JP2008108191A - Commodity storing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and surely transfer a commodity between a commodity storing column and a bucket and to improve the commodity storing efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: This commodity storing apparatus includes: a column identification member 183 disposed at one side edge as a positioning reference to the bucket 25B in the commodity storing column 18; a column sensor right 257R disposed at a part of the bucket 25B on the right with respect to the front, and detects, as a target, a column identifying member 183 of the commodity storing column 18 disposed at the rightmost part at least in a commodity rack 17; and a column sensor left 257L disposed at a part of the bucket 25B on the left with respect to the front, and detects, as a target, the column identifying member 183 of the commodity storing column 18 disposed at the leftmost part at least in the commodity rack 17. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a product storage device that delivers a product through a bucket to a product rack in which a plurality of product storage columns are arranged in the left-right direction.

  Some vending machines include a product storage column for storing products and a bucket for transporting products. The product storage column stores a plurality of products in an aligned state, and when the bend mec is driven, the products are discharged one by one from the front end. In a general vending machine, a plurality of product storage columns are arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the product rack, and a plurality of product racks are provided in the vertical direction. The bucket delivers goods to and from the product storage column, and can move up, down, left and right in the front area of the product rack.

  Bucket detection means is provided between the bucket and the product storage column. The bucket detection means is used for positioning when the bucket is disposed opposite to the product storage column, and includes a detection sensor on the bucket and a column identification member at the front end of each product storage column. The detection sensor outputs a detection signal when, for example, reflected light of light emitted from the light projecting unit is detected by the light receiving unit, and the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are respectively applied to the bucket in a manner of facing the product storage column. It is arranged. The column identification member is a rectangular member whose front surface is a reflection surface, for example, and is disposed at a position that is detected by a detection sensor when buckets are disposed opposite to each other in the product storage column.

  In this vending machine, for example, when a user selects a purchased product by pressing a selection button, the bucket moves based on the detection result of the bucket detection means, and the product storage column stores the corresponding product. The buckets are arranged opposite to each other. When the bend mech is driven in this state, one product in the product storage column is paid out and transferred to the bucket. When the product is transferred to the bucket, the bucket is transported to a preset product outlet, and the product can be taken out from the outside by opening the door of the product outlet ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-209006 A

  By the way, in this type of vending machine, if the width of the bucket is made larger than the width of the product storage column in the left-right direction, the product dispensed from the product storage column can be easily and reliably transferred to the bucket. It becomes possible to make it.

  However, in the vending machine as described above, when the bucket is disposed opposite to the commodity storage column, the bucket naturally protrudes in the width direction from the commodity storage column. Therefore, in order to reliably receive the product from all the product storage columns provided in the product rack to the bucket, at least the width of the product rack provided with a plurality of product storage columns, and the width of the bucket and the product storage column. A space obtained by adding a length corresponding to the difference from the width is required. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, even when the width W of the main body cabinet is greater than or equal to the space a × 4 spaces 4 a of the product storage column 1 (W ≧ 4 a), the width b of the bucket 2 and the product When the length corresponding to the difference c (= b−a) from the width a of the storage column 1 cannot be secured (W <4a + c), only three product storage columns 1 can be provided. This is a significant disadvantage in terms of storage efficiency. Note that the above-described problems related to storage efficiency are not unique to vending machines, and general product storage devices that deliver products through buckets 2 to a product rack in which a plurality of product storage columns 1 are arranged in the left-right direction. Can occur in common.

  In view of the above circumstances, the object of the present invention is to store products that can easily and reliably transfer products between the product storage column and the bucket and can improve the storage efficiency of the products. To provide an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a product storage device according to claim 1 of the present invention is capable of moving along a product rack in which a plurality of product storage columns are juxtaposed along the left-right direction, and along the direction in which the product storage columns are juxtaposed. And a bucket detection that detects the occupied position of the bucket with respect to the product rack and a bucket that enables delivery of the product to and from the product storage column when placed opposite to the product storage column. And a bucket driving means for driving the bucket on the basis of the detection result of the bucket detection means when a product storage column to be delivered is designated, and for arranging the bucket to face the corresponding product storage column. In the product storage apparatus, the bucket detection means is arranged on one side edge portion which serves as a positioning reference with the bucket in the product storage column. And a first column detection sensor that is disposed at a position on the right side of the bucket in the bucket, and that detects a column identification member of a product storage column disposed at least on a rightmost position in the product rack. And a second column detection sensor that is disposed in a portion of the bucket that is located on the left side when viewed from the front, and that detects a column identification member of a product storage column disposed at least on the leftmost portion of the product rack. And

