JP2007226364A - Merchandise dispensing device for vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a merchandise dispensing device for a vending machine preventing defect such as dispensing a large number of merchandise even if shortening a time of energizing a solenoid used as a drive source. <P>SOLUTION: A dispensing unit 10 comprises an upper stopper 13 regulating the fall of the second merchandise 4 from the lower part; a lower stopper 15 regulating the fall of the merchandise 4 at the lower end in a storing carrier path 2; and an upper driving shaft 18 and a lower locking shaft 19 interlocked with a driving arm 17 lifted by the solenoid 16, to switchably turn the upper stopper 13 and the lower stopper 15. The dispensing unit 10 further comprises a locking cam 30 abutting on the upper stopper 13 to prevent the movement of the upper stopper 13 to the retreating attitude side when the lower stopper 154 is projecting halfway before reaching its projecting attitude, and separating from the upper stopper 13 to permit the movement of the upper stopper 13 to the retreating attitude side when the lower stopper 15 almost reaches the projecting attitude. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine, and more particularly to a product dispensing apparatus that dispenses a product stored in a storage conveyance path in a vending machine from below.

So-called serpentine vending machines that sell products such as canned beverages and PET bottle beverages are known.
In this type of vending machine, in the vending machine main body whose front opening is opened and closed by the front door, the storage conveyance path for storing products such as cans extends vertically in a meandering manner. Are arranged in a plurality of rows. A product dispensing device that sequentially dispenses the stored products is provided in every other row between the lower ends of the storage conveyance path. The commodity dispensing apparatus is configured by arranging a pair of dispensing units in a back-to-back state, with each dispensing unit facing and facing the storage conveyance path adjacent to the front and rear.

  As this type of payout unit, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1 or the like. The payout unit is disposed so as to face the lower end portion of the storage conveyance path, and is pivotally supported by the frame body in a box-shaped frame body in which a plurality of opening windows are formed. An upper stopper that regulates the fall of the second product from the lower side of the storage conveyance path by projecting inward, a lower support shaft that is disposed along the lateral direction below the upper stopper, and is rotated by this lower support shaft. The shaft is movably supported and protrudes into the storage and conveyance path to restrict the product from falling at the lower end of the storage and conveyance path. The solenoid as a drive source and the solenoid lifts and lowers the drive arm. Driving means for interlocking with the raising / lowering operation of the arm is provided.

  When the solenoid is not energized at the time of sales standby, the upper stopper is in a protruding posture that protrudes into the storage conveyance path, and the lower stopper is in a retracted posture that is accommodated in the frame of the dispensing unit, so that the lowermost product In addition, the product is prevented from being discharged from the storage transport path, and when there is a sales instruction from this state, the solenoid is energized to cause the upper stopper to protrude into the storage transport path and As a retracted posture in which the second product from the bottom is dropped and the lower stopper is housed in the frame, only the product at the bottom end is paid out.

After that, by stopping energization of the solenoid, the lower stopper is set in the protruding position in which the lower stopper protrudes into the storage conveyance path, and the upper stopper is set in the retracted position to prevent the lower stopper from discharging the product. .
JP 2003-178365 A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the lower end product is discharged by energizing the solenoid, and then the energization to the solenoid is stopped and the lower stopper is returned to the projecting posture. The solenoid is de-energized when the product is large or the slippage is bad and the product is not completely paid out. As a result, the timing when the lower stopper returns to the protruding position is delayed. The upper stopper may be switched to the retracted position or the lower stopper may not return to the protruding position before the product returns to the protruding position. There was a problem of being paid out at once.

  In order to prevent such problems, it is only necessary to extend the solenoid energization time, stop the energization of the solenoid after the product has been completely paid out, regardless of the type of product. The timing to return to the protruding posture can be prevented from being delayed, the upper stopper can be switched to the retracted posture after the lower stopper has surely returned to the protruding posture, and the lower stopper can be reliably returned to the protruding posture.

  However, in a vending machine, the solenoid must be energized and released continuously (for example, about 30 times) continuously when the product in the storage conveyance path is replaced. This can damage the solenoid.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described problems, and provides a product dispensing device for a vending machine that does not cause problems such as a large number of products being dispensed even when the energization time of a solenoid as a drive source is shortened. It is intended.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a storage conveyance path that is arranged so as to extend substantially in the vertical direction and can store a plurality of products, and a payout unit that is disposed so as to face the lower end of the storage conveyance path. An upper stopper that is pivotally supported by the dispensing unit and protrudes into the storage conveyance path to restrict the second product from dropping from below the storage conveyance path. A lower support shaft arranged along the direction, and a lower stopper that is pivotally supported by the lower support shaft and protrudes into the storage conveyance path to restrict the drop of the product at the lower end in the storage conveyance path; In conjunction with the lifting and lowering operation of the drive arm that is lifted and lowered by the solenoid as the drive source, the upper stopper becomes a protruding posture that protrudes into the storage conveyance path, and the lower stopper is the dispensing unit Drive means for rotating the upper stopper and the lower stopper by switching between the retracted position retracted to the upper position and the retracted position in which the upper stopper is retracted to the payout unit side and the lower stopper projecting into the storage conveyance path In the state of the middle of the protrusion in which the lower stopper has not reached the protruding posture, the upper stopper is prevented from moving to the retracted posture side by contacting the upper stopper in the middle of the protruding state. A lock cam is provided that allows the upper stopper to move to the retracted posture side away from the upper stopper when the lower stopper almost reaches the protruding posture.

  In this configuration, by energizing a drive source such as a solenoid, the upper stopper protrudes into the storage conveyance path through the drive arm, and the lower stopper is in the retracted position retracted to the dispensing unit side. The second product from the lower side of the storage conveyance path can be regulated, and when the drive source is de-energized after that, the upper stopper moves to the retracted posture and the lower stopper moves to the protruding posture. try to. In this case, since the lock cam prevents the lower stopper from moving to the retracted posture side when the lower stopper does not reach the protruding posture, the lock cam abuts against the upper stopper and moves to the retracted posture side. After reaching the posture, the upper stopper moves to the retracted posture side. As a result, even when the energization time for a drive source such as a solenoid is shortened, the upper stopper can be switched to the retracted position after the lower stopper has surely returned to the protruding position, and a large number of products can be dispensed at once. It can be surely prevented.

