JP2002092712A - Control method for vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control method for a vending machine capable of selling commodities in the operatable range of an X-Y conveying mechanism by setting the commodities on part of commodity storage racks to a sellout state when the X-Y conveying mechanism fails and the commodities cannot be received from part of commodity storage racks. SOLUTION: When the X-Y conveying mechanism 9 fails, the unoperatable position of a bucket 10 is detected by motor stop sensors 24 and 15, the commodities on the commodity storage rack 4 at the unoperatable position of the bucket 10 are set to a sellout state, and the commodities on the commodity storage racks 4 at the operatable position of the bucket 10 are sold.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine control method, and more particularly to a method for controlling a vending machine when an XY transport mechanism breaks down and cannot receive goods from some of the product storage racks. The present invention relates to a vending machine control method capable of selling products in some product storage racks and selling the products within an operable range of an XY transport mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in order to stimulate a vending machine user's willingness to purchase a product, a front door or a heat-insulating inner door of a main body case is formed as a transparent door so that the product in the warehouse and its selling operation can be visually observed from outside. Various vending machines configured so as to be provided are provided. An example of such a vending machine is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-302140 by the present applicant.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional vending machine according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-302140, FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing the inside of a main body case, and FIG. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing a Y-axis position detection mechanism on the Y-axis rail, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing an X-axis position detection mechanism on the X-axis rail.

First, FIG. 7 shows an overall configuration of a vending machine.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The main body case 1 is for storing and preserving commodities and carrying them out as necessary. The main case 1 is provided with an outer door 2 having a transparent plate 2a and an inner door 3 having a transparent plate 3a, which can be opened and closed. . Further, the main body case 1 is provided with a product storage rack 4 in which racks 4a for storing products arranged in a front and rear row are arranged vertically and horizontally.

The product storage rack 4 includes a box rack 4a, a spiral rack (not shown), a conveyor rack (not shown), and the like, which are formed so as to send out products forward based on a sales command. Each rack 4a
Are mounted on a plurality of shelves 5 provided in the main body case 1.

[0006] Further, in the interior of the main body case 1, a partition plate 6 as an insulating panel is provided in order to divide the storage temperature zone of the commodities (for example, into two compartments for hot beverages and cold beverages).
Thus, the upper chamber 7 and the lower chamber 8 are insulated from each other. The partition plate 6 is normally in a closed state, and is configured such that the X-axis transport mechanism 9a, which will be described later, can be opened to secure its trajectory when ascending and descending.

[0007] Inside the inner door 3, an XY transport mechanism 9 having the front surface of each rack 4a as an XY coordinate plane is provided.
As shown in FIG. 9, the XY transport mechanism 9 is provided with a bucket 10 for receiving a product sent from the box rack 4a.
, And a Y-axis transport mechanism 9b that vertically moves the X-axis transport mechanism 9a, and is controlled by a control unit (not shown).

The X-axis transport mechanism 9a includes an X-axis rail 11 for movably supporting the bucket 10, a slide plate 12 for supporting the X-axis rail 11, and an X for moving the bucket 10.
The X-axis motor stop sensor 15, the X-axis stop position sensor 16, and the limit sensor 17, which are fixed to the bucket 10 to detect the position of the shaft motor 13, the timing belt 14, And a number of sensors 1 are provided on the X-axis rail 11.
Slits 18, 19 for position detection by 5, 16, 17
And the like.

The X-axis motor stop sensor 15 is for stopping the X-axis motor 13, and the X-axis stop position sensor 16 is for confirming the position of the bucket 10 stopped by the X-axis motor stop sensor 15. The limit sensor 17 is for detecting the limit position of left and right movement on the X-axis rail 11 and performing an emergency stop.

