JP3378686B2 - Vending machine product extrusion device and extrusion method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product extruding device and an extruding method for a vending machine, and in particular, the products are extruded in one direction, and the products stacked in two columns in the front and rear are selected from the lowest one. The present invention relates to a product extruding device and an extruding method for extruding one by one.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an automatic vending machine for various products, a plurality of columns are provided in order to store a large number of products in a limited space in the main body of the vending machine so that a plurality of products can be loaded in each column. Many are configured in. In a vending machine equipped with such multiple columns, the pushing mechanism for taking out the product becomes complicated and occupies a large space.
There is a problem that the vending machine becomes large. However, recently, there has been a problem that the vending machine sticks out on the road, and there is an increasing demand for a thin vending machine to cope with this problem. In this case, it is especially required to make the vending machine thin and not reduce the number of products stored in the vending machine.

Now, a conventional bidirectional product pushing device for a vending machine having a double column will be described with reference to FIGS.

16 to 18 show a product storage unit 1 in a vending machine, in which a lower frame 2 and a standing frame 3 constitute a storage unit for a product 6 having a first column 4 and a second column 5 therein. Has been done. A product support surface 2a is formed by the lower frame 2, and the product support surface 2a
Thus, the products 6 loaded in the first column 4 and the second column 5 are supported.

On the lower end surface side of the product storage unit 1, product outlets 7 and 8 are provided corresponding to the first and second columns 4 and 5, respectively.
Each of the products 6 in the first column 4 and the second column 5 is pushed out to the respective discharge ports 7 and 8 by the pusher piece 9 which laterally reciprocates on the product support surface 2a, and the shooter pieces 9 respectively It is guided to one commodity take-out port (not shown) via 7a and 8a.

The drive device 10 for the pusher piece 9 is shown in FIG.
It is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the side walls 12 stand up from the bottom plate 11 at a predetermined distance, the product support surfaces 2a are formed on the upper parts of both side walls 12, and the pusher piece 9 reciprocates laterally along the product support surfaces 2a. It is movably supported. Napier screw 1 on the lower side of the product support surface 2a
4 are arranged, and both ends of this Napier screw 14 are pivotally supported by both side walls 12. The end of the napier screw 14 on the drive side is interlocked with the motor 16 in the speed reduction mechanism portion 15 arranged outside the one side wall 12.

A slider 17 is fitted to the napier screw 14, and the slider 17 and the pusher piece 9 are connected to each other by a connecting portion 19 located in a groove 18 formed in the product support surface 2a.
(Shown in FIGS. 17 to 19). Therefore, when the napier screw 14 is continuously rotated in the same direction by the motor 16, the engaging portions in the slider 17 at both ends of the napier screw 14 are changed from one screw groove of the left turning and the right turning of the napier screw 14 to the other screw groove. The transfer slider 17 repeats a reciprocating linear motion in the lateral direction. Thereby, the pusher piece 9 can be laterally moved integrally with the slider 17.

The pusher piece 9 is provided below the thickness (height) of the product 6, and when the pusher piece 9 moves left and right, as shown in FIGS.
Through the process shown in FIG. 18, the first column 4 and the second column 5
The product 6 inside is pushed out from the discharge ports 7 and 8 on both sides. In each figure, the products 6 loaded in the first column 4 are given even serial numbers, and the products 6 loaded in the second column 5 are given odd serial numbers.

FIG. 16 shows the right side of the product storage unit 1, that is, the first
The pusher piece 9 is waiting in the column 4.
In this state, the pusher piece 9 is moved to the left to push out the product 6 in the second column 5 to the discharge port 8, and the pusher piece 9 is pushed.
Is waiting in this left position. Subsequently, the pusher piece 9 moves to the right to discharge the product 6 in the first column 4 to the discharge port 7
Push out from.

Since the vending machine having the above double column has the product outlets 7 and 8 and the shooters 7a and 8a following the product outlets 7 and 8, the space between the two shooters 7a and 8a is small. It is necessary and is an obstacle to making vending machines thinner.

On the other hand, an extrusion device as shown in FIG. 20 is considered to improve the above-mentioned drawbacks. This extrusion device has a first column 23 and a second column 24 in a product storage section 22 formed by a support surface 20 and a side wall 21, and a product 6 is loaded in each column.
A product outlet 25 is formed on one side of the lower portion of the product storage unit 22.

At the lower part of the support surface 20, a chain 28 is bridged between the drive side and the driven side sprockets 26 and 27. A pusher piece 29 is attached to the chain 28, and the pusher piece 29 is attached to the support surface 20. It enters into the product storage unit 22 through the slit 20a formed in. A motor 31 is connected to the drive-side sprocket 26 via a reduction gear mechanism 30.

According to the above-mentioned product pushing device, there is only one discharge port 25 for the product, and when the pusher piece 29 is moved by the chain 28, the pusher piece 29 is moved to the product 6 and the second column in the first column 23. The products 6 in 24 can be sequentially discharged from the discharge port 25. In this product extrusion device, the product outlet 25 and the shooter (not shown) are
It is an excellent point in that the vending machine is thin.

In addition to the above-mentioned conventional example, as a conventional example of a product pushing-out device of an automatic vending machine, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-3
There is one described in Japanese Patent No. 14370.

[0015]

As described above, in the conventional double-column type vending machine, there are a plurality of outlets for the products, which makes it difficult to reduce the thickness of the vending machine.
When the product outlet is at one location, the product 6 in the second column 24 pushes out the product 6 in the first column 23, so there are cases where the products are damaged or deformed and smooth extrusion cannot be performed. However, there was a problem that the number of products piled up was limited.

