JP2000082177A - Article discharging device for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To exactly move an article to be sold the next time to the neighborhood of the gate of an article rack, and to line up the articles to be sold the next time of respective racks regardlessly of the thickness of the article in a back-and-forth direction. SOLUTION: This merchandise discharging device is provided with a driving mechanism 64, a gate 25 provided at front edge part of an article rack 18 for opening and closing a discharge port 18a at the time of discharging the article by the driving mechanism 64, and a discharging mechanism 19 to be driven by the driving mechanism 64 for discharging the article S positioned at the mostfront part and transferring the article S to a bucket 31 by moving forward the whole article S in the article rack 18 in a state that the ejection port 18a is opened, and for closing the discharge port 18a and then moving forward the whole article S by prescribed amounts so that the front face of the article S to be sold the next time can be positioned in the neighborhood of the gate 25.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic delivery system for paying out goods stored in a merchandise rack extending in the front-rear direction from a payout opening at the front end of the merchandise rack at the time of sale and delivering the goods to a goods carrying means located in front of the merchandise rack. The present invention relates to a product dispensing device for a vending machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a vending machine has a large part of a front panel formed of a transparent panel, and a product stored therein is used as a display. Seesle-type vending machines have been developed. Such vending machines generally extend horizontally in the front-rear direction, are provided with a plurality of product racks in which products are stored in a row, and are provided in front of these product racks, and are paid out from a payout opening of the product racks. A product unloading device for unloading the product to the product outlet.

In each product rack, there is provided a pusher which moves forward by a predetermined amount at the time of sale, thereby pushing and moving the entire product forward, paying out the product located at the forefront, and delivering it to the product delivery device. . Gears (front gear and rear gear) are provided at the front end and the rear end of the product rack, respectively, and the pusher is connected to a timing belt wound around these gears. Therefore, the timing belt rotates with the rotation of the gear, whereby the pusher moves forward to pay out the product. Further, at the front end of the product rack, a gate for opening and closing a payout opening is provided in order to prevent a product located at the forefront from being carelessly discharged from the product rack. The gate opens the payout opening by pressing backward from the front side.

[0004] On the other hand, the product unloading device has a bucket for unloading the product dispensed from the product rack, and when the product is sold, the bucket moves to the dispensing port of the product rack storing the selected commodities. After receiving the goods,
Move to the product exit and unload the product. The bucket includes a bucket body for temporarily storing and holding the dispensed commodities, and a drive mechanism for driving the pusher and the gate and dispensing the commodities to the bucket.
The drive mechanism includes a motor that can rotate forward and reverse, a male screw portion that extends in the front-rear direction and rotates by the motor, and a guide plate that engages with the male screw portion and moves in the front-rear direction with the rotation of the male screw portion. Along with the movement of the guide plate provided on the guide plate, a lever pusher that presses the release lever, a drive gear that meshes with the front gear and rotates it, and detects whether the bucket has received a product. And a product detection sensor for stopping rotation of the drive gear when the product is detected. That is,
By the cooperation of the driving mechanism provided on the bucket side and the driven mechanism including the front gear, rear gear, timing belt and release lever provided on the product rack side,
Drive the pusher and gate to pay out the goods in the goods rack.

Here, the delivery of goods by the goods delivery device having the above-described drive mechanism and driven mechanism will be specifically described. First, after the bucket moves to the payout port of the product rack storing the selected product and stops, the male screw portion rotates forward, and the guide plate moves to the product rack side. Due to the movement of the guide plate, the lever pusher presses the release lever to drive the gate and open the payout port. Also, in this case, the driving gear meshes with the front gear almost simultaneously with the pressing of the lever pusher. When the drive gear rotates, the front gear on the product rack side also rotates, and the pusher moves forward via the timing belt. Then, when the center of gravity in the front-rear direction comes out of the front end (payout port) of the product rack, the product located at the forefront falls down to the bucket side and is paid out. When the product detection sensor detects that the bucket (the bucket body) has received the product, the drive gear stops,
Accordingly, the movement of the pusher also stops. Thereafter, the male screw portion rotates in the reverse direction, and accordingly, the guide plate moves away from the product rack. As a result, the pressing of the release lever by the lever pusher is released, the payout opening is closed by the gate, and the drive gear is separated from the front gear.

[0006]

In the above-described commodity dispensing apparatus, when the commodity is delivered to the bucket while falling down, the rotation of the drive gear stops immediately, and the movement of the pusher also stops. For this reason, the amount of movement of the pusher varies depending on the thickness of the product in the front-rear direction, and the position of the foremost display product (the next sale product) after the delivery of the product differs depending on the product. In other words, in a product rack in which a product with a small thickness is stored, the product is located near the gate of the product rack, but in a product rack in which a product with a large thickness is stored, the product is located away from the gate to the rear. The product will be located. For this reason, for example, a plurality of product racks are provided in the vertical direction,
When a product rack located on the lower side stores a product having a large thickness, the display product may fall out of the purchaser's eyes and the purchaser may mistakenly recognize that the product is sold out. Even if such a misunderstanding does not occur, if the display product is located away from the gate, the display effect will be weakened, and in addition, the purchaser will feel uneasy about the sale.

Of course, if the amount of movement of the pusher is set for each product rack in accordance with the product to be stored, it is possible to position the display products in each product rack near the gate. However, in the above product dispensing device, since the gate is kept open during the movement of the pusher, if the amount of movement of the pusher is set incorrectly,
For example, if the moving amount of the pusher is set to be larger than the appropriate amount, two or more products may be paid out, or the display products may move to the position of the gate and the gate may not be closed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and it is possible to reliably move a next-sale product to a position near a gate of a product rack regardless of the thickness of the product in the front-rear direction. It is another object of the present invention to provide a vending machine product dispensing device that can meet the next sale product of each product rack when there are a plurality of product racks.

[0009]

According to the present invention, a commodity dispensing apparatus for a vending machine according to the present invention is arranged such that commodities stored in a merchandise rack extending in the front-rear direction and arranged in the front-rear direction through a dispensing opening at the front end of the merchandise rack at the time of sale. A vending machine product delivery device for delivering and delivering to a product delivery means located in front of a product rack, wherein the delivery mechanism is provided at a front end of the product rack and has a delivery port opened at the time of delivery by the drive mechanism. Thereafter, the entire product in the product rack is driven forward by the gate to be closed and driven by the drive mechanism, and the payout opening is opened, so that the product located at the forefront is delivered and delivered to the product carrying means. A product delivery means for delivering the entire product forward by a predetermined amount so that the front face of the next sale product is located near the gate after closing the payout opening; , Characterized in that it comprises a.

According to this configuration, at the time of sale, first, the gate is driven by the drive mechanism to open the outlet of the commodity rack. Next, the product delivery means is driven by the drive mechanism, moves the entire product in the product rack forward, pays out the product located at the forefront (hereinafter, referred to as "the foremost product"), and delivers it to the product delivery means. Thereafter, the payout opening is closed by the gate. Then, in this state, the entire product in the product rack is moved forward by a predetermined amount by the product delivery means. Specifically, the whole product is sent out such that the front of the next product is located near the gate. Thus, for example, in a vending machine having a product rack provided in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction, even if the product rack is located on the lower side, the foremost product stored therein is located near the gate of the product rack. Will be located. Because of this, the first product does not fall out of the buyer's eyes,
Buyers will not misunderstand that a product is sold out. In addition, the display effect of the foremost product can be sufficiently exhibited, and in addition, the purchaser does not feel uneasy about the sale.

[0011] Note that the next-sale product is a product placed immediately after the foremost product among the products stored in the product rack, and becomes the foremost product after the foremost product is paid out. A thing.

In this case, a product detection sensor for detecting that the product located at the forefront is delivered to the product discharging means is provided.
Further, it is preferable that, based on the detection result of the product detection sensor, the driving of the product delivery means be stopped and the payout port be closed.

According to this configuration, when the foremost product is delivered and delivered to the product delivery means, the fact is detected by the product detection sensor, the drive of the product delivery means is stopped, and the delivery port is closed. You. In other words, when the foremost product is paid out, the driving of the product delivery means is stopped and the payout port is closed. In addition, it is possible to prevent the next sale product from hindering the closing of the gate.

In these cases, it is preferable that the driving mechanism is provided in the product discharging means.

According to this configuration, even in a vending machine having a plurality of product racks, by operating only a drive mechanism common to these product racks, product delivery means and gates of all product racks are operated. Driving can be controlled. For this reason, there is no need to provide a product delivery unit and a control device for driving and controlling the gate for each product rack, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the manufacturing cost of the product delivery device.

In these cases, the drive mechanism includes a first motor rotatable in the forward and reverse directions, and a cam disk having a cam groove for engagement and a gate cam groove formed on the surface thereof, which is rotationally driven by the first motor. A second motor and a cam disk that rotate to protrude toward the merchandise rack in accordance with the engaging cam groove, and are driven to rotate by the second motor to drive a merchandise delivery means; It is preferable to have a protruding member that protrudes toward the product rack according to the cam groove for the gate to drive the gate when the plate is further rotated.

