JP2007299089A - Lighting implement for automatic vending machine and automatic vending machine equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent load from being generated in each component when a board and a holder is thermally influenced in manufacturing and in use. <P>SOLUTION: A lighting implement 1 for an automatic vending machine to be mounted on an automatic vending machine main body is provided with: the board 2 extended to a predetermined direction where a plurality of LED 4 are arranged in parallel in a longitudinal direction; a holder 3 extended to the same direction as that of the board for supporting the board 2; a lens 5 installed in each LED 4 for covering a light emitting body LED 4; a restraint part 6 for positioning the lens 5 in the longitudinal direction and width direction with respect to the board 2; and a lens holding part 7 for holding the lens 5 so that its movement in the longitudinal direction to the holder 3 can be permitted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an illumination device for a vending machine in which a plurality of light emitters are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of a substrate, and each light emitter is covered with a lens, and a vending machine including the same.

  As a lighting device in a vending machine, one using a fluorescent lamp is generally used (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the vending machine described in Patent Document 1, a fluorescent lamp extending in the horizontal direction is arranged on the back side of the lighting plate, and a reflector is provided behind the fluorescent lamp. Thereby, in addition to the light radiated | emitted toward a lighting board from a fluorescent lamp, an lighting board is irradiated also by the light reflected by the reflecting plate.

Further, it has been proposed by the present applicant to use an LED as a lighting device for a vending machine (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The vending machine described in Patent Document 2 is configured to install an LED for each sample product and individually irradiate the product sample. The LED consumes less power than a fluorescent lamp and has a long life span, which is intended to save energy and improve maintainability of the vending machine.
JP 2003-223805 A JP 2003-228756 A

  By the way, in the lighting fixture using LED, since the light to radiate | emits is hard to spread | diffuse compared with a fluorescent lamp, it is necessary to provide a light-emitting body (LED) for every product sample as described in patent document 2. FIG. That is, even if the substrate is long and a plurality of LEDs are provided on the substrate, it is not suitable for causing the entire lighting plate or the like to emit light as described in Patent Document 1.

  In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to dispose light by providing a lens on the radiation side of each LED. In this case, a configuration in which a long holder that supports the long substrate and holds each lens is preferable from the viewpoint of the number of parts, manufacturing requirements, and the like. However, the substrate and the holder are long, and when a thermal load is applied to them during production, use, etc., the linear expansion coefficient differs between the substrate and the holder, so that there is a shift in the longitudinal direction between the members. .

  At this time, since the lens tries to follow both the substrate and the holder, a stress is generated between the lens, the substrate and the holder, and the substrate, the holder and the like may be deformed. In addition, the lens may move relative to the LED on the substrate, and the light emitted from the LED may not be able to be accurately refracted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to reduce the load generated on each component when the substrate and the holder are thermally affected during production, use, etc. An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device for a vending machine and a vending machine having the same.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention,
A vending machine lighting fixture attached to the vending machine body,
A substrate extending in a predetermined direction and having a plurality of light emitters arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of one surface;
A holder that extends in the same direction as the substrate and supports the substrate from the other side, and is fixed to the vending machine body;
A lens provided for each of the light emitters and covering the light emitter;
A locking portion for positioning the lens in the longitudinal direction and the width direction with respect to the substrate;
There is provided a lighting device for a vending machine, comprising: a lens holding portion that is formed on the holder and holds the lens so that movement in a longitudinal direction with respect to the holder is allowed.

  According to the lighting device for a vending machine of the present invention, each lens is positioned in the longitudinal direction and the width direction with respect to the substrate by the engaging portion, so that the lens is in the longitudinal direction or the width direction with respect to the light emitter on the substrate. Therefore, the light emitted from each light emitter can be accurately refracted by the lens.

