JPH0269894A - vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a plurality of product storage units equipped with a cross-feeding means for cross-feeding a plurality of products placed in a parallel state to one side in the parallel direction. A product mounting table that supports the products selectively sent out from the product storage section by placing the products at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction; The present invention relates to a vending machine equipped with a product lifting device having a lifting drive mechanism for forced movement.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in this type of vending machine, as shown in FIG. 12, a rotating shaft (52) of a chain conveyor (51) constituting a cross-feeding means for each product storage section (50).

(53), the rotating shaft (5) located on the upper side in the conveyance direction
3) is interlocked with an electric motor (54) equipped with a speed reduction mechanism.

Then, based on the product selection signal, when the product placement table (55) is stopped at a position corresponding to the product storage section (50) in which the product corresponding to the product selection signal is stored, this product placement table ( The electric motor (54) is driven based on the stop detection signal of the belt conveyor (51).
) Among the products (A) placed on the product (A), the product (A) located at the forefront is delivered onto the product placement table (55).

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the case of this conventional vending machine, since an electric motor (54) for driving the chain conveyor (51) is provided for each product storage section (50), the entire drive mechanism is cost-effective. Not only is this expensive, but each of these electric motors (54) requires a control circuit to control the drive of each motor individually based on the stop signal of the product mounting table (55), etc., and the control system of the entire conveying device is The problem was that it became extremely complicated.

An object of the present invention is to rationally modify the cross-feeding drive system in the product storage section to always ensure cross-feeding of products while simplifying the drive system and control system of the entire conveying device. The purpose of this invention is to shorten the time required to send the product onto the product placement table.

[Means to solve the problem]

In the vending machine according to the present invention, the cross-feeding means of each product storage section is provided with a rotatable movable member and a transmission means for transmitting the rotational force of the movable member as a product cross-feeding force; The product mounting table is provided with a pressing member for pressing and rotating the movable member of each of the horizontal feeding means, and a drive mechanism for forcibly rotating the pressing member, and the pressing member is rotated by the driving mechanism. The main feature of the present invention is that it is composed of a plurality of pressing portions that are integrally rotated at predetermined intervals in the rotational direction of the rotational shaft. A clutch is provided for intermittent power transmission from the drive mechanism to the pressing member, and the rotational axis of the pressing member is offset in the product traverse direction with respect to a vertical line passing through the rotational axis of the movable member. The points located at the respective locations and the two pressing portions are distributed and arranged at both ends of a rotating arm that is attached to the rotating shaft in an integrally rotating state, with the center of the rotating axis being sandwiched between the two. The pressing part is urged to move toward the axis of the rotating shaft by the urging mechanism, and is movable to the side away from the rotating axis as the movable member comes into contact with the pressed part. An interval that is slidably fitted onto the rotating arm and that regulates the interval between the two pressing parts to a size that allows movement of the pressing part with respect to the pressed part of the movable member when the pressing member goes up and down. Another feature is that a regulating member is provided on the rotating arm.

[For production]

Based on the product selection signal, when the product placement table stops at the position of the product storage section that stores the product corresponding to the product selection signal, a single drive mechanism provided on this product placement table is activated, and this drive The mechanism rotates the pressing member. The rotation of the pressing member presses and rotates the movable member of the traversing means, and further, this rotational force is transmitted as a product lateral transport force through the transmission means, and a plurality of products placed in parallel are Among the products, the product located at the forefront in the traverse direction is delivered onto the product placement table.

Furthermore, by providing a plurality of pressing parts of the pressing member on the rotary wheel at predetermined intervals in the rotating direction, the pressing part acts to press the movable member, compared to a case where one pressing part is provided. The maximum loss time can be shortened.

In addition, if the clutch is disengaged and operated when the product mounting table is raised or lowered to the product storage section corresponding to the product selection signal, or when the product mounting table that has received the product is raised or lowered to the product discharge port, the pressing member is in a free rotation state, so
Even if the pressing member that moves up and down integrally with the product mounting table comes into contact with the movable member while going up and down, the pressing member only rotates to escape, thereby reliably preventing the movable member from rotating.

