JP2007183993A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending machine for securely conveying articles and having large capacity for housing the articles. <P>SOLUTION: The vending machine comprises a plurality of article conveying units for conveying an array of articles to front side of the articles, article shelves to which the plurality of article conveying units are mounted with a predetermined distance into an orthogonal direction to a conveying direction of the array of the articles, a bucket having an article outlet selectively facing the plurality of article conveying units to be mounted to the shelves for articles and for receiving a top article in the array of the articles by moving into the orthogonal direction, and a guide rail for moving the bucket into the orthogonal direction after holding. The bucket has a driving motor and a pinion mechanism in which driving force of the driving motor is transmitted, and the guide rail has a rack mechanism in which a driving force of the pinion mechanical section is transmitted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique that is effective when applied to a vending machine, in particular, a see-through type vending machine, which acquires a product from a product row by a bucket, conveys the product to a product payout exit, and sells the product.

  Some vending machines are provided with, for example, a plurality of product shelves arranged in the vertical direction in which product transport units for storing and transporting products in a row are arranged in parallel. Some of these vending machines further include a bucket that acquires a product from a product transport unit and transports the product to a product payout exit. The bucket has a product acquisition port, and the bucket moves by an appropriate moving mechanism starting from the standby position so that the product acquisition port faces the opening and the product discharge port of each product transport unit. . For example, the direction in which the product transport units are arranged side by side in one product shelf is the X direction, the vertical direction in which the product shelf is arranged is the Y direction, and the product transport direction is the Z direction. If a bucket supported by an appropriate mechanism movable in the Y direction and held by a guide rail extending in the X direction moves along the guide rail by an appropriate driving means, the bucket can move in the XY direction. It becomes. Thereby, when the user of the vending machine selects a product to be purchased, the bucket can be moved to the X coordinate position and the Y coordinate position as the position in the product shelf of the product transport unit in which the product is stored.

Some product transport units have a stopper for stopping the transport of the first product in the product line and / or a fixed gear for transmitting a driving force for transporting the product line at the opening. . Further, for such a commodity transport unit, the bucket has a movable arm for releasing the stopper and / or a movable gear for meshing with the fixed gear and transmitting the driving force. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-113306 A

  An appropriate mechanism for holding a bucket of a conventional vending machine includes a drive unit for moving the bucket in the X direction. Such a mechanism mainly holds the bucket at the lower part and the upper part. In such a vending machine, a shelf that is obstructed by a member or the like that holds the upper portion of the bucket and that has the same Y-coordinate position as the standby position of the bucket cannot be a commodity shelf. Accordingly, the amount of goods stored in the vending machine is reduced by the amount of the shelf.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine that reliably conveys merchandise and has a large storage capacity for the merchandise.

  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; In the vending machine provided with the guide rail that holds the bucket and moves in the orthogonal direction, the bucket includes a drive motor and a pinion mechanism portion to which the drive force of the drive motor is transmitted. The guide rail has a rack mechanism part to which the driving force of the pinion mechanism part is transmitted.

  Further, in this vending machine, the bucket has a mounting table on which the acquired product is mounted, and the drive motor and the pinion mechanism section are arranged at a lower part of the mounting table. To do.

  Further, in the vending machine, the drive motor is a stepping motor or a motor that transmits a driving force to a pulse encoder.

  According to this vending machine, the drive motor and the pinion mechanism are disposed at the lower part of the bucket, so that the center of gravity of the bucket is closer to the lower part. Therefore, the bucket can stably move in the orthogonal direction, and the product can be smoothly conveyed. In addition, the structure between the bucket and the guide rail is simplified, the manufacturing cost of the vending machine is reduced, and maintenance and the like are facilitated. Further, for example, since the bucket can be stably moved in the orthogonal direction only by holding the lower portion of the bucket by the guide rail, a member for holding the upper portion of the bucket is not particularly required. Therefore, the amount of goods stored in the vending machine can be increased by a space that is not obstructed by this member.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, goods can be conveyed reliably and the vending machine with the big storage amount of the said goods can be provided.

=== 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.
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 400 (product transport units) to be horizontally aligned (in the X direction in FIG. 1). ) And the vertical direction (the Y direction in FIG. 1), and is selectively received by the bucket 90 and is conveyed to the commodity outlet 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 receives the product 11 by moving so that the product acquisition port faces the opening of the product storage / unloading column 400 in which the product 11 purchased and selected by the user is stored. It is to be transported. 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. 4) provided in 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 in 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 payout port 16, a change / refund paying unit 17, a lock device (only a key hole is shown) 18 and the like are arranged. It is installed.

  Here, the merchandise payout opening 16 of the present embodiment is arranged at the upper part of the standby position of the bucket 90 shown in FIG. 1, that is, the position where the user can easily receive the merchandise without being forced to take an unreasonable posture. ing. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the standby position of the bucket 90 in the present embodiment is the lowermost part of the product storage unit 12 and the back side of the part other than the transparent window of the door panel 13. Further, the vending machine according to the present embodiment is provided with a stocker 300 for storing, for example, a product 11 for an operator to replenish the product storage / unloading column 400 on the back side of the product outlet 16. . Furthermore, three stockers 301, 302, and 303 (FIG. 10) are provided on the back side of the door panel 13 other than the see-through window.

  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). 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 discharge outlet 16. The catcher includes a bucket 90 that receives the product 11 from the product storage / unload column 400 and an XY drive mechanism that moves the bucket 90 in the XY direction.

  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. Here, as will be described later, the bucket 90 according to the present embodiment includes a drive motor 910 and the like for self-propelling in the X direction on a guide rail 81a (FIGS. 5 and 6) provided on the movable frame 81. Yes.

