JPS6261999B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention provides a method for distributing articles by one dispensing command.
Regarding a device that dispenses a total of two items by dispensing each item twice, it is particularly suitable for a vending machine that dispenses cards or card-like items used in card-type telephones, etc.
This invention relates to a vending machine that dispenses individual items as a set.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY A vending machine that operates a device that dispenses one item in one operation twice with one dispensing command signal, dispensing a total of two articles, is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 48-22228, for example.
As shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 48-22476, etc., this method is well known in vending machines for tickets and the like.

However, these vending machines allow you to select one product or two or more products using a selection button, and the sales unit is only one, and the selection button for selecting quantity Therefore, although a selected quantity can be sold continuously, the structure is complicated and a complicated change device is also required.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Depending on the type and price of the product being sold, it may be more convenient to sell two products at once. In this case, a method has conventionally been adopted in which two products are packed into one pack and one pack, that is, two products are sold by one dispensing operation. However, this method requires time and effort such as packaging two products into one package, and is not efficient.
In addition, it is also possible to pay out two products in one payout operation and sell them in two payout operations.
This is possible, as in the ticket vending machine mentioned above, but in this case, each dispensing operation only dispenses one item, so there is a problem when one product is dispensed and the product runs out in the hopper and is sold out. Then,
This has the disadvantage that normal sales of two pieces as a set is no longer possible. Therefore, it becomes necessary to provide a complicated change device corresponding to each product price unit. For example, when selling a product that costs 250 yen each,
If the unit of one sale is 2 pieces and the amount of coins accepted by the vending machine is 500 yen, then assuming that sales are carried out normally, there is no need for a change device, and 500 yen coins are not required.
If the vending machine only accepts 1,000 yen coins, it would only need to be equipped with a simple change device that dispenses only one 500 yen coin as change. However, as mentioned above, after dispensing one product, there may be cases where there is no product in the hopper and the second product cannot be dispensed, and in the end, in the above example,
A problem arises in that a complicated change device that dispenses change of 250 yen, 250 yen, 500 yen, or 750 yen is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the problem that normal sales cannot be carried out when there is only one item to be paid out in such two-item sales.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides a vending machine that operates a dispensing device that dispenses one article in one dispensing operation twice in response to one sales command, dispensing a total of two articles. , there is a storage means for storing that the dispensing device is in the first dispensing operation, a detection means for detecting that there is no article in the hopper, and a detection output of this detection means and an output of the storage means. The above-mentioned problem has been solved by providing stop signal sending means for stopping the operation of the payout device and sending out a signal for commanding the return of inserted coins.

Operation When a sales command is output by inserting money, the dispensing device starts the first article dispensing operation,
Further, it is stored in the storage means that the first article dispensing operation is in progress. Then, when the first article dispensing operation is started and the article is taken out from the hopper and there is no article in the hopper, the detection means detects this, and the detection output from the detection means and the memory from the storage means are stored. If both outputs exist, the signal sending means outputs a signal to stop the operation of the payout device, and when the two items cannot be paid out, the sale is stopped and the input coins are returned.

Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a card-like article vending machine that is an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a vertically moving plate, a suction cup 2 is fixed to the lower end of the vertically moving plate 1, and a suction cup 2 is fixed to one side. A plurality of holes are provided in a row in the vertical direction. The hole has a gear 10 which is rotated by the operation of the motor _M1 .
teeth are engaged, and the vertically moving plate 1 is moved up and down by the forward and reverse rotation of the motor _M1 . A carrier switch SW ₁ and a solenoid switch are installed on the other side of the vertical moving plate 1.
A cam 14 is provided which engages with SW ₂ and stop switch SW ₄ to turn ON and OFF the switches SW ₁ , SW ₂ and SW ₄ . A plate 5 is fixed to the lower part of the vertically movable plate 1, and a hole is provided in the plate 5, and an air stopper rod 6 that freely moves vertically is provided in the hole. The lower end of the stopper rod 6 has one end attached to the plate 5.
The air hole of the suction cup 2 is normally closed by a spring 7 whose other end is fixed to the air stopper rod 6. Further, a lever 4 is provided at the upper end of the air stopper rod 6.
One end of the lever 4 is pivotally connected, the lever 4 is pivoted at its midpoint to the vertically moving plate 1, and the other end is a member fixed to the vending machine body when the vertically moving plate 1 is in the raised position. 3, and the air stopper rod 6
is moved upward in FIG. 1 to open the air hole of the suction cup 2. Further, a reversing switch SW ₃ is provided at the lower end of the vertical moving plate 1, and the reversing switch SW ₃ is configured to cause the vertical moving plate 1 to move downward and the suction cup 2 to be connected to the card C in the hopper 8. Turns ON when it comes into contact and attracts. A solenoid is attached to the member 3 fixed to the main body of the card ejecting device.
When the SOL is fixed and the solenoid SOL is energized, one end is pivoted to the plunger of the solenoid SOL, a roller _P1 is pivoted to the other end, and the middle part is pivoted to a shaft provided in the housing. lever 9
rotates clockwise in FIG. 1, and the card C, which has been suctioned and conveyed by the suction cup 2, is held between the roller _P2 and the roller _P1 provided at the tip of the lever 9, and with the excitation of the solenoid, The rollers P ₂ and P ₃ are rotated by the belt 13 rotated by the operating motor M ₂ and the card C is delivered to the card dispensing port 14, and a card dispensing detection switch SW ₅ is installed in the middle of this dispensing path. The lever 15 detects the card C and turns on the card dispensing detection switch SW ₅ .
When the card C passes and the card dispensing detection switch SW ₅ turns OFF again, the motor M ₁ stops, and the card C protrudes from the card dispensing opening 14 while pressing the card removal detection switch SW ₆ . Stop at.

