JP2022079279A - Commodity dispensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce the number of driving sources relative to the number of commodity carrying-out devices to reduce manufacturing cost.SOLUTION: Provided is a commodity dispensing device 20 that can join, back-to-back with each other, a first commodity carrying-out device 20a including two sets of pedal units 30 that advance/retreat to/from a first commodity storage passage 13a to hold or carry out a commodity, a second commodity carrying-out device 20b including two sets of pedal units 30 that advance/retreat to/from a second commodity storage passage 13b adjacent to the first commodity storage passage 13a back and forth to hold or carry out a commodity, including: a motor 41 shared by the first commodity carrying-out device 20a and the second commodity carrying-out device 20b; and driving force providing means (43,47) that, in a case in which a dispensing command is given, selects one of the first commodity carrying-out device 20a and the second commodity carrying-out device 20b in response to the dispensing command to provide a driving force from the motor 41, and causes the two sets of pedal units 30 to drive synchronously or individually.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a product payout device, and more specifically, is applied to a vending machine that sells products such as beverages contained in containers such as cans and PET bottles, and appropriately stores products stored in a product storage passage. It is related to the product payout device to be paid out.

Conventionally, in a vending machine that sells products such as beverages contained in a container such as a can or a PET bottle, a product storage rack is provided in a product storage inside the main body cabinet, which is the main body of the vending machine. The product storage rack has a product storage passage extending along the vertical direction and a product unloading device arranged at the lower part of the product storage passage.

The product storage passage is for storing products up and down in a sideways posture, and the width thereof is larger than the vertical dimension of the product (hereinafter, also referred to as long size product) contained in a container such as a 500 mL PET bottle. Is also slightly larger. This product storage aisle can store long-sized products up and down in a sideways position.

In addition, the product storage passage is provided with a partition plate that divides into left and right, so that the product is placed in a container such as a 170 mL PET bottle, that is, the product has a vertical dimension of half or less than that of a long-sized product (hereinafter,). It is possible to store half-sized products) in two rows on the left and right in a sideways position.

The product unloading device is equipped with two sets of lower pedals and upper pedals for half-size products. The lower pedal and the upper pedal are provided in such a manner that they move forward and backward as appropriate with respect to the product storage passage.

In such a product unloading device, in the standby state, the upper pedal is in a state of moving backward from the product storage passage, while the lower pedal is in a state of moving forward to the product storage passage. As a result, the lower pedal comes into contact with the lowest-level product stored in the product storage aisle, and holds the product stored in the product storage passage.

On the other hand, in the product unloading device, when a unloading command is given, the upper pedal moves forward to the product storage passage and the lower pedal moves backward from the product storage passage by applying the driving force from the drive source.

By moving the upper pedal forward into the product storage passage, the product and the product stored above the product are restricted from moving downward by contacting the second product from the bottom. .. By moving the lower pedal backward from the product storage aisle, the lowest product is carried out downward. After carrying out the lowest-ranked product, the product unloading device returns to the standby state and holds the product.

Then, in the above-mentioned product unloading device, when a long-sized product is stored in the product storage passage, the two sets of the lower pedal and the upper pedal are synchronously driven to unload the lowest-ranked long-sized product downward. When storing half-sized products in the product storage passage, the two sets of lower pedals and upper pedals are individually driven to carry out the lowest half-sized products downward (for example). , Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-102794

By the way, in the vending machine, since the product storage passages are provided adjacent to each other in the front and back, the product unloading devices arranged at the lower part of the product storage passages adjacent to the front and back are hugged back to back and the products are discharged. It constitutes a device. Therefore, in the product payout device, the number of drive sources is required according to the number of the product carry-out devices.

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a product payout device capable of reducing the number of drive sources with respect to the number of product carry-out devices to reduce the manufacturing cost.

In order to achieve the above object, the product payout device according to the present invention may store long-sized products up and down in a sideways posture, while half-sized products may be stored up and down in two left and right rows in a sideways posture. A first that is applied to a possible first product storage passage and is equipped with two sets of pedal units that move forward and backward to the first product storage passage to hold or carry out the product corresponding to the half-sized product. Adjacent to the first product storage passage and the product unloading device, long-sized products are stored up and down in a sideways position, while half-sized products are stored up and down in two rows on the left and right in a sideways position. It is applied to the second product storage passage where it is possible, and it is equipped with two sets of pedal units that move forward and backward to the second product storage passage to hold or carry out the product corresponding to the half-sized product. It is a merchandise payout device that can tie the second merchandise unloading device back to back to each other, and when a common drive source of the first merchandise unloading device and the second merchandise unloading device and a payout command are given, the said. The first product unloading device and the second product unloading device are selectively selected in response to a payout command to apply a driving force from the drive source, and the two sets of pedal units are driven synchronously or individually. It is characterized by being provided with a driving force applying means.

Further, according to the present invention, in the product payout device, the driving force applying means is arranged so as to be rotatable forward and reverse around its own central axis corresponding to the pedal unit, and only the corresponding pedal unit is individually arranged. An output gear in which an individual cam unit for driving and a common cam unit for synchronously driving the pedal unit together with other pedal units forming a pair with the pedal unit are formed, each corresponding to the output gear. It is rotatably provided around its own axis and allows reverse rotation of the corresponding output gear under normal conditions, but when it comes into contact with the individual cam portion or common cam portion of the output gear that rotates in the forward direction. Is provided with a link lever that rotates to individually drive or synchronously drive the pedal unit corresponding to the output gear.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the product payout device, the drive source is a DC motor.

