JPH05266337A - Merchandise storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a merchandise storage device which can provide a means giving tension to a chain even if there is no sufficient room for the peripheral space of the chain. CONSTITUTION:A sprocket 61 engaged with the chain 30 and a stopper 63 which is pushed and retreated by the respective pins of the chain when the chain normally rotates and which is engaged to the pins to the inverse of the chain 30 are integrally provided. The sprocket 61 and the stopper 63 are arranged on the same shaft on the internal side of the chain 30, and the sprocket 61 and the stopper 63 are energized in opposite directions from the internal side of the chain 30 to the external side. Thus, tension is given to the chain 30 by the sprocket 61, and the inverse of the chain 30 is prevented by the stopper 63.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product storage device used in an automatic vending machine for beverages in cans or bottles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a vending machine of this type, products are stacked and stored in a plurality of vertically extending product passages, and they are dropped and carried out one by one from the lower end of the product passages. Most of them are the mainstream, but recently, as an indoor type vending machine, the actual application is 3-105.
The one described in No. 616 is also proposed.

In this vending machine, as shown in FIG. 9, inside a vending machine body 1 whose upper surface can be freely opened and closed, a product container 2 having an opening for product insertion on the upper surface, and a product container 2 are provided.
A pair of upper and lower sprockets 3 and 4 arranged on one side surface of the
An endless chain 5 attached to each sprocket 3, 4 and a plurality of push-up members 6 attached to the chain 5.
And a chain driving motor 8 connected to the lower sprocket 4 via a belt 7, and a chain 5 engaged so as to restrict rotation of the chain 5 only in the forward direction. The product container 2 including the reverse rotation preventing claw 9 and the product container 2
The product A stored inside is lifted by each push-up member 6,
The vending machine main body 1 is designed to sequentially carry out the product to the product outlet 1a.

[0004]

However, since the product storage device does not have any means for applying tension to the chain 5, the mechanical noise at the time of rotating the chain becomes large, or Depending on the chain 5 sprocket 3,
There was also a risk of falling out of 4. In order to prevent such a situation, for example, even if a tensioning device is provided that elastically presses the chain 5 in a predetermined direction, the claws 9 and the like are arranged around the chain 5. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to secure the installation space for the tensioning device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide means for applying tension to a chain even if the peripheral space of the chain does not have a sufficient margin. It is to provide a product storage device that can be provided.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides, in claim 1, a product container having an opening for product insertion on an upper surface, and a vertical direction along one side surface of the product container. Endless chain wound around a pair of upper and lower sprockets so as to rotate in a vertical direction, a plurality of push-up members attached to the chain, and rotation of the chain restricted only in the forward direction. In the product storage device, which is equipped with a reverse rotation preventing means for sequentially raising the products stored in the product container by the respective push-up members and carrying them out of the product container, applying a tension for applying a tension to the chain to the reverse rotation preventing means. Means are integrally provided.

Further, in claim 2, the tension applying means and the reverse rotation preventing means are pushed back by the pressing member which engages with the chain and the sprocket engaging element of the chain during normal rotation of the chain. When the chain is rotated in the reverse direction, it is composed of a stopper that is locked to the engaging element, and the pressing member and the stopper are coaxially arranged inside the chain, and the pressing member and the stopper are disposed between the pressing member and the stopper. Biasing means for urging the two in the opposite directions from the inside to the outside of the chain are provided.

In the third aspect, the tension applying means and the reverse rotation preventing means are pushed by the pressing member which engages with the chain and the sprocket engaging element of the chain when the chain is normally rotating and tilted. When the chain is rotated in the reverse direction, the chain is composed of a stopper that is locked to the engaging element, and the stopper is arranged on the chain pressing surface of the pressing member, and the pressing member is chained to one end of the pressing member. The urging means for urging the negative pressure direction is connected.

[0009]

According to the article storage device of the first aspect, since the tension applying means for applying tension to the chain is integrally provided with the reverse rotation preventing means, it is sufficient for the peripheral space of the chain. It is possible to provide the tension applying means even if there is no margin.

