JP2010102533A - Commodity sending-off device and vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending machine for vending commodities even if a worker in charge of the vending machine forgets to fill a commodity storage column with the commodities partially and increasing vending efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: The vending machine includes a commodity detection sensor 17 for detecting the presence or absence of the commodity. After detecting a sold-out state of the commodity, a spiral member 12 is rotated by a driving motor 13 to carry the next commodity forward and vend the commodities in stock even if a cavity is generated in a spiral space part 12a in the spiral member 12 due to error in the work for filling a commodity storage part with commodities, or the like, and the error in the work for filling is made up to increase chances for vending. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a product delivery device that drives a spiral member in a horizontal direction to deliver a product stored in a spiral space.

  Conventionally, there is a product sending apparatus provided with a spiral member as disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a conventional product delivery device for a vending machine described in Patent Document 1. In FIG.

  In FIG. 5, two rotary carry-out members (spiral members) 2 on the product storage column 1 are reciprocally driven by a drive motor 3. When the drive motor 3 rotates once, the spiral space 2 a of the spiral member 2. The product sandwiched between the two slides one pitch of the spiral member 2 on the flat spiral angle 4 penetrating the spiral member 2 and is conveyed forward, and the product in the front row is the free end of the spiral member 2 Slips on the chute 5 and falls to a product outlet (not shown).

  Further, in order to detect the sold out of the product, an actuator 6 that is pressed against the product and rotates with the movement of the product is provided. When the actuator 6 rotates, the sold out switch 7 is detected and turned off. When the product does not rotate, the sold-out switch 7 is detected and turned on to display sold-out.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a conventional product delivery device of a vending machine. The product 9 is filled horizontally in the spiral space 2a across the two spiral members, and is conveyed on the spiral angle 4 in this posture. Therefore, with these structures, the two spiral members 2 are driven in reverse by the drive motor 3 in a synchronized manner, whereby the product is conveyed forward in a horizontal position on the spiral angle 4. In addition, since the product is pressed against the actuator 6 to detect whether or not the product is sold out, it is possible to convey and sell the product up to the last one.
Japanese Patent No. 3978932

  However, in the above conventional configuration, if the product is forgotten to be filled in the front row of the product storage column 1 or if the product is not continuously filled from the front side, the product is sold out even though the product is in stock. There is a problem of falling into.

  Also, in the case of a see-through type vending machine that displays the contents of products as a photograph or logo, and in particular a see-through type vending machine that also serves as a display sample, sales can be confirmed. It will be in the state where it was stopped and will give an unpleasant feeling to those who wish to purchase the product.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a product delivery device and a vending machine that can compensate for a mistake in a product filling operation in a product storage unit.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a product delivery device for a vending machine according to the present invention includes a product storage unit that stores products in the front-rear direction, and a spiral member that is placed on the bottom surface of the storage unit of the product storage unit. In the product delivery device that stores the product in a spiral space and rotates the spiral member by the driving means to send out the product in the front row, the product delivery device includes a sold-out detection unit that detects the sold-out of the product, and after detecting the sold-out of the product, The spiral member is rotated by driving means.

  As a result, even if there is a gap in the spiral space portion of the spiral member due to a mistake in the product filling operation into the product storage unit, etc., and it is detected that the product has been sold out, the next product can be transported forward and sold in stock. it can.

  The product delivery device of the vending machine according to the present invention includes a sold-out detecting means for detecting the sold-out of the product, and after detecting the sold-out of the product, the spiral filling member is rotated by the driving means, thereby filling the product storage unit with the product. Even if there is a gap in the spiral space portion of the spiral member due to a mistake or the like, the next product can be transported forward to sell the stock product, and a vending machine with increased sales opportunities can be provided.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a product is stored in a spiral space of a product storage unit that stores products in the front-rear direction and a spiral member that is placed on the bottom surface of the storage unit of the product storage unit, and the spiral is driven by a drive unit. In a product delivery device that rotates a member and sends out the products in the front row, the product delivery device includes a sold-out detection unit that detects the sale of the product, and after detecting the sale of the product, the spiral member is rotated by the drive unit, Even if there is a gap in the spiral space of the spiral member due to a mistake in filling the product into the storage section, etc., the next product can be transported forward and sold in stock, making up for mistakes in the product filling work and sales opportunities Can be increased.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the number of rotations when the spiral member is rotated after detecting the sold-out of the product is set in advance, and the reconfirmation time of the product inventory and the optimum waiting time for sales Can be achieved.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the product is detected by the sold-out detecting means while the spiral member is being rotated after the product is sold out, the product is in a sales standby position. The rotation is automatically stopped at the point of time, and the next product can be surely carried out.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, when the spiral member is rotated after the product is sold out and the product is not detected by the sold-out detection means, Signal), and can correctly tell that there is no merchandise in stock.

