JPH05120531A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an automatic vending machine capable of continuing the carrying of goods by correcting the posture of it even when the ascent of a bucket is stopped due to the posture defect of the goods housed in the bucket. CONSTITUTION:This machine is provided with an abnormal stoppage detecting means which detects abnormal stoppage generated in process to ascend the bucket 6a of an elevator mechanism 6 from a receiving position to a take-out position, and a compulsory descending means which descends compulsorily the bucket 6a from a position where the abnormal stoppage is detected. Also, it is provided with posture correcting means 2c, 6i abutting with the lower plane of a part protruded from the bucket 6a of the goods S to the outside in compulsory descending process, and a re-ascending means which ascends the bucket 6a from the compulsory descending position to the take-out position again. Therefore, it is possible to continue the carrying of the bucket 6a by correcting the posture of it in process to descend the bucket compulsory from the stopping position even when the ascent of the bucket 6a due to the posture defect of the goods S is stopped.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic vending machine which makes it easy to take out a product delivered from a product column to a position higher than the delivery position.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-253089 discloses a vending machine of this type. This vending machine is provided with an elevator mechanism in front of a serpentine-type product column arranged in the main body, which conveys the product delivered from the product column upward.
The elevator mechanism is composed of a bucket capable of receiving the products carried out from the product column, a pair of chains for vertically moving the buckets, and a motor for rotationally driving the chains. Upon operation, the bucket can be raised from the receiving position and lowered from the raised position to the receiving position.

[0003]

By the way, in the elevator mechanism described above, if the posture of the goods stored in the bucket is improper, the bucket will stop in the ascending process due to the posture defect. There is.

Particularly when the depth of the bucket is smaller than the height of the product, when the product carried out from the product column slides down in the vertical direction with respect to the bucket, the product is accommodated in the bucket in an inclined front-back direction and the end portion thereof is tilted. May spill out of the bucket. In other words, when the bucket is raised in this stored state, the part of the product that protrudes outward from the bucket is caught by surrounding parts, such as the outer and inner doors, which prevents the bucket from rising and stops at the same position. It becomes impossible to carry it thereafter.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to correct the posture of a product accommodated in the bucket even when the lifting of the bucket is stopped due to the poor posture of the product. The purpose is to provide an automatic vending machine that can continue transportation.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an automatic vending machine having a built-in elevator mechanism for receiving a product delivered from a product column and delivering the product to an upper product outlet. , An abnormal stop detection means for detecting an abnormal stop occurring in the process of the bucket of the elevator mechanism rising from the receiving position to the take-out position, and a forced lowering means for forcibly lowering the bucket from the position where the abnormal stop is detected, There are provided posture correction means for contacting the lower surface of the portion of the product that protrudes outward from the bucket in the lowering process, and re-raising means for raising the bucket to the take-out position again from the forced lowering position.

[0007]

In the automatic vending machine according to the present invention, when the bucket is lifted from the receiving position to the taking-out position and a part of the product that is bulged outward from the bucket is caught by surrounding parts and the bucket stops, an abnormal stop detection is performed. The forcible lowering means is activated based on the detection signal of the means, and the bucket is forcibly lowered from the same position. In this forcible descending process, the lower surface of the portion of the product protruding outward from the bucket contacts the posture correcting means,
The same portion is pressed upward to correct the posture of the product. After the posture correction, the bucket is again lifted from the forced lowering position to the take-out position by the re-raising means.

[0008]

1 to 13 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an essential part of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the elevator mechanism, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system, FIG. 5 is a flow chart of posture correction control, FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of a carrying process, and FIG. 7 is an elevator shown in FIG. 8 to 10 are operation explanatory diagrams showing an example of posture correction, and FIGS. 11 to 13 are operation explanatory diagrams showing another example of the posture correction.

First, the mechanical structure of the vending machine will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a heat-insulating box-shaped main body having an opening on the front surface, and a heat-insulating inner door 2 and an outer door 3 are openably and closably provided on the front opening.

In the main body 1, a product column 4 of a serpentine type capable of accommodating products S such as beverage cans in a stacked manner and sequentially carrying out the lowest product S in accordance with a sales command, and from the product column 4 A delivery short 5 that guides the conveyed product S forward is arranged.

