JP3547389B2

JP3547389B2 - vending machine

Info

Publication number: JP3547389B2
Application number: JP2000321703A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 隆隈部; 肇和久田; 英之辻本
Original assignee: Konami Corp
Current assignee: Konami Corp
Priority date: 2000-10-20
Filing date: 2000-10-20
Publication date: 2004-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-20
Also published as: JP2002133493A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、操作者の操作を利用して商品を払い出す運動を生成する機械式の自動販売機に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
この種の自動販売機として、主に子供を対象としてプラスチック製のカプセルに入った玩具等の商品を所定額の硬貨の投入と引き換えに払い出すものが知られている。このような自動販売機は、商店の軒先や階段の踊り場のように電源の確保ができないか、又はその確保が困難な場所に設置されるため、電気的な駆動装置やセンサを使用することなく、購入者の操作を利用して硬貨の処理や商品の払い出し動作を実現している。例えば、実公昭５７−９８９８号公報、実用新案登録第３０１４３８７号公報、特開平８−２１２４３８号公報等にそのような自動販売機が開示されている。これらの自動販売機では、購入者が所定額の硬貨を投入して筐体の前面のハンドルを回転させると、そのハンドルと同軸の回転板が硬貨を保持しながらハンドルと一体的に回転し、保持された硬貨の直径が正しければハンドルの回転量を制限するロックが解除されてハンドルが一回転し、そのハンドルの一回転に伴って商品収納室の底部に設けられた商品選別用のドラムが所定角度だけ回転し、そのドラム上に取り込まれた商品が所定の商品排出口へと排出される。
【０００３】
自動販売機が対象とする商品には、一枚の硬貨で購入できる商品と、二枚又はそれ以上の硬貨と引き換えに購入できる商品とが存在する。このような販売額の変化に対応して自動販売機やその硬貨の判別機構を交換することは無駄が多いため、販売額の変更に対応可能な判別機構を設けた自動販売機も提案されている。
【０００４】
例えば上記の実用新案登録第３０１４３８７号公報の自動販売機は、二枚の硬貨を厚さ方向に重ねた状態で収容する凹部を上述した回転板に設けるとともに、回転板の外周には回転板の外周から突出する各硬貨と個別に接触可能な二つのロックレバーを互いに独立して動作可能に設けている。正規の硬貨が回転板の凹部に二枚投入され、回転板が所定角度だけ回転すると、各ロックレバーが対応する硬貨と接触して押し上げられ、回転板の回転の制限が解除されて商品の払出が許可される。二枚の硬貨のうち、少なくともいずれか一方が直径の小さい不正な硬貨であったときは、その不正な硬貨に対応するロックレバーの押し上げ量が不足して回転板のロック解除が不可能となり、その結果、商品の払い出しが阻止される。一枚の硬貨と引き換えに商品を販売する場合には、凹部の入口の幅を制限して二枚目の硬貨の侵入を阻止するとともに、二つのロックレバーを連結して一枚の硬貨で両レバーが一体的に押し上げられて回転板のロックが解除されるようにしている。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところが、上述したように回転板の凹部に複数枚の硬貨を厚さ方向に重ねて受け入れる構成では、各硬貨毎にロックレバーを設ける必要が生じて部品点数が増加する。商品を一枚の硬貨と引き換えに販売するか、二枚の硬貨と引き換えに販売するかに応じて二つのロックレバーを互いに独立して運動させるか、又は一体的に運動させるかを切り替える必要があり、機構が複雑化する。さらに、複数のロックレバーをばね力に抗して押し上げるようにしてハンドルを回す必要があるので、単一のロックレバーを使用する場合と比較して回転板の回転抵抗が増加し、ハンドルの操作力の軽減を妨げる一因ともなっている。
【０００６】
そこで、本発明は、従来よりも簡素な構成で販売額の変更に対応できる自動販売機を提供することを目的とする。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
以下、本発明について説明する。なお、本発明の理解を容易にするために添付図面の参照符号を括弧書きにて付記するが、それにより本発明が図示の形態に限定されるものではない。
【０００８】
本発明は、商品購入者による操作部材（１１）の操作を利用して商品（５）の払い出し動作を生成する自動販売機（１）において、二以上の所定枚数の硬貨（Ｃ）をその半径方向に連ねた状態で収容可能な凹部（３０ｂ）を有し、前記操作部材に連動して、硬貨投入口（１２）から投入された硬貨を前記凹部に受け入れる位置と、前記凹部の硬貨を所定の硬貨蓄積部（１５）へ受け渡す位置との間を移動可能な保持部材（３０）と、前記保持部材の移動経路の途中にて前記凹部から半径方向に突出した硬貨と接触できるように設けられ、前記凹部からの前記硬貨の突出量に応じて、前記保持部材の前記受け渡す位置へ向かう移動を阻止するロック位置と、前記保持部材の前記移動を許容する解除位置との間で変位可能なロック部材（２８）と、前記保持部材と一体に移動するよう設けられ、前記凹部に突出して該凹部に収容される前記硬貨の枚数を制限する制限位置と、その制限を解除する解除位置との間で切り替え操作可能な枚数切替部材（３２）と、を具備し、前記枚数切替部材を前記制限位置に切り替えて前記凹部に直径の正しい正規の硬貨をその制限された枚数だけ収容したときの当該凹部からの前記硬貨の突出量と、前記枚数切替部材を前記解除位置に切り替えて前記凹部に所定枚数の正規の硬貨を収容したときの当該凹部からの前記硬貨の突出量とが等しく設定され、前記保持部材が板状に構成されるとともに前記凹部は保持部材を切り欠くようにして形成され、前記枚数切替部材は、前記保持部材の一方の側面に沿って前記制限位置と前記解除位置との間を移動可能かつ前記凹部を前記一方の側面から覆うように設けられ、前記枚数切替部材の前記凹部に臨む面には、前記枚数切替部材を前記制限位置に切り替えたときには前記凹部へ突出し、前記解除位置に切り替えたときには前記保持部材の前記凹部に連ねて設けられた逃げ溝（３０ｃ）に後退する突起（３２ａ）が設けられることにより、上述した課題を解決する。
【０００９】
この発明によれば、硬貨を半径方向に連ねた状態で保持部材の凹部に収容しているので、凹部に収容される硬貨の枚数に拘わりなく、凹部から突出してロック部材と接触する硬貨は一枚であり、それに対応してロック部材も一つ設けるだけでよい。しかも、枚数切替部材を制限位置又は解除位置のいずれに切り替えた場合でも、正規の硬貨がその枚数切替部材によって規定された枚数だけ正しく投入されている限り、凹部からの硬貨の突出量は等しい。従って、枚数切替部材をいずれの位置に切り替えても、単一のロック部材によって硬貨の真偽を正しく判別して保持部材の移動の制限及びその制限の解除を適切に切り替えることができる。このように、本発明によれば、複数の硬貨に対応して複数のロック部材を設ける必要がないので、販売額の変更に対応するための機構を簡素化することができる。しかも、ロック部材を保持部材に押し付けるようにしても、その押圧力は複数のロック部材を保持部材に押し付けるときよりも小さくて済むので、保持部材の移動に対する抵抗を軽減でき、それにより操作部材の操作力の軽減にも貢献できる。
【００１０】
また、保持部材の厚さを硬貨と同程度とすることができ、保持部材を軽量化して操作部材の操作力を軽減できる。特に、保持部材を硬貨と同程度の板材の板金加工によって構成した場合には、保持部材を強靱でかつ軽量に構成できる。保持部材からの硬貨の脱落の防止と、凹部に受け入れる硬貨の枚数の切り替えとを共通の枚数切替部材によって実現することができる。従って、部品点数や組み立て工数を削減してコストダウンを図ることができる。
【００１１】
前記保持部材は、当該保持部材に対して前記枚数切替部材の反対側に配置された支持部材（２１）により、前記硬貨を受け入れる位置と前記硬貨を受け渡す位置との間で移動可能に支持され、前記支持部材には、前記保持部材が前記受け入れる位置及び前記受け渡す位置にそれぞれ移動したときに前記保持部材の凹部に連なって前記硬貨の凹部からの排除を可能とする孔部（２１ｄ，２１ｅ）が設けられ、前記保持部材には前記枚数切替部材の外側に配置されて当該枚数切替部材に設けられた孔部（３２ｄ，３２ｄ）を介して前記凹部に出没可能な硬貨排除部材（３５）が設けられてもよい。
【００１２】
この場合には、板状の保持部材を枚数切替部材と支持部材とで厚さ方向に挟むようにして凹部からの硬貨の脱落を防止することができる。保持部材が硬貨を受け入れる位置及び受け渡す位置にそれぞれ移動したときには、支持部材の孔部と保持部材の凹部とが連なって凹部の側方へ硬貨を排除することができる。この硬貨の排除動作は、硬貨排除部材を凹部へ差し入れることにより確実に行える。このとき、硬貨排除部材を枚数切替部材の孔部を通じて凹部に入れることができるので、硬貨排除部材の動作に連係して枚数切替部材を凹部から待避させる必要がない。これにより、凹部の周りの機構がさらに簡素化される。
【００１３】
前記保持部材が前記受け入れる位置にあるときに、前記硬貨排除部材と係合して当該硬貨排除部材を前記凹部に入る方向へ駆動可能な排除駆動部材（２５）が自動販売機の外側から操作可能に設けられ、前記受け入れる位置にて前記凹部から前記硬貨排除部材にて排除された硬貨が所定の硬貨返却口（１３）に導かれるようにしてもよい。このようにすれば、操作部材を操作して保持部材を移動させなくても、硬貨投入口から投入された硬貨を硬貨返却口へ払い戻すことができる。
【００１４】
前記排除駆動部材には前記凹部を閉じるリッド（２５ａ）を設け、前記硬貨排除部材の駆動に伴って前記リッドを前記凹部を開くように移動させてもよい。この場合には、硬貨を受け入れる位置に保持部材があるとき、排除駆動部材を操作しない限り、凹部がリッドで閉じられるので、硬貨が凹部から誤って脱落して硬貨投入口へ払い戻されるおそれがなくなる。
【００１５】
前記保持部材が前記受け渡す位置にあるときに前記硬貨排除部材を前記凹部に入る方向へ駆動して前記凹部から前記硬貨を前記硬貨蓄積部へ排除するようにしてもよい。このようにすれば、保持部材が硬貨を受け渡す位置まで移動したときに硬貨を凹部から確実に排除して硬貨蓄積部へと落とすことができる。
【００１６】
本発明の自動販売機は、商品収納室（３）に収納された多数の商品（５）からいずれかの商品を選別するために駆動される商品選別部材（６）と、前記操作部材の運動を前記保持部材及び前記商品選別部材にそれぞれ伝達する運動伝達機構（２０Ａ）とをさらに具備することができ、前記運動伝達機構は、前記操作部材がその操作開始位置から所定の駆動開始位置まで操作される間、前記商品選別部材への運動伝達を保留するように構成され、前記ロック部材にて前記保持部材の移動が阻止されるときの前記操作部材の操作位置が、前記駆動開始位置よりも前記操作開始位置側に設定されてもよい。
【００１７】
このようにすれば、正規の硬貨が投入されてロック部材が制限解除位置へ移動した後に、操作部材の操作に基づいて商品選別部材が駆動されることになる。従って、硬貨の真偽が判別される以前に商品選別部材が移動を開始して商品が誤って払い出されるおそれを確実に排除できる。
