WO2001096142A2 - Procede et dispositif de detection de contact d'article dans un appareil de manutention d'articles - Google Patents

Procede et dispositif de detection de contact d'article dans un appareil de manutention d'articles Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001096142A2
WO2001096142A2 PCT/US2001/016916 US0116916W WO0196142A2 WO 2001096142 A2 WO2001096142 A2 WO 2001096142A2 US 0116916 W US0116916 W US 0116916W WO 0196142 A2 WO0196142 A2 WO 0196142A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
article
hose
suction
storage area
dispensing apparatus
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/016916
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001096142A8 (fr
WO2001096142A3 (fr
Inventor
Munroe Chirnomas
Original Assignee
Munroe Chirnomas
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to CA002409563A priority Critical patent/CA2409563C/fr
Priority to US10/296,528 priority patent/US6786355B2/en
Priority to AU9450801A priority patent/AU9450801A/xx
Priority to EP01975155A priority patent/EP1289865A4/fr
Priority to AU2001294508A priority patent/AU2001294508B2/en
Priority to CNB018100821A priority patent/CN1328701C/zh
Priority to MXPA02011580A priority patent/MXPA02011580A/es
Application filed by Munroe Chirnomas filed Critical Munroe Chirnomas
Publication of WO2001096142A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001096142A2/fr
Publication of WO2001096142A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001096142A3/fr
Priority to US10/228,914 priority patent/US6968974B2/en
Publication of WO2001096142A8 publication Critical patent/WO2001096142A8/fr
Priority to US10/875,485 priority patent/US6942122B2/en
Priority to US11/224,504 priority patent/US7240805B2/en
Priority to US11/775,866 priority patent/US20070284384A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F5/00—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks
    • G07F5/18—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/02—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
    • G07F11/04—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
    • G07F11/04—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other
    • G07F11/10—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other two or more magazines having a common delivery chute
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
    • G07F11/04—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other
    • G07F11/16—Delivery means
    • G07F11/165—Delivery means using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/02—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
    • G07F11/04—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other
    • G07F11/16—Delivery means
    • G07F11/165—Delivery means using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements
    • G07F11/1657—Delivery means using xyz-picker or multi-dimensional article picking arrangements the picking arrangements using suction
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/62—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/002—Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/02—Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to improvements in the design and operation of article handling apparatus and is particularly useful in the environment of article handling devices that use a suction-type article handling mechanism.
  • US Patent 5,240, 139 represents a significant improvement in article handling devices. It describes the use of a negative air pressure lifter (i.e., article pickup or handling mechanism), which uses suction, i.e., a reduced or so-called "negative" air pressure created by a partial vacuum, for making a secure contact to an article to be retrieved by entering the open top of an article storage bin located in a refrigerated storage area of a vending machine.
  • suction i.e., a reduced or so-called "negative" air pressure created by a partial vacuum
  • Article contact detection is provided in the forenoted US Patent 5,240,139 by a mechanical or electromechanical proximity switch mounted at the article pickup end of the negative air pressure lifter.
  • a vacuum breaker would also be desirable in a vending machine having a suction-type article handler, in order to facilitate a "quick release" of the product at the end of the dispensing cycle.
  • U.S. patent 5,957,326 entitled APPARATUS FOR RETRIEVING RANDOMLY ORGANIZED ARTICLES describes a vending apparatus having a suction- type article handler and a vacuum breaker.
  • a pickup head having a plurality of suction cups mounted thereon (in order to help ensure the retrieval of one of a plurality of randomly organized articles for a storage bin) is lowered into thestorage bin as suction is applied to the cups.
  • the machine controller Afterthe passage of a predeterminedamount of time, the machine controller causes the pickup head to start being removed from the bin. While the pickup head is being removed, a vacuum sensing assembly coupled to each suction cup determines if more than one of the suction cups has an article attachedthereto (i.e., article contact is assumed in response to the sensing of vacuum in the hose coupled to a given suction cup). If more than one suction cup has an article adhered thereto, the machine controller causes a release of vacuum from all of the suction cups except one.
  • PCT patent publication WO 99/12132 entitled VENDING MACHINE discloses a vending machine having an articulated arm for positioning an article gripping suction hose into a freezer for retrieving articles to be dispensed. It teaches the use of both an electromechanically operated proximity switch at thearticle gripper head for turning the vacuum source on when the gripper makes contact with the product, as well as the use of a position sensor for advising the machine controller to energize a vacuum breaker when the gripperhead reaches a predetermined position indicative of the product reaching the dispensing area.
  • one of the objects of the present invention is to provide new techniques and methods for the design, operation and control of article handling mechanisms.
  • an article dispensing apparatus embodied, for example, as a vending machine, including a controllably positioned suction hose dispenser for retrieving articles from a storage area.
  • a sensor having an output responsive to changes in partial pressure inside the air hose such as an airflow sensor coupled to the suction-hose, can initially act to sense the timing of contact of the suction hose with an article to be dispensed.
  • the airflow (and partial pressure) inside the hose will change dramatically as the gripping end of the suction hose makes contact with the article.
  • the airflow sensor again provides an indication signal, due to the sudden change in airflow (and partial pressure) that occurs at that time within the hose.
  • the signals generated by the airflow sensor can be used in place of the prior art mechanically operated proximity sensor, to stop the approach of the gripping end of the hose towards the article, and serve as an indication to initiate removal of the article from the storage area.
