JP3021894U - Product selection switch device for vending machines - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] Capacitance type touch sensor is used for product selection switch, good sensitivity, no need to install shield case to prevent malfunction, simple structure and low cost. (EN) Provided is a switch for selecting a product etc. of an automatic vending machine. [Structure] The electrode 14 of the touch sensor circuit portion 10b serving as a selection switch is provided behind the transparent acrylic plate 1a of the front panel.
When a human body approaches the electrode 14 from the front surface of the panel, the touch sensor circuit detects a change in electrostatic capacitance component due to the human body and operates as a selection switch.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a selection switch device for selecting a product or the like of a vending machine.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Conventionally, in vending machines, a push button switch device having a mechanical contact is generally used as a switch device for selecting a product. In this push button switch device, the switch is operated by pressing a push button provided on the front panel of the machine body. By the way, in this type of push button switch device, the push button portion is pushed down to operate the contact type switch, and since there is a sliding portion, the waterproof structure becomes complicated and the assembly is complicated. The cost is high. Further, since there is a portion for slidingly guiding the push button portion and it has a waterproof structure, there is a limit in reducing the thickness of the switch device.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 Then, in order to solve the problem when using such a mechanical contact, it is possible to eliminate a movable part using a proximity switch. However, since this proximity switch uses an inductive sensor circuit in which the human body operates as an antenna, the sensitivity level is generally weak, and strict measures such as shield measures to prevent malfunction due to noise are strictly applied. It is required, the structure is complicated and the cost is high. Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, the applicant has previously proposed a type in which the human body can directly touch the conductive electrodes of the inductive sensor circuit, but the inductive sensor improves the sensitivity level. Has a limit.

The present invention solves the above-described problems, and detects a change in capacitance when a human body approaches an electrode portion that is a selection switch provided on the back surface of a front panel. Select a vending machine product that has a simple structure and can be manufactured at a low cost because it uses a sensor that can significantly improve the sensitivity and does not require a shield case to prevent malfunction. An object is to provide a switch device.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a selection switch device which is attached to a machine body of a vending machine and which selects a product or the like, and which is provided on a rear surface of a front panel of a display display part of the product or the like. It consists of an electrode provided as a selection switch for selecting products etc., and a touch sensor circuit unit that detects that the capacitance changes when the human body approaches the electrode from the front surface of the front panel. It is characterized by being done. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the product etc. selection switch device of the vending machine according to the first aspect, the front panel is made of a transparent acrylic plate, and the selection is made at a position facing the electrode on the back surface of the transparent acrylic plate. It is characterized in that a mark or the like for recognizing that it is a switch is printed, or a sticker or a thin plate on which the mark or the like is printed is arranged on the back side of the transparent acrylic plate. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the product selection switch device of the vending machine according to the first or second aspect, an indication of a product or the like is printed on the back surface of the front panel, or a sticker printed with the display. Alternatively, it is characterized in that a thin plate-like plate is arranged and an electrode portion is provided corresponding to each display on the above-mentioned display portion or the rear side in the vicinity thereof. A fourth aspect of the present invention is a product selection switch device for a vending machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which a plurality of electrode portions and a touch sensor circuit portion corresponding thereto are provided on a single substrate. Characterized by being arranged above.

[0006]

[Action]

 According to the configuration of claim 1 described above, when the human body approaches from the front surface of the front panel to the electrode portion which is the selection switch, the touch sensor circuit portion detects a change in the capacitance component of the human body and outputs a signal. , Operates as if the selection switch was pressed. The members that make up the selection switch are attached to the fuselage side rather than the front panel side. According to the second aspect of the invention, the selection switch can be clearly recognized by the printing on the back surface of the transparent acrylic plate of the front panel or the seal or the thin plate provided on the back side of the transparent acrylic plate. The shape of the selection switch can be selected arbitrarily, and replacement is easy. According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the human body touches the display portion of the product or the like provided on the back surface of the front panel or its vicinity from the front surface of the panel, the selection switch is operated. Eliminates the need for product samples. Further, according to the configuration of claim 4, the plurality of selection switches can be configured with a small number of parts, and the assembling becomes easy.