Furthermore, by attaching the two pressing parts to the rotating arm as described above, the end of the pressing part on the rotation axis side comes into contact with the outer peripheral edge of the pressed part of the movable member while the pressing member is moving up and down. When this happens, a force is applied to the pressing part to move it away from the rotation axis, but the pressing part resists the urging force of the urging mechanism and moves away from the rotation axis. Since the movable member is movable, it is possible to reliably prevent the movable member from being forced to swing due to contact with the pressing portion when the pressing portion is attached in an immovable state.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As a result, even if the product storage sections are provided in multiple stages above and below, a single drive mechanism provided on the product placement table can serve as the drive source for the traversing means of each product storage section. Since it is only necessary to control the operation of this single drive mechanism based on various information, the entire drive structure for selectively operating the cross-feeding means of each product storage section is simpler and more economical than before. It is possible to configure the system according to the present invention, and at the same time, it is possible to simplify the control system.

Moreover, since the pressing member of the product mounting table is configured to press and rotate the movable member of the cross-feeding means on a surface, the continuous rotation of the pressing member continuously moves the cross-feeding means at a predetermined speed. Therefore, even if the product on the product storage section is damaged due to an error when replenishing the product into the product storage section, the desired product can be delivered in a state with less impact. The product can be placed on the product table and taken out in a short time.

Furthermore, by providing a plurality of pressing parts of the pressing member, it is possible to reduce the maximum loss time between rotating the pressing member and transmitting this rotational force to the movable member. No matter what rotational position the movable member is stopped at, the product can be taken out onto the product placement table in a short time.

Further, for example, the product mounting table may be provided with a drive gear interlocked with an electric motor and a drive mechanism that reciprocates the drive gear, and the lateral feeding means of each product storage section may be provided with a drive gear that engages with the drive gear. Unlike the case where a possible passive gear is provided, there is no possibility of meshing failure due to the difference in the meshing phase between the driving gear and the passive gear, and the product placement table can be stopped with rough accuracy. It is now possible to always reliably transport products stored side by side in the product storage section.

Furthermore, even if the pressing member comes into contact with the movable member while the product placement table is being raised or lowered, the action of the clutch can reliably prevent the movable member from rotating. It was possible to provide a highly safe vending machine that does not cause improper delivery of products due to this.

Furthermore, by attaching the two pressing parts so that they can move in the direction of release when they come into contact with the rotating member, the movable member is forcibly rotated when it comes into contact with the pressing member, and the product can be reliably prevented from being sent out, and from this point of view as well, safety can be further improved.

〔Example〕

Next, an embodiment of a vending machine according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

Figure 9 shows a vending machine that stores products (A) such as bottled beer, and the front side of the casing (3) has double internal and external doors (1) and (2) that can swing open and close to close the opening of the vending machine. ) is attached, and a partition plate (4) is provided inside the casing (3) to divide the internal space of the casing into a product storage chamber (Sυ) and a refrigeration power chamber (S2).

The product storage chamber (Sl) of the casing (3) includes a cross-feeding means (B) for cross-feeding a plurality of products (A) placed in parallel in the horizontal direction to one side in the parallel direction. A plurality of chain conveyor type product storage units (C) are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, and products (A) selectively delivered from the product storage units (C) are placed thereon. The supporting product mounting table (5) and this product mounting table (5)
) is provided with a product lifting device (D>) equipped with a lifting drive mechanism (7) for forcibly moving the door (1), (2) up and down to the product takeout port (6) formed at the bottom of the door (1), (2). be.

As shown in FIG. 8, each product storage section (C) is located at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction of the casing (3) out of the storage frame (not shown) installed in the casing (3). A pair of rollers (9A) and (9b) are rotatably attached to the location, and both rollers (9a) and
It is constructed by winding the horizontal feed bell (10) over (9b).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lateral feeding means (B) is configured to rotate the rotating shaft (11) of the roller (9a) located on the lower side in the lateral feeding direction among the rollers (9a) and (9b). )
A movable member (12) that rotates integrally with this rotating shaft (11) is attached to one end, and the movable member (12)
2), a roller (13) as a pressed portion is attached to the tip of the roller (13), which is rotatable around an axis parallel to the rotating shaft (11).

The rotating shaft (11) of the roller (9a) constitutes a transmission means for transmitting the rotational force of the movable member (12) to the roller (9a) as a force for transversely transporting the product.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the elevating drive mechanism (7) of the product elevating device (D) is provided with a mechanism parallel to the longitudinal direction of the casing (3) at the upper and lower parts of the casing (3). Sprocket (7a) that is rotatable around the axis (hereinafter referred to as the front and rear axis).

