RU2717874C1 - Piece goods storage and dispensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: satisfaction of human vital needs.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to automation of retail trade processes and can be used in creation of various vending machines, shops and automated warehouses for piece goods. Device for storage and dispensing piece goods comprises a vertical chamber with cassettes placed in it for goods, moved along a closed trajectory, a drive for moving cassettes and a mechanism for extracting goods from cassettes. Essence of solution consists in that cassettes are installed with support one on another with formation of two columns, extreme upper level in which is free in initial position. Cassettes movement drive includes cassettes lifting mechanism in one column, cassettes lowering mechanism in the other column and horizontal movement mechanisms between cassette columns arranged in uppermost and in lower extreme levels, wherein device is equipped with means for holding columns of cassettes located above extreme lower level.

EFFECT: technical result consists in improvement of storage system volume utilization factor with providing of operative access to each storage unit.

10 cl, 5 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates mainly to the field of automation of retail processes and can be used to create various vending machines, stores, as well as automated warehouses for piece goods.

State of the art

Known devices for storing and dispensing piece goods in vending machines, containing a vertical chamber with fixed shelves placed in it, equipped with piece dispensing mechanisms that push the selected goods from the shelf into the receiving tray placed under the camera from where the goods are taken by the buyer (see US patent 5236103, IPC: G07 / F11 / 00, publ. 17.08.93 or patent TWM 556113, publ. 01.03.2018). A significant drawback of such shelf structures with fixed shelves is the limited volume of goods placed and the low utilization of the storage system.

Known mechanized device (see patent RU 2324634, IPC B65G 1/127, publ. 10.11.2006), designed to store piece goods and container goods, made in the form of a vertical conveyor, in which load platforms for products are moved in a closed circuit by a chain drive .

The use of chain vertical conveyors in various storage systems has become widespread, due to their high capacity with a small footprint and the ability to quickly deliver the right container with goods to the loading / unloading level.

The disadvantages of the known design according to patent RU 2324634 include the low utilization rate of the volume of the storage system, as well as the fact that it is intended only for storage of goods and can be used for delivery only subject to additional equipment with appropriate mechanisms. In addition, chain drives have significant limitations on operating temperature, which does not allow the use of such structures for storing frozen and chilled food.

As the closest analogue for the claimed technical solution, the design of the device for storing and dispensing piece goods used in an automatic machine for selling frozen piece goods was adopted, see copyright certificate SU No. 210509, IPC: G07F11 / 00, publ. 11/06/1968

According to A.S. No. 210509, a device for storing and dispensing piece goods contains at least one vertical camera with goods carriers (cassettes) placed in it, moving along a closed path, a cassette drive and a mechanism for extracting goods from cassettes. The mentioned features are similar to the essential structural features of the claimed device.

Cassettes for goods used in this device are made in the form of box links for single (piece) placement of goods installed one after another and pairwise connected by hinges with the formation of an endless chain. The chain of cartridges moves like a normal vertical conveyor by means of two gears, which alternately grab the cartridges by the axis of the hinges and move them one step.

In the process, the cassette with the selected product, moving in a closed circuit, moves to a predetermined level, where the product is pushed out of the cassette and, through a system of trays, rolls down into the delivery niche.

A significant drawback of the closest analogue is the low utilization of the volume of the vertical chamber (storage system), which is due to the placement of drive elements between the raising and lowering branches of the conveyor, as well as the use of single cartridges with single-piece placement of goods.

The invention is aimed at solving the problem of irrational use of the volume of the storage system and the creation of a device for storing and dispensing goods with high capacity and widespread use.

The technical result achieved is to increase the utilization rate of the volume of the vertical chamber in which the storage system is located, by increasing the density of the placement of goods in a unit volume with access to each storage unit.

Another technical result is to ensure reliable operation of the device at low (negative) temperatures, which expands the possibilities of its use, for example, for chilled and frozen food.

Disclosure of Invention

The aforementioned problem is solved and the results are achieved due to the fact that in the device for storing and dispensing piece goods, comprising, a vertical chamber with cassettes for goods moved therein, moving along a closed path, a cassette drive and a mechanism for extracting goods from cassettes, according to the claimed invention, the cassettes are supported one on top of the other with the formation of two columns, the extreme upper level of which is free in the initial position, the drive for moving the cassettes includes a lift mechanism t in one column, the mechanism for lowering the cassettes in another column and the mechanisms of horizontal movement between the columns of cassettes located in the upper and lower extreme levels, while the device is equipped with means for holding the columns of cassettes located above the extreme lower level.

