JPH0798778A - Device for discharging merchandise equipped with function for detecting fault in automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the number of parts and reduce the cost by discriminating the abnormality of each delay based on the control state of a 1st control means and the presence of absence of detecting the current. CONSTITUTION:When a prescribed driving current flows to a solenoid 10 of a vending machine provided on each column, the vending machine is started to carry the merchandise out. Each relay of a relay driving circuit 2 forms plural groups S, C and G. With the control means, the common relay of the group C to which the column instructed to carry the merchandise belongs is started among plural columns to turn it on. The section relay of the group S to which the instructed column belongs is turned on. Then, the driving current is sent to the objective merchandise carrying device by turning on the group relay of the group G to which the instructed column belongs and the merchandise is carried out. Further, the discrimination means discriminates whether or not each relay is normally operated based on the current state detected by a current detection means 40.

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, and more particularly to selecting a column instructed to be carried out from a plurality of columns and driving a product discharging device such as a bend solenoid of the column from a power source. The present invention relates to a product dispensing device having a relay failure detection function provided for supplying an electric current.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The applicant of the present invention has previously proposed, as a product dispensing device having a failure detection function,
A structure shown in FIG. 8 has been proposed (JP-A-4-1775).
No. 93).

In this product dispensing device 100, the bend solenoids provided in the product unloading device of a plurality of columns are divided into two groups 102 and 104, and a relay 106,
By turning ON / OFF 108, a drive current was passed through the bend solenoid to carry out the product.

Then, the relays 106 and 108 and the current detection circuits 108 and 110 composed of photocouplers are connected in parallel, and when a current is detected by these current detection circuits 108 and 110, a monitor signal is output to a control unit (not shown). However, the control unit determines whether or not each relay has a failure based on the content of the monitor signal.

However, the above-mentioned product dispensing device 100
Since it is necessary to provide a current detection circuit for each group, the number of parts increases and the cost increases, and the reliability due to the increase in the number of parts also decreases.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a product dispensing device having a failure detection function that reduces the number of parts, reduces cost, and improves reliability.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product dispensing device having a failure detection function for a vending machine, which selects a column instructed to be carried out from a plurality of columns, and selects one of the columns. The first of two transfer contact type selection relays in a product dispensing device of a vending machine that supplies a driving current from a power supply to a product discharging device such as a bend solenoid.
A product discharge device is connected in series to each of the make contact point, the first break contact point, the second make contact point, and the second break contact point to form a plurality of S groups having four columns as one group. A product unloading device in which the first make contact point, the first break contact point, the second make contact point and the second break contact point are connected in parallel to form four C groups, and which are connected to the first make contact point of each selection relay. Connecting the C group formed by the above and one end on the first contact side of the two-make contact type first common relay,
The C group formed by the product unloading device connected to the second make contact of each selection relay is connected to one end on the second contact side of the first common relay, and is connected to the first break contact of each selection relay. The group C formed by the product discharging device described above is connected to one end on the first contact side of the second make relay of the second common contact type, and by the product discharging device connected to the second break contact of each selection relay. The formed C group is connected to one end on the second contact side of the second common relay, the other end on the first and second contact sides of the first common relay and the first and second ends of the second common relay. The other end of the contact side is connected in parallel and is also connected to one pole of the electrode, the first transfer contact of each selection relay is connected in parallel, and the second transfer of each selection relay is connected. The fan contacts connected in parallel two G
Forming a group, connecting these two G groups and one end of two make contact type group relays respectively, and connecting the other end of the group relay in parallel and the other pole of the power source in series. , A current detecting means for detecting a current flowing through the other pole of the power source is provided, first a target C group is selected from four C groups by a common relay, and then a target C group is selected from a plurality of S groups. A control means for causing the selection relay to select the S group, and finally for selecting the target G group from the two G groups by the group relay, and controlling the drive current to flow to the target product discharging device; It is composed of a judging means for judging an abnormality of each relay based on the control state of the control means and the presence / absence of detection of the current by the current detecting means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a commodity dispensing device having a failure detecting function for a vending machine,
The determination means, when all the relays are in the OFF state,
When the current detecting means does not detect the current, it is judged as normal, and when it detects, the group relay and the common relay are judged as abnormal, and the control means turns on one common relay.
When the current detection means does not detect a current in the state, it is determined to be normal, when it is detected, the group relay is determined to be abnormal, and when the control means turns one selection relay on, When the current detecting means does not detect the current, it is judged to be normal, and when the current is detected, the group relay and the common relay are judged to be abnormal, and the control means
When one of the group relays is turned on, when the current detecting means detects a current, it is determined to be normal, and when the current is not detected, the group relay, the selection relay, or the common relay is determined to be abnormal.

