JPH0228792A - Commodity delivering mechanism for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the number of stored commodities to the maximum even when the sizes of the commodities are different, and simultaneously, to surely detect the presence of the commodity by providing a stopper member restricted in its rotation and a controlling means to be operated by the rotation of the stopper member. CONSTITUTION:When a commodity delivering mechanism 1 is driven according to a commodity delivering instruction, the commodity at the head on a conveyor belt 4 is moved and a delivered to a commodity delivering end 7 by the belt 4. The stopper member 6 is rotated by this commodity at the head. Then, when a control switch 11 detects the delivery of the commodity according to the rotation of the stopper member 6, the conveying mechanism 1 is stopped. Besides, the stopper member 6 rotates and returns after the delivery of the commodity, and the control switch 11 detects the presence of the commodity according to the rotation after said rotation and return.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (a) Industrial application field The present invention conveys stored and placed products in a substantially horizontal direction,
The present invention relates to a product delivery device for a vending machine that delivers products from a product delivery end.

(B) Conventional technology Conventionally, product transport mechanisms for transporting products placed and stored on a transport belt in a substantially horizontal direction are arranged vertically in multiple stages, and the product transport mechanisms are driven based on a product delivery command. The automatic device is configured to send out the stored products from the product delivery end of the product transport mechanism, place the products sent and dropped from the product delivery end into a product holder that moves up and down, and transfer them to the product takeout port. Vending machines are known, for example, the
This is shown in Japanese Patent No. 953.

In this prior art product delivery device as a product transport mechanism, an endless conveyor belt is stretched horizontally between a pair of sprockets, and partition plates are installed at predetermined intervals on the horizontally extending conveyor belt. products are placed one by one on the conveyor belt between the partition plates, and the conveyor belt is rotated by the distance between the partition plates based on the product sending command, and the products are placed on the conveyor belt. The structure is such that the pieces are sequentially dropped and sent out one by one from the delivery end.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention The prior art with such a configuration provides a partition plate on the conveyor belt,
Since the product is stored between the partition plates and the conveyor belt is rotated by the distance between the partition plates, the distance between the partition plates can be changed depending on the size of the product to be stored, and the rotational movement dimension of the conveyor belt can be set. Requires changes.

Also, in order to eliminate the need for this change, it is possible to set the spacing between the partition plates to correspond to the maximum product expected to be stored, but in this case, even if the product is small, the number of items stored will be the same as the maximum product. However, even small products had the disadvantage that they could only be stored in the same number as large products.

On the other hand, in this type of product conveyance mechanism, when detecting the sold-out of a product on the conveyor belt, detection can be done by extending the actuator of the detection switch onto the conveyor belt at the product delivery end, or by using an optical detection switch. However, in the case of detection using an actuator, the partition plate on the conveyor belt becomes an obstacle and cannot be detected, and even if there is no partition plate, the size of the product on the conveyor belt or the product cannot be detected. If the product is placed off to the edge, there is a problem that reliable product detection is not possible.Also, even if a photodetection switch is used, the same problem occurs and the product becomes expensive.

As described above, the present invention does not require changing operations even when the sizes of stored products are different, can maximize the number of stored products, and can reliably send out products. In addition, the present invention provides a product delivery device that can reliably detect the presence or absence of a product.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention is provided with a product transport mechanism that transports products placed and stored on a transport belt in a substantially horizontal direction, and the product is transported by driving the product transport mechanism based on a product sending command. In a vending machine that sends out stored products from a product delivery end of a mechanism, a stopper member is provided so as to be latched to the first product on the product delivery end side, and is rotated and returned to rotation by the delivered product; and a control switch operated by the rotation of the stopper member, and when the stopper member rotates due to the product delivery operation driven by the product delivery mechanism, the control switch detects delivery of the product and stops driving the product transport mechanism. Further, the control switch detects the presence or absence of a product when the stopper member rotates after returning to rotation.