  Further, the product storage device according to claim 2 of the present invention is provided with a product rack in which a plurality of product storage columns are juxtaposed along the left-right direction, and movably arranged along the juxtaposition direction of the product storage columns, A bucket that enables delivery of products to and from the product storage column when placed opposite to the product storage column, bucket detection means for detecting the position of the bucket relative to the product rack, and delivery A product storage device comprising bucket drive means for driving the bucket to face the corresponding product storage column by driving the bucket based on the detection result of the bucket detection means when a product storage column to be performed is designated In the product rack, a right reference column configured with a right edge located on the right as viewed from the front as a positioning reference with the bucket, A right side detection unit configured to detect a occupied position of the bucket with respect to the right side edge of the right reference column. And a left side detection unit that detects the occupied position of the bucket with respect to the left edge of the left side reference column, and at least the right side reference column is provided at the rightmost position in the product rack, The left reference column is provided in the leftmost part.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the commodity storage device according to the second aspect, wherein the right detection unit includes a right column identification member disposed at a right edge of the right reference column and a right side facing the front of the bucket. A first column detection sensor arranged at a site to detect the presence or absence of a right column identification member by the first column detection sensor, the left detection unit arranged at the left edge of the left reference column It comprises a left column identification member and a second column detection sensor arranged at a site on the left side of the bucket, and the presence or absence of the left column identification member is detected by the second column detection sensor. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the commodity storage device according to the second aspect, wherein the commodity storage column includes a bend mech and an operation input section thereof at each lower end portion, and the operation input section is When operated, the bend mec drives and pays out the merchandise, and the right reference column has a bend mech operation input part at the right side of the front, while the left reference column is left of the front And the bucket has a right drive unit that operates the operation input unit of the right reference column when the bucket is arranged to face the right reference column, and the left reference column. And a left drive unit that operates an operation input unit of the left reference column when arranged opposite to the left reference column.

  According to the present invention, the first column detection sensor is provided in a portion that is on the right side of the bucket in the front side, and the second column detection sensor is provided in a portion of the bucket that is on the left side in the front side. The column identification member of the product storage column arranged at the position located is detected by the first column detection sensor, while the column identification member of the product storage column arranged at least at the leftmost position in the product rack is detected as the second column detection sensor. To be detected by. Therefore, even if the width of the bucket in the left-right direction is larger than the width of the product storage column in the left-right direction, the buckets are opposed to all the product storage columns without protruding the bucket to the side area of the product rack. The product can be exchanged between them. As a result, the installation position of the product storage column is not limited by the bucket movement area, and the product storage efficiency can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, the right reference column configured with the right edge located on the right side as the front as a positioning reference with the bucket is provided in the rightmost part of the product rack, and the right reference column is provided on the right reference column. On the other hand, the bucket is arranged oppositely based on the detection result of the right detection unit, while the left edge portion located on the left side of the product rack is configured as a positioning reference with the bucket on the leftmost portion in the product rack. A left reference column is provided, and the bucket is arranged to face the left reference column based on the detection result of the left detection unit. Therefore, even if the width of the bucket in the left-right direction is larger than the width of the product storage column in the left-right direction, the buckets are opposed to all the product storage columns without protruding the bucket to the side area of the product rack. The product can be exchanged between them. As a result, the installation position of the product storage column is not limited by the bucket movement area, and the product storage efficiency can be improved.

  Exemplary embodiments of a product storage device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2 show a product storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and in particular, the present invention is embodied as a product storage device of a vending machine. The outline of the vending machine will be described first.

  The vending machine illustrated here sells products such as canned beverages, beverages in plastic bottles, beverages in paper packs, etc., in a cooled or heated state, and includes a main body cabinet 10. The main body cabinet 10 is a rectangular housing whose front opening is opened and closed by the outer door 11, and has a product storage 12 in the upper half and a product storage 13 in the lower half. Yes. The product storage 12 is a room that keeps the interior thereof at room temperature, and the front surface is configured to be openable by the upper inner door 14. The product storage 13 is a chamber that holds the interior thereof in a preset temperature state, and the front surface is configured to be opened by the lower inner door 15. The wall member 16 and the lower inner door 15 constituting the commodity storage 13 are each constituted by a heat insulating material. Although not clearly shown in the figure, the commodity storage 13 includes a cooling means for cooling the internal atmosphere, such as an evaporator of a refrigeration cycle, and a heating means for heating the internal atmosphere, such as an electric heater. It is provided.

