JPH041889A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To sell various kinds of merchandises by providing a basket mobile mechanism, a driver for driving the rotors of an extruder and a driver moving mechanism for moving the driver and detachably connecting it to an arbitrary rotor. CONSTITUTION:The mobile mechanism is provided on the inside of a front door of a case 2. The front door is transparent. An (x) direction mobile motor M1 moves a (y) direction mobile motor M2 through a belt 22. When the motor M2 is moved through a proper rotor on the belt 22, a driver 34 and a basket 32 are also moved in the direction of (x). The driver 34 and the basket 32 are moved in the direction of (y) by the rotation of the motor M2. In the case of detecting a merchandise enters the basket 32, the basket 32 and the driver 34 are restored to a home position. When the basket 32 is restored to the home position, the cover of the basket 32 is opened by the operation of a solenoid valve 36 so that a consumer takes out the merchandise. Thus, various kinds of merchandises with various sizes can be simultaneously handled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Application of the Invention] The present invention relates to a vending machine, and particularly to a vending machine that can sell a wide variety of products. The present invention also relates to a vending machine that displays not model products but actual products to be sold.

[Prior Art] Most of the vending machines currently in use display model products in a case, and store actual products behind the case.
By inserting a coin, the product stopper is removed and the products are taken out one by one. In response, the inventor considered a vending machine that could sell a wide variety of products. Selling a wide variety of products, for example, about 150 to 200 products, means that the products come in various sizes. On the other hand, if a stopper method were used to deal with this problem, many types of stoppers and many types of product storage containers would be required, making it difficult to put it into practical use.

In addition, with the stopper method, model products are displayed instead of the products that are actually sold, so consumers can wait until they make a purchase.
There is a problem with not being able to see the actual product.

To solve this problem, for example, it is possible to place the products on a belt conveyor and take out the products one by one using the belt conveyor. However, this requires many types of belt conveyors depending on the size of the product. Another problem is how to supply power to each belt conveyor. Furthermore, there is also the problem of how to take out products from the belt conveyor.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] An object of the invention according to claim 1 is to provide a vending machine with flexibility regarding the size of products, thereby making it possible to sell a wide variety of products. A secondary challenge here is to enable consumers to purchase products while actually viewing them.

In addition to this, the object of claim 2 is to provide a mechanism for smoothly advancing the push plate using the power of the driver.

In addition to the above, the object of claim 3 is to prevent the push plate from moving forward to a position where it cannot return and from being unable to return.

In addition to the above, the object of claim 4 is to simplify the moving mechanism by integrating the moving mechanism of the driver and the basket.

In addition to the above, an object of claim 5 is to provide a drive mechanism for the extruder using a driver.

In addition to the above, the object of claim 6 is to enable the driver and the basket to move without colliding with the rotor.

[Structure 1 of the Invention In the vending machine of the present invention, a large number of shelves for placing products are provided in the case in multiple stages and the intervals between the shelves are variable, and each column is provided with a large number of pushers. The pusher is provided with a push plate for pushing the product to the front of the case, and a rotor for driving the push plate with external power. The front of the case is equipped with a basket and a basket moving mechanism for moving the basket on the front of the case, a driver for driving the rotor of the extruder, and a driver that can be moved to connect to and separate from any rotor. A driver moving mechanism is provided to allow the driver to move freely.

Here, the shelf is fixed to the case at an appropriate position, for example, with screws. Further, the extruder is fixed at an appropriate position on the shelf, for example, by screwing. The length of the push plate should be, for example, 1/3 of the width of the product. As a result, it is possible to handle products ranging from products with the same width as the pusher plate to products that are, for example, three times as long as the pusher plate.

The extruder is not provided with separate power, but is driven by the power of a driver. In addition, the products that are pushed out are received and picked up using baskets. Then, the driver and basket are moved to a target position facing the extruder, and one driver and one basket drive the extruder and receive the product.

Additionally, the front door of the case may be made transparent, in accordance with well-known techniques, to allow the consumer to view the front row of products contained in the case. As a result, the consumer can select a product while looking at the product that is actually being pushed out and that the consumer will purchase.

The push plate is driven, for example, as follows. The driver's power rotates the threaded rod via the belt and rotor.

While screwing the pusher plate onto the threaded rod, if the guide prevents the threaded rod from rotating, the pusher plate will move forward and backward as the threaded rod rotates.

If the push plate then enters the end of the threaded rod, it becomes difficult to control the push plate. To prevent this, preferably no threaded portions are provided at both ends of the threaded rod, and compression springs are used to push back the push plate from both ends of the threaded rod to prevent the push plate from entering both ends of the threaded rod.

It is preferable to move the driver and basket as follows. First, the basket and driver are integrated, and the moving mechanism is also integrated. Of course, the rotor of the extruder may be provided on the back side of the case, the basket may be moved on the front side of the case, and the driver may be moved on the back side of the case. Here, in order to allow the driver and the basket to move without colliding with the rotor, the moving mechanism is provided with a feeding mechanism in the depth direction of the case, for example. In the process of moving, the driver and basket are
Keep it away from the shelf and rotor, and after the driver or bass Kent approaches the target position, move it deeper into the case and make contact with the rotor.