  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 11 is received from 400 openings. The bucket 90 is for carrying out the product 11 received from the product storage / unloading column 400 to the product delivery outlet 16.

  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.

  By the way, in the vending machine of the present embodiment, for example, a total of 48 product storage / unloading columns 400 are stored in the 8-stage product shelf 30. Specifically, eight product storage / unloading columns 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, and 418 are arranged in parallel in the X direction on the first-stage product shelf 30 counting from the top in the Y direction. In the second stage product shelf 30 counted from the top in the Y direction, eight rows of product storage / unload columns 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428 are arranged in parallel in the X direction. The product shelf 30 in the third row, counting from the top in the direction, has seven rows of product storage / discharge columns 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437 in the X direction, and counts from the top in the Y direction. The fourth-stage product shelf 30 is provided with five rows of product storage / unload columns 441, 442, 443, 444, 445 in the X direction, and the fifth-stage product shelf 30 counting from the top in the Y direction. In the X direction, five rows of product storage / unload columns 451, 4 2, 453, 454, and 455 are arranged in parallel, and the product shelf 30 in the sixth row counting from the top in the Y direction has five rows of product storage and discharge columns 461, 462, 463, 464, and 465 in the X direction. The product shelf 30 in the seventh row, counting from the top in the Y direction, has five rows of product storage and discharge columns 471, 472, 473, 474, 475 arranged in the X direction, and counted from the top in the Y direction. The eighth-stage product shelf 30 is provided with five rows of product storage and carry-out columns 481, 482, 483, 484, and 485 in the X direction.

  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 / unloading column 400 of the present embodiment has a conveyor belt 43 that is driven in a certain direction (Z direction). The products 11 are stored in a line on the conveyor belt 43, and the products 11 are sequentially fed forward in the Z direction of the product storage / unload column 400 by driving the conveyor belt 43. The conveyor belt 43 is an endless belt in which a strip of woven fabric of synthetic fibers is connected in a loop shape, and sprocket holes 44 are provided at a constant pitch along both width ends. The conveyor belt 43 is attached and held in a stretched state on a conveyor base 45 that can be attached to and detached 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 commodity 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.

  With the above-described configuration, the product storage / conveyance column 400 can be installed in any number (number of rows) within the width of the product shelf 30 for each product shelf 30, and the width of each product storage / conveyance column 400 is also set. It can be set arbitrarily. The width of the commodity storage / unload column 400 can be optimally variably set according to the width size of the commodity 11 stored and unloaded. Thereby, while being able to respond | correspond flexibly to several types of goods 11 from which size differs, the storage space of the goods 11 can be utilized efficiently. The slits 35 and 34 can also function as good ventilation holes for keeping the product 11 cold or warm.

  At the front end of the conveyor unit 41, a fixed gear 53 for driving the conveyor belt 43 from the bucket 90 side and the product 11 conveyed to the opening of the product storage / unload column 400 are the product storage / unload column 400. A movable stopper 70 is provided for retaining at the opening position. Further, on the conveyor belt 43, a backrest plate 60 is installed and fixed to prevent the product 11 on the conveyor belt 43 from falling backward in the conveying direction (Z direction).

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the stocker 300 as viewed obliquely from above. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, this stocker 300 is located in the product storage unit 12 from the top of the product shelf 30 at the seventh and eighth tiers on the right side of the product shelf 30 and counted from the top. It is arrange | positioned so that it may become the back side. The stocker 300 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a three-sided wall tray with a back plate and a side plate provided from three sides of a rectangular bottom plate, and has a vent 300d at an appropriate position in the vertical direction (Y direction). Has an intermediate partition plate 300c. In addition, the stocker 300 is provided with an openable / closable door 300a that is rotatable via an appropriate hinge 300b. A handle 300e is provided at an appropriate position on the outer surface of the opening / closing door 300a for convenience of the opening / closing operation. The stocker 300 according to the present embodiment stores, for example, the spare product 11 to be replenished to the product storage / conveyance column 400 while keeping it cold or warm. Thereby, for example, work such as replenishment of the goods 11 of the vending machine by an operator is facilitated.

  Note that the height in the Y direction of the side plate of the stocker 300 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to two intervals in the Y direction between the product shelves 30 in the product storage unit 12, and the other shown in FIGS. The height of the side plates of the stockers 301, 302, and 303 corresponds to one interval in the Y direction between the product shelves 30 in the product storage unit 12. In addition, it is assumed that the vent holes 300d are similarly formed in the bottom plates of the stockers 300, 301, 302, and 303 according to the present embodiment. However, the height of the stocker is not limited to the example of FIG. 3, and may be, for example, three or more intervals in the Y direction between the commodity shelves 30 or less than one. Further, the position and number of the partition plates are not limited to the example in FIG. 3. For example, one stocker is divided (N + 1) by N partition plates (N is an integer of 0 or more). Also good.

  FIG. 4 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. 4, the bucket 90 includes a commodity detection sensor 91, a first position detection sensor 902, a movable arm 92, a movable gear 93, a conveyor 85 (mounting table), and the like. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing details of a portion omitted at the lower part of the bucket 90 in FIG.

