JP2004118707A - Article discharging device of automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the deflection and looseness of a lower stopper caused by the loads of articles and the shock of article drop, to stabilize article discharging operation and to reduce operation power required for unlocking of a lock mechanism by rationally improving coupling structure between the lower stopper and a lock link. <P>SOLUTION: The base end part of the lower stopper 3 is supported by a fixed oscillation supporting shaft 7 so as to be vertically oscillated around a horizontal shaft center X1, the lower end part of a lock link 10 to be vertically moved through the rear part of the fixed oscillation supporting shaft 7 and a connection part 11 arranged on a position deflected from the top side of the shaft 7 in an integral oscillation state or an almost integral follow-up oscillation state on the lower face side of the lower stopper 3 are pivotally coupled with each other through a lower link 8 arranged under the supporting shaft 7 and a pivotal coupling shaft 12 between the lock link 10 and the lower link 8 is supported so as to be freely moved in a fixed range of the vertical direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a lower support means for receiving and supporting a commodity located at a lowermost end, and a commodity located at a second position from the lowermost end, at a lower portion of a storage / transport path for stacking and storing a plurality of commodities in a state capable of being paid out downward. The vending machine is arranged so as to pay out the products located at the lowermost position one by one while receiving the products located second from the lowermost position by disposing upper supporting means for receiving and supporting the products. The present invention relates to a product dispensing device.
[0002]
More specifically, the lower support means is capable of swingably switching between a receiving position for receiving and supporting the lowermost product and a discharging position for dropping and discharging the received product by its own weight. A lock mechanism that locks the lower stopper at the receiving position by abutting the elastic biasing body that oscillates the receiving position to the receiving position and a lock link that moves up and down in conjunction with the swing of the lower stopper; The present invention relates to a vending machine product dispensing device provided with a drive mechanism for switching a lock mechanism between a locked state and an unlocked state.
[0003]
[Prior art]
In the conventional product dispensing device of a vending machine, as shown in FIG. 17, the lower stopper 3 is swung so that it has a substantially horizontal posture at a receiving position and a substantially vertical posture which is lowered forward at a discharging position. In the moving structure, a horizontal swing support shaft 50 connecting the base ends of the lower stoppers 3 is vertically movably supported along a vertically long slot 51 and is disposed below the lower stoppers 3. The lower end of the lower link 52 is supported by a fixed swing support shaft 54 parallel to the movable swing support shaft 50, and the upper end of the lower link 52 is connected to the base end and the distal end of the lower stopper 3. A boss formed at a lower end of a lock link 56 is rotatably connected to a support arm 53 connected to the lower stopper 3 around a pivot shaft 55 parallel to the movable swing support shaft 50. Is rotated by the movable swing support shaft 50. It is fitted supported.
[0004]
The fixed swing support shaft 54 is provided with a torsion coil spring 57, which is one of the members of the elastic urging member, for urging the lower link 52 to protrude toward the storage / transport passage side. A tension coil spring 58, which is the other component of the elastic urging member and moves and biases the movable swing support shaft 50 toward the lower end side of the long hole 51, is mounted between the fixed swing support shaft 54 and the fixed swing support shaft 54. I have.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional product dispensing device of a vending machine, a portion of the lower stopper 3 that is closer to the base end is connected to the upper end of the lower link 52 so as to be relatively rotatable. Is vertically movable along the vertically long hole 51, so that when the product is received by the lower stopper 3 at the receiving position, the lower stopper 3 is easily bent by the product load and drop impact at that time, and Since the backlash is large, the margin for lowering the product holding position by the lower stopper 3 is likely to be large, which is one of the causes of the unstable dispensing operation.
[0006]
In addition, as the lower stopper 3 at the receiving position swings to the release position and swings, the base end of the lower stopper 3 moves upward along the elongated hole 51 and the lower link 52 is fixedly pivoted. Due to being folded into the dispensing frame around the axis 50, the length from the pivotal connection position of the lower link 52 and the lower stopper 3 to the distal end of the lower stopper 3 is smaller than the length from the base end of the lower stopper 3 As a result, the pushing force of the lock link 56 against the lock block C of the lock mechanism 59 increases, so that a large operation force is required to release the lock of the lock mechanism C.
[0007]
Further, when the lower stopper 3 returns and swings to the receiving position by the elastic restoring force, a rebound phenomenon such as jumping over the receiving position and falling again may occur. This phenomenon is repeated several times until the lower stopper 3 stops and settles at the receiving position. At this time, conventionally, the lower stopper 3 and the lock link 56 are interlocked and connected, and the lower stopper 3 rebounds. Since the lock block 59 of the lock mechanism C swings in conjunction therewith, the lock operation plate 60 on the drive mechanism D side cannot enter, and the switching of the lock mechanism C to the locked state may be delayed. Since it is not possible to receive falling products, this has been a factor that causes a multiple appearance phenomenon.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and its main problem is to improve the linkage between the lower stopper and the lock link by rationally improving product load and product drop impact. The present invention provides a product dispensing device for a vending machine capable of suppressing the deflection and the backlash of the lower stopper caused by the above, stabilizing the product dispensing operation, and reducing the operation force required for unlocking the lock mechanism. On the point.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lower support means for receiving and supporting a product located at a lowermost end, at a lower portion of a storage / transport path for stacking and storing a plurality of products in a state capable of being dispensed downward, And upper support means for receiving and supporting the product located second from the bottom, the lower support means having a receiving position for receiving and supporting the lowermost product, and a weight of the received product. A lower stopper that can be swingably switched to a discharge position where it is dropped and released, an elastic biasing body that urges the lower stopper to swing to the receiving position, and a lock that moves up and down in conjunction with the swing of the lower stopper An automatic vending machine provided with a lock mechanism for locking the lower stopper at the receiving position by contact with the link, and a drive mechanism for switching the lock mechanism between a locked state and an unlocked state. An article dispensing device for the machine,
A fixed swing support shaft is provided for supporting the base end of the lower stopper so as to be able to swing up and down around the horizontal axis.A lower end of a lock link that moves up and down through the back of the fixed swing support shaft and a lower stopper. A connecting portion provided at a position deviated from the fixed swing support shaft to the distal end side in a state of swinging integrally or substantially integrally with the lower surface side, and disposed below the fixed swing support shaft. And a pivotal connection shaft between the lock link and the lower link is supported so as to be vertically movable along a vertically long hole.