It is an object of the present invention to solve such a problem and to provide a product extruding device for a vending machine which is thinned without reducing the storage amount of the product. Another object of the present invention is to provide an extrusion method for an automatic vending machine, which can smoothly discharge the product from the discharge port to the outside.

[0017]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the product push-out device of the vending machine according to the present invention can store a plurality of stacked product groups side by side in a front column and a rear column. A product storage unit provided with a discharge port on the column side, and a discharge unit arranged below the product storage unit for alternately discharging the lowermost product of the front column and the lowermost product of the rear column from the discharge port. Is equipped with.

The discharging means has a first pushing member having a first pusher piece for pushing the lowermost product of the front column to the discharge port, and the lowermost product of the rear column to the lower side of the product group of the front column. A second extruding member having a second pusher piece to be sent out, a connecting member for connecting the first and second extruding members, and a single drive shaft that is inserted into the first and second extruding members and drives the second extruding member. It has and.

Further, the connecting member has the first pusher piece when the second pusher piece advances in the pushing direction and reaches the position of the front column.
And the second push-out member is disconnected, and the second pusher piece is configured to restore the connection between the first and second push-out members when the second pusher piece retracts in the direction opposite to the push-out direction and reaches the position of the front column. While the coupling member is being decoupled, only the second pusher piece advances in the pushing direction to bring the lowermost product of the front column closer to the discharge port, and the space for standing up the first pusher piece between the lowermost products. Is formed.

Here, the connecting member includes an engaging piece provided at an end of the first pushing member on the connecting side, an opening into which the engaging piece is inserted, and an engaging piece formed at an upper end of the opening on the connecting side. A connecting lever having a locking groove to be engaged, a base end of which is rotatably supported at an end of the second pushing member on the connecting side, and a tip of which moves up and down. It has a sloping surface that rises, and when the second pusher piece moves in the pushing direction and reaches the position of the front column, the tip of the connecting lever contacts the inclined surface, and the second pusher piece moves in the pushing direction. And a connection releasing member for pushing up the tip of the connection lever.

Further, the first pusher piece rises when the first pushing member advances in the pushing direction and engages with the product, and moves down when the first pushing member retracts in the direction opposite to the pushing direction. The second pusher piece is configured to be disengaged from the product, and the second pusher piece is raised and engaged with the product each time the second pushing member advances in the pushing direction, and the second pushing member is pushed in the pushing direction. It may be configured to descend to disengage from the product when retracting in the opposite direction.

Further, the product supporting surface of the product group of the front column is provided higher than the product supporting surface of the product group of the rear column through the step portion, and the product pushing surface of the product group of the front column is provided on the first pushing member. A push-back member that moves downward and protrudes from the opening of the step portion and retracts the lowermost product of the rear column in the direction opposite to the pushing direction may be provided.

Further, according to the method for pushing out the products of the vending machine according to the present invention, the product groups stacked in multiple stages can be housed side by side in the front column and the rear column, and the product storage portion provided with the discharge port on the front column side. A first push-out member having a first pusher piece that can be raised and lowered and that engages with a lowermost product of the front column;
A second pushing member having a second pusher piece which is connected to the pushing member and which is capable of engaging with the lowermost product in the rear column and which can be raised and lowered;
A product extruding method for an automatic vending machine, comprising: a single drive shaft that is inserted into an extruding member and that reciprocally drives the second extruding member in the product extruding direction, wherein the first and second pusher pieces are raised. The first step of advancing the first and second extruding members in the extruding direction to discharge the lowermost product of the front column from the outlet and to send the lowermost product of the rear column to the lower side of the product group of the front column. , Second in the position of the front column
When the pusher piece arrives, the connection between the first and second pushing members is released, the second pushing member is advanced while advancing the second pushing member in the pushing direction, and the product at the bottom of the front column is discharged. The second step of moving to the exit to form the space for standing the first pusher piece between the lowermost products of the front and rear columns, and lowering the second pusher piece to release the engagement with the product. While the third step of retracting the second pushing member in the direction opposite to the pushing direction, and when the second pusher piece reaches the position of the front column, the first and second pushing members are connected to each other, and A fourth step of lowering the second pusher piece to release the engagement with the product and retracting the first and second pushing members in the direction opposite to the pushing direction; and raising the first pusher piece and raising the second pusher. First while lowering the piece
And the fifth step of advancing the second extruding member in the extruding direction to eject the lowermost product of the front column from the discharge port, and lowering the first and second pusher pieces to release the engagement with the product. Meanwhile, a sixth step of retracting the first and second extruding members in a direction opposite to the extruding direction is provided.

[0024]

According to the product extruding device of the vending machine according to the present invention, since the first extruding member and the second extruding member are connected by the connecting member, the first and second extruding members are connected by one drive shaft. Just drive one of the
The first and second extruding members simultaneously move in the extruding direction. Therefore, the first extruding member extrudes the lowermost product of the front column to the outlet, and the second extruding member simultaneously ejects the lowermost product of the rear column to the lower side of the product group of the front column. Be seen.