  A plurality of product racks 17 are arranged in the product storage 12 and the product storage 13 in the vertical direction. The product rack 17 is configured by arranging a plurality of product storage columns 18 in the left-right direction, and a plurality of products are aligned in the front-rear direction in a product storage passage 18 a defined in each product storage column 18. Can be stored.

  As apparent from FIG. 2, the product racks (hereinafter referred to as “storage racks 17”) arranged in the product storage 12 are inclined in a manner that gradually decreases toward the back, and each product storage column 18. The product introduced from the end on the near side is moved to the back by the action of gravity. On the other hand, the product racks (hereinafter referred to as “sales racks 17”) arranged in the product storage 13 are inclined and arranged so as to be gradually lowered toward the front side, and the rear end portions of the product storage columns 18 are arranged. The product introduced from is moved forward by the action of gravity. Although not clearly shown in the figure, each product storage column 18 of the storage rack 17 and the sales rack 17 is provided with a bend mech for controlling the delivery of the product at each lower end portion.

  In addition, a supply communication hole 20 and a sales communication hole 21 are provided in the wall member 16 that partitions the product storage 12 and the product storage 13 inside the main body cabinet 10. The communication hole 20 for replenishment is a hole that opens in the vertical direction in a portion that is further to the back than the back side ends of the storage rack 17 and the sales rack 17, and communicates the product storage 12 and the product storage 13. An opening is made at a part extending over the entire width in the left-right direction. The sales communication hole 21 is a hole that opens in the vertical direction at a portion that is further on the front side than the front end portion of the sales rack 17, and opens at a portion that extends over the entire width in the left-right direction.

  A product take-out chamber 22 is defined at a site corresponding to the sales communication hole 21 in the product storage 12. The product take-out chamber 22 is configured to communicate with the product storage 13 through the sales communication hole 21 and is isolated from the internal atmosphere of the product storage 12 by the peripheral wall. The product take-out chamber 22 is opened to the front surface of the vending machine through a product take-out port 22a formed in a manner that penetrates the upper inner door 14 and the outer door 11. The product outlet 22a is provided with a product carry-out door 23 that opens and closes the product outlet 22a.

  Furthermore, a replenishment transport unit 24 and a sales transport unit 25 are provided inside the main body cabinet 10. The replenishment transport unit 24 and the sales transport unit 25 are respectively unit units 24A and 25A extending in the left-right direction of the main body cabinet 10, and buckets 24B disposed so as to be movable along the extending direction of the unit bodies 24A and 25A. 25B, and is arranged to be movable in the vertical direction inside the main body cabinet 10 via the unit main bodies 24A and 25A.

  More specifically, in the replenishment transport unit 24, the unit main body 24 </ b> A moves in the vertical direction at a position deeper than the storage rack 17 and the sales rack 17, and the merchandise storage 12 and the merchandise through the replenishment communication hole 20. It is possible to occupy an arbitrary height position with the storage 13. Further, the replenishment transport unit 24 can move the bucket (hereinafter referred to as “replenishment bucket 24 </ b> B”) relative to the unit main body 24 </ b> A so that the replenishment bucket 24 </ b> B faces the arbitrary product storage column 18. .

  In the sales transport unit 25, the unit main body 25 </ b> A moves in the vertical direction at a portion on the near side of the sales rack 17, and an arbitrary space between the product storage 13 and the product take-out chamber 22 through the sales communication hole 21. It is possible to occupy the height position. Further, the sales transport unit 25 moves the bucket (hereinafter referred to as “sales bucket 25B”) relative to the unit main body 25A, so that the sales bucket 25B is placed in an arbitrary product storage column in the sales rack 17 of the product storage 13. 18 can be made to face each other.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the outer door 11 of the vending machine has a product display 26 for displaying sales products, a selection switch 27 for selecting sales products, a deposit port 28 for inserting money, and the like. A configuration necessary for automatically selling products is provided.

  In the vending machine configured as described above, the product stored in the product storage 13 is held at a desired temperature state by driving the cooling unit or the heating unit in the sales standby state. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the replenishment transport unit 24 stands by at a position where the replenishment communication hole 20 is closed, and the sales transport unit 25 waits at a position where the sales communication hole 21 is closed. 13 and the product storage 12 are separated from each other. As a result, in the product storage 12 where no cooling means or heating means are provided, the products stored in the product storage columns 18 of the product rack 17 are stored at room temperature.

