JPH11328521A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanical braking means and an electric braking means for an article carrying means which are inexpensive and do not require extra space. SOLUTION: A pair of photosensors 85' provided to an encoder sensor 85 counts the number of rotation times of an encoder rotor plate 86 and, by setting this count number, a driving motor stops when the set value is reached and a brake unit 87 functions. A brake pad plate 88 attaches a pad 88' to itself, an interval between the pads is narrowed by an energizing force of a brake spring 89 and the rotor plate is fixed. A brake release shaft 90 is connected to a solenoid 91 and, at the time of retreat of the brake release shaft (at the time of energizing), the interval at an end part on the brake release shaft side is narrowed as its reaction, the interval on the side of pad is broadened as a reaction, a brake of the rotor plate is released, and the rotor plate can be rotated freely by rotation of the driving motor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, vending machines have been used in which goods are conveyed using goods conveying means such as an elevator or a manipulator. In the conventional vending machine, in order to accurately stop the product conveying means at a predetermined position, a mechanical braking means or a driving motor for forcibly stopping the product conveying means by attaching another mechanism to the product conveying means itself is used. Electrical braking by stopping was used.

[0003]

However, the conventional mechanical braking means attaches another mechanism to the article conveying means itself, and has a complicated structure and requires a large strength. And required extra space for mounting the device. In addition, since the electric braking means is passive braking that only stops the drive motor, for example, when the product conveying means rises and stops, the braking distance is smaller than the setting by the weight of the product conveying means and the product. When the length is shortened, and conversely, when the product transport means descends and stops, the braking distance becomes longer than the setting due to the weight of the product transport means and the product, so that high accuracy in the stop position cannot be obtained.

The present invention provides a mechanical braking means having a simple structure, requiring no special space, and capable of accurately stopping at a stop position, and correcting the shift even if the stop position occurs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine in which a product conveying means stops accurately at a predetermined position by arranging an electric braking means capable of stopping at a precise position.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine comprising a plurality of columns arranged vertically and horizontally in a cabinet of the vending machine for storing products arranged in the front-rear direction. In a vending machine provided with a product transport means for transporting the product in each column to a product outlet in the front of the cabinet, a mechanical braking means incorporated in a drive mechanism of the product transport means is provided.

[0006] As described above, the vending machine is constructed by disposing the built-in mechanical braking means in the drive mechanism of the commodity conveying means, so that no extra space is required and the drive mechanism is driven relative to the drive mechanism. This is advantageous in that it can be manufactured at low cost.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine, a plurality of columns are provided in the cabinet of the vending machine for vertically storing and arranging the products in the front-rear direction, respectively, and the products in each column are arranged on the front of the cabinet. In the vending machine provided with a product transport means for transporting the product to the product outlet, an electric braking means is provided in a drive circuit of the product transport means.

[0008] With this configuration, since the product conveying means is actively braked, the accuracy of stopping at a predetermined position is improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine in which a plurality of columns are arranged in the cabinet of the vending machine in a vertical direction and a left and right direction, respectively. A vending machine provided with a product conveying means for conveying goods to a product take-out port, wherein a built-in mechanical braking means is arranged in a drive mechanism of the product conveying means, and an electric braking means is arranged in a driving circuit thereof. It is.

[0010] With this configuration, the mechanical braking means which can be provided at a low cost without requiring a space and the electric braking means with improved accuracy are used in combination, so that the precision of stopping at a predetermined position can be improved. Even better.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine embodying the mechanical braking means according to the first or third aspect, wherein the mechanical braking means is interlocked with a drive mechanism of the goods transporting means. A braking mechanism that presses against a rotating plate of a rotary encoder that detects the position of the product conveying means and stops the rotating plate; a braking mechanism that does not operate when the driving mechanism is operating; And a control mechanism of the braking mechanism set to operate.