[0007]

【Example】

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an external structure of a vending machine according to this embodiment, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show a side section and a front structure of a display section and a switch display unit section of a front panel of the machine. A display unit 2 for displaying products is provided on the front panel 1 of the machine body, and below the display unit 2, the charge or sold-out corresponding to each product visible from the front of the panel 1 is displayed. A switch display unit 10 having a display unit 3 for displaying and a selection switch unit 4 for selecting a product is provided. In addition, the panel 1 has a coin insertion slot and a bill insertion slot for paying the price of the product, an ejection port for taking out the change, a product ejection port for taking out the product, and a return lever for returning the coins and bills. Etc. are provided.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the switch display unit 10 has no member exposed on the outer surface of the front panel 1, and the transparent acrylic plate 1 a (thickness: It is provided on the back surface of 2 to 5 mm), and includes a translucent seal or thin plate 10a and a touch sensor circuit portion 10b. Although the details of the circuit section 10b will be described later, the touch sensor circuit changes its circuit condition due to the electrostatic capacity of the human body when the fingers of the human body approach the electrodes from the front surface of the transparent acrylic plate 1a. It can be detected. The seal or the thin plate plate 10a may be attached to either the front panel 1 or the touch sensor circuit portion 10b. On the display unit 3 and the selection switch unit 4, marks or the like for recognizing them are printed and displayed on the plate 10a. In this case, the necessary members can be recognized by printing the part other than the display part 3 and the selection switch part 4 of the plate 10a in a blind print. It should be noted that the selection switch section 4 can be easily visually recognized by providing a graphic display having a stereoscopic effect.

In addition to the touch sensor function, the touch sensor circuit unit 10b includes a display unit 3 including a liquid crystal, an LED or the like for displaying “HOT” or “COLD”, the amount of money, sold out, and the like. Further, a fluorescent lamp 7 for a backlight is arranged in one space partitioned by a partition plate 6 fixed to a back plate (metal plate) 5 of the front panel 1, and a display is provided through an opening formed in the partition plate 6. The product sample 2a placed on the section 2 is illuminated. The display section 3 of the seal or the thin plate 10a may be backlit if necessary, and in that case, the circuit section of the touch sensor circuit section 10b is arranged so as not to interfere with the display. The touch sensor circuit unit 10b is fixed to the partition plate 6.

The touch sensor circuit portion 10b has electrodes arranged corresponding to each of the selection switch portions 4 printed and displayed on the plate 10a, and the electrodes are connected to the touch sensor circuit. This state is shown in FIGS. That is, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor circuit portion 10b as seen from above, FIG. 5 is a front view of the circuit board 11 of the touch sensor circuit portion 10b, and FIG. 6 is a view of the touch sensor circuit portion 10b of the transparent acrylic plate 1a. FIG. 3 is a perspective view seen from the rear of the plane, and as shown in these figures, the touch sensor circuit portion 10b is composed of a plastic case cover 15 for attachment to the machine body and a circuit board 11, and is a single circuit board. A plurality of electrodes 14 of the touch sensor circuit and their respective circuits are formed on the substrate 11, and a plurality of electrodes 14 are pattern-printed on the circuit board 11. By arranging the electrode 14 close to the transparent acrylic plate 1a, a touch sensor is formed. In the above configuration, the electrode 14 may have an area larger than the display size of the selection switch section 4, and by doing so, the sensitivity can be improved.

2 and 3, the display unit 3 and the selection switch unit 4 of the switch display unit 10 are shown printed on the seal or the thin plate plate 10a. The transparent acrylic plate 1a may be directly printed and displayed without using the plate-shaped plate 10a. In the case of this direct printing display, the display unit 3 and the selection switch unit of the transparent acrylic plate 1a are also similar to the above. Blindfold printing is performed on portions other than the portion located at No. 4 (at the portion corresponding to the switch display unit). Further, the display function of the display unit 3 and the selection switch unit 4 may be integrally provided to the touch sensor circuit unit 10b without using the seal or the thin plate 10a. 4 and 5, members such as a liquid crystal or the like provided corresponding to the seal or the thin plate 10a and the display unit 3 are omitted, but these members are appropriately provided.

7 to 9 show various circuit examples of the capacitance type touch sensor circuit unit 10b. As a touch sensor method for detecting a change in capacitance, there is a method for detecting a potential change, a pulse shift, a frequency change, and other changes. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the capacitance type touch sensor circuit unit 10b, which is a circuit for detecting a potential change. When the human body 17 approaches the electrode 14, it becomes equivalent to that the electrostatic capacitance C0 is connected between the electrode 14 and the ground, which changes the output voltage V0. This is detected using a comparator or the like.

