JPH0729055A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to assemble or dismantle the machine on the site, to reduce the scale of factory equipments and to improve the work efficiency of transportation and removal, etc., by taking the automatic vending machine into respective constitution elements and constituting the machine so that the elements can be connected to each other. CONSTITUTION:The constitution elements of the automatic vending machine 1 are divided into a rack/bending mechanical part 2, a door part 3, a transportation part 4, a cooling/heating part 5, a control/electric part 6, a coin processing part 7, a sales port part 8 and a base part 9. They are stored in cabinets 2a-9a and they are made into units. Then, they are interchangeably connected to each other. Thus, the respective constitution elements 2-9 are transported to the site in the state of the units, they can be assembled into a finished machine on the site, and the machine can easily be taken into pieces and removed on the site. The manufacture equipments are not required to be a large scale since the units are objects to be worked. Furthermore, the units are not bulky and therefore transportation can efficiently be executed. Since the respective constitution parts are light in weight, the work is performed easily and safely at the time of unloading/loading.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine which is constructed by combining unitized components.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a vending machine is constructed by mounting a main door on a cabinet to form an outer shell, and incorporating internal devices such as a product rack, a cooling device, and a coin mechanism therein. Therefore, the vending machine, for example, a rack / bend mechanism unit that stores and dispenses products, a door unit that forms a product sample and a signboard, and a product transport unit that transports the products dispensed from the rack / bend mechanism unit to a sales outlet , A cooling / heating unit that cools and heats the rack / bend mechanism unit, a control / electrical unit that accommodates various control circuits, a currency processing unit that handles coins and banknotes, a sales opening unit that has a sales outlet, and these are placed. It is divided into a base part, etc., and these components are configured as independent units, and those that are combined to configure a vending machine are
It didn't exist before.

[0003]

In the conventional vending machine, the cabinet is housed with the internal device, the main door is incorporated, and the finished product is shipped from the factory. Therefore, large-scale equipment for assembly in the factory is required. In addition to being necessary, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time and money to remove and dispose of it, as well as to carry and install it because it has considerable bulk and weight. In addition, the number of products sold depends on the appearance, especially the old and new main doors, so even if the internal device can be used well, it is often discarded as a whole when the appearance becomes old, which is against resource saving. It was a thing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can carry out a series of operations such as transportation, assembly, removal and disposal extremely efficiently, facilitates expansion, and saves resources. The purpose is to provide a vending machine that can achieve the above.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the vending machine of the present invention divides the constituent elements into a plurality of functional parts, and configures each divided constituent element into an independent unit structure. It is characterized in that the component is provided with a connecting tool for connecting each component to each other.

[0006]

The constituent elements of the vending machine are manufactured separately by dividing the constituent elements into a plurality of parts according to their functions and independently configuring each of the divided constituent elements. It can be transported to the installation site in the state, assembled at the installation site into a finished product, and even when dismantled, it can be disassembled at the installation site and then carried out and disposed. In this case, since each constituent element is configured in a unit structure, it can be manufactured in units of constituent elements, which facilitates manufacturing and saves a large space in the factory. Although it can be assembled in the factory, if it is assembled on site, it can be transported and installed efficiently because it is not bulky. Furthermore, by providing a connecting tool for each component, it is possible to replace each component, and it is also possible to add components.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An automatic vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This vending machine sells products such as canned juice and canned coffee, FIG. 1 (a) is an overall perspective view of the vending machine before assembly, and FIG. 1 (b) is a vending machine. It is the whole perspective view after an assembly. As shown in the figure, the vending machine 1 includes a rack / bend mechanism section 2 for storing and dispensing products.
Cooling and heating of the inside of the rack / bend mechanism unit 2 and the door unit 3 for displaying a product sample or a signboard, the product transport unit 4 for transporting the product dispensed from the rack / bend mechanism unit 2 to a sales port 8b described later. A cooling / heating unit 5, a control / electrical unit 6 that accommodates various control circuits, a currency processing unit 7 that handles coins and banknotes, a sales opening unit 8 including a sales opening 8b, and a base on which these are mounted. It is divided into constituent elements 1 to 9 including a part 9 and these are used as a basic unit to be assembled in a unit form.

In this case, a rack / bend mechanism section 2 and a door section 3 are arranged on the left and right sides on the left side, and a product conveying section 4 is arranged below the rack / bend mechanism section 2 and the door section 3. Has been done. On the right side, there is a cooling / heating section 5 on the rear.
However, the control / electrical unit 6 is arranged in the middle portion, and the currency handling unit 7 and the selling port unit 8 are arranged vertically in the front portion. Then, a base portion 9 is arranged at the lowermost portion so as to support these constituent elements.