According to the commodity storage device of claim 2,
In addition to the function of claim 1, the pressing member and the stopper are urged in the opposite directions from the inside to the outside of the chain by the urging means. This allows the chain
The chain is elastically pressed against the pressing member, and tension is applied to the chain. On the other hand, when the chain rotates in the normal direction,
A stopper arranged coaxially with the pressing member is pushed by the engaging element of the chain and retracts, so that the chain is allowed to rotate in the normal direction. Further, when the chain is about to rotate in the reverse direction, the stopper is engaged with the engaging element of the chain,
The rotation of the engine in the reverse direction is restricted.

According to the commodity storage device of claim 3,
In addition to the action of claim 1, the pressing member is biased toward the chain by the biasing means. This allows
The chain is elastically pressed by the pressing member, and tension is applied to the chain. On the other hand, when the chain rotates in the normal rotation direction, the stopper arranged on the chain pressing surface of the pressing member is pushed by the engaging member of the chain and tilts, so that the chain moves in the normal rotation direction. Rotation is allowed. Further, when the chain tries to rotate in the reverse direction, the stopper is engaged with the engaging element of the chain, and the rotation of the chain in the reverse direction is restricted.

[0012]

Embodiment 1 FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention. This product storage device is provided in the same vending machine body as in the conventional example, and has a product container 10 having an opening for product insertion on the upper surface and a pair of upper and lower sprockets 20 and 21 attached to the front surface of the product container 10. A chain 30 wound around each sprocket 20, 21; a total of eight push-up members 40 attached to the chain 30; a motor 50 for rotationally driving one sprocket 20; The chain pressing device 60 is provided with a reverse rotation preventing function and a tension applying function for the chain 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the product container 10 is opened at the front surface and the upper surface, and the product A can be stored in bulk through the opening 10a on the upper surface which is a product insertion port. Inside the product container 10, a bottom plate 11 inclined forward and downward is attached in a raised bottom shape, and a notch 11a is formed at the front end of the bottom plate 11 to allow passage of a push-up member 40 described later. Guide rails 12 for guiding the push-up member 40 are provided on both side surfaces of the product container 10. The guide rail 12 is composed of two facing plates 12a and 12b which are inclined slightly forward and extend vertically on the front surface of the product container 10 so that the roller of the push-up member 40 is moved between the facing plates 12a and 12b. It has become. A guide plate 13 extending forward and downward is attached to the upper end of the guide rail 12, and the guide plate 13 has a notch 13a for allowing the push-up member 40 to pass therethrough.
Are formed.

Each sprocket 20, 21 has its rotating shaft 2
It is attached to the center of 0a, 21a, and each rotary shaft 20a, 2
Both ends of 1a are holes 10b provided on both sides of the product container 10,
It is rotatably inserted in 10c.

The chain 30 has a well-known structure in which a large number of links are alternately connected by pins.
The link 31 corresponding to the mounting portion of 0 has a different shape from the others. In other words, the link 31 is the push-up member 40.
An L-shaped mounting piece 31a projecting to the side is integrally formed, and a screw insertion hole 31b is formed in the mounting piece 31a. Further, the pin 32 connecting each link forms an engagement element with the sprockets 20 and 21 and the sprocket 61, which will be described later, of the chain pressing device 60.

The push-up members 40 are attached to the outer periphery of the chain 30 at equal intervals, and as shown in FIG. 3, the substantially triangular shaped end pieces are bent at right angles to form side surface portions 40a, and each side surface is formed. It has a tip piece 40b that extends forward from the portion 40a and extends upward, and a roller 41 is attached to each side surface portion 40a vertically. Each roller 41 is rotatably supported by a pin 42 penetrating the left and right side surfaces 40a, and the upper pin 42 is connected to the chain 30.
And a connecting fitting 43 for communicating with. Both ends of the connecting metal fitting 43 are U-shaped extending toward the push-up member 40, and holes 43 a through which the pins 42 are inserted are formed at both ends thereof.
Further, each pin 42 penetrates through the push-up member 40, and then an E-ring 44 for retaining is fitted at the tip thereof. On the other hand, screw holes 43b are formed at two positions on the left and right of the connecting fitting 43, and the screw 45 is passed through the holes 31b of the left and right outer links 31 of the chain 30 and fastened to the screw holes 43b.
Is rotatably attached about the pin 42.

