JP2005018151A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact vending machine allowing a bucket to certainly acquire a commodity from a commodity carrying unit, having low production cost. <P>SOLUTION: This vending machine has: a plurality of commodity carrying units each carrying a commodity line to a head commodity side; a commodity shelf installed with the plurality of commodity carrying units in the orthogonal direction to a carrying direction of the commodity line at prescribed intervals; and the bucket having a commodity acquisition port selectively opposite to the plurality of commodity carrying units installed to the commodity shelf, and moving in the orthogonal direction to acquire the head commodity of the commodity line. The bucket has: a cam for executing a plurality of operations required when acquiring the head commodity of the commodity line; a drive motor rotationally driving the cam; and a rotary switch rotating together with the cam to detect a rotation position of the cam, and supplying a detection signal in that time to a control part for controlling the plurality of operations. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique that is effective when applied to a vending machine that sells a product by acquiring the product from a product row by a bucket and transporting the product to a product take-out unit, particularly a see-through type vending machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some vending machines have a product shelf in which a plurality of product transport units for storing and transporting products in a row are arranged in parallel. Some of these vending machines further include a bucket for acquiring a product from the product transport unit and transporting the product to a product take-out unit. The bucket has a product acquisition port, and the bucket is moved by an appropriate moving mechanism from the standby position so that the product acquisition port faces the opening of each product transport unit.
[0003]
Some merchandise transport units have a fixed gear for transmitting a driving force for transporting the merchandise row at the opening. In addition, some of the buckets are provided with a movable gear that meshes with the fixed gear and transmits a driving force to the fixed gear. For example, the movable gear is rotatably supported with respect to an appropriate arm, and the arm is driven to move forward and backward by an appropriate driving means via an appropriate cam with respect to the bucket. By this advance / retreat movement of the arm, the movable gear of the bucket can move between a position where it is engaged with the fixed gear of the commodity transport unit and a position where it is separated from the fixed gear. Here, this arm is supported by an appropriate shaft via an appropriate cam, and the timing of advance / retreat movement is taken according to the rotation angle of the shaft. Further, a disc (cam disc) provided with a part of the cam and supported by the shaft is rotationally driven by an appropriate driving means, and the rotation angle is detected by an appropriate rotation angle detection switch. .
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-113307 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the rotation angle detection switch is a so-called micro switch that is turned on / off by, for example, engaging with a protrusion provided on the cam disk as appropriate, the detection accuracy of the rotation angle of the cam disk is It will drop due to the installation error of the projection and the microswitch. In general, since the detection accuracy of the microswitch is relatively low, if such an installation error is added, there is a possibility that the positioning error of the cam disk increases. For example, if the moving error of the movable gear is shifted due to the cam disk positioning error, for example, the movable gear may not mesh well with the fixed gear of the product transport unit, and thus the driving force may not be transmitted smoothly. Arise. Further, if the bucket performs a plurality of operations such as the movement of the movable gear when the product is acquired, the plurality of operations may not be performed at an appropriate timing due to the positioning error of the cam disk. Occurs. Therefore, there is a possibility that the bucket cannot reliably acquire the product from the product transport unit.
[0006]
Further, the number of microswitches provided in the bucket needs to be at least according to the type of a predetermined rotation angle that the cam disk should take. Therefore, if a plurality of operations such as the movement of the movable gear is performed when the bucket acquires a product, the bucket needs at least a number of micro switches corresponding to the number of the operations. Since the microswitch is relatively expensive, the manufacturing cost of the vending machine that frequently uses the microswitch becomes high, and the vending machine becomes large.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a compact vending machine in which a bucket can reliably acquire a product from a product transport unit, has a low manufacturing cost, and is compact.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is that a plurality of product transport units for transporting a product row to the top product side, and the plurality of product transport units are mounted at a predetermined interval in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the product row. A product shelf, a product acquisition port that selectively faces the plurality of product transport units mounted on the product shelf, and a bucket that moves in the orthogonal direction to acquire a top product in the product row; The bucket includes a cam for performing a plurality of operations necessary for obtaining the top product of the product row, a drive motor for rotating the cam, and the cam. A rotary switch that rotates to detect a rotational position of the cam and supplies a detection signal at this time to a control unit for controlling the plurality of operations.
[0009]
According to this vending machine, when the bucket acquires the first product in the product row of the product transport unit, the cam is rotationally driven by the drive motor, and the rotation of the cam performs a plurality of operations for acquiring the product. Is done. On the other hand, the rotational position of the cam is detected by a rotary switch, and the detection signal is supplied to the control unit. Therefore, the control unit can perform the plurality of operations at an appropriate timing and perform the product acquisition efficiently by appropriately driving the drive motor based on the detection signal. Further, for example, the plurality of operations can be executed by rotating the cam by one drive motor and detecting the rotation position by one rotary switch, for example. Therefore, the plurality of operations in the bucket can be executed synchronously, and the number of drive motors required for the bucket can be reduced. In addition, one rotary switch can fulfill the function of, for example, a plurality of micro switches provided in a bucket of a conventional vending machine. Accordingly, the bucket can reliably acquire the product from the product transport unit, and a compact vending machine can be realized with low manufacturing cost and low power consumption.
[0010]
Further, in the vending machine, the rotary switch includes a plurality of switches that are in contact or non-contact in correspondence with the plurality of operations, and a plurality of switches for selectively making the plurality of switches contact or non-contact. A rotation plate that has a protrusion on a surface that intersects the rotation axis and rotates together with the cam, and a signal when the plurality of switches are in contact or non-contact according to the rotation of the rotation plate, The detection signal is supplied to the control unit.