[Example] Case 2 is shown in FIG. Case 2 has many shelves 4
are installed in multiple stages. Further, the interval between the shelves 4 is variable. A large number of extruders 6 are attached to each column 4 at variable intervals. A product is placed between the extruders 6. As for the size of the case 20, consider one that can accommodate, for example, 150 to 200 types of products.

FIG. 2 shows the coordinate system in the example. The origin is taken along the front of the case, the horizontal direction is the X direction, the vertical direction is the X direction, and the direction toward the back of the case 2 is the X direction.

FIG. 3 shows the extruder 6. Reference numeral 8 denotes a rotor, which uses a gear wheel roller, here a roller provided with a knurl to prevent slipping, and is made to protrude from the shelf 4.

10 is a rod connected to the rotor 8, and 12 is a threaded portion. Do not cut threads on both ends of the threaded rod IO.

14 is a pair of compression springs, 16 is a bearing, 18 is a guide having a U-shaped cross section, 20 is a crank-shaped push plate, and 22 is a female thread screwed onto the threaded rod 10.

FIG. 4 shows a mechanism for moving the basket and driver. The moving mechanism is provided inside the front door of the case 2, and the front door is transparent. Ml is a motor for moving in the X direction, and the belt 22
The motor M2 for moving in the X direction is moved via the . A threaded rod 2 similar to the pusher 6 is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor M2.
4, and the compression spring 2 is connected without threaded parts at both ends.
A stopper consisting of 6 is provided. 28 is a guide with a U-shaped cross section, 30 is a female screw, and the female screw 30 has a basket 32.
and the driver 34 are integrally attached. 36 is a solenoid valve for opening and closing the lid of the basket 32, and 38 is a photoelectric sensor. These items are integrated with the motor M2, and the belt 22
When the motor M2 moves via an appropriate rotor, the driver 34 and the basket 32 also move in the X direction. Also, due to the rotation of motor M2, the driver 34 and basket 32 are
move in the direction.

Turning to FIG. 5, a mechanism for moving the basket 32 and driver 34 in two directions is shown. This sticks out from shelf 4: Rotor 8
This is to enable the driver 34 to move to any desired position without colliding with the vehicle. An arm 31 is connected to the female thread 30, and a female thread 40 is cut in the arm 31. 42 is a male screw, 44 is a compression spring, and 46 is a key M3 that slides in a groove cut in the arm 31, which is a motor for moving in the X direction. Motor M
3 is connected to the male screw 42, and the rotating shaft of the motor M3 and the basket 32. The X direction position of the driver 34 etc. is male screw 4.
Determined by 2. In addition, these items include the male screw 42 and the key 4.
Supported by 6.

48 is a cushioning material such as rubber attached to the inner surface of the basket 32. M4 is the motor of the driver 34, 50 is its rotor, 52 is another rotor, 54 is the substrate of the rotor 52, and 56 is a bottle.

The driver 34 is shown in FIG. Rotor 50°52.5
8 are coupled by a belt 60, and a compression spring 62 applies an upward force to the rotor 52 to maintain contact between the belt 60 and the rotor 8 of the extruder 6.

FIG. 7 shows the control system. 70 is a CPU, 72 is a consumer's operation panel, and 74 is a memory that stores product locations, prices, etc. Also, 76.78°80 is driver 3
The sensor 76 detects the position in the X direction, the sensor 78 detects the position in the direction, and the sensor 80 detects the position in the two directions.

FIG. 8 shows the operation of the embodiment. Consumers can view the products in Case 2 through the transparent front door.

When the desired product is designated and payment is made with coins or magnetic cards, the CPU 70 accepts the payment and takes out the product.

The basket 32 and driver 34 have home positions, where they wait. Then, at the home position, the consumer takes out the product from the basket 34.

The position of the product in the case 2 is input into the memory 74 when the shelf 4 and pusher 6 are set, and the CPU 70 reads this and determines the position to which the basket 32 and driver 34 should be moved. When the motor M1 rotates based on a command from the CPU 70, the basket 32 and the driver 34 move in the X direction together with the motor M2 by the power of the belt 22.

At the same time as the X-direction movement, the X-direction movement is performed. When motor M2 rotates, threaded rod 24 rotates. However, female thread 30
cannot rotate because it is obstructed by the guide 28, and as a result, the female thread 30 moves in the X direction.

This mechanism is similar to the mechanism for moving the push plate 20 in the Z direction in the pusher 6. Both ends of the threaded rod 24 are not threaded. Further, springs 26 are provided at both ends of the threaded rod 24. Therefore, the female screw 30 does not move to both ends of the threaded rod 24 and cannot return.