Each of the components 1 to 9 has respective functions described later, and except for the base 9, the cabinet 1
a to 8a, and is configured in a unit (block) form. Further, although not shown in the drawings, each of the cabinets 1a to 8a has various connection fittings for connecting the base 9 and the adjacent components 1 to 8 with each other, and various connection fittings for connecting pipes, wirings, and conveyance paths. A connector comprising a connecting member is provided, the connector being compatible based on a certain module. And each component 1
9 is available in multiple types depending on the number of functions, the size of the capacity, etc. By combining these through a connecting tool as appropriate depending on the sales purpose, installation location, etc. The functions of can be mutually activated mechanically or electrically.

The rack / bend mechanism section 2 is provided with a serpentine type rack in a cabinet 2a made of a heat insulating material, and a payout mechanism which operates in response to a sales instruction and drops the products in the rack one by one to the lower side. ,It is configured. A front opening that doubles as a replenishment opening for replenishing products and an inspection opening for maintenance is formed in a front portion of the cabinet 2a, and a heat insulating door is attached to the front opening. Further, at the lower end portion, a payout opening for dropping a product into the product transportation unit 4 located on the lower side is formed, and at the side portion, a cooling / heating unit 5 and a control / electrical unit 6 are connected. A refrigerant pipe joint and a connector are provided respectively.

The door portion 3 is provided with a display 3b for displaying a product sample, a manufacturer's name, etc. in a front panel 3a, and a selection button provided corresponding to the product sample, and a rack via upper and lower bracket hinges. -It is attached to the bend mechanism section 2 so that it can be opened and closed. That is, this door portion is provided so as to cover the heat insulating door of the rack / bend mechanism portion 2, and the rack / bend mechanism portion 2 has a double door structure. A door knob is attached to the middle right part so that the door part 3 can be locked to the rack / bend mechanism part 2.

The product transport section 4 is composed of a front transport section 11 located below the door section 3 and a rear transport section 12 located below the rack / bend mechanism section 2.
12 includes a conveyor type transfer device in each of the cabinets 4a and 4a. A receiving port that communicates with the payout port of the rack / bend mechanism unit 2 is formed on the upper surface of the rear transport unit 12, and a delivery port that transfers the product to the front transport unit 11 is formed on the front surface. A receiving port for receiving the product from the rear conveying unit 12 is formed on the rear surface of the front transport unit 11, and a delivery port for transferring the product to the selling port unit 8 is formed on the side surface. The product dropped from the rack / bend mechanism unit 2 is transported forward by the rear transport unit 12 and then transported rightward by the front transport unit 11 to the selling port unit 8.
To be delivered to. Further, the product transport unit 4 is mutually connected to the control / electrical unit 6 by a connector.

In the case of the embodiment, the cooling / heating unit 5 is constructed by accommodating a cooling unit composed of a compressor and a condenser in the cabinet 5a, and by a refrigerant pipe joint provided on the side surface of the cabinet 5a. , Is connected to the rack and bend mechanism section 2. Further, the cooling / heating unit 5 is
In order to control and operate the compressor and the like, they are mutually connected to the control / electrical unit 6 by a connector.

The control / electrical unit 6 is provided with a power source and a microcomputer in the cabinet 6a, inputs signals from sensors and switches provided in the respective components, performs arithmetic processing on the signals, and also the rack bend mechanism. Controls the payout mechanism of the section 2, the selection button of the door section 3, the transport mechanism of the commodity transport section 4, the cooling unit of the cooling / heating section 5, the discrimination processing mechanism of the currency handling section 7, the transport mechanism of the selling section 8, and the like. Activate. Therefore, the control / electrical unit 6 is installed in the cabinet 6
It is connected to each of the components 1 to 8 except the base portion 9 via a connector provided on the outer surface of a.

The currency processing unit 7 is provided in the cabinet 7a.
It is equipped with a coin mechanism and a bill validator, and identifies coins and bills inserted by the purchaser through the control / electrical unit 6 while returning coins and paying out change.

The selling port section 8 has a selling port 8b having an opening / closing lid formed on the cabinet 8a, and a transport mechanism for transporting the product received at the lower portion to the upper selling port 8b.
It is configured. The transport mechanism is of an elevator type, and the product that receives the product from the front transport unit is sold through the sales port 8
Lift up to b. On the side surface of the cabinet 8a, a receiving port that communicates with the delivery port of the front conveying section 11 is formed, and on the rear surface, a connector for connecting to the control / electrical unit 6 is provided.

The base part 9 has a rack / bend mechanism part 2, a door part 3, a product transfer part 4, a cooling / warming part 5, a control / electrical part 6, a currency handling part 7 and a sales opening part 8 on the upper surface. It is placed and fixed, and a fixing fitting for fixing these is provided on the upper surface. In addition, height adjustable leg fittings are provided at the four corners on the lower surface of the base 9, and the base 9 can be installed horizontally on the base by the foot fittings.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the components 1 to 9 of the vending machine 1 are arranged as follows: the rack / bend mechanism section 2, the door section 3, the transfer section 4, the cooling / heating section 5, the control / electrical equipment. Part 6,
Since the money handling section 7, the sales opening section 8 and the base section 9 are divided and housed in the cabinets 1a to 8a respectively to be a unit so that they can be connected with compatibility, each component 1 to 9 can be transported to the site as a unit and assembled into a finished product at the site, and can be easily disassembled and removed at the site. Further, the manufacturing facility does not need to be large because it targets these units. Furthermore, since it is not bulky, it can be transported efficiently, and each component is light in weight when unloading and unloading, so that it is simple and safe.