[0011]
According to this vending machine, when the bucket acquires the first product in the product row of the product transport unit, when the cam is rotationally driven by the drive motor, the rotary plate of the rotary switch rotates with the rotation of the cam. As a result, the plurality of protrusions on the surface of the rotating plate that intersects the rotating shaft rotate around the rotating shaft. Therefore, if a plurality of protrusions are arranged on the rotating plate so that the plurality of switches are selectively brought into contact or non-contact according to the rotation angle of the cam, a detection signal corresponding to the rotation position of the cam is sent to the control unit. Is supplied. Based on the detection signal, the control unit appropriately drives the drive motor, so that a plurality of operations at the time of product acquisition can be executed at appropriate timing to efficiently acquire the product. Further, for example, the plurality of operations can be executed by one rotary switch. Therefore, the bucket can reliably acquire the product from the product transport unit, and the vending machine is reduced in manufacturing cost and compact.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
=== Configuration of see-through vending machine ===
A configuration example of the vending machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The vending machine according to the present embodiment is a see-through type vending machine that allows a user to make a purchase selection by seeing through the door panel 13 the actual product to be sold. The outline of this see-through type vending machine will be described below.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine according to the present embodiment allows the products 11 arranged and stored in a row in a plurality of product storage / unload columns (product transport units) 400 to be horizontally aligned (in the X direction in FIG. 1). ) And the vertical direction (the Y direction in FIG. 1) is selectively acquired by the bucket 90 and is conveyed to the product takeout unit 16. The product storage / unloading column 400 stores the products 11 in a line in the front-rear direction of the vending machine (the Z direction in FIG. 1 and hereinafter referred to as the depth direction or the product transport direction), and from the bucket 90 side. It is configured to sequentially deliver and carry out the commodity 11 forward in the Z direction of the column by power transmission. The bucket 90 is configured to move in the XY direction along the space between the product storage / conveyance column 400 and the door panel 13. The bucket 90 moves so that the product acquisition port faces the opening of the product storage carry-out column 400 in which the product 11 purchased and selected by the user is stored, and acquires the product 11. To be transported to. Whether or not the product 11 is properly conveyed from the product storage / conveyance column 400 to the bucket 90 is detected by an optical product detection sensor 91 (FIG. 3) provided in the bucket 90. Hereinafter, the vending machine according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically with reference to each drawing.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration example of a see-through type vending machine according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front. In FIG. 1, a front-opening type product storage unit 12 is formed in a casing 10 of the vending machine. A machine room 10a provided adjacent to the lower part of the product storage unit 12 stores a system for cooling and heating. The front surface of the housing 10 is closed by a door panel 13 so as to be opened and closed. Here, the door panel 13 has a see-through window that is wide enough to allow the entire product storage unit 12 to be seen through. Other than the see-through window, an operation panel 14 for selecting a purchased product, a bill / coin receiving device 15, a product take-out unit 16, a change / refund dispensing unit 17, a lock device (only a key hole is shown) 18 and the like are arranged. It is installed. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of drawer-type product shelves 30 are mounted in the product storage unit 12 at regular intervals in the vertical direction (Y direction). In each product shelf 30, a plurality of product storage / unload columns 400 are arranged in parallel by being partitioned by a partition plate 65.
[0015]
In each commodity storage / unload column 400, the commodity 11 is stored in a state of being arranged in a line in the transport direction (Z direction). In the vending machine according to the present embodiment, for example, a total of 48 product storage / discharge columns 411 to 485 are stored in the 8-stage product shelf 30. The product 11 in the product storage / unloading column 400 is fed to the opening of the product storage / unloading column 400 and is viewed through the door panel 13. The product 11 fed out to the opening of the product storage / unloading column 400 is selected by a movable carry-out device called a catcher based on the user's selection and is carried out to the product take-out unit 16. The catcher includes a bucket 90 that acquires the product 11 from the product storage / conveyance column 400, and an XY drive mechanism that moves the bucket 90 in the XY directions. The XY drive mechanism has a movable frame 81 that is driven to move in the vertical direction (Y direction). By moving the bucket 90 in the horizontal direction (X direction) on the movable frame 81, the bucket 90 is moved to a desired position. It is supposed to move up to. A space (not shown) for moving the bucket 90 in the XY direction is secured between the product storage / carrying column 400 and the door panel 13.
[0016]
The bucket 90 moves in the XY direction along the space between the opening of the product storage / unload column 400 and the door panel 13 and stores the product 11 selected by the user's operation. The product acquisition port is opposed to the opening of 400 to acquire the product 11. The bucket 90 further conveys the product 11 acquired from the product storage / unload column 400 to the product take-out unit 16 and delivers the product 11 with the product take-out port facing the product take-out unit 16. Here, the bucket 90 according to the present embodiment has appropriate drive means including a bucket drive motor 910 (FIG. 10) to self-travel in the X direction on a guide rail 81 a (FIG. 3) provided on the movable frame 81. A lower portion of the bucket 90 is provided. A movable stopper 70 is provided at the opening of each product storage / conveyance column 400 to separate the products 11 to be fed forward in the Z direction one by one. The movable stopper 70 is always urged by a spring (not shown) at a position where it comes into contact with the product 11 at the opening of the product storage / unload column 400, but the bucket 90 is positioned in front of the product storage / unload column 400 in the Z direction. When this occurs, the stopper function is released by being retracted to the non-contact position by an operation from the bucket 90 side. Thereby, the products 11 in the opening of the product storage / conveyance column 400 are pushed forward one by one in the Z direction and transferred to the bucket 90.
[0017]
<<< Commodity transport unit >>>
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of main parts of the drawer-type product shelf 30 and the product storage / conveying column 400. As shown in FIG. 2, the product storage / unload column 400 of the present embodiment has a product transport unit conveyor belt 43 that is driven in a fixed direction (Z direction). The products 11 are stored in a line on the product transport unit conveyor belt 43, and the products 11 are sequentially fed forward in the Z direction of the product storage and delivery column 400 by driving the product transport unit conveyor belt 43. It is configured. The conveyor belt 43 for the product carrying unit is an endless belt in which strips of synthetic fibers are connected in a loop shape, and sprocket holes 44 are provided at a constant pitch along both width ends. The product transport unit conveyor belt 43 is mounted and held in a stretched state on a conveyor base 45 detachable from the product shelf 30. That is, the product carry-out mechanism of the product storage carry-out column 400 is configured as a conveyor unit 41 that is independent from the product shelf 30. The conveyor unit 41 has an L-shaped locking key portion 42 projecting downward in the Y direction, and the locking key portion 42 is fitted and locked into the slit 35 of the product shelf 30, so that It is designed to be mounted at any position.
[0018]
The product shelf 30 has a three-sided tray shape in which a back plate 32 and a side plate 33 are raised from three sides of a rectangular bottom plate 31. The bottom plate 31 and the back plate 32 are each provided with a locking key portion 42. A large number of slits 35 to be fitted and locked are formed in parallel. The slits 35 and 34 are provided at an interval pitch that is sufficiently narrower than the width of the product storage and carry-out column 400. The conveyor unit 41 can be mounted at an arbitrary position on the product shelf 30 by inserting and locking the locking key portion 42 into any of the numerous slits 35 formed in the bottom plate 31. . A partition plate 65 that divides the product storage carry-out column 400 is also detachably mounted on the product shelf 30. The partition plate 65 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape having substantially the same length as the depth of the product shelf 30, and has an L-shaped key portion 66 that fits and engages with the slit 35 of the bottom plate 31 and the slit of the back plate 32. 34 is integrally provided with a projecting plate portion 67 which is fitted and engaged. The partition plate 65 is formed by inserting and locking the L-shaped key portion 66 and the protruding plate portion 67 into any of a number of slits 35 and 34 formed in the bottom plate 31 and the back plate 32, respectively. Similarly, it can be installed and set up at an arbitrary position on the product shelf 30.