[0010]
According to the above-mentioned characteristic configuration, since the base end of the lower stopper is swingably supported around the fixed swing support shaft, the lower stopper itself has less backlash, and the lower stopper and the lock link are linked. In addition, via a lower link disposed below the fixed swing support shaft, a connecting portion that swings integrally or almost integrally with the lower stopper on the lower surface side of the lower stopper, and a back portion of the fixed swing support shaft. The lower end of the lock link, which moves up and down, is pivotally connected, so that the connection part on the lower stopper side can be located at a position that is largely deviated from the fixed swing support shaft to the tip end, and product load and drop impact And the amount of bending of the lower stopper caused by the lock mechanism can be suppressed, and the pushing force of the lock link on the lock mechanism can be reduced.
[0011]
Therefore, by improving the linkage structure between the lower stopper and the lock link rationally as described above, it is possible to suppress the bending and the backlash of the lower stopper caused by the product load and the product drop impact, and to perform the product dispensing operation. In addition to stabilization, it is possible to reduce the operation force required for unlocking the lock mechanism.
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product dispensing device for a vending machine, wherein the connecting portion is formed on a support arm that is vertically swingably supported on a fixed swing support shaft through a lower surface of a lower stopper. At the same time, the elastic biasing force of the first return spring, which is one of the constituent members as the elastic biasing member, is directly applied to the lower stopper, and further, between the support arm and the lower link, as an elastic biasing member. And a second return spring for biasing the pivotal connection shaft toward the lower end of the vertical movement range.
[0013]
According to the above-mentioned feature, when the lock mechanism is unlocked, the lower stopper and the support arm at the receiving position move around the fixed swing support shaft against the elastic urging force of the elastic urging body toward the discharge position. And the lowermost product received by the lower stopper is dropped and released by its own weight.
When the lowermost product is released, the lower stopper at the release position swings back to the receiving position by the elastic biasing force of the first return spring. At this time, the lower stopper jumps over the receiving position, Even if a rebound phenomenon such as falling again occurs, the support arm linked to the lower link and the lock link can separate and swing with respect to the lower stopper, and return swing by the elastic biasing force of the second return spring. Since the movement of the lower stopper can be suppressed by the supporting arm, the time required for the rebound phenomenon of the lower stopper to end can be reduced, and the occurrence of the multiple occurrence phenomenon can be suppressed.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product dispensing apparatus for a vending machine, wherein the upper support means includes a protruding support position for receiving and supporting a product in the storage transport path and a standby position located outside the storage transport path. An upper stopper configured to be freely switchable between, and a drive mechanism that switches the upper stopper between a standby position and a projecting support position, and an upper stopper that projects from the standby position to the projecting support position. When a force that pushes the upper stopper back toward the standby position is generated by contact with the product located second from the lowermost end, the push-back force is converted into a counter-force, and the upper stopper and the drive mechanism by the pushing force are used. Is provided with a push-back preventing mechanism for preventing the reverse movement of the spring.
[0015]
According to the above-mentioned characteristic configuration, when the upper stopper is protruded from the standby position to the protruding support position to receive the product located second from the lowermost end, the upper stopper is brought into contact with the product to be received and the upper stopper. Even if a force that pushes the stopper back to the standby position is generated, the pushing-back preventing mechanism converts the pushing-back force into a counter-force, thereby preventing the upper stopper and the driving mechanism from being reversely moved by the pushing-back force. When the upper stopper is pushed back to the standby position by the pushing force, the product located second from the lowermost position is not received and is paid out together with the lowermost product. It is possible to effectively prevent the drive mechanism from being damaged or prematurely deteriorated due to excessive reverse movement of the mechanism.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product dispensing apparatus for a vending machine, wherein the upper stopper is configured such that the upper half of the lowermost product received and supported by the lower support means when switching from the standby position to the protruding support position. The drive mechanism is configured to protrude obliquely downward toward the area corresponding to the part, and the driving mechanism is configured such that the upper stopper protruding from the standby position to the protruding support position comes into contact with the lowermost commodity and the load is reduced. When it increases, the upper stopper is held in the contact position until the load is eliminated.
[0017]
According to the above-mentioned characteristic configuration, when dispensing the lowest product received and supported by the lower support means, the upper stopper is switched to the projecting support position from the standby position by the drive mechanism, and the upper stopper is moved to the lower support means. It projects obliquely downward toward the area corresponding to the upper half of the lowermost commodity supported and received, and contacts the upper half of the lowermost commodity. When the load on the drive mechanism increases due to this contact, the upper stopper is held at the contact position until the load is eliminated, and then the upper stopper projects as the lowermost product is dispensed downward. It protrudes to the side of the support position and receives and supports the second product from the lowermost end.
[0018]
Therefore, the upper stopper is moved toward the protruding support position as the lowermost product is dispensed from the state in which the upper stopper is in contact with the upper half of the lowermost product received and supported by the lower support means. Compared to the case where the upper stopper can be moved from the standby position outside the storage / transport path with the delivery of the lower end product, the upper stopper can reliably receive the product, and the product delivery function can be improved. it can.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The commodity dispensing device of the vending machine shown in FIGS. 1 to 16 is a state in which a plurality of commodities G such as beverage cans, beverage bottles, and PET bottles can be dispensed downward into a cabinet of a cabinet surrounded by heat insulating walls. A plurality of storage / conveyance paths S for stacking and storing in a lateral orientation substantially along the vertical direction are formed, and a lower support for receiving and supporting the commodity G located at the lowermost end is formed below each of the storage / conveyance paths S. Means A and upper support means B for receiving and supporting the commodity G located second from the lowermost end are provided, and the commodity located second from the lowermost end based on the commodity delivery command signal (sales command signal). It is configured to pay out the products G located at the lowermost end one by one while receiving the Gs.
