JPH0581535A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an automatic vending machine capable of the deformation of the merchandise at the lowest part at the time of delivering the merchandise. CONSTITUTION:A merchandise delivering device 3 is provided at the lower part of a merchandise housing column 2 which loads merchandise G. The merchandise delivering device 3 is provided with a merchandise loading stand 15 on which the merchandise G is piled up, and a pushing member 16 which pushes the merchandise G1 at the lowest part so as to be conveyed on the merchandise loading stand 15 at the time of delivering the merchandise. The merchandise housing column 2 is equipped with a merchandise holding device 24 which holds merchandise G2 and G3 on the merchandise G1 at the lowest part at the merchandise housing column 2 side, at the time of delivering the merchandise.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is to load products in a product storage column and stack the products on a product loading table of a product delivery device.
The present invention relates to an automatic vending machine that sends out a product by pushing out the lowermost product with an extruding member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when sending out a product in a product storage column of a vending machine, a product delivery device is provided at the bottom of the product storage column, as in Japanese Patent Application No. 2-402359 previously filed by the applicant. Among the products stacked on the product loading table, the lowermost product is pushed and transferred from the back to the front discharge port by the pushing member moved by the transfer chain.

[0003]

According to the above-mentioned structure, the load of all the products loaded on the lowermost product located on the product loading table is applied. Especially when selling large products, the weight per product is large,
The products at the bottom are pressed onto the product loading table from above. Therefore, the frictional force between the lowermost product and the products on the product loading table and immediately above is very large.

When a product is pushed out from behind by an extruding member in such a situation, a strong acting force is applied to the rear wall of the product with which the extruding member abuts, and the rear wall of a normal paper box is crushed inward and deformed. , There was a problem that became unsuitable for sale. The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic vending machine which prevents deformation of the lowermost product that occurs during product delivery.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Vending machine 1 of the present invention
Is a product delivery device 3 provided below a product storage column 2 for loading products G. The product delivery device 3 has a product loading platform 15 on which the products G are stacked, and the product G1 at the bottom at the time of product delivery. And a push-out member 16 that is transported on the product loading table 15 so as to push out the product, and the product storage column 2 holds the products G2 and G3 above the lowest product G1 on the product storage column 2 side when sending the product. The holding device 24 is provided.

[0006]

When the product G1 at the bottom of the product loading table 15 is sent out, the product holding device 24 operates the product G1 at the bottom.
The products G2 and G3 above the table are held on the product storage column 2 side. Therefore, even if the pushing member 16 of the product delivery device 3 comes into contact with the rear wall of the lowermost product G1 and exerts an acting force, the load on the product G1 from above is reduced, and therefore the product loading table 15 Also, the frictional force between the article G2 and the article G2 immediately above is reduced, and the acting force applied from the pushing member 16 to the article rear wall is also reduced.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lower part of the product storage column 2, FIG. 2 is an internal front view of the vending machine 1, FIG. 3 is a side view showing the internal configuration of the vending machine 1, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the product holding device 24. Are shown respectively. Inside the vending machine 1, a product storage column 2 for stacking and storing large boxed products G
However, a plurality of product delivery devices 3 are provided in parallel in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, and are located below each product storage column 2 for delivering the stacked lowest products G1. In addition, in front of each product delivery device 3, conveying devices 4 and 4 are attached in a lateral direction. The transport devices 4 and 4 are for horizontally transporting the product G delivered from the product delivery device 3 and delivering the product G to the product chute 6. The product chute 6 is transported from the transport devices 4 and 4. The received product G is received and sent to the sales outlet 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the product storage column 2 is a rectangular box body extending vertically and is open at least on the front side and the lower side. The commodity storage column 2 is rotated above the support plate 7 mounted horizontally on the front side. A plate 8 is rotatably supported on one side by a hinge 9 and attached thereto. The rotating plate 8 rotates to open the front opening of the product storage column 2 and also functions as a loading guide plate for the product G, and prevents the product G from popping out when the front opening is closed. A locking shaft 10 for maintaining an open state and a closed state is attached to the front surface of the rotating plate 8.

The product delivery device 3 receives a product G1 at the bottom of the product stacking column 2 and receives the product G1 at the bottom.
An extruding member 16 for extruding the product G1 on the product loading table 15, a transfer chain 17 for transferring the extruding member 16, and a transfer chain 17 which is stretched so as to be drivable. A drive sprocket 18 for transmitting a drive force to the drive sprocket 18 and a delivery motor 11 for driving the drive sprocket 18 which will be described later.

