JP2001188953A - Article carry-out device of automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article carry-out device of an automatic vending machine which can easily be mounted with a connector and prevent the connector from carelessly falling from a sellout switch owing to an external force in device assembly, etc. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with the sellout switch 80 which is arranged on a substrate 6 through a fitting base 83 and detects the sellout state of articles and a lead wire 90b with a connector 97 which is connected to the switch 80 and a connector locking part 83f which prevents the connector 97 connected to the sellout switch 80 from carelessly falling is provided integrally with the fitting base 83.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product unloading device for a vending machine, and more particularly, to a product unloading device for a vending machine (hereinafter, referred to as a vending machine) capable of preventing a connector connected to a sold-out switch from being accidentally disconnected. Where appropriate, referred to as a product unloading device).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a vending machine having a serpentine-type merchandise passage, a plurality of pedals for controlling merchandise discharge are provided by
Opening and closing of the product passage is controlled using a solenoid as a drive source. In addition, the sold-out switch for detecting the sold-out of the product is arranged on the board via the mounting base,
It is connected by a lead wire and a connector. An example of such a conventional product unloading device of a vending machine will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a conventional product unloading device of a vending machine, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing which shows B cross section.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 10, an opening 102 is provided in a substrate 101, and an upper pedal 110 and a lower pedal 130 for controlling the carry-out of goods are rotated in the opening 102 by pins 111 and 131. It is provided freely. The lower pedal 130 supports the lowest commodity in the commodity path in the open state. Also, the upper pedal 11
When the lower pedal 130 is in the closed state and the lowermost commodity is carried out, 0 supports the commodity that will move to the next lowermost position.

The pedals 110 and 130 are opened and closed by an opening and closing mechanism 150 such as a link mechanism. The opening / closing mechanism 150 includes a solenoid 17
0 is connected to the plunger 160 which reciprocates.

The solenoid 170 integrally has a lead wire 190 a for supplying power, and is fixed to the substrate 101 by screws 172. Sold out switch 180
Is for detecting sold-out of a product, and is disposed on the substrate 101 via the mounting base 183. The lead wire 190 includes a lead wire 190 b having a connector 197 for connecting to the sold-out switch 180, and a lead wire 190 a of the solenoid 170.

Next, the configuration of the sold-out switch 180 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. The mounting base 183 is formed as a resin frame. On this mounting base 183, a switch piece 181 that is rotated by the passage of a product is pivotally supported.
82 is urged toward the product passage. That is,
The sold-out switch 180 is formed so that the end of the switch piece 181 turns on the microswitch 185 when the product is sold out. This micro switch 18
5, the connector 197 of the lead wire 190b is inserted.

[0007]

However, when an inappropriate external force is applied to the lead wire 190b or the like at the time of assembling the product unloading device or mounting it on the product storage rack, the connector 197 is likely to be detached from the microswitch 185. There was a problem.

[0008] In order to find such a defect, it is necessary to check all of the connectors after assembling the apparatus, which is troublesome and increases the cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is a vending machine capable of easily mounting a connector and preventing the connector from being inadvertently detached from a sold-out switch due to an external force at the time of assembling the apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a product unloading device.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine product unloading device which is disposed on a substrate via a mounting base to check a sold-out state of the product. A sold-out detecting device for detecting, and a wiring having a connector connected to the sold-out detecting device, a connector locking portion for preventing the connector connected to the sold-out detecting device from coming off the sold-out detecting device. It is provided on the mounting table.

Therefore, even if an external force is applied to the connector during assembly of the device, the connector is locked by the connector locking portion, so that the connector does not accidentally come off the sold-out detecting device. Accordingly, it is not necessary to check all the connectors after the assembly of the device to determine whether or not the connector portion has been disconnected. This makes it possible to rapidly manufacture the device and reduce costs.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the commodity discharging device for a vending machine, the connector locking portion is formed by projecting a part of a mounting base formed as a resin frame so as to be elastically deformable. Things. Therefore, the connector locking portion can be easily formed integrally with the mounting base. Further, when the connector locking portion is pressed from the connector when the connector is connected to the sold-out detecting device, the connector is elastically deformed and bent.
Connection work can be easily performed.

