JPS6170693A - Cup feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a cup feeding device for a cup-type vending machine.

(b) Conventional technology A cup-type vending machine dispenses the beverage mixed in the machine into a cup and sells it, but when selling hot beverages, a 7-ounce cup is used to sell cold beverages. When doing so, it is common to use a 9-ounce cup. Recently, however, hot and cold machines have appeared that sell both hot and cold beverages in one machine. Such hot and cold machines achieve stable sales regardless of summer or winter, but the ratio of selling hot and cold beverages varies depending on the season. However, because a hot-and-cold machine has a cup turret for hot cups and a cup turret for cold cups installed side by side, the absolute quantities of hot cups and cold cups are small, and cold cups quickly run out in summer. In the winter, hot cups become scarce and hot drinks cannot be sold.

Therefore, a cup supply device that can change the storage ratio of hot cups and cold cups is desired.

There is a technique disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-70281 that meets this demand. In this conventional technology, a plurality of cup storage chambers capable of storing both hot cup rows and cold cup rows are arranged on the circumference of a cup storage drum, and a set of cup take-out chambers corresponding to hot cups and cold cups are arranged on the outside of the periphery. A mechanism is provided, so that when a cup in the cup take-out mechanism runs out, the cup storage chambers storing the cups corresponding to the take-out mechanism are made to face each other by rotation of the cup storage drum, and the cups in the cup storage chambers that are opposed to each other by the cup row delivery mechanism are The arrangement is such that the column is introduced into the cup ejection mechanism. This allows each cup storage chamber to be arbitrarily set as a hot cup storage chamber or a cold cup storage chamber, thereby making it possible to change the storage ratio.

(C) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the prior art, the reason why the cup ejecting mechanism is disposed outside the rotational orbit of the cup storage drum is that if the cup ejecting mechanism b'- is located on the rotational orbit, on the other hand. Or, if a cold cup row is set in one cup take-out mechanism, the other cup take-out mechanism runs out of cups, and in order to replenish cups, the cup storage chamber containing the corresponding cup row is moved to this cup take-out mechanism. Even if an attempt is made to move the drum to , the row of cups in the cup ejecting mechanism on the side that is not out of cups gets in the way and the drum cannot rotate properly.

Therefore, according to the prior art, the size of the device is increased because the cup ejecting mechanism is disposed outside the rotational orbit of the cup storage chamber, and moreover, a complicated cup row delivery system is required to move the cup row from the cup storage chamber to the cup ejection mechanism. A mechanism is required.

In view of the above points, the present invention provides an apparatus in which the cup storage chamber can be freely moved even if the cup ejection mechanism is disposed on the moving orbit of the cup storage chamber.

B) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention connects a cup column (2) capable of accommodating a plurality of different types of cups in a closed loop on a substrate (1), and connects the cup column to this closed loop. A cup turret 0υ that is moved along , a sensor G7) provided for each cup outlet, which determines from the display unit whether the cup column that has reached the outlet stores a predetermined type of cup; and a cup delivery mechanism provided below each cup outlet. Then, the cup turret is driven by a broken cup in the cup delivery mechanism, and the cup turret is stopped when the cup column storing the type of cup that has become broken reaches the cup outlet that communicates with the broken cup delivery mechanism. and a cup separation mechanism (c) that separates the cup from the cup row of the cup column stopped at the cup outlet corresponding to the cup delivery mechanism when the cup delivery mechanism runs out and introduces the cup into the cup delivery mechanism. The configuration is equipped with the following features.

(e) Some cups are separated from the cup rows of the working cup column,
Since the cup is introduced into the cup delivery mechanism through the cup taking opening, the drive of the cup turret is not blocked by the cup introduced into the cup delivery mechanism.

