JPH09204575A - Article housing device for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the article carrying device of an automatic vending machine capable of improving article housing efficiency, making an article easily visible from the outside for a longer period and preventing the damage of the article. SOLUTION: For a first article receiving plate 12 provided so as to hold the article 4 and the article 4b at an ejection port at the front end of an article housing path 10, the area of a surface for holding the article 4 and the article 4b is smaller than the area of a back surface for holding the article 4 and the article 4b and it is provided with a cross sectional shape tilted from the back surface of the surface for holding the article 4 and the article 4b to the surface for holding the article 4 and the article 4b, is in a transmissive planar shape and is provided with the rib of a projecting shape so as not to bring the article 4 and the article 4b into contact with the entire plate surface.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product storage device for an automatic vending machine in which a plurality of product storage shelves are vertically arranged.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a product storage device for an automatic vending machine of this type has a large number of product storage shelves arranged in a plurality of rows in the vertical direction and stores the products in a multi-tiered manner so that the bottom portion can roll when placed vertically. Products are carried out by a flat plate-shaped first product receiving plate and a second product receiving plate provided at the front end. For example, it is known from Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-11479.

An example of the above-described conventional article storage device for a vending machine will be described below.

A product storage device having two gutter-shaped product storage paths arranged in the vertical direction is provided in the main body of the vending machine. At the outlet of the two gutter-shaped product storage paths, a flat plate-shaped first product receiving plate for holding products, and the flat plate-shaped first product receiving plate on the flat plate-shaped first product receiving plate A flat plate-shaped first product receiving plate, comprising a drive shaft for rotating the receiving plate, and an operating member that operates in conjunction with rotation of the flat plate-shaped first product receiving plate. In the rear of the, one end is pivotally supported, and the second product receiving plate that tilts and rotates upward to dispense the first product to the carry-out port and regulates the movement of the second product to the carry-out port is provided. It is provided on the sliding surface side of the product storage path. A moving plate that is slidably installed from the rear end to the carry-out port on the sliding surface of the product storage path to prevent the product from falling when moving, and a belt-shaped sliding bias that can be fixed and pulled to the moving plate. It has a structure in which spiral elastic members are connected.

The products are stored vertically in the two trough-shaped product storage passages and are stored in multiple stages such that the bottoms thereof roll, and the rear end of the product storage passage is provided by the moving plate and the elastic member. The product stored in the front end is always pushed. When carrying out the items stored on the left side,
The drive shaft rotates clockwise, and the flat plate-shaped first product receiving plate and the operating member fixed to the drive shaft rotate. As a result, the second product receiving plate rotates and tilts from the sliding surface of the product storage path, the first product is dispensed from the carry-out port, and the second product is prevented from moving to the carry-out port. When the flat plate-shaped first product receiving plate then rotates counterclockwise and returns to the original position, the second product receiving plate stops blocking movement of the second product to the carry-out port, The second product is moved to the carry-out port by the moving plate and the elastic member. When the product stored on the right side is carried out, the drive shaft rotates counterclockwise, and the flat plate-shaped first product receiving plate fixed to the drive shaft and the operating member rotate. As a result, the second product receiving plate rotates and tilts from the sliding surface of the product storage path, the first product is dispensed from the carry-out port, and the second product is prevented from moving to the carry-out port. When the flat plate-shaped first product receiving plate then rotates clockwise and returns to the original position, the second product receiving plate stops blocking the movement of the second product to the carry-out port. The second product is moved to the carry-out port by the moving plate and the elastic member. The above operation is carried out every time a sales instruction is issued until the products are exhausted.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned structure, when the flat plate-shaped first product receiving plate is rotated, the products stored at the front end of the product storage paths arranged below are Since they interfere with each other, it is necessary to increase the vertical spacing of the product storage device, and at that time, the product storage efficiency of the vending machine is poor. Further, since the first flat plate-like product receiving plate is rotated and slid with the product, there is a problem that frictional resistance is increased, a drive shaft is burdened, and reliability is low. Further, each time the first flat plate-like product receiving plate rotates, it slides with the product stored at the front end of the product storage passage, so that the product stored at the front end of the product storage passage is damaged or damaged. was there.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and is a first product receiving plate having a shape capable of rotating without interfering with any product without impairing the product storage efficiency. By having the first product support plate with a shape that reduces the contact surface of the product and the sliding surface with the product, damage to the product and defective delivery can be eliminated, and the reliability of the drive shaft can be improved. An object is to provide a product storage device for a vending machine.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a commodity storage device for a vending machine according to the first aspect of the invention. The first product receiving plate to be held and the end part of the first product receiving plate have a sectional shape that is inclined partially or entirely around the back surface of the product holding surface to the product holding surface. At the rear of the first product receiving plate, one end is pivotally supported and tilts and rotates upward to dispense the first product to the carry-out port and regulate the movement of the second product to the carry-out port. A second product receiving plate is provided on the sliding surface of the product storage channel, and the first product receiving plate is rotatably rotated by a drive shaft fixed to the first product receiving plate. .

