JP3591313B2 - Vending machine can product heating equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is applied to a vending machine for canned products such as canned coffee and the like, and is heated to an appropriate temperature for sale on the way of a carry-out route for sending out canned goods taken out of a product storage rack to a product take-out outlet at the time of product sale. The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating canned goods of a vending machine which is provided for sale.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Equipped with an induction heating type canned product heating device in the product unloading path leading from the product storage rack of the vending machine to the product takeout port. There have already been proposed and publicly known ones in which cans are heated and then can products are sent out to a product outlet after the heating.
[0003]
Further, as this can-product heating device, a gutter-shaped can-conveying guide for receiving can-products that have moved along the carrying-out path in an inverted posture, and a saddle-shaped induction heating coil arranged on the outer peripheral surface side of the can-conveying guide. , A stopper installed at the exit end of the can transport guide to stop the can product taken into the heating device at the heating position, and a drive roller for supporting the can product from the can transport guide to a floating state during heating and rotating by itself. And a pressing roller that presses the can product against the drive roller from above, and controls the energization of the induction heating coil and the drive control of the stopper, the driving roller, and the pressing roller in accordance with the sale and heating operation of the can product. What has been proposed is proposed by the same applicant as the present invention in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-282742.
[0004]
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of such a can-product heating device. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a can product, and 2 denotes a gutter-like non-magnetic material made of a non-magnetic material arranged in a forwardly inclined posture in connection with a carry-out path of the can product 1. The can transport guide 3, reference numeral 3 is an induction heating coil wound in a saddle shape disposed on the outer peripheral side of the can transport guide 2, and reference numeral 4 is disposed at the exit side end of the can transport guide 2 to restrain the can product 1 at the heating position. An openable / closable stopper (roller structure), 5 is a drive roller for supporting the can product 1 taken in the heating device in a floating state from the can transport guide 2 while heating, and 6 is a drive motor for the drive roller 5; Is a pressing roller that presses the can product 1 against the driving roller from above during heating. Although not shown, the stopper 4, the driving roller 5, and the pressing roller 7 are individually connected to a driving link mechanism using an electromagnetic solenoid as an actuator.
[0005]
With such a configuration, at the time of standby for sales, the drive roller 5 and the pressing roller 7 are retracted to the positions shown by the dotted lines, and the stopper 4 protrudes to the solid line position and closes the outlet of the can transport guide 2. From this state, when the can goods 1 carried out of the goods storage rack (not shown) at the time of selling goods move in the unloading path in the direction of arrow P in the inverted posture and enter the can transport guide 2, the can goods 1 The tip abuts the stopper 4 and stops at that position. Subsequently, the drive roller 5 and the pressing roller 7 are moved from the dotted line position to the solid line position via the drive link mechanism by the excitation operation of the electromagnetic solenoid, and the can product 1 is sandwiched from above and below while floating from the can transport guide 2. In addition, the drive roller 6 is rotated by the drive motor 6 to rotate the can product 1 on its own axis, and at the same time, the induction heating coil 3 is energized for a predetermined time to induction heat the beverage inside the can product 1. When the heating of the can product is completed after a predetermined heating time has elapsed, the driving roller 5 and the pressing roller 7 are retreated from the solid line position to the dotted line position, and the can product 1 is moved to the can transport guide 2, and at the same time, the stopper 4 is moved. Retract to the dotted line and open the exit. As a result, the can product 1 slides down from the can transport guide 2 and is sent out to a product outlet (not shown).
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the above-mentioned conventional can heating apparatus has the following problems. That is, when heating the can product in a state where the can product 1 is taken into the heating device, the electromagnetic solenoid, which is the actuator thereof, is excited to keep the driving roller 5 and the pressing roller 7 at the solid line position during the heating. Need to keep. In addition, the electromagnetic solenoid that opens the stopper 4 also needs to be continuously excited from the end of heating until the can product 1 passes through the stopper.
[0007]
On the other hand, for electromagnetic solenoids, the current carrying capacity of the solenoid coil is different between the short-time rating of the instantaneous operation type and the continuous rating that continuously excites for a certain period of time, and the solenoid with the continuous rating is larger than the short-time rating. And the price is high.