According to this configuration, when the cam disk is rotated forward by the rotation (forward rotation) of the first motor, the delivery drive gear projects toward the product rack along the engaging cam groove. Thereafter, when the cam disk further rotates forward, the protruding member protrudes toward the product rack according to the gate cam groove, and drives the gate to open the payout opening. Then, by rotating the delivery drive gear by the second motor, the product delivery means is driven to pay out the foremost product in the product rack and deliver it to the product delivery means. Thereafter, the cam disk is reversely rotated by the reverse rotation of the first motor, whereby the projecting member that has protruded is retracted, and the payout port is closed by the gate. Then, the delivery motor is rotated by the second motor, and the whole product is fed forward by a predetermined amount, thereby moving the next sale product near the gate of the product rack. Thereafter, the cam disc is further rotated in the reverse direction by the first motor, whereby the projecting delivery drive gear is retracted.

In this way, the cam disk is formed with the engagement cam groove and the gate cam groove having a predetermined shape, and by rotating the cam disk, the delivery drive gear is set at the time of delivery of the product. Since the payout opening is opened after projecting to the rack side, it is possible to prevent the foremost product from being carelessly paid out of the product rack due to vibration or the like when the delivery drive gear projects. In addition, since the gate and the product delivery means are driven by a single cam disk, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with the case where these are performed by separate cam mechanisms or the like. further,
With the above configuration, a drive mechanism for performing a predetermined operation can be easily realized.

In the above case, it is preferable to further comprise a delivery amount setting means for setting a predetermined delivery amount of the commodity delivery means in a state where the payout port is closed according to the commodity stored in the commodity rack.

According to this configuration, the delivery amount of the product can be set by the delivery amount setting means in accordance with the product. In vending machines that store products, if you set an appropriate delivery amount for each product rack,
The front of the foremost product in each product rack can be reliably mated.

[0021]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 shows a vending machine provided with the commodity delivery device.

As shown in the figure, this vending machine 1
It comprises a box-shaped vending machine main body 2 and a main door 3 for opening and closing the front surface thereof. The main door 3 incorporates a transparent panel 4 corresponding to the size of the front surface of a product storage 7 described later, and a glass heat insulating door 6 provided on the front of the product storage 7. That is, the vending machine 1 is of a so-called sheath type, in which a product itself stored in the product storage 7 is used as a display and a purchaser can see the sales operation of the product.

Although not shown, a coin insertion slot, an amount display section for displaying the amount of inserted coins, a return lever for returning coins, and a return lever for taking out returned coins are provided on the front surface of the main door 3. A coin return slot and a selection button for selecting a product S are provided.
Further, below the main door 3, a product outlet 5 for the purchaser to take out the product S is provided.

In the vending machine main body 2, a product storage 7 is defined by a glass heat insulating door 6 on the front and a peripheral wall containing a heat insulating material 7a, and is disposed at a front part in the product storage 7. Product S
And a control circuit composed of a microcomputer, which performs various controls in the vending machine main body 2 including the product unloading device 8 (not shown). The product storage 7 is slightly above the middle part in the vertical direction, and is partitioned into two upper and lower sections by a partition wall 9 having heat insulation and a passage partition wall 10 provided in front of the partition wall 9. The lower side is the cooling chamber 12. In the lower part of the front surface of the commodity storage 7, a carry-out opening 7b for allowing the passage of the commodity S is formed, and the carry-out opening 7b is configured to be rotatable around its upper end and usually hangs down. To close the carry-out opening 7b, and at the time of carrying out the commodity S, the carry-out door 13 which inclines downward and opens the carry-out opening 7b.
Is provided. In addition, the carry-out door 13 is configured by rotatably connecting two flat plates (an upper door 13a and a lower door 13b).

The heating chamber 11 is provided with a heater (not shown).
Is warming. On the other hand, a cooling device 14
And a circulation fan (not shown) that circulates air in the cooling chamber 12.
Are provided. Further, a condenser 15, an exhaust fan 16, a compressor 17, and the like, which constitute a part of the cooling device 14, are provided below the product storage 7, that is, in a lower portion in the vending machine main body 2. Then, the evaporator, the compressor 17 and the condenser 15 are sequentially connected by a refrigerant pipe (not shown). A cooling device 14 is constituted by these components, a circulation fan, an exhaust fan 16 and the like.
The product S is cooled by cooling the inside of the product 2.

The heating chamber 11 and the cooling chamber 12 have
Commodity racks 18 are vertically arranged in three rows and four rows, respectively, and eight rows are arranged in each row in the horizontal direction. Each merchandise rack 18 extends in the front-rear direction of the vending machine main body 2 and is formed in a vertical section “U” shape with an open upper side, and the same kind of merchandise S is vertically placed and stored in a line. I have. Each of the product racks 18 is a vending machine main body 2.
, And can be easily replenished (loaded) with commodities.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged front end of the product rack 18 when two products S are stored, for example. In the following description, among the products S stored in the product rack 18, the product S located at the forefront is appropriately referred to as “the front product S1”, and the product positioned at the end is referred to as the “last product S2”.
That. The product rack 18 is provided with a payout mechanism 19 (product sending means) for paying out the frontmost product S1 forward. The payout mechanism 19 includes a pair of front and rear gears 21 (only a front end gear 21 (front gear) is shown in FIG. 2) provided at a front end portion and a rear end portion at a lower left portion of the product rack 18; A timing belt 22 wrapped around 21 and connected to the timing belt 22;
The pusher 23 moves forward with the rotation of the timing belt 22 and moves the entire product S forward while pressing the rear surface of the last product S2 forward, and engages with the gear 21 at the front end and the front end of the product rack 18. Outlet 18
and a gate 25 provided at the front end of the product rack 18 for normally closing the payout port 18a and opening the payout port 18a when the product S is paid out. And

The front gear 21 is composed of a large gear portion 21a meshing with the dispensing driven gear 24 and a small gear portion 21b having a smaller diameter than the large gear portion 21a. A belt 22 is wound. The gear at the rear end around which the timing belt 22 is wound is a small gear portion 21b of the front gear 21.
And the same shape.

The outer shape of the pusher 23 is substantially L-shaped, with a contact portion 23a contacting the rear surface of the last product S2 and a bottom portion 23b parallel to the bottom surface in the product rack 18. The contact portion 23a has a width substantially the same as the width in the left-right direction in the product rack 18, and reliably contacts the rear surface of the last product S2. On the other hand, on the bottom 23b,
A protruding portion 23c protruding downward is provided slightly forward of the middle portion in the front-rear direction. The projecting portion 23c projects below a bottom surface in the product rack 18 through a slit (not shown) extending in a front-rear direction formed on a bottom surface in the product rack 18. Therefore, when the pusher 23 moves forward, the protruding portion 23c is always moved in a state of protruding below the bottom surface in the product rack 18.

As described above, the pay-out driven gear 24 slightly protrudes from the pay-out port 18a of the product rack 18, and is driven to rotate by engaging a pay-out drive gear (delivery drive gear) 141 of a drive mechanism 64 described later. It has become so. Therefore, the dispensing driven gear 24
Rotates, the front gear 21 rotates and the timing belt 22 rotates to move the pusher 23 forward.

The gate 25 is for preventing the earliest product S1 from being inadvertently dispensed from the product rack 18 when waiting for sale. This gate 25 is a product rack 1
8 has a length substantially equal to the width in the left-right direction, and when closed, lays substantially horizontally across the left and right ends of the product rack 18,
A gate body 25a that stands substantially vertically when opened, a rotating shaft 25b provided on the back surface of the base end of the gate body 25a and having a cam groove (not shown) formed on the surface, and an intermediate portion in the vertical direction. It is rotatable about the center, and is constituted by a gate lever 25c that rotates while pressing the rotation shaft 25b forward at the upper end. The lower end of the gate lever 25c of the gate 25 is pressed by the drive mechanism 64 of the product unloading device 8 described later when the product S is paid out. As a result, the gate lever 25c rotates, and rotates about 90 degrees while pressing the rotating shaft 25b at the upper end thereof. Along with this, the gate body 25a closing the payout port 18a rotates and stands up, and opens the payout port 18a.