[0020]
The lower support means A and the upper support means B are assembled to a sheet metal payout frame 2 attached to a pair of side plates 1 opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction of the product forming the storage transport path S. A payout unit U that can be assembled in a back-to-back state when adjacent to each other is configured.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the lower support means A has a first horizontal axis X1 around the height position corresponding to the receiving position of the lowermost product G or near the height position thereof along the product longitudinal direction. The lower part which can be freely switched between a receiving position for receiving and supporting the lowermost product G by projecting in the storage conveyance path S with a gentle downward inclination and receiving and supporting the lowermost product G by its own weight by the vertical swing at A stopper 3 and an elastic urging member 4 for urging the lower stopper 3 to return to a receiving position are provided, and a contact between the stopper 3 and a lock link 10 which moves up and down in conjunction with the swing of the lower stopper 3 is provided. A lock mechanism C that locks the lower stopper 3 at the receiving position by the contact is provided.
[0022]
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 13, the upper support means B has a second horizontal axis along the product longitudinal direction at a position deviated above the receiving position of the product G located second from the lowermost end. By swinging with the core X2 as a fulcrum, a projecting support position P4 for projecting into the storage transport path S while receiving an article G while drawing an arc trajectory so as to scoop the second product G, and the storage transport path S An upper stopper 5 that can be switched to a standby position P1 that stands by in a substantially upright position on the outer side, a switching operation of the upper stopper 5 between the standby position P1 and the protruding support position P4, and the upper stopper And a drive mechanism D for switching the lock mechanism C between the locked state and the unlocked state in conjunction with the switching operation of No. 5.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the upper stopper 5 receives a plurality of kinds of articles G to be received and supported by the lower stopper 3 of the lower support means A when switching from the standby position P1 to the protruding support position P4. Of the smallest product G (product having the smallest cross-sectional shape), and obliquely toward an area corresponding to the upper half portion of the largest product G (product having the largest cross-sectional shape). The drive mechanism D is configured to protrude downward and the upper stopper 5 protruded from the standby position P1 to the protruding support position P4 abuts on the upper half of the lowermost commodity G to reduce the load. When the load increases, the upper stopper 5 is held at the contact position P2 while applying the protruding moving force until the load is eliminated.
[0024]
That is, when dispensing the lowermost commodity G received and supported by the lower stopper 3 of the lower support means A, the upper stopper 5 located at the standby position P1 outside the storage conveyance path S by the driving mechanism D is moved to the projecting support position P4. When the switching operation is performed, the upper stopper 5 protrudes obliquely downward toward a region corresponding to the upper half of the lowermost commodity G supported and supported by the lower stopper 3 of the lower support means A, and moves the lowermost commodity G When it comes into contact with the upper half and the load increases with this contact, the upper stopper 5 is held at the contact position P2 until the load is eliminated.
[0025]
Thereafter, when the lowermost commodity G received and supported by the lower stopper 3 of the lower supporting means A is paid out downward, the upper stopper 5 projects from the contact position P2 to the projecting support position P4 with the ejection. To receive and support the second product G from the lowermost end. When the delivery of the commodity G located at the lowermost end is completed, the upper stopper 5 at the projecting support position P4 is switched to the standby position P1 outside the storage transport path S by the driving mechanism D, whereby the upper stopper The commodity G, which has been received and supported by 5, is dropped and supplied onto the lower stopper 3 of the lower supporting means A.
[0026]
Further, the upper support means B is provided with an upper stopper 5 projecting from the standby position P1 (specifically, the contact position P2 described above) to the projecting support position P4 and a product G located second from the lowermost end. When a force that pushes the upper stopper 5 back to the standby position P1 due to the contact is generated, the push-back force is converted into a counterforce, and the reverse movement of the upper stopper 5 and the drive mechanism D due to the push-back force is prevented. A push-back preventing mechanism 35 is provided for receiving the push-back force and preventing transmission of the push-back force to the drive mechanism D itself.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the payout frame 2 of the payout unit U includes an upper frame portion 2 </ b> A having an upper guide wall 2 a forming a part of the storage / transport passage S, and a part of the storage / transport passage S. And a lower frame portion 2B provided with a lower guide wall surface 2b that defines the upper guide wall surface 2b. An upper stopper 5 faces the storage transport path S between the upper guide wall surface 2a and the lower guide wall surface 2b. A protruding opening 2C is formed.
[0028]
Next, the linking structure between the lower stopper 3 and the lock link 10 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the lower stopper mounting opening 2F formed in the lower frame portion 2B of the dispensing frame 2 is formed. A fixed swing support shaft 7 located on the first horizontal axis X1 is provided on a pair of mounting pieces 2D formed by bending the opposite sides of the peripheral edge in the product longitudinal direction on the opposite side to the storage and transport path S. The fixed swinging support shaft 7 is horizontally mounted, and has a shaft mounting portion 3A bent at three positions at the base end of the lower stopper 3, and a support made of sheet metal for supporting the lower stopper 3 from the lower surface side thereof. A shaft mounting portion 6B formed on the base end side of both side plates 6A of the arm 6 is externally fitted and supported so that only the vertical swing is possible.
[0029]
In addition, portions of both side plates 6A of the support arm 6 that are deviated from the fixed swing support shaft 7 toward the distal end of the lower stopper 3, that is, substantially the center between the base end and the distal end of the lower stopper 3. A shaft mounting hole 6a for bridging the first pivot connection shaft 9 parallel to the fixed swing support shaft 7 is formed through a lower end portion extending downward from a portion corresponding to the position, and fixed swing is performed. The lower link 8 made of synthetic resin disposed below the support shaft 7 has a boss 8A formed at one end of the lower link 3 that protrudes toward the storage conveyance path S when the lower stopper 3 is at the receiving position. A connection portion 11 for pivotally connecting the first pivot connection shaft 9 is configured.