[0019]
At the front end of the conveyor unit 41, the fixed gear 53 for driving the conveyor belt 43 for the commodity conveying unit from the bucket 90 side and the commodity 11 conveyed to the opening of the commodity storing / unloading column 400 are the commodity. A movable stopper 70 is provided for retaining in the opening position of the storage / unloading column 400. Further, a backrest plate 60 is provided on the product transport unit conveyor belt 43 to prevent the product 11 on the product transport unit conveyor belt 43 from falling backward in the transport direction (Z direction).・ It is fixed.
[0020]
<<< bucket >>>
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a configuration example of a main part of the opening of the bucket 90 and the commodity storage / unloading column 400. As shown in FIG. 3, the bucket 90 includes a product detection sensor 91, a bucket position detection sensor 902, a movable arm 92, a movable gear 93, a conveyor 85, and a rotary switch 501. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing details of a portion omitted at the lower part of the bucket 90 in FIG.
[0021]
The product detection sensor 91 is held by a drive means (FIG. 4), which will be described later, so as to be movable back and forth in the product transport direction (Z direction) from both side walls at the product acquisition port of the bucket 90. The product detection sensor 91 includes a light receiving portion 91a provided on one side wall portion shown in FIG. 3 in the bucket 90 and a light projecting portion 91b (FIG. 4) provided on the other side wall portion facing the one side wall portion. It is configured. In order to detect the passage of the product 11 based on whether or not the optical path between the light receiving unit 91a and the light projecting unit 91b is blocked, the light receiving unit 91a and the light projecting unit 91b have their optical axes aligned with each other. Are arranged opposite to each other. The product detection sensor 91 (91a, 91b) protrudes outside the product acquisition port of the bucket 90, that is, toward the product storage / unloading column 400 only when the bucket 90 acquires the product 11 from the product storage / unloading column 400. It can be moved to a position (solid line in FIG. 3B). In other cases, the product detection sensor 91 is movably held so as to be moved backward from the product acquisition port of the bucket 90, that is, toward the bucket 90 (dotted line in FIG. 3B). As a result, the bucket 90 only needs to have a depth space as long as it can accommodate the product 11 conveyed from the product storage / conveyance column 400, and the depth space for performing the detection operation (passage detection of the product 11) by the product detection sensor 91. There is no need to have. In the present embodiment, the commodity detection sensor 91 is movable. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as long as the bucket 90 has a width in the Z direction sufficient to detect the passage of the product 11, the product detection sensor 91 may be fixed to both side walls of the bucket 90.
[0022]
Bucket position detection sensors 902 and 903 (FIGS. 3 and 4) are provided on both side walls at the product acquisition port of the bucket 90. The bucket position detection sensor 902 is provided on the side wall portion of the bucket 90 shown in FIG. 3, and includes a light emitting element 902a and a light receiving element 902b that receives reflected light from the light emitting element 902a. The light emitting element 902a and the light receiving element 902b detect the outer side surface of the movable stopper 70 at the opening when the product acquisition port of the bucket 90 is at a position substantially opposite to the opening of the product storage / unload column 400. It is arranged. Specifically, the light emitting element 902a and the light receiving element 902b are juxtaposed at different Y coordinate positions at the same X coordinate position. Here, the light projected from the light emitting element 902a (IL in FIG. 3B) is reflected on the outer side surface of the movable stopper 70, and the reflected light (RL in FIG. 3B). ) Is received by the light receiving element 902b, for example, the bucket position detection sensor 902 outputs a detection signal. Here, in order for the bucket position detection sensor 902 to selectively detect only the movable stopper 70, the pair of the light emitting element 902a and the light receiving element 902b is disposed to be inclined toward the movable stopper 70 side. Thereby, for example, the bucket position detection sensor 902 is prevented from misidentifying the product 11 as the movable stopper 70, and the product storage / unloading column 400 can be reliably detected.
[0023]
The movable arm 92 is a movable member that is rotationally driven by drive means (described later) including a cam drive motor 960 on the bucket 90 side, and pushes down the movable stopper 70 described above. Here, the movable stopper 70 stops conveying the first product 11 in the product row stored in the product storage / conveyance column 400 to the bucket 90 in the state indicated by the dotted line in FIG. In the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 3B, the movable arm 92 is pushed down to release the conveyance stop.
[0024]
The movable gear 93 is pivotally supported by a pivotal support portion 985 with respect to the movable gear holder 984 shown in FIG. The movable gear 93 is rotationally driven by the driving means described later including a movable gear drive motor 992 (FIG. 5) on the bucket 90 side around the shaft support portion 985. When the product 11 on the product storage / conveyance column 400 is taken out and transported, the rotationally driven movable gear 93 meshes with the belt driving fixed gear 53 on the product storage / conveyance column 400 side to transmit the rotation. . Further, the movable gear holder 984 is rotationally driven around a shaft support portion 986 provided on the side wall portion of the bucket 90 shown in FIG. 3B by appropriate drive means including a cam drive motor 960 on the bucket 90 side. The As a result, the movable gear 93 is also driven to rotate about the shaft support portion 986. When the leading product 11 of the product row stored in the product storage / unload column 400 is transported to the bucket 90 by such rotational drive and rotational drive, the movable gear 93 causes the movable gear holder 984 to rotate clockwise. Thus, the lower portion of the fixed gear 53 is engaged with the lower portion in the Y direction from the lower side in the Y direction (solid line in FIG. 3B), and retracts into the bucket 90 when the conveyance is stopped (dotted line in FIG. 3B). .
[0025]
The drive means for operating the above-described commodity detection sensor 91 (FIG. 3) and the above-described conveyor 85 (FIG. 3) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a configuration example of a main part of these driving means. In FIG. 4, the rotary switch 501 is not shown. The cam drive motor 960 is provided on the side wall portion shown in FIG. 3 of the bucket 90, and the rotation of the gear 962 fixed coaxially with the rotation shaft of the cam drive motor 960 is rotated by the gear 964, the gear 966, and the gear 968. Is transmitted to the first cam groove gear 970. The first cam groove gear 970 is provided with a cam groove 970a (FIG. 7) having a spiral shape on the back side of the paper surface in FIG.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 4, the light receiving portion 91a of the commodity detection sensor 91 is connected and held to one end of the support member 101a, and the cam follower 107 provided on the support member 101a is fitted in the cam groove 970a (FIG. 7). Match. The shaft support portion 103 a of the support member 101 a and the shaft support portion 103 b of the support member 101 b having a shape symmetrical to the support member 101 a are supported by the support member shaft 105. On the other hand, the light projecting portion 91b is also connected and held by the support member 101b. As will be described later, the light receiving portion 91a and the light projecting portion 91b of the commodity detection sensor 91 having such a configuration are configured such that the cam follower 107 rotates with the first cam grooved gear 970 in accordance with the rotation of the first cam grooved gear 970. By moving in the radial direction of 970, it is possible to move forward and backward in the product conveyance direction (Z direction) from both side walls of the bucket 90.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the conveyor 85 is a belt-type product conveying means for drawing the product 11 fed from the opening of the product storage / conveying column 400 into the bucket 90. The conveyor 85 is driven by being stretched by a drive pulley 851 that is driven coaxially with a drive pulley 1007 that is rotated by a conveyor drive motor 1006, a driven pulley 853, and the two pulleys 851 and 853. And a bucket conveyor belt 857. Here, the bucket conveyor belt 857 of the present embodiment is an endless belt in which, for example, a belt-like woven fabric of synthetic fibers is connected in a loop shape. Thereby, the conveyor belt 857 for buckets can convey the goods 11 received from the Z direction back of the bucket 90 to the Z direction front.