【００１８】
本発明において保持部材には操作部材に連動して種々の運動を与えてよいが、前記硬貨を受け入れる位置と前記硬貨を受け渡す位置との間で前記保持部材を直線的に移動可能とすることが好ましい。複数枚の硬貨を半径方向に連ねて凹部に受け入れる場合、仮に保持部材を回転運動させるものとすれば、その凹部は保持部材の外周から回転中心までの範囲に設ける必要があるから、保持部材の半径が大きくなって筐体の内部における保持部材のレイアウトに大きな制約が生じる。しかも、保持部材の半径の増加に伴ってその質量も増加し、操作部材の操作を重くする一要因となるおれがある。これに対して、保持部材を直線的に移動させる構成であれば、凹部の深さ（Ｄ）に対して強度維持に必要な程度の余裕を見込んだ幅に保持部材を形成すればよく、保持部材をコンパクトに構成することができる。その結果、保持部材のレイアウトの自由度が高くなり、操作部材の操作力の軽減にも貢献することができる。
【００１９】
本発明における硬貨は、通貨として流通している貨幣のみならず、自動販売機の設置個所において経済的価値の象徴として使用されるメダル、トークン等の各種の代替貨幣、その他の各種の円盤状の部材を含む。
【００２０】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１〜図１４を参照して、本発明を玩具類の自動販売機に適用した実施形態を説明する。図１〜図３は自動販売機１の全体構成を示し、図１は正面図、図２は左側面図、図３は右側面図である。なお、これらの図において一部の内部機構を実線で示している。また、図２及び図３の左右方向が自動販売機１の前後方向に相当し、図２の右方及び図３の左方が自動販売機１の前方に相当する。さらに、図４は自動販売機１の外観の斜視図である。
【００２１】
図１〜図４に示すように、自動販売機１は上下に長い縦型の筐体２を有し、その筐体２の上部には商品収納室３が形成されている。商品収納室３の前側には扉４が設けられる。商品の販売時、扉４は錠４ａにて閉鎖される。錠４ａによる固定を解除し、扉４をその下端両側の支軸４ｂ，４ｂを支点として前方に回転させることにより、商品収納室３が外部に開放されてその内部への商品５（図２）の補充が可能となる。図２では、商品の一例として、プラスチック製のカプセルに玩具類を収容したカプセル商品５を示しているが、他の商品でもよい。商品収納室３の底部には、ディスク状の商品選別部材としてのドラム６が設けられている。図７にも示したように、ドラム６には複数（図示の例では５つ）の商品取込用の孔部６ａ…６ａが周方向に等しいピッチで形成されている。
【００２２】
図１に示したように、ドラム６の上面には商品撹拌用のロッド７が適宜数取り付けられている。ドラム６がその中心線Ｘの周りに回転するとロッド７により商品収納室３内で商品が撹拌されるとともに、各孔部６ａに商品５がそれぞれ一つずつ取り込まれる。ドラム６の下部には孔部６ａからの商品５の落下を規制する落下規制部材８が設けられている。但し、その落下規制部材８には一箇所だけ孔部６ａからの商品５の落下を許容する落下口（不図示）が設けられている。ドラム６が回転していずれか一つの孔部６ａがその落下口の上に繰り出されると、その孔部６ａに保持されていた商品５がドラム６から落下し、シュート９を介して筐体２の前面２ａの左側に設けられた商品払出口１０に払い出される。
【００２３】
このように、自動販売機１は、ドラム６を孔部６ａが設けられた角度（図示の例では７２°）だけ回転させることにより、商品収納室３に蓄えられた多数の商品５のいずれかを選択的に払い出すものである。なお、本発明において、商品収納室３の内部の構成、及びドラム６から商品５を取り出して商品払出口１０に導く部分に関する構成は従来の同種の自動販売機と同じでよいため、これ以上の詳細な説明は省略する。本実施形態の自動販売機１は、投入された硬貨の処理及びドラム６の回転駆動に関する部分に特徴を有するものであり、以下その特徴部分を中心として説明する。
【００２４】
図１に示すように、筐体２の前面２ａの右端には操作レバー１１が設けられている。筐体２の前面２ａは上下方向に沿って前方に膨らむ弧を描くように湾曲し（図２及び図３参照）、操作レバー１１はその湾曲した前面２ａに沿って上下方向に操作可能とされている。操作レバー１１の操作範囲の左側には硬貨投入口１２及び硬貨返却口１３が設けられている。硬貨投入口１２は、購入者が商品５の販売額に対応した枚数の硬貨Ｃ（例えば二枚の１００円硬貨）を投入する部分である。硬貨投入口１２は、投入されるべき正規の硬貨Ｃが通過可能な最小限の余裕を含んだ大きさに形成されている。従って、正規の硬貨Ｃよりも直径又は厚さが大きな他の硬貨等は硬貨投入口１２を通過することができない。
【００２５】
硬貨返却口１３の下方には硬貨回収口１４が形成され、そこには硬貨回収箱１５が挿入される。硬貨回収箱１５は硬貨投入口１２から投入された正規の硬貨Ｃを蓄える容器であり、図３に示すように筐体２の奥に向かって真っ直ぐ延びた状態で筐体２の内部に配置される。硬貨回収箱１５の前面には錠１５ａが取り付けられ、その錠１５ａが掛けられた状態では硬貨回収箱１５が筐体２の内部に固定され、錠１５ａが解除されると硬貨回収箱１５を筐体２の前方に引き出すことができる。
【００２６】
筐体２内に配置された硬貨回収箱１５の上方には払出制御機構２０が設けられている。払出制御機構２０は筐体２の前側から見たときに、ドラム６の中心線Ｘに対して操作レバー１１と同一の側（右側）に偏って配置されている。筐体２の内部の中心線Ｘに関して操作レバー１１と反対側にはシュート９が配置される。
【００２７】
払出制御機構２０は、さらに運動伝達機構２０Ａと硬貨処理機構２０Ｂとを含んでいる。運動伝達機構２０Ａは、操作レバー１１の操作をドラム６及び硬貨処理機構２０Ｂに伝達するために設けられ、硬貨処理機構２０Ｂは硬貨投入口１２から投入された硬貨を処理するために設けられているが、両機構２０Ａ，２０Ｂはその動作において相互に関連を有している。以下、払出制御機構２０の詳細を説明する。
【００２８】
図５〜図７は払出制御機構２０の要部を示すもので、図５は図１の矢印Ｖ方向からみた状態を示す図、図６は図５の左側からみた状態を示す図、図７は図５の上側からみた状態を示す図である。これらの図から明らかなように、払出制御機構２０は、サブシャーシ２１と、そのサブシャーシ２１に沿って設けられるスライダ３０とを有している。サブシャーシ２１及びスライダ３０はいずれも鋼板を板金加工して製造されたものであり、その詳細は図１３及び図１４にそれぞれ示した通りである。なお、スライダ３０の板厚は正規の硬貨Ｃの厚さに対して僅かに大きい程度である。サブシャーシ２１は、その外周に設けられた固定部２１ａ…２１ａが小ねじ２２（図６）等の固定手段を利用して筐体２の内部のメインシャーシ１６（図１）に固定されることにより、鉛直に立てられ、かつ前後方向に延びた姿勢に保持される（図３参照）。なお、メインシャーシ１６は筐体２内の定位置に固定されている。
【００２９】
サブシャーシ２１には、前後方向に延びる三本の細長いスライド溝２１ｂ…２１ｂが形成されている。一方、スライダ３０には各スライド溝２１ｂに１：１に対応してカムフォロア３１…３１が取り付けられている。各カムフォロア３１がスライド溝２１ｂに嵌め合わされることにより、スライダ３０は前後方向に移動可能な状態でサブシャーシ２１に組み付けられる。サブシャーシ２１の前端のフック２１ｃとスライダ３０の後端のフック３０ａとの間にはコイルばね２３が引き伸ばされた状態で掛けられており、その復元力でスライダ３０は前方に付勢されている。
【００３０】
図１４からも明らかなように、スライダ３０には硬貨取込用の凹部３０ｂが形成されている。凹部３０ｂはスライダ３０の上端に開口する。凹部３０ｂの幅Ｗ（図１４参照）は正規の硬貨Ｃの直径に対してその硬貨を受け入れるための最小限の余裕を加えた大きさに設定され、凹部３０ｂの深さＤ（同じく図１４参照）は、正規の硬貨Ｃを上下に二枚連ねたとき上段の硬貨Ｃの上端が所定量だけスライダ３０の上方に突出するよう設定されている。つまり、凹部３０ｂの深さＤは正規の硬貨Ｃの直径の２倍よりも所定量だけ小さい。
【００３１】
図５から明らかなように、スライダ３０がその移動範囲の前端に位置するとき、凹部３０ｂの上端はシュート１７の直下に位置している。硬貨投入口１２（図１参照）から投入された硬貨はこのシュート１７を介して凹部３０ｂに落とし込まれる。図８〜図１０に詳しく示したように、凹部３０ｂに導かれた硬貨が凹部３０ｂの側方に落ちないように、スライダ３０の一側面（サブシャーシ２１と密着しない側の面）にはストッパ３２が取り付けられる。ストッパ３２も鋼板を板金加工して製造されている。
【００３２】
図８に詳しく示したように、ストッパ３２はスライダ３０の下部に所定の支軸３３を介して回動自在に取り付けられ、スライダ３０と一体的に前後に移動可能である。スライダ３０の凹部３０ｂに臨む表面には突起３２ａが形成されている。ストッパ３２の下端にはレバー状の操作部３２ｂが形成され、その操作部３２ｂを図８の実線位置に操作したときには突起３２ａが凹部３０ｂに入り込む（図１０参照）。この場合、突起３２ａが邪魔をして凹部３０ｂの下段には硬貨が入らない。つまり、ストッパ３２を図８の実線位置に切り替えた場合、凹部３０ｂには一枚の硬貨しか入らない。一方、操作部３２ｂを図８に想像線で示す位置へ操作した場合、突起３２ａは凹部３０ｂに連ねて設けられた逃げ溝３０ｃに入り込む。この場合、凹部３０ｂには上下に二枚の硬貨Ｃが入る。
【００３３】
突起３２ａを凹部３０ｂに繰り出したとき（図８の実線位置）、その突起３２ａの上端は凹部３０ｂの下段に正規の硬貨Ｃを収容したと仮定したときのその硬貨Ｃの上端と一致している。これにより、ストッパ３２を切り替えて凹部３０ｂに正規の硬貨Ｃを一枚だけ入れるようにした場合でも、二枚入れるようにした場合でも、凹部３０ｂの上段に収容された硬貨Ｃの上端の位置は一致する。
【００３４】
ストッパ３２を上述した二つの位置にそれぞれ保持するため、スライダ３０にはストッパ３２の回転範囲を図８の実線位置と想像線の位置との間に制限するための不図示のストッパが設けられるとともに、ストッパ３２のフック３２ｃとスライダ３０のフック３０ｄとの間にコイルばね３４が取り付けられる。ストッパ３２を支軸３３の周りに回転させると、その回転途中の所定の位置でコイルばね３４は最大に引き伸ばされ、その位置を過ぎるとコイルばね３４の変位が減少する。これにより、ストッパ３２を図８の実線位置又は想像線の位置のいずれに切り替えても、コイルばね３４の復元力はそのストッパ３２を前述のストッパに押し付ける力として働くようになる。
【００３５】
図１３から明らかなように、サブシャーシ２１には二つの抜き孔２１ｄ，２１ｅが前後方向に所定の距離を隔てて設けられている。図５に示すように、スライダ３０がその移動範囲の前端に位置するとき、スライダ３０の凹部３０ｂは抜き孔２１ｄと重なり合う。この抜き孔２１ｄからの硬貨の落下を防ぐため、サブシャーシ２１にはイジェクトプレート２５が取り付けられる。図６から明らかなように、イジェクトプレート２５はサブシャーシ２１に設けられた上下一対のサポート２１ｆ，２１ｆの間に支軸２６を中心として水平方向に回転可能な状態で取り付けられる。イジェクトプレート２５が図９の実線位置にあるとき、そのイジェクトプレート２５に設けられたリッド２５ａが抜き孔２１ｄに嵌り込み、それにより凹部３０ｂがサブシャーシ２１側から閉じられる。イジェクトプレート２５は不図示のばね手段により凹部３０ｂを閉じる位置に付勢されている。
【００３６】
