lighting device 11 is arranged behind the product selection button 10 and below the display unit 9.

  Specifically, the protective case 12A includes a light-transmitting front cover 17, an upper cover 18, a receiving portion 19, a support plate 20, and a side cover not shown. . The front cover 17, the upper cover 18, the receiving portion 19, and the support plate 20 are extended along the extending direction of the first support member 15. The side cover is a member serving as a lid that covers both side portions of the protective case 12A. The protective case 12A is configured to have a substantially inverted triangular cross-sectional shape.

  Specifically, the lighting cover 12B is made of a light-transmitting synthetic resin, has a U-shaped cross section with a uniform thickness, and is formed by extending in the left-right direction of the second support member 16. . In addition, a plurality of ribs 12B1 for receiving the substrate 11a of the lighting device 11 are provided on the inner surface of the lighting cover 12B.

The front cover 17 is disposed so as to be inclined (in other words, inclined forward) so as to approach the front panel as it goes upward in front of the display unit 9. In the first embodiment, the front surface portion of the case main body 12a positioned in front of the display unit 9 is configured to be substantially parallel to the display unit 9, but in the second embodiment, the case main body. The front cover 17 corresponding to the front portion of the portion 12a is inclined in the forward direction as described above, and is inclined so as to be separated from the display portion 9 as it goes upward.
Specifically, the front cover 17 is made of a light-transmitting synthetic resin, and a flat plate having a smooth surface is cut into appropriate dimensions according to the height and the width in the left-right direction of the first support member 15. It is formed. Each long side portion of the front cover 17 is inserted and held in groove portions (18b, 19b) described later formed in the upper cover 18 and the receiving portion 19.

The upper cover 18 is arranged to extend obliquely upward from the upper side of the display unit 9 toward the front panel 7a side.
Specifically, the upper cover 18 is made of a synthetic resin, and is formed by, for example, injection molding by extending in the left-right direction of the first support member 15. One long side portion of the upper cover 18 is appropriately fixed to the upper portion of the first support member 15, whereby the protective case 12 </ b> A is fixed to the upper portion of the first support member 15. Further, the upper long side portion of the support plate 20 is inserted into the groove portion 18 a formed on one long side portion side (first support member 15 side) of the upper cover 18. The upper long side portion of the front cover 17 is inserted into the groove portion 18 b formed on the other long side portion side (front panel 7 a side) of the upper cover 18. And the long side part above the display part 9 is inserted in the groove part 18c formed between the groove part 18a and the groove part 18b of the upper cover 18 and on the first support member 15 side.

The receiving portion 19 is a member that receives a long side portion below the front cover 17 and the display portion 9, is appropriately formed of a material, and is attached to a long side portion below the support plate 20. A long side portion below the display portion 9 is inserted into the groove portion 19a formed on the first support member 15 side of the receiving portion 19, and a groove portion 19b formed on the front panel 7a side of the receiving portion 19 includes The long side part below the front cover 17 is inserted.
The support plate 20 serves as a support substrate for the protective case 12A, and is appropriately formed of a material.

  In the second embodiment, the light shielding cover 14 is fixed to the lower portion of the second support member 16 with screws or the like.

  Next, the lighting operation of the product sample S and the display unit 9 of the vending machine 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

  The light source unit 11b of the illuminating device 11 provided on each sample stage (81, 82, 83) has an optical axis X (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 10 and 11) obliquely toward the front panel 7a. Emits light upward. A part of the light from each light source part 11b passes between the front end part of the upper wall part 10a1 of the mounting bracket 10a and the protective case 12A and directly faces the front panel 7a, and then the back surface of the front panel 7a. Reflected toward the front of the display unit 9. Further, most of the remaining light from each light source unit 11 b is reflected by the reflecting unit 13 mainly composed of the back wall 10 a 3 and heads toward the front surface of the display unit 9. In this manner, the light from the light source unit 11 b is reflected toward the display unit 9 directly above by the back surface of the front panel 7 a and the reflection unit 13. The display unit 9 directly above each light source unit 11b is illuminated by these reflected lights. Further, a part of the remaining light from each light source unit 11b is directed obliquely downward, but this light is blocked by the light shielding cover 14, is reflected as appropriate, and then the reflection unit 13 and the front panel 7a. Head for.