[0028]
The conveyor 85 is inclined forward in the Z direction of the bucket 90 when the product 11 is carried out to the product takeout port 16, and becomes horizontal when the product 11 is received from the product storage / unloading column 400. It has become. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the conveyor 85 is pivotally supported on the side wall portion of the bucket 90 by a drive pulley 851 and supported by conveyor support members 1004 a and 1004 b. One end portions of the conveyor support members 1004a and 1004b are rotatably connected to shaft support portions 1002a and 1002b of the support members 101a and 101b, and the other end portions 1010a and 1010b are conveyor shafts that support the conveyor 85 in the conveyor 85. The conveyor support portions 1010a and 1010b at both ends of 1009 are provided. In the present embodiment, when the commodity detection sensors 91a and 91b protrude from the both side walls of the bucket 90, the conveyor shaft 1009 is pulled up above the paper surface of FIG. Become horizontal.
[0029]
The drive means for operating the movable arms 92a and 92b and the movable gears 93a and 93b will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, a gear 972 that meshes with the first cam groove gear 970 at the lower portion of the side wall portion of the bucket 90 pivotally supports first cams 976a and 976b and second cams 978a and 978b described later. It is supported by a cam shaft 974.
[0030]
The movable arms 92a and 92b are pivotally supported at the lower part of the bucket 90 at the pivotal support portions 980a and 980b, and the cam followers 982a and 982b (FIG. 13) at one end of the movable arms 92a and 92b are substantially elliptical. The springs 981a and 981b (FIG. 13) are appropriately biased so as to come into contact with the outer surfaces of the first cams 976a and 976b forming the above. The shape of the outer surface of the first cams 976a and 976b and the pivot support position of the cam shaft 974 are adjusted by the rotation of the cam drive motor 960 by rotating the cam followers 982a and 982b along the outer surface. First, only the movable arm 92a rotates and protrudes, then the movable arm 92b rotates and protrudes while the state of the movable arm 92a is maintained, and then the movable arm 92a is maintained while the state of the movable arm 92b is maintained. It is set to rotate in the opposite direction and to avoid.
[0031]
The movable gears 93a and 93b are rotatably supported by shaft support portions 985a and 985b provided at one corner of the movable gear holders 984a and 984b having a substantially triangular shape. One corner portion opposite to the one corner portion is pivotally supported by the movable gear rotating shaft 986, and rod members 988a (FIG. 13) and 988b are provided at the other corner portion in parallel with the X direction. The movable gear rotating shaft 986 is provided with transmission gears 990a and 990b so as to mesh with the movable gears 92a and 92b. The movable gear rotating shaft 986 is rotationally driven via a gear 991 by a movable gear drive motor 992 provided on a side wall portion opposite to the side wall portion of the bucket 90 shown in FIG. The transmission gears 990a and 990b are rotated by the rotation of the movable gear drive motor 992, and this rotation is transmitted to the movable gears 93a and 93b.
[0032]
On the other hand, the arms 994a and 994b (FIG. 13) are cam grooves in which one end abuts the rod members 988a and 988b of the movable gear holders 984a and 984b from below and the other end is a substantially elliptical shape of the second cams 978a and 978b. Cam followers 998a and 998b (FIG. 13) are fitted to 996a and 996b (FIG. 13). The shape of the cam grooves 996a and 996b of the second cams 978a and 978b and the pivot support position of the cam shaft 974 are such that the cam followers 998a and 998b rotate along the cam grooves 996a and 996b. With the rotation of the cam drive motor 960, the movable gear holder 984a, 984b rotates the rod members 988a, 988b by the rotation of the arms 994a, 994b. The movable gear 93b rotates and protrudes while maintaining the state of the movable gear 93a, and then the movable gear 93a is set to rotate and retract in the opposite direction while maintaining the state of the movable gear 93b. Yes. The movable gear holders 984a and 984b are pivotally supported by the movable gear rotating shaft 986, and are appropriately biased by springs 985a and 985b (FIG. 13) so that the rod members 988a and 988b abut against the arms 994a and 994b. Yes. In summary, the movable gears 93a and 93b are rotated by being driven by the cam drive motor 960, while the movable gears 93a and 93b are rotated by being driven by the movable gear drive motor 992. ing.
[0033]
6A is a perspective view of the first cam 976a and the second cam 978a according to the present embodiment as viewed from the first cam 976a side, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view as viewed from the second cam 978a side. It is. The first cam 976a and the second cam 978a of the present embodiment are integrally formed of synthetic resin or the like, and the first cam 976b and the second cam 978b are the same. In the present embodiment, the integrated first cam 976a and second cam 978a, and the integrated first cam 976b and second cam 978b have substantially elliptical outer surfaces of the first cam 976a and 976b that are predetermined to each other. The cam grooves 996a and 996b of the second cams 978a and 978b are pivotally supported by the cam shaft 974 so as to form a predetermined angle with each other. The predetermined angle includes the shape of the outer surface of the first cams 976a and 976b and the pivotal support position of the cam shaft 974, the shape of the cam grooves 996a and 996b of the second cams 978a and 978b, and the cam Along with the shaft support position of the shaft 974, only the movable arm 92a and the movable gear 93a first rotate and protrude, and then the movable arm 92b and the movable gear 93b rotate while the state of the movable arm 92a and the movable gear 93a is maintained. The movable arm 93b and the movable gear 93b are set so that the movable arm 93a and the movable gear 93a rotate and retract in the opposite direction while the states of the movable arm 92b and the movable gear 93b are maintained.
