JP3952996B2 - vending machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique that is effective when applied to a vending machine that sells a product by acquiring the product from a product row by a bucket and transporting the product to a product take-out unit, particularly a see-through type vending machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some vending machines include a product transport unit having a drive belt for transporting products in a row. Some of these vending machines further include a bucket for acquiring a product from a product transport unit and transporting the product to a product take-out unit. This bucket has a product acquisition port and a product payout port, and appropriately sets between a standby position, a position where the product acquisition port faces the product transport unit, and a position where the product payout port faces the product takeout port. It moves by a simple moving mechanism. The bucket acquires the first product in the product row transferred by the drive belt of the product transport unit with the product acquisition port facing the product transport unit. The vending machine sells the merchandise when the bucket conveys the merchandise to the merchandise take-out section and delivers the merchandise with the merchandise payout exit facing the merchandise take-out section.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-113306 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional vending machine, when the product acquired by the bucket is held and moved to the product take-out unit, the product may fall from the product acquisition port of the bucket due to inertial force or vibration during movement. there were. If the product falls from the product acquisition port of the bucket, there will be inconvenience that the user will not be able to get the product even though money has been thrown in. Further, the fallen product will interfere with the movement path of the bucket, There is a risk of hindering the subsequent sales of the vending machine products.
[0005]
Then, an object of this invention is to provide the vending machine with which a bucket conveys goods reliably.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention for solving the above-described problems includes a product transport unit that transports a product row placed on the first drive belt to the top product side, a product take-out portion from which the product is taken out, and the product transport unit. A product acquisition port for acquiring the top product of the product row, a product payout port for paying out the top product through an opening / closing door facing the product extraction unit on the opposite side of the product acquisition port, In the vending machine provided with a bucket that moves between the product transport unit and the product take-out unit when acquiring the top product, the bucket is: A second driving belt that conveys the leading commodity from the commodity conveying unit into the bucket; and a support member that supports the second driving belt; When the product acquisition port acquires the top product facing the product transport unit, Of the second drive belt The product outlet side is horizontal with the product acquisition port side Drive the support member to , When moving from the position facing the product transport unit to the product take-out unit and when the product payout outlet faces the product acquisition unit and pays out the top product, Of the second drive belt The product outlet side is inclined downward from the product acquisition port side. A first drive member for operating the support member It is characterized by having.
[0007]
According to this vending machine, when the product acquisition port of the bucket is opposed to the product transport unit and acquires the product placed on the first drive belt of the product transport unit, the second drive belt of the bucket The product outlet side is level with the product acquisition port side. Thus, for example, if the first drive belt is also horizontal to stably transport the product, the first drive belt is parallel to the second drive belt, and when the product is transferred from the product transport unit to the bucket, the product is The second drive belt may have a large contact area. Accordingly, the products in the product transport unit are stably delivered to the bucket. Further, according to this vending machine, when the bucket moves to the product take-out portion and when the product payout exit is opposed to the product take-out portion and the product is paid out, the product payout exit side of the second drive belt of the bucket is Inclined downward from the product acquisition port side. Thereby, for example, the product placed in the vertical direction on the second drive belt is inclined from the vertical direction to the product payout side so that the center of gravity of the product is close to the product payout exit, for example, The upper part can contact the door. Therefore, when the bucket that holds the product moves to the product take-out unit, the product is prevented from falling from the product acquisition port due to, for example, vibration of the bucket. Further, when the bucket for holding the product is in the product take-out portion, the product is smoothly paid out by being guided by the inclination of the second drive belt. Therefore, the bucket can reliably convey the product.
[0008]
In the vending machine, when the product acquisition port acquires the top product facing the product transport unit, and the product payout port faces the product take-out unit and pays out the top product. The surface of the second drive belt on which the leading product is placed But , Move from the product acquisition port side to the product payout side A second drive member for operating the second drive belt It is characterized by that.
[0009]
According to this vending machine, when the product is delivered from the product transport unit to the bucket, the product in contact with the surface of the second drive belt of the bucket moves from the product acquisition port side to the product payout side. Be energized. Therefore, the product of the product transport unit is smoothly delivered to the bucket. Further, according to the vending machine, when the product is discharged from the bucket to the product take-out unit, the product placed on the second drive belt of the bucket is transferred from the product acquisition port side to the product payout side. It is energized to pay out in the direction. Therefore, the products in the bucket are smoothly paid out to the product takeout unit.
[0010]
In such vending machines, The first drive member is According to the cam for inclining the second drive belt, and the rotation angle of the cam, the surface of the second drive belt is positioned so that the product discharge outlet side is horizontal with the product acquisition port side and the product acquisition. Move to a position that inclines downward from the mouth side So as to operate the support member And a coupling mechanism section.
