JPH01284995A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To unitize a driving mechanism and to simplify a control system by providing the driving mechanism in a commodity loading stand and driving the horizontal sending means of a commodity receiving part through a transmitting means. CONSTITUTION:A movable member 12 to be freely turntable and a transmitting means 11, which transmits turning force as commodity horizontal sending force, are obtained in a horizontal sending means B of each commodity receiving part C and a driving mechanism E is obtained in a commodity loading stand 5. The driving mechanism E forcibly turns the movable member 12 through a pressing member and turns the transmitting means 11. Then, the lateral sending of the commodity is executed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a plurality of product storage units equipped with a cross-feeding means for cross-feeding a plurality of products placed in a parallel state to one side in the parallel direction. A product mounting table that supports the products selectively sent out from the product storage section by placing the products at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction; The present invention relates to a vending machine equipped with a product lifting device having a lifting drive mechanism for forced movement.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in this type of vending machine, as shown in Fig. 8,
A rotating shaft (52) of a belt conveyor (51) that constitutes a traversing means for each product storage section (50).

(53), the rotating shaft (5) located on the upper side in the conveyance direction
3) is interlocked with an electric motor (54) equipped with a speed reduction mechanism.

Then, based on the product selection signal, when the product placement table (55) is stopped at a position corresponding to the product storage section (50) in which the product corresponding to the product selection signal is stored, this product placement table ( The electric motor (54) is driven based on the stop detection signal of the belt conveyor (51).
) Among the products (8) placed on the product (8), the product (A) located at the forefront is sent onto the product placement table (55).

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the case of this conventional vending machine, an electric motor (54) for driving the belt conveyor (51) is provided for each product storage section (50), so the entire drive mechanism is cost-effective. Not only is this expensive, but each of these electric motors (54) requires a control circuit to control the drive of each motor individually based on the stop signal of the product mounting table (55), etc., and the control system of the entire conveying device is The problem was that it became extremely complicated.

An object of the present invention is to simplify the drive system and control system of the entire conveying device while always ensuring the cross-feeding of products by rationally modifying the cross-feeding drive system in the product storage section. It is in.

[Means to solve the problem]

In the vending machine according to the present invention, the cross-feeding means of each product storage section is provided with a rotatable movable member and a transmission means for transmitting the rotational force of the movable member as a product cross-feeding force; The product mounting table is characterized by being provided with a pressing member having a pressing surface for pressing and rotating the movable member of each of the horizontal feeding means, and a drive mechanism for forcibly rotating this pressing member. The effects and effects thereof are as follows.

[For production]

Based on the product selection signal, when the product placement table stops at the position of the product storage section that stores the product corresponding to the product selection signal, a single drive mechanism provided on this product placement table is activated, and this drive The mechanism rotates the pressing member. The rotation of the pressing member presses and rotates the movable member of the traversing means, and further, this rotational force is transmitted as a product lateral transport force through the transmission means, and a plurality of products placed in parallel are Among the products, the product located at the forefront in the traverse direction is delivered onto the product placement table.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As a result, even if the product storage sections are provided in multiple stages above and below, a single drive mechanism provided on the product placement table can serve as the drive source for the traversing means of each product storage section. Since it is only necessary to control the operation of this single drive mechanism based on various information, the entire drive structure for selectively operating the cross-feeding means of each product storage section is simpler and more economical than before. It is possible to configure the system according to the present invention, and at the same time, it is possible to simplify the control system.

Moreover, since the pressing member of the product mounting table is configured to press and rotate the movable member of the cross-feeding means on a surface, the continuous rotation of the pressing member continuously moves the cross-feeding means at a predetermined speed. Therefore, even if the product on the product storage section is damaged due to an error when replenishing the product into the product storage section, the desired product can be delivered in a state with less impact. The product can be placed on the product table and taken out in a short time.

Further, for example, the product mounting table may be provided with a drive gear interlocked with an electric motor and a drive mechanism that reciprocates the drive gear, and the lateral feeding means of each product storage section may be provided with a drive gear that engages with the drive gear. Unlike the case where a possible passive gear is provided, there is no possibility of meshing failure due to the difference in the meshing phase between the driving gear and the passive gear, and the product placement table can be stopped with rough accuracy. It is now possible to always reliably transport products stored side by side in the product storage section.

〔Example〕

Next, an embodiment of a vending machine according to the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 5.

Fig. 5 shows a vending machine that stores products (A) such as bottled beer, and the front side of the casing (3) has double internal and external doors (1) and (2) that can swing open and close to close the opening of the vending machine. ) is attached, and a partition plate (4) is provided in the casing (3) to partition the internal space of the casing (3) into a product storage chamber (S+) and a refrigeration power chamber (S2).