A vending machine according to a fifth aspect is the second aspect.
Alternatively, the electric braking means according to claim 3 is embodied in a drive circuit for moving the product conveying means up and down, wherein the electric braking means switches the product conveying means upward when the driving mechanism stops. A circuit is arranged.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The vending machine according to this embodiment includes a can, PET
This is a so-called see-through type vending machine that sells beverages (hereinafter referred to as commodities) contained in containers such as bottles and paper packs, and is a so-called see-through type vending machine that can mainly see through the internal structure. The configuration is not limited to this see-through vending machine.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the vending machine 10 with a front door 12 opened, and FIG. III-III sectional view, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an xy rail in the vending machine 10, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a braking device in a rotary encoder unit, FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a control system of the vending machine 10, FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram between the control output unit and the drive motor.

First, a schematic overall configuration of the vending machine according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vending machine 10 includes a cabinet having a main body 16 opening forward and a front door 12 opening and closing the front surface thereof. And
A transparent glass 18 is incorporated in the front door 12 so that a product S inside the cabinet can be seen from the outside via the glass 18. That is, in the main body 16,
A display storage room 14 for displaying and storing products to be sold is provided, and the front door 12 in which the glass 18 is incorporated is provided.
The transparent region 19 is formed so as to cover almost the entire front surface of the exhibition storage room 14.

In the exhibition storage room 14, storage shelves 20 for storing products are arranged in multiple stages vertically. Each storage shelf 20
, A plurality of columns 22 are arranged in the left-right direction (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the x-axis direction) for storing the products S arranged in the front-rear direction (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the z-axis direction). Thereby, the column 22 is placed in the display storage room 14.
Are arranged in a plurality of rows in the left-right direction and a plurality of stages in the up-down direction (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as the y-axis direction). Each column 22 is detachable from the storage shelf 20. When refilling the products S, the columns 22 can be removed from the storage shelf 20 to arrange the products S.

As shown in FIG. 3, each column 22 is provided with a pusher 23 for pushing the product S forward. The pusher 23 is configured to bias the products S arranged front and rear by a biasing means (not shown) such as a spring forward (to the left in FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 1, a non-transparent area 24 is provided on the front door 12 on the right side of the transparent area 19.
In front of the non-transparent area 24, a centralized product selection unit 26 for selecting a product and a price display unit 28 for displaying the price of the product.
A coin insertion slot 30 for inserting coins, a change payout outlet 32 for paying change, and a product outlet 34 for taking out goods.
Is provided. The non-transparent area 24 is a part which is not made transparent because there are a money processing unit such as the coin insertion slot 30, an operation unit such as the centralized commodity selection unit 26, and a commodity outlet 34.

The centralized product selection section 26 is provided in the display storage room 1.
A plurality of selection buttons for selecting the products S stored in the front door 4 are centrally installed in one place of the non-transparent area 24 on the front surface of the front door 12, and each selection button is provided for each product S type. As shown in FIG. 6, the centralized product selection unit 26 is connected to the control unit 74 of the vending machine 10, and operates the product unloading mechanism 76 by pressing the selection button to select the selected product. Is configured to be able to be carried out.

In the main body 16 located behind the non-transparent area 24, as shown in FIG.
Storage compartment 36 for storing spare products for refilling
Is provided. The spare storage room 36 is set at a temperature substantially the same as that of the exhibition storage room 14 so that
4 and is communicated. And exhibition storage room 1
Like FIG. 4, multi-stage storage shelves 38 are arranged vertically, and a plurality of columns 40 are arranged on the left and right to store products arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. The storage shelf 38 may be provided integrally with the storage shelf 20 of the exhibition storage room 14 extending to the right end wall surface of the main body 16 or may be provided separately.

The product unloading mechanism 76 of the vending machine 10
It is provided with a manipulator 44 which is a product transport means for transporting the product S to the product outlet 34. The manipulator 44 includes a plurality of columns 2 as shown in FIG.
The space between the front door 2 and the front door 12 is arranged so as to be movable up and down and left and right.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a pair of y-axis rails 46,
An x-axis rail 48 extending in the x-axis direction extends between the pair of y-axis rails 46, 46.
The manipulator 44 is arranged on the shaft rail 48 so as to run.

