WO2019071281A1

WO2019071281A1 - Modular system for automatic product-vending machines and a module for a modular system of this kind

Info

Publication number: WO2019071281A1
Application number: PCT/AT2018/000085
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander DABSCH; Roman Harrer
Original assignee: Der Automat Harrer Kg
Priority date: 2017-10-11
Filing date: 2018-10-11
Publication date: 2019-04-18
Also published as: AT520494A1

Abstract

In a modular system for automatic product-vending machines comprising a main module and at least one auxiliary module, wherein the main module and the auxiliary module each have at least one receiving region, in particular a large number of receiving regions, such as storage compartments for example, for receiving products to be dispensed and have at least one release apparatus for releasing a product from a receiving region, the main module comprises a control device for controlling the automatic product-vending machine, which control device interacts with the at least one release apparatus of the main module and of the at least one auxiliary module in order to release a product after an authorization check has been carried out, the main module and the at least one auxiliary module each have a housing which comprises a frame, in particular metal frame, comprising a plurality of profiles, in particular metal profiles, which are connected to one another, and panels which respectively cover the openings between the profiles, and comprises connecting elements, which can connect the main module and the at least one auxiliary module to one another, for mechanically and/or electrically connecting the main module to the at least one auxiliary module.

Description

Modular system for vending machines as well as a module for such a modular system

The invention relates to a modular system for

Goods dispensing machines and a module for such a modular system.

Issuing automatic dispensers, in particular vending machines, are known in numerous embodiments. through

Vending machines can be offered different goods regardless of store opening hours.

Vending machines usually include a plurality of storage compartments, which are set up for receiving goods to be issued. The assignment of goods to the storage compartments can be done in different ways. In vending machines whose goods are addressed to indeterminate customers, the assignment of the goods to the storage compartments takes place in a goods-specific manner, i. in each storage compartment will be one or more copies

Specimens of a particular goods kept in stock and the desired goods in the presence of a customer request

output. For dispensers, whose goods for

defined customers are picked, the

Assignment of the goods to the storage compartments in

custom manner, i. In each storage compartment certain goods are kept in stock for the respective customer and the desired product is issued to the customer after an authorization check has been made.

The housing of conventional automatic dispensers usually consists of stamped, folded and possibly

powder-coated sheets, which are firmly connected to a housing, in particular welded, riveted and / or be screwed. Conventional dispensing machines are usually manufactured in unit sizes, so that a flexible adaptation to customer requirements is not readily possible. If the customer changes the

given dimensions are desired, this is not possible in existing machines, but leads to a new production of a correspondingly differently sized machine. Nor is there any enlargement of the size, in particular of the goods receiving capacity, existing

Automatic dispensers readily possible.

Another disadvantage of conventional dispensing machines is that the housing is very heavy due to the construction of sheet metal and the material used, which brings problems in transport and in the delivery and installation at the site with it. There is also

Risk of corrosion and due to the electrical

Conductivity of the housing the risk of electric shock.

The invention therefore aims to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages. In particular, a should in the

Dimensions and in the goods receiving capacity flexibly adaptable and an expandable design can be created.

To solve this problem, the invention provides a modular system for goods dispensing machines, comprising a

Main module and at least one additional module, wherein the

Main module and the additional module each have at least one receiving area, in particular a plurality of

Recording areas, such as Storage compartments, for the

Inclusion of goods to be issued and at least one

Release device for releasing a product from a Have receiving area, the main module a

Control device for controlling the

Goods dispenser comprises, which with the at least one release device of the main module and the

at least one add-on module cooperates to retrieve a commodity after performing an authorization check

be released, wherein the main module and the at least one additional module each having a housing which a frame, in particular metal frame, of a plurality of interconnected profiles, in particular

Metal profiles, and comprises the openings between the profiles respectively covering panels, and wherein the

Main module and the at least one additional module in

Connection can be brought together connecting elements for mechanical and / or electrical connection of the

Main module with the at least one additional module include.

One aspect of the invention thus relates to the creation of a modular system for automatic vending machines, wherein the system comprises a main module and at least one additional module, preferably several additional modules, wherein the

Add-on module serves to expand the main module. For this purpose, the main module and the at least one additional module can be brought into connection with each other

Connecting elements for mechanical and electrical

Connecting the main module to the at least one

Additional module. The connection of the additional module to the

Main module is done in such a way that for the

Release of goods from the or the receiving area (s) provided release device of the additional module of the only in the main module, that is not in the additional module, provided central control device is controlled. That's enough for a single one Control device in the main module to the

To control release devices of all the additional modules, so that the hardware costs can be minimized in the course of expansion of the dispenser by adding an additional module.

