JP2011095969A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress defects caused by jumping of an article after the article drops, by suppressing flexure of a chute using a simple structure, and securing stable quality at low cost. <P>SOLUTION: An inclined surface 117, which is widened from a back side to a front side, is formed on a side part of the chute 108, and an article guiding part 118 for guiding the article to a center part is included. The article-guiding part 118 is arranged on a drop point of the article so that an entire or a part of the article abuts against the article guide part 118 when the article is payed and drops. When the article is delivered from a front-side passage (two passages or so from a front side) at which a drop distance of the article is relatively large, the impact on the chute is dispersed by converting the impact in a vertical direction into one in a horizontal direction by the article guiding part 118 of the chute 108; and consequently, the jumping of the article caused by the flexure of the chute is suppressed and the quality in delivery from a vending machine can be improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vending machine that sends a product carried out from a product storage room equipped with a product dispensing device to a take-out port via a chute.

  Conventionally, this type of vending machine is guided to the take-out port by a product guide member configured on the chute in order to guide the product carried out from the product storage section to the take-out port by sliding or rolling on the chute. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 10 shows a conventional vending machine described in Patent Document 1. In FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, between a product storage chamber 2 suspended on an inner ceiling portion (not shown) of the vending machine 1 and arranged in a horizontal direction and an outlet (not shown) provided at the lower front of the vending machine 1, An openable / closable inner door 3 configured for heat insulation, and the product 4 carried out from the product storage chamber 2 between the product storage chamber 2 and the outlet are inclined so as to slide down or roll. A chute 5 is provided. The inner door 3 is provided with an opening 6 large enough to allow the product 4 to pass through. When the product 4 is unloaded from the product storage chamber 2, the product 4 that rolls or slides down on the chute 5 is opened. In order to gather together to the part 6, the merchandise guidance member 7 which consists of a some inclined surface is provided.

  The operation of the vending machine configured as described above will be described below.

  The product carried out from the product storage unit 2 falls on the chute 5 and moves while rolling or sliding down on the chute 5 inclined toward the outlet. At that time, the merchandise is guided in the lateral direction by the merchandise guiding member 7 formed on the chute 5, gathered at the opening 6 of the inner door 3, and carried out to the outlet.

JP 2004-13538 A

  However, in the conventional vending machine, there is no specific disclosure regarding the point that the chute 5 causes a problem due to the product jumping after the product falls, and generally the front end is fixed to the vending machine body with a screw or the like. However, in that case, the product jumps up due to the deflection of the chute 5, and there is a problem that stable rolling or downhill is impaired. Moreover, in order to suppress the deflection | deviation of the chute | shoot 5, although the structure which suppresses the behavior of the chute | shoot 5 with a damper member is also considered, it has the subject that cost will become high by the increase in a number of parts or complication of a structure. Yes.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and suppresses the product jumping due to the deflection of the chute with a simple structure in order to suppress the problem due to the product jumping after the product is dropped, and is stable at a low cost. The purpose is to provide a vending machine capable of ensuring quality.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the vending machine of the present invention includes a chute that guides a product dropped from the product storage chamber to the product outlet, and is inclined downward from the product storage chamber. In the vending machine in which the product stored in the bag is dropped and sent to the chute in a sideways posture, the side portion of the chute is formed with an inclined surface that widens from the back side to the front side to guide the product to the center portion The product guiding portion is arranged at the dropping point of the product so that the whole or a part of the product contacts the product guiding portion when the product is paid out and dropped.

  As a result, when the product is unloaded from the front passage (about two passages from the front) where the drop distance of the product is relatively large, at least a part of the dropped product comes into contact with the product guide portion first, so the drop distance is large. Even when the product is transported from the aisle, the impact on the chute can be dispersed by converting the impact force in the vertical direction to the lateral direction by the merchandise guiding part of the chute, thereby suppressing the product jumping due to the deflection of the chute Can do.