  • the time of the occurrence of the airflow signal can be used by the control mechanism to confirm that the article has been properly moved, for example from the storage area to a dispensing area, but if the sensed airflow signal has been determined by the control mechanism to be premature (because the signal from the airflow sensor occurred before the hose positioner moved the hose to a predetermined dispensing position), it's occurrence indicates a faulty or failed dispensing/vend operation. Accordingly, the control mechanism can then take appropriate action, such as to re-attempt the dispensing operation.
  • control mechanism can also use the airflow signal for checking, and recalibrating if necessary, it's control of the hose positioner
  • the airflow sensor is used in combination with an airflow control mechanism, i.e., a vacuum or suction release (i.e., breaker), to facilitate a
  • the airflow sensor can be included in its own housing, or as in the illustrated embodiment, a housing which also includes therein the vacuum release/breaker mechanism.
  • a mechanical or electro-mechanical linkage can be used to activate the breaker in response to mechanical contact by the article handling mechanism, and thereby cause a rapid equalization of air pressure inside the housing towards ambient when it is time for the article handling mechanism to release the selected article.
  • the known position can signify a "virtual home” and therefore reaching this "virtual home” position can be used by the control mechanism, as noted above, to check the accuracy of it'spositioning control of the article handling mechanism, and if necessary, its recalibration.
  • position sensing for the article handling mechanism and activation of the breaker could be carried out using equivalent electro-mechanical or all electronic devices, such as a magnetically operated position switch, or a solenoid, respectively.
  • an airflow sensor coupled to the hose so to sense changes in the partial pressure inside the hose, is a further embodiment in place of, or even in addition to, the described airflow sensor.
  • some of the advantages of an airflow sensor in the present embodiment are that it has more tolerance and is more accepting of power and vacuum fluctuations. Rather than determining vacuum at a preset level, which may require a more delicate measuring apparatus, the airflow sensor more easily determines changes in relatively small amounts of airflow in the hose.
  • FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a vending machine constructed and operating in accordance with the principles of the invention.
  • FIG.'s 2 and 3 are front perspective views of the vending machine of FIG. 1, with the front door opened, so as to illustrate the main mechanical and electrical components therein.
  • FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating the cooperation of the main mechanical and electrical components in the vending machine of FIG. 1.
  • FIGS 5, 6 and 7 illustrate details of a vacuum junction box and a door mounted operating linkage mechanism therefore, which is constructed and operates in accordance with principles of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an environment for the invention described herein, in the form of an article dispenser, such as a point-of-sale (POS) dispenser.
  • POS point-of-sale
  • Such equipment if embodied as a portable device may comprise and be about the size of a traditional vending machine or as large as a tractor-pulled trailer, and if embodied as a non-portable device may comprise and be embodied as an automated dispensing room or an area located in a permanent structure, such as in a building (aboveground or underground, and with or without interior walls or an enclosing cabinet).
  • a permanent structure such as in a building (aboveground or underground, and with or without interior walls or an enclosing cabinet).
  • Vending machine 10 includes a main cabinet 12 and a front door 14 mounted on a hinge 16 for providing access to the interior of the vending machine for servicing (refilling it with articles, maintenance, etc.).
  • a service door or port could be positioned anywhere on or as a part of cabinet 12.
  • front door 14 is shown in a closed position, forming an enclosure with main cabinet 12, within which various components of vending machine 10 are housed, as explained in more detail below.
  • Front door 14 includes a convex-shaped section 18 adjacent a flat section 20; however, these particular shapes are not necessary to the invention.
  • the convex-shaped section 18 comprises a translucent plastic display panel 18, which typically has brand name and/or logo graphics displayed thereon, and may even include graphics which illustrate the individual articles that are vendible by vending machine 10, as well as the price and/or selection information for the articles.
  • Panel 18 is typically back-light using fluorescent bulbs, not shown.
  • a customer retrieval area 22 is formed in the panel 18 on door 14 so that articles stored therein can be discharged to a user of vending machine 10.
  • a customer display 24 may be a conventional fluorescent or LED display panel for displaying various items of information to a user of machine 10, such as feedback to the user of the selection made, the amount tended, and if the product is sold out or being vended.
  • a bill acceptor slot 26 accepts paper money into a conventional bill acceptor mechanism (mounted inside machine 10 so as to have its user interface portion extend through an aligned opening in flat section 20) for purchasing articles or for making change.
  • a coin insertion slot 28 accepts coins into a conventional coin changer (also mounted inside machine 10 so as to have its user interface portion extend through an aligned opening in flat section 20) for purchasing articles or for making change.
  • a coin return actuator 30 comprises a conventional push-button mechanism for activating a coin return portion of the coin changer mechanism which, upon actuation returns coins inserted by the current user, to a coin return well 32.
  • the coin return portion of the coin changer mechanism also provides change to the coin return well 32 either in response to the purchasing of articles or for making change for paper money or larger coins.
  • a credit/debit card slot 34 accepts a plastic credit/debit card inserted into a conventional card reader mechanism (also mounted inside machine 10 so as to have its user interface portion extend through an aligned opening in flat section 20) for allowing a user to pay for purchases via credit/debit cards.
  • a door lock mechanism 36 enables front door 14 to be secured so that it cannot be opened without a key.
  • display panel 18 may include graphics, as noted above, which indicates the various articles vendible by the machine, as well as their associated price and unique selection number.
  • flat section 20 could include a group of graphic article displays and their associated price.
  • a conventional keypad push-button mechanism 38 is provided for enabling a user to select a desired article from vending machine 10.