  In the above-described sales standby state, when the selection information of the product through the selection switch 27 and the deposit information of the money inserted through the deposit slot 28 satisfy the predetermined sales conditions, the sales transport unit 25 is driven to select the item. A sales bucket 25B is disposed opposite to the product storage column 18 storing products. In the product storage column 18 in which the sales bucket 25B is opposed, only one product is transferred to the sales bucket 25B by driving the bend mech. The sales bucket 25 </ b> B to which the product is transferred moves to the product take-out chamber 22 by driving the sales conveyance unit 25. As a result, if the merchandise carry-out door 23 is opened, the merchandise arranged in the sales bucket 25B can be taken out.

  On the other hand, when the sale of the product is completed, the replenishment transport unit 24 is driven at an appropriate timing, so that the replenishment bucket 24B is moved to the product storage 12 and is opposed to the product storage column 18 that stores the same product as the sold product. Is done. In the product storage column 18 in which the supply bucket 24B is disposed oppositely, only one product is transferred to the supply bucket 24B by driving the bend mech. The supply bucket 24B that stores the product then moves to the product storage 13 and is disposed opposite to the product storage column 18 that previously sold the product. When the supply bucket 24B is disposed opposite to the product storage column 18, a product (not shown) provided in the supply bucket 24B is driven to supply the product stored in the supply bucket 24B to the product storage column 18. .

  Thereafter, the above-described operation is repeatedly performed so that the products held at the desired temperature state are sold in the product storage 13 and the products stored in the product storage 12 are sequentially supplied to the product storage 13. Become. In such a vending machine, since the product stored first is sold first, there is no possibility of incurring a situation in which, for example, a product sold in a heated state is stored for a long time. Moreover, although it is possible to sell products as many as the total number of products finally stored in the product storage 13 and products stored in the product storage 12, the temperature control of only the products stored in the product storage 13 is always performed. Therefore, it is possible to save energy compared to the case where the entire interior of the main body cabinet 10 is always temperature-controlled.

  Hereinafter, description will be made assuming that the commodity storage apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the above-described sales rack 17 of the vending machine. 3 is a front view of the sales rack 17 of the vending machine shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the product storage column 18 constituting the sales rack 17 shown in FIG. As described above, the sales rack 17 of the vending machine is configured by arranging a plurality of product storage columns 18 side by side in the left-right direction, but in the present embodiment, the right reference column 18R and the left reference column 18L. These two types of product storage columns 18 are combined.

  The right reference column 18R is shown on the right side in FIG. 4 and, of the pair of side walls 181 and 182 constituting the product storage passage 18a, the reference wall on the right side of the front (hereinafter, “right reference wall 181R”). The column identification member 183 and the bend mech 184 are provided. On the other hand, the left reference column 18L is shown on the left side in FIG. 4 and has the same outer dimensions as the right reference column 18R, but the reference wall (hereinafter referred to as “the left side”) A column identification member 183 and a bend mech 184 are provided on the reference wall 181L ”.

  The column identification member 183 is a metal plate-shaped member configured in a rectangular shape, and an edge located on the right side (hereinafter referred to as “right edge 183a”) along the vertical direction is along the vertical direction and downward toward the front side. Positioned edges (hereinafter referred to as “lower edges 183b”) are disposed in front of the individual reference walls 181R and 181L in a manner along the horizontal direction. The outer surface of the column identification member 183 is configured to be smooth, for example, so that it can be favorably reflected when irradiated with light.

  The bend mech 184 is for discharging the products stored in the product storage passage 18a one by one when driven. For example, the gate member 184a and the reference walls 181R, 181L disposed on the upper front of the reference walls 181R, 181L. Is provided with an operation input unit 184b disposed below the gate member 184a and above the column identification member 183.