  The vending machine according to the present invention can improve the product inductivity on the chute at the time of paying out the product while reducing the cost, and thus can improve the quality when the vending machine is taken out.

Side view of vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention The principal part perspective view of the vending machine of Embodiment 1 Operational explanatory diagram of the vending machine of the first embodiment Operational explanatory diagram of the vending machine of the first embodiment The principal part perspective view of the vending machine of Embodiment 1 Operational explanatory diagram of the vending machine of the first embodiment Operational explanatory diagram of the vending machine of the first embodiment The principal part perspective view of the vending machine of Embodiment 2 Operational explanatory diagram of the vending machine of the second embodiment Perspective view of the main part of a conventional vending machine

  The invention according to claim 1 is provided with a chute for guiding a product dropped from the product storage chamber to the product outlet, and the product stored in the product storage chamber is inclined sideways. In the vending machine to be dropped and sent to the chute, the side portion of the chute has a product guiding portion that forms an inclined surface that widens from the back side toward the front, and guides the product to the center portion. The product guide part is arranged at the drop point of the product so that the whole or part of the product contacts the product guide part when the product is dispensed and dropped, and the product has a relatively large drop distance in the front path (two paths from the front) When the product is taken out, at least a part of the dropped product comes into contact with the product guiding portion first, so even when the product is taken out from the passage with a large fall distance, the vertical impact force is guided to the product. By it is possible to disperse the impact on the chute by converting the horizontal direction, it is possible to suppress the product splashed due to the deflection of the chute, it is possible to improve the quality of the time out of the vending machine.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein a vertical surface is formed between the chute central portion and the product guide surface, and the product carried out from the back passage is It can be stably guided to the outlet.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first or second aspect, the central portion of the chute is formed with a plurality of inclined surfaces, and the cooling and heating functional component disposed below the chute. The space for storing the blower and the like is widened, and the space below the chute can be effectively used. In addition, by making the chute a plurality of inclined surfaces, it is possible to smoothly carry out the product from the back side to the front side.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the chute is integrally formed including the commodity guiding portion, and the structure variation is suppressed, and the cost is low. Can be achieved.

  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 a side view of a vending machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a vending machine 101 according to the present invention includes a vending machine main body 102 and an outer door 103 that opens and closes the front surface thereof. An inner door 104 is disposed between the outer door 103 and the vending machine main body 102, and the front surface of the vending machine main body 102 is configured to be openable and closable. In the vending machine main body 102, a plurality of product storage portions 105 for storing can products and the like are formed, and the products are stacked and stored vertically. In the lower part of the product storage unit 105, a product delivery device 106 for discharging the selected product is arranged for each product storage unit 105.

  Below the merchandise dispensing device 106, a chute 108 is formed so as to be inclined to discharge the delivered merchandise to the take-out port 107 formed in the outer door 103. In addition, there is a carry-out door 109 below the inner door 104, which is configured between the outlet 107 and the chute 108, and is in a state of being partitioned by the carry-out door 109 during standby for sale.

  Below the chute 108, an evaporator 110 and a heating device (not shown) constituting a cooling system are arranged, and the storage chamber is cooled or heated to a predetermined temperature by an internal fan 111 to each chamber.

  A machine room 113 partitioned by a heat insulating plate 112 is formed in the lower part of the vending machine main body 102. A condenser 114 of the cooling system is disposed on the front side of the machine room 113, and a condenser fan is provided behind the condenser 114. 115, and the condenser fan 115 sucks air from the front of the vending machine 101, passes through the condenser 114, and is led to an evaporating dish (not shown) on the leeward side and the compressor 116.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the chute according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The structure of the chute 108 is integrally formed from one part. Specifically, the inclined surface 117 of the chute 108 is composed of a first inclined surface 117a and a first inclined surface 117a formed with a comparatively gentle inclination. The second inclined surface 117b having a slightly larger inclination and the third inclined surface 117c having an even larger inclination than the second inclined surface are formed, and a product guiding portion 118 composed of a plurality of surfaces is formed on the third inclined surface 117c by the chute 108. It is comprised in each right-and-left end (or either).