イジェクトプレート２５の上端にはアーム２５ｂが一体に設けられ、そのアーム２５ｂの先端には突軸２５ｃが設けられている。突軸２５ｃはイジェクトピン２７の後端に設けられた孔部２７ａと嵌合する。イジェクトピン２７は筐体２によって前後方向に移動可能に支持されており、その先端（図８及び図９の左端）の操作部２７ｂは筐体２の前面２ａから前方に突出する（図４参照）。
【００３７】
図８及び図９に示すようにイジェクトプレート２５の下部にはレバー部２５ｄが形成され、スライダ３０にはそのレバー部２５ｄに対応して抜き孔３０ｅが形成されている。また、スライダ３０にはストッパ３２に外側から被せるようにしてイジェクトレバー３５が取り付けられている。イジェクトレバー３５は支軸３５ａを中心として水平方向に回転自在であり、そのフック３５ｂとスライダ３０のフック３０ｅとの間に掛けられたコイルばね３６（図５参照）の力でその前端の受け部３５ｃがスライダ３０に接近し、後端のイジェクト部３５ｄがスライダ３０から遠ざかる方向に付勢されている。
【００３８】
スライダ３０がその移動範囲の前端に位置するとき、イジェクトレバー３５の受け部３５ｃとイジェクトプレート２５のレバー部２５ｄとは抜き孔３０ｅを挟んで対向する。その状態でイジェクトピン２７の操作部２７ｂが筐体２の内部に向かって押し込まれると、そのイジェクトピン２７と係合したイジェクトプレート２５が支軸２６を中心として図９の反時計方向に回転し、それにより図９に想像線で示したようにリッド２５ａがサブシャーシ２１の抜き孔２１ｄから離れてリッド２５ａとサブシャーシ２１との間に硬貨が通過できる隙間が生じる。同時に、イジェクトプレート２５のレバー部２５ｄがイジェクトレバー３５の受け部３５ｃに向かって押し込まれ、両部２５ｄ，３５ｃが接触してイジェクトレバー３５が支軸３５ａを中心として図９の反時計方向に回転する。
【００３９】
これにより、イジェクトレバー３５のイジェクト部３５ｄがストッパ３２のスリット３２ｄを通過して凹部３０ｂに入り込む。この結果、凹部３０ｂに硬貨が取り込まれていれば、その硬貨はイジェクト部３５ｄに押されてサブシャーシ２１の抜き孔２１ｄへと排出され、さらにサブシャーシ２１とリッド２５ａとの間に生じた隙間から下方へと落下することになる。このときの硬貨の落下範囲にはシュート１８が設けられ（図６参照）、そこに落ちた硬貨は硬貨返却口１３へと排出される。なお、ストッパ３２を上述した二つの位置のいずれに切り替えた場合でもイジェクト部３５ｄが凹部３０ｂ内へ侵入できるように、ストッパ３２には二つのスリット３２ｄ，３２ｄが形成されている。
【００４０】
スライダ３０の前部上端には突出部３０ｆが設けられている。一方、サブシャーシ２１にはピン２８ａを中心として回転可能なロックレバー２８が取り付けられている。ロックレバー２８はコイルばね２９によりその後端側が引き上げられることにより、前端のロック部２８ｂがスライダ３０の上端に押し付けられるよう付勢されている。スライダ３０がその移動範囲の前端に位置するとき、ロックレバー２８とスライダ３０の突出部３０ｆとの間には幾らか隙間が空いている。スライダ３０の凹部３０ｂの上段に正規の硬貨Ｃが収容されている場合、図１１（ａ）に示したようにスライダ３０の後退に伴って硬貨Ｃの上端でロックレバー２８が押し上げられ、それによりロック部２８ｂが突出部３０ｆよりも上方まで移動してスライダ３０のさらなる後退動作が許容される。
【００４１】
図５から明らかなように、スライダ３０がさらに後退すると凹部３０ｂがサブシャーシ２１の抜き孔２１ｅと重なり合い、凹部３０ｂがサブシャーシ２１側に開口する。なお、イジェクトプレート２５はサブシャーシ２１に取り付けられているので後方には移動しない。凹部３０ｂが抜き孔２１ｅと重なり合う位置まで後退したとき、イジェクトレバー３５はサブシャーシ２１に設けられた不図示の突部と係合して、イジェクトピン２７を押し込んだときと同一方向に回転する。これにより、スライダ３０の凹部３０ｂに収容されていた硬貨Ｃは抜き孔２１ｅ側に押し出される。硬貨返却口１３に通じるシュート１８は抜き孔２１ｅよりも前側で終わっており、抜き孔２１ｅから排出された硬貨Ｃはその下方に配置された硬貨回収箱１５に落下する。
【００４２】
一方、スライダ３０の凹部３０ｂの上段に正規の硬貨Ｃが収容されていない場合、例えば図１１（ｂ）に示したように凹部３０ｂの上段に直径の小さい硬貨Ｃ′が収容されている場合、スライダ３０が後退してもロックレバー２８は十分に押し上げられず、ロック部２８ｂが突出部３０ｆと接触してスライダ３０のさらなる後退動作が阻止される。これにより、直径が小さい硬貨Ｃ′は抜き孔２１ｅの位置まで到達することができない。以上のようにして、硬貨Ｃの直径の適否に応じてスライダ３０の後方への移動量が変化し、直径の正しくない硬貨Ｃは抜き孔２１ｄからシュート１８を介して硬貨返却口１３へ戻すしかなくなる。
【００４３】
上述したスライダ３０のスライド動作は操作レバー１１の操作によって実現される。以下、操作レバー１１の操作を利用して、スライダ３０をスライド動作させるとともに、ドラム６を回転させる機構を説明する。
【００４４】
図５及び図６に示したように、筐体２の内部には扇形のメインギア４０が設けられている。メインギア４０は支軸４１を中心として回転可能な状態で筐体２に取り付けられ、その支軸４１の外周に取り付けられたねじりコイルばね４２によって図５の時計方向に回転付勢されている。メインギア４０は鋼板を板金加工して製造されたものであり、その外周には歯部４０ａが形成されている。メインギア４０の外周の前端にはレバー装着部４０ｂが形成されている。レバー装着部４０ｂは筐体２の前面２ａに設けられたスリット２ｂ（図４参照）から前方に突出し、その突出部分に上述した操作レバー１１が固定される。従って、操作レバー１１はねじりコイルばね４２の力でその操作範囲の上端側に付勢される。従って、ねじりコイルばね４２の力に抗して操作レバー１１を押し下げると、メインギア４０が支軸４１を中心として図５の反時計方向に回転することになる。これから明らかなように、操作レバー１１の押し下げ操作は、要するに、メインギア４０をねじりコイルばね４２の復元力に抗して支軸４１の周りに回転させる操作に他ならない。
【００４５】
図６及び図７にも示したように、サブシャーシ２１の上部には支軸４３，４４が固定され、支軸４３上には中間ギア４５が装着され、支軸４４にはピニオン４６が装着されている。ギア４５，４６は支軸４３，４４に対して回転自在である。メインギア４０の歯部４０ａは中間ギア４５と噛み合い、中間ギア４５はピニオン４６と噛み合っている。スライダ３０にはラック４７が前後方向に沿って固定され、ピニオン４６はそのラック４７と噛み合う。従って、操作レバー１１の押し下げ操作に伴ってメインギア４０が図５の反時計方向に回転すると、中間ギア４５が図５の時計方向に、ピニオン４６が図５の反時計方向にそれぞれ回転し、そのピニオン４６の回転がラック４７によって後方への直線運動に変換されてスライダ３０の後退運動が生成される。操作レバー１１から手を離せば、ねじりコイルばね４２の力でメインギア４０が図５の時計方向に回転し、操作レバー１１はその操作範囲の上端に復帰する。
【００４６】
なお、図１１を参照して説明した通り、スライダ３０の凹部３０ｂの上段に正規の硬貨Ｃが収容されていないときはスライダ３０の後退運動がロックレバー２８にて制限されるが、この場合、操作レバー１１もその操作範囲の途中までしか押し下げることができないことになる。反対に、スライダ３０の凹部３０ｂの上段に正規の硬貨Ｃが収容されているときはスライダ３０の後退運動が許容され、操作レバー１１をその操作範囲の下端まで押し下げられるようになる。
【００４７】
図６に示したように、支軸４３にはドラム駆動ギア４８が回転自在に取り付けられている。ドラム駆動ギア４８はドラム６の下面側の外周に形成された歯部６ｂ…６ｂと噛み合っている。また、図５に示したように、中間ギア４５のドラム駆動ギア４８と対向する側面にはギア駆動爪５０が取り付けられている。一方、ドラム駆動ギア４８の中間ギア４５と対向する側面にはボス４８ａが一体に形成され、そのボス４８ａの外周の一箇所には突部４８ｂが形成されている。突部４８ｂの頂点から時計方向に連なる側は緩斜面に形成され、反対側は半径方向にほぼ真っ直ぐ立ち上がる壁面に形成されている。従って、中間ギア４５が図５の時計方向に回転するときはギア駆動爪５０と突部４８ｂとが図１１（ａ）に示すように噛み合ってドラム駆動ギア４８が図５の時計方向に回転し、その結果、操作レバー１１の押し下げ操作に伴ってドラム６が図７の反時計方向に回転する。一方、中間ギア４５が図５の反時計方向に回転するときは、図１１（ｂ）に示したようにギア駆動爪５０が突部４８ｂを乗り越えるようになり、中間ギア４５からドラム駆動ギア４８へは回転が伝達されない。
【００４８】
ドラム駆動ギア４８とドラム６の歯部６ｂとの間の減速比は、ドラム駆動ギア４８が一回転したときにドラム６が孔部６ａの角度ピッチだけ回転するように設定されている。つまり、操作レバー１１を押し下げ操作してドラム６を孔部６ａの角度ピッチだけ回転させる毎に、ドラム駆動ギア４８は図５の時計方向に一回転して図５に示す位置で停止する。スライダ３０がその移動範囲の前端にあるとき、つまり操作レバー１１がその移動範囲の上端にあるとき、ギア駆動爪５０と突部４８ｂとは所定角度α（図５参照）だけ離れており、操作レバー１１がその角度αに相当する角度だけ押し下げられたときギア駆動爪５０と突部４８ｂとが噛み合ってドラム駆動ギア４８が回転を開始する。この回転開始位置から操作レバー１１をさらに移動範囲の下端まで押し下げると、中間ギア４５及びドラム駆動ギア４８が一回転する。その後、操作レバー１１がねじりコイルばね４２の力で上端まで復帰すると、中間ギア４５が３６０°に上記の角度αだけ図５の反時計方向に回転してギア駆動爪５０がドラム駆動前の位置に戻る。この間、ギア駆動爪５０はボス４８ａの外周を滑るためにドラム駆動ギア４８は回転しない。
【００４９】
このように、本実施形態の払出制御機構２０においては、操作レバー１１を押し下げ操作しても、中間ギア４５が角度αだけ回転するまではドラム６の回転が保留される。操作レバー１１が上端に保持されている状態を基点としたとき、ドラム６が回転を開始するまでの操作量は、ロックレバー２８がスライダ３０の突出部３０ｆ（図１１参照）と係合してスライダ３０の後退動作が阻止されるまでの操作レバー１１の操作量よりも大きく設定されている。従って、正規の硬貨Ｃがスライダ３０の凹部３０ｂに収容され、ロックレバー２８によるスライダ３０の後退動作の阻止が解除された後にドラム６が回転を始めることになる。直径の小さい硬貨が投入された場合にはドラム６が回転するよりも先にロックレバー２８がスライダ３０と係合して操作レバー１１をそれ以上押し下げ操作できない。
【００５０】
以上に説明した自動販売機１の商品払い出しに関する動作をまとめると、次の通りである。なお、自動販売機１の管理者は、販売の準備として商品収納室３に商品５を補充するとともに、その商品５の販売額に応じてストッパ３２の位置を切り替えておく必要がある。
【００５１】
商品５の購入者が硬貨投入口１２から商品５の販売額に応じた枚数（一枚又は二枚）の硬貨を投入した場合、その硬貨はシュート１７を介してスライダ３０の凹部３０ｂに収容される。商品５の購入を止めたい場合や誤って硬貨を投入した場合にはイジェクトピン２７を押し込むことにより、イジェクトプレート２５のリッド２５ａが開くとともに、イジェクトレバー３５のイジェクト部３５ｄが凹部３０ｂに入り込んで硬貨がスライダ３０からサブシャーシ２１の抜き孔２１ｄ及びシュート１８を介して硬貨返却口１３に戻される。
【００５２】
硬貨の投入後に操作レバー１１が押し下げられると、その運動がメインギア４０、中間ギア４５及びピニオン４６を介してラック４７に伝達され、スライダ３０が後退を開始する。凹部３０ｂの上段に正規の硬貨Ｃが収容されていれば、スライダ３０の後退に伴ってロックレバー２８が押し上げられ、そのロック部２８ｂによるスライダ３０の後退の制限が解除される。一方、凹部３０ｂの上段に正規の硬貨Ｃが収容されていないときはロックレバー２８が十分に押し上げられず、ロック部２８ｂとスライダ３０の突出部３０ｆとが干渉してスライダ３０の後退が制限される。
【００５３】
ロックレバー２８によるスライダ３０の後退制限位置を越えてスライダ３０が後退すると、中間ギア４５のギア駆動爪５０がドラム駆動ギア４８の突部４８ｂと係合し、ドラム駆動ギア４８を介したドラム６の回転駆動が開始される。操作レバー１１をさらに押し下げて凹部３０ｂの硬貨Ｃがサブシャーシ２１の抜き孔２１ｅの位置まで搬送されると、イジェクトレバー３５が駆動されてイジェクト部３５ｄが凹部３０ｂに入り込み、凹部３０ｂの硬貨Ｃが抜き孔２１ｅを介して硬貨回収箱１５に落下する。このとき、操作レバー１１はその操作範囲の途中にある。そして、操作レバー１１がその操作範囲の下端まで操作されると、ドラム６が孔部６ａのピッチに相当する角度だけ回転し、商品収納室３から無作為に選別された単一の商品５がシュート９を介して商品払出口１０へと払い出される。
【００５４】
商品５の払い出し後に購入者が操作レバー１１から手を離すと、メインギア４０がねじりコイルばね４２の力で操作前の位置に復帰し、それに伴って操作レバー１１がその操作範囲の上端に復帰する。
【００５５】
以上の実施形態においては、ドラム６が商品選別部材に、メインギア４０がメイン駆動部材に、ドラム駆動ギア４８が駆動ギアに、中間ギア４５及びギア駆動爪５０が伝達部材にそれぞれ相当する。
【００５６】
本発明は以上の実施形態に限定されることなく、種々の形態にて実施してよい。例えば、上記の実施形態では、操作レバー１１を支軸４１を中心とした弧を描くように上下方向に移動させたが、筐体の前面２ａを平面に形成し、操作レバー１１を上下方向に直線運動させてもよい。この場合、操作レバー１１の直線運動はラックピニオン機構、リンク機構等を用いて回転運動に変換し、その回転運動をドラム６の外周に伝えるようにすればよい。ドラム６への回転運動の伝達はギアによるものに限らず、摩擦伝動等の他の動力伝動手段を利用したものでもよい。
【００５７】
上記の実施形態において、運動伝達機構２０Ａは、操作部材としての操作レバー１１に入力された運動を、メインギア４０、中間ギア４５、ギア駆動爪５０及びドラム駆動ギア４８を経由してドラム６に伝達するドラム駆動部と、操作レバー１１の運動を、メインギア４０、中間ギア４５、ピニオン４６及びラック４７を介してスライダ３０に伝達する硬貨搬送駆動部とを含んでいるが、各部の具体的な構成は種々変更してよい。
【００５８】
また、硬貨処理機構２０Ｂは、硬貨の収容部としての凹部３０ｂを有するスライダ（保持部材）３０と、そのスライダ３０を所定の搬送方向（図示の例では前後方向）に支持する支持部材としてのサブシャーシ２１と、スライダ３０を案内する手段としてのカムフォロア３１及びスライド溝２１ｂと、スライダ３０に固定されて硬貨の脱落を規制するとともに、凹部３０ｂに収容される硬貨の枚数を制限するための枚数制限部材としてのストッパ３２と、凹部３０ｂから硬貨を排除する硬貨排除部材としてのイジェクトレバー３５と、スライダ３０が初期位置（操作レバー１１が操作されていないときの待機位置）にあるときにイジェクトレバー３５を操作して硬貨を凹部から排除する排除駆動部材としてのイジェクトプレート２５と、凹部３０ｂからの硬貨の突出量に応じてスライダ３０の後退動作を制限するロック位置と、そのロックを解除する解除位置との間で変位するロック部材としてのロックレバー２８を含むものとしたが、これらの一部又は全部についても適宜変更してよい。例えば硬貨の搬送方向は筐体の前後方向に限定されない。また、上記の実施形態では、硬貨蓄積部として硬貨回収箱１５を設けたが、その形状や大きさは種々変更可能である。スライダ３０の凹部３０ｂには一枚又は二枚の硬貨を選択的に収容するようにしたが、例えば凹部３０ｂの深さＤを変更して三枚以上の所定枚数と、それよりも少ない枚数との間で硬貨の収容枚数を切り替え可能としてもよい。
【００５９】
以上の実施形態において、保持部材としてのスライダ３０の凹部３０ｂがシュート１７の直下となる位置が、硬貨投入口から投入された硬貨を凹部に受け入れる位置に、スライダ３０の凹部３０ｂとサブシャーシ２１の抜き孔２１ｅとが重なる位置が、凹部の硬貨を所定の硬貨蓄積部へ受け渡す位置にそれぞれ相当する。ロック部材としてのロックレバー２８に関しては、そのロック部２８ｂが突出部３０ｆと係合する位置（図１１（ｂ）に示す位置）がロック位置に、ロック部２８ｂが突出部３０ｆの上端に逃げた位置（図１１（ａ）に示す位置）が解除位置にそれぞれ相当する。枚数制限部材としてのストッパ３２に関しては、図８に実線で示す位置が制限位置に、図８に想像線で示す位置が解除位置にそれぞれ相当する。
【００６０】
【発明の効果】
以上に説明したように、本発明では、硬貨を半径方向に連ねた状態で保持部材の凹部に収容するので、凹部に収容される硬貨の枚数に拘わりなく、凹部から突出してロック部材と接触する硬貨は一枚であり、それに対応してロック部材も一つ設けるだけでよい。しかも、枚数切替部材を制限位置又は解除位置のいずれに切り替えた場合でも、正規の硬貨がその枚数切替部材によって規定された枚数だけ正しく投入されている限り、凹部からの硬貨の突出量は等しい。従って、枚数切替部材をいずれの位置に切り替えても、単一のロック部材によって硬貨の真偽を正しく判別して保持部材の移動の制限及びその制限の解除を適切に切り替えることができる。従って、販売額の変更に対応するための機構を簡素化することができる。しかも、ロック部材を保持部材に押し付けるようにしても、その押圧力は複数のロック部材を保持部材に押し付けるときよりも小さくて済むので、保持部材の移動に対する抵抗を軽減でき、それにより操作部材の操作力の軽減にも貢献できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態に係る自動販売機の正面側の構成を一部の内部機構とともに示した図。
【図２】図１の自動販売機の左側面側の構成を一部の内部機構とともに示した図。
【図３】図１の自動販売機の右側面側の構成を一部の内部機構とともに示した図。
【図４】図１の自動販売機の斜視図。
【図５】自動販売機の内部機構を図１の矢印Ｖ方向から見た状態を示す図。
【図６】自動販売機の内部機構を図５の左側から見た状態を示す図。
【図７】自動販売機の内部機構を図５の上側から見た状態を示す図。
【図８】硬貨処理機構の要部を図５と同一方向から見た状態を示す図。
【図９】硬貨処理機構の要部を図８の上側から見た状態を示す図。
【図１０】硬貨処理機構の要部を図８の左側から見た状態を示す図。
【図１１】硬貨処理機構における硬貨の真偽判定動作を示す図。
【図１２】運動伝達機構の動作を示す図。
【図１３】サブシャーシの詳細を示す図。
【図１４】スライダの詳細を示す図。
【符号の説明】
１自動販売機
２筐体
２ａ筐体の前面
３商品収納室
５商品
６ドラム（商品選別部材）
６ｂドラムの歯部
９シュート
１０商品払出口
１１操作レバー
１２硬貨投入口
１３硬貨返却口
１４硬貨回収口
１５硬貨回収箱（硬貨蓄積部）
１６メインシャーシ
１７シュート
１８シュート
２０払出制御機構
２０Ａ運動伝達機構
２０Ｂ硬貨処理機構
２１サブシャーシ（支持部材）
２１ｄ，２１ｅ抜き孔
２５イジェクトプレート（排除駆動部材）
２５ａリッド
２７イジェクトピン
２８ロックレバー（ロック部材）
３０スライダ（保持部材）
３０ｂ凹部
３０ｃ逃げ溝
３１カムフォロア
３２ストッパ（枚数切替部材）
３２ａストッパの突起
３２ｄスリット（孔部）
３５イジェクトレバー（硬貨排除部材）
４０メインギア
４５中間ギア
４６ピニオン
４７ラック
４８ドラム駆動ギア
４８ｂ突部
５０ギア駆動爪
Ｃ正規の硬貨
Ｘドラムの中心線[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mechanical vending machine that generates a movement for paying out a product using an operation of an operator.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As this kind of vending machine, there is known a vending machine which pays out a commodity such as a toy in a plastic capsule mainly for children in exchange for the insertion of a predetermined amount of coins. Such a vending machine is installed in a place where power supply cannot be secured or where it is difficult to secure power supply, such as the eaves of a store or a landing on a staircase, without using an electric drive device or a sensor. In addition, the processing of coins and the operation of paying out commodities are realized by using the operation of the purchaser. For example, such a vending machine is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-9898, Utility Model Registration No. 3014387, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-212438, and the like. In these vending machines, when the purchaser inserts a predetermined amount of coins and rotates the handle on the front of the housing, a rotating plate coaxial with the handle rotates integrally with the handle while holding the coin, If the diameter of the held coin is correct, the lock that restricts the amount of rotation of the handle is released and the handle rotates once, and the product selection drum provided at the bottom of the product storage room with one rotation of the handle turns After rotating by a predetermined angle, the product taken into the drum is discharged to a predetermined product outlet.