If the modular system includes different configurations of add-on modules that are different from each other

Sizes or goods receiving capacities or a

different numbers or different configurations of receiving areas, such as e.g.

Have storage compartments, a main module comprehensive issue machine can the respective

Requirements are extended and adapted accordingly without this being constructive changes to the

existing modules required.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the structural design of the main module and the at least one

Add-on module. It is provided that the modules each have a housing which a frame, in particular metal frame, of a plurality of

interconnected profiles, in particular

Metal profiles, and the openings between the profiles each covering panels. The metal profiles are preferably designed as aluminum extrusion profiles, so that a stable lightweight construction is made possible. The extrusion profiles can be designed in any color and shape, allowing easy adaptation to the desired design. Furthermore,

allows the profile construction any shape of the machine, creating a wide range of

Design options for customization is opened. The Enclosing the machine is done by panels, which are enclosed in the profiles. The panels offer the possibility of adapting the design of the machine to the most diverse requirements due to the wide selection of available materials (eg plastic, plastic composite, wooden materials, aluminum sandwich). In addition, can be varied by the choice of materials of the panels in a simple way between indoor and outdoor versions of the machine.

By the construction of the frame of profiles succeeds in a simple way an adaptation of the housing or

Machine size. To adjust the height, width and / or depth of the machine, the profiles can be placed on the

appropriate length be brought. Thus, a simple modular system is made available with which the automatic dispenser can be infinitely variable in size within the scope of manufacture or construction.

The connection of the profiles can be done in a preferred manner by means of male or snap-in connections, so that the structure of the frame without tools or with a simple

Hand tool can be done.

Preferably, the profiles of which the frame is constructed each have at least one in

In the longitudinal direction, substantially over the entire length of the profile extending connecting element, which can cooperate with a counter-element of a component to be fastened to the profile and which a preferably stepless adjustment of the counter-element on the profile in

Longitudinal direction allowed. The longitudinally extending connecting element may be formed, for example, by a groove, in which the counter element can intervene. In engaging in the groove state, the counter element can be adjusted in the groove in the longitudinal direction and clamped at the desired longitudinal position by suitable means, for example by a clamping bolt to fix the counter element. Preferably, the profiles have a rectangular cross section and are on at least two sides of the rectangular cross section, each with a

Fitted connecting element of the type described.

The components which can be fastened to the profiles in the described manner preferably include shelves, doors, side panels and the like.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that at least one

Panel, preferably a shelf, slidably disposed within the frame. The panel may optionally be fixed relative to the profiles or moved relative to the profiles (preferably continuously) in order to increase or decrease a receiving area. This allows easy adjustment of the size of the

Pickup elements to the required situation. Preferably, the panels are slidable in grooves of the profiles

arranged. For fixation on the profiles can, for example.

Be provided clamping connections. Particularly preferably, it is provided that a shelf can be moved along with the associated door of a receiving element along the profiles.

The main module and the at least one additional module may have connection elements which can be brought into connection with one another in order to mechanically interconnect the modules

connect. The said connecting elements can for Forming a plug-in or latching connection may be formed. Alternatively, a screw connection

be provided.

The main module and the at least one additional module can also be brought into connection with one another

Connecting elements for electrically connecting the

Main module with the at least one additional module include. The electrical connection is for example the

Transmission of control signals from the central

Control device of the main module for

Release device of the at least one additional module or other electronic or electrical components of the at least one additional module. The electrical connection can be designed here as a data transmission path and does not necessarily have a wired

Represent data transmission. The electrical connection can also be used as a wireless data communication link between the main module and the at least one

Additional module may be formed, wherein the required for the production of the wireless data communication connection connecting elements as receiving / transmitting modules for the

Making a connection can be formed by electromagnetic waves.

In the case of a wired connection, it is provided according to a preferred development of the invention that the main module and the at least one additional module

Data transmission lines include, so that the

Control device via the data transmission lines, in particular a bus system, with the at least one

Release device of the additional module is connectable, wherein preferably the connecting elements for electrical Connecting the main module to the at least one

Additional module for forming a plug connection,

in particular a plug connection of the bus system,

are executed.