Reference numerals 11 and 12 denote baffle plates provided in the middle of the card conveyance path for conveying the card C from the hopper 8 by the suction cup 2;
The cam of the vertical moving plate 1 activates the stop switch SW ₄ .
When turned on, the baffle plates 11 and 12 are provided at positions that bend the card C being conveyed,
Due to this bending, other cards C joined to the card C are separated, and only one card C is transported. Furthermore, since one baffle plate 11 is provided with a spring 15, when the card C is stiff, the baffle plate is moved to the left in FIG. 1 by the card C against the force of the spring 15. By moving, the card C can pass through the suction cup 2 without being peeled off.

S is a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of an article, ie, a card, in the hopper 8, which is composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects when the card C in the hopper 8 runs out and outputs a detection signal.

FIG. 2 is a control circuit diagram of the card-like article vending machine of the present invention, and 21 is an OR circuit that connects the output of the inverter 23 to which the payout command signal and the signal from the carrier switch SW ₁ are input, and the output of the monomulti 33. An output is output to an AND circuit 22 as an input.
The AND circuit 22 also receives the outputs of the inverters 24 and 28, and the output of the AND circuit is connected to the motor.
It is input to a terminal of a motor drive circuit 27 that rotates _M1 in the forward direction. Moreover, the inverter 24 is
The output of the OR circuit 25 is input, and the inverter 2
8 inputs the output of timer _T2 . The OR circuit 25 receives the outputs of the flip-flops FF ₁ and FF ₂ as input, and the timer T ₂ receives the output of the count "2" of the counter 26 as input. Flip-flop FF ₁ receives the output of timer T ₁ set by reverse switch SW ₃ , and outputs counter 2.
6 is input to the reset terminal through an inverter 29. In the flip-flop _FF2 , the output of the timer _T2 is input to the input terminal, and the output of the inverter 23 is input to the reset terminal. Further, the output of the inverter 23 is input to the reset terminal of the counter 26. The signal from the solenoid switch SW ₂ is input to the flip-flop FF ₃ via the inverter 30, and the output of the flip-flop FF ₃ is input to the solenoid drive circuit 31 and motor drive circuit 32 to operate the solenoid SOL and motor M ₂ . .

_FF4 is a flip-flop as a storage means for storing information during the first payout operation, and the payout command signal is input to the set terminal of the flip-flop _FF4 . The output of the flip-flop _FF4 is input to an AND circuit 35,
A signal from the card removal detection switch SW ₆ is input to the AND circuit 35 . The output of the AND circuit 35 is input to the monomulti 33, and the output of the mono multi 33 is input to the flip-flop _FF4.
It is input to the reset terminal of the OFF circuit 21 and the OFF circuit 21. The NAND circuit 34 receives as inputs the output of the card dispensing detection switch SW ₅ , the detection means S for detecting the absence of a card in the hopper, and the output of the flip-flop FF ₄ for storing when the first dispensing operation is in progress.
The output is passed through a delay circuit 37 to an AND circuit 36.
is being entered. Furthermore, the signal from the card payout detection switch _SW5 is input to the other input of the AND circuit 36, and the output is sent to the flip-flop.
It is input to the reset terminal of FF ₃ . In this embodiment, these NAND circuit 34, delay circuit 37, and AND circuit 36 constitute a stop signal sending means for stopping the operation of the dispensing device and sending out a signal for commanding the return of inserted coins.

