JP3210925B2 - Product dispensing device with failure detection function for vending machines - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a merchandise dispensing apparatus for a vending machine, and more particularly to a column which is instructed to be unloaded from a plurality of columns and which is driven from a power supply to an unloading apparatus such as a bend solenoid of the column. The present invention relates to a product dispensing device provided with a failure detection function for a relay provided to supply current.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The present applicant has previously described a merchandise delivery device having a failure detection function.
The structure shown in FIG. 8 has been proposed (JP-A-4-1775).
No. 93).

[0003] This product dispensing device 100 divides bend solenoids provided in a plurality of columns of product discharging devices into two groups 102 and 104, and relays 106 and 104.
A drive current is supplied to the bend solenoid by ON / OFF of 108, and the product is carried out.

[0004] Then, current detection circuits 108 and 110 composed of photocouplers are connected in parallel with the relays 106 and 108, and when a current is detected by the current detection circuits 108 and 110, a monitor signal is output to a control unit (not shown). However, the control unit has determined whether or not each relay has failed based on the content of the monitor signal.

However, the commodity delivery device 100
Since it is necessary to provide a current detection circuit for each group, the number of components increases, the cost increases, and the reliability due to the increase in the number of components decreases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a product dispensing apparatus having a failure detection function that reduces the number of parts, reduces costs, and increases reliability.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a commodity dispensing apparatus having a function of detecting a failure of a vending machine, wherein a column instructed to be unloaded is selected from a plurality of columns, and In a product dispensing device of a vending machine that supplies a drive current from a power supply to a product discharging device such as a bend solenoid, a first transfer relay of a two-transfer contact type is used.
A merchandise unloading device is connected in series to each of the make contact, the first break contact, the second make contact, and the second break contact to form a plurality of S groups each having four columns as one group. Each of the first make contact, the first break contact, the second make contact, and the second break contact are connected in parallel to form four C groups, and the product unloading device connected to the first make contact of each selection relay Is connected to one end on the first contact side of the first make relay of the 2 make contact type,
The C group formed by the product unloading device connected to the second make contact of each selection relay is connected to one end of the first common relay on the second contact side, and connected to the first break contact of each selection relay. The C group formed by the selected product discharge device is connected to one end on the first contact side of the 2-make contact type second common relay, and the product discharge device connected to the second break contact of each selection relay. The formed C group is connected to one end of the second common relay on the second contact side, and the other end of the first common relay on the first and second contact sides and the first and second ends of the second common relay are connected. The other end of the contact side is connected in parallel and connected to one of the electrodes, the first transfer contact of each selection relay is connected in parallel, and the second transfer contact of each selection relay is connected. The fan contacts connected in parallel two G
A group is formed, these two G groups are connected to one end of two make contact type group relays, respectively, and the other end of the group relay is connected in parallel and connected in series with the other pole of the power supply. A current detecting means for detecting a current flowing to the other pole of the power supply, first, a target C group is selected from four C groups by a common relay, and then a target C group is selected from a plurality of S groups. Control means for causing the S group to be selected by the selection relay, and finally by selecting the target G group from the two G groups by the group relay, and controlling the drive current to flow to the target product unloading device; It comprises a determination means for determining an abnormality of each relay based on the control state of the control means and whether or not the current detection means detects the current.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article dispensing apparatus having a function of detecting a failure of a vending machine.
The determining means determines that all the relays are in the OFF state.
When the current detecting means does not detect the current, it is determined that the current is normal, and when it detects, the group relay and the common relay are determined to be abnormal, and the control means turns on one common relay.
In the state, when the current detection means does not detect the current, it is determined that the current is normal, and when the current detection means detects the current, the group relay is determined to be abnormal, and when the control means turns on one selection relay, When the current detecting means does not detect the current, it is determined that the current is normal. When the current is detected, the group relay and the common relay are determined to be abnormal.
When one of the group relays is turned on, it is determined that the current is normal when the current detection means detects the current, and that the group relay, selection relay or common relay is abnormal when the current is not detected.

[0009]

The operation of the commodity dispensing device having the function of detecting a failure of the vending machine according to the first aspect of the present invention will be described.