  Further, the lock cam of the present invention is pivotally supported by the lower support shaft in a state of being biased to the side contacting the lower stopper by the cam biasing spring, and when the lower stopper comes close to the protruding posture, the lower stopper is supported. When the lower stopper is in the retracted posture side, the upper stopper contact portion that contacts the protrusion formed on the upper stopper, and the lower stopper contact When the contact portion abuts against the lower stopper and the lock cam rotates together with the lower stopper, the protrusion of the upper stopper is fitted and has a notch portion that allows the upper stopper to rotate toward the retracted posture side. And

  In this configuration, when there is a product delivery instruction and a power source such as a solenoid is energized, the upper stopper is in a protruding posture, and the second product is prevented from being delivered from below the storage conveyance path, while the lower stopper is in a protruding posture. The lock is released and the product at the bottom end is paid out. At this time, the lock cam tries to rotate together with the lower stopper by the urging force of the cam urging spring, but the upper stopper abutting portion of the lock cam abuts on the protrusion of the upper stopper, and the rotation of the lock cam is restricted. Next, when the energization to the drive source such as the solenoid is stopped, the drive arm starts to descend, and the upper stopper tries to turn to the retracted posture side, but the protrusion of the upper stopper comes into contact with the upper stopper contact portion of the lock cam. Since they are in contact with each other, the upper stopper is prevented from rotating to the retracted posture side and remains in the protruding posture, and the upper stopper continuously prevents the product from falling. After this, when the lower stopper is rotated to the protruding posture and reaches a predetermined inclined state, the lower stopper contact portion of the lock cam contacts the lower stopper, the lock cam is rotated together with the lower stopper, and the lower stopper is substantially in the protruding posture. At this stage, the protrusion of the upper stopper is fitted into the notch portion of the lock cam, and the upper stopper can be freely rotated, and is rotated to the retracted posture side. As a result, even when the energization time for a drive source such as a solenoid is shortened, the upper stopper is always moved to the retracted posture side after the lower stopper has almost reached the protruding posture, and as a result, a large number of products are dispensed at once. Can be surely prevented.

  In the present invention, the lower stopper is urged in the protruding direction by the urging spring, and the lower locking shaft attached to the drive arm comes into contact with the end of the arm portion formed on the lower stopper, thereby protruding. It is configured to hold a posture.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that at least a part of the lower end portion of the drive arm is formed in a shape overlapping directly above the lower lock shaft when viewed from below.
With this configuration, even if a rod is inserted from below for the purpose of stealing the product, etc., even if an attempt is made to push up the drive arm at the tip of the rod to cause the product to be dispensed, the plate Since the lower end surface of the portion is hidden behind the lower lock shaft when viewed from below, it is difficult to bring the tip of the rod into contact with the lower end surface of the plate portion, thereby preventing theft.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the lower stopper does not reach the protruding posture, the lower stopper comes into contact with the upper stopper and prevents the upper stopper from moving to the retracted posture side, while the lower stopper is substantially in the protruding posture. Since the lock cam that allows the upper stopper to move to the retracted posture side is provided when it reaches the lower stopper, even if the energization time for the drive source such as a solenoid is shortened, the lower stopper is surely in the protruding posture. After returning, the upper stopper can be switched to the retracted posture, and a large number of products can be reliably prevented from being dispensed at a time, and good reliability can be ensured.

  The lock cam of the present invention is pivotally supported by the lower support shaft in a state of being biased to the side abutting on the lower stopper by the cam biasing spring, and when the lower stopper comes close to the protruding posture, the lower stopper is supported. When the lower stopper is in the retracted posture side, the upper stopper contact portion that contacts the protrusion formed on the upper stopper, and the lower stopper contact When the contact portion abuts on the lower stopper and the lock cam rotates together with the lower stopper, the protrusion of the upper stopper is fitted and has a notch portion that allows the upper stopper to rotate toward the retracted posture. Immediately before the lower stopper returns to the protruding position, the lower stopper contact portion of the lock cam contacts the lower stopper, and the lower stopper It is possible to suppress the pivoting of the pallet from being significantly larger than the horizontal protruding posture (so-called overshoot), stabilize the behavior of the lower stopper, and quickly return to the horizontal protruding posture. Can receive well.

  In addition, by forming the drive arm so that at least a part of its lower end overlaps directly above the lower lock shaft when viewed from below, a rod or the like is inserted from below for the purpose of theft of goods. For example, even if you try to push up the drive arm at the tip of the rod to cause the product to be paid out, it will be difficult to bring the tip of the rod into contact with the lower end surface of the plate, Can be prevented.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a product dispensing device for a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. Since the main configuration of the vending machine other than the product dispensing device is the same as the conventional one, only the location of the product dispensing device will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, also in the commodity dispensing apparatus 1 of this vending machine, a pair of dispensing units 10 are arranged back to back and face the dispensing unit 10 across a storage conveyance path 2 extending substantially in the vertical direction. The product width regulating plate 3 is disposed at the position where the product is placed, and each payout unit 10 is disposed so as to face the lower end of each storage conveyance path 2.