According to the present invention, a common drive source for the first product unloading device and the second product unloading device is provided, and when a payout command is given to the driving force applying means, the first product unloading is performed in response to the payout command. Since the device and the second product unloading device are selectively selected to apply the driving force from the drive source and the two sets of pedal units are driven synchronously or individually, the drive source is connected to the number of product unloading devices. It has the effect of reducing the number and reducing the manufacturing cost.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing a case where the internal structure of a vending machine to which the product payout device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied is viewed from the right side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the product payout device shown in FIG. 1, that is, the product payout device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the product payout device shown in FIG. 1, that is, the product payout device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the product payout device shown in FIG. 1, that is, the internal structure of the product payout device according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear. FIG. 5 is a front view of the product payout device shown in FIG. 1, that is, the internal structure of the product payout device according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing one pedal unit provided in the first product unloading device. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing one pedal unit provided in the first product unloading device. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing one pedal unit provided in the first product unloading device. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the drive unit shown in FIG. 5, respectively. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the drive unit shown in FIG. 5, respectively. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the drive unit. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the drive unit. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the drive unit. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the drive unit. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the drive unit. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the drive unit. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the drive unit.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the product payout device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view showing a case where the internal structure of a vending machine to which the product payout device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied is viewed from the right side. The vending machine illustrated here sells a product in a cooled or heated state, and is configured to include a main body cabinet 1, an outer door 2, and an inner door 3.

The main body cabinet 1 is configured in a rectangular shape with an open front surface by appropriately combining a plurality of steel plates, and has a product storage 4 having a heat insulating structure inside. The outer door 2 is for covering the front opening of the main body cabinet 1, and is arranged so as to be openable and closable on one side edge of the main body cabinet 1. On the front surface of the outer door 2, a display window, a product selection button, a bill insertion slot, a coin slot, a return lever, an integrated display, a coin return slot, a product outlet 2a, etc. are required when selling products. Things are provided. The inner door 3 is a heat insulating door divided into upper and lower parts for covering the front opening of the product storage 4, and the upper heat insulating door 3a is one side edge of the outer door 2 at a position inward of the outer door 2. The lower heat insulating door 3b is arranged to be openable and closable on one side edge of the main body cabinet 1. In the lower part of the lower heat insulating door 3b of the inner door 3, a product carry-out outlet 3c for carrying the product to the outside of the product storage 4 is provided.

Further, the vending machine is provided with a shooter 5 inside the product storage 4, and the temperature control unit 6 is arranged in a region below the shooter 5 (hereinafter, also referred to as a “heat exchange region”). On the other hand, the product storage rack 10 is arranged in an area above the shooter 5 (hereinafter, also referred to as a “product storage area”).

The shooter 5 is a plate-shaped member for guiding the products carried out from the product storage rack 10 to the product carry-out outlet 3c of the inner door 3, and is arranged so as to gradually incline downward toward the front side. .. Although not explicitly shown in the figure, the shooter 5 is provided with a large number of ventilation holes (not shown) for communicating between the heat exchange area and the product storage area.

The temperature control unit 6 is for maintaining the internal atmosphere of the product storage 4 in a desired temperature state, and includes an evaporator 6a, a heater 6b, and a blower fan 6c for a refrigerating cycle. In this temperature control unit 6, for example, when the blower fan 6c is driven while the refrigeration cycle is in operation, the air cooled in the evaporator 6a is sent upward through the ventilation holes of the shooter 5, so that the product storage area is expanded. It can be kept at a low temperature. On the other hand, when the blower fan 6c is driven while the heater 6b is energized, the air heated by the heater 6b is sent upward through the ventilation holes of the shooter 5, so that the product storage area can be maintained in a high temperature state. .. Although not specified in the figure, the compressor, condenser and expansion valve of the refrigeration cycle are all arranged in the machine chamber 7 outside the product storage 4.

The product storage rack 10 is arranged so as to be lined up in three rows in the front-rear direction, and is configured in a meandering shape along the vertical direction by arranging the aisle component 12 between the pair of base side plates 11. A plurality of (two in the illustrated example) product storage passages 13 are provided, and a plurality of products are stored in a sideways posture inside the product storage passages 13 along the vertical direction. More specifically, the aisle component 12 is appropriately arranged so as to face the front side and the rear side of the product storage passage 13 so as to face each other, and is fixed to the base side plate 11. As a result, in each product storage rack 10, two product storage passages 13 are provided so as to be adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction. In the following, in one product storage rack 10, the front side product storage passage 13 is also referred to as a first product storage passage 13a, and the rear side product storage passage 13 is also referred to as a second product storage passage 13b. ..

The width of the first product storage passage 13a and the second product storage passage 13b is slightly larger than the vertical dimension of a product (hereinafter, also referred to as a long size product) contained in a container such as a PET bottle having a width of 500 mL. It's a big one. The first product storage passage 13a and the second product storage passage 13b can store long-sized products up and down in a sideways posture.

Further, the first product storage passage 13a and the second product storage passage 13b are provided with a partition plate (not shown) for dividing into left and right, so that the product is placed in a container such as a 170 mL PET bottle. That is, it is possible to store a product having a vertical dimension of half or less (hereinafter, also referred to as a half-size product) in a horizontal position in two rows on the left and right.

The passage component 12 is provided with a flapper (not specified in the figure). The flapper is swingably arranged on the passage component 12 so as to move forward and backward with respect to the product storage passage 13. This flapper is urged by a coil spring (not shown) and normally moves into the product storage passage 13. Then, by abutting against the product passing through the product storage passage 13, the product itself regresses along the meandering product storage passage 13 against the urging force of the coil spring to correct the posture of the product. ..

In the product storage rack 10, the top tray 14 is provided in the upper part of the product storage passage 13, while the product payout device 20 is provided in the lower part of the product storage passage 13.

The top tray 14 is formed by bending a flat plate-shaped sheet metal, and is arranged between the base side plates 11 in a manner of gradually inclining downward from the front to the rear. The upper surface of such a top tray 14 constitutes a product guide passage 15 that guides the products loaded through the loading port to the product storage passage 13.