An actuator 26 is provided below the front end of the product rack 18 to press a sold-out detection switch 70 described later when the last product S2 is paid out. The actuator 26 includes a slide member 27 slidable along the front-rear direction of the product rack 18,
A spring 28 biases the slide member 27 rearward. The slide member 27 has a front end 27
a, a rear end portion 27b and left and right side end portions 27c are bent downward. Further, the rotating shaft of the front gear 21 penetrates through holes 27d formed in the both end portions 27c and 27c and extending horizontally in the front-rear direction, so that the slide member 27 is smoothly guided in the front-rear direction. It has become.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 7, the operation for paying out the goods S stored in the goods rack 18 to the front goods discharge device 8 will be described. First, the lower end of the gate lever 25c is pressed rearward by the drive mechanism 64, thereby opening the gate 25 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Next, when the delivery drive gear 24 is rotationally driven by the drive mechanism 64, the gear 21 and the timing belt 22 rotate accordingly, and the pusher 23 moves forward. Due to the movement of the pusher 23, the entire product moves forward, and the frontmost product S1 is paid out from the payout opening 18a of the product rack 18. In this case, a product storage opening 6 of a bucket 31 of the product unloading device 8 described later.
2a (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 10).
Since the upper surface of 1) is located at a position slightly lower than the bottom surface in the product rack 18, the foremost product S1 is paid out while being inclined forward as shown in FIG. That is, when the center of gravity of the foremost product S1 moves forward from the front end of the product rack 18, the foremost product S1 is paid out while being inclined forward.

Then, the foremost product S1 is detected by the product detection sensor 89 of the product unloading device 8, which will be described later.
When the delivery is detected, the drive mechanism 64 that rotationally drives the payout driven gear 24 stops. Thereby, the movement of the pusher 23 also stops. In this case, since the pusher 23 stops simultaneously with the dispensing of the foremost product S1, as described above, when the foremost product S1 is dispensed while being inclined to the front side, it is stored immediately after the foremost product S1 and sold next. 4 (the last product S2 in this example) stops behind the gate 25 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the pressing of the gate lever 25c by the driving mechanism 64 is released, and the gate 25 is closed (see FIG. 4).

Thereafter, the pay-out driven gear 24 is driven to rotate again for a predetermined time (several seconds) by the drive mechanism 64, and the pusher 23 moves forward by a predetermined amount. Thereby, the last product S2 is pushed forward by the pusher 23, and moves to a position where the front surface contacts the gate body 25a or near the gate 25 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the next-sale product (front-most product) stored in each product rack 18 is always located near the gate 25, and the front-most product in each product rack 18 can be faced. Thereby, for example, the forefront product S1 in the product rack 18 located on the lower side of the vending machine main body 2 also
Since it is located near the gate 25, the foremost product S1 does not fall out of the purchaser's eyes, and the purchaser does not misunderstand that the product is sold out.

Thereafter, when the last product S2 is dispensed, it is dispensed while being pushed forward by the pusher 23, as in the case of the foremost product S1 described above. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, at the same time as the last product S2 is paid out, the protrusion 23c of the pusher 23 comes into contact with the rear end 27b of the slide member 27 of the actuator 26, and the slide member 2
7 is moved forward. When the slide member 27 moves forward, the front end 27a of the slide member 27 presses the button 70a of the sold-out detection switch 70. As a result, an electric signal is output from the sold-out detection switch 70, and the merchandise rack 18 in which the merchandise has been sold out is stored in the memory of the control circuit as a storage unit. In the vending machine 1, at the time of sale, the memory is referred to before the product unloading device 8 operates, and even if the purchaser mistakenly selects a sold-out product, the product unloading device 8 is used. 8 is activated to inform that the selected product is sold out.

Thereafter, the dispensing driven gear 24 is disengaged from the dispensing drive gear 141 of the drive mechanism 64, and
It is freely rotatable, that is, free. Along with this,
The gear 21 and the timing belt 22 are also free.
Thereby, as shown in FIG.
The spring 28 automatically returns to the rear, and accordingly, the pusher 23 also moves rearward.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 29, the product unloading device 8 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the product unloading device 8 stores a product S delivered from the product rack 18 and has a horizontal moving mechanism (hereinafter, referred to as an “X module unit”) having a bucket 31 that unloads the product S to the product outlet 5. ) 32
And a pair of left and right vertical movement mechanisms for moving the X module unit 32 in the vertical direction (hereinafter, referred to as “Y module unit”)
33, 33. The product S delivered from the product rack 18 is conveyed by the product unloading device 8 and carried out to the product outlet 5.

By moving the X module 32 up and down, the Y module
Is moved to a predetermined position in the vertical direction, and is provided at each of the left and right ends in the product storage 7. Note that these Y module units 33 are the same, and the following description will focus on the right Y module unit (the right side in FIG. 8).

The Y module portion 33 is wound around a pulley at the upper end and a sprocket at the lower end in the product storage 7, respectively, and fixes the X module portion 32 to the mutually connected wires and chains. The X module 32 (bucket 31) is moved up and down with the rotation of the wire and the chain. That is, the Y module unit 33 is disposed at the upper and lower ends of the product storage 7, and each of the pulleys 41 is rotatable.
And a sprocket 42, a Y module drive motor 43 for rotating the sprocket 42, a wire 45 wound around the pulley 41, and a front end connected to the X module 32 via an arm 44, and a sprocket 42. A chain 46 whose front end is connected to the X module unit 32 via an arm 44, a tension spring 47 connecting the front end of the chain 46 and the arm 44, a wire 45 and a chain 46, the X module 32
And a weight 48 having a function as a balancer. The above-described components except for the Y module drive motor 43 are housed in a Y-module housing 49 having a heat-insulating property and having a U-shaped cross section (see FIG. 1).

Pulley 4 of both Y module parts 33, 33
The sprockets 1 and 41 and the sprockets 42 and 42 are coaxially arranged. Each pulley 41 is independently rotated by each wire 45, while both sprockets 42, 42 are fixed to both ends of a drive shaft 50, and are rotated in synchronization with each other. That is, both sprockets 42, 42 are worm geared by a worm 51 at the tip of a motor shaft thereof and a worm wheel 52 fixed to the drive shaft 50 by a Y module drive motor 43 provided at a lower portion in the product storage 7. The rotation of the drive shaft 50 via 53 causes the drive shaft 50 to rotate synchronously.

Each of the wire 45 and the chain 46 has a length approximately equal to the distance between the pulley 41 and the sprocket 42, and the wire 45 is configured to be lighter than the chain 46 (for example, the number of wires: 10 g, chain: about 900 g). The wire 45 is connected to the pulley 4 as described above.
1, the front end of the pulley 41 is directly connected to the upper part of the arm 44, and the rear end is directly connected to the upper part of the weight 48. On the other hand, the chain 46 is wound around the sprocket 42, the front end of the sprocket 42 is connected to a substantially middle portion in the vertical direction of the arm 44 via a tension spring 47, and the rear end of the weight 48 is It is connected to the lower part.

The tension spring 47 tensions the wire 45 and the entire chain 46 by pulling the front end of the chain 46 upward. Therefore, the wire 45 and the chain 46 are held without being loosened around the pulley 41 and the sprocket 42, respectively.

The arm 44 is formed of a flat plate, is fixed to the rear end of the X module 32 on the front side, and is connected to the front end of the wire 45 and the chain 46. The guide member 5 is provided outside the arm 44.
1 (see FIG. 1), and the guide member 54 moves the arm 4 along an arm guide rail (not shown) extending vertically in the Y module housing 49.
4 can move smoothly in the vertical direction. Thereby, the X module part 32 fixed to the arm 44
Also, it is possible to smoothly move up and down along the arm guide rail.

The weight 48 has substantially the same weight as the X module 32. Therefore, the X module unit 3
2. The weight 48, the wire 45, the chain 46, and the pulley 41 also having a function as a constant pulley allow the X module 32 to move up and down without requiring a large driving force. The weight 48 can also be smoothly moved in the vertical direction along a weight guide rail (not shown) extending in the vertical direction in the Y module housing 49.

Further, as described above, the Y module housing 49 is made of a heat insulating material and has a U-shaped cross section. The opening of the side surface is pressed against the side surface in the left-right direction in the product storage 7 to cover each component of the Y module unit 33. Thereby, even if the Y module part 33 is provided over the heating room 11 and the cooling room 12 in the product storage 7, heat leakage in each room can be reduced.

The Y module unit 3 configured as described above
3, the weight 48 and the wire 45 and the chain 4
Due to the weight difference of 6, the force required to raise the X module 32 against its weight (gravity) can be reduced, and the acceleration performance at the time of starting the X module 32 (bucket 31) can be improved. Can be done. Further, as the X module part 32 rises, the weight difference between the wire 45 and the chain 46 becomes smaller than the weight of the X module part 32 side.
By reversing the rotation on the 8 side, the deceleration performance when the ascending X module unit 32 stops can be improved. Conversely, as the X module 32 descends, braking of the X module 32 due to the weight difference between the wire 45 and the chain 46 can improve the deceleration performance when the descending X module 32 stops. Therefore, by improving the acceleration performance and deceleration performance of the X module unit 32, the product S can be quickly transported, and in addition, the X module unit 32 can be accurately stopped. Can be carried out.