  The commodity detection sensor 91 is held by a suitable driving means (not shown) so as to be movable back and forth in the commodity conveyance direction (Z direction) from both side walls at the commodity acquisition port of the bucket 90. The commodity detection sensor 91 includes a light receiving portion 91a provided on one side wall portion shown in FIG. 4 in the bucket 90 and a light projecting portion 91b (FIG. 5) 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) is a position where the bucket 90 projects to the outside of the product acquisition port of the bucket 90, that is, toward the product storage / unload column 400 only when the bucket 90 receives the product 11 from the product storage / unload column 400. (Solid line in FIG. 4B). In other cases, the commodity detection sensor 91 is movably held so as to be moved backward from the commodity acquisition port of the bucket 90, that is, toward the bucket 90 (dotted line (b) in FIG. 4). 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, and the commodity detection sensor 91 may be fixed to the commodity acquisition port of the bucket 90.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first position detection sensor 902 (first sensor), together with the second position detection sensor 903 (second sensor: FIG. 5), is provided on each of the both side walls at the product acquisition port of the bucket 90. Is provided. The first position detection sensor 902 is provided on the side wall portion of the bucket 90 shown in FIG. 4, 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 are arranged so as to detect the outer 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 / conveying column 400. It is installed. 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. 4B) is reflected on the outer surface of the movable stopper 70, and the reflected light (RL in FIG. 4B). Is received by the light receiving element 902b, the first position detection sensor 902 outputs a detection signal. Here, in order for the first 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. Accordingly, the first position detection sensor 902 is prevented from misidentifying the product 11 as the movable stopper 70, for example, and the product storage / conveying column 400 can be reliably detected.

  The X coordinate position of the first position detection sensor 902 when the detection signal is output by the first position detection sensor 902 is identified as being within the width of the movable stopper 70 in the X direction. In other words, the first position detection sensor 902 detects the position of the movable stopper 70. Therefore, the first position detection sensor 902 has the product storage / conveying column 400 provided with the movable stopper 70 at the opening. The position on the product shelf 30 is detected. Note that in this embodiment mode, light emitted from the light-emitting element 902a is infrared light. In the present embodiment, the threshold value is the degree to which the infrared light projected from the light emitting element 902a is attenuated by the optical path RL in FIG. 4B with respect to the light receiving intensity of the light receiving element 902b. In this way, it is possible to prevent the first position detection sensor 902 from misidentifying the movable stopper 70 other than the movable stopper 70. Further, such optical detection by the light emitting element 902a and the light receiving element 902b is highly reliable despite being relatively inexpensive.

  Similarly to the first position detection sensor 902 described above, the second position detection sensor 903 (FIG. 5) is also provided on the side wall portion (FIG. 5) facing the side wall portion of the bucket 90 shown in FIG. 4, and the light emitting element 903a. And a light receiving element 903b that receives reflected light from the light emitting element 903a. However, in the present embodiment, the first position detection sensor 902 and the second position detection sensor 903 are provided with different X coordinate positions corresponding to the width of the product acquisition port in the bucket 90 by about the X direction. Similar to the first position detection sensor 902, the second position detection sensor 903 also detects the position of the product storage / conveyance column 400 in the product shelf 30 by outputting a detection signal.

  The movable arm 92 is a movable member that is rotationally driven by appropriate driving means (not shown) on the bucket 90 side, and pushes down the movable stopper 70 described above. The movable arm 92 of the present embodiment is composed of two movable arms 92a and 92b. The two movable arms 92a and 92b are distributed to both side wall portions of the bucket 90 and are provided at the lower portion of the conveyor 85 on which the product 11 is placed. 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. 4B, the movable arm 92 is pushed down to release the conveyance stop.

  The movable gear 93 is rotationally driven by an appropriate drive means (not shown) on the bucket 90 side, and when the product 11 on the product storage / unload column 400 is taken out and transported, the movable gear 93 is used for driving the belt on the product storage / unload column 400 side. The rotation is transmitted by meshing with the fixed gear 53. Furthermore, the movable gear 93 is rotationally driven around a shaft support portion 93c provided on the side wall portion of the bucket 90 shown in FIG. 4B by appropriate driving means (not shown) on the bucket 90 side. It is. 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 is Y with respect to the lower portion of the fixed gear 53 in the Y direction. It meshes from below in the direction (solid line in FIG. 4B) and is stored in the bucket 90 when the conveyance is stopped (dotted line in FIG. 4B). The movable gear 93 of the present embodiment is composed of two movable gears 93a and 93b. The two movable gears 93a and 93b are distributed to both side wall portions of the bucket 90, and are provided below the conveyor 85 on which the product 11 is placed.

  As will be described later, in the present embodiment, when the movable arm 92a rotates to push down the movable stopper 70, the movable gear 93a rotates to mesh with the lower portion of the fixed gear 53 from below in the Y direction. ing. Further, when the movable arm 92b is rotated to push down the movable stopper 70, the movable gear 93b is rotated so as to mesh with the lower portion of the fixed gear 53 from the lower side in the Y direction. For example, let us consider a case where the product acquisition port of the bucket 90 of the present embodiment faces the product storage / unloading column 400 having one conveyor unit 41. At this time, any one of the two movable arms 92 a and 92 b of the bucket 90 may push down the movable stopper 70 of the conveyor unit 41. Therefore, the two movable arms 92a and 92b may be driven to rotate separately. Further, for example, consider a case where the product acquisition port of the bucket 90 according to the present embodiment faces the product storage / unload column 400 having the two conveyor units 41. For example, a relatively large product 11 is placed across the two conveyor units 41. At this time, the two movable arms 92 a and 92 b of the bucket 90 simultaneously push down the movable stoppers of the two conveyor units 41 to drive both the conveyor units 41. Therefore, the two movable arms 92a and 92b are driven to rotate simultaneously. Similarly to the above, the two movable gears 93a and 93b may be separately driven to rotate or may be simultaneously driven to rotate.

  In the bucket 90, a belt-type conveyor 85 for drawing the product 11 fed from the opening of the product storage / unloading column 400 into the bucket 90 is provided. The conveyor 85 conveys the product 11 received from the front in the Z direction of the bucket 90 to the front in the Z direction (back of the bucket). Further, the conveyor 85 is configured to be inclined forward in the Z direction of the bucket 90 when the product 11 is carried out to the product payout opening 16. The product 11 is discharged to the product payout opening 16 by pushing the flip-up door 86 provided on the back of the bucket 90 (opposite the inlet) with its own weight. The spring-up door 86 is urged by a spring (not shown) so that it always closes, and when the conveyor 85 is tilted forward in the Z direction of the bucket 90, it is pushed open by its own weight on the conveyor 85. It is supposed to be.

