JP3779835B2 - Cup ejector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cup discharging device used in a cup type vending machine that sells beverages through a cup.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a cup-type vending machine that sells beverages such as coffee and juice through cups, a cup discharging device that stores a large number of cups and discharges the cups to a predetermined supply position one by one for each predetermined sales order. Is provided.
[0003]
This type of cup discharging apparatus is provided on a horizontal conveying table that is long in the left-right direction for placing a plurality of cup rows stacked in parallel in a plurality of rows, and on the left and right ends of the conveying table, respectively. And a transport mechanism that slides the cup rows placed on the transport table to the left and right.
[0004]
For example, a cup row of A size cups is placed on the left side of the transport table, a cup row of B size cups is placed on the right side, and the cup discharge unit on the left side of the transport table corresponds to the A size cup. The right cup discharging unit is configured to correspond to a B size cup.
[0005]
Then, the cup row placed on the left side of the carrying table is carried toward the left side by the carrying mechanism and supplied to the left cup discharging unit, and the cup row placed on the right side is directed to the right side by the carrying mechanism. It is conveyed and supplied to the cup discharge unit on the right side.
[0006]
Each cup discharge unit has a plurality of discharge cams that rotate forward and backward, and these discharge cams rotate forward and backward by driving by a drive source for each predetermined command. The lowermost cups are separated one by one and dropped downward.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the cup discharge unit of the conventional cup discharge device, the lowermost cup in the cup row is separated from the cup directly above by one operation of forward and reverse rotation of the discharge cam and dropped downward, and therefore a pair of cup discharge Each unit must be provided with a driving source, and the cup discharge unit holding the cups in the selected cup row must be individually driven. This has a drawback in that the structure is complicated and the cost is high.
[0008]
The present invention has been made paying attention to such points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cup discharging device that has a simple structure and can be constructed at low cost.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve such an object, the present invention has two discharge portions to which a cup row in which a plurality of cups are stacked is supplied, and each of the discharge portions is provided with a cup discharge unit. In the cup discharge device for separating and discharging the cups at the bottom layer of the selected cup row one by one, the cup discharge units are evenly arranged on the same circumference and are rotatably supported. A plurality of discharge cams and interlocking members that rotate the discharge cams at the same time. Each discharge cam in one cup discharge unit supports the cup cup in the lowermost layer of the cup row and rotates in the forward direction. Sometimes the lowermost cup in the cup row is separated from the cup immediately above it, and the cup row is supported when rotated in the opposite direction. In addition, a single forward / reverse rotation type drive motor for driving the interlocking member in the cup discharging unit is provided, and the single drive motor is configured to move the one through the interlocking member during the forward rotation operation. Rotate each discharge cam of the cup discharge unit in the forward direction, rotate each discharge cam of the other cup discharge unit in the reverse direction, and rotate each discharge cam of the one cup discharge unit in the reverse direction during reverse rotation operation And at the same time, each discharge cam of the other cup discharge unit is rotated in the forward direction.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a cup discharging apparatus. Reference numeral 1 denotes a casing, and the casing 1 includes a back plate 2, side plates 3, a top plate 4, and a bottom plate 5. Note that an opening / closing door (not shown) is provided at the front opening of the housing 1.
[0011]
A transport table 6 is provided horizontally in the lower part of the housing 1, and a push plate 7 is provided vertically as a transport means for the cup row C above the transport table 6. The push plate 7 is supported so as to be movable to the left and right along a plurality of horizontal guide portions 8 provided on the back of the housing 1. The push plate 7 is driven by a belt 10 interlocked with a motor 9 to move left and right.
[0012]
A cup row C formed by stacking a plurality of cups is placed on the transport table 6 in parallel in a plurality of rows. These cup rows C are arranged, for example, in two rows and one row on the left and right sides of the push plate 7 as a boundary.
[0013]
The cups in each cup row C arranged on the left side of the push plate 7 are different in size from the cups in each cup row C arranged on the right side. For example, the cups in each cup row C arranged on the left side have a large diameter. The cup of each cup row C arranged on the right side in the A size is a B size with a small aperture.
