JPH07296243A - Commodity ejector of automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain consecutive ejection of commodities quickly in a commodity ejector for automatic vending machine ejecting sequentially a commodity at a lowest position in one direction. CONSTITUTION:The vending machine is provided with commodity container section 16 containing commodities T in a stacked state in two rows in the forward and backward directions. Plural commodity transmission means 30a-30e sending a commodity T at a lowermost position in the commodity container section 16 are arranged side by side along an ejection direction. A drive mechanism 34 driving the commodity transmission means 30a-30e is provided. The drive mechanism 34 drives a commodity transmission means 30c located almost in the middle in the ejection direction for each commodity ejection. A central commodity transmission means 30c drives alternately front commodity transmission means 30a, 30b and rear side commodity transmission means 30d, 30e for each commodity ejection.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product dispensing device for a vending machine which stores rectangular products in a stacked state and sequentially dispenses the lowest products in one direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, rectangular products are stored in a stacked state,
An example of a product dispensing device for a vending machine that sequentially dispenses the lowest products in one direction is, for example, JP-A-60-123995.
There is a structure described in the publication.

In this product dispensing device, a single dispenser has a rear standby position located behind a product storage unit for storing products in a front-back two-row stacked state, an intermediate standby position located in the middle,
It is arranged so as to move to the three positions of the foremost position, which is the closest position. The throwing-out body is provided with a throwing-out piece which is capable of advancing and retreating in the product storage portion and is spring-biased in the advancing direction.

[0006] Then, when the projecting body moves from the rear standby position to the intermediate standby position and from the intermediate standby position to the frontmost position, the product is dispensed by the dispensing piece that has advanced into the product storage section. In addition, after the throwing-out body moves from the intermediate standby position to the foremost position and throws out the product, the throwing-out body moves backward to the rear standby position and waits for the next product dispensing operation. When the throwing-out body moves back to the rear standby position, the throwing-out piece comes into contact with the product in the product storage unit and is pushed down to move back.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, when the projecting body moves from the intermediate standby position to the foremost position and throws out a product, the next product is thrown out and the rear standby position is reached. It is necessary to restart the dispensing operation after retreating to, and there is a problem that the waiting time of the user becomes long, especially at the time of bulk buying when purchasing a plurality of products.

Furthermore, when the product is replenished at the timing when the projecting body is in the intermediate standby position, the supplemented product may be placed on the projecting piece of the projecting body and push down the projecting piece. If the attendant returns to the selling state without noticing this, there is a problem that the ejecting piece of the ejecting body will pass below the merchandise at the time of the next ejection, resulting in empty ejection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a product dispensing device for an automatic vending machine which can rapidly dispense products continuously. Another object of the present invention is to provide a product dispensing device for an automatic vending machine, which can surely perform the next product dispensing regardless of the timing at which the product is replenished.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product dispensing device for a vending machine, which stores rectangular products in a stacked state.
In a product dispensing device of a vending machine that sequentially dispenses from the lowest order product in one direction, a product storage unit that stores the products in front and rear two rows in a stacked state, and a dispensing direction below the product storage unit. A plurality of product sending means for sending the lowest order products in the product storage section, and the product sending means of the product sending means, which is located in front of the middle of the shipping direction of the product storage section. A drive mechanism is provided for giving a drive for each dispensing operation, and the rear product delivery means is provided with a drive mechanism for providing a drive once for every two product dispensing operations.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product dispensing device for a vending machine, which stores rectangular products in a stacked state and sequentially dispenses the lowest products in one direction. A product storage unit for storing the products in a front and rear two-row stacked state, and three or more products arranged in a row below the product storage unit along the dispensing direction and delivering the lowest product in the product storage unit The merchandise delivery means and the merchandise delivery means in the middle of the merchandise delivery means, which is located approximately in the center of the merchandise storage portion in the ejection direction, are driven for each merchandise ejection operation, and are placed in front of the central merchandise delivery means. The merchandise sending means and the merchandise sending means on the rear side are provided with a drive mechanism for alternately driving the merchandise ejecting operation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product dispensing device for a vending machine according to the first or second aspect, wherein the product sending means dispenses a product below a bottom plate of the product storage section. The ejection cam is attached to a rotary shaft that is transversely provided orthogonally to the direction, and has an ejecting cam that has an extruding portion that advances to the inside of the product storage unit and pushes out the product and a retracting unit that retracts from the product storage unit on the outer periphery.