  5 and 6 are a perspective view of the bucket 90 and the guide rail 81a that holds the bucket 90 as viewed obliquely from above, and a perspective view of the bucket 90 and the guide rail 81a that holds the bucket 90 as viewed obliquely from below. Figure. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing details of the lower portion of the bucket 90 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the vending machine of the present embodiment holds only the lower part of the bucket 90 by the guide rail 81a and does not have a member or the like that holds the upper part of the bucket 90 in the Y direction. The guide rail 81a is provided on the above-described movable frame 81 (FIG. 1). The lower portion of the bucket 90 in the Y direction is held by a guide rail 81a via a pinion mechanism portion including a roller 950, a drive motor 910, gears 912, 914, 916, 918a, a pinion 918b, a rack 810 (rack mechanism portion), and the like. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bucket 90 is movable in the X direction when four rotatable rollers 950 provided on the bucket 90 roll on the guide rail 81 a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the bucket 90 is provided with a drive motor 910 at the lower portion of the conveyor 85 in the Y direction. The rotational driving force of the drive motor 910 is transmitted from the gear 912 to the gear 918a by a pinion mechanism portion that is also provided at the lower portion in the Y direction of the conveyor 85 and meshes with each other. Here, the pinion 918b shown in FIG. 6 has the same axis as the gear 918a shown in FIG. Therefore, the rotational driving force of the drive motor 910 is transmitted to the pinion 918b. As shown in FIG. 6, the pinion 918b meshes with a rack 810 laid on the guide rail 81a. Thus, in the present embodiment, when the drive motor 910 rotates a predetermined number of times, the pinion 918b also rotates a predetermined number of times by the driving force transmission described above, and the bucket 90 is rotated by a predetermined distance in the X direction with respect to the guide rail 81a. It is supposed to move.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the bucket 90 is provided with a pulse encoder 920 (pulse generator) facing the gear 914. This pulse encoder 920 includes a rotor 920a having a radial encoder slit 920b, and an encoder photodetector 920c that generates a pulse signal each time light passing through the encoder slit 920b is detected. It is composed of The pulse signal is output by the pulse encoder 920 with a number corresponding to the amount of rotation of the drive motor 910 of the present embodiment, but is not limited to this. For example, if the drive motor 910 shown in FIG. 5B is a stepping motor, the stepping motor has a function of outputting a pulse signal with a number corresponding to its rotation amount. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the pulse encoder 920 in particular.

  With the above configuration, the bucket 90 can move in the X direction by a distance corresponding to the number of pulse signals on the guide rail 81a laid on the movable frame 81 (FIG. 1).

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining an example of a control means for identifying the position of the product storage / unload column 400 in the present embodiment.

  The control unit 200 shown in FIG. 7 receives the detection signals from the first position detection sensor 902 and the second position detection sensor 903, receives the pulse signals from the pulse encoder 920, and moves the bucket 90 in the X direction. It controls movement and the like. In addition, the control unit 200 of the present embodiment performs identification control for identifying the position of the product storage / unload column 400 in the product shelf 30 by moving the bucket 90 and also sells the product 11 in the bucket 90. Sales control is performed to control the sales mechanism 202 by moving the acquisition port to the opening of the product storage / carrying column 400.

  The RAM 204 stores the number of pulse signals corresponding to the position of the product storage / conveyance column 400 during the identification control, and the ROM 206 stores an appropriate program for operating the control unit 200 described above.

  In the remote controller 210, for example, when the position of the product storage / conveyance column 400 is changed when the vending machine is shipped or when the product is changed, the worker inputs data regarding the changed position to the control unit 200. It is a terminal for this purpose. The remote controller 210 includes an identification button 212 for inputting a request signal for requesting the above-described identification control to the control unit 200.

=== Operation of see-through vending machine ===
<<<<< Identification of the position of the product storage / unloading column >>>>
An operation in which the control unit of the see-through vending machine having the above-described configuration moves the bucket 90 to identify the position of the commodity storage / unload column 400 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view for explaining the relationship between the first-stage product shelf 30 and the bucket 90 counted from the top of the vending machine according to the present embodiment. In the product shelf 30 shown in FIG. 8, eight rows of product storage and carry-out columns 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, and 418 are arranged in parallel in the X direction. In the present embodiment, the product shelf 30 is partitioned by the partition plate 65 so that the product storage / unload columns 411 to 418 have a certain width in the X direction. The product acquisition port of the bucket 90 can face two adjacent product storage and carry-out columns (for example, 414 and 415). The X coordinate position of the bucket 90 in the movable frame 81 is represented by the number of pulse signals from the pulse encoder 920 that increases from the left end (BL) in FIG. Here, for example, when the bucket 90 depresses the left limit switch 81b provided on the movable frame 81, the movement of the bucket 90 in the X direction is stopped at the left end (BL). Similarly, for example, when the bucket 90 depresses a right limit switch 81c provided on the movable frame 81, the movement of the bucket 90 in the X direction is stopped at the right end (BR). When the bucket 90 moves in the X direction within the range from BL to BR, the first position detection sensor 902 and the second position detection sensor 903 described above are light receiving elements 902b included in the respective position detection sensors 902 and 903, When 903b senses light with a light receiving intensity equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold, a detection signal is output to the control unit 200 (FIG. 7).