The fundamental difference from the closest analogue and other known vertical conveyors that move cartridges (shelves and other carriers of goods) along a vertically closed path is that in the proposed device, the cartridges do not have constant communication with each other or with the mechanisms of their movement.

The cassettes are freely mounted with support on one another with the formation of two vertical rows - columns in which the extreme upper level is initially free, i.e. each column has an “empty cell”, which is necessary for organizing the movement of cassettes along a closed path.

Columns are located as close as possible to each other, with the minimum clearance necessary for the free movement of the cassettes in the columns.

Compared with the known vertical conveyors, in the proposed design, the gaps between the ascending and descending branches of the conveyor are minimized, and the gaps between the cassettes in the columns are completely absent, since the cassettes are supported on one another. This allows you to maximally densely fill the chamber with cartridges of goods, thereby increasing the share of usable volume involved in the placement of goods, and, as a result, increase the utilization of the volume of the storage system and increase the commodity capacity of the device.

All movements of the cartridges are carried out in a straight line: vertically and horizontally. To organize such linear displacements, simple drive mechanisms, such as rods, levers, or pushers, which are placed externally relative to the columns of the cartridges, can be used.

In contrast to the known vertical conveyors, where the movement of the cartridges (carriers) between the ascending and descending branches of the conveyor is carried out in an arc, which leads to the formation of “dead” (unused) corner zones, in the proposed design, the cartridges are moved between the columns horizontally (in a straight line), which allows you to use the corner zones in the upper and lower parts of the vertical chamber and contributes to the most complete and rational use of its internal volume.

Cassettes are interchangeable unified devices (carriers) that provide optimal conditions for the placement, temporary storage and transportation of goods (products, products) of various shapes and sizes. Each cartridge provides placement of a certain set of goods of the same article.

Preferably, the goods in the cassettes are stacked, which ensures the most dense filling of the cassettes with goods, which means the most complete use of their internal volume, in comparison with the well-known multi-seat cassettes with shelf-holders for goods.

The rational use of the internal volume of cartridges contributes to an increase in the density of goods in the storage system as a whole and an increase in the utilization of its volume.

By moving the cartridges along a closed path along the type of vertical conveyor, the possibility of choice and quick access to any product in the storage system is provided.

To increase the efficiency of delivery, the assortment of goods placed in cassettes can be duplicated (repeated) with a given frequency.

The absence of chains and the possibility of using simple mechanisms with linear drives outside the vertical chamber for linear movements of the cassettes provides high reliability of the device in any conditions, including at low, negative temperatures, which allows the proposed device to be used for storage and delivery of frozen and chilled food.

The shape of the cassettes provides the ability to install them one on top of the other.

In a preferred embodiment, each cartridge is made in the form of an open trellised container with a rectangular cross-sectional shape, on the opposite sides of which there are elements for interacting with drive mechanisms and movable stops, while the mechanism for extracting goods from cartridges is made in the form of a gripping mechanism installed with the possibility of reciprocating movement above the columns and with the possibility of extracting goods from the upper cassettes of the columns.

The implementation of cassettes in the form of trellised containers allows you to reduce the metal structure and reduce the load on the drive mechanisms

To increase the stability of the columns when moving, the cassettes can be equipped with elements of interfacing with other cassettes, made in the form of "thorn groove".

The gripping mechanism is preferably made in the form of a vacuum gripper and mounted to move in the zone of the extreme upper level of the columns, provided that there are no cassettes in it. In this case, the delivery of goods is carried out from cassettes located at a level preceding the extreme upper.

This solution provides dual use of the upper part of the vertical chamber, namely, the zone of the extreme upper level of the columns: to move the cassettes between the columns and to move the capture in the process of extracting goods, which helps to reduce the share of technological volume, and thus increase the share of usable volume of the storage system.

The mechanisms for raising and lowering the cassettes can be made in the form of a set of rods, one end of which is connected with the movement drive, and the other is equipped with hooks for interaction with the cassettes.