[0014]
When the cup row C is stored in the housing 1, the standby stop position of the push plate 7 can be arbitrarily set, and the size of the cup stored in the housing 1 can be set by setting the position of the push plate 7. The ratio can be arbitrarily selected according to the frequency of use.
[0015]
The both ends of the transport table 6 are discharge portions 11 and 12, and when the push plate 7 moves to the left side, the left cup row C is supplied to the discharge portion 11 on the one end side of the transport stand 6. Is moved to the right side, the right cup row C is supplied to the discharge portion 12 on the other end side of the transport table 6.
[0016]
One discharge section 11 is provided with a cup chute 13 and a cup discharge unit 15 suitable for an A size cup, and the other discharge section 12 is provided with a cup chute 14 and a cup discharge unit 16 suitable for a B size cup. Is provided. Each cup chute 13 and 14 has a funnel shape, and cup discharge units 15 and 16 are attached to lower end portions of the cup chute 13 and 14.
[0017]
2 and 3 show the structure of the cup discharge units 15 and 16, where 20 is a case, and this case 20 is formed in a ring shape having an opening 21 through which a cup can pass. A plurality of discharge cams 22 are provided in the case 20 so as to be evenly arranged along the periphery of the opening 21.
[0018]
These discharge cams 22 are rotatably supported via a central support shaft 23 so that a part of the discharge cams 22 protrudes to the inside of the opening 21. A drive ring 24 is rotatably provided as an interlocking member in the case 20 so as to surround the discharge cams 22.
[0019]
The drive ring 24 has inner teeth 25 on the inner periphery and outer teeth 26 on the outer periphery, and a gear 27 is integrally formed on the lower outer periphery of each discharge cam 22. The internal teeth 25 mesh with each other, and the meshing engagement causes the discharge cams 22 to rotate simultaneously in the direction around the axis of the support shaft 23 in accordance with the rotation of the drive ring 24.
[0020]
In the cup discharge unit 15 adapted to the A size cup provided in one discharge portion 11, the inner diameter of the inscribed circle connecting the discharge cams 22 is larger than the outermost diameter of the A size cup. In the cup discharge unit 16 that is slightly smaller and fits the B-size cup provided in the other discharge portion 12, the inner diameter of the inscribed circle connecting the discharge cams 22 is the outermost diameter of the B-size cup. A little smaller.
[0021]
An external view of each discharge cam 22 in each cup discharge unit 15, 16 is shown in FIG. 4, and a development view of the cam portion is shown in FIG. 5. The lower support surface 30 for supporting the cup C1 'of the cup C1, the upper support surface 31 for supporting the cup C2' of the cup C2 directly above the lowermost layer, and the lowermost cup C1. Are formed.
[0022]
The lower support surface 30 and the upper support surface 31 are horizontal surfaces extending by a predetermined length along the circumferential direction of the support shaft 23, and the level difference between the lower support surface 30 and the upper support surface 31 is as follows. H. The lower support surface 30 and the upper support surface 31 are connected in series via a guide inclined surface 33 that is relatively gently inclined.
[0023]
The pressing inclined surface 32 is formed on the lower surface of the upper support surface 31 and at a position substantially opposite to the guide inclined surface 33 with the support shaft 23 as a boundary. The direction of inclination of the pressing inclined surface 32 and the direction of inclination of the guiding inclined surface 33 are opposite to each other.
[0024]
Further, the release end portion of the upper support surface 31 on the opposite side of the guide inclined surface 33 is an edge-shaped sharpened portion 34 based on the inclination of the pressing inclined surface 32, and the sharpened portion 34 releases the lower support surface 31. It is in the state arrange | positioned above an edge part.
[0025]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a forward / reverse rotation type drive motor 38 is provided as a drive source at a lower portion of the housing 1, and an output gear 39 is attached to an output shaft of the drive motor 38. A speed reduction gear 40 is provided adjacent to 39. The reduction gear 40 has a large-diameter gear 41 and a small-diameter gear 42, and the output gear 39 meshes with the small-diameter gear 42.