The positions of the driver 34 and spring 32 are determined by position sensors 76 and 78.
monitor, and switch to slow movement when approaching the desired position. At the same time as the driver 34 and the basket 32 approach the desired position, or after they have stopped at the desired position, the motor M3 moves the basket 32 and the driver 34 to the back of the case (
move forward (in two directions). When the motor M3 rotates, the male screw 42 rotates. On the other hand, the motor M3, basket 32, driver 34, etc. are locked to the arm 31 by a key 46 and cannot be rotated. As a result, the basket 32 and the driver 34 move forward in two directions relative to the arm 31. Then, the position sensor 76, 78, 80 detects the driver 34 and the basket 3.
The position of rotor 8 and belt 60 are monitored, and the rotor 8 and belt 60 are fed to a position where they come into contact with each other with a predetermined stress, and then stopped.

When the driver 34 advances to the back of the case 2 and the belt 60 contacts the rotor 8, the threaded rod 10 is rotated via the motor M4. The belt 60 has three rotors 50.52.58
, and tension is applied using a compression spring 62. Unlike bringing the rotor 50 into direct contact with the rotor 8, since the belt 60 is brought into contact with the rotor 8, even if the position in the X direction is slightly shifted, it can be absorbed. Further, the positional shift in the X direction is absorbed by the deformation of the spring 62.

Furthermore, the belt 60 has three rotors 50, 52, 58
Point support is used to ensure smooth contact with the rotor 8.

The low left cut into the rotor 8 also contributes to stabilizing power transmission.

When the rotor 8 rotates by the force of the motor M4, the threaded rod IO also rotates. The female thread 22 is obstructed by the guide 18 and can only move parallel to the guide 18. As a result, screw
With the rotation of O, the push plate 20 advances toward the front of the case 2. Note that since both ends of the threaded rod 10 are not threaded and stopper springs 14 are provided at both ends, the female thread 22 will not reach the end of the threaded rod 10 and not return.

When the push plate 20 advances to the front of the case 2, the products are also pushed, and the first one enters the basket 32.

This is detected by the photoelectric sensor 38, the motor M4 is stopped, and pushing out of the product is completed. Here, the cushion material 48 on the inner surface of the basket 32 prevents the products from being damaged.

When it is detected that the product has entered the basket 32, the basket 32 and driver 34 are returned to their home positions by an operation opposite to the forward bending operation.

When the basket 32 returns, the solenoid valve 36 operates to open the lid of the basket 32, and the consumer takes out the product.

[Effect of the invention] According to the invention of claim 1, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) It is possible to handle many types of products of various sizes at the same time.

(2) The consumer looks at the products in the front row in the case, selects the product, and the product is actually sold. This prevents troubles related to vending machines and gives consumers peace of mind.

(3) One basket and one driver can drive multiple pushers and take out products.

(4) An additional effect of the M requirement 2 is that the push plate is moved forward and backward by the rotation of the rotor.

(5) An additional effect of claim 3 is that the push plate is prevented from reaching the end of the threaded rod and not returning.

(6) An additional effect of claim 4 is that the moving mechanism of the driver and the basket is integrated.

(7) An additional effect of claim 5 is that the power of the driver is transmitted to the rotor of the extruder via the belt, so that the power can be transmitted even if there is some deviation in the position of the driver. be.

(8) An additional effect of claim 6 is that the driver and the basket are moved away from the shelf and the rotor, and when the push plate is driven, the driver is advanced and brought into contact with the rotor.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the arrangement of shelves and pushers in the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the coordinate system in the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the extruder in the embodiment, FIG. 4 is a front view showing the basket moving mechanism in the embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the main parts thereof. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the driver in the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the embodiment, and FIG. 8 is an operation 70- of the embodiment.
It is a chart. In the figure, 2 case, 4 shelf, 6 pusher, 8 rotor, 10 threaded rod, 20 push plate, Ml-M4 motor, 24 threaded rod, 30 female thread, 32 basket, 34 driver, 36 solenoid valve, 60 belt. Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. 4 Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. 6 Fig. Fig. Fig. Fig. 4

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) Multi-level shelves for placing products inside the case.
In addition, a large number of shelves are provided with variable spacing between the shelves, each shelf is equipped with a large number of pushers, and the spacing between the pushers is variable. A push plate and a rotor for driving the push plate with external power are provided, and a basket and a basket moving mechanism for moving the basket on the front of the case are provided on the front of the case to rotate the pusher. A vending machine equipped with a driver for driving a rotor, and a driver moving mechanism for moving the driver so that it can be coupled to and separated from any rotor. (2) The pusher is equipped with a threaded rod connected to the rotor and a guide provided parallel to the threaded rod, and the push plate is screwed to the threaded rod and slidably locked to the guide. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the push plate is moved back and forth by rotation of the threaded rod. (3) The vending machine according to claim 2, wherein the threaded rod is not provided with a threaded portion at both ends, and a spring for restraining the push plate is provided at both ends of the threaded rod. (4) The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the driver is placed integrally with the basket on the front of the case, and the basket moving mechanism and the driver moving mechanism are integrated. (5) The vending machine according to claim 4, wherein the driver is provided with a motor, and the motor is detachably connected to the rotor of the pusher via a belt. (6) Claim 5 characterized in that the basket and the driver are movable forward and backward in the depth direction of the case.
Vending machines listed in .