JP2003233867A - Merchandise delivery device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a merchandise delivery device capable of surely coping with the selling of various kinds of merchandise whose shapes or sizes are different in configurations to adjust the housing width of a merchandise housing part by a spacer movable in the width direction of the merchandise housing part. <P>SOLUTION: A spacer unit 40 equipped with a spacer 42 freely movable to the width direction of a merchandise housing part 10 is mounted on one edge side of the width direction of the merchandise housing part 10 so as to be freely attachable/detachable so that the width of the merchandise housing part 10 can be arbitrarily adjusted according to the movement of the spacer 42, and that when the spacer unit 40 is removed, the merchandise housing width can be widened for that thickness. Therefore, it is possible to validly use the space of the merchandise housing part 10, and to surely facilitate countermeasures to the housing of the various kinds of merchandise whose shape or sizes are different even in configuration to adjust the width of the merchandise housing part 10 according to the movement of the spacer 42. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

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 an automatic vending machine which sells products in paper packs, cans, bottles or PET bottles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of product unloading device,
For example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-236558, a product storage unit for stacking and storing products in a vertical direction, and a carry-out mechanism for dropping and carrying out the lowest product in the product storage unit one by one. It is known that a product storage portion is provided with a spacer provided movably in the width direction, and the product storage width is adjusted by moving the spacer to an arbitrary position.

The spacers are connected to one end side in the width direction inside the product storage unit through a plurality of links which are vertically spaced from each other so as to move in parallel to the inner surface of the product storage unit. It has become.

[0004]

By the way, when a product with a large outer shape is stored in the product unloading device,
The spacer is moved toward one end in the width direction inside the product storage unit to widen the storage width, but since the spacers and links are arranged in the product storage unit, the width dimension inside the product storage unit is correspondingly increased. There is a problem in that it is not possible to properly accommodate the storage of a wide variety of products that are limited and have different shapes and sizes.

Further, in the structure in which the spacer is moved in the width direction of the product storage unit by the rotation of the link, the spacer is moved in the width direction of the product storage unit by the rotation of the link around the fulcrum on the product storage unit side. Since it also moves in the vertical direction with the movement, there is a problem in that the amount of movement of the spacer is limited and it is not possible to accurately accommodate the storage of a wide variety of products having different shapes and sizes.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shape and a size even in a structure in which a storage width is adjusted by a spacer movable in a width direction of a product storage section. Another object of the present invention is to provide a product unloading device capable of accurately responding to the sale of a wide variety of different products.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides, in claim 1, one product storage unit for stacking and storing products in a vertical direction, and one lowest product in the product storage unit. Each of the above-mentioned products is a product carrying-out device of an automatic vending machine, which is equipped with a carry-out mechanism for dropping and carrying out the product downwards, and by moving the spacer arranged in the product storage unit in the width direction to arbitrarily adjust the product storage width. A spacer unit detachably attached to one end side in the width direction inside the storage unit and having the spacer movably in the width direction of the product storage unit is provided. With this, the width in the product storage unit can be arbitrarily adjusted by moving the spacer, and if the spacer unit is removed from the product storage unit, the product storage width can be expanded by the thickness thereof.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the product unloading device according to the first aspect, the spacer is connected to the unit body side through a plurality of links, and one end or the other end of each link is on the spacer side or the unit body. It is connected to the side so that it can move vertically.

Thus, in addition to the function of the first aspect, one end or the other end of each link is movably connected to the spacer side or the unit body side in the vertical direction, so that it is affected by the vertical movement of each link. It is possible to move the spacer in the horizontal direction without the need.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product storage unit for stacking and storing the products in a vertical direction, and a carry-out mechanism for dropping and carrying out the lowest product in the product storage unit one by one. In the product carrying-out device of the vending machine, which is configured to adjust the product storage width arbitrarily by moving the spacer arranged in the width direction, in the width direction one end side in the product storage unit via the plurality of links. And one end or the other end of each link is vertically and movably connected to the spacer side or the product storage section side.