  • push-button mechanism 40 could include individual push buttons for each article selection, as well as an associated price display; and even furthermore, a user operated touch screen could replace pushbutton mechanism 40 and display 24.
  • machine 10 also includes a conventional telecommunications component that can be used for authenticating credit card purchases, as well as other uses relating to machine control and reporting the inventory and operational status of machine 10 to a remote location, as more fully described later on.
  • vending machine 10 is illustrated to include the above described user interface components, in a more minimal embodiment of the invention, most, if not all, of these user interface components could be omitted, and the dispenser could in fact be controlled from a remote location, with or without a local payment system.
  • FIG. 2 is front perspective view of the vending machine of FIG. 1, with the front door open, so as to illustrate the main mechanical and electrical components therein.
  • FIG. 3 is a somewhat idealized version of the main components of the article handling mechanism portion of vending machine 10, and is useful for understanding its general operation. Note, some portions of vending machine 10 are shown in these FIGURES cut away in order to better illustrate the interior components.
  • the right portion of the front of cabinet 12 includes a vertically mounted support panel 202 which is used for mounting most of the user interface components. More specifically, a hinged mounting bracket 204 is mounted on panel 202 and aligned with an opening in door 14 so that the user interface components, such as the selection button keypad 40, coin insertion slot 30, bill acceptor slot 28, coin return 32, and customer display 24, are all accessible to the user from the front side of door 14.
  • the user interface components such as the selection button keypad 40, coin insertion slot 30, bill acceptor slot 28, coin return 32, and customer display 24, are all accessible to the user from the front side of door 14.
  • two fluorescent bulb light sources are mounted on the interior of front door 14 behind protective covers 206.
  • a ballast 208 for the fluorescent bulbs are also mounted on the interior of front door 14.
  • product delivery chute 210 is unconventional in that it is extremely tall, and therefore serves as a security measure to prevent unauthorized access into the machine by insertion of an arm or other grasping mechanism into the customer retrieval area 22 from outside the machine.
  • a swinging security door is usually found at the top of chute 210, which swings into in a vandal blocking position when the customer pushes in the swinging door at the entrance to the product retrieval area 8.
  • a security door could be used in conjunction with product delivery chute 210, especially if chute 210 is not as tall as the one illustrated in Figure 2 and also if the product retrieval area 8 is located higher up on machine 10.
  • a conventional bill acceptor mechanism for causing paper money inserted into bill acceptor slot 28 to be drawn into vending machine 10, a conventional coin changer for supplying coins to coin return slot 34, and a conventional bill validator for ascertaining proper insertion of paper money into bill acceptor slot 28 .
  • a control board 212 comprises a printed circuit board on which circuitry is formed and to which integrated circuit chips are attached.
  • Control board 212 includes a microprocessor that is electrically connected to various sensors, motors, the above described user interface elements, as well as other devices within vending machine 10, to control the operation of vending machine 10 as described herein.
  • a power supply 214 is mounted on panel 202 and supplies power for the electrical components of vending machine 10.
  • a plurality of vertically aligned article storage bins 216 are arranged on the interior floor 217 of cabinet 12, for storing articles 223 to be vended by machine 10.
  • the bins could be arranged to sit on a shelf positioned above the refrigeration system.
  • An opened-top container 219 can be dimensioned to hold a plurality of article storage bins 216 therein, and used, for example to facilitate the simultaneous handling (i.e., removal ,installation and transportation) of the plurality of bins 216 into/out of the article storage area 215.
  • Container 219 also facilitates rapid and accurate positioning of a plurality of the article storage bins into the storage area of the article handling apparatus.
  • a carriage 218 (which may be more generally referred to as an X-Y or planar positioning mechanism) is coupled to the interior topside of cabinet 12 and adapted for being controllably positioned by the control board portion 212 of machine 10, to a location centered over (so as to be aligned with) the open top-end of a selected one of article storage bins 216.
  • article storage bins 216 Although vertical alignment of the article storage bins 216 is shown, non-vertical, i.e., slanted or even horizontal alignment is also be possible. Furthermore, although article storage bins 216 are shown to be in an ambient environment, bins 216 could in fact the positioned in a freezer which is located in the bottom of storage area 217, such as shown and described in the forenoted U.S. patent 5,240,139 or the entire storage area may be located in a refrigerated environment.
  • an air hose 220 is continuous from a point before it's exit from a hose storage area 222 over orthogonally positioned rollers 213 (or other low-friction arrangement), to its free end 221.
  • Free end 221 includes a weighted portion 225 in combination with a bellows extension tip portion 227.
  • article pickup head 224 may comprise only the weighted portion 225, or this portion in combination with a fitting specifically adapted to the type of packages to be dispensed, such as the bellows tip 227 (serving as an active suction cup) or a compliant tip without a weight.
  • Hose 220 has one end coupled to a source of negative air pressure, i.e., suction, which source of suction comprises in the preferred embodiment a blower motor 226, and a free end coupled to the article pickup head 224.
  • a source of negative air pressure i.e., suction
  • suction which source of suction comprises in the preferred embodiment a blower motor 226, and a free end coupled to the article pickup head 224.
  • the word continuous is intended to mean a hose which is connected and acts between it's end points, in order to accomplish the functions required by it, as a unitary/single hose, i.e., one than one hose can be coupled together to act as a single hose.
  • An air hose portion 235 provides suction from blower motor 226 to one port of an air junction box 229, while continuous hose 220 is connected to a second port of air junction box 229.