[0011]
According to this vending machine, the second drive belt can be tilted by the cam, and the surface of the second drive belt can move between the two positions according to the rotation angle of the cam. Therefore, the operation of tilting the second drive belt and the operation of moving the surface of the second drive belt can be performed in synchronization with the rotation of the cam. With this synchronized operation, the product in the product transport unit can be reliably delivered to the bucket. Further, since this synchronized operation can be performed with a few drive sources, a low power consumption vending machine can be realized.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
=== Configuration of see-through vending machine ===
A configuration example of the vending machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The vending machine according to the present embodiment is a see-through type vending machine that allows a user to make a purchase selection by seeing through the door panel 13 the actual product to be sold. The outline of this see-through type vending machine will be described below.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine according to the present embodiment allows the products 11 arranged and stored in a row in a plurality of product storage / unload columns (product transport units) 400 to be horizontally aligned (in the X direction in FIG. 1). ) And the vertical direction (the Y direction in FIG. 1) is selectively acquired by the bucket 90 and is conveyed to the product takeout unit 16. The product storage / unloading column 400 stores the products 11 in a line in the front-rear direction of the vending machine (the Z direction in FIG. 1 and hereinafter referred to as the depth direction or the product transport direction), and from the bucket 90 side. It is configured to sequentially deliver and carry out the commodity 11 forward in the Z direction of the column by power transmission. The bucket 90 is configured to move in the XY direction along the space between the product storage / conveyance column 400 and the door panel 13. The bucket 90 moves so that the product acquisition port faces the opening of the product storage carry-out column 400 in which the product 11 purchased and selected by the user is stored, and acquires the product 11. To be transported to. Whether or not the product 11 is properly conveyed from the product storage / conveyance column 400 to the bucket 90 is detected by an optical product detection sensor 91 (FIG. 3) provided in the bucket 90. Hereinafter, the vending machine according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically with reference to each drawing.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration example of a see-through type vending machine according to the present embodiment as viewed from the front. In FIG. 1, a front-opening type product storage unit 12 is formed in a casing 10 of the vending machine. A machine room 10a provided adjacent to the lower part of the product storage unit 12 stores a system for cooling and heating. The front surface of the housing 10 is closed by a door panel 13 so as to be opened and closed. Here, the door panel 13 has a see-through window that is wide enough to allow the entire product storage unit 12 to be seen through. Other than the see-through window, an operation panel 14 for selecting a purchased product, a bill / coin receiving device 15, a product take-out unit 16, a change / refund dispensing unit 17, a lock device (only a key hole is shown) 18 and the like are arranged. It is installed. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of drawer-type product shelves 30 are mounted in the product storage unit 12 at regular intervals in the vertical direction (Y direction). In each product shelf 30, a plurality of product storage / unload columns 400 are arranged in parallel by being partitioned by a partition plate 65.
[0015]
In each commodity storage / unload column 400, the commodity 11 is stored in a state of being arranged in a line in the transport direction (Z direction). In the vending machine according to the present embodiment, for example, a total of 48 product storage / discharge columns 411 to 485 are stored in the 8-stage product shelf 30. The product 11 in the product storage / unloading column 400 is fed to the opening of the product storage / unloading column 400 and is viewed through the door panel 13. The product 11 fed out to the opening of the product storage / unloading column 400 is selected by a movable carry-out device called a catcher based on the user's selection and is carried out to the product take-out unit 16. The catcher includes a bucket 90 that acquires the product 11 from the product storage / conveyance column 400, and an XY drive mechanism that moves the bucket 90 in the XY directions. The XY drive mechanism has a movable frame 81 that is driven to move in the vertical direction (Y direction). By moving the bucket 90 in the horizontal direction (X direction) on the movable frame 81, the bucket 90 is moved to a desired position. It is supposed to move up to. A space (not shown) for moving the bucket 90 in the XY direction is secured between the product storage / carrying column 400 and the door panel 13.
[0016]
The bucket 90 moves in the XY direction along the space between the opening of the product storage / unload column 400 and the door panel 13 and stores the product 11 selected by the user's operation. The product acquisition port is opposed to the opening of 400 to acquire the product 11. The bucket 90 further obtains the product 11 from the product storage / unload column 400 and conveys the product 11 to the product take-out unit 16, and delivers the product 11 with the product take-out port facing the product take-out unit 16. Here, the bucket 90 according to the present embodiment has appropriate drive means including a bucket drive motor 910 (FIG. 6) to self-travel in the X direction on a guide rail 81 a (FIG. 3) provided on the movable frame 81. A lower portion of the bucket 90 is provided. A movable stopper 70 is provided at the opening of each product storage / conveyance column 400 to separate the products 11 to be fed forward in the Z direction one by one. The movable stopper 70 is always urged by a spring (not shown) at a position where it comes into contact with the product 11 at the opening of the product storage / unload column 400, but the bucket 90 is positioned in front of the product storage / unload column 400 in the Z direction. When this occurs, the stopper function is released by being retracted to the non-contact position by an operation from the bucket 90 side. Thereby, the products 11 in the opening of the product storage / conveyance column 400 are pushed forward one by one in the Z direction and transferred to the bucket 90.