The Y-axis transport mechanism 9b includes a pair of left and right Y-axis rails 20 that slidably support the X-axis transport mechanism 9a, a shaft 21 extending over the top of the Y-axis rail 20, and a rotation of the shaft 21. , A Y-axis motor 2 that drives the timing belt 22 to raise and lower the X-axis transport mechanism 9a
3, a Y-axis motor stop sensor 24, a Y-axis stop position sensor 25, a limit sensor 26, and a Y-axis rail 20, which are fixed to the slide plate 12 and are, for example, transmission type optical sensors.
, A slit plate 29 having a number of slits 27, 28 for detection by the sensors 24, 25, 26;
A balancer 30 for balancing the weight with the X-axis transport mechanism 9a is provided.

The Y-axis motor stop sensor 24 is for stopping the Y-axis motor 23, and the Y-axis stop position sensor 25 is for confirming the position of the bucket 10 stopped by the Y-axis motor stop sensor 24. The limit sensor 26 is for detecting the upper limit position of the movement on the Y-axis rail 20 and performing an emergency stop. These sensors 24 and 25 are connected to the slide plate 12 via a substrate 36.
It is fixed to.

[0012] The bucket 10 which has received the goods delivered from the rack is mounted on the XY transport mechanism 9 formed as described above.
Thus, the product is moved to the vicinity of the lower central portion, and the product is carried out from the product outlet 33 of the outer door 2 through the flapper 32 of the inner door 3.

Next, the position detection control of the bucket 10 will be described. In the Y-axis transport mechanism 9b, when the Y-axis motor 23 is energized, the X-axis rail 11 moves up. Since the Y-axis rail 20 has slits 27 and 28 corresponding to each rack, the Y-axis motor stop sensor 24 detects the slit 27 and counts the number of detections. When it is determined that the target height has been reached according to the number of times of detection, the power supply to the Y-axis motor 23 is stopped.

After the energization of the Y-axis motor 23 is stopped, the X-axis rail 11 continues to rise due to inertia (overrun) and stops at a position higher than the slit 27. X axis rail 1
If the Y-axis stop position sensor 25 detects the slit 28 when 1 stops, it is determined that the X-axis rail 11 has stopped at the regular position.

When the Y-axis stop position sensor 25 does not detect the slit 28 (when the overrun is small), the Y-axis motor 23 is energized for a certain period of time to finely adjust the stop position. If the slit 28 is detected after the fine adjustment, it is determined that the X-axis rail 11 has stopped at the regular position. If no detection is performed, this operation is repeated until the detection is performed.

In the X-axis transport mechanism 9a, first, the X-axis motor 13 is energized to move the bucket 10 rightward. X
Since the axis rail 11 has slits 18 and 19 for position detection corresponding to each row of the rack, the X-axis motor stop sensor 15 detects the slit 18 and counts the number of times of detection. If it is determined that the target position has been reached based on the number of detections,
The energization of the X-axis motor 13 is stopped.

After stopping the energization of the X-axis motor 13, the bucket 1
0 keeps moving rightward due to inertia (overrun) and stops at a position to the right of the slit 18. If the X-axis stop position sensor 16 detects the slit 19 when the bucket 10 stops, it is determined that the bucket 10 has stopped at the regular position.

When the X-axis stop position sensor 16 does not detect the slit 19 (when the overrun is small), the X-axis motor 13 is energized for a certain period of time to finely adjust the stop position. If the slit 19 is detected after the fine adjustment, it is determined that the bucket 10 has stopped at the regular position. If no detection is performed, this operation is repeated until the detection is performed.

[0019]

However, in the conventional vending machine control method, even if the XY transport mechanism breaks down and the operating range is limited, sales of all products are stopped. There was a problem that the opportunity to sell products was missed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in the case where the X-Y transport mechanism has failed and cannot receive goods from some of the product storage racks, some of the product storage It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine control method capable of selling products in a rack and selling the products within an operable range of the XY transport mechanism.