The motor 50 is arranged below the bottom plate 11,
The rotating shaft 50a is connected to a pulley 51 attached to the lower sprocket 21 via a belt 52 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the chain pressing device 60 includes a sprocket 61 which is a pressing member for engaging the chain 30 and a movable arm 62 which supports the sprocket 61.
And a stopper 63 that moves back and forth coaxially with the movable arm 62.
A spring 64 interposed between the sliding arm 62 and the stopper 63 in a compressed state, a cover 65 for covering the proximal ends of the sliding arm 62 and the stopper 63, and a cover 65. It is composed of a substrate 66 for fixing. Movable arm
The tip side of the sprocket 62 is divided into two parts and extends to both sides of the sprocket 61, and the rotary shaft 61a of the sprocket 61 is rotatably inserted into the holes 62a of both the pieces. In addition, the movable arm
A groove 62b capable of accommodating one end of the spring 64 is formed on the base end side of the frame 62, and a locking wall 62c for locking one end of the spring 64 is provided in the middle of the groove 62b.
A triangular claw 63a that engages with the chain 30 is formed at the tip of the stopper 63, and one side of the claw 63a is formed obliquely at about 45 ° with respect to the chain 30,
The other side of the claw 63a extends in a direction orthogonal to the chain 30. In addition, a spring 64 is provided on the base end side of the stopper 63.
Is formed with a groove 63b capable of accommodating the other end side thereof, and the other end of the spring 64 is locked in the middle of the groove 63b.
Is provided. A portion of the cover 65 that covers the movable arm 62 and the stopper 63 is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section, and locking pieces 65a extending in a direction passing through the opening portions at both ends are formed at both longitudinal ends thereof. , Each locking piece 6
5a is each groove 62b of the movable arm 62 and the stopper 63,
It is inserted in 63b. At this time, each locking piece 65a is located outside each locking wall 62c, 63c, and the spring 6
Movable arm 6 urged in a direction away from each other by 4
2 and the range of operation of the stopper 63 are limited between the locking pieces 65a. Further, mounting pieces 65b extending in the left-right direction are formed on both sides in the width direction of the cover 65, and each mounting piece 65b is provided with two holes 65c for screw insertion. A total of four screw holes 66a are provided on the upper surface of the board 66, and the cover 67 is fixed to the board 66 by screwing the screws 67 through the holes 65c of the cover 65 and screwing the screws 67 into the screw holes 66a. It In addition, mounting pieces 66b extending in the left-right direction are formed on both sides of the board 66 in the width direction.
Two holes 66c for screw insertion are provided in b. The holes 66c are used for fixing the mounting pieces 66b to the mating parts when the mounting pieces 66b are mounted on the main body of the product storage device. In this chain pressing device 60, the sprocket 61 can freely rotate in both directions as shown in FIG. 5, and the movable arm 62 and the stopper 63 are biased in opposite directions. Can move back and forth on the same axis.
The chain pressing device 60 is arranged inside the chain 30 as shown in FIG. 1, and the sprocket 61 and the stopper 63 are engaged with two facing parts of the chain 30 to form a chain. The button 30 is pressed from the inside toward the outside.

The commodity storage device configured as described above is
Although not shown, a plurality of vending machine main bodies 1 are provided in the width direction so that different types of products can be stored in the vending machine main body 1. That is, when the product selection button (not shown) is pressed, the motor 50 of the corresponding product storage device is operated, and the chain 30 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. As a result, the push-up members 40 are guided by the guide rails 12 to rise inside the product container 10, and the push-up members 40 push up the products A in the product containers 10 one by one. that time,
The motor 50 is configured to rotate by one product in response to one sales request, and by this operation, the uppermost push-up member 40 passes through the notch 13a of the guide plate 13 and the product container 10 is moved. To move outside. As a result, the product A waiting on the push-up member 40 is transferred onto the guide plate 13 as shown in FIG. 1, rolls on the guide plate 13 and is carried out to a product take-out port (not shown). When the push-up member 40 moves to the outside of the product container 10, the push-up member 40 is released from the guide rail 12 and turned upside down, and pivots downward with its own weight about the pin 42, as shown in FIG. And descends from the chain 30.