2 to 5 show the product payout device 20 shown in FIG. 1, that is, the product payout device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views, and FIG. 4 is an internal structure. Is a rear view seen from the rear, and FIG. 5 is a front view of the internal structure seen from the front.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the product payout device 20 includes a first product carry-out device 20a, a second product carry-out device 20b, and a drive unit 40, and includes a first product carry-out device 20a and a first product carry-out device 20a. The two product unloading devices 20b are hugged back to back with each other, and the drive unit 40 is housed inside.

The first product carry-out device 20a is applied to the first product storage passage 13a, and is installed at the lower part of the first product storage passage 13a. The first product unloading device 20a controls the behavior of the product between the product and the opposite passage width defining plate 16 to hold the product in the first product storage passage 13a in the standby state while driving the product. Functions to carry out the corresponding products one by one to the shooter 5, and two sets of pedal units 30 are provided in a form of pairing left and right with respect to the base 21.

The second product carry-out device 20b is applied to the second product storage passage 13b, and is installed at the lower part of the second product storage passage 13b. The second product unloading device 20b controls the behavior of the product between the product and the opposite passage width defining plate 17, so that the product is held in the second product storage passage 13b in the standby state while being driven. Functions to carry out the corresponding products one by one to the shooter 5, and two sets of pedal units 30 are provided in a form of pairing left and right with respect to the base 22. Since the first product unloading device 20a and the second product unloading device 20b are conventionally known as shown in Patent Document 1, their configurations will be briefly described.

The two sets of pedal units 30 are provided on the bases 21 and 22 corresponding to half-size products, respectively, and are separated from each other to the left and right. Since all of these pedal units 30 have a common configuration, the configuration of one pedal unit 30 provided in the first product unloading device 20a will be described below, and the other pedal units 30 will be described. I will omit about.

6 to 8 are explanatory views schematically showing one pedal unit 30 provided in the first product unloading device 20a. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the pedal unit 30 includes a lower pedal 31 and an upper pedal 32.

The lower pedal 31 is a plate-shaped member, and is arranged in such a manner that it can swing around the central axis of the first swing support shaft 31a by inserting the first swing support shaft 31a through the base end portion. ing. The first swing support shaft 31a is erected on the base 21 in a manner extending along a substantially horizontal direction.

The tip of the lower pedal 31 extends in the out-of-diameter direction of the first swing support shaft 31a, and is formed on the base 21 when swinging around the central axis of the first swing support shaft 31a. It is possible to move forward and backward to the first product storage passage 13a through the opening. That is, the lower pedal 31 is provided so as to be swingable so as to move forward and backward with respect to the first product storage passage 13a.

A lower pedal spring 31b is interposed between the lower pedal 31 and the base 21. The lower pedal spring 31b constantly urges the lower pedal 31 toward the first product storage passage 13a in the direction of advancing and moving. More specifically, the lower pedal spring 31b holds the lower pedal 31 in a standby posture (hereinafter, no product standby) so that the tip of the lower pedal 31 is located above the first swing support shaft 31a as shown in FIG. It is also called a posture). When the product is placed on the upper surface of the lower pedal 31, the lower pedal spring 31b has a height level equal to that of the first swing support shaft 31a at the tip of the lower pedal 31 as shown in FIG. The lower pedal 31 is placed in a standby posture (hereinafter, also referred to as a product-bearing standby posture) so as to be positioned. As a result, when the lower pedal 31 is in the product non-standby posture, the tip portion thereof is positioned higher than when the product is in the product standby posture.

The lower pedal 31 includes a plate-shaped pedal main body portion 311 and a pair of guide portions 312. The pair of guide portions 312 are provided on the back surface side of the pedal main body portion 311. Each guide portion 312 is a plate-shaped member extending along the vertical direction, and is formed so as to face each other. A guide groove 313 is formed on the facing surfaces of the guide portions 312 facing each other.

The guide groove 313 is located at the lowermost position in a state where the lower pedal 31 is arranged at the advance position (the state shown in FIG. 6) in which the lower pedal 31 is most advanced with respect to the first product storage passage 13a, and is rotated as described later. In a state where the fitting portion 313a into which the pedal operation shaft 361 of the stopper 36 is fitted and the lower pedal 31 are arranged at the regressing position where the lower pedal 31 is most regressed with respect to the first product storage passage 13a (state shown in FIG. 8). The first guide portion 313b and the second guide are connected so that the contact portion 313d, which is located at the uppermost position and is in contact with the pedal operation shaft 361 of the rotation stopper 36, and the fitting portion 313a and the contact portion 313d are continuously connected. It is provided with a portion 313c.

The first guide portion 313b is obliquely separated from the fitting portion 313a with respect to the base 21 in a state where the lower pedal 31 is arranged at the position (advanced position) where the lower pedal 31 is most advanced and moved with respect to the first product storage passage 13a. After being inclined upward, it is formed on the guide portion 312 in such a manner that it is inclined diagonally upward so as to be close to the base 21 and reaches the contact portion 313d.

The second guide portion 313c is separated from the contact portion 313d with respect to the base 21 in a state where the lower pedal 31 is arranged at the position (advanced position) where the lower pedal 31 is most advanced and moved with respect to the first product storage passage 13a. The guide portion 312 is formed so as to be inclined diagonally downward to reach the fitting portion 313a.

The length of the lower pedal 31 in the out-of-diameter direction from the first swing support shaft 31a is a passage when it is located at the position where the lower pedal 31 is most advanced and moved (advanced position) with respect to the first product storage passage 13a. The length is set so that a gap smaller than the maximum width of the product having a small maximum width can be secured between the width defining plate 16 and the product.

