JPH0219890Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an elevator-type vending machine, and more particularly to a vending machine that automatically performs a series of operations related to carrying out products.

(Prior art) Conventionally, as an elevator-type vending machine,
What is shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 8 is known.

This vending machine is provided with a plurality of product storage shelves 11 in the vertical direction inside the vending machine main body 10, and an elevator 12 that transports the products placed on the product storage shelves 11 to a product takeout port (not shown). A light emitting part 14a and a light receiving part 14b of a photoelectric switch are respectively attached to both ends of the bucket 13 in the longitudinal direction of the elevator 12, and the conveyance of goods into the bucket 13 is detected by the photoelectric switch ( (Refer to Utility Model Publication No. 58-5171).

(Problem to be solved by the invention) By the way, in order to automatically perform a series of operations related to carrying out products in this type of elevator-type vending machine, it is necessary to In addition to detecting whether or not a product has been transported into the bucket, the bucket is accurately moved to a predetermined product storage shelf position based on the selection operation of the product selection means, and the bucket containing the product is moved to the product takeout port. At the very least, it is necessary to move the object to a position and stop it at that position.

The present invention was developed in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an elevator-type vending machine that can quickly and accurately carry out a series of operations related to transporting products. do.

(Means for Solving the Problems) As shown in FIG. 9, the present invention includes a product selection means, an elevator having a bucket cart for transporting the products, and a device capable of driving the elevator to move the bucket cart in the vertical direction. A vending machine equipped with an elevator motor, a multi-stage product storage shelf having a conveyor on which products are placed, and a conveyor motor that drives the conveyor to move the products on the conveyor in the direction of the elevator, A photoelectric sensor that detects the presence or absence of a product in the bucket, a cam switch that counts the amount of drive of the elevator, a stop switch that can come into contact with the bucket that has been moved to the product takeout port, and a selection operation of the product selection means. a first drive signal that sends a drive signal to the elevator motor to move the bucket toward the product storage shelf based on
a drive signal sending means, a counting means for counting the count of the cam switch at the same time as sending out the drive signal, and a drive stop signal to the elevator motor when the count reaches a predetermined value corresponding to the selection operation. a first stop signal sending means for sending out a drive stop signal; a second drive signal sending means for sending a drive signal to the conveyor motor at the same time as sending out the drive stop signal; a second stop signal sending means for sending a drive stop signal to the elevator; and a third drive signal sending means for sending a drive signal to the elevator motor to move the bucket toward the product takeout port at the same time as sending out the drive stop signal. A third stop signal sending means is provided for sending a drive stop signal to the elevator motor based on a detection signal from the stop switch.

(Operation) According to the present invention, a drive signal is sent from the first drive signal sending means to the elevator motor based on the selection operation of the product selection means, and the bucket placed at the product takeout port is moved toward the product storage shelf. . Simultaneously with the sending of this drive signal, the cam switch starts counting, and when the counted value of this count in the counting means reaches a predetermined value corresponding to the selection operation, that is, a value corresponding to the position of the product storage shelf, the first A drive stop signal is sent from the stop signal sending means to the elevator motor, and the bucket stops at the same position.

Further, at the same time as the drive stop signal is sent, a drive signal is sent from the second drive signal sending means to the conveyor motor, and the products on the conveyor are moved in the direction of the elevator, that is, in the direction of the bucket in the stopped state. Then, when the sensor detects that the product is stored in the bucket, a drive stop signal is sent from the second stop signal sending means to the conveyor motor, and the conveyor is stopped.

Further, at the same time as the drive stop signal is sent, a drive signal is sent from the third drive signal sending means to the elevator motor, and the bucket moves toward the product takeout port. When the stop switch detects that the bucket has moved to the product removal port, a drive stop signal is sent from the third stop signal sending means to the elevator motor, the bucket stops at the same position, and the product is removed. will be carried out.

(Embodiment) Figures 1 to 6 show an embodiment of the present invention, in which 20 is a vertically elongated box-shaped vending machine body filled with insulation material, and 21 is a door of the vending machine body 20. It is the body. A product sample section 22 is located near one side of this door body 21, and a coin slot 23 is located near the other side.
Product selection button 24, failure indicator lamp 25, residue presence indicator lamp 26, error indicator lamp 27,
A coin return lever 28a and a side exit 28b are provided, as well as a product takeout port 29 at the bottom.

30 is a back plate 2 inside the vending machine main body 20
The elevator is installed in the vertical direction of 0a, and consists of an endless chain 31, a bucket 32 for transporting goods having a substantially U-shaped cross section, and a connecting rod 33. Through-holes 32a are provided on both sides of the top and bottom plates of the bucket bag 32, corresponding to the top and bottom, respectively. Further, the connecting rod 33 is attached at one end to the chain 31 so as to be in a horizontal state, and the other end is rotatably pivoted to approximately the center of the lower surface of the bottom plate of the bucket bag 32, and the connecting rod 33 is also attached to the other end. A spring (not shown) urges the bottom plate of the bucket 32 to be horizontally supported on the connecting rod 33.