  • Air junction box 229 in the illustrated embodiment included at a top portion of hose storage area 222, includes an airflow sensor and vacuum breaker assembly which is constructed and operates in accordance with the principles of the invention, described in greater detail later.
  • the airflow sensor is used to develop a signal which is applied to the controller of the vending machine and is representative of the airflow through air hose 220.
  • the vacuum breaker assembly is used to quickly bring the air pressure in hose 220 to the ambient pressure, thereby facilitating a "quick-release" of an article transported by the article pickup head, into the dispensing chute 210.
  • the airflow sensor arrangement may comprises a two-part switch, a first part includes a reed switch mounted on a top portion of box 229, and a second part includes a magnet mounted at the free end of a swinging arm mounted inside box 229.
  • the switch As the arm swings inside box 229 due to changes in airflow, the switch is "toggled", thereby indicating changes in airflow.
  • the use of this airflow signal will also be described in greater detail later.
  • the functions of the airflow valve and quick release could be built into the blower motor enclosure. With this arrangement, hose 220 would be continuous from the picker head all of the way to the blower motor.
  • alignment of carriage 218 with a selected one of bins 216 is accomplished in the front/back (Y) direction using a front/back linear slide 228 (shown in a cut away view) mounted to an "L" shaped front/back beam 230 so that carriage 218 can be controllably positioned therealong using slide 228.
  • a bottom edge portion of beam 230 includes a rack portion 232 and carriage 218 includes a reversible electric motor 233 that drives a gear (not shown) which engages rack portion 232.
  • Application of forward and reverse motor control signals from control board 212 to motor 233 causes carriage 218 to be driven in the front/back directions.
  • Alignment of carriage 218 in the left/right (X) direction is accomplished in a similar manner, using a left/right linear slide 234 which slidably couples the top side of front/back beam 230 to the underside of each of spaced apart left/right beams 236a and 236b.
  • Beams 236a and 236b are rigidly attached to the inside top portion of cabinet 12.
  • Carriage 218 includes a roller arrangement (not specifically shown, but which may comprise three orthogonally positioned rollers at the point where hose 220 enters carriage 218) for redirecting the movement of hose 220 from a substantially horizontal direction along the top interior portion of machine 10 (i.e., in the X,Y direction), to a direction perpendicular thereto (i.e., in the Z direction).
  • a roller arrangement (not specifically shown, but which may comprise three orthogonally positioned rollers at the point where hose 220 enters carriage 218) for redirecting the movement of hose 220 from a substantially horizontal direction along the top interior portion of machine 10 (i.e., in the X,Y direction), to a direction perpendicular thereto (i.e., in the Z direction).
  • movement of carriage 218 will move the free end 221 of hose 220 so that it can be axially aligned with a selected one of bins 216.
  • a hose drive mechanism (not specifically shown, but which may comprise a set of conventionally operated "pinch rollers"), is driven by a reversible motor 508 for driving pickup head 224 into/out of the selected bin 216 in order to retrieve articles stored therein.
  • the hose drive mechanism is mounted in carriage 218, but in a further embodiment motor 241 and the pinch rollers, or some other drive mechanism, such as an articulated arm, could be mounted so as to act somewhere else along the length of hose 220.
  • hose 220 is formed of a continuous material from its connection to the source of suction at one end to the pickup head 224 at its other end, means are necessary for providing hose storage and/or retraction during travel of the pickup head 224 in the X, Y and Z directions, as appropriate during the article dispensing operations.
  • Hose storage area 222 has a cross-sectional area which is slightly greater than the cross- sectional area of the hose loop formed therein. Walls 246 and 248 are shown partially cutaway so as to illustrate a gravity feed self-retracting loop tensioner/ retraction mechanism 250 formed in hose 220.
  • Loop tensioner 250 is constrained for movement within hose storage area 222, and made somewhat self-retracting by comprising a rolling weight 252 having a groove 253 along its periphery in order to provide constant centering of the weight within hose storage area 222 and for providing a constant "loop forming" tension on hose 220. Furthermore, centering of the grooved rolling weight 252 within hose storage area 222 results in centering of hose 220, thereby preventing hose 220 from rubbing with the walls of hose storage area 222 during X, Y and Z repositioning of pickup head 224.
  • rolling weight 252 is dimensioned so as to be slightly larger than the diameter of hose 220 and the width dimension of hose storage area 222 is dimensioned to be only slightly larger than the width dimension of rolling weight 252.
  • the specific amount of weight used for rolling weight 252 is a matter of design choice, and depends upon various factors, such as the weight of the articles to be moved, the strength of the motors used to drive the hose in the Z direction, etc.
  • this gravity-based retraction/ hose storage technique meets the storage requirements needed for both the X and Y movements of carriage 218 (left/right and front/back), as well as for the Z movement of pickup head 224.
  • this gravity-based retraction/ hose storage technique would work equivalently well in an embodiment wherein the hose positioning mechanism used an R, ⁇ , sissors, articulated arm, or other technique.
  • the illustrated gravity-based retraction/ hose storage technique is not necessary for the present invention, and in fact a fully or partially motorized retraction technique could also be used.
  • an article identification (ID) device 254 mounted within cabinet 12.
  • ID article identification
  • a specific type of article ID device is not required for the present invention, and depending upon system constraints, such a device may comprise, for example, a bar code scanner or other optical image/pattern recognition system, or even a non-optical system, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID), or magnetic-based system mounted within cabinet 12. for uniquely identifying and confirming that the article being dispensed is in fact the article that was selected.