As a result, even if the first product receiving plate is rotated in association with the rotation of the drive shaft, it does not interfere with the products at the front end stored in the product storage path arranged below, and the product storage device is Since the vertical distance can be reduced to the height of the product, the storage efficiency can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the product is held in the carry-out port at the front end of the gutter-shaped product storage path and is a transparent plate-like product,
By providing the first product receiving plate with the convex ribs so that the product does not touch the entire surface of the plate, the friction resistance with the product when the first product receiving plate is rotated is reduced, and the drive The load on the shaft is reduced and the reliability is improved. At the same time, the sliding surface with the product is reduced, and the product is not damaged or damaged.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is characterized in that a first product receiving plate for holding a product is provided at a front exit of a gutter-shaped product storage path, and the first product. The end portion of the receiving plate has a cross-sectional shape that is inclined partially or entirely around the back surface of the surface holding the product to the surface holding the product,
Behind the first product support plate, one end is pivotally supported and tilted upward to dispense the first product from the front end to the carry-out port and move the second product from the front end to the carry-out port. Has a second product receiving plate that regulates the above-mentioned condition on the sliding surface of the product storage path, and the first product receiving plate is rotatably rotated by a drive shaft fixed to the first product receiving plate. When the product is unloaded, even if the first product receiving plate rotates, it does not interfere with the product stored at the front end of the product storage passage in the lower stage, so the vertical spacing of the product storage passage Can be shortened, which has the effect of increasing storage efficiency.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the product is held at the front exit of the gutter-shaped product storage passage and has a transparent plate shape, so that the product does not touch the entire plate surface. The first product receiving plate provided with the rib is provided, and when the first product receiving plate is rotated, the surface slidably moved with the product stored at the front end of the product storage path becomes small. The action of reducing frictional resistance, reducing the load on the drive shaft that rotates the first product receiving plate, improving reliability, and preventing damage such as damage to the product due to sliding and lowering the transparency. Have.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a main part of a product storage device for a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a product storage device for a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a product storage device of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 1 to 3, a substantially box-shaped main body 1 is a front surface of the main body 1. And a coin mechanism section 2 provided on the side of the. The front door 3 of the main body 1 is provided with a transparent glass 3A on the front surface thereof so that the whole interior of the main body 1 can be viewed from the front side.
Is openably and closably attached, and by opening the front door 3, the inside of the main body 1 is opened to the front side.

In the inside of the main body 1 surrounded by a heat insulating wall,
A plurality of product storage devices 5 on which products for beverages or the like are placed vertically are provided in a vertically arranged manner. Reference numeral 6 denotes a product conveyance path provided on the front surface of the product storage device 5. The product storage device 5 is composed of a product storage shelf 7 and a drive motor 8. The product storage shelf 7 has a gutter-shaped partition between the side rail portions 9A and 9B raised from both sides thereof at equal intervals. A plurality of product storage paths 10 are erected in a row and are partitioned on each product storage shelf 7 according to the width dimension of the product 4.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the first product receiving plate of the product storing device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the first product receiving plate of the product storing device shown in FIG. Figure showing, Figure 1
5 to FIG. 5, each product storage shelf 7 is formed into a W-shaped gutter shape by arranging two product transfer devices 11 for preventing the products 4 from rolling forward and dropping and two gutter-shaped product storage paths 10. I have it. The product outlet of the product discharge device 11 holds the products 4 in the two product storage paths 10, and the area of the surface holding the products 4 is 4 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
Is smaller than the area of the back surface of the product holding surface, and the product 4 is held in a cross-sectional shape in which the end portion is partially inclined from the back surface of the surface holding the product 4 to the surface holding the product 4, There is provided a first commodity receiving plate 12 provided with a rib having a convex shape so as not to come into contact with. Then, the first product 4 comes into contact with the first product receiving plate 12 from the rear side, and further, a plurality of products 4a are stored in a state in which they are arranged in the rear side. Reference numeral 4b is the first product stored in the product storage shelf 7 below the product storage shelf 7 in which the product 4 is stored. When the product is stored, the product storage shelf 7 can be pulled out along the side rails 9A and 9B.