[0030]
One side plate 6A of the support arm 6 is close to the head 9a of the first pivot connection shaft 9 inserted through the both shaft mounting holes 6a of the connection portion 11 and the boss portion 8A of the lower link 8. A retaining piece 6b for preventing the first pivotal connection shaft 9 from being moved out is bent.
[0031]
Further, a boss 8B formed at the other end of the lower link 8 and a lock that moves up and down along a moving passage formed in the lower frame 2B and on the back side of the fixed swing support shaft 7. A boss 10A formed at the lower end of the link 10 is rotatably pivotally connected to a boss 10A via a second pivot connection shaft 12 parallel to the fixed swing support shaft 7. A lower link guide 13 made of a synthetic resin and having a boss 13A for supporting a substantially central portion in the axial direction of the fixed swing support shaft 7 in a penetrating state is attached to the lower frame portion 2B. Opposite portions of the lower link guide 13 and one of the mounting pieces 2D of the dispensing frame 2 are provided with both ends of a second pivot connecting shaft 12 for pivotally connecting the lock link 10 and the lower link 8 in the vertical direction. To freely move within a certain range of Vertical long hole 13B, 2E are formed.
[0032]
The elastic urging member 4 is connected to a first torsion coil spring 4A as a first return spring for directly applying an elastic urging force toward the receiving position to the first lower stopper 3, and a second pivot connection. A second torsion as a second return spring for urging the shaft 12 to move toward the lower ends of the elongated holes 13B and 2E and urging the boss 8A at one end of the lower link 8 to project toward the storage transport path S. And a coil spring 4B.
[0033]
The two ends of the first torsion coil spring 4 </ b> A provided on the fixed swing support shaft 7 are formed on the upper edge of the spring receiving piece 3 </ b> B formed on the back side of the lower stopper 3 and the mounting opening 2 </ b> F of the dispensing frame 2. The both ends of the second torsion coil spring 4 </ b> B, which is engaged with the mounting piece 2 </ b> G bent and formed along the second pivot connecting shaft 12, are bent on the lower surface side of the support arm 6. The spring receiving piece 6C and the spring receiving recess 8C formed in the lower link 8 are locked.
[0034]
Then, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the lock mechanism C is unlocked, the lower stopper 3 receives the load of the lowermost commodity G that falls by its own weight, and the lower stopper 3 has the elasticity of the first torsion coil spring 4A. At the same time, the support arm 6 and the lower link 8 oscillate downward around the fixed swing support shaft 7 against the biasing force, and the first pivotal connection shaft 9 against the elastic biasing force of the second torsion coil spring 4B. While being folded around, the second pivot connection shaft 12 is moved upward along the long holes 13B and 2E, is pulled into the width of the payout frame 2 and is swung, and the lower stopper 3 is released from the receiving position. Switch to position.
[0035]
When the delivery of the lowermost commodity G is completed, as shown in FIG. 16, the lower stopper 3 swings upward around the fixed swing support shaft 7 by the elastic restoring force of the first torsion coil spring 4A, and at the same time, the support arm 6 And the lower link 8 is pushed open and oscillated around the first pivotal connection shaft 9 by the elastic restoring force of the second torsion coil spring 4B, and the second pivotal connection shaft 12 is moved downward along the slots 13B and 2E. Along with the movement, the boss 8A at one end of the lower link 8 protrudes toward the storage transport path S, and the lower stopper 3 is switched from the release position to the receiving position.
[0036]
When the lower stopper 3 at the release position swings back to the receiving position by the elastic biasing force of the first torsion coil spring 4A, the lower stopper 3 jumps over the receiving position and rebounds again. Even if it occurs, the support arm 6 linked to the lock link 10 and the lower link 8 can separate and swing with respect to the lower stopper 3, and swings back by the elastic biasing force of the second torsion coil spring 4B. Since the movement of the lower stopper 3 can be suppressed by the support arm 6, the time until the rebound phenomenon of the lower stopper 3 ends can be shortened, and the occurrence of the multiple appearance phenomenon can be suppressed.
[0037]
In addition, since the base end of the lower stopper 3 is swingably supported around the fixed swing support shaft 7, the lower stopper 3 itself has less backlash and the lower stopper 3 and the lock link 10 are linked. In this case, the connecting portion 11 of the support arm 6 that swings following the lower stopper 3 almost integrally with the lower stopper 3 via the lower link 8 disposed below the fixed swing support shaft 7, and the fixed swing. Since the lower end of the lock link 10 that moves up and down through the back of the support shaft 7 is pivotally connected, the connecting portion 11 of the support arm 6 is largely displaced from the fixed swing support shaft 7 to the distal end side of the lower stopper 3, In addition, the lower stopper 3 can be disposed at a position largely deviated downward, so that the amount of bending of the lower stopper 3 due to a product load and a drop impact can be suppressed. It is possible to reduce the upward force of Klink 10.
[0038]
The lock mechanism C will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, the lock link 10 is externally fitted to the second pivot connection shaft 12 so as to be relatively rotatable in an upwardly protruding posture. In addition, at the upper part in the lower frame portion 2B, the swinging around the pivot 21 parallel to the fixed swinging shaft 7 abuts on the upper end of the lock link 10 to release the lower stopper 3. The lock is switched between a lock position (a position shown in FIG. 7A) that prevents the switching operation to the lock position and a lock release position (a position shown in FIG. 7B) that allows the lock link 10 to move upward. Block 22 is pivoted.
[0039]
At the upper end of the lock link 10, when the lower stopper 3 moves downward in conjunction with the switching operation from the release position to the receiving position, the boss portion of the lock block 22 as shown in FIG. A forced return piece 10a is formed which engages with the protruding piece 22a provided at the lock position and forcibly switches and locks the lock block 22 at the lock release position to the lock position.