The upper pedal 32 is a plate-shaped member, and by inserting the second swing support shaft 32a through the base end portion, the upper pedal 32 can swing around the central axis of the second swing support shaft 32a on the base 21. It is arranged. The second swing support shaft 32a is arranged on the base 21 in a region above the first swing support shaft 31a so as to extend along a substantially horizontal direction.

The tip of the upper pedal 32 extends in the out-of-diameter direction of the second swing support shaft 32a, and passes through the opening of the base 21 when swinging around the central axis of the second swing support shaft 32a. It is possible to move forward and backward to the first product storage passage 13a. That is, the upper pedal 32 is oscillatedly arranged so as to move forward and backward with respect to the first product storage passage 13a.

An upper pedal spring (not shown) is interposed between the upper pedal 32 and the base 21. The upper pedal spring constantly urges the first product storage passage 13a in the direction in which the upper pedal 32 regresses.

The upper pedal 32 is provided with a pressing inclined surface 321, a recess 322, a stopper contact portion 323, and a protrusion 324. The pressing inclined surface 321 is provided at the tip end portion of the upper pedal 32, and when the upper pedal 32 is moved backward with respect to the first product storage passage 13a, the pressing inclined surface 321 is directed toward the first product storage passage 13a. It is a curved inclined surface formed in a manner of gradually lowering. The recess 322 is provided on the back surface side of the upper pedal 32, and is a single recess extending along a substantially horizontal direction formed in a manner of opening on both side surfaces of the upper pedal 32. The stopper contact portion 323 is a portion where the stopper pin 34a, which will be described later, comes into contact with the stopper pin 34a, and is provided so as to be inclined upward on the recess 322 on the back surface of the upper pedal 32.

The protrusion 324 is provided at the base end of the upper pedal 32 so as to project toward the first product storage passage 13a.

The upper pedal 32 is urged to move backward to the first product storage passage 13a by the urging force of the upper pedal spring, but the stopper pin 34a abuts on the recess 322 to cause the first product storage passage. The initial position is set in a state of regressing with respect to 13a.

Such an upper pedal 32 passes through the second swing support shaft 32a in a state (state shown in FIG. 8) located at the position (advanced position) where the upper pedal 32 is most advanced with respect to the first product storage passage 13a. It is in a state of leaning forward with respect to the vertical face. The length of the upper pedal 32 in the out-of-diameter direction from the second swing support shaft 32a is smaller than the maximum width of the product having a small maximum width between the upper pedal 32 and the passage width defining plate 16 in the above-mentioned forward tilted state. The length is set so that a gap can be secured.

In the base 21, a stopper pin 34a, a pedal stopper pin 34b, and a stopper shaft 34c are erected.

The stopper pin 34a is a shaft-shaped member arranged along a substantially horizontal direction. The stopper pin 34a is coupled to a pedal link 35, which will be described later, and can move along the vertical direction as the pedal link 35 moves in the vertical direction. Further, the stopper pin 34a is in contact with the recess 322 of the upper pedal 32 at the initial position.

The pedal stopper pin 34b is a shaft-shaped member arranged along a substantially horizontal direction. The pedal stopper pin 34b is coupled to the pedal link 35, and can move along the vertical direction as the pedal link 35 moves in the vertical direction.

The stopper shaft 34c is a shaft-shaped member arranged along a substantially horizontal direction. The stopper shaft 34c supports a rotation stopper 36 in the middle portion thereof. The rotation stopper 36 is arranged so that the stopper shaft 34c can be inserted into the insertion hole at the base end portion and can swing around the central axis of the stopper shaft 34c.

The tip of the rotation stopper 36 extends in the out-of-diameter direction of the stopper shaft 34c, and moves back and forth to the first product storage passage 13a when swinging around the central axis of the stopper shaft 34c. Is possible.

The rotation stopper 36 has the pedal operation shaft 361 when the pedal operation shaft 361 penetrates the through hole 36a at the tip end portion. The pedal operation shaft 361 is a shaft-shaped member arranged along a substantially horizontal direction, and both ends thereof are fitted into the guide groove 313 of the lower pedal 31.

A pedal operation spring (not shown) is interposed between the rotation stopper 36 and the base 21. The pedal operation spring constantly urges the rotation stopper 36 with respect to the first product storage passage 13a in the direction of advancing and moving the rotation stopper 36.

Such a rotation stopper 36 is urged by a pedal operation spring in a direction of advancing and moving with respect to the first product storage passage 13a, and the pedal stopper pin 34b enters the recess 36b of the rotation stopper 36. Then, the movement in the direction of retreating movement is restricted by abutting on the pedal stopper pin 34b, and the initial position in the state of advancing and moving with respect to the first product storage passage 13a is set. Further, since the lower pedal 31 is urged by the lower pedal spring 31b, both ends of the pedal operating shaft 361 are located at the fitting portions 313a of the guide groove 313, and the lower pedal 31 is the first. The initial position is set at the position where the product is advanced and moved with respect to the product storage passage 13a.

The rotation stopper 36 is provided with a flat plate-shaped blindfold portion 36c extending upward on the back surface side thereof, that is, on the back surface side of the recessed portion 36b. The blindfold portion 36c covers the portion of the pedal stopper pin 34b opposite to the first product storage passage 13a.

The pedal link 35 is a long plate-shaped member extending in the vertical direction, and the upper portion is bent forward and then extends upward. An abutting piece 351 extending diagonally upward after extending backward is provided on the upper portion of the pedal link 35. A link spring 35a (see FIG. 4 and the like) is interposed between the pedal link 35 and the base 21. The link spring 35a constantly urges the pedal link 35 downward.

In a state where the pedal link 35 is urged by the link spring 35a and arranged downward, the recess 322 of the upper pedal 32 arranged at the regressing position is in contact with the stopper pin 34a. Moreover, the rotation stopper 36 arranged at the advanced position is in contact with the pedal stopper pin 34b, and the regressive movement of the rotation stopper 36 is restricted. Further, the pedal operation shaft 361 of the rotation stopper 36 arranged at the advanced position is fitted into the fitting portion 313a of the lower pedal 31, thereby restricting the regressive movement of the lower pedal 31 arranged at the advanced position. ..