[0011]

In the product dispensing device of the automatic vending machine according to the first aspect, rectangular products are stacked and stored in the product storage unit in two rows in front and rear. If there is an instruction to dispense, the product sending means on the front side is driven to dispense the lowest product in the front row. If there is an instruction to dispense next, drive is applied to both the front-side product delivery means and the rear-side product delivery means, the lowest-order product in the front row is thrown out, and the lowest-order product in the rear row is moved to the front-row lowest position. . Then, the case where drive is given only to the front side product delivery means and the case where drive is given to both the front side and rear side product delivery means are alternately repeated.

In the product dispensing device of the automatic vending machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, rectangular products are stacked and stored in the product storage section in two rows in front and rear. If there is an instruction to dispense, the central product delivery means and the front product delivery means are driven, and the lowest product in the front row is delivered. If there is an instruction for the next dispensing, the central product sending means and the rear product sending means are driven to throw the lowest product in the front row and move the lowest product in the rear row to the lowest product in the front row.
Then, the case where the drive is given to the central product delivery means and the front side product delivery means and the case where the drive is given to the center product delivery means and the rear side product delivery means are alternately repeated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a commodity dispensing device for a vending machine. In addition to the function of the commodity dispensing device for a vending machine according to the first or second aspect, a dispensing cam is provided if a dispensing instruction is issued. Is driven, and the push-out portion of the dispensing cam enters the product storage portion to push out the lowest-ranked product and dispense it. When a rectangular product is stored in the product storage unit, the push-out unit of each dispensing cam is in the rotational position retracted from the product storage unit.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 shows the internal structure of a cigarette vending machine. The vending machine is the vending machine body 11 and this vending machine body
A door 12 is attached to the front surface of the opening 11 so as to be openable and closable, and a product dispensing device 13 is arranged in three stages in the vending machine body 11.

Each product dispensing device 13 includes a product dispensing unit 14
A storage frame 15 is provided upright on the upper surface of the product dispensing unit 14, and a product storage section 16 for storing products (cigarettes) T in the front and rear two rows in a stacked state is formed in the storage frame 15 and stored. An outlet 17 is formed in the lower part of the front surface of the frame 15.

A product outlet 18 is formed in the door body 12, and the product outlet 18 and the outlet 17 of each product dispensing device 13 are connected by a chute 19. And each product dispensing device
The product T thrown out from the 13 outlets 17 is sent to the product take-out port 18 via the chute 19.

1 to 3 show the structure of the product dispensing device 13. In the product dispensing device 13, a plurality of product dispensing units 14 are arranged side by side along the left-right direction of the vending machine body 11, and the product T is stacked in two rows in front and rear by the storage frame 15 on each product dispensing unit 14. A product storage unit 16 that is stored in a state is formed.

The product dispensing unit 14 is provided with a case body 21 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the front-rear direction.
A step portion 23 is formed at a substantially central position of an upper surface 22 serving as a bottom plate of 16, and the front side of the upper surface 22 is formed to be slightly higher than the rear side. The inside of the case body 21 is divided into three spaces in the width direction by the two partition plates 24, and the central space 25 and the right space 26
A left space 27 is formed. Grooves 28 are formed in the upper surface 22 and the front surface of the case body 21 corresponding to the central space 25 by cutting off portions corresponding to the rotational orbits of the pushing portions 31 of the respective ejection cams 30a to 30e described later.

In the central space 25 of the case body 21, the case body 21
Five rotation shafts (first, second, third, fourth and fifth rotation shafts 29a to 29e) are provided laterally at a height slightly lower than the upper surface 22 of the shaft 5 in a direction orthogonal to the projecting direction. Each rotary shaft 29a ~
A dispensing cam (first, second, and so on in order from the front side) as a product sending means for sending the lowest product T in the product storage unit 16 to 29e.
Third, fourth and fifth ejection cams 30a to 30e are attached, and five ejection cams 30a to 30e are arranged in a row along the ejection direction.

Each of the ejecting cams 30a to 30e is formed with an extruding portion 31 which has a part of the peripheral surface projecting largely so as to be able to advance into the commodity storing portion 16 through the groove portion 28, and the case body 21 at the other portions. A retreat portion 32 that does not protrude from the upper surface 22 of the is formed. Then, the first, third and fifth ejection cams 30a, 30
While the extruded portions 31 of c and 30e are formed on both sides in the width direction, the extruded portions 31 of the second and fourth ejection cams 30b and 30d are formed near the center in the width direction, The push-out portions 31 of the adjacent ejecting cams 30a to 30e are configured not to collide with each other.

