JP2010143721A - Carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To notify needle replacement adapted to an abrasion state of an actual needle point, in a carrying device for carrying a carrying object using a needle member. <P>SOLUTION: This carrying device includes a driving device 31 attached with the needle member 35, and carries the carrying object of the uppermost part in the predetermined direction by driving a driving device 31 in a state of hooking the needle member 35 on the carrying object of the uppermost part in the layered carrying object, and comprises an electric current value detecting part 37 and a notice determining part 50A. The electric current value detecting part 37 detects the electric current value of a motor 34 of the driving device 31 while the driving deice 31 moves. The notice determining part 50A compares the electric current value detected by the electric current value detecting part 37 with a preset threshold value, and notifies replacement of the needle member by determining that the needle member 35 reaches a predetermined abrasion state when the electric current value is the threshold value or less. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus that transports a transported object using a needle member, and more specifically, is applied to a vending machine that sells products such as newspapers and booklets, and the above products are taken up to a product outlet. The present invention relates to a conveying device for conveying.

  Conventionally, vending machines that sell newspapers, booklets, and the like are known. This vending machine includes a box-shaped main body cabinet having an open front surface and an outer door that closes the front opening of the main body cabinet. The main body cabinet is provided with a plurality of shelves in the vertical direction, and each shelf includes a storage rack for storing newspapers and the like, and a transport device for transporting the newspapers from the storage rack to the outlet. The storage rack is open at the front and top surfaces, and can be stored in a state in which newspapers to be sold are stacked. The transport device includes a drive device that moves forward from the back of the main body cabinet, an arm that is attached to the drive device, and a needle member that is attached to the tip of the arm. When this conveying device receives a sales command from the vending machine main body, the driving device moves the arm forward from the back, so that only the uppermost conveyed item is hooked with the needle member and conveyed forward, It guides to the outlet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Kinki Vehicle Co., Ltd. “Kinki Vehicle-Newspaper Vending Machine-KNC-10” [Searched on June 1, 2008], Internet <URL: http://www.kinkisharyo.co.jp/en/sanki/sa- seihin / sa-knc-10.htm>

  By the way, the conveyance apparatus mentioned above deteriorates the catch of a conveyed product because the front-end | tip of a needle member is worn by repeating a contact with a conveyed product at the time of conveyance. Therefore, the needle member is exchanged regularly (about once a year), or when the number of conveyance times reaches a predetermined number, notification is made that the needle member is to be exchanged by display or voice. .

  However, when the needle member is replaced every time the predetermined number of transports is reached, the needle must be replaced even though the needle tip is not worn to the extent that replacement is actually required. There is a problem of end up. On the other hand, if the wear of the needle tip is significant, there is a problem that a conveyance failure is caused before notification of needle replacement.

  In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide a needle replacement notification adapted to an actual wear state of a needle tip in a transport device that transports a transported object using a needle member.

  In order to achieve the above object, a transport apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a drive device to which a needle member is mounted, and hooks the needle member on the uppermost transport object in the stacked transport object. In the conveying apparatus that conveys the uppermost conveyance object in a predetermined direction by driving the driving apparatus in a state where the driving apparatus moves, a current detection unit that detects a current value of a motor in the driving apparatus while the driving apparatus moves And comparing the current value detected by the current detection means with a preset threshold value, and determining that the needle member has reached a predetermined wear state when the current value is equal to or less than the threshold value, Notification determining means for performing notification of replacement of the needle member of the needle member is provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the transport device according to the first aspect, the notification determining unit calculates an average value of the current values for a predetermined number of times of transport, and compares the average value with the threshold value. It is characterized by doing.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transport apparatus according to the first or second aspect, further comprising temperature detecting means for detecting an environmental temperature, and correcting the current value according to the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. It is characterized by that.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transport device including a drive device on which a needle member is mounted, and the drive device is placed in a state where the needle member is hooked on the uppermost transport object in the stacked transport object. In the transport apparatus that transports the uppermost transported object in a predetermined direction by being driven, the transport distance detecting means for detecting the transport distance of the transported object as the drive device moves, and the transport distance detecting means A notification of performing a replacement notification of the needle member by comparing the transported distance with a preset threshold value and determining that the needle member has reached a predetermined wear state when the transport distance is equal to or less than the threshold value. And a determination unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the conveying device according to the fifth aspect, the notification determining unit calculates an average value of the conveying distances for a predetermined number of times of conveyance, and compares the average value with the threshold value. It is characterized by doing.