  • RFID radio frequency identification
  • Article ID device 254 is mounted within cabinet 12 at a relatively fixed location, the mounting being such that some controlled movement in the orientation of article ID device 254 may be facilitated, in order to help ensure a good "view" of the article being transported, and a high confidence of the transported articles being identified.
  • One way to provide such controlled movement for ID device 254 would be to mount it on a piezoelectric substrate, and control board 212 could provide a voltage to the substrate so as to shift the "view" of ID device 254. It is noted that by using an appropriately positioned article ID device 254, only a single article ID device 254 is needed. This is particularly useful for a robotic type dispenser, since the robotic apparatus can controllably position, and re-position if necessary, the article in the vicinity of the article ID device 254, thereby helping ensure a reliable ID of the article.
  • hose 220 and carriage 218 are shown in the illustrated embodiment, the invention described herein could also be used in a dispensing apparatus/article handler of the type having multiple storage areas and/or robotic article handling mechanisms, such as two robotic mechanisms (vertically or horizontally positioned) each one serving, for example, a different storage area (such as one being refrigerated and one being non-refrigerated, or one being oriented for vertical storage of products and the other one for horizontal).
  • a separate hose, hose positioning mechanism and hose storage area may be required, although they may possibly share a single source of suction (e.g., blower motor 226), airflow sensor and vacuum breaker.
  • a single hose, hose positioning mechanism and hose storage area could be used in a further embodiment where the single hose services more than one article storage area.
  • Each robotic article handling mechanism could have its own article ID device, or they could share a single article ID device.
  • blower motor 226 provides a relatively high volume of airflow but a relatively modest negative air pressure.
  • blower motor 226 could comprise a vacuum pump, so as to provide a much more substantial degree of negative air pressure, but, due to size and cost limitations, a correspondingly reduced amount of airflow.
  • the diameter of the air hose 220 would be reduced from the diameter illustrated in FIG's 2 and 3, which may be particularly important in some applications of the present invention .
  • blower motor 226 comprises a vacuum pump
  • blower motor 226 could be used alone or in combination with a storage tank coupled to the suction hose via a valve and air hose, in order to provide a greater volume of airflow.
  • a compressor could be used in combination with a venturi device to create a vacuum.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of the general operation of the various aspects of the invention described herein, as embodied in an article dispenser of the type comprising, for example, vending machine 10.
  • a control system 400 including a microprocessor 402 and associated memory circuits 404, is constructed on control board 212. Control system 400 may also include the electronic parts of other portions of vending machine 10, as appropriate.
  • Memory circuits 404 include ROM for storage of operating programs (embedded software, as well known, for accomplishing the described herein control of vending machine 10), as well as RAM cache for temporary storage of operational data during system operation as well as other data as may be needed.
  • Control system 400 is responsive to user operation of the user payment and selection system 406 (including the coin and bill mechanism 28 and 30 and the selection buttons 40 of FIG.
  • control system 400 For operating the user interface and article handling apparatus of vending machine 10 so as to dispense the article desired by a user. More specifically, upon proper payment for a selection made by the user using payment and selection system 406, control system 400 operates the X/Y (left right and front/back) drive motors 408 so as to position pickup head 224 to be in alignment with a bin 216 which holds the article selected by the user. Control system 400 then engages a hose drive motor 410 (Z-motor) mounted within and carried by carriage 218, so that hose 220 is driven in a direction towards the top article in the aligned bin.
  • a hose drive motor 410 Z-motor
  • control system 400 activates blower motor 226 so as to provide lifting suction at pickup head 224.
  • control system 400 causes hose drive motor 410 to reverse its direction so as to retract hose 220 from the aligned bin 216 and thereby lift out from the bin 216 the selected article.
  • Carriage 218 is then driven to a position in alignment with the article delivery chute 210.
  • the desired article 223 is moved along its way from a storage bin 216 to chute 210, it is positioned past the article ID device 254 for uniquely identifying and confirming that the article being dispensed is in fact the article that was selected.
  • control system 400 turns off vacuum blower 226 and the resulting loss of vacuum causes the selected article to drop into the customer retrieval area 22.
  • position sensor 412 may include the airflow sensor of the present invention, to be described next, which is positioned in air junction box 229, or in a further embodiment, a mechanically operated plunger-type position sensor associated with pickup head 224. Even furthermore, position sensors 412 may also include a reed switch mounted on a front wall of the cabinet, and a magnet mounted at a leading edge of carriage 218.
  • blower motor 226 is particularly advantageous in the event that the inside of the cabinet is refrigerated, since accurate control would decrease the amount of refrigerated air being displaced by blower motor 226.
  • the microprocessor 402 will energize blower motor 226 as the pickup head 224 approaches the desired article, and in fact only when it is in the immediate proximity of the desired article (and not earlier), due to control system 400 maintaining updated information about the height of the stack of articles in each bin 216. The height is assumed to be at a predefined level upon refilling of the vending machine 10 with articles by the operator of the vending machine.
  • Control system 400 may confirm the assumed height by moving at a reduced speed towards a given article on the first retrieval attempt after the storage area has been refilled and then compare the assumed height to the actual height. Subsequently, control system 400 may cause approach of articles in that storage area to be at a higher speed, and only slow down when in the immediate proximity of the "top" article in that bin. This technique helps ensure that the stored articles will not be damaged.