Thus, since one end or the other end of each link is vertically movably connected to the spacer side or the product storage section side, the spacer can be horizontally moved without being affected by the vertical movement of each link. It is possible to move.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the article unloading device according to the second, third or fourth aspect, one end is connected to a member on the side where one end or the other end of the link is vertically movably connected. , A link having the other end connected to the middle of the link.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the second, third, or fourth aspect, even if the link rotates, the vertical position of the spacer does not change, and the spacer can be always moved horizontally by the link. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the article unloading device according to the second, third or fourth aspect, there is provided a reinforcing member which is disposed on the spacer side and which connects at least some of the plurality of links.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the second, third or fourth aspect, the strength of the spacer is increased by the reinforcing member connected to the link.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the article unloading device according to the second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect, at least some of the plurality of links are connected to each other, and these links rotate in conjunction with each other. The spacer moving mechanism includes an interlocking member that moves in the vertical direction and an operation unit that moves the interlocking member to an arbitrary position in the vertical direction, and includes a spacer moving mechanism that moves the spacer by vertical movement of the interlocking member.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect, when the interlocking member is moved in the vertical direction by the operation portion, the plurality of links interlocking with this are simultaneously rotated.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the article unloading device according to the sixth aspect, only the interlocking member moves vertically by a predetermined amount before the link is rotated by the interlocking member. Is provided with a guide portion that guides a predetermined link in the moving direction of the spacer by the vertical movement and rotates the predetermined amount by a predetermined amount.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the sixth aspect, only the interlocking member moves up and down before the link rotates by the interlocking member, and the predetermined link is guided in the moving direction of the spacer by the guide portion of the interlocking member. Since the link is rotated by a predetermined amount, the link smoothly rotates in the moving direction of the spacer even when each rotation fulcrum of the link is on the same straight line as the moving direction of the interlocking member.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the article unloading device according to the second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect, a cam having an outer periphery in contact with the spacer, and an operating portion capable of rotating the cam to an arbitrary rotational position. And a spacer moving mechanism for moving the spacer according to the amount of deviation between the rotation center of the cam and the outer circumference.

Thus, in addition to the effect of the second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect, when the cam is rotated by the operating portion, the spacer moves in accordance with the deviation amount between the rotation center of the cam and the outer circumference. It is possible to finely adjust the movement amount of the spacer.

[0022]

1 to 16 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a main part of a product unloading device, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a unloading unit. FIG. 4 is a bottom view thereof, FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of an essential part thereof, FIGS. 6 and 7 are operation explanatory views of the opening / closing plate, FIG. 8 is a side view of a product holding plate and a contact member, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a plan view thereof, FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view thereof, FIG. 11 is a side view of a spacer unit, and FIG.
11 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the spacer unit, FIGS. 14 and 15 are operation explanatory diagrams thereof, and FIG. 16 is an operation explanatory diagram of the product unloading device.

This product unloading device is used in an automatic vending machine for products enclosed in cans, bottles, paper packs, PET bottles, etc., and has a structure in which a plurality of products A are stacked in a vertical direction and stored. The product storage unit 10 and the carry-out unit 20 that carries out the products A in the product storage units 10 one by one from the lower side.

Each of the product storage units 10 is divided into two pieces in the width direction by partition members 11 each having a vertically long hollow shape. The partition members 11 have a U-shaped storage plate 12 that covers the side surface and the back surface of the product storage unit 10. Installed on. That is, a total of two product storage sections 10 partitioned by the partition member 11 are formed in the storage plate 12, and these are arranged in a plurality in the width direction. Further, on the lower end side of the partition member 11, an opening 11a for exposing a part of the carry-out unit 20,
11b is provided. Further, a plurality of mounting holes 12a for mounting a spacer unit 40, which will be described later, are provided at intervals in the vertical direction at one end of the product storage unit 10 in the flower direction, that is, on the side surface of the storage plate 12.

The carry-out unit 20 includes a unit main body 21 inserted into the partition member 11, a pair of open / close plates 22 for opening and closing the lower surface of each product storage unit 10, and a pair of products that appear and disappear in each product storage unit 10. A holding plate 23, a rotation restricting plate 24 that restricts downward rotation of the opening / closing plate 22 at a substantially horizontal position, and a pair of auxiliary plates 25 that engage with the opening / closing plate 22 and rotate downward.
A first spring 26 for urging the opening / closing plate 21 upward,
A second spring 27 for urging the auxiliary plate 25 downward,
Motor 2 for driving each opening / closing plate 22 and each product holding plate 23
8, a contact member 29 for projecting each product holding plate 23 into each product storage unit 10, and a sold-out detection mechanism 30 for detecting the sold-out of each product storage unit 10.

