JP2012069040A - Lighting unit for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting unit for an automatic vending machine that efficiently and accurately lights up objects of lighting, such as display articles and a back panel, with illumination light from an LED element, and has superior cost performance.SOLUTION: The lighting unit has an optically transparent unit body which extends along the width of an object of lighting, and the unit body has an upper case 13a and a lower case 13b. The lower case 13b is provided with a light guiding part 16 which comprises an LED 12, and guides light emitted by the LED 12 to the back of at least one of a cool-temperature display panel 3e displaying cool-temperature information on articles sold positioned in an upper area and an article selection switch 2a for selecting an article, and efficiently lights up not only article samples and a back plate, but also the cool-temperature display panel 3e and article selection switch 2a with the light guided by the light guiding part 16.

Description

The present invention relates to a lighting device built in a vending machine or the like, and more particularly, to a lighting device that illuminates an object to be illuminated such as an exhibition article (product sample) such as a can beverage with a light emitting element such as an LED.

Conventionally, an illumination device of this type of vending machine has been proposed that includes an illumination element composed of a fluorescent lamp that illuminates an exhibition article from the upper side of the sample and the rear side of the sample. In such an illumination device for an exhibition article, when the illumination element is turned on, the surface of the exhibition article and its surroundings are illuminated with this lighting light. In such an illuminating device, the mercury gas enclosed in the fluorescent lamp is harmful, and therefore, when the fluorescent lamp becomes unnecessary, it needs to be treated as industrial waste. In addition, fluorescent lamps have various problems such as short lifetime and high running costs.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problems, a lighting device using a light emitting diode (LED) as a lighting element has also been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). In this case, a translucent plate is arranged on the back side of the display article, and a plurality of LEDs are arranged around the translucent plate.

In such an illuminating device, when a plurality of LEDs emit light, these lights are introduced into a semi-transparent plate (rear panel) and emitted from the side of the article viewer of the semi-transparent plate to the display article.

Further, Patent Document 2 includes a first illumination unit for illuminating an exhibition article and a second illumination unit for illuminating a back panel disposed on the back side of the exhibition article at a predetermined angle. For example, a product selection button or a display unit can be illuminated by changing the angle appropriately according to the illumination target.

Patent Document 3 discloses an illumination device that guides light from an illuminating lamp that illuminates advertisements, product samples, etc. to the back of an operation panel while reflecting or refracting the light.

JP 2002-358560 A JP 2008-27034 A JP-A-5-46859

However, according to the illumination device of Patent Document 1, since the LEDs are arranged around the translucent plate arranged on the back side of the display article, and only the display article is illuminated from the back side, There was a problem that the display article could not be illuminated efficiently and accurately by the illumination light and the display effect appealing to the visual perception of the article viewer could not be obtained because the object other than the display article was not an illumination object. .

Moreover, according to the illuminating device of patent document 2, it has two illuminating parts (LED board) in one illuminating device, and illuminates a plurality of illumination objects efficiently, but because there are a plurality of illuminating parts. There is a problem that the product cost increases. For this reason, although it is possible to reduce two illumination parts to one, it is difficult to efficiently illuminate a plurality of illumination objects simply by reducing the number.

Further, according to the illumination device of Patent Document 3, an advertisement, a product sample, and an operation panel in an exhibition room are illuminated using one illumination lamp and a prism, but the illumination lamp and the prism (light guide path) are separate members. There is a problem that a large installation space is required because it is necessary to install each of them individually.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to efficiently and accurately illuminate a plurality of illumination objects such as display panels, an operation panel unit such as a cold panel display, etc. with illumination light from an LED element and cost performance. An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent lighting device for a vending machine and a vending machine including the same.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a lighting device of a vending machine that is provided on the front surface of a vending machine and illuminates the lighting object, and includes a light-transmitting unit main body that extends in the width direction of the lighting object. An illumination unit provided with an LED for illuminating at least one of the display article and the back panel from the upper position thereof at a predetermined angle within the unit body, and the light emitted by the illumination unit A light guide unit that is positioned above the lighting unit and that guides light to the back of a cool / warm display unit that displays cool / warm information of sold products or a product selection button for selecting sold products, and is guided by the light guide unit. A light emitting unit for diffusing the emitted light and irradiating the cold temperature display unit or the product selection button.