  • the height of each article may not be needed.
  • a simpler way of controlling operation of blower motor 226 without knowing the specific height of the stack of articles, would be to turn on the blower motor 226 just prior to the learned stack height of the prior vend.
  • the specific height of the articles stored in that stack can be pre-programmed into the memory of control system 400, or can be learned by the control system by comparison of prior vend heights in each bin, and used to calculate the stack height for the next article to be vended.
  • control system 400 When a "reset" switch (not shown) is activated by the machine operator, control system 400 automatically defaults to using the above height detection technique since it can be assumed that the operator may have changed the product load levels and consequently the product heights in each bin.
  • energization of the blower motor or other suction creating device is meant to be equivalent to the appearance of a prompt package securing force, i.e., suction, at the pickup head 224.
  • a communication system 414 is connected to control system 400 so as to provide article inventory and vending machine operation information to a remote location, as well as to allow for control of the operation of the vending machine from a remote location.
  • communication system 414 may include a connection to means for making a wire-line and/or wireless transceiver interface through which a communication link with a remote computer can be established. Additionally, the communication system 414 may communicate with a plurality of other similarly connected vending machines in the same general area and communicate therewith using the wire-line interface or wireless communication.
  • communication system 414 can provide for communication with multiple vending machines and/or a local server/controller, in a local site along a LAN (local area network), LAWN (a local area wireless network) or a WAN (wide area network).
  • the remote computer may comprise a database which receives and/or accumulates the operational data from one or more vending machines, which data is then accessible (via, e.g., the Internet, using a wired or wireless connection) using appropriate encryption, to others, such as route drivers, machine operators, machine owners, product suppliers, etc.
  • the remote site may give feedback to the vending machines, such as authorization information, which can control its operation, such as allow its continued operation.
  • blower motor 226 provides a relatively high volume of airflow but a relatively modest negative air pressure.
  • blower motor 226 could provide a much more substantial degree of negative air pressure, but, due to size and cost limitations, a correspondingly reduced amount of airflow.
  • the diameter of the air hose 220 would be reduced from the diameter illustrated in FIG's 2 and 3, which may be particularly important in some applications of the present invention .
  • the illustrated embodiment is particularly useful for picking up flexible packages since a momentary or even sustained leak in the coupling to the packaging to the article will generally not result in dropping of the package, while at the same time offering extreme versatility due to the ability to pick up a wide variety of shaped objects of varying weight and size.
  • blower motor 226 could be provided by a vacuum pump, alone or in combination with a storage tank coupled to the suction hose via a valve and air hose.
  • a compressor could be used in combination with a venturi device to create a vacuum.
  • a vacuum pump that is similar to that of a conventional blower motor 226 would require a storage tank and or vacuum pump of substantially larger size.
  • FIG.'s 5 and 6 illustrate details of the air junction box 229 which is constructed and operates in accordance with the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of linkage useful for its operation.
  • box 229 includes a housing 504 having an air inlet port 506 coupled to hose 220 and an air outlet port 508 coupled via a hose 235 to the blower motor 226.
  • blower motor 226 creates a negative air pressure (i.e., suction) which passes through housing 504 via ports 506 and 508 for creating suction at pickup head 224, for allowing picker head 224 to become releaseably engaged to a package requiring handling.
  • suction negative air pressure
  • Vacuum breaker mechanism 500 includes a pivoting flap mechanism 510 on a topside of housing 504 .
  • Flap 510 includes a foam seal 512 attached to an underside of flap 510 and aligned so as to cover a hole 514 in housing 504 (shown more clearly in FIG. 6).
  • Flap 510 includes upward facing side portions through which a pivot pin 515 is provided and around which flap 510 pivots upward when one end of a linkage arm 516 depresses a tab portion 518 of flap 510.
  • linkage arm 516 rotates about a pivot pin 520 upon contact by a linkage mechanism 624 located in the front door (14 of FIG. 1).
  • Linkage mechanism 724 is shown in FIG. 7.
  • housing 504 includes therein an airflow sensor arrangement 600 for generating a signal which changes in response to the degree of airflow within air hose 220.
  • airflow sensor arrangement 600 comprises a two-part switch, a first part of the switch includes a reed switch 602 mounted on a top portion of housing 504, and a second part of the switch includes a magnet 604 mounted at the free end of a swinging arm 606, which "toggles" the operation of switch 602 upon close proximity thereto. Arm 606 swings about a pivot 608 in response to airflow (see arrows 610) from port 506 towards port 508 through housing 504.
  • arm 606 is maintained in a substantially horizontal position, thereby putting magnet 604 in close proximity to switch 602 and causing reed switch 602 to be in a closed position.
  • air deflector panels 612 and 614 are provided in housing 504 in order to ensure that swinging arm 606 is raised to a height sufficient for proper operation of reed switch 602 during varying levels of airflow which may be experienced before article pickup head 224 makes a sufficiently good contact with a package to be dispensed.
  • This signal indicates that pickup head 224 has made a secure contact to the package, and that it is time to reverse the direction of hose (Z) drive motor 410, as well as activation of the X and Y drive motors 408 , for causing removal of the package from the storage area and release of the package in the dispensing area.
  • the signal generated by reed switch 602 can also be used by control system 400 as a check for carriage 218 reaching a precisely known position (e.g., a "virtual home"), in that once carriage 218 reaches the proper positioning for dispensing the package, its leading edge activates linkage 724 of FIG. 7, which is coupled to and operates the quick release air valve .