  Each of the payout units 10 has a plurality of openings as shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 (FIGS. 2 to 4 show a state of waiting for sale, and FIGS. 5 to 7 show a state of product payout). It is pivotally supported by a metal frame 11 having a window or the like and having a substantially box frame shape, and an upper support shaft 12 supported substantially horizontally by the frame body 11, and protrudes into the storage conveyance path 2. As a result, the second product 4 from the lower side of the storage conveyance path 2 and the upper stopper 13 for restricting the dropping of the product 4 above the lower product are supported substantially horizontally at a position directly below the upper support shaft 12 in the frame 11. A lower stopper 15 that is pivotally supported by the support shaft 14 and protrudes into the storage conveyance path 2 to regulate the fall of the first product 4 (that is, the lowest end) from the lower side in the storage conveyance path 2; Frame 11 of dispensing unit 10 A thin solenoid 16 as a drive source that is disposed on the back side and does not face the storage conveyance path 2 and moves up and down the retracting portion 16a, and the upper end is engaged with the retracting portion 16a of the solenoid 16, and the central portion Further, an upper drive shaft 18 as a drive means for interlocking with the upper stopper 13 is inserted, and a lower end portion supports a lower lock shaft 19 as another drive means for locking the lower stopper 15 in a protruding posture, and the upper stopper 13 Is rotated from a retracted posture (mostly accommodated in the payout unit 10) to a protruding posture protruding into the storage conveyance path 2, and the lower stopper 15 is moved into the storage conveyance path 2. The drive arm 17 is locked to the projecting posture, and is fixed to the lower center side position on the back side of the frame body 11. -Resin guide that guides one end portion of the upper drive shaft 18 and one end portion of the lower lock shaft 19 in a posture capable of moving up and down while the width direction center portions of the support shaft 12 and the lower support shaft 14 are rotatably inserted. A member 20, a solenoid return spring 21 that biases the retracting portion 16 a of the solenoid 16 toward the projecting posture, a lower stopper biasing spring 22 that biases the lower stopper 15 toward the projecting posture, and an upper surface of the frame body 11. The sold-out detection switch 25 for detecting the sold-out of the product 4 and the second product 4 from the lower side of the stored-conveying path 2 are attached so as to protrude into the storage-conveying path 2 from the sold-out detecting switch 25 A sold-out detection lever 23 for detecting the presence or absence of sold-out, a lever urging spring 29 for urging the sold-out detecting lever 23 toward the storage conveyance path 2, and the frame 1 1, and a harness guide 28 that guides through the electric wires of the solenoid 16 and the sold-out detection switch 25.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, a protrusion 3a that protrudes toward the storage conveyance path 2 is formed at a position corresponding to the lower end of each storage conveyance path 2 in the product width regulating plate 3. In this case, when the upper stopper 13 prevents the commodity 4 from being dispensed, the projection 3a can also favorably prevent the commodity 4 from being dispensed. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the solenoid 16 and the drive arm 17 are arranged so as to be biased toward one side (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the left side when the payout unit 10 is viewed from the back side). The upper drive shaft 18, the lower lock shaft 19, the guide member 20, the solenoid return spring 21, the lower arm member 24 of the lower stopper 15, which will be described later, and the like are also biased to one side corresponding to the engagement portion of the stopper 13 with the drive arm 17. Is provided.

Hereinafter, each part will be described.
The upper stopper 13 is pivotally supported by a boss 13a formed at the lower end of the upper stopper 13 so that the upper support shaft 12 disposed substantially horizontally is inserted therethrough. An irregular groove 13c is formed in the bulging portion 13b that bulges to the back side, and an upper drive shaft 18 can be engaged in the irregular groove 13c, and a drive arm 17 driven by the solenoid 16 is driven. As the upper drive shaft 18 moves up and down, the deformed groove 13c formed in the upper stopper 13 and the abutting portion 13d following the deformed groove 13c rotate while sliding on the upper drive shaft 18, and the upper stopper A product receiving surface 13f at the tip of 13 receives the product 4 from obliquely below, and prevents the product 4 from falling. The deformed groove 13c is formed up to the central portion in the width direction of the upper stopper 13, but is not formed in the central portion of the upper stopper 13 in the width direction, and the wall piece provided at this end portion. The position of the upper drive shaft 18 is restricted by 13f so as not to move to the center in the width direction of the upper stopper 13 (right side when viewed from the back side). Further, the drive arm 17 is bent at both sides of the central portion, and a long hole 17a is formed in the bent portion, and the upper drive shaft 18 is inserted into the long hole 17a.

  The lower stopper 15 is inserted into a cylindrically curved boss portion 26a, and the lower support shaft 14 disposed substantially horizontally is inserted therethrough, so that the lower stopper 15 protrudes greatly into the storage conveyance path 2 and the retracted posture along the frame 11. And a base plate 26 that is formed of a highly rigid material such as a metal plate (for example, a stainless steel plate) and receives the product 4 at the lowermost end, and is integrally formed with a resin. The boss portion 24a is inserted, a load receiving portion 24b for receiving the base plate 26, and a lower arm member 24 having an arm portion 24c bulging from the load receiving portion 24b in a substantially arc shape. As described above, the lower arm member 24 is provided so as to be biased to one side, while the base plate 26 is formed to be long in the lateral direction corresponding to the frame body 11. A hook portion (not shown) for locking the lower arm member 24 is formed in a part of the base plate 26, and the boss portions 24a and 26a are both attached to the lower support shaft 14 in a state where the hook portions are locked to each other. By being inserted, the lower stopper 15 is configured to rotate integrally. Note that the lower end of the drive arm 17 is curled, and a lower lock shaft 19 is inserted into the curled portion 17b. Further, one end of the solenoid return spring 21 is locked to the insertion position of the lower lock shaft 19, and the other end of the solenoid return spring 21 is the locking upright piece provided on the lower side of the frame body 11. 11p.

  Further, the lower support shaft 14 is externally provided with a lower stopper biasing spring 22 whose one end is in contact with the base plate 26 of the lower stopper 15 from below and whose other end is locked to the locking portion 11d of the frame body 11. The lower stopper 15 is urged by the lower stopper urging spring 22 toward the projecting posture that projects into the storage conveyance path 2.

  The frame 11 is formed with an opening 11e through which the upper stopper 13 and the lower stopper 15 are extended and retracted, and first and second upright pieces 11f that stand on the back side from the left and right sides facing the opening 11e. 11g, and a third upright piece 11j that rises from the upper side facing the opening 11e toward the back opening. Further, the guide member 20 is vertically moved by an upper support standing piece 11b formed on the third standing piece 11j of the frame 11 and a lower support standing piece 11c formed on the lower side facing the opening 11e. The frame 11 is fixed to the frame 11 so as to extend vertically at a position near the center of the upper stopper 13 and the lower stopper 15 on the back surface side. Further, the upper support shaft 12 and the lower support shaft 14 are supported in a substantially horizontal posture by two holes 11h and 11i formed in the first and second standing pieces 11f and 11g, respectively. In addition, the holes 20a and 20b formed in the guide member 20 are so-called fool holes, and the upper support shaft 12 and the lower support shaft 14 are simply inserted therethrough.