Preferably, the main module and / or the additional module each have a plurality of receiving areas, such.

Storage compartments, for receiving goods to be issued, each having a release device for releasing a product from a receiving area, wherein the

Release devices each to the bus system

connected and via the bus system with the

Control device can be connected. For this purpose, the release devices preferably each comprise a board which has a bus driver and which receives the signals coming via the bus system, in particular signals for the control of a lock, such as e.g. a door lock, the release device, can handle.

The bus system is preferably modular in design to allow easy expansion of the modular system. In this case, the individual boards of the bus system can be serial, parallel and / or star-shaped with each other

be connected. The boards are further preferably designed such that an incoming signal is forwarded even if the board itself has failed. This allows a robust system to be created, even in the event of a board failure

is working .

Preferably, the individual boards are connected to each other via connecting lines by means of

Connections are connected to the boards can. This allows individual boards in case of expansion of the bus system or a module of the

Automatic vending machines or in the case of a shift of receiving areas within a module easily supplemented, bridged or removed.

Preferably, the receiving areas are formed as storage compartments and the release devices each comprise a the receiving area closing door, which is provided with a controllable via the bus system door lock, each of which a bus driver

exhibiting boards are each attached to the door. The respective connecting line of the bus system is then preferably guided via a receiving channel of a frame profile of the module and the frame profile attached to the door hinge to the board.

Preferably, the control device is designed such that two adjacent release devices of the

Control device together or simultaneously to

Enabling the access to the receiving areas are controlled to jointly form a single release device. Particularly preferred are the two

Release devices associated receiving areas

accordingly merged, so that a common

Recording area is formed. For example, the

Be limited by receiving panels connected to the profiles, for example. A shelf or side walls, wherein the shelf between two superimposed Aufnahmeberiechen or a side wall between

arranged side by side receiving areas is removably arranged. This allows adjacent recording areas be merged in a simple manner or separated from each other.

Alternatively or additionally, the electrical connection for electrically connecting the main module with the

at least one additional module also form a power supply for the at least one additional module. A preferred embodiment in this case provides that the main module and the at least one additional module comprise power supply lines, so that the control device via

Power supply lines with the at least one

Release device of the additional module is connectable.

The data transmission lines and the

Power supply lines can at least partially in a cavity or in a groove of the profiles of the

Housing frames are led. This eliminates the

Necessity of double-walled, leading to a

Reduction of in the reception areas, in particular

Storage compartments, existing storage space would lead.

The modularity of the vending machine can be further improved in that, as corresponds to a preferred development, the housing of the main module has an opening which can be closed with a door, wherein the control device is at least partially disposed in or on the door. Because of that

Control device, i. the electronic intelligence of the main module, at least partially housed in or on a door of the main module, the body of the machine, comprising the frame and the panels of

sensitive electronic internals in essence be kept free and the body thus represents only a supporting structure that can be arbitrarily extended and changed, without affecting the

Clearance of an installation space for the control device needs to be taken into account.

It is preferably provided that the control device is set up to perform an authorization check

perform, wherein the control device

Input means for authorization data and / or for a financial transaction. The authorization check here includes checking whether the access to the content of a recording area, in particular

Storage compartment, is entitled. this includes

For example, a verification of the identity of the

respective user, e.g. with the help of

Identification data on one of the

Control device readable disk are stored or entered by the user via an input interface. However, the authorization check can also record the check as to whether a financial transaction has been authorized that corresponds to the payment amount for the desired goods

corresponds.

The release device preferably comprises the

Receiving areas, in particular storage compartments, respectively associated release means with which the access to the receiving area released or a product from the

Recorded area or access by the

User is made available. The release means may be an ejection device for ejecting a product from the respective receiving area or an unlockable

Locking device, such as a lockable door, the Share access to the respective recording area. The ejection orrichtung can, for example, a spiral conveyor system, conveyor belts, shelf-lift systems, devices for dispensing drinks and the like. include.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a module, in particular main module or additional module, for use in the modular system according to the invention, comprising a housing which comprises a frame, in particular metal frame, of a plurality of each other

connected profiles, in particular metal profiles, and the openings between the profiles each covering

Comprising panels, wherein the module comprises connecting elements for mechanically and electrically connecting the module with an adjacent module, and wherein the module at least one receiving area, in particular one

Variety of recording areas, such as Storage compartments, for receiving goods to be issued and at least one release device for releasing a product from a

Recording area has.