On the other hand, in a state where the pedal link 35 is arranged above against the urging force of the link spring 35a, the stopper contact portion 323 of the upper pedal 32 abuts on the stopper pin 34a as shown in FIG. As a result, the regressive movement of the upper pedal 32 is restricted, and the upper pedal 32 advances and moves against the urging force of the upper pedal spring and is arranged at the advance position.

On the other hand, since the rotation stopper 36 is released from the restriction on the regressive movement by the pedal stopper pin 34b, the restriction on the regressive movement is released around the stopper shaft 34c. Here, the rotation stopper 36 is loaded with the product in contact with the lower pedal 31 maintained at the advanced position by the rotation stopper 36, and the restriction on the regressive movement of the rotation stopper 36 is lifted. As a result, the rotation stopper 36 starts regressing movement. When the retreat movement of the rotation stopper 36 is started, the pedal operation shaft 361 is disengaged from the fitting portion 313a of the lower pedal 31, so that the lower pedal 31 is allowed to retreat around the first swing support shaft 31a. Due to the load, the lower pedal spring 31b regresses against the elastic urging force.

In this way, in the pedal unit 30, when the pedal link 35 is arranged downward, the lower pedal 31 advances to the first product storage passage 13a and holds the product in the first product storage passage 13a. When the pedal link 35 is arranged upward against the urging force of the link spring 35a, the upper pedal 32 advances to the first product storage passage 13a and the second product from the bottom moves downward. The lower pedal 31 retreats from the first product storage passage 13a and carries out the lowest-ranked product downward while suppressing the displacement to.

9 and 10 are exploded perspective views showing the configuration of the drive unit 40 shown in FIG. 5, respectively. The drive unit 40 is housed in a storage space formed by combining a resin front cover 40F and a rear cover 40B, and includes a motor 41, an output gear 43, a carrier switch 45, and a link lever 47. Has been done. The front cover 40F is attached to the base 21 of the first product unloading device 20a, and the rear cover 40B is attached to the base 22 of the second product unloading device 20b, so that the drive unit 40 is the first product unloading device 20a. It is stored between the second product carry-out device 20b and the second product carry-out device 20b.

The motor 41 is a drive source, and is a DC motor capable of forward / reverse rotation that is driven in response to a command given from a control unit (not shown). The motor 41 is arranged in a state of being held by the motor holding portion 41a composed of the front cover 40F and the rear cover 40B.

Four output gears 43 are provided, and each of them has a disk shape. A gear portion 431 composed of a plurality of teeth is also formed on the peripheral surface of these output gears 43. Further, a shaft-shaped portion 432 that protrudes in the front-rear direction is formed in the central portion of the output gear 43, and the shaft-shaped portion 432 is inserted into the shaft support recess 43a of the front cover 40F and the rear cover 40B. The output gear 43 is housed in such a manner that it can rotate around its own central axis. These output gears 43 are linked to the motor 41 via a plurality of linked gears 42, and rotate around their own central axis by driving the motor 41.

Each of these output gears 43 corresponds to the pedal unit 30, and the rightmost output gear 43 corresponds to the right pedal unit 30 of the first product unloading device 20a, and the third output gear from the right. 43 corresponds to the pedal unit 30 on the left side of the first product unloading device 20a, and the second output gear 43 from the right corresponds to the pedal unit 30 on the right side of the second product unloading device 20b, which is the leftmost. The output gear 43 corresponds to the pedal unit 30 on the left side of the second product unloading device 20b. That is, the rightmost output gear 43 and the third output gear 43 from the right correspond to the pedal unit 30 of the first product unloading device 20a, and the second output gear 43 from the right and the leftmost output gear. 43 corresponds to the pedal unit 30 of the second product carry-out device 20b.

A pressing piece 433 is formed on the front surface of the output gear 43, and a common cam portion 434 and an individual cam portion 435 are formed on the rear surface.

The pressing piece 433 has a substantially V-shape, and is formed so as to project forward on the front surface. It should be noted that the rotation angle positions where the pressing pieces 433 are formed in each output gear 43 are the same.

The common cam portion 434 and the individual cam portion 435 each have an arcuate shape and are formed so as to project rearward. The common cam portion 434 and the individual cam portion 435 are formed so that the arcuate length thereof is large enough to maintain the state after the pedal link 35 is moved upward.

Then, in the rightmost output gear 43 corresponding to the pedal unit 30 of the first product unloading device 20a and the third output gear 43 from the right, the rotation angle positions where the common cam portion 434 is formed coincide with each other. ing. Further, the rotation angle positions where the individual cam portions 435 are formed are different from each other.

On the other hand, in the second output gear 43 from the right corresponding to the pedal unit 30 of the second product unloading device 20b and the leftmost output gear 43, the output gear corresponding to the pedal unit 30 of the first product unloading device 20a. The common cam portion 434 formed on the 43 (the rightmost output gear 43 and the third output gear 43 from the right) is formed at a rotation angle position different from that of the common cam portion 434 and the individual cam portion 435. The rotation angle positions to be formed are the same as each other, but the rotation angle positions where the individual cam portions 435 are formed are different.

That is, in the four output gears 43, the rotation angle positions where the individual cam portions 435 are formed do not match, and the common cam portions of the output gears 43 corresponding to the pedal unit 30 of the first product unloading device 20a are common. The rotation angle positions where the 434s are formed are the same, and the rotation angle positions where the common cam portion 434 between the output gears 43 corresponding to the pedal unit 30 of the second product unloading device 20b is formed are the same.