(F) Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a cup feeding device according to the present invention,
The cup turret Cυ has nine cup columns (2) that can store both hot and cold cups placed on a base plate (1) in an oval closed loop, next to each cup column (2). The two fittings are connected at two places, upper and lower, by a connecting member (3), and the cup column (2) is sequentially moved by a sprocket (8).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the coupling member (3) has a pair of holes (4) and (5), and the cup column (2□) (22
) are inserted and connected, but one hole (4) is provided with a protrusion (6) and a groove (7) formed in the cup column (21) is inserted.
) is fitted. Therefore one cup column (
2,) is fixed to the coupling member (3,), but the other cup column (2t) is free to rotate relative to the coupling member (31) because no protrusion is formed in the hole (5). in a state. However, the cup column (21), which is fixed to the coupling member (31), is not subjected to FiJ damage by the coupling member (3,) and is in a free state. In this way, the nine cup columns (2) are connected in a closed loop in such a manner that one cup column (2) is dependent on the movement of the other cup column (2) fixed to the coupling member (3). are doing. Therefore, by rotating the cape procerato (8), each cup column (2)
) moves in an elliptical orbit, but at this time the sprocket (8
) is provided at the position where the cup column (2) changes direction to facilitate smooth movement. The cup column (2) houses a row of cups in which hot cups or cold cups are stacked vertically, and a bottom plate α°C that can be opened and closed using the axial tilt as a fulcrum is provided at the bottom as shown in Figure 4. (11) has a roller C on the surface facing the substrate (1).
12, the cup column (2) has a sprocket (
8) moves on the substrate (1).

On the movement trajectory of the cup column (2) of the board (1), a hot cup outlet α1 and a cold cup outlet α4 are bored as shown in FIG. The cup column (2) is connected to either outlet (13) (141).
When reaching , the support of the bottom plate αD by the substrate (1) K is released, but instead the bottom plate (11) is maintained in the closed state by the support member (19). One end of the lever (16) is rotatably supported by the stepped portion αD of the lever αQ, but rotation in the direction of the arrow a is prevented by the wall α, and the other end of the lever (16) is supported by the drive shaft. H. Therefore, when the lever (Le) is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown by the dashed line by driving the drive shaft a9, the support member (151) is also rotated in the same direction, and the bottom plate (Ll) is rotated in the same direction. The lock is released and the opening is opened. Also, above the outlet α3 (141), there is a wedge plate (E) for taking out about 10 cups from the cup row (C), which can be rotated by the drive shaft □□□ As shown in Figure 7, when the drive shaft surface is driven, the wedge plate (to) rotates in the direction of the arrow, contacts the cup row □□□, and fills the gap between the curls of the cups (wedge plate). Board (a)
It is designed to fit in. At the same time as the wedge plate (2) separates the cup from the cup row (C), the bottom plate αυ is released from the support member α9, and a plurality of cups are stacked from the cup row (C). In the state, take out the outlet (
It is sent out falling from one circle. As described above, the cup separation mechanism @ which separates the cup from the cup row (c) by the wedge plate eυ and the support member CI9 is provided at each outlet α3) (14). Figures 12 and 13 show the cup separation mechanism (
29 shows the structure of the drive unit of the wedge plate (20) and the drive shaft (19) of the lever (16) that drives the support member α9 and gears 61 and 6υ, respectively.

