JP3263433B2 - Vending machine product unloading device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for unloading goods from a vending machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional vending machine, as shown in FIG. 9, a vending machine main body (hereinafter referred to as a main body) 1 has a product storage shelf (not shown) for storing products 2 having various shapes and diameters. In some cases, the product storage shelves are provided with a carry-out belt conveyor 3 that extends in the horizontal direction at the bottom of the product storage shelf.

[0003] Each of the unloading belt conveyors 3
The product 2 placed on the carry-out belt conveyor 3 is normally urged by a spring (not shown) in the direction opposite to the carry-out direction of the carry-out belt conveyor 3 at the tip end on the product drop passage 4 side. A stopper member 5 to be locked is rotatably supported by a shaft.

When the carry-out belt conveyor 3 rotates according to the sales command and the product 2 moves toward the product drop passage 4, the stopper member 5 is pressed by the product 2 and pivots downward against the spring. Thus, the locking of the product 2 is released, and the product 2 is dropped downward.

[0005] The dropped product 2 is placed on an elevator (not shown) that is rising in the product drop passage 4 to a position diagonally below the stopper member 5 in accordance with a sales command, and is provided below the main body 1 by the elevator. The product is carried out to the product outlet (not shown). On the other hand, after dropping the product 2, the stopper member 5 returns to the product locking position again by a spring and locks the product 2 to be sold next.

[0006]

However, in such a conventional vending machine product unloading apparatus, when a plurality of cylindrical products are laid on a discharge belt conveyor in a state of being laid down, the products are unloaded. In this case, the product in the upper portion may fall onto the carry-out belt conveyor by its own weight, and another product may also fall due to the momentum before the stopper member returns to the product locking position.

[0007] For this reason, when a cylindrical product is placed on the carry-out belt conveyor, only one stage can be placed. However, since the product storage shelves are provided at intervals so that the products with the largest diameter can be stored, so-called dead space occurs at the top of the product storage shelves when products with a small diameter are placed. , The amount of goods stored on the shelf is reduced.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, an inclined slide shelf 5a is provided so that a product
(Hereinafter referred to as “products”) are stored in two stages, and the products 6 placed on the carry-out belt conveyor and the products 6 placed on the slide shelf 5a are carried out.
Since a space for inclining a is required, there is a problem that the amount of commodities that can be carried out by the commodity carry-out device is limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine product unloading apparatus capable of reliably discharging small-diameter products one by one.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a carry-out belt conveyor is provided at the bottom of each of a plurality of product storage shelves vertically arranged in a plurality of stages, and the carry-out belt of a predetermined product storage shelf is provided according to a sales command. In a product discharging device of a vending machine for discharging a product stored therein by driving a conveyor through a product dropping path, at least one of the discharging belt conveyors includes a long first belt conveyor and a first belt conveyor.
A space configured to be divided into two parts, a short second belt conveyor connected to a product falling path side of the belt conveyor, and formed above the first belt conveyor so that products can be stacked and stored in a plurality of stages ; The first belt conveyor and the second belt conveyor are provided at an upper portion near a connecting portion ,
On the side of the first belt conveyor so as to regulate the goods moving from the first belt conveyor to the second belt conveyor in one row
A regulating member that is formed in the downward inclined shape toward the second
When products are placed on the belt conveyor,
So that the product placed on the
Drive the belt conveyor, and place the product on the second belt conveyor.
When no product is placed on the first belt conveyor
Supply the placed product on the second belt conveyor
Drive the first and second belt conveyors.
It is provided with a moving control device .

[0011]

According to this configuration, the first long-sized member can be used according to the sales order.
The products stored in the product storage shelves can be carried out to the product drop passage by the belt conveyor and the short second belt conveyor connected to the product drop passage of the first belt conveyor. In addition, products can be stacked and stored in a plurality of stages on the first belt conveyor, and are provided at an upper portion near a connecting portion between the first belt conveyor and the second belt conveyor, and are provided from the first belt conveyor to the second belt conveyor.
The first belt conveyor regulates products moving to
Abuts the product at the end of the second stage on the first belt conveyor by a regulating member formed in a downward slope toward the side
Thus, the commodities moving from the first belt conveyor to the second belt conveyor can be regulated in one row.

[0012]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part thereof. 9, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 9 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 7 denotes a long first belt conveyor (hereinafter, referred to as a first conveyor) which divides and forms, for example, the lowermost conveyor belt conveyor 3 of the conveyor belt conveyor 3 provided on the bottom surface of the product storage shelf. Reference numeral 8 denotes a short second belt conveyor (hereinafter, referred to as a second conveyor) horizontally connected to the first conveyor 7 on the side of the commodity drop passage 4. A space is formed on the first conveyer 7 so that the products 6 can be stacked and stored in a multi-stage manner, and a predetermined number, for example, two products 6a and 6b are placed on the second conveyer 8 in a line. ing.