At both ends of the x-axis rail 48, a pair of left and right sprockets 50, 50 are arranged.
0 is connected to a reversible DC motor 52 as a driving motor, and a running belt 5 is provided between the two sprockets 50, 50.
The manipulator 44 is connected to the traveling belt 54 so that the manipulator 44 is guided by the x-axis rail 48 and travels left and right. Further, detection switches 80 and 81 are provided at the left and right ends of the x-axis rail 48, and when the manipulator 44 is about to exceed the leftmost movable area, the detection switch 80 detects the manipulator 44,
The detection switch 80 operates to stop the drive motor 52. Similarly, when the manipulator 44 is about to move beyond the maximum movable area on the right side, the detection switch 81 detects the manipulator 44, and the detection switch 81 operates to stop the drive motor 52. Thus, the detection switch 8
By providing 0 and 81, the manipulator 44 stops when it reaches the maximum movable area.

A pair of upper and lower sprockets 56, 56 are disposed at both ends of the y-axis rail 46. The sprockets 56 are mounted on horizontal shafts 58, 58 so as to interlock between the pair of y-axis rails 46, 46. Are linked. A reversible DC motor 60 as a drive motor is connected to the lower shaft 58, and a traveling belt 62 is stretched between a pair of upper and lower sprockets 56. Further, the x-rail 48 is attached to the traveling belt 62. Are connected to each other, whereby the x-axis rail 48 is connected to the y-axis rail 4.
It is configured to travel up and down guided by 6,46. Further, detection switches 82 and 83 are disposed at the upper and lower ends of the left y-axis rail 46, and when the x-axis rail 48 is about to exceed the upper maximum movable area, the detection switch 82 is set to the x-axis rail. 48 and the detection switch 82
Operates to stop the drive motor 60. Similarly, when the x-axis rail 48 is about to exceed the lower maximum movable area, the detection switch 83 detects the x-axis rail 48, and the detection switch 83 operates to stop the drive motor 60. By providing the detection switches 82 and 83 in this way, the x-axis rail 48 stops when it reaches the maximum movable area.

The manipulator 44 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 7, the arm has an arm portion 64 composed of a pair of left and right holding plates for gripping the product S. The arm portion 64 is configured to grip the product S and release the product S by the action of a spring that biases the holding plate to a closed state and an opening / closing cam connected to a motor. The arm 64 is arranged movably in the z-axis direction with respect to the base of the manipulator 44 running on the x-axis rail 48.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the non-transparent area 24 of the front door 12, a transport means operation button 72 for selecting a product by operating the manipulator 44 and moving it to the front of an arbitrary column 22 is provided. Is provided. The transport unit operation button 72 is connected to the control unit 74 as shown in FIG.
By operating the button 72, the manipulator 44 of the product unloading mechanism 76 can be operated to unload the desired product.

More specifically, the transport means operation button 72 has a cross-shaped operation arm, and the manipulator 44 can be moved up, down, left, and right by pressing up, down, left, and right arms. Each arm can move the manipulator 44 only while being pressed. Then, the manipulator 44 is controlled so as to take out the product S in the column 22 and convey it to the product outlet 34 by pressing the center of the button 72 after moving to the front of the desired column 22.

The operation of the vending machine 10 having the above configuration is as follows.

In the sales standby state, the manipulator 4
4 stands by at a predetermined standby position W as shown in FIG. When a predetermined amount of money is inserted into the coin insertion slot 30, the amount of money is displayed on the amount of money display unit 28 and the coin can be sold.

In this state, when the commodity is selected by the centralized commodity selection section 26, the commodity discharge mechanism section 76 operates to carry out the selected commodity to the commodity outlet 34. Further, the number of the selected product is displayed on the price display unit 28. In detail, the product unloading operation is performed by first setting the x-axis rail 48 and the y-axis rail 4
The manipulator 44 is moved from the standby position W to the front of the column 22 in which the product is stored by appropriately operating the drive motors 52 and 60 disposed in the terminal 6. Then, the column 2 is moved by the arm 64 of the manipulator 44.
Take out the product in the front row of 2. Thereafter, the manipulator 44 grasping this product is again moved to the drive motors 52, 60.
Is moved to the rear surface of the product outlet 34 by appropriately operating. After the product is released from the arm 64 of the manipulator 44 and discharged to the product outlet 34 at the product outlet 34, the manipulator 44 is moved to the standby position W.