Then, when the second pusher piece advances in the pushing direction and reaches the position of the front column, the connecting portion releases the connection between the first and second pushing members. With this release, the first extruding member stops moving, and only the second extruding member advances in the extruding direction. As a result of this progress, the lowermost product of the front column is brought closer to the discharge port by the second pusher piece, and a standing space for the first pusher piece is formed. After that, the second pushing member reverses the moving direction, and when the second pusher piece reaches the position of the front column, the connecting portion restores the connection between the first and second pushing members. After the connection is restored, the first and second extruding members simultaneously retract in the direction opposite to the extruding direction.

As described above, in the present invention, since the space for standing up the first pusher piece is formed by the second pusher piece,
When the first pushing member is returned to the initial position at the time of pushing out the product, the first pusher piece can be smoothly raised through the standing space.

Next, according to the product extruding method of the vending machine according to the present invention, the first and second pushers are used in the first step of the first reciprocation in the process of reciprocating the first and second extruding members twice. The piece is rising. Then, in the fifth step of the second round trip, only the first pusher piece is raised. Therefore, the first and second pusher pieces both push out the product in the first reciprocation, but only the first pusher piece pushes out the product in the second reciprocation. In this way, the number of times of the product pushing operation of the first pusher piece is twice the number of times of the product pushing operation of the second pusher piece, and the products of the front column and the rear column are alternately discharged from the discharge port.

[0028]

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

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a product pushing device of a vending machine according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a side view of the product pushing device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a structure of an upper plate of a lower case. 4 to 6 are perspective views showing the operation of the connecting lever, and FIGS.
Reference numeral 0 is a detailed view showing the support mechanism of the second pusher piece and its operation.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the drive mechanism portion of the product pushing device is housed in a lower case 32 which constitutes the lower portion of the vending machine. Then, the upper surface plate 3 of the lower case 32
The upper surface of 2a serves as a support surface for the product 6, the front side wall 33 and the rear side wall 33a rise from the vicinity of the edge of the upper surface plate 32a, and the insides of the front and rear side walls 33, 33a constitute the product storage section 34. is doing.

The product storage section 34 is divided into a front column 36 and a rear column 37. Further, an opening is formed on one side of the lower portion of the front side wall 33, which serves as a discharge port 38 for the product 6. In this embodiment, the discharge port 38 is the front column 3
Only one position is provided at the front end position of 6.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface of the upper plate 32a has a product support surface 39 for supporting the product 6 of the front column 36.
And a product support surface 39a that supports the product 6 of the rear column 37
Has become. The product support surface 39 of the front column 36
Is provided higher than the product support surface 39a of the rear column 37 in a height range smaller than the height (thickness) of the product 6, and a gentle slope 39b is provided between the front column 36 and the rear column 37. Has become.

An opening 32b is formed in the upper surface plate 32a along the extrusion direction of the product 6, and the first pusher piece 40 and the second pusher piece 40 and the second pusher piece 40 are formed from the inside of the lower case 32 through the opening 32b.
The pusher piece 41 projects into the product storage unit 34.

In the lower case 32, as shown schematically, a single Napier screw 42 having forward and reverse thread grooves of the same pitch is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the lower case 32. The napier screw 42 has a first slider 44 and a second slider 45.
The first pusher piece 40 is pivotally supported on the upper portion of the first slider 44, and the second pusher piece 41 is pivotally supported on the upper portion of the second slider 45. At the end of the second slider 45 facing the first slider 44, the Napier screw 4 is attached.
A support shaft 46 is provided which is perpendicular to the central axis of the second shaft 2 and extends in a direction parallel to the product support surfaces 39, 39a.

The support shaft 46 has a base end 43a of the connecting lever 43.
Is pivotally mounted, and the connecting lever 43 is vertically rotatable about a support shaft 46. A substantially rectangular opening 43b is formed on the side surface of the connecting lever 43, and a protrusion 44a formed at the end of the first slider 44 on the side facing the second slider 45 engages with this opening 43b. With this configuration, the first slider 44 and the second slider 45 are connected by the connecting lever 43, and these are interlocked along the central axis of the napier screw 42.

The insertion hole 45c of the Napier screw 42 provided in the second slider 45 is a nut hole having a groove formed on the inner wall so as to mesh with the teeth of the Napier screw 42. However, the first
Insertion hole 44 for napier screw 42 provided in slider 44
No such groove is formed on the inner wall of c. Therefore, when the napier screw 42 is rotated by a motor (not shown), the driving force is transmitted only to the second slider 45, and the driving force causes the first slider 44 and the second slider 45 to move between the solid line and the two-dot chain line in FIG. Move back and forth.

By this reciprocal movement, the first slider 44
The first pusher piece 40 pivotally supported to discharge the product 6 in the front column 36 from the discharge port 38 to the outside. The second pusher piece 41 pivotally supported by the second slider 45 is attached to the rear column 3
The product 6 in 7 is sent to the lower side of the product 6 at the bottom of the front column 36.

The first pusher piece 40 and the first slider 44 form a first push-out portion A, and the second pusher piece 41.
The second slider 45 composes the second pushing portion B. Then, the first extruding section A and the second extruding section B constitute a discharging means C.