On the other hand, the X module section 32 is connected to the bucket 31 and the Y module section 33, and stores the bucket 31 so that the bucket 31 is slidable in the left-right direction.
1 is provided. As shown in FIG. 8, the bucket container 61 is formed in a horizontally long box shape with most of the upper and lower portions and the back surface being open. A moving mechanism for moving is provided. Therefore, the bucket 31 can move freely within the range W shown in FIG. Most of the front surface of the bucket container 61 is
It is composed of a transparent panel or the like so that the bucket 31 can be viewed from the front of the vending machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 9, the bucket 31 has a bucket body 62 for receiving the goods S paid out from the goods rack 18 and temporarily storing and holding the goods S until they are carried out to the goods outlet 5. A payout mechanism 19 attached to one side surface (left side surface in FIG. 9) of the product rack 62 via a case 63 and provided in each product rack 18, and a drive mechanism 64 that drives a later-described storage mechanism 66 and a discharge mechanism 67. It consists of.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the bucket body 62 is formed in a box shape from a flat plate made of, for example, aluminum or the like, and has a structure that is open from the rear half of the upper surface to the upper half of the rear surface. The commodities S paid out from the commodity rack 18 are accommodated in the accommodating portion 65, which is a commodity accommodating space of the bucket main body 62, through the open portion (commodity accommodating opening) 62a. Further, a pair of left and right cylindrical guide members 68, 68 are provided at the upper end of the bucket body 62, and the guide members 68, 68 extend in the bucket housing 61 in the left-right direction. The bucket 31 can move smoothly in the left-right direction along the guide rail (not shown). Further, a transparent panel 69 is incorporated in the upper half of the front surface of the bucket body 62 so that the products S stored in the bucket 31 can be seen from the front surface. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the bucket main body 62 has a storage mechanism 66 for storing the dispensed products S in the storage section 65 and an unloading mechanism for discharging the stored products S to the product outlet 5. 67 are provided.

The accommodating mechanism 66 constitutes a lower edge portion of the commodity accommodating opening 62a and, when accommodating the dispensed commodity S, allows the commodity S to pass therethrough while supporting it from below. A stage 71 for accommodating, and the stage 71 is partially accommodated (drum accommodating position K) during standby for sale, and is disposed between the stage 71 and the payout port 18a of the product rack 18 before paying out the product S at the time of sale. Projection (drum projection position L) (see FIG. 12), product S
Rotatable drum 72 that bridges the housing portion 65 while supporting the drum from below, and a projection mechanism 73 that rotates the drum 72 between a drum housing position K and a drum protrusion position L.
It is composed of

The stage 71 has a horizontal upper surface portion 71a constituting a lower edge portion of the product accommodating opening 62a, and the upper surface portion 71a.
The front part 71b is formed in a substantially inverted vertical "L" shape by the front part 71b which continuously hangs from the front side of the front part 71a.
Left and right end portions 71c, 71c are bent rearward,
The left and right side plates 62b, 62b of the bucket body 62 are screwed respectively. A cutout 74 extending from the upper surface portion 71a to the front surface portion 71b is formed at a position slightly to the left of the middle portion of the stage 71 in the left-right direction, and the upper portion and the front portion of the drum 72 protrude from the cutout 74. It has become. Note that a pair of screw holes 71d, 71d for screwing the bucket 31 to a support member (not shown) movable in the left-right direction in the bucket housing 61 is provided below the front surface portion 71b of the stage 71. Is formed.

Inside the stage 71, specifically, on the right side of the notch 74 and below the upper surface 71a, a sold-out detection switch 70 for detecting sold-out of the product S is provided. . The sold-out detection switch 70 is of a push button type, and is provided in a state in which the tip of the button 70a projects rearward from the rear end of the upper surface 71a of the stage 71. Then, as described above, at the same time as the last product S2 is dispensed from the product rack 18, it is pressed by the front end 27a of the slide member 27 of the actuator 26 (see FIG. 6).

As shown in FIG. 11, the drum 72 includes a cylindrical drum main body 72a, a bearing 72b provided at the center of the drum main body 72a, and a rotating shaft 76 inserted into the bearing 72b.
It is composed of A claw portion 75 protruding outward is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drum main body 72a. Bearing 7
2b constitutes a so-called one-way clutch together with the rotating shaft 76, and only in the direction (the direction of the arrow) in which the drum main body 72a moves the paid-out product S forward to the housing portion 66 side with respect to the rotating shaft 76. It is designed to rotate. In other words, the drum 72 is free to rotate in the direction of the arrow as a so-called "roller", and when the paid-out product S moves to the storage section 65, supports the product S from below. It can be moved smoothly.

A pulley 77 is fixed to the left end of the rotating shaft 76. The pulley 77 and a drum driving gear 78 located below the pulley 77
9 is wound. Accordingly, the drum driving gear 78 is rotationally driven by the driving mechanism 64, and the rotating shaft 76 rotates in the direction of the arrow, whereby the drum 72 integrally rotates in the same direction. Further, with the rotation of the drum 72, the claw portion 75 also rotates, so that when the product S passes over the drum 72, the lower portion of the product S is pressed toward the storage section 65.

The projecting mechanism 73 is connected to the rotating shaft 76 of the drum 72.
The drum holder 81 holding the drum 72 is fixed by penetrating through the lower end of the drum holder 81 and both ends are supported by the bucket body 6.
A rotation shaft 82 rotatably supported by the second side plate 62a. The drum holder 81 is provided with the rotating shaft 76 of the drum 72.
A holder main body 81a supporting both ends of the holder main body 81a, and a rotating shaft 82 is fixed to the lower end of the holder main body 81a through therethrough. The left end of the holder body 81a has a cross section “L” connected to the drive mechanism 64 through the through hole 83a.
A letter-shaped connecting portion 83 is formed. In the projecting mechanism 73 configured as described above, the connecting portion 83 is moved rearward and upward by the driving mechanism 64, so that the drum 72 rotates around the rotating shaft 82 to the drum projecting position L. When the connecting portion 83 is returned to the original position, the drum 72 returns to the drum housing position K.

On the left and right sides of the holder body 81a,
At positions below the drum 72, claw detection sensors 84 and 84, which are optical sensors for detecting the position of the claw 75, are provided. The claw portion 75 is normally stopped at a position (claw portion home position) on a straight line connecting them by the claw portion detection sensors 84, 84 by the drive mechanism 64. For this reason, for example, when the claw portion 75 is stopped in a state of protruding toward the payout port 18a,
Since the dispensed product S may be caught on the claw portion 75 and a dispensing defect may occur, this can be reliably prevented.

The drum driving gear 78 is rotatably fitted on the rotating shaft 82 between the left end thereof and the holder main body 81a.
Even if 2 rotates, the position does not shift.

When the goods S paid out from the goods rack 18 are stored in the storage part 65, the bucket body 62 stands up while the goods S are stored in the goods rack 18, ie, stands up. A product attitude correcting plate 85 for accommodating the product in the state is provided. The product attitude correction plate 85 is formed of a transparent flat plate, and is rotatably supported at its upper end. Specifically, a correction plate rotating shaft 87 extending in the left-right direction is rotatably mounted on the left and right side plates 62b, 62b of the bucket body 62 at the upper end portion in the bucket body 62 and substantially in the middle in the front-rear direction. The product attitude correcting plate 85 is fixed to the correcting plate rotating shaft 87 at two positions (fixed portions 86, 86) at the upper end.

As shown in FIG. 12, the product attitude correcting plate 85 is inclined downward and rearward to close most of the product accommodation opening 62a, and is formed at the upper end of each fixing portion 86 and protrudes upward. A storage opening closed position M in which the portion 86a abuts on the upper end edge of the product storage opening 62a from the rear, a product storage opening 62a that is inclined forward and downward to open, and a stopper 88 provided at an upper portion in the bucket body 62. Between the storage opening opening position N and the storage opening opening position N that contacts the storage opening N.
The correction plate rotating shaft 87 is provided with a torsion spring (not shown) for urging the product posture correction plate 85 toward the storage opening closed position M, and when the product is not stored, the product is not stored. The posture correcting plate 85 is held at the housing opening closed position M.

The left and right side plates 62 of the bucket body 62
a, 62a include a commodity detection sensor 8 composed of an optical sensor;
9, 89 are provided. These product detection sensors 8
9 and 89, it is detected that the commodity S has been paid out and delivered to the bucket 31.

Here, referring to FIG.
The operation in the case where the commodity S paid out from 8 is stored in the storage section 65 of the bucket body 62 will be described. Before the goods S are dispensed from the goods rack 18, the drum 72
Rotates from the drum storage position K to the drum protrusion position L.
And when the goods S are paid out from the goods rack 18,
The product S moves on the drum 72 and further on the stage 71 while inclining forward, and the front surface of the product S is
5 (FIG. 12: state of S3). In this case, the drum 72 idles in the direction in which the product S moves,
The product S is smoothly moved onto the stage 71.