  Next, the operation of the front cover 17 of the vending machine 1 according to the second embodiment will be described based on FIG. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the height of the user's eyes (line of sight) of the vending machine 1 is substantially the same as, for example, the arrangement height of the central portion of the display unit 9 of the upper sample stage 81, In addition, a case where the user is looking at the display unit 9 of the upper sample stage 81 will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 11, incident light L1 such as an emergency light in a passage where lighting such as a ceiling is turned off is incident on the front panel 7a obliquely from above. A part or all of the light transmitted through the front panel 7 a in the incident light L 1 is reflected by the front cover 17. Here, since the front cover 17 is disposed to be inclined in the forward direction, the reflection position of the light (reflected light L2) reflected by the front cover 17 is located below the position of the user's eyes. That is, for example, when the front cover 17 is arranged in parallel with the display unit 9 so as to look up at the sky (tilted backward), the reflected light reflected by the front cover 17 is indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. As indicated by the bold arrow (L3), there is a possibility of facing the user's eyes. In the present embodiment, the front cover 17 is inclined in the forward direction so that the reflection position of the user is changed. It is shifted from the eye position.

  According to the vending machine 1 according to the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the vending machine 1 may be installed in a dark place or may be installed in a dark place and does not include an illumination device for illuminating a product sample. However, it is possible to provide a vending machine capable of sufficiently ensuring the visibility of the display unit that displays information related to the sales product.

Moreover, in 2nd Embodiment, the structure which further has the light-transmitting front cover 17 arrange | positioned so that it may approach the front panel 7a so that it may approach the front panel 7a toward the front in front of the display part 9. It was. Thereby, the reflection position of the light (reflected light L2) reflected by the front cover 17 can be shifted from the general user's eye position of the vending machine 1. Therefore, since the emergency light or the like does not appear on the front cover 17 from the user's perspective, the user can clearly see the display on the display unit 9 through the front cover 17.
In this manner, the visibility of the display unit 9 can be further improved in a state where the display unit 9 is disposed to be inclined rearward.
In order to make the parts common, the front cover 17 of each of the upper, middle, and lower sample bases 8 is configured to be inclined forward as described above, but is not limited thereto. Since the height of most users' eyes from the ground is substantially the same as the arrangement height of the upper sample stage 8, the phenomenon in which an emergency light or the like is reflected on the front cover 17 is more than that of the front cover 17 at the middle or lower stage. There is a high possibility that it will occur in the upper front cover 17. Therefore, at least the upper front cover 17 only needs to be inclined forward.

Further, in the configuration in which the front cover 17 is tilted forward as described above, when the user looks at the middle or lower display unit 9 from obliquely above (looks down), the middle or lower upper cover 18 becomes an obstacle. There is a possibility that the visibility of the display unit 9 may be lowered. In order to solve this problem, the second embodiment further includes an upper cover 18 that is arranged to extend obliquely upward from above the display unit 9 toward the front panel 7a. Accordingly, when the user views the middle or lower display unit 9 from obliquely above, the display unit 9 can easily enter the user's line of sight, so that the visibility of the middle and lower display units 9 can be improved. .
In order to share parts, the upper cover 18 of each of the upper, middle, and lower sample bases 8 is inclined as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, the visibility decreases. Only the lower upper cover 18 having a high possibility may be inclined as described above.