In the right space 26 of the case body 21, the right space 26
Each of the rotating shafts 29a to 29e extended inside has a gear (first
~ 5th gear) 33a ~ 33e are attached, these gears
33a to 33e are connected to the drive mechanism 34. Drive mechanism 34
Includes a drive motor 35 disposed in the central space 25, a drive shaft 36 that is driven by the drive motor 35 is extended to the right space 26, and a drive gear 37 is attached to the tip of the drive shaft 36. . The drive gear 37 is meshed with a full-circumference gear 38 having teeth on the entire circumference, and the full-circumference gear 38 is meshed with the third gear 33c.

An intermittent gear 39 having teeth 39a is integrally formed on one-third of the circumferential surface of the all-round gear 38, and drive take-in gears 40 and 41 are meshed with the front and rear of the intermittent gear 39. The shafts of these drive take-in gears 40 and 41 are centered around the shaft of the intermittent gear 39 and are approximately 12
They are arranged at an angle of 0 degree, and when the intermittent gear 39 makes one rotation, it engages with the drive drive gear 40 on the front side for one-third rotation to give drive, and for the next one-third rotation. Rear drive intake gear 41
And drive is provided, and the remaining one-third round is not engaged with either of the drive intake gears 40 and 41 and is not provided with drive.

A gear train is connected to the front drive-intake gear 40 via a plurality of relay gears 42 and 43, which is connected to an interlocking gear 44 that meshes with the first and second gears 33a and 33b. The drive drive gear 41 on the rear side is connected to a fourth gear 33d via a plurality of relay gears 45, 46, 47 and an interlocking gear 48 meshing with the fourth and fifth gears 33d, 33e. Gear trains are connected.

The entire circumference gear 38 and the intermittent gear 39 are the first
~ Has a diameter three times that of the fifth gears 33a ~ 33e.

When the driving motor 35 is rotated by the driving mechanism 34 and the omnidirectional gear 38 makes one rotation, the third
The gear 33c of 3 rotates three times and the third ejecting cam 30c rotates three times. At the same time, the intermittent gear 39 makes one revolution, and the first and second gears 33a, 33b (that is, the first and second cams 30a, 30b) each make one revolution by one third of that revolution, and the next 3 Each one-third rotation causes the fourth and fifth gears 33d and 33e (that is, the fourth and fifth ejection cams 30d and 30e) to make one rotation, and the remaining one-third rotation idles. Therefore, of the first to fifth dispensing cams 30a to 30e, the central third dispensing cam 30c, which is located approximately in the center in the dispensing direction of the product storage unit 16, is given a drive for each product dispensing operation. , The front (first) throw-out cam group including the frontmost first throw-out cam 30a
Rear side (2nd) including 30F and 5th exiting cam 30e
The driving is alternately applied to the ejection cam group 30R of.

The first gear is coaxial with the all-round gear 38 and the intermittent gear 39.
And the cam plate 51 having the second steps 49 and 50 is integrally formed. The tooth 39a of the intermittent gear 39 is somewhat engaged with the rear drive take-in gear 41 and the tooth 39a of the intermittent gear 39 is rotated.
Is provided with a micro switch 52 for detecting the first and second steps 49, 50 at a rotational position where the drive engagement gears 40, 41 are not engaged.

A detection lever is provided in the left space 27 of the case body 21.
A sold-out detection mechanism 55 composed of 53 and a photo interrupter 54 is arranged at two front and rear positions. The detection lever 53 includes a detection unit 56
And a shielding portion 57, the detection portion 56 is pivotably supported between a protruding position in which the detecting portion 56 protrudes into the product storage portion 16 and a depressed position in which the detecting portion 56 is sunk in the case body 21, and a spring in the direction of the protruding position. Being energized. The photo interrupter 54 is a detection lever.
When the detection unit 56 of the detection lever 53 is arranged on the track of the shielding unit 57 when the 53 swings, and the detection unit 56 of the detection lever 53 is in the projecting position, it is in a light-transmitting state. It is shielded to be in a light shielding state.

With such a sold-out detection mechanism 55, if there is a product T in the product storage unit 16, when the detection lever 53 is in the depressed position and the photo interrupter 54 keeps the light transmitting state, the product T disappears. The detection lever 53 projects into the product storage unit 16 and the photo interrupter 54 is shielded from light. When the photo interrupter 54 is in the light-shielded state after the product is dispensed, it is determined that the product T is sold out, and the product T is not sold from the product storage unit 16 thereafter.