[0010] The control means activates a common relay of group C to which a column instructed to carry out the product (hereinafter referred to as an instruction column) from a plurality of columns is activated.
N state. Next, the selection relay of the S group to which the indicated column belongs is turned on. Finally, turn on the group relay of the G group to which this instruction column belongs.
In this state, the drive current is applied to the target product discharge device to discharge the product.

The determination means determines whether or not each relay is operating normally from the current detection state of the current detection means while the control means is performing the above control.

The operation of the commodity dispensing apparatus having the function of detecting a failure of the vending machine according to the second aspect will be described.

[0013] The determination means determines that the control means first turns on the common relay of the C group, then turns on the selection relay of the S group, and finally turns on the group relay of the G group. Such a determination is made.

When all relays are in the OFF state,
When the current detecting means does not detect the current, it is determined that the current is normal. When the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay and the common relay are abnormal.

Control means turns on one common relay
In this state, when the current detecting means does not detect the current, it is determined that the current is normal. When the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay is abnormal.

When the control unit turns on one selection relay and the current detection unit does not detect the current, it is determined that the current is normal. When the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay and the common relay are abnormal.

The control means sets one group relay to O
In the N state, when the current detection means detects the current, it is determined that the current is normal. When no current is detected, it is determined that the group relay, the selection relay, or the common relay is abnormal.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The vending machine of this embodiment has 32 columns, and a column number is set for each of these columns.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a commodity delivery device 1 of the vending machine.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the relay drive circuit 2 in the commodity delivery device 1.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a control unit, which is a microcomputer 5,
A memory device 6 and an input / output port 7 are provided. The master controller 3 and the relay drive circuit 2 are connected to the control unit 4. Then, the microcomputer 5 receives a product unloading command from the master controller 3 and outputs a product unloading result to the master controller 3. Further, a control signal is output to the relay drive circuit 2 via the input / output port 7 so that the bend device of the designated column operates, and further, a relay monitor signal is input from the relay drive circuit 2.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a solenoid of a bend device provided in each column. When a predetermined drive current flows through the solenoid 10, the bend device operates and the product is carried out. Then, the solenoid 10 provided in the column of column number 1 is defined as the first solenoid 10 and the column number 2
The solenoid 10 provided in the column No. is referred to as a second solenoid 10, and the solenoid 10 provided in the column of column number n is hereinafter referred to as an n-th solenoid 10. Do).

Reference numeral 11 denotes a two-transfer contact type first.
This is a selection relay (referred to as RS1 in the figure). One end of a first solenoid 10 is connected in series to a first make contact of the first selection relay 11,
One end of a second solenoid 10 is connected in series to the first break contact, and similarly, third and fourth solenoids 10 are connected in series to the second make contact and the second break contact, respectively.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a two-transfer contact type second
This is a selection relay (referred to as RS2 in the figure). The second selection relay 12 has fifth to eighth
The solenoid 10 is connected.

The relay drive circuit 2 includes third to eighth
A selection relay is provided. The third selection relay 13 (referred to as RS3 in the figure) has a ninth relay.
To the twelfth solenoid 10 are connected. The thirteenth to sixteenth solenoids 10 are connected to the fourth selection relay. The 5th selection relay has 17th to 2nd
0 solenoid 10 is connected. Similarly, four solenoids 10 are respectively connected to the sixth and seventh solenoids 10, and an eighth selection relay 18 (RS in FIG.
8) are connected to the 29th to 32nd solenoids 10.

Each of the above relays forms the following eight S groups, four C groups, and two G groups.

(1) Eight S Groups Four solenoids 10 connected to the first to eighth selection relays 11 to 18 form eight S groups as one S group.

(2) Four C groups First, fifth, ninth and first connected to the first make contact of each of the first to eighth selection relays 11 to 18
The other ends of the third, seventeenth, twenty-first, twenty-fifth, and twenty-ninth solenoids 10 are connected in parallel to form a first C group.

First to eighth selection relays 11 to 18
, 6th, 10th, connected to the first break contact of
14th, 18th, 22nd, 26th, 30th solenoids 1
0 are connected in parallel at the other end to form a second C group.

First to eighth selection relays 11 to 18
, 7th, 11th, 15th, 19th, 23rd, 27th, 31st solenoids 10 connected to the second make contact of
Are connected in parallel to form a third C group.