The transport means operation button 72 is operated as described above to move the manipulator 44 in front of a desired product, thereby enabling selection and removal of the product.

Next, the structure and operation of the mechanical braking means, which is one of the features of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 4, a rotary encoder unit 84 that controls the rotation of the drive motor 60 by converting analog data based on the rotation of the drive motor 60 into digital data is installed on the shaft 58.
Reference numeral 5 denotes an encoder sensor, and reference numeral 86 denotes an encoder rotary plate with a slit mounted on the shaft 58. Also,
In the drive motor 52 as well, a rotary encoder unit 92 including an encoder sensor 93 having the same structure as described above and an encoder rotary plate 94 with a slit is provided on the motor shaft. The structure of the rotary encoder unit will be described below by taking a rotary encoder unit 84 installed on the drive motor 60 as an example.

FIG. 5 shows a rotary encoder unit 8.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a fourth embodiment, in which a pair of photosensors 85 ′ provided inside a U-shaped detector of an encoder sensor 85 senses a slit formed in an encoder rotation plate 86 interlocked with the rotation of the shaft 58, and The rotation amount of the rotating plate 86 is counted. By setting the count number, when the set value is reached, the power supply to the drive motor 60 is cut off and the drive motor 60 stops. The brake unit 8 serving as a mechanical braking unit is provided at a position symmetrical to the installation side of the rotary encoder unit 84 on the encoder rotation plate 86.
7, the brake unit 87 functions when the drive motor 60 stops. The brake unit 87 includes a pair of brake pad plates 88.
, A brake spring 89, a brake release shaft 90, and a solenoid 91. The brake pad plate 88 has a pad 8 inside the end on the rotating plate 86 side.
8 'are attached so as to face each other, and the pad 88' approaches to pinch the rotating plate 86 so that the rotating plate 86 can be fixed by the pressure contact force. Also, the brake pad plate 8 on the opposite side to the end to which the pad 88 'is attached
8, the brake spring 89 is attached to the end of
An urging force acts in a direction to narrow the interval between the brake pad plates 88, and the urging force narrows the interval between the pads 88 'of the brake pad plate 88 and fixes the rotating plate 86. The solenoid 91 is connected to a brake release shaft 90 that moves forward and backward by an electromagnetic force. When power is supplied, that is, when the brake release shaft 90 retreats, the interval between the ends of the brake pad plate 88 on the brake release shaft 90 side decreases. . As a reaction, the interval between the ends on the side of the pad 88 ′ is widened, the brake of the rotating plate 86 is released, and the rotating plate 86 can freely rotate by the rotation of the drive motor 60. Conversely, when the current to the solenoid 91 is interrupted, the brake release shaft 90 is opened, and the pad 88 ′ is pressed by the urging force of the brake spring 89.
Is narrowed, the rotating plate 86 is sandwiched, and the rotating plate 86 is fixed by the pressing force.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control system relating to the above-mentioned mechanism.
7 is connected, and the vending machine operation panel 97 is related to devices such as the centralized commodity selection section 26 and the transport means operation button 72. Each control output unit 96 is connected to the control unit 74. The control output unit 96 is connected to the drive motor 52, the drive motor 60, and the like. Control. A rotary encoder unit 92 installed on the drive motor 52 side and a rotary encoder unit 84 installed on the drive motor 60 side are connected to the control unit 74, and are set to the rotary encoder units 84 and 92. The energization to each of the drive motors 52 and 60 is controlled by the set value. Reference numeral 95 denotes a DC power supply.