  In the second embodiment, the illumination cover 12B is formed to have a U-shaped cross section with a uniform thickness. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the illumination cover 12B may be formed in a suitable shape. Further, the illumination cover 12B may be formed in an appropriate shape so that the light is effectively guided to the display unit 9, and the illumination cover 12B may have a lens function.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the illumination device 11 (light source unit 11b) is configured to be disposed so that the optical axis X faces obliquely upward toward the front panel 7a side. In this case, the illuminating device 11 is preferably configured so that the direction of the optical axis X can be adjusted. Specifically, although not shown, an angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts the angle of the optical axis X is provided, and the optical axis X of the illumination device 11 can be finely adjusted continuously or stepwise via the angle adjustment mechanism. It is good to configure. Thereby, since light can be more accurately guided to the display units 9 of the upper, middle, and lower sample bases 8, the visibility of the display unit 9 can be further improved. In the second embodiment, the angle of the optical axis X of each of the upper, middle, and lower illuminating devices 11 can be set appropriately in accordance with the eyes of the main user.

Moreover, in each said embodiment, although it was set as the thing which is not provided with illuminating devices other than the illuminating device 11 which illuminates the display part 9, you may equip an appropriate place with the illuminating device for goods sample illumination. In this case, if it is installed in the building of a business site where power saving activities are being performed and it is required to suppress or turn off lighting for product sample lighting, the lighting is suppressed (for example, thinned out) or turned off. It only has to be in operation.
In this way, when installed in a dark place, when installed in a dark place and the lighting on the product sample is suppressed or turned off to appeal the power saving state of the vending machine, or installed in the dark place. And even if it is a case where the illumination apparatus for product sample illumination is not provided, the vending machine which can fully ensure the visibility of a display part can be provided.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment and its modification of this invention were described, this invention is not restrict | limited to the said embodiment and its modification, A various deformation | transformation and change are based on the technical idea of this invention. Is possible.

  For example, in each embodiment, the light shielding cover 14 has been described as being formed by processing a thin steel plate into a sheet metal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an appropriate member such as a light-shielding film or a synthetic resin is used. May be formed. In the first embodiment, only the lower wall portion 12f of the case 12 is molded from a light-shielding synthetic resin. In the second embodiment, only the lower portion of the lighting cover 12B is formed from the light-shielding synthetic resin. You may shape | mold by. In this case, the lower side portion of the lower wall portion 12f and the illumination cover 12B corresponds to the “light shielding portion” according to the present invention.

  Further, in each embodiment, the reflecting surface 13 is configured by applying a mirror finish to the wall surface of the back wall portion 10a3 on the sample table 8 side. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the sample table of the back wall portion 10a3 is not limited thereto. Appropriate mirror finishing, such as plating or attaching a reflective material (glossy metal foil), may be applied to the wall surface on the 8th side. The mirror finish processing is not limited to the wall surface on the sample base side of the back wall portion 10a3, but may be performed on the light incident side wall surfaces of the upper wall portion 10a1 and the lower wall portion 10a2, or the entire surface of the mounting bracket 10a. May be applied. Moreover, it is not necessary to perform the mirror finishing process on the mounting bracket 10a. Even in this case, although the reflection efficiency is lowered, the light can be reflected on the back surface of the mounting bracket 10a, and the light traveling directly from the lighting device 11 to the front panel 7a is reflected by the front panel 7a. Thus, the display unit 9 can be illuminated with only the reflected light. That is, it is possible to ensure the visibility of the display unit 9 without performing mirror finishing (painting, plating, pasting of metal foil, etc.) on the back surface of the mounting bracket 10a and without providing the reflecting unit 13 in particular. Can do.

  Further, in each embodiment, when the angle of the display unit 9 with respect to the front panel 7a is changed, such as changing the inclination angle of the display unit 9 or arranging the display unit 9 in parallel with the front panel 7a, illumination is performed. What is necessary is just to determine suitably the angle with respect to the front surface of the display part 9 of the reflection part 13, or the angle of the optical axis X of the illuminating device 11 so that the light from the apparatus 11 can be reflected in the display part 9. That is, the arrangement angle of the display unit 9, the reflection unit 13, and the angle of the optical axis X may be appropriately determined so that the light from the illumination device 11 is reflected and guided to the front surface of the display unit 9 immediately above.