  In the example shown by “BC” in FIG. 8, the bucket 90 is in a position where the product acquisition port of the bucket 90 faces the opening of the product storage / conveyance column 415. At this time, the first position detection sensor 902 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 200 when the light receiving element 902b receives the reflected light from the outer surface of the movable stopper 70 of the product storage / conveyance column 414. At the same time, the second position detection sensor 903 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 200 when the light receiving element 903b receives the reflected light from the outer surface of the movable stopper 70 of the product storage carry-out column 416. Upon receiving any of these detection signals, the control unit 200 stores the number of pulse signals corresponding to the number of rotations of the drive motor 910 from the pulse encoder 920 in the RAM 204.

  FIG. 9 shows detection signals from the position detection sensors 902 and 903 and a pulse signal from the pulse encoder 920 when the bucket 90 moves from the product storage / unload column 411 to the product storage / unload column 418 shown in FIG. FIG.

  First, when the bucket 90 moves in the X direction from the left end (BL) and the pulse signal from the pulse encoder 920 reaches the fourth pulse, the first position detection sensor 902 detects the product storage / conveyance column 411, and the rectangular A detection signal C1 having a shape is output. On the other hand, the second position detection sensor 903 cannot detect the product storage / conveyance column 411. According to FIG. 9, the detection signal C1 changes from a low level (hereinafter referred to as L-level) to a high level (hereinafter referred to as H-level) at the fourth pulse. The signal changes from H-level to L-level at the fifth pulse. Based on an appropriate program stored in the ROM 206, for example, the control unit 200 is configured such that the above-mentioned “4 pulses” are mounted on the product storage / unload column 411 “first” from the left end of the product shelf 30 in FIG. For example, “(1, Sen (1): 4, Sen (2): NONE)” is stored in the RAM 204. Here, “Sen (1)” and “Sen (2)” represent the first position detection sensor 902 and the second position detection sensor 903, respectively, and “NONE” represents that there is no data on the number of pulse signals. And

  When the bucket 90 further moves in the X direction and the pulse signal from the pulse encoder 920 reaches the seventh pulse, the first position detection sensor 902 detects the product storage / conveyance column 412 and forms a rectangular detection signal C2. Is output. According to FIG. 9, the detection signal C2 changes from L-level to H-level at the seventh pulse, and from H-level to L-level at the ninth pulse. On the other hand, the second position detection sensor 903 also detects the product storage / conveyance column 412 and outputs a detection signal D2 having a substantially rectangular shape. According to FIG. 9, the detection signal D2 changes from L-level to H-level. No transition has been detected. Based on an appropriate program stored in the ROM 206, for example, the control unit 200 is configured such that the above-mentioned “7 pulses” are mounted on the product storage / unload column 412 “second” from the left end of the product shelf 30 in FIG. In association with this, for example, “(2, Sen (1): 7, Sen (2): NONE)” is stored in the RAM 204.

  When the bucket 90 further moves in the X direction and the pulse signal from the pulse encoder 920 reaches the 11th pulse, the first position detection sensor 902 detects the product storage / conveyance column 413, and forms a rectangular detection signal C3. Is output. According to FIG. 9, the detection signal C3 changes from the L-level to the H-level at the 11th pulse, and from the H-level to the L-level at the 12th pulse. On the other hand, the second position detection sensor 903 also detects the product storage / conveyance column 413 and outputs a rectangular detection signal D3. The detection signal D3 changes from L-level to H-level at the 4th pulse (11th pulse-7th pulse), and from H-level to L-level at the 5th pulse (12th pulse-7th pulse). Become. Thus, hereinafter, in the detection signals D3 to D8, up to the seventh pulse when the H-level of the detection signal D2 is detected is reset. Based on an appropriate program stored in the ROM 206, the control unit 200 performs, for example, the aforementioned “11 pulses” and “4 pulses”, and the product storage column 413 “third” from the left end of the product shelf 30 in FIG. For example, “(3, Sen (1): 11, Sen (2): 4)” is stored in the RAM 204 in association with being attached to the device.

  Such an operation is repeated until the position of the product storage / discharge column 416 is identified. For example, “(4, Sen (1): 14, Sen (2): 7)” is stored in the RAM 204 for the product storage / conversion column 414, and “(5 , Sen (1): 18, Sen (2): 11) ”is stored in the RAM 204, and for example,“ (6, Sen (1): 21, Sen (2): 14 ”for the commodity storage column 416. ) ”Is stored in the RAM 204.

  When the bucket 90 further moves in the X direction and the pulse signal from the pulse encoder 920 reaches the 25th pulse, the first position detection sensor 902 detects the product storage / conveyance column 417, and forms a substantially rectangular detection signal. Although C7 is output, according to FIG. 9, the transition from the H-level to the L-level of the detection signal C7 is not detected. On the other hand, the second position detection sensor 903 detects the product storage / conveyance column 417 and outputs a detection signal D7 having a rectangular shape. The detection signal D7 changes from the L-level to the H-level at the 18th pulse (25th pulse-7th pulse), and from the H-level to the L-level at the 19th (26th pulse-7th) pulse signal. Become. Based on an appropriate program stored in the ROM 206, for example, the control unit 200 is configured such that the above-mentioned “18 pulses” are mounted on the product storage / unload column 417 “seventh” from the left end of the product shelf 30 in FIG. For example, “(7, Sen (1): NONE, Sen (2): 18)” is stored in the RAM 204.

  When the bucket 90 further moves in the X direction and the pulse signal from the pulse encoder 920 reaches the 28th pulse, the first position detection sensor 902 detects nothing, but the second position detection sensor 903 The column 418 is detected, and a rectangular detection signal D8 is output. The detection signal D8 changes from the L-level to the H-level at the 21st pulse (28th pulse-7th pulse), and from the H-level to the L-level at the 30th pulse. Based on an appropriate program stored in the ROM 206, for example, the control unit 200 is configured such that, for example, the above-mentioned “21 pulse” is mounted on the product storage / unload column 418 “8th” from the left end of the product shelf 30 in FIG. In association with this, for example, “(8, Sen (1): NONE, Sen (2): 21)” is stored in the RAM 204.