[0003]
There are products that can be purchased by vending machines, including products that can be purchased with one coin and products that can be purchased in exchange for two or more coins. Since it is wasteful to exchange the vending machine and its coin discriminating mechanism in response to such a change in the sales amount, a vending machine provided with a discriminating mechanism capable of responding to the change in the sales amount has been proposed. I have.
[0004]
For example, the vending machine of the above-mentioned utility model registration No. 3014387 has a concave portion for accommodating two coins in a state of being stacked in the thickness direction in the above-mentioned rotating plate, and the outer periphery of the rotating plate is provided with a concave portion. Two lock levers that can individually contact coins protruding from the outer periphery are provided so as to be operable independently of each other. When two regular coins are inserted into the recess of the rotating plate and the rotating plate rotates by a predetermined angle, each lock lever comes into contact with the corresponding coin and is pushed up, and the limitation of the rotation of the rotating plate is released, and the product is paid out. Is allowed. When at least one of the two coins is an illegal coin having a small diameter, the amount of pushing up of the lock lever corresponding to the illegal coin is insufficient, and the rotation plate cannot be unlocked, As a result, the delivery of the product is prevented. When selling products in exchange for one coin, the width of the entrance of the recess is restricted to prevent the entry of the second coin, and two lock levers are connected to each other with one coin. The lever is pushed up integrally to unlock the rotating plate.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as described above, in the configuration in which a plurality of coins are received in the concave portion of the rotating plate in the thickness direction, a lock lever needs to be provided for each coin, and the number of components increases. Depending on whether the product is sold in exchange for one coin or two coins, it is necessary to switch between operating the two lock levers independently of each other or integrally. Yes, the mechanism becomes complicated. Further, since it is necessary to turn the handle so that a plurality of lock levers are pushed up against the spring force, the rotation resistance of the rotating plate is increased as compared with the case where a single lock lever is used, and the operation of the handle is increased. It is also a factor that hinders the reduction of power.
[0006]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine that can respond to a change in the sales amount with a simpler configuration than in the past.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.
[0008]
The present invention relates to a vending machine (1) that generates a payout operation of a product (5) by using an operation of an operation member (11) by a product purchaser, in which a predetermined number of coins (C) of two or more are radiused. A recessed portion (30b) that can be accommodated in a direction in which the coin is inserted from the coin slot (12) into the recessed portion in conjunction with the operating member; A holding member (30) movable between a position to be transferred to the coin storage section (15) and a coin protruding radially from the recess in the middle of the moving path of the holding member. And displaceable between a lock position for preventing movement of the holding member toward the transfer position and a release position for allowing the movement of the holding member, in accordance with an amount of protrusion of the coin from the recess. Lock member (28) The number of coins that can be switched between a limit position that is provided to move integrally with the holding member and protrudes into the recess to limit the number of coins accommodated in the recess, and a release position that releases the limit A switching member (32), wherein the number switching member is switched to the limit position, and the coins project from the recess when the limited number of regular coins having the correct diameter are accommodated in the recess. The amount and the amount of protrusion of the coin from the recess when the predetermined number of regular coins are accommodated in the recess by switching the number switching member to the release position are set to be equal. The holding member is formed in a plate shape, and the concave portion is formed so as to cut out the holding member, and the number switching member is configured such that the limit position and the release position are arranged along one side surface of the holding member. Is provided so as to be movable between and between the one side surface and the concave portion of the number switching member, and protrudes into the concave portion when the number switching member is switched to the limit position, on a surface facing the concave portion, When switching to the release position, a protrusion (32a) is provided in a relief groove (30c) provided in connection with the recess of the holding member. This solves the above-mentioned problem.
[0009]
According to the present invention, since coins are accommodated in the concave portion of the holding member in a state of being connected in the radial direction, regardless of the number of coins accommodated in the concave portion, coins projecting from the concave portion and coming into contact with the lock member are one in number. And only one locking member may be provided correspondingly. In addition, even when the number switching member is switched to the limit position or the release position, as long as the normal coins are correctly inserted by the number specified by the number switching member, the amount of the coin protruding from the recess is equal. Therefore, no matter which position the number switching member is switched to, the authenticity of the coin can be correctly determined by the single lock member, and the restriction of the movement of the holding member and the release of the restriction can be appropriately switched. As described above, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of lock members corresponding to a plurality of coins, so that a mechanism for responding to a change in sales amount can be simplified. In addition, even when the lock member is pressed against the holding member, the pressing force is smaller than when the plurality of lock members are pressed against the holding member, so that the resistance to the movement of the holding member can be reduced. It can also contribute to reducing operating power.
[0010]
Also, The thickness of the holding member can be made approximately the same as a coin, and the holding member can be reduced in weight and the operating force of the operating member can be reduced. In particular, when the holding member is formed by sheet metal processing of a plate material equivalent to a coin, the holding member can be configured to be strong and lightweight. Prevention of coins falling out of the holding member and switching of the number of coins to be received in the recess can be realized by a common number switching member. Therefore, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps can be reduced and cost can be reduced.
[0011]
The holding member is movably supported between a position for receiving the coins and a position for delivering the coins by a support member (21) disposed on the opposite side of the number switching member with respect to the holding member. The supporting member has holes (21d, 21e) connected to the concave portion of the holding member and capable of removing the coin from the concave portion when the holding member moves to the receiving position and the transferring position, respectively. ) Is provided on the holding member, and a coin removing member (35) that is disposed outside the number switching member and that can appear and disappear in the recess through the holes (32d, 32d) provided in the number switching member. May be provided.
[0012]
In this case, it is possible to prevent the coin from dropping out of the recess by sandwiching the plate-shaped holding member in the thickness direction between the number switching member and the support member. When the holding member moves to the coin receiving position and the coin transferring position, the hole of the support member and the concave portion of the holding member are connected to remove the coin to the side of the concave portion. This coin removing operation can be reliably performed by inserting the coin removing member into the concave portion. At this time, since the coin removing member can be inserted into the recess through the hole of the number switching member, there is no need to retract the number switching member from the recess in conjunction with the operation of the coin removing member. This further simplifies the mechanism around the recess.
[0013]
When the holding member is at the receiving position, an elimination drive member (25) that can engage with the coin elimination member and drive the coin elimination member in the direction to enter the recess can be operated from outside the vending machine. The coin removed from the recess by the coin removing member at the receiving position may be guided to a predetermined coin return port (13). With this configuration, the coin inserted from the coin insertion slot can be repaid to the coin return slot without operating the operation member to move the holding member.
[0014]
A lid (25a) for closing the concave portion may be provided in the removing drive member, and the lid may be moved to open the concave portion as the coin removing member is driven. In this case, when the holding member is at the position for receiving the coin, the concave portion is closed by the lid unless the rejection driving member is operated, so that there is no possibility that the coin will fall out of the concave portion and be repaid to the coin insertion slot. .
[0015]
When the holding member is at the transfer position, the coin removing member may be driven in a direction to enter the concave portion to remove the coin from the concave portion to the coin storage portion. With this configuration, when the holding member moves to a position where the coin is transferred, the coin can be reliably removed from the concave portion and dropped into the coin storage section.
[0016]
The vending machine according to the present invention includes a commodity selection member (6) driven to select any commodity from a large number of commodities (5) stored in a commodity storage room (3), and movement of the operation member. And a motion transmission mechanism (20A) for transmitting the motion to the holding member and the product selection member, respectively, wherein the motion transmission mechanism operates the operation member from its operation start position to a predetermined drive start position. The operation position of the operation member when the movement of the holding member is blocked by the lock member is smaller than the drive start position. It may be set to the operation start position side.
[0017]
With this configuration, after the regular coin is inserted and the lock member moves to the restriction release position, the product selection member is driven based on the operation of the operation member. Therefore, it is possible to reliably eliminate the possibility that the product selection member starts moving before the coin is determined to be authentic and the product is erroneously paid out.