(E) Function The present invention having such a configuration is such that when the product conveyance mechanism is driven based on a product delivery command, the first product on the conveyor belt is transferred to the product delivery end by the conveyor belt and sent out. The stopper member is rotated by the product. When the control switch detects delivery of the product due to rotation of the stopper member, the product conveyance mechanism is stopped. Further, the stopper member returns to rotation after sending out the product, and the control switch detects the presence or absence of the product by the rotation after the return to rotation.

(1) Embodiment Each figure shows an embodiment of the present invention. (1) shows a product transport mechanism as a product delivery device installed substantially horizontally in a vending machine. This conveyance mechanism (1) has an endless conveyor belt (4) stretched horizontally between a pair of sprockets (2) and (3), and a drive motor (5) having a speed reduction mechanism connected to the sprockets (2). The conveyor belt (4>) is rotated in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG.

(6) is a stopper member provided at the product discharge end (7) of the conveyance mechanism (1), and is capable of locking the product placed on the conveyance belt (4). It extends throughout and is rotatably supported by shafts (8) at both ends. The stopper member (6) is biased by the elasticity of the spring (9) in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the conveyor belt (4). Further, a control cam (10) is provided on the shaft (8) of the stopper member (6), and a control switch (11) is operated by rotation of the stopper member (6).

(12) is a locking mechanism that restricts rotation of the stopper member (6), and includes a fixing member (13) rotatably inserted through the shaft (8) of the stopper member (6), and It is composed of a regulating member (14) slidably inserted into the fixing member (13) so as to be orthogonal to each other, and an electromagnetic solenoid (15) with one end of this regulating member (14) connected to the plunger (15A). Ru.

The plunger (15A) of this electromagnetic solenoid (15) is fully biased to protrude by the elasticity of the spring (15B), and advances to a position where the regulating member (14) is engaged with the shaft (8). When the solenoid (15) is operated, the regulating member (14) is moved back from the shaft (8>).When the regulating member (14) is in the position where it engages with the shaft (8), the shaft (8) The rotation of (8) is regulated within the interval between the product waiting position where the stopper member (6) can lock the product and the product locking position where the stopper member (6> prevents delivery of the product). When the regulating member (14) is retracted from the shaft (8), the rotation regulation of the shaft (8) is released.

That is, the stopper member (
The shaft (8) of 6) is provided with a regulating surface (8A> and a regulating surface (8B) that engage and disengage from the regulating member (14).
4> is in a position where it engages with the shaft (8>), the shaft (8>
Due to the elasticity of the spring (9), the regulating surface (8B) is brought into contact with the regulating member (14), and as shown in Fig. 3, the stopper member (6) is held in the product waiting position where the product can be retained. death,
Further, when the stopper member (6) is rotated in the product delivery direction by the product (B), the shaft (8) rotates until the regulating surface (8A) is brought into contact with and locked by the regulating member (14), As shown in FIG. 1, the stopper member (6) is restricted from rotating in the product delivery direction beyond the product locking position.

On the other hand, the control cam (10) fixed to the shaft (8)
When the regulating surface (8B) of 8) is abutted against the regulating member (14) and the stopper member (6) is in the product waiting position as shown in Fig. 6, the control switch (11) is turned off. When the stopper member (6) reaches the product locking position as shown in FIG. ) is released and the control switch (11) is not pressed and becomes the FF state when the first product (B) rotates the product to its dropping and sending position as shown in Figure 8. I have to.

That is, the control switch (11) is connected to the regulating surface (
8B) is in the product standby position of the stopper member (6) which abuts and locks on the regulating member (14), and is OF as there is no product.
It outputs an F signal, and also outputs an ON signal to indicate the product is locked at the product locking position of the stopper member (6) where the regulating surface (8A) of the shaft (8) contacts and locks the regulating member (14). Product dropping of the stopper member (6), which allows the first product (B) to fall from the product delivery end (7) of the transport mechanism (1) by rotating the stopper member (6) with its own weight. At the delivery position, an OFF signal is output as a state of completion of product delivery.