  Here, since the substrate and the holder are separate members, their linear expansion coefficients are different, and a difference occurs in the longitudinal dimension due to shrinkage after molding in manufacturing, temperature in use, and the like. Since each lens is positioned on the substrate by the engaging portion, the lens follows the substrate and moves relative to the holder in the longitudinal direction. At this time, since the lens holding portion of the holder is allowed to move in the longitudinal direction of the lens, an excessive load is not applied between the holder and the lens.

In order to achieve the object, in the present invention,
A vending machine lighting fixture attached to the vending machine body,
A substrate extending in a predetermined direction and having a plurality of light emitters arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of one surface;
A holder that extends in the same direction as the substrate and supports the substrate from the other side, and is fixed to the vending machine body;
A lens provided for each of the light emitters and covering the light emitter,
When the substrate and the holder move relative to each other in the longitudinal direction, the lens follows the substrate and moves relative to the holder in the longitudinal direction. Is provided.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, in the present invention,
The vending machine lighting device,
There is provided a vending machine comprising: a vending machine main body having a side wall substantially parallel to the holder to which the vending machine illumination tool is attached.

  According to the present invention, when the substrate and the holder are thermally affected during production, use, etc., the lens can be made to accurately follow the light emitter without causing a load on each component.

  1 to 7 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of a lighting device for a vending machine, FIG. 2 is a top view of the lighting device for a vending machine, and FIG. 3 is for a vending machine. It is a side view of a lighting fixture.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine lighting tool 1 includes a board 2 extending horizontally in a front-back direction and a board 2 extending from the back side in the same direction (horizontal direction) as the board 2. And a holder 3 to be supported. The substrate 2 is provided with LEDs 4 as a plurality of light emitters arranged in the horizontal direction on the front surface. The vending machine lighting device 1 is formed on the holder 5 and the lens 5 that covers each LED 4, the locking portion 6 that is formed on the substrate 2 and positions the lens 5 with respect to the substrate 2 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction. And a lens holding portion 7 that holds the lens 5 so that movement in the longitudinal direction with respect to the holder 3 is allowed.

  The substrate 2 is formed in a square shape when viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 1, a total of six LEDs 4 are mounted on the front surface of the substrate 2 at substantially equal intervals. A pair of recesses 8 are formed on the left and right of each LED 4 on the substrate 2. Each concave portion 8 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from the front, and is fitted into a convex portion 9 formed on the back surface of the lens 5. That is, in the present embodiment, the locking portion 6 includes a concave portion 8 formed on the substrate 2 and a convex portion 9 formed on the lens 5.

  The holder 3 is made of a transparent resin and is formed in a substantially square shape when viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 2, a lens holding portion 7 is provided on the front surface of the holder 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the lens holding portion 7 is a pair that protrudes from the back surface (back surface) side of the substrate 2 beyond the front surface (front surface) of the substrate 2 outside the width direction (vertical direction) of the substrate 2 in the lens 5. And a claw portion 11 that extends inward in the width direction of the substrate 2 from the protruding end of each protrusion 10 and contacts the opposite side (front side) of the lens 5 from the substrate 2.

  Each protrusion 10 extends substantially front and rear on the outer side in the width direction of the substrate 2, and the held portion 12 on the outer edge of the lens 5 is pressed on the back side of each claw portion 11. That is, the substrate 2 is sandwiched between the front surface of the holder 3 and the back surface of each lens 5. The substrate 2 and the holder 3 are fixed to each other with a screw 20 at one central point in the longitudinal direction. Each projecting portion 10 is formed to be flat and extend left and right, and comes into contact with the outer peripheral edge of the substrate 2. Each claw portion 11 is formed such that the front surface is inclined backward toward the inner side in the width direction. Further, the outer edge of the holder 3 is formed in the vicinity of the base end portion of each protruding portion 10 so as to swell outward in the width direction from the other portions.