  As shown more specifically in FIG. 10, the data related to the position of the product storage / unload column 400 is acquired for the product shelves 30 for eight levels. Here, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a movement path of the bucket 90 in the identification operation of the commodity storage / conveyance column 400 by the vending machine according to the present embodiment. For example, it is assumed that the door panel 13 is released by an operator and the identification button 212 of the remote controller 210 provided on the back side of the door panel 13 is pressed.

  The bucket 90 in the standby position first moves diagonally to the product storage / conveyance column 411 and acquires data relating to the positions of the product storage / conveyance columns 411 to 418. Next, the bucket 90 diagonally moves from the product storage / conveyance column 418 to the product storage / conveyance column 421, and acquires data on the positions of the product storage / conveyance columns 421 to 428. Next, the bucket 90 diagonally moves from the product storage / conveyance column 428 to the product storage / conveyance column 431, and acquires data regarding the positions of the product storage / conveyance columns 431 to 437. Next, the bucket 90 diagonally moves from the product storage / conveyance column 437 to the product storage / conveyance column 441, and acquires data regarding the positions of the product storage / conveyance columns 441 to 445. Next, the bucket 90 diagonally moves from the product storage / conveyance column 445 to the product storage / conveyance column 451, and acquires data regarding the positions of the product storage / conveyance columns 451 to 455. Next, the bucket 90 diagonally moves from the product storage / conveyance column 455 to the product storage / conveyance column 461 to acquire data relating to the positions of the product storage / conveyance columns 461 to 465. Next, the bucket 90 diagonally moves from the product storage / conveyance column 465 to the product storage / conveyance column 471 to acquire data on the positions of the product storage / conveyance columns 471 to 475. Next, the bucket 90 diagonally moves from the product storage / conveyance column 475 to the product storage / conveyance column 481, and acquires data regarding the positions of the product storage / conveyance columns 481 to 485.

  The diagonal movement described above is realized by, for example, movement of the movable gantry 81 in the Y direction by driving means such as an appropriate stepping motor (not shown) and movement of the bucket 90 in the X direction by the driving motor 910 (FIG. 5). . Therefore, the number of pulse signals output from the stepping motor (not shown) can correspond to the Y coordinate position of the first to eighth stage product shelves 30 counted from the top. Therefore, data related to the position where the product storage / unload column 400 is specified by the X coordinate position and the Y coordinate position is stored on the RAM 204.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of data relating to a position where the commodity storage / unloading column 400 is specified by the X coordinate position and the Y coordinate position. This data is stored in the RAM 204. As an example, the identification data for identifying the product storage / unloading column 411 is “11” because the product storage / unloading column 411 is positioned first from the left end of the first-stage product shelf 30 in FIG. " On the other hand, the number of pulse signals from the pulse encoder 920 corresponding to the X coordinate position is, for example, “Sen (1): 4” described above. As shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, the number of pulse signals from a stepping motor (not shown) corresponding to the Y coordinate position is “70”. This corresponds to the number of pulse signals output by a stepping motor (not shown) being 70 in order for the movable base 81 to move from the standby position of the bucket 90 to the product storage / conveyance column 411. Therefore, the position data of the bucket 90 that identifies the product storage / conveyance column 411 is “(Sen (1): 4, 70)”.

  As another example, the identification data for identifying the product storage / unload column 475 is because the product storage / unload column 475 is located at the fifth position from the left end of the seventh-stage product shelf 30 in FIG. 75 ". On the other hand, the number of pulse signals from the pulse encoder 920 corresponding to the X coordinate position is “Sen (1): 18”, for example, as in the case of the commodity storage / carry-out column 415 described above. As shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, the number of pulse signals from a stepping motor (not shown) corresponding to the Y coordinate position is “10”. This corresponds to the number of pulse signals output by a stepping motor (not shown) being 10 in order for the movable frame 81 to move from the standby position of the bucket 90 to the product storage / conveyance column 475. Therefore, the position data of the bucket 90 that identifies the product storage / conveyance column 475 is “(Sen (1): 18, 10)”.

  When the vending machine receives the commodity 11 of the selected commodity storage / unloading column 400 in the bucket 90 based on the user's selection, for example, the bucket 90 diagonally moves from the standby position and moves to the left end in FIG. It shall move to. At this time, the position data shown in FIG. 11 can be used for the movement distance of the movable frame 81 in the Y direction. Thereafter, based on the position data, the bucket 90 moves on the movable frame 81 in the X direction.

  According to the vending machine of the present embodiment, for example, the movement range of the product acquisition port of the bucket 90 for the first position detection sensor 902 to detect the X coordinate position of the product storage carry-out columns 411 to 418 is as shown in FIG. It corresponds to C1 to C6. On the other hand, the movement range of the product acquisition port of the bucket 90 for the second position detection sensor 903 to detect the X coordinate position corresponds to D3 to D8 in FIG. In FIG. 9, C3 to C6 and D3 to D6 correspond to a common movement range. Therefore, in this range, the first position detection sensor 902 or the second position detection sensor 903 is connected to the product storage carry-out columns 413 to 416. What is necessary is just to detect a position. On the other hand, with respect to the left end (BL) side corresponding to C1 and C2, in the present embodiment, the first position detection sensor 902 provided on the left end side of the bucket 90 detects the product storage carry-out columns 411 and 412. ing. On the right end (BR) side corresponding to D7 and D8, in the present embodiment, the second position detection sensor 903 provided on the right end side of the bucket 90 detects the product storage carry-out columns 417 and 418. As a result, the distance in the X direction that the bucket 90 that moves within the range where the product acquisition port faces the product storage / conveyance columns 411 and 418 attached to both ends of the product shelf 30 is small in the vending machine. That's it. Therefore, the width of the vending machine can be made substantially equal to the width of the commodity shelf 30. In addition, the position of the product storage / unload column 400 relative to the product shelf 30 is reliably detected by the first position detection sensor 902 and the second position detection sensor 903.

