JP2002092728A - Commodity delivering device for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a commodity delivering device for an automatic vending machine inexpensively composed of a simple structure and capable of reducing the depth of the automatic vending machine by suppressing thickness. SOLUTION: A pair of delivering units 3a and 3b are provided, first and second locking bodies 16 and 17 are provided on the delivering units 3a and 3b, a solenoid 20 driving the locking bodies 16 and 17 is provided on one delivering unit 3a, and an interlocking mechanism interlocking the first and second locking bodies 16 and 17 of the one delivering unit 3a and the first and second locking bodies 16 and 17 of the other delivering unit 3b is provided between the one and the other delivering units 3a and 3b. The first interlocking bodies 16 and the second interlocking bodies 17 of the one and the other delivering units 3a and 3b are respectively mutually interlocked and operated by the solenoid 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a merchandise discharging device for a vending machine which sequentially discharges cylindrical products such as cans, bottles and plastic bottles containing beverages such as juice and coffee one by one.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a vending machine that sells cylindrical products such as cans, bottles, plastic bottles, etc., for example, a serpentine column is disposed in a cabinet as a product storage device in front, rear, left and right. Are stacked and stored.

[0003] A product discharging device is provided at the lower part of each column, and the product discharging devices discharge the cylindrical products in each column one by one from the lowest layer.

The product discharging device locks a discharge passage through which a cylindrical product led out of a column passes and a cylindrical product introduced into the discharge passage, and releases the locking in response to a predetermined signal. And a product discharging mechanism for dropping and discharging the cylindrical product downward. The width of the discharge passage through which the tubular product passes is defined to be a width that matches the outer diameter of the tubular product.

[0005] By the way, products sold by vending machines are usually changed in accordance with the season, sales, and the like, and the outer diameter of the cylindrical products is variously changed by the change. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the product discharging device so as to conform to the outer diameter of the changed cylindrical product.

[0006] Generally, a product discharge passage is composed of a fixed wall unit and a movable wall unit facing the fixed wall unit, and the fixed wall unit is provided with a product discharge mechanism. When the product is changed, the movable wall unit is moved so that the distance between the movable wall unit and the fixed wall unit facing each other, that is, the width of the discharge passage is adapted to the outer diameter of the changed product. Has been adjusted.

[0007] However, such an adjustment operation must be carried out by the operator in a narrow space below the column, with his or her hands groping, and the operation is troublesome and troublesome. The moving position cannot be visually checked, and an incorrect setting is often made.

When a cylindrical product having a large outer diameter is stored in one column, the width of the product discharge passage between the fixed wall unit and the movable wall unit is reduced by the cylindrical product having a large outer diameter. It is automatically set to a large width according to the size, and that state is maintained, so when a cylindrical product with a large outer diameter is put into the column and stored, it is lost in the cylindrical product with a large outer diameter. When a cylindrical product having a smaller outer diameter is erroneously mixed, there is a possibility that the cylindrical product having a smaller outer diameter is erroneously discharged through a wide discharge passage.

Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-40178
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-260, an ejector unit including a pair of retractable locking members for locking a product is disposed to face each other so that the locking members face each other, and a member of each of the discharger units is arranged. There has been proposed a product discharging device that protrudes and retracts stop bodies in synchronization with each other and sequentially discharges cylindrical products one by one.

In such a product discharging device, a plurality of types of cylindrical products having different diameters can be locked and discharged as needed without requiring an adjusting operation by an operator.

[0011]

However, in this type of conventional product discharging device, a driving source is incorporated in each of a pair of discharging units arranged opposite to each other, and each driving unit is provided for each of the pair of discharging units. The structure is such that the driving body drives the locking body, which complicates the structure of each ejector unit and increases the cost, and increases the thickness of each ejector unit. Will lead to an increase in size.

[0012] Vending machines are often installed along the road, and it is therefore desirable to keep the depth of the vending machine small so as to reduce its protruding amount with respect to the road. However, if the thickness of each ejector unit of the commodity ejection device incorporated in the body of the vending machine is large, the depth of the body becomes large, and it is difficult to meet the demand.