  FIG. 4 is a partial side sectional view of the vending machine. As shown in FIG. 4, the vending machine 100 includes a vending machine lighting device 1 and a vending machine main body 102 to which the vending machine lighting device 1 is attached and has a side wall 101 substantially parallel to the holder 3. I have. The vending machine main body 102 includes a sheet metal 103 on which the side wall 101 is formed, and a heat insulating material 104 disposed inside the sheet metal 103. That is, the vending machine 100 has a heating / cooling mechanism (not shown), and keeps the product heated or cooled in the vending machine main body 102.

  A lighting plate 105 is arranged opposite to the vending machine main body 102, and a product sample S is attached to the lighting plate 105. The product sample S is visible from the outside through the transparent window 106. The vending machine lighting device 1 is arranged in a space between the vending machine main body 102 and the lighting plate 105, and irradiates the entire lighting plate 105 with light.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a bracket portion 107 for fixing the holder 3 is formed on the side wall 101 of the vending machine main body 102. In the present embodiment, the bracket portion 107 is formed by cutting and raising the sheet metal 103 forward, and extends obliquely downward from the side wall 101. In correspondence with the bracket portion 107, a fixing plate portion 16 protruding upward is formed on the left and right center side of the holder 3. A fixing hole 17 is formed in the fixing plate portion 16 and is fixed to the bracket portion 107 with screws or the like.

  A harness 108 connected to the board 2 is provided in the vicinity of the side wall 101 of the vending machine main body 102. Harness holding portions 13 for holding the harness 108 are formed on the left and right ends of the holder 3. The harness holding portion 13 is formed so as to extend vertically, and the upper and lower end portions are curved rearward, and the harness 108 is accommodated in the curved portion.

  In addition, the holder 3 is formed with a waterproof part 14 that prevents water from dripping the surface of the side wall 101 of the vending machine main body 102 from entering the substrate 2. In the present embodiment, the waterproof part 14 includes a substantially horizontal ridge part 15 that protrudes from the vending machine main body 102 side (rear side) of the holder 3 and contacts the side wall 101.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the vending machine showing the arrangement of the lighting fixture and the harness.
As shown in FIG. 5, the vending machine lighting device 1 forms a set of lighting units 110 with a total of six in two rows on the left and three rows on the upper and lower sides. In the present embodiment, the illumination units 110 are installed in three upper and lower stages, and the electric lighting plate 105 of the vending machine 100 emits light as a whole. Two harnesses 108 are connected to the substrate 2 of each vending machine lighting device 1, and power is supplied to each LED 4. In this embodiment, each lighting unit 1 for each vending machine is electrically connected in series by a harness 108 for each lighting unit 110. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, for each lighting unit 110, the upper left illuminator 1, the upper right illuminator 1, the left center illuminator 1, the right center illuminator 1, and the lower left illuminator 1. The lower right lighting fixture 1 is connected in this order. Thereby, each lighting unit 1 is turned on and off simultaneously in each lighting unit 110.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a connector 21 for a harness 108 is provided on the front surface of the substrate 2, and pins (not shown) of the connector 21 protrude from the back surface of the substrate 2. A clearance hole 18 is formed in the holder 3 to avoid interference with the pins of the connector 21. In the present embodiment, a clearance hole 18 is formed between the LED 4 at the end in the longitudinal direction and the LED 4 adjacent thereto so as to form a pair of left and right.

  Each LED 4 emits white light toward the front. Each lens 5 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a circular shape centered on the light emitting portion of each LED 4 in a front view. On the back surface of each lens 5, the above-described convex portion 9 is formed, and a receiving portion 19 that is recessed to receive the LED 4 on the radial center side is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the shape of the front surface of each lens 5 is determined so as to satisfy the condition of totally reflecting all the rays incident from the rear, and as a result, the lens 5 has a morning glory shape. The shape of the lens 5 is not limited to the morning glory shape, and the front surface shape may be simplified or equivalently, and the cross-sectional shape of the front surface may be a quadratic curve, particularly a part of a parabola or a hyperbola. . Thereby, the light irradiated toward the front from each LED 4 enters each lens 5 and then reflects to the side on the front surface.

