JP4100754B2 - Selective drive unit for parallel unit - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is, for example, a selective driving device that alternatively drives a product dispensing device incorporated in each of a plurality of product columns in a vending machine, and particularly detects a driver failure to prevent simultaneous driving of a plurality of units. In particular, the present invention relates to a selection drive device for a parallel unit having a check function suitable for the above.
[0002]
[Related background]
A vending machine such as a cigarette has a plurality of product columns for storing a plurality of types of products classified according to brands, and has a product dispensing device (dispensing unit) incorporated in each product column according to a product selection operation. By alternatively driving, the designated product is configured to be paid out (sold) selectively. The product dispensing apparatus includes, for example, a pressing member (pusher) that is incorporated in the lower part of the product column to form a product placement surface and pushes the lowest product to the front side of the product column. The pressing member is configured to be driven to move by selective energization.
[0003]
By the way, a selection driving device that alternatively drives a plurality of product dispensing devices (dispensing units) usually has a large number of units, so that a plurality of units are divided into a plurality of groups by a predetermined number, and a group selection designation, A specific unit is selected and specified in a matrix according to the specification of the unit within the specified group, and the drive motor which is the operation mechanism of the corresponding unit is selectively energized and driven.
[0004]
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in the selective drive device that selectively drives the drive motors M1, M2,... M6 incorporated in each of the six units, the six units are divided into two groups of three. In each group, one terminal of the drive motor M1, M2, M3 (M4, M5, M6) is commonly connected to each group, and the drive signal (positive voltage) is supplied from the two drivers 1a, 1b forming the first driver group. ) Is selectively applied to select a group. On the other hand, the other terminals of the drive motors M1, M2,... M6 in each of the groups are connected in common between the groups via backflow prevention diodes D1, D2,. Selective designation of drive motors M1, M2, M3 (M4, M5, M6) within each group by selectively applying drive signals (negative voltage) from the three inversion drivers 2a, 2b, 2c It has become. The driver 1 (1a, 1b) and the inverting driver 2 (2a, 2b, 2c) are selectively driven in response to the output of the control device (controller) 3, for example as shown in FIG. Each is composed.
[0005]
Thus, according to the selective driving device configured as described above, the drivers 1a and 1b forming the first driver group and the inverting drivers 2a, 2b and 2c forming the second driver group can be driven alternatively. Thus, only the drive motor M of the unit specified by these combinations is alternatively energized and driven. Specifically, by driving each of the driver 1a and the inversion driver 2a, a drive signal (positive voltage and negative voltage) is applied only between both terminals of the drive motor M1, whereby only the drive motor M1 is energized and driven. Is done.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the selective driving apparatus configured as described above has the following problems. For example, when the driver 1b is short-circuited internally and the drive signal (positive voltage) is always output, when the driver 1a and the inversion driver 2a are driven to selectively operate the drive motor M1, As the inversion driver 2a is driven, the drive motor M4 belonging to another group is simultaneously operated. That is, the two drive motors M1, M4 are driven simultaneously. Such simultaneous driving means that products are paid out in parallel in the vending machine. Such a problem also occurs when the drivers 2a, 2b, 2c forming the second driver group are internally short-circuited. In particular, such parallel payout is a serious problem because it occurs in accordance with the number of groups grouped as described above and the number of units in the group.
[0007]
By the way, in order to solve the above problem, the grouping of the product dispensing devices (units) may be stopped and the individual product dispensing devices (drive motors M) may be driven and controlled independently. However, in this case, it is necessary to individually connect each product delivery device (drive motor M) and the control device 3 (increase in the number of wires), and the driver and the reverse driver are connected to the product delivery device (drive motor). Since it is necessary to prepare as many as M), there arises a problem that the configuration becomes considerably large.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to detect a failure of a driver that selectively drives a plurality of units divided into groups and to prevent simultaneous driving of the plurality of units. It is another object of the present invention to provide a selection drive device for a parallel unit having a suitable check function.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, the parallel unit selection drive device according to the present invention selectively selects a plurality of units provided in parallel, such as a product dispensing device incorporated in a product column of a vending machine. Which is driven by
A plurality of units having a drive mechanism that operates by receiving a drive signal between the first terminal and the second terminal are grouped by a predetermined number, and a drive signal is applied to the first terminal of each drive mechanism for each group. first and driver group, and one at the commonly connected the first driver group by alternatively circuit connecting each second terminal of the plurality of drive mechanisms in each group among the plurality of groups of A second driver group that forms a current-carrying path via the drive mechanism between the first and second driver groups, and a logical sum circuit that logically sums the outputs of the first or second driver groups when the driver groups are not driven. And a check circuit for detecting the presence / absence of the drive signal from the output of the OR circuit .