The present invention has been made in view of such a point. It is an object of the present invention to reduce the depth width of a vending machine by reducing the thickness of the vending machine with a simple structure and a low cost. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine product discharge device that can be used.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a merchandise discharging device for a vending machine which sequentially discharges cylindrical products introduced from a column for storing merchandise one by one. A pair of ejector units opposing each other and forming a discharge passage for the tubular article between the opposing units, and these ejector units are respectively located up and down, and alternately protrude and retract toward the discharge passage. A first and a second locking unit for locking the product are provided, and the one ejector unit is provided with a drive source for driving the first and the second locking units in this unit, and the one discharging unit is An interlocking mechanism for interlocking a first locking body of one of the discharging units with a first locking body of the other of the discharging units, and one discharging unit between the unit and the other discharging unit; Unit An interlocking mechanism is provided for interlocking the second locking body with the second locking body in the other ejector unit, and the driving source causes the first and second locking bodies in one of the ejector units to interlock. When driven, the operation is transmitted to the first and second locking members of the other ejector unit by the interlocking mechanism, thereby causing the first ejector unit to perform the first operation.
And the second locking body and the first and second locking bodies of the other ejector unit are operated in conjunction with each other.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the interlocking mechanism for interlocking the locking member of one ejector unit and the locking member of the other ejector unit is provided with a sector gear attached to each locking member. And a pair of circular gears provided between these sector gears, wherein the pair of circular gears mesh with each other, one of the circular gears meshes with the one sector gear, and the other circular gear includes the circular gear. It is characterized in that it is configured to mesh with the other sector gear.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a guide means is provided at an upper portion of the discharge passage for guiding a tubular product introduced from the column into the discharge passage toward the center of the discharge passage. Features.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the guide means comprises a pair of guide plates facing each other, and these guide plates are elastically biased in a direction in which their lower ends approach each other. .

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a serpentine column 1 as a product storage device and a product discharge device 2 for sequentially discharging cylindrical products a stacked and stored in the column 1 one by one.

The product discharging device 2 is constituted by a pair of discharging units 3a and 3b provided at a lower portion of the column 1 so as to be opposed to each other.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the ejector units 3a and 3b has a guide plate 4 made of sheet metal, and engagement portions 7 and 8 are formed on the upper and lower portions of the guide plate 4, respectively. I have. And the upper engaging portion 7
Is inserted from below into a pin 10 provided between the side plates 9 of the column 1 and engaged therewith, and the lower engaging portion 8 is dropped from above into a pin 11 provided between the side plates 9 of the column 1. Each guide plate 4 is attached between the side plates 9 of the column 1 by engaging.

The guide plates 4 are arranged substantially vertically so that their surfaces face each other in the depth direction inside the machine of the vending machine, and a discharge passage 12 is formed between the surfaces facing each other. The cylindrical products a are sequentially introduced into the discharge passage 12 from the column 1.

In this vending machine, several types of cylindrical products a having different outer diameters are stored in one column 1 according to the season, sales, etc., and the width of the discharge passage 12 is handled. The dimension is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical product having the largest diameter among the cylindrical products.

Each guide plate 4 has a horizontally long opening 15 formed in the lower part of its surface, and first and second locking members 16 and 17 are provided vertically inside the opening 15.

The first and second locking members 16 and 17
Has a flap shape, the base of which is
Rotationally attached to the inside of the guide plate 4 via the guides 8 and 19, and by rotating around the support shafts 18 and 19, the surface side of the guide plate 4, that is, the discharge passage 1.
2 to protrude and sink.

In one ejector unit 3a, as shown in FIG. 3, a solenoid 20 is attached to the back surface of the guide plate 4 as a drive source for the locking members 18 and 19.