  Further, a pair of upper and lower held portions 12 held by the lens holding portion 7 of the holder 3 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of each lens 5 so as to protrude in the radial direction. The back surface of each held portion 12 is substantially flush with the back surface of the lens 5, and the front surface of each held portion 12 is in surface contact with the back surface of the claw portion 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the held portion 12 has a substantially rectangular shape formed so that the lens 5 side is along the lens 5 in a front view. Each held portion 12 is formed to be longer in the left-right direction than the protruding portion 10, and comes into contact with the side surface of the protruding portion 10 at the radially outer end.

  The assembly procedure of the vending machine lighting device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7. FIG. 6 and 7 are operation explanatory views showing the operation of the lighting fixture during assembly.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6, the substrate 2 on which the LEDs 4 are mounted is placed on one surface (front surface) of the holder 3. In this state, each lens 5 is brought closer to the substrate 2 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6 while aligning the positions of the concave portion 8 and the convex portion 9 in front view. Eventually, each held portion 12 of each lens 5 comes into contact with the front surface of each claw portion 11.

  Thereafter, when each lens 5 is further pushed into the substrate 2, the front surface of each claw portion 11 is inclined, so that each held portion 12 slides on the front surface of each claw portion 11 as shown in FIG. Each protrusion 10 is pushed and expanded outward in the width direction while contacting. In this way, each protrusion 10 is elastically deformed, so that each claw portion 11 is retracted from the course of the lens 5, and the lens 5 comes into contact with the substrate 2. At this time, since each held portion 12 reaches the back side of each claw portion 11 and the sliding contact between each held portion 12 and each claw portion 11 is released, as shown in FIG. Each protrusion 10 that has been expanded returns to its original position. In this state, the back surface of each claw portion 11 and the front surface of each held portion 12 are in surface contact.

  Further, when disassembling the vending machine lighting device 1, a force is applied to each protruding portion 10 outward in the width direction with a tool, a finger, or the like, and each nail portion 11 is moved away from the path of the lens 5. Then, after separating the lens 5 from the substrate 2, the substrate 2 is separated from the holder 3.

  In the vending machine lighting device 1 configured as described above, each lens 5 is positioned in the longitudinal direction and the width direction with respect to the substrate 2 by the locking portion 6, so that the lens is relative to the LED 4 on the substrate 2. 5 does not shift in the longitudinal direction or the width direction, and the light emitted from each LED 4 can be accurately refracted by the lens 5. Thereby, when each LED 4 emits light, the light is diffused by each lens 5, and the entire illumination plate 105 is irradiated with light substantially uniformly.

  FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view showing a state in which the holder contracts or expands due to heat with respect to the substrate. FIG. 8A shows a state in which the holder contracts with respect to the substrate, and FIG. Shows the expanded state. Since the substrate 2 and the holder 3 are separate members, their linear expansion coefficients are different, and the longitudinal dimension differs depending on the shrinkage after molding in manufacturing, the temperature in use, and the like. Since each lens 5 is positioned on the substrate 2 by the locking portion 6, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the lens 5 follows the substrate 2 and is relative to the holder 3 in the longitudinal direction. Move on. In FIG. 8, the position of the holder 3 after contraction and expansion is indicated by a solid line, and the position of the holder 3 before contraction and expansion is indicated by a two-dot chain line. At this time, since the lens holding portion 7 of the holder 3 is allowed to move in the longitudinal direction of the lens 5, an excessive load is not applied between the holder 3 and the lens 5.

  As described above, according to the vending machine lighting device 1 of the present embodiment, when the substrate 2 and the holder 3 are thermally affected at the time of manufacture, use, etc., a load is not generated on each component. Each lens 5 can be made to follow each LED 4 accurately. Therefore, each lens 5 is always positioned with respect to the LED 4 by the locking portion 6 and does not interfere with the irradiation function of the LED 4.

