JPH0347558B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (a) Industrial Application Field This invention provides a method for managing the supply of change coins for each automatic ticket vending machine in groups by installing a plurality of automatic ticket vending machines used in station service, for example. Regarding group-controlled vending machines.

(b) Prior Art As a conventional method for managing groups of change coins in an automatic ticket vending machine, there is an automatic ticket vending machine system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-212593.

In the case of the conventional system described above, a belt conveyor is installed diagonally above each ticket vending machine, and this diagonally installed belt conveyor is connected to each ticket vending machine, and change coins are supplied by raising and lowering buckets. If you want to convey coins directly on a belt conveyor and supply change coins to the ticket vending machine that requested it, you can do this by conveying the coins to the next belt conveyor beyond the requesting ticket vending machine, and then reversing this belt conveyor. ing.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In this conventional system, change coins are conveyed directly on a belt conveyor, so the change coins are scattered in the conveying direction on the belt surface, resulting in a wide conveying range. Unless the driving time of the conveyor is lengthened, there is a problem that incomplete conveyance will occur.

Moreover, since the change coins are directly conveyed by the belt conveyor, there is a problem that the change coins may fall at the joints of the conveyor.

As described above, the drive of the belt conveyor needs to be controlled in the forward and reverse directions when replenishing change, which poses problems such as complicated control and longer replenishment processing time.

As a means to solve these problems, a rail is laid on the top of multiple automatic ticket vending machines, a distributor equipped with a motor runs on the rail, and coins are replenished from the dispenser in a short time. There is a device.

However, according to this distribution machine, adjusting the rail joints mentioned above is troublesome, it takes time and effort to lay the rails, and furthermore, since the distribution machine is equipped with a motor, the power supply means is powered by a power supply. This system requires rails, and as a result, the device becomes complicated and large, and there are problems such as it is substantially difficult to increase or decrease the number of automatic ticket vending machines.

Therefore, this invention solves the above-mentioned problems,
To provide a group-controlled vending machine that can reliably supply change coins in a short time using a dispensing machine and that can easily install, increase or decrease the number of vending machines.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems This invention provides a circulation machine for replenishing coins arranged at the end of the machine and a plurality of vending machines, and replenishing change coins for each vending machine using a circulation machine. A group-controlled vending machine that performs group control, wherein each vending machine is arranged in a series of coin supply ports formed on the top surface of each of the above-mentioned vending machines, and each vending machine is arranged in a series along one side of each of the above-mentioned supply ports. A conveyance path is set on the top surface of the vending machine and the top surface of the circulation machine extending from this conveyance path, and a unitized conveyor with a driving part and a guide plate for the distribution machine is installed for each vending machine and circulation machine on this conveyance path. a coin storage section that is mounted on the conveyor of the circulation machine and stores change coins;
It has an opening/closing lid that opens and closes the coin storage section on a side corresponding to each of the replenishing ports, and an opening/closing operation part that opens and closes the opening/closing lid, and is set to return after coins are replenished with the top of the circulation machine as a standby position. Place the dispenser with
An operating mechanism is provided on the top surface of each of the vending machines to oppose and drive the opening/closing operation section of the opening/closing lid when the dispensing machine is stopped with the opening/closing lid portion corresponding to the replenishment port for coin replenishment. It is characterized by being a group-controlled vending machine.

(E) Function The group control vending machine of the present invention has a plurality of vending machines connected in series with each supply port and a circulating machine, and a unitized conveyor for conveying the dispensing machine is connected to each vending machine. The conveyor and opening/closing mechanism are installed independently along the conveyance path on the upper surface of the vending machine, and when the number of vending machines increases or decreases, a unitized conveyor and opening/closing mechanism are added or removed each time.

(f) Effects of the Invention As a result of the above, according to the present invention, the drive of the unitized conveyor can be simply controlled in the same direction, forward or backward, between the requesting vending machines, so that the control is simplified. Furthermore, since reliable conveyance control of the dispenser is possible, the operation of replenishing coins from the dispenser, that is, the operation of the opening/closing operation part of the dispenser by the opening/closing mechanism, is accurate, allowing for good replenishment and the replenishment process. It can be done in a short time.

Furthermore, since the distributor is guided by a guide plate, the joint between the unitized conveyors becomes a simple joint in the conveyor path, and even if there is a slight gap or difference in level, it will not affect the running of the distributor, ensuring reliable running. is obtained.