An electric circuit shown in FIG. 7 is formed between the control output section 96 and the drive motor 52 and the drive motor 60. In this circuit, the upper part is a circuit for flowing a current to the drive motor 52 for moving the manipulator 44 to the left and right, and the lower part is a circuit for flowing a current to the drive motor 60 for moving the x-axis rail 48 up and down. In the figure, terminal a
When a current flows from the terminal b to the terminal b, the drive motor 52 rotates forward in the direction indicated by the arrow A and the manipulator 44 moves rightward. Conversely, when a current flows from the terminal b to the terminal a, the drive motor 52 rotates in the reverse direction in the direction indicated by the arrow B, and the manipulator 44 moves to the left. When a current flows from the terminal c to the terminal d, the drive motor 60 rotates forward in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and the x-axis rail 48 descends. Conversely, when a current flows from the terminal d to the terminal c, the drive motor 60 rotates reversely in the direction indicated by the arrow B, and the x-axis rail 48 rises.

A solenoid 91 ′ of a brake unit installed in the rotary encoder unit 92 is connected to the terminals a and b in parallel with the drive motor 52. Therefore, when the rotary encoder unit 92 installed on the drive motor 52 side reaches a predetermined set value, a signal for shutting off the power is sent from the control unit 74 and the switch 98 'is opened.
Stops, and no current flows through the solenoid 91 'in the brake unit, so the brake release shaft is opened and the urging force of the brake spring causes
The pad of the brake pad plate sandwiches the rotating plate 94, and the rotating plate 94 is fixed by the pressure contact force of the rotating plate 94.
4 stops exactly. Conversely, when a signal of energization is sent from the control unit 74 to the drive motor 52 and the switch 98 ′ is closed, the drive motor 52 operates and the brake unit provided on the rotary plate 94 of the rotary encoder unit 92 operates. A current flows through the solenoid 91 ', the brake release shaft is operated to release the brake, and the gap between the pads of the brake pad plate is widened so that the rotating plate 94 can freely rotate. Therefore, the manipulator 44 performs a predetermined movement. Will do.

A solenoid 91 of a brake unit 87 mounted on the rotary encoder unit 84 is connected in parallel with the drive motor 60 to the terminals c and d. Therefore, when the rotary encoder unit 84 installed on the drive motor 60 side reaches a predetermined set value, a signal to shut off the power is sent from the control unit 74, and when the switch 98 is opened, the drive motor 60 stops. At the same time, since no current flows through the solenoid 91 of the brake unit 87, the brake release shaft 90 is released, and the pad 88 'of the brake pad plate 88 is rotated by the urging force of the brake spring 89.
6, the rotating plate 86 is fixed by the pressure contact force,
The x-axis rail 48 stops accurately. Conversely, the control unit 7
When the switch 98 closes the switch 98, the drive motor 60 operates and the drive motor 60 operates.
An electric current flows through a solenoid 91 of a brake unit 87 provided on a rotary plate 86 of a rotary encoder unit 84, a brake release shaft 90 is operated to release the brake, and the distance between the pads 88 'of the brake pad plate 88 is increased and the rotary plate is rotated. Since the 86 can rotate freely, the x-axis rail 48 makes a predetermined movement.

Since the drive motor can be stopped accurately by installing the brake unit as the mechanical braking means, the manipulator and the x-axis rail can be stopped at predetermined positions. No misalignment occurs. Further, since the brake unit having the above configuration is attached to the rotary encoder unit, the structure is simple and compact in spite of its great effect, so that no special installation space is required.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic central longitudinal sectional view of a vending machine 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
0, a schematic perspective view of an elevator-type transport drive mechanism at 0;
FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a control system of the vending machine 100,
FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram between the control output unit and the drive motor.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cabinet of the vending machine 100 has a main body 116 opening forward and a front door 112.
On the inner wall surface of the main body 116, storage shelves 120 for storing the products S arranged in the up-and-down direction in the front-rear direction are attached in multiple stages up and down. A product transport unit 144 for transporting the product S from each storage shelf 120 to the product outlet 134 of the front door 112 is disposed in front of the storage shelves 120. In the product transport unit 144, guide rails 146 are arranged on both left and right sides of the main body 116, and a horizontal elevator 148 is provided on the left and right guide rails 146.
And by moving the elevator 148 up and down, the products S in each storage
4.