[0009]

[Operation] The operation of the product dispensing apparatus having the failure detecting function of the vending machine according to claim 1 having the above structure will be described.

By the control means, the common relay of the C group to which the column instructed to carry out the product out of the plurality of columns (hereinafter referred to as "instruction column") is operated to turn on O.
Set to N state. Next, the selection relay of the S group to which the instruction column belongs is turned on. Finally, turn on the group relay of the G group to which this instruction column belongs.
After that, a drive current is passed through the target product unloading device to carry out the product.

Then, the determining means determines whether or not each relay is operating normally while the control means is performing the control as described above, from the current detection state of the current detecting means.

The operation of the product dispensing device having the failure detection function of the vending machine according to claim 2 will be described.

The determination means determines the following while the control means first turns on the common relay of group C, then turns on the selection relay of group S, and finally turns on the group relay of group G. Make such a decision.

When all the relays are in the OFF state,
When the current detecting means does not detect the current, it is determined to be normal. When the current is detected, it is judged that the group relay and common relay are abnormal.

The control means turns on one common relay
When the current detection means does not detect the current in the state, it is determined to be normal. When the current is detected, the group relay is judged to be abnormal.

When the control unit turns on one selection relay and the current detection unit detects no current, it is determined to be normal. When the current is detected, it is judged that the group relay and common relay are abnormal.

The control means turns on one group relay.
When the current is detected by the current detecting means in the N state, it is determined to be normal. If no current is detected, the group relay, selection relay, or common relay is judged to be abnormal.

[0018]

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

The vending machine of this embodiment has 32 columns, and column numbers are set in these columns.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a product dispensing device 1 of the vending machine.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the relay drive circuit 2 in the product dispensing device 1.

Reference numeral 4 is a control unit, which is a microcomputer 5,
The memory device 6 and the input / output port 7 are provided. The master controller 3 and the relay drive circuit 2 are connected to the control unit 4. Then, the microcomputer 5 receives the product unloading command from the master controller 3 and outputs the product unloading result to the master controller 3. In addition, a control signal is output to the relay drive circuit 2 via the input / output port 7 so that the bend device of the designated column operates, and further, a relay monitor signal is input from the relay drive circuit 2.

Reference numeral 10 is a solenoid of a bend device provided in each column. When a predetermined drive current flows through the solenoid 10, the bend device operates and the product is unloaded. Then, the solenoid 10 provided in the column of column number 1 is referred to as the first solenoid 10 and the column number 2
The solenoid 10 provided in the column of No. 2 will be referred to as the second solenoid 10, and the solenoid 10 provided in the column of the column number n will be referred to as the nth solenoid 10 (in the figure, for example, the first solenoid is referred to as the solenoid). To).

Reference numeral 11 is a two-transfer contact type first
Selection relay (RS1 in the figure). One end of the first solenoid 10 is connected in series to the first make contact of the first selection relay 11.
One end of the second solenoid 10 is connected in series to the first break contact, and similarly, third and fourth solenoids 10 are connected in series to the second make contact and the second break contact, respectively.

Reference numeral 12 is a two-transfer contact type second
It is a selection relay (RS2 in the figure). The second selection relay 12 has fifth to eighth
The solenoid 10 is connected.

The relay drive circuit 2 includes the third to eighth parts.
A selection relay is provided. The third selection relay 13 (indicated as RS3 in the figure) has a ninth
~ The twelfth solenoid 10 is connected. Thirteenth to sixteenth solenoids 10 are connected to the fourth selection relay. The 5th selection relay has 17th to 2nd
0 solenoid 10 is connected. Similarly, four solenoids 10 are connected to the sixth and seventh solenoids 10, respectively, and an eighth selection relay 18 (RS in the drawing) is connected.
No. 8), the 29th to 32nd solenoids 10 are connected.

Each of the relays forms the following eight S groups, four C groups and two G groups.

(1) Eight S groups Four solenoids 10 connected to the first to eighth selection relays 11 to 18 form eight S groups as one S group.

(2) Four C groups The first, fifth, ninth and first terminals connected to the first make contacts of the first to eighth selection relays 11 to 18 respectively.
The other ends of the third, seventeenth, twenty-first, twenty-fifth, and twenty-ninth solenoids 10 are connected in parallel to form a first C group.

First to eighth selection relays 11 to 18
Second, sixth, tenth, connected to the first break contact of
14th, 18th, 22nd, 26th, 30th solenoid 1
The other ends of 0s are connected in parallel to form a second C group.