  Further, according to claim 6 of the present invention, in the above-mentioned claim 4 or 5, the transport distance detecting means sets the transport distance of each transported object according to the transport start position of each stacked transported object. It is characterized by correcting.

  According to the transport device of the present invention, it is possible to notify the needle replacement adapted to the actual wear state of the needle tip, so that it is possible to prevent a transport failure due to wear of the needle member, and in the unweared state. Unnecessary needle replacement can be prevented.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment when a transport apparatus of the present invention is applied to a newspaper vending machine will be described in detail below.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a newspaper vending machine to which a transport apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. This newspaper vending machine is a vending machine that sells newspapers, and a single machine can sell multiple types of newspapers.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the newspaper vending machine includes a box-shaped main body cabinet 1 having an open front surface, and an outer door 2 that is supported on the left edge of the main body cabinet 1 and closes the front opening of the main body cabinet 1. ing. The outer door 2 is provided with a handle lock 3, a coin slot 4, a bill insertion slot 5, an electronic money receiving unit 6, a display 7, a change return lever 8 and a change return slot 9. The handle lock 3 locks the outer door 2. The coin insertion slot 4 is an opening for receiving coins, and the coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 4 are accommodated in a coin processing device (not shown) disposed inside the back surface of the outer door 2. The banknote insertion slot 5 is an opening that accepts banknotes, and the banknotes inserted from the banknote insertion slot 5 are accommodated in a banknote processing apparatus (not shown) disposed inside the back surface of the outer door 2. The electronic money accepting unit 6 is a part for accepting a recording medium such as a card charged with electronic money, and receives the money by transmitting and receiving electronic money data to and from the held recording medium. Yes. The display 7 is a part for displaying various information such as “on sale” and “out of change”.

  The outer door 2 is provided with a plurality of display selection sections 11 and outlets 12 in the vertical direction. The display selection unit 11 has a plate 13 on which a newspaper name is written, and a selection button 14 for selecting a newspaper written on the plate 13. The selection button 14 is configured by, for example, a pushbutton switch that can be lit, and is controlled so as to be lit when selectable and to blink for a certain time when selected. The take-out port 12 is an opening for taking out a newspaper, and the width of the opening is formed to be substantially the same as the length in the longitudinal direction of the newspaper so that the newspaper can pass through. A flapper (not shown) is supported at the upper part of the outlet 12, and the newspaper outlet 12 is closed by the flapper. A display unit 15 is provided above the display selection unit 11 at the uppermost stage to display a newspaper on which the article of interest is posted.

  On the other hand, the main body cabinet 1 is provided with a storage rack 20 and a transfer device 30 corresponding to the plurality of outlets 12 described above. 2 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the outlet 12, the storage rack 20, and the transport device 30, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage rack 20 and the transport device 30, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hand 33 in the transport device 30. 5 is a side view of the hand 33. FIG.

  The storage rack 20 is a box that stores newspapers to be sold in a stacked state. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage rack 20 has an open front surface and an upper surface, and is mounted on the main body cabinet 1 so as to be drawn out. Although not shown, the storage rack 20 stores a plurality of newspapers in a stacked state so that the longitudinal direction of the newspapers is the width direction of the storage rack 20. The uppermost newspaper in the stacked newspapers is fed from the opening on the front surface by the transport device 30.

  A bottom upper member 21 is attached to the bottom surface of the storage rack 20 as shown in FIG. A cutout 21 a is provided on the upper surface of the bottom upper member 21 over a movement range of a needle member 35 described later. The cutout 21a is a hole through which the needle member 35 is inserted when the needle member 35 described later is moved after the last newspaper stored in the storage rack 20 is fed out. 20 is prevented from being lost by hitting the bottom surface.