[0018]
In the present invention, various movements may be given to the holding member in conjunction with the operation member, but the holding member can be moved linearly between a position for receiving the coin and a position for transferring the coin. Is preferred. If a plurality of coins are successively received in the radial direction and received in the recess, if the holding member is to be rotationally moved, the recess needs to be provided in a range from the outer periphery of the holding member to the center of rotation. As the radius increases, the layout of the holding member inside the housing is greatly restricted. In addition, the mass of the holding member increases with an increase in the radius of the holding member, which may be a factor in making the operation of the operation member heavy. On the other hand, if the holding member is configured to move linearly, the holding member may be formed to have a width that allows a sufficient margin for maintaining the strength with respect to the depth (D) of the concave portion. The member can be made compact. As a result, the degree of freedom of the layout of the holding member is increased, and it is possible to contribute to the reduction of the operation force of the operation member.
[0019]
Coins in the present invention include not only currency circulating as currency, but also medals and tokens used as a symbol of economic value at vending machine installation locations, various alternative coins such as tokens, and various other disc-shaped coins. Including members.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a vending machine for toys will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 show the entire structure of the vending machine 1, FIG. 1 is a front view, FIG. 2 is a left side view, and FIG. 3 is a right side view. In these drawings, some internal mechanisms are shown by solid lines. 2 and 3 correspond to the front-rear direction of the vending machine 1, and the right side of FIG. 2 and the left side of FIG. 3 correspond to the front of the vending machine 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the external appearance of the vending machine 1.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the vending machine 1 has a vertically long casing 2, and a product storage room 3 is formed on the top of the casing 2. A door 4 is provided on the front side of the product storage room 3. When selling the product, the door 4 is closed by the lock 4a. By releasing the lock by the lock 4a and rotating the door 4 forward with the support shafts 4b, 4b on both sides at the lower end thereof as a fulcrum, the product storage chamber 3 is opened to the outside and the product 5 enters into the interior (FIG. 2). Can be replenished. FIG. 2 shows a capsule product 5 in which toys are contained in a plastic capsule as an example of the product, but other products may be used. At the bottom of the product storage room 3, a drum 6 as a disc-shaped product selection member is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of (five in the illustrated example) product taking holes 6a... 6a are formed in the drum 6 at the same pitch in the circumferential direction.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, on the upper surface of the drum 6, an appropriate number of rods 7 for stirring the product are attached. When the drum 6 rotates around its center line X, the product is stirred in the product storage chamber 3 by the rod 7, and the product 5 is taken into each hole 6a one by one. A lower part of the drum 6 is provided with a drop restricting member 8 for restricting the commodity 5 from dropping from the hole 6a. However, the drop restricting member 8 is provided with a drop port (not shown) that allows the product 5 to drop from the hole 6a at only one place. When the drum 6 rotates and any one of the holes 6a is fed out onto the dropping port, the product 5 held in the hole 6a falls from the drum 6 and passes through the casing 9 via the chute 9. Is paid out to a commodity payout exit 10 provided on the left side of the front surface 2a of the product.
[0023]
As described above, the vending machine 1 rotates the drum 6 by the angle (72 ° in the illustrated example) at which the hole 6a is provided, so that any one of the large number of products 5 stored in the product storage room 3 can be obtained. Is paid out selectively. In the present invention, the internal configuration of the product storage room 3 and the configuration relating to a portion for taking out the product 5 from the drum 6 and guiding the product 5 to the product payout port 10 may be the same as a conventional vending machine of the same type. Detailed description is omitted. The vending machine 1 according to the present embodiment has features in a portion relating to processing of inserted coins and rotation driving of the drum 6, and the following description will focus on the features.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1, an operation lever 11 is provided at the right end of the front surface 2a of the housing 2. The front surface 2a of the housing 2 is curved so as to draw an arc bulging forward along the vertical direction (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and the operation lever 11 can be operated vertically along the curved front surface 2a. ing. A coin insertion slot 12 and a coin return slot 13 are provided on the left side of the operation range of the operation lever 11. The coin insertion slot 12 is a portion where the purchaser inserts coins C (for example, two 100 yen coins) in a number corresponding to the sales amount of the product 5. The coin insertion slot 12 is formed in a size including a minimum margin through which a regular coin C to be inserted can pass. Therefore, other coins or the like having a larger diameter or thickness than the regular coin C cannot pass through the coin slot 12.
[0025]
A coin collection port 14 is formed below the coin return port 13, and a coin collection box 15 is inserted therein. The coin collection box 15 is a container for storing regular coins C inserted from the coin insertion slot 12, and is disposed inside the housing 2 so as to extend straight toward the back of the housing 2 as shown in FIG. You. A lock 15a is attached to the front of the coin collection box 15, and when the lock 15a is engaged, the coin collection box 15 is fixed inside the housing 2. When the lock 15a is released, the coin collection box 15 is mounted. It can be pulled out in front of the body 2.
[0026]
A payout control mechanism 20 is provided above the coin collection box 15 arranged in the housing 2. When viewed from the front side of the housing 2, the payout control mechanism 20 is arranged to be biased on the same side (right side) as the operation lever 11 with respect to the center line X of the drum 6. A chute 9 is arranged on the opposite side of the operation lever 11 with respect to the center line X inside the housing 2.
[0027]
The payout control mechanism 20 further includes a motion transmission mechanism 20A and a coin processing mechanism 20B. The movement transmitting mechanism 20A is provided for transmitting the operation of the operation lever 11 to the drum 6 and the coin processing mechanism 20B, and the coin processing mechanism 20B is provided for processing coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 12. However, the two mechanisms 20A and 20B are interrelated in their operation. Hereinafter, details of the payout control mechanism 20 will be described.
[0028]
5 to 7 show the main parts of the payout control mechanism 20, FIG. 5 is a view showing the state viewed from the direction of arrow V in FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is a view showing the state viewed from the left side of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state viewed from above in FIG. 5. As is apparent from these drawings, the payout control mechanism 20 has a sub-chassis 21 and a slider 30 provided along the sub-chassis 21. Both the sub-chassis 21 and the slider 30 are manufactured by processing a steel plate into a sheet metal, and the details thereof are as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively. The thickness of the slider 30 is slightly larger than the thickness of the regular coin C. The fixing portions 21a... 21a provided on the outer periphery of the sub-chassis 21 are fixed to the main chassis 16 (FIG. 1) inside the housing 2 using fixing means such as small screws 22 (FIG. 6). As a result, it is held upright and held in a posture extending in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 3). The main chassis 16 is fixed at a fixed position in the housing 2.
[0029]
The sub-chassis 21 is formed with three elongated slide grooves 21b... 21b extending in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, cam followers 31... 31 are attached to the slider 30 in a one-to-one correspondence with the respective slide grooves 21b. By fitting each cam follower 31 into the slide groove 21b, the slider 30 is assembled to the sub-chassis 21 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. A coil spring 23 is hung between a hook 21c at the front end of the sub-chassis 21 and a hook 30a at the rear end of the slider 30 in a stretched state, and the slider 30 is urged forward by its restoring force. .
[0030]
As is clear from FIG. 14, the slider 30 is formed with a recess 30b for taking in coins. The recess 30 b opens at the upper end of the slider 30. The width W of the recess 30b (see FIG. 14) is set to a size obtained by adding a minimum allowance for receiving the coin to the diameter of the regular coin C, and the depth D of the recess 30b (see also FIG. 14). ) Is set so that the upper end of the upper coin C protrudes above the slider 30 by a predetermined amount when two regular coins C are connected vertically. That is, the depth D of the recess 30b is smaller by a predetermined amount than twice the diameter of the regular coin C.
[0031]
As is apparent from FIG. 5, when the slider 30 is located at the front end of the moving range, the upper end of the recess 30 b is located immediately below the chute 17. The coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 12 (see FIG. 1) is dropped into the recess 30b via the chute 17. As shown in detail in FIGS. 8 to 10, a stopper is provided on one side surface (the surface on the side that is not in close contact with the sub-chassis 21) of the slider 30 so that the coin guided to the concave portion 30 b does not fall to the side of the concave portion 30 b. 32 is attached. The stopper 32 is also manufactured by sheet metal processing a steel plate.
[0032]
As shown in detail in FIG. 8, the stopper 32 is rotatably attached to a lower portion of the slider 30 via a predetermined support shaft 33, and can move back and forth integrally with the slider 30. A projection 32a is formed on the surface of the slider 30 facing the recess 30b. At the lower end of the stopper 32, a lever-shaped operation portion 32b is formed. When the operation portion 32b is operated to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 8, the projection 32a enters the recess 30b (see FIG. 10). In this case, the coin does not enter the lower stage of the concave portion 30b because the protrusion 32a interferes. That is, when the stopper 32 is switched to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 8, only one coin enters the recess 30b. On the other hand, when the operation part 32b is operated to the position shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 8, the protrusion 32a enters the escape groove 30c provided in connection with the recess 30b. In this case, two coins C are inserted vertically into the recess 30b.
[0033]
When the projection 32a is extended into the recess 30b (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 8), the upper end of the projection 32a coincides with the upper end of the coin C when it is assumed that a regular coin C is accommodated in the lower part of the recess 30b. . Accordingly, the position of the upper end of the coin C accommodated in the upper portion of the recess 30b is maintained regardless of whether only one regular coin C is inserted into the recess 30b by switching the stopper 32 or not. Matches.
[0034]
In order to hold the stopper 32 at each of the two positions described above, the slider 30 is provided with a stopper (not shown) for limiting the rotation range of the stopper 32 between the solid line position and the imaginary line position in FIG. A coil spring 34 is mounted between the hook 32c of the stopper 32 and the hook 30d of the slider 30. When the stopper 32 is rotated around the support shaft 33, the coil spring 34 is stretched to the maximum at a predetermined position during the rotation, and the displacement of the coil spring 34 decreases after the position. Thus, regardless of whether the stopper 32 is switched to the position indicated by the solid line or the position indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. 8, the restoring force of the coil spring 34 acts as a force pressing the stopper 32 against the stopper.
[0035]
As is apparent from FIG. 13, the sub-chassis 21 is provided with two holes 21d and 21e at a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 5, when the slider 30 is located at the front end of its moving range, the concave portion 30b of the slider 30 overlaps the hole 21d. An eject plate 25 is attached to the sub-chassis 21 in order to prevent coins from dropping from the hole 21d. As is apparent from FIG. 6, the eject plate 25 is mounted between a pair of upper and lower supports 21f, 21f provided on the sub-chassis 21 so as to be horizontally rotatable about a support shaft 26. When the eject plate 25 is at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 9, the lid 25a provided on the eject plate 25 fits into the hole 21d, whereby the recess 30b is closed from the sub-chassis 21 side. The eject plate 25 is urged by a spring means (not shown) to a position to close the recess 30b.
[0036]
An arm 25b is integrally provided at an upper end of the eject plate 25, and a protruding shaft 25c is provided at a tip of the arm 25b. The protruding shaft 25c fits into a hole 27a provided at the rear end of the eject pin 27. The eject pin 27 is supported by the housing 2 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, and an operation portion 27b at the tip (the left end in FIGS. 8 and 9) protrudes forward from the front surface 2a of the housing 2 (see FIG. 4). ).