First to eighth selection relays 11 to 18
Third, seventh, eleventh, fifteenth, nineteenth, twenty-third, twenty-seventh, thirty-first solenoid 10 connected to the second make contact of
The other ends of are connected in parallel to form a third C group.

First to eighth selection relays 11 to 18
The fourth, sixth, twelfth, connected to the second break contact of
16th, 20th, 24th, 28th, 32nd solenoid 1
The other ends of 0s are connected in parallel to form a 4C group.

(3) Two G groups All the first transfer contacts of the first to eighth selection relays 11 to 18 are connected in parallel to form a first G group.

First to eighth selection relays 11 to 18
All the second transfer contacts of are connected in parallel to form a second G group.

Reference numeral 20 is a two-make contact type first common relay (RC1 in the figure). The first C group is connected in series to one end of the first contact. The third C group is connected in series to one end of the second contact.

Reference numeral 22 is a second make-contact type second common relay (RC2 in the figure). The second C group is connected in series to one end of the first contact. The fourth C group is connected to one end of the second contact.

The other ends of the first contact and the second contact of the first common relay 20 and the other ends of the first contact and the second contact of the second common relay 22 are connected in parallel, and the power supply 8 of 100 V AC is connected. It is connected in series with one pole.

Reference numeral 30 is a make contact type first group relay (denoted by RG1 in the figure). A first G group is connected in series to one end of the first group relay 30.

Reference numeral 32 is a make contact type second group relay (denoted by RG2 in the figure). The second G group is connected in series to one end of the second group relay 32.

The other end of the first group relay 30 and the other end of the second group relay 32 are connected in parallel, and
It is connected in series with the other pole of the power supply 8.

A first surge prevention element 34 is connected in parallel to the first group relay 30 in order to prevent the flow of surge current. The second surge prevention element 36 is also connected to the second group relay 32.

Reference numeral 40 is a current detection circuit provided between the other pole of the power source 8 and the first group relay 30 and the second group relay 32. This current detection circuit 40
Will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 42 is a transformer that functions as a current sensor. The primary coil of the transformer 42 is arranged in series between the other pole of the power supply 8 and the other end of the first group relay 30. Further, one end of the secondary coil is grounded. The other end of the secondary coil is connected to one end of a resistor 44 via a branch point 42a, and the other end of the resistor 44 is grounded.

One end of the resistor 46 is connected to the branch point 42a, and the other end of the resistor 46 is connected to the anode side of the diode 48. One ends of a capacitor 50 and a resistor 52 are connected to the cathode side of the diode 48, and the other ends of the capacitor 50 and the resistor 52 are grounded. Further, the cathode side of the diode 48 is connected to the anode side of the diode 54, and the cathode side of the diode 54 is connected to the DC power supply Vcc. And
When a current flows through the primary coil of the transformer 42, a monitor signal is output from the cathode side of the diode 48. This monitor signal is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter (not shown) and input to the input / output port 7. In addition,
When a current flows through the primary coil of the transformer 42, the monitor signal becomes "H", and when no current flows, the monitor signal becomes "L".

Reference numeral 60 denotes a resistor, one end of which is connected to one end of the first common relay 20 on the first contact side and the other end of which is connected to the other pole of the power supply 8.

Reference numeral 62 is a resistor, one end of which is connected to one end on the second contact side of the first common relay 20 and the other end of which is connected to the other pole of the power supply 8. The two resistors 60 and 62 are provided in the first group relay 30 when the common relays 20 and 22 are turned on and current starts flowing.
And the make contact side of the selection relays 11 to 18 is O
In the FF state, there is no place for current to flow, and the common relays 20 and 22 are welded.
An electric current is applied to 2 to prevent welding.

Next, the process of determining the failure state of each relay provided in the relay drive circuit 2 while controlling the delivery of the product in the designated column using the product delivery device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
~ It demonstrates based on FIG.

FIG. 4 shows the ON / OFF state of each relay, the error code, the collection flag, the single product unloading flag, the product unloading operation flag, the product unloading completion signal, and the unloading column number when one product is dispensed. And a time chart of the total number of carried-out pieces.

Based on this time chart, the operation state when one product is dispensed by turning on / off each relay will be described. In addition, in the following description,
Corresponds to the explanation in.

When the instruction column is instructed, the common relay corresponding to it is turned on. Then, the single-item product flag and the product unloading operation flag become H, and the product payout end signal becomes L. Further, the column number m of the instruction column becomes the carry-out column number m.