(7b), and these two sprockets (7a), (
An elevating chain (7C) is wound around the lower sub-block (7b), and an electric motor (7d) which can be switched between forward and reverse directions is interlocked and connected to the lower sub-block (7b).

The product mounting table (5) is connected to the lifting chain (7C).
The electric motor (7d
) is configured to be raised and lowered by rotation of the lifting chain (7C).

In addition, when installing the product mounting table (5), the cylindrical member (14) fixed to the base end is attached to the top plate (3) of the casing (3).
a) and the bottom plate (3b) and is slidably fitted onto a guide member (15) in an up-and-down position to guide the rise and fall of the product mounting table (5).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one of the product placement tables (5) facing the movable member (12) of the traversing means (B) in the front and back direction of the casing (3) A bracket (16) having a substantially upward U-shape when viewed in the left-right direction of the casing (3) is attached to the side part of the casing (3), and the movable member (16) of each of the lateral feeding means (B) is attached to this bracket (16).
12) and a drive mechanism (B) for forcibly rotating this pressing member (17).
), and the pressing member (17) is provided so as to rotate integrally with the rotation shaft (20) rotated by the drive mechanism (E) at a predetermined interval in the rotation direction of the rotation shaft (20). It is composed of two pressing parts (17A) and (17A).

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pressing portions (17^), (17A) are connected to the rotation shafts (20), (20).
A plate-shaped rotating arm (17
B), and each of the pressing parts (17A) and (17A) has two parts.
A roughly L-shaped plate member (17C), (17C),
The rotating arms (17B) are stacked one on top of the other with the rotating arms (17B) sandwiched between them.

Then, both the pressing parts (17A), (17A) are biased to move toward the axis of the rotation shaft (20) by two springs (8), (8) as biasing mechanisms, and the The movable member (12) is slidably fitted onto the rotary arm (17B) so as to be able to move away from the rotary axis (X) as the movable member (12) comes into contact with the roller (13); The distance between the two pressing parts (17A), (17A) can be set such that the pressing parts (17A), (17A) can move with respect to the roller (13) of the movable member (12) when the pressing member (17) goes up and down. Bins (P), (P) as distance regulating members for regulating the size are attached to the rotating arm (17B).

The drive mechanism (8) includes a slidably movable cylinder located coaxially with the rotating shaft (11) at one end of the bracket (16) on the side where the movable member (12) is present. A sliding member (18) having a shape is installed, and a rotating shaft (20) rotatable around the same axis as the rotating shaft (11) is installed inside the sliding member (18) via a pair of bearings (19). It is.

The other end of the bracket (16) is equipped with an electric motor (
21) is installed with its drive shaft (21a) positioned coaxially with the rotating shaft (11).

Further, the pressing member (17) is attached to one end of the rotation shaft (20) on the side where the movable member (12) is present, and the other end of the rotation shaft (20) and the electric motor (
A clutch (22) for turning on/off transmission of power from the electric motor (21) to the pressing member (17) is provided at a location facing the tip of the drive shaft (21a).

This clutch (22) is composed of a pair of clutch plates (22A) and (22B) that are provided with latch claws (22a) and (22b) that can be engaged and disengaged from the direction of the rotation axis.

Furthermore, the intermediate portion of the fork member (23) that engages with the circumferential groove (18a) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the slide member (18) is attached to the member (24) at one end of the bracket (16). ), and this fork member (23)
The other end of the fork member is pivotally connected to an operating shaft (25a) of a solenoid (25) fixed to the bracket (16), and the fork member is connected between the fork member (23) and the bracket (16). (23), slide member (1
8), the movable side clutch plate (22A) is connected to the fixed side clutch plate (22B) via the bearing (19) and the support shaft (20).
A spring (26) is tensioned to bias the clutch to the disengaged position.

The solenoid (25) is actuated to extend based on a detection signal that the product mounting table (5) is stopped at a position corresponding to a predetermined product storage section (C), and the spring (25) is actuated to extend.
By forcibly rocking the fork member (23) against the elastic urging force of 6), the movable clutch plate (22A
) is switched to the clutch engaged position in which the clutch plate (22B) is engaged with the fixed side clutch plate (22B).