Considering the conventional can-product heating device from this viewpoint, the electromagnetic solenoid, which is the actuator of the stopper 4, the driving roller 5, and the pressing roller 7, needs a solenoid of continuous rating to continuously energize for a certain time. This leads to an increase in the size of the device and an increase in cost.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to employ an instantaneous operation type short-time rated electromagnetic solenoid as an actuator for a stopper, a driving roller, and a pressing roller. It is an object of the present invention to provide a can product heating device for a vending machine which can be reduced in size, size, and cost.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a can product heating device is provided with a gutter-shaped can transport guide for receiving can products that have moved along a carry-out path in an inverted posture, and an electromagnetic solenoid as an actuator. A drive link mechanism that raises the can transport guide to the can receiving position by the excitation operation, an induction heating coil that is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the can transport guide to heat the can product, and that is installed at an outlet end side of the can transport guide. A stopper that keeps the can product taken into the heating device at the heating position, a drive link mechanism that uses the electromagnetic solenoid as an actuator to open the stopper by its exciting operation, and a floating state from the can transport guide during heating of the can product A driving roller for supporting and rotating by itself, and a rotation driving mechanism thereof, and a pressing roller for pressing the can product against the driving roller from above during heating of the product. And a drive link mechanism that raises the pressing roller to the retracted position by an exciting operation using the electromagnetic solenoid as an actuator, and a can transport guide, a stopper, and a pressing roller that are individually connected to each of the driving link mechanisms to form the electromagnetic solenoid. (3) mechanical lock mechanisms that are restrained and held at the suction operation position, and a lock release mechanism that releases the lock mechanisms collectively in connection with the three sets of lock mechanisms (claim 1).
[0010]
Further, according to the present invention, the lock mechanism in the above configuration includes a swingable lock arm having a locking claw at a tip thereof, and a drive spring of the lock arm, and the locking claw of the lock arm is a can. The guide is pressed against the link arm of each drive link mechanism attached to the transfer guide, the stopper, and the pressing roller from the side, and the locking claw is hooked into the engaging hole opened in the link arm, and the can transfer guide, the stopper, and the pressing roller are electromagnetically driven. The driving position of the solenoid is configured to be restrained and held (claim 2).
[0011]
Further, the lock release mechanism in the above-described configuration includes a slider that is connected and arranged between the lock arms of the three sets of lock mechanisms arranged in a row, an electromagnetic solenoid as an actuator connected to the slider, and a return spring. Each of the lock mechanisms is moved to a release position via a slider by an excitation operation of the electromagnetic solenoid (claim 3).
[0012]
In the above configuration, when the can conveying guide, the stopper, and the pressing roller are driven from the standby position by the exciting operation of the electromagnetic solenoid as the actuator in accordance with the heating operation of the can product taken into the heating device, the lock mechanism operates simultaneously. Each member is locked and held at the driving position. Therefore, an electromagnetic solenoid as an actuator of these members can be handled by an instantaneous operation type solenoid (short-time rating). Each of the three lock mechanisms is instantaneously released at once by the excitation of an electromagnetic solenoid, which is an actuator of the lock release mechanism, and the can transport guide, the stopper, and the pressing roller return to the standby position in conjunction with this release operation. I do. Therefore, the electromagnetic solenoid used for the actuator of the lock release mechanism can also be handled by an instantaneous operation type solenoid with a short-time rating, similarly to the above-mentioned electromagnetic solenoid, whereby the cost can be reduced along with downsizing and compactness of the entire heating device.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated examples shown in FIGS. In the drawings of the embodiment, the same members corresponding to FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
In other words, the apparatus for heating canned products of the illustrated embodiment is basically the same as the conventional configuration, except that the driving roller 5 is fixedly arranged as compared with FIG. I am trying to go up and down. As shown in FIG. 2, the can transport guide 2 is attached to the lower end of a swing link arm 9 which is supported on a support 3a of the induction heating coil 3 via a support pin 8. The electromagnetic solenoid 10 connected to the upper end of the actuator 9 is used as an actuator to perform an ascending operation from a standby position shown in the drawing by an exciting operation of the solenoid 10, and to be lowered to a standby position by its own weight when the electromagnetic solenoid 10 is not excited. Reference numeral 11 denotes a mounting base on which the components of the can heating device are assembled.
[0014]
On the other hand, a roller type stopper 4 disposed on the outlet end side of the can transport guide 2 is attached to the lower end of a swing link arm 13 which is supported on a mounting base 11 via a support pin 12 as shown in FIG. The electromagnetic solenoid 14 connected to the upper end of the link arm 13 is used as an actuator to move upward from the position shown in the figure by the excitation operation of the solenoid 14 to open the carry-out passage of the canned product 1. A return spring (torsion coil spring) 15 is attached to the link arm 13. When the electromagnetic solenoid 14 is not excited, the stopper 4 is lowered by the spring force of the return spring 15, and The exit is blocked.