The product storage chamber (S) of the casing (3) includes a cross-feeding means (B) for cross-feeding a plurality of products (A) placed in parallel in the horizontal direction to one side in the parallel direction. A plurality of belt conveyor-type product storage units (C) are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, and products (8) selectively delivered from the product storage unit (C) are placed therein. Product mounting table to support (5) and this product mounting table (5)
A product lifting device (D) is provided, which includes a lifting drive mechanism (7) for forcibly moving the product vertically to the product take-out openings (6) formed at the bottom of both doors (1) and (2). be.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each product storage section (C) is located in a storage frame (not shown) installed in the casing (3) in the left-right direction of the casing (3). A pair of rollers (9a) at parts separated by a predetermined interval,
(9b) is rotatably mounted, and a cross-feeding bell) is attached across both rollers (9a) and (9b).
(10) is wound.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lateral feeding means (B) is configured to rotate the rotating shaft (1) of the roller (9a) located on the lower side in the lateral feeding direction among the rollers (9a) and (9b).
A movable member (12) that rotates integrally with the rotating shaft (11) is attached to one end of 1), and a movable member (12) that is parallel to the rotating shaft (11) is attached to the tip of the movable member (12). A roller (13) rotatable around the axis is attached.

The rotating shaft (11) of the roller (9a) constitutes a transmission means for transmitting the rotational force of the movable member (12) to the roller (9a) as a force for transversely transporting the product.

The lifting drive mechanism (7) of the product lifting device (D) has a fourth
As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. Sprockets (7a) and (7b) are provided, and a lifting chain (7C) is wound around both sprockets (7a) and (7b), and the lower sprocket (7b) can be switched between forward and reverse directions. Electric motor (7d
) are interlocked and connected.

The product mounting table (5) is connected to the lifting chain (7C).
The electric motor (7d
) is configured to be raised and lowered by rotation of the lifting chain (7C).

In addition, when installing the product mounting table (5), the cylindrical member (14) fixed to the base end is attached to the top plate (3) of the casing (3).
a) and the bottom plate (3b) and is slidably fitted onto a guide member (15) in an up-and-down position to guide the rise and fall of the product placement table (5).

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, one of the product mounting tables (5) facing the movable member (12) of the traversing means (B) in the front and back direction of the casing (3) A bracket (16) having a substantially upward U-shape when viewed in the left-right direction of the casing (3) is attached to the side part, and the movable member (1) of each of the lateral feeding means (B) is attached to this bracket (16).
A pressing member (17) having a pressing surface (17a) for pressing and rotating 2) and a drive mechanism (E) for forcibly rotating this pressing member (17) are provided.

The drive mechanism (E) includes one end of the bracket (16) on the side where the movable member (12) is present.
A slidably movable cylindrical slide member (18) located coaxially with the rotating shaft (11) is attached, and the rotating shaft (11) is inserted into the sliding member (18) via a pair of bearings (19). 11) and a support shaft (20) that is rotatable around the same axis is attached.

The other end of the bracket (16) is equipped with an electric motor (
21) is installed with its drive shaft (21a) positioned coaxially with the rotating shaft (11).

Further, the pressing member (17) is attached to one end of the support shaft (20) on the side where the flexible member (12) is present, and the other end of the support shaft (20) and the electric motor (21
) is provided with a clutch (22) that turns on/off transmission of power from the electric motor (21) to the pressing member (17) at a location opposite to the tip of the drive shaft (21a).

This clutch (22) is composed of a pair of clutch plates (22A) and (22B) that are provided with latch claws (22a) and (22b) that can be engaged and disengaged from the direction of the rotation axis.

Furthermore, the intermediate portion of the fork member (23) that engages with the circumferential groove (18a) formed on the outer circumferential surface of the slide member (18) is mounted on one end side of the bracket (16). ), and this fork member (23)
The other end is pivotally connected to the operating shaft (25a) of a solenoid (25) fixed to the bracket (16), and the fork member (23) and the bracket (16) are connected together.
) between the movable clutch plate (22A) and the fixed clutch plate (22A) via the fork member (23), slide member (18), bearing (19), and spindle (20).
A spring (26) is tensioned to bias the clutch to the disengaged position from B).

The solenoid (25) is actuated to extend based on a detection signal that the product mounting table (5) is stopped at a position corresponding to a predetermined product storage section (C), and the spring (25) is actuated to extend.
By forcibly rocking the fork member (23) against the elastic urging force of 6), the movable clutch plate (22A
) is switched to the clutch engaged position in which the fixed side clutch plate (22B) is engaged.

The boss portion (17b) of the pressing member (17) is provided with the pressing portion t when the clutch (22) is in the disengaged state.
, t(17) are attached with a weight (27) for maintaining the horizontal position.

Based on the product selection signal, when the product placement table (5) is stopped at a position corresponding to the product storage section (C) in which the product (A) corresponding to the product selection signal is stored, the product The solenoid (25) and the electric motor (21) are drive-controlled based on the stop detection signal of the mounting table (5), and the clutch (22) is engaged and operated, and the rotational force of the electric motor (21) is applied to the clutch. (22) and the support shaft (20) to the pressing member (17).

The driving rotation of the pressing member (17) presses and rotates the roller (13) of the movable member (12), and this rotational force is transmitted via the rotating shaft (11) and the roller (9a) to the horizontal feed bell) ( 10), and this horizontal feed bell) (1
0) Among the products (A) placed thereon, only the product (A) located at the forefront is sent onto the product placement table (5).