Next, the connecting lever 43 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be explained. 4 to 6, the lower portions of the first slider 44 and the second slider 45, and the lever 62 are omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the connecting lever 43 has an upper surface 43e and both side surfaces 43f and 43g, and has a U-shaped cross section. Both side surfaces 43f of the connecting lever 43 on the base end 43a side. , 43g penetrates the support shaft 46, and the support shaft 4
It is pivotally supported by the second slider 45 via 6. A rectangular opening 43b is formed on the side surface 43f of the connecting lever 43,
The locking piece 4 is provided on the upper end of the opening 43b on the side of the first slider 44.
A locking groove 43c that engages with 4a is provided. The cross-sectional shape of the locking piece 44a is rectangular, and the shape of the locking groove 43c is also rectangular. Here, the connecting lever 43 is connected to the support shaft 46.
Since it can be rotated up and down around the
The tip end 43d of the third slider 44 on the side of the first slider 44 is always rotated downward. Therefore, in the state where the locking piece 44a is engaged with the locking groove 43c, unless the upward force is applied to the tip end 43d of the connecting lever 43, the locking piece 4a moves from the locking groove 43c.
4a does not come off.

On the front side wall 32c of the lower case 32, there is provided a plate-like decoupling member 48 which extends in the direction of the rear side wall 32d in parallel with the central axis of the Napier screw 42, is bent from the middle and extends obliquely downward. ing. The connection releasing member 48 and the connection lever 43 form a connection member D. The connection release member 48 is located on the traveling path of the connection lever 43 and below the lower end of the connection lever 43.
Are arranged such that Therefore, the first slider 44 and the second slider 45 move forward in the right direction in FIG. 2, the tip 43d of the connecting lever 43 abuts on the inclined surface 48b of the tip 48a of the connection releasing member 48, and the first slider When 44 and the second slider 45 move forward, an upward force is applied to the tip 43d of the connecting lever 43. Due to this upward force, the tip end 43d of the connecting lever 43 is lifted, and as shown in FIG. 5, the engaging piece 44a is released from the engaging groove 43c.
Comes off.

When the locking piece 44a is disengaged from the locking groove 43c, the locking piece 44a can move freely in the opening 43b.
The connection state between the slider 44 and the second slider 45 is released. Therefore, the first screw that is not screwed into the napier screw 42
The slider 44 stops moving. On the other hand, since the second slider 45 is screwed into the Napier screw 42,
The slider 45 continues to move to the right in FIG. Therefore,
Only the second slider 45 moves to the right in FIG.
The product 6 is moved to the discharge port 38 by the pusher piece 41.

When the second slider 45 moves most to the right in FIG. 2 and then reverses and retreats to the left, the tip 43d of the connecting lever 43 contacts the inclined surface 48b of the tip 48a of the connection releasing member 48. During this time, the first slider 44 is stopped at the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. Second slider 4
5 further retracts and the connecting lever 43 moves the connecting release member 48.
When separated from, the engaging piece 44a is engaged with the engaging groove 43c again, and the connection state of the first slider 44 and the second slider 45 is restored. When the second slider 45 retracts to the left in FIG. 2 in this state, the first slider 44 is pulled by the second slider 45 and resumes movement.

The connection releasing member 48 is arranged at a position where the tip 43d of the connecting lever 43 contacts the connection releasing member 48 when the first slider 44 reaches the front side wall 32c of the lower case 32. Therefore, after the first pusher piece 40 discharges the product 6 in the front column 36 from the discharge port 38 to the outside, the connection state of the first slider 44 and the second slider 45 is released, and the first slider 44 moves. Stop. At this time, the lowermost product 6 of the rear column 37 has reached the position of the front column 36 by the second pusher piece 41. First
After the slider 44 stops moving, the second slider 45
2 moves to the right in FIG. 2, and the second pusher piece 41 causes the product 6 to move further from the position of the front column 36 to the discharge port 3
Move to side 8. As a result of this movement, a gap 75 is formed between the lowermost products of the product rows in the columns that are stacked almost in contact with the front column 36 and the rear column 37, and the first pusher is inserted via this gap 75. The piece 40 can be smoothly and surely raised and returned to the initial position.

In this embodiment, the connection lever 43 is used because the second slider 45 is used as compared with the first slider 44.
This is because the moving distance of is long. That is, the first slider 4
Even after 4 has stopped, the second slider 45 overruns a certain distance, and brings the lowermost product of the front column 36 to the discharge port 38 a little. In order to perform such a complicated operation only by the driving force from one Napier screw 42,
The connecting lever 43 is used. Therefore, only one Napier screw 42, which is the drive shaft, is required, and the size and weight of the device can be reduced.

Next, the first pusher piece 40 will be described. The first pusher piece 40 is bent into a substantially "hook" shape, and the base end portion of the first pusher piece 40 is supported by a bearing member 44b protruding from the first slider 44 of the Napier screw 42, and the first slider is connected to the first slider. It is pivotally supported by 44. Further, the first pusher piece 40 is urged by a spring 53 wound around a support shaft 52 so that a weak rotational force in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.

Further, the first slider 44 supporting the first pusher piece 40 is provided with a push-back member 35, which is rearward with respect to the product push-out direction of the first pusher piece 40, and which is substantially stepwise when viewed from the side. It is provided. The push-back member 35 rises vertically from the tip of the horizontal portion 35a, and its height is as shown in FIG.
It is located lower than 9 and higher than the product support surface 39a of the rear column 37. Further, when the tip end portion of the first pusher piece 40 which is biased by the spring is positioned vertically, the inclined portion in the middle of the pusher piece has the push-back member 35.
It is configured to be locked to the lower end of the and to be prevented from rotating rearward of the vertical position, that is, counterclockwise.

According to the above structure, when the first pusher piece 40 is pushed forward by the connecting lever 43 and moves rightward from the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2, the vertical portion of the pusher piece 40 is located in the front column 36. Push the back of the product 6 to eject the product 6
Discharge from 8 to the outside. At this time, since the first pusher piece 40 is engaged with the push-back member 35, the product 6 can be pushed out without falling down later.