  The gate member 184a is a narrow and long plate-like member extending from the tip of the swing shaft 184c along the extending direction of the product storage column 18 toward the radially outward direction. By swinging around the axis of 184c, the product storage passage 18a appears and disappears. When the gate member 184a swings downward, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 4, the gate member 184a moves forward in a manner crossing the product storage passage 18a to prevent the product from moving downstream, 4, the product functions to allow the product to move downstream by retreating from the product storage passage 18a as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

  The operation input unit 184b swings the gate member 184a when an operation force is applied, and is provided in front of the reference walls 181R and 181L. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the operation input unit 184b includes a cylindrical cam 184b1 connected to the swing shaft 184c of the gate member 184a, a slider 184b2 provided on the reference walls 181R and 181L, and a pressing spring 184b3. can do. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 5, a cylindrical cam 184b1 provided with a spiral guide projection 184b4 on the peripheral surface of the columnar member is connected to the swing shaft 184c of the gate member 184a. The slider 184b2 is disposed so as to move forward and backward with respect to the front surfaces of the reference walls 181R and 181L, and an engaging portion 184b5 provided on the upper surface is engaged with the guide protrusion 184b4 of the cylindrical cam 184b1. The pressing spring 184b3 presses the slider 184b2 in a direction that always protrudes.

  When the operation input unit 184b is in a normal state, as shown in FIG. 5A, the slider 184b2 is held in a state where the slider 184b2 protrudes most from the front surfaces of the reference walls 181R and 181L by the pressing force of the pressing spring 184b3. The cylindrical cam 184b1 that engages with the engaging portion 184b5 is maintained in a state in which the gate member 184a protrudes into the product storage passage 18a.

  When the slider 184b2 is retracted against the pressing force of the pressing spring 184b3 from this state, as shown in FIG. 5B, the cylindrical cam is caused by the spiral action of the guide protrusion 184b4 that engages with the engaging portion 184b5 of the slider 184b2. 184b1 rotates about its own axis, and the gate member 184a connected thereto swings upward by 90 °, thereby being retracted from the product storage passage 18a. As a result, the product stored in the product storage passage 18a moves downstream, and the product located at the head is paid out from the product storage passage 18a.

  Further, when the pressing force on the slider 184b2 is removed, the slider 184b2 returns to the state where it protrudes most from the front surface of the reference walls 181R and 181L by the elastic restoring force of the pressing spring 184b3, and the cylindrical cam 184b1 is directed in the opposite direction. As shown in FIG. 5A, the gate member 184a protrudes into the product storage passage 18a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, five right reference columns 18R described above are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and the left reference column 18L is arranged at the leftmost portion when viewed from the front. A sales rack 17 is configured.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the sales transport unit 25 that receives a product from the product storage column 18 of the sales rack 17 includes a unit main body 25A and a sales bucket 25B. The unit main body 25A is a base having a length extending over the entire width in the left-right direction in the commodity storage 13, and is disposed so as to be movable in the up-down direction via lifting means (not shown). The sales bucket 25B is configured by including side wall members 252 and 253 on both sides of the cradle 251 serving as a bottom wall, and has a box shape with the front surface, the back surface, and the top surface opened, and extends to the top surface of the unit body 25A. It is arranged so as to be movable along the present direction. The sales bucket 25 </ b> B is configured such that the distance between the side wall members 252 and 253 is sufficiently larger than the width of the product storage passage 18 a in the product storage column 18 provided in the sales rack 17.

  A travel mechanism 254 and a range defining unit 255 are provided between the unit main body 25A and the sales bucket 25B, as shown in FIGS. The traveling mechanism 254 is for moving the sales bucket 25B along the extending direction of the unit main body 25A. In the present embodiment, the traveling motor 254a provided in the sales bucket 25B, the rack 254b provided along the extending direction of the unit body 25A, and the gear interposed between the drive shaft 254c and the rack 254b of the traveling motor 254a. And a column 254d. The drive shaft 254c of the travel motor 254a is provided with a pulse encoder 256 that outputs a pulse corresponding to the rotational speed of the travel motor 254a.

  The range defining unit 255 detects the moving range of the sales bucket 25B relative to the unit main body 25A. In the present embodiment, an optical origin sensor 255a provided in the sales bucket 25B and a rail member 255b provided along the extending direction of the unit main body 25A are provided. The origin sensor 255a has, for example, a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit that face each other, and the light emitted from the light projecting unit is incident on the light receiving unit and the light emitted from the light projecting unit is blocked. The detection signal is inverted. The rail member 255b is a long light shielding member erected between the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion of the origin sensor 255a, and when the sales bucket 25B is disposed at a position facing the product storage column 18. Only the projection height is changed so as to block the irradiation light from the light projecting unit to the light receiving unit.