Next, along with the timing diagram of this device in Figure 3,
The operation of the vending machine of the present invention will be explained.

When the payout command signal is input, the payout command signal passes through the OR circuit 21 and is passed through the AND circuit 22.
is input to one terminal of Since the other terminal of the AND circuit 22 is at H level as described later,
An H level output is output from the AND circuit 22, causing the motor _M1 to rotate in the forward direction. The gear 10 rotates due to the forward rotation of the motor _M1 , and the vertical moving plate 1 moves downward, thereby turning on the carrier switch _SW1 and the solenoid switch _SW2.
Since the OFF signal of carrier switch SW ₁ is input to the AND circuit 22 via the inverter 23 and the OR circuit 21, the motor M ₁ continues to rotate in the forward direction even if the payout command signal is turned OFF. . Therefore, the vertical moving plate 1 continues to descend,
The stop switch SW ₄ is turned on and off to generate a pulse as shown in FIG. 3, which sets the counter 26 to "1". Furthermore, the vertically movable plate 1 is lowered, and the suction plate 2 comes into contact with the card C of the hopper 8 and suctions the card C, and at the same time, the reverse switch SW ₃ is turned on. When the reversing switch SW ₃ is turned ON, the timer T ₁ is activated, and the vertical moving plate 1 moves downward until the timer T ₁ expires, and the suction cup 2 is pressed against the card C, ensuring that the card C is
adsorbs. If the timer _T1 is not provided, the reversing switch _SW3 may be set to operate when the suction cup 2 is attracted to the card C and deformed. Then, when the timer _T1 expires, the flip-flop _FF1 is set, and the H level output of the flip-flop _FF1 passes through the OR circuit 25, is input to the reverse drive terminal of the drive circuit 27 of the motor _M1 , and is also input to the inverter 24. In order to set the output of the AND circuit ₂₂ to L level via Cam 14 of No. 1 turns on stop switch SW ₄ . Stop switch SW ₄
By turning ON, the count value of the counter 26 becomes "2" and output is output. The output from counter 26 resets flip-flop _FF1 via inverter 29 and sets timer _T2 .

By resetting the flip-flop _FF1 , the output of the OR circuit 25 becomes L level, and the reverse rotation of the motor _M1 is stopped. On the other hand, by setting the timer T ₂ , the output of the timer T ₂ becomes H level, and since the L level signal is input to the AND circuit 22 via the inverter 28, the output of the AND circuit 22 also becomes L level. The motor _M1 does not rotate forward and is in a stopped state. Therefore, the card C is stopped in a bent state, and due to this bending, the card C sucked by the suction cup 2 separates and drops other cards that have been joined and conveyed. Then, when the set time of the timer _T2 has elapsed and its output changes from the H level to the L level, the flip-flop _FF2 is set due to the fall of the timer T2 and an output of the H level is output, and the OR circuit 25 outputs the H level. Since the output of , motor _M1 starts to rotate in reverse again. The bent card passes through the baffle plate 11 while moving the baffle plate 11 to the left in FIG. 1 against the spring 15, rises, and is conveyed. The vertical moving plate 1 rises, and the cam 14 of the vertical moving plate 1 turns on the solenoid switch SW ₂ and the carrier switch SW ₁ . By turning on switch SW ₁ , the flip-flop circuit is activated.
FF ₂ is reset, and the rotation of the motor M ₁ and the lifting of the vertical moving plate 1 are stopped. In addition, the carrier switch
The counter 26 is reset by turning SW ₁ ON.

Carrier switch SW ₁ turns ON, and slightly before vertical moving plate 1 stops, solenoid switch SW ₂ turns ON.
Therefore, flip-flop FF ₃ is set,
Solenoid SOL is energized and rollers card C.
It is held between P ₁ and P ₂ , and motor M ₂ also rotates. Also,
Shortly after the solenoid switch SW ₂ is turned ON, the lever 4 comes into contact with the member 3 and rotates clockwise, so the rod 6 rises against the spring 6 and opens the air hole of the suction cup 2. 2 will no longer attract card C. Therefore, card C has rollers P ₁ ,
P ₂ is conveyed by the belt 13 in the direction of the card dispensing port 14, and the card dispensing detection switch SW ₅ is activated.
Turn on, then turn off, and turn on card removal detection switch SW ₆ . When the card dispensing detection switch SW ₅ is turned OFF, that is, when the pulse falls due to the ON-OFF of the card dispensing detection switch SW ₅ , the flip-flop FF ₃ is reset through the AND circuit 36, and the solenoid
SOL becomes de-energized and motor _M2 stops rotating. Therefore, the card C stops with the card dispensing port 14 protruding. On the other hand, the flip-flop _FF4 of the first payout storage means is set by the payout command and outputs an H level output to the AND circuit 35, and the card removal detection switch _SW6 is turned on by the card C and outputs an H level. , the AND circuit 35 outputs an H level output. Therefore, when the card C is removed, the output of the AND circuit 35 becomes L level, and this fall triggers the monomulti 33 to output a pulse signal, reset the flip-flop FF ₄ , and send it to the OR circuit 21. Since it is input, the state is the same as when a payout command is input, and the same operation as described above is performed, and the second card C is paid out.