As shown in FIG. 9, a pair of upper and lower sprockets 156 and 156 are disposed at both ends of the guide rail 146, and the sprocket 156 is composed of a pair of guide rails 146 and 146.
They are connected to horizontal shafts 158, 158 so as to interlock with each other. A reversible DC motor 160, which is a drive motor, is connected to the upper shaft 158, and a traveling belt 162 is stretched between a pair of upper and lower sprockets 156, 156. Further, both ends of the elevator 148 are attached to the traveling belt 162. Are connected, so that the elevator 148 is guided by the guide rails 146 and 146 and travels up and down. Further, detection switches 182 and 183 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the left guide rail 146, and when the elevator 148 is about to exceed the upper maximum movable area, the detection switch 182 detects the elevator 148, The detection switch 182 is operated to stop the drive motor 160.
Similarly, when the elevator 148 is about to exceed the lowermost movable area, the detection switch 183 is set to the elevator 1
48, the detection switch 183 is operated to stop the drive motor 160. Thus, the detection switch 18
With the provision of 2,183, the elevator 148 stops when it reaches the maximum movable area.

The shaft 158 connected to the drive motor 160 has the same structure as the rotary encoder unit 84 and the brake unit 87 described in detail in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. The rotation of the drive motor 160 is controlled by the rotary encoder unit 84 and the brake unit 8
7, the brake is applied (in the following description, the description regarding the rotary encoder unit 84 and the brake unit 87 will be referred to FIG. 5).

That is, a pair of photosensors 85 ′ provided in the rotary encoder unit 84 count the amount of rotation of the encoder rotating plate 86 and set this count number. , The drive motor 160 stops. The brake unit 87, which is a mechanical braking unit, functions when the drive motor 160 stops. Brake unit 87
Are a pair of brake pad plates 88, a brake spring 89, a brake release shaft 90 and a solenoid 9
When the solenoid 91 is energized, the brake of the rotary plate 86 is released, and the rotary plate 86 can rotate freely by the rotation of the drive motor 160. Conversely, when the current to the solenoid 91 is cut off, the brake release shaft 90 is released, so that the pad 88 ′ holds the rotating plate 86 by the urging force of the brake spring 89, and the rotating plate 86 is fixed by the pressure contact force. Is done.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control system relating to the above mechanism. A vending machine operation panel 197 is connected to the control section 174.
It relates to a centralized product selection unit and a device such as a transport means operation button. Each control output section 196 is connected to the control section 74.
60 and the like are connected, and can be controlled by a transport means operation button, a control circuit, and the like. A rotary encoder unit 84 installed on the drive motor 160 side is connected to the control unit 174, and energization to the drive motor 160 is controlled by a set value set in each rotary encoder unit 84. It has become. 195 is a DC power supply.

The control output section 196 and the drive motor 16
The electric circuit shown in FIG. This circuit is a circuit for supplying a current to the drive motor 160 that moves the elevator 148 up and down. In the figure, terminal a
When a current flows from the terminal b to the terminal b, the drive motor 160 rotates forward in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and the elevator 148 descends. Conversely, when a current flows from the terminal b to the terminal a, the drive motor 160 rotates reversely in the direction shown by the arrow B, and the elevator 48 rises.

The solenoid 91 of the brake unit 87 is connected to the terminal a and the terminal b in parallel with the drive motor 160. Therefore, the drive motor 160
When the rotary encoder unit 84 installed on the side reaches a predetermined set value, a signal to shut off the power is sent from the control unit 174, and when the switch 198 is opened, the drive motor 160 stops and the brake unit Since no current flows through the solenoid 91 at 87, the brake release shaft 90 is released, and the biasing force of the brake spring 89 causes the pad 8 of the brake pad plate 88 to move.
8 ′ pinches the rotating plate 86, and the pressing force of the rotating plate 86
6 is fixed, and the elevator 148 stops accurately. Conversely, when a signal for energizing is sent from the control unit 174 to the drive motor 160 and the switch 198 is closed, the drive motor 160 is activated and a current flows through the solenoid 91 of the brake unit 87, so that the brake release shaft 90 Is operated to release the brake, and the interval between the pads 88 'of the brake pad plate 88 is widened so that the rotary plate 86 can rotate freely, so that the elevator 48 performs a predetermined movement.