Preferably, the module is designed as a main module and comprises a control device for controlling the

Goods dispenser, which cooperates with the at least one release device of the main module to release a product after performing an authorization check.

Preferably, the module comprises data transmission lines provided with connection elements for forming a

Plug connection with data transmission lines of an adjacent module are provided. Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that the module is designed as an additional module and the release device of the additional module via the data transmission lines of the

Additional module can be connected to the control device of the main module.

In particular, the module comprises power supply lines, so that the control device via

Power supply lines with the at least one

Release device of the additional module is connectable.

Preferably, the housing of the main module

formed module on an opening which is closable with a door, wherein the control device is arranged in the door.

The invention will be described below with reference to the

Drawing schematically illustrated embodiment explained in more detail. 1 shows an oblique view of a main module and an additional module without panels, FIG. 2 shows a front view of the main module with panels. 4 is a side view of the embodiment according to FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment according to FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a module with bus lines, FIG. 7 is a door of FIG 6 shows a cross section through a module according to FIG. 6 and FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of a bus system.

In FIG. 1, a main module is denoted by 1 and an additional module by 2. The main module is designed as a cash dispenser and can be extended with the help of the additional module 2. The additional module 2 can not with closer connecting means shown are mechanically connected to the main module 1. The main module 1 and the additional module 2 have the same height and the same depth in the present embodiment, but are designed with different widths. The supporting structure of the main module 1 and the additional module 2 is each formed by a frame 3, which consists of a plurality of

Metal profiles is composed. In this case, a first group of metal profiles forms uprights, which are at least the vertical edges of the essentially cuboidal

Training machines. A second group of metal profiles here forms cross members that form at least the horizontal edges of the machine and connect the vertical profiles together. Furthermore, the main module 1 and the add-on module 2 include a plurality of storage compartments 4 for receiving goods to be dispensed.

In Fig. 2 each panels 7 are arranged in the open spaces between the profiles of the frame 3 and connected to the profiles. In this way, the frame 3 forms a closed housing together with the panels 7.

Instead of a panel 7, if necessary, other components can be attached to the frame 3 to provide the respective desired functions of the machine.

In particular, the panels can also be used as doors 7

be formed, each having access to the

Storage compartments 4 allow. In Fig. 2, a door 5 is shown, which is pivotally connected to the frame 3 and accommodates a control unit, which serves the central control of the functions of the machine. Furthermore, a receiving frame 6 for an electronic display unit, such as an LCD panel, may be provided. 3, 4 and 5, the structure of a module of frame profiles and panels by means of a detail in a corner region of the module is shown in more detail. The frame includes profiles 8 with rectangular or

square cross-section, which in intersection or ■

Corner areas are connected to each other by means of connectors 9. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the profiles have a cross-section which, on at least two adjacent sides, respectively has a receiving slot 10 extending in the longitudinal direction of the profile for receiving panels 7 or for receiving hinges of doors 7. The receiving slots 10 allow for height-adjustable reception and fixation of the received elements, such as e.g. the panels or doors 7. Furthermore, the profiles 8 have at least one extending in the longitudinal direction of the profile channel in the power supply cable 11 and / or bus lines 12 can be arranged.

In Fig. 3, a door 15 is further shown, which is arranged at the front of the module and a storage compartment

16 closes. For access control to the

Storage compartment 16 is attached to the vertical profile 8, a lock 13, which is attached to a door 15 on the

Counterpart 14 cooperates.

The course of the bus lines 12, via which, among other things, the locks 13 are controlled, is explained with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In Fig. 6 is an inventive module

17, which includes a plurality of storage compartments accessible via a lockable door 18, respectively. One of the doors, the door 19, however, is not for controlling access to a storage compartment provided, but it is central

Control device 20 disposed in the door 19. The central control device 20 is set up to release the lock of the respectively defined door 18 as a function of authorization data. The central

Control device 20 has at least one

Microcontroller on which the required

Performs control tasks. The central

Control device 20 is connected to a bus system which connects the electronically controllable locks of the individual doors 18. For this purpose, schematically indicated bus lines 21 are provided, which preferably extend in channels of the profiles of the module frame.