The unit body 21 is formed so as to cover the front surface, the top surface and the back surface of the carry-out unit 20, and both side surfaces thereof are open. In addition, the reinforcing members 21a and 21b are provided at substantially the center and the lower end of the unit main body 21 in the vertical direction.
Is installed.

Each opening / closing plate 22 is arranged at the lower end of each product storage portion 10, and one end side of each opening / closing plate 22 is rotatably supported by the unit main body 21 via a support shaft 22a. A locking piece 22b for locking the auxiliary plate 25 and the sold-out detection mechanism 27 is provided at one end of the opening / closing plate 22, and the auxiliary plate 2 is provided on the lower surface of the opening / closing plate 22.
A recess 22c for receiving 5 is provided.

Each product holding plate 23 is arranged above each opening / closing plate 22, and its upper end is rotatably attached to the lower end side of the slide plate 23b via a support shaft 23a. The slide plate 23b is provided on the unit main body 21 so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and an operation pin 23c for moving the slide plate 23b in the vertical direction is attached to the upper end side thereof. One end side of the operation pin 23c is vertically movably inserted into a long hole 23d provided on the front surface of the unit main body 21, and a plurality of grooves 23e capable of engaging the operation pin 23c in the long hole 23d. Are vertically spaced from each other. That is, the operation pin 23c is connected to the arbitrary groove 23e.
By engaging with, the vertical position of the product holding plate 23 can be changed.

The rotation restricting plate 24 is formed in a substantially semi-circular shape, and horizontally rotates below the respective opening / closing plates 22. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the rotation restricting plate 24 is located over both of the opening / closing plates 22, each of the opening / closing plates 22 is restricted from rotating downward by the rotation restricting plate 24. When the rotation restricting plate 24 is rotated to one of the opening / closing plates 21 side, the other opening / closing plate 22 is released from the rotation restriction and is rotated downward, and the product storage unit 10
The lower surface of the is open.

Each of the auxiliary plates 25 is disposed below the opening / closing plate 22, and one end side of each auxiliary plate 25 is rotatably attached to the support shaft 22a of the opening / closing plate 22. Further, a locking piece 25a that locks with the locking piece 22b of the opening / closing plate 22 is provided at one end of the auxiliary plate 25. When the opening / closing plate 22 opens with respect to the auxiliary plate 25 by a predetermined angle φ, the locking piece 25a is provided. The lock piece 22b of the opening / closing plate 22 is locked.

The first spring 26 comprises a torsion coil spring wound around a support shaft 22a of the opening / closing plate 21, one end of which is locked to the lower surface of the opening / closing plate 22 and the other end of which is locked to the upper surface of the auxiliary plate 25. is doing. That is, the opening / closing plate 22 is biased upward by the first spring 26 with respect to the auxiliary plate 25.

The second spring 27 is a torsion coil spring wound around a support shaft 22a of the opening / closing plate 22, one end of which is fixed to the reinforcing member 21b of the unit body 21, and the other end of which is attached to the upper surface of the auxiliary plate 25. It has stopped. That is, the auxiliary plate 25 is biased by the second spring 26 so as to rotate downward. In this embodiment, each spring 2
Although the torsion coil springs are used for 6 and 27, other biasing means such as a compression coil spring or a leaf spring can be used.

The motor 28 is arranged on the upper part of the unit main body 21 and is configured to be capable of normal rotation and reverse rotation. Motor 2
A drive shaft 28a extending to the lower end of the unit main body 21 is connected to the drive shaft 8 via a gear unit 28b, and a rotation restricting plate 24 is attached to the lower end of the drive shaft 28a. That is, the motor 28 is connected to a control unit (not shown) of the vending machine, and the drive is controlled by the control unit.