As a result, a light guide is provided that guides the light emitted from the lighting unit in the unit main body above the lighting unit. It becomes possible to irradiate light.

According to the present invention, at least one of the display article and the rear panel is illuminated with light emitted downward from the illumination unit, and the cold temperature display located above the position where the illumination unit is disposed via the light guide unit. Since it is possible to irradiate the part or (and) the product selection button with light, it is possible to efficiently illuminate a plurality of illumination objects. Moreover, since it is comprised so that a several illumination target object can be illuminated with one illumination unit, an illuminating device and a vending machine using this can be comprised at low cost. Furthermore, since the light guide part which guides light is formed in the unit main body, it is not necessary to provide an extra space for installing the illumination unit. Therefore, it is possible to easily install the lighting unit even in a narrow area where it is very difficult to secure an installation space.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a vending machine provided with a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. An outer door 2 that opens and closes the front surface and a product sample chamber 3 provided in front of the outer door 2 are provided. In the product sample chamber 3, a large number of product samples 4 as illumination objects are provided. An advertisement display room 5 is provided in front of the outer door 2.

The vending machine main body 1 includes a heat insulating product storage (not shown) inside, and a product column (not shown) such as a serpentine type is provided in the product storage.

One end in the width direction of the outer door 2 is rotatably supported by the vending machine main body 1, and a plurality of product selection switches 2a, a coin insertion slot 2b, a bill insertion slot 2c, an amount display portion 2d, and a coin return are provided on the front surface thereof. A mouth 2e and a product outlet 2f are provided.

2 is an exploded perspective view of the product sample chamber in the vending machine. The product sample chamber 3 includes a transparent plate 3a (not shown) that covers the front surface of the product sample chamber 3, and a back plate 3b that covers the back surface of the product sample chamber 3. A plurality of upper and lower stages of sample bases 3c attached to the back plate 3b, and a plurality of product samples 4 are placed on each of the sample bases 3c so as to form a plurality of upper and lower rows. The sample table 3c is made of a member bent in a substantially U-shaped cross section so as to open the lower surface, and an attachment hole 3d for attaching the product sample 4 is provided on the upper surface. On the front surface of the sample table 3c, a cold / warm display plate 3e for displaying cold / warm information of the commodity corresponding to the commodity sample 4 is attached.

The product sample 4 is made of a hollow light-transmitting member having an opening on the lower surface, and the same design as the actual product is applied to the surface thereof. An engaging portion 4a that engages with the mounting hole 3d of the sample table 3c is provided at the lower end of the product sample 4, and the product sample 4 is attached to the sample table 3c by engaging the engaging portion 4a with the mounting hole 3d. It is like that.

Further, in the product sample chamber 3, an illuminating device for illuminating the back plate 3b, the product sample 4, the cold / hot display plate 3e, and the product selection switch 2a of the product sample chamber 3 is provided.

This illuminating device is composed of a plurality of illumination units 10 and 20 arranged below the sample stage 3c. Each lighting unit 10, 20 includes an end side bracket 30 as a support member that supports the end side of each lighting unit 10, 20, and a center side as a support member that supports the center side of each lighting unit 10, 20. The bracket 40 is detachably supported. Since the difference between the lighting units 10 and 20 is only the length, only the lighting unit 10 will be described below.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lighting unit, and FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the lighting unit. The illumination unit 10 includes a unit main body 11 that extends in the width direction of the product sample chamber 3, a substrate 12a that is disposed in the unit main body 11 and on which a plurality of LEDs 12 that emit light toward the back plate 3b are mounted, Mounted on the substrate 12a and provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the lighting unit 10, and provided with wiring connectors 14 for wiring between the lighting units.

The plurality of LEDs 12 are mounted on the substrate 12 a and are arranged at intervals in the width direction (longitudinal direction) of the unit main body 11. A plurality of LEDs 12 are positioned on the lower surface side of the substrate 12a and arranged at the lower part of the front end in the unit main body 11. The light of the plurality of LEDs 12 passes through a lower lens portion 11b (to be described later) of the unit main body 11 and is inclined rearward. It is designed to irradiate downward.