Further, the storage frame 15 is a partition plate 61 erected on the right side portion of the upper surface 22 of the case body 21 of the product dispensing unit 14.
The product storage unit 16 is formed between the product and the partition plate 61 which is also erected on the product dispensing unit 14 adjacent thereto. Each partition 61
A front plate 62 that supports the front surface of the products T that are stacked and stored in the product storage unit 16 is attached to the front edge of the, and a rear plate 63 is attached to the rear side of the upper surface 22 of the case body 21. .
Between the lower end of the front plate 62 and the upper surface 22 of the case body 21, there is a space slightly larger than the thickness of the product T to be discharged, and the discharge port
17 are formed. A notch 64 is formed between the lower end of the rear plate 63 and the upper surface 22 of the case body 21 so as to correspond to the rotation trajectory of the pushing portion 31 of the fifth ejection cam 30e.

Next, the product dispensing operation will be described in the order of FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (d), 6 (e) to 6 (h), and 7 (i) to 7 (l).

FIG. 5 (a) shows the first standby state, in which the push-out portions 31 of all the dispensing cams 30a to 30e are retracted from the product storage portion 16. Therefore, the products T are aligned and placed on the upper surface 22 of the case body 21 of the product dispensing unit 14, and the replenishment work of the products T can be performed easily and surely. Further, in the first standby state, the drive mechanism 34 is in the state shown in FIG. 3, and the tooth 39a of the intermittent gear 39 takes a rotational position in which the tooth 39a of the intermittent gear 39 is somewhat meshed with the drive take-in gear 41 on the rear side. This state is a micro switch
52 is positioned by detecting the first step 49 of the cam plate 51.

Then, if there is an instruction of ejection based on the selection by the user, the drive motor 35 is driven and the drive gear 37
The full-circle gear 38 and the intermittent gear 39 rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. The rotation of the omnidirectional gear 38 is transmitted to the third gear 33c, and the third ejection cam 30c rotates counterclockwise. At the same time, since the intermittent gear 39 was meshed with the rear drive intake gear 41 during standby, the rotation of the intermittent gear 39 was delayed by the fourth drive gear 33d via the rear drive intake gear 41.
33e, the fourth and fifth ejection cams 30d, 30
e rotates counterclockwise.

From the positional relationship of the respective output cams 30a to 30e during standby, first, the push-out portion 31 of the fifth output cam 30e enters the product storage portion 16 and the rear end surface of the lowermost product T in the rear row. And pushes this product T forward. The pushed back product T at the bottom of the back row pushes out the product T at the bottom of the front row to the front (state of FIG. 5 (b)). At this time, since the bottom surface of the product storage unit 16 (the upper surface 22 of the product dispensing unit 14) has the step portion 23 and the front side is higher, the top end of the front surface of the product T at the lowest position in the rear row is the next position in the front row. The product T smoothly enters the front row without being caught by the lower end of the rear surface of the product T.

When the product T is pushed completely by the pushing portion 31 of the fifth throwing cam 30e, the pushing portion of the fourth throwing cam 30d is pushed.
5th ejection cam 30e after 31 has advanced into the product storage unit 16
Then, the product T comes into contact with the rear end surface of the lowest product T in the rear row and pushes the product T forward (state of FIG. 5 (c)). Further, when the product T is pushed out by the push-out portion 31 of the fourth dispensing cam 30d, the push-out portion 31 of the third dispense cam 30c advances into the product storage portion 16 and the fourth dispense cam Continuing from 30d, the product comes in contact with the rear end surface of the product T at the bottom of the rear row, and the product T
Push forward. This fourth and third throwout cam 30d
, 30c, the lowest product T in the front row is ejected from the ejection port 17 and is sent to the commodity ejection port 18 through the chute 19.

The product T at the bottom of the back row in the third ejection cam 30c
If the item is moved to the front row, the product T in the rear row falls by one product (state of FIG. 5 (d)). Furthermore, the third ejection cam 30c
A small amount of the lowest-ranked product T in the front row is pushed forward by the push-out section 31 (see FIG. 6 (e)).

At the timing when the push-out portion 31 of the third ejecting cam 30c retracts from the commodity storage portion 16, the meshing between the intermittent gear 39 and the rear drive take-in gear 41 is released, and the fourth and fifth gears are released. The ejection cams 30d and 30e stop rotating. Third throwout cam 30
c continues to rotate (state in Figure 6 (f)).

Further, when the rotation of the third ejecting cam 30c advances and reaches a predetermined rotational position, the micro switch 52 detects the second step 50 of the cam plate 51, and the second standby state (FIG. 6). (state of (g)). If only one product T is to be dispensed, the drive motor 35 is stopped by this detection to prepare for the next dispense.