  On the left side of the third inclined surface 117c of the chute 108, the width of the third inclined surface 117c is gradually narrowed from the third inclined surface 117c in the generally vertical direction and from the back to the front carry-out door 109. The first guiding portion 118a thus formed and the second guiding portion 118b inclined outward from the upper end surface of the first guiding portion 118a are formed. In addition, the boundary between the first guide part 118a and the second guide part 118b is configured to have a relatively large radius (generally about R20).

  On the right side of the third inclined surface 117c of the chute 108, a third guiding portion 118c that is inclined outward from the third inclined surface 117c and is formed from the back direction toward the front carry-out door 109 is a first guiding member. It is comprised so that the part 118a and the 2nd guidance | induction part 118b may be opposed in the width direction.

  Further, when the product is carried out from the front passage (about two passages from the front) where the product drop distance is relatively large, at least a part of the dropped product comes into contact with the product guide 118 first. The position 118 is set.

  Further, a fourth inclined surface 117d having a larger inclination than the third inclined surface 117c is formed at the front end of the third inclined surface 117c of the chute 108, and extends downward and in the rear direction from the front end of the fourth inclined surface 117d. A fixed portion 119 is configured which includes the first fixed portion 119a and the second fixed portion 119b extending downward (vertically) from the lower end of the first fixed portion 119a.

  In the vicinity of the lower center of the second fixing portion 119b, a protruding surface 120 protruding slightly forward from the second fixing portion 119b and a stepped shape having a fixing hole 121 on the protruding surface 120 are formed.

  Further, in the vicinity of the vicinity of the projecting surface 120 of the second fixing portion 119b, there are a plurality of slits 122 as openings, and the plurality of slits 122 are opened downward from the lower end side of the second fixing portion 119b. Is formed. The plurality of slits 122 are formed on the left and right sides of the fixing hole 121, and the slits 122 are parallel to the product delivery direction of the chute 108 and extend from the second fixing portion 119b to the first component portion 119a. .

  In addition, the mounting member 123 configured to extend in the vertical direction directly to the lower front side of the vending machine 101 and to the left and right is formed with a hole 124 for attaching the chute 108 for each interior. The mounting holes 124 and the holes 121 formed on the front side of the chute 108 are attached with screws 125. The back side of the chute 108 is attached to the back side of the vending machine 101 (details are not shown), and the chute 108 is attached to the inside of the vending machine 101 with both ends supported on the front side and the back side. ing.

  The operation and action of the vending machine configured as described above will be described below.

  When the product 126 is purchased, only one product 126 is carried out from the bottom of the product storage unit 105 by the operation of an arbitrary product delivery device 106. At this time, the product 126 freely falls until it comes into contact with the chute 108, and thereafter, the product 126 slides down or rolls on the inclined surface 117 of the chute 108, and is subjected to the direction restriction by the product guiding member 118 while taking out the outlet 107. Be guided towards. A process in which the product 126 is guided down to the take-out port 107 by rolling down or rolling on the chute 108 will be described below.

  FIG. 3 shows an operation when the product 126 is carried out by the operation of the product delivery device 106. When the product 126 is carried out by the operation of the product delivery device 106, the product 126 falls on the chute 108 in a free fall. At that time, the drop impact of the product 126 is applied to the chute 108. Since the chute 108 has a both-end support mounting structure in which the front side and the back side are fixed to the mounting portion in the vending machine warehouse, Deflection (A) is generated with respect to the falling point. This deflection is restored instantly, but there has been a problem that the fallen product jumps up at the time of restoration. When the product is bounced up, the carry-out behavior of the product is deteriorated, and sometimes the product is clogged due to, for example, receding on the chute 108. However, in the present embodiment, since there are a plurality of slits 122 as openings around the vicinity of the projecting surface 120 of the second fixing portion 119b, the transmission of an impact to the fixing portion is a plurality of slits. Since it is dispersed by 122 and shock transmission can be absorbed and alleviated, the rebound of the product 126 can be mitigated. Therefore, since the product inductivity on the chute at the time of product delivery can be improved after reducing the cost, the quality at the time of carrying out the vending machine can be improved.