  Further, an upper guide plate 22a and a lower guide plate 22b are disposed between the front opening of the storage rack 20 and the outlet 12 as shown in FIG. The upper and lower guide plates 22a and 22b are arranged in such a manner that they are inclined toward the outlet 12 respectively. The newspaper conveyed by the conveying device 30 is guided to the take-out port 12 by moving along the upper and lower guide plates 22a and 22b.

  The conveying device 30 conveys the newspaper stored in the storage rack 20 part by part in accordance with a sales command from the sales control unit of the newspaper vending machine, and guides it to the outlet 12. The transport device 30 includes a drive device 31, an arm 32 to which a base end portion is attached to the drive device 31, and a hand 33 attached to a distal end of the arm 32 and attached with a needle member 35.

  The drive device 31 is disposed on the side of the storage rack 20 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and reciprocates along the side surface of the storage rack 20 by driving a motor 34 (see FIG. 6A). It is configured to be possible. A base end side of the arm 32 is attached to the drive device 31 so as to be pivotable in the vertical direction. The arm 32 is moved forward from the back of the storage rack 20 in accordance with a sales command, and then moved from the front to the back. It is like that.

  The arm 32 is an elongated plate-like body made of a steel plate or the like, and as described above, the base end side of the arm 32 is rotatably attached to the drive device 31 so that the tip end side thereof can move in the vertical direction. Has been. With the above configuration, the front end side of the arm 32 can be moved up and down according to the stacking height of the newspapers stacked on the storage rack 20. A hand 33 is attached to the tip of the arm 32.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the hand 33 holds a needle member 35 to be described later, and is formed with a predetermined width dimension. In the example shown in FIG. Needle members 35a and 35b are mounted one by one. The hand 33 is configured such that a force is equally applied to the right needle member 35 a and the left needle member 35 b by attaching the center portion thereof to the arm 32.

  The needle member 35 hooks and holds the newspaper surface on a sharply formed tip. By driving the drive device 31 with the needle member 35 hooked on the newspaper and moving the arm 32 forward from the back of the storage rack 20, the needle member 35 is also moved forward from the back. As a result, the newspaper held on the needle member 35 is transported forward and guided to the outlet 12. Thereafter, the needle member 35 is returned to the back of the storage rack 20 by moving the arm 32 in the reverse direction (from the front to the back). Hereinafter, the position of the needle member 35 when the newspaper vending machine is in the standby state is referred to as “standby position”, and the newspaper is moved forward from the standby position while the newspaper is hooked, and the newspaper is transported to the transport end position. The position of the needle member 35 at this time is called a “folding position”.

  The hand 33 is provided with a cover 36 as shown in FIG. The cover 36 exposes the needle 35 when the needle member 35 is in contact with the paper surface of the newspaper 90 as shown in FIG. 5, while the arm 32 is lifted when the newspaper 90 is replaced or replenished. When the needle member 35 is separated from the newspaper 90, the needle member 35 is covered.

  When the newspaper vending machine is in the standby state, the transport device 30 is disposed on the back side of the storage rack 20, and the needle member 35 is located at the standby position. When the price is received from the coin slot 4 of the newspaper vending machine and the selection button 14 is pressed by the user, a transport command is output to the transport device 30 that transports the selected newspaper. The transport device 30 lowers the hand 33 on the uppermost newspaper stacked on the storage rack 20, and moves the arm 32 forward from the back with the newspaper hooked on the tip of the needle member 35. The needle member 35 is moved from the standby position to the folding position. Thereby, the uppermost newspaper hung on the needle member 35 is slid on the second newspaper, conveyed forward, and carried out to the outlet 12. When the transport of the newspaper is completed, the transport device 30 moves the needle member 35 from the folded position to the standby position by moving the arm 32 from the front to the back with the tip of the needle member 35 being separated from the newspaper.