The gears (6o) and (61) mesh with the gear (6J) attached to the deceleration output shaft 6 of the disconnection motor (48). In FIG. is shown by a wavy line.Furthermore, a cam (H) is attached to the output shaft 62 of the separation motor (C), and the cup separation operation is achieved by one cycle of the cam. When the output shaft bag rotates in the direction of the arrow, a tooth (60A) is inserted into the recess (63A) of the gear (to) in the standby state.
) facing the gear engages with the teeth (63B) of the gear and rotates. Therefore, the drive shaft (5) rotates and the wedge plate (2) wedges into the cup row (3). −Blade moving axis (
Le is urged to rotate in the direction of the arrow by a spring haze, but the gear Ql+1) is pushed by the convex part of the gear (
64A) and is therefore locked. Then, due to the rotation of the gear (goods), the recess (64B) becomes the gear 6.
When υ is reached, the drive shaft (19'!) is unlocked and rotated in the direction of the arrow under the force of the spring field, so that the support member P9 moves away from the cup row (C) and the bottom plate αD is opened. Therefore, some of the cups separated from the cup row (c) by the wedge plate □□□ lose their support from the bottom plate circle and are separated, and are separated from the outlet (13) (14).
) to the cup delivery mechanism (22).Furthermore, the output shaft 67J rotates, and the gear teeth (64C)
), the drive shaft α9 rotates in the opposite direction of the arrow against the spring (6), and the bottom plate αB closes.Then, when the recess (63A) of the gear faces the gear Since Q3■ becomes free, the drive shaft (5) is biased by the spring 6η and rotates in the opposite direction of the arrow, and the wedge plate (to) separates from the cup row ■.Therefore, it is locked at the base of the wedge. The cup row (E), which had been in contact, falls onto the bottom plate αD.Such one cycle operation is performed by a full cycle switch (43) that turns ON-OFF in conjunction with the rotation of the cam 9
detected by. Also a wedge board country cup column (ha)
A recess (c) is formed on the piece that comes into contact with the cup, and a recess (c) is formed that approximately matches the circumference of the cup, and a step (c) is formed on the inner wall of the cup column (2) that faces the wedge plate (a). ,
It can be separated more smoothly than the Kusatsubu row (toward).

Below the outlet α3) (14), a cup delivery mechanism (company) is arranged which receives the cups separated from the cup row (251) and delivers the cups one by one in response to a predetermined cup delivery signal. As shown in Fig. 8, the cup delivery mechanism (company) is equipped with a plurality of cup droppers (to), and the cup droppers (to) support the curled portion of the lowest cup (C8). When a cup drop motor (not shown) is driven by a predetermined cup delivery signal, each cup dropper (7) rotates around the axis t31), separating the cups (C,) from the cup row (C) and sending them out. At the same time, the cup (C6) is newly supported. The detection member (G) moves in and out depending on the presence or absence of a cup in the cup delivery mechanism @, and the cup switch 02 detects the presence or absence of a cup in response to the movement of the detection member -.

Also, on the inner wall of the exterior case (b) that houses the cup column (2), there are sensors (
3S1 (to) C37) and each cup column (2
) has a display section C on the part facing the sensor G9 (to) Gη.
38) 031 (41) is formed.A reflective material such as silver paper is pasted on the display section 09 of each cup column (2), and a reflective material such as silver paper is pasted on the display section 00 when the stored cup is a hot cup. It is used to attach parts.Also, as will become clear later, the cup column (2
) A reflective member is attached to the display section (to). Sensor G (to) Cη detects the presence of a reflective member by irradiating light onto display part (to) C3'l (41) and detects the presence of a reflective member based on the amount of reflected light. Determine whether the cup is a hot cup or a cold cup,
The sensor (to) determines whether the cup column (2) has reached the outlet αQ or 0 (A), and the sensor (to) determines whether the detected cup column (2) is the reference column. . Alternatively, a display part (41K k'1 reflective member) may be pasted and the position of the reflective member relative to the display part (sensor C37 by sliding 40) may be changed depending on whether the cup is a hot cup or a cold cup. (
4υ detects the presence or absence of a cup row within the cup column (2).