  Further, the upper drive shaft 18 includes a first upright piece portion 11f arranged close to the harness guide 28 and a guide member 20 arranged so as to extend vertically near the center of the opening portion 11e in the left-right direction. The long holes 11m, 20c that guide the lower lock shaft 19 and the long holes 11n, 20d that guide the lower lock shaft 19 so that the lower lock shaft 19 can move up and down are formed. The upper drive shaft 18 is formed by these long holes 11m, 20c, 11n, 20d. The lower lock shaft 19 is guided in a horizontal posture so as to be movable up and down.

  Furthermore, the left and right edges and the upper and lower edges of the frame 11 are formed with fourth to seventh standing pieces 11q, 11r, 11s, and 11t that stand on the back side, respectively. Although not shown, the fourth upright piece 11q formed on the left edge when viewed from the back includes an upper support shaft 12 and a lower support shaft 14, an upper drive shaft 18 and a lower lock shaft 19 during assembly. The upper support shaft 12 and the lower support shaft 14 do not move to the right when viewed from the back side by the fifth upright piece portion 11r that is formed with a hole to be inserted and rises from the right end when viewed from the back. The position is restricted. In addition, an eighth upright piece portion 11u standing upright on the back side is formed at the center in the width direction at the lower portion of the frame body 11 so as to extend up and down. The position is regulated so as not to move to the right side when viewed from the side. Further, the upper support shaft 12, the lower support shaft 14, and the upper are supported by a harness guide 28 that is attached in close proximity to the first standing piece 11 f that faces the opening 11 e of the frame 11 from the left side when viewed from the back. The positions of the drive shaft 18 and the lower lock shaft 19 are restricted so that they do not move to the left when viewed from the back side.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, in a state where the solenoid 16 is not energized (standby state for sale), the drive arm 17 is pulled downward by the biasing force of the solenoid return spring 21 and is inserted into the central portion of the drive arm 17. The upper drive shaft 18 is also located on the lower side and engages with the innermost portion of the deformed groove 13 c of the upper stopper 13, and the upper stopper 13 is in a retracted posture via the upper drive shaft 18. The lower lock shaft 19 attached to the lower portion of the drive arm 17 is also positioned on the lower side. The lower lock shaft 19 abuts on the end of the arm portion 24c of the lower arm member 24 provided on the lower stopper 15, and the lower stopper 15 Is a protruding posture. As a result, the lower end of the product 4 at the lowermost end of the storage conveyance path 2 is regulated by the lower stopper 15 and the product 4 in the storage conveyance path 2 is held.

  When the solenoid 16 is energized, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the retracting portion 16a of the solenoid 16 is raised, so that the drive arm 17 is moved up. Accordingly, the upper drive shaft 18 and the lower lock shaft 19 are moved. Also moves up. The upper stopper 13 assumes a protruding posture with the abutting portion 13d following the deformed groove 13c abutting against the upper drive shaft 18. On the other hand, the lower lock shaft 19 is detached from the end of the arm portion 24c of the lower arm member 24, and the lower stopper 15 can be retracted. Thereby, the fall of the second product 4 from below the storage transport path 2 is regulated by the upper stopper 13, and the product 4 above the second lower than the storage transport path 2 is held, while the storage transport path 2 The lower stopper 15 pushes the lower stopper 15 to the side where the lower end product 4 is retracted from the storage conveyance path 2, so that there is no restriction on the dropping of the lowermost product 4 and only the product 4 is paid out.

  However, in the above configuration, when the energization time of the solenoid 16 is set short and the energization of the solenoid 16 is stopped in a state where the product 4 is not completely paid out from the lower end portion of the storage conveyance path 2. The upper stopper 13 is switched to the retracted position before the lower stopper 15 returns to the protruding position, that is, in a state where the lower locking shaft 19 is not in contact with the end of the arm part 24c of the lower arm member 24. The lower stopper 15 cannot maintain the protruding posture, and the product 4 flows downward in a state where the lower stopper 15 can freely rotate to the retracted posture. This causes a problem of being paid out. In addition, if the energization time of the solenoid 16 is set to be long in order to prevent such problems, the energization / release operation of the solenoid 16 is continuously performed many times, such as when the product in the storage conveyance path is replaced. The solenoid 16 may be damaged.

  In order to cope with this, in the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the upper stopper 13 moves to the retracted posture side by contacting the upper stopper 13 in the middle of the protruding state where the lower stopper 15 does not reach the protruding posture. On the other hand, a lock cam 30 is provided that allows the upper stopper 13 to move to the retracted posture side when the lower stopper 15 reaches a substantially protruding posture.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the lock cam 30 is rotatably supported by the lower support shaft 14, and the lower stopper 15 is configured by a cam biasing spring 31 that is externally mounted on the lower support shaft 14. The lower arm member 24 is biased in a direction to abut against a regulating projection 24b ′ (see FIG. 4A) provided on the load receiving portion 24b. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lock cam 30 has a spring locking portion 30 a to which one end of the cam biasing spring 31 is locked, and the lower arm member 24 in the lower arm member 24 when the lower stopper 15 is close to the protruding posture. A lower stopper abutting portion 30b that abuts on the restricting protrusion 24b ′ of the load receiving portion 24b, and a boss abutting portion 30c as an upper stopper abutting portion that abuts on the protrusion 13g formed on the boss portion 13a of the upper stopper 13. And a boss abutting portion 30c, and a notched portion 30d that is notched.

  The protrusion 13g formed on the boss portion 13a of the upper stopper 13 is formed so as to protrude in the opposite direction to the contact portion 13d that contacts the product in a side view, and a part of the protrusion 13g A recess-shaped engagement portion 13 h that can be engaged with the lock cam 30 is formed. The cam biasing spring 31 that biases the lock cam 30 biases the lower stopper 15 via the lock cam 30 in the opposite direction to the lower stopper biasing spring 22 that biases the lower stopper 15 to the protruding posture side. A biasing force smaller than that of the lower stopper biasing spring 22 is used.