[0034]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state where the rotary switch 501 of the present embodiment is disposed in the bucket 90. As shown in the figure, the rotary switch 501 includes a rotating plate 505 and a substrate portion 503 on which the rotating plate 505 is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft portion 503a. A rotary switch gear 505a is integrally and coaxially provided on the rotary plate 505, and a second cam groove gear 970c that is coaxial with the first cam groove gear 970 meshes with the rotary switch gear 505a. is doing. In the present embodiment, the number of teeth of the rotary switch gear 505a is equal to the number of teeth of the second cam groove gear 970c. At this time, the rotation angle of the second cam groove gear 970c is equal to the rotation angle of the rotary switch gear 505a. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the rotation angle of the rotary plate 505 of the rotary switch 501 is the rotation angle (rotation position) of the first cam groove gear 970.
[0035]
8A is a front view of the substrate portion 503 from which the rotary plate 505 is removed in the rotary switch 501 of the present embodiment, FIG. 8B is a front view of the rotary plate 505, and FIG. 8C is a rear view of the rotary plate. It is. In the present embodiment, three locking portions 503b are distributed and integrally provided on the inner peripheral side surface of the substrate portion 503. Further, it is assumed that the substrate portion 503 and the rotating plate 505 of the present embodiment are mainly made of resin. The three locking portions 503b have bending elasticity, and the rotating plate 505 is rotatably locked to the substrate portion 503 by the bending elasticity. In addition, the rotating shaft portion 503 a of the substrate portion 503 is formed so as to be fitted to the rotating shaft portion 505 b of the rotating plate 505.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 8A, a part of the outer peripheral side surface of the substrate portion 503 is provided with a terminal S508, a terminal T509, and a terminal U510 made of metal. These three terminals 508 to 510 are arranged so as to be in contact or non-contact with the integrally formed metal terminals 518 to 520 that are also branched into three. The three terminals 518 to 520 are spring-biased so as to protrude to the front side of the sheet in FIG. If the distance from the center of the substrate portion 503 to the contact portion of each of the terminals 518 to 520 is R1, R2, and R3, in this embodiment, the distance is set so as to decrease in the order of R1, R2, and R3. Has been. Note that in this embodiment, the terminal S508 and the terminal 518, the terminal T509 and the terminal 519, and the terminal U510 and the terminal 520 each have a switch function. That is, for example, if the terminal S508 and the terminal 518 are in contact with each other, the switch S528 is on, and if the terminal S508 and the terminal 518 are not in contact with each other, the switch S528 is off. The same applies to the switch T529 and the switch U530.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 8B, a rotary switch gear 505a is provided on the front surface of the rotary plate 505 so as to be integrated with the rotary shaft portion 505b as the center of rotation. As a result, the rotary plate 505 has the rotary switch gear 505a and the second cam groove gear 970c with respect to the base plate portion 503 fixed to the side wall portion of the bucket 90 by the three legs 503c (FIG. 8A). The first cam groove-equipped gear 970 that is meshed via the rotation is induced to rotate.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 8C, protrusions 538 to 540 are appropriately provided on the back surface of the rotating plate 505 so as to rise. The protrusions 538 to 540 are formed so as to protrude in the direction from the back side to the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 8C, that is, in the direction from the rotating plate 505 to the substrate portion 503. Further, the protrusions 538 to 540 are arranged such that the distances from the center of the rotating plate 505 to the protrusions 538 to 540 are the above-described R1, R2, and R3. The end surfaces of the protrusions 538 to 540 are formed so as to form arcs that are narrow in the radial direction along the circumferences of the radii R1 to R3, respectively. In a state where the rotating plate 505 is attached to the substrate portion 503, for example, the protrusion 538 can press the terminal 518, and thus the protrusion 538 can bring the terminal 518 into contact with the terminal S508. That is, the switch S528 can be turned on. Accordingly, the switch S528 is turned on while the rotating plate 505 is rotated by, for example, the center angle of the arc of the protrusion 538, and the switch is turned on while the rotating plate 505 is rotated by the center angle of the arc forming the gap between the protrusions 538, for example. S528 is turned off. Since such on / off control can be performed separately in the three switches 528 to 530, the combination of the three on / off states is 8 (= 2 ³ ) Eight kinds of detection signals can be formed according to the kinds of rotation angles.
[0039]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the rotary switch 501 and the on / off state of the switch S528, the switch T529, and the switch U530 in the present embodiment.
[0040]
According to FIG. 9, switch T529 is on and switch S528 and switch U530 are off while rotating plate 505 rotates 0-10 ° clockwise or 0-10 ° counterclockwise in FIG. (initial state). When the rotary switch 501 is in the initial state, a detection signal (S: OFF, T: ON, U: OFF), for example, is transmitted from the rotary switch 501 to the control unit 200 described later. At this time, according to the configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the commodity detection sensor 91, the movable arms 92a and 92b, and the movable gears 93a and 93b are retracted inside the bucket 90, and the conveyor 85 is inclined forward in the Z direction. It is supposed to be in the state. Further, the movable gear drive motor 992 remains stopped, the movable gears 93a and 93b do not rotate, the conveyor drive motor 1006 remains stopped, and the bucket conveyor belt 857 does not move. Yes. Projections 538 to 540 in FIG. 8C are arranged on the back surface of the rotating plate 505 so as to realize this initial state.
[0041]
Further, according to FIG. 9, the switch S528, the switch T529, and the switch U530 are OFF while the rotating plate 505 rotates 10 to 90 degrees counterclockwise in FIG. While the rotating plate 505 is rotated 90 to 110 degrees counterclockwise in FIG. 7, the switch S528 is on, and the switch T529 and the switch U530 are off (mode 1 state). When the rotary switch 501 is in the mode 1 state, for example, a detection signal (S: ON, T: OFF, U: OFF) is transmitted from the rotary switch 501 to the control unit 200 described later. In the mode 1 state, with the configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the commodity detection sensor 91, the movable arm 92a, and the movable gear 93a protrude outside the bucket 90, and the conveyor 85 is in a horizontal state. ing. Further, the movable gears 93a and 93b are rotated by being driven by the movable gear drive motor 992, and the bucket conveyor belt 857 is moved by being driven by the conveyor drive motor 1006. The protrusions 538 to 540 in FIG. 8C are arranged on the back surface of the rotating plate 505 so that this mode 1 state is realized.
[0042]
Further, according to FIG. 9, the switch S528, the switch T529, and the switch U530 are OFF while the rotating plate 505 rotates 110 to 135 degrees counterclockwise in FIG. While the rotating plate 505 rotates 135 to 155 degrees counterclockwise in FIG. 7, the switch S528 and the switch U530 are on and the switch T529 is off (mode 2 state). When the rotary switch 501 is in the mode 2 state, a detection signal such as (S: ON, T: OFF, U: ON) is transmitted from the rotary switch 501 to the control unit 200 described later. In this mode 2, the product detection sensor 91, the two movable arms 92a and 92b, and the two movable gears 93a and 93b protrude outside the bucket 90, and the conveyor 85 It is designed to be level. Further, the movable gears 93a and 93b are rotated by being driven by the movable gear drive motor 992, and the bucket conveyor belt 857 is moved by being driven by the conveyor drive motor 1006. The protrusions 538 to 540 in FIG. 8C are arranged on the back surface of the rotating plate 505 so as to realize this mode 2 state.