In the second standby state, as in the first standby state, the push-out portions of any of the ejection cams 30a to 30e are pushed out.
Since 31 is also in a state of being retracted from the product storage unit 16, the product T
Refilling can be done easily and surely without disturbing.

When there is an instruction for the next ejection or when the ejection is continued, the drive motor 35 is rotated, the entire circumference gear 38 and the intermittent gear 39 are rotated, and the third ejection is performed. The output cam 30c rotates. Initially, since the teeth 39a of the intermittent gear 39 do not mesh with the front and rear drive intake gears 40 and 41, the other ejecting cams 30a, 30b, 30d and 30e do not rotate. Further, when the teeth 39a of the intermittent gear 39 mesh with the front drive intake gear 40, the first and second ejection cams 30a, 30b as well as the third ejection cam 30c start to rotate. Regarding the rotational positions of these three ejection cams 30a to 30c, the third ejection cam 30c is the most advanced, then the second ejection cam 30b, and then the first ejection cam 30b.
It has become the exit cam 30a.

Therefore, by the rotation of the drive motor 35, the push-out portion 31 of the third ejection cam 30c first advances into the product storage portion 16 and abuts against the lower surface of the lowermost product T in the rear row and is lifted (see FIG. 6 (h)), push out the product T at the bottom of the front row to the front (however, in most cases, the third ejection cam 30 of the previous time)
The product T at the bottom of the front row is pushed forward by the rotation of c and is often missed.) Next, the second ejection cam
The push-out section 31 of 30b advances into the product storage section 16 and contacts the rear end surface of the lowest product T in the front row to push the product T forward (state of FIG. 7 (i)). Subsequently, the push-out portion 31 of the first dispensing cam 30a advances into the product storage portion 16 and comes into contact with the rear end surface of the lowest product T in the front row, and pushes this product T forward and ejects it from the ejection port 17. It comes out (state of FIG. 7 (j) (k)).

The product T at the bottom of the front row in the first ejection cam 30a
If is thrown, the product T in the front row falls by one product.

Further, the first to third ejection cams 30a-
When the rotation of 30c progresses and reaches a predetermined rotation position (Fig.
(state (l)), the meshing between the teeth 39a of the intermittent gear 39 and the front drive intake gear 40 is released, and the first and second ejection cams 30
The rotation of a and 30b is stopped. Substantially at the same time, the teeth 39a of the intermittent gear 39 and the rear drive intake gear 41 mesh with each other, and subsequently the third, fourth, and fifth ejecting cams 30c to 30e rotate. When the micro switch 52 detects the first step 49 of the cam plate 51, it returns to the first standby state (FIG. 5).
State (a). However, a small amount of the product T at the bottom of the front row is pushed forward.

If the product T is to be dispensed, the drive motor 35 is stopped in the first standby state to prepare for the next dispense, and if the product T is subsequently dispensed, it is continuously. The drive motor 35 is rotated.

Next, the timing at which the respective ejection cams 30a to 30e rotate and stop will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. It should be noted that the first ejection cam 30a and the second ejection cam
Since 30b is directly connected by the interlocking gear 44 and rotates at the same time, it is the front ejection cam group 30F and the fourth ejection cam 30d.
For the same reason, the 5th ejection cam 30e and the rear ejection cam group for the same reason.
Describe as 30R.

When two products T are continuously ejected for bulk buying or the like, the third ejection cam 30c continuously rotates three times when there is an ejection command. Simultaneously with the first rotation of the third ejection cam 30c, the rear ejection cam group 30R makes about one revolution and cooperates to eject the first product T. The second rotation is the third
Only the dispensing cam 30c of the above rotates, and at the same time as the third rotation, the dispensing cam group 30F on the front side also rotates and cooperates to dispense the second product T. At the end of the third rotation of the third ejection cam 30c, the rear ejection cam group 30R rotates a small amount and returns to the standby state.

In the case of ejecting one by one, the third ejecting cam 30c makes one and a half rotations and stops when the ejecting command is issued.
Simultaneously with the rotation of the dispensing cam 30c, the rear-side dispensing cam group 30R makes about one rotation and cooperates to dispense the product T. Furthermore, when the next ejection command is issued, the third ejection cam 30c rotates once and a half times,
The first half rotation of the third ejection cam 30c is the third ejection cam 30c.
Only c rotates, and then the front-side ejection cam group 30F rotates and cooperates to eject the product T. 3rd of the third ejection cam 30c
At the end of the turning cycle, the rear ejection cam group 30R rotates a small amount and returns to the standby state.

Therefore, the central third ejecting cam 30c is driven for each product ejecting operation, and the front ejecting cam group 30F and the rear ejecting cam group 30R are alternated for each product ejecting operation. The product T is driven and throws out.