The contact member 29 is a vertically long cam-shaped member and is attached to the drive shaft 28a so as to rotate integrally therewith. A plurality of recesses 29a arranged at intervals in the up-down direction are provided in a portion of the contact member 29 that is unevenly distributed in the radial direction, and contact portions with the product holding plate 23 are provided below the recesses 29a, respectively. An inclined surface 29b is formed. That is, as shown in FIG.
When the drive shaft 28a rotates to either side, the inclined surface 29b of the concave portion 29a at the corresponding position of the product holding plate 23 abuts on the upper rear surface of the product holding plate 23, and the product holding plate 23 moves toward the product storage unit 10 side. It is designed to rotate. In this case, the inclined surface 29b of each recess 29a is formed so as to come into surface contact with the product holding plate 23, and the inclination angle of the inclined surface 29b in some of the recesses 29a is different from that of the other recess 29a. Is formed in.
For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the inclination angle θ1 of the inclined surface 29b in the upper concave portion 29a is larger than the inclination angle θ2 of the inclined surface 29b in the lower concave portion 29a. As a result, the protrusion amount L1 of the product holding plate 23 that comes into contact with the inclined surface 29b of the upper recess 29a (the product storage unit 10
From the tip of the product holding plate 23 protruding inward, the unit main body 2
(Distance to 1) is longer than the protrusion amount L2 of the product holding plate 23 contacting the inclined surface 29b of the lower concave portion 29a by .DELTA.L. In this case, the inclined surfaces 29b may be provided so that the inclination angles are different in total of three or more. Also, each inclined surface 2
9b may be arranged in the order in which the inclination angles are gradually different in the vertical direction, or a plurality of inclined surfaces 29b having different inclination angles may be arranged in the vertical direction.

The sold-out detection mechanism 30 comprises an interlocking member 31 which moves up and down in conjunction with the opening / closing plate 22, and a micro switch 32 which is turned on / off by the vertical movement of the interlocking member 31. It is provided. The interlocking member 31 extends from the upper end side to the lower end side of the unit main body 21, and the lower end side thereof is bent in an L shape so as to be locked by the locking piece 22b of the opening / closing plate 22. In addition, the interlocking member 31
The upper end side of is bent in an L shape so as to press the micro switch 32. The micro switch 32 is the motor 28
Of the gear unit 28b, and the engaging portion with the interlocking member 31 is projected to the outside. That is, in the sold-out detection mechanism 30, when the opening / closing plate 22 rotates upward, the opening / closing plate 2
The locking piece 22b of 2 locks the lower end side of the interlocking member 31 and pushes down the interlocking member 31, whereby the upper end side of the interlocking member 31 presses the contact 32a of the micro switch 32, and the control unit of the vending machine ( A sold-out detection signal is output to (not shown). Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the opening / closing plate 22 rotates downward due to the weight of the product, the interlocking member 31 is raised by a spring or the like (not shown) as the locking piece 22b of the opening / closing plate 22 rotates upward. As a result, the depression of the contact 32a of the micro switch 32 by the upper end side of the interlocking member 31 is released, and the sold-out detection signal is not output.

The carry-out unit 20 configured as described above
The spacer 21c is arranged on the back side of the unit body 21 and is inserted into the partition member 11 from below.
It is fixed with screws etc. At that time, both side surfaces of the unit main body 21 are covered by the side surfaces of the partition member 11,
Each open / close plate 11 and each product holding plate 23 of the carry-out unit 20
Is exposed from the opening 11 a of the partition member 11.

Further, a spacer unit 40 for adjusting the product storage width is detachably mounted in the product storage section 10.

The spacer unit 40 includes a unit main body 41 which is detachably attached to one end in the width direction of the product storage unit 10, and a spacer provided on the unit main body 41 so as to be movable in the width direction of the product storage unit 10. 42 and spacer 4
It is composed of a spacer moving mechanism 43 that moves 2 and first and second link mechanisms 44 and 45 that connect the unit body 41 and the spacer 42.

The unit main body 41 is composed of a vertically long member having a recess 41a in the center portion in the width direction, and a substrate 41b having a U-shaped cross section is mounted in the recess 41a. In addition, a plurality of engaging pieces 41c that can engage with the mounting holes 12a on the side of the product storage unit 10 are provided on the back side of the unit body 41. The unit body 41 is not shown in FIG.

The spacer 42 is formed of a vertically long member having a U-shaped cross section, and its width dimension is smaller than that of the recess 41a of the unit body 41 and larger than that of the substrate 41b.

The spacer moving mechanism 43 is a unit main body 4
A slide member 43a as an interlocking member that is arranged movably in the vertical direction inside the first substrate 41b, and an operation pin 43b that moves the slide member 43a in the vertical direction. The slide member 43a has a U-shaped cross section. It is formed of a vertically long member. The operation pin 43b is a slide member 43.
It is fixed to a and one end side is the unit body 4
It is inserted in a long hole 41d provided on the front surface side of No. 1 so as to be vertically movable. The operation pin 43 is provided in the long hole 41d.
A plurality of grooves 41e capable of engaging with b are provided at intervals in the vertical direction, and the operation pin 43b is connected to the arbitrary groove 4
By engaging with 1e, the vertical position of the slide member 43a can be changed.