After the first pusher piece 40 has moved to the position at which the product 6 has been extruded (the right two-dot chain line position in FIG. 2),
The connecting lever 43 pulls the first slider 44 to the left in FIG. By this pulling, the first pusher piece 40 retracts to the left, but at this time, the first pusher piece 40 hits the lower surface of the lowermost product 6 in the front column 36 and resists the spring 53 to support the spindle 52. 2 and rotates clockwise in FIG. 2 and falls. Therefore, the tip of the first pusher piece 40 escapes to the lower side of the product 6, and the first pusher piece 40 can be smoothly retracted.

The first pusher piece 40 is retracted, and the tip end thereof is disengaged from the lower rear end of the product 6, so that the force of the spring 53 causes the first pusher piece 40 to rotate counterclockwise and rise up, and again to the front column. It is possible to return to the posture of the initial position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2) for pushing out the product 6 in 36.

At this time, after the push-back member 35 provided on the first slider 44 retreats below the product support surface 39 of the front column 36, the opening 3 is opened at the position of the inclined surface 39b.
When projecting upward from 2b and further retracting, it is at a position higher than the product support surface 39a of the rear column 37. Therefore, the push-back member 35 engages with the lowermost product 6 in the rear column 37 to slightly retract the product 6 from the home position. As a result, a gap 75 a is formed between the lowermost products of the product rows in the columns that are stacked almost in contact with the front column 36 and the rear column 37.
The first pusher piece 40 can be smoothly and surely lifted to the initial position and returned via a.

Next, the second pusher piece 41 will be described. The second pusher piece 41 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 64 on a second slider 45 that is screwed into the Napier screw 42, and is provided in the rear column 37 so as to be retractable from below.

Further explaining with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10,
The upper body 45a of the second slider 45 has a Napier screw 42
Is formed with a nut hole (not shown). The lower support 4 is integrally formed with the upper body 45a of the second slider 45.
5b is provided. The second pusher piece 41 is pivotally supported on the second slider 45. That is, the horizontal portion 41 a extends from the lower end of the second pusher piece 41, and the base end of the horizontal portion 41 a is connected to the second slider 4 via the support shaft 64.
The upper part of 5 is rotatably supported. The second pusher piece 41 is biased rightward about the support shaft 64 by a spring (not shown).

Therefore, the second pusher piece 41 is shown in FIG.
~ From the standing state as shown in Fig. 9, it is possible to rotate and tilt to the lowered state shown in Fig. 10.

A mechanism for rotating and returning the second pusher piece 41 from the tilted state to the upright state, a lock mechanism for holding the second pusher piece 41 in the upright state, and an operation mechanism for releasing the lock will be described below.

A lever 62 lifts the second pusher piece 41 against the pulling force of a spring (not shown). The base end of the lever 62 is pivotally supported by the second slider 45 via a support shaft 63. A long hole 66 is formed at the tip of the lever 62, and a connecting shaft 65 is loosely fitted in the long hole 66. The lower portion of the push-up member 55 is pivotally supported on the connecting shaft 65. The upper portion of the push-up member 55 is integrally provided on the side surface of the horizontal portion 41a of the second pusher piece 41. The lever 62 is biased to the left by a spring 60.

An engaging portion 67 projects on the side surface of the lever 62 and obliquely above the support shaft 63. This engaging portion 6
When the second slider 45 is retracted to a predetermined position along the napier screw 42, the lower case 3 has a lower case 3 as shown in FIG.
It engages with an engaging piece 68 provided on the inner wall of the No. 2. Then, as the second slider 45 further retracts, the lever 62 rotates clockwise. By this rotation, the connecting shaft 65 engaged with the elongated hole 66 of the lever 62, and the second pusher piece 4 via the pushing-up member 55 integrated with the connecting shaft 65.
The first horizontal portion 41a is pushed up against the indexing force of the spring 60, and the second pusher piece 41 projects from the product support surface 39a as shown in FIG.

Since the downward spring force acts on the tip of the lever 62, the second slider 45 advances and the engaging portion 6
When 7 is separated from the engagement piece 68, the downward force is also applied to the second pusher piece 41 integrated with the lever 62. However, a lock mechanism 70 is provided on the side portion of the second slider 45, and the lock mechanism 70 prevents downward movement of the second pusher piece 41.

The operation of the lock mechanism 70 will be described in detail. First, the lock mechanism 70 includes the swing lever 71 pivotally supported by the support shaft 74 on the upper main body 45a of the second slider 45 and the second pusher piece. It is constituted by an engaging projection 78 provided on the side portion of the horizontal portion 41a of 41. A spring 77 for biasing the swing lever 71 in the clockwise direction in FIGS. 2 and 7 to 10 is fitted on the support shaft 74 of the swing lever 71, and the engagement end surface 71b of the swing lever 71 is fixed. It engages with the engagement protrusion 78 of the second pusher piece 41. This engagement prevents downward movement of the engagement protrusion 78, and the second pusher piece 41 is locked in an upright state.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 10, the lock release protrusion 69 is provided on the inner wall of the lower case 32.
Is provided. When the second slider 45 moves to the foremost end, the lock release protrusion 69 moves the swing lever 71.
Engaging with the projecting piece 71c of
4 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. By this rotation, the engagement end surface 71b is engaged with the engagement protrusion 78.
Remove from (unlock).