[0017]
<<< Commodity transport unit >>>
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of main parts of the drawer-type product shelf 30 and the product storage / conveying column 400. As shown in FIG. 2, the product storage / unload column 400 of the present embodiment has a product transport unit conveyor belt (first drive belt) 43 driven in a fixed direction (Z direction). The products 11 are stored in a line on the product transport unit conveyor belt 43, and the products 11 are sequentially fed forward in the Z direction of the product storage and delivery column 400 by driving the product transport unit conveyor belt 43. It is configured. The conveyor belt 43 for the product carrying unit is an endless belt in which strips of synthetic fibers are connected in a loop shape, and sprocket holes 44 are provided at a constant pitch along both width ends. The product transport unit conveyor belt 43 is mounted and held in a stretched state on a conveyor base 45 detachable from the product shelf 30. That is, the product carry-out mechanism of the product storage carry-out column 400 is configured as a conveyor unit 41 that is independent from the product shelf 30. The conveyor unit 41 has an L-shaped locking key portion 42 projecting downward in the Y direction, and the locking key portion 42 is fitted and locked into the slit 35 of the product shelf 30, so that It is designed to be mounted at any position.
[0018]
The product shelf 30 has a three-sided tray shape in which a back plate 32 and a side plate 33 are raised from three sides of a rectangular bottom plate 31, and a locking key portion 42 is fitted into each of the bottom plate 31 and the back plate 32. A number of slits 35 to be stopped are formed in parallel. The slits 35 and 34 are provided at an interval pitch that is sufficiently narrower than the width of the product storage and carry-out column 400. The conveyor unit 41 can be mounted at an arbitrary position on the product shelf 30 by inserting and locking the locking key portion 42 into any of the numerous slits 35 formed in the bottom plate 31. . A partition plate 65 that divides the product storage carry-out column 400 is also detachably mounted on the product shelf 30. The partition plate 65 has a substantially rectangular flat plate shape having substantially the same length as the depth of the product shelf 30, and has an L-shaped key portion 66 that fits and engages with the slit 35 of the bottom plate 31 and the slit of the back plate 32. 34 is integrally provided with a projecting plate portion 67 which is fitted and engaged. The partition plate 65 is formed by inserting and locking the L-shaped key portion 66 and the protruding plate portion 67 into any of a number of slits 35 and 34 formed in the bottom plate 31 and the back plate 32, respectively. Similarly, it can be installed and set up at an arbitrary position on the product shelf 30.
[0019]
At the front end of the conveyor unit 41, the fixed gear 53 for driving the conveyor belt 43 for the commodity conveying unit from the bucket 90 side and the commodity 11 conveyed to the opening of the commodity storing / unloading column 400 are the commodity. A movable stopper 70 is provided for retaining in the opening position of the storage / unloading column 400. Further, a backrest plate 60 is provided on the product transport unit conveyor belt 43 to prevent the product 11 on the product transport unit conveyor belt 43 from falling backward in the transport direction (Z direction).・ It is fixed.
[0020]
<<< bucket >>>
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a configuration example of a main part of the opening of the bucket 90 and the commodity storage / unloading column 400. As shown in FIG. 3, the bucket 90 includes a product detection sensor 91, a bucket position detection sensor 902, a movable arm 92, a movable gear 93, and a conveyor 85. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing details of a portion omitted at the lower part of the bucket 90 in FIG.