  The sales bucket 25B is provided with a column sensor 257 and a pusher 258 on a pair of side wall members 252 and 253 that define the left and right widths, respectively. The column sensor 257 has, for example, a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit on the same plane, and the light emitted from the light projecting unit reflects and enters the light receiving unit, and the light emitted from the light projecting unit enters the light receiving unit. The detection signal is inverted when the light does not enter, and the pair of side wall members 252 and 253 are disposed on the end surfaces facing the product rack 17. The pusher 258 is disposed so as to be able to protrude and retract at a position above the column sensor 257 in each of the pair of side wall members 252 and 253, and protrudes and moves when a drive signal is given. In the following description, when distinguishing the column sensor 257 and the pusher 258, the column sensor and the pusher provided on the side wall member 252 located on the right side of the front of the sales bucket 25B are respectively referred to as the column sensor right (first column detection sensor). ) 257R and pusher right (right drive unit) 258R, the column sensor and pusher provided on the side wall member 253 located on the left side of the front of the sales bucket 25B are the column sensor left (second column detection sensor) 257L and pusher, respectively. The left (left drive unit) 258L will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the sales conveyance unit 25 described above. The control unit 300 shown in FIG. 8 controls driving of the traveling motor 254a and the pushers 258R and 258L based on output signals from the pulse encoder 256, the origin sensor 255a, and the column sensors 257R and 257L. Hereinafter, an operation until the product stored in the sales rack 17 in the product storage 13 is transferred to the sales bucket 25B will be described. In the following description, the column sensors 257R and 257L can detect the column identification member 183 provided in each product storage column 18 of the sales rack 17 in advance when the sales bucket 25B moves only with respect to the unit main body 25A. Positioning of the unit main body 25A in the vertical direction with respect to the sales rack 17 is completed, and the above-described control unit 300 controls only the movement of the sales bucket 25B with respect to the sales rack 17 along the left-right direction.

  First, the control unit 300 of this vending machine moves the sales bucket 25B with respect to the sales rack 17 by executing a program stored in the memory 301 in advance, and the position of the product storage column 18 provided in the sales rack 17 And a teaching process for storing the detection result in the memory 301 is performed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, after the sales bucket 25B of the sales transport unit 25 is arranged at the rightmost position (right limit position) of the unit main body 25A, the driving motor 254a is driven to As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the sales bucket 25B is sequentially moved to the leftmost position (left limit position) of the unit main body 25A.

  The moving distance of the sales bucket 25B during this period can be expressed as the number of output pulses of the pulse encoder 256 from the right limit position. On the other hand, each time the column sensors 257R and 257L detect the column identification member 183 provided in the product storage column 18, the detection signal is inverted. Therefore, by associating the accumulated number of output pulses each time the detection signals of the column sensors 257R and 257L are inverted, the position of each product storage column 18 can be specified as the number of output pulses from the right limit position. Become.

  If the number of output pulses corresponding to the width of the product storage column 18 is known in advance, the column sensors 257R and 257L detect the right edge 183a of the column identification member 183 and then provide the next product storage column 18. If the detection results of the column sensors 257R and 257L are invalidated until the right edge 183a of the column identification member 183 is detected, there is no possibility that the column identification member 183 is erroneously detected in the above teaching process.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing detection signals from the column sensors 257R and 257L and a pulse signal from the pulse encoder 256 when the sales bucket 25B is moved from the right limit position to the left limit position.

  Here, as shown in the prior art of FIG. 14, in the vending machine in which the column sensor 257R is provided only on one side wall member of the sales bucket 25B, for example, the right side wall member 252, the product is transferred. When the width of the sales bucket 25B is configured to be easily and reliably performed, the sales bucket 25B protrudes to the left when detecting the position of the leftmost product storage column 18, and the main body cabinet Thus, it is necessary to secure a space for the sales bucket 25 </ b> B to protrude into the interior of 10.

  However, in the present embodiment described above, in the sales bucket 25B, column sensors 257R and 257L are provided on the pair of side wall members 252 and 253, respectively. In addition, the sales rack 17 is configured by arranging five right reference columns 18R side by side along the left-right direction and arranging the left reference column 18L at the leftmost portion when viewed from the front.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9, if the column sensor right 257R disposed on the front right side of the sales bucket 25B is applied to the rightmost product storage column 18R, the sales bucket 25B protrudes to the right. Without this, the column identification member 183 provided in the right reference column 18R can be detected. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, if the column sensor left 257L arranged on the front left side of the sales bucket 25B is applied to the leftmost product storage column 18L, the sales bucket 25B protrudes to the left. It is possible to detect the column identification member 183 provided in the left reference column 18L of the sales rack 17 without any problem. As shown in FIG. 10, if any one of the column sensors (column sensor right 257R in the embodiment) is applied to the product storage column 18 arranged in the middle part of the sales rack 17, each column identification is performed. The member 183 can be detected.