[0037]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a lever portion 25d is formed at a lower portion of the eject plate 25, and a hole 30e is formed in the slider 30 corresponding to the lever portion 25d. An eject lever 35 is attached to the slider 30 so as to cover the stopper 32 from outside. The eject lever 35 is rotatable in a horizontal direction about a support shaft 35a, and is supported by a coil spring 36 (see FIG. 5) hooked between its hook 35b and a hook 30e of the slider 30 at its front end. 35 c approaches the slider 30, and the eject portion 35 d at the rear end is urged in a direction away from the slider 30.
[0038]
When the slider 30 is located at the front end of the movement range, the receiving portion 35c of the eject lever 35 and the lever portion 25d of the eject plate 25 are opposed to each other across the hole 30e. In this state, when the operation portion 27b of the eject pin 27 is pushed toward the inside of the housing 2, the eject plate 25 engaged with the eject pin 27 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. As a result, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 9, the lid 25a is separated from the hole 21d of the sub-chassis 21 and a gap is formed between the lid 25a and the sub-chassis 21 so that coins can pass. At the same time, the lever portion 25d of the eject plate 25 is pushed toward the receiving portion 35c of the eject lever 35, and the two portions 25d and 35c come into contact, and the eject lever 35 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 9 around the support shaft 35a. I do.
[0039]
As a result, the eject portion 35d of the eject lever 35 passes through the slit 32d of the stopper 32 and enters the concave portion 30b. As a result, if a coin is taken into the concave portion 30b, the coin is pushed by the eject portion 35d and discharged to the hole 21d of the sub-chassis 21, and furthermore, a gap generated between the sub-chassis 21 and the lid 25a. Will fall from the bottom. At this time, a chute 18 is provided in the coin falling range (see FIG. 6), and the dropped coin is discharged to the coin return port 13. Note that the stopper 32 is formed with two slits 32d, 32d so that the eject portion 35d can enter the recess 30b even when the stopper 32 is switched to any of the two positions described above.
[0040]
A protrusion 30f is provided at the upper end of the front portion of the slider 30. On the other hand, a lock lever 28 that is rotatable around a pin 28a is attached to the sub-chassis 21. The rear end of the lock lever 28 is pulled up by a coil spring 29 so that the front lock portion 28 b is pressed against the upper end of the slider 30. When the slider 30 is located at the front end of its movement range, there is some gap between the lock lever 28 and the protrusion 30f of the slider 30. When the regular coin C is stored in the upper part of the concave portion 30b of the slider 30, the lock lever 28 is pushed up at the upper end of the coin C with the retreat of the slider 30 as shown in FIG. The lock portion 28b moves to a position higher than the protruding portion 30f, and the slider 30 is allowed to further retreat.
[0041]
As is clear from FIG. 5, when the slider 30 further retreats, the concave portion 30b overlaps the hole 21e of the sub-chassis 21, and the concave portion 30b opens to the sub-chassis 21 side. Since the eject plate 25 is attached to the sub-chassis 21, it does not move backward. When the concave portion 30b retreats to a position where the concave portion 30b overlaps the hole 21e, the eject lever 35 engages with a projection (not shown) provided on the sub-chassis 21 and rotates in the same direction as when the eject pin 27 is pushed. As a result, the coin C stored in the recess 30b of the slider 30 is pushed out toward the hole 21e. The chute 18 leading to the coin return port 13 ends before the hole 21e, and the coin C discharged from the hole 21e falls into the coin collection box 15 arranged below.
[0042]
On the other hand, when the regular coin C is not accommodated in the upper stage of the concave portion 30b of the slider 30, for example, when the coin C 'having a small diameter is accommodated in the upper stage of the concave portion 30b as shown in FIG. Even if the slider 30 retreats, the lock lever 28 is not sufficiently pushed up, and the lock portion 28b comes into contact with the protruding portion 30f to prevent the slider 30 from further retreating. As a result, the coin C 'having a small diameter cannot reach the position of the hole 21e. As described above, the amount of backward movement of the slider 30 changes according to the appropriateness of the diameter of the coin C, and the coin C having the incorrect diameter must be returned to the coin return port 13 through the chute 18 through the hole 21d. Gone.
[0043]
The above-described sliding operation of the slider 30 is realized by operating the operation lever 11. Hereinafter, a mechanism for sliding the slider 30 and rotating the drum 6 using the operation of the operation lever 11 will be described.
[0044]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a fan-shaped main gear 40 is provided inside the housing 2. The main gear 40 is attached to the housing 2 so as to be rotatable about the support shaft 41, and is urged to rotate clockwise in FIG. 5 by a torsion coil spring 42 mounted on the outer periphery of the support shaft 41. The main gear 40 is manufactured by sheet metal working a steel plate, and has a tooth portion 40a formed on an outer periphery thereof. A lever mounting portion 40b is formed at the front end of the outer periphery of the main gear 40. The lever mounting portion 40b protrudes forward from a slit 2b (see FIG. 4) provided on the front surface 2a of the housing 2, and the above-described operation lever 11 is fixed to the protruding portion. Therefore, the operation lever 11 is biased toward the upper end of the operation range by the force of the torsion coil spring 42. Therefore, when the operating lever 11 is pressed down against the force of the torsion coil spring 42, the main gear 40 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. As is apparent from this, the operation of pressing down the operation lever 11 is essentially an operation of rotating the main gear 40 around the support shaft 41 against the restoring force of the torsion coil spring 42.
[0045]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, support shafts 43 and 44 are fixed on the upper portion of the sub-chassis 21, an intermediate gear 45 is mounted on the support shaft 43, and a pinion 46 is mounted on the support shaft 44. Have been. The gears 45 and 46 are rotatable with respect to the support shafts 43 and 44. The teeth 40 a of the main gear 40 mesh with the intermediate gear 45, and the intermediate gear 45 meshes with the pinion 46. A rack 47 is fixed to the slider 30 along the front-rear direction, and the pinion 46 meshes with the rack 47. Therefore, when the main gear 40 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 5 in accordance with the pressing operation of the operation lever 11, the intermediate gear 45 rotates clockwise in FIG. 5, and the pinion 46 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. The rotation of the pinion 46 is converted by the rack 47 into a linear movement in the backward direction, and a retreating movement of the slider 30 is generated. When the operator releases the operating lever 11, the main gear 40 rotates clockwise in FIG. 5 by the force of the torsion coil spring 42, and the operating lever 11 returns to the upper end of its operating range.
[0046]
As described with reference to FIG. 11, when the regular coin C is not stored in the upper part of the concave portion 30b of the slider 30, the retreating movement of the slider 30 is restricted by the lock lever 28. In this case, The operating lever 11 can also be pushed only halfway down the operating range. On the contrary, when the regular coin C is stored in the upper part of the concave portion 30b of the slider 30, the retreating movement of the slider 30 is allowed, and the operation lever 11 can be pushed down to the lower end of its operation range.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 6, a drum drive gear 48 is rotatably attached to the support shaft 43. The drum drive gear 48 meshes with teeth 6 b... 6 b formed on the outer periphery on the lower surface side of the drum 6. As shown in FIG. 5, a gear driving claw 50 is attached to a side surface of the intermediate gear 45 facing the drum driving gear 48. On the other hand, a boss 48a is integrally formed on a side surface of the drum drive gear 48 facing the intermediate gear 45, and a projection 48b is formed at one location on the outer periphery of the boss 48a. The side continuing in the clockwise direction from the vertex of the projection 48b is formed as a gentle slope, and the opposite side is formed as a wall that rises almost straight in the radial direction. Therefore, when the intermediate gear 45 rotates clockwise in FIG. 5, the gear driving claw 50 and the projection 48b mesh with each other as shown in FIG. 11A, and the drum driving gear 48 rotates clockwise in FIG. As a result, the drum 6 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 7 with the operation of pressing down the operation lever 11. On the other hand, when the intermediate gear 45 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 5, the gear driving claw 50 gets over the protrusion 48b as shown in FIG. Is not transmitted.
[0048]
The reduction ratio between the drum drive gear 48 and the teeth 6b of the drum 6 is set such that the drum 6 rotates by the angular pitch of the hole 6a when the drum drive gear 48 makes one rotation. That is, each time the operation lever 11 is pushed down to rotate the drum 6 by the angular pitch of the hole 6a, the drum drive gear 48 makes one rotation clockwise in FIG. 5 and stops at the position shown in FIG. When the slider 30 is at the front end of the movement range, that is, when the operation lever 11 is at the upper end of the movement range, the gear driving claw 50 and the protrusion 48b are separated by a predetermined angle α (see FIG. 5). When the lever 11 is pushed down by an angle corresponding to the angle α, the gear driving claw 50 and the projection 48b mesh with each other, and the drum driving gear 48 starts rotating. When the operation lever 11 is further pushed down from the rotation start position to the lower end of the movement range, the intermediate gear 45 and the drum drive gear 48 make one rotation. Thereafter, when the operation lever 11 is returned to the upper end by the force of the torsion coil spring 42, the intermediate gear 45 is rotated by 360 ° in the counterclockwise direction of the angle α in FIG. Return to During this time, the drum driving gear 48 does not rotate because the gear driving claw 50 slides on the outer periphery of the boss 48a.
[0049]
As described above, in the payout control mechanism 20 of the present embodiment, even if the operation lever 11 is pressed down, the rotation of the drum 6 is held until the intermediate gear 45 rotates by the angle α. When the state in which the operation lever 11 is held at the upper end is set as a base point, the operation amount until the rotation of the drum 6 starts is determined by the engagement of the lock lever 28 with the protrusion 30f of the slider 30 (see FIG. 11). The operation amount of the operation lever 11 until the retraction operation of the slider 30 is stopped is set to be larger than the operation amount. Therefore, the regular coin C is accommodated in the concave portion 30b of the slider 30, and the rotation of the drum 6 starts after the prevention of the retracting operation of the slider 30 by the lock lever 28 is released. When a coin having a small diameter is inserted, the lock lever 28 engages with the slider 30 before the drum 6 rotates, and the operation lever 11 cannot be further depressed.
[0050]
The following is a summary of the operation of the vending machine 1 related to the product payout described above. In addition, the administrator of the vending machine 1 needs to refill the product storage room 3 with the product 5 in preparation for the sale, and switch the position of the stopper 32 according to the sales amount of the product 5.
[0051]
When the purchaser of the product 5 inserts the number of coins (one or two) according to the sales amount of the product 5 from the coin insertion slot 12, the coin is stored in the recess 30 b of the slider 30 via the chute 17. You. When it is desired to stop the purchase of the product 5 or when coins are inserted by mistake, the eject pin 27 is pushed in to open the lid 25a of the eject plate 25, and the eject portion 35d of the eject lever 35 enters the concave portion 30b to insert the coin. Is returned from the slider 30 to the coin return slot 13 through the hole 21 d of the sub-chassis 21 and the chute 18.