[0021]
The product detection sensor 91 is held by a drive means (FIG. 4), which will be described later, so as to be movable back and forth in the product transport direction (Z direction) from both side walls at the product acquisition port of the bucket 90. The product detection sensor 91 includes a light receiving portion 91a provided on one side wall portion shown in FIG. 3 in the bucket 90 and a light projecting portion 91b (FIG. 4) provided on the other side wall portion facing the one side wall portion. It is configured. In order to detect the passage of the product 11 based on whether or not the optical path between the light receiving unit 91a and the light projecting unit 91b is blocked, the light receiving unit 91a and the light projecting unit 91b have their optical axes aligned with each other. Are arranged opposite to each other. The product detection sensor 91 (91a, 91b) protrudes outside the product acquisition port of the bucket 90, that is, toward the product storage / unloading column 400 only when the bucket 90 acquires the product 11 from the product storage / unloading column 400. It can be moved to a position (solid line in FIG. 3B). In other cases, the product detection sensor 91 is movably held so as to be moved backward from the product acquisition port of the bucket 90, that is, toward the bucket 90 (dotted line in FIG. 3B). As a result, the bucket 90 only needs to have a depth space as long as it can accommodate the product 11 conveyed from the product storage / conveyance column 400, and the depth space for performing the detection operation (passage detection of the product 11) by the product detection sensor 91. There is no need to have. In the present embodiment, the commodity detection sensor 91 is movable. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as long as the bucket 90 has a width in the Z direction sufficient to detect the passage of the product 11, the product detection sensor 91 may be fixed to both side walls of the bucket 90.
[0022]
Bucket position detection sensors 902 and 903 (FIGS. 3 and 4) are provided on both side walls at the product acquisition port of the bucket 90. The bucket position detection sensor 902 is provided on the side wall portion of the bucket 90 shown in FIG. 3, and includes a light emitting element 902a and a light receiving element 902b that receives reflected light from the light emitting element 902a. The light emitting element 902a and the light receiving element 902b detect the outer side surface of the movable stopper 70 at the opening when the product acquisition port of the bucket 90 is at a position substantially opposite to the opening of the product storage / unload column 400. It is arranged. Specifically, the light emitting element 902a and the light receiving element 902b are juxtaposed at different Y coordinate positions at the same X coordinate position. Here, the light projected from the light emitting element 902a (IL in FIG. 3B) is reflected on the outer side surface of the movable stopper 70, and the reflected light (RL in FIG. 3B). ) Is received by the light receiving element 902b, for example, the bucket position detection sensor 902 outputs a detection signal. Here, in order for the bucket position detection sensor 902 to selectively detect only the movable stopper 70, the pair of the light emitting element 902a and the light receiving element 902b is disposed to be inclined toward the movable stopper 70 side. Thereby, for example, the bucket position detection sensor 902 is prevented from misidentifying the product 11 as the movable stopper 70, and the product storage / unloading column 400 can be reliably detected.
[0023]
The movable arm 92 is a movable member that is rotationally driven by appropriate drive means (not shown) including a cam drive motor 960 on the bucket 90 side, and pushes down the movable stopper 70 described above. Here, the movable stopper 70 stops conveying the first product 11 in the product row stored in the product storage / conveyance column 400 to the bucket 90 in the state indicated by the dotted line in FIG. In the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 3B, the movable arm 92 is pushed down to release the conveyance stop.
[0024]
The movable gear 93 is pivotally supported by a pivotal support portion 93e with respect to the movable gear holder 93d shown in FIG. The movable gear 93 is rotationally driven by appropriate driving means including the movable gear drive motor 988 (FIG. 6) on the bucket 90 side around the shaft support portion 93e. When the product 11 on the product storage / conveyance column 400 is taken out and transported, the rotationally driven movable gear 93 meshes with the belt driving fixed gear 53 on the product storage / conveyance column 400 side to transmit the rotation. . Further, the movable gear holder 93d is rotationally driven around a shaft support portion 93c provided on the side wall portion of the bucket 90 shown in FIG. 3B by appropriate drive means including a cam drive motor 960 on the bucket 90 side. The Thereby, the movable gear 93 is also rotationally driven around the shaft support portion 93c. When the leading product 11 of the product row stored in the product storage / unload column 400 is conveyed to the bucket 90 by such rotational drive and rotational drive, the movable gear 93 rotates the movable gear holder 93d in the clockwise direction. Thus, the lower portion of the fixed gear 53 is engaged with the lower portion in the Y direction from the lower side in the Y direction (solid line in FIG. 3B), and retracts into the bucket 90 when the conveyance is stopped (dotted line in FIG. 3B). .