[0021]

In order to achieve the above object, a vending machine control method according to the present invention comprises: a commodity storage rack having a plurality of columns arranged vertically and horizontally; A bucket for receiving a product paid out from the column at a position in front of the product storage rack, an XY transport mechanism for mounting the bucket movably up, down, left and right, and position detecting means for detecting position information of the bucket; With
A method for controlling a vending machine that operates the XY transport mechanism based on a sales command and an output from the position detecting means, receives a selected product in the bucket, and carries out the product to a product outlet. When the XY transport mechanism fails, the inoperable position of the bucket is detected by the position detecting means, and the product in the product storage rack at the inoperable position of the bucket is sold out. The product of the product storage rack at the position where the product can be operated is sold.

First, energization of the Y-axis motor of the XY transport mechanism is started, and it is determined whether or not there is an input to the Y-axis position detection sensor. If there is an input to the position detection sensor for the Y axis,
Power supply to the Y-axis motor of the XY transport mechanism is stopped.

On the other hand, if there is no input to the Y-axis position detection sensor, it is determined whether or not a preset time has elapsed. If the preset time has not elapsed, it is determined whether or not there is an input to the Y-axis position detection sensor until the time has elapsed. If the preset time T has elapsed, the failure of the Y-axis transport mechanism is determined, the input number (YK) of the Y-axis position detection sensor at that time is stored, and the Y-axis of the XY transport mechanism is stored.
Stop energizing the shaft motor.

The above operation is similarly performed for the X-axis motor of the XY transport mechanism. That is, energization of the X-axis motor of the XY transport mechanism is started, and it is determined whether or not there is an input to the position detection sensor for the X-axis. If there is an input to the position detection sensor for the X-axis, the power supply to the X-axis motor of the XY transport mechanism is stopped.

On the other hand, if there is no input to the X-axis position detection sensor, it is determined whether or not a preset time has elapsed. If the preset time has not elapsed, it is determined whether or not there is an input to the X-axis position detecting sensor until the predetermined time has elapsed. If the preset time has elapsed, the failure of the X-axis transport mechanism is determined, the input number (XK) of the X-axis position detection sensor at that time is stored, and the X-axis transport mechanism X-axis Stop energizing the motor.

When the position of the failure point is determined in this way, an operation of returning the XY transport mechanism to the reference position is performed. That is, it is determined whether the energization of the Y-axis motor of the XY transport mechanism is started and reversed, and the Y-axis motor returns to the preset Y-axis reference position.

If it has not returned to the Y-axis reference position, it is determined whether or not a preset time has elapsed. If the preset time has not elapsed, it is determined whether or not it has returned to the Y-axis reference position until the elapse. If the preset time has elapsed, it is determined that the Y-axis transport mechanism has failed.

The above operation is similarly performed for the X-axis motor of the XY transport mechanism. That is, it is determined whether or not the energization of the X-axis motor of the XY conveyance mechanism is started and reversed to return to the preset X-axis reference position.

If it has not returned to the X-axis reference position, it is determined whether or not a preset time has elapsed. If the preset time has not elapsed, it is determined whether or not it has returned to the X-axis reference position until the time has elapsed. The preset time T
Has elapsed, the X-axis transport mechanism is determined to have failed.

When the XY transport mechanism returns to the reference position in this way, the count value (YK, X
K) is incremented by 1, and the sold-out data of the column having the count value or more is forcibly set. For example, if the Y-axis transport mechanism is abnormal, the X-axis transport mechanism is normal, and the input count of the Y-axis position detection sensor becomes abnormal after detecting 3, the abnormality occurrence count YK = The sold out data of the column of (YK + 1) = 4 counts or more is set to 3.

Finally, the set data is transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit enters a standby state. Then, the fact that the product is sold out is displayed on the display section of the outer door or the product selection button.
Therefore, even when the XY transport mechanism has failed, it is possible to sell some of the products, and to prevent a product purchaser from selecting a product that cannot be purchased due to the failure. In addition, by displaying the failure on the display unit or the like of the keyboard, it is possible to notify a service person or the like and to promptly recover the failure location.