The mechanisms for moving the cassettes between the columns include upper and lower pivoting levers associated with the synchronous movement drive.

Means for holding the columns of the cassettes provide the load is removed from the cassettes of the extreme lower level for the possibility of their shift between the columns, and can be made in the form of movable stops made with the possibility of interaction with the cassettes placed at the level preceding the lowermost, for example, in the form of spring-loaded one-way emphasis.

In the case of using the proposed device for storing and dispensing frozen and chilled food, the vertical chamber is equipped with a refrigeration unit that maintains a given temperature.

The essence of the proposed technical solution is illustrated by the following examples of implementation and drawings, which depict:

in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for storing and dispensing piece goods placed in a vending machine, isometric view;

in FIG. 2 - cassette, isometry;

in FIG. 3 - shows the formation of a column of cassettes;

in FIG. 4 is a view A from FIG. 1;

in FIG. 5 - schematically shows the operation of the device.

The implementation of the invention

A device for storing and dispensing piece goods can be used in the designs of vending machines, warehouses, shops, including those intended for the sale of frozen and chilled food in individual packaging. An example of one such use of the device in a vending machine is shown in FIG. 1.

In the general case, the vending machine comprises a building 1 with a dispensing window 2, a goods selection terminal 3, possibly combined with a payment terminal, a shop window 4 and other elements necessary for selecting and purchasing the goods.

Inside the housing 1 there is a device for storing and dispensing piece goods, including a vertical chamber 5 with cassettes 6 placed for goods, a drive for moving cassettes along a closed path, including mechanisms for lifting cassettes in one column and lowering in another column and mechanisms for moving cassettes between columns, a mechanism for extracting goods from cartridges and movable stops.

Cassette 6 (see Fig. 2) is made in the form of an open top trellised container with a rectangular cross-sectional shape. Cassette 6 can be divided into several compartments.

In one cartridge 6 (or in one compartment of the cartridge) place the goods of the same type and article. The goods can be placed arbitrarily (in bulk), however, it is more preferable, if the form allows, the placement of goods with 7 feet, which contributes to the most rational use of the internal volume of the cartridge.

The lattice design of the cassette 6 is reinforced on each side by vertical power struts 8, on the upper end of which there is a protrusion 9, and on the lower end there is a recess 10, corresponding to the protrusion 9 (shown by a dashed line), which makes it possible to pair it with other cartridges in the form of a thorn groove "(See figure 3).

On the side surfaces of the uprights 8, pins 11 and 12 are fixed with restrictive rollers, which serve to capture the cassette with drive mechanisms and movable stops.

Cassettes 6 are mounted one on top of the other with the formation of two columns (A and B), the extreme upper level C in which is free in the initial position (see Fig. 4).

  The mechanism for extracting goods from the cartridge is made in the form of a gripping mechanism 13, for example a vacuum gripper (hereinafter gripper 13), mounted with the possibility of horizontal reciprocating movement over columns A and B.

The mechanisms for raising and lowering the cassettes are made in the form of a set of rods 14, each of which is pivotally connected to one of the arms of the rocker arm (two shoulders lever) 15 at one end, and placed at the guides 16 with the other end and provided with a hook (not shown in the drawings) for interacting with upper trunnion 11 cassettes 6.

The mechanisms for moving the cartridges between the columns are made in the form of the upper 17 and lower 18 rotary pushers associated with the drive 19 of their synchronous movement.

Similar rods and pushers (14-18) are placed on the opposite side of the columns, which eliminates the distortion of the cassettes when moving.

As the movable stops can be used one-way spring-loaded stops 20 (shown conditionally in figure 5). This can be a dog ratchet mechanisms or other devices with the same function, made with the possibility of interaction with the trunnions of the cassettes 6, placed in the level preceding the lowermost.

The operation of the drive mechanisms of the device is controlled by a computer control system with appropriate software that monitors the filling of cartridges 6 with goods and is connected to the terminal 3 of the selection and payment of goods. The control system can be implemented using known methods and is not considered in detail in this application.

In the case of the device working with food products (in packages), the vertical chamber 5 is equipped with a refrigeration unit (not shown in the drawings) that maintains a given temperature, the value of which is determined by the type of products placed in the chamber. So, when storing chilled products in chamber 5, the temperature is maintained at (0 - 4) ° С, while placing frozen products, the temperature is at least -18 ° С.