  The conveyance device 30 configured as described above includes a needle replacement notification system described below. The needle replacement notification system measures the load current value (hereinafter simply referred to as “current value”) of the motor 34 of the driving device 31 during newspaper conveyance, and compares the measured current value with a preset threshold value. The wear state of the needle member 35 is detected, and the replacement of the needle member 35 is notified when it is determined that the predetermined wear state has been reached. FIG. 6A is a conceptual diagram of the needle replacement notification system, and FIG. 6-2 is a block diagram of the needle replacement notification system.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the needle replacement notification system includes a current value detection unit 37, a temperature sensor 40, a notification determination unit 50A, a storage unit 54A, and an output unit 60.

  The current value detection unit 37 measures the current value of the motor 34 in the driving device 31 while the needle member 35 is moved from the standby position of the storage rack 20 to the turn-back position in a state where a newspaper is hooked. If the tip of the needle member 35 is worn due to repeated conveyance of the newspaper 90, the needle member 35 cannot reliably hold the newspaper 90 during conveyance, and the surface of the newspaper 90 slips idle during conveyance. When the needle member 35 slips idle, a load is not applied to the motor 34 compared to when the needle member 35 does not slip idle. Therefore, the current value of the motor 34 at this time becomes smaller than that when the needle member 35 does not slip idle. That is, as the wear of the needle member 35 progresses, the idle slip of the needle member 35 increases and the current value of the motor 34 decreases. Therefore, it is possible to detect the wear state of the needle member 35 by monitoring the current value of the motor 34. In the present embodiment, the average value of the current while the needle member 35 moves from the standby position to the folding position while the newspaper is hooked is detected as the current value during one transport.

  The temperature sensor 40 measures the temperature inside the newspaper vending machine (the outside temperature when there is no temperature adjustment mechanism or heat generating element mechanism in the machine), and is disposed at a predetermined position in the vicinity of the transport device 30. In the following, this in-machine temperature is referred to as “environment temperature”.

  The notification determination unit 50A determines whether or not the needle member 35 has reached a predetermined wear state by comparing the current value detected by the current value detection unit 37 with a preset threshold value. When it is determined that the needle has reached, the output unit is caused to perform a needle replacement notification operation. The notification determination unit 50A includes a current value correction unit 51, an average value calculation unit 52, and a comparison unit 53.

  The current value correcting unit 51 performs a calculation for correcting the current value received from the current value detecting unit 37 according to the environmental temperature measured by the temperature sensor 40 described above. The current value of the motor 34 of the driving device 31 changes according to the environmental temperature. Specifically, with normal temperature (20 ° C.) as the reference temperature, the current value decreases when the environmental temperature becomes higher than the reference temperature, and the current value increases when the environmental temperature becomes lower than the reference temperature. As a specific example, when the environmental temperature is 0 ° C., the current value increases by 20% compared to the reference temperature. Further, when the environmental temperature is 40 ° C., the current value decreases by 5% compared to the reference temperature. For this reason, the detection accuracy of the needle wear state is improved by correcting the current value detected by the current value detection unit 37 to the value at the reference temperature.

  The average value calculation unit 52 temporarily stores the current value received from the current value correction unit 51 and calculates an average value of current values for a predetermined number of times of conveyance (for example, three times). If the current value measured in one conveyance is compared with the threshold value alone, there is a possibility that an erroneous notification will be made for a sudden load reduction abnormality. Therefore, the average value of the current values for a predetermined number of times of conveyance is calculated as described above, and the average value is compared with a threshold value, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the needle wear state.

  The comparison unit 53 compares the average value of the current value calculated by the average value calculation unit 52 with the threshold value data 45 of the current value stored in the storage unit 54A. When the average value of the current values is equal to or less than the threshold value, the comparison unit 53 determines that the tip of the needle member 35 has reached a predetermined wear state, and transmits a needle replacement notification command to the output unit 60. Make a notification action. On the other hand, when the average value of the current values exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that the tip of the needle member 35 is in an unworn state, and the needle replacement notification command is not transmitted to the output unit 60.