The solenoid 20 has a plunger 21, and an interlocking plate 22 is connected to the plunger 21. A cam portion (not shown) is provided on the locking members 16 and 17 of the ejector unit 3a, and when the interlocking plate 22 operates in conjunction with the plunger 21 of the solenoid 20, the cam portion is provided through the cam portion. The operation is transmitted to the locking members 16, 17 so that the locking members 16, 17 rotate about the support shafts 18, 19.

In the other ejector unit 3b, no driving source is provided for the locking members 16 and 17, so that the locking members 16 and 17 are simply supported by the support shafts 18 and 19. It has a structure. Since the locking members 16 and 17 in the ejector unit 3b do not require a cam unlike the locking members 16 and 17 in the one ejector unit 3a, the thickness of the engaging members 16 and 17 in the ejector unit 3a is also small. It is thinner than the bodies 16 and 17.

Both ends of the support shafts 18 and 19 in each of the ejector units 3a and 3b penetrate through the side plate 9 of the column 1 and protrude outward, and the protruding ends thereof form sector gears 25a and 25b constituting an interlocking mechanism. , 26a, 26b are attached.

A pair of circular gears 27a, 27b, 28a, 28b are provided on the outer side of the side plate 9 so as to be positioned vertically, and these circular gears 27a, 27b, 28a, 28b are provided.
Are rotatably supported via support shafts 30 attached to the side plates 9.

A pair of circular gears 27a and 27b provided on the lower side of the side plate 9 mesh with each other, and one of the circular gears 27a is connected to a sector gear 25a attached to the support shaft 18 of one of the ejector units 3a. The other circular gear 27b meshes with the sector gear 25b attached to the support shaft 18 in the other ejector unit 3b, whereby the rotation of the support shaft 18 in the one ejector unit 3a causes the sector gear 25a to rotate. -A circular gear 27a-a circular gear 27b-transmitted to the support shaft 18 in the other ejector unit 3b via the sector gear 25b in order, and a rotation operation of the support shaft 19 in the one ejector unit 3a is a sector gear 26a-circular gear. 28a-circular gear 28b-sector gear 26b sequentially transmitted to the support shaft 19 in the other ejector unit 3b. It has become the jar.

Further, on the outside of the side plate 9, a pair of sector gears 31 are located above the ejector units 3a and 3b.
a, 31b, and these sector gears 31a, 31b
Are fixed to the rotating shafts 32a and 32b penetrating the side plate 9. These sector gears 31a and 31b are meshed with each other, and one sector gear 31a is elastically urged in the counterclockwise direction in the figure via a spring 33 as an urging means.

Guide plates 34a and 34b are attached to the rotating shafts 32a and 32b inside the side plate 9, respectively. These guide plates 34a, 34b are suspended so as to extend from the rotation shafts 32a, 32b into the discharge passage 12 between the discharge units 3a, 3b.

The sector gear 31a and the rotating shaft 32a rotate counterclockwise by the elastic force of the spring 33, and the other sector gear 31b and the rotating shaft 32b meshed with the sector gear 31a interlock with the rotation. By rotating clockwise, the guide plates 34a, 34b are inclined from the surfaces of the discharge units 3a, 3b toward the center of the discharge passage 12.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 2 shows a state in which a circular cylindrical product a having a minimum diameter is stored in the column 1, and when waiting for storing the cylindrical product a,
As shown in FIG. 2A, each ejector unit 3a, 3b
Are protruded toward the surface of the guide plate 4, and the second lock 17 is immersed in the opening 15 of the guide plate 4.

Then, the cylindrical product a put in the column 1
Is introduced into the discharge passage 12 from the column 1, and the lowermost cylindrical product a is locked by the pair of locking members 16 protruding into the discharge passage 12, and the subsequent cylindrical product a is moved to the lowermost position. It is locked by the lower cylindrical product a and waits for its discharge.

From the column 1 into the discharge passage 12, a cylindrical product a
Is introduced, the respective tubular products a are brought to the center side in the discharge passage 12 by the guide plates 34a and 34b elastically biased by the spring 33, so that the tubular products a are not biased. It is arranged at the center in the discharge passage 12 and is evenly supported by the pair of locking members 16.