[0040]
Further, between the lock block 22 at the lock position and the lock guide portion 23 fixed in the lower frame portion 2B, a concave portion 25 into which the lock operation plate 24 linked to the drive mechanism D is engaged from above and below is provided. When the lock operation plate 24 is engaged in the recess 25, the lock block 22 is prevented from swinging to the unlocked position, and the lock operation plate 24 is pulled out of the recess 25. In the state, the lock block 22 is switched to the unlocked position and rocked by the upward movement of the lock link 10 accompanying the switching operation of the lower stopper 3 to the release position.
[0041]
Next, the structure of the storage transport passage S will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of the side plate 1 forming the storage transport passage S that faces the projecting movement position of the upper stopper 5, in other words, In this case, a convex portion 26 that protrudes inward of the storage transport passage S is provided at a position opposite to the tip of the upper stopper 5 at the protruding support position P4. The distance H (see FIG. 15B) between the tip position P3 (hereinafter, referred to as a block position) of the upper stopper 5 and the convex portion 26 when the product is received in the longitudinal direction of the product is determined by the upper stopper 5. The upper limit dimension for receiving and supporting the product G (in this embodiment, the upper limit dimension for receiving and supporting the square PET bottle product by the upper stopper 5, for example, H = 50.93).
[0042]
Further, in the portion of the side plate 1 forming the storage transport passage S above the convex portion 26, the product G located above the projecting movement position of the upper stopper 5 in the storage transport passage S is stored. There is provided a merchandise moving tool 27 for moving the upper stopper 5 with the elastic urging force in the width direction of S toward the deployment side of the upper stopper 5.
[0043]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 to 6, the upper stopper 5 includes a product receiving portion 5 </ b> A having a length larger than the entire length of the product G, and a product longitudinal portion of the product receiving portion 5 </ b> A. And a pair of arms 5B extending upward from both ends in the direction, and is a constituent member of the dispensing frame 2 of the dispensing unit U, and protrudes into the storage transport passage S from both sides in the product longitudinal direction of the upper frame 2A. The two arms of the upper stopper 5 are located near the center in the width direction of the storage and transport passage S and above the receiving position of the product G located second from the lowermost end of the both side plate members 2H. The portion 5B is pivotally attached around the second pivot 30 constituting the second horizontal axis X2.
[0044]
The product receiving portion 5A of the upper stopper 5 is configured to be stored in the storage space 2J in the substantially vertical position through the protrusion 2C of the payout frame 2 when the switch is operated from the protruding support position P4 to the standby position P1. And at the time of the switching movement from the standby position P1 to the protruding support position P4, of the upper half portion of the lowermost product G received by the lower stopper 3, the second position from the center position of the lowermost product G. The merchandise G is configured to protrude obliquely downward while drawing an arc trajectory toward a region corresponding to the range up to the bottom position of the product G.
[0045]
Next, the drive mechanism D will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the unlocking operation of the lock mechanism C and the projecting support position of the upper stopper 5 are provided on the back side of the upper frame portion 2A of the dispensing frame 2. Solenoid 31 for switching operation to P4, locking return spring 32A using a tension coil spring for locking operation of lock mechanism C, and upper stopper using a tension coil spring for switching operation of upper stopper 5 to standby position p1. A return spring 32B is provided, and a lock operation plate 24 is interlockedly connected to the solenoid plate 31B connected to the plunger 31A of the solenoid 31 in a vertical posture via a pivot pin 29, while the drive mechanism D The upper stopper 5 is connected to the solenoid plate 31B and the upper stopper as a linkage mechanism for the upper stopper. Linkage mechanism 33 is provided that links the -5.
[0046]
The solenoid 31 and the lock operation plate 24 are provided on one side in the product longitudinal direction with respect to the upper frame 2A, and the linkage mechanism 33 is provided on the other side in the product longitudinal direction with respect to the upper frame 2A. The link mechanism 33 is provided with a stroke enlarging means 34 for enlarging the operation stroke of the solenoid 31 and transmitting the operation stroke to the upper stopper 5.
[0047]
As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8 to 12, one end of the link mechanism 33 is in contact with the upper surface of an engagement piece 31 b formed at the lower end of the solenoid plate 31 </ b> B from above, Further, a stroke expanding lever 34 as a stroke expanding means capable of swinging the seesaw around the horizontal axis along the passage width direction, and a relay link 36 pivotally connected to the base end of the upper stopper 5 so as to be relatively swingable. , And the push-back preventing mechanism 35 interposed between the other end of the stroke expanding lever 34 and the relay link 36.
[0048]
The stroke enlarging lever 34 is pivotally attached to the dispensing frame 2 via a pivot pin 39 in a state of being biased toward the solenoid 31 side, and has a lever length from the pivot pin 39 to an engagement position with the solenoid plate 31B. The operating stroke of the solenoid 31 is increased to a set multiple (for example, about 2.5 times) by the lever ratio with the lever length from the pivot pin 39 to the connection position with the push-back preventing mechanism 35.
[0049]
While one end of the stroke enlarging lever 34 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the engagement piece 31b of the solenoid plate 31B from above, the return spring 32A for locking, which controls the locking operation of the lock mechanism C, has its upper end connected to the solenoid. The upper end of the plate 31B is connected to the pivot pin 29 connecting the solenoid plate 31B and the lock operation plate 24, and the lower end is connected to the dispensing frame 2 as a fixed portion. When the plunger 31A of FIG. 31 is operated to be attracted upward, the stroke expanding lever 34 causes the upper stopper 5 to be moved by the electromagnetic attraction force of the solenoid 31 against the return biasing force of the lock return spring 32A and the upper stopper return spring 32B. A swing operation is performed on the side to be operated to protrude from the standby position P1 (see FIG. The lock operation plate 24 is lifted upward (i.e., the unlocking side of the lock mechanism C) by the electromagnetic attraction force of the solenoid 31 while the lock operation plate 24 is integrally rotated. Is stopped, the locking return spring 32A is returned in a state where the edge of the upper stopper 5 is cut off at the contact engagement portion between the engagement piece 31b of the solenoid plate 31B and one end of the stroke expansion lever 34. The lock operation plate 24 is independently pulled down by the urging force, so that the lock operation of the lock mechanism C is performed promptly.