  That is, according to the vending machine of the present embodiment, the positions of all the product storage columns 18 can be detected without securing a space for the sales bucket 25B to protrude in the left and right side areas of the sales rack 17. become able to. Accordingly, as in the example shown in FIG. 14 for example, the product storage column 10 only needs to have a width 4 of the width a × 4 of the product storage column 18 (W ≧ 4a) as long as the width W of the main body cabinet 10 exists. Four 18 can be provided, and the storage efficiency of goods can be improved.

  For example, in the teaching process shown in FIG. 12, if the detection result of the column sensor right 257R is valid until the origin sensor 255a detects the left limit position, the fifth rack from the right side in the sales rack 17 The position of the storage column 18 can be detected (see FIG. 12C). In contrast, after the origin sensor 255a detects the left limit position, the detection result of the immediately preceding column sensor left 257L is validated to detect the position of the product storage column 18 arranged on the leftmost side in the sales rack 17. (See FIG. 12D).

  After the above teaching process is completed, in the normal sales process, the control unit 300 of the vending machine positions the sales bucket 25B with respect to the product storage column 18 according to the procedure shown in FIG. The product stored in the product storage column 18 is transferred to the sales bucket 25B with the bucket 25B facing the bucket 25B.

  That is, the control unit 300 that acquires the product selection information through the selection switch 27 and identifies the product storage column 18 storing the corresponding product stores the position information of the product storage column 18 stored in the memory 301 in the previous teaching process. Based on this, the sales conveyance unit 25 is driven, and the sales bucket 25B arranged at the standby position is moved to a preset target position. The target position is a position where the column sensor 257 of the sales bucket 25B detects the right edge 183a of the column identification member 183, that is, a predetermined number of pulses (for example, 18 pulses) from the position information of the product storage column 18 stored in the memory 301. ) Only on the right side.

  The control unit 300 that has moved the sales bucket 25B to the target position then moves the sales bucket 25B to the left, detects the right edge 183a of the column identification member 183, and then sells for a preset number of pulses. The bucket 25B is moved to the left to stop it. The number of pulses to be moved after the right edge 183a is detected corresponds to the amount of movement required for disposing the sales bucket 25B opposite to the commodity storage column 18.

  In the state where the sales bucket 25B is disposed opposite to the commodity storage column 18, the pusher 258 of the sales bucket 25B is disposed at a position facing the slider 184b2 of the bend mech 184. Accordingly, if the slider 184b2 is retracted by operating the pusher 258 from this state, the gate member 184a swings and retreats from the product storage passage 18a, and the product stored in the product storage passage 18a is sold. It will be paid out to the bucket 25B.

  In the sales process described above, the column sensor right 257R and the pusher right 258R of the sales bucket 25B are applied to the right reference column 18R, while the column sensor left 257L and the pusher left 258L of the sales bucket 25B are applied to the left reference column 18L. It will be. As a result, also in the sales process, as in the teaching process described above, the positions of all the product storage columns 18 are detected without securing a space for the sales bucket 25B to protrude in the left and right side areas of the sales rack 17. It becomes possible to improve the storage efficiency of goods.

  In the above-described embodiment, a product sales apparatus applied to a vending machine is illustrated. However, a product is delivered through a bucket to a product rack in which a plurality of product storage columns are arranged in the left-right direction. If it is a thing, it does not necessarily need to be a vending machine. Further, in the embodiment described above when applied to a vending machine, the example in which the bucket operates when selling the product is used, but the product stored in the product storage is replenished to the product storage It is also possible to apply to.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the right reference column configured with the right edge located on the right as viewed from the front as a positioning reference with the bucket, and the left edge positioned on the left as viewed from the front as the positioning reference with the bucket. The product rack with the left reference column is illustrated, but the product rack is not necessarily provided with two types of product storage columns on the left and right. Buckets with column detection sensors at the left and right are respectively provided. In the case of application, the same effect can be obtained for a product rack constituted by only one type of product storage column.