  Further, the use of the LED 4 as a light emitter is advantageous in terms of power consumption, and the LED 4 can be handled in the same manner as a fluorescent lamp extending in a predetermined direction by arranging the LEDs 4 in a predetermined direction. Moreover, by providing the lens 5 for each LED 4, light can be diffused over a short distance even if the LED 4 is used.

  Further, according to the vending machine illumination tool 1 of the present embodiment, since the substrate 2 is sandwiched between the holder 3 and each lens 5, the substrate 2 is accurately fixed to the holder 3 without using a lot of screws or the like. be able to. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced, which can also reduce the manufacturing cost.

  In addition, since the substrate 2 is fixed to the holder 3 and each lens 5 is held by the lens holding portion 7 by one action of moving each lens 5 to the substrate 2 side, the assembly of the luminaire 1 is performed. The number of process steps can be drastically reduced. Moreover, since each lens 5 is made detachable, there is no trouble in replacement of each LED 4 and the maintenance is excellent.

  Furthermore, since the holder 3 is formed of a transparent member so that the holder 3 transmits light, the light emitted from each lens 5 enters the lighting plate 105 side by the holder holding portion 7 of the holder 3 or the like. There is no hindrance and the illumination plate 105 can be irradiated efficiently.

  In addition, according to the vending machine 100 of the present embodiment, the gap between the lighting plate 105 and the vending machine main body 102 can be reduced by using the vending machine illumination tool 1 that is advantageous for light diffusion. Miniaturization can be achieved, which is extremely advantageous in practical use.

  Further, since the harness 108 is held by the holder 3, it is not necessary to separately provide a member for holding the harness 108 in the vending machine main body 102. Further, since the vending machine main body 102 has a heat insulating function, water droplets are likely to be formed on the side wall 101. However, since the waterproof portion 14 prevents water droplets from entering the substrate 2, a waterproofing member is provided on the vending machine main body 102. There is no need to provide a shape or shape, which is very convenient.

  In the above-described embodiment, the substrate 2 and the holder 3 extend in the left-right direction and the LEDs 4 are arranged in the left-right direction. For example, the substrate 2 and the holder 3 extend in the up-down direction, and each LED 4 moves up and down. The substrate 2 and the holder 3 may be arranged in a predetermined direction. Moreover, although what provided LED4 as a light-emitting body was shown, a laser device, a light bulb, etc. may be sufficient as a light-emitting body, for example.

  In the above embodiment, the vending machine main body 102 of the vending machine 100 has a heat insulation performance. However, the heat insulation performance such as handling a product that does not require a heating / cooling function such as a cigarette is shown. Needless to say, the vending machine main body 102 may not be provided.

  In the above embodiment, a total of six vending machine lighting devices 1 are connected by the harness 108 in the order of upper left, upper right, left center, right center, lower left, and lower right. It goes without saying that the number of lighting fixtures 1 and the order of connection are arbitrary.

  In the above-described embodiment, the front surface of the lens 5 is formed in a morning glory shape. However, the shape of the lens 5 can be appropriately changed depending on the distance from the lighting plate 105, the degree of light diffusion, and the like. is there.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although what has the recessed part 8 formed in the board | substrate 2 and the convex part 9 formed in the lens 5 as the latching | locking part 6 was shown, a recessed part is formed in the lens 5 and a convex part is a board | substrate. 2 may be formed. Moreover, in the said embodiment, two circular recessed parts 8 and the convex parts 9 are formed with respect to one lens 5, and the shape and the number of the recessed parts 8 and the convex parts 9 are arbitrary. In addition to the combination of the concave portion 8 and the convex portion 9, for example, a recess formed in the substrate 2 so as to receive the entire lens 5 may be used as the locking portion 6.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the waterproof part 14 showed what includes the protrusion part 15, for example, the waterproof part 14 may be made to include the hole which is formed in the holder 3 and guides a water droplet. In this case, water droplets may flow out to the side opposite to the substrate 2 side through the holes.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the lens holding part 7 showed what consists of the protrusion part 10 and the nail | claw part 11, if the lens 5 is hold | maintained so that the movement to the longitudinal direction with respect to the holder 3 is accept | permitted. The configuration of the lens holding unit 7 is also arbitrary, and it is needless to say that specific details such as a detailed structure can be changed as appropriate.