Then, as shown in FIG. 7(C), based on the product selection signal, the product placement table is placed at a position corresponding to the product storage section (C) in which the product (A) corresponding to the product selection signal is stored. (5) is stopped, the solenoid (25) and the electric motor (21) are driven and controlled based on the stop detection signal of the product mounting table (5), and the clutch (22) is engaged and operated. The rotational force of the electric motor (21) is transmitted to the pressing member (17) via the clutch (22) and the support shaft (20).

Then, as shown in FIG. 7(d), the pressing member (17)
The drive rotation of the movable member (12) causes the roller (1
3) is pressed and rotated, and this rotational force is transmitted to the transverse conveying belt (10) via the rotating shaft (11) and the roller (9a), and the transverse conveying belt (10) is placed on the transverse conveying belt (10). Among the products (A), only the product (A) located at the front end is delivered onto the product placement table (5).

When a limit switch, weight sensor, etc. detects that the product (A) has been delivered onto the product placement table (5), the electric motor (21) is stopped and the solenoid (25) is demagnetized. , the clutch (22) is disengaged by the elastic restoring force of the spring (26).

After that, the electric motor (7d) of the product lifting device (D)
is driven, and the product placement table (5) is moved to the product takeout port (6).
The product placement table (5) is lowered to a position corresponding to the product placement table (5).
) The product (S) above is delivered to the product takeout port (6).

When the product mounting table (5) is raised or lowered, the pressing member (17) is brought into a free rotating state by the disengagement of the clutch (22), so that, for example, as shown in FIG. 6(A),
Even if the pressing part (17A) or (17A) of the pressing member (17) comes into contact with the roller (13) of the movable member (12) of the other product storage part (C) during elevation, the ), the pressing part (17A) on the side that is in contact with the roller (13
) by being pushed to the side that avoids contact with
The pressing member (17) can be swung to escape, and the movable member (12) is rotated by contact between the pressing member (17) and the movable member (12) of the other product storage section (C). This prevents the product (A) from being sent out.

Also, the pressing member (17
) The end of the rotation axis side of the pressing part (17A) of the product storage part (C) is moved up and down by the roller (13
), a force is applied to the pressing part (17A) or (17A) to move it away from the rotation axis (X), but as shown in FIG. ), the pressing part (17A) or (17A) is connected to the spring (8).
The pressing part (17A) or (
17) can prevent the product (A) from being sent out due to the swinging operation due to contact with the end on the rotation axis side.

Further, the electric motor (21) is connected to the product mounting table (5).
Since the product (A) is continuously driven while the detection signal indicating that the product (A) has been delivered to the top is not outputted, the product (A) placed on the top is continuously driven. Even if you are missing something due to a mistake at the time,
The designated product (A) can be reliably and quickly delivered onto the product placement table (5).

[Another example]

In the above embodiment, the drive mechanism (B) is an electric motor (
21) and a clutch (22), it may also be implemented using a hydraulic motor or the like.

In short, the drive mechanism (B) may have any structure as long as it can forcibly rotate the pressing member (17).

Further, in the above embodiment, the pressing part (17) of the pressing member (17)
Although two A) were provided, three or more may be provided.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the pressing member (17) of the pressing member (17)
7A), (178) to the roller (1) of the movable member (12).
3) was fitted onto the rotating arm (17B) so that it could move away from the rotating axis (X) as it came into contact with the rotating arm (17B). 17B)
It may also be carried out by being immovably attached to the In this case, the pressing parts (17A) and (17A) are connected to the rotating arm (1
7B) may be integrally formed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the pressing portions (17A), (17A) of the pressing member (17) are formed into a substantially L-shape, but the shape is not limited to this, and each of the horizontal feeding means It may be configured in any shape as long as it can press the movable member (12) in (B), and its rotation axis can also be changed in various ways depending on various conditions.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the movable member (12) of each of the lateral feeding means (B) was configured to be rotatable around the front and rear axis.
The rotational axis is not limited to this, and for example, the movable member (12) may be configured to be rotatable around the axis along the left-right direction of the casing (3), and Along with this, the structure of the transmission means (11) can also be changed in various ways.