When the solenoid 20 is excited from this state by a predetermined signal, the second locking member 17 of one of the ejector units 3a is supported by the control by the solenoid 20, as shown in FIG. While rotating about the shaft 19 as a fulcrum and protruding toward the surface of the guide plate 4, in conjunction with this, the second locking body 17 of the other ejector unit 3 b also rotates about the shaft 19 as a fulcrum. It protrudes to the surface side of the guide plate 4. Further, in synchronization with this, the first locking body 16 of one of the ejector units 3a rotates about the support shaft 18 and sinks into the opening 15 of the guide plate 4, and in conjunction with this, the other of the other The first locking body 16 of the ejector unit 3b also rotates about the support shaft 18 as a fulcrum, and sinks into the opening 15 of the guide plate 4.

The lowermost cylindrical article a in the discharge passage 12 moves downward by its own weight in response to the immersion operation of the first locking body 16, and the lowermost cylindrical article a above the lowermost layer. The product a is locked by the second locking body 17.

After the lowermost cylindrical article a has passed through the portion where the first locking member 16 is disposed and is discharged therebelow by the immersion operation of the first locking member 16, the first locking is performed. The body 16 rotates in the opposite direction about the support shaft 18 and projects to the surface side of the guide plate 4, and the second locking member 17 rotates in the opposite direction about the support shaft 19 as the support and guide plate 4 is immersed in the opening 15.

Then, by the immersion operation of the second locking member 17, the tubular article “a” locked by the second locking member 17 moves downward by its own weight, and moves to the surface side of the guide plate 4. It is received and locked by the projecting first locking body 16.

As described above, the first and second locking members 16 and 17 are controlled by the solenoid 20 so as to alternately protrude and retract, whereby the cylindrical product a in the discharge passage 12 is shifted from the lowermost one. It is sequentially discharged one by one downward.

A cylindrical product a introduced into the discharge passage 12
Is locked by using a pair of locking bodies 16 and a pair of locking bodies 17 projecting opposite to each other, so that the locking is reliably achieved. And the locking body 16 facing each other
The interlocking mechanism 17 is interlocked with the interlocking member 17, but the interlocking mechanism can be locked and released even if the interlocking timing is slightly shifted due to a mechanical error of the interlocking mechanism.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which a circular cylindrical product a having a maximum diameter is introduced into the discharge passage 12, and in this case also, as shown in FIG.
The lowermost cylindrical product a introduced into the inside is locked by a pair of locking bodies 16 protruding into the discharge passage 12, and the subsequent cylindrical product a is locked by the lowermost cylindrical product a. And wait for its discharge.

At the time of discharging, as shown in FIG. 4B, the discharging units 3a, 3b are controlled by the solenoid 20.
The second locking member 17 in 3b rotates and protrudes to the surface side of the guide plate 4, and in synchronization with this, the first locking member 16 in the ejector units 3a and 3b opens the opening of the guide plate 4. I am immersed in 15.

The lowermost tubular article a in the discharge passage 12 moves downward by its own weight in response to the immersion operation of the first locking body 16, and the cylindrical article a of the next layer above the lowermost layer. The product a is locked by the second locking body 17.

After the lowermost cylindrical article a has passed through the portion where the first locking member 16 is disposed and is discharged therebelow by the immersion operation of the first locking member 16, the first locking member 16 Project to the surface side of the guide plate 4 and the second locking body 1
7 enters the opening 15 of the guide plate 4.

When the second locking body 17 is immersed, the tubular article a locked by the second locking body 17 moves downward by its own weight, and moves to the surface side of the guide plate 4. It is received and locked by the protruding first locking body 16 to be in a standby state for discharge.