[0013]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; The present invention is not limited by the embodiment.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a product discharging device of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which two product discharging devices are joined together, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a product storage rack, FIG. 5 is a front view showing a wiring guide holding lead wires, FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a mounting table, FIG. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a product unloading device provided with a connector locking portion, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an AA cross section of FIG. 7, and FIG.
It is a fragmentary sectional view showing the neighborhood of a sold-out switch at the time of tying two goods carrying-out devices.

First, a schematic configuration of a product storage rack of a vending machine to which the present invention is applied will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the vending machine includes a plurality of product storage racks 4 in a main body 1 and an inner door 2 and an outer door 3 that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the product storage rack 4 has a plurality of serpentine-type product passages 4a (for example,
4), and rack side plates 4b are provided on both side surfaces. At the lower end of the product passage 4a, an upper pedal 10 and a lower pedal 30, which will be described later, are provided so as to hold the two product carrying-out devices 5 so as to face the product passage 4a (see FIG. 2). By controlling the opening and closing of the unit 30, the carry-out of the product can be controlled.

Next, the overall configuration of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 7 is provided in the substrate 6, and an upper pedal 10 for controlling product discharge is provided in the opening 7.
And a lower pedal 30 are rotatably provided by pins 11 and 31. The lower pedal 30 supports a lowermost commodity (not shown) in the commodity path 4a in the open state. Also, the upper pedal 10 is
Is closed, and when the lowermost product is carried out,
Next, it supports the product that will move to the lowermost end.

The pedals 10 and 30 are opened and closed by an opening and closing mechanism 50 such as a link mechanism. The opening / closing mechanism 50 is connected to a plunger 60 that reciprocates by a solenoid 70. The solenoid 70 is fixed to a screw hole 74a of a fixing piece 74 provided on the substrate 6 with two screws 72, and the bottom is locked by a fixing piece (not shown) (see FIG. 7).

The sold-out switch 80 includes a microswitch 85 for detecting the sold-out of the product. The microswitch 85 is formed so as to be connectable to the connector 97 of the lead wire 90b. As shown in FIG. 5, a plastic wiring guide 93 is a guide section 9 having a U-shaped section capable of elastically deforming and holding a lead wire 90.
3a and a guide 93 for holding the lead wire 90b.
and a plate-like guide portion 93b extending perpendicularly to a.

Next, the main parts of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
It will be described based on. The mounting base 83 is formed as a frame made of ABS resin, and has an elastic force at the curved portion 83g. In addition, a projection 83a that engages with an engagement hole provided in the substrate 6 is provided around the frame.

The shaft hole 83b is for supporting the shaft portion 81a of the switch piece 81 which is rotated by the passage of the product. The switch piece 81 is urged toward the product passage by a spring 82 supported by the support shaft 83c (see FIG. 8). Spring 8 supported on support shaft 83c
One end of 2 can be locked to the spring locking portion 83d.

When the product is sold out, the micro switch 85 fixed by the locking piece 83e or the like is turned on.
The end of the micro switch 85 is turned to O
N is formed.

As shown in FIG. 8, the thin plate-shaped connector locking portion 83f is provided with a curved portion 83g so as to be able to contact the rear end of the connector 97 connected to the microswitch 85.
It protrudes from. The distal end of the connector locking portion 83f is formed so as to bend when the connector 97 is mounted on the microswitch 85 so as not to hinder the mounting.

Next, the assembling operation will be described. FIG.
As shown in (1), the lead wire 90 is held in advance by a wiring guide 93, and is disposed at a predetermined position on the substrate 6.
Then, when fixing the solenoid 70 to the fixing piece 74 of the substrate 6, the connector 95 of the lead wire 90 held by the wiring guide 93 is connected to a connection terminal (not shown) of the solenoid 70.