  The invention according to claim 5 is a vending machine provided with the product delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and can provide a vending machine with improved sales efficiency.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an operation pattern diagram of the vending machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the commodity delivery device of the vending machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a plan view of a product delivery device for a vending machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG.

  In FIG. 2, a rotary carry-out member (hereinafter referred to as a spiral member) 12 is placed in a substantially V-shaped groove portion 11 a of a product storage column 11 having a substantially M-shaped cross-sectional structure, and a drive motor 13 and a spiral member 12 that rotate the spiral member 12. And a joint 14 connecting the drive motor 13. Further, the load of the product 15 is received at the apex portion 11b2 of the product storage column 11, and the frictional resistance between the product 15 and the apex portion 11b is minimized. Further, the lateral displacement of the spiral member 12 is regulated by the substantially V-shaped groove portion 11a, but the spiral guide 16 further prevents lifting.

  In FIG. 3, the product delivery device includes a product storage column 11, a spiral member 12 placed in a substantially V-shaped groove 11 a over the length direction, a drive motor 13 for rotating the spiral member 12, and both A joint 14 for interposing the product, a product detection sensor 17 for detecting the sold-out of the product 15, and a stopper 18 for preventing the spiral from jumping out at the front end of the product storage column. The stopper 18 also serves to regulate the front-rear direction of the spiral member 12, but also has an effect of suppressing merchandise theft due to mischief. Further, a taper 19 that is cut obliquely is provided at the front end portion of the apex portion 11 b opposite to the rotation direction of the product storage portion 11. Further, the front end of the spiral guide 16 is fixed to the stopper 18 and the fixed rear end is rotatably fitted to the joint 14 to prevent the spiral member 12 from being lifted over the entire length. Further, the stopper 18 is provided with an acute-angle guide flange portion 18a, which serves as a guide when the product is dropped. Further, the tip of the taper 19 is configured to cover the stopper 18 so that a part of the packaging container is not sandwiched when the product 15 is dropped.

  The operation and effect of the vending machine product delivery apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

  First, the drive motor 13 has an origin position detection (not shown). When the drive motor 13 rotates 360 ° from the origin position to the origin position, the spiral member 12 directly connected to the joint 14 rotates once. Then, the product 15 sandwiched between the spiral space portions 12 a slides on the apex portion 11 b of the product storage column 11 and is sent forward by one pitch of the spiral member 12. Unlike the case where the conventional spiral member is composed of two pieces, the spiral member 12 is composed of one piece, so that the product is conveyed forward in an oblique posture. Therefore, depending on the shape of the product, there is a difference in the dropping posture when the product 15 in the front row is carried out from the product storage column 11. When the product 15 is a tall box shape, the product 15 starts to fall starting from the taper 19 when the product 15 is detached from the free end of the spiral member 12. On the other hand, when the product 15 in the front row is a short box-shaped or firm aluminum bag packaging container or the like, when the product 15 is detached from the free end of the spiral member 12, the top side of the product that has become slanted drops off from the taper 19 first. The guide flange 18a of the stopper 18 falls while sliding.

  Moreover, it is provided with the product detection sensor 17 which reflects the light reflected on the product placed on the bottom surface of the product storage column 11 to detect the presence of the product, and the light receiving element cannot detect the light emitted from the light emitting element. In this case, the sold-out is detected and the sold-out display is performed. Since the sensor 17 does not detect the product by applying an external force to the product, it does not interfere with the delivery of the product, can reduce the product clogging by the detecting means, and can improve the accuracy of the sold-out detection.