As described above, even if the cylindrical product a has a different diameter, the standby and discharge of the first and second locking members 16 and 17 are achieved without any trouble by alternately protruding and retracting.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which a rectangular plastic bottle is accommodated as the cylindrical product a and is introduced into the discharge passage 12. The rectangular PET bottle is introduced into the discharge passage 12 with the long side of the peripheral surface facing the guide plate 4 of the discharge unit 3a, 3b.

Even in such a case, the first and second
The holding members 16 and 17 are alternately protruded and retracted, so that the standby and discharge of the holding members 16 and 17 are achieved without any trouble.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the cylindrical product a is a square PET bottle and is introduced with its short side facing the guide plate 4.

Also in this case, the first and second locking members 16 and 17 are alternately protruded and retracted, so that the waiting and discharging can be achieved without any trouble.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which a small-diameter circular cylindrical product a is introduced first, and then a large-diameter circular cylindrical product a is introduced.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 7 (A), the small-diameter cylindrical product a previously introduced into the discharge passage 12 is engaged by a pair of locking members 16 projecting into the discharge passage 12. The large-diameter cylindrical product a introduced thereafter is stopped by the previous cylindrical product a and waits for its discharge.

At the time of discharging, as shown in FIG. 7B, the second locking member 17 rotates and projects to the surface side of the guide plate 4, and the first locking member 16 is 4, the small-diameter cylindrical product a moves downward by this immersing operation, and the large-diameter cylindrical product a is locked by the second locking body 17.

Thereafter, the first locking member 16 protrudes toward the surface of the guide plate 4 and the second locking member 17 enters the opening 15 of the guide plate 4. Is moved downward, and the first locking member 16
And a standby state for discharge is attained.

Even when the small-diameter cylindrical product a and the large-diameter cylindrical product a are mixedly introduced as described above, the first and second locking members 16 and 17 are alternately protruded and retracted. , Its waiting and draining are achieved without hindrance.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which a large-diameter cylindrical product a is stored first, and then a small-diameter cylindrical product a is introduced.

Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 8A, a large-diameter cylindrical product a previously introduced into the discharge passage 12 is formed by a pair of locking members 16 projecting into the discharge passage 12. The small-diameter cylindrical product a that is locked and subsequently introduced is locked by the previous cylindrical product a and waits for its discharge.

At the time of ejection, as shown in FIG. 8B, the second locking member 17 rotates and projects to the surface side of the guide plate 4, and the first locking member 16 is 4, the large-diameter cylindrical product a moves downward by this immersing operation, and the small-diameter cylindrical product a is locked by the second locking body 17.

Thereafter, the first locking member 16 protrudes toward the surface of the guide plate 4 and the second locking member 17 enters the opening 15 of the guide plate 4. The cylindrical product a moves downward, and the first locking member 16
And a standby state for discharge is attained.

As described above, regardless of whether the small-diameter cylindrical product a and the large-diameter cylindrical product a are mixed and the order is any, the first and second locking members 16 and 17 can be used. Due to the alternate indentation, the waiting and discharging can be achieved without any trouble.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which a small-diameter circular tubular product a is introduced first, and then a rectangular tubular product a is introduced with its short side facing the guide plate 4. Is shown.

Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 9A, the small-diameter cylindrical product a previously introduced into the discharge passage 12 is engaged by a pair of locking members 16 projecting into the discharge passage 12. Then, the rectangular tubular product a introduced thereafter is locked by the previous tubular product a and waits for its discharge.

At the time of discharging, as shown in FIG. 9B, the second locking member 17 rotates and projects to the surface side of the guide plate 4, and the first locking member 16 is 4, the small-diameter cylindrical product a moves downward by this immersing operation, and the rectangular cylindrical product a is locked by the second locking body 17.

Thereafter, the first locking member 16 protrudes toward the surface of the guide plate 4 and the second locking member 17 enters the opening 15 of the guide plate 4. The cylindrical product a moves downward, and the first locking member 16
And a standby state for discharge is attained.

In FIG. 10, a rectangular cylindrical product a is introduced first, and then a small-diameter circular cylindrical product a is introduced. The state in which it is in a posture facing the guide plate 4 is shown.

Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 10A, the rectangular tubular article a previously introduced into the discharge passage 12 is engaged by a pair of locking members 16 projecting into the discharge passage 12. Then, the small-diameter cylindrical product a introduced thereafter is locked by the previous cylindrical product a and waits for its discharge.

At the time of discharging, as shown in FIG. 10B, the second locking member 17 rotates and projects to the surface side of the guide plate 4, and the first locking member 16 is 4, the rectangular cylindrical product a moves downward by this immersing operation, and the small-diameter cylindrical product a is locked by the second locking body 17.

Thereafter, the first locking member 16 protrudes toward the surface of the guide plate 4 and the second locking member 17 enters into the opening 15 of the guide plate 4. The cylindrical product a moves downward, and the first locking member 16
And a standby state for discharge is attained.

FIG. 11 shows a state in which a small-diameter circular cylindrical product a is introduced first, and then a rectangular cylindrical product a is introduced with its long side facing the guide plate 4. Is shown.

Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 11A, the small-diameter cylindrical product a previously introduced into the discharge passage 12 is engaged by a pair of locking members 16 projecting into the discharge passage 12. Then, the rectangular tubular product a introduced thereafter is locked by the previous tubular product a and waits for its discharge.

At the time of discharging, as shown in FIG. 11B, the second locking member 17 rotates and projects to the surface side of the guide plate 4, and the first locking member 16 4, the small-diameter cylindrical product a moves downward by this immersing operation, and the rectangular cylindrical product a is locked by the second locking body 17.

Thereafter, the first locking member 16 protrudes toward the front surface of the guide plate 4 and the second locking member 17 enters the opening 15 of the guide plate 4. The cylindrical product a moves downward, and the first locking member 16
And a standby state for discharge is attained.

In FIG. 12, a rectangular tubular product a is introduced first, and the rectangular tubular product a is in a posture in which the long side thereof is opposed to the guide plate 4, and thereafter, the small-diameter tubular product a Shows the state when is introduced.

Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 12A, the rectangular tubular article a previously introduced into the discharge passage 12 is engaged by a pair of locking members 16 protruding into the discharge passage 12. Then, the small-diameter cylindrical product a introduced thereafter is locked by the previous cylindrical product a and waits for its discharge.

At the time of discharging, as shown in FIG. 12B, the second locking member 17 rotates and projects to the surface side of the guide plate 4, and the first locking member 16 4, the rectangular cylindrical product a moves downward by this immersing operation, and the small-diameter cylindrical product a is locked by the second locking body 17.

Thereafter, the first locking member 16 protrudes toward the surface of the guide plate 4 and the second locking member 17 enters the opening 15 of the guide plate 4. The cylindrical product a moves downward, and the first locking member 16
And a standby state for discharge is attained.

In the commodity discharging apparatus 2, only one of the pair of discharging units 3a and 3b has a solenoid 20 as a driving source.
When the first locking body 16 and the second locking body 17 of one of the ejector units 3a are driven by the solenoid 20 and rotated, the operation is performed by the interlocking mechanism so that It is configured to operate by being transmitted to the first locking body 16 and the second locking body 17 in the container unit 3b.

Therefore, the solenoid 2 as a driving source
0 In one of the discharge unit 3a that is provided, as shown by T ₁ in FIG. 2, although its thickness is increased,
In the other ejector unit 3b that the drive source is not provided, as shown by T ₂ in FIG. 2, the thickness thereof becomes thin.

The thinner the vending machine, the smaller the depth width of the vending machine can be. This makes it possible to construct a compact vending machine with a small depth width which is advantageous for installation along roads and the like. .

In the other ejector unit 3b, the first and second locking members 16, 17 need only be attached to the guide plate 4 so as to be freely rotatable. Costs can be reduced.