In addition, since the plurality of slits 122 are formed in a state of being opened downward from the lower end side of the second fixing portion 119b, it is possible to absorb the shock more efficiently and disperse the transmission, and the problem due to the product jumping up Can be reliably suppressed.

  In addition, the slit 122 is parallel to the product delivery direction of the chute 108 and extends from the second fixing portion 119b to the first component portion 119a, so that the shock can be absorbed more efficiently and the transmission can be dispersed. It is possible to reliably suppress problems caused by product jumping.

  Further, since the plurality of slits 122 are formed on the left and right sides with the fixing hole 121 interposed therebetween, the shock can be absorbed in a balanced manner, the transmission can be dispersed, and a problem caused by the product jumping can be reliably suppressed.

  FIG. 4 shows the vicinity of the second fixing portion 119b of the chute 108. In the vicinity of the lower center of the second fixing portion 119b, a protruding surface 120 protruding slightly forward from the second fixing portion 119b and a stepped shape having a fixing hole 121 on the protruding surface 120, and inside the vending machine 101 A mounting member 123 configured to extend to the left and right on the lower front side has a chute 108 mounting hole 124 for each chamber, and the front side of the chute 108 is screwed to match the mounting hole 124. Since the second component 119b has a space (B) corresponding to the stepped shape with respect to the mounting member 123, the chute is deformed by bending due to the drop impact of the product. Since the deformation amount B ′ (B> B ′) can be deformed without interfering with the mounting member 123, the degree of freedom of deformation of the chute when the product is dropped is increased, and an efficient load distribution is achieved. It is possible to reliably suppress problems caused by product jumping due to the scattering.

  From these, since the product carried out by the operation of the product delivery device 106 can suppress the product from jumping up by the chute 108, the product can be stably delivered without clogging.

  FIG. 5 shows the behavior of the product when the product is carried out from the back passage. On the left side of the third sloping surface 117c of the chute 108, a first guiding portion 118a and a first guiding portion that extend from the third sloping surface 117c in a generally vertical direction and are formed from the back direction toward the front exit door 109. A second guiding portion 118b that is inclined outward from the upper end of 118a is formed. In addition, the boundary between the first guide part 118a and the second guide part 118b is configured to have a relatively large radius (generally about R20).

  When the product is carried out from the rear side passage, it rolls and is sent to the front side, and is guided to the outlet 107 by the product guide unit 118. At that time, if there is no first guide part or is inclined, the product is inclined on the second guide surface, the product posture is tilted, and the rebound when colliding with the carry-out door is added, There is a risk of product clogging due to the product recovering on the chute. However, in the present invention, since the first guide portion 118a has a vertical surface (generally about half of the product body diameter) from the second inclined surface 117b in a generally vertical direction, the product is placed on the second guide portion 118b. The product can be guided by the first guide surface without getting on. That is, it is possible to stably guide the product carried out from the back passage to the outlet.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are diagrams showing the operation of carrying out the goods from the front passage. When the product is unloaded from the front passage (about two passages from the front) where the drop distance of the product is relatively large, at least a part of the dropped product comes into contact with the product guide 118 first. Since the position is set, it is possible to disperse the drop impact in two stages even when the product is carried out from the passage having a large fall distance, and the impact force in the vertical direction is laterally applied by the product guide part 118 of the chute 108. Since the impact on the chute can be dispersed by the conversion, it is possible to suppress the product jumping due to the deflection of the chute.