[0025]
The drive means for operating the above-described commodity detection sensor 91 (FIG. 3) and the above-described conveyor 85 (FIG. 3) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a configuration example of a main part of these driving means. The cam drive motor 960 is provided on the side wall portion shown in FIG. 3 of the bucket 90, and the rotation of the gear 962 fixed coaxially with the rotation shaft of the cam drive motor 960 is rotated by the gear 964, the gear 966, and the gear 968. Is transmitted to the cam groove gear 970. The cam groove-equipped gear 970 is provided with a cam groove 970a (cam, FIG. 5) having a spiral shape on the back side of the paper surface in FIG.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 4, the light receiving portion 91a of the commodity detection sensor 91 is connected and held to one end of the support member 101a, and the cam follower 107 provided on the support member 101a is fitted in the cam groove 970a. . The shaft support portion 103 a of the support member 101 a and the shaft support portion 103 b of the support member 101 b having a shape symmetrical to the support member 101 a are supported by the support member shaft 105. On the other hand, the light projecting portion 91b is also connected and held by the support member 101b. As will be described later, the light receiving unit 91a and the light projecting unit 91b of the commodity detection sensor 91 having such a configuration are configured such that the cam follower 107 rotates the cam grooved gear 970 in accordance with the rotation of the cam grooved gear 970. By moving in the direction, it is possible to move back and forth in the product conveyance direction (Z direction) from both side walls of the bucket 90.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the conveyor 85 is a belt-type product conveying means for drawing the product 11 fed from the opening of the product storage / conveying column 400 into the bucket 90. The conveyor 85 includes a driving pulley 851 driven by a conveyor driving motor 1006, a driven pulley 853, and a bucket conveyor belt (second driving belt) 857 that is stretched and driven by the two pulleys 851 and 853. It is equipped with. Here, the bucket conveyor belt 857 of the present embodiment is an endless belt in which, for example, a belt-like woven fabric of synthetic fibers is connected in a loop shape. Thereby, the conveyor belt 857 for buckets can convey the goods 11 received from the Z direction back (product acquisition port side) of the bucket 90 to the Z direction front (product payout side).
[0028]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the conveyor 85 is pivotally supported on the side wall portion of the bucket 90 by a drive pulley 851 and supported by conveyor support members 1004 a and 1004 b. One end portions of the conveyor support members 1004a and 1004b are rotatably connected to shaft support portions 1002a and 1002b of the support members 101a and 101b, and the other end portions 1010a and 1010b are conveyor shafts that support the conveyor 85 in the conveyor 85. 1007 is connected to conveyor support portions 1010a and 1010b at both ends.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 5, the conveyor 85 according to the present embodiment is (a) horizontal (the product discharge outlet side is horizontal with the product acquisition port side), or (b) inclined forward in the Z direction of the bucket 90. Or (b) (the product paying outlet side is inclined downward from the product acquiring port side). FIG. 5 is a side view of a configuration example of a main part of a driving unit for moving the commodity detection sensor 91 together with the conveyor 85 of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a cam groove 970 a is provided on the inner side surface of the cam groove gear 970. The cam groove 970a has an equal radius r from the “A” point to the “B” point shown in FIG. 5, and a radius gradually increasing from r to R from the “B” point to the “C” point. , A shape along the circumference having the same radius R from the “C” point to the “D” point.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 5A, the cam grooved gear 970 rotates so that the cam follower 107 fits between the “A” point and the “B” point (radius r) of the cam groove 970a. When in the state, the support member 101a is arranged such that the shaft support portion 103a to the cam follower 107 are inclined forward in the Z direction with respect to the Y direction. Thereby, the conveyor support part 1010a in the conveyor support member 1004a pivotally supported by the pivot support part 1002a with respect to the support member 101a is pushed down in the Y direction. The conveyor support portion 1010b (FIG. 4) provided on the other side wall portion of the bucket 90 is also arranged symmetrically with the conveyor support portion 1010a. Therefore, the conveyor 85 can take a position inclined forward in the Z direction. In synchronization with this, the commodity detection sensor 91 can also move in the direction of retracting to the side wall portion of the bucket 90 (front in the Z direction).
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 5B, the cam grooved gear 970 rotates so that the cam follower 107 fits between the “C” point and the “D” point (radius R) of the cam groove 970a. When in the state, the support member 101a is arranged from the shaft support portion 103a to the cam follower 107 along the Y direction. Thereby, the conveyor support part 1010a in the conveyor support member 1004a pivotally supported by the pivot support part 1002a with respect to the support member 101a is pushed up in the Y direction. The conveyor support portion 1010b (FIG. 4) provided on the other side wall portion of the bucket 90 is also arranged symmetrically with the conveyor support portion 1010a. Therefore, the conveyor 85 can take a horizontal position. In synchronization with this, the commodity detection sensor 91 can also move in the direction protruding from the side wall portion of the bucket 90 (front in the Z direction).
[0032]
As will be described later, the state of the bucket 90 is such that the product detection sensor 91 shown in FIG. 5A is retracted and the conveyor 85 is inclined forward in the Z direction, and the product detection sensor shown in FIG. 91, the cam groove 570a of the cam grooved gear 570 has a radius that gradually increases from r to R from the "B" point to the "C" point. It has an arc shape. In the present embodiment, the central angle of this arc is approximately 45 °.