By installing the brake unit as the mechanical braking means in this way, the drive motor can be stopped accurately, and the elevator can be stopped at a predetermined position. Does not occur. In addition, since the brake unit having the above configuration is attached to the rotary encoder unit, the structure is simple and compact in spite of its great effect.
No special installation space is required.

Next, the electric braking means according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing the first electric braking means. The control output sections 96 and 196 and the drive motor 5 in the vending machine described in the first and second embodiments are shown in FIG.
2, 60, and 160. In the following description, the elevator 148 in the second embodiment is taken as an example, but the present invention is also applicable to the manipulator 44 and the x-axis rail 48 in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 12, the control output section 196 is provided with a second output terminal C, and the terminal C is connected to the contact E of the relay H via a variable resistor G. As shown in FIG. 10 in the second embodiment, when a signal is input from the control unit 174 to the control output unit 196, a predetermined voltage is output to the terminals A and B, the relay H is operated, and the contact is switched. Switching from E to D, the drive motor 160 rotates, and the elevator 14
8 moves. When the elevator 148 has finished moving to the predetermined position, the output voltage at the terminals A and B is stopped, and the contact of the relay H switches from D to E. At this time, a voltage characteristic that the drive motor 160 rotates in a direction in which the elevator 148 is pulled up is output to terminals B and C of the control output unit 196. As a result, since the drive motor 160 is energized through the variable resistor G, the elevator 148
Tries to rise. By appropriately adjusting and setting the resistance value of the variable resistor G in this state, the elevator 148
Of the elevator 148 due to its own weight or the own weight of the product S and the elevator 14
8 is balanced with the force to raise the elevator 8, and the elevator 148 is kept stopped.

By employing such an electric braking means, the elevator 148 can be stopped at a predetermined position set irrespective of its own weight or the weight applied when the commodity S is loaded.

FIG. 13 shows a second electric braking means.
The control output units 96, 196 and the drive motors 52, 60, 1 in the vending machine described in the first and second embodiments.
60 is a circuit arranged in place of the circuit between the two.
In the following description, the elevator 148 in the second embodiment is taken as an example, but the present invention is also applicable to the manipulator 44 and the x-axis rail 48 in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, during normal operation, the elevator is moved by opening the switch 198 in the control output unit 196 via the control unit 174 by the signal of the rotary encoder unit 84, thereby stopping the drive motor 160. Then, the elevator 148 stops at a predetermined position. At this time, if the stop position of the elevator 148 is shifted from the predetermined position due to an external factor, the shift is numerically detected by the rotary encoder unit 84. When the difference between the detected numerical value and the set numerical value is positive, the control unit 174 causes the drive motor 160 to rotate in the reverse direction, and stops the drive motor 160 when the set numerical value is reached. Conversely, if the difference between the detected value and the set value is negative, the control unit 174 rotates the drive motor 160 forward, and when the set value is reached, the drive motor 160
To stop. As described above, the stop position can be corrected by causing the current to flow through the drive motor 160 in the direction in which the deviation is corrected by the control unit 174. It is to be noted that, by increasing the number of slits of the rotary plate 86 in the rotary encoder unit 84 to narrow the interval and increase the sensitivity of the photosensor 85 ', a minute differential becomes possible. Can be kept stopped.