The product loading table 15 has a width dimension larger than the outer dimensions of the loaded products G, and the transfer chains 17 are annular and are provided in pairs on both sides of the product loading table 15. Two extruding members 16 and 16 are extended at equal intervals so as to traverse over the product loading table 15 between the 17 and 17. The transfer chain 17 is stretched at three positions of a front sprocket 19, a rear sprocket 20 and a lower drive sprocket 18, and the positions of the front and rear sprockets 19 and 20 are the push members 16, 16.
Is arranged such that the transfer chain 17 is positioned so as to be horizontally transferred on the commodity loading table 15.

A discharge port 21 is formed at the lower end of the product storage column 2 in front of the product delivery device 3, while the rear wall 2A of the product storage column 2 detects the number of products remaining in the product storage column 2 and is sold out. A product detection device 22 for giving an instruction is provided. A product holding device 23 is attached to the side wall 2B of the product storage column 2 in front of the product detection device 22 to prevent the product G from being lifted up when the number of remaining products is small, and further the product storage column below the support plate 7. A product holding device 24 for holding the product G2 immediately above the lowermost product and the product G3 above the product G2 between the rear wall 2A and the front wall 2A is provided on the front surface.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 4, the product holding device 24 includes a pressing plate 46 attached to a mounting plate 45 provided on the front surface of the product storage column 2 below the support plate 7, and a holding motor 47. A limit switch 48, a reduction mechanism 49 of the holding motor 47, and a control cam 51 attached to an output shaft 50 of the reduction mechanism 49. An upper end of the pressing plate 46 is rotatably fixed at a hinge portion 52, and a lower end of the pressing plate 46 extends into the product storage column 2 directly above the discharge port 21. The outer peripheral surface of the control cam 51 is positioned so as to abut on the upper front surface of the pressing plate 46, and the sensing portion 48A of the limit switch 48 slidably abuts on the upper surface of the control cam 51.

As shown in the plan view of FIG. 5, the control cam 51 has a central hole 5 fixed to the output shaft 50 of the reduction mechanism 49.
The long radius portion 54A having a long distance from 3 to the outer peripheral surface and the short radius portion 54B having a short distance are alternately arranged in two places at intervals of 90 degrees, and the upper surface of the control cam 51 has an arc shape. Two grooves 55, 55 recessed in the range of 90 degrees are formed at intervals of 180 degrees, and both ends of each of the grooves 55, 55 are formed into a gentle slope. The outer peripheral surface of the control cam 51 is brought into contact with the pressing plate 46, and the sensing portion 48A of the limit switch 48 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the control cam 51 in this groove 55 portion. The control cam 51 is made into a double-function cam by moving up and down in the part without the groove and the part with the groove 55, thereby saving space.

The selling operation of the vending machine 1 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the control circuit 57 relating to the selling operation of the vending machine 1, and FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of a program of the microcomputer 58. The output of the limit switch 48 and the sales command SS are input to the microcomputer 58, and the output motor 11 and the holding motor 47 are connected to the output. Further, in the initial state, the control cam 51 of the product holding device 24 has its short radius portion 54B opposed to the pressing plate 46, and the outer peripheral surface thereof is as shown in FIG.
6, the pressing plate 46 hangs and is separated from the product G. Further, it is assumed that the sensing portion 48A of the limit switch 48 is at the position P2 in FIG.

When the user selects a product G that is not sold out, a sales command SS is input to the microcomputer 58.
When the microcomputer 58 inputs the sales command SS, step S
From 1 to step S2, the holding motor 47 is driven, and thereafter, steps S2 and S3 are repeated until the output of the limit switch 48 changes in step S3.
On the other hand, when the holding motor 47 is driven, the control cam 51 rotates clockwise in FIG. This rotation is performed 90 degrees,
When the sensing unit 48A rises out of the groove 55 and reaches the position P1 in FIG. 5, the output of the limit switch 48 changes and the microcomputer 58 proceeds from step S3 to step S4 to stop the holding motor 47.

At this time, the control cam 51 moves 90% from the initial state.
It rotates once, and its long radius portion 54A comes into contact with the pressing plate 46. The pressing plate 46 is pushed by the control cam 51 and protrudes into the product storage column 2, and abuts directly on the lowermost product G1 and on the front walls of the products G2 and G3 one above it, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. These products G2 and G3 are pressed against the rear wall 2A of the product storage column 2. As a result, the products G2 and G3 are held between the pressing plate 46 and the product storage column 2, so that all the products G above the lowest product G1 including these products G2 and G3.
The load of is no longer applied to the upper surface of the bottom product G1.