At the bottom of the main body 1, a machine room 15 is provided in which an evaporator 13, a circulation fan 14 and the like are arranged, and by operating the circulation fan 14, air inside the main body 1 is removed. A circulation path 16 is provided from the bottom through the evaporator 13 to lead downward from the upper part of the inside of the refrigerator. The evaporator 13 constitutes a refrigerating device together with a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube, and the like (not shown). In the summer, the cooled air is circulated through the evaporator 13 to the inside of the product storage shelf 7. The merchandise 4, the merchandise 4a, and the merchandise 4b are cooled on the other hand, and the circulating air is heated by the heater provided in the circulation path 16 in the winter, so that the merchandise 4, the merchandise 4a, and the merchandise on the commodity storage shelf 7 4b is warmed and stored. The product unloading device 11 provided at the carry-out port of each product storage path 10 has a plate-like shape with a transparent end and holds the product 4 and the product 4b, and the surface holding the product 4 and the product 4b. Is smaller than the area of the back surface of the surface that holds the product 4 and the product 4b, and the end portion partially holds the product 4 and the product 4b from the back surface of the surface.
With a cross-sectional shape inclined to the surface holding the products 4 and 4b, convex ribs are formed on the upper and left and right ends of the surface holding the products 4 and 4b so that the products 4 and 4b do not touch the entire plate surface. Furthermore, even if it is provided on almost the entire circumference except for the central portion of the lower end, even if it comes in contact with the product 4 and the product 4b and slides,
The product 4 has a shape which does not damage the product and does not affect the transparency, and the product 4 and the product 4a or the product 4 and the product 4b.
The first product receiving plate 12 that can hold the product and is molded so as to cover about 1/3 of the area of each product storage path 10 side.
Is provided at the center of the carry-out port of the product storage path 10 provided by the two gutter-shaped product storage paths 10. In the state of being fitted at a right angle to the lower side of the center of the first product receiving plate 12,
The drive shaft 17 that extends over the entire depth of the product storage path 10 is formed in the front and rear flanges 18a and 18b of the product storage shelf 7 through hole 1
It is pivotally supported by 9 and is rotatably attached to the left and right. Then, the actuating member 20 having a substantially inverted T-shaped cam shape is press-fitted by the elastic pin 21 at the rear portion of the first product receiving plate 12 at the carry-out port of the drive shaft 17 and locked to the drive shaft 17, The other end has a flat-shaped connection portion 22 formed by partial pressure processing.

On the other hand, a second product receiving plate 23, which can be rotatably opened at one point behind the first product receiving plate 12 of the product discharge device 11, is rotatably provided by a through hole 24, and the other end of the second product receiving plate 23 is rotatable. Has a sloped shape. Then, the through hole 24 of the second product receiving plate 23 and the gutter-shaped product storage path 10
A support plate 25 having a hole for the carrying-out port is pivotally attached by a shaft 26, and is attached to each of the left and right product storage paths 10 on the product sliding surface side.

FIG. 6 (a) is a detailed front view of the sale standby position of the product storage device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 (b) is a detail of the sale standby position of the product storage device shown in FIG. FIG. 7 (a) is a side view, FIG. 7 (a) is a front view of the operating member of the product storage device shown in FIG. 1 in the clockwise direction, and FIG. 7 (b) is an operating member of the product storage device shown in FIG. Clockwise operation side view, Figure 8
FIG. 8A is an operation front view of the operating member of the product storage device shown in FIG. 1 in the counterclockwise direction, and FIG. 8B is a counterclockwise operation of the operating member of the product storage device shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a side view of the operation, and in FIGS. 6 to 8, when the second product receiving plate 23 is in the horizontal state, the second product receiving plate 23 is attached close to the operation member 20 having a substantially inverted T-shaped cam shape. Then, when the drive shaft 17 is rotated clockwise, the A claw portion 27 provided on the actuating member 20 abuts the second product receiving plate 23A on the left side and rotates upward to be in a vertical state. Then, when it comes to this position, the position detection switch 28 in the drive motor 8 operates so that the actuating member 20 starts to rotate counterclockwise from this state, and when it comes to the standby state, the second product The receiving plate 23A is configured to return to the horizontal state. Further, in this state, the position detection switch 28 is operated and the drive motor 8 is stopped.