The unit main body 11 includes an upper case 13a and a lower case 13b for housing the substrate 12a. The upper case 13a has an upper lens portion 15 described later. The upper lens portion 15 is made of a light transmissive material and is formed integrally with the upper case 13a.

The lower case 13b has a lower lens portion 11b for irradiating light emitted from the plurality of LEDs 12 mounted on the substrate 12a to the outside, and is integrally formed with the lower case 13b by a light transmissive material. ing. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower lens portion 11b has a rounded portion 20a formed with a predetermined radius to constitute a lens for diffusing and irradiating light from the LED 12, and the light incident on the lens portion 11b is The lens unit 11b is adjacent to the rear side of the unit body 11 in the short direction, is incident on the stepped inclined portion 20b formed on the outer periphery of the lower case 13b, and is adjacent to the lens unit 11b on the rear side of the unit body 11 in the short direction. In addition, the light is totally reflected by the reflection surface 20c formed on the inner periphery of the lower case 13b, and the light from the LED 12 is efficiently irradiated obliquely downward toward the rear via the inclined portion 20b.

In addition, in order to improve the reflectance of the emitted light from LED12, the mirror surface process which vapor-deposits Al, Ag, etc. may be given to the reflective surface 20c, and white coating may be given to the said part.

The lower case 13b has a light guide 16 that guides light from the LED 12 described later, and is formed integrally with the lower case 13b by a transparent member having a refractive index larger than that of air, for example.

Here, since the lower case 13b is made of a transparent material, the light from the LED 12 described above is not only in the downward direction of the lower case 13b but also in the lateral direction and the upward direction due to the wide directivity of the LED 12. Is also irradiated. In particular, unintended light has been irradiated in front of the unit body 11 in the short direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, the light guide unit 16 is adjacent to the lower lens unit 11 b and inclined to the front in the short direction of the lower case 13 b, and adjacent to the inclined unit 16 a, the lower lens unit 11 b and The rounded portion 16b which has been subjected to R chamfering or C chamfering in order to change the direction of light forward of the unintended unit main body 11 which is not diffused by the inclined portion 20b to the upper side of the unit main body 11, and the upper portion It is comprised from the upper lens part 15 (outgoing part) provided in case 13a.

Unintended light emitted from the LED 12 and not diffused by the lower lens portion 11b and the inclined curved surface portion 20b is incident on the inclined portion 16a. The incident light passes through the inside of the inclined portion 16a, is guided to the round portion 16b, and is guided upward of the unit main body 11 by the round portion 16b. The upper lens unit 15 includes a lens that diffuses and emits light from the rounded portion 16b to the outside by the rounded portion 15a that is chamfered, and the light incident on the upper lens portion 15 passes through the rounded portion 15a. Accordingly, the light is diffused toward the back of the cold / hot display board 3e or (and) the product selection switch 2a located obliquely above the front of the unit body 11. Since the diffused light illuminates the cold / hot display board 3e and / or the product selection switch 2a from the back, a backlight effect can be obtained.

Here, in order to more efficiently irradiate the cold temperature display plate 3e or (and) the product selection switch 2a with the light that is irregularly reflected in the light guide portion 16, the inner peripheral surface (upper case 13a) of the above-described round portion 15a. A plurality of prism cuts formed in a step shape may be provided in a portion corresponding to a light diffusion portion of the inner peripheral surface of the inner surface.

Moreover, in order to improve the reflectance of the emitted light from LED12, the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral surface (the portion corresponding to the light diffusion portion on the inner peripheral surface of the upper case 13a), the outer peripheral portion 16b, and the inclined portion 16a. For example, the surface may be subjected to a mirror surface treatment for vapor deposition of Al, Ag, or the like, or the portion may be subjected to white coating.

In the above embodiment, light is diffused from the upper lens part 15 having the rounded part 15a to the cold / hot display plate 3e or (and) the product selection switch 2a. However, the position of the upper lens part 15 is chamfered. An emission surface may be formed, and light may be diffused from the emission surface toward the cold / hot display board 3e or (and) the product selection switch 2a.