<<<< Moveable arm, movable gear, and guide rail >>
As shown in FIG. 12, the two movable arms 92a and 92b and the two movable gears 93a and 93b of the present embodiment are provided below the conveyor 85 on which the product 11 of the bucket 90 is placed. Yes.

  In FIG. 13, when the movable arm 92 (92a, 92b) rotates to push down the movable stopper 70 of the commodity storage / conveyance column 400 when the commodity 11 is sold, the movable gear 93 (93a, 93b) is fixed from below in the Y direction. It rotates to mesh with the lower part of the gear 53. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the force exerted by the movable arm 92 on the movable stopper 70 is a force (“F ′”) directed from the upper side to the lower side in the Y direction. Therefore, the reaction force exerted on the movable arm 92 by the movable stopper 70 is also a force along the Y direction, and it can be said that no component of the reaction force in the Z direction is generated. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the force exerted by the movable gear 92 on the fixed gear 53 is a force (“F”) directed from below to above in the Y direction. Therefore, the reaction force exerted on the movable gear 93 by the fixed gear 53 is also a force along the Y direction, and it can be said that no component of the reaction force in the Z direction is generated. In addition, since the force F and the force F ′ are forces in opposite directions to each other, the force acting on the bucket 90 is obtained by canceling the two forces in the opposite directions, and is a force smaller than the forces F and F ′. .

  From the above, it can be said that the force acting on the bucket 90 is substantially along the Y direction, and the force itself is small. Therefore, it can be said that there is no moment that acts in the direction of tilting the bucket 90 in the Z direction with the guide rail 81a (FIGS. 4 and 5) holding the bucket 90 as a fulcrum. Therefore, the bucket 90 in the present embodiment can stably receive the product 11 from the product storage / carry-out column 400 only by holding the lower portion by the guide rail 81a.

  In addition, as described above, the vending machine according to the present embodiment can stably move in the X direction only by holding the lower portion of the bucket 90 by the guide rail 81a, and thus particularly holds the upper portion of the bucket 90. There is no need for a member to be used. Therefore, the amount of goods stored in the vending machine can be increased by a space that is not obstructed by this member. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a product shelf 30 can be provided on the left side of the sheet at the standby position of the bucket 90. Accordingly, the vending machine according to the present embodiment is provided with the commodity discharge outlet 16 at the upper part of the standby position of the bucket 90, so that the commodity shelf 30 cannot be provided at the commodity discharge outlet 16. The storage amount of the product 11 can be held as much as the product shelf 30 is provided on the left side of the drawing in FIG.

  Furthermore, since the see-through type vending machine according to the present embodiment is provided with the merchandise payout opening 16 in the upper part as compared with the case of the conventional see-through type vending machine, the user is forced to take an unreasonable posture. The product 11 can be easily received.

  In the present embodiment, the fixed gear 53 rotates clockwise in FIG. 13, and the movable gear 93 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. This is rotation in a direction in which the fixed gear 53 and the movable gear 93 bite each other. Therefore, for example, the meshing of the fixed gear 53 and the movable gear 93 is improved to the extent that the movable gear 93 is rotated from the lower side to the upper side in the Y direction by the spring (attached illustration) bias according to the present embodiment.

<<< Pinion mechanism and rack mechanism >>>
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bucket 90 is provided with a drive motor 910 and pinion mechanism portions 912, 914, 916, 918 a and 918 b at the lower portion of the conveyor 85 in the Y direction. Therefore, the center of gravity of the bucket 90 is lowered, and it is difficult for the bucket 90 to fall in the Z direction. Therefore, the bucket 90 in the present embodiment can stably receive the product 11 from the product storage / conveyance column 400 only by holding the lower portion with the guide rail 81a.

  In addition, since the vending machine according to the present embodiment uses a so-called self-propelled bucket 90 having a drive motor, gears, and the like, the movable frame 81 and the bucket 90 include, for example, a roller 950 and a guide rail 81a. It is only necessary to go through. Therefore, the structure between the movable frame 81 and the bucket 90 becomes simple, and thus the manufacturing cost of the vending machine is reduced and the maintenance is easy.

  Furthermore, the vending machine according to the present embodiment uses a drive motor 910 that transmits a driving force to the pulse encoder 920 for self-propelling the bucket 90. Therefore, it is possible to generate a pulse signal that allows the bucket 90 to identify its own X coordinate position. Accordingly, the structure between the movable frame 81 and the bucket 90 is simplified, the manufacturing cost of the vending machine is reduced, and maintenance is facilitated.

<<< Stocker >>>
With reference to FIG. 14, it will be described that the opening / closing door 300 a included in the stocker 300 of the present embodiment functions as a guide plate for guiding the product 11 to the product payout opening 16. The product 11 held in the bucket 90 is conveyed to the product payout port 16 in the “A” state in FIG. 14. When the bucket 90 is positioned at the upper part of the commodity discharge outlet 16, the conveyor 85 is rotated in the direction in which the commodity 11 is discharged. At this time, the product 11 transitions from the “A” state to the “C” state via the “B” state. As shown in FIG. 14, if the product 11 is tall, the product 11 hits the opening / closing door 300a in the “C” state. As a result, the product 11 receives a force in the payout direction from the opening / closing door 300a. That is, the tall product 11 is smoothly guided to the product payout opening 16 by the opening / closing door 300a as a guide plate.