Further, in the above embodiment, a chain conveyor type is used as the product storage section (C), but a bar conveyor type, a belt conveyor type, etc. may be used instead.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the pressing member (17) is raised and lowered, the pressing portion (17) of the movable member (12) is pressed against the roller (13).
Although pins (P) and (P) are attached to the rotating arm (17B) as spacing regulating members for regulating the movement of A) and (17A) to an allowable size, Figs. 10 and 11
As shown in the figure, one of the two plate members (17C), (17C) constituting the pressing part (17A) is a plate extending toward the rotation axis (X) side of the pressing member (17). Department (1711
), this plate part (170), (
The support shaft (20) on which the end edge of the support shaft (20) comes into contact may be used as a spacing regulating member.

Further, the structure of the product lifting device (D) can also be modified in various ways.

In the above embodiment, the product outlet (6) is connected to both the doors (
1) and (2), but this product outlet (
6) is formed in the upper and lower intermediate parts of both doors (1) and (2),
It may be configured to dispense the product (A) from above.

Incidentally, although reference numerals are written in the claims section for convenient comparison with the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of a vending machine according to the present invention, and the first
The figure is a perspective view of the pressing member, FIGS. 2 and 3 are front and side views of the pressing member, FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views and perspective views showing the driving mechanism of the pressing member, and FIG. b), (0)
and Figures 7 (A) and (II). (C) and (D) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the pressing member, FIG. 8 is a front view of the product conveyance system, and FIG. 9 is an overall perspective view of the vending machine. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are a perspective view and a front view showing another embodiment of the pressing member. FIG. 12 is a front view of a conveyance system showing a conventional vending machine. (5)...Product placement table, (6)...Product outlet, (7)...Elevating drive mechanism, (8)...
...Biasing mechanism, (11)...Transmission means,
(12)...Movable member, (13)...
Pressed part, (17)...Press member, (17A)
・・・・・・°Pushing part, (17B)...Rotating arm, (20)...Rotating axis, (22)...
...Clutch, (A)...Product, (B)...
...Transverse feed means, (C) ...Product storage section, (
D)... Product lifting device, (Snake)... Drive mechanism, (P)... Spacing regulating member, (X)...
...Rotation axis. Figure 8

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of product storage units (C) each equipped with a cross-feeding means (B) for transversely feeding a plurality of products (A) placed in a parallel state to one side in the parallel direction. are arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction, and a product mounting table (5) that supports and supports the products (A) selectively sent out from the product storage section (C); 5) up and down to the product take-out port (6), the vending machine is equipped with a product lifting device (D) equipped with a lifting drive mechanism (7) for forcibly moving the product compartments (5) up and down to the product take-out port (6); The cross-feeding means (B) of C) is equipped with a rotatable movable member (12) and a transmission means (11) that transmits the rotational force of the movable member (12) as a product cross-feeding force, A pressing member (17) for pressing and rotating the movable member (12) of each horizontal feeding means (B) is provided on the product mounting table (5), and the pressing member (17) is forcibly rotated. A drive mechanism (E) is provided, and the pressing member (17) is rotated integrally with the rotation shaft (20) rotated by the drive mechanism (E) at a predetermined interval in the rotation direction thereof. A vending machine consisting of a plurality of pressing parts (17A) provided with. 2. Providing a clutch (22) for intermittent power transmission from the drive mechanism (E) to the pressing member (17),
The rotational axis (X) of the pressing member (17) is located at a position offset in the product lateral feed direction with respect to a vertical line passing through the rotational axis (X) of the movable member (12). The vending machine according to claim 1. 3. Two of the pressing parts (17A) are connected to the rotating shaft (20)
A rotating arm (17B), which is attached to the rotating arm (17B) in an integrally rotating state, is arranged at both ends of the rotating arm (17B) with its rotating axis (X) interposed therebetween, and both of the pressing parts (17A) and (17A) are biased by a biasing mechanism. (8) urges the rotating shaft (20) to move toward the axis, and presses the pressed portion (1) of the movable member (12).
3), and is slidably fitted onto the rotating arm (17B) so as to be able to move away from the rotating axis (X) upon contact with the rotating arm (17B), and both the pressing portions (17A); (17A)
When the pressing member (17) is raised and lowered, the pressing portion (
17A), (17A) to an allowable size, are attached to the rotating arm (1).
7B). The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, which is provided in 7B).