JP2001052242A - Automatic bending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the certainty in the selection of a hot or cold article by providing article select switch units in a first color for displaying the hot article and a second color for displaying the cold article. SOLUTION: A main door 102 is provided with a display space formed from a front panel 103. In this display space, article samples 104 are displayed and under the article samples 104, sub-panels 105 displaying Hot or COLD and prices are provided. On the surface of the front panel 103, plural article select switch units 1 equipped with plural push-buttons 11 for selecting articles on a case 12 are provided. The case 12 is colored in a reddish color such as red, for example, when the correspondent article is a hot article and in a bluish color such as blue, for example, when the article is a cold article.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine for selling hot or cold products, and more particularly, to enhancing the certainty of the selection of hot or cold products, and of hot and cold products depending on the season. It relates to a vending machine that can change the sales ratio.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional vending machine has a substantially box-shaped vending machine main body, and a main door which can be opened and closed is provided on the front of the vending machine main body. The main door has an exhibition space formed by the front panel. In this exhibition space, product samples are displayed, and below the product samples, sub-panels displaying HOT or COLD, prices, and the like are provided. On the surface of the front panel, a product selection switch unit including a plurality of push buttons for selecting a product is provided.

[0003] The required bills or coins are inserted and HOT
Alternatively, when the push button corresponding to the product sample is pressed based on the display of COLD, the corresponding product is discharged to the product outlet. Even when the same kind of product sample is exhibited, a desired hot product or cold product can be purchased by displaying HOT or COLD.

[0004]

However, according to the conventional vending machine, a hot product or a cold product is selected only by displaying the HOT or COLD on the sub-panel, so that an undesired cold product or hot product is erroneously selected. There was a risk of doing. In addition, since a sub-panel was required to display a cold product or a hot product, the number of parts increased and the configuration became complicated.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine capable of increasing the certainty of selecting a hot product or a cold product and changing the sales ratio of a hot product and a cold product according to the season. is there. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine in which the number of parts is reduced and the configuration is simplified.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a product display room is formed by a transparent front panel, and a plurality of switches for selecting products are unitized on the surface of the front panel. In a vending machine equipped with a product selection switch unit, the product selection switch unit is a first color product selection switch unit that displays a hot product displayed in the product display room, and is displayed in the product display room. A vending machine comprising a product selection switch unit of a second color for displaying a cold product. According to the above configuration, since the hot product and the cold product can be distinguished by the color of the product selection switch unit, the hot product or the cold product can be reliably selected, and the sub panel for displaying the hot product or the cold product is not required.

[0007]

FIG. 1 shows a vending machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This vending machine 100
A vending machine main body 101 having a substantially box shape is provided.
A main door 102 that can be opened and closed is provided on the front surface of the device 01. The main door 102 has an exhibition space formed by the front panel 103. In this exhibition space, a product sample 104 is displayed, and below the product sample 104,
A sub panel 105 displaying HOT or COLD, price, and the like is provided. On the surface of the front panel 103, a plurality of product selection switch units (hereinafter abbreviated as "switch units") 1 having a plurality of push buttons (lenses) 11 for selecting products in a case 12 are provided. The main door 102 has a bill insertion slot 106 for inserting bills, a coin insertion slot 107 for inserting coins, and a return lever 108 for returning inserted bills or inserted coins.
And an indicator 109 for displaying a change-out display, an inserted bill or an inserted coin amount, and a main door 1 by locking.
02, a door lock 110 for locking the opening operation, a product outlet 111 for taking out products, and a change return port 112 for returning change are provided.

The case 12 is colored in a red system color, for example, red when the corresponding four products are hot products, and is colored in a blue system color, for example, blue in the case of cold products. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which will be described later, hatched portions represent red, and scattered portions represent blue. FIG. 1 shows a case where two switch units 1 on the right correspond to a hot product, and three switch units 1 on the left correspond to a cold product.

FIG. 2 shows the switch unit 1,
(A) is a front view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a back view. In this switch unit, a plurality of switch units 1 are connected by a joiner 20, and the switch unit 1 is screwed from the inside to the front panel 103 of the vending machine from the inside, and the base 1A is engaged with the base 1A by concave and convex engagement. The above case 12 attached and case 1
It has a plurality of (four in the figure) push buttons 11 protruding from the inside through the two openings 12a.

Inside the push button 11, a nap plate 10 is provided.
Are arranged, and the nape plate 10 is provided with a circular graphic 10a indicating that the product can be sold, and a character 10b of “sold out” that indicates that the product is sold out.
The portion 0b is a light transmitting portion through which the light of the internal red LED is transmitted, and the portion 10c other than the figure 10a and the character 10b is a light shielding portion.