  As shown in the right part of FIG. 1, FIGS. 2 to 4, and FIG. 10A, in the sales standby state where there is no instruction for paying out the product 4, the upper stopper 13 is in the retracted position and the lower stopper 15 is locked in the protruding position. The lowermost product 4 is received by the lower stopper 15. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, the protrusion 13 g of the upper stopper 13 is inserted into the notch 30 d of the lock cam 30, so that the position of the upper stopper 13 is not restricted by the lock cam 30. Further, the lock cam 30 is held by a cam biasing spring 31 so that the lower stopper contact portion 30b of the lock cam 30 is in contact with the regulating protrusion 24b ′ of the load receiving portion 24b of the lower arm member 24 (FIG. 4A). reference).

  When the product 4 is instructed to be discharged and the solenoid 16 is energized, the drive arm 17 is raised as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 and FIG. 10B, and the upper drive shaft 18 and the lower lock are accordingly moved. The service shaft 19 is also raised. Then, as the upper drive shaft 18 is raised, the upper stopper 13 is rotated to the protruding posture, and the second product 4 from the bottom is prevented from falling downward. Further, since the lower locking shaft 19 is detached from the tip of the arm portion 24c of the lower arm member 24 and the lower stopper 15 cannot maintain the protruding posture, the lowermost product 4 rotates the lower stopper 15 to the retracted posture side by its own weight. The product 4 at the bottom end is paid out. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12A, the lock cam 30 tries to rotate in the direction a together with the lower stopper 15 by the biasing force of the cam biasing spring 31, but the engaging portion in the protrusion 13 g of the upper stopper 13. The notch wall 30e facing the notch 30d of the lock cam 30 comes into contact with 13h, and the rotation of the lock cam 30 is restricted.

  Next, when the energization of the solenoid 16 is stopped, the drive arm 17 is pulled downward by the urging force of the solenoid return spring 21 as shown in FIG. Along with this, the drive arm 17 starts to descend, and the upper drive shaft 18 is in a position where it is fitted near the opening in the deformed groove 13 c of the upper stopper 13, and the upper stopper 13 retracts the upper stopper 13 from the product 4. In response to the force to push back to the side, it tries to turn to the retracted posture side. However, when the lower stopper 15 is still close to the retracted posture, the lock cam 30 is in the posture as shown in FIG. 12B, so that the engaging portion 13 h of the upper stopper 13 follows the notch wall portion 30 e of the lock cam 30. As a result, the upper stopper 13 is prevented from rotating to the retracted posture side. Therefore, in this state, the product 4 is continuously prevented from dropping by the upper stopper 13.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the lower stopper 15 is rotated to the protruding posture side by the urging force of the lower stopper urging spring 22, when the lower stopper 15 reaches a predetermined inclined state, FIG. ), The lower stopper contact portion 30b of the lock cam 30 contacts the restriction projection 24b ′ of the load receiving portion 24b of the lower arm member 24, and thereafter, the lock cam 30 rotates in the b direction together with the lower stopper 15. When the lower stopper 15 approaches the horizontal posture, the boss contact portion 30c following the notch wall portion 30d of the lock cam 30 is disengaged from the engagement portion 13h of the upper stopper 13, and the engagement portion 13h of the upper stopper 13 is Since the lock cam 30 can be freely fitted into the cutout portion 30d, the upper stopper 13 can be freely rotated and rotated to the retracted posture side.

  As a result, even when the energization time of the solenoid 16 is short, the upper stopper 13 always moves to the retracted posture side after the lower stopper 15 almost reaches the protruding posture. As a result, the upper stopper 13 can be switched to the retracted posture after the lower stopper 15 has surely returned to the protruding posture, and it is possible to reliably prevent a large number of products from being dispensed at a time, thereby ensuring good reliability. . Further, since the energization time of the solenoid 16 is short, even when the energization / release operation of the solenoid 16 is continuously performed many times, the solenoid 16 is not damaged, and this also improves the reliability. .

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the biasing force is smaller in the reverse direction than the lower stopper biasing spring 22 via the lock cam 30 as compared with the lower stopper biasing spring 22 that biases the lower stopper 15 toward the protruding posture. A cam biasing spring 31 for biasing the lock cam 30 is provided, and immediately before the lower stopper 15 returns to the horizontal projecting posture, the lower stopper contact portion 30b of the lock cam 30 contacts the load receiving portion 24b of the lower arm member 24, Since the lower stopper 15 is configured so as to be restrained from being pivoted significantly larger than the horizontal posture (so-called overshoot), the behavior of the lower stopper 15 is stabilized, and the horizontal stopper posture can be quickly returned to the horizontal posture. Good 4 can be received in a stable posture. Further, since the behavior of the lower stopper 15 is stabilized, the lower stopper 15 is difficult to be locked in the protruding posture as in the case where the behavior of the lower stopper 15 is large (the tip of the arm portion 24c of the lower arm member 24 is at a low speed with respect to the lower locking shaft 19). It becomes difficult to make contact in a stable state), and this also improves the reliability.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B and FIGS. 14A and 14B, the upper drive shaft 18 for moving the upper stopper 13 back and forth and the lower stopper 15 project. Since the lower locking shaft 19 to be locked in the posture is composed of a simple bar-shaped member without a header portion, as shown in FIGS. 13 (c), (d) and FIGS. 15 (a), (b), Compared to the case where the upper drive shaft 18 having the header portions 18a and 19a and the lower lock shaft 19 are used, it is possible to reduce useless spaces t1 and t2 for the header portions 18a and 19a. Further, it is possible to improve the assemblability and to lower the unit price of the upper drive shaft 18 and the lower lock shaft 19. 14 (b) and 15 (b), 11x and 11y are formed on the fourth upright piece portion 11q which is the left side when viewed from the back side of the frame body 11, and the lower lock shaft 19 is inserted during assembly. Similarly, although not shown, the fourth upright piece portion 11q is formed with a through hole through which the upper support shaft 12, the upper drive shaft 18, and the lower support shaft 14 are inserted during assembly. Yes.