When the engaging end surface 71b is disengaged from the engaging protrusion 78, the pulling force of the spring 60 causes the second pusher piece 41 to descend as shown in FIG. When the second slider 45 retracts to the left in FIG. 2 with the rotation of the napier screw 42, the second pusher piece 41 is integrated with the second slider 45 and the lower side of the lowermost product 6 in the rear column 37. Go backwards (move left) through.

On the inner wall of the lower case 32, a second
A lock operating means 83 is provided which is activated when the pusher piece 41 retracts to a predetermined position. The lock operating means 83 has a substantially disk-shaped rotating plate 85 pivotally supported by a support shaft 87 on the inner wall of the lower case 32 as a main component, and is configured by combining this with other components. The rotating plate 85 has a guide groove 86a and a stopper groove 86b extending in the radial direction.
And are alternately provided at an angle of 60 °. The guide groove 86a is deeper than the stopper groove 86b.

Further explaining with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10,
In the guide groove 86a and the stopper groove 86b of the rotary plate 85,
The stopper spring plate 88 and the feed spring plate 89 are detachably engaged from different directions. When the feed spring plate 89 retracts integrally with the second slider 45 (moves left in FIG. 7), the spring step portion 89a alternately engages with either the guide groove 86a or the stopper groove 86b, and the rotary plate 85 is moved. The guide groove 86a and the stopper groove 86b pass through while being intermittently rotated clockwise by an arrangement angle (that is, 60 ° in the illustrated example).

The stopper spring plate 88 prevents the rotation plate 85 from rotating counterclockwise in FIG. That is, the feed spring plate 89 is retracted to the rear end together with the second slider 45,
When moving forward again, the feed spring plate 89 causes the rotary plate 85 to move.
A counterclockwise rotating force acts on. At this time, since the spring step portion 88a of the stopper spring plate 88 engages with either the guide groove 86a or the stopper groove 86b, the counterclockwise rotation of the rotary plate 85 is prevented. As a result, the feed spring plate 89 bends downward due to its elasticity, escapes from the guide groove 86a or the stopper groove 86b, and slides on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary plate 85 to move forward.

Further, when the feed spring plate 89 is retracted to the position (rear end) shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, the swing lever 71 is moved.
The engaging piece 71a provided at the lower end of the is engaged with the guide groove 86a or the stopper groove 86b. FIG. 8 shows a state where the engaging piece 71a is engaged with the guide groove 86a, and FIG. 10 shows a state where the engaging piece 71a is engaged with the stopper groove 86b.

When the engaging piece 71a engages with the guide groove 86a, the swing lever 71 is held in a rotated state at the position shown in FIG. At this time, the engagement edge 71b of the swing lever 71 is in a state of being engaged (that is, locked) with the engagement protrusion 78 of the second pusher piece 41, and therefore the second pusher piece 41 does not descend.

On the other hand, the engaging piece 71 engages with the stopper groove 86b as shown in FIG.
When the lever retreats to the last end, the swing lever 71 moves to the support shaft 74.
Swings counterclockwise in the figure against the indexing force of the spring 77. Thereby, the engaging end surface 71 of the swing lever 71
b is disengaged from the engagement protrusion 78 of the second pusher piece 41, and the second pusher piece 41 is lowered by the spring force.

The second pusher piece 4 shown in FIGS. 7 to 10.
The operation of 1 is summarized as follows. First, when the second slider 45 is retracted to the last end along the Napier screw 42, the engaging portion 67 provided on the lever 62 engages with the engaging piece 68, and the lever 62 is tipped about the support shaft 63. Rotates in the lifting direction, and the second pusher piece 41 always performs one lifting operation via the lifting member 55. Then, the second slider 45 moves forward again with the continuous rotation of the napier screw 42. Due to this forward movement, the engaging portion 67 moves the engaging piece 68.
At the same time as the second pusher piece 41 is separated from the first spring 6
Attempts to descend with zero spring force.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, when the engaging piece 71a of the swing lever 71 is engaged with the guide groove 86a of the rotary plate 85, the swing lever 71 is driven by the force of the spring 77. Rotate to the right in the figure. By this rotation, the engagement end surface 71b comes to a position where it engages with the engagement projection 78, and the second
The pusher piece 41 is prevented from descending (this is in a locked state). Therefore, at this time, the second pusher piece 41
Moves forward while lifting, pushing out the lowermost product 6 in the rear column 37 and making it slip under the lowermost product 6 in the front column 36.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
When a is engaged with the stopper groove 86b of the rotary plate 85, the swing lever 71 rotates to the left in the figure. By this rotation, the engagement end surface 71b is disengaged from the engagement protrusion 78,
The second pusher piece 41 is lowered by the force of the spring. Therefore, at this time, the second pusher piece 41 is the bottom product 6
Without pushing out, it advances through the lower side of this product 6.

The rotary plate 85 has the second pusher piece 41 of the second pusher piece 41.
When the slider 45 moves backward once and moves forward again, 60 °
Rotate one by one. Further, on the rotary plate 85, guide grooves 86a and stopper grooves 86b having different groove depths are alternately provided. Due to these facts, the second pusher piece 41 pushes out the product 6 in the rear column 37 to the front column 36 in the first cycle operation in the two-cycle operation in which the second pusher piece 41 reciprocates two times along the napier screw 42, and in the second cycle operation, Pause extrusion.