[0033]
In the present embodiment, the product 11 is pushed out by its own weight by a flip-up door (opening / closing door, FIGS. 3 and 4) 86 provided at the product discharge outlet of the bucket 90 and discharged to the product takeout unit 16. It has come to be. The flip-up door 86 is urged by a spring (not shown) so as to be always closed so that when the conveyor 85 is tilted forward in the Z direction of the bucket 90, it is pushed open by the weight of the product 11 on the conveyor 85. It has become. The bucket 90 according to the present embodiment includes a locking portion (not shown) that fixes the flip-up door 86 to the commodity outlet of the bucket 90 and prohibits the flip-up operation. When the cam groove-equipped gear 970 is rotated, the locking portion is raised when the protrusion 970b provided on the outer side of the cam groove-equipped gear 970 lifts the release member 1008 biased downward by a spring (not shown). To be released.
[0034]
<<< Control of bucket operation >>>
FIG. 6 is a control block diagram for controlling operations to be described later in the bucket 90 of the present embodiment. The control unit 200 shown in FIG. 6 performs movement control for driving the bucket drive motor 910 described above to move the bucket 90 in the X and Y directions, and movable for rotating the cam drive motor 960 and the movable gear 93 described above. The gear drive motor 988 and the above-described conveyor drive motor 1006 are driven to perform acquisition and payout control of the commodity 11.
[0035]
The RAM 204 stores, for example, information related to the XY coordinate position of the bucket 90 so that the bucket 90 can identify the position of the commodity storage / unload column 400 and move to the position. Specifically, the bucket drive motor 910 of the present embodiment is a stepping motor or a pulse motor that outputs a number of pulse signals corresponding to the rotation amount, and the number of pulse signals corresponds to, for example, the X coordinate position. . The number of pulse signals output from the bucket drive motor 910 when detection signals are output from the bucket position detection sensors 902 and 903 is stored in the RAM 204 as an initial set value of the X coordinate position of the bucket 90.
[0036]
The ROM 206 stores an appropriate program for operating the control unit 200 described above.
[0037]
Further, as will be described later, in the present embodiment, the delivery of the product 11 from the product storage / conveyance column 400 to the bucket 90 includes the rotation of the movable arm 92 and the movable gear 93, the movement of the product detection sensor 91, and the conveyor. The movement of 85 postures is performed in cooperation. These operations are controlled according to the rotation angle of the cam grooved gear 970 detected by, for example, a rotary switch 971 provided so as to be fitted to the cam grooved gear 970.
[0038]
=== Operation of see-through vending machine ===
The bucket 90 of the see-through type vending machine having the above-described configuration acquires the product 11 from the product storage / unload column 400, conveys the product 11 to the product takeout unit 16, and pays the product 11 at the product takeout unit 16 The operation until taking out will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0039]
<<<< Product Acquisition >>>>
FIG. 7 is a side view showing an operation example in which the bucket 90 acquires the product 11 from the product storage / unload column 400. The cam drive motor 960 of the bucket 90 positioned so that the product acquisition port faces the opening of the product storage / conveyance column 400 is driven, and the cam grooved gear 970 rotates clockwise in FIG. The cam grooved gear 970 rotates and stops until the cam follower 107 is fitted between the “C” point and the “D” point with respect to the cam groove 970a. In the cam groove gear 970 shown in FIG. 7, the cam follower 107 is fitted to the cam groove 970a at the “C” point. At this time, the conveyor 85 is horizontal by the configuration shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, an appropriate cam (not shown) connected to the cam groove gear 570 via an appropriate gear (not shown) rotates between the “C” point and the “D” point. The movable arm 92 having the same axis as that of the cam (not shown) depresses the movable stopper 70 of the product storage / unloading column 400, and the movable gear 93 having the same axis as the cam (not shown) is connected to the product storage / unloading column 400. Engage with the fixed gear 53. Further, the commodity detection sensor 91 protrudes from both side walls of the bucket 90.
[0040]
When the counterclockwise rotation in FIG. 7 of the movable gear 93 driven by the movable gear drive motor 988 is transmitted to the fixed gear 53, the merchandise transport unit conveyor belt 43 is as shown by the arrow in FIG. Moving. At the same time, the drive pulley 851 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 7 by the conveyor drive motor 1006, and the bucket conveyor belt 857 is also moved as indicated by the arrow in FIG. Thereby, the commodity 11 moves forward in the Z direction. When the product 11 reaches the “K” state from the “I” state in FIG. 7 through the “J” state, the light path from the light projecting unit 91b (FIG. 4) to the light receiving unit 91a (FIG. 4) in the product detection sensor 91 After being blocked by the product 11 again, it is recovered again, and the acquisition of the product 11 by the bucket 90 is detected. The control unit 200 (FIG. 6) stops the driving of the movable gear drive motor 988 and the conveyor drive motor 1006 based on the detection signal from the product detection sensor 91.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the product transport unit conveyor belt 43 is parallel to the bucket conveyor belt 857 in the Z direction, and the product 11 from the product storage / conveyance column 400 to the bucket 90. At the time of delivery, the commodity 11 has a large contact area with the bucket belt 857. Therefore, the product 11 in the product storage / conveyance column 400 is stably delivered to the bucket 90.