The first link mechanism 44 comprises a pair of links 44a, 44b formed in a flat plate shape, and one end of one link 44a is connected to the substrate 41b via a support shaft 44c. In this case, one link 44a is provided with a notch for inserting the slide member 43a in the widthwise center on one end side thereof, and the support shaft 44c is divided into both widthwise end sides so as not to be present in the notch. It is provided.
A support shaft 44d is attached to one end of the other link 44b, and the support shaft 44d is inserted into a long hole 43c provided in the slide member 43a. In this case, the slide member 43
An inclined portion 43d as a guide portion that guides the support shaft 44d in the moving direction of the spacer 42 is provided at a. Also,
The other ends of the links 44a and 44b are rotatably connected to each other via a common support shaft 44e. The first link mechanism 44 configured as described above is provided at a plurality of vertical positions of the spacer unit 40 as shown in FIG. 11, and is connected to each other via the slide member 43a. In this case, in the two first link mechanisms 44 on the lower end side, the other ends of the links 44a and 44b are connected via the reinforcing member 44f arranged on the spacer 42 side, and the lower links 44a and 44b are connected. The support shafts 44e are inserted into the long holes 42a provided at both ends of the spacer 42 in the width direction.
The first link mechanism 44 arranged on the upper end side of the spacer unit 40, like the first link mechanism 44 arranged on the lower end side, has its support shaft 44e inserted into the elongated hole 42a above the spacer 42. Has been done.

The second link mechanism 45 comprises a pair of links 45a and 45b formed in a flat plate shape. As shown in FIG. 14, one link 45a is provided with a support shaft 45c attached to one end thereof on a substrate 41b. The other end is connected to the spacer 42 via the support shaft 45d. One end of the other link 45b is connected to the substrate 41b via a support shaft 45e, and the other end is connected to the middle of the one link 45a via a support shaft 45f.
Although not shown, one end side of each of the links 45a and 45b is formed so that the slide member 43a can be inserted therein similarly to the one link 44a of the first link mechanism 44.
The second link mechanism 45 configured as described above is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the spacer unit 40 is provided at a plurality of vertical positions.

Now, the carry-out operation of the product carry-out device will be described. First, the motor 28 of the carry-out unit 20 rotates, which causes the rotation restricting plate 24 to rotate. At that time, the contact member 29 rotates together with the rotation restricting plate 24, the inclined surface 29b of the contact member 29 contacts the product holding plate 23, and the product holding plate 23 projects toward the product storage unit 10. As a result, the product holding plate 23 is locked to the second product A from the bottom, and the product A is held by the product holding plate 23.
After that, when the rotation of the rotation restricting plate 24 proceeds, the rotation restricting plate 2
The rotation restriction of the opening / closing plate 22 and the auxiliary plate 25 by 4 is released. This causes the auxiliary plate 25 to rotate downward by the second spring 26 as shown in FIG.
The locking piece 25a of the auxiliary plate 25 is the locking piece 22b of the opening / closing plate 22.
And the opening / closing plate 22 pivots downward together with the auxiliary plate 25, the lower surface of the product storage unit 10 is opened, and the lowest product A
Are dropped and carried out.

Further, in the above-mentioned product unloading device, when it is desired to adjust the position of the product holding plate 23, such as when the product is changed to one having a different outer dimension, the slide plate 23b
The product holding plate 23 is vertically moved to an arbitrary position by the operation pin 23c. At this time, by aligning the product holding plate 23 with an arbitrary concave portion 29a of the contact member 29, it is possible to set the protrusion amount of the product holding plate 23 according to the inclination angle of the inclined surface 29b.

Next, in the above-mentioned product unloading device, when the width inside the product storage unit 10 is changed, the operation pin 43b of the spacer unit 40 is moved in the vertical direction. It moves in the width direction within the section 10. That is, FIG. 14A shows a state in which the spacer 42 is located closest to the unit main body 41. By moving the operation pin 43b upward from this state, the spacer 42 is separated from the unit main body 41, that is, The product storage unit 10 moves in a direction in which the width of the product storage unit 10 decreases.