When a limit switch, weight sensor, etc. detects that the product (A) has been delivered onto the product placement table (5), the electric motor (21) is stopped and the solenoid (25) is demagnetized. , the clutch (22) is disengaged by the elastic restoring force of the spring (26).

After that, the electric motor (7d) of the product lifting device (D)
is driven, and the product placement table (5) is moved to the product takeout port (6).
The product placement table (5) is lowered to a position corresponding to the product placement table (5).
The upper product (A) is delivered to the product outlet (6).

When the product mounting table (5) is raised or lowered, the pressing member (17) is changed to a horizontal position as the clutch (22) is disengaged.
Even if the tip of 7) comes into contact with the roller (13) of the movable member (12) of another product storage section (C) that is being raised or lowered, this pressing member (17) will not be affected by the weight biasing force of the weight (27). Such a pressing member (17) and the movable member (12) of the product storage part (C) of the pond can smoothly escape and swing against the
This has the effect of effectively preventing deformation and damage caused by collisions with other objects.

Further, the electric motor (21) is connected to the product mounting table (5).
) Since the product (A) is continuously driven while the detection signal indicating that the product (A) has been sent out is not output on Even if there is a missing item due to a mistake during work, the specified product (A) can be placed securely on the product placement table (5).
Can be sent out quickly.

[Side rush side]

In the above embodiment, the drive mechanism (E) is an electric motor (
21) and a clutch (22), it may also be implemented using a hydraulic motor or the like.

In short, the drive mechanism (snake) may have any structure as long as it can forcibly rotate the pressing member (17). ) was formed into a rectangular shape when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, but as shown in FIG. 6 or 7,
Both ends of the pressing portion of the pressing member (17) in the rotational radial direction may be sharpened.

When configured in this way, even if the pressing member (17) is in a vertical position when the product mounting table (5) is raised or lowered, the tip of this pressing member (17) will not touch other objects during the raising or lowering. Roller (13) of movable member (12) of product storage section (C)
There is an advantage that the pressing member (17) can be smoothly released when it comes into contact with the pressing member (17).

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the boss portion (1) of the pressing member (17)
The weight (27) provided on the clutch (7b) causes the clutch (
Although the structure is configured to change the posture of the pressing member (17) to a horizontal posture with the cutting operation of 22), the configuration is not limited to this horizontal posture, and the pressing member (17) can be changed to a tilted posture other than a vertical posture. It may be configured to change the posture.

In the above-described embodiment, the pressing member (17) is configured in an L-shape, but it is not limited to this shape. It may be constructed in any shape as long as it has a possible pressing surface (17a), and its rotation axis can also be changed in various ways depending on various conditions.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the movable member (12) of each of the lateral feeding means (B) is configured to be rotatable around the front and rear axes, but the movable member (12) is not limited to this rotary axis. The movable member (12) may be configured to be rotatable around an axis along the left-right direction of the casing (3), and the structure of the transmission means (11) can also be changed in various ways accordingly. It is.

In the above-described embodiment, a belt conveyor type was used as the product storage section (C), but an alternative type such as an ETEHA conveyor type or a chain conveyor type may be used instead.

Furthermore, the structure of the product lifting device (0) can also be modified in various ways.

In the above embodiment, the product outlet (6) is connected to both the doors (
1) and (2), but this product outlet (
6) is formed in the upper and lower intermediate parts of both doors (1) and (2),
It may be configured to dispense the product (A) from above.

Incidentally, although reference numerals are written in the claims section for convenient comparison with the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 5 show an embodiment of a vending machine according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view of the main part, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main part, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the main part. 4 is a front view of the product conveyance system, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the entire vending machine. FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are enlarged sectional views of the pressing member showing the respective embodiments. FIG. 8 is a front view of a conveyance system showing a conventional vending machine. (A)...Product, (B)...Transfer means, (C)...Product storage section, (D)...
・Product lifting device, (E)... Drive mechanism, (5)
...Product placement table, (6) ...Product outlet, (7) ...Elevating drive mechanism, (11).
...Transmission means, (12) ...Movable member,
(17)...Press member, (17a)...
・Press surface,

Claims (1)

[Claims] A plurality of product storage units (C) equipped with cross-feeding means (B) for transversely feeding a plurality of products (A) placed in a parallel state to one side in the parallel direction are spaced apart at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. A product placement table (5) which is placed separately and supports the products (A) selectively sent out from the product storage section (C), and a product takeout port (6) which places this product placement table (5). ), the vending machine is equipped with a product elevating device (D) having an elevating drive mechanism (7) for forcibly moving vertically up to ) is provided with a rotatable movable member (12) and a transmission means (11) for transmitting the rotational force of the movable member (12) as a force for transversely transporting the product, and the product mounting table (5) , a pressing member (17) having a pressing surface (17a) for pressing and rotating the movable member (12) of each of the horizontal feeding means (B), and a drive for forcibly rotating this pressing member (17). A vending machine equipped with mechanism (E).