By the way, in the case of a merchandise ejecting device which simply drives a plurality of ejecting cams arranged in a row from the rearward ejecting cam, only the next lowest product in the front row is waited. In the state, when the replenishment work of the product T is performed, there is a high possibility that an ejection error will occur. That is, the ejection cams near the boundary between the front row and the rear row have finished driving to complete the immediately preceding ejection operation, while the replenishment work is performed means that the products in the product storage section are acted from the outside. As a result, the lowest product in the front row is not guaranteed to be in the state before the replenishment work, and may have returned to a position above the ejection cam near the boundary between the front row and the rear row due to the momentum of the replenishment work. When the next ejection operation is performed in such a state, even if the ejection cam on the front side of the ejection cam near the boundary between the front row and the rear row is driven, the push-out portion of the ejection cam on the front side is driven. If the product does not wrap around to the back surface of the product and only touches the bottom surface of the product, it will not be pushed out and will cause an ejection error. On the other hand, in the product dispensing device 13 of the present embodiment, since the third dispensing cam 30c located in the middle is driven for each product dispensing operation, the above dispensing error does not occur. .

Next, as a second embodiment of the present invention, a product dispensing device 13 having six dispensing cams will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 9 shows the structure of the product dispensing unit 14.
In this embodiment, the basic configuration including the peripheral portion is substantially the same as the type of the first embodiment provided with the above-mentioned five ejecting cams 30a to 30e, but the number of ejecting cams and its drive mechanism are the same. 34 are different.

Six rotary shafts (first to sixth rotary shafts 29a to 29f in order from the front side) are laterally provided in the central space 25 in the cover body 21, and each of the rotary shafts 29a to 29f has a projecting cam. (First to sixth ejection cams in order from the front side) 30a to 30f are attached.

One ends of the rotary shafts 29a to 29f are extended to the right space 26, and gears (first to sixth gears in order from the front side) 33a to 33f are attached to the ends thereof. A drive mechanism 34 is provided in the right space 26, and includes a first gear 33a and a second gear 33b, a second gear 33b and a third gear 33c, and a fourth gear.
33d and fifth gear 33e, fifth gear 33e and sixth gear 33
A large-diameter gear that is approximately twice as large as the gears 33a to 33f between the fs (first to fourth large-diameter gears in order from the front side)
71 to 74 are arranged. The third large diameter gear 73 is integrally formed with a gear 75 having the same diameter in the axial direction. Central space 25
The relay gear 76 meshes with the drive gear 37 directly connected to the drive shaft 36 of the drive motor 35 arranged in
Meshes with the large-diameter gear 72 and the center gear 77 meshes with the rear side.
The central gear 77 is integrally formed with a notch gear 78 of the same diameter, in which teeth 78a are formed only on a half circumference in the axial direction. A small diameter gear 79 meshes with the rear side of the notch gear 78, and a gear 75 formed integrally with the third large diameter gear 73 meshes with the small diameter gear 79.

When the drive motor 35 is driven, the second large diameter gear 72 and the central gear 77 are rotated via the relay gear 76. The rotation of the second large diameter gear 72 causes the second
And the third ejection cam 30c is rotated, and the first ejection cam 30a is also rotated via the first large-diameter gear 71. The first to third dispensing cams 30a to 30c are, depending on the mounting positional relationship, first the push-out portion 31 of the third dispensing cam 30c advances into the product storage portion 16 and the third dispensing cam 30c.
The push-out portion 31 of the second dispensing cam 30b advances into the product storage portion 16 at the timing when the push-out portion 31 of the second throw-out cam 30b sinks from the product storing portion 16 The first ejection cam 30a at the timing of sinking from the storage section 16
The push-out section 31 advances into the product storage section 16.

When the central gear 77 rotates, the intermittent gear 78 formed integrally also rotates, but at this time, if the teeth 78a of the intermittent gear 78 are not meshed with the rear small diameter gear 79, they run idle. If the teeth 78a of the intermittent gear 78 mesh with the rear small diameter gear 79, the gear 75 integrally formed with the third large diameter gear 73 rotates, and the third large diameter gear 73 also rotates. Third large diameter gear
By rotating 73, the fourth and fifth ejection cams 30
d and 30e rotate. At the same time, the sixth ejection cam 30f also rotates via the fourth large diameter gear 74. Further, the fourth to sixth dispensing cams 30d to 30f may be arranged such that the push-out portion 31 of the sixth dispensing cam 30f is the product storage portion depending on the mounting positional relationship.
When the push-out portion 31 of the sixth dispensing cam 30f is pushed into the inside of the 16 and sinks from the product storage portion 16, the fifth dispensing cam 30e
The push-out portion 31 of the fourth push-out cam 30d advances into the product storage portion 16, and at the timing when the push-out portion 31 of the fifth discharge cam 30e sinks from the product storage portion 16, the push-out portion 31 of the fourth discharge cam 30d Move into the product storage unit 16.