At this time, if the operation pin 43b is raised,
In the first link mechanism 44, initially, only the slide member 43a moves upward until the lower end of the long hole 43c of the slide member 43a reaches the support shaft 44d, and the spacer 42 moves slightly as shown in FIG. 14 (b). To do. That is, as the slide member 43a rises, as shown in FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b), the support shaft 44e connecting the other ends of the links 44a and 44b to each other is formed by the inclined portion 43d of the slide member 43a and the spacer 42.
The spacer 42 is moved by the amount that the support shaft 44e has passed over the inclined portion 43d by being guided in the moving direction.

By the way, when the support shafts 44c, 44d and 44e of the links 44a and 44b are on the same straight line as shown in FIG. 14A, the links 44a and 44b move along this straight line direction. The links 44a and 44b may not rotate simply by the slide member 43a pushing up the support shaft 44d. In this embodiment, before the links 44a and 44b are rotated by the slide member 43a as described above, the support shaft 44e at the center in the vertical direction is first slid on the slide member 43.
Since the inclined portion 43d of "a" guides the spacer 42 in the moving direction, the links 44a and 44b are smoothly rotated by the subsequent rise of the slide member 43a.

When the operating pin 43b is moved further upward, one end side of the other link 44b of the first link mechanism 44 approaches the one end side of the one link 44a according to the moving distance, and FIG. As shown in each link 44a, 4
4b is rotated so as to stand upright with respect to the unit main body 41. Thereby, the support shaft 44d of each link 44a, 44b
The spacer 42 moves while being pressed by. At that time, in the second link mechanism 45, one of the links 4
5a rotates about a support shaft 45d connected to the spacer 42, and the other end of the link 45a is connected to the center of the support shaft 45d. The long hole 41c is moved vertically. Accordingly, even if the links 45a and 45b rotate, the vertical position of the support shaft 45d on the spacer 42 side does not change,
The spacer 42 moves substantially horizontally while being held by the links 45a and 45b. It should be noted that the links 44a and 44b of the first link mechanism 44 change in vertical position on the other end side with the rotation thereof, but the support shaft 44e on the other end side has the elongated hole 42a.
Since the support shaft 44e moves up and down, the spacer 42 does not move up and down. That is, the first link mechanism 44 plays a role of moving the spacer 42 in the width direction of the product storage unit 10, and the second link mechanism 45 plays a role of holding the spacer 42 so as to move horizontally.

Further, in the above-mentioned product unloading device, when the width inside the product storage unit 10 is widened, the operation pin 43b may be moved downward, but the spacer 42 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 14 (a). Then, when it is desired to widen the product storage width than the case where the width of the product storage unit 10 by the spacer 42 is the widest, the engaging pieces 41c of the unit main body 41 are removed from the respective mounting holes 12a on the product storage unit 10 side. By removing the spacer unit 40 from the product storage unit 10, the product storage width can be expanded by the thickness of the spacer unit 40.

As described above, according to the product unloading apparatus of the present embodiment, the spacer unit 40 having the spacer 42 movable in the width direction of the product storage unit 10 can be detachably attached to one end side in the width direction of the product storage unit 10. Since it is attached to the spacer unit 4, the width within the product storage unit 10 can be arbitrarily adjusted by moving the spacer 42 and the spacer unit 4
If 0 is removed, the product storage width can be expanded by that thickness. Therefore, the width of the product storage unit 10 is set to the spacer 4
Even in the structure in which adjustment is performed by the movement of 2, the space in the product storage unit 10 can be effectively used, and it is possible to accurately accommodate the storage of a wide variety of products having different shapes and sizes.

The link connecting the substrate 41b of the unit body 41 and the spacer 42, that is, the other end of each of the links 44a and 44b in the first link mechanism 44 is connected to the support shaft 44.
It is movably connected in the vertical direction to the long hole 42a of the spacer 42 via e, and one end of one link 45a of the second link mechanism 45 is connected to the long hole 41c of the substrate 41b via the support shaft 45c. Therefore, each link 44a,
The spacer 42 can be moved in the horizontal direction without being affected by the vertical movement of the 44b and 45a. Therefore,
Since the movement amount of the spacer 42 is not limited by the rotation of the link unlike the conventional art, the adjustment amount of the product storage width can be increased, and it is suitable for storing a wide variety of products having different shapes and sizes. Can correspond to.