[0010]
More specifically, one terminal of the plurality of units is commonly connected to each group so that a drive signal is applied alternatively by the first driver group, and the other terminal of the plurality of units is connected to the other terminal. Each unit in each group is connected in common among a plurality of groups via a diode for preventing backflow, and is alternatively connected in a circuit by the second driver group, so that each driver group is not driven. Sometimes, the circuit function is checked by ORing the outputs of these driver groups.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A parallel unit selective drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, taking as an example the case of selectively driving six units (drive motors M) provided in parallel.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a selective driving device for selectively (alternatively) driving six units (drive motors M1, M2,... M6), which is the same as the conventional device shown in FIG. The parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. This apparatus is characterized by detecting a failure (short circuit) of the drivers 1a and 1b forming the first driver group for selectively driving the plurality of grouped drive motors M1, M2 to M6 for each group. A check circuit 4 for logically summing the outputs of the drivers 1a and 1b is provided. The check circuit 4 includes, for example, two inversion buffers (inverters) 4a and 4b that detect the outputs of the drivers 1a and 1b, respectively, and have their output terminals connected in common. The control device 3 monitors the output of the check circuit 4 when the drivers 1a and 1b are not driven (the outputs of the drivers 1a and 1b that are commonly connected and logically ORed), thereby causing a failure of the drivers 1a and 1b. In particular, it detects the internal short circuit.
[0012]
Thus, according to the selective drive device including such a check circuit 4, if one of the drivers 1a and 1b is internally short-circuited, when these drivers 1a and 1b are not driven (non- Even during driving, a drive signal (positive voltage) for the drive motor M is output as an output of the driver 1a (1b) in which the short circuit occurs. Then, in response to this output (positive voltage), the inversion buffer 4a (4b) is operated, so that the logical sum output becomes Low, and the control device 3 detects failure (short circuit) of the drivers 1a and 1b from this logical sum output. Will be detected.
[0013]
When the drivers 1a and 1b are functioning normally, no drive signal (positive voltage) is generated at these output terminals when the drivers 1a and 1b are not driven. Accordingly, both the inverting buffers 4a and 4b are not operated, and the outputs of these inverting buffers 4a and 4b are both kept at high level, so that the control device 3 receives this output and the driver 1a and 1b has an abnormality. That is, it can be confirmed that there is no failure (short circuit).
[0014]
Incidentally, when the drivers 1a and 1b are selectively driven under the control device 3 when the drivers 1a and 1b function normally, the output of the drive signals from the drivers 1a and 1b is received and the inversion is performed. Each of the buffers 4a and 4b operates, and its output becomes Low. Therefore, at this point, the control device 3 determines whether the output of the check circuit 4 has become Low due to the selective driving of the drivers 1a and 1b, or because of the short circuit of the drivers 1a and 1b. Cannot be identified as Low. Therefore, it is important to check the output using the check circuit 4 when the drivers 1a and 1b (first driver group) are not driven. When a failure (short circuit) of the drivers 1a and 1b is detected, for example, an alarm is promptly issued and measures such as stopping the driving of the drivers 1a and 1b (first driver group) are taken. It ’s fine.
[0015]
Thus, if the selective driving device configured in this way is incorporated in a vending machine, a short circuit of the driver can be detected in advance. For example, by stopping the selective driving of the driver group, a driver failure (short circuit) is caused. As a result, it is possible to prevent a plurality of product dispensing apparatuses from being driven simultaneously. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively prevent an accident such as simultaneously paying out other products together with the selected and designated products when the products are paid out.
[0016]
Note that when a release (disconnection) accident occurs in the first driver group (drivers 1a and 1b), a drive signal (positive voltage) is output from the first driver group even by the selective driving. It will not be done. Therefore, even if the inversion drivers 2a, 2b, and 2c that are the second driver group are selectively driven, the drive motor M is not energized. Accordingly, in this case, the specific drive motor M cannot be selectively driven, and the vending machine does not perform the selective payout operation (sales operation) of the product. Just take it.
[0017]
By the way, the problem of simultaneous driving of the plurality of drive motors M1, M2,... M6 also occurs when the second driver group (inversion drivers 2a, 2b, 2c) fails (internal short circuit). Therefore, in order to detect such a failure of the second driver group, a check circuit 5 for ORing the outputs of these inversion drivers 2a, 2b, 2c may be incorporated as in the previous embodiment. . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the other ends (anodes) of the diodes 5a, 5b, and 5c that are reversely connected to the output terminals of the inverting drivers 2a, 2b, and 2c are connected in common and pulled up through the resistor 6. Thus, a logical sum circuit is configured, and its output is input to the control device 3. Then, by checking whether or not the output of the check circuit 5 is Low when the inversion drivers 2a, 2b, and 2c are not driven, a failure (short circuit) of the inversion drivers 2a, 2b, and 2c is inspected.