The base 1A is provided with an insertion portion 4 that is inserted into an insertion hole and an insertion hole (not shown) of the front panel 103, respectively.
A locking piece 21 is provided between the insertion section 4 and the insertion section 16, the locking piece 21 locking the recess 12 d of the case 12, and is rotatably provided on the pin 22. The connector 3 is provided in the insertion portion 4. Insertion section 16 and joiner 20
Has screw holes 16a and 20a which are inserted into the front panel 103 and screwed.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a partial structure of the switch unit 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG.
FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 2, and FIG.
It is CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. This switch unit 1
The circuit board 5 disposed in a space formed between the case 12 and the base 11 by combining the case 12 and the base 11.
And a silicon cover 9 as a translucent elastic cover for protecting the circuit board 5 in a watertight manner, and an end of the long side and the short side (entire circumference) of the base 1A, and an end of the silicon cover 9 Case 1 having a cover suppressing member 13 for suppressing
The case 12 is removably attached to the base 1A by the engagement between the case engaging portions 12c formed at the upper and lower ends of the base 2 and the base engaging portions 1a formed at the upper and lower ends of the base 11. It has a configuration.

On the circuit board 5, along with the circuit elements 6 and the like, a red LED 7a for displayable for sale at a position corresponding to the figure 10a of the nameplate 10, and a sold-out display at a position corresponding to the character 10b of the nameplate 10 for sale. Red LED
7b are respectively mounted. LED 7a or 7
b light passes through the light passage hole 8b of the reflect case 8,
The light is radiated to the outside through the silicon cover 9, the name plate 10, and the push button 11, which are transmissive while being reflected by the reflection surface 8 a.

The push button 11 is exposed from the opening 12a of the case 12, and is prevented from coming off when the projection 11a of the push button 11 contacts the opening edge 12b of the case 12. The cover suppressing member 13 is fixed to the base 1A by welding using ultrasonic waves. The circuit board 5 is watertightly protected from external raindrops and the like by the silicon cover 9. The connector 3 is connected to a control unit (microcomputer chip) inside the vending machine 100 and has an insertion portion 4
Are provided, and the packing 2 is made watertight.

FIG. 5 shows a locking structure between the base 1A and the case 12. As shown in FIG. The locking piece 21 has a rectangular shape, and has a slit 21a for inserting a tool such as a flathead screwdriver when rotating, and a concave portion 12d of the case 12 at both ends in the longitudinal direction.
And a corner 21c of the locking portion 21b is rounded so that the locking piece 21 can rotate without interfering with the recess 12d.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the switch unit 1 is attached to the vending machine 100. FIG.
3B is a cross-sectional view passing through the center of the joiner 20. FIG. The insertion part 16 and the joiner 20 of the base 1A are passed through the insertion hole 14a of the front panel 103 of the vending machine 100, and the base 1 is inserted from the back surface of the front panel 103 through the screw hole 23a of the channel-shaped holding plate 23.
A screw hole 16a of the insertion portion 16 and the jointer 20
Of the base 1A by passing the screw 24 through the screw hole 20a
Is attached to the front panel 103. Joiner 20
Is provided with a flange portion 20b that fits into a groove 12e provided at the end of the case 12, removes the screw 24, and
Is moved away from the case 12 so that the joiner 20 can be removed from the case 12.

Next, the operation of the vending machine 100 will be described. When the purchaser inserts a predetermined coin into the coin insertion slot 107, the red LE for sale indication mounted on the circuit board 5 is displayed.
D7a lights up. On the other hand, when the product sold out,
Red LED 7 mounted on circuit board 5 for display of sold out
b lights up. The light of the red LED 7a or 7b passes through the light passage hole 8b of the reflect case 8, is reflected by the reflective surface 8a and has a translucent silicon cover 9, the figure 10a of the name plate 10 or the character 10a.
The light is radiated to the outside through the part b and the push button 11.
When the red LED 7a for sale indication is lit and the sale is possible, the purchaser can use the HOT or CO
When the push button 11 corresponding to the desired hot product or cold product in the product exhibition room is pressed based on the color of the case 12 together with the display of the LD, the silicon cover 9 is compressed and deformed, and the switch element 9a is connected to the circuit board 5. When a switch element (not shown) is turned on, the product to be sold is taken out of the product outlet 11.
It is carried out to 1. In this way, the purchaser can purchase the desired hot or cold product.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show an operation of removing the case 12. FIG. For example, when replacing the case 12 from a red one to a blue one, the screws 24 attaching the switch unit 1 to the front panel 103 of the vending machine are used.
And remove the switch unit 1 from the front panel 103. Next, the plurality of switch units 1 are separated from the joiner 20, and the joiner 20 is moved away from the case 12 to remove the joiner 20 from the case 12. Next, as shown in FIG.
Then, a tool such as a flathead screwdriver is inserted into the device, the locking piece 21 is rotated to the left, and the locking portion 21 b of the locking piece 21 is detached from the recess 12 d of the case 12.