[0050]
When the energization of the solenoid 31 is stopped, the stroke enlarging lever 34 returns the upper stopper return spring 32B in a form following the pulling-down operation of the solenoid plate 31B and the lock operation plate 24 by the lock return spring 32A as described above. A return swing operation (a swing operation counterclockwise in the drawing) is performed by the biasing force to return the upper stopper 5 to the standby position P1.
[0051]
Each of the solenoid plate 31B, the lock operation plate 24, the stroke enlarging lever 34, and the push-back preventing mechanism 35 is configured to have a posture along the storage / transport path side surface of the dispensing unit U, that is, the upper guide wall surface 2a and the lower guide wall surface 2b. As a result, the dispensing unit U is reduced in thickness, and the stroke enlargement lever 34 is disposed in a horizontal position, so that the dispenser unit U is attached to the side of the solenoid 31 and above the stroke enlargement lever 34 in a back-to-back state. Since the recess 2K into which the solenoid 31 of another dispensing unit U can be inserted can be formed, the thickness can be reduced particularly when the two dispensing units U are assembled in a back-to-back state.
[0052]
Next, the push-back preventing mechanism 35 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8 to 12, the push-back preventing mechanism 35 moves up and down in an interlocking state with the upper stopper 5 in the linking mechanism 33. When the upper stopper 5 that moves reciprocally and protrudes and comes into contact with the product G located second from the lowermost end, a force is generated that pushes the upper stopper 5 back to the standby position P1. The locking device 35A that switches from the non-locking position to the locking position by the pushing back force and the locking device 35A that is moved upward (ie, returns) as the upper stopper 5 moves toward the standby position P1 are disengaged. The passage of the locking tool 35A in the stopping position is allowed, whereas the passage of the locking tool 35A in the locking position is prevented by abutment with the locking tool 35A. Provided in A contact portion 35B is provided, and by preventing passage of the locking tool 35A by the contact at the contact portion 35B, the pushing force is converted into a counter-force by the contact portion 35B, and the upper portion is formed by the pushing force. The reverse movement of the stopper 5 and the drive mechanism D is prevented, and the pushing force is received by the contact portion 35B, and the transmission of the pushing force to the drive mechanism D itself is prevented.
[0053]
More specifically, the push-back preventing mechanism 35 is a driving mechanism side linking member that is engaged and connected to the other end of the stroke expanding lever 34 on the back side so as to move up and down in conjunction with the swing of the stroke expanding lever 34. An upper stopper whose lower end is connected to the relay link 36 in a state in which the outer link plate 40 is engaged with the outer link plate 50 so as to allow only relative movement in the vertical direction with the outer link plate 50. The inner linking plate 41 as a side linking member, the upper first pivotal portion a is engaged with the engaging hole 40a formed in the outer linking plate 40 through the elongated hole 41a formed in the inner linking plate 41 by the pin 42. And a rhombus-shaped structure as the locking tool 35A in which the lower third pivoting portion b at a diagonal position with respect to the first pivoting portion a is connected to the inner link plate 41. The link 43 is connected to the payout frame 2 so as to guide the vertical movement of the inner link plate 41 and the outer link plate 40 (in other words, to guide the vertical movement of the four link 43) using both side edges as guides 44a. It comprises a fixed guide plate 44 and a step portion 45 as the contact portion 35B formed on the guides 44a on both side edges of the guide plate 44.
[0054]
The step portion 45 as the contact portion 35B is moved by the pushing back force in the upward movement operation (return operation) of the four-joint link 43 due to the movement of the upper stopper 5 toward the standby position P1, and the second pivot portion c The passage of the wide four-bar link 53 having an increased separation dimension between the second pivot portion d and the fourth pivot portion d is prevented by abutment between the second pivot portion c and the fourth pivot portion d. The return spring 32B has a lower end connected to the outer link plate 40 and an upper end connected to the dispensing frame 2 as a fixed portion.
[0055]
Further, in forming the moving operation path of the four-joint link 43 in the guide plate 44, the path portion below the step portion 45 has a large width dimension L2 that allows the switching of the four-joint link 43 to the wide locking posture. On the other hand, the path portion above the step 55 prevents the switching of the four-node link 53 to the wide locking position by contact with the second pivot portion c and the fourth pivot portion d. The path has a small width dimension L1, whereby the four-node link 43 reaches the step 45 in the downward movement operation (forward operation) of the four-node link 43 accompanying the movement of the upper stopper 5 toward the protruding support position P4. Until the locking tool 35A reaches the contact portion 35B, the four-node link 43 is kept in a narrow non-locking position.
[0056]
That is, FIG. 8 shows the state of the push-back preventing mechanism 35 when the upper stopper 5 is at the standby position P1, and the four-link 43 shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The state of the four-node link 43 when the lower-most product G is received and supported by the lower stopper 3 by the protruding movement from P1 and is in the contact position P2 is shown. It is held in the narrow non-locking position by the path of L1.
[0057]
FIG. 9 shows the state of the push-back preventing mechanism 35 when the upper stopper 5 is protruding from the contact position P2 toward the protruding support position P4. In this state, the suction force of the solenoid 31 is applied via the stroke enlarging lever 34. On the other hand, while acting on the outer linking plate 40, the weight of the upper stopper 5 is applied to the inner linking plate 41 via the relay link 36, so that the four-link 43 is in a narrow non-locking position or a position close thereto.