In addition, as mentioned above, since the conveyance path is formed by a rough connection of unitized conveyors, the number of adjustment points when installing the vending machine on-site is greatly reduced, allowing for quick installation and expansion. becomes.

Furthermore, since unitized conveyors can be assembled, adjusted, and tested for operation within the factory, the replenishment equipment for each vending machine can maintain the same quality on-site as in the factory.

Furthermore, since a drive device is not required on the distributor side, the structure is simplified and miniaturized, and furthermore, a power supply rail is not required, troubles on the distributor side are eliminated, and coins can be replenished reliably.

(g) Embodiment of the invention An embodiment of the invention will be described in detail below based on the drawings.

The drawings show group management of automatic ticket vending machines used for station operations, and in Figures 1 and 2, a plurality of automatic ticket vending machines 1 are installed side by side with a coin replenishing machine 2 at one end. A series of replenishment ports 3 for replenishing change coins are formed on the top surface of each machine 1, and along these replenishment ports 3, a unitized belt conveyor 4 is connected to each machine 1. These belt conveyors 4 are attached to the top surface and connected in series to form a conveyance path 5 for supplying coins.

A distributor 6 is placed on standby on the belt conveyor 4 placed on the above-mentioned circulation machine 2, and a predetermined amount of supply coins is supplied to the distributor 6 by a lift device 7.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the belt conveyor 4 described above is equipped with guide plates 8, 8 on both sides, and these guide plates 8, 8 are supported by supporting rods 9 installed at necessary locations. A pulley 11 is fixed to a drive shaft 10 which is installed on one end side of these guide plates 8, 8 and is supported by a bearing, and long grooves 12, 12 are formed in the length direction on the other end side of the guide plates 8, 8. is formed, the pulley 11 is supported by a support shaft 13 installed in the long grooves 12, 12, and a belt 15 is stretched between the pulley 11 and the belt 15. The tension is adjusted by adjusting the position in the length direction by the tension bolts 16, 16.

Further, an input pulley 17 is fixed to the aforementioned drive shaft 10, and a forward/reverse driving force is input to this pulley 17 via a belt 19 from a forward/reverse motor 18 disposed above.

A cover 20 is fixed to the outer surface of the above-mentioned guide plates 8, 8 on the side facing the supply port 3, and this cover 20 prevents the coins from entering the supply port 3 when the above-mentioned distributor 6 flows down the supply coins. invite.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the above-mentioned distributor 6
has a U-shaped base 21 with an open top surface to be placed on the top surface of the belt conveyor 4, and a coin storage section 2 on one side on the bottom surface of the base 21.
2. An opening/closing operation section 23 is formed on the other side.

The above-mentioned coin storage section 22 is formed into a box-shaped body, and the bottom plate 24 is provided obliquely in the coin flow direction.
An opening/closing lid 25 is provided on the downstream side, and this opening/closing lid 25
The upper end edge is pivotally attached with a pin 26, and the lower end side is opened outward.

The above-mentioned opening/closing operation section 23 is a mechanism for opening and closing the above-mentioned opening/closing lid 25, and is a mechanism for opening and closing the above-mentioned opening/closing lid 25.
7 and 27 support a block 28 that slides up and down, and this block 28 is urged upward (in the closing direction of the lid 25) by a spring 29.

An L-shaped operation plate 30 with a flat upper end is fixed to the above-mentioned block 28, and a locking plate 31 is fixed to the front side of the stiff operation plate 30. A horizontal long groove 32 is carved.

On the other hand, an interlocking plate 33 is fixed to one side of the horizontal plate 25, and a pin 34 implanted on the outer surface of the interlocking plate 33 is engaged with the long groove 32 of the locking plate 31 described above.

In addition, a pin 35 implanted on the side surface of the locking plate 31
The free end side of the spring 36 wound around the interlocking plate 33
The opening/closing lid 25 is urged in the closing direction via the pin 34 and the interlocking plate 33.

The opening/closing lid 25 is opened when the operating plate 30 is pushed down against the spring 29, the locking plate 31 moves downward and the pin 34 of the interlocking plate 33 moves downward. Further, when the operation plate 30 is released, the block 28 returns to its original position due to the action of the spring 29, the opening/closing lid 25 is closed, and the spring 3
6, it is urged in the closing direction.