[0058]

According to the vending machine of the present invention, the disadvantages of the conventional vending machine are solved, and the goods conveying means is stopped accurately at a predetermined position. In particular, the mechanical braking means according to the first, third, and fourth aspects has a simple structure, does not require a special space, and can accurately stop the product conveying means at the stop position. In particular, the electric braking means according to the second, third, and fifth aspects can correct the shift even when the stop position of the goods transporting means shifts and stop the product at the correct position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a front view of the vending machine with a front door opened.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an xy rail in the vending machine.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a braking device in a rotary encoder unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a control system of the vending machine.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram between a control output unit and a motor.

FIG. 8 is a schematic central longitudinal sectional view of a vending machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a drive mechanism of an elevator type conveyance in a vending machine.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a control system of the vending machine.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram between a control output unit and a drive motor.

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing a first electric braking means.

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing a second electric braking means.

[Explanation of symbols]

S: Product 10: Vending machine 12: Front door 14: Product display storage room 16: Vending machine body 18: Glass 19: Transparent area 20: Storage shelf 22: Column 23 ... Pusher 24 Non-transparent area 26 Centralized product selection unit 28 Amount display unit 30 Coin slot 32 Change payment outlet 34 Product outlet 36 Spare storage room 38 Storage shelf 44 ... manipulator 46 ... y-axis rail 48 ... x-axis rail 50 ... sprocket 52 ... drive motor 54 ... travel belt 56 ... sprocket 58 ... shaft 60 ... drive motor 62 ... travel belt 72 ... Transporting means operation button 74 Control part 76 Product unloading mechanism part 80 to 83 Detection switch 84 Rotary encoder unit 85 Encoder sensor 85 '... Photo sensor 86 ... Encoder rotating plate with slit 87 ... Brake unit 88 ... Brake pad plate 88' ... Pad 89 ... Brake spring 90 ... Brake release shaft 91,91 '...
Solenoid 92 Rotary encoder unit 93 Encoder sensor 94 Encoder rotating plate with slit 95 DC power supply 96 Control output unit 97 Vending machine operation panel 98, 98 '...
Switches a to d Terminal x ... x-axis direction (left-right direction) y ... y-axis direction (vertical direction) z ... z-axis direction (front-rear direction) 100 vending machine 112 front door 116 ... vending machine body 120 ... storage shelf 134 ... product outlet 144 ... product transport unit 146 ... guide rail 148 ... elevator 156 ... sprocket 158 ... shaft 160 ... drive motor 162 ... travel belt 174 ...... Control parts 182 to 183
... Detection switch 195 ... DC power supply 196 ... Control output unit 197 ... Vending machine operation panel 198 ... Switches A to C ... Terminals D and E ... Contact G ... Variable resistor H ... Relay

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A vending machine has a plurality of columns arranged vertically and horizontally in a cabinet of a vending machine for storing products arranged in the front-rear direction, and the products in each column are conveyed to a product outlet in the front of the cabinet. A vending machine provided with a transporting means, wherein a built-in mechanical braking means is provided in a drive mechanism of the commodity transporting means. 2. A plurality of columns arranged vertically and horizontally to store goods arranged in the front-rear direction inside a cabinet of a vending machine, and the goods in each column are conveyed to a goods outlet in the front of the cabinet. A vending machine provided with a transporting means, wherein an electric braking means is provided in a drive circuit of the commodity transporting means. 3. A plurality of columns arranged vertically and horizontally to store products arranged in the front-rear direction inside a vending machine cabinet, and the products in each column are conveyed to a product outlet in the front of the cabinet. A vending machine provided with a conveying means, wherein a built-in mechanical braking means is provided in a driving mechanism of the commodity conveying means, and an electric braking means is provided in a driving circuit thereof. 4. A brake mechanism for interlocking with a driving mechanism of the article transporting means, wherein the mechanical braking means presses against a rotary plate of a rotary encoder for detecting the position of the article transporting means and stops the rotary plate; 4. The brake mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the brake mechanism does not operate during operation of the mechanism, and the brake mechanism is configured to operate while the drive mechanism is stopped. Vending machine. 5. The drive circuit according to claim 2, wherein the electric braking means includes a switching circuit for moving the product conveying means upward when the driving mechanism stops. Or the vending machine according to claim 3.