  The storage unit 54A is a part that stores current value threshold data. The current value of the motor 34 during conveyance varies depending on the size and weight of the conveyed item. For this reason, threshold data corresponding to a transported article such as a newspaper, a booklet, or a magazine is stored in the storage unit 54A. These threshold data are current values at the reference temperature described above.

  The output unit 60 performs a notification operation when a notification command from the notification control unit 50 is received. Examples of the notification operation performed by the output unit 50 include display on a display device such as a liquid crystal display, lighting or blinking of a lamp, or operation by sound from a speaker.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart showing a process flow of the above-described needle replacement notification system. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the needle replacement notification will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the user presses the selection button 14 of the newspaper vending machine (step S11), a transport command is output to the transport device 30 that transports the selected newspaper. The transport device 30 lowers the hand 33 on the uppermost newspaper stored in the storage rack 20 and moves the needle member 35 from the standby position to the folding position with the newspaper hooked on the tip of the needle member 35. . The current value detection unit 37 measures the current value of the motor 34 of the driving device 31 during the movement of the needle member 35 from the standby position to the folding position (step S12). The current value of the motor 34 measured by the current value detection unit 37 is transmitted to the notification determination unit 50A. The notification determination unit 50A, after correcting the current value to the value at the reference temperature through the current value correction unit 51, calculates the average value of the current values for a predetermined number of times of conveyance through the average value calculation unit 52 (step S13). Next, the notification determination unit 50A compares the average value with the threshold value data stored in the storage unit 54A through the comparison unit 53 (step S14). When the average value is equal to or less than the threshold (step S14: Yes), the notification determination unit 50A determines that the needle member 35 has reached a predetermined wear state, and transmits a needle replacement notification command to the output unit 60. Then, a predetermined notification operation is performed (step S15). When the notification determining unit 50A determines that the needle member 35 has reached a predetermined wear state, the notification determining unit 50A transmits the determination result to the sales control unit of the newspaper vending machine. The sales control unit invalidates the operation of the selection button 14 of the newspaper. On the other hand, when the average value exceeds the threshold (step S14: No), it is determined that the tip of the needle member 35 is in an unworn state, and the needle replacement notification command is not transmitted to the output unit 60.

  As described above, according to the transport device 30 of the present embodiment, the current value detection unit 37 that detects the current value of the motor 34 while the drive device 31 moves, and the current value detection unit 37 detect the current value. The current value is compared with a preset threshold value, and when this current value is less than or equal to the threshold value, it is determined that the needle member 35 has reached a predetermined wear state, and a notification determination unit 50A that performs a replacement notification of the needle member 35 With this configuration, notification adapted to the actual wear state of the needle tip is possible, so that it is possible to prevent a conveyance failure due to wear of the needle, and unnecessary in the unworn state. Needle replacement can be prevented.

  Further, according to the transport device 30 of the present embodiment, the average value of the current values for a predetermined number of times of transport is calculated, and this average value is compared with the threshold data 55, so that sudden load reduction is achieved. It is possible to prevent erroneous notification of abnormalities and improve the detection accuracy of the wear state of the needle member 35.

  Furthermore, according to the transport device 30 of the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 40 that detects the environmental temperature is provided, and the current value detected by the current value detection unit 37 is corrected according to the environmental temperature detected by the temperature sensor 40. By doing so, the detection accuracy of the wear state of the needle member 35 can be further improved.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a transport device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated about the structure same as the structure demonstrated in Embodiment 1 mentioned above.

  FIG. 8-1 is a conceptual diagram of a needle replacement notification system in the transport device 30 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8-2 is a top view of the newspaper 90 and the transport start position detection sensor 80 shown in FIG. 8-3 is a block diagram of the needle replacement notification system shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, the newspaper conveyance distance associated with the movement of the driving device 30 is detected, and the detected conveyance distance is compared with a preset threshold value to detect the wear state of the needle member 35. When it is determined that the wear state has been reached, the replacement of the needle member 35 is notified. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8C, the needle replacement notification system according to the second embodiment includes a transport distance detection sensor 70, a transport start position detection sensor 80, a notification determination unit 50B, a storage unit 54B, and an output unit 60.