An insertion opening 2a is formed in the lower portion of the inner door 2 continuously from the front end of the delivery short 5, and the insertion opening 2a is provided with a middle folding type opening / closing door 2b which is pressed and opened by the product S. Has been. Further, the lower end of the inner door 2 is provided with a correction protrusion 2c for correcting the posture of the product S stored in the bucket 6a described later.

A sample chamber 3a covered with a transparent plate is provided in the upper front portion of the outer door 3, and a sample SS of a product for sale is displayed. Below each sample SS, a selection button 3b having a sales availability lamp is arranged, and the button portion is exposed to the outside from the transparent plate. Also, sample chamber 3
A product take-out port 3c is formed substantially in the center of the lower side of a, and a push-in type opening / closing door 3d is provided at the product take-out port 3c. Further, on the right side of the product outlet 3c, a digital display 3e for displaying the input amount and the change amount, and a key 3f for the outer door.
, A coin slot 3g and a coin return button 3h are provided, and the coin return slot 3g is provided below the coin slot 3g.
i is provided.

Further, on the rear surface of the outer door 3, an elevator mechanism 6 for carrying the product S carried out from the product column 4 upward.
Are arranged. The elevator mechanism 6 is formed to have a width larger than the height of the product S and a width of the product outlet 3c and a depth smaller than the height of the product S.
The container-shaped bucket 6a that can receive the product S that has rolled down from the side, and the bucket 6a that is pivotally supported at the lower position of the outer door 3 and the upper position of the product outlet 3c, respectively, at intervals larger than the lateral width of the bucket 6a. A shaft rod 6c having two sprockets 6b, a pair of left and right endless chains 6d which are vertically wound around the sprockets 6b of both shaft rods 6c, and a part of which is connected to the side surface of the bucket 6a, and A forward / reverse rotatable motor 6e connected to the shaft rod 6c, a pair of upper and lower guide rollers 6f projectingly provided on the rear portions of both side surfaces of the bucket 6a, and a guide roller 6f are slidably fitted. Pair of left and right lifting rails 6
g and the chain 6d, and between the chain 6d and the anti-theft shutter 6h that covers the back side of the product outlet 3c with the bucket 6a in the receiving position, the bucket 6a is in the receiving position. It is composed of a buffer shutter 6i that covers the front side of the bucket 6a in a certain state.
The bucket 6a can be moved up and down along the elevating rail 6g by the forward and reverse rotation of e.

The anti-theft shutter 6h and the buffer shutter 6 described above.
i is a chain 6 in which a large number of horizontally long parts are arranged at fine intervals.
The sprocket portion can be moved integrally with the chain 6d at a position orthogonal to d. The anti-theft shutter 6h is for preventing foreign matter insertion and mischief from the product take-out port 3c, and in the state of FIG. 2 where the bucket 6a is in the receiving position, the anti-theft shutter 6h interferes with the opening / closing door 3d of the product take-out port 3c. It cannot be opened by pushing in. Further, the buffer shutter 6i is for accommodating the product S jumped out from the insertion opening 2a in the bucket 6a, and even when the product S carried out from the product column 4 jumps out vigorously (see the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 2). The product S can be received by the buffer shutter 6i to absorb the impact, and stored in the bucket 6a.

Although not shown in the drawings, detection holes for photoelectric switches are coaxially formed on both side surfaces of the bucket 6a, and the transmission type first and second transmission types are provided at the receiving position and the taking-out position, respectively. The presence / absence of products in the bucket 6a can be detected by the second photoelectric switches 7a and 7b. Further, a lower limit switch 8a and an upper limit switch 8b (see FIG. 4) for detecting the height position of the bucket 6a are provided near the receiving position and the taking-out position of the bucket 6a, respectively.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a control configuration relating to product transportation will be described. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a control circuit having a microcomputer configuration, which stores a program for posture correction control, which will be described later, in a memory. The control circuit 11 includes the first and second photoelectric switches 7 described above.
a, 7b, a lower limit switch 8a and an upper limit switch 8b are connected to each other, and a drive circuit 12 for transmitting a drive signal to the motor 6e and a display signal for the failure of the elevator mechanism are transmitted to an error display 13. Drive circuit 14 is connected.