  Further, the inclined surface of the chute 108 is larger than the first inclined surface 117a and the second inclined surface 117b having a slightly larger inclination than the first inclined surface 117a and the first inclined surface 117a formed with a relatively gentle inclination. Since a plurality of inclined surfaces called the inclined third inclined surface 117c are formed, the space for storing the cooling, heating functional parts, blower, etc. disposed below the chute 108 is widened. The space below can be effectively used. Moreover, by making the chute | shoot 108 into said some inclined surface, goods can be carried out smoothly from the back | inner side to the front.

  Moreover, since the chute | shoot 108 is integrally formed including the goods guidance | induction part 118, structural variation can be suppressed and cost reduction can be achieved.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a chute according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Detailed description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different parts will be described.

  In FIG. 8, the configuration of the chute 108 is integrally formed from one part. Specifically, the inclined surface 117 of the chute 108 is a first inclined surface 117a and a first inclined surface 117a formed with a relatively gentle inclination. The product guide portion is composed of a second inclined surface 117b having an inclination slightly larger than the inclined surface 117a and a third inclined surface 117c having an inclination larger than the second inclined surface, and the third inclined surface 117c includes a plurality of surfaces. 118 is configured on each of the left and right ends (or either one) of the chute 108.

  On the left side of the third inclined surface 117c of the chute 108, the width of the third inclined surface 117c is gradually narrowed from the third inclined surface 117c in the generally vertical direction and from the back to the front carry-out door 109. The first guiding portion 118a thus formed and the second guiding portion 118b inclined outward from the upper end surface of the first guiding portion 118a are formed. In addition, the boundary between the first guide part 118a and the second guide part 118b is configured to have a relatively large radius (generally about R20).

  On the right side of the third inclined surface 117c of the chute 108, a third guiding portion 118c that is inclined outward from the third inclined surface 117c and is formed from the back direction toward the front carry-out door 109 is a first guiding member. It is comprised so that the part 118a and the 2nd guidance | induction part 118b may be opposed in the width direction.

  Further, when the product is carried out from the front passage (about two passages from the front) where the product drop distance is relatively large, at least a part of the dropped product comes into contact with the product guide 118 first. The position 118 is set.

  A fourth inclined surface 117d having a larger inclination than the third inclined surface 117c is formed at the front end of the third inclined surface 117c of the chute 108, and extends downward and inward from the front end of the fourth inclined surface 117d. A fixed portion 119 is configured that includes a first fixed portion 119a and a second fixed portion 119b that extends downward (vertically) from the lower end of the first component 119a. A fixing hole 121 is provided near the lower center of the second fixing portion 119b.

Further, in the vicinity of the vicinity of the projecting surface 120 of the second fixing portion 119b, there are a plurality of slits 122 as openings, and the plurality of slits 122 are opened downward from the lower end side of the second fixing portion 119b. Is formed. The plurality of slits 122 are formed on the left and right sides of the fixing hole 121, and the slits 122 are parallel to the product delivery direction of the chute 108, and the second fixing unit 1
It extends from 19b to the first component 119a.

  Further, the mounting member 123 configured to extend left and right in the lower front side of the vending machine 101 has a hole 124 for mounting the chute 108 for each interior, and the front side of the chute 108 is attached to the front side. The collar 124 is attached with a collar-equipped screw 127 to match the hole 124, but the hole 124 has a diameter larger than the diameter of the collar section 127a of the collar-equipped screw 127, and the collar section 127a is inserted and held. The slide of about 2 to 3 mm is possible within the range of the length of the collar portion 127a. That is, the front fixed portion of the chute 108 is configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the mounting member 123, and the fixed portion on the front end surface of the chute is fixed to the vending machine body with a clearance. is there. The back side of the chute 108 is attached to the back side of the vending machine 101 (details are not shown), and the chute 108 is supported in both the front side and the back side in the inside of the vending machine 101. It is attached.