Therefore, the drive mechanism 34 allows the front (first) ejection cam group 30F including the first ejection cam 30a, which is the first of the first to sixth ejection cams 30a to 30f, to be a commodity for the front (first) ejection cam group 30F. Drive is given for each ejecting operation, and the 6th ejecting cam at the last position
The rear (second) ejection cam group 30R including 30f is driven once in every two product ejection operations.

The ejection cams 30a to 30f and the drive mechanism 34 are shown in FIG.
The states shown in (a) to (d) are the first standby state, and the intermittent gear 78 is in the rotational position immediately before its teeth 78a mesh with the small diameter gear 79 (when rotating in the clockwise direction). . In this state, the product T is filled in the product storage unit 16.

Next, the product dispensing operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The timing chart will be described.

When the ejection command is issued, the drive motor 35 is driven clockwise in FIG. 9, and the drive gear 37 also rotates in the same direction. The first to third ejection cams 30a to 30c are rotated via the relay gear 76 and the first and second large diameter gears 71 and 72. First, the third ejection cam that advanced into the product storage unit 16
The push-out section 31 of 30c pushes out the product T at the bottom of the front row to the front, and subsequently the push-out section 31 of the second ejection cam 30b pushes out the product T at the bottom of the front row to the front and finally the first throw-out. The push-out section 31 of the output cam 30a pushes the lowest-ranked product T in the front row forward and throws it out. The product T to be dispensed is sent to the product outlet 18 through the chute 19.

Simultaneously with the rotation of the first to third ejecting cams 30a to 30c, the teeth 78a of the intermittent gear 78 mesh with the small diameter gear 79 to transmit the drive backward, and the fourth to sixth ejecting cams. 30d
~ 30f also rotates. Fourth to sixth ejection cams 30d to 30
f is the same rotational position as the first to third ejection cams 30a to 30c, and the product T at the bottom of the rear row is the pushing portion 31 of the sixth, fifth and fourth ejection cams 30f, 30e, 30d. Push in order forward. The pushed product T enters the lowest position in the front row. When the first to sixth ejection cams 30a to 30f rotate once (detected by a detection means not shown),
The drive motor 35 stops, and the second standby position is reached.

When the next dispensing command is issued (when a plurality of products T are continuously dispensed, following the first dispensing),
The drive motor 35 starts rotating. Drive gear 37 and relay gear 76
The second large diameter gear 72 rotates via the
b and the third ejection cam 30c rotate, and further the first ejection cam 30a rotates via the first large diameter gear 71. These 3
By rotating the individual dispensing cams 30a to 30c, the lowest product T in the front row is dispensed. At this time, the teeth 78a of the intermittent gear 78 do not mesh with the small-diameter gear 79, and therefore idle. for that reason,
The drive is not transmitted to the rear and the fourth to sixth ejection cams 30
d ~ 30f does not rotate. First to third ejection cam 30a
When ~ 30c makes one revolution, the drive motor 35 stops and returns to the first standby state.

In the second embodiment, when the lowest order product T in the front row is thrown out while pushing out the lowest order product T in the back row, the lowest order product T in the front row and the lowest order product T in the back row are selected. The push-out portions 31 of the throw-out cams 30a to 30f push out the respective push-out cams 30a to 30f. This is because rather than pushing out the product T at the bottom of the back row and pushing out the product T at the bottom of the front row by pushing out the product T at the bottom of the back row when the two products T at the bottom of the front row and the back row are thrown out. Also, stable movement can be expected when the push-out portions 31 of the ejection cams 30a to 30f are brought into contact with and pushed by the lowermost products T in the front row and the rear row, respectively.

In addition, normally (except when it is almost sold out),
A large number of products T are accumulated and stored in the product storage unit 16, and a considerable weight is applied to the lowest product T. In order to move the lowest product T horizontally, A strong force that resists frictional force is required. In this case, 1
If an attempt is made to simultaneously move the products T at the bottom of the front row and the rear row by means of individual ejection cams, a large force is applied to the ejection cams, so the strength of the ejection cams must be increased. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, one ejecting cam 30a to 30f is used.
Need only move one of the lowermost products T in the front row or the back row, and the strength is low and cost reduction (or long life) can be expected.