On the other hand, when the drive shaft 17 is rotated counterclockwise, the B claw portion 29 provided on the actuating member 20 contacts the second product receiving plate 23B on the right side to rotate upward and become vertical. . Then, when it comes to this position, the position detection switch 28 in the drive motor 8 operates so that the actuating member 20 starts to rotate in the clockwise direction from this state, and when it comes to the standby state, it receives the second product receiving member. The plate 23B is configured to return to the horizontal state. Further, in this state, the position detection switch 28 is operated and the drive motor 8 is stopped.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view of the front end portion of the product storage device shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of the main part of the stopper portion of the product storage device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a main part of a stopper portion of the product storage device shown in FIG. 1, and in FIGS. 9 to 11, a bottom surface of each product storage path 10 is a substantially rail-shaped runway having slidability. The member 30 is fixed to the product unloading device 11, and a plurality of protruding ribs 32 that reduce the contact resistance with the spiral elastic member 31 are arranged above the runway member 30 in the entire depth of the runway member 30. The spiral elastic member 31 has a sliding surface. Then, L-shaped moving plates 34 that can slide in the product discharge direction are provided at both ends 33, 33 'of the sliding surface. Moving plate 3
It is also effective to use a material having a high slidability for the runway member 30 in order to improve slidability of the elastic member 31 and the spiral elastic member 31. U-shaped claw portions 35 are provided at both lower ends of the L-shaped moving plate 34, and are inserted into both end portions 33, 33 'of the sliding surface by being loosely fitted. Further, on the lower surface portion of the L-shaped moving plate 34, a spiral elastic member 31 for urging a belt-like slidable member on which the product 4 can be placed and towed is attached. The length of the spiral elastic member 31 is set so as to extend through the lower square hole 36 of the L-shaped moving plate 34 and slide over the upper surface of the rib 32 on the upper side of the runway member 30. , Where the cylindrical roller 37 is axially supported in the notch of the second product receiving plate 23,
The elastic member 31 is bent and bent in a U-shape so as to be rotatably stretched, and the spiral elastic member 31 is provided with a rotation control member 38 on a shaft portion 39 above the rear end of the product storage path 10 so as to be rotatable and fixed. I am allowed. And the movable plate 3 which is erected freely
4 is provided with a locking portion 41 that can be locked by the stopper portion 40 when it is moved to the rear end of the product storage path 10, and is automatically fixed when the moving plate 34 is moved during storage and retracted to the stopper portion 40. The product storage shelf 7 can be installed on the side rail 9
It is a locking portion 41 that can be automatically released by pushing it inward along A and 9B. Further, when the movable plate 34 is released from the locking portion 41, the shaft support portion of the movable plate 34 has a rotation control member 38 that restricts rotation during high speed rotation and does not during low speed rotation. It is a thing.

The operation of the product storage device of the vending machine configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 to 8.

First, when the product is on standby, the first product 4 is placed on the first product receiving plate 12 and a plurality of products 4a are arranged from the rear.
Are pressed and stored in the L-shaped moving plate 34. Since the first product receiving plate 12 is provided with ribs whose convex surface is in contact with the product 4 on the entire circumference and the cross-sectional shape is concave, only the product 4 and the ribs provided on the entire circumference are provided. It is in a state of being abutted and stored.

Next, when the sales signal of the left side product storage passage 10 is input to the drive motor 8 and rotated, the drive shaft 17 rotates clockwise, and the first product receiving plate 12 fixed to the drive shaft 17 operates. The member 20 rotates. As a result, the second product receiving plate 23 is provided on the actuating member 20 having a substantially inverted T-shaped cam shape from the horizontal state.
When 7 comes into contact with the second product receiving plate 23A on the left side and rotates upward and tilts, the product 4a moves upward.

At the uppermost position, the left side product storage path 10
The product 4 is rotated outward and the product 4 is moved to the product transport path 6. Then, the first product 4a moves to the carry-out port side, but the second product receiving plate 23A projects from the sliding surface, and the first product 4a is blocked and held. In this state, the drive motor shaft 42 rotates 90 °, the position detection switch 28 operates, and the drive motor 8 rotates counterclockwise in the reverse direction. Next, when the second product receiving plate 23A returns to the horizontal state and the position detection switch 28 operates, it stops. At this time, the spiral-shaped elastic member 31 moves the first product 4a toward the outlet, but the first product receiving plate 12 is also returned to the standby state, and the first product 4a is moved to the product transport path 6. It stops and stops without falling.

Next, when the sales signal of the right side product storage passage 10 is input to the drive motor 8 and rotated, the drive shaft 17 rotates counterclockwise, and the transparent first product receiver fixed to the drive shaft 17 is received. The plate 12 and the operating member 20 rotate. As a result, the second product receiving plate 23B moves from the horizontal state to a substantially inverted T
When the B claw portion 29 provided on the actuating member 20 having the V-shaped cam shape contacts the second product receiving plate 23B on the right side and rotates upward and tilts, the first product 4a moves upward.