The carrier switch 45 is a so-called push type switch and includes a contactor 45a. The carrier switch 45 is housed slightly above the area where the leftmost output gear 43 is disposed. The carrier switch 45 turns on when the contactor 45a is pressed by the pressing piece 433 of the leftmost output gear 43, and gives that effect to the control unit as an on signal, while the contactor 45a. Is not pressed by the leftmost pressing piece 433, it is in an off state, and that fact is given to the control unit as an off signal.

Four link levers 47 are provided, and each of them is housed diagonally to the lower left of the output gear 43.

The link lever 47 is formed of, for example, a resin material, and a through hole 471a is formed in the base end portion 471. The link lever 47 has a hook shape in which the tip portion 472 extends diagonally downward to the left from the base end portion 471 and then curves diagonally upward to the left. Further, a locking portion 473 is provided at the base end portion 471 of the link lever 47. The locking portion 473 is a plate-shaped elastic member that is elastically deformable and extends downward from the right end portion of the base end portion 471.

Such a link lever 47 is rotatably arranged around the central axis of the link shaft 47a by inserting the link shaft 47a provided in the front cover 40F into the through hole 471a of the base end portion 471. In this case, the link lever 47 penetrates the lever opening 46 formed by the front cover 40F and the rear cover 40B, and the tip portion 472 is located outside the front cover 40F and the rear cover 40B, and the pedal link 35 It is arranged in the lower region of the contact piece 351 of the above. More specifically, the link lever 47 housed diagonally to the lower left of the rightmost output gear 43 has a tip end contact with the pedal link 35 constituting the right pedal unit 30 of the first product unloading device 20a. The link lever 47, which is located in the lower region of the piece 351 and is housed diagonally to the left and lower of the third output gear 43 from the right, has a tip portion constituting the pedal unit 30 on the left side of the first product unloading device 20a. It is located in the lower region of the contact piece 351 of the pedal link 35. Further, the link lever 47 housed diagonally downward to the left of the second output gear 43 from the right has a contact piece 351 of the pedal link 35 whose tip portion constitutes the pedal unit 30 on the right side of the second product unloading device 20b. The link lever 47, which is located in the lower region of the leftmost output gear 43 and is housed diagonally to the lower left of the leftmost output gear 43, has a pedal link 35 whose tip portion constitutes the pedal unit 30 on the left side of the second product carry-out device 20b. It is located in the lower area of the contact piece 351 (see FIG. 5 and the like).

The posture of these link levers 47 is determined in the normal state by the locking portion 473 abutting on the right edge portion 461 of the lever opening 46.

In the product payout device 20 having the above configuration, it is as follows in the standby state. In the drive unit 40, the pressing piece 433 of each output gear 43 is located at the uppermost position, and the pressing piece 433 of the leftmost output gear 43 presses the contactor 45a of the carrier switch 45 to cause the carrier switch 45. Turns on. In this standby state, the cam portion (common cam portion 434 and individual cam portion 435) of any of the output gears 43 is not in contact with the base end portion 471 of the link lever 47, and the tip portion 472 of the link lever 47 corresponds. It is located at a position separated downward from the contact piece 351 of the pedal link 35.

By the way, when a long size product is stored in the first product storage passage 13a and the second product storage passage 13b, the lowest long size product straddles the lower pedal 31 of the two sets of pedal units 30. It is mounted, and each lower pedal 31 is in a product-ready standby position.

Then, when a payout command for a long-sized product stored in the first product storage passage 13a is given, the product payout device 20 operates as follows.

The motor 41 is driven in a reverse rotation to rotate (reverse rotation) each output gear 43 clockwise (counterclockwise when viewed from the rear). Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the common cam portion 434 of the output gear 43 (the rightmost output gear 43 and the third output gear 43 from the right) corresponding to the pedal unit 30 of the first product unloading device 20a. The reverse rotation drive of the motor 41 is stopped at the timing when the end portion contacts the upper surface of the base end portion 471 of the corresponding link lever 47.

As a result of rotating the output gear 43 counterclockwise when viewed from the rear by the reverse rotation drive of the motor 41, a part of the cam portion (common cam portion 434 and individual cam portion 435) of the output gear 43 is the basis of the link lever 47. It will come into contact with the lower surface of the end portion 471. In this case, the link lever 47 is restricted from rotating around the central axis because the locking portion 473 is in contact with the right edge portion 461 of the lever opening 46. Therefore, the locking portion 473 is elastically deformed so as to allow the base end portion 471 to be close to the locking portion 473, and the cam portion (common cam portion 434 and individual cam portion 435) moves due to the rotation of the output gear 43. Does not inhibit.

By driving the motor 41 in the forward rotation in the state shown in FIG. 11, each output gear 43 is rotated (forward rotation) counterclockwise (clockwise when viewed from the rear) when viewed from the front. As a result, when the common cam portion 434 of the rightmost output gear 43 and the third output gear 43 from the right comes into contact with the base end portion 471 of the corresponding link lever 47 from above, the corresponding link lever 47 is shown in FIG. As shown in 12, it rotates in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the rear. When these link levers 47 rotate in the counterclockwise direction, the tip portion 472 moves upward. By moving the tip portion 472 upward in this way, the tip portion 472 abuts on the contact piece 351 of the pedal link 35 constituting each pedal unit 30 of the first product unloading device 20a, and the urging force of the link spring 35a is applied. Against this, the pedal link 35 can be moved upward by a predetermined distance, and while the common cam portion 434 is in sliding contact with the base end portion 471, the pedal link 35 is moved upward by a predetermined distance. Can be held.

As the pedal link 35 moves upward, the stopper pin 34a moves upward while abutting on the edge wall of the recess 322 of the upper pedal 32, so that the upper pedal 32 initially resists the urging force of the upper pedal spring. Move forward from the position. The advance movement of the upper pedal 32 is performed by moving the stopper pin 34a upward. Then, the stopper pin 34a abuts on the stopper contact portion 323 to restrict the regression of the upper pedal 32.