[0064]

According to the product dispensing device of the vending machine according to the first aspect of the invention, the products of the vending machine which store rectangular products in a stacked state and sequentially dispense the lowest products in one direction. In the dispensing device, a plurality of product delivery means are arranged in a row below the product storage section along the delivery direction, and the front and rear product delivery means eject the lowest products in the front row and the rear row in one direction. Therefore, it is possible to promptly continuously eject the product.
Moreover, since the lowermost product in the front row and the lowermost product in the rear row are respectively ejected by different merchandise delivery means at the front and rear, the load applied to one merchandise delivery means can be reduced, and a low-strength component is used. The price can be reduced or the service life can be extended when parts with the same strength are used.

According to the product dispensing device of the vending machine according to the second aspect, the rectangular products are stored in a stacked state and the product dispensing of the vending machine is carried out in order from the lowest product in one direction. In the device, a plurality of product delivery means are arranged below the product storage section along the delivery direction, and the front, center, and rear product delivery means deliver each of the lowest products in the front row and the back row in one direction. Therefore, it is possible to promptly continuously eject the product. In addition, since the central product delivery means is driven for each product ejection operation, even if the products are replenished at the timing before only the lowest products in the front row are delivered, the central product delivery means causes the lowest products in the front row to be replenished. It is possible to reliably send out and throw out the product.

According to the product dispensing device of the vending machine according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the product dispensing device of the vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, the dispense cam of each dispensing cam is dispensed when the product is dispensed. Since the push-out unit enters the product storage unit and throws out the lowest product, and the push-out unit of each output cam can be retracted from the product storage unit except when the product is being sent out, only the lowest product in the front row is sent out. Even if the product is replenished at the previous timing, the product is not placed on the dispensing cam and normal dispensing is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a product dispensing device showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the commodity dispensing device according to the above embodiment.

3A and 3B show a dispensing unit of the above embodiment, wherein FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view as seen from a plane direction, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view as seen from a side direction of the B range of FIG. 3A, and FIG. FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the C range viewed from the side direction, and FIG. 7D is a sectional view of the D range viewed from the side direction of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the internal structure of the vending machine of the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the product dispensing operation of the above embodiment in the order of (a) to (d).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for explaining the product dispensing operation of the above embodiment in the order of (e) to (h).

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the product dispensing operation of the above embodiment in the order of (i) to (l).

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing a product dispensing operation timing of the above embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a dispensing unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention,
(a) is a sectional view seen from the plane direction, (b) is a sectional view taken along the line BB of (a), (c) is a sectional view taken along the line C-C of (a), and (d) is a range of (a). FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing a product dispensing operation timing of the above embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 16 Product storage section 29a to 29f Rotating shafts 30a to 30f Discharge cam 31 as product delivery means 31 Push-out section 32 Retraction section 34 Drive mechanism T product

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshihiro Tabuchi 1-30-1 Shimoteno, Himeji-shi, Hyogo Prefecture Glory Equipment Co., Ltd. No. Glory Equipment Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A product dispensing device for a vending machine, which stores rectangular products in a stacked state and sequentially dispenses the lowest order products in one direction, wherein the products are stored in a stacked state in front and rear two rows. And a plurality of merchandise delivery means for delivering the lowest merchandise in the merchandise storage section, which are arranged in a line below the merchandise storage section along the ejection direction, The merchandise delivery means on the front side of the substantially central portion in the ejection direction is provided with a drive for each merchandise ejection operation, and the merchandise delivery means on the rear side is provided with a drive mechanism for driving once every two merchandise ejection operations. A product dispensing device for a vending machine, which is characterized in that 2. A product dispenser for a vending machine, which stores rectangular products in a stacked state and sequentially dispenses the lowest order products in one direction, wherein the products are stacked in two rows in front and rear. A product storage unit, and three or more product delivery units that are arranged below the product storage unit in a line along the dispensing direction and deliver the lowest-order products in the product storage unit; The central product delivery means located approximately in the center of the product storage portion in the delivery direction is driven for each product delivery operation, and the product delivery means on the front side and the product delivery means on the rear side of the central product delivery means are provided. A product dispensing device for a vending machine, comprising: a drive mechanism that alternately drives each product dispensing operation. 3. The product delivery means is attached to a rotary shaft that is provided below the bottom plate of the product storage section and is orthogonal to the delivery direction, and has an outer peripheral portion that pushes out the product by advancing into the product storage section and pushing out the product. The product dispensing device for a vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a dispensing cam having a retracting unit that retracts from the product storage unit.