[0052]
When the operation lever 11 is pushed down after the coin is inserted, the movement is transmitted to the rack 47 via the main gear 40, the intermediate gear 45 and the pinion 46, and the slider 30 starts to retreat. If the regular coin C is stored in the upper part of the concave portion 30b, the lock lever 28 is pushed up with the retreat of the slider 30, and the restriction of the retreat of the slider 30 by the lock portion 28b is released. On the other hand, when the regular coin C is not stored in the upper part of the concave portion 30b, the lock lever 28 is not sufficiently pushed up, and the lock portion 28b and the protruding portion 30f of the slider 30 interfere with each other, so that the retreat of the slider 30 is restricted. You.
[0053]
When the slider 30 retreats beyond the retraction limit position of the slider 30 by the lock lever 28, the gear driving claw 50 of the intermediate gear 45 engages with the projection 48b of the drum driving gear 48, and the drum 6 via the drum driving gear 48 Is started to rotate. When the operation lever 11 is further depressed and the coin C in the recess 30b is conveyed to the position of the hole 21e of the sub-chassis 21, the eject lever 35 is driven, the eject portion 35d enters the recess 30b, and the coin C in the recess 30b is removed. The coin falls into the coin collection box 15 through the hole 21e. At this time, the operation lever 11 is in the middle of the operation range. When the operation lever 11 is operated to the lower end of the operation range, the drum 6 rotates by an angle corresponding to the pitch of the hole 6a, and a single commodity 5 randomly selected from the commodity storage chamber 3 is removed. It is paid out to the goods payout exit 10 through the chute 9.
[0054]
When the purchaser releases the operation lever 11 after dispensing the product 5, the main gear 40 returns to the position before the operation by the force of the torsion coil spring 42, and accordingly, the operation lever 11 returns to the upper end of the operation range. I do.
[0055]
In the above embodiment, the drum 6 corresponds to a product selection member, the main gear 40 corresponds to a main drive member, the drum drive gear 48 corresponds to a drive gear, and the intermediate gear 45 and the gear drive claw 50 correspond to transmission members.
[0056]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be implemented in various forms. For example, in the above embodiment, the operation lever 11 is moved up and down so as to draw an arc around the support shaft 41. However, the front surface 2a of the housing is formed flat, and the operation lever 11 is moved up and down. You may make it move linearly. In this case, the linear motion of the operation lever 11 may be converted into a rotary motion using a rack and pinion mechanism, a link mechanism, or the like, and the rotary motion may be transmitted to the outer periphery of the drum 6. The transmission of the rotational motion to the drum 6 is not limited to the transmission by the gear, but may use other power transmission means such as friction transmission.
[0057]
In the above embodiment, the motion transmission mechanism 20A transfers the motion input to the operation lever 11 as an operation member to the drum 6 via the main gear 40, the intermediate gear 45, the gear driving claw 50, and the drum driving gear 48. It includes a drum drive for transmitting the motion, and a coin transport drive for transmitting the motion of the operation lever 11 to the slider 30 via the main gear 40, the intermediate gear 45, the pinion 46, and the rack 47. Various configurations may be changed.
[0058]
Further, the coin processing mechanism 20B includes a slider (holding member) 30 having a concave portion 30b serving as a coin accommodating portion, and a sub as a supporting member for supporting the slider 30 in a predetermined transport direction (front-back direction in the illustrated example). A chassis 21, a cam follower 31 and a slide groove 21b as means for guiding the slider 30, and a number of coins fixed to the slider 30 to restrict falling of coins and to limit the number of coins accommodated in the recess 30b. A stopper 32 as a member, an eject lever 35 as a coin removing member for removing coins from the recess 30b, and an eject lever 35 when the slider 30 is at an initial position (a standby position when the operation lever 11 is not operated). Ejecting plate 25 as an elimination driving member for removing coins from the concave portion by operating The lock lever 28 is provided as a lock member that is displaced between a lock position for restricting the retreat operation of the slider 30 in accordance with the amount of coin protruding from the lock position 0b and a release position for releasing the lock. Some or all of may be changed as appropriate. For example, the transport direction of coins is not limited to the front-back direction of the housing. Further, in the above embodiment, the coin collection box 15 is provided as a coin storage unit, but the shape and size thereof can be variously changed. One or two coins are selectively accommodated in the recess 30b of the slider 30. For example, the depth D of the recess 30b is changed to a predetermined number of three or more and a number of coins smaller than that. The number of coins to be stored may be switchable between.
[0059]
In the above embodiment, the position where the concave portion 30b of the slider 30 as the holding member is directly below the chute 17 is the position where the coin inserted from the coin insertion slot is received in the concave portion, and the concave portion 30b of the slider 30 and the sub-chassis 21 The position where the hole 21e overlaps corresponds to the position where the coin in the concave portion is transferred to a predetermined coin storage unit. Regarding the lock lever 28 as a lock member, the position where the lock portion 28b engages with the protrusion 30f (the position shown in FIG. 11B) is the lock position, and the lock portion 28b has escaped to the upper end of the protrusion 30f. The positions (the positions shown in FIG. 11A) correspond to the release positions, respectively. Regarding the stopper 32 as the number limiting member, the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 8 corresponds to the limit position, and the position indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. 8 corresponds to the release position.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, coins are accommodated in the concave portion of the holding member in a state of being connected in the radial direction, so that the coins are projected from the concave portion and come into contact with the lock member regardless of the number of coins accommodated in the concave portion. The number of coins is one, and only one lock member may be provided correspondingly. In addition, even when the number switching member is switched to the limit position or the release position, as long as the normal coins are correctly inserted by the number specified by the number switching member, the amount of the coin protruding from the recess is equal. Therefore, no matter which position the number switching member is switched to, the authenticity of the coin can be correctly determined by the single lock member, and the restriction of the movement of the holding member and the release of the restriction can be appropriately switched. Therefore, a mechanism for responding to a change in the sales amount can be simplified. In addition, even when the lock member is pressed against the holding member, the pressing force is smaller than when the plurality of lock members are pressed against the holding member, so that the resistance to the movement of the holding member can be reduced. It can also contribute to reducing operating power.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration on a front side of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with some internal mechanisms.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a left side of the vending machine in FIG. 1 together with some internal mechanisms.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration on the right side of the vending machine in FIG. 1 together with some internal mechanisms.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vending machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a view showing the internal mechanism of the vending machine as viewed from the direction of arrow V in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a view showing the internal mechanism of the vending machine as viewed from the left side of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a view showing an internal mechanism of the vending machine as viewed from above in FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state where a main part of the coin processing mechanism is viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 5;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a main part of the coin processing mechanism as viewed from above in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a main part of the coin processing mechanism as viewed from the left side in FIG. 8;
FIG. 11 is a view showing a coin authenticity determining operation in the coin processing mechanism.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the operation of the motion transmission mechanism.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing details of a sub-chassis.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing details of a slider.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 vending machines
2 Case
2a Front of housing
3 Commodity storage room
5 products
6. Drum (product selection material)
6b Tooth of drum
9 Shoot
10 Commodity payout exit
11 Operation lever
12 coin slot
13 coin return slot
14 coin recovery slot
15 coin collection box (coin storage)
16 Main chassis
17 Shoots
18 Shoots
20 Dispensing control mechanism
20A motion transmission mechanism
20B coin processing mechanism
21 Subchassis (support member)
21d, 21e hole
25 Eject plate (removal drive member)
25a lid
27 Eject Pin
28 Lock lever (Lock member)
30 Slider (holding member)
30b recess
30c relief groove
31 Cam Follower
32 Stopper (number switching member)
32a Stopper projection
32d slit (hole)
35 Eject lever (coin elimination member)
40 main gear
45 Intermediate gear
46 Pinion
47 racks
48 Drum drive gear
48b protrusion
50 Gear drive claw
C regular coin
X drum centerline

Claims

In a vending machine that generates a product payout operation using an operation of an operation member by a product purchaser,
A concave portion capable of accommodating two or more predetermined numbers of coins in a state of being connected in the radial direction, and interlocking with the operation member, receiving a coin inserted from a coin insertion slot into the concave portion; A holding member movable between a position where the coin is transferred to a predetermined coin storage unit,
It is provided so as to be able to come into contact with a coin projecting radially from the recess in the middle of the movement path of the holding member, and heads toward the transfer position of the holding member according to the amount of the coin projecting from the recess. A lock position that prevents movement, and a lock member that can be displaced between a release position that allows the movement of the holding member,
The number of coins that can be switched between a limit position that is provided to move integrally with the holding member and protrudes into the recess to limit the number of coins accommodated in the recess, and a release position that releases the limit A switching member, and
The number of coins protruding from the concave portion when the limited number of regular coins having the correct diameter are accommodated in the concave portion by switching the number switching member to the limited position, and the release position of the number switching member. The amount of protrusion of the coin from the concave portion when the predetermined concave number of regular coins are accommodated in the concave portion is set to be equal ,
The holding member is formed in a plate shape and the recess is formed so as to cut out the holding member,
The number switching member is provided to be movable between the limit position and the release position along one side surface of the holding member and to cover the recess from the one side surface,
When the number switching member is switched to the limit position, the surface protrudes into the recess, and when the number switching member is switched to the release position, a relief provided in connection with the recess of the holding member is provided on the surface of the number switching member facing the recess. A vending machine characterized in that a recess is provided in the groove .

The holding member is movably supported between a position for receiving the coins and a position for delivering the coins by a support member disposed on the opposite side of the number switching member with respect to the holding member. The member is provided with a hole that is connected to the concave portion of the holding member when the holding member moves to the receiving position and the transfer position, respectively, so that the coin can be removed from the concave portion. 2. The coin removing member according to claim 1 , further comprising a coin removing member disposed outside the number switching member and capable of appearing and retracting in the recess through a hole provided in the number switching member. vending machine.

When the holding member is at the receiving position, an elimination driving member capable of engaging with the coin elimination member and driving the coin elimination member in a direction to enter the recess is provided so as to be operable from outside the vending machine. 3. The vending machine according to claim 2 , wherein the coin removed by the coin removing member from the recess at the receiving position is guided to a predetermined coin return slot.

The vending machine according to claim 3 , wherein the reject drive member is provided with a lid that closes the recess, and the lid moves so as to open the recess as the coin removing member is driven.

Of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that to eliminate the coin from the recess by driving the coin removing member when said retaining member is in the receiving pass position wherein the direction entering into the recess to the coin accumulating unit Vending machine according to any of the above.

A product selection member driven to select one of the products from a large number of products stored in the product storage room, and a motion transmission mechanism that transmits the motion of the operation member to the holding member and the product selection member, respectively. Further comprising
The motion transmission mechanism is configured to suspend motion transmission to the product selection member while the operation member is operated from its operation start position to a predetermined drive start position,
Claim 1-5 the operation position of the operation member when the movement of the holding member is prevented by the locking member, characterized in that it is set to the operation start position side than the drive start position The vending machine according to any one of the above.

The holding member, the automatic vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is linearly movable between a position passing position and the coin accept the coin.