Then, the upper pedal 32 that has moved forward comes into contact with the second long-sized product from the bottom, and restricts the long-sized product from moving downward.

On the other hand, since the rotation stopper 36 is loaded with a long-sized product in contact with the lower pedal 31 maintained at the advanced position, the restriction on the regressive movement is released by the upward movement of the pedal stopper pin 34b. As a result, the rotation stopper 36 starts regressing movement.

When the rotation stopper 36 starts to move backward in this way, the pedal operating shaft 361 comes out of the fitting portion 313a, and the lower pedal 31 starts to move backward against the urging force of the lower pedal spring 31b due to the weight of the long-sized product. .. The pedal operating shaft 361 of the rotation stopper 36 that has come out of the fitting portion 313a moves along the first guide portion 313b toward a position where the first guide portion 313b and the second guide portion 313c intersect.

After that, the lower pedal 31 regresses due to the weight of the lowest-ranked long-sized product, and the lowest-ranked long-sized product is allowed to move downward, so that the lowest-ranked long-sized product can be carried out (downward). See FIG. 8). The carried-out long-sized product is guided to the product carry-out port 3c through the shooter 5, and is further ready to be taken out through the product take-out port 2a.

Here, when the lowest-ranked long-sized product slips through the lower pedal 31, the lower pedal 31 moves toward the advance position by the elastic urging force of the lower pedal spring 31b, and the rotation stopper 36 also has the elasticity of the pedal operation spring. It moves toward the advance position by the power. When the lower pedal 31 and the rotation stopper 36 move toward the advanced position, the pedal operating shaft 361 held at the position where the first guide portion 313b and the second guide portion 313c intersect is moved toward the fitting portion 313a. 2 The lower pedal 31 and the rotation stopper 36 move along the guide portion 313c and return to the advanced position.

After that, when the contact between the common cam portion 434 and the base end portion 471 is released, the pedal link 35 is urged by the link spring 35a and moves downward.

By moving the pedal link 35 downward, the stopper pin 34a moves downward and the pedal stopper pin 34b moves downward. When the pedal stopper pin 34b moves downward, the pedal stopper pin 34b comes into contact with the recess 36b on the back surface side of the rotating stopper 36 that has returned to the advanced position. As a result, the movement in the direction of regressive movement is restricted, and the lower pedal 31 returns to the product non-standby posture in which the product has moved forward with respect to the first product storage passage 13a by the urging force of the lower pedal spring 31b.

On the other hand, the upper pedal 32 is urged by the upper pedal spring and moves backward as the stopper pin 34a moves downward. As a result, the second long-sized product from the bottom is allowed to move downward, and then the long-sized product abuts on the lower pedal 31 that has moved forward and is restricted from moving downward, while the lower pedal 31 is restricted. It shifts to the product-ready standby posture and returns to the standby status.

Next, when a payout command for a long-sized product stored in the second product storage passage 13b is given, the product payout device 20 operates as follows.

From the standby state, the motor 41 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction to rotate each output gear 43 clockwise (counterclockwise when viewed from the rear). Then, the end of the common cam portion 434 of the output gear 43 (the second output gear 43 from the right and the leftmost output gear 43) corresponding to the pedal unit 30 of the second product unloading device 20b corresponds to the link lever. The reverse rotation drive of the motor 41 is stopped at the timing of contacting the upper surface of the base end portion 471 of 47.

After that, by driving the motor 41 in a forward rotation, each output gear 43 is rotated counterclockwise (clockwise when viewed from the rear). As a result, when the common cam portion 434 of the second output gear 43 from the right and the leftmost output gear 43 abuts on the base end portion 471 of the corresponding link lever 47 from above, the corresponding link lever 47 is shown in the figure. As shown in 13, it rotates in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the rear. When these link levers 47 rotate in the counterclockwise direction, the tip portion 472 moves upward. By moving the tip portion 472 upward in this way, the tip portion 472 abuts on the contact piece 351 of the pedal link 35 constituting each pedal unit 30 of the second product unloading device 20b, and the urging force of the link spring 35a is applied. Against this, the pedal link 35 can be moved upward by a predetermined distance, and while the common cam portion 434 is in sliding contact with the base end portion 471, the pedal link 35 is moved upward by a predetermined distance. Can be held. As a result, long-sized products can be paid out in the same manner as the first product unloading device 20a described above.

When a half-size product is stored in the first product storage passage 13a, the lowest half-size product is mounted on the lower pedal 31 of one pedal unit 30, and each lower pedal 31 is placed on the lower pedal 31. The product is on standby. When a half-sized product is stored in the first product storage passage 13a, a partition plate for dividing into left and right is arranged in the first product storage passage 13a as described above.

Then, when a payout command for a half-sized product stored on the right side of the first product storage passage 13a is given, the product payout device 20 operates as follows.

From the standby state, the motor 41 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction to rotate each output gear 43 clockwise (counterclockwise when viewed from the rear). Then, the motor is at the timing when the end of the individual cam portion 435 of the rightmost output gear 43 corresponding to the pedal unit 30 on the right side of the first product unloading device 20a comes into contact with the upper surface of the base end portion 471 of the corresponding link lever 47. The reverse rotation drive of 41 is stopped.

After that, by driving the motor 41 in a forward rotation, each output gear 43 rotates counterclockwise (clockwise when viewed from the rear) when viewed from the front. As a result, when the individual cam portion 435 of the rightmost output gear 43 comes into contact with the base end portion 471 of the corresponding link lever 47 from above, the corresponding link lever 47 is viewed from the rear as shown in FIG. Rotate counterclockwise. When the link lever 47 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the tip portion 472 moves upward. By moving the tip portion 472 upward in this way, the tip portion 472 comes into contact with the contact piece 351 of the pedal link 35 constituting the pedal unit 30 on the right side of the first product unloading device 20a, and the urging force of the link spring 35a. The pedal link 35 can be moved upward by a predetermined distance against the above, and while the individual cam portion 435 is in sliding contact with the proximal end portion 471, the pedal link 35 is moved upward by a predetermined distance. The state can be maintained. As a result, the half-size product can be paid out in the same manner as the above-mentioned long-size product delivery.