The conveying operation of the product S will be described below with reference to the flowchart of the posture correction control shown in FIG. 5 and the operation explanatory diagrams shown in FIGS. 6 to 13.

The product S carried out from the product column 4 based on the sales command by pressing the selection button 3b receives the insertion port 2a.
When the product S blocks the transmitted light of the first photoelectric switch 7a, the number of times of ascent K is set to zero, the motor 6e rotates forward, and the bucket 6a moves. Ascend from the receiving position (steps 1 to 3). Also, the number of times of ascent K by the start of the motor 6e
Is incremented by 1, and the timer T starts (steps 4 and 5).

After the motor is started, the time T from the start is monitored (step 6). The 4.5 seconds defined here means that the bucket 6e has some time to rise from the receiving position to the taking-out position. Normally, the transportation is completed within 4.5 seconds. The upper limit switch 8b is turned on.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the product column 4
When the product S carried out from the product rolls down sideways with respect to the bucket 6a, the product S is stored in the bucket 6a in the same state, so that the product S does not get out from the bucket 6a to the outside, 6a rises without any trouble as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. When the bucket 6a is raised to the take-out position and the upper limit switch 8b is turned on, the motor 6e is stopped and the timer T is cleared (steps 7 to 9). The purchaser can open / close the door 3 of the product outlet 3c here.
The product S in the bucket 6a is taken out by pushing d.

The product S in the bucket 6a is taken out and the second
When the light transmission of the photoelectric switch 7b becomes possible, the timer T starts at this point and the time T from taking out the product is monitored (steps 10 to 12). Second photoelectric switch 7b
When the bucket 6a is lowered immediately after turning on, the fingers inserted from the product take-out port 3c are pinched, the product S
There is a risk of failing to get out, so here we allow 2 seconds before the descent starts.

After a lapse of time, the motor 6e rotates in the reverse direction, the bucket 6a descends from the take-out position, and the timer T is cleared (steps 13 and 14). When the bucket 6a is lowered to the receiving position and the lower limit switch 8a is turned on,
6e is stopped and the process returns to step 1.

By the way, as shown in FIG.
When the product S carried out from the product slides down vertically with respect to the bucket 6a, the product is accommodated in the bucket 6a in a state of being tilted back and forth, and the end of the product S goes out from the rear part of the bucket 6a to the outside of the insertion port 2a. The opening / closing door 2b may be caught by the product S and may not return to its original state. That is, if the bucket 6a is raised in the state of FIG. 8, the bucket 6a is prevented from rising at the open limit position of the opening / closing door 2b as shown in FIG. 9, and the bucket 6a stops at the same position. Therefore,
In this case, the upper limit switch 8b will not be turned on within 4.5 seconds as described in step 6.

When the motor 6e has been started for more than 4.5 seconds, it is confirmed that the number of times K of rise is 3 times or less, and when it is 3 times or less, the motor 6e is increased. Stops and then rotates in the reverse direction, and timer T is cleared (step 1
7 to 20).

When the bucket 6a descends from the stop position to the receiving position and the lower limit switch 8a is turned on, the timer T starts and the bucket 6a further descends from the receiving position for a predetermined time (steps 21 to 23). .. The one second defined here is a time sufficient for the bucket 6e to further descend from the receiving position and the food supply portion of the product S to come into contact with the correction protrusion 2c of the inner door 2, and the position of the correction protrusion 2c. Depending on how you increase or decrease it.

In this descending process, as shown in FIG. 10, the lower surface of the portion of the product S protruding outward from the rear portion of the bucket 6a comes into contact with the correction projection 2c, and the same portion is pressed upward so that the product S The posture is corrected, and the product S is stored in the bucket 6a in a proper posture. After the lapse of time, the motor 6e is stopped, the timer T is cleared, the motor 6e is rotated forward, the bucket 6a is raised, the bucket 6a passes the receiving position, and the lower limit switch 8a is turned on. By the way, returning to step 4 (steps 24 to 27), the climb mode is entered again.