Here, after both the products 6a and 6b placed on the second conveyor 8 are sold, the first conveyor 7 is controlled by the control device 9 provided at a predetermined position of the main body 1. Are rotated by the first motor 7a driven by the control signal of
Is to be supplied to

Further, the second conveyor 8 is rotated by a second motor 8a driven for a predetermined time in accordance with a sales command from the control device 9 to move the placed goods 6a, 6b in the direction shown by the arrow. The goods are sequentially carried out to the commodity falling passage 4. In addition, a stopper member 5 for locking the products 6a and 6b placed on the second conveyor 8 is rotatably supported at the tip of the second conveyor 8 in the unloading direction.

On the other hand, when the commodity selling button 10 provided on the front surface of the main body 1 is pressed as shown in FIG. 3, the control device 9 drives the second motor 8a for a certain period of time, and the second conveyor 8
Are sequentially sold. When a sold-out signal from a limit switch 11, which will be described later, is input for a predetermined time, the first motor 7a and the second motor 8a are driven, and new products 6c and 6d are placed on the second conveyor 8. is there.

Incidentally, the stopper member 5 is connected to the control device 9.
The first product to sell until a sales order is issued from
When the product 6a is carried out by the second conveyor 8 according to the sales command, the product 6a is pressed by the product 6a and pivots downward against the spring as shown by the arrow A in FIG. Then, the locking of the product 6a is released, and the product 6a is dropped into the product falling path 4.

After the commodity 6a is dropped, the stopper member 5 returns to a sold-out position shown in FIG. 5 described later by a spring, and the limit switch 11 is operated at this position. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the limit switch 11 is turned on / off in accordance with the rotation of a cam 11a mounted on the shaft of the second conveyor 8, and when the stopper member 5 is at the sold-out position. The limit switch 11 is turned off because it faces the concave portion of the cam 11a and outputs a sold-out signal to the control device 9.

Since the second conveyor 8 continues to rotate until a certain time has elapsed, when the first product 6a is sold, the stopper member 5 at the sold-out position is not used.
Is pressed by the next product 6b to be sold and returns to the locked position.

When the stopper member 5 returns, the limit switch 11 is turned on to stop outputting the sold-out signal.
The rotation time of the second conveyor 8 is determined so that the rotation stops when the stopper member 5 returns to the locking position.

By the way, according to the next sales order, the next product 6
If the stopper member 5 returns to the sold-out position after b is sold, the product 6 is not placed on the second conveyor 8, and the stopper member 5 is sold out even if the second conveyor 8 rotates for a certain period of time. It remains in the position. Thus, the sold-out signal from the limit switch 11 is continuously output to the control device 9.

When the sold-out signal from the limit switch 11 is input for a predetermined time, the control device 9 determines that the product 6 has been sold out, drives the first motor 7a and the second motor 8a, and drives the first conveyor 7 After the goods 6c and 6d placed on the second conveyor 8 are moved in the unloading direction, they are placed on the second conveyor 8.

Further, the products 6c, 6d are moved in the unloading direction by the second conveyor 8, and the stopper member 5 is pressed to return to the locking position, whereby the two products 6c, 6d are moved.
While d is locked by the stopper member 5, the limit switch 11 stops outputting the sold-out signal. Then, when the output of the sold-out signal is stopped in this way, the control device 9
Stops driving the first conveyor 7 and the second conveyor 8.

By the way, the upper portion near the connection between the first conveyor 7 and the second conveyor 8 is in contact with the rightmost products 6e and 6f on the second and subsequent stages placed on the first conveyor 7. Is provided with a guide 12 as a regulating member.

Here, the guide 12 is configured such that the commodity 6e at the right end of the second stage of the first conveyor 7 falls onto the second conveyor 8 by its own weight, and the stopper member 5 is stopped by the force at the time of dropping. Before returning to, the product 6e is prevented from falling from the second conveyor 8 to the product falling path 4,
When the commodities 6a and 6b of the second conveyor 8 are sold and the commodities 6c and 6d on the first conveyor 7 move to the second conveyor 8, they are regulated to move in a line.

The guide 12 is provided on the first conveyor 7.
The rightmost product 6e of the second stage is brought into contact with the rightmost product 6c placed on the
When a and 6b move, the rightmost product 6c placed on the first conveyor 7 is prevented from moving toward the second conveyor 8.

Then, the guide 12 has its tip and the first
It is attached so that the width between the right end product 6c placed on the conveyor 7 and the width of the product 6e is smaller. Thus, even if the second conveyor 8 is rotated in accordance with the sales command, the rightmost product 6e in the second stage does not fall onto the second conveyor 8, and only one product 6 can be carried out. ing. Thus, when the first conveyor 7 is stopped, the guide 12 creates a state where the products 6c and 6e are blocked and neither product can move in the direction of the second conveyor 8.

Next, a description will be given of a product unloading operation of the product unloading device of the vending machine thus configured.