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the control circuit, (49 is a control device constituted by a microcomputer that controls the cup feeding operation according to a predetermined program, (42
1 is a turret motor that drives a sprocket (8);
(48A) and (48B) are separation motors that drive the hot side and cold side cup separation mechanisms (c), respectively;
(46) and (47) are cup drop motors that drive each cup delivery mechanism (2) on the hot side and the cold side. In addition, since the sensor field (to) Cη-〇 and the cup switch (to) are installed on the hot side and the cold side, respectively, regarding the Senna device, the hot side is shown below with the drawing number (35A), and the cold side is shown with the drawing number (35A). 35B), the hot side is the drawing number (36A) for the sensor (to), the drawing number (36B) is the cold side, and the drawing number (36B) is the hot side for the sensor c37).
37A) Cold side with drawing number (37B), sensor (41
Regarding the cup switch 732, the hot side is indicated by the figure number (41A), the cold side by the figure number (41B), and the hot side of the cup switch 732 is indicated by the figure number (32A), and the cold side by the figure number (32B). Similarly, FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating the full cycle switching operation of the cup turret of each cup separation mechanism, and FIG. 11A shows the state immediately after each cup column (2) is filled with hot cups or cold cups.

In this example, the cup column (2
) is set as the reference column and the cold cups are filled. Hereinafter, this cup column (2) will be referred to as (C-1) to indicate that it is the first cup column filled with the cold cups. Therefore, each cup column (2) behind cup column CC-1) is the second, third, and third column, respectively.
...The ninth cup column is filled with cold cups, and the fifth to ninth cup columns are filled with hot cups in this example.

After filling the cup, operate the start switch 6G to output a start signal to the microcomputer (c), and the microcomputer (machine) will install a cup column (2) above the hot cup outlet Q41 and the cold cup outlet 00 floor. It is determined by the output of the sensors (36A) (36B).In this case, there is a cup column (c-1) above the cold cup outlet α4, and then the microcomputer (four are detected by the sensor (35B)). It detects that the cup column is the reference column, and counts "1" in the cold counter 53) with the cup column on the cold cup outlet α4 as the Nnl column.Next, the microcomputer (4 is the turret motor
A drive signal is output to 2 to rotate the sprocket (8) and move each cup column (2) in the direction of the arrow. Then, as shown in FIG. 11B, the hot cup outlet (13
A sensor (
35B), “1” is displayed on the hot counter I5υ.
” to count. At this time, the cup column (C-2) passes over the cold cup outlet I and the sensor (36B)
When the microcomputer (c) generates a detection signal, the microcomputer (c) adds "1" to the cold counter Q and counts "2".

Next, the micro combiator detects the presence or absence of a cup in each of the hot cup and cold cup delivery mechanisms using cup switches (32A) and (32B). When the hot cup turret signal is output from the cup switch (32A) due to the hot cup out of the cup delivery mechanism on the hot side, the microcomputer (c) detects the cup column (C-1) above the hot cup outlet αJ. ) is a hot cup (37A)
However, in this case, since it is a cold cup, the turret motor (Q washing drive signal is output.
-2) -('C-3) and (C-4) arrive sequentially, but
In both cases, the turret operation is maintained because the cold cup is filled. Then, as shown in FIG. 11C, when the cup column (H-5) reaches the hot cup outlet αJ and the sensor (41A) detects that this cup column is filled with cups, the turret motor (42 The microcomputer (4!lit) is driven by the disconnection motor (48A) to rotate the cam and turn the full cycle switch (43A) from OFF to ON. When it detects that it is turned off, the disconnection motor (48
A) is made inoperable. Therefore, the cup delivery mechanism (22) on the hot side is replenished with hot cups separated from the cup column (H-5) by the cup separation mechanism (c). When moving to the state shown in Figure 11C, move the top of the hot cup outlet (13) to the cup column (C-2) # (C-3).
- When (C-4) and (H-5) arrive one after another, the microcomputer (4 sections, each column's processor (36A)
), "1" is added to the hot counter 6υ every time it is detected. Then, when the cup column (H-s) b'h hot cup outlet (13 is reached and the hot cup is detached, the count value "5" of the hot counter 5υ is stored in the register 6z, and the fifth cup column i.e. cup;
I remember that I took out the hot cup from Ram (H-5). Also, due to this turret movement, the top of the cold cup outlet (14) is moved between the cup columns (C-3) and (C-4).
・When (H-5) and (H-6) arrive in sequence, the microcomputer (45) detects the arrival of each column by a sensor (36B).
), "1" is added to the cold counter ω every time it is detected. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 11B, the cold color/ri Q that is counting "2" is now counting "6".