By the way, in a vending machine installed along a road or the like, a hand is inserted from the sales outlet of the machine, and the lowermost product is illegally extracted from the product discharging device in the frontmost column. Although such damage may be caused, in the commodity discharging apparatus 2 in this embodiment, the commodity a
In the discharge standby state, the distal end of the first locking body 16 in the one ejector unit 3a and the distal end of the first locking body 16 in the other ejector unit 3b are in a state of approaching each other and facing each other. Therefore, illegal removal of the product a can be reliably prevented.

FIG. 13 shows a modification of the interlocking mechanism for interlocking the locking members 16 and 17 of the one ejector unit 3a with the locking members 16 and 17 of the other ejector unit 3b. In this modification, pinions 40 and 41 are provided on the outside of the side plate 9 so as to be rotatable, respectively. A pair of first and second racks 42a, 42b,
43a and 43b are provided.

The first and second racks 42a and 42b are arranged horizontally above and below the pinion 40 so that the pinion 4
0, and the first and second racks 43a and 43b are horizontally arranged on the upper and lower sides of the pinion 41, and the pinion 4
1 is engaged.

Each rack 42a, 42b, 43a, 43b
A tongue piece 45 extending in the up-down direction is provided at one end of the tongue piece, and a long hole 46 long in the up-down direction is formed in each tongue piece 45.

A pin 47 is attached to the tip of each of the locking members 16 and 17 provided on each of the ejector units 3a and 3b. The pin 47 of the first locking body 16 of the ejector unit 3a is inserted into the elongated hole 46 of the rack 42a through an opening (not shown) formed in the side plate 9, and the first locking of the ejector unit 3b is performed. A pin 47 of the body 16 is inserted into an elongated hole 46 of the rack 42b through an opening (not shown) formed in the side plate 9, and the ejector unit 3a
The pin 47 of the second locking member 17 in the second locking member 1 of the ejector unit 3b is inserted into the long hole 46 of the rack 43a through an opening (not shown) formed in the side plate 9.
Seven pins 47 are loosely inserted into the long holes 46 of the rack 43b through openings (not shown) formed in the side plate 9.

Under the control of the solenoid 20, when the first locking member 16 of the ejector unit 3a rotates about the support shaft 18, the pin 47 of the locking member 16 and the rack 4
The rack 42a moves horizontally by engagement with the long hole 46 of 2a,
This movement causes the pinion 40 to rotate, and this rotation causes the rack 4 to rotate.
2b is horizontally moved in a direction opposite to the direction of the rack 42a, and in response to this movement, the first locking body 16 of the ejector unit 3b is supported based on the engagement between the pin 47 and the elongated hole 46 of the rack 42b. The shaft 18 is rotated about a fulcrum, and the ejector unit 3a
When the second locking member 17 is rotated about the support shaft 19, the pin 47 of the locking member 17 and the slot 4 of the rack 43a are rotated.
6, the rack 43a moves horizontally, the pinion 41 rotates by this movement, and the rotation causes the rack 43b to move horizontally in the opposite direction to the rack 43a. The second locking member 17 has its pin 47
And the support shaft 19 based on the engagement of
Is pivoted on the fulcrum.

FIG. 14 shows another modification of the interlocking mechanism. In this modification, the ends of the support shafts 18 and 19 of the first and second locking members 16 and 17 in the ejector unit 3a are shown. Parts, and the spindles 18, 19 of the first and second locking bodies 16, 17 in the ejector unit 3b.
At the end of the fan gear 48 on the outside of the side plate 9 respectively.
a, 48b, 49a, and 49b are attached. Then, the sector gear 48a of the first locking body 16 in the ejector unit 3a and the sector gear 48b of the first locking body 16 in the ejector unit 3b mesh with each other, and thereby the first gear in the ejector unit 3a. Of the ejector unit 3b and the first stopper 16 of the ejector unit 3b are rotated in conjunction with each other, and the second stopper 16 of the ejector unit 3a is rotated.
Sector gear 49a of the locking member 17 of FIG.
And the fan-shaped gear 49b of the second locking body 17 in the above-mentioned mesh with each other, whereby the second locking body 17 in the ejector unit 3a and the second locking body 17 in the ejector unit 3b interlock with each other. And rotate.