  FIG. 9 shows the vicinity of the second fixing portion 119b of the chute 108. FIG. The second fixing portion 119b has a fixing hole 121 in the vicinity of the lower center, and the mounting member 123 configured to extend to the left and right in the lower front side of the vending machine 101 has a chute for each interior. A hole 124 for mounting 108 is formed, and the hole 124 has a diameter larger than the diameter of the collar portion 127a of the screw 127 with the collar, and the collar portion 127a is inserted and held therein, and the length of the collar portion 127a. The slide within the dimension range (B) (approximately 2 to 3 mm) is possible. In other words, the front fixing portion of the chute is configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the attachment member 123. From this, when the chute is deformed by bending due to the drop impact of the commodity, the deformation B ′ (B> B ′) can be deformed without interfering with the mounting member 123, so that the impact can be dispersed.

  The operation and action of the vending machine configured as described above will be described below.

  When the product 126 is purchased, only one product 126 is carried out from the bottom of the product storage unit 105 by the operation of an arbitrary product delivery device 106. At this time, the product 126 freely falls until it comes into contact with the chute 108, and thereafter, the product 126 slides down or rolls on the inclined surface 117 of the chute 108, and is subjected to the direction restriction by the product guiding member 118 while taking out the outlet 107. Be guided towards. A process in which the product 126 is guided down to the take-out port 107 by rolling down or rolling on the chute 108 will be described below.

  When the product 126 is carried out by the operation of the product delivery device 106, the product 126 falls on the chute 108 in a free fall. At that time, the drop impact of the product 126 is applied to the chute 108. Since the chute 108 has a both-end support mounting structure in which the front side and the back side are fixed to the mounting portion in the vending machine warehouse, Deflection (A) is generated with respect to the falling point. This deflection is restored instantly, but there has been a problem that the fallen product jumps up at the time of restoration. When the product is bounced up, the carry-out behavior of the product is deteriorated, and sometimes the product is clogged due to, for example, receding on the chute 108. However, in the present embodiment, the front side fixing portion of the chute 108 is configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the mounting member 123, and the fixing portion on the front end surface of the chute has a clearance with respect to the vending machine main body. Have and fix. That is, when the chute is deformed by deflection due to the drop impact of the product, the deformation B ′ (B> B ′) can be deformed without interfering with the mounting member 123, so that the impact can be dispersed and the product delivered. Since the product carried out by the operation of the device 106 can suppress the product from jumping up by the chute 108, the product can be sent stably without clogging.

In this embodiment, the clearance of the fixing portion is described as being configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction. However, the diameter of the hole 124 of the mounting member 123 is set sufficiently larger than the inner diameter of the collar-equipped screw 127. Thus, sliding in the vertical direction may be possible. In this case, the impact can be more efficiently distributed by the slide in the front-rear direction and the slide in the up-down direction, and a stable product can be delivered without clogging.

  As described above, since the vending machine according to the present invention can improve the merchandise inductivity on the chute when the merchandise is dispensed, it can be applied to any vending machine equipped with a chute.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Vending machine 105 Commodity storage part 106 Commodity delivery apparatus 107 Taking out port 108 Chute 117 (chute) inclined surface 117a (chute) first inclined surface 117b (chute) second inclined surface 117c (chute) third inclination Surface 117d Fourth inclined surface (of chute) 118 Product guiding part 118a First guiding part 118b Second guiding part 118c Third guiding part 119 fixing part 119a first fixing part 119b second fixing part 120 projecting surface 121 fixing hole 122 slit 123 Mounting member 124 Hole 125 Screw 126 Product 127 Screw with collar

Claims (4)

A chute that guides a product that has fallen from the product storage chamber to the product take-out port is inclined to the lower side of the product storage chamber, and the product stored in the product storage chamber is automatically dropped and sent to the chute in a lying position. In the vending machine, the side portion of the chute has a product guide portion that forms an inclined surface that widens from the back side toward the front, and guides the product to the center portion. A vending machine, wherein the commodity guiding portion is arranged at a drop point of the commodity so that the portion comes into contact with the commodity guiding portion. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a vertical surface is formed between the chute central portion and the commodity guide surface. The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a central portion of the chute has a plurality of inclined surfaces. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chute is integrally formed including the commodity guiding portion.