In the state shown in FIG. 11C, the cup switch (3
When the cold cup turret signal is output from the micro combinator (2B), the sensor (36B) detects whether the cup column (2) is above the cold cup outlet α. K because the cup column (2) is not above the outlet α
, outputs a drive signal to the turret motor (42).Therefore, the 11Ckt cup columns (H-7) 11(H-8) and (H-9) above the cold cup outlet C141 arrive in sequence, but none of them fill the hot cup. The turret operation is maintained because of the cup column (
C-1) reaches the cold cup outlet α and the 11th
When the state shown in Figure A is reached and the sensor (41B) Ic detects that this cup column is filled with cups, the turret motor (4) is stopped and the separation motor (4) is activated.
48B). In this case, as well as on the hot side,
The microcomputer (c) is the disconnection motor (48B)
The motor (48B) is controlled by a full cycle switch (43B) that turns ON-OFF in conjunction with a cam attached to the cup column (C), and the cup separation mechanism (c)
-1) Separate the cold cup and introduce it into the cold side cup delivery mechanism (■). Then, when transitioning from the state shown in Figure 11C to the state shown in Figure 11, Sir Micro Combiator
) adds "1" to the cold counter ■ each time it passes the cold cup outlet α ship, but the sensor (35B) detects when the cup column (C-1), which is the reference column, arrives.
When the cold counter Q is detected, the cold counter Q is set to "1". Then, by disconnecting the cold cup from the cup column (C-1), the microcomputer (49) stores the counted value "l" of the cold counter (2) in the register 54),
) I remember that I took out the hot cup. Also, when the cup columns (H-6), <H-7) and (H-8) pass through the Hokutokakupu outlet α Kunigami with this turret operation, the microcomputer (C) detects the arrival of each column by sensing the arrival of each column (36A). Hot counter 5 every time detected by
Add “1” to υ. Therefore, the hot counter 6υ, which is counting "5" in the state shown in FIG. 11C, is now counting "8".

When a predetermined cup is separated from the cup column (2) and introduced into each cup delivery mechanism (c) in this way, the cup column number taken out is stored in the register C5354)K. Therefore, when the cup delivery mechanism runs out of cups again, it searches for the cup column (2) from which the cup was previously taken based on the value of the register (56153) and takes out the cup from the same cup column (2).

For example, in the state shown in FIG. 11A, if the hot side cup delivery mechanism (2) runs out, the cup switch (32A
), the turret motor (46) is driven, and when the cup column (H-9) reaches above the hot cup outlet aJ, the hot counter 6 is activated.
υ counts "9", and then when the sensor (35A) detects that the cup column (CC-1) of the reference column has arrived, the hot counter 6υ is set to "1", and then the cup column (CC-1) of the reference column is set to "1". 2)・(C-3)”(C-4)・
(H-5) arrives one after another and the hot counter 6υ becomes "5"
is counted and when it becomes equal to the stored value of register t516, the microconbeater (4 is the turret motor 0
Stop 2. Therefore, the state shown in FIG. 11C is reached again, and the cup separation mechanism @ causes the cup column (H-5
) and introduce the hot cup into the cup delivery mechanism @. At this time, when the sensor (41A) detects that there is no cup in the cup column (H-5), the microcomputer 5 continues to drive the turret motor (4). (H-6) arrives, the sensor (37A) detects that this cup column is a hot cup storage column, and the sensor (41A) detects that a cup is stored.
When it is detected by The counter 51) is counting "6", and the microcomputer (4) stores "6" in the register ■ to remember that the hot cup has been disconnected from the cup column (H-6). The counter 531 is placed between the cup columns (C-2) and (C-3) with the cold cup outlet α on top.
・(C-4)・(H-5>・(H-6)) are reached in order, so "6" is counted.