It is a front view of the vending machine to which the goods storage device which is an embodiment of the invention is applied. It is a cross-sectional side view of the vending machine shown in FIG. It is the conceptual diagram which looked at the product rack applied to the vending machine shown in FIG. 1 from the front. It is a perspective view of the goods storage column which comprises the goods rack shown in FIG. It is a principal part enlarged side view of the goods rack shown in FIG. It is a principal part enlarged side view of the goods rack shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows notionally the sales conveyance unit applied to the vending machine shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the drive system of the sales conveyance unit shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the sales conveyance unit shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the product rack shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the product rack shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the product rack shown in FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows the pulse signal of the pulse encoder at the time of operating the sales conveyance unit shown in FIG. 6, the output signal of an origin sensor, the detection signal of the column sensor right, and the detection signal of the column sensor left. It is a schematic diagram which shows the movement locus | trajectory of the sales bucket with respect to a column identification member in the sales conveyance unit shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the conventional goods storage apparatus notionally.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main body cabinet 11 Outer door 13 Commodity storage 16 Wall member 17 Merchandise rack 18 Commodity storage column 25 Sales conveyance unit 25A Unit main body 25B Sales bucket 181L Left reference wall 181R Right reference wall 183 Column identification member 184 Bendmec 251 Receiving base 252,253 Side wall member 257L Column sensor left 257R Column sensor right 258L Pusher left 258R Pusher right

Claims (4)

A product rack in which a plurality of product storage columns are juxtaposed along the left-right direction;
A bucket that is movably disposed along the direction in which the product storage columns are juxtaposed, and that is capable of delivering the product to and from the product storage column when disposed opposite to the product storage column;
Bucket detection means for detecting the position of the bucket relative to the product rack;
A product provided with bucket drive means for driving the bucket based on the detection result of the bucket detection means when a product storage column to be delivered is designated, and for arranging the bucket to face the corresponding product storage column In the storage device,
The bucket detection means includes
A column identification member disposed on one side edge serving as a positioning reference with the bucket in the product storage column;
A first column detection sensor that is disposed in a portion that is on the right side of the bucket in the front side, and that detects a column identification member of a product storage column that is disposed at least on a rightmost portion of the product rack;
A second column detection sensor that is disposed in a portion of the bucket that is located on the left side when viewed from the front, and that detects a column identification member of a product storage column disposed at least on the leftmost portion of the product rack. Product storage device. A product rack in which a plurality of product storage columns are juxtaposed along the left-right direction;
A bucket that is movably disposed along the direction in which the product storage columns are juxtaposed, and that is capable of delivering the product to and from the product storage column when disposed opposite to the product storage column;
Bucket detection means for detecting the position of the bucket relative to the product rack;
A product provided with bucket drive means for driving the bucket based on the detection result of the bucket detection means when a product storage column to be delivered is designated, and for arranging the bucket to face the corresponding product storage column In the storage device,
The product rack has a right reference column configured with a right side edge portion positioned on the right side as viewed from the front as a positioning reference with the bucket, and a left side reference configured with a left side edge portion positioned on the left side toward the front as a positioning reference with the bucket. With columns,
The bucket detection means includes a right detection unit that detects a position occupied by the bucket with respect to a right edge of the right reference column, and a left detection unit that detects a position occupied by the bucket with respect to the left edge of the left reference column. Configure
At least a right reference column is provided at a position located on the rightmost side in the product rack, while a left reference column is provided at a position located on the leftmost side in the product rack. The right detection unit includes a right column identification member disposed at the right edge of the right reference column, and a first column detection sensor disposed at a portion on the right side in front of the bucket. It detects the presence or absence of a column identification member,
The left detection unit includes a left column identification member disposed at a left edge of the left reference column, and a second column detection sensor disposed at a portion on the left side when viewed from the front of the bucket. The product storage device according to claim 2, wherein the presence or absence of a column identification member is detected. The product storage column is configured to include a bend mech and its operation input unit at each lower end, and when the operation input unit is operated, the bend mec is driven to deliver the product,
The right reference column has a bendmech operation input section on the right side of the front, while the left reference column has a bendmech operation input section on the left side of the front,
The bucket includes a right drive unit that operates an operation input unit of the right reference column when the bucket is arranged to face the right reference column, and the left reference column when the bucket is arranged to face the left reference column. The product storage device according to claim 2, further comprising a left drive unit that operates the motion input unit.

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