  • the quick release of vacuum in housing 504 causes reed switch 602 to again provide a signal (since the package is no longer blocking airflow into hose 220), which signal can be used to indicate to control system 400 that the package has been dispensed. Accordingly, the signal can be used to turn off blower motor 226 and initiate return of carriage 218 to its "home" position.
  • reed switch 602 can be of the normally open or normally closed type and that in other embodiments, deflector panels 612 and 614 may or may not be required.
  • a magnetic reed switch is used as the switching element for airflow sensor 600, other types of sensors could be utilized to indicate movement of swinging arm 606, such as a capacitive or inductive sensor/switch arrangement.
  • other types of mechanical arrangements can be devised for causing a portion of the airflow sensor to move within housing 504, such as an arm 606 that is made of a material flexible enough to move in response to changes in airflow, just as if it were connected to housing 504 via a pivot.
  • the control system since the control system keeps track of the movement of hose 220 and carriage 218 (for example, by sensing pulses from a shaft encoder or other distance measuring device on each of their respective drive motors), the signal generated by reed switch 602 at the time carriage 218 reaches the virtual home can also be used as a check to ensure that control system 400 accurately counted the motor drive pulses, and can re-calibrate the positioning system based on the virtual home, if necessary.
  • the electrical signal from reed switch 502 that occurs indicating that arm 506 had lost contact with magnet 504 could also be provided to the control system 400 as an electrical signal for indicating that carriage 218 has reached a predetermined position within machine 10, i.e., its forward-most position, and his thereby usable to enhance the accuracy of control of the position of carriage 218 via control system 400.
  • Linkage 724 includes a first U-shaped bracket 723 mounted to door 14, a second U-shaped bracket 725 mounted to bracket 723, and a pivoting arm member 726 which rotates about a pivot 728 held by the opposed sides of bracket 725.
  • Arm 726 includes a flexible member 730 at one end, which is contacted by a leading edge portion of carriage 218 (shown in FIG. 1) when carriage 218 has positioned an article to be dispensed over the article retrieval area or chute 210.
  • the opposite end 732 of arm 726 includes a pad 733 adapted to contact portion 534 of link 516 shown in FIG. 5, which protrudes through a hole (not specifically shown) at the top of support panel 202 (shown in FIG. 2).
  • pivot 728 includes thereon a torsion spring, not shown, which biases arm 726 so that end 732 is normally spaced away portion 534 of link 516.
  • flexible member 730 is used to provide for some extended travel or tolerance in the forward positioning of the leading edge of carriage 218 when it is ready to release the selected article into chute 210.
  • link 516 and seal flap 512/510 can in a further embodiment, be combined into a single mechanism wherein rotation of link 516 about pivot pin 520 would cause a sealing portion on link 516 to release its seal over a hole in housing 504.
  • link 516 can be positioned so as to have its leading edge slide along a side of housing 504 instead of being positioned to rotate towards its top.
  • the side of link 516 can engage and seal over a hole in the side of housing 504, so that its rotation upon urging by door linkage 724 can directly cause the hole in the side of housing 504 to become unsealed.
  • FIG. 724 For alternative embodiments should also be considered, such as different kinds of linkage mechanisms 724.
  • One such embodiment could comprise a horizontal rod having orthogonal endportions so as to form a "crank". Contact by the carriage at one end of the rod causes the rod to rotate, instead of pivot in the case of linkage 724. The other end portion of the rod pivots in a corresponding manner, thereby depressing tab portion 518 of flap 510, and causing the quick release of the article.
  • a further embodiment could have a direct, solenoid activated flap 510 which would be activated when the appropriate forward position of carriage 218 has been reached, as determined by a sensor. Specific advantages may be realized to a lesser or extent in these alternatives.
  • door linkage 724 can be mounted along a top front portion of the vending machine cabinet 12, instead of door 14. This may not be a preferred location, however, because it may interfere with the operator reloading of product inside of the vending machine cabinet.
  • the quick release valve could the activated in response to an additional movement by carriage 218.
  • linkage 724 being activated by forward motion of carriage 218, a modification of linkage 724 could be provided which would require for activation a horizontal (left/right) movement of the carriage. Such horizontal movement by the carriage could take place immediately after the pickup head has reached the bottom of chute 210.
  • the present invention as described above provide electrical signals to the control mechanism representative of changes in suction at the free end of said hose, so as to provide all of the advantageous sought therefore, such as:

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de distribution d'articles, par exemple, un distributeur automatique, comprenant un tuyau d'aspiration permettant de retirer des articles d'une zone de stockage. Dans un mode de réalisation, un détecteur pourvu d'une sortie répondant aux changements de pression partielle à l'intérieur du tuyau d'air, tel qu'un détecteur de débit d'air couplé à un tuyau d'aspiration, peut servir au départ à détecter le réglage du contact du tuyau d'aspiration avec un article devant être distribué. Tant que l'aspiration est fournie à l'extrémité de préhension du tuyau d'aspiration avant que le tuyau ne vienne en contact avec l'article à retirer, le débit d'air (et la pression partielle) à l'intérieur du tuyau change radicalement au moment où l'extrémité de préhension du tuyau d'aspiration entre en contact avec l'article. De plus, au moment où l'extrémité susmentionnée n'est plus en contact avec l'article, le détecteur de débit d'air transmet une nouvelle fois un signal d'indication, qui est déclenché par le changement brutal du débit d'air (et de la pression partielle) à l'intérieur du tuyau. Les signaux produits par le détecteur de débit d'air peuvent être utilisés pour remplacer le détecteur de proximité à actionnement mécanique utilisé dans les appareils antérieurs, afin d'empêcher que l'extrémité de préhension susmentionnée ne s'approche des articles, et ils peuvent servir d'indication pour déclencher le retrait d'un article de la zone de stockage.