However, this time, since the flip-flop _FF4 of the first payout operation storage means has been reset, no output is output from the AND circuit 35 and the monomulti 33, and the card C is not paid out. Thus, in the normal payout operation, the card payout operation is performed twice in response to one payout command, and two cards are paid out.

Next, the operation when a payout command is input when there is only one card C in the card hopper 8 will be described. (In Fig. 3, the timing is indicated by a dotted line.) In response to the payout command, the card C is taken out and transported as described above, but due to the operation of the motor M ₂ and the solenoid SOL. The transported card C turns on the payout detection switch SW ₅ and inputs an H level signal to the NAND circuit 34 and the AND circuit 36. Since the other input of the NAND circuit 36 is at H level as described later, the AND circuit 36 outputs an H level output. On the other hand, as the card C is sucked and conveyed from the hopper 8, the detection means S for detecting the absence of a card sends out an H level signal indicating that the hopper 8 is empty, and Since the flip-flop FF ₄ , which stores the operating state, is also set by the payout command, all inputs to the NAND circuit 34 of the stop signal sending means are at H level, and its output is switched to L level. This L level signal passes through the delay circuit 37, is delayed a little, and then passes through the AND circuit 36.
An L level signal is input to. Therefore, the output of the AND circuit 36 changes from the H level to the L level, and at its fall resets the flip-flop _FF3 , stops the operation of the solenoid SOL and the motor _M2 , and the card C is transferred to the card dispensing detection switch SW. It stops with ₅ turned on and does not reach the dispenser. The L-level signal from the NAND circuit 34 activates the coin return mechanism or the like to return the inserted coin. Further, the signal from the card detection means is used to indicate that the dispensing device is sold out, to suppress the dispensing command signal of the dispensing device, or to close the coin insertion slot.

Note that when there are two cards C remaining in the card hopper 8, one card C has been paid out and the flip-flop FF ₄ has been reset, so the NAND circuit 34 does not send out an L level signal. The payout of the second card is also performed normally, and no money is returned.

In the above embodiment, the card removal detection switch SW ₆ is provided, but if the card C is completely sent out from the card dispensing port instead of being stopped at the card dispensing port, the card removal detection switch SW 6 can be used. SW ₆ is not necessary, and in that case, the second card dispensing operation can be started by using the falling edge when the card dispensing detection switch SW ₅ is turned ON and then turned OFF. Further, the signal from the card detection means S in the hopper and the signal from the flip-flop FF ₄ of the first payout storage means are ANDed, and when the AND is established (there is no card C in the hopper and the first during the payout operation),
The inserted coins and bills may be returned, and then the power to the card dispensing device may be turned off.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention dispenses two articles with one sales command, and when only one article can be dispensed, stops the article dispensing,
Since the inserted coins and banknotes are returned, the vending machine can be configured without a change device, or even if it is provided, just by providing a simple change device. That is, for example,
When selling items that cost 250 yen each as a set of two, if the vending machine is configured to accept only 500 yen coins, there is no need to equip the vending machine with a change device, and 500 yen and 1000 yen coins can only be accepted. If the vending machine accepts 500 yen coins, it is sufficient to equip the vending machine with a simple change device that dispenses only 500 yen, making the configuration of the vending machine simple and inexpensive.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view of essential parts of an embodiment of the vending machine of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a control circuit diagram thereof, and FIG. 3 is an operation timing chart thereof. C...Card, _M1 , _M2 ...Motor, S...Detection means, _FF1 ~ _FF4 ...Flip-flop, T1 _~
T ₂ ...Timer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A dispensing device that dispenses one item in one dispensing operation is operated twice by one sales command,
In a vending machine that dispenses two items in total, a storage means for storing that the dispensing device is in the first dispensing operation, a detection means for detecting no article in the hopper, and a detection means for the detection means stop signal sending means for stopping the operation of the paying out device and sending out a signal for commanding the return of input coins when the output and the output of the storage means are both present, and stopping the sale when two items cannot be paid out; A vending machine characterized by: