JP2005196421A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely detect that a commodity is taken into a bucket. <P>SOLUTION: A vending machine is provided with; a first noncontact sensor which detects, on the the commodity-inlet side of a bucket, whether a head commodity conveyed from a commodity conveyance unit to a bucket passes; a rotary door for discharging the commodity which is arranged on the commodity-outlet side of the bucket, elastically energized from the commodity-outlet side to the commodity-inlet side and stops at a preliminarily fixed stop position when it does not receive a pushing pressure from the commodity-inlet side to the commodity-outlet side; a projection piece which projects from the rotary door and rotates with the rotary door; a second noncontact sensor which detects that the projection piece rotates in the direction resistant to the elastic energy; and a control part which controls a driving mechanism to drive a second conveying belt further toward the commodity-outlet side in the case that it receives a first detection signal when the first noncontact sensor detects that the head commodity has not passed and a second detection signal when the second noncontact sensor detects that the projection piece has rotated in the direction resistant to the elastic energy. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique that is effective when applied to a vending machine that sells a product by acquiring a product from a product row with a bucket, and particularly to a see-through type vending machine.

Some vending machines include a product transport unit having a transport belt for transporting products in a row. Some of these vending machines further include a bucket for acquiring a product from a product transport unit and transporting the product to a product take-out unit. This bucket has a product acquisition port and a product discharge port on the opposite side of the product acquisition port, a standby position, a position where the product acquisition port faces the product transport unit, and the product discharge port is a product extraction unit. It moves between the opposing positions by an appropriate moving mechanism. The bucket acquires the first product in the product row transferred by the transport belt of the product transport unit with the product acquisition port facing the product transport unit. The vending machine sells the merchandise when the bucket conveys the merchandise to the merchandise take-out section and delivers the merchandise with the merchandise payout exit facing the merchandise take-out section.
JP 2000-113306 A

  If the bucket does not determine whether or not the top product has been acquired in the bucket, it cannot move to the next operation sequence for paying out the product to the product takeout unit, and therefore means for determining that the top product has been acquired is required. . For example, as this means, a non-contact sensor, particularly an optical sensor composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element can be mentioned. The optical sensor has a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged in a direction intersecting the product conveying direction at a position where the leading product is delivered from the product conveying unit to the bucket, and receives light from the light emitting element in a direction intersecting the product conveying direction. An optical path to the element is formed. Then, when the optical path of the optical sensor passes through transmission, blocking, and transmission steps, the bucket is moved to the product take-out section as the product is acquired in the bucket.

  However, since vending machines sell products of various heights and shapes, the optical sensor is provided at an average height position of various products. Therefore, the following problems occur.

  (1) When the length from the upper surface of the conveyance belt to the optical path of the optical sensor in the vertical direction is set to be longer than the length in the conveyance direction of each product forming the product row, the optical path of the optical sensor is the leading product in the conveyance process. If it falls down in the transport direction before shutting off, the height of the leading product at this time will be lower than the mounting position of the optical sensor, so the optical sensor cannot detect the passage of the leading product. In this case, although the bucket actually acquires the top product, the transport belt is continuously driven in the transport direction, and even the next sale product is taken into the bucket. That is, there is a problem that two or more items are paid out at a time even though the customer is trying to purchase one item.

  (2) In a plastic bottle product in which a beverage is enclosed, a plastic bottle container may be formed of a transparent resin, and a product in which the enclosed beverage has permeability may be sold. Because plastic labels, paper labels, etc. with product names, manufacturer names, etc. are attached to PET bottle containers, these labels are highly permeable PET bottle products by blocking the optical path of the optical sensor. However, it is possible to detect that the top product has been delivered to the bucket. However, since vending machines sell PET bottle products of various heights and shapes, if you handle PET bottle products in which a highly permeable beverage is sealed in a PET bottle container formed of transparent resin. In addition, if the optical path of the optical sensor is not attached to the label position of the plastic bottle product, the optical sensor cannot always detect the passage of the plastic bottle product, which causes a more serious problem than (1). Of course, such a problem is often found before a product is loaded into a vending machine by a rootman or the like, so it is possible to prevent this problem, but it is not necessary to change the mounting position of the optical sensor. This vending machine can no longer sell this plastic bottle product. In particular, when this plastic bottle product is a product that significantly contributes to sales, there is a problem that the operating rate of the vending machine decreases due to the fact that the plastic bottle product cannot be handled. Furthermore, in a vending machine capable of changing the mounting position of the optical sensor, the mounting position of the optical sensor itself may be changed or the unit to which the optical sensor is mounted may be replaced. This causes a problem that extra labor such as parts replacement is required.