In the above operation, the chain 30 is elastically pressed from the inner side to the outer side by the chain pressing device 60, so that tension is applied to the chain 30. At this time, the sprocket 61 of the chain pressing device 60 rotates as the chain 30 rotates. on the other hand,
The stopper 63 of the chain pressing device 60 is provided in the chain 30.
Since one side of the claw 63a that engages with is obliquely formed, the stopper 63 pushes each pin 32 of the chain 30 when the chain 30 rotates in the normal rotation direction (counterclockwise). Then, the chain 30 is retracted, and the chain 30 is allowed to rotate in the normal direction. Further, since the other side of the claw 63a of the stopper 63 extends in the direction orthogonal to the chain 30, the chain 3
When 0 tries to rotate in the reverse direction (clockwise), the claw 63a of the stopper 63 is locked to the pin 32 of the chain 30 and the rotation of the chain 30 in the reverse direction is restricted.

As described above, according to the commodity storage apparatus of this embodiment, the sprocket 61 is provided for elastically pressing the chain 30, and the stopper 63 for permitting the normal rotation of the chain 30 only. Since the chain pressing device 60 having the above is integrally provided, it is possible to provide a means for applying tension to the chain even if the peripheral space of the chain 30 has no margin. Further, in this embodiment, the sprocket 61 and the stopper 6 are
3 and 3 are provided coaxially via a spring 64 and both springs are urged by one spring 64, whereby the chain pressing device 60 is downsized.

[0022]

[Embodiment 2] FIGS. 6 to 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the same components as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. That is, 10 is a product container, 20 and 2
1 is a sprocket, 30 is a chain, 40 is a push-up member,
50 is a motor.

In the figure, reference numeral 70 denotes a chain pressing device having a reverse rotation preventing function and a tension applying function of the chain 30, which is structurally different from the above embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the chain pressing device 70 includes a pressing head 71 that contacts the chain 30, a stopper 72 arranged at the center of the chain pressing surface of the pressing head 71, and one end. A movable rod 73 on which a pressing head 71 is formed, a cylinder 74 supporting the movable rod 73,
It is composed of a spring 75 for urging the movable rod 73 in the chain pressing direction. Chain of pressing head 71
The chain pressing surface is gently curved along the circumferential direction of the chain 30, and each pin 32 of the rotating chain 30 can slide on the pressing surface. The stopper 72 extends in a claw shape toward the chain 30 and is accommodated in a vertically elongated groove 71a of the pressing head 71, and one end of which is pivotally attached to a support portion 71b provided in the groove 71a. There is. A coil spring 76 is wound around the support portion 71b. One end of the coil spring 76 is locked to the lower end of the stopper 72, and the other end is locked to the inner surface of the groove 71a. As a result, the stopper 72 is locked to the upper end of the groove 71a while being urged upward, and is held in a state of protruding toward the chain 30. A movable rod 73 is slidably inserted into the cylinder 74, and a small diameter portion 74a is formed in a part of the movable rod 73 inside the cylinder 74. The small diameter portion 74a is slidable at one end of the cylinder 74. And a large diameter portion 74b is formed outside the cylinder 74. Further, a spring 75 is wound around the small diameter portion 74a, one end of the spring 75 is locked to a step on the pressing head 71 side of the small diameter portion 74a, and the other end thereof is a cylinder 74.
It is locked on the inner surface of. As a result, the movable rod 73 is biased toward the pressing head 71, and the large diameter portion 74b
The operation range is restricted by the engagement between the cylinder 74 and the outer surface of the cylinder 74. In addition, vertically extending mounting pieces 74c are formed on the side portions of the cylinder 74, and each mounting piece 74c is provided with two screw insertion holes 74d. Each hole 7
4d is used for fixing each mounting piece 74c to a mating component when mounting the mounting piece 74c on the main body side of the product accommodation device. In this chain pressing device 70, as shown in FIG. 8, the pressing head 71 can be moved forward and backward in the axial direction of the movable rod 73 while being biased in a fixed direction, and the stopper 72 is moved in a fixed direction. It can be tilted in the opposite direction while being biased toward. The chain pressing device 70 is arranged inside the chain 30 as shown in FIG. 6, and the pressing head 71 engages with the inside of the chain 30 to move the chain 30 from the inside. It is pushing outward.