[0015]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the pressing roller 7, which is disposed above the can passage facing the driving roller 5, is provided at the lower end of an oscillating link arm 17 which is supported on the mounting base 11 via a supporting pin 16. The electromagnetic solenoid 18 connected to the upper end of the link arm 17 is used as an actuator to ascend from the position shown in FIG. A return spring (torsion coil spring) 19 is attached to the link arm 17. When the electromagnetic solenoid 18 is not excited, the pressing force of the return spring 19 causes the pressing roller 7 to move down and the can product 1 is removed. The drive roller 5 is pressed from above.
[0016]
The driving roller 5 for supporting and rotating the can product 1 is composed of a total of four rollers arranged so as to protrude inward through a window hole opened on the bottom surface of the can transport guide 2 by being divided into two rows on the left and right. It is connected to a drive motor 6 installed below the can transport guide 2 via a gear mechanism 6a (see FIG. 1).
A can transport guide in which the electromagnetic solenoids 10, 14, and 18, and link arms 9, 13, and 17, which are connected to the armature of the electromagnetic solenoids and are drawn downward, are arranged in a line in front and rear and in a forwardly inclined posture. 2 above.
[0017]
On the other hand, three sets of lock mechanisms 20 respectively corresponding to each link arm are provided for the above-mentioned link arms 9, 13, and 17 attached to the can transport guide 2, the stopper 4, and the pressing roller 7. The lock mechanism 20 includes an oscillating lock arm 20b having a locking claw 20a at the tip and a drive spring (torsion coil spring) 20c for the lock arm 20b. Is pressed from the side orthogonal to the link arms 9, 13, 17 via the support pins 20d so as to engage with the engaging holes 9a, 13a, 17a opened in the link arms. It is installed on the mounting base 11.
[0018]
In this configuration, when the electromagnetic solenoids 10, 14, and 18 are excited to pull up the can transport guide 2, the stopper 4, and the link arms 9, 13, and 17 attached to the pressing roller 7, the lock arm 20b is moved in this operating position. The locking claw 20a is opened in the plate surface of each link arm 9, 13, 17 and fitted into the engaging hole 9a, 13a, 17a, and the can transport guide 2, the stopper 4, and the pressing roller 7 are moved to this position. Keep restrained. Therefore, it is not necessary to continuously energize the electromagnetic solenoids 10, 14, and 18, and the energization is stopped after the instantaneous operation.
[0019]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the three sets of lock mechanisms 20 are provided with lock release mechanisms 21 which are connected between the lock mechanisms 20 and operated in a collective manner. The lock release mechanism 21 includes a slider 21a laid slidably in a direction crossing the lock arms 20b of the three sets of lock mechanisms 20, an electromagnetic solenoid 21b as an actuator connected to one end (right end) of the slider 21a, A return spring 21c is connected to the other end of the slider 21a. The slider 21a is provided at its side edge with engagement projections 21d which individually engage with the three sets of lock arms 20b when the electromagnetic solenoid 21b is attracted.
[0020]
With this configuration, when the electromagnetic solenoid 21b is not excited, the slider 21a stands by at the illustrated position by the spring force of the return spring 21c. Therefore, each of the three sets of lock mechanisms 20 operates independently without interference with the lock release mechanism 21. On the other hand, when the electromagnetic solenoid 21b is excited, the slider 21a slides to the right due to the attraction operation, and the lock arms 20b of the three sets of lock mechanisms 20 are collectively represented by dotted lines via the engagement protrusions 21d with this movement. Move to release position. Thereby, the locks of the can transport guide 2, the stopper 4, and the pressing roller 7 are released. In addition, the electromagnetic solenoid 21b immediately stops energization after the lock is released, and the slider 21a returns to the standby position by the spring force of the return spring 21c.
[0021]
Next, the operation of the can-product heating apparatus having the above configuration will be described in the order of steps.
(1) In the sales standby state, all three lock mechanisms 20 are unlocked, and the electromagnetic solenoids 10, 14, and 18, which are actuators of the can transport guide 2, the stopper 4, and the pressing roller 7, are not excited. , The can transport guide 2 is lowered, the stopper 4 is closed, and the pressing roller 7 is lowered.
[0022]
(2) In this state, when a sales command is given, first, the electromagnetic solenoids 10 and 18 are instantaneously excited to operate to lift the can transport guide 2 and the pressing roller 7, and the lock mechanism 20 is locked at this position. The operation locks the link arms 9 and 17.
(3) Then, when the can goods 1 carried out of the goods storage rack by the selling operation enter the can transport guide 2 via the carry-out path, the can goods 1 hit the stopper 4 and stop at that position. In this case, the pressing roller 7 is retracted upward, the driving roller 5 is retracted below the can transport guide 2, and the can product 1 is received by the can transport guide 2 without interference with each roller.