  (3) In the case of a product with a poor sense of stability at the time of conveyance, there is a case where the posture is collapsed and falls when it is taken into the bucket. In this case, although the optical sensor detects the passage of the leading product, the product may again block the optical path of the optical sensor, and the optical sensor may detect that the product is present again. In other words, the vending machine controller misidentifies that the next sale product is in the middle of being taken into the bucket even though one product has already been taken into the bucket, and the product is sold. It may be canceled. In such a case, the problem which causes trouble to a customer arises.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the vending machine which can detect reliably that goods were acquired by the bucket.

  The main invention for solving the above problems is that a product transport unit that transports a product row placed on the first transport belt to the top product side, and a top product in the product row that faces the product transport unit. A product acquisition port for acquiring, a product discharge port for paying out the top product provided on the opposite side of the product acquisition port, and the top product transported from the product transport unit and the top An automatic apparatus comprising: a bucket having a second conveyor belt that conveys merchandise from the merchandise acquisition port side to the merchandise payout exit side; and a drive mechanism that drives the first and second conveyor belts. In the vending machine, on the product acquisition port side of the bucket, a first non-contact sensor that detects the presence or absence of passage of the top product transported from the product transport unit to the bucket; Provided on the side of the product payout port of the bucket and elastically biased from the product payout side to the product acquisition port side, and receives a pressing force from the product acquisition port side to the product payout port side. A revolving door for paying out the top product, a projecting piece projecting from the revolving door and revolving together with the revolving door, and the projecting piece A second non-contact sensor that detects rotation in a direction against the elastic bias, a first detection signal when the first non-contact sensor detects the leading product as non-existing, and the second non-contact sensor. When the second detection signal is received when the contact sensor detects the rotation of the protruding piece in the direction against the elastic bias, the second conveyor belt should be further driven toward the commodity payout port. And a control unit for controlling the drive mechanism. And it features. According to this vending machine, the detection signal when both the passing state of the leading product from the product transport unit to the bucket and the turning state in the direction against the elastic bias of the turning door are detected. Only when the control unit receives it, the control unit determines that a product has been acquired in the bucket. As a result, it is possible to reliably determine whether the product has been taken into the bucket, and it is possible to reliably provide the desired product to the customer.

  Further, in the vending machine, when the first non-contact sensor detects that the top product is present again when the control unit further conveys the second transport belt to the product payout side, The drive mechanism is configured to repeatedly execute the operation of driving the second transport belt toward the product payout port for a predetermined length and the operation of driving the second transport belt toward the product acquisition port for a predetermined length. It is characterized by controlling. According to this vending machine, even if the product taken into the bucket loses its posture and falls, and as a result, the first non-contact sensor detects the product again, the second transport Since the belt is repeated a predetermined length and a predetermined number of times to the product acquisition port side and the product payment outlet side of the bucket, it is possible to detect the fact that the product is transferred in the bucket. As a result, it is possible to reliably determine whether the product has been taken into the bucket, and it is possible to reliably provide the desired product to the customer.

  In the vending machine, the control unit stops selling the leading product when the first detection signal and the second detection signal cannot be received. According to this vending machine, if it is not possible to detect that the top product has been acquired in the bucket based on the first and second detection signals, the sales of the top product are stopped, for example, money is returned to the customer. Will be. If the sale of the first product is continued without stopping the sale of the first product, depending on the attitude of the first product in the bucket, the product may hit the bucket mechanism when the bucket is transferred to the product outlet. Such a problem can be solved, although there is a possibility that the deformation causes a great inconvenience to the customer, or the product is caught in the mechanism of the bucket and interferes with the mechanism.

  In the vending machine, the first non-contact sensor and the second non-contact sensor are optical sensors that form an optical path between a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and a conveyance direction of the second conveyance belt; It is provided in the both sides of the said bucket which cross | intersects, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. According to this vending machine, since the first and second non-contact sensors are integrated with the bucket, the detection accuracy of the top product is improved. As a result, it is possible to reliably determine whether the product has been taken into the bucket, and it is possible to reliably provide the desired product to the customer.

  Further, in the vending machine, the pivot door pivots about a horizontal axis provided at an upper portion of the bucket, and the protruding piece extends from the pivot door to the transport direction of the second transport belt. Projecting in parallel, the second non-contact sensor detects rotation of the projecting piece in a direction against the elastic bias by blocking or passing the optical path by the projecting piece. According to this vending machine, it is possible to effectively detect the rotation of the protruding piece in the direction against the elastic biasing of the protruding piece, thereby ensuring that the product is taken into the bucket and the product desired by the customer. Can be reliably provided.

  Further, in the vending machine, the rotating door is elastically biased from the product payout port side to the product acquisition port side by a spring member. According to this vending machine, the rotating door can be elastically biased by an inexpensive spring member.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably detect that a product has been acquired in the bucket.

  At least the following matters will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

=== 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 customer to make a purchase selection by seeing through a door panel 13 the actual product to be sold. The outline of this see-through type vending machine will be described below.