FIG. 10 shows the electrical control configuration of the present invention.
) is a control section using a microcomputer, and is provided with a timer circuit (21). This control section (20) includes:
a product selection switch (22) that generates a product delivery command;
A loading switch (23) that is operated when loading products into the transport mechanism (1), a drive motor (5) that drives the transport mechanism (1), an electromagnetic solenoid (15) that operates the lock mechanism (12), and a stopper. A control switch (11) operated by the rotation of the member (6) and a sold-out lamp (24) for indicating that the product is sold out are connected to each other.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained using the flowchart shown in FIG. First, place the product (B) on the conveyor belt (4).
The loading operation for placing and storing the items will be explained.

Place the product (B) on the conveyor belt (4) with the stopper member (6)
After loading and storing a large number of items in a horizontal position so that they are approximately parallel to each other, in step S1, the loading switch (23) is
When the operation is completed, the sold-out lamp (24) is turned off in step S, and the drive motor 5) is driven in step S. Therefore, the conveyor belt (4) rotates in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 1, and conveys the product (B) toward the product delivery end <7).

Then, in step S4, it is checked whether the control switch (11) is in the ON state. If it is in the ON state, the process proceeds to step SR, and if it is in the OFF state, the process proceeds to step 5Ill.

Usually, the product (B) placed on the conveyor belt (4) by loading often does not press the stopper member (6) in the product delivery direction, and in this case, the stopper member (6) is pressed by the spring ( 9> is in the product standby position, and the control switch (11) is in the OFF state as shown in FIG.

Therefore, in this case, the timer (21
) is set, and if it is not set, set a predetermined constant in step Sat and step Sl? Subtract with . The constant set in step Sx+ means that the conveyor belt (4) is -
It is set to a predetermined constant that is sufficient to complete the cycle.

Then, in step S18, it is checked whether the timer (21) has counted out, and if it is within the count, step S4
Returns to step Sll when the countout is confirmed.
Proceed to. Therefore, if it is within the count, the drive motor (5
) continues to drive and rotates the conveyor belt (4) to deliver the product (
B) is transported toward the product delivery end (7).

Here, a large number of products (B) are placed on the conveyor belt 4) by the loading operation, so step S
Before the count-out is confirmed in step 18, the first product (B) conveyed by the conveyor belt (4) presses the stopper member (6) in the product delivery direction, as shown in FIG. The control cam (10) presses the control switch (11) and turns it on.
state.

When the ON state of this control switch (11) is confirmed in step S4, the timer (21) is set to a new predetermined constant in step S6 and counts down.
When the count is out, the process advances to step S6 and the drive motor (5) is stopped. The constant of the Quimac 21) set in step S6 is a predetermined constant corresponding to a sufficient time for a large number of products (B) placed on the conveyor belt (4) to come into contact with each other and line up. Set.

That is, the first product (B) is locked at the product locking position of the stopper member (6), and the control switch (11) is turned to O.
Even after entering the N state, by continuing to drive the drive motor (5) for a predetermined period of time, the product (B) on the conveyor belt 1-(4) is moved to the stopper member (
6) or where there is a gap between the products (B) and the product (B), move the product (B) to the stopper member (6) as shown by the two-dot chain line. The products (B) can be arranged parallel to each other and in contact with each other.

Note that the loading operation is completed by stopping the drive motor (5) in step S6, and in step S, a predetermined amount of money is inserted and a sales standby state is entered, waiting for the product selection switch (22) to be pressed.

Here, the specified currency is inserted, and the product selection switch (22) is pressed.
When is operated, step S to step S.

The drive motor (5) is driven in step S, and the solenoid (15) is energized in step S.

By energizing this solenoid (15), the regulating member (14)
) is retracted from the shaft (8), so the stopper member (
6) is released from rotation restriction by the restriction member (14).

Therefore, the first product (B) on the conveyor belt (4) rotated by the driving of the drive motor (5) can rotate the stopper member (6) in the product delivery direction.

On the other hand, if the solenoid (15) is energized incorrectly in step S, step S. It is checked whether the control switch (11) is in the ON state or not, and the process proceeds to step Sll.