In the product container of this embodiment, the chain 30 is elastically pressed from the inner side to the outer side by the chain pressing device 70.
Tension is applied to. At this time, each pin 32 of the rotating chain 30 slides on the pressing surface of the pressing head 71 of the chain pressing device 70. On the other hand, since the stopper 72 of the chain pressing device 70 can be tilted only downward, when the chain 30 rotates in the normal rotation direction (counterclockwise), the stopper 72 is chained. The pins 30 of the chain 30 are pushed and tilted to allow the chain 30 to rotate in the forward direction. Further, since the stopper 72 cannot be tilted upward, when the chain 30 tries to rotate in the reverse direction (clockwise), the stopper 72 is locked to the pin 32 of the chain 30. However, the rotation of the chain 30 in the reverse direction is restricted. Since the product unloading operation in this embodiment is the same as that in the previous embodiment, its explanation is omitted.

As described above, according to the product storing apparatus of this embodiment, the pressing head 71 that elastically presses the chain 30 is pressed.
Further, since the chain pressing device 70 integrally provided with the stopper 72 for permitting only the normal rotation of the chain 30 is provided, the chain space around the chain 30 is provided in the same manner as in the above embodiment. It is possible to provide means for applying tension to the chain even if there is no room.

[0027]

As described above, according to the article storage device of the first, second and third aspects, the means for applying tension to the chain is provided even if the peripheral space of the chain has no margin. Therefore, the mechanical noise at the time of rotating the chain is reduced, and the chain can be reliably prevented from falling off the sprocket. Further, since the chain can be prevented from reversing, the goods on the push-up member will not be displaced from the standby position, and the carry-out operation can be performed more reliably.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an essential part of a product storage device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a product container

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a mounting structure of a push-up member.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a chain pressing device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a chain pressing device.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a main part of a product storage device showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the chain pressing device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a chain pressing device.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a conventional vending machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Product container, 10a ... Opening part, 20, 21 ... Sprocket, 30 ... Chain, 32 ... Pin, 40 ... Pushup member, 61 ... Sprocket, 63 ... Stopper, 64 ... Spring, 71 ... Press head, 72 ... Stopper, 75 ... Spring, A ... Product.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A product container having an opening for product insertion on the upper surface, and an endless chain wound around a pair of upper and lower sprockets so as to rotate vertically along one side surface of the product container. And a plurality of push-up members attached to the chain, and reverse rotation preventing means for restricting the rotation of the chain only in the forward direction, and the push-up members are used to push the products stored in the product container. A product storage device which sequentially raises and carries it out of a product container, wherein the reverse rotation prevention device is integrally provided with tension applying means for applying tension to the chain. 2. The tension applying means and the reverse rotation preventing means,
From a pressing member that engages with the chain, and a stopper that is pushed back by the sprocket engagement element of the chain when the chain rotates forward and retracts, and that locks with the engagement element when the chain rotates in reverse. In addition, the pressing member and the stopper are coaxially arranged inside the chain, and the pressing member and the stopper are urged in the opposite directions from the inside of the chain toward the outside. The product storage device according to claim 1, wherein a biasing means is interposed. 3. The tension applying means and the reverse rotation preventing means,
From the pressing member that engages with the chain, and the stopper that is pushed by the sprocket engagement element of the chain when the chain rotates forward and tilts, and that locks with the engagement element when the chain rotates in reverse. It is characterized in that the stopper is arranged on the chain pressing surface of the pressing member, and an urging means for urging the pressing member in the chain pressing direction is connected to one end of the pressing member. Item storage device according to item 1.