The delivery of the selected product can be carried out from the extreme upper level of the columns or from the level preceding the extreme upper level. In this case, the gripper 13 is installed with the possibility of reciprocating movement in zone C above columns A and B, provided that there are no cassettes in it, i.e. in the position corresponding to the original.

The cartridge 6´ with the desired product is displayed on the level of delivery, while the device operates as follows (see Fig. 5).

At the first step, the cassettes of column B, in which the cassette 6´ with the desired product is located, are raised by a step equal to the height of the cassette, while the upper cassette of the column is brought out to the highest upper level — to zone C, and the lower place in the column is freed. The movement is carried out by rods 14´, which grab the lower cassette of column B by the pin 11 and move the entire column B by a step, while the one-way spring-loaded stops 20 are deflected, skipping the rising lower cassette of the column, and then return to their original position, taking on the weight of the raised column cassettes.

The next step is the simultaneous horizontal movement between the columns of the cassettes located in the extreme upper and lower extreme levels of columns B and A, respectively. The movement of the cassettes between the columns is carried out by the pushers 17 and 18, interacting with the lower trunnions 12 of the cassettes.

Next, simultaneously lower the cassettes in column A and raise the cassettes in column B.

Cassettes 6 move along a closed path until the cassette 6´ with the desired product reaches the level of delivery. The cassettes of the second column are lowered, and in the zone C, free of cassettes, the capture 13.

Moving over columns A and B, the gripper 13 retrieves the desired product 7 from the cassette 6´ and moves it to the conveyor 21, delivering the goods to the place of issue. The conveyor may be one or more horizontal and / or vertical conveyors.

To increase the efficiency of delivery, the assortment of goods in cassettes can be duplicated (repeated) with a given frequency.

The device has a high commodity capacity, a small number of drive mechanisms and movable stops.

Thanks to the use of simple mechanisms with short linear movements, the device is characterized by high speed.

At the same time, it is characterized by ease of maintenance and low initial investment.

The proposed design can be used as a standard module in the creation of vending machines and automated stores of large capacity.

The above example is illustrative and does not limit the possibilities of other forms of execution of cassettes and drive mechanisms for their movement, which may be obvious to specialists in this field of technology.

Claims (10)

1. A device for storing and dispensing piece goods, containing a vertical chamber with cassettes for goods placed therein, moving along a closed path, a cassette drive and a mechanism for extracting goods from cassettes, characterized in that the cassettes are supported on one another with the formation of two columns, the extreme upper level in which is free in the initial position, the drive for moving the cassettes includes a mechanism for lifting cassettes in one column, a mechanism for lowering cassettes in another column and horizontal mechanisms moving between columns of cassettes located in the upper and lower extreme levels, while the device is equipped with means for holding columns of cassettes located above the extreme lower level. 2. The device according to p. 1, characterized in that each cassette is made with the possibility of placing in it at least one pile of goods. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that each cartridge is made in the form of an open trellised container with a rectangular cross-sectional shape, on the opposite sides of which there are elements for interacting with drive mechanisms and movable stops, while the mechanism for extracting goods from cartridges made in the form of a gripping mechanism installed with the possibility of reciprocating movement above the columns and with the possibility of extracting goods from the upper cassettes of the columns. 4. The device according to p. 3, characterized in that the cassette is equipped with interface elements with other cassettes, made in the form of a "tongue-groove". 5. The device according to p. 3, characterized in that the gripping mechanism is mounted with the ability to move in the area of the extreme upper level of the columns, provided that there are no cassettes in it. 6. The device according to p. 3, characterized in that the vacuum gripper is used as the gripping mechanism. 7. The device according to p. 1, characterized in that the mechanisms for raising and lowering the cassettes are made in the form of a set of rods, one end of which is connected to the drive for moving them, and the other is equipped with hooks for interaction with the cassettes. 8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanisms for moving the cassettes between the columns include upper and lower rotary pushers with a synchronous drive of movement. 9. The device according to p. 1, characterized in that the means for holding the columns of the cassettes are made in the form of movable stops made with the possibility of interaction with the cassettes placed at a level preceding the lowermost one. 10. The device according to p. 1, characterized in that the vertical chamber is equipped with a refrigeration unit that maintains a given temperature.

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