  That is, when the upper drive shaft 18 and the lower lock shaft 18 having the header portions 18a and 19a are used, the harness guide 28 and the frame body 11 are viewed from the back side in order to arrange the header portions 18a and 19a. Thus, it is necessary to ensure a large space between the first upright piece 11f facing the left side of the opening 11e, and as a result, the effective widths of the upper stopper 13 and the lower stopper 15 are correspondingly reduced. In the present embodiment, the effective widths of the upper stopper 13 and the lower stopper 15 can be made larger as much as there is no header portions 18a, 19a.

  Further, if the header portions 18a and 19a are present, it is necessary to check and insert the side where the header portions 18a and 19a are not present at the time of assembly. Then, since the confirmation operation of the header portions 18a and 19a is unnecessary, the work efficiency at the time of assembly is improved accordingly. In addition, since the header portions 18a and 19a are not provided, the upper drive shaft 18 has a wall piece portion 13f formed at the end portion near the center in the width direction of the upper stopper 13, as shown in FIG. The position of the upper drive shaft 18 is restricted so as not to move to the right side when viewed from the back side, and the lower lock shaft 19 stands on the back side at the center in the width direction at the lower part of the frame 11 as shown in FIG. The position of the lower lock shaft 19 is regulated so as not to move to the right when viewed from the back side by the eighth standing piece 11u formed as described above.

  The assembling of the dispensing unit 10 is performed as follows. First, the solenoid 11, the sold-out detection lever 23, the sold-out detection switch 25, the guide member 20, the drive arm 17, and the like are attached to the frame 11, while the harness guide 28 is not attached, and the opening 11 e of the frame 11. The upper stopper 13 is disposed inside, and the upper support shaft 12 is viewed from the rear through a through hole on the left side of the frame 11 through the boss 13a of the frame 11 and the upper stopper 13, the guide member 20, and the like. The upper support shaft 12 is inserted until the right end of the upper support shaft 12 comes into contact with the fifth upright piece 11r that stands upright from the right end of the frame 11 when viewed from the back. Further, the upper drive shaft 18 is inserted from the left side of the frame body 11 when viewed from the back through the frame body 11, the deformed groove 13 c of the upper stopper 13, and the guide member 20 until it comes into contact with the wall piece 13 f of the upper stopper 13. Let Further, in a state where the base plate 26 is assembled to the lower arm member 24, the lower stopper 15 (the lower arm member 24 and the base plate 26), the lock cam 30, the cam biasing spring 31, and the lower stopper biasing are placed in the opening 11e of the frame body 11. The spring 22 is disposed, and the lower support shaft 14 is viewed from the left side of the frame body 11 when viewed from the back, and the boss portions 24a and 26a of the frame body 11, the lower arm member 24 and the base plate 26, the guide member 20, the lock cam 30, Through the cam urging spring 31 and the lower stopper urging spring 22, the lower end of the lower support shaft 14 is inserted until it comes into contact with the fifth upright piece 11 r erected from the right end of the frame 11 when viewed from the back. Each end of the cam biasing spring 31 and the lower stopper biasing spring 22 is locked. Further, the lower lock shaft 19 is viewed from the left side of the frame body 11 as viewed from the rear side, and passes through the frame body 11, the curled portion 17 b of the drive arm 17, and the guide member 20 to the eighth standing piece portion 11 u of the frame body 11. Insert until it touches. After that, the harness guide 28 is attached to the frame body 11, and these shafts (the upper support shaft 12, the lower support shaft 14, the upper drive shaft 18, and the lower lock shaft 19) move to the left as viewed from the back side. The position is regulated so as not to occur. Finally, the harness guide 28 is engaged with the harness of the solenoid 16 and the sold-out detection switch 25, and the solenoid return spring 21 is provided at the insertion point of the lower lock shaft 19 and the lower side of the frame body 11. Locking is performed over the locking upright piece 11p. By assembling in this way, the dispensing unit 10 can be satisfactorily assembled while using the upper drive shaft 18 and the lower lock shaft 19 having no header portion.

  Further, by using the upper drive shaft 18 and the lower lock shaft 19 having no header portion, the price of these parts can be reduced. The wall piece 13f of the upper stopper 13 for regulating the position of the upper drive shaft 18 is integrally formed in the upper stopper 13, so that there is almost no increase in the part price of the upper stopper 13. Further, the eighth standing piece 11u of the frame 11 for restricting the position of the lower lock shaft 19 is also formed by pressing in the same manner as the other standing pieces, so that the manufacturing cost is hardly increased. .

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the lower portion of the drive arm 17 includes a curled portion 17b that holds the lower lock shaft 19, and both sides of the curled portion 17b. A plate portion 17c that extends in the width direction is provided, but a bent taper surface portion 17d that is bent and inclined at an intermediate portion of the plate portion 17c is provided, and the bent taper surface portion 17d provides a plate portion. The lower end of 17c is formed in the shape which becomes the back side (namely, surface side of the frame 11) of the lower lock shaft 19 in back view, and overlaps directly above the lower lock shaft 19 when viewed from below.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the bent taper surface portion 17d is not provided, and the plate portion 17c is simply extended downward. The lower end surface is exposed so as to protrude immediately behind the lower lock shaft 19. Therefore, in this configuration, the rod body 43 is provided for the purpose of theft through the gap between the payout units 10 or the opening 11e of the frame 11 of the payout unit 10 disposed back to back on the back side. When inserted from below or from the back side, the tip of the rod 43 can be brought into contact with the lower end surface of the plate portion 17c to push up the drive arm 17 so that the product 4 can be dispensed. On the other hand, as described above, the bent tapered surface portion 17d is provided, and the lower end of the plate portion 17c is formed in a shape that overlaps directly above the lower lock shaft 19 when viewed from below, so that the bent tapered surface portion is formed. The lower end of the rod body 43 is hidden by the lower lock shaft 19 when viewed from below. As a result, even when the rod body 43 is inserted, the tip of the rod body 43 is connected to the lower end surface (plate portion) of the bent tapered surface portion 17d. 17c (which is also the lower end surface of 17c), and it is possible to prevent theft. In addition, even if it has a loose curved shape instead of providing the bent taper surface portion 17d, the same operation and effect can be obtained as long as the arrangement of the lower end surfaces is the same.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 16 (a), and the like, constricted portions 17f and 17g are provided between the central portion and the lower portion of the drive arm 17, and the constricted portion 17f. The plate portion 17c is formed so as to expand in the width direction downward from 17g, but the upper and lower positions of the left constricted portion 17f and the right constricted portion 17g are shifted in rear view.