  The operation pattern of the vending machine product sending apparatus configured as described above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the door opening / closing operation of the vending machine is recognized by the sales operation of the product 15 or the product filling operation from the sales standby state (S1) (S2), the product detection sensor 17 performs the sold-out determination (S3). When it is detected that the product has been sold out, the drive motor 13 is rotated one rotation until the set number of times is reached (S4), is repeated the set number of times (S5), and if the product 15 remains, it is conveyed one by one in sequence. It will be. During or after that, the product detection sensor 17 determines whether or not the product 15 is present (S6) and (S7). If there is a product, the product detection sensor 17 returns to the standby state and continues to sell (S8) and (S9). . If the product detection sensor 17 fails to detect the product 15 after the set number of rotations, the sales control unit of the vending machine determines that the product is sold out, and stops selling only the product 15 (S10). When the commodity detection sensor 17 detects that the drive motor 13 has not reached the set number of times, the drive motor 13 is operated until the set number of times is reached.

  Further, the detection operation timing of the sold-out detection sensor 17 may be always, but it may be limited to immediately after the sales operation or when the door opening / closing is recognized due to the problem of the life of the sold-out detection sensor 17 or the crime prevention property.

  As described above, in the product delivery device of the vending machine according to the present embodiment, when the product stock is detected, the spiral member is further rotated a set number of times to detect the product inventory. By transporting and selling stock merchandise, the merchandise stock can be sold to the end, and mistakes in merchandise filling operations can be compensated.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 shows an external perspective view of the product storage section of the vending machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  An outer door that includes rails 22 that can be pulled out in the front-rear direction on both sides of the product storage unit 21, forms a product storage shelf 23 having a plurality of product storage columns 11 in the vertical and horizontal directions, and covers the front surface of the product storage unit 21. Reference numeral 24 is connected to the storage shelf 23 and is locked by a key 25 except for filling and maintenance of products. Further, a merchandise display window 26, a merchandise selection button 27, and a merchandise outlet 28 are arranged on the outer door 24 so that a merchandise purchaser can select a desired merchandise.

  The operation and effect of the vending machine product delivery apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

  First, a purchaser of a product selects a product by looking at the product display window 26 of the outer door 24 and presses a product selection button 27. The product is taken out from the product storage column 11 and the purchaser takes out the product from the product outlet 28. When the sale of the product is repeated, the sale product in the product storage column 11 runs out, and the product detection sensor 17 detects that there is no product and performs a sold-out determination. Therefore, an operation for replenishing products occurs. At this time, since the product storage shelf 23 is connected to the outer door 24, all the products are operated with a light operating force by the rail 22 when the outer door 24 is held and pulled forward. The storage shelf 23 can be pulled out, and the storage column 11 can be easily replenished with goods.

  In addition, a stopper is provided in the middle to ensure safety so that the slidable product storage shelf 23 is not pulled out and dropped out.

  As described above, in the product storage section of the vending machine according to the present embodiment, all the product storage shelves 23 can be pulled out with a light operating force, and the product can be easily replenished to all the storage shelves. .

  As described above, the product delivery device and the vending machine according to the present invention can improve the continuity and reliability of the product by the control when the product is sold out. Therefore, all kinds of vending machines transported by the spiral member. Can be applied to.

Operation flow diagram of vending machine in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The front view of the goods delivery apparatus of the vending machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention The top view of the goods delivery apparatus of the vending machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention External appearance perspective view of the goods storage part of the vending machine in Embodiment 2 of this invention External perspective view of conventional vending machine product delivery device Plan view of conventional vending machine product delivery device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Commodity storage column 12 Spiral member 12a Spiral space part 13 Drive motor 15 Commodity 17 Commodity detection sensor (sold-out detection means)
21 Product storage department

Claims (5)

  Products are stored in a spiral space of a product storage unit that stores products in the front-rear direction and a spiral member placed on the bottom surface of the storage unit of the product storage unit, and the spiral member is rotated by driving means to be in the front row A product sending device for sending a product, comprising: a sold-out detecting means for detecting the sold-out of the product, and the spiral member is rotated by the driving means after detecting the sold-out of the product.   2. The product delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the number of rotations when the spiral member is rotated after the product is sold out is preset.   3. The rotation is automatically stopped when the product reaches the sales standby position when the product is detected by the sold-out detection means while the spiral member is rotated after the product is sold out. The product delivery device described in 1.   3. The product sending apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a spiral member is rotated after the product has been sold out, and if the product cannot be detected by the sold-out detection means, a sold-out signal (sales stop command signal) is output. .   A vending machine comprising the product delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.