=== 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.

  The product storage / carry-out column 400 of the above-described embodiment has a certain width in the X direction, but is not limited to this. The widths of the commodity storage / carrying column 400 may be different from each other. For example, product storage / unload columns 4011 to 4016 shown in FIG. 15 may be used. The merchandise shelf 30 shown in FIG. 15 is the same as the merchandise shelf 30 shown in FIG. 8, but the overall configuration is different in the following points.

  The two product storage / unloading columns 4011 and 4016 shown in FIG. 15 are the same as the product storage / unloading columns 411 and 418 shown in FIG. 8, for example. Further, the product storage / unload column 4012 shown in FIG. 15 corresponds to, for example, the one in which the partition plate 65 between the two product storage / load columns 412 and 413 shown in FIG. 8 is removed. The product storage / unload column 4012 has two conveyor belts 43, and the product 11 is placed across the two conveyor belts 43. Further, the three product storage / conveyance columns 4013 to 4015 shown in FIG. 15 are the same, but the width between the partition plates 65 is set wider than that of the product storage / conveyance columns 411 to 418 shown in FIG. Has been.

  If the first position detection sensor 902 and the second position detection sensor 903 described above are used, the X-coordinate positions of the product storage / conveyance columns 4011 to 4016 are identified, and the openings and buckets of the product storage / conveyance columns 4011 to 4016 are identified. 90 product acquisition ports can be made to face each other. The outputs from the first position detection sensor 902 and the second position detection sensor 903 are, for example, those in which the number of C1 to C7 and D2 to D8 shown in FIG. 9 is different from the time width of the H-level and the L-level. It becomes.

  Here, for example, if the output shown in FIG. 9 is processed assuming that the combination of the two product storage / unload columns 412 and 413 in FIG. 8 is one product storage / unload column 4012 in FIG. The X coordinate position of 4012 has been identified. Such processing may be performed by the control unit 200 (FIG. 7) based on an appropriate program stored in the ROM 206 (FIG. 7). The presence / absence of such processing indicates, for example, that the worker conveys one product with two product storage / conveyance columns when the identification button 212 (FIG. 7) of the remote controller 210 (FIG. 7) is pressed. It is set by inputting to the remote controller 210. Regarding specific identification of the X coordinate position, for example, the following points are different between the case of FIG. 8 and the case of FIG. 15. The first position detection sensor 902 and the second position detection sensor 903 that move in the X direction along with the bucket 90 correspond to the two product storage / conveyance columns 412 and 413 in FIG. The X coordinate position corresponding to the output C2 is stored in the RAM 204 (FIG. 7), and the X coordinate position corresponding to the detection signal output (C3, D3) shown in FIG. 9 is stored in the RAM 204 (FIG. 7). As described above, these detection signals are output to the belts 43 of the product storage / conveyance columns 412 and 413. On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 15, for the second belt 43 (left belt) from the left in FIG. 15, the X coordinate position corresponding to the output C2 of the detection signal shown in FIG. 9 is stored in the RAM 204 (FIG. 7). However, for the third belt 43 (right belt) from the left in FIG. 15, the X coordinate position corresponding to the detection signal output (C3, D3) shown in FIG. 9 is stored in the RAM 204 (FIG. 7). It is preset in remote controller 210 (FIG. 7) so as not to be stored. Thus, when the bucket 90 moves to the product storage / unload column 4012 at the time of product sales, the bucket 90 stops at the X coordinate position corresponding to the left belt. Accordingly, the product acquisition port of the bucket 90 can be opposed to the two belts 43 of the product storage / unload column 4012.

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 perspective view which shows the structural example of the stocker of this Embodiment. 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 bucket and guide rail of this Embodiment. It is another perspective view of the bucket and guide rail of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining an example of the control means for identifying the position of the goods storage carry-out column of this Embodiment. It is a top view for demonstrating the relationship between the goods storage carry-out column and bucket of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the detection signal from the position detection sensor at the time of the bucket movement of this Embodiment, and the pulse signal from a pulse encoder. It is a figure which shows an example of the movement path | route of a bucket in the identification operation | movement of the goods storage carry-out column by the vending machine of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data regarding the position of the goods storage carry-out column of this Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the bucket of this Embodiment. It is another side view which shows the example of a principal part structure of the opening part of the bucket of this Embodiment, and a goods storage carry-out column. It is a side view of the bucket and stocker of this Embodiment. It is a top view of the goods storage carry-out column of this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Housing | casing 12 Product storage part 30 Product shelf 65 Partition plate 70 Movable stopper 81 Movable stand 81b Left limit switch 81c Right limit switch 90 Bucket 411-418 Commodity storage carry-out column 810 Rack 902 1st position detection sensor 903 2nd position detection sensor 902a, 903a Light emitting element 902b, 903b Light receiving element 918b Pinion

Claims (3)

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 product acquisition port that selectively opposes the plurality of product transport units, a bucket that moves in the orthogonal direction to acquire the first product in the product row, and holds the bucket in the orthogonal direction In a vending machine equipped with a guide rail to be moved,
The bucket has a drive motor and a pinion mechanism portion to which the drive force of the drive motor is transmitted,
The guide rail has a rack mechanism portion to which the driving force of the pinion mechanism portion is transmitted.
Vending machine characterized by that.   The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the bucket has a mounting table on which the acquired product is mounted, and the drive motor and the pinion mechanism unit are disposed at a lower portion of the mounting table. Machine.   3. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the driving motor is a stepping motor or a motor that transmits a driving force to a pulse encoder.

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