At the uppermost position, the right side product storage path 10
The product 4 is rotated outward and the product 4 is moved to the product transport path 6. Then, the first product 4a moves to the carry-out port side, but the second product receiving plate 23B projects from the sliding surface, and the first product 4a is similarly blocked and held. Then, when the drive motor shaft 42 rotates by 90 °, the position detection switch 28 operates, the drive motor 8 rotates clockwise clockwise, and the second product receiving plate 23B returns to the horizontal state and stops.

The above operation is repeated every time the sales signal is received until there is no product 4 in the product storage path 10. Also,
When the first product receiving plate 12 is rotated, the product 4b stored in the product storage path 10 below the product storage path 10
Regardless of the total height of the first product receiving plate 12 and product 4b
Does not interfere with each other due to the cross-sectional shape of the first commodity receiving plate 12 which is inclined at the end portion of substantially the entire circumference.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, a rib having a convex shape is provided on substantially the entire circumference so that the first product receiving plate does not come into contact with the stored product and the entire plate surface. By making the shape of the concave portion, the frictional resistance with the stored product due to the rotation of the first product receiving plate is reduced, and the product is not damaged or damaged. Further, when the first product receiving plate is made of a transparent material, the surface of the product is not scratched due to friction with the product and does not penetrate. Then, the advantageous effect that the reliability of the drive shaft is improved by reducing the frictional resistance is obtained. Furthermore, the shape of the first product receiving plate is a cross-sectional shape that is inclined from the back side of the surface holding the product to the surface holding the product at the end of almost the entire circumference, and the surface holding the product is the surface holding the product. By making the area smaller than the back surface, even if the first product receiving plate rotates, the space that gives interference is reduced, so that the vertical distance between the product storage shelves is shortened, and the advantageous effect of improving storage efficiency is also obtained. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a main part of a product storage device of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a product storage device of the vending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a product storage device of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of a first product support plate of the product storage device shown in FIG.

5 is a side view of a first product receiving plate of the same product storage device shown in FIG.

6 (a) is a detailed front view of the sale standby position of the product storage device shown in FIG. 1; and (b) is a detailed side view of the sale standby position of the product storage device shown in FIG.

7 (a) is a front view of the operating member of the product storage device shown in FIG. 1 in the clockwise direction, and FIG. 7 (b) is a side view of the operating member of the product storage device in FIG. 1 in the clockwise direction.

8 (a) is a front view of the operation member of the product storage device shown in FIG. 1 when operating in the counterclockwise direction. FIG. 8 (b) is a side view of the operation member of the product storage device shown in FIG. 1 when operating in the counterclockwise direction.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged front view of the front end portion of the product storage device shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of a main part of a stopper portion of the product storage device shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of a main part of a stopper portion of the product storage device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Main body 3 Front door 3A Transparent glass 4 First product 4a Product behind the first product 4b First product and product behind the first product are stored in the product storage shelf under the product storage shelf The top product 5 Product storage device 6 Product transport path 7 Product storage shelf 8 Drive motors 9A, 9B Side rails 10 Product storage path 11 Product delivery device 12 First product receiving plate 13 Evaporator 14 Circulation fan 15 Machine room 16 Circulation path 17 Drive shaft 18a, 18b Flange portion 19, 24 Through hole 20 Actuating member 21 Elastic pin 22 Flatly molded connection portion 23, 23A, 23B Second product receiving plate 25 Support plate 26 Shaft 27 A Claw portion 28 Position detection Switch 29 B Claw portion 30 Runway member 31 Elastic member 32 Ribs 33, 33 'Both ends of the running surface 34 Moving plate 35 U-shaped The claw portion 36 a square hole 37 cylindrical roller 38 rotating control member 39 shaft section 40 stopper portion 41 engaging portion 42 driving motor shaft

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. The carry-out port at the front end of the gutter-shaped product storage path is
A first product receiving plate for holding a product, and a cross-sectional shape in which an end portion of the first product receiving plate is partially or entirely circumferentially inclined from a back surface of a product holding surface to a product holding surface. At the rear of the first product receiving plate, one end is pivotally supported, the upper product is rotated and tilted upward, the first product from the front end is discharged to the carry-out port, and the second product from the front end is carried. The second product receiving plate that regulates the movement to the outlet is provided on the sliding surface of the product storage passage, and the first product receiving plate is rotatable by the drive shaft fixed to the first product receiving plate. Product storage device for a vending machine that is rotated to. 2. A ridge-shaped rib for holding a product and having a transparent plate shape and having a convex shape so that the product does not touch the entire plate surface at an outlet of a front end of a gutter-shaped product storage path. The product storage device of the vending machine according to claim 1, comprising one product receiving plate.