First to eighth selection relays 11 to 18
, Twelfth, twelfth, connected to the second break contact of
16th, 20th, 24th, 28th, 32nd solenoids 1
0 are connected in parallel to each other to form a fourth C group.

(3) Two G groups The first transfer contacts of the first to eighth selection relays 11 to 18 are all connected in parallel to form a first G group.

First to eighth selection relays 11 to 18
Are connected in parallel to form a second G group.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a two-make contact type first common relay (referred to as RC1 in the figure). A first C group is connected in series to one end of the first contact. A third C group is connected in series to one end of the second contact.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a 2-make contact type second common relay (referred to as RC2 in the figure). A second C group is connected in series to one end of the first contact. The fourth contact group is connected to one end of the second contact.

The other end of the first and second contacts of the first common relay 20 and the other end of the first and second contacts of the second common relay 22 are connected in parallel. It is connected in series with one pole.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a make contact type first group relay (in the drawing, RG1). A first G group is connected in series to one end of the first group relay 30.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a make contact type second group relay (referred to as RG2 in the figure). A second G group is connected to one end of the second group relay 32 in series.

The other end of the first group relay 30 and the other end of the second group relay 32 are connected in parallel,
It is connected in series with the other pole of the power supply 8.

A first surge prevention element 34 is connected in parallel with the first group relay 30 in order to prevent the flow of surge current. The second surge prevention element 36 is also connected to the second group relay 32.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a current detection circuit provided between the other pole of the power supply 8 and the first group relay 30 and the second group relay 32. This current detection circuit 40
Will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a transformer that functions as a current sensor. The primary coil of the transformer 42 is arranged in series between the other pole of the power supply 8 and the other end of the first group relay 30. One end of the secondary coil is grounded. The other end of the secondary coil is connected to one end of a resistor 44 via a branch point 42a, and the other end of the resistor 44 is grounded.

One end of a resistor 46 is connected to the branch point 42a, and the other end of the resistor 46 is connected to the anode side of a diode 48. One end of a capacitor 50 and a resistor 52 are connected to the cathode side of the diode 48, and the other ends of the capacitor 50 and the resistor 52 are grounded. The cathode side of the diode 48 is connected to the anode side of the diode 54, and the cathode side of the diode 54 is connected to the DC power supply Vcc. And
When a current flows through the primary coil of the transformer 42, a monitor signal is output from the cathode side of the diode 48. This monitor signal is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter (not shown) and input to the input / output port 7. In addition,
When a current flows through the primary coil of the transformer 42, the monitor signal becomes "H", and when no current flows, the monitor signal becomes "L".

Reference numeral 60 denotes a resistor, one end of which is connected to one end of the first common relay 20 on the first contact side, and the other end of which is connected to the other pole of the power supply 8.

Reference numeral 62 denotes a resistor, one end of which is connected to one end of the first common relay 20 on the second contact side, and the other end of which is connected to the other pole of the power supply 8. The two resistors 60 and 62 are connected to the first group relay 30 when the common relays 20 and 22 are turned on and current starts to flow.
And the make contact side of the selection relays 11 to 18 is O
In the FF state, there is no place where a current flows, and the common relays 20 and 22 are welded.
A current is passed through 2 to prevent welding.

Next, a process of judging the failure state of each relay provided in the relay drive circuit 2 while controlling the unloading of the product in the designated column by using the product dispensing apparatus 1 having the above-described structure will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 shows the ON / OFF state of each relay when one product is dispensed, an error code, a collection flag, a single product unloading flag, a product unloading operation flag, a product unloading end signal, and a unloading column number. And a time chart of the total number of unloads.

An operation state when one product is paid out by turning on / off each relay will be described based on this time chart. The following description is based on FIG.
Corresponds to the description in.

When the instruction column is instructed, the corresponding common relay is turned on. Then, the single product flag and the product carrying-out flag become H, and the product payout end signal becomes L. Also, the column number m of the instruction column becomes the carry-out column number m.

After 80 ms from the state, the selection relay corresponding to the instruction column is turned on.

After 80 ms from the state, the group relay corresponding to the instruction column is turned on. If all the relays are normal, the solenoid 10 is energized and the product is carried out.

If it is determined that all the relays are operating normally after 80 msec from the state, the collection flag is set to H
Collect the money input by the customer in the state of
Book.