[0026]
The large-diameter gear 41 of the reduction gear 40 meshes with the external teeth 26 of the drive ring 24 in the one cup discharge unit 15 via two idle gears 43 and 44, and the idle gear 45 via the idle gear 45. The other cup discharge unit 16 meshes with the external teeth 26 of the drive ring 24.
[0027]
The idle gears 44 and 45 mesh with the drive rings 24 of the cup discharge units 15 and 16 through notches 20a formed in a part of the peripheral surface of the case 20, respectively.
[0028]
With such a configuration, when the drive motor 38 rotates in the forward direction, the output gear 39 of the drive motor 38 and the reduction gear 40 and the pair of idle gears 43 and 44 are engaged with each other in the cup discharge unit 15. The drive ring 24 rotates in the opposite direction to the drive motor 38, the discharge cams 22 meshed with the inner teeth 25 on the inner periphery of the drive ring 24 rotate in the forward direction, and the output gear 39 and the speed reduction gear 40. The drive ring 24 in the other cup discharge unit 16 meshed with one idle gear 45 rotates in the same positive direction as the drive motor 38, and each discharge cam meshed with the inner teeth 25 on the inner periphery of the drive ring 24. Each of the 22 rotates in the opposite direction.
[0029]
That is, the discharge cams 22 of one cup discharge unit 15 and the discharge cams 22 of the other cup discharge unit 16 are simultaneously driven by the drive motor 38, but their rotational directions are opposite to each other.
[0030]
In the standby state in which the cups are discharged, as shown in FIG. 2, the bowl C1 ′ of the lowermost cup C1 in the cup row C is evenly supported via the lower support surface 30 in each discharge cam 22, The entire weight of the cup row C is received by each lower support surface 30.
[0031]
From this state, when a cup in the cup row C in one discharge section 11 is selected as a cup to be discharged, the drive motor 38 is rotated in the positive direction by a predetermined signal based on the selection. As shown in (a-1) of FIG. 7 by rotation in the forward direction, each discharge cam 22 in one cup discharge unit 15 rotates in the forward direction around the support shaft 23. In this forward rotation operation, as shown in (a-2), the sharpened portion 34 of each discharge cam 22 is located between the bowl C1 'of the lowermost cup C1 and the bowl C2' of the cup C2 immediately above it. enter in.
[0032]
As the discharge cams 22 further rotate, the lower support surface 30 disengages from the bowl C1 ′ of the lowermost cup C1, and the cup row C slightly lowers as shown in (a-3). Then, the heel C2 'of the cup C2 directly above the lowermost cup C1 is supported by the upper support surface 31, and the heel C1' of the lowermost cup C1 is pressed downward by the pressing inclined surface 32 that rotates. As a result, the cup C1 of the lowermost layer C is reliably and accurately separated from the cup C2 directly above, dropped and discharged by its own weight below, and supplied to a predetermined supply unit.
[0033]
As shown in (a-4), the flange C2 'of the cup C2 directly above supported by the upper support surface 31 of each discharge cam 22 relatively moves toward the upper support surface as shown in (a-4). From 31, it moves on the lower support surface 30 through the guide inclined surface 33, and the entire cup row C descends by one pitch corresponding to the level difference H between the upper support surface 31 and the lower support surface 30. In this state, the rotation of each discharge cam 22 is stopped, and a discharge standby state is set.
[0034]
Thus, each discharge cam 22 makes one rotation in the forward direction, so that one cup C1 in the lowermost layer of the cup row C is reliably separated from the cup C2 immediately above it and discharged.
[0035]
When each discharge cam 22 of one cup discharge unit 15 rotates, each discharge cam 22 of the other cup discharge unit 16 also rotates simultaneously with the drive motor 38, but the rotation direction is one cup discharge unit 15. The direction of rotation of each of the discharge cams 22 is the opposite direction.