[0042]
<<< Product transport >>>
FIG. 8 is a side view showing an operation example in which the bucket 90 acquires the product 11 from the product storage carry-out column 400 and then holds the product 11 and conveys it to the product take-out unit 16. The cam drive motor 960 of the bucket 90 positioned so that the product acquisition port faces the opening of the product storage / conveyance column 400 is driven, and the cam grooved gear 970 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. The cam grooved gear 970 rotates and stops until the cam follower 107 is engaged with the cam groove 970a between the “A” point and the “B” point. In the cam grooved gear 970 shown in FIG. 8, the cam follower 107 is fitted to the cam groove 970a at the “A1” point between the “A” point and the “B” point. In the above process, when the cam groove gear 970 rotates 45 ° counterclockwise in FIG. 8, the cam follower 107 has an arc shape whose radius gradually decreases from R to r in the cam groove 970a. Is moved in the radial direction of the cam grooved gear 970 along the portion (between “BC”). As a result, the conveyor 85 is inclined forward in the Z direction, and the commodity detection sensor 91 is retracted into both side walls of the bucket 90. Also, a suitable cam (not shown) connected to the cam grooved gear 570 via a suitable gear (not shown) rotates, and a movable arm 92 having the same axis as the cam (not shown) moves the product in and out. The pressing of the movable stopper 70 of the column 400 is released, and the meshing of the movable gear 93 having the same axis as that of the cam (not shown) with the fixed gear 53 of the commodity storage / unloading column 400 is released.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 8, the upper portion of the commodity 11 abuts against a flip-up door 86 provided at the commodity outlet of the bucket 90, and its center of gravity is closer to the door (“L” state). Therefore, when the bucket 90 holding the product 11 moves to the product takeout unit 16, the product 11 is prevented from falling from the product acquisition port due to, for example, vibration of the bucket 90 or the like.
[0044]
<<< Delivery of goods >>>
FIG. 9 is a side view showing an operation example in which the bucket 90 pays out the product 11 at the product takeout unit 16. The cam drive motor 960 of the bucket 90 positioned so that the product discharge outlet faces the product take-out portion 16 is driven, and the cam grooved gear 970 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. The cam groove gear 970 rotates and stops until the cam follower 107 is fitted to the cam groove 970a at the "A2" point. Here, the “A2” point is located between the “A” point and the “A1” point. At this time, the conveyor 85 remains inclined forward in the Z direction by the configuration shown in FIG. By the rotation, the protrusion 970b provided on the outer side of the cam groove gear 970 rotates counterclockwise, and lifts the release member 1008 biased downward by a spring (not shown). By the operation of the release member 1008, the latching portion (not shown) that fixes the flip-up door 86 to the commodity discharge outlet of the bucket 90 and prohibits the flip-up operation is released, and the commodity 11 has the flip-up door 86. Push open with its own weight. Further, the drive pulley 851 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 9 by the conveyor drive motor 1006, and the bucket conveyor belt 857 moves as indicated by the arrows in FIG. As a result, the product 11 moves forward in the Z direction, for example, through the “L” state, the “M” state, and the “N” state (“O” state).
[0045]
In the present embodiment, when the bucket 90 that holds the product 11 is in the product take-out portion 16, the product 11 is smoothly discharged by being guided by the inclination of the bucket conveyor belt 857. Therefore, the bucket 90 can reliably convey the product 11.
[0046]
Further, in the present embodiment, the operation of tilting the bucket conveyor belt 857 and the movement of the surface of the bucket conveyor belt 857 may be performed in synchronization with the rotation of the cam groove gear 570. it can. With this synchronized operation, the product 11 in the product storage / unload column 400 can be reliably delivered to the bucket 90. Further, since this synchronized operation can be performed by the two drive sources of the cam drive motor 960 and the conveyor drive motor 988, a low power consumption vending machine can be realized.
[0047]
=== Other Embodiments ===
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention.