[0018]
That is, when the inversion drivers 2a, 2b, and 2c function normally, the output is a drive signal (negative voltage) to the drive motor M only when the inversion driver 2a (2b, 2c) is selectively driven. To be applied. Therefore, in this case, current flows simultaneously from the resistor 6 of the check circuit 5 via the diode 5a (5b, 5c), and the output of the check circuit 5 becomes Low. However, when the inverting driver 2a (2b, 2c) is not driven, the output stage of the inverting driver 2a (2b, 2c) is in the cut-off state, so that the other end of the drive motor M is not grounded, and the check circuit 5 No current flows from the resistor 6 through the diode 5a (5b, 5c). Therefore, at this time, the output of the check circuit 5 is inherently kept at High.
[0019]
However, when a failure (short circuit) occurs in the inverting driver 2a (2b, 2c) and the output terminal thereof is grounded, the inverting driver 2a (2b, 2c) is not driven but the inverting driver 2a is not driven. The other end of the drive motor M is grounded via the output stage (2b, 2c), and in the check circuit 5, a current flows from the resistor 6 via the diode 5a (5b, 5c). The output becomes Low. The control device 3 detects the failure (internal short circuit) of the inversion driver 2a (2b, 2c) by monitoring the output of the check circuit 5 when the inversion driver 2a (2b, 2c) is not driven. Thus, the selective driving of the drive motor M is stopped by issuing an alarm when a failure is detected.
[0020]
Therefore, also in the selective drive device provided with such a check circuit 5, it is possible to prevent simultaneous drive of a plurality of drive motors M as in the previous embodiment. Especially when applied to vending machines, it becomes possible to prevent the parallel delivery of products from a plurality of product columns. If there is a concern about short-circuiting of the diodes 5a, 5b, 5c, the output lines of the inverting drivers 2a, 2b, 2c (for example, using an output monitoring driver (inverting driver) as in the previous embodiment) The output level may be detected while being isolated from the other terminal side of the drive motor M).
[0021]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, it is a matter of course that a check circuit may be incorporated in each of the first driver group and the second driver group. In addition, the example in which six units are grouped and selectively driven has been described here, but the number of units to be controlled, the number of groups, and the number of units constituting one group depend on the specifications. It can be determined. As the driver constituting the check circuit, for example, a driver electrically separated from the unit drive system using a photocoupler can be used. Furthermore, the drive mechanism of each unit is not limited to a motor but may be a plunger. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of units that operate by receiving a drive signal between a pair of terminals are grouped by a predetermined number, and a drive signal is applied to one terminal of each unit for each group. A first driver group; and a second driver group that selectively connects the other terminals of the units in each group collectively to the plurality of units. And a check circuit that detects the presence or absence of the drive signal by ORing the outputs of the driver group when not driving, so that an internal short-circuit fault of the driver group can be detected quickly, There are many practical effects such as simultaneous driving can be prevented.
[0023]
In particular, when applied to a vending machine, it is possible to achieve a great practical effect, such as being able to prevent simultaneous dispensing of parallel products from a plurality of product columns.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a parallel unit selective driving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a parallel unit selective driving apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a conventional parallel unit selective driving device;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a driver and an inverting driver incorporated in a selection driving device.
[Explanation of symbols]
M (M1, M2, M6) Drive motor (unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st driver group 1a, 1b Driver 2 2nd driver group 2a, 2b Inversion driver 3 Controller 4 Check circuit 4a, 4b Inversion driver 5 Check circuit 5a, 5b, 5c Diode 6 Resistance

Claims (3)

A selective driving device that alternatively drives a plurality of units provided in parallel,
A predetermined number of the plurality of units each having a drive mechanism that operates by receiving a drive signal between the first terminal and the second terminal is grouped and driven to the first terminal of the drive mechanism in each unit for each group. A first driver group for applying a signal;
The second terminals of the plurality of drive mechanisms in each group that are commonly connected one by one between the plurality of groups are alternatively connected to each other via the drive mechanism with the first driver group. A second driver group forming an energization path ;
An OR circuit for ORing the outputs of the first or second driver group when each driver group is not driven ;
A parallel unit selective drive device comprising: a check circuit that detects the presence or absence of the drive signal from the output of the OR circuit . The other terminal of the plurality of units is connected in common between the plurality of groups via a backflow prevention diode for each unit in each group, and is alternatively circuit-connected by the second driver group. The parallel unit selective driving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of units are product dispensing devices each incorporated in a plurality of product columns in a vending machine,
The selective driving of each parallel unit according to claim 1, wherein the selective driving of each unit is performed by selectively energizing a pusher driving motor incorporated in each of the commodity dispensing devices. apparatus.

Images