With this configuration, the durability of the drive arm 17 can be improved.
That is, as shown in FIG. 17A, when both constricted portions 17f and 17g are formed at the same vertical height, that is, in a symmetrical shape, the constricted portions 17f and 17g are most depressed. And the cross-sectional area along the horizontal direction of the drive arm 17 is abruptly reduced at this location, so that stress is easily concentrated at the location between the constricted portions 17f and 17g, and durability is increased. Low.

  On the other hand, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, since the upper and lower positions of the left constricted portion 17f and the right constricted portion 17g are shifted in rear view, the constricted portions 17f, 17g The linear distance connecting the most recessed portions becomes relatively large, and the fluctuation of the cross-sectional area along the horizontal direction of the drive arm 17 becomes small. As a result, the stress concentration between the constricted portions 17f and 17g is relaxed, Durability is improved.

  In the above embodiment, the guide member 20 is disposed so as to extend vertically near the center in the left-right direction of the opening 11 e in the frame 11, and the upper support shaft 12 and the lower support shaft 14 are arranged by the guide member 20. Although the center portion in the width direction is rotatably supported and one end portion of the upper drive shaft 18 and one end portion of the lower lock shaft 19 are received in a vertically movable posture, instead of this, FIG. As shown in b), a vertical guide portion 11v connected to the upper and lower sides in the opening portion 11e of the frame 11 is formed at the same position, and the vertical guide portion 11v is erected on the front side from the left and right sides. The tenth standing piece portions 11w and 11z are formed, and the upper support shaft 12 and the lower support shaft 14 are provided on the standing piece portions 11w and 11z. Holding holes 11wa, 11wb, 11za, 11zb, long holes 11wc, 11zc for guiding the upper drive shaft 18 similar to the guide member 20 to be movable up and down, and long holes 11wd for guiding the lower lock shaft 19 to be raised and lowered, 11zd may be formed.

  According to this configuration, the guide member 20 can be omitted, the number of parts can be reduced, and the trouble of assembling the guide member 20 to the frame body can be saved, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Can do. The vertical guide portion 11v and the standing piece portions 11w and 11z can be easily formed integrally with the frame body 11.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, one end of the solenoid return spring 21 is locked at the insertion position of the lower lock shaft 19, and the other end of the solenoid return spring 21 is connected to the frame body 11. The structure is such that the locking upright piece 11p provided on the lower side is locked and the retracting portion 16a of the solenoid 16 is returned to the protruding state by the tensile force of the solenoid return spring 21, but this is not restrictive.

  For example, instead of this, as shown in FIG. 19, a solenoid return spring 44 made of a compression spring that urges the retracting portion 16a in the projecting direction is provided inside the retracting portion (so-called plunger portion) 16a of the solenoid 16. When the solenoid 16 is not energized, the urging force of the solenoid return spring 44 causes the solenoid 16 to protrude and retract, and the drive arm 17, the upper drive shaft 18, and the lower lock shaft 19 are moved downward. You may comprise.

  According to this, since it is not necessary to provide a space for disposing the solenoid return spring 21 as shown in FIG. The payout unit 10 can be arranged on the lower side by this amount, and the path length of the storage conveyance path 2 can be increased accordingly. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of items stored.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the upper support shaft 12 is supported in a horizontal posture by the frame 11 and the arm portion of the upper stopper 13 supported by the upper support shaft 12 is rotated. Although the case where the length (rotation radius) is all the same in each location in the width direction has been described, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the upper support shaft 12 that rotatably supports the upper stopper 13 is engaged with the upper drive shaft 18 (that is, the side driven by the upper drive shaft 18: In the embodiment, the side that is not engaged with the upper drive shaft 18 (the side that is driven by the upper drive shaft 18) rather than the left side when viewed from the back side. In FIG. 20, the right side of the upper stopper 13 is inclined slightly downward (dimension d) (for example, several mm), and the tip of the upper stopper 13 (the upper edge in FIG. 20) is horizontal during the standby state. (Or from the side driven by the upper drive shaft 18 at an angle smaller than the inclination angle of the upper support shaft 12). It may have a shape that the side that does not engage the upper drive shaft 18 is inclined downward).

  When this configuration is adopted, the length (rotation radius) of the rotating arm portion of the upper stopper 13 supported by the upper support shaft 12 is higher than the side (left side portion) engaged with the upper drive shaft 18. The side not engaged with 18 (right side portion) becomes larger by the dimension d obtained by shifting the upper support shaft 12 in the vertical direction. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 21 (b) and 22, when the upper stopper 13 is protruded, the tip of the upper stopper 13 is more than the side driven by the upper drive shaft 18 (right side portion). At the same time, the amount of protrusion increases on the side that moves in and out integrally. As a result, the weight of the product 4 in the storage conveyance path 2 acts on the upper stopper 13 and the upper stopper 13 is slightly deformed. Even if the side (right side portion) where the position is not restricted is deformed to a large extent, the position of the product 4 (especially a small diameter product such as a small diameter bottle) can be reliably regulated, and the product 4 is moved downward by the upper stopper 13. It is possible to prevent problems such as a large number of products 4 from appearing without being prevented from coming out.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 23, when the left and right sides of the upper stopper 13 that are not engaged with the upper drive shaft 18 are deformed and bent due to the load of the product 4 or the impact force at the time of dropping. However, it may be formed in a shape such that the length (rotation radius) of the arm portion that rotates toward the end in the width direction of the upper stopper 13 is increased so that the position of the product 4 can be reliably regulated.