  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 a vertical movement (Y direction in FIG. 1) by a bucket 90 that is driven to move, 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 has been appropriately conveyed from the product storage / conveyance column 400 to the bucket 90 is determined by an optical product detection sensor 91 (first non-contact sensor: for example, FIG. 4) provided on the product acquisition port side of the bucket 90. Are detected by an optical product detection sensor 810 (second non-contact sensor: for example, FIG. 4) provided on the product payout side of the bucket 90. Hereinafter, the vending machine according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically with reference to each drawing.

  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.

  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 customer'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.

  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 the product storage / unload column 400 in which the product 11 selected by the customer's operation is stored. The product acquisition port is opposed to the opening of the product to acquire the product 11. The bucket 90 further obtains the product 11 from the product storage / unload column 400 and conveys the product 11 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. 6) 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.

<<< 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 includes a product transport unit conveyor belt (first transport belt) 43 driven in a certain 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.

  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, and a locking key portion 42 is fitted into each of the bottom plate 31 and the back plate 32. A number of slits 35 to be stopped 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.

  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.

<<< 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, and a conveyor 85. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing details of a portion omitted at the lower part of the bucket 90 in FIG.

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 (light receiving element) provided on one side wall portion shown in FIG. 3 in the bucket 90 and a light projecting portion 91b (light emission) provided on the other side wall portion facing the one side wall portion. Element) (FIG. 4). 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.

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. The bucket position detection sensors 902 and 903 are provided on one side wall side and the other side wall side of the bucket 90, respectively. This is to detect a plurality of product storage / unload columns 400 arranged at different positions in the X direction of the product shelf 30 within the narrowest width in the X direction as much as possible. That is, a plurality of product storage / unload columns 400 on the side close to the −X direction are detected by the bucket position detection sensor 902, and a plurality of product storage / transport columns 400 on the side close to the + X direction are detected by the bucket position detection sensor 903. Become. However, the present invention is not limited to the two bucket position detection sensors 902 and 903, and one bucket position detection sensor (not shown) may be provided at a substantially lower center of the conveyor 85 in the bucket 90. .

  The movable arm 92 is a movable member that is rotationally driven by appropriate drive means (not shown) 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.

  The movable gear 93 is pivotally supported by a pivotal support portion 93e with respect to the movable gear holder 93d shown in FIG. The movable gear 93 is rotationally driven by appropriate driving means including the movable gear drive motor 988 (FIG. 6) on the bucket 90 side around the shaft support portion 93e. 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 93d is rotationally driven around a shaft support portion 93c 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 Thereby, the movable gear 93 is also rotationally driven around the shaft support portion 93c. When the leading product 11 of the product row stored in the product storage / unload column 400 is conveyed to the bucket 90 by such rotational drive and rotational drive, the movable gear 93 rotates the movable gear holder 93d in the clockwise direction. 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). . The commodity detection sensor 810 includes a light receiving unit 810a (light receiving element) and a light emitting unit 810b (light emitting element). The light receiving unit 810a is fixed to one side wall portion constituting the bucket 90, and the light emitting unit 810b is configured to constitute a bucket. It is fixed to the side wall. In particular, the light receiving unit 810a and the light emitting unit 810b are configured so that an optical signal emitted from the light emitting unit 810b is received by the light receiving unit 810a, that is, an optical path is formed between the light emitting unit 810b and the light receiving unit 810a. Is fixed. The product detection sensor 810 detects the presence or absence of a protruding piece 86a that protrudes in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the product 11 (the -Z direction) from the rotary door 86 provided on the product payout exit side of the bucket 90. is there.

  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. 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 cam groove gear 970. The cam groove gear 970 is provided with a cam groove 970a (cam, FIG. 5) having a spiral shape on the back side of the paper surface in FIG.

  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. . 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 unit 91a and the light projecting unit 91b of the commodity detection sensor 91 having such a configuration are configured such that the cam follower 107 rotates the cam grooved gear 970 in accordance with the rotation of the cam grooved gear 970. By moving in the direction, it is possible to move back and forth in the product conveyance direction (Z direction) from both side walls of the bucket 90.

  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 includes a driving pulley 851 driven by a conveyor driving motor 1006, a driven pulley 853, and a bucket conveyor belt (second conveying belt) 857 that is stretched and driven by the two pulleys 851 and 853. It is equipped with. 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 (product acquisition port side) of the bucket 90 to the Z direction front (product payout side).