  The transport distance detection sensor 70 detects the transport distance of the newspaper 90 when the newspaper 90 is transported by the needle member 35, and is disposed between the outlet 12 and the upper and lower guide plates 22a and 22b. Here, the transport distance refers to the front end position of the newspaper 90 (hereinafter referred to as “transport start position”) when the newspaper 90 is stored in the storage rack 20, and the newspaper 90 by the needle member 35. It is the distance between the front end position of the newspaper 90 (hereinafter referred to as “conveyance end position”) when it is carried out to the take-out port 12.

  If the tip of the needle member 35 is worn due to repeated conveyance of the newspaper 90, the needle member 35 cannot reliably hold the newspaper 90 during conveyance, and the surface of the newspaper 90 slips idle during conveyance. . The transport distance at this time is shorter than when the needle member 35 does not slip idle. That is, the transport end position of the newspaper 90 transported in a state where the needle tip is worn is closer to the transport end position than the transport end position transported in a state where the needle tip is not worn. In particular, when the needle tip is extremely worn, the conveyance end position does not reach the take-out port 12 and the newspaper 90 is not discharged to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to detect the wear state of the tip of the needle member 35 by comparing the conveyance end position of the newspaper 90 with a predetermined threshold value. As the transport distance detection sensor 70, for example, a transmission type optical sensor composed of a light projecting element that projects an optical signal and a light receiving element that receives the optical signal can be used. As shown in FIG. 8A, a plurality of sets of light projecting elements and light receiving elements are arranged in the conveyance direction of the newspaper 90 in such a manner as to sandwich the upper and lower sides of the newspaper 90 that has passed through the upper and lower guide plates 22a and 22b. Then, light is projected from each light projecting element toward each light receiving element, and the conveyance end position of the newspaper 90 is detected based on whether or not each light receiving element receives light. That is, a plurality of sets of photosensors can be arranged in parallel, and the transport distance can be measured depending on which position of the photosensor is turned off. When the optical sensors are arranged side by side, they may be affected by adjacent light projections, but interference is eliminated if the light projecting and light receiving directions of the adjacent optical sensors are reversed. In addition, when performing a more precise position detection, a conveyance distance is calculated from the coordinate position of the recognized newspaper 90 using an image sensor.

  The transport start position detection sensor 80 detects the stacking position (position in the height direction) of the uppermost newspaper 90 in the newspapers 90 stacked on the storage rack 20, as shown in FIG. , Arranged on the sides of the stacked newspapers 90. The transport start position detection sensor 80 uses, for example, an optical sensor composed of a light projecting element that projects an optical signal and a light receiving element that receives the optical signal, as with the transport distance detection sensor 70 described above. it can. As shown in FIG. 8B, the light projecting element and the light receiving element are arranged in such a manner as to sandwich both sides of the stacked newspapers 90, respectively. Then, light is projected from the light projecting element toward the light receiving element, and the stacking position (position in the height direction) of the uppermost newspaper 90 is detected based on whether or not the light receiving element receives light.

  The notification determination unit 50B determines whether or not the needle member 35 has reached a predetermined wear state by comparing the transport distance detected by the transport distance detection sensor 70 with a preset threshold value. When it is determined that the needle has reached, the output unit is caused to perform a needle replacement notification operation. The notification determination unit 50B includes a transport distance correction unit 56, an average value calculation unit 57, and a comparison unit 58.