PCT/US2001/016916 2000-05-23 2001-05-23 Procede et dispositif de detection de contact d'article dans un appareil de manutention d'articles WO2001096142A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (11)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CNB018100821A CN1328701C (zh) 2000-05-23 2001-05-23 商品配送设备
US10/296,528 US6786355B2 (en) 2001-05-23 2001-05-23 Method and apparatus for article contact detection
AU9450801A AU9450801A (en) 2000-05-23 2001-05-23 Method and apparatus for article contact detection in an article handling device
EP01975155A EP1289865A4 (fr) 2000-05-23 2001-05-23 Procede et dispositif de detection de contact d'article dans un appareil de manutention d'articles
AU2001294508A AU2001294508B2 (en) 2000-05-23 2001-05-23 An article dispensing apparatus
CA002409563A CA2409563C (fr) 2000-05-23 2001-05-23 Procede et dispositif de detection de contact d'article dans un appareil de manutention d'articles
MXPA02011580A MXPA02011580A (es) 2000-05-23 2001-05-23 Metodo y aparato para la deteccion del contacto de articulos en un dispositivo de manejo de articulos.
US10/228,914 US6968974B2 (en) 2001-05-23 2002-08-27 Linkage apparatus useful in an article handling device
US10/875,485 US6942122B2 (en) 2001-05-23 2004-06-24 Quick release for article handling mechanism
US11/224,504 US7240805B2 (en) 2001-05-23 2005-09-12 Quick release for article handling mechanism
US11/775,866 US20070284384A1 (en) 2001-05-23 2007-07-10 Article Contact Detection

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US20636300P 2000-05-23 2000-05-23
US60/206,363 2000-05-23
US25731600P 2000-12-21 2000-12-21
US60/257,316 2000-12-21
US26196401P 2001-01-16 2001-01-16
US60/261,964 2001-01-16

Related Child Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10296528 A-371-Of-International 2001-05-23
US10/228,914 Continuation-In-Part US6968974B2 (en) 2001-05-23 2002-08-27 Linkage apparatus useful in an article handling device
US10/875,485 Continuation US6942122B2 (en) 2001-05-23 2004-06-24 Quick release for article handling mechanism

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001096142A2 true WO2001096142A2 (fr) 2001-12-20
WO2001096142A3 WO2001096142A3 (fr) 2002-05-02
WO2001096142A8 WO2001096142A8 (fr) 2003-03-27

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PCT/US2001/016916 WO2001096142A2 (fr) 2000-05-23 2001-05-23 Procede et dispositif de detection de contact d'article dans un appareil de manutention d'articles

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EP (1) EP1289865A4 (fr)
CN (1) CN1328701C (fr)
AU (1) AU2001294508B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2409563C (fr)
WO (1) WO2001096142A2 (fr)

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WO2004034342A1 (fr) * 2002-10-11 2004-04-22 Vend-Tech Solutions Holdings Pty Ltd Distributeur de sacs
WO2004114233A1 (fr) * 2003-06-15 2004-12-29 Apollo Vending Services Ltd Appareil de stockage et de recuperation d'articles et distributeur automatique
EP1492062A1 (fr) 2003-06-27 2004-12-29 Spid S.r.l. Système intégré programmable pour l'identification et la gestion automatisée des confections pharmaceutiques
US7044332B2 (en) * 2002-03-27 2006-05-16 Giegerich David K Product contact sensor for an article handler
CN102222392A (zh) * 2011-06-22 2011-10-19 杭州以勒自动售货机制造有限公司 一种自动售货机售货系统及其售货方法

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CN103153551A (zh) * 2009-11-25 2013-06-12 J·T·皮亚特尼克 用于控制产品递送系统的控制系统和方法
CN108706259B (zh) * 2018-03-26 2020-10-02 孟祥英 一种用于医学检验科的样品存储及管理系统及方法

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Cited By (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7044332B2 (en) * 2002-03-27 2006-05-16 Giegerich David K Product contact sensor for an article handler
WO2004034342A1 (fr) * 2002-10-11 2004-04-22 Vend-Tech Solutions Holdings Pty Ltd Distributeur de sacs
WO2004114233A1 (fr) * 2003-06-15 2004-12-29 Apollo Vending Services Ltd Appareil de stockage et de recuperation d'articles et distributeur automatique
EP1492062A1 (fr) 2003-06-27 2004-12-29 Spid S.r.l. Système intégré programmable pour l'identification et la gestion automatisée des confections pharmaceutiques
CN102222392A (zh) * 2011-06-22 2011-10-19 杭州以勒自动售货机制造有限公司 一种自动售货机售货系统及其售货方法

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CN1444537A (zh) 2003-09-24
CA2409563A1 (fr) 2001-12-20
WO2001096142A8 (fr) 2003-03-27
EP1289865A4 (fr) 2007-01-24
CN1328701C (zh) 2007-07-25
EP1289865A2 (fr) 2003-03-12
WO2001096142A3 (fr) 2002-05-02
AU2001294508B2 (en) 2006-08-10
CA2409563C (fr) 2009-09-29

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