Then, when the product S moves on the stage 71 and is detected by the product detection sensor 89, the drum 72 at the drum projecting position L is rotated a plurality of times by the drive mechanism 64 (for example, 5 rotations). ). As a result, the lower end of the product S is pressed forward by the claw portion 75 of the drum 72, and the product attitude correcting plate 85 is rotated to the accommodation opening open position N (FIG. 12: state of S4). Also, the drum 72
With the rotation of the product S, the product S is brought into contact with the product posture correcting plate 85 at the contact point (in this case, the upper end of the front surface of the product S) as a fulcrum.
While being returned to the proper posture, that is, the upright posture substantially the same as the state of being stored in the product rack 18 by the payout, the storage unit 65 stores the storage unit 65 (FIG. 12: state S5).

Thereafter, the drum 72 which has been rotated to the drum projecting position L is moved by the driving mechanism 64 to the drum housing position K.
And is partially accommodated in the stage 71. In this case, since the upper portion and the front portion of the drum 72 protrude from the notch 74 of the stage 71, even if the lower end portion of the product S is stuck on the upper surface portion 71 a of the stage 71 and stays, the storage failure in the storage portion 65. , The product S can be securely accommodated. That is, when the drum 72 returns to the drum storage position K, the commodity S that has been caught on the upper surface portion 71a of the stage 71 is pressed forward by the upper portion and the front portion of the drum 72, thereby being caught by the stage 71. Is released and is securely accommodated in the accommodation section 65.

When articles S are accommodated in the bucket 31 (accommodating section 65) having the accommodation mechanism 66 and the article attitude correcting plate 85 as described above, even if the articles have various shapes and weights, they can be similarly raised. It can be securely accommodated in a posture that has been set. 13 to 17 show a case where a product having another shape is stored. 13 shows a product of a plastic bottle, FIG. 14 shows a product of a small container, FIG. 15 shows a product of a rectangular parallelepiped, FIG. 16 shows a product having a smaller thickness in the front-rear direction than the product shown in FIG. 15, and FIG. This shows a case where a product whose thickness is larger toward the upper side is stored.

Next, the unloading mechanism 67 will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the unloading mechanism 67 includes a bucket body 62.
A tray 91, which is provided at the lower end of the bucket so as to be openable and closable, and constitutes the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 65, and an opening / closing door 92, which is provided at the lower half of the front surface of the bucket body 62 so as to be closable and constitutes the lower front half of the accommodating portion 65 And a single link 93 for interconnecting the tray 91 and the opening / closing door 92.

The tray 91 is formed of a flat plate, and has a front edge and both left and right edges bent downward. The left and right ends of the rear end of the tray 91 are fixed to a tray rotation shaft 94 rotatably supported by left and right side plates 62b, 62b of the bucket body 62, respectively. Thereby, the tray 91 rotates about the rear end portion between the tray opening position P1 that is inclined obliquely forward and the horizontal tray closing position Q1 shown in FIG. It has become. The rotation shaft 94 is provided with a torsion spring (closing spring 95) for urging the tray 91 to the tray closing position Q1 (see FIG. 10). Usually, the tray 91 is held at the tray closing position Q1. ing.

At the left end of the tray 91, a pressed portion 96 is provided which extends obliquely upward. The pressed portion 96 is pressed forward when the product S is carried out by a pressing pin 169 of the locking means 115 which can be horizontally moved in the front-rear direction, which will be described later. As shown in FIG. 18, when the pressing pin 169 moves forward, this pressing pin 1
Reference numeral 69 designates the pressed portion 96 while abutting against the back surface of the pressed portion 96.
It is in a state of rising toward the tip of. That is,
When viewed from the pressed portion 96 side, the pressed portion 96 is in a state of being pressed down by the pressing pin 169. As a result, the tray 91 rotates to the tray opening position P1 and opens. Conversely, when the pressing pin 169 retreats and separates from the rear surface of the pressed portion 96, the tray 91 is rotated by the closing spring 95 to the tray closing position Q1 and closed.

Further, a lock pin 97 protruding outward is attached to the left end of the tray 91. When the tray 91 is at the tray closing position Q1, the lock pin 97 is engaged with the locking means 115, so that the tray 91 is locked and is securely held at the tray closing position Q1.

The opening / closing door 92 is formed of a flat plate, similarly to the tray 91, and the upper end thereof is provided with an opening / closing door rotating shaft 98.
It is rotatably supported by. As a result, the opening / closing door 92 is lowered forward and moves to the tray opening position P1.
Opening / closing door opening position P2 substantially parallel to the tray 91 located at
And the vertical opening / closing door closing position Q2, with the upper end portion as the center, to open and close the lower half of the front surface of the housing portion 65. One end of a link 93 is rotatably connected to the rear surface of the opening / closing door 92 slightly above an intermediate portion in the vertical direction. The other end of the link 93 is connected to the tray 9
The first pressed portion 96 is rotatably connected to the distal end. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Is opened by being pushed forward by the link 93 with the opening of the tray 91.

As described above, the tray 91 and the opening / closing door 9
2 rotates to the tray opening position P1 and the opening / closing door opening position P2, respectively, an opening 62c is formed from the bottom surface of the bucket body 62 to the lower half of the front surface for carrying out the stored goods S. At the same time, a carry-out passage 99 toward the product outlet 5 is formed. In this case, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the opening / closing door 92 presses the upper door 13a of the carry-out door 13 forward, whereby the carry-out door 13 is opened.

Then, the stored product S is as shown in FIG.
As shown in (2), it falls to the product outlet 5 obliquely downward in the front.
More specifically, the product S is passed through the carry-out passage 99 while being guided by the tray 91, and is further passed through the carry-out opening 7b while being guided by a diagonally forward-lowering chute 101 provided at the lower edge of the carry-out opening 7b. Then, it is carried out to the product outlet 5. When the carry-out door 13 is opened by the opening / closing door 92,
The lower door 13b that hangs down from the lower end of the upper door 13a rotates forward due to the momentum of the product S falling. Therefore, the product S is smoothly carried out to the product outlet 5 without being held by the lower door 13b.

As described above, a large carry-out passage 99 is formed by the opened tray 91 and the opening / closing door 92, and while the goods S are guided by the tray 91 and the chute 101, the carry-out door 13 is further forced by the opening / closing door 92. While the product is open, the product is dropped and carried out to the product outlet 5. Therefore, even if the product S has a large external shape or is light in weight, the product S may be caught by the opening / closing door 92 and the carry-out door 13. The product S can be reliably and smoothly carried out in a short time without causing a carry-out failure.

Next, referring to FIGS. 20 to 29, the payout mechanism 19, the accommodation mechanism 66, and the carry-out mechanism 67 are provided on the left side of the bucket body 62 via the case 63.
The drive mechanism 64 for driving the drive will be described. Drive mechanism 6
As shown in FIGS. 20, 21, and 22, a cam 4 is disposed at a substantially middle portion in the vertical direction of the case 63, has a large number of teeth on the peripheral surface, and has a plurality of cam grooves on both left and right sides. A disk 111, a cam motor (first motor) 112 for rotating and driving the cam disk 111, a gear motor (second motor) 113 for rotating and driving the payout driven gear 24 of the payout mechanism 19, and a drum 72 of the accommodation mechanism 66. And a locking means 1 for locking the tray 91 at the tray closed position Q1.
The opening / closing drive of the unloading mechanism 67 is performed via 15.

The cam disk 111 is configured to rotate forward and reverse through a reduction gear train 123 formed by a combination of a gear 121 and a gear 122 when the cam motor 112 rotates forward and backward. FIG. 23 shows the cam disk 111 in a state before the cam disk 111 rotates, that is, in a so-called home position. In the following description, the rotational direction of the cam disk 111 and the extending direction of the cam groove will be described with reference to the case when viewed from the right side (FIG. 23A).

As shown in the figure, a gate driven link 1 for opening the gate 25 is provided on the side surface of the cam disk 111.
There is formed a penetrating gate cam groove 131 with which the groove 24 engages. The gate cam groove 131 has a starting end 131a.
From the center of the cam disk 111 to the center of the cam disk 111 in the clockwise direction, approximately 3/4, from the center to the end 131b, approximately 1/4 while being gradually separated from the center, and further continuously to the center. It is formed so as to make approximately 1/4 circumference.

The gate driven link 124 is made of an obtuse triangular flat plate and has a triangular link 126 having an engaging pin 125 which engages with the cam groove 131 for the gate, and a front end portion at an acute angle portion 126a above the triangular link 126. 127a is rotatably connected, and is constituted by a rod-shaped pressing link (projecting member) 127 for pressing the gate lever 25c of the gate 25 rearward at the rear end 127b. The triangular link 126 is rotatably supported by the case 63 at the lower acute angle portion 126b, and the engagement pin 125 is attached slightly above the middle portion in the vertical direction. An arc-shaped slit 126 d extending from the obtuse angle portion 126 c to the engagement pin 125 is formed on the side surface of the triangular link 126, and the rotation shaft 111 a of the cam disk 111 is inserted therein. On the other hand, the pressing link 127 has a rear end 127b.
Project rearward through a guide hole 63a formed on the back surface of the case 63, and are configured to be horizontally movable in the front-rear direction. The engagement pin 125 is connected to the cam disk 11
When 1 is located at the home position, it is engaged at a position which is substantially 1/4 turn from the starting end 131a of the gate cam groove 131.