[0043]
Further, according to FIG. 9, the switch S528, the switch T529, and the switch U530 are OFF while the rotating plate 505 rotates 155 to 180 ° counterclockwise in FIG. While the rotating plate 505 rotates 180 to 200 degrees counterclockwise in FIG. 7, the switch U530 is on, and the switch S528 and the switch T529 are off (mode 3 state). When the rotary switch 501 is in the mode 3 state, a detection signal such as (S: OFF, T: OFF, U: ON) is transmitted from the rotary switch 501 to the control unit 200 described later. In the mode 3 state, the configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 causes the product detection sensor 91, the movable arm 92b, and the movable gear 93b to protrude outside the bucket 90, and the conveyor 85 becomes horizontal. ing. Further, the movable gears 93a and 93b are rotated by being driven by the movable gear drive motor 992, and the bucket conveyor belt 857 is moved by being driven by the conveyor drive motor 1006. The protrusions 538 to 540 in FIG. 8C are arranged on the back surface of the rotating plate 505 so as to realize this mode 3 state.
[0044]
Further, according to FIG. 9, while the rotary plate 505 rotates 60 to 80 degrees clockwise in FIG. 7, the switch S528 and the switch T529 are on and the switch U530 is off (mode 4 state). When the rotary switch 501 is in the mode 4 state, a detection signal such as (S: ON, T: ON, U: OFF) is transmitted from the rotary switch 501 to the control unit 200 described later. In this mode 4 state, the product detection sensor 91, the movable arms 92a and 92b, and the movable gears 93a and 93b are retracted inside the bucket 90, and the conveyor 85 is moved forward in the Z direction by the configuration shown in FIGS. The protrusion 970b (FIG. 3) provided on the outer side of the first cam groove gear 970 is in a state of lifting a release member 1008 (FIG. 3) described later. Further, the movable gear drive motor 992 is stopped and the movable gears 93a and 93b do not rotate, but the bucket conveyor belt 857 is moved by being driven by the conveyor drive motor 1006. The protrusions 538 to 540 in FIG. 8C are arranged on the back surface of the rotating plate 505 so that this mode 4 state is realized.
[0045]
In the present embodiment, the product 11 is discharged to the product takeout unit 16 by pushing the flip-up door (FIGS. 3 and 4) 86 provided at the product payout opening of the bucket 90 by its own weight. It has become. The flip-up door 86 is urged by a spring (not shown) so as to be always closed so that when the conveyor 85 is tilted forward in the Z direction of the bucket 90, it is pushed open by the weight of the product 11 on the conveyor 85. It has become. The bucket 90 according to the present embodiment includes a locking portion (not shown) that fixes the flip-up door 86 to the commodity outlet of the bucket 90 and prohibits the flip-up operation. This locking portion is a release member in which a projection 970b provided on the outer side of the first cam grooved gear 970 is biased downward by a spring (not shown) by the rotation of the first cam grooved gear 970. It is released when lifting 1008.
[0046]
<<< Control of bucket operation >>>
FIG. 10 is a control block diagram for controlling operations to be described later in the bucket 90 of the present embodiment. The control unit 200 shown in FIG. 10 controls the movement of moving the bucket 90 in the X and Y directions by driving the bucket drive motor 910 described above, the cam drive motor 960, the movable gear drive motor 992, and the conveyor described above. The drive motor 1006 is driven to perform acquisition and payout control of the commodity 11.
[0047]
The RAM 204 stores, for example, information related to the XY coordinate position of the bucket 90 so that the bucket 90 can identify the position of the commodity storage / unload column 400 and move to the position. Specifically, the bucket drive motor 910 of the present embodiment is a stepping motor or a pulse motor that outputs a number of pulse signals corresponding to the rotation amount, and the number of pulse signals corresponds to, for example, the X coordinate position. . The number of pulse signals output from the bucket drive motor 910 when detection signals are output from the bucket position detection sensors 902 and 903 is stored in the RAM 204 as an initial set value of the X coordinate position of the bucket 90.
The ROM 206 stores an appropriate program for operating the control unit 200 described above.
[0048]
Further, in the present embodiment, the delivery of the product 11 from the product storage / conveyance column 400 to the bucket 90 includes the rotation of the movable arm 92 and the movable gear 93, the movement of the product detection sensor 91, and the attitude of the conveyor 85. It is implemented by cooperation with movement. These operations are controlled based on the diagram shown in FIG. 9 according to the rotation angle of the first cam groove gear 970 detected by the rotary switch 501.
[0049]
=== Operation of see-through vending machine ===
The bucket 90 of the see-through type vending machine having the above-described configuration acquires the product 11 from the product storage / unload column 400, conveys the product 11 to the product takeout unit 16, and pays the product 11 at the product takeout unit 16 The operation until taking out will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0050]
<< From the standby position to the product transport unit >>>>
FIG. 11 is a side view showing an example of a state that is taken while the bucket 90 moves from the standby position to the opening of the commodity storage / unloading column 400. The first cam grooved gear 970 is in a position where the cam follower 107 is appropriately fitted to the cam groove 970a between the points "A" and "B"("A1") shown in FIG. . At this time, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the conveyor 85 is inclined forward in the Z direction, and the commodity detection sensor 91 is retracted in the both side walls of the bucket 90. Further, with the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the movable arms 92 a and 92 b and the movable gears 93 a and 93 b are retracted inside the bucket 90. The state of the rotary switch 501 is in the initial state shown in FIG.
[0051]
Here, in order to purchase the product 11 from the vending machine according to the present embodiment, for example, a user inserts banknotes or coins into the receiving device 15 (FIG. 1), and the product 11 is displayed on the operation panel 14 (FIG. 1). Is selected. The control unit 200 (FIG. 10) that has received a signal for selling products from the receiving device 15 and the operation panel 14 is provided with an appropriate number of units provided on the bucket drive motor 910 (FIG. 10) and the movable frame 81 (FIG. 1). A drive motor (not shown) is driven. Thereby, the bucket 90 moves and stops at a position where the product acquisition port faces the opening of the product storage / unload column 400 in which the product 11 requested by the user is stored. As described above, this position is stored in advance in the RAM 204 (FIG. 10) as data relating to XY coordinates in the vending machine.