  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. 1007 is connected to conveyor support portions 1010a and 1010b at both ends.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the conveyor 85 according to the present embodiment is (a) horizontal (the product discharge outlet side is horizontal with the product acquisition port side), or (b) inclined forward in the Z direction of the bucket 90. Or (b) (the product paying outlet side is inclined downward from the product acquiring port side). FIG. 5 is a side view of a configuration example of a main part of a driving unit for moving the commodity detection sensor 91 together with the conveyor 85 of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a cam groove 970 a is provided on the inner side surface of the cam groove gear 970. The cam groove 970a has an equal radius r from the “A” point to the “B” point shown in FIG. 5, and a radius gradually increasing from r to R from the “B” point to the “C” point. , A shape along the circumference having the same radius R from the “C” point to the “D” point.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the cam grooved gear 970 rotates so that the cam follower 107 fits between the “A” point and the “B” point (radius r) of the cam groove 970a. When in the state, the support member 101a is arranged such that the shaft support portion 103a to the cam follower 107 are inclined forward in the Z direction with respect to the Y direction. Thereby, the conveyor support part 1010a in the conveyor support member 1004a pivotally supported by the pivot support part 1002a with respect to the support member 101a is pushed down in the Y direction. The conveyor support portion 1010b (FIG. 4) provided on the other side wall portion of the bucket 90 is also arranged symmetrically with the conveyor support portion 1010a. Therefore, the conveyor 85 can take a position inclined forward in the Z direction. In synchronization with this, the commodity detection sensor 91 can also move in the direction of retracting to the side wall portion of the bucket 90 (front in the Z direction).

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the cam grooved gear 970 rotates so that the cam follower 107 fits between the “C” point and the “D” point (radius R) of the cam groove 970a. When in the state, the support member 101a is arranged from the shaft support portion 103a to the cam follower 107 along the Y direction. Thereby, the conveyor support part 1010a in the conveyor support member 1004a pivotally supported by the pivot support part 1002a with respect to the support member 101a is pushed up in the Y direction. The conveyor support portion 1010b (FIG. 4) provided on the other side wall portion of the bucket 90 is also arranged symmetrically with the conveyor support portion 1010a. Therefore, the conveyor 85 can take a horizontal position. In synchronization with this, the commodity detection sensor 91 can also move in the direction protruding from the side wall portion of the bucket 90 (front in the Z direction).

  As will be described later, the state of the bucket 90 is such that the product detection sensor 91 shown in FIG. 5A is retracted and the conveyor 85 is inclined forward in the Z direction, and the product detection sensor shown in FIG. 91, the cam groove 570a of the cam grooved gear 570 has a radius that gradually increases from r to R from the "B" point to the "C" point. It has an arc shape. In the present embodiment, the central angle of this arc is approximately 45 °.

In the present embodiment, the product 11 is pushed out by its own weight by a flip-up type rotating door 86 (FIGS. 3 and 4) provided at the product payout opening of the bucket 90 and discharged to the product takeout unit 16. It has come to be. The pivot door 86 is pivotally supported so as to be pivotable about the upper portion of the bucket 90, and is further elastically biased from the merchandise paying outlet side to the merchandise acquisition port side by using a spring member 86b. When the rotary door 86 is not receiving a pressing force from the product acquisition port side to the product paying outlet side (for example, a pressing force by the product 11), a part of the periphery of the rotary door 86 is elastically biased by the bucket 90. As a result, the rotary door 86 is stopped at the position shown in FIG.
In addition, an arm-shaped projecting piece 86a is provided in the −Z direction from one side of the rotating door 86 on the other side wall portion side of the bucket 90. The protruding piece 86b is provided integrally with the pivot door 86 so as to be in a position that does not block the optical path formed by the commodity detection sensor 810 in a state where the pivot door 86 is stopped at the position of FIG. Yes. As described above, the product detection sensor 810 is provided on both side wall portions of the bucket 90, and in particular, the light signal (for example, infrared light) from the light emitting portion 810b is projected to the other side wall portion where the light emitting portion 810b is provided. A hole 86c for light emission is provided.
Here, the pivot door 86 is restricted from pivoting from the merchandise acquisition port side to the merchandise payout port side except when the merchandise 11 is paid out by the release member 1008. Up to a position where the protruding piece 86a hides the hole 86c (FIG. 9), there is a play angle that can be rotated against the elastic force of the spring member 86b regardless of the rotation restriction by the release member 1008. When the conveyor 85 is tilted forward in the Z direction of the bucket 90, the rotation restriction by the release member 1008 is released and the rotating door 86 is pushed and opened by the weight of the product 11 on the conveyor 85. ing. The bucket 90 according to the present embodiment includes a locking portion (not shown) that fixes the rotating door 86 to the commodity outlet of the bucket 90 and prohibits the flip-up operation. When the cam groove-equipped gear 970 is rotated, the locking portion is raised when the protrusion 970b provided on the outer side of the cam groove-equipped gear 970 lifts the release member 1008 biased downward by a spring (not shown). To be released.

<<< Control of bucket operation >>>
FIG. 6 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. 6 performs movement control for driving the bucket drive motor 910 described above to move the bucket 90 in the X and Y directions, and movable for rotating the cam drive motor 960 and the movable gear 93 described above. The gear drive motor 988 and the above-described conveyor drive motor 1006 are driven to perform acquisition and payout control of the commodity 11.

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.