Until the product sale button 10 is pressed, the two products 6a, 6a are stored in the second conveyor 8 as shown in FIG.
b is placed, and the product 6 a to be sold first is locked by the stopper member 5.

In this state, when the product sale button 10 is pressed, the control device 9 drives the second motor 8a, whereby the stopper member 5 is pressed by the product 6a as shown in FIG. Then, the product 6a is pivoted downward together with the product 6a, and the product 6a is dropped into the product drop passage 4 by releasing the locking of the product 6a.

Then, the dropped product 6a is placed on an elevator ascending in the product drop passage 4 to a position obliquely below the stopper member 5, and is provided at the lower part of the main body 1 by the elevator. It is carried out to the outlet.

Thereafter, the stopper member 5 is first returned to the sold-out position by a spring as shown in FIG. 5, and abuts against the limit switch 11, whereby the limit switch 1
1 outputs a sold-out signal to the control device 9.

However, since the second conveyor 8 continues to rotate until a predetermined time has elapsed, the stopper member 5 at the sold-out position is pressed by the next sold product 6b as shown in FIG. Return to the stop position. Thereby, the contact of the stopper member 5 with the limit switch 11 is released, and the limit switch 11 stops outputting the sold-out signal.

By the way, when the commodity sale button 10 is pressed again, the next commodity 6b is sold in the same manner, and thereafter, the stopper member 5 returns to the commodity sold-out position as shown in FIG. At this time, since the product 6 is not placed on the second conveyor 8, the stopper member 5 remains at the sold-out position even if the second conveyor 8 rotates, and the limit switch 11 continuously outputs the sold-out signal. Output to the control device 9.

Accordingly, the control device 9 determines that the product 6 has been sold out, drives the first motor 7a and the second motor 8a, and first, the rightmost two of the products 6 placed on the first conveyor 7 Are moved in the unloading direction and placed on the second conveyor 8.

Further, the products 6c and 6d are moved in the unloading direction by the second conveyor 8, and press the stopper member 5 back to the locked position as shown in FIG. To prepare for the next sales order. Further, when the stopper member 5 returns to the locking position, the contact with the limit switch 11 is released, whereby the control device 9 controls the first conveyor 7 and the second conveyor 8.
To stop.

When the products 6a and 6b of the second conveyor 8 are sold, the guide 12 and the rightmost product 6c placed on the first conveyor 7 allow the products 6a and 6b placed on the first conveyor 7 to be sold. The commodity 6e at the right end of the row does not drop onto the second conveyor 8 by its own weight.

As described above, two products 6 placed on the first conveyor 7 in a state of being overlapped in large numbers are two by two on the second conveyor 8.
The products placed on the second conveyor 8 can be sequentially sold by driving the second conveyor 8 according to the sales command. Further, the right end product 6e of the second stage is provided by the guide 12 provided above the second conveyor.
Can be prevented from dropping from the first conveyor 7 onto the second conveyor 8, and the products 6c and 6d can be moved to the second conveyor 8 in one row.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, the products at the front end of the second stage placed on the first belt conveyor are prevented from falling, and the products move to the second belt conveyor in one line. the regulating member is provided for regulating such by the regulating member second
Only when the goods placed on the belt conveyor run out, the goods placed on the first belt conveyor can be supplied to the second belt conveyor. Thus, even when a plurality of small-diameter products are stacked and stored, the products can be reliably carried out.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side sectional view of a main part of the vending machine.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a control device of the vending machine.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state where a first product is sold.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a stopper member has moved to a sold-out position after the first product has been sold.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a stopper member has returned to a locking position after the first product has been sold.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state where a stopper member has moved to a sold-out position after the next product has been sold.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state where two new products are supplied.

FIG. 9 is a front sectional view of a conventional vending machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5 Stopper member 6 Product with small diameter 7 First belt conveyor 8 Second belt conveyor 9 Control device 12 Guide

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An unloading belt conveyor is provided at the bottom of each of the product storage shelves arranged in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction. In a product unloading device of a vending machine for unloading stored products in a product drop passage, at least one of the unloading belt conveyors is disposed on a long first belt conveyor and on a product drop passage side of the first belt conveyor. 2 with short second belt conveyor to be connected
With split configuration One, the first formed in the belt conveyor top, and the spaces that can accommodate stacked plurality of stages a product, provided in an upper portion in the vicinity of connecting portions of the first belt conveyor and the second conveyor belt, to regulate the product to move to the second belt conveyor from the first conveyor belt in a row
It is formed in a downward slope toward the first belt conveyor side.
A regulating member, when the product is placed on the second belt conveyor
Will carry out the goods placed there to the goods drop passage
The second belt conveyor is driven, and the second belt conveyor is driven.
A) When no products are placed on the
Products placed on the conveyor are placed on the second belt conveyor
A first belt conveyor and a second belt conveyor
A product unloading device for a vending machine, comprising a control device for driving a bear .