Moreover, in each embodiment, although the display part 9 was set as the structure arrange | positioned so that it might approach the front panel 7a so that it might go downward (it inclined backward), it is not restricted to this, It is the front as it goes upwards. It is good also as a structure arrange | positioned so that it may incline (tilt forward) so that the panel 7a may be approached. Thereby, the light guide | induced from the lower illuminating device 11 via the reflection part 13 grade | etc., Can be received efficiently, and visibility can be improved efficiently.
The display unit 9 may be configured to be arranged in parallel with the front panel 7a. Even in this case, since the light from the light source unit 11b is reflected by the front panel 7a and the like and travels toward the display unit 9, the display unit 9 can be illuminated.

  In the first embodiment, the front cover 17 and the upper cover 18 of the second embodiment may be applied. Specifically, the front portion of the case body 12a is inclined so as to approach the front panel as it goes upward, and the upper wall 12e is further extended obliquely upward toward the front panel 7a.

  Moreover, in each embodiment, although the display part 9 shall consist of electronic paper, it is not restricted to this, For example, reflective liquid crystal display members (LCD) which use external light as a light source, information, such as sales price May be simply a printed plate. The vending machine 1 according to the present invention is suitable when the display unit 9 is a non-self-luminous display medium such as electronic paper, a reflective liquid crystal display member, and a simple plate.

  Moreover, in each embodiment, although the number of the display parts 9 which comprise one display unit 90 was four pieces, it is not restricted to this, It can determine suitably. Further, the number of product samples S placed on one sample table is twelve, but is not limited to this, and can be determined as appropriate. The number of stages of the sample stage 8 is not limited to three but can be determined as appropriate. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, one illumination device 11 is provided for one display unit 9. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and one illumination device 11 is provided for a plurality of display units 9. May be.

The illuminating device 11 is arranged below the display unit 9 of each sample table 8, such as the back of the product selection button 10, and outputs light toward the front panel 7a to illuminate the upper display unit 9. I just need it.
In addition, when suppression or OFF of the illumination to a product sample is not calculated | required, the product sample S of the downward direction (that is, directly under the sample stand 8 to which the illumination device 11 is attached) using the illumination device 11 and You may comprise the display part 9 so that illumination is possible. Specifically, for example, in the second embodiment, the illuminating device 11 may be attached to the lower portion of the first support member 15 so that the light source unit 11b faces downward, and configured to illuminate the lower portion. good.

1 .... Vending machine 7 .... Sample display room 7a ... Front panel 8 .... Sample stand 9 .... Display (electronic paper) )
10... Product selection button 11... Illumination device 13... Reflection section 14.
S ... Product sample

Claims (7)

A product sample display room is formed inside the transparent front panel for displaying product samples of products for sale, and a plurality of the product samples are arranged in the product sample display room at intervals in the vertical direction. A vending machine comprising: a sample table for displaying; and a display unit arranged on the front end side of each sample table corresponding to the product sample and displaying information on the sales product,
A vending machine including an illuminating device that is disposed below the display unit of each sample stage and outputs light toward the front panel to illuminate the upper display unit. Provided on the front panel in correspondence with each display unit in front of the sample table, provided with a product selection button for the user to select a purchased product,
The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device is disposed behind the product selection button and below the display unit.   The vending machine according to claim 2, further comprising a reflection unit that is provided behind the product selection button and reflects light from the illumination device to a front surface of the display unit above the illumination device.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the illuminating device is arranged such that an optical axis is obliquely upward toward the front panel side.   The vending machine according to claim 4, wherein the illumination device is configured to be capable of adjusting a direction of the optical axis.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a light shielding portion disposed below the lighting device.   The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is made of electronic paper.