By repeating the above-mentioned operation, the first pusher piece 40 and the second pusher piece 41 move back and forth in conjunction with each other, while the second pusher piece 41 is pushed in response to the two pushing operations of the first pusher piece 40. Performs one pushing operation. Therefore, when looking at the product storage unit 34 as a whole, the front column 36
The products 6 inside and the products 6 in the rear column 37 can be alternately discharged from the discharge port 7 to the outside.

According to the driving mechanism described above, the continuous rotation of the napier screw 42 causes the first slider 44 and the second slider 44 to rotate.
The slider 45 reciprocates, and accordingly, the first pusher piece 40 and the second pusher piece 41 push out the product 6 in the front column 36 and the product 6 in the rear column 37 to the front, and then the product 6 in each column. The operation of moving backward through the lower side and returning to the first pushing position again is repeated.

Next, a product extruding method using the above-described product extruding device of the automatic vending machine will be described with reference to the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 11 to 15.

[0] indicates the standby position of the first pusher piece 40 and the second pusher piece 41. In the first step from [1] to [3], the first pusher piece 40 and the second pusher piece 41 are It moves forward in conjunction with rising. By this forward movement, the product 6 at the bottom of the front column 36 is discharged to the outlet 38.
Is discharged to the outside, and the lowermost product 6 in the rear column is sent to the lower side of the product group in the front column 36. In [3], the connection of the connection lever 43 is released, and the first pusher piece 40 stops moving. Then, in the second step from [3] to [4], only the second pusher piece 41 moves forward. As a result, the lowermost product 6 in the front column 36 is slightly closer to the discharge port 38, and a standing space 75 is formed between the products 6 in the front and rear columns.

Next, in the third step from [4] to [6], only the second pusher piece 41 moves backward while descending,
When the second pusher piece 41 retracts to the position [6], the connection of the connection lever 43 is restored. Then, in the fourth step from [7] to [9], the first pusher piece 40 is further lowered, and the first pusher piece 40 and the second pusher piece 4 are
Each of the items 1 moves backward through the lower side of the item 6. Further, at this time, the push-back member 35 slightly retracts the lowermost product 6 in the rear column 37 to form a gap 75a between the products 6 of the front column 36 and the rear column 37 to further widen the standing space 75. The standing space 75 and the gap 7 formed in this way
The first pusher piece 40 can be smoothly lifted in [10] via the 5a. On the other hand, the second pusher piece 41 remains lowered. This completes one push-out operation.

The next pushing operation starts from this state [10], and in the fifth step from [11] to [13], the first pusher piece 40 discharges the product 6 from the discharge port 38 to the outside. . At this time, the second pusher piece 41 is moving forward through the lower side of the product 6. Then, [1
4], the first pusher piece 40 descends, and in the sixth step from [14] to [15], the first pusher piece 4 is moved.
0 and the second pusher piece 41 are interlocked and move backward. And
In [16], the first pusher piece 40 and the second pusher piece 41 simultaneously rise and return to the initial position.

That is, in this embodiment, the second pusher piece 4
When 1 carries out one product pushing operation, the first pusher piece 40 carries out two product pushing operations, whereby the products 6 in the front column 36 and the rear column 37 can be alternately pushed out to the discharge port 38. It will be possible.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
The configuration can be changed appropriately. For example, the second pusher piece 41 may have the same rotating structure as the first pusher piece 42, and the lock operating mechanism and the lock releasing mechanism may be combined with this. Further, instead of the Napier screw 42, it is also possible to use a feed screw which rotates in the forward and reverse directions and whose rotation speed is appropriately set.

[0080]

As described above in detail, in the product extruding device of the vending machine according to the present invention, only the second extruding member advances in the extruding direction during the disconnection of the connecting member, and the maximum value of the front column is increased. The product on the lower stage is brought closer to the discharge port by the second pusher piece, and a standing space for the first pusher piece is formed.

Since the standing space is formed in this way,
When returning the first pushing member to the initial position at the time of pushing the product, the first pusher piece can be smoothly raised through this space. Therefore, the product pushing-out operation becomes reliable and smooth, and it is possible to provide a thinned product pushing-out device for a vending machine without reducing the amount of stored products.

Further, according to the present invention, since each product of the product group loaded on the front column and the rear column is pushed out from one product discharging section, a product storage space can be made sufficiently large and the vending machine can be used. Can be made thinner. Moreover, since the products in the front column and the products in the rear column are extruded by different extruding members, the products do not extrude the products, and the products are not damaged.

Further, according to the present invention, the first pushing member and the second pushing member are driven by one drive shaft.
The drive mechanism is simpler than that of a device that drives the pushing member and the second pushing member by different driving shafts, and the vending machine can be made thinner.

Next, in the product extruding method for the vending machine according to the present invention, the first and second pusher pieces are removed in the first step of the first reciprocation in the step of reciprocating the first and second extruding members twice. It is rising. Then, in the fifth step of the second round trip, only the first pusher piece is raised. For this reason,
Both the first and second pusher pieces push out the product in the first reciprocation, but only the first pusher piece pushes out the product in the second reciprocation.

As described above, the number of times the first pusher piece extrudes the product is 2 times the number of times the second pusher piece extrudes the product.
The product in the front column and the product in the rear column can be alternately discharged from the discharge port. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the discharge of products and improve the balance in the product storage unit.

[0086]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a product pushing device of an automatic vending machine according to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a product pushing device of the vending machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a structure of a top plate of a lower case.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the connecting lever.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the connecting lever.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the connecting lever.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a drive mechanism portion of a second pusher piece.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of a drive mechanism portion of a second pusher piece.

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of a drive mechanism portion of a second pusher piece.