80 msec after the state of, the selection relay corresponding to the instruction column is turned on.

80 m seconds after the state of, the group relay corresponding to the instruction column is turned on. If all the relays are normal, the solenoid 10 is energized and the product is unloaded.

If it is determined that all the relays are operating normally 80 msec after the state of, the revenue flag is set to H.
In this condition, the money input by the customer is collected, and the total number of shipments is 1
Book it.

Then, the group relay is turned off, the selection relay is turned off after 80 ms, and the common relay is turned off after 80 ms.

80 msec after the common relay is turned off, the single-item product unloading flag and the product unloading operation flag are set to L, and the product dispensing completion signal is set to H.

As described above, the operation of delivering a single product is completed. However, if there is an abnormality in the relay during this operation, the carry-out is interrupted at that time, the failure is transmitted to the control unit 4, and the failure occurs. Manipulate bits in column data. The determination of this failure follows the control flow of FIGS. 5 and 6.

This control flow is divided into an initial state and a relay control flow showing the operating state of the relay composed of six steps, and a failure diagnosis flow judged at each step.

The control state in the case where the product is carried out from the column having the odd column number will be described with reference to FIG.

In the initial state, all relays are off
It is in a state.

In this initial state, the current detection circuit 40
Does not detect the current, go to step 1. Further, when the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay and the common relay are welded, and it is determined that the selection relay may be welded. Then, the group relay welding is adopted as the bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 1, the group relay and the selection relay continue to be in the OFF state, and only the first common relay 20 among the common relays is in the ON state.

In step 1, if the current detection circuit 40 does not detect the current, it is regarded as normal and the process proceeds to step 2. When the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay is welded, and it is determined that the selection relay and the common relay may be welded. Then, the group relay welding is adopted as the bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 2, only the selection relay corresponding to the designated column is turned on.

In step 2, if the current detection circuit 40 does not detect the current, the process proceeds to step 3. If current is detected, it is determined that the group relay and common relay are welded. Then, the group relay welding is adopted as the bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 3, only the group relay of the designated column is turned on.

In step 3, if the current detection circuit 40 detects the current, it is judged to be normal and the process proceeds to step 4. If no current is detected, it is determined that one of the group relay, selection relay, or common relay is not turned on. Then, the group relay is not turned on as a bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 4, the two group relays are turned off. Then, the process proceeds to step 5.

In step 5, all selection relays are turned off. Then, the process proceeds to step 6.

At step 6, all the common relays are turned off.

In step 6, if the current detection circuit 40 has not detected the current, it is judged to be normal and the operation returns to the standby state. If the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay and the common relay are welded, and that the selection relay may be welded. Then, the group relay welding is adopted as the bend terminal detection failure code.

The transition time of each step is 80 ms as described with reference to FIG.

Next, the case where the products of the columns with even column numbers are carried out will be described based on the control flow of FIG.

This control flow differs from the control flow of the odd-numbered column in FIG. 5 only in that the second common relay 22 is turned on in step 1, and other control and failure diagnosis are the same. Is.

In the initial state, all relays are off
It is in a state.

In this initial state, the current detection circuit 40
Does not detect the current, go to step 1. Further, when the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay and the common relay are welded, and it is determined that the selection relay may be welded. Then, the group relay welding is adopted as the bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 1, the group relay and the selection relay continue to be in the OFF state, and only the second common relay 20 of the common relays is in the ON state.

In step 1, if the current detection circuit 40 does not detect the current, it is regarded as normal and the process proceeds to step 2. When the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay is welded, and it is determined that the selection relay and the common relay may be welded. Then, the group relay welding is adopted as the bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 2, only the selection relay corresponding to the designated column is turned on.

In step 2, if the current detection circuit 40 does not detect the current, the process proceeds to step 3. If current is detected, it is determined that the group relay and common relay are welded. Then, the group relay welding is adopted as the bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 3, only the group relays in the designated column are turned on.

In step 3, if the current detection circuit 40 detects the current, it is judged to be normal and the process proceeds to step 4. If no current is detected, it is determined that one of the group relay, selection relay, or common relay is not turned on. Then, the group relay is not turned on as a bend terminal detection failure code.

In step 4, the two group relays are turned off. Then, the process proceeds to step 5.

In step 5, all selection relays are turned off. Then, the process proceeds to step 6.

In step 6, all the common relays are turned off.

At step 6, if the current detection circuit 40 has not detected the current, it is judged to be normal and the process returns to the standby state. If the current is detected, it is determined that the group relay and the common relay are welded, and that the selection relay may be welded. Then, the group relay welding is adopted as the bend terminal detection failure code.