  Further, as will be described later, 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 conveyor. The movement of 85 postures is performed in cooperation. These operations are controlled according to the rotation angle of the cam grooved gear 970 detected by, for example, a rotary switch 971 provided so as to be fitted to the cam grooved gear 970.

=== 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. Here, FIG. 7 to FIG. 11 are side views of the main part illustrating the operation example of the bucket according to the present embodiment in order. FIG. 12 shows the rotation state of the cam groove gear 970, the driving state of the conveyor belt 43 for the product transport unit, the driving state of the bucket conveyor belt 857, the detection state of the product detection sensor 91 in the process of selling the product, 6 is a timing chart showing a detection state of a commodity detection sensor 810.

<<<< Product Acquisition >>>>
FIG. 7 is a main part side view showing an operation example in which the bucket 90 acquires the product 11 from the product storage / unload column 400. At time T0, the cam drive motor 960 of the bucket 90 positioned so that the product acquisition port faces the opening of the product storage / conveyance column 400 is driven, and the cam grooved gear 970 rotates clockwise in FIG. Roll). At this time T0, the power for performing the light receiving and emitting operations of the commodity detection sensors 91 and 810 is turned on. That is, the commodity detection sensors 91 and 810 are in a transmissive state that forms an optical path at time T0. Thereafter, the cam grooved gear 970 rotates until the cam follower 107 is engaged with the cam groove 970a between the “C” point and the “D” point, and stops at the time T1. In the cam groove gear 970 shown in FIG. 7, the cam follower 107 is fitted to the cam groove 970a at the “C” point. At this time, the conveyor 85 is horizontal by the configuration shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, an appropriate cam (not shown) connected to the cam grooved gear 970 via an appropriate gear (not shown) rotates between the “C” point and the “D” point. The movable arm 92 having the same axis as that of the cam (not shown) depresses the movable stopper 70 of the product storage / unloading column 400, and the movable gear 93 having the same axis as the cam (not shown) is connected to the product storage / unloading column 400. Engage with the fixed gear 53. Further, the commodity detection sensor 91 protrudes from both side walls of the bucket 90 in the −Z direction.

  When the rotation of the cam grooved gear 970 stops at time T1, the counterclockwise rotation in FIG. 7 of the movable gear 93 driven by the movable gear drive motor 988 is transmitted to the fixed gear 53, and the conveyor belt for the commodity transport unit. 43 moves as indicated by the arrow in FIG. At the same time, the drive pulley 851 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 7 by the conveyor drive motor 1006, and the bucket conveyor belt 857 is also moved as indicated by the arrow in FIG. Thereby, the commodity 11 moves forward in the Z direction. In the process in which the product 11 is transferred from the product transport unit conveyor belt 43 to the bucket conveyor belt 857, the optical path formed by the product detection sensor 91 is blocked by the product 11 (time T2). For example, at time T3 several hundred msec after the optical path of the product detection sensor 91 is blocked, the product transport unit conveyor belt 43 stops, and thereafter, the product 11 is moved only by the pulling-in force of the bucket conveyor belt 857. Will be acquired.

  The control unit 200 determines whether or not the optical path of the commodity detection sensor 91 continues to be shielded from light for time TX or more (for example, several seconds or more) after time T3. When the time required from time T3 to T4 is equal to or greater than TX, the product is not obtained with the bucket conveyor belt 857 alone due to, for example, the center of gravity of the product 11 being shifted to the product transport unit conveyor belt 43 side for some reason. 11 is in a state where 11 cannot be pulled into the bucket 90, the control unit 200 outputs a control signal for moving the upper surface of the conveyor belt 43 for the product transport unit in the predetermined length + Z direction. As a result, the driving force from the conveyor drive motor 1006 is transmitted to the upper surface of the conveyor belt 43 for the product transport unit, and moves in the time + Z direction from time T4 to time T5 (for example, several seconds). That is, not only the bucket conveyor belt 857 but also the conveyance force of the commodity conveyance unit conveyor belt 43 is applied, and the commodity 11 can easily move in the + Z direction. Note that the operations from time T3 to time T5 may be repeatedly performed until the optical path of the commodity detection sensor 91 changes from light blocking to light transmitting. Further, the operation from time T3 to T5 may be repeated a predetermined number of times, and the product sales operation may be stopped when the optical path of the product detection sensor 91 does not change from light shielding to light transmission with the result. In the present embodiment, the same operations as those at times T3 to T5 are repeated again at times T5 to T8. Of course, when the time from T3 to T4 is less than TX, the conveyor belt 43 for product transport unit does not move in the + Z direction as at times T4 to T5 and T6 to T8.

  At time T7 in the process from time T5 to time T8, when the product 11 is taken into the bucket 90 and the optical path of the product detection sensor 91 becomes translucent, the product 11 is placed on the bucket conveyor belt 857. In this state, it is further conveyed in the + Z direction (see FIG. 8).