Then, the group relay is turned off, the selection relay is turned off after 80 ms, and the common relay is turned off after 80 ms.

Eighty milliseconds after the common relay is turned off, the single item unloading flag and the item unloading operation flag are set to L, and the item unloading end signal is set to H.

As described above, the operation of dispensing a single product is completed. If there is an abnormality in the relay during this operation, the unloading is interrupted there and the fact that a failure has occurred is transmitted to the control unit 4, and furthermore, Manipulate column data bits. It is assumed that the failure is determined according to the control flow shown in FIGS.

This control flow is divided into an initial state and a relay control flow indicating the operation state of the relay composed of six steps, and a failure diagnosis flow determined for each step.

Referring to FIG. 5, a description will be given of a control state when goods are carried out from an odd-numbered column.

In the initial state, all relays are off
It is in a state.

In this initial state, the current detection circuit 40
If does not detect a current, the process proceeds to step 1. When the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay and the common relay are welded, and it is determined that the selection relay has a possibility of welding. Then, group relay welding is performed as a bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 1, the group relay and the selection relay are kept off, and only the first common relay 20 of the common relays is turned on.

If it is determined in step 1 that the current detection circuit 40 does not detect the current, it is determined that the current is normal and the process proceeds to step 2. When the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay is welded, and it is determined that the selection relay and the common relay may be welded. Then, group relay welding is performed as a bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 2, only the selection relay corresponding to the designated column is turned on.

In step 2, if the current detection circuit 40 does not detect a current, the process proceeds to step 3. When the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay and the common relay are welded. Then, group relay welding is performed as a bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 3, only the group relay of the designated column is turned on.

If it is determined in step 3 that the current detection circuit 40 has detected the current, it is determined that the current is normal, and the process proceeds to step 4. If the current is not detected, it is determined that any of the group relay, the selection relay, and the common relay is not turned on. Then, it is assumed that the group relay is not turned on as a bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 4, the two group relays are turned off. Then, the process proceeds to step 5.

In step 5, all the selection relays are turned off. Then, the process proceeds to Step 6.

In step 6, all the common relays are turned off.

In step 6, if the current is not detected by the current detection circuit 40, it is determined that the current is normal, and the process returns to the standby state. If the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay and the common relay are welded, and that the selection relay is likely to be welded. Then, group relay welding is performed as a bend terminal detection failure code.

The transition time of each step is 80 ms as described with reference to FIG.

Next, a case in which a product in an even-numbered column is carried out will be described with reference to the control flow of FIG.

This control flow differs from the control flow of the odd-numbered column in FIG. 5 only in that the second common relay 22 is turned on in step 1, and the other control and failure diagnosis are the same. It is.

In the initial state, all relays are off
It is in a state.

In this initial state, the current detection circuit 40
If does not detect a current, the process proceeds to step 1. When the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay and the common relay are welded, and it is determined that the selection relay has a possibility of welding. Then, group relay welding is performed as a bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 1, the group relay and the selection relay continue to be turned off, and only the second common relay 20 of the common relays is turned on.

If it is determined in step 1 that the current detection circuit 40 does not detect a current, it is determined that the current is normal and the process proceeds to step 2. When the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay is welded, and it is determined that the selection relay and the common relay may be welded. Then, group relay welding is performed as a bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 2, only the selection relay corresponding to the designated column is turned on.

If it is determined in step 2 that the current detection circuit 40 does not detect a current, the process proceeds to step 3. When the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay and the common relay are welded. Then, group relay welding is performed as a bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 3, only the group relay of the designated column is turned on.

If it is determined in step 3 that the current detection circuit 40 has detected the current, it is determined that the current is normal, and the process proceeds to step 4. If the current is not detected, it is determined that any of the group relay, the selection relay, and the common relay is not turned on. Then, it is assumed that the group relay is not turned on as a bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 4, the two group relays are turned off. Then, the process proceeds to step 5.

In step 5, all the selection relays are turned off. Then, the process proceeds to Step 6.

In step 6, all the common relays are turned off.

In step 6, if the current is not detected by the current detection circuit 40, it is determined that the current is normal, and the process returns to the standby state. If the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay and the common relay are welded, and that the selection relay is likely to be welded. Then, group relay welding is performed as a bend terminal detection failure code.