Further, since one end of the second link mechanism 45 is connected to the middle of one link 45a and the other end of the other link 45b whose one end is connected to the unit main body 41 side is connected, the links 45a and 45b rotate. Even if the vertical position of the support shaft 45d on the spacer 42 side does not change, the spacer 4
2 can be always moved horizontally by the respective links 45a and 45b.

At this time, each of the links 44a and 44b in the first link mechanism 44 has a spacer 42 at the other ends.
Since the reinforcing members 44f are connected to each other via the reinforcing member 44f disposed on the side, the strength of the spacer 42 can be increased by the reinforcing member 44f, and the durability can be improved.

Further, in the spacer moving mechanism 43, since the first link mechanisms 44 provided at plural positions in the vertical direction of the spacer unit 40 are connected to each other through the slide member 43a, the slide pin 43b raises or lowers the slide member 43a. When lowered, the first link mechanisms 44 can be simultaneously rotated in conjunction with this. Therefore,
The spacer 42 can always be operated smoothly, and the work for adjusting the product storage width can be easily performed.

Further, before the links 44a and 44b of the first link mechanism 44 are rotated by the slide member 43a, only the slide member 43a is raised to move the links 44a and 44b.
A support shaft 44e for connecting the other ends of a and 44b to each other is formed by a slanted portion 43d provided on the slide member 43a.
Since it guides in the moving direction of each link 44
Even when the support shafts 44c, 44d, 44e of the a, 44b are on the same straight line, the respective links 44a, 44
b can be smoothly rotated in the moving direction of the spacer 42. Therefore, each of the links 44a and 44b is attached to the support shaft 4
Since the units 4c, 44d, and 44e can be tilted toward the unit body 41 until they are located on the same straight line, the thickness of the spacer unit 40 can be made extremely small, and the spacer unit 40 can be attached to the product. The storage width can be widened. In this case, since it is possible to move the spacer 42 by the amount that the support shaft 44e has passed over the inclined portion 43d, there is also an advantage that the product storage width can be finely adjusted.

In the above-described embodiment, the product storage unit 10 is provided with the detachable spacer unit 40, but such a unit structure is not adopted and the spacer 42 is not used.
May be directly attached to the commodity storage unit 10 side via the link mechanisms 44 and 45.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the spacer moving mechanism 43 is configured so that each first link mechanism 44 is actuated by the slide member 43a, but it may be configured as shown in FIG. It is possible.

The spacer moving mechanism 46 shown in the figure includes a rotatable shaft 46a attached to the substrate 41,
Consists of a cam 46b attached to the shaft 46a,
As shown in FIG. 17 (a), the outer periphery of the cam 46b is the spacer 4
It comes in contact with 2. That is, when the shaft 46a is rotated to an arbitrary rotation position, the spacer 42 moves according to the amount of deviation between the rotation center of the cam 46b and the outer periphery as shown in FIG. 17 (b).

According to this spacer moving mechanism 46, since the spacer 42 is moved by the rotation of the cam 46b, the moving amount of the spacer 42 can be finely adjusted, and the product storage width can be finely adjusted. Also,
Even when the support shafts 44c, 44d, 44e of the links 44a, 44b are on the same straight line as shown in FIG.
The a and 44b can be smoothly rotated in the moving direction of the spacer 42.

[0061]

As described above, according to the product unloading device of the first aspect, the space in the product storage unit can be effectively used even in the structure in which the width of the product storage unit is adjusted by moving the spacer. Therefore, it is possible to properly handle the storage of a wide variety of products having different shapes and sizes.

Further, according to the article unloading device of the second and third aspects, since the movement amount of the spacer is not limited by the rotation of the link, the adjustment amount of the article storage width can be increased and the shape can be improved. This makes it possible to accurately accommodate a wide variety of products of different sizes.

According to the article unloading apparatus of claim 4,
In addition to the effect of claim 2 or 3, since the vertical position of the spacer does not change even when the link rotates, the spacer can always be moved horizontally by the link, and the width of the product storage width can be adjusted accurately. Can be done.

According to the article unloading device of claim 5,
In addition to the effect of claim 2, 3 or 4, since the strength of the spacer 42 can be increased, the durability can be improved.