Next, as shown in FIG.
Red case 1 with a special jig against 2 elastic force
The second case engaging portion 12c is expanded to disengage the case engaging portion 12c from the base engaging portion 1a of the base 1A, and the red case 12 is removed from the base 1A. Next, the blue case 12 is attached to the base 1A by engaging the case engaging portion 12c of the blue case 12 with the base engaging portion 1a of the base 1A. Rotate the locking piece 21 to the right, and lock the locking piece 2
The first engaging portion 21b is engaged with the concave portion 12d of the case 12. After that, the switch unit 1 is attached to the front panel 103 by the reverse procedure of removing the switch unit 1.

According to the above-described first embodiment, the display of HOT and COLD on the sub-panel 105 and the color of the case 12 are colored red or blue corresponding to hot and cold products, so It is possible to determine whether the product is a hot product or a cold product, and the certainty of selecting the hot product or the cold product is improved. Also base 1
When A is removed from the front panel 103 of the vending machine,
The case 12 is configured to be detachable from the base 1A, and the silicon cover 9 for providing a water-tight structure is provided separately from the case 12, so that the water-tight structure of the circuit board 5 is maintained when the case 12 is changed to another color. Case 12
Can be replaced. Therefore, it is possible to easily replace the case 12 with a color corresponding to the hot product and the cold product in response to the exchange of the hot product and the cold product. Further, since the switch unit 1 is detached by the operation from the back side of the front panel 103 to disengage the case 12 from the base 1A, the case 12 can be opened by mischief, and the case 12 and internal components can be prevented from being damaged. it can.

FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, a locking piece 21 is slidably provided on a case 12. When removing the case 12, the locking piece 21 is slid in the direction of the arrow in the figure to remove the locking piece 21 from the notch 12f provided in the case 12, thereby removing the case 12 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. It can be replaced and prevent the case 12 and internal parts from being damaged due to mischief.

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the locking piece 21 is made of a spring material, and the locking piece 21 is
d. When the case 12 is removed, the case 12 can be replaced in the same manner as in the first embodiment by deforming the locking piece 21 and removing the locking piece 21 from the concave portion 12d of the case 12. Internal components can be prevented from being damaged.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, in the above embodiment, the case 12 is colored with a color corresponding to a hot product or a cold product, but other portions constituting the switch 1, for example, the silicon cover 9, the name plate 10, the push button 11, and the like are colored. You may. Name plate 1
When coloring 0, the portion 10c other than the figure 10a and the character 10b may be colored. When the name plate 10 or the push button 11 is colored, the color can be changed for each push button 11. When the push button 11 is changed to another color, the case engagement portion 12c and the base engagement portion 1a are disengaged, the case 12 is removed from the base 1A, and then the push button 11 is removed from the silicon cover 9. . Thereafter, the push button 11 of another color is pushed into the silicon cover 9 and the case 1 is pressed.
2 is engaged with the base engaging portion 1 of the base 1A.
The push button 11 can be changed to another color by attaching the case 12 to the base 1A by engaging with the base 1A. When the name plate 10 is changed to another color, the case 12 is detached from the base 1A by disengaging the case engaging portion 12c and the base engaging portion 1a, and then the push button 11 and the name plate 10 are removed. Remove from silicon cover 9. Thereafter, another name plate 10 of another color is arranged inside the push button 11 and the push button 11 is pushed into the silicon cover 9 to engage the case engaging portion 12c of the case 12 with the base engaging portion 1a of the base 1A. By attaching the case 12 to the base 1A, the name plate 10 can be changed to another color. The color to be colored may be yellow-red, red-purple, yellow or the like in addition to red as a red system, or may be blue-green, blue-violet, or green in addition to blue as a blue-system. Further, the sub panel 105 may be omitted. As a result, the number of components is reduced, and the configuration can be simplified.