  The conveyance distance correction unit 56 performs a calculation for correcting the conveyance distance received from the conveyance distance detection sensor 70 according to the conveyance start position detected by the conveyance start position detection sensor 80 described above. The distance between the newspaper 90 stacked on the storage rack 20 and the outlet 12 varies depending on the remaining amount of the newspaper 90 in the storage rack 20. For example, when the height position of the uppermost newspaper 90 (the amount of remaining storage) is substantially the same as the position of the outlet 12, the distance from the newspaper 90 to the outlet 12 is the shortest. On the other hand, when the height position (accommodation remaining height) of the uppermost newspaper 90 is higher than or lower than the height position of the take-out port 12, the distance from the newspaper 90 to the take-out port 12 is determined as follows. Compared to the case where the outlet 12 is at the same height, the length is longer. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the same height position as the outlet 12 is set as the reference position, and the conveyance distance detected by the conveyance distance detection sensor 70 is corrected to the value at the reference position. The detection accuracy is improved.

  The average value calculation unit 57 temporarily stores the conveyance distance received from the conveyance distance correction unit 56, and calculates an average value of conveyance distances for a predetermined number of conveyance times (for example, three times). When the transport distance measured in one transport is compared with the threshold value alone, there is a possibility that an erroneous notification is made for an unexpected decrease in the transport distance. Therefore, as described above, the average value of the conveyance distances for the predetermined number of conveyance times is calculated, and the average value is compared with a threshold value, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the needle wear state.

  The comparison unit 58 compares the transport distance average value calculated by the average value calculation unit 57 with transport distance threshold value data 59 stored in the storage unit 54B. The comparison unit 58 determines that the tip of the needle member 35 has reached a predetermined wear state when the average value of the transport distance is equal to or less than the threshold, and transmits a needle replacement notification command to the output unit 60. Make a notification action. On the other hand, when the average value of the transport distance exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that the tip of the needle member 35 is in an unworn state, and the needle replacement notification command is not transmitted to the output unit 60.

  The storage unit 54B is a part that stores threshold data of the transport distance. The transport distance varies depending on the size of the transported object. For this reason, the storage unit 54B stores threshold value data corresponding to transported articles such as newspapers, booklets, and magazines.

  The output unit 60 performs a notification operation when a notification command from the notification control unit 50 is received. Examples of the notification operation performed by the output unit 50 include display on a display device such as a liquid crystal display, lighting or blinking of a lamp, or operation by sound from a speaker.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart showing a flow of processing of the above-described needle replacement notification system. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the needle replacement notification will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the user presses the selection button 14 of the newspaper vending machine (step S21), a transport command is output to the transport device 30 that transports the selected newspaper. The transport device 30 lowers the hand 33 on the uppermost newspaper stored in the storage rack 20 and moves the needle member 35 from the standby position to the folding position with the newspaper hooked on the tip of the needle member 35. . The transport distance detection sensor 70 detects the transport distance (that is, the transport end position) of the newspaper 90 carried out to the outlet 12 (step S22). The conveyance distance detected by the conveyance distance detection sensor 70 is transmitted to the notification determination unit 50B. The notification determining unit 50B corrects the transport distance to the value at the reference position through the transport distance correcting unit 56, and then calculates the average value of the transport distance for a predetermined number of times of transport through the average value calculating unit 57 (step S23). Next, the notification determination unit 50B compares the average value with the threshold value data stored in the storage unit 54B through the comparison unit 58 (step S24). When the average value is less than or equal to the threshold (step S24: Yes), the notification determination unit 50B determines that the needle member 35 has reached a predetermined wear state, and transmits a needle replacement notification command to the output unit 60. Then, a predetermined notification operation is performed (step S25). In addition, the notification determination part 50B transmits this determination result to the sales control part (not shown) of a newspaper vending machine, when it determines with the needle member 35 having reached the predetermined abrasion state. The sales control unit invalidates the operation of the selection button 14 of the newspaper. On the other hand, when the average value exceeds the threshold (step S24: No), it is determined that the tip of the needle member 35 is in an unworn state, and the needle replacement notification command is not transmitted to the output unit 60.

  As described above, according to the transport device 30 of the second embodiment, the transport distance detection sensor 70 that detects the transport distance of the newspaper 90 accompanying the movement of the driving device 31, and the transport detected by the transport distance detection sensor 70. The distance is compared with a preset threshold value, and when the conveyance distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is determined that the needle member 35 has reached a predetermined wear state, and a notification determination unit 50B that performs a replacement notification of the needle member 35 is provided. Because it is possible to make notifications adapted to the actual wear state of the needle tip, it is possible to prevent conveyance problems due to wear of the needle, and unnecessary needle replacement in the unworn state Can be prevented.