Reference numeral 40 denotes product storage shelves installed in multiple stages at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction on both sides of the elevator 30. Products A are placed horizontally on the storage shelves 40 and the products A are moved in the direction of the elevator 30. A conveyor 41 is attached.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a chute attached to the lower side of the storage shelf 40 at the lowest stage, and one end of the chute in the direction of the door body 21 is inclined toward the product outlet 29. Also, near one end of this chute 50, the bucket 32
A stop switch 5 that turns on when the bottom plate of the
1, and near the other end there are provided through holes 52 that correspond vertically to the through holes 32a of the bucket 32 in the horizontal state.

60 is a shutter attached to the outside of the product takeout port 29; 70 is an elevator motor that drives the endless chain 31 in forward and backward directions via the connecting chain 71; 80 is the endless chain 31;
It is a cam switch installed at the bottom of the. This cam switch 80 counts the amount of drive of the elevator, that is, the amount of rotation of the endless chain 31, and the moving position of the bucket belt 32 can be detected based on the counted number. Reference numeral 90 denotes a stopper of the bucket 32, which is formed slightly above the other end of the chute 50 and protrudes inward.

100 is a first photoelectric switch for detecting two products in total, and 110 is a second photoelectric switch for detecting products. The first photoelectric switch 100 is a floodlight 10
1 and a light receiver 102, the light emitter 101 is on the lower surface of the upper plate 20b of the vending machine main body 20, the light receiver 102 is on the lower side of the chute 50, and the light emitted from the light emitter 101 is placed on the lower side of the chute 50. They are fixed at positions where light is received through the through hole 32a and the insertion hole 52 of the chute 50, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the second photoelectric switch 101 is composed of a light emitter 111 and a light receiver 112 similarly to the first photoelectric switch 100, and is connected to the product outlet 29 on the inner surface of the door body 21. They are fixed facing each other on both sides.

FIG. 5 is an electrical circuit diagram of a control device for a vending machine according to the present invention. 120 is a power switch, 12
Reference numeral 1 denotes a control unit having a computer configuration, and based on the output signal of the product selection button 24, the detection signal of the first and second photoelectric switches 100 and 110, the detection signal of the stop switch 51, and the count number of the cam switch 80, At a predetermined timing, the operation of the failure indicator lamp 25, the residue presence indicator lamp 26, the error indicator lamp 27, the conveyor motor 41a, and the elevator motor 70 is controlled according to a predetermined unloading program.

Next, the control of the product delivery operation by the control device will be explained based on the flowchart of FIG. 6.

First, turn on the power switch 120 to turn on the power. As a result, the vending machine enters a standby state, and when no products are placed on each product storage shelf 40, a sold-out display is displayed (steps 1 and 2).

When a coin is inserted from the coin slot 23 (step 3) and the product selection button 24 is pressed (step 4), each photoelectric switch 100, 11 is activated.
Perform operation check by 0 (step 5,
6).

When the light emitted from the first photoelectric switch 100 is cut off, that is, when products are already stored in the bucket 32, the fault lamp 25 is turned on (step 7), and the second photoelectric switch 110 is turned on. When the emitted light is not received, that is, when the product outlet 2
9, the residue presence indicator lamp 26 is turned on (step 8).

After the operation check is completed, the control section 12
1 to the elevator motor 70 (step 9: corresponding to the first drive signal sending means), the bucket 32 placed in the product takeout port 29 is moved upward, that is, in the direction of the product storage shelf 40. move it.

At the same time as this drive signal is sent out, the cam switch 80
Start counting (equivalent to counting means).

When the counted value of this count reaches a predetermined value corresponding to the button operation, that is, a value corresponding to the position of the product storage shelf, the control unit 121 sends a drive stop signal to the elevator motor 70 (step 10, 11: corresponds to the first stop signal sending means),
The bucket 32 is stopped at the same position.

Then, at the same time as sending out the drive stop signal, a drive signal is sent from the control section 121 to the conveyor motor 41a (step 12: corresponding to the second drive signal sending means), and the product A on the conveyor 41 is moved toward the elevator 30. That is, it is moved in the direction of the bucket 32 which is in a stopped state.

When the product A is stored in the bucket 32 and the light emitted from the first photoelectric switch 100 is blocked by the product A, a detection signal indicating the presence of the product is sent from the first photoelectric switch 100 to the control unit 121. and the controller 121 based on the input of the detection signal indicating the presence of the product
A drive stop signal is sent to the conveyor motor 41a (steps 13 and 14: corresponding to second stop signal sending means) to stop the conveyor 41.

Then, at the same time as the drive stop signal is sent, a drive signal for reverse rotation is sent from the control section 121 to the elevator motor 70 (step 15: corresponding to the third drive signal sending means), and the bucket belt 32 is moved downward.
That is, it is moved in the direction of the product take-out port 29.

As the bucket 32 descends, the bucket 32 rotates counterclockwise and tilts around the other end of the connecting rod 33 against the elastic force of the spring at the point where one end of the bottom plate collides with the stopper 90. , the product A stored in the bucket 32 is removed from the product takeout port 29.
will be carried out.