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a vending machine according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by the embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS.
FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views schematically showing the configuration inside the main body case. FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing control of the vending machine.
FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of column information. In the following description, the same or corresponding members as those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.
Only the differences will be described.

First, the overall configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. The open detection switch 40 and the close detection switch 41 are for detecting the open / closed state of the partition plate 6, respectively. The H / C switch 42 is for switching the temperature zone of the upper chamber 7 or the lower chamber 8 to hot or cold. The inner door switch 43 is for detecting the open / closed state of the inner door 3.

The hot air heated by the heating device 44 is circulated in the upper chamber 7 by the internal fan 45, and the temperature of the upper chamber 7 is detected by the internal temperature sensor 46. A condenser 47, a solenoid valve 48, and an evaporator 4 constituting a refrigeration cycle device are provided at a lower portion of the main body case 1.
9, an internal fan 50 and the like are provided. The temperature of the evaporator 49 is detected by the evaporator temperature sensor 51 and the lower chamber 8 is detected.
Is detected by the internal temperature sensor 52.

The main control unit 55 controls the entire vending machine, and is connected by a communication line 59 to a main body control unit 58 that controls the XY transport mechanism 9 and the partition plate opening / closing mechanism 60. ing. In addition, the display unit 56 that displays the temperature in the refrigerator, the product price, the presence or absence of change, the sales state, and the like,
The main control unit 55 is also connected with a product selection button 66, an input device for inputting various information necessary for control by key operation, and the like.

Next, the operation (step S10 and subsequent steps) on the sales operation start rack will be described with reference to FIGS. The energization of the Y-axis motor 23 is started (step S
11) It is determined whether there is an input to the Y-axis motor stop sensor 24 (step S12). If there is an input to the Y-axis motor stop sensor 24 (Yes at Step S12), the power supply to the Y-axis motor 23 is stopped (Step S15).

On the other hand, if there is no input to the Y-axis motor stop sensor 24 (No at Step S12), it is determined whether or not a preset time T (T is arbitrary) has elapsed (Step S13). If the preset time T (T is arbitrary) has not elapsed (No at Step S13), Y is maintained until it elapses.
It is determined whether or not there is an input to the shaft motor stop sensor 24 (No at Step S13, Step S12). If the preset time T has elapsed (Yes at Step S13),
The failure of the Y-axis transport mechanism 9b is determined, the input number (YK) of the Y-axis motor stop sensor 24 at that time is stored (Step S14), and the power supply to the Y-axis motor 23 is stopped (Step S15).

The above operation is similarly performed for the X-axis motor 13. That is, energization of the X-axis motor 13 is started (step S16), and it is determined whether or not there is an input to the X-axis motor stop sensor 15 (step S17). If there is an input to the X-axis motor stop sensor 15 (Yes at Step S17), the power supply to the X-axis motor 13 is stopped (Step S17).
20).

On the other hand, if there is no input to the X-axis motor stop sensor 15 (No at Step S17), it is determined whether a preset time T (T is arbitrary) has elapsed (Step S18). If the preset time T (T is arbitrary) has not elapsed (No at Step S18), X is set until the time elapses.
It is determined whether or not there is an input to the shaft motor stop sensor 15 (No at Step S18, Step S17). If the preset time T has elapsed (Yes at Step S18),
The failure of the X-axis transport mechanism 9a is determined, the input number (XK) of the X-axis motor stop sensor 15 at that time is stored (Step S19), and the power supply to the X-axis motor 13 is stopped (Step S20).

When the position of the failure point is determined in this manner, an operation of returning the XY transport mechanism 9 to the reference position is performed (step S21). That is, energization of the Y-axis motor 23 is started and reversed (step S22), and it is determined whether or not the Y-axis motor 23 has returned to the preset Y-axis reference position (step S22).
23).