[0052]
<<< Product Acquisition (1) >>>
In the bucket 90 in which the product acquisition port faces the opening of the product storage / conveyance column 400, the driving of the cam drive motor 960 of the bucket 90 is started based on an appropriate signal from the control unit 200.
[0053]
FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating an operation example in which the bucket 90 acquires the product 11 from the product storage / conveyance column 400. By driving the cam drive motor 960 described above, the first cam groove gear 970 is rotated clockwise from the initial position to a position corresponding to modes 1 to 3 described later. With this rotation, the movable gear 93a and the movable arm 92a project outside the bucket 90 as described above. Here, for example, when the state of the rotary switch 501 becomes the mode 1 state shown in FIG. 9, the rotary switch 501 sends a detection signal (S: ON, T: OFF, U: OFF) corresponding to the mode 1 state. It transmits to the control part 200. The control unit 200 that has received this detection signal stops driving the cam drive motor 960. At this time, the cam follower 107 is in a position where the cam follower 107 is properly fitted between the “C” point and the “D” point shown in FIG. At this time, the conveyor 85 is horizontal due to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, and the commodity detection sensor 91 protrudes from both side walls of the bucket 90. On the other hand, with the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the movable gears 93a and 93b are in the state shown in FIG.
[0054]
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state of the movable arms 92a and 92b and the movable gears 93a and 93b when the rotary switch 501 is in the mode 1 state. Only the movable arm 92a has the movable stopper 92 of the product storage / conveyance column 400 by the two first cams 976a, 976b having the outer surface of the shape described above and pivotally supported at the position described above at the predetermined angle described above. Fig. 3) is in a state of being pushed down. Further, only the movable gear 93a is provided by the two second cams 978a and 978b having the cam grooves 996a and 996b having the above-described shapes and pivotally supported at the above-described positions at the above-described predetermined angles. It is in a state of meshing from below with 400 fixed gears 53 (FIG. 3).
[0055]
In this state, when the control unit 200 drives the movable gear drive motor 992 and transmits the driving force to the fixed gear 53 in the product storage / unload column 400, the product transport unit conveyor belt 43 is indicated by an arrow in FIG. Move to be. At the same time, when the controller 200 drives the conveyor drive motor 1006, the drive pulley 851 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. 12, and the bucket conveyor belt 857 also moves as indicated by the arrow in FIG. Thereby, the commodity 11 moves forward in the Z direction. When the product 11 reaches the “K” state from the “I” state in FIG. 12 through the “J” state, the light path from the light projecting unit 91b (FIG. 4) to the light receiving unit 91a (FIG. 4) in the product detection sensor 91 After being blocked by the product 11 again, it is recovered again, and the acquisition of the product 11 by the bucket 90 is detected. The control unit 200 (FIG. 10) stops driving the movable gear drive motor 992 and the conveyor drive motor 1006 based on the detection signal from the product detection sensor 91.
[0056]
As described above, the bucket 90 can acquire the product 11 from the product storage / unload column 400 that includes the product transport unit conveyor belt 43 on the movable gear 93a side and that can be engaged with the movable gear 93a and the fixed gear 53.
[0057]
<<< From the product transport unit to the product takeout department >>>
In the bucket 90 that has acquired the product from the product storage / conveyance column 400, the driving of the cam drive motor 960 of the bucket 90 is started again based on an appropriate signal from the control unit 200.
[0058]
FIG. 14 is a side view illustrating an operation example in which the bucket 90 conveys the product 11 from the product storage / conveyance column 400. By driving the cam drive motor 960 described above, the first cam groove gear 970 rotates counterclockwise from the rotation stop position in any of the modes 1 to 3 described above. Here, when the state of the rotary switch 501 returns to the initial state shown in FIG. 9, the rotary switch 501 sends a detection signal (S: OFF, T: ON, U: OFF) corresponding to the initial state to the control unit 200. Send to. The control unit 200 that has received this detection signal stops driving the cam drive motor 960. As shown in FIG. 14, in the first cam grooved gear 970, the cam follower 107 is located between the points “A” and “B” shown in FIG. 11 (“A1”) with respect to the cam groove 970a. In the position where it fits appropriately. At this time, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the conveyor 85 is inclined forward in the Z direction, and the commodity detection sensor 91 is retracted in the both side walls of the bucket 90. Further, with the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the movable arms 92 a and 92 b and the movable gears 93 a and 93 b are retracted inside the bucket 90. As shown in FIG. 14, the top of the product 11 abuts on a flip-up door 86 provided at the product payout opening of the bucket 90, and its center of gravity is closer to the door (“L” state).
[0059]
<<< Delivery of goods >>>
The bucket 90 that has acquired the product 11 from the product storage / conveying column 400 is based on an appropriate signal from the control unit 200, and an appropriate drive motor (not shown) provided on the bucket drive motor 910 and the movable frame 81 of the bucket 90. ) Is started. The bucket 90 is appropriately moved in the XY position so that the product payout exit faces the product takeout unit 16.
[0060]
FIG. 15 is a side view showing an operation example in which the bucket 90 pays out the product 11 at the product takeout unit 16. By driving the cam drive motor 960 described above, the first cam groove gear 970 is rotated counterclockwise from the position in the initial state to the position corresponding to the mode 4 state described later. With this rotation, as described above, the protrusion 970b provided on the outer side of the first cam groove gear 970 rotates to lift the release member 1008 biased downward by a spring (not shown). . In this state, the controller 200 drives the conveyor drive motor 1006 for a predetermined time, the drive pulley 851 rotates clockwise in FIG. 15, and the bucket conveyor belt 857 also moves as indicated by the arrow in FIG. . Here, for example, when the state of the rotary switch 501 becomes the mode 4 state shown in FIG. 9, the rotary switch 501 sends a detection signal (S: ON, T: ON, U: OFF) corresponding to the mode 4 state. It transmits to the control part 200. The control unit 200 that has received this detection signal stops driving the cam drive motor 960. At this time, the first cam groove-equipped gear 970 is in a position where the cam follower 107 is appropriately fitted to the cam groove 970a at the “A2” point shown in FIG. Here, the “A2” point is located between the “A” point and the “A1” point. With the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the conveyor 85 remains inclined forward in the Z direction. Further, by the operation of the release member 1008, the latching portion (not shown) that fixes the flip-up door 86 to the commodity discharge outlet of the bucket 90 and prohibits the flip-up operation is released, and the commodity 11 has the flip-up door. Push 86 with its own weight. As a result, the product 11 moves forward in the Z direction, for example, through the “L” state, the “M” state, and the “N” state (“O” state).
[0061]
<< From the product take-out department to the standby position >>>>
In the bucket 90 from which the product 11 is paid out by the product take-out unit 16, the driving of the cam drive motor 960 of the bucket 90 is started again based on an appropriate signal from the control unit 200.