At the same time, the other end of the bottom plate contacts the stop switch 51, and a stop signal is sent from the stop switch 51 to the control unit 121. Based on the input of the stop signal, the control unit 121 sends a drive stop signal to the elevator motor 70. (Steps 16, 17: 3rd
), the bucket 32 is stopped.

As the product A is carried out into the product take-out port 29, the second photoelectric switch 110 emits light from the product A.
In the state where the product is shut off (step 18), the product can be taken out from the shutter 60 of the product takeout port 29. In addition, the second photoelectric switch 11
When the projected light of 0 is received, that is, when the product A has not been taken out to the product take-out port 29, the error display lamp 27 is turned on (step 19). In this state, coins can be taken out from the return opening 28b by operating the coin return lever 28a.

Product A is taken out from the product takeout port 29 (step 20), and when the light emitted from the second photoelectric switch 110 is received, the process returns to the standby state (step 21). Further, when the light emitted from the second photoelectric switch 110 is not received, the residue presence indicator lamp 2
6 is lit to prompt the customer to take out product A (step 22).

According to the embodiment described above, by counting the count of the cam switch 80, the bucket 32 can be stopped at a predetermined product storage shelf position corresponding to the button operation, and the first photoelectric sensor 100 The drive of the conveyor 41 involved in transporting the product can be stopped by the detection signal,
Furthermore, the detection signal from the stop switch 51 allows the bucket 32 containing the product to be stopped at the product removal port 29 position, so the cam switch 80
control unit 121 based on the count value and the detection signals of the first photoelectric sensor 100 and the stop switch 51.
The conveyor motor 41a and the elevator motor 7
By controlling the drive of the machine 0 as appropriate, a series of operations related to transporting the product can be performed quickly and accurately in accordance with a predetermined transport program.

In the above embodiment, one product storage shelf 40 is disposed in the vertical direction of the vending machine main body 20, but two product storage shelves 40 may be disposed in the front and rear directions. In this case, the first photoelectric switch 11
0, through hole 32a of bucket 32, chute 50
It is preferable to provide four or more insertion holes 52.

Further, in the embodiment, each photoelectric switch 100,
Although a transmission type switch 110 is used, a parallel axis direct reflection type photoelectric switch (not shown) may be used and provided only on the upper plate 20b of the vending machine main body 20.

(Effects of the invention) As explained above, according to the invention, a photoelectric sensor that detects the presence or absence of products in the bucket, a cam switch that counts the amount of elevator drive, and a sensor that detects the presence of products in the bucket, and a cam switch that detects the presence of products in the bucket, By using a stop switch that can be accessed, it becomes possible for the control unit to appropriately drive and control the conveyor motor and elevator motor based on the count value of the cam switch and the detection signals of the sensor and stop switch.
With a simple configuration, a series of operations related to carrying out products can be performed quickly and accurately according to a predetermined carrying out program.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 6 show one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine, Figure 2 is a front view of the vending machine showing the internal structure, and Figure 3 is an automatic vending machine. 4 is a partially omitted perspective view showing the installation state of the second photoelectric switch, FIG. 5 is an electric circuit diagram of the control device, FIG. 6 is a flowchart, and FIGS. FIG. 8 shows a conventional vending machine, FIG. 7 is a front view showing the internal structure, FIG. 8 is a side view showing the internal structure, and FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to complaints. In the figure, 20...Vending machine body, 24...Product selection button, 29...Product outlet, 30...Elevator, 32...Bucket, 40...Product storage shelf, 41...Conveyor, 41a... Conveyor motor, 51... Stop switch, 70... Elevator motor, 80... Cam switch, 100... First
photoelectric switch, 121... control unit, A... product.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] An elevator having a product selection means, a bucket for transporting products, an elevator motor that can drive the elevator to move the bucket in the vertical direction, and a conveyor on which products are placed. and a conveyor motor that drives the conveyor to move the products on the conveyor in the direction of the elevator, the vending machine having a photoelectric type that detects the presence or absence of products in the bucket. a cam switch that counts the amount of drive of the elevator; a stop switch that can come into contact with the bucket moved to the product takeout port; and a stop switch that moves the bucket to the elevator motor and places the bucket in the product storage shelf based on the selection operation of the product selection means. a first drive signal sending means for sending out a drive signal for moving in the direction; a counting means for counting the count of the cam switch at the same time as sending out the drive signal; and a count value reaching a predetermined value corresponding to the selection operation. a first stop signal sending means that sends a drive stop signal to the elevator motor when the drive stop signal is sent; a second drive signal sending means that sends a drive signal to the conveyor motor at the same time as sending out the drive stop signal; a second device that sends a drive stop signal to the conveyor motor based on a detection signal indicating that a product is present;
a third drive signal transmitting means for transmitting a drive signal to the elevator motor to move the bucket toward the product removal port at the same time as the drive stop signal is transmitted; and a third drive signal transmitting means based on the detection signal of the stop switch. and third stop signal sending means for sending a drive stop signal to the elevator motor.