FIG. 8 shows a circuit for detecting a pulse shift. When the human body 17 approaches the electrode 14, it becomes equivalent to that the electrostatic capacitance C0 is connected between the electrode 14 and the ground in the same manner as described above, and the flip-flop ( F / F) 18 is operated. Specifically, when C0 is larger than the capacitor C1, the phase of the flip-flop 18 on the set S side is delayed and the output pulse changes. As a result, the proximity of the human body 17 can be detected.

FIG. 9 shows a circuit for detecting frequency fluctuations. When the human body 17 approaches the electrode 14, it becomes equivalent to that the electrostatic capacitance C0 is connected between the electrode 14 and the ground in the same manner as described above, and thereby the oscillation frequency of the LC oscillator 19 changes. The output of the bandpass filter 20 changes accordingly, and the proximity of the human body 17 can be detected. The oscillation frequency of the LC oscillator 19 when the human body 17 does not touch it is adjusted to the center frequency of the bandpass filter 20. When the human body 17 touches in this state, the oscillation frequency decreases due to the capacitance C0 of the human body, so the output of the bandpass filter 20 decreases. Although FIG. 9 shows an example of the LC oscillator 19, a CR oscillator may be used.

In any of the circuits, the oscillation output (clock) frequency of the oscillator is set to a high value of 10 KHz or higher so that even a small capacitance change can be detected. The touch sensor circuit of the touch sensor circuit portion 10b is electrically connected to the control circuit of the vending machine by harness via a connector (not shown).

Explaining the effects of the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiment, the front panel 1 is flat, all members of the switch device are built in the body, and there is a sliding portion of the switch as in the conventional case. Since it is not necessary, the waterproof structure is simple, and the switch device can be replaced easily, which reduces the cost and is advantageous when the vending machine is renewed. Further, the selection switch section 4 can have any shape, which increases the degree of freedom in designing and designing the vending machine. Furthermore, since the front panel 1 is flat and has no concaves and convexes, dirt and dust are less likely to collect and cleaning is easy. Further, since all the members of the switch device can be attached to the machine body side, it is not necessary to process the front acrylic plate 1a. In addition, since no mechanical contact is used, the life is semi-permanent. Further, by providing a plurality of sensor circuits on one substrate 11 as in the above embodiment, the number of parts and the number of mounting steps can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

FIG. 10 shows a modified example of the above embodiment, in which the seal or the thin plate 12 has the functions of the display unit 2, the display unit 3, and the selection switch unit 4 for displaying and displaying the products. Here is an example. In this case, the product sample is not displayed, and the product or the like is graphic-printed and displayed on the sticker or the thin plate 12. Display the selection switch close to the display of products. This enables the selection switch to operate by touching the vicinity of the display of products and the like. Further, the seal or the plate-shaped plate 12 may be fixed to the back surface of the transparent acrylic plate 1a by sticking or the like. According to this configuration, since the product sample is not displayed, the body can be made thinner. A conductive plate 13 made of a conductive resin or the like that indicates a selection switch may be provided on the surface of the acrylic plate 1a so as to face the electrodes of the touch sensor circuit unit 10b. This makes it possible to further increase the sensitivity. The conductive plate 13 does not have to be electrically connected to the electrodes, and therefore, also in this case, it is not necessary to consider the waterproof structure.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment. In this example, a product sample (sample or its dummy) is used as a touch sensor switch. A dummy can 20 is arranged inside the transparent acrylic plate 1a, and an electrode 14 is provided on the back surface of the dummy can 20. Illumination light is applied to the damy can 20, and the electrode 14 may be made of a light-transmissive material (for example, conductive resin or thin metal wire). In addition, since the electrostatic touch sensor detects a change in electrostatic capacitance, it can be used even for a material having high electric resistance.

Further, in the electrostatic capacitance type touch sensor switch, when a finger approaches the electrode, the touch sensor switch enters an operating state (ON), which may cause a malfunction. Therefore, in order to prevent such an erroneous operation, it is necessary to set the sensor switch output so that the state in which the fingers are close to the electrodes is maintained for a predetermined time or longer (for example, 0.2 to 5 seconds). It

FIG. 12 shows an example in which a timer circuit 31 is positively provided at the output end of the touch sensor circuit unit 30 for that purpose. FIG. 13 shows an example of the timer circuit. The output of the transistor Q1 is H when the electrostatic switch is ON and L when the electrostatic switch is OFF. When the electrostatic switch is ON, the capacitor C1 is charged through the resistor R2, and when the charged voltage exceeds the level of the voltage V1 of the comparator 32, the comparator 32 is turned ON. In this configuration, by setting the resistance R2 to a large value, it takes time for the capacitor C1 to be charged up to the voltage V1 and becomes a timer. When the electrostatic switch is OFF, the output of the transistor Q1 is L level (the collector drops to the ground level), so that the capacitor C1 is instantly discharged through the diode D1. In the circuit configuration described above, the output waveforms of the transistor Q1, the capacitor C1, and the comparator 32 when the switch is ON and when it is not ON are as shown in FIG. As described above, since the switch is turned on only when the time when the finger is close to the electrode (when the switch is pressed) is long, the malfunction can be prevented.