[0062]
FIG. 16 is a side view showing a state example of the bucket 90 until the commodity 11 is paid out and returned to the standby position. By driving the cam drive motor 960 described above, the first cam groove gear 970 rotates clockwise from the rotation stop position in the mode 4 state described above. Here, when the state of the rotary switch 501 returns to the initial state shown in FIG. 9, the rotary switch 501 sends a detection signal (S: OFF, T: ON, U: OFF) corresponding to the initial state to the control unit 200. Send to. The control unit 200 that has received this detection signal stops driving the cam drive motor 960. As shown in FIG. 16, in the first cam groove gear 970, the cam follower 107 is located between “A” point and “B” point shown in FIG. 11 (“A1”) with respect to the cam groove 970a. In the position where it fits appropriately. At this time, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the conveyor 85 is inclined forward in the Z direction, and the commodity detection sensor 91 is retracted in the both side walls of the bucket 90. Further, with the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the movable arms 92 a and 92 b and the movable gears 93 a and 93 b are retracted inside the bucket 90. Further, the release member 1008 is lowered, and the flip-up door 86 is fixed to the commodity outlet of the bucket 90.
[0063]
In the above-described state, the bucket 90 starts to drive an appropriate drive motor (not shown) provided on the bucket drive motor 910 and the movable frame 81 of the bucket 90 based on an appropriate signal from the control unit 200. The The bucket 90 moves appropriately XY and returns to the standby position to prepare for the next sale.
[0064]
<<< Product Acquisition (2) >>>
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state of the movable arms 92a and 92b and the movable gears 93a and 93b when the rotary switch 501 is in the mode 2 state. The two movable arms 92a and 93b have the outer surface of the shape described above and are pivotally supported at the position described above at the predetermined angle described above, so that the two movable arms 92a and 93b are The movable stopper (FIG. 3) is in a depressed state. Further, the two movable gears 93a and 93b are provided by the two second cams 978a and 978b having the cam grooves 996a and 996b having the above-described shapes and pivotally supported at the above-described positions at the above-described predetermined angles. The storage gear column 411 is engaged with the fixed gear 53 (FIG. 3) from below.
As a result, the two product-conveying unit conveyor belts 43 are provided on the two movable gears 93a and 93b side, and the bucket 90 is moved from the product storage / unloading column 400 in which the movable gears 93a and 93b and the two fixed gears 53 can mesh with each other. Can acquire the product 11.
[0065]
<<< Product acquisition (3) >>>
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a state of the movable arms 92a and 92b and the movable gears 93a and 93b when the rotary switch 501 is in the mode 1 state. The two first cams 976a and 976b having the above-described outer surface and pivotally supported at the above-described position at the above-described predetermined angle allow only the movable arm 92b to move the movable stopper ( Fig. 3) is in a state of being pushed down. Further, only the movable gear 93b is provided by the two second cams 978a and 978b having the cam grooves 996a and 996b having the above-described shapes and pivotally supported at the above-described positions at the above-described predetermined angles. 411 is engaged with the fixed gear 53 (FIG. 3) from below.
As described above, the product 90 can be acquired by the bucket 90 from the product storage / unload column 400 that includes the product transport unit conveyor belt 43 on the movable gear 93b side and can be engaged with the movable gear 93b and the fixed gear 53.
[0066]
In summary, in the present embodiment, the control unit 200 (FIG. 10) determines the cam drive motor 960, the movable gear drive motor 992, and the conveyor drive motor based on the rotation angle detection signal of the first cam groove gear 970. By appropriately driving 1006, it is possible to execute a plurality of operations in the bucket 90 at an appropriate timing to efficiently acquire a product. In the present embodiment, the first cam groove gear 970, the first cams 976a and 976b, and the second cams 978a and 978b are rotationally driven by one cam drive motor 960, and one rotary switch 501 is used. By detecting the rotational position of the gear 970 with the first cam groove, the plurality of operations can be executed. Therefore, the plurality of operations in the bucket 90 can be executed synchronously, and the number of drive motors required for the bucket 90 can be reduced. In addition, one rotary switch 501 can fulfill the function of, for example, a plurality of micro switches provided in a bucket of a conventional vending machine. Therefore, the bucket 90 can reliably acquire the product 11 from the product storage / conveyance column 400, and a compact vending machine can be realized with low manufacturing cost and low power consumption.
[0067]
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a bucket can acquire a goods reliably from a goods conveyance unit, and can provide a compact vending machine with low manufacturing cost and low power consumption.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external configuration example of a see-through type vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of main parts of a product shelf and a product storage / conveying column according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a configuration example of a main part of an opening of a bucket and a product storage / conveying column according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a configuration example of a main part of a drive unit for moving a commodity detection sensor and a conveyor of a bucket according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a configuration example of a main part of a drive unit for driving a movable arm and a movable gear according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first cam and a second cam of the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of rotary switches in the bucket according to the present embodiment.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are a front view and a rear view of the rotary switch according to the embodiment. FIGS.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing detection signal data from the rotary switch according to the present embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a control block diagram for controlling the operation of the bucket according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state example of a bucket according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a side view showing an operation example of the bucket according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a movable arm and a movable gear portion in the bucket according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a side view showing another operation example of the bucket according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a side view showing still another operation example of the bucket according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a side view showing another state example of the bucket according to the present embodiment;
FIG. 17 is another perspective view of the movable arm and the movable gear portion in the bucket of the present embodiment.
FIG. 18 is still another perspective view of the movable arm and the movable gear portion in the bucket according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
90 bucket
91 Product detection sensor
501 Rotary switch
960 Cam drive motor
962, 964, 966, 968 Gear
970 1st cam groove gear
970a Cam groove
970c Gear with second cam groove

Claims (2)

A plurality of product transport units for transporting a product row to the top product side, a product shelf on which the plurality of product transport units are mounted at a predetermined interval in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the product row, and mounted on the product shelf A vending machine having a product acquisition port that selectively opposes the plurality of product transport units, and a bucket that moves in the orthogonal direction to acquire a top product of the product row,
The bucket is
A cam for performing a plurality of operations required when acquiring the first product of the product row;
A drive motor for rotationally driving the cam;
A rotary switch that rotates together with the cam to detect the rotational position of the cam and supplies a detection signal at this time to a control unit for controlling the plurality of operations;
A vending machine characterized by comprising: The rotary switch is
A plurality of switches in contact or non-contact in correspondence with the plurality of operations;
A plurality of protrusions for selectively contacting or non-contacting the plurality of switches on a surface intersecting a rotation axis, and a rotating plate that rotates together with the cam;
The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a signal when the plurality of switches are in contact or non-contact according to the rotation of the rotating plate is supplied to the control unit as the detection signal.

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