As described above, the failure of the relay can be diagnosed in the process of controlling the carry-out of the odd-numbered column and the even-numbered column.

Although the current detection circuit 40 having the above-described configuration includes the transformer 42, the current detection circuit 40 is not limited to the transformer as long as the current can be detected, and a resistor or a photocoupler may be used.

The current detection circuit 40 is for diagnosing a failure state of each relay in the commodity dispensing apparatus 1. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, a fan motor 68, a compressor 70, a heater 72 in parallel with each other, and a second current detection circuit 76 in parallel with these circuits.
Connect. Thereby, the compressor 70 and the heater 7
2, each relay 68a, 70a, 72a of the lighting device 74,
74a can be detected.

[0089]

As described above, in the commodity dispensing apparatus having the function of detecting a failure of a vending machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the control means controls each relay, the judging means detects the current. The abnormality of each relay can be determined from the current detection state of the means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the commodity dispensing apparatus having the function of detecting a failure of a vending machine, when the initial state, the common relay is turned on, the selection is turned on, and the group relay is turned on. In each of the steps, the determination means can determine the abnormality of each relay.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a commodity payout apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a relay drive circuit.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a current detection circuit.

FIG. 4 is a time chart of a control unit.

FIG. 5 is a control flow at the time of unloading an odd-numbered column.

FIG. 6 is a control flow when unloading an even-numbered column.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a second current detection circuit.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of a conventional product delivery device having a failure detection function.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1. Product delivery device 2. Relay drive circuit 3. Master controller 4. Control unit 5. Microcomputer 8. Power supply 10. Solenoids 11. 18 Selection relay 20 First common relay 22 Second common relay 30 First group relay 32 Second group relay 40 Current detection circuit

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A merchandise dispensing device for a vending machine which selects a column designated to be unloaded from a plurality of columns and supplies a drive current from a power supply to a merchandise unloading device such as a bend solenoid of the column. A plurality of S groups, each of which has a first column, a first column, a second column, and a second column, each of which is connected in series with a product unloading device to form four columns as one group. The first make contact, the first break contact, the second make contact, and the second break contact of each S group are connected in parallel to form four C groups, and the first make contact of each selection relay is formed. A C-group formed by a product unloading device connected to a contact is connected to one end of the first contact on the first contact side of a 2-make contact type first common relay. Connect the C group formed by the product discharge device connected to the second make contact of each selection relay and one end of the first common relay on the second contact side, and connect to the first break contact of each selection relay The C group formed by the selected product discharge device is connected to one end of the first contact side of the second make-contact type second common relay, and the product discharge device connected to the second break contact of each selection relay. The formed C group and the second
One end of the second contact side of the common relay is connected, and the other end of the first and second contact sides of the first common relay and the other end of the first and second contact sides of the second common relay are connected in parallel. And connecting to one of the electrodes, connecting the first transfer contacts of each selection relay in parallel, and connecting the second transfer contacts of each selection relay in parallel to form two G groups. One G group and one end of two make contact type group relays are connected respectively, the other end of the group relay is connected in parallel and connected in series with the other pole of the power supply, and the other pole of the power supply is connected. Current detection means for detecting a current flowing through the common relay is first selected from the four C groups by a common relay, and then the target S group is selected from a plurality of S groups. Control means for causing a loop to be selected by a selection relay, and finally selecting a target G group from the two G groups by a group relay, and controlling the drive current to flow to a target product unloading device; and the first control A product dispensing device having a failure detection function for a vending machine, comprising: a determination unit that determines an abnormality of each relay based on a control state of the unit and whether or not a current is detected by the current detection unit. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when all of the relays are in the OFF state, the current detecting means determines that the current is not normal when the current detecting means does not detect the current, and determines that the group relay and the common relay are abnormal when detecting the current. When the control unit turns on one common relay, the current detection unit determines that the current is not normal when the current detection unit does not detect the current, and determines that the group relay is abnormal when the current detection unit detects the current. When one of the selection relays is turned on, it is determined that the current is not normal when the current detection means does not detect the current, and when the current is detected, the group relay and the common relay are determined to be abnormal. Is turned on, it is determined that the current is normal when the current detecting means detects a current, and when no current is detected, a group relay, a selection relay or a common relay is detected. 2. The commodity dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lane is judged to be abnormal.