The gate cam groove 1 configured as described above
31 and the gate driven link 124, the cam disk 1
When 11 rotates counterclockwise from the home position,
The triangular link 126 rotates clockwise around the lower acute angle portion 126b, and the pressing link 127 moves rearward to press the lower end of the gate lever 25c at the rear end 127b. Thereby, the gate 25 is opened.

Conversely, in the above state, the cam disk 11
When 1 rotates clockwise, triangular link 126 rotates counterclockwise. As a result, the pressing link 127 moves forward to release the pressing of the gate lever 25c and close the gate 25.

On the left side of the cam disk 111, a gear support member 142 for supporting a gear (payout drive gear) 141 for driving the payout mechanism 19 (payout driven gear 24) in a state engaged with the payout mechanism 19 (payout driven gear 24). Engaging cam groove 1 to be engaged
32 and a drum cam groove 133 with which a drum driven link 143 for rotating the drum 72 to the drum projecting position L is engaged.

The engaging cam groove 132 makes approximately 1/4 clockwise rotation from the start end 132a to the end 132b at an equal distance from the center of the cam disk 111 and continuously moves away from the center by approximately 1 / l. It is formed so as to make four rounds and to make one round at a constant distance from the center.

The gear support member 142 is formed of a substantially right-angled triangular flat plate, and an engagement pin 144 that engages with the engagement cam groove 132 is attached to the lower acute angle portion 142a. The gear motor 1 is attached to the acute angle portion 142b.
By means of 13, an intermediate gear 148 is provided which rotates via a reduction gear train 147 formed by a combination of a gear 145 and a gear 146, and whose rotation shaft is rotatably supported by the case 63. A payout drive gear 141 is rotatably supported by the right angle portion 142c. A timing belt 149 is wound around the payout drive gear 141 and the intermediate gear 148, and the payout drive gear 141 rotates with the rotation of the intermediate gear 148. When the cam disk 111 is at the home position, the engagement pin 144 is engaged at a position that is substantially １ ／ of the circumference from the start end 132 a of the engagement cam groove 132.

The engaging cam groove 13 configured as described above
When the cam disk 111 rotates counterclockwise from the home position by the gear support member 142 and the gear support member 142, the gear support member 142 rotates counterclockwise around the upper acute angle portion 142b and is provided at the right angle portion 142c. The dispensing drive gear 141 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the case 63 and engages with the dispensing driven gear 24. When the gear motor 113 operates in this state, the payout drive gear 141
Rotates, and the payout driven gear 24 is rotationally driven accordingly, and the payout mechanism 19 is driven.

Conversely, in the above state, the cam disk 111
When rotates clockwise, the gear support member 142 rotates clockwise about the upper acute angle portion 142b. As a result, the payout drive gear 141 is connected to the payout driven gear 24.
Is disengaged and is accommodated in the case 63.

On the other hand, the drum cam groove 133 is
From 3a to the end 133b, it makes approximately 1/2 turn clockwise at the same distance from the center of the cam disk 111, makes about 1/4 turn while gradually separating from the center, and further continues to the center. It is configured to make approximately 1/4 turn at equal distance. Note that the drum cam groove 133 has a starting end 133a.
Starts at a position branched off from the middle of the engaging cam groove 132, but is formed to be shallower than the engaging cam groove 132, and the engaging pin 144 that engages with the engaging cam groove 132 is used for the drum. Since the engagement cam groove 132 has entered the engagement cam groove 132 to a position deeper than the depth of the cam groove 133, the engagement pin 144 does not enter the drum cam groove 133.

The drum driven link 143 is formed of a substantially “H” -shaped flat plate, and an engagement pin 151 that engages with the drum cam groove 133 is attached to the front end 143 a, while the rear end is provided with a rear end. A connecting pin 152 to be inserted into the through hole 83a of the connecting portion 83 of the drum holder 81 is attached to the tip portion 143b on the side. In addition, the bent portion 143c
Is rotatably supported by the case 63. When the cam disk 111 is located at the home position, the engaging pin 151 is connected to the start end 1 of the drum cam groove 133.
It is engaged at a position that is approximately 1/4 turn from 33a.

Drum cam groove 1 configured as described above
33 and the drum driven link 143, the cam disk 1
When 11 rotates counterclockwise from the home position,
The drum driven link 143 rotates clockwise about the bent portion 143c, and the rear end 143b moves obliquely upward. As a result, the drum holder 81 of the storage mechanism 66 rotates backward about the rotation shaft 82, and the drum 72
Rotates to the drum projecting position L. When the drum motor 114 operates in this state, the drum drive gear 78 of the storage mechanism 66 is driven to rotate via the reduction gear train 155 formed by the combination of the gears 153 and 154, and the drum 72 rotates.

Conversely, when the cam disk 111 rotates clockwise while the drum 72 is located at the drum projecting position L, the drum driven link 143 rotates clockwise about the bent portion 143c. Thereby, the drum 72
It returns to the drum accommodation position K.

On the left side of the cam disk 111, a cam mechanism (lock / carry-out cam mechanism) 161 for driving the lock means 115 provided on the bottom surface of the case 63 and thereby driving the carry-out mechanism 67 is provided. Is provided. The locking means 115 is a lock position R (see FIG. 26) for locking the tray 91, and a lock release position U (see FIGS. 26 and 28) for unlocking the lock and rotating the tray 91 to the tray open position P1. A slide plate 162 slidably in the front-rear direction between the
Slide plate 16 in the direction in which
And a spring (lock spring) 163 for biasing the spring 2.

A pair of front and rear long holes 164, 164 extending in the front-rear direction are provided at the center in the left-right direction of the slide plate 162.
Are formed. The slide plate 162 is engaged with the bottom surface of the case 63 from below through the long holes 164 and 164, and is guided in the front-rear direction. Further, a through hole 165 slightly extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the front left side of the slide plate 162, and the lower end of the lock / carry-out cam mechanism 161 is inserted into the through hole 165 from above. Further, on the right edge of the slide plate 162, an operation portion 166 is formed to be bent downward at the front end thereof, and the operation portion 166 for manually operating the slide plate 162 itself, and at the rear end of the bent portion of the operation portion 166. A concave portion 167 that is continuous and concaved to the left and a bent portion 168 that is continuous from the rear end of the concave portion 167 and that is bent upward are formed. The operation section 166 is formed in a downward wedge shape, and the lock pin 9 of the tray 91 is provided at the rear end of the bent portion.
7 engaged with the engaging portion 166 cut out in an “L” shape
a is formed. A pressing pin 16 that projects rightward from the rear end of the bent portion 168, contacts the back surface of the pressed portion 96 of the tray 91, and presses the pressed portion 96 forward.
9 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 25, the lock / unload cam mechanism 161 projects leftward from the left side of the cam disk 111 and is provided slightly below the rotation shaft 111a of the cam disk 111 at the home position. Protruding pin 171
And a cam piece 172 which is loosely inserted into the rotation shaft 111a of the cam disc 111 and is pressed by the protruding pin 171 when the cam disc 111 rotates, and is rotated by the cam piece 172. A lock / carry-out driven link 173 for moving the plate 162 back and forth is configured.

The cam piece 172 is formed so that the rear surface is flat and the front surface is curved forward. On the other hand, the lock / carry-out driven link 173 has a driven pin 174 at the upper end which comes into contact with the front surface of the cam piece 172, and a first driven link 175 which is rotatable around a substantially middle rear end in the vertical direction. The upper end is rotatably connected to the lower end of the first driven link 175, while the lower end is inserted into the through hole 165 of the slide plate 162 and is rotatable about a substantially middle portion in the vertical direction. And the second driven link 176.

Here, with reference to FIGS. 26 to 29, the operation of the locking means 115 and the locking / unloading cam mechanism 161 configured as described above will be described. When the cam disk 111 at the home position shown in FIG. 26 rotates clockwise, first, as shown in FIG. 27, the cam piece 172 is pressed by the protruding pin 171 from the rear side and rotates clockwise. As a result, the driven pin 17 of the first driven link 175
4 moves forward while sliding on the front surface of the cam piece 172, and the first driven link 175 rotates counterclockwise around the rear end. And, by this, the second driven link 176
Pivots clockwise around the intermediate portion, and the slide plate 162 at the lock position R is pressed forward by the lower end portion and moves. As a result, the engaging portion 166a of the slide plate 162 is disengaged from the lock pin 97 of the tray 91, and the lock of the tray 91 is released.