Moreover, each of the constituent elements 1 to 9 can be replaced, and the door section 3 which affects the sales of the product due to deterioration
It is possible to appropriately exchange only those serving as a customer service section such as the money handling section 7 and the money handling section 7 and achieve resource saving. Further, by appropriately connecting the other rack / bend mechanism section 2 and the like, it is possible to expand and expand, and it is possible to easily convert to another product according to the diversification of the product.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is a combination pattern of each of the constituent elements 1 to 9 when dealing with double the number of products as in the first embodiment, or when the vending machine 1 of the first embodiment is further added. In this embodiment, two rack / bend mechanical units 2 are provided on the left and right sides, and correspondingly, two door units 3 and two product transporting units 4 are provided on the left and right sides. The left and right rack / bend mechanism 2, door 3 and product transport 4 are assembled so as to sandwich the cooling / heating unit 5, control / electrical unit 6, currency handling unit 7 and sales opening 8. A base 9 is arranged below these components so that they can be placed.

In this case, the cooling / heating unit 5, the control / electrical unit 6, the currency handling unit 7 and the selling port unit 8 are provided on the left and right racks.
The bending mechanism sections 2 and 2, the door sections 3 and 3, and the product transfer sections 4 and 4 are shared in common, and are so-called core components. That is, the cooling / heating unit 5 is provided with an internal device having a capacity capable of cooling / heating both rack / bending mechanism units 2, 2. Similarly, the control / electrical unit 6 also has both rack / bending mechanism units. 2, 2, both door parts 3, 3 and both product transport parts 4, 4 are provided with a control circuit that can be controlled. In addition, the selling port portion 8 opens a pre-formed spare receiving port so that the product can be received from both left and right sides.

As described above, when handling a large number of types of merchandise or adding an existing vending machine 1, it is possible to use some of the constituent elements 1 to 9 without using a plurality of vending machines as in the conventional case. The purpose can be achieved by replacing or exchanging. In this case, the left side rack / bending mechanism section 2 sells canned beverages, and the right side rack / bending mechanism section 2 sells canned beverages.
It is also possible to sell packed beverages at.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is a combination pattern of each of the constituent elements 1 to 9 in the case of actively selling many kinds of products. In this embodiment, two rack and bend mechanical units 2 for canned beverages, one rack and bend mechanical unit 2 for packed beverages, one rack and bend mechanical unit 2 for snacks, and a rack and bend mechanical unit for cigarettes A total of 5 racks and 4 types of rack / bending mechanism 2 are provided, with one unit 2. Correspondingly to this, five doors 3 and product transfer units are provided. On the other hand, the cooling / heating unit 5, so that it can be sandwiched between the rack and bend mechanism units 2 and 2 for canned beverages, and the rack and bend mechanism units 2 and 2 for packed beverages and snacks. A control / electrical unit 6, a currency handling unit 7, and a sales outlet 8 are provided as a core. Furthermore, corresponding to the rack and bend mechanism 2 for cigarettes,
Cooling / heating unit 5, control / electrical unit 6, money handling unit 7 at the right end
And a sales opening 8 is provided. In this case (for cigarettes), the cooling / heating unit 5 is not necessary, and this part has only the cabinet 5a.

As described above, the cooling / warming unit 5, the control / electrical unit 6, the currency handling unit 7 and the selling port unit 8 are used as cores to combine various rack / bending mechanism units 2 so that different types The product group can be appropriately expanded, and the product can be easily changed. Moreover, the design can be easily unified and the installation space can be reduced as compared with the conventional one in which a plurality of vending machines are installed.

In the above embodiment, the components including the rack / bend mechanism section, the door section, the transfer section, the cooling / heating section, the control / electrical section, the currency handling section, the selling section and the base section are provided. , Which is configured as a basic unit, for example, a door part,
The money handling unit and the sales opening section can be one component, or conversely, the sales opening section can be divided into a sales opening and a transfer device to form two components. .

[0026]

As described above, according to the vending machine of the present invention, the vending machine is divided into the respective constituent elements, and the constituent elements can be connected to each other. It enables disassembly, reduces factory equipment, improves work efficiency such as transportation and removal, and makes disposal extremely easy. In addition, it is easy to replace or add component parts, and it is possible to achieve resource saving and general-purpose use.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vending machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a vending machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Vending Machine 2 Rack / Bend Mechanism Section 3 Door Section 4 Product Transfer Section 5 Cooling / Warming Section 6 Control / Electrical Section 7 Currency Handling Section 8 Sales Exit Section 9 Base Section

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A component is divided into a plurality of parts according to functions, each divided component is configured as an independent unit structure, and each component is provided with a connector for connecting each component to each other. Characteristic vending machine.