[0058]
FIG. 10 shows the state of the push-back preventing mechanism 35 when the upper stopper 5 is at the protruding support position P4. When the upper stopper 5 is at the protruding support position P4, the push-back preventing mechanism 35 is connected to the outer link plate 40 via the stroke enlarging lever 34. The four-link 43 is in a wide locking position due to the suction force of the acting solenoid 31.
[0059]
On the other hand, FIG. 11 pushes the upper stopper 5 back to the standby position P1 by the contact between the upper stopper 5 protruding from the contact position P2 toward the protruding support position P4 and the product G located second from the lowermost end. A force is generated, and the four-joint link 43 in the wide locking position due to the pushing back force is blocked from passing by the step portion 45 in the middle of a slight upward movement, and in this state, the upper stopper 5 is It is held at the block position P3.
[0060]
FIG. 12 shows the state of the push-back preventing mechanism 35 when the upper stopper 5 is returned from the protruding support position P4 to the standby position P1 by the return biasing force of the upper stopper return spring 32B. In this state, the upper stopper return spring 32B is used. By pulling up the outer link plate 40, the four-bar link 43 is in a narrow, non-locking position. Similarly, when the upper stopper 5 held at the block position P3 by the generation of the pushing back force is returned to the standby position P1 by the return biasing force of the return spring 32B for the upper stopper, the four-bar link 43 also has the same width. It becomes a narrow non-locking posture.
[0061]
Next, the dispensing operation of the commodity dispensing device configured as described above will be described.
First, in a standby state in which the pay-out command signal (sales command signal) is not output, the lower stopper 3 is locked at the product receiving position by the lock mechanism C and the upper stopper as shown in FIG. 5 is stored at the standby position P1 in the storage space 2J of the payout frame 2.
[0062]
At this time, the lowermost product G received at the distal end of the lower stopper 3 comes into contact with the convex portion 26 formed on the side plate 1, and the lowermost product G is moved by the protrusion of the convex portion 26 to the upper stopper 5. Of the product G received by the lower stopper 3 and corresponding to the upper half portion of the product G, is shifted upward, and the upper stopper 5 Is set high, and in particular, the pinching during the dispensing of the square PET bottle product can be suppressed, and under the same operating stroke of the upper stopper 5, the convex portion 26 is provided. Since the outer diameter of the smallest commodities G that can be stored is smaller than in the case where they are not installed, the types of commodities G that can be sold increase.
[0063]
Next, when a payout command signal (sales command signal) is output, as shown in FIG. 13B, the plunger 31A of the solenoid 31 is suction-operated by energization, and the lock operation plate 24 is pulled out of the recess 25. At the same time as the lock mechanism C is unlocked, the stroke enlarging lever 34 swings clockwise in the drawing, and the upper stopper 5 located at the standby position P1 is moved to the second pivot supporting the second horizontal axis X2. With the shaft 30 as a fulcrum, the robot 30 moves obliquely downward while drawing an arc trajectory toward an area corresponding to the upper half of the lowermost product G received by the lower stopper 3.
[0064]
During the protruding movement, the tip of the upper stopper 5 comes into contact with the upper half of the lowermost commodity G received by the lower stopper 3, and when the load increases with this contact, the characteristics of the solenoid 31 cause Until the load is eliminated, the upper stopper 3 is temporarily held at the contact position P2 while applying the projecting movement force to the projecting support position P4.
[0065]
Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 13 (b) to 14 (a) and (b), the lower stopper 3 unlocked by the load of the lowermost commodity G falling by its own weight swings to the release position, The upper stopper 3 protrudes from the contact position P2 to the protruding support position P4 as the lowermost product G is dispensed downward, and receives and supports the second product G from the lowermost position by scooping from below.
[0066]
Further, the contact between the upper stopper 5 protruding from the contact position P2 toward the protruding support position P4 and the product G located second from the lowermost end generates a force for pushing the upper stopper 5 back to the standby position P1. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 13 (b) to 15 (a) and (b), the upper stopper 5 slightly returns by the action of the push-back preventing mechanism 35 and is held at the block position P3.
[0067]
At this time, the distance between the tip position P3 (block position) of the upper stopper 5 and the convex portion 26 when the pushback force is received by the pushback prevention mechanism 35 in the product longitudinal direction is determined by the upper stopper 5 for the product G. Since the upper limit dimension is such that the support can be received and supported, the product G can be reliably received by the cooperation of the upper stopper 5 and the projection 26 even when the upper stopper 5 is held at the block position P3. Can be stopped.
[0068]
When the dispensing of the lowermost commodity G is completed, the lower stopper 3 returns from the release position to the receiving position as shown in FIGS. 16 (a) and (b). When the power supply to the solenoid 31 is cut off later, the lock operation plate 24 is pulled down by the return biasing force of the lock return spring 32 </ b> A, and the lower end of the lock operation plate 24 is engaged in the recess 25. The lock mechanism C is locked.
[0069]
The return biasing force of the upper stopper return spring 32B causes the stroke expansion lever 34 to return and swing counterclockwise in the drawing, and the pushback prevention mechanism 35 and the relay link 36 are lifted upward to support the protrusion. The upper stopper 5 located at the position P4 or the block position P3 arcs toward the protrusion 2C of the dispensing frame 2 on the side of the storage / transport passage S, with the second pivot 30 constituting the second horizontal axis X2 as a fulcrum. It swings obliquely upward while drawing a locus, and is stored in the storage space 2F in a substantially vertical orientation through the protrusion 2C of the payout frame 2.
[0070]
[Another embodiment]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the upper stopper 5 is switched between the standby position P1 and the protruding support position P4 by swinging around the horizontal axis X2. However, the standby position P1 and the protruding support position of the upper stopper 5 are set. Switching over to P4 is not limited to swinging, and the upper stopper 5 may be switched over between the standby position P1 and the protruding support position P4 by a linear operation or an operation involving bending.