Furthermore, in order to sufficiently diffuse light at a wide angle toward the cold / hot display board 3e or (and) the product selection switch 2a, the round portion 15a may be embossed to scatter the light.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 7 is a sectional view according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is used about the part which is common in 1st Embodiment. The light guide portion 16 according to the second embodiment is a short portion of the unintended unit body 11 that is not diffused by the inclined portion 16a inclined forward in the short direction of the lower case 13b, the lower lens portion 11b, and the inclined curved surface portion 20b. A first prism cut portion 21a for changing the direction of light forward in the hand direction to above the unit main body 11, and the light changed to the upper direction of the unit main body 11 by the first prism cut portion 21a are further cooled It comprises a display plate 3e or (and) a second prism cut portion 21b for changing the direction to the back of the product selection switch 2a.

Unintended light emitted from the LED 12 and not diffused by the lower lens portion 11b and the inclined curved surface portion 20b is incident on the inclined portion 16a. The incident light is guided through the first prism cut portion 21a and the second prism cut portion 21b to the back of the cold / warm display plate 3e or (and) the product selection switch 2a while repeating irregular reflection. Spread toward 3e. Since the diffused light illuminates the cold / hot display board 3e from the back surface, a backlight effect can be obtained.

Here, in order to more efficiently irradiate the cold temperature display plate 3e or (and) the product selection switch 2a with the light irregularly reflected in the light guide unit 16, the second prism cut unit 21b is further stepped. A plurality of prism cuts may be provided.

Further, in order to improve the reflectance of the light emitted from the LED 12, a mirror surface process is performed in which, for example, Al or Ag is deposited on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first prism cut portion 21a and the inclined portion 16a and the second prism cut portion 21b. You may give, and you may give white coating to the said part.

Further, in order to sufficiently diffuse light at a wide angle toward the cool / warm display plate 3e or (and) the product selection switch 2a, the second prism cut portion 21b is subjected to graining to scatter the light. May be.

Although the lighting device in the first embodiment and the second embodiment has been described as an application example to a vending machine, the lighting device is not limited to this, and can be widely used for showcases having illumination objects such as exhibition articles and panels. Needless to say, this is applicable.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a vending machine including an illumination device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a product sample chamber of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lighting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a lighting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the lens unit of the illumination unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the illumination unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of an illumination unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vending machine main body, 2 ... Outer door, 2a ... Product selection switch, 2b ... Coin insertion port, 2c ... Bill insertion port, 2d ... Amount display part, 2e ... Coin return port, 2f ... Product removal port, 3 ... Product sample chamber, 3a ... transparent plate, 3b ... back plate, 3c ... sample stand, 3d ... mounting hole, 3e ... cold temperature display plate, 4 ... product sample, 4a ... engagement part, 5 ... advertisement display room, 10,20 Illumination unit, 11: Unit body, 11b: Lower lens part, 12 ... LED, 12a ... Substrate, 13a ... Upper case, 13b ... Lower case, 14 ... Connector for wiring connection, 15 ... Upper lens part, 15a ... Earl part , 16 ... Light guide part, 16a ... Inclined part, 16b ... Earl part, 20a ... Earl part, 20b ... Inclined curved surface part, 21a ... First prism cut part, 21b ... Second prism cut part, 30 ... End part Side bracket, 40 ... medium Central bracket

Claims (4)

  An illumination device of a vending machine that is provided in an exhibition room of a vending machine and illuminates an illumination object, has a light transmissive unit main body extending in the width direction of the illumination object, and is inclined at a predetermined angle within the unit main body An illumination unit provided with an LED for illuminating at least one of the display article and the rear panel as an illumination object from above, and the light emitted by the illumination unit above the illumination unit A light guide unit that guides light to at least one back of a cold / hot display unit that displays cold / warm information of the product sold or a product selection button for selecting the product for sale, and is guided by the light guide unit An illuminating device for a vending machine, characterized by having an emission part for diffusing light and irradiating at least one of the cold temperature display part and the product selection button.   5. The illumination device for a vending machine according to claim 4, wherein the light guide part is provided with a plurality of prism cuts for reflecting or refracting light emitted from the illumination part.   5. The lighting device for a vending machine according to claim 4, wherein the light guide part is provided with an R chamfer for reflecting or refracting light emitted from the illumination part.   5. The light emitting portion is provided at an edge portion of the unit main body located in the vicinity of the back surface of the cold temperature display portion, and the edge portion is subjected to R chamfering or C chamfering. Vending machine lighting equipment.

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