When the cam disk 111 further rotates clockwise, the first driven link 175 and the second driven link 176 further rotate as shown in FIG.
2 moves further forward (lock release position U). Then, the pressing pin 169 of the slide plate 162 is
The tray 91 rotates to the tray opening position P1 by moving further forward and pushing down the pressed portion 96, thereby opening the bottom surface of the storage portion 65. Further, in this case, as described above, the opening / closing door 92 also rotates to the opening / closing door opening position P2, and opens the lower half of the front surface of the housing portion 65.

Conversely, when the cam disk 111 rotates counterclockwise with the tray 91 opened, the slide plate 16
2 is pulled backward by the lock spring 163 and moves. Thereby, the pressed portion 96 by the pressing pin 169 is pressed.
Is released, and the tray 91 is rotated by the closing spring 95 to the tray closing position Q1 while the pressed portion 96 contacts the pressing pin 169. After the tray 91 is completely closed, the slide plate 162 moves further rearward, so that the pressing pin 169 is separated from the pressed portion 96, and the engaging portion 166a of the slide plate 162 is locked with the lock pin of the tray 91. 97. As a result, the tray 91 is locked by the slide plate 162 as shown in FIG.

The unloading mechanism 67 allows an operator or the like to manually open the tray 91 and the opening / closing door 92 from outside. For example, the worker may use the slide plate 162
29, the slide plate 162 is pulled out to the unlock position U. As shown in FIG. 29, the first driven link 175 and the second driven link 176
11, the tray 91 and the opening / closing door 92 are opened. That is, the lock / carry-out driven link 173 including the first driven link 175 and the second driven link 176 rotates independently of the cam disk 111, that is, without being restrained by the cam disk 111. Therefore, the tray 91 and the opening / closing door 92 can be opened even when the cam disk 111 is stopped. When the tray 91 and the opening / closing door 92 are closed, when the operator releases the operation unit 166, the slide plate 162 is moved by the lock spring 163.
The tray 91 and the door 92 are closed automatically.

As described above, the tray 91 and the opening / closing door 9
2 can be manually opened, so that the bucket body 6
It is possible to easily perform cleaning, maintenance, and the like of the inside 2 (accommodating portion 65). When the tray 91 and the opening / closing door 92 are in an open state, when the bucket 31 is attached to the support member in the bucket container 61, the screw is easily screwed from the horizontal direction into the screw holes 71d, 71d of the stage 71. be able to.

Also, on both left and right sides of the cam disk 111,
As shown in FIG. 23, the cam disk 1 protrudes outward and
Two triangular projections (hereinafter referred to as “switch-on projections”) projecting toward the peripheral edge of the switch 11 are respectively provided (switch-on projections 181a, 181 on the left side surface).
1b, switch projections 182a, 182b on the right side). These switch-on projections 181a, 181b, 182
The rotation control switches 183 and 184 provided next to the left and right sides of the cam disk 111 are turned on by the a and 182b, respectively.
By performing N-OFF, the rotation angle of the cam disk 111 is detected, whereby the rotation of the cam disk 111 is controlled, and the gear motor 113 and the drum motor 1 are controlled.
14 is controlled. In the following description, the left rotation control switch 183 is referred to as a “left switch 183”.
Set the right rotation control switch 184 to “Right switch 184”.
That.

As shown in FIG.
81 a, 181 b, 182 a, and 182 b are provided at positions equidistant from the center of the cam disk 111. As shown in FIG. 11A, the switch-on protrusion 182a on the right side is connected to the cam disk 11 in the home position.
It is provided at a position approximately 45 degrees obliquely downward on the front side of 1. The switch-on protrusion 1 is provided on the left side surface at the same position as the switch-on protrusion 182a, that is, the same position on the back side.
81a are provided. The other switch-on protrusion 182b on the right side is located at the front side of the cam disk 111 at the home position and is approximately obliquely 45 degrees upward (actually, 100 degrees clockwise with respect to the switch-on protrusion 182a). (Rotated position). Also,
The other switch-on protrusion 181b on the left side surface is provided substantially vertically below the center of the cam disk 111 at the home position.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20, the left and right switches 183 and 184 are provided adjacent to the peripheral portion of the cam disk 111 at the lower front diagonally. These left and right switches 183, 18
Reference numeral 4 denotes a switch body 185 and a cam disc 111
And a leaf spring 187 having a base end connected to the switch body 185 and a rotatable roller 186 at the end. The left and right switches 183 and 184 are configured such that the distal end of the leaf spring 187 has a switch-on protrusion 181a,
The top of 81b, 182a, and 182b (the portion protruding from the periphery of the cam disk 111) is pressed toward the periphery of the cam disk 111, and is in the ON state when the switch comes into contact with the switch body 185. An electrical signal is output from the switch body 185 to the switch. On the other hand, when the distal end of the leaf spring 187 is separated from the switch body 185, the state is OFF.

The driving mechanism 64 configured as described above
Because it is configured as a module in the case 63,
When manufacturing the product unloading device 8 capable of selling a large product, only the bucket body 62 needs to be changed. That is,
Since the modularized drive mechanism 64 can be shared, the manufacturing cost of the product unloading device 8 can be reduced, and the versatility of the drive mechanism 64 can be increased.

Here, a series of operations of the product unloading device 8 at the time of sale will be described focusing on the drive mechanism with reference to FIGS. 30 to 34 showing the operation around the drive mechanism 64. FIG. 30 shows a sales standby state. As shown in the figure, the cam disk 111 is located at the home position. In this case, the left and right switches 183 and 184 are both turned on by the switch-on protrusions 181a and 182a, respectively.

When a purchaser inserts a coin and presses a product selection button, the product unloading device 8 is operated, and the bucket 31 stores the selected product S in the product rack 1.
8 to the payout port 18a and stop.

Thereafter, the cam motor 112 operates so as to rotate forward, and the cam disk 111 rotates counterclockwise from the home position. When the cam disk 111 starts to rotate counterclockwise, the left and right switches 183, 1
84 are all in the OFF state. With the rotation of the cam disk 111, the gear support member 142 that engages with the engagement cam groove 132 rotates counterclockwise around the upper end (upper acute portion 142 b) and is housed in the case 63. The dispensing drive gear 141 gradually becomes external, that is, the product rack 1
It protrudes to the 8 side. Then, when the cam disk 111 rotates about 100 degrees, as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 41 projects so that the rear half thereof protrudes outside and engages with the dispensing driven gear 24.

Thereafter, when the cam disk 111 further rotates counterclockwise, the drum driven link 143 engaged with the drum cam groove 133 rotates counterclockwise about the bent portion 143c, and the drum follows. The drum holder 81 connected to the driven link 143 rotates clockwise around the rotation shaft 82 at the lower end. Accordingly, the drum 72 at the drum storage position K gradually rotates toward the product rack 18.
Then, when the cam disk 111 rotates about 210 degrees, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the drum 72 rotates to the drum projecting position L.

Thereafter, when the cam disk 111 further rotates counterclockwise, the triangular link 126 engaged with the gate cam groove 131 rotates clockwise about the lower end portion (lower acute angle portion 126b). The pressing link 127 connected to the upper end portion (upper acute angle portion 126a) of the triangular link 126 gradually moves rearward, and the rear end portion 127b protrudes from the rear surface of the case 63 toward the product rack 18 side. And the cam disk 11
As shown in FIG. 33, the rotation of the left switch 18
3 is turned on by the switch-on protrusion 181b on the left side (the right switch 184 is turned off).
That is, when the cam disk 111 rotates about 320 degrees,
Stops (hereinafter, the rotational position of the cam disk 111 in this case is referred to as “maximum rotational position”). In this case, the pressing link 127 presses the lower end of the gate lever 25c backward at the rear end 127b, whereby the gate 25 is opened.

In this state, when the gear motor 113 is operated, the payout drive gear 141 is rotated, and the payout driven gear 24 is rotated accordingly, and the payout mechanism 19 is rotated.
Is driven. Then, the product (the foremost product) S in the product rack 18 is paid out to the bucket 31 side. The product S
The movement of the gear motor 113 is stopped when the commodity detection sensor 89 detects that has moved onto the stage 71 of the drum 72 and / or the bucket body 62.

Thereafter, when the drum motor 114 is operated, the drum 72 rotates a plurality of times (for example, about five times), and the lower end of the product S is held by the claw portion 75 in the front storage portion 65.
Press to the side. Thus, the product S is stored in the storage portion 65 in a state of an appropriate posture by the product posture correcting plate 85. The number of rotations of the drum 72 is counted by the claw detection sensor 84, so that the drum 72 rotates a predetermined number of times and stops so that the claw 75 is located at the claw home position.