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the product 11 on the bucket conveyor belt 857 is further conveyed in the + Z direction, the product 11 has a play angle range in a direction against the elastic force of the spring member 86b. Press inside. Thereby, at time T9, the protruding piece 86a covers the hole 86c, and the optical path of the commodity detection sensor 810 is shielded. Along with this, the conveyor drive motor 1006 stops, and the bucket conveyor belt 857 stops. Thereafter (for example, after several hundred msec), the cam grooved gear 970 rotates counterclockwise to the same position as that at time T0 during times T10 to T12. As a result, the bucket conveyor belt 857 is inclined downward on the + Z direction side as shown in FIG. That is, at time T1 to T10 before time T10, the product transport unit conveyor belt 43 is parallel to the bucket conveyor belt 857 in the Z direction, and the product 11 is delivered from the product storage / conveyance column 400 to the bucket 90. Sometimes, the product 11 has a large contact area with the bucket belt 857. Furthermore, the conveyor 85 is inclined forward in the Z direction, and the commodity detection sensor 91 is retracted into both side walls of the bucket 90. Also, a suitable cam (not shown) connected to the cam grooved gear 570 via a suitable gear (not shown) rotates, and a movable arm 92 having the same axis as the cam (not shown) moves the product in and out. The pressing of the movable stopper 70 of the column 400 is released, and the meshing of the movable gear 93 having the same axis as that of the cam (not shown) with the fixed gear 53 of the commodity storage / unloading column 400 is released.

Here, a case is considered in which, at time T11 in the process from time T10 to time T12, the attitude of the product 11 collapses, and the product 11 blocks the light path of the product detection sensor 91 again. In this case, after the rotation of the cam groove gear 970 is stopped at time T12, the bucket conveyor belt 857 is within the range where the optical path of the commodity detection sensor 810 is shielded, that is, the protruding piece 86a passes through the hole 86c. Within the covered range, it receives the driving force from the conveyor drive motor 1006 and moves in the + Z direction (time T12 to T13). The bucket drive motor 1006 stops driving upon receipt of the light from the commodity detection sensor 91 at time T13, whereby the bucket conveyor belt 857 stops moving.
Thereafter (for example, several hundred msec later) from time T14 to time T16, the bucket drive motor 1006 rotates in the reverse direction, and the bucket conveyor belt 857 moves in the −Z direction within the above range. If, at time T15 between times T14 and T16, the product 11 again loses its posture and the optical path of the product detection sensor 91 is blocked again, operations similar to the operations at times T12 to T13 are performed at times T17 to T18. Run repeatedly. The bucket drive motor 1006 stops driving when the commodity detection sensor 91 transmits light at time T18, whereby the bucket conveyor belt 857 stops moving.
In the present embodiment, the bucket drive motor 1006 stops in response to the product detection sensor 91 becoming translucent at times T13 and T18. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the bucket drive motor is moved in the forward and reverse directions. The bucket drive motor 1006 may be repeatedly driven in the forward direction and the reverse direction until the commodity detection sensor 91 becomes translucent, with the time for rotating in the direction as a predetermined fixed time. That is, from time T12 to T18, the bucket 90 is shaken in the Z direction within a range in which the protruding piece 86a covers the hole 86c, thereby eliminating the product detection sensor 91 from being shielded from light, and the product 11 The state taken into the bucket 90 can be reliably detected. Here, when the bucket 90 is shaken in the Z direction, the bucket conveyor belt 857 is inclined so that the + Z direction is downward, and the product 11 is pressed against the rotating door 86 side. There is no inconvenience that the product is returned from the product acquisition port side of the bucket 90 to the product transport unit conveyor belt side, and the product 11 is reliably shaken in the bucket 90. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the product detection sensor 91 is described as being translucent by driving the bucket drive motor 1006 intermittently three times in the forward direction, the reverse direction, and the forward direction. If the optical path of the product detection sensor 91 is not transparent even if the bucket 90 swinging operation in the Z direction shown at times T12 to T18 is performed, the sale of the product 11 is stopped and the bucket 90 is placed in the sales standby position. For example, a disposal port (not shown) may be provided on the side facing the product acquisition port of the bucket 90, and the product 11 that could not be sold can be discarded from the disposal port. is there.

<<< Product transport >>>
Here, since the product detection sensor 91 is transparent and the product detection sensor 810 is shielded, the bucket 90 can be moved to the product take-out portion 16. As shown in FIG. 10, the upper portion of the commodity 11 abuts on a rotating door 86 provided at the commodity outlet of the bucket 90, and the center of gravity thereof is closer to the door. Therefore, when the bucket 90 holding the product 11 moves to the product takeout unit 16, the product 11 is prevented from falling from the product acquisition port due to, for example, vibration of the bucket 90 (time T18 to T19: several seconds, for example) ).