[0023]
(4) Subsequently, the lock release mechanism 21 is operated to release the lock of the can transport guide 2 and the pressing roller 7. As a result, the can transport guide 2 is lowered, and the can product 1 is nipped between the drive roller 5 and the pressing roller 7.
(5) In this state, the drive motor 6 is started to rotate the drive roller 5, and at the same time, the induction excitation coil 3 is energized for a predetermined time. Thereby, the canned product 1 receives the induction heating while rotating, and the content beverage is heated.
[0024]
(6) When a predetermined heating time has elapsed, the energization of the induction heating coil 3 is stopped, and the electromagnetic solenoids 10 and 18 are again energized to lift the can transport guide 2 and the pressing roller 7 to receive the can product 1. In addition to returning to the initial state, the electromagnetic solenoid 14 is momentarily excited to drive the stopper 4 to the open position, and the link arm 13 is locked to this operating position by the lock mechanism 20. As a result, the canned product 1 slides on the inclined surface of the can transport guide 2 and is sent out to the subsequent product outlet.
[0025]
(7) After the delivery of the canned product 1, the electromagnetic solenoid 21b of the lock release mechanism 21 is again excited to release the three sets of lock mechanisms 20, and the can transport guide 2, the stopper 4, and the pressing roller 7 are moved to the standby position. Return to This completes a series of heating operations and returns to the sales standby state again.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, the lock mechanisms and the lock mechanisms are collectively released from the respective drive link mechanisms of the can transport guide, the stopper, and the pressing roller, which are constituent members of the can product heating apparatus. With the combination of the lock release mechanism, an instantaneous operation type electromagnetic solenoid can be adopted as an actuator for driving each of the above members from the standby position to the operation position. Cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing the entire configuration of a can product heating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of a drive system of a can transport guide in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a front view of a drive system of a stopper in FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of a driving system of a pressing roller in FIG. 1 FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional can heating device [Description of reference numerals]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 can product 2 can transport guide 3 induction heating coil 4 stopper 5 drive roller 6 drive motor 7 pressing rollers 9, 13, 17 link arms 9a, 13a, 17a engaging holes 10, 14, 18 electromagnetic solenoid 20 locking mechanism 20a locking Claw 20b Lock arm 20c Drive spring 21 Lock release mechanism 21a Slider 21b Electromagnetic solenoid 21c Return spring 21d Engagement projection

Claims (3)

A vending machine can product heating device that heats can products taken out of a product storage rack to a suitable temperature for sale in the middle of a carry-out path leading to a product take-out port, and receives can products transported in an inverted posture. A drive link mechanism that moves the can transport guide from the descent standby position to the can receiving position using a gutter-shaped can transport guide and an electromagnetic solenoid as an actuator, and induction heating that is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the can transport guide to heat the can product A coil, a stopper installed on the outlet end side of the can transport guide to stop the can product taken into the heating device at the heating position, a drive link mechanism for opening the stopper using an electromagnetic solenoid as an actuator, and a can product. A drive roller for supporting the can from the can transport guide in a floating state during heating and a rotation drive mechanism thereof, and a can product is moved forward from above during product heating. A driving roller mechanism for pressing the driving roller up to the standby position by using a pressing roller pressed against the driving roller and an electromagnetic solenoid as an actuator, and a can transport guide, a stopper, and a pressing roller which are individually connected to the driving link mechanisms to be electromagnetically driven. A vending machine comprising: three sets of lock mechanisms for restraining and holding a solenoid at an operating position; and a lock release mechanism that is connected to the three sets of lock mechanisms and collectively releases each lock mechanism. Can product heating equipment. 2. The can product heating device according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a swingable lock arm having a locking claw at a tip thereof, and a driving spring of the lock arm. Pressing the link arm of each drive link mechanism attached to the transport guide, stopper, and pressing roller from the side, hooking the locking claw in the engaging hole opened in the link arm, and electromagnetically moving the can transport guide, the stopper, and the pressing roller. A can product heating device for a vending machine, wherein the can product is restrained and held at a driving position of a solenoid. 2. The can product heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sliders are arranged so as to extend between the lock arms of the three lock mechanisms in which the lock release mechanisms are arranged in a row, and an electromagnetic actuator as the actuator connected to the slider. A can product heating apparatus for a vending machine, comprising a solenoid and a return spring, wherein each of the lock mechanisms is moved to a release position via a slider by an exciting operation of the electromagnetic solenoid.

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