If it has not returned to the Y-axis reference position (No at Step S23), it is determined whether or not a preset time T (T is arbitrary) has elapsed (Step S27). If the preset time T (T is arbitrary) has not elapsed (No at Step S27), it is determined whether or not it has returned to the Y-axis reference position until the time has elapsed (Step S23). If the preset time T has elapsed (Yes at Step S27), Y
It is determined that the shaft transport mechanism 9b has failed (step S2).
8).

The above operation is similarly performed for the X-axis motor 13. That is, energization of the X-axis motor 13 is started and reversed (step S29), and it is determined whether or not the X-axis motor 13 has returned to the preset X-axis reference position (step S30).

If it has not returned to the X-axis reference position (No at Step S30), it is determined whether or not a preset time T (T is arbitrary) has elapsed (Step S31). If the preset time T (T is arbitrary) has not elapsed (No at Step S31), it is determined whether or not it has returned to the X-axis reference position until the time has elapsed (Step S30). If the preset time T has elapsed (Yes at step S31), X
It is determined that the shaft transport mechanism 9a has failed (step S3).
2).

When the XY transport mechanism 9 returns to the reference position in this way (Yes at Step S23, Yes at Step S30), the above-mentioned count at which an abnormality has occurred during the operation to the product storage rack 4 in which the product to be sold is stored. Value (YK, XK)
Is added, and the sold-out data of the column 4a which is equal to or greater than the count value is forcibly set (step S24).
For example, if the Y-axis transport mechanism 9b is abnormal and the X-axis transport mechanism 9a
Is normal, and becomes abnormal after the input count number of the Y-axis motor stop sensor 24 detects 3,
The abnormal occurrence count YK is set to 3, and sold-out data of columns (# 01 to # 12) of (YK + 1) = 4 counts or more are set with reference to the address information shown in FIG.

Finally, the set data is transmitted to the main control unit 55 via the communication line 59 (step S25), and a standby state is set (step S26). Then, the fact that the product is sold out is displayed on the display unit 56 or the product selection button 66. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation where a product purchaser selects a product that cannot be purchased due to a failure. In addition, by displaying the failure on the display unit (not shown) of the keyboard or the like, it is possible to notify a service person or the like and expect a quick recovery of the failure location.

The address information of each column 4a shown in FIG. 6 can be automatically set as follows. That is, first, after opening / closing the inner door 3 or turning on the power, the Y-axis transport mechanism 9b is operated to raise the X-axis rail 11 from the reference position to the upper limit position while stopping the Y-axis stop position sensor 25 or the Y-axis motor stop. The number of steps in the Y-axis direction is detected and stored based on the number of times slits 27 and 28 are detected by sensor 24. The upper limit position is detected by the limit sensor 26.

Next, in order to detect the number of columns in the X-axis direction,
The X-axis transport mechanism 9a is operated left and right. That is, the bucket 10 is moved from the reference position to the left end, and the number of inputs of the X-axis motor stop sensor 15 or the X-axis stop position sensor 16 is detected and stored. The number of inputs is the number of columns from the reference position to the left end. Then, the bucket 10 is moved from the position to the right end. The left and right limit positions are X
It is detected by simultaneous input from the shaft motor stop sensor 15 and the limit sensor 17.

Next, the bucket 10 is moved from the right end to the reference position, and the number of inputs (the number of columns) of the X-axis motor stop sensor 15 or the X-axis stop position sensor 16 is detected and stored. The number of inputs is the number of columns from the right end to the reference position. Therefore, the total number of columns in the X-axis direction can be obtained by summing the numbers of left and right columns from these reference positions.

Then, the Y-axis transport mechanism 9b is operated,
The shaft rail 11 is lowered to the reference position, and the operation of the XY transport mechanism 9 ends. The Y-axis counts obtained in this way are registered in order from the one with the largest numerical value, and the X-axis counts are registered with the column number in the order from the smallest numerical value. For example, FIG. 6 shows the count number when the number of columns of the column 4a is 6, the number of columns on the left side from the reference position in the X-axis direction is 2, and the number of columns on the right side from the reference position in the X-axis direction is 2. However, the number of columns on the right side from the reference position in the X-axis direction has been converted to a negative number.