[0091]

As explained above, according to the present invention,
A drive source is provided only in one of the pair of ejector units, and the operations of the first and second locking members in one of the ejector units driven by the drive source are respectively controlled via an interlocking mechanism. The first and second locking members of the other ejector unit are operated by transmitting the same, so that the structure of the other ejector unit is simplified,
In addition, only one drive source is required, so that the commodity discharging device can be configured at low cost. Since the other discharger unit does not require the incorporation of a drive source, the thickness can be reduced, and the depth of the vending machine can be reduced, so that a compact vending machine can be formed. In addition, since the cylindrical product introduced into the discharge passage is locked by using a pair of locking members protruding toward each other, the locking is reliably achieved, and the interlocking of the locking members facing each other is achieved. Even if the timing is slightly deviated, the locking and release are performed without any trouble.

Further, according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, there is provided a guide means for bringing the cylindrical product introduced from the column into the discharge passage to the center of the discharge passage. It is possible to stably and accurately lock the cylindrical product by uniformly supporting the pair of locking members protruding from each ejector unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a product storage device and a product discharge device of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the product discharging device.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of one ejector unit in the product ejection device.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a first mode of discharging products by the product discharging device.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a second mode of discharging products by the product discharging device.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a third mode of discharging a product by the product discharging device.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth mode of discharging a product by the product discharging device.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a fifth mode of discharging a product by the product discharging device.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a sixth mode of discharging a product by the product discharge device.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a seventh mode of discharging a product by the product discharging device.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an eighth embodiment in which a product is discharged by the product discharge device.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a ninth embodiment in which a product is discharged by the product discharge device.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing a modification of the interlocking mechanism of the locking body in the product discharging device.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing still another modified example of the interlocking mechanism of the locking body in the product discharging device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Column 2 ... Merchandise discharger 3a, 3b ... Discharger unit 9 ... Side plate 12 ... Discharge passage 16 ... First locking body 17 ... Second locking body 18, 19 ... Support shaft 20 ... Solenoid (drive source) 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b: sector gear (interlocking mechanism) 27a, 27b, 28a, 28b: circular gear (interlocking gear) 34a, 34b: guide plate (guide means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A merchandise discharge device for a vending machine which sequentially discharges cylindrical products introduced from inside a column for storing products in a vending machine. A pair of ejector units are provided, and the ejector units are provided with first and second locking members for locking the first and second products, which are respectively positioned vertically and alternately protrude and retract toward the discharge passage, The one ejector unit is provided with a drive source for driving the first and second locking members in this unit, and one ejector unit is provided between the one ejector unit and the other ejector unit. Interlocking mechanism for interlocking the first locking body of the discharger unit with the first locking body of the other discharging unit, and the second locking body of one discharging unit and the second locking unit of the other discharging unit. Locking body When the first and second locking members of one of the ejector units are driven by the driving source, the operation is performed by the interlocking mechanism of the other ejector unit. Transmitting to the first and second locking bodies to operate the first and second locking bodies of one ejector unit and the first and second locking bodies of the other ejector unit in conjunction with each other A product discharging device for a vending machine characterized by the following. An interlocking mechanism for interlocking the locking member of one of the ejector units with the locking member of the other discharging unit includes a sector gear attached to each of the engagement members and a gear between the sector gears. A pair of circular gears provided, the pair of circular gears mesh with each other, one of the circular gears meshes with the one sector gear, and the other circular gear meshes with the other sector gear. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has a configuration. 3. A guide means is provided at an upper portion of the discharge passage for guiding a tubular product introduced from the column into the discharge passage toward a central portion of the discharge passage. 3. The product discharging device for a vending machine according to 1 or 2. 4. The automatic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said guide means comprises a pair of guide plates facing each other, and said guide plates are elastically urged in a direction in which their lower ends approach each other. Vending machine product discharge device.