As described above, the relay failure can be diagnosed in the carry-out control process of the odd-numbered column and the even-numbered column.

Although the current detection circuit 40 having the above-described configuration is composed of the transformer 42, the current detection circuit 40 is not limited to the transformer as long as the current can be detected, and a resistor or a photocoupler may be used.

By the way, the current detection circuit 40 is for diagnosing the failure state of each relay in the product dispensing apparatus 1. In addition to this, as shown in FIG. 7, the fan motor 68, the compressor 70, and the heater. 72 are connected in parallel, and a second current detection circuit 76 is connected in parallel to these circuits.
Connect. As a result, the compressor 70 and the heater 7
2, each relay 68a, 70a, 72a of the lighting device 74,
It becomes possible to detect the failure of 74a.

[0089]

As described above, in the product dispensing device having the failure detecting function of the vending machine according to claim 1 of the present invention, the determining means detects the current when the control means controls each relay. The abnormality of each relay can be determined from the current detection state of the means.

In the commodity dispensing apparatus having the failure detecting function of the vending machine according to claim 2, in the initial state, when the common relay is turned on, when the selection is turned on, and when the group relay is turned on. In each stage of, the determination means can determine the abnormality of each relay.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a product dispensing device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a relay drive circuit.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a current detection circuit.

FIG. 4 is a time chart of the control unit.

FIG. 5 is a control flow when an odd-numbered column is carried out.

FIG. 6 is a control flow when unloading an even column.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a second current detection circuit.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of a conventional product dispensing device having a failure detection function.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ………… Product delivery device 2 ………… Relay drive circuit 3 ………… Master controller 4 ………… Control unit 5 ………… Microcomputer 8 ………… Power supply 10 ………… Solenoid 11 ~ 18 ... Selection relay 20 ... First common relay 22 ... Second common relay 30 ... First group relay 32 ... Second group relay 40 ... Current detection circuit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A product dispensing device of a vending machine which selects a column instructed to be carried out from a plurality of columns and supplies a drive current from a power source to a product discharging device such as a bend solenoid of the column. A plurality of S groups with four columns as one group by connecting a product unloading device in series to each of the first make contact, first break contact, second make contact and second break contact of a contact type selection relay. And each of the first make contact, the first break contact, the second make contact and the second break contact of each S group are connected in parallel to form four C groups, and the first make of each selection relay. Connect the C group formed by the product unloading device connected to the contact and one end on the first contact side of the two-make contact type first common relay. The C group formed by the product unloading device connected to the second make contact of each selection relay is connected to one end on the second contact side of the first common relay, and is connected to the first break contact of each selection relay. The group C formed by the product discharging device described above is connected to one end on the first contact side of the second make contact type second common relay, and by the product discharging device connected to the second break contact of each selection relay. The formed C group and the second
A second contact side end of the common relay is connected, and the first and second contact side other ends of the first common relay and the first and second contact side other ends of the second common relay are connected in parallel. And connecting one of the electrodes to one of the electrodes, connecting the first transfer contact of each selection relay in parallel, and connecting the second transfer contact of each selection relay in parallel to form two G groups. G group and one end of two make contact type group relays are respectively connected, the other end of the group relay is connected in parallel, and the other pole of the power source is connected in series, and the other pole of the power source is connected. A current detecting means for detecting a current flowing through is provided. First, a target C group is selected from four C groups by a common relay, and then a target S group is selected from a plurality of S groups. A control means for selecting a loop by a selection relay, and finally selecting a target G group from the two G groups by a group relay, and controlling a drive current to flow to a target product discharging device; and the first control. A product dispensing apparatus having a failure detection function for a vending machine, comprising: a control state of the means and determination means for determining an abnormality of each relay based on whether or not the current is detected by the current detection means. 2. The judging means judges that the current is normal when all the relays are in the OFF state and does not detect the current, and when the current is detected, judges that the group relay and the common relay are abnormal. When the control unit turns on one common relay, when the current detection unit detects no current, it is determined to be normal, and when detected, the group relay is determined to be abnormal, and the control unit is set to 1 When one of the selection relays is in the ON state, when the current detecting means does not detect the current, it is determined to be normal, and when the current is detected, the group relay and the common relay are determined to be abnormal, and the control means controls one group relay. When the current is detected by the current detecting means when the switch is turned on, it is judged to be normal, and when not detected, the group relay, the selection relay or the common relay is detected. The commodity dispensing apparatus having a failure detection function of a vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the ray is judged to be abnormal.