<<< Delivery of goods >>>
FIG. 11 is a side view showing an operation example in which the bucket 90 pays out the product 11 at the product takeout unit 16. The cam drive motor 960 of the bucket 90 positioned so that the product outlet is opposed to the product takeout portion 16 is driven, and the cam grooved gear 970 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. The cam grooved gear 970 rotates and stops until the cam follower 107 is fitted to the cam groove 970a at the “A2” point (time T19 to T20). Here, the “A2” point is located between the “A” point and the “A1” point. At this time, the conveyor 85 remains inclined forward in the Z direction by the configuration shown in FIG. By the rotation, the protrusion 970b provided on the outer side of the cam groove gear 970 rotates counterclockwise, and lifts the release member 1008 biased downward by a spring (not shown). By the operation of the release member 1008, a locking portion (not shown) that fixes the rotating door 86 to the commodity discharge outlet of the bucket 90 and prohibits the flip-up operation is released, and the commodity 11 has its own weight. Push to open. Further, the drive pulley 851 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 11 by the conveyor drive motor 1006 (time T20 to T21), and the bucket conveyor belt 857 moves as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 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). Thereafter, the pivot door 86 is pivoted back to the position shown in FIG. 7 by the elastic force of the spring member 86b, the driving force of the cam drive motor 960 is transmitted, and the cam groove gear 970 is moved to the same position as the time T0. It turns clockwise and stops (time T22 to T23). At this time, the release member 1008 is locked with the locking portion, and the rotation of the rotary door 86 toward the commodity outlet is restricted.

  As described above, both the passing state of the commodity 11 from the commodity transport unit conveyor belt 43 to the bucket conveyor belt 857 and the state of covering the hole 86c against the elastic bias of the rotating door 86 are detected. For the first time when the control unit 200 receives the detection signal at the time when the product 11 is acquired, the control unit 200 determines that the commodity 11 is acquired in the bucket 90. As a result, it is possible to reliably determine whether the product is taken into the bucket 90 and to reliably provide the product 11 desired by the customer.

=== Other operation of see-through type vending machine ===
When the length L from the upper surface of the bucket conveyor belt 857 in the vertical direction to the optical path of the product detection sensor 91 is set to be longer than the length in the transport direction (Z direction) of each product 11 forming the product row, If the first product 11 falls in the transport direction before blocking the optical path of the product detection sensor 91 during the transport process, the height of the product 11 at this time becomes lower than the mounting position of the product detection sensor 91 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the commodity detection sensor 91 cannot detect the passage of the commodity 11. However, the product 11 that has lost its posture presses the pivot door 86 in the + Z direction while being conveyed in the + Z direction by the bucket conveyor belt 857. That is, the turning door 86 turns in the + Z direction against the elastic force of the spring member 86b, and the protruding piece 86a covers the hole 86c. As a result, the optical path of the product detection sensor 91 is transparent, and the optical path of the product detection sensor 810 is shielded, so that the state is similar to that at times T9 to T10 in FIG. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably provide the desired product 11 to the customer without the bucket 90 collecting two or more products 11 together.

  In a plastic bottle product in which a beverage is enclosed, a plastic bottle container may be formed of a transparent resin, and a product in which the enclosed beverage has permeability may be sold. Since plastic labels, paper labels, etc. with product names, manufacturer names, etc. are attached to the PET bottle containers, such a label blocks the optical path of the product detection sensor 91, so that highly transparent PET bottle products Even so, it can be detected that the top product has been delivered to the bucket. However, since vending machines sell PET bottle products of various heights and shapes, if you handle PET bottle products in which a highly permeable beverage is sealed in a PET bottle container formed of transparent resin. In addition, if the optical path of the product detection sensor 91 is not attached to the label position of the plastic bottle product, the product detection sensor 91 cannot always detect the passage of the plastic bottle product. However, the product that has passed through the optical path of the product detection sensor 91 while being transmitted is pushed in the + Z direction while being conveyed in the + Z direction by the bucket conveyor belt 857. That is, the turning door 86 turns in the + Z direction against the elastic force of the spring member 86b, and the protruding piece 86a covers the hole 86c. As a result, the optical path of the product detection sensor 91 is transparent, and the optical path of the product detection sensor 810 is shielded, so that the state is similar to that at times T9 to T10 in FIG. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably provide the desired product 11 to the customer without the bucket 90 collecting two or more products 11 together. Furthermore, when a highly permeable product is handled, it is possible to improve the sales operation rate of the vending machine without changing the mounting position of the product detection sensor 91.

  In addition, in the case of a product with a poor sense of stability at the time of transportation, there is a case where the posture is collapsed when the product is taken into the bucket 90 and falls down. In this case, although the commodity detection sensor 91 detects the passage of the leading commodity 11, the commodity 11 again blocks the optical path of the commodity detection sensor 91, and the commodity detection sensor 91 again has the commodity 11. May be detected. At this time, since the operation (shaking of the bucket 90) shown in time T12 to T18 in FIG. 12 is executed, it is possible to reliably provide the desired product 11 to the customer.