[0036]
When each discharge cam 22 of the other cup discharge unit 16 rotates in the reverse direction, as shown in (b-1) of FIG. 7, the flange C1 'of the lowermost cup C1 supported by the lower support surface 30 is removed. Relatively, as shown in (b-2), the lower support surface 30 passes through the guide inclined surface 33 and moves to the upper support surface 31 as shown in (b-3). It is once pushed up by one pitch corresponding to the level difference H between the support surface 30 and the upper support surface 31. Then, as the discharge cams 22 further rotate, the collar C1 ′ of the lowermost cup C1 is relatively disengaged from the sharpened portion 34 at the end of the upper support surface 31. With this disengagement, the entire cup row C is entirely removed. As shown in (b-4), it falls by its own weight onto the lower support surface 30 and is supported by the lower support surface 30. In this state, the rotation of each discharge cam 22 stops, and each discharge cam 22 and cup row C return to the original discharge standby state.
[0037]
Thus, when each discharge cam 22 makes one rotation in the reverse direction, the cups in the cup row C are not discharged regardless of the rotation, and the standby state of discharge is maintained, and therefore the cup row in the selected one discharge portion 11 is maintained. Only the C cup is discharged.
[0038]
On the other hand, when the cup of the cup row C in the other discharge section 11 is selected as the cup to be discharged, the drive motor 38 rotates in the reverse direction by a predetermined signal based on the selection, and the reverse direction of the drive motor 38 , Each discharge cam 22 in the other cup discharge unit 16 rotates in the forward direction, and each discharge cam 22 in one cup discharge unit 15 rotates in the opposite direction.
[0039]
Therefore, in the other cup discharge unit 16, one cup C1 in the lowermost layer of the cup row C is separated from the cup C2 immediately above it and discharged by one rotation of each discharge cam 22 in the forward direction. In the discharge unit 15, the cups in the cup row C are not discharged by the rotation of each discharge cam 22 in the reverse direction, and the discharge standby state is maintained, and only the cups in the cup row C in the other selected discharge unit 12 are discharged. Is done.
[0040]
In this way, even if one cup discharge unit 15 and the other cup discharge unit 16 are simultaneously driven by the drive motor 38, the rotation direction of the drive motor 38 can be changed to switch from one cup discharge unit 15 or 16. Only a predetermined cup can be discharged, so that both the cup discharge unit 15 and the other cup discharge unit 16 can be driven with a simple structure using only a single drive motor 38, thereby reducing the cost. be able to.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a predetermined cup can be discharged only from one of the selected cup discharge units even if a pair of cup discharge units is driven simultaneously by a single drive motor. A simple structure using only a single drive motor can be realized, and the cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an internal structure of a cup discharging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a cup discharge unit in the cup discharge device.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cup discharge unit.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a discharge cam in the cup discharge unit.
FIG. 5 is a development view of a cam portion of the discharge cam.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing a drive mechanism of the cup discharge unit.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are operation explanatory views sequentially illustrating the operation of the discharge cam. FIGS.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11, 12 ... Discharge part 15, 16 ... Cup discharge unit 22 ... Discharge cam 24 ... Drive ring (interlocking member)
38 ... Drive motor

Claims (2)

There are two discharge parts to which a cup row in which a plurality of cups are stacked is supplied, and a cup discharge unit is provided in each of these discharge parts, and the cups in the lowermost layer of the selected cup row are provided via these cup discharge units. In the cup discharge device that separates and discharges each one at a time,
Each of the cup discharge units has a plurality of discharge cams that are equally disposed on the same circumference and are rotatably supported, respectively, and an interlocking member that simultaneously rotates these discharge cams, and one cup Each discharge cam in the discharge unit supports the cup of the lowermost cup in the cup row, and when rotating in the forward direction, the lowermost cup in the cup row is separated from the cup immediately above it and rotated in the opposite direction. Sometimes it is a structure that maintains the support state of the cup row,
A single forward / reverse rotation type drive motor for driving the interlocking member in these cup discharge units is provided, and the single drive motor is configured to discharge the one cup via each interlocking member during the forward rotation operation. Each discharge cam of the unit is rotated in the forward direction, each discharge cam of the other cup discharge unit is rotated in the reverse direction, and each discharge cam of the one cup discharge unit is rotated in the reverse direction during the reverse rotation operation. A cup discharging device, wherein each discharging cam of the cup discharging unit is rotated in the forward direction. 2. The cup discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cups of the cup row supplied to the one discharging portion and the cups of the cup row supplied to the other discharging portion have different sizes.

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