The above-described correction operation is repeated until the number of times of ascent K exceeds three times. When the number of times K exceeds three times, the motor 6e stops at the bucket stop position, and the error indicator 13 displays an elevator. Failure of mechanism 6 is displayed. Of course, the error display may be performed after the bucket 6a is lowered from the bucket stop position to the receiving position.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the product S carried out from the product column 4 slides down in the vertical direction with respect to the bucket 6a, the product is accommodated in the bucket 6a in a state of being inclined forward and backward, and its end portion is There is a possibility that the bucket 6a may be eaten out from the front portion. That is, when the bucket 6a is lifted in the state of FIG. 11, as shown in FIG. 12, the protruding portion of the product S is caught at the lower end of the anti-theft shutter 6h that descends in opposition to the bucket 6a, and the bucket 6a is prevented from rising. , The bucket 6a stops at the same position. Therefore, even in the above case, the upper limit switch 8b will not be turned on within 4.5 seconds as described in step 6.

Also in this case, the bucket 6a is forcibly lowered from the stop position in the same manner as above. In this descending process, as shown in FIG. 13, the lower surface of the portion of the product S protruding outward from the front portion of the bucket 6a comes into contact with the upper end of the buffer shutter 6i, and the same portion is pressed upward to move the posture of the product S. Is corrected and the product S is stored in the bucket 6a in a proper posture.
This correction operation is repeated until the number of times of ascent K exceeds three times, and when it exceeds three times, the motor 6e stops at the bucket stop position and the error indicator 13 causes the failure of the elevator mechanism 6. Is displayed.

In the vending machine shown in the above-mentioned embodiment, when the bucket 6a stops rising due to the poor attitude of the product S, the bucket 6a is forcibly lowered from the stop position and in the lowering process. Since the lower surface of the portion of the product S protruding outward from the bucket 6a is brought into contact with the correction protrusion 2c or the upper end of the buffer shutter 6i and the same portion is pressed upward, the posture of the product S can be corrected. Is advantageously stored in the bucket 6a in a proper posture and can be continuously conveyed.

Further, since the correction operation is repeated a plurality of times when the conveyance is not recovered, the posture of the product S can be surely corrected and the conveyance reliability can be improved.

Further, if the transport is not recovered even after repeating the straightening operation, the motor 6e is stopped at the stop position or the bucket 6a is lowered from the stop position to the receiving position. It is possible to prevent an unnecessary load from being applied to the switch 6e and to prevent a failure, and it is possible to suppress damage around the stop portion.

In the above embodiment, the correction projection and the buffer shutter are exemplified as the means for correcting the posture of the product, but if it can come into contact with the lower surface of the food feeding portion in the descending process of the bucket, its position and position. The shape can be variously changed.

[0034]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, even if the bucket is stopped from rising due to the poor attitude of the product, the attitude is corrected in the process of forcibly lowering the bucket from the stop position. However, there is an advantage that the product can be re-stored in the bucket in an appropriate posture and can be continuously transported.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of FIG.

3 is a front view of the elevator mechanism shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system

FIG. 5: Flow chart of posture correction control

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of a conveyance process.

7 is a front view of the elevator mechanism shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view showing an example of posture correction.

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view showing an example of posture correction.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram showing an example of posture correction.

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory view showing another example of posture correction.

FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory view showing another example of posture correction.

FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory view showing another example of posture correction.

[Explanation of symbols]

S ... Merchandise, 2c ... Straightening projection, 3c ... Merchandise outlet, 4 ... Merchandise column, 6 ... Elevator mechanism, 6a ... Bucket, 6i
... buffer shutter, 11 ... control circuit.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Tsuyoshi Kanayama 20 Kotobukicho, Isesaki City, Gunma Sanden Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a vending machine having a built-in elevator mechanism for receiving a product delivered from a product column and transporting the product toward an upper product outlet, the bucket of the elevator mechanism is moved from the receiving position to the removing position. Abnormal stop detection means for detecting an abnormal stop that occurs during the ascending process, forcible lowering means for forcibly lowering the bucket from the position where the abnormal stop is detected, and for the part of the product that has protruded to the outside during the forced lowering process. An automatic vending machine, comprising: a posture correcting unit that abuts a lower surface; and a re-raising unit that raises the bucket from the forced lowering position to the take-out position again.