[0021]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, as the product etc. selection switch of the vending machine, the electrode part of the touch sensor circuit for detecting the change of the electrostatic capacity is provided on the back surface of the front panel, and the front panel is provided. Since it is possible to detect the proximity of the human body to the electrode part from the front side of the switch, there is no sliding part in the switch part as in the past and it is a non-contact type and the front panel has no Since the switch member is not exposed, therefore, the switch device can be waterproofed with a simple structure, can be used semipermanently, and can be easily processed and mounted. Moreover, since the capacitive touch sensor is used, the sensitivity is better than that of the inductive detection, and it is not necessary to provide a shield case or the like to prevent malfunction.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the above effect, a print display for recognizing the selection switch is provided at a position facing the electrode portion on the back surface of the transparent acrylic plate of the front panel. Since it is provided, a selection switch of any shape can be realized at low cost, the degree of freedom in designing the selection switch, etc. is improved, and the selection switch part can be easily replaced, which is advantageous for renewal use of vending machines. . Further, according to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the above effect, the back surface of the front panel is provided with a display of products and the like, and the electrode portion of the selection switch is provided on the rear side in the vicinity thereof corresponding to each display. Therefore, the product can be selected by touching the vicinity of the product etc. display section, which is convenient. Further, according to the invention of claim 4, in addition to the above effects, in constituting a plurality of selection switches, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and the mounting man-hours, and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a switch display unit portion in this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the switch display unit portion.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor circuit unit.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a circuit board of the touch sensor circuit unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the touch sensor circuit unit according to the present embodiment as viewed from the rear.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a touch sensor circuit.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing another example of the touch sensor circuit.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing still another example of the touch sensor circuit.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of a switch display unit portion according to a modification.

11A and 11B are a perspective view and a top view showing a configuration of a product sample and an electrode unit according to another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which a timer circuit is provided at an output end of a sensor circuit.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a timer circuit.

FIG. 14 is an output waveform diagram of each unit for explaining the operation of the circuit of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Front Panel 1a Transparent Acrylic Plate 4 Selection Switch Section 10 Switch Display Unit 10a Seal or Thin Plate 10b Touch Sensor Circuit Section 11 Circuit Board 14 Electrode

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Keiichi Mami, 3-20-16 Kamishinjo, Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka City, Komatsu Light Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (72) Kenzo Suzuyama, 3-20-20, Kamishinjo, Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka No. 16 Incorporated company Komatsu Light Factory (72) Inventor Yuji Muraoka 3-20-20 Kamishinjo, Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka City No. 16 Incorporated Komatsu Light Factory (72) Inventor Akihiro Morita 3-20 Kamishinjo, Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka City No. 16 Stock Company, Komatsu Light Factory

Claims (4)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A selection switch device, which is attached to a machine body of a vending machine, for selecting products and the like, the selection switch device being provided on a back surface of a front panel of a display unit for displaying products and the like.
It is composed of an electrode serving as a selection switch for selecting a product and the like, and a touch sensor circuit unit that detects a change in capacitance when a human body approaches the electrode from the front surface of the front panel. Product selection switch device for vending machines. 2. The front panel is made of a transparent acrylic plate, and a mark or the like for recognizing that it is a selection switch is printed at a position facing the electrode on the back surface of the transparent acrylic plate, or the transparent acrylic plate. 2. The product etc. selection switch device for an automatic vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a sticker or a thin plate having the mark printed thereon is arranged on the back side of the sheet. 3. A display of products or the like is printed on the back surface of the front panel, or a sticker or a thin plate on which the print is printed is arranged, and each display is provided on the display section or the rear side in the vicinity thereof. 3. The product etc. selection switch device for a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein an electrode portion is provided. 4. The vending machine product or the like according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of electrode portions and a touch sensor circuit portion corresponding thereto are arranged on a single substrate. Select switch device.