[0024]

As described above, according to the vending machine of the present invention, the hot product and the cold product can be distinguished by the color of the product selection switch unit, so that the reliability of selecting the hot product or the cold product can be improved. The sales ratio of hot and cold products can be changed according to the season. Further, a sub-panel for displaying a hot product or a cold product is not required, so that the number of parts is reduced and the configuration can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view, FIG. 2B is a side view, and FIG. 2C is a back view of the product selection switch unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view in the direction A of FIG. 2;

4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 2, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a partial rear view showing a locking structure between the base and the case according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a product selection switch unit according to the first embodiment in a state attached to a vending machine, and (a).
Is a cross-sectional view passing through the center of the insertion portion, and (b) is a cross-sectional view passing through the center of the joiner.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a case removing operation according to the first embodiment, wherein FIG. 7A is a rear view and FIG.

FIG. 8 is a partial back view of a product selection switch unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial back view of a product selection switch unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Product selection switch unit 1A Base 1a Base engaging part 2 Packing 3 Connector 4 Insertion part 5 Circuit board 6 Circuit element 7a, 7b Red LED 8 Reflect case 8a Reflect surface 8b Light passage hole 9 Silicon cover 9a Switch element 10 Name plate 10a Figure 10b Character 10c Other part 11 Push button 11a Convex part 12 Case 12a Opening 12b Opening edge 12c Case engaging part 12d Concave part 12e Groove 12f Notch 13 Cover suppressing member 14a Insert hole 15 Screw 16 Insert part 16a Screw hole 17 Penetration Hole 18 Screw hole 20 Jointer 20a Screw hole 20b Flange 21 Locking piece 21a Slit 21b Locking part 21c Corner 22 Pin 23 Holding plate 23a Screw hole 24 Screw 100 Vending machine 101 Vending machine main body 102 Main door 103 Front Front panel 104 Product sample 105 Sub-panel 106 Bill insertion slot 107 Coin insertion slot 108 Return lever 109 Indicator 110 Door lock 111 Merchandise exit 112 Change return port

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H01H 13/04 H01H 13/04 C 13/14 13/14 A F term (Reference) 3E044 AA01 CA02 FB20 3L045 AA05 BA01 CA09 DA01 PA04 3L102 JA05 KA01 KB05 KD11 KE11 KE15 5G006 AA01 AB02 AC07 AZ01 AZ05 BA01 BA02 BB07 BC05 CB03 CB05 DD01 FB17 FD05 JA01 JB03 JC01 JD03 JF02 JF24 JF27 LA02 LC02 LD01 LE02 LG02

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A vending machine in which a product display room is formed by a transparent front panel and a product selection switch unit in which a plurality of switches for selecting a product are unitized is mounted on a surface of the front panel. The unit comprises a first color product selection switch unit for displaying hot products displayed in the product display room, and a second color product selection switch unit for displaying cold products displayed in the product display room. A vending machine characterized by being constituted. 2. The first and second merchandise selection switch units each have a lens hole, and a predetermined space is formed between the first and second merchandise selection switch units by being combined with a base. A case in which the mounted circuit board is disposed; a light-transmitting elastic cover that protects the circuit board in a watertight manner; and a light-exposed cover that is exposed from the lens hole and is not pressed by the elastic force of the elastic cover. A lens that is in a position to be off, compresses the elastic cover to turn on the switch element when pressed, and emits light from the light emitting element to the outside through the elastic cover; and a lens provided inside the lens. , A name plate indicating that the product can be sold or sold out, wherein the first color product selection switch unit includes the case, the elastic cover, and the lens. And at least one of the nameplates is colored with a red-based color as the first color, and the product selection switch unit of the second color includes a case, the elastic cover, the lens, and the nameplate. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the vending machines is configured to be colored with a blue-based color as the second color. 3. The case includes a case engaging portion that engages with a base engaging portion of the base, and a locking member that locks with a case locking portion of the case. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is released from the case locking portion based on an operation to enable the case engaging portion to be released from the base engaging portion. 4. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein said locking member is a rotating plate provided on the back side of said base. 5. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein said locking member is a slide plate provided on the back side of said base. 6. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein said locking member is a leaf spring provided on the back side of said base. 7. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein said locking member is a connecting member that connects said cases to each other and is screwed to said front panel from behind said front panel. 8. The vending machine according to claim 3, wherein said case can be exchanged between said first and second colors by detaching from said base engaging portion. 9. The structure according to claim 3, wherein said elastic cover, said lens, and said name plate are exchangeable between said first and second colors by detaching said case from said base engaging portion. vending machine.