It is a front view of the lighting implement for vending machines which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the lighting tool for vending machines. It is a side view of the lighting tool for vending machines. It is a partial side sectional view of a vending machine. It is a schematic diagram of the vending machine which shows the arrangement | positioning state of a lighting fixture and a harness. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the lighting fixture at the time of an assembly. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the lighting fixture at the time of an assembly. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing which showed the state which the holder shrink | contracted or expanded with respect to the board | substrate with respect to a board | substrate, (a) shows the state which the holder shrink | contracted with respect to the board | substrate, (b) has expanded the holder with respect to the board | substrate. Indicates the state.

Explanation of symbols

1 Lighting device for vending machine 2 Substrate 3 Holder 4 LED
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Lens 6 Locking part 7 Lens holding part 8 Recessed part 9 Convex part 10 Protruding part 11 Claw part 12 Held part 13 Harness holding part 14 Waterproof part 15 Projection part 16 Fixing plate part 17 Fixing hole 18 Escape hole 19 Receiving part 20 Screw 21 Connector 100 Vending machine 101 Side wall 102 Vending machine main body 103 Sheet metal 104 Heat insulating material 105 Lighting plate 106 Transparent window 107 Bracket part 108 Harness 110 Illumination unit S Product sample

Claims (12)

A vending machine lighting fixture attached to the vending machine body,
A substrate extending in a predetermined direction and having a plurality of light emitters arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of one surface;
A holder that extends in the same direction as the substrate and supports the substrate from the other side, and is fixed to the vending machine body;
A lens provided for each of the light emitters and covering the light emitter,
When the substrate and the holder move relative to each other in the longitudinal direction, the lens follows the substrate and moves relative to the holder in the longitudinal direction. . A vending machine lighting fixture attached to the vending machine body,
A substrate extending in a predetermined direction and having a plurality of light emitters arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of one surface;
A holder that extends in the same direction as the substrate and supports the substrate from the other side, and is fixed to the vending machine body;
A lens provided for each of the light emitters and covering the light emitter;
A locking portion for positioning the lens in the longitudinal direction and the width direction with respect to the substrate;
A vending machine illumination device comprising: a lens holding portion formed on the holder and holding the lens so that movement in a longitudinal direction relative to the holder is allowed.   The lighting device for a vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the substrate is sandwiched between the holder and the lenses.   The lighting device for a vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the lens holding unit holds the lens detachably. The lens holding part is
A pair of projecting portions projecting from the back surface side of the substrate from the back surface side of the substrate at the outer side in the width direction of the substrate in the lens;
5. The vending machine illumination according to claim 4, further comprising: a claw portion that extends inward in the width direction of the substrate from the projecting end of each projecting portion and contacts the opposite side of the lens to the substrate. Ingredients.   The vending machine illumination tool according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the holder transmits light.   The said latching | locking part has a recessed part formed in one side of the said board | substrate and the said lens, and a convex part formed in the other and fitting to this recessed part, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Lighting equipment for vending machines as described.   The lighting device for a vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the light emitter is an LED. A vending machine lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A vending machine comprising: a vending machine body to which the lighting device for vending machines is attached and having a side wall substantially parallel to the holder. A harness arranged near the side wall of the vending machine body and connected to the substrate;
The vending machine according to claim 9, wherein a harness holding portion is provided in the holder of the vending machine lighting device.   The vending machine according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the holder is formed with a waterproof part that prevents water that drops on the side wall surface of the vending machine main body from entering the substrate.   The vending machine according to claim 11, wherein the waterproof part includes a substantially horizontal ridge that protrudes from the vending machine main body side of the holder and contacts the side wall.