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of a drive mechanism portion of a second pusher piece.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a product extruding step.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a product extruding step.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a product extruding step.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing a product extruding step.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing a product extruding step.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a first operation of the product pushing device of the first conventional example.

FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing a second operation of the product pushing device of the first conventional example.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing a third operation of the product pushing device of the first conventional example.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a drive device of a first conventional example.

FIG. 20 is a front view showing a configuration of a second conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 ... Merchandise, 34 ... Merchandise storage section, 35 ... Push-back member, 36
... front column, 37 ... rear column, 38 ... discharge port, 39, 3
9a ... Product support surface, 39c ... Inclined surface, 40 ... First pusher piece, 41 ... Second pusher piece, 42 ... Napier screw (driving shaft), 43 ... Connection lever, 43a ... Base end, 43b ... Opening, 43c ... Engagement Stop groove, 43d ... Tip, 44 ... First slider, 44a ... Locking piece, 45 ... Second slider, 48 ... Decoupling member, 48a ... Inclined surface, 75 ... Standing space, A ... First pushing member, B ... second extruding member, C ... discharging means, D
... connecting member.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G07F 11/16 B65G 59/06

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A group of products stacked in multiple stages can be stored side by side in a front column and a rear column, and a product storage unit provided with a discharge port on the front column side and a product storage unit disposed below the product storage unit, The bottom column product of the front column and the bottom column product of the rear column are alternately ejected from the ejection port, and the ejection unit comprises the bottom column item of the front column to the ejection port. A first push-out member having a first pusher piece to push out, a second push-out member having a second pusher piece that sends the bottommost product of the rear column to the lower side of the product group of the front column, and the first and the second 2 a connecting member that connects the pushing members, and a single drive shaft that is inserted into the first and second pushing members and drives the second pushing member, wherein the connecting member includes the second pusher piece. Advance in the extrusion direction When the position of the front column is reached, the connection between the first and second pushing members is released, and when the second pusher piece retracts in the direction opposite to the pushing direction and reaches the position of the front column, The first pusher piece is configured to restore the connection between the first and second extruding members, and only the second pusher piece advances in the extruding direction during disconnection of the connecting member to eject the lowermost product of the front column. A product pushing-out device for a vending machine, characterized in that a space for standing up the first pusher piece is formed between the lowermost products at the exit. 2. The connecting member is formed at an engaging portion provided at an end portion on the connecting side of the first pushing member, an opening into which the engaging member is inserted, and an upper end on a connecting side of the opening. A connecting lever having a locking groove that engages with the stopper, the base end of which is rotatably supported by the connecting end of the second pushing member, and the tip of which moves up and down, and the tip of the connecting lever. When the second pusher piece reaches the position of the front column by advancing in the pushing direction, the tip of the connecting lever abuts the inclined surface. The second
The article pushing-out device for a vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a connection releasing member that pushes up a tip of the connecting lever as the pusher piece advances in the pushing direction. 3. The first pusher piece ascends when the first pushing member advances in the pushing direction to engage with a product, and when the first pushing member retracts in a direction opposite to the pushing direction. The second pusher piece is configured to descend and disengage from the product, and the second pusher piece ascends and engages with the product each time the second pushing member advances in the pushing direction. The product push-out device for a vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two push-out members are configured to descend and disengage from the product when retracting in a direction opposite to the push-out direction. apparatus. 4. The product support surface of the product group of the front column is provided higher than the product support surface of the product group of the rear column via a step portion, and the first column includes the front column. 7. A push-back member is provided for moving the lower side of the product group and projecting from the opening of the step portion and retracting the lowermost product of the rear column in a direction opposite to the pushing direction. The product extrusion device of the vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A product storage unit having a front column and a rear column capable of accommodating a plurality of stacked product groups side by side, and a product storage unit provided with a discharge port on the front column side, and a lowermost product of the front column. A first pushing member having a vertically movable first pusher piece, and a second pushing member having a vertically movable second pusher piece that is connected to the first pushing member and engages with a lowermost product of the rear column. A vending machine provided with a single drive shaft that is disposed below the product storage portion and is inserted into the first and second pushing members and that reciprocally drives the second pushing member in the product pushing direction. The product extruding method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second pusher members are moved upward in the extruding direction while the first and second pusher pieces are being raised, and the lowermost product of the front column is discharged from the discharge port. With the above-mentioned rear column A first step of sending the lower products to the lower side of the product group of the front column, and releasing the connection of the first and second pushing members when the second pusher piece reaches the position of the front column. Then, the second pushing member is advanced in the pushing direction while raising the second pusher piece, and the lowermost product of the front column is moved to the discharge port to move the lowermost product of the front column and the rear column. A second step of forming an upright space for the first pusher piece between the products, and a second pusher member in a direction opposite to the pushing direction while lowering the second pusher piece to release the engagement with the product. A third step of retracting in the direction, and connecting the first and second pushing members when the second pusher piece reaches the position of the front column to connect the first and second pushing members.
And a fourth step of lowering the second pusher piece to release the engagement with the product and retracting the first and second pushing members in a direction opposite to the pushing direction; and raising the first pusher piece. A fifth step of advancing the first and second extruding members in the extruding direction while lowering the second pusher piece, and ejecting the lowermost product of the front column from the ejection port; 2) A sixth step of lowering the pusher piece to release the engagement with the product and retracting the first and second pushing members in a direction opposite to the pushing direction, and a sixth step. Extrusion method.