[0048]
In the embodiment described above, the surface on which the product 11 is placed on the product transport unit conveyor belt 43 and the surface on which the product 11 is placed on the bucket conveyor belt 857 are both horizontal, and Y The same height is assumed in the direction (FIGS. 3 and 7). As a result, the product 11 and the bucket conveyor belt 857 come into contact with each other with a relatively large area during delivery, and the product 11 is reliably conveyed. However, the relative positions of the two conveyor belts 43 and 857 are not limited to this. For example, the surface on which the product 11 is placed on the product transport unit conveyor belt 43 may be higher in the Y direction than the surface on which the product 11 is placed on the bucket conveyor belt 857. Even if the two conveyor belts 43 and 857 are in such relative positions, the product 11 is smoothly transferred from a high position to a low position, and the product 11 is reliably conveyed.
[0049]
<<<< Conveyor Roller >>>>
In the embodiment described above, both the conveyor belt 43 for the product transport unit and the conveyor belt 857 for buckets are endless belts in which a belt-like woven fabric of synthetic fibers is connected in a loop shape, but is not limited to this. Absent. The product transport unit conveyor belt 43 and the bucket conveyor belt 857 may be any transport body that transports the product 11 in the Z direction.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 10, for example, a product (conveyor roller) for the product 11 in the product storage / conveyance column 4000 may be configured by arranging a plurality of rollers 4300 that can be rotationally driven in parallel in the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 10, for example, a plurality of rollers 8500 that can be driven to rotate in parallel in the Z direction may be used as a conveyance body (conveyor roller) for the commodity 11 in the bucket 9000. As a driving means for the plurality of rollers 4300, 8500, the drive of a single motor (not shown) is transmitted to all the rollers 4300, 8500 arranged in parallel by using a drive transmission mechanism (not shown) such as a gear. However, the rotation synchronization is effective.
[0051]
Here, it is assumed that the plurality of rollers 8500 arranged in parallel in the bucket 9000 are unitized, and for example, the unit itself is coupled to the bucket 9000. As shown in FIG. 10, this unit is inclined forward in the Z direction using an appropriate mechanism. In the vending machine having such a commodity storage / unloading column 4000 and the bucket 9000, the commodity 11 is reliably conveyed.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the vending machine with which a bucket conveys goods reliably can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external configuration example of a see-through type vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration example of main parts of a product shelf and a product storage / conveying column according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a configuration example of a main part of an opening of a bucket and a product storage / conveying column according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a configuration example of a main part of a drive unit for moving a commodity detection sensor and a conveyor of a bucket according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a side view of a configuration example of a main part of a driving means for moving a commodity detection sensor and a conveyor of a bucket according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a control block diagram for controlling the operation of the bucket according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing an operation example of the bucket of the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a side view showing another operation example of the bucket according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a side view showing still another operation example of the bucket according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a side view showing a configuration example of a main part of a bucket and a product storage / conveyance column according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
85 conveyor
851 Drive pulley
853 driven pulley
857 Conveyor belt for bucket
90 buckets
91 Product detection sensor
91a Light receiver
91b Floodlight
101a, 101b Support member
103a, 103b, 1002a, 1002b Shaft support
105 Support member shaft
107 cam follower
960 Cam drive motor
962, 964, 966, 968 Gear
970 Cam groove gear
970a Cam groove
970b Projection
1004a, 1004b Conveyor support member
1010a, 1010b Conveyor support

Claims (3)

A product transport unit that transports the product row placed on the first drive belt to the top product side, a product take-out unit from which the product is taken out, and obtains the top product in the product row opposite to the product transport unit A product acquisition port, a product discharge outlet for discharging the top product through an opening / closing door opposite to the product take-out part on the opposite side of the product acquisition port, and the product when acquiring the top product In a vending machine comprising a bucket that moves between a transport unit and the product take-out unit,
The bucket is
A second drive belt for transporting the top product from the product transport unit into the bucket;
A support member for supporting the second drive belt;
When the product acquired port to acquire the top items to face the commodity transfer unit, the product dispensing opening side of the second drive belt drives the support member so that a said product acquisition port side and horizontal The product delivery port of the second drive belt when moving from the position facing the product transport unit to the product takeout unit and when the product delivery port delivers the top product facing the product acquisition unit A first drive member that operates the support member such that the side is inclined downward from the product acquisition port side;
A vending machine characterized by comprising: The top product is placed when the product acquisition port faces the product transport unit and acquires the top product, and when the product payout exit faces the product take-out unit and pays out the top product. wherein the surface of the second drive belt, to move from the product acquisition port side to the article dispensing port side, a second drive member for operating said second drive belt,
Vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a. The first drive member is
A cam for inclining the second drive belt;
According to the rotation angle of the cam, the surface of the second drive belt is moved between a position where the product discharge outlet side is horizontal with the product acquisition port side and a position where the product acquisition port side is inclined downward from the product acquisition port side. A connecting mechanism for operating the support member ,
The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

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