[0071]
(2) In the above-described embodiment, the upper stopper 5 is caused to protrude from the standby position P1 to the protruding support position P4 by the electromagnetic attraction force of the solenoid 31, but a driving unit other than the solenoid 31 such as a motor or a cylinder is used. The upper stopper 5 may be caused to protrude from the standby position P1 to the protruding support position P4.
[0072]
(3) The specific structure of the linking mechanism 33 connecting the driving means D and the upper stopper 5 is not limited to the structure shown in the above-described embodiment, and various configurations can be changed. The structure also moves reciprocally in an interlocked state with the upper stopper 5, and moves the upper stopper 5 projecting and the product G located second from the lowermost end to move the upper stopper 5 to the standby position P1. The locking tool 35A switches from the non-locking position to the locking position due to the pressing force when a pressing force is generated on the side of the upper stopper 5, and the locking tool 35A accompanying the movement of the upper stopper 5 to the standby position P1 side. In the moving operation (returning operation), the passage of the locking member 35A in the non-locking position is allowed, whereas the passage of the locking member 35A in the locking position is prevented by contact with the locking member 35A. Movement movement path of the stopper 35A Instead of configuring the pushback prevention mechanism 35 at the abutting portion 35B provided in the middle, and various configuration changes.
[0073]
(4) In the above-described embodiment, the fixed swing support shaft 7 for pivotally supporting the shaft attachment portion 3A of the lower stopper 3 is pivotally connected to the shaft attachment portion 6B of the support arm 6 for supporting the lower stopper 3 from the lower surface thereof. The support arm 6 is formed with a connecting portion 11 that swings substantially integrally with the lower surface of the lower stopper 3 on the lower surface side of the lower arm 3. However, the connecting portion 11 is formed integrally with the lower stopper 3 or connected. The support arm 6 having the portion 11 may be fixed to the lower stopper 3 so that the connecting portion 11 swings integrally with the lower stopper 3 on the lower surface side of the lower stopper 3.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view sectional view showing a first embodiment of a commodity dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, in which an upper stopper is at a standby position and a lower stopper is at a receiving position.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the commodity dispensing apparatus when an upper stopper is at a protruding support position and a lower stopper is at a receiving position.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an interlocking system of a lower stopper.
FIG. 4 is a front view of a lower portion of the payout unit.
FIG. 5 is a rear view of the payout unit.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing an interlocking system of an upper stopper.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a lock mechanism.
FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view of the push-back preventing mechanism.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the push-back preventing mechanism.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the push-back preventing mechanism.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the push-back preventing mechanism.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the push-back preventing mechanism.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the commodity delivery device.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the operation of the commodity delivery device.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the commodity delivery device.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the commodity delivery device.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view showing a conventional product dispensing apparatus, in which an upper stopper is at a standby position and a lower stopper is at a receiving position.
[Explanation of symbols]
3 Lower stopper
4 Elastic biasing body
4A 1st return spring (1st torsion coil spring)
4B 2nd return spring (2nd torsion coil spring)
5 Upper stopper
6 Support arm
7 Fixed swing support shaft
8 Lower link
10 Lock link
11 Connecting part
12 pivot connection shaft (second pivot connection shaft)
35 Pushback prevention mechanism
A Lower support means
B Upper support means
C lock mechanism
D drive mechanism
G Product
S Storage conveyance passage
P1 standby position
P4 Projection support position
X1 horizontal axis core (first horizontal axis core)

Claims (4)

A lower support means for receiving and supporting a product located at the lowermost end, and a receiving and supporting product located second from the lowermost end, at a lower portion of the storage transport path for stacking and storing a plurality of products in a state capable of being discharged downward. The lower supporting means swings between a receiving position for receiving and supporting the lowermost product and a discharging position for dropping and discharging the received product by its own weight. The lower stopper is received by contacting a switchable lower stopper, an elastic biasing body that oscillates the lower stopper to the receiving position, and a lock link that moves up and down in conjunction with the swing of the lower stopper. A vending machine having a lock mechanism for locking at a stop position and a drive mechanism for switching the lock mechanism between a locked state and an unlocked state,
A fixed swing support shaft is provided for supporting the base end of the lower stopper so as to be able to swing up and down around the horizontal axis.A lower end of a lock link that moves up and down through the back of the fixed swing support shaft and a lower stopper. A connecting portion provided at a position deviated from the fixed swing support shaft to the distal end side in a state of swinging integrally or substantially integrally with the lower surface side, and disposed below the fixed swing support shaft. A vending machine which is pivotally connected via a lower link and has a pivotally connected shaft between the lock link and the lower link movably supported within a certain range in the vertical direction. The connecting portion is formed on a support arm which is vertically swingably supported on a fixed swing support shaft through a lower surface side of a lower stopper, and a first return which is one of the constituent members as the elastic urging member. The elastic biasing force of the spring is directly applied to the lower stopper.Furthermore, between the support arm and the lower link, the other structural member as an elastic biasing member moves the pivot connecting shaft to the lower end side of the vertical movement range. 2. The product dispensing device for a vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a second return spring that is biased to move. An upper stopper configured to be freely switchable between a projecting support position for receiving and supporting a product in the storage / conveyance path and a standby position located outside the storage / conveyance path; and And a drive mechanism for switching between the projecting support position and the upper stopper projecting from the standby position to the projecting support position, and the upper stopper being brought into contact with the product located second from the lowermost end to set the upper stopper at the standby position. And a push-back preventing mechanism for converting the push-back force into a counter-force when the push-back force is generated, and preventing the upper stopper and the drive mechanism from being reversely moved by the push-back force. Item 4. A commodity dispensing device for a vending machine according to Item 2. The upper stopper is configured to protrude obliquely downward toward a region corresponding to the upper half portion of the lowermost product received and supported by the lower support means when switching from the standby position to the protruding support position. In addition, when the upper stopper that protrudes from the standby position to the protruding support position comes into contact with the lowermost commodity and increases the load, the driving mechanism holds the upper stopper in the contact position until the load is eliminated. 4. The vending machine product dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine is configured to:

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