When the product S is stored in the storage section 65 of the bucket 31, the cam motor 112 operates to rotate in the reverse direction, and the cam disk 111 rotates clockwise from the maximum rotation position. When the cam disk 111 starts to rotate clockwise, the left switch 183 is turned off similarly to the right switch 184. When the cam disk 111 rotates about 110 degrees clockwise from the maximum rotation position (about 210 degrees counterclockwise from the home position: about 320 to about 210), as shown in FIG. 32, the pressing link 127 returns to the original position. Returning to the position, the gate 25 is closed. And cam disk 1
When the motor 11 further rotates clockwise, as shown in FIG. 31, the drum 72 returns to the drum accommodation position K, and the right switch 184 is turned on by the switch-on protrusion 182b on the right side.
The cam disk 111 stops when it reaches the N state (the left switch 183 is in the OFF state), that is, when it rotates about 110 degrees (about 100 degrees counterclockwise from the home position: about 210 to about 100) (hereinafter, the rotation is stopped). , "Delivery stop position").

The above state, that is, the payout drive gear 7
The gear motor 113 operates with only 8 protruding toward the merchandise rack 18 and engaging with the payout driven gear 24. In this case, the gear motor 113 is controlled by the delivery amount setting unit in accordance with the product S stored in the product rack 18.
Operate for a preset time (for example, several seconds). As a result, the payout mechanism 19 is driven, and the product stored immediately after the product S stored in the bucket 31,
That is, the entire product S is advanced so that the next product is located near the gate 25.

Note that instead of setting the set time,
The next-sale product comes into contact with the gate 25 (gate body 25a),
The operation of the gear motor 113 may be stopped according to the load current flowing through the gear motor 113. When the set time is set to 0 seconds, the cam disk 111 does not stop at the feed stop position.

Then, the cam disk 111 further rotates clockwise from the above-mentioned feed stop position, and as shown in FIG. 30, the left and right switches 183 and 184 are turned on by the switch-on protrusions 181a and 182a on the left and right side surfaces, respectively. The cam disk 111 stops when it comes to the position, that is, when it rotates about 100 degrees (home position).

In this state, the bucket 31 is moved by the Y module section 33 to a position obliquely above the product outlet 5.

Thereafter, the cam motor 112 operates again to rotate in the reverse direction, and the cam disk 111 rotates clockwise from the home position. The cam disk 111
Starts rotating clockwise, the left and right switches 183, 1
84 are all in the OFF state. With the rotation of the cam disk 111, the cam piece 172 is
It is pressed at 71 and rotates clockwise. This cam piece 17
With the rotation of 2, the slide plate 162 of the lock means 115 is moved to the front unlock position U by the lock / unload driven link 173. As a result, the lock of the tray 91 is released, and the tray 91 is opened by the pressing pin 169 of the slide plate 162.
Is also released.

In this case, after the left switch 183 is once turned on (the right switch 184 is turned off) by the switch-on projection 181b on the left side, the cam disk 111 is turned off as shown in FIG. When it became
That is, it stops when it has been rotated approximately 50 degrees clockwise from the home position. Then, a carry-out passage 99 formed by opening the tray 91 and the opening / closing door 92.
From there, the product S falls into the front product outlet 5 and is carried out.

Then, when it is detected that the product S has been carried out by a product take-out detection sensor (not shown) provided in the product take-out port 5, the cam motor 112 operates so as to rotate forward, and the cam disk is rotated. 111 rotates counterclockwise and returns to the home position (see FIG. 30). Accordingly, the tray 91 and the opening / closing door are closed, and the tray 91 is locked by the slide plate 162.

Table 1 below shows the relationship between the rotation angle of the cam disk 111 and the states of the left switch 183 and the right switch 184.

[0118]

[Table 1]

As described in detail above, according to the commodity dispensing apparatus of the vending machine of the present embodiment, after the foremost commodity S1 has been dispensed, the next sale commodity is placed so that the front surface is located near the gate 25. S2 can be reliably sent out. Therefore, the next sale product S2 (the foremost product S1) does not fall out of the purchaser's eyes, and the purchaser does not misunderstand that the product is sold out. Further, the display effect of the foremost product S1 can be sufficiently exhibited, and in addition, the purchaser does not feel uneasy about the sale.

After the gate 25 of the merchandise rack 18 is closed, the next merchandise S2 is sent out, so that the next merchandise S2 is paid out together with the previous merchandise (the foremost merchandise S1). In addition, it is possible to prevent the next sale product S2 from hindering the closing of the gate 25.

Further, by operating only the common drive mechanism 64 for each product rack 18, the payout mechanisms 19 of all the product racks 18 can be controlled, so that the payout mechanism 19 is driven for each product rack 18. There is no need to provide a control device or the like for controlling, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

Further, the gate 25 is opened after the delivery drive gear 141 of the drive mechanism 64 is engaged with the delivery driven gear 24 of the product rack 18, so that the front product is released due to vibration at the time of engagement. It is possible to prevent S1 from being carelessly paid out of the product rack 18.

[0123]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Regardless of the thickness of the product in the front-rear direction, the next-sell product can be reliably moved to the vicinity of the gate of the product rack. It has the effect of being able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vending machine provided with a commodity dispensing device for a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a front view and (b) is a side sectional view.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side sectional view showing a front end portion of a product rack.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a case where the forefront product is paid out.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a state immediately after the foremost product is paid out.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing a case where the next sale product is sent out so as to contact the gate.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a case where the last product is paid out.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a case where the last product is paid out and the actuator returns to its original state.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a product unloading device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a bucket.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a bucket body.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a drum.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a storing operation by a storing mechanism.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of accommodating another product.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 13, illustrating the accommodating operation of another product.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 13, illustrating the accommodating operation of another product.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 13, illustrating the accommodating operation of another product.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 13, illustrating the accommodating operation of another product.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an unloading operation of the unloading mechanism.

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a case where a product is carried out.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a driving mechanism.

FIG. 21 is a right side view showing a driving mechanism.

FIG. 22 is a left side view showing the driving mechanism.

23A and 23B are diagrams showing a cam disk at a home position, wherein FIG. 23A is a right side view, and FIG. 23B is a left side view.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing an engagement relationship between a cam disk, a gate driven link and a drum driven link.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing an engagement relationship among a cam disk, a lock / carry-out cam mechanism, a lock means, and a carry-out mechanism.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the lock / unload cam mechanism, showing a case where the cam disk is located at the home position.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 26, showing a state in which the cam disk has rotated clockwise and the tray has been unlocked;

FIG. 28 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 26, showing a state where the cam disk is further rotated clockwise and the tray and the opening / closing door are opened.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the tray and the opening / closing door are opened by manually operating the slide plate.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the driving of the payout mechanism, the storage mechanism, and the unloading mechanism by the drive mechanism, and shows a case where the cam disk is located at the home position.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 30, showing a case where the cam disk has rotated 100 degrees counterclockwise.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 30, showing a case where the cam disk has rotated 210 degrees counterclockwise.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 30, showing a case where the cam disk is rotated 320 degrees counterclockwise.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 30, showing a case where the cam disk is rotated clockwise by 50 degrees from the home position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vending machine 5 Merchandise outlet 8 Merchandise unloading device 19 Dispense mechanism 23 Pusher 25 Gate 31 Bucket 64 Drive mechanism 89 Merchandise detection sensor 111 Cam disk 112 Cam motor 113 Gear motor 131 Gate cam groove 132 Cam groove for engagement 141 Discharge drive gear

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A merchandise stored in a merchandise rack extending in a front-rear direction and arranged in a front-rear direction at the time of sale from a payout port at a front end of the merchandise rack and delivered to a merchandise discharging means located in front of the merchandise rack. A product dispensing device for a vending machine, comprising: a driving mechanism; a gate provided at a front end of the product rack, wherein the driving mechanism opens and closes the dispensing port at the time of dispensing, and is driven by the driving mechanism. Then, by moving the entire product in the product rack forward with the payout port opened, paying out the product located at the forefront, transferring the product to the product carrying means, and closing the payout port. Product delivery means for delivering the entire product forward by a predetermined amount so that the front of the next sale product is located near the gate. Product dispensing device for an automatic vending machine according to claim Rukoto. 2. A product detection sensor for detecting that the product located at the forefront is delivered to the product carrying means,
2. The product dispensing device according to claim 1, further comprising: stopping the driving of the product dispensing means and closing the dispensing port based on a detection result of the product detection sensor. 3. The product delivery device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism is provided in the product delivery means. 4. A driving mechanism comprising: a first motor rotatable forward and backward; a cam disc having a cam groove for engagement and a gate cam groove formed on a surface thereof; A motor for projecting to the commodity rack side according to the engaging cam groove by rotating the cam disc, and a delivery drive gear for driving the commodity delivery means by being rotationally driven by the second motor. 4. A protruding member that drives the gate by protruding toward the commodity rack according to the gate cam groove by further rotating the cam disk. The vending machine described above. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a delivery amount setting unit that sets the predetermined delivery amount of the product delivery unit in a state where the payout port is closed in accordance with a product stored in the product rack. A vending machine product dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.