FIG. 7 shows the connection of the individual locks 22 or doors 18 to the bus system. The introduction of the bus line 21 in the door 18 takes place on the side of

Door hinge 23, wherein the bus line 21 is connected to a circuit board 24, which the bus driver and the

Lock control for the lock 22 includes. The signals coming via the bus line 21 are read out and evaluated on the board 24 and, if necessary, an opening or closing signal is sent to the lock 22 via the lock control line 25.

FIG. 8 shows a detail cross section of the module according to FIG. 6. The bottom 26 of a storage compartment 4 is arranged in a groove of the frame 3, that it can be moved vertically in the direction of the arrow 27 either downwards or upwards. This can reduce the size of the

Storage compartments 4 can be changed as desired. The fixation is done by means of clamping means 28. The vertical

Movement of the floor 26 can be done manually or by means of a Drive unit, in particular an electric motor done. Furthermore, the floor 26 can also be completely removed, so that a single, larger storage compartment is formed by two storage compartments 4. The doors 18 are in this case arranged in front of the floor 26 and have only a small gap between them, so after the optional

Removing the bottom 16 a correspondingly enlarged

Storage compartment 4 is formed, wherein the two superposed doors 18 provide substantially a continuous front. In Fig. 9 is a schematically

inventive bus system shown. The bus system comprises a plurality of boards 24, which are each associated with a door 18, and a central control device 20 which is connected via the bus lines 21 to the boards 24 to send control signals to the boards 24. The bus system can, as shown, serial, parallel or star-shaped or as a combination of these

Be arranged training.

Claims

Claims:

1. Modular system for automatic vending machines, comprising a main module and at least one additional module, wherein the main module and the additional module each have at least one receiving area, in particular a plurality of

Recording areas, such as Storage compartments, for receiving goods to be issued and at least one

Release device for releasing a product from a receiving area, wherein the main module a

Control device for controlling the

Main module and the at least one additional module in

Main module with the at least one additional module include.

2. Modular system according to claim 1, characterized

characterized in that the main module and the at least one additional module comprise data transmission lines, so that the control device via the data transmission lines, in particular a bus system, with the at least one

Release device of the additional module is connectable, wherein prefers the connecting elements to the electrical

Connecting the main module to the at least one

Additional module for forming a plug connection,

in particular a plug connection of the bus system,

are executed.

3. Modular system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the main module and the at least one additional module comprise power supply lines, so that the control device is connectable via power supply lines with the at least one release device of the additional module.

4. Modular system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the housing of the main module a

Opening which is closable with a door, wherein the control device is at least partially disposed in or on the door.

5. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control device is set up to an authorization check

perform, wherein the control device

Input means for authorization data and / or for a financial transaction.

6. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the release device comprises the receiving areas, in particular storage compartments, respectively associated release means.

7. Modular system according to claim 6, characterized in that the release means an ejection device for the Ejection of a product from the respective receiving area, in particular storage compartment, or a unlockable

Locking device for enabling access to the

respective receiving area, in particular storage compartment include.

8. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the profiles each have at least one extending in the longitudinal direction, substantially over the entire length of the profile connecting element

have, which can cooperate with a counter element of a component to be fastened to the profile and which has a preferably stepless adjustment of

Counter element allowed on the profile in the longitudinal direction.

9. module, in particular main module or additional module, for a modular system according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a housing which a frame, in particular metal frame, of a plurality of each other

Recording area has.

10. Module according to claim 9, characterized in that the module is designed as a main module and a

Control device for controlling the Goods dispenser comprises, which cooperates with the at least one release device of the main module to release a product after performing an authorization check.

11. Module according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the module comprises data transmission lines, which are provided with connecting elements for forming a plug-in connection with data transmission lines of an adjacent module.

12. Module according to claim 11, characterized in that the module is designed as an additional module and the

Release device of the additional module on the

Data transmission lines of the additional module to the

Control device of the main module can be connected.

13. Module according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the module comprises power supply lines, so that the control device via

Power supply lines with the at least one

Release device of the additional module is connectable.

14. Module according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the housing of the main module

formed module has an opening which is closable with a door, wherein the control device is arranged in the door.

15. Module according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the profiles each have at least one extending in the longitudinal direction, substantially over the entire length of the profile connecting element, which can interact with a counter-element of a component to be fastened to the profile and which is a preferably stepless adjustment of the counter-element on the profile in

Longitudinal direction allowed.