Next, the solenoid 70 is fixed to the substrate 6 with the screw 72. The guide portion 93b is provided with the solenoid 7
Since it is located below the zero plunger 60, the arrangement length of the lead wire 90b can be minimized.

The sold-out switch 80 provided with the microswitch 85 is disposed with the projection 83a of the mounting base 83 engaged with the engagement hole of the substrate 6, and the lead wire 90b guided by the guide 93b. Is connected to the micro switch 85. At this time, the distal end of the connector locking portion 83f is pressed by the connector 97 and bends appropriately, so that it does not hinder mounting.

Also, even if the connector 97 connected to the microswitch 85 receives an external force in a direction in which the connector 97 is pulled out from the microswitch 85, the rear end of the connector 97 contacts the front end of the connector locking portion 83f. , From the microswitch 85.

As described above, according to the commodity discharging device 5 of the vending machine according to the present embodiment, the connector locking portion 8
3f, the connector 97 can be used when assembling the device.
Therefore, even if an external force is applied, the connector 97 is locked by the connector locking portion 83f, so that the connector 97 does not accidentally come off the microswitch 85, and a reliable device can be provided.

Therefore, it is not necessary to check all of the connectors 97 after the assembly of the apparatus to determine whether or not the connector 97 has been disconnected. This makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing time and cost of the apparatus.

The connector locking portion 83f is attached to the mounting base 8
3 can be easily molded together. Further, when the connector 97 is pressed from the connector 97 when connecting the connector 97 to the microswitch 85, the connector locking portion 83f is elastically deformed and bent, so that the connection operation can be easily performed.

[0031]

As described above, according to the merchandise unloading device of a vending machine according to the present invention (claim 1), sold-out detection is performed on a substrate via a mounting base to detect a sold-out state of the product. A device and a wiring having a connector connected to the sold-out detection device, and a connector locking portion for preventing the connector connected to the sold-out detection device from coming off from the sold-out detection device is provided on the mounting base. Since the connector is provided and configured, even if an external force is applied to the connector during assembly of the device, the connector is locked by the connector locking portion, so that the connector does not accidentally come off the sold-out detection device. Accordingly, it is not necessary to check all the connectors after the assembly of the device to determine whether or not the connector portion has been disconnected. This makes it possible to rapidly manufacture the device and reduce costs.

[0032] According to the merchandise carry-out device for a vending machine according to the present invention (claim 2), the connector locking portion allows a part of the mounting base formed as a resin frame to be elastically deformable. Since it protrudes, the connector locking portion can be easily formed integrally with the mounting base.

Further, when the connector locking portion is pressed from the connector when the connector is connected to the sold-out detecting device, it is elastically deformed and bent, so that the connecting operation can be easily performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a configuration of a product unloading device of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which two product carrying devices are tied together.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a vending machine.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a product storage rack.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a configuration of a wiring guide holding lead wires.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a configuration of a mounting base.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a configuration of a product discharging device provided with a connector locking portion.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an AA section shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of a sold-out switch when two product carrying devices are tied together.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a configuration of a conventional product unloading device of a vending machine.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a BB section shown in FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

 5 Commodity unloading device 6 Substrate 80 Sold-out switch 83 Mounting base 83f Connector locking section 90, 90b Lead wire 97 Connector

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A vending machine product comprising: a sold-out detection device provided on a substrate via a mounting base to detect a sold-out state of a product; and a wiring having a connector connected to the sold-out detection device. In the carrying-out device, a connector locking portion for preventing the connector connected to the sold-out detecting device from being detached from the sold-out detecting device is provided on the mounting base. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the connector locking portion is formed by projecting a part of a mounting base formed as a resin frame so as to be elastically deformable. apparatus.