On the other hand, when a payout command for a half-sized product stored on the left side of the first product storage passage 13a is given, the product payout device 20 drives the motor 41 in the reverse rotation from the standby state to drive the first product. The motor 41 is stopped at the timing when the end of the individual cam portion 435 of the third output gear 43 from the right corresponding to the pedal unit 30 on the left side of the unloading device 20a comes into contact with the upper surface of the base end portion 471 of the corresponding link lever 47. Let me. After that, by driving the motor 41 in a forward rotation, the individual cam portion 435 of the third output gear 43 from the right abuts on the base end portion 471 of the corresponding link lever 47 from above, and the corresponding link lever 47 is shown in FIG. As shown in 15, it rotates in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the rear. By rotating the link lever 47 in the counterclockwise direction, the half-sized product can be paid out in the same manner as the half-sized product stored on the right side of the first product unloading device 20a described above. can.

By the way, when a half-sized product is also stored in the second product storage passage 13b and a payout command for the half-sized product stored on the right side of the second product storage passage 13b is given, As shown in FIG. 16, the corresponding link lever 47 may be rotated counterclockwise by the individual cam portion 435 in the second output gear 43 from the right. Further, when a payout command for a half-sized product stored on the left side of the second product storage passage 13b is given, the individual cam portion 435 in the leftmost output gear 43 responds as shown in FIG. The link lever 47 may be rotated counterclockwise.

As described above, in the product payout device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the motor 41 of the drive unit 40 constitutes a common drive source for the first product carry-out device 20a and the second product carry-out device 20b. When the output gear 43 and the link lever 47 in the drive unit 40 are given a payout command, the first product carry-out device 20a and the second product carry-out device 20b are selectively selected according to the payout command. It constitutes a driving force applying means that applies a driving force from a driving source and drives two sets of pedal units 30 synchronously or individually.

According to the product payout device 20, the motor 41 is a common drive source for the first product carry-out device 20a and the second product carry-out device 20b, and the output gear 43 and the link lever 47 are given a payout command. In this case, the first product unloading device 20a and the second product unloading device 20b are selectively selected in response to the payout command to apply the driving force from the motor 41, and the two sets of pedal units 30 are driven synchronously. Alternatively, since the motors are individually driven, the number of motors 41 can be reduced with respect to the number of product unloading devices 20a and 20b to reduce the manufacturing cost.

Moreover, the first product unloading device 20a and the second product unloading device 20b are compatible with long-sized products and half-sized products, respectively, and can be applied to vending machines that sell various products, and are general-purpose. It is possible to improve the sex.

In the above-described embodiment, the output gear 43 and the link lever 47 constitute the driving force applying means, but in the present invention, the first product unloading device 20a and the second product unloading device 20b are used in response to the payout command. If the two sets of pedal units 30 can be driven synchronously or individually by alternately selecting and applying a driving force from the driving source, the output gear 43 and the link lever 47 are not limited to the other components. Or other members may be used instead of the output gear 43 and the link lever 47.

10 ... Product storage rack, 13 ... Product storage passage, 13a ... First product storage passage, 13b ... Second product storage passage, 20 ... Product payout device, 20a ... First product unloading device, 20b ... Second product unloading Equipment, 21 and 22 ... Base, 30 ... Pedal unit, 31 ... Lower pedal, 32 ... Upper pedal, 35 ... Pedal link, 40 ... Drive unit, 41 ... Motor, 43 ... Output gear, 45 ... Carrier switch, 47 ... Link Lever, 431 ... Gear part, 432 ... Shaft-shaped part, 433 ... Pressing piece, 434 ... Common cam part, 435 ... Individual cam part, 471 ... Base end part, 472 ... Tip part, 473 ... Locking part.

Claims (3)

It is applied to the first product storage aisle, which allows long-sized products to be stored up and down in a sideways position, while half-sized products can be stored up and down in two rows on the left and right in a sideways position. A first product unloading device equipped with two sets of pedal units that move forward and backward to the first product storage aisle to hold or unload the product.
The first product storage passage is adjacent to the first product storage passage, and long-sized products can be stored up and down in a sideways position, while half-sized products can be stored up and down in two rows on the left and right in a sideways position. A second product unloading device equipped with two sets of pedal units that are applied to the product storage passage of 2 and move forward and backward to the second product storage passage to hold or carry out the product corresponding to the half-sized product. It is a product payout device that can tie and back to back to each other.
A common drive source for the first product unloading device and the second product unloading device,
When a payout command is given, the first commodities unloading device and the second merchandise unloading device are selectively selected in response to the payout command to apply a driving force from the drive source, and the two sets are applied. A product payout device provided with a driving force applying means for synchronously driving or individually driving the pedal unit of the above. The driving force applying means is
Each of them is arranged so as to be able to rotate forward and reverse around its own central axis corresponding to the pedal unit, and an individual cam unit for individually driving only the corresponding pedal unit, and another paired with the pedal unit. An output gear in which a pedal unit and a common cam portion for synchronously driving the pedal unit are formed, and
Each of them is rotatably provided around its own axis corresponding to the output gear, and normally allows reverse rotation of the corresponding output gear, while the individual cam portion or common cam of the output gear that rotates in the forward direction. The product payout device according to claim 1, further comprising a link lever that rotates to drive the pedal unit corresponding to the output gear individually or synchronously when abutted against the portion. The product payout device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive source is a DC motor.

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