With the products G2 and G3 thus held on the product storage column 2 side, the microcomputer 58 then repeats steps S5 and S6 to execute the following product sending operation. That is, the microcomputer 58 uses the product storage column 2
The transfer chain 1 is driven via a drive sprocket 18 by driving the delivery motor 11 of the product delivery device 3 provided in the lower part.
Drive 7 The transfer chain 17 transfers the extruding member 16, and the extruding member 16 contacts the rear wall of the lowermost product G1 loaded in the product storage column 2 and transfers the extruding member 16 while pushing it forward from the discharge port 21. The transfer chain 17 is 180
After rotating once, the microcomputer 58 stops the delivery motor 11, and the one extruding member 16 provided at equal intervals is stopped at a position on the rear side of the product G which will be positioned at the lowermost position next and stands by. Then, the sending operation is completed.

During the delivery operation, the load of the product G above the product G1 is not applied to the product G1 being transferred, so that the friction between the product G1 and the product loading table 15 and the product G2 is small, so that the product from the extrusion member 16 is removed. The acting force applied to the rear wall of G1 is also reduced, and the product G1 is smoothly pushed out. Therefore, the rear wall of the product G1 does not collapse. In this way, the product G1 pushed out from the product delivery device 3 falls directly onto the product chute 6 or is delivered to the delivery device 4 and then conveyed to the product chute 6. Product shoot 6 is product G1
When the product is received, the product G1 is delivered to the selling port 5 with the front part tilted low.

When the sending operation is completed, the microcomputer 57
Next, from step S6 to step S7, the holding motor 47 is driven again, and then step S7 and step S8 are repeated until the output of the limit switch 48 changes in step S8. When the holding motor 47 is driven, the control cam 51 similarly rotates clockwise in FIG. 5, this rotation is executed 90 degrees, and the sensing unit 48A enters the groove 55 and descends to reach the position P2 in FIG. The output of the limit switch 48 changes, and the microcomputer 58 proceeds from step S8 to step S9 to stop the holding motor 47.

At this time, the control cam 51 is rotated 90 degrees from the state where the major radius portion 54A is in contact with the pressing plate 46, and the minor radius portion 54B comes to a position facing the pressing plate 46, so that the control cam 51 is located. Is separated from the pressing plate 46, and the pressing plate 46 hangs down again to separate from the product G and return to the initial state. As a result, the holding of the products G2 and G3 is released, and the products G2 drop to the lower product loading table 15 and the product G2 becomes the lowermost product G1 for the next sale.

Here, the product G directly above the lowest product G1.
When the load of the product G applied to 2 is relatively small, as described above, the product G2 is completely held and the load applied to the lowest product G1 is eliminated, but the number of the products G in the product storage column 2 is large. When the load applied to the product G2 is increased, the load applied to the product G1 can be reduced depending on the capacity of the product holding device 24, but the product G1 cannot be completely held, and the decreased load may be applied to the product G1. .. However,
Even in such a case, the load applied to the lowermost product G1 is still reduced, and in this case, the rear end of the product G2 that is in contact with the rear wall 2A is lowered as the product is delivered,
The pressing plate 46 presses the product G2 against the product loading table 15 and the rear wall 2A, and holds the product G2 between the pressing plate 46 and the product loading table 15 and the rear wall 2A. Will be effectively prevented.

In the embodiment, the product holding device 24 is provided on the front surface of the product storage column 2 below the support plate 7, but the invention is not limited to this, and may be provided on the rear wall 2A or the side wall 2B. However, if it is provided below the support plate 7 as in the embodiment, there is an effect that the ineffective space below the support plate 7 can be effectively used and the space in the vending machine 1 can be effectively used.

[0023]

According to the present invention, when the lowermost product on the product loading table is delivered, the load of the upper product added to the product to be delivered is reduced, so that the product is prevented from being crushed due to the contact of the extrusion member. This makes it possible to prevent the sale of deformed products. In particular, for a large product having a large weight, it will exert a great effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a lower portion of a product storage column in a state where a control cam is separated from a pressing plate.

FIG. 2 is an internal front view of the vending machine.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an internal configuration of the vending machine.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the product holding device.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a control cam.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control circuit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a program of a microcomputer.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the product storage column in a state where the control cam is in contact with the pressing plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Vending Machine 2 Product Storage Column 3 Product Delivery Device 15 Product Loading Platform 16 Extrusion Member 24 Product Holding Device 46 Pressing Plate 51 Control Cam 57 Control Circuit G Product

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A vending machine comprising a product storage column for loading products and a product delivery device provided at the bottom of the product storage column, wherein the product delivery device includes a product loading table on which the products are stacked, An extruding member that is transferred on the product loading table so as to push out the lowermost product at the time of delivery, and the product storage column is configured such that the product above the bottom product is sent to the product storage column side when the product is sent out. An automatic vending machine comprising a product holding device for holding.