When the first product (B) reaches a position where it can fall from the product delivery end (7) by the conveyor belt (4), the eighth product (B)
As shown in the figure, the control switch (11) is in the OFF state. This control switch 1) is turned off in step S.
When checking with I+, the drive motor (
5) is stopped. Therefore, the first product (B) can further rotate the stopper member (6) due to its own weight and be sent down to the bottom. At this time, the next product (B) is the drive motor (5)
Since the small conveyor bell (4) is stopped by the stop of the conveyance bell (4), the conveyance toward the product delivery end (7) is stopped and the first product (B) is stopped.
) to prevent continuous drop delivery.

On the other hand, in step S Ifi, the solenoid (15) is demagnetized, and the regulating member (14) is urged by the elasticity of the spring (15B) to advance so as to be able to engage with the shaft (8). When the first product (B) that has fallen from the product delivery end (7) leaves the stopper member (6), the stopper member (6) is rotated by the elasticity of the spring 9〉 to the product standby position shown in Fig. 6. Return to normal mode. This rotational return operation first begins in step S1.
It is confirmed that the control switch (11) is turned ON in Step 4, and then the control switch (11) is turned on in Step SIII.
11) is in the OFF state.

Further, when the stopper member (6) rotates back to the product standby position, the restricting member (14) engages with the restricting surface (8B) of the shaft (8), and the rotation is restricted. When the OFF state of the control switch (11) is confirmed in step SIB, the process proceeds to step SR, where the drive motor (5) is driven again. The product (B) is conveyed by rotating in the direction.

As a result of this conveyance, the first product (B) comes into contact with the stopper member (6), and when this stopper member (6) is rotated to the product locking position shown in FIG. 7, the control switch <11> is pressed by the control cam (10) and turns on, the control switch (11) is turned on in step S4.
When the ON state of is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S5 and step Ss described above, and enters a sales standby state.

On the other hand, if the ON state of the control switch 11) is not confirmed in step S4, step S
Proceed to step I6 to check whether the timer (21) is set, and if it is not set, go to step Sx+ to set it and then step S I? If it is set, go directly to step Sl? The count is subtracted by proceeding to .

Then, in step S+a, when it is confirmed that the timer <21) has counted out, the product (B) is placed on the conveyor belt (4).
), the drive motor (5) is stopped in step S+e, the sold-out lamp (24) is turned on in step S2°, and the process returns to step S.

(G) Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention is configured such that a control switch is actuated by a stopper member operated by a product to be delivered or the first product waiting at the product delivery end. The product transport mechanism is stopped when the switch detects delivery of the product, and the control switch detects the presence or absence of the product depending on the standby position of the stopper member. Since the delivery can be controlled without changing the size of the product, there is no need to change the product at all, and the number of stored products can be maximized, ensuring that each product is sent out one by one, starting with the first product. In addition to being able to detect the presence or absence of a product easily and reliably, the present invention has the following effects.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of the device of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a side view, FIG. 2 is a plan view, FIGS. 3 to 5 are cross-sectional views of the lock mechanism section showing different states, and FIG. 6 is a side view. 8 to 8 are explanatory diagrams of the relationship between the control switch and the control cam showing different states,
Figure 9 is an explanatory schematic diagram, Figure 10 is an electrical control configuration diagram,
Figure 1 is a flowchart. (1)...Product transport mechanism, (4)...Transport belt,
(6)...Stopper member, (7)...Product delivery end,
(11)...Control switch. \Saiba) U)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Equipped with a product transport mechanism that transports products placed and stored on a transport belt in a substantially horizontal direction, and the stored products are sent out from the product delivery end of the product transport mechanism by driving the product transport mechanism based on a product delivery command. In the vending machine, a stopper member is provided so as to be latched to the first product on the product delivery end side, and is rotated by the delivered product and returns to rotation, and a control switch that is operated by rotation of the stopper member. When the stopper member rotates due to the product delivery operation caused by the drive of the product delivery mechanism, the control switch detects delivery of the product and stops the drive of the product transport mechanism, and the rotation after the stopper member returns to rotation. 1. A product dispensing device for a vending machine, characterized in that a control switch detects the presence or absence of a product upon motion.