When a cold cup turret signal is generated at the cup switch (32B) due to the cup out of the cup delivery mechanism (22) in the state shown in FIG. 11C, the turret motor (
42 is driven, cup columns (H-7), (H-8),
Each time (H-9) sequentially reaches the cold cup outlet I, the cold counter group counts "9", and when the cup column (C-1) arrives, "1" is sected.

The value of this counter ■ and the stored value of the register (goods) match, and the microcomputer (c) stops the turret motor (6) and returns to the state shown in FIG. By the separation mechanism 1
The cold cup is separated from the recuperation column (C-1) and introduced into the cup delivery mechanism. At this time, when the sensor (41B) detects that there is no cup in the cup column (C-1), the micro combinator α9 continues to drive the turret motor (four motors) and the cold cup outlet α
When the cup column (C-2) reaches the top of 4, the sensor (37B) detects that this cup column is a cold cup storage column, and the sensor (41B) K detects that the cup is stored. When detected, the drive of the turret motor (42) is stopped.Then, the cold cup is separated from the cup column (C-2) by the cup separation mechanism on the cold side and introduced into the cup delivery mechanism.
At this time, the cold counter Q is counting "2", and the microcomputer (4!9 is the register K).
Store "2" to remember that the cold cup has been separated from the cup column (C-2).

The microcomputer (c) drives the corresponding cup drop motor arm (47) in response to the hot cup supply signal or cold cup supply signal output from the main body control circuit of the vending machine to dispense the hot cup or cold cup. Send out.

(G) Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, there is no need to move the four-force pull train for performing such a take-out operation out of the rotation orbit of the cup column, and the device can be made more compact. Moreover, because the cup delivery mechanism is introduced by separating some cups from the cup row,
゛ The entire weight of the cup row is not applied (reliable cup feeding operation can be performed).

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the cup turret, Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the connection of the cup column, Fig. 3 is a front view of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a view showing the main parts near the outlet, Fig. 5 The figure is a plan sectional view showing the main parts near the outlet, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the support member, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the wedge plate, and FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of the cup delivery mechanism seen from the front. Figure 9 is a layout diagram of the sensor.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the control circuit, FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, and the first IC diagram are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the cup turret. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the drive section of the cup separation mechanism.
FIG. 13 is a side view of FIG. 12. (1)...Substrate, (2)...Cup column, α
3iQ4)...Cup outlet, aυ...Cup turret, ■...Cup delivery mechanism, (To)...
Cup separation mechanism, G′? )...Sensor, (4[)
...display section, (c) ...control device. Applicant: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. and 1 other representative: Shizuo Sano, patent attorney Figure 9 Figure 6 Figure 8

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A substrate, a cup column capable of accommodating any of a plurality of different types of cups and accommodating the cups in a vertically stacked cup row, and the cup column connected to the substrate in a closed loop to accommodate the cups. A cup turret that is moved along a closed loop, a display section that is provided for each cup column and displays the type of stored cup, a cup outlet that is formed on the movement trajectory of the cup column according to the cup type, and the cup outlet. A sensor is provided at each of the cup turrets to detect whether a cup column that has reached the outlet by driving the cup turret stores a predetermined type of cup on the display section; a cup delivery mechanism that delivers a cup in response to a supply signal; and a cup delivery mechanism that drives the cup turret when one of the cup delivery mechanisms runs out of a cup, and a cup column that stores a predetermined type of cup according to the sensor. a control device that stops the cup turret when the sensor detects that the cup turret has reached a cup outlet that communicates with the cup outlet; A cup feeding device comprising a cup separating mechanism that separates a cup from a cup row of a stopped cup column and introduces the cup into a cup delivery mechanism.