1 is an overall side view of a product dispensing device for a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a rear view of the payout unit at the time of sale waiting in the commodity payout device. It is the III-III arrow directional cross-sectional view in FIG. 2 of the payout unit and the lower end part of a storage conveyance path in the commodity discharge device. (A) And (b) is a sectional view taken along line IV (a) -IV (a) in FIG. 2 and IV (b) -IV (b) of the dispensing unit and the lower end of the storage conveyance path in the commodity dispensing apparatus. ) Is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the line. It is a rear view of the delivery unit at the time of product delivery in the product delivery device. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5 of the dispensing unit and the lower end portion of the storage conveyance path in the commodity dispensing apparatus. However, the lower stopper shows a case where the lower stopper is pushed into the frame body side by an unillustrated product and assumes a retracted posture. (A) And (b) is a sectional view taken along line VII (a) -VII (a) and VII (b) -VII (b) in FIG. 5 of the dispensing unit and the lower end of the storage conveyance path in the commodity dispensing apparatus. ) Is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the line. (A)-(d) is the top view, left view, front view, and right view of the lock cam in the goods delivery apparatus. (A) And (b) is a perspective view of the lock cam and a perspective view of the lock cam and its vicinity. (A) And (b) is a schematic side view for demonstrating operation | movement of the payout unit in the goods delivery apparatus, (a) shows the state at the time of sale standby, (b) shows the state at the time of solenoid energization. In practice, the lock cam is on the back side of the guide member or the like, but for the sake of clarity, it is shown by a solid line so as to be on the near side. (A) And (b) is a schematic side view for demonstrating operation | movement of the dispensing unit in the commodity dispensing apparatus, (a) is when the solenoid is deenergized, (b) is the solenoid energizing This shows the state where the lower stopper has returned after cutting. In practice, the lock cam is on the back side of the guide member or the like, but for the sake of clarity, it is shown by a solid line so as to be on the near side. (A)-(c) is a principal part side sectional view of the lock cam and upper stopper in the commodity dispensing device, (a) is a state when the solenoid is energized, (b) is a state when the energization to the solenoid is cut off , (C) shows a state in which the lower stopper has returned after the solenoid is de-energized. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows simply the engagement state and assembly | attachment state of the upper drive shaft and upper stopper in the goods delivery apparatus, (c) and (d) are the upper drive shaft as a comparative example It is a figure which shows simply the engagement state and assembly | attachment state of an upper stopper. (A) And (b) is the principal part rear view and plane sectional view which show simply the assembly | attachment state of the lower lock shaft in the goods delivery apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) And (b) is the principal part rear view and plane sectional view which show simply the assembly | attachment state of the lower lock shaft as a comparative example. (A) And (b) is the principal part rear view and side sectional drawing which show simply the drive arm and its vicinity location in the goods delivery apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) And (b) is the principal part rear view and side sectional drawing which show simply the drive arm in the goods delivery apparatus as a comparative example, and its vicinity part. (A) is a rear view which shows the modification of the delivery unit of the goods delivery apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention, (b) is a side view which shows simply the vertical guide part to which a delivery unit is connected. It is a rear view which shows the modification of the drive arm in the dispensing unit of the goods delivery apparatus which concerns on further another embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view which shows the modification of the payment unit of the goods delivery apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. (A) And (b) shows the side sectional view of the payout unit, respectively (a) shows the state at the time of sale standby, (b) shows the state at the time of goods payout. It is a schematic top view of the state at the time of goods discharge of the upper stopper of the discharge unit and its vicinity. It is a figure which shows the modification of the upper stopper of the payout unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Commodity delivery apparatus 2 Storage conveyance path 3 Commodity width regulating plate 4 Commodity 10 Dispensing unit 11 Frame body 12 Upper support shaft 13 Upper stopper 14 Lower support shaft 15 Lower stopper 16 Solenoid (drive source)
17 drive arm 18 upper drive shaft (drive means)
19 Lower lock shaft (drive means)
20 Guide member 21 Solenoid return spring 22 Lower stopper bias spring 24 Lower arm member 26 Base plate 30 Lock cam 31 Cam bias spring

Claims (4)

A storage and conveyance path disposed so as to extend substantially in the vertical direction and capable of storing a plurality of products; and a dispensing unit disposed to face the lower end of the storage and conveyance path,
An upper stopper that is pivotally supported by the payout unit and protrudes into the storage transport path to restrict the second product from dropping from below the storage transport path, and along the lateral direction below the upper stopper. A lower support shaft, a lower stopper that is pivotally supported by the lower support shaft, and that protrudes into the storage conveyance path to regulate the drop of the product at the lower end in the storage conveyance path, and a drive source In conjunction with the lifting and lowering operation of the drive arm that is lifted and lowered by the solenoid, the upper stopper is in a protruding posture that protrudes into the storage conveyance path, and the lower stopper is in the retracted posture that is retracted to the dispensing unit side, and the upper stopper is in the dispensing unit The upper position is switched to the retracted posture retracted to the side, and the lower stopper is in a protruding posture protruding into the storage conveyance path. The stopper and Roasutoppa an article dispensing device for the drive means are provided for rotating,
While the lower stopper does not reach the protruding position, the upper stopper abuts against the upper stopper and prevents the upper stopper from moving to the retracted position. A vending machine product dispensing device provided with a lock cam that allows the upper stopper to move to the retracted posture side.   The lock cam is pivotally supported by the lower support shaft in a state of being biased to the side abutting on the lower stopper by a cam biasing spring, and when the lower stopper comes close to the projecting posture, the lower stopper abutting against the lower stopper is supported. When the contact portion and the lower stopper are in the retracted posture side, the upper stopper contact portion that contacts the protrusion formed on the upper stopper, and the lower stopper contact portion that is notched following the upper stopper contact portion become the lower stopper. 2. A vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a notch that allows the protrusion of the upper stopper to be fitted and allow the upper stopper to rotate toward the retracted posture when the lock cam rotates together with the lower stopper. Goods dispensing device.   The lower stopper is urged in the protruding direction by an urging spring, and the lower locking shaft attached to the drive arm is configured to hold the protruding posture by abutting against the end of the arm portion formed on the lower stopper. The product dispensing device for a vending machine according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The product dispensing device for a vending machine according to claim 3, wherein at least a part of the lower end portion of the drive arm is formed in a shape overlapping directly above the lower lock shaft when viewed from below.

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