=== Other Embodiments ===
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.

<<<< Pivoting door >>>>
In the present embodiment, the pivot door 86 has a flip-up structure, but is not limited thereto. For example, the vertical support shaft may be provided on the side wall portion of the bucket 90 on the side where the projecting piece 86a is provided, and the vertical support shaft may be elastically biased from the product paying outlet side to the product acquisition port side. . In this case, when the pivot door 86 is stopped at the position shown in FIG. 7, the commodity detection sensor 810 is shielded from light, and the pivot door 86 is pressed against the commodity 11 and pivots against the elastic force. When it does, it is necessary to set it as the structure which makes the optical path of the goods detection sensor 810 light-transmitting state by rotating the protrusion piece 86a to + Z direction. That is, as the logic that the control unit 200 determines, the light transmission and light shielding of the commodity detection sensor 810 are determined in reverse.

It is a front view which shows the example of an external appearance structure of the see-through type vending machine of this Embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the principal part structural example of the goods shelf of this Embodiment, and a goods storage carry-out column. It is a side view which shows the principal part structural example of the opening part of the bucket of this Embodiment, and a goods storage carry-out column. It is a perspective view of the principal part structural example of the drive means for moving the goods detection sensor and conveyor of a bucket of this Embodiment. It is a side view of the principal part structural example of the drive means for moving the goods detection sensor and conveyor of the bucket of this Embodiment. It is a control block diagram for controlling the operation of the bucket of the present embodiment. It is a principal part side view which shows the operation example of the bucket of this Embodiment. It is a principal part side view which shows the operation example of the bucket of this Embodiment. It is a principal part side view which shows the operation example of the bucket of this Embodiment. It is a principal part side view which shows the operation example of the bucket of this Embodiment. It is a principal part side view which shows the operation example of the bucket of this Embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows operation | movement of this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

85 Conveyor 86 Rotating door 86a Protruding piece 86b Spring member 86c Hole 90 Bucket 91 Product detection sensor 91a Light receiving part 91b Light emitting part 101a, 101b Support member 103a, 103b, 1002a, 1002b Shaft support part 105 Support member shaft 107 Cam driven Child 200 Control unit 810 Product detection sensor 851 Drive pulley 853 Driven pulley 857 Bucket conveyor belt 960 Cam drive motor 962, 964, 966, 968 Gear 970 Cam groove gear 970a Cam groove 970b Protrusion 1004a, 1004b Conveyor support member 1010a 1010b Conveyor support

Claims (6)

A product transport unit for transporting a product row placed on the first transport belt to the top product side, a product acquisition port for acquiring the top product in the product row opposite to the product transport unit, and the product acquisition A product outlet provided on the opposite side of the mouth for delivering the top product; the top product transported from the product transport unit is placed; and the top product is placed from the product acquisition port side to the product In a vending machine comprising a bucket having a second conveyor belt that conveys to the payout side, and a drive mechanism that drives the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt,
A first non-contact sensor that detects the presence or absence of passage of the first product conveyed from the product conveyance unit to the bucket on the product acquisition port side of the bucket;
The bucket is provided on the commodity delivery outlet side of the bucket and is elastically biased from the product delivery outlet side to the product acquisition port side, and a pressing force is applied from the product acquisition port side to the product delivery outlet side. A revolving door for paying out the top product, which stops at a predetermined stop position when not received,
A protruding piece protruding from the rotating door and rotating together with the rotating door;
A second non-contact sensor that detects that the protruding piece has rotated in a direction against the elastic bias;
A first detection signal when the first non-contact sensor detects the leading product is absent, and a second non-contact sensor detects rotation of the protruding piece in a direction against the elastic bias. When the second detection signal is received, a control unit that controls the drive mechanism to further drive the second conveyor belt to the commodity outlet side;
Vending machine characterized by having   When the first non-contact sensor detects that the leading product is present again when the second transport belt is further transported to the product payout exit side, the control unit moves the second transport belt to the product payout port. The drive mechanism is controlled so as to repeatedly execute an operation of driving a predetermined length toward the exit side and an operation of driving the second transport belt toward the product acquisition port by a predetermined length. Item 2. The vending machine according to item 1.   3. The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein when the first detection signal and the second detection signal cannot be received, the control unit stops selling the leading product.   The first non-contact sensor and the second non-contact sensor are optical sensors that form an optical path between a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and are disposed on both sides of the bucket intersecting with the conveying direction of the second conveying belt. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vending machine is provided. The pivot door pivots about a horizontal axis provided at the top of the bucket,
The protruding piece protrudes from the rotating door in parallel with the conveying direction of the second conveying belt,
The said 2nd non-contact sensor detects rotation to the direction which resists the said elastic urging | biasing of the said protrusion by the interruption | blocking or passage of the optical path by the said protrusion. vending machine.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the rotating door is elastically urged from a side of the product payout port to a side of the product acquisition port by a spring member.

Images