  Further, according to the transport device 30 of the second embodiment, the average value of the transport distances for a predetermined number of transport times is calculated, and this average value is compared with the threshold data 55, so that the sudden transport amount Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous notification of the decrease abnormality and to improve the detection accuracy of the wear state of the needle member 35.

  Furthermore, according to the transport device 30 of the second embodiment, the wear distance of the needle member 35 is detected by correcting the transport distance of each transported object in accordance with the transport start position of each stacked newspaper 90. The accuracy can be further improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the transport device of the present invention is applied to a newspaper vending machine has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other vending machines or transport devices other than vending machines are used. It can also be applied to.

It is a front view which shows the newspaper vending machine to which the conveying apparatus of this invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the conveying apparatus and storage rack which are embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the conveying apparatus and storage rack which are embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the hand in the conveying apparatus which is embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the hand shown in FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a needle replacement notification system in Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a needle replacement notification system in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart showing a flow of processing of the needle replacement notification system in the first embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram of the needle replacement notification system in the second embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram of the needle replacement notification system in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a needle replacement notification system in a second embodiment. 6 is a schematic flowchart showing a flow of processing of a needle replacement notification system in a second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body cabinet 2 Outer door 3 Handle lock 4 Coin insertion slot 5 Banknote insertion slot 6 Electronic money reception part 7 Display 8 Change change lever 9 Change return port 11 Display selection part 12 Outlet 13 Plate 14 Selection button 20 Storage rack 21 Bottom Upper member 21a Cutout hole 22a Upper guide plate 22b Lower guide plate 30 Transport device 31 Drive device 32 Arm 33 Hand 34 Motor 35 Needle member 36 Cover 37 Current value detection unit (current detection means)
40 Temperature sensor 50A, 50B Notification determination unit (notification determination means)
51 Current Value Correction Unit 52, 57 Average Value Calculation Unit 53, 58 Comparison Unit 54A, 54B Storage Unit 55 Current Value Threshold Data 56 Transport Distance Correction Unit 59 Transport Distance Threshold Data 60 Output Unit 70 Transport Distance Detection Sensor (Transport Distance Detection Unit) )
80 Transport start position detection sensor 90 Newspaper

Claims (6)

A drive device equipped with a needle member is provided,
In the conveying device that conveys the uppermost conveyance object in a predetermined direction by driving the driving device in a state where the needle member is hooked on the uppermost conveyance object in the stacked conveyance object,
Current value detection means for detecting a current value of a motor in the drive device while the drive device is moving;
The current value detected by the current value detection means is compared with a preset threshold value, and when the current value is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is determined that the needle member has reached a predetermined wear state, and the needle Notification judging means for notifying the replacement of a member;
A conveying apparatus comprising: The notification determination means includes
The transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an average value of the current values for a predetermined number of times of transport is calculated, and the average value is compared with the threshold value.   The transport apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature detection unit configured to detect an environmental temperature, wherein the current value is corrected according to the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. A drive device equipped with a needle member is provided,
In the conveying device that conveys the uppermost conveyance object in a predetermined direction by driving the driving device in a state where the needle member is hooked on the uppermost conveyance object in the stacked conveyance object,
A transport distance detecting means for detecting a transport distance of the transport object accompanying the movement of the driving device;
The conveyance distance detected by the conveyance distance detection means is compared with a preset threshold value, and when the conveyance distance is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is determined that the needle member has reached a predetermined wear state, and the needle Notification judging means for notifying the replacement of a member;
A conveying apparatus comprising: The notification determination means includes
The transport apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an average value of the transport distances for a predetermined number of transport times is calculated, and the average value is compared with the threshold value.   The transport apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the transport distance detection unit corrects the transport distance of each transported object according to a transport start position of each stacked transported object.

Images