Further, on the top surface of the ticket vending machine 1, an operating mechanism 37 for pressing down the operating panel 30 of the opening/closing operation section 23 described above is provided.
This mechanism 37 includes a push pin 38, a lever 39, and a motor 40.

The above-mentioned push-down pin 38 is supported by a support member 42 attached to a fixed plate 41 so as to be movable up and down, and a pin 43 is implanted in the upper end toward the side, and this pin 43 is attached to the free end of the lever 39. Long groove 44 formed in
mated to.

The base end of the lever 39 described above is pivotally attached to the support plate 45 with a pin 46, and a long groove 47 is provided in the intermediate portion in the length direction.
A pin 50 of a crank 49 fixed to the drive shaft 48 of the motor 40 is fitted into this long groove 47, and when the motor 40 is rotated once, the lever 39 makes one reciprocating up and down movement. The push-down pin 38 moves up and down at the same time on the operation plate 3 of the opening/closing operation section 23.
Press 0.

In the group management automatic ticket vending machine configured as described above, when each ticket vending machine 1 requests the replenishment of coins, each belt conveyor 4 is controlled to rotate in forward and reverse directions on the circulation machine 2 side.

On the belt conveyor 4 of the above-mentioned circulation machine 2, a distribution machine 6 storing replenishment coins is waiting, and if any ticket vending machine 1 requests replenishment coins, the belt conveyor between the requesting ticket vending machines 1 is 4... are driven and controlled in the forward direction.

When the distribution machine 6 is conveyed by the belt conveyor 4 and the request ticket vending machine 1 detects this, the drive of the belt conveyor 4 is stopped, and then the operation mechanism 37 on the request ticket vending machine 1 side is driven and the push pin 37 moves downward and presses down the upper end surface of the operation plate 30 of the opening/closing operation section 23 of the distributor 6.

This press opens the opening/closing lid 25 of the coin storage section 22, and the stored coins flow down into the replenishment port 3 and are stored in the internal hopper.

Thereafter, the opening/closing lid 25 of the coin storage section 22 is closed, and then the belt conveyor 4 is driven in the return direction, and the distributor 6 is returned to the circulation machine 2.

By forming the belt conveyor 4 for each ticket vending machine 1 as in the above-described embodiment, the conveyance path 5 of the distributor 6 can be easily configured, and the configuration on the distributor 6 side can also be simplified.

In addition, although the above-mentioned Example described the automatic ticket vending machine, it is applicable also to other automatic vending machines.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a partial front view of a group control automatic ticket vending machine, Fig. 2 is a top view thereof, Fig. 3 is a plan view of a belt conveyor, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view thereof. , FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway front view of the distributor, and FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway side view of the opening/closing operation section thereof. 1... Automatic ticket vending machine, 2... Circulating machine, 3... Supply port, 4... Belt conveyor, 5... Conveyance path, 6...
...Distributor, 8...Guide plate, 17...Pulley, 1
8... Forward/reverse motor, 19... Belt, 22...
Coin storage section, 23... Opening/closing operation section, 25... Opening/closing lid, 37... Opening/closing mechanism.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A group-controlled automatic vending machine that includes a coin replenishment circulation machine arranged at the end of the installation and a plurality of vending machines, and manages the supply of change coins for each vending machine in groups using the circulation machine. A machine, wherein each vending machine is arranged by connecting a series of coin supply ports formed on the top surface of each of the above-mentioned vending machines, and the top surface of the vending machine along one side of each of the above-mentioned supply ports and an extension thereof. A conveyance path is set on the top surface of the circulation machine, and a unitized conveyor having a driving part and a guide plate for the distribution machine is installed for each vending machine and circulation machine on this conveyance path, and the conveyor of the circulation machine is installed. The circulating machine has a coin storage section for storing change coins, an opening/closing lid for opening/closing the coin storage section on the side corresponding to each supply port, and an opening/closing operation section for opening/closing the opening/closing lid. A dispensing machine is placed on the top of each vending machine with its standby position set to return after coin supply, and the dispensing machine is stopped on the top of each vending machine with its opening/closing lid corresponding to the supply opening for coin supply. A group control vending machine that is provided with an operating mechanism that faces the opening/closing operation section of the opening/closing lid and drives the opening/closing operation section when the lid is opened/closed.