According to the article unloading device of claim 6,
In addition to the effect of claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, when the interlocking member is moved up and down by the operating portion of the spacer moving mechanism, a plurality of links can be simultaneously rotated in conjunction with this, so that the spacer is It can be operated smoothly at all times, and the work of adjusting the storage width of the product can be easily performed.

Further, according to the article discharge device of claim 7,
In addition to the effect of claim 6, even when each fulcrum of the link is on the same straight line as the moving direction of the spacer, the link can be smoothly rotated in the moving direction of the spacer.
Therefore, the link can be tilted until each fulcrum is positioned on the same straight line as the moving direction of the spacer, and the thickness dimension on the spacer side can be made extremely small. In this case, since the spacer can be moved by the amount of rotation of the link by the guide portion, there is also an advantage that the product storage width can be finely adjusted.

According to the article unloading device of claim 8,
In addition to the effect of the second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect, the movement amount of the spacer can be finely adjusted, so that the product storage width can be finely adjusted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of an essential part of a product unloading device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a product unloading device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carry-out unit.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the carry-out unit.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a main part of the carry-out unit.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the opening / closing plate.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the opening / closing plate.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a product holding plate and a contact member.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a product holding plate and a contact member.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view of a product holding plate and a contact member.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the spacer unit.

12 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a spacer unit.

FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory view of the spacer unit.

FIG. 15 is an operation explanatory diagram of the product unloading device.

FIG. 16 is an operation explanatory diagram of the product unloading device.

FIG. 17 is a front sectional view of a main part showing another embodiment of the spacer moving mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Commodity storage section, 20 ... Unloading unit, 40 ... Spacer unit, 41 ... Unit body, 42 ... Spacer, 4
3 ... Spacer moving mechanism, 43a ... Sliding member, 43b
... operation pin, 43d ... inclined part, 44a, 44b ... link, 44f ... reinforcement member, 45a, 45b ... link, 46
... spacer moving mechanism, 46a ... shaft, 46b ... cam, A ... commodity.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A spacer provided in the product storage unit, comprising: a product storage unit for stacking and storing the products in a vertical direction; and a carry-out mechanism for dropping and carrying out the lowest product in the product storage unit one by one. In a product unloading device of a vending machine in which the product storage width is arbitrarily adjusted by moving in the width direction, the product storage unit is detachably attached to one end side in the width direction of the product storage unit, and the spacer is attached to the product storage unit. And a spacer unit that is movable in the width direction of the product. 2. The spacer is connected to the unit main body side through a plurality of links, and one end or the other end of each link is vertically movably connected to the spacer side or the unit main body side. The product unloading device according to claim 1. 3. A product storage unit for vertically stacking and storing products, and a carry-out mechanism for dropping the lowest-order products in the product storage unit downward one by one, and a spacer arranged in the product storage unit. By moving in the width direction, in the product discharge device of the vending machine, which is configured to arbitrarily adjust the product storage width, while connecting the spacer to one end side in the width direction in the product storage section via a plurality of links, A product unloading device, wherein one end or the other end of each link is vertically movably connected to a spacer side or a product storage section side. 4. A link is provided, one end of which is connected to a member on one end or the other end of which is vertically movably connected, and the other end of which is connected to the middle of the link. The product unloading device for an automatic vending machine according to claim 2, 3 or 4. 5. The product unloading device according to claim 2, further comprising a reinforcing member arranged on the spacer side and connecting at least some of the plurality of links to each other. 6. An interlocking member that is connected to at least a part of a plurality of links and that moves in the vertical direction so that these links rotate in conjunction with each other, and an operation that moves the interlocking member to an arbitrary position in the vertical direction. The article unloading device according to claim 2, further comprising a spacer moving mechanism configured to move the spacer by vertical movement of the interlocking member. 7. The interlocking member is configured such that only the interlocking member moves in the vertical direction by a predetermined amount before the link rotates by the interlocking member, and the interlocking member moves the predetermined link by moving the spacer in the vertical direction. 7. The product unloading device according to claim 6, further comprising: a guide portion that guides in a direction and rotates by a predetermined amount. 8. A cam having an outer periphery in contact with a spacer, and an operating portion capable of rotating the cam to an arbitrary rotational position,
6. The product unloading device according to claim 2, further comprising a spacer moving mechanism that moves the spacer in accordance with a deviation amount between the rotation center of the cam and the outer circumference.