As described above, according to the vending machine control method according to this embodiment, the XY transport mechanism 9 breaks down, and the positioning operation to some of the product storage racks 4 (the product storage rack 4 If the product storage rack 4 is no longer available, it is possible to sell the product within the operable range of the XY transport mechanism 9 by treating some of the product storage racks 4 as sold out, and purchase the product due to a failure. It is possible to prevent a product purchaser from selecting a product that has become impossible. In addition, by displaying the failure on the display unit (not shown) of the keyboard or the like, it is possible to notify a service person or the like and to promptly recover the failure location.

[0052]

As described above, according to the vending machine control method of the present invention, a product storage rack in which a plurality of columns are arranged vertically and horizontally, and A bucket for receiving a product paid out from the column at a front position, an XY transport mechanism for mounting the bucket movably up, down, left and right, and position detecting means for detecting position information of the bucket; And a control method of a vending machine for operating the XY transport mechanism based on an output from the position detecting means, receiving the selected product in the bucket, and carrying out the product to a product outlet. -When the Y transport mechanism fails, the inoperative position of the bucket is detected by the position detecting means, and the product in the product storage rack at the inoperable position of the bucket is treated as sold out. In addition, since the merchandise in the merchandise storage rack at the position where the bucket can be operated is sold, even when the XY transport mechanism has failed, some of the merchandise can be sold and purchased due to the malfunction. It is possible to prevent a situation in which a product purchaser selects a product that has become impossible. In addition, by displaying the failure on the display unit of the keyboard or the like, a serviceman or the like is notified, and it is possible to expect quick recovery of the failure location.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration inside a main body case.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration inside a main body case.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing control of a vending machine.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control of the vending machine.

FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of column information.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional vending machine.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing the inside of the main body case.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an XY transport mechanism.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing a mechanism for detecting a Y-axis position on a Y-rail.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing a detection mechanism of an X-axis position on the X rail.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body case 2 Outer door 3 Inner door 4 Commodity storage rack 4a Rack 6 Partition plate 7 Upper room 8 Lower room 9 XY transfer mechanism 9a X-axis transfer mechanism 9b Y-axis transfer mechanism 10 Bucket 11 X-axis rail 13 X-axis motor 14 Timing belt 15 X-axis motor stop sensor 16 X-axis stop position sensor 17 Limit sensor 18, 19 slit 20 Y-axis rail 23 Y-axis motor 24 Y-axis motor stop sensor 25 Y-axis stop position sensor 26 Limit sensors 27, 28 slit 29 Slit plate 33 Product exit 40 Open detection switch 41 Close detection switch 42 H / C changeover switch 43 Inner door switch 44 Heating device 45, 50 Internal fan 46, 52 Internal temperature sensor 47 Condenser 49 Evaporator 51 Evaporator Temperature sensor 55 Main control unit 56 Display unit 58 Main unit control unit 59 Shin line 66 product selection button

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuka Matoba 1-1-1, Tanabe-Shinda, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa F-term in Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. (Reference) 3E044 AA01 CA01 CA02 CC03 CC08 CC10 DB11 DD04 DD10 EA02 EA03 EA08 EA09 EB01 FB05 FB09 FB12 FB13 3E046 FA04 FA10 GA10

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A product storage rack comprising a plurality of columns arranged vertically and horizontally, a bucket for receiving a product paid out from the column at a position in front of the product storage rack, and And a position detecting means for detecting position information of the bucket, and operates the XY conveying mechanism based on a sales command and an output from the position detecting means. And controlling the vending machine to receive the selected commodity in the bucket and carry it out to the commodity take-out port, wherein the position detecting means detects the inoperable position of the bucket when the XY transport mechanism fails. Detects and treats the product in the product storage rack at the position where the bucket cannot be operated as sold out, and stores the product